Soul Decisions

by Casey Harvell

  I reach out tentatively at first. They really are soft and strong! I grin back at him.

  “So we’re cool?” Shay asks.

  “Are you kidding me?” I laugh and literally ruffle his feathers. “How many chicks get their own real guardian angel?”

  Shay envelopes me in a large hug—wings and all.

  Still the best BFF ever.

  The nicest part about poofing about is that I can do this to anywhere. This means when we leave Chance and Rosie’s, instead of poofing back to Shay’s car, I give him a hug and poof home.

  “Hey, babe!” I call as I walk through the door.

  “In here,” he calls back.

  To this day the sight of Gabe sets my blood on fire. He emanates strength and support. His sinewy lines over muscle show through his too tight shirt. Maybe it’s the hormones, or the interdimensional travel, but the moment our eyes connect I can only think about one thing.

  “How was your day?” Gabe asks.

  Instead of replying, I wrap my arms around him from behind and caress his strong chest.

  “Oh, it was a good day, then?’ He continues with a voice that grows husky.

  I let my hands fall to the waistband of his pants and slip one down the front.

  “A really good day,” he growls and quickly turns around.

  Moments later I forget about everything else while Gabe rocks my world.

  I watch Gabe pull out of the driveway and frown. I’ve got this inkling—this almost Spidey-sense if you will—and it just won’t let up. Something is up, something that I need to worry about...

  Something that only I can stop...

  I just don’t know what.

  Maybe a visit to Maddy is in order. She always helps give me perspective when I need it most. I begin to think about the possibilities as I get ready to go.

  There are so damn many, it almost gives me anxiety.

  When I stopped the war over the balance, I did it with full awareness that there’d be consequences. So far, it’s been quiet. My best guess (and worst fear) is that is all about to change. For all that is good in the world, there is still evil. The act of abolishing this evil can’t be, yet somehow must be evil in and of itself.

  So what’s the solution?

  Even more so—what’s the damn question?

  Gah!

  I chalk up my severe lack of patience to the pregnancy...mostly. I suppose I’ve never really been all that patient.

  The drive to Maddy’s is uneventful. Even though I didn’t call her to tell her I was coming, she waits for me at the door.

  Some things just are.

  “You look well,” Maddy grins as she gives me a hug. “Pregnancy suits you.”

  “Thanks,” I grin back, “You look all better.”

  “Much.” Maddy holds the door open. “Come in.”

  It doesn’t take too long to catch Maddy up to speed. When I finish telling her about the feeling in my gut, she appears lost in thought.

  “Maddy?” I call her name softly.

  “I’m just trying to remember something.” She tells me. A few more silent moments go by before her eyes fly open. “Come with me.”

  I follow without question or hesitation. Maddy leads me to a room filled with ancient books. “You’ve been busy rebuilding your collection.” I observe.

  “Of course.” Maddy says without missing a beat. She’s a woman on a mission if I’ve ever seen one.

  Maddy pulls down a rather large, old volume and gently opens the cover. I can’t understand the writing, but I have a feeling that I’m not supposed to.

  “Ah,” Maddy says as her eyes rake over the page. When she completes the next page (and the next) she looks at me. “You have to go to Aether, Lettie. And not just regular, old Aether that you’re used to. You have to go to the top of Aether and talk to the person in charge.” She gives me a pointed look.

  My mind digests her words and my jaw falls. “You can’t mean...” The rest of the words won’t form.

  “I’m afraid I do.” Maddy confirms.

  Holy—

  There are lots of things that make me nervous. A whole bunch, actually—and most especially recently, at that. Meeting Gabe’s family made me hella nervous...of course the fact that he was all MIA at the time didn’t really help...standing up to a demon the first time...and even the second and third—all nerve-wracking chizz.

  The idea of motherhood? Absolutely freaking terrifying.

  But this? This is a new level of nervous.

  ‘Talk to the person in charge,’ she says...no pressure or anything. Just go speak to the creator of everything. No biggie.

  I may hyperventilate.

  Another thought dawns on me. How’s Gabe going to take this? I mean, surely there can’t be any threat. So there’s that...I hope.

  I stir dinner and try to calm down. This has to work out. If anything, it’ll be helpful.

  I mean, we’re on the same side...right?

  It doesn’t take long for Gabe to catch on that something’s on my mind. It’s also not very surprising, considering how in-tune we are with one another. Gabe isn’t really a beat-around-the-bush kind of guy (which is a quality that endears him to me) so it doesn’t take him but a second to ask me what’s up.

  “Well,” I choose my next words carefully. I won’t lie to him—we don’t do that (even if I stretch the truth now and again) but I don’t want to overly concern him for no reason, either. “I spoke with Maddy today. She thinks I need to visit Aether.” There. That’s mostly the truth...

  “Okay.” Gabe says in between bites. “Do you need me to come with?”

  I have to force my eyebrow not to rise. This is going way easier than I anticipated. “No, I mean—not unless you want to.”

  “That’s completely up to you, babe.”

  I pretend to consider this. “I think I’ll be okay this go.”

  “You sure?”

  “Yeah.”

  See? Easy peasy.

  I grit my teeth and prepare to go meet the creator of—well—everything. I have absolutely no idea what to expect or what to say. Talk about freaking nerve-wracking.

  It barely takes a second to zap over to Aether. Just as it always does, it captivates me. Everything is so vibrant here—like it should hurt your eyes, but doesn’t. It’s far too peaceful for that.

  If it wasn’t so damn perfect, it’d be a conundrum in and of itself.

  It doesn’t take long to walk through Aether, at least it doesn’t feel like it does. Maybe it’s an optical illusion of sorts.

  I’ve been to Aether a few times now, but never this deep into its intricacy. My destination, a large marble door—like an airplane hangar—stands just before me now. I tell myself that I won’t be any more nervous than I am at this moment. It only takes a step forward for the monstrosity to open of its own accord.

  Deep breaths.

  I was wrong. This is as nervous as I can possibly be. My nerves hit a peak and for a moment I feel light-headed.

  Somehow the inside is even brighter than outside. The main hall walls seem to illuminate the endless space. Even the ceilings glows, what seems like miles above my head.

  As my feet shuffle along, my nerves begin to ease. In fact—the further in I venture, the more comfortable I feel. At the end of the hall I feel completely at peace.

  Again the door opens by itself, only this time it’s less foreboding. I step in, unsure what to expect—yet somehow still okay with that. Whatever it is, it’ll be alright.

  Suddenly, I’m home again. Before I can question what’s going on, a figure steps forward.

  “Lettie, I hope you don’t mind that we’re here. I wanted you to be at ease.”

  I can’t find words, so I nod my head in confirmation.

  “Good!” He continues. “I had a feeling that you wouldn’t mind.”

  “I’m sorry, I think I need a moment.” I tell him. I take time to absorb the man before me—the Creator. He looks more like a hobbit than a wizar
d. He’s not old, but certainly not young...and he’s awfully hairy. He’s the furthest thing from what I could’ve imagined.

  “Better?”

  I nod again. “Do you get this reaction a lot?”

  He chuckles. “Sometimes. Don’t get me wrong—I can look differently if I choose, but this time I just wanted to be me.”

  That makes sense and it’s something that I appreciate. I tell him as much.

  “We have much to discuss and little time.” He says.

  “Let’s get started, then.” I say, growing serious now.

  “Let’s.”

  “I’m sure you have many questions for me.”

  “I do.” I admit.

  “Go ahead and ask the most pressing one.”

  I hesitate. I don’t want to offend Him.

  “Go on.” He prompts.

  “I...” It’s hard to find the right phrasing. “I don’t understand why the bad has to balance the good.”

  He smiles sadly. “Neither do I.” At my look of confusion he continues. “You see, I’m lacking one very important thing to stop it. Control. It’s always assumed that I have full control, but I don’t. I hardly have any. People are chock full of free will and they have no issue exercising their right to use it. I can try to point them in the right direction, but so can they also be swayed in the other direction. It boils down to the choices people make...”

  “To their decisions...” I mumble softly, more to myself than to the conversation.

  “Exactly.”

  “So this whole balance thing—that wasn’t you?”

  He shakes his head. “No, that’s something that just got way out of hand. Kind of like how people like to have wars in my name. Utterly ridiculous.”

  “You can’t stop that, either?”

  “I couldn’t, but you did.” He points out.

  “Did I, though?”

  “Yes, they listened to you.” He pauses, “Do you understand what I’m saying here, Lettie?” I shake my head no. “I can’t stop anything because of free will...but you—you can.”

  As His words absorb, I realize the weight of them. “You mean?”

  “Yes.” He confirms. “There’s a reason I hid your mother and then you from your father. I chose you, Lettie—not because of what you are and what you’re capable of—but because of who you are. Your soul is pure. Your decisions are just. I saw this life for you and I knew how much it was needed.”

  I’ve known my power was great—especially since the ritual—but this...this is a lot to swallow. “I don’t know what to do.” I say earnestly.

  “Ah, but you will when the time comes. Just stay true to yourself, Lettie, and all will be as it should be.”

  Yoda talk, much? “Okay,” I agree to the vague demand—mostly because I always stay true to myself, so it shouldn’t be difficult.

  “I wish we had more time...I’ll be here when you need me, though.”

  “Thank you for seeing me,” I say as I walk him to the front door.

  “Take care, Lettie.” He drops a fatherly kiss on my forehead and disappears through the door. He never makes it outside, though. Instead he disappears into a flash of light before my eyes.

  Back in the living room I try to figure out what the hell I’m supposed to do next...

  Shay: Lettie? We have a problem.

  Me: What’s going on?

  Shay’s problems can vary from something minor (a misplaced item, perhaps) to something major. I’ve learned not to freak out until I know which it is.

  Shay: Are you sitting down?

  Me: Yes, Shay. Just spit it out!

  Shay: Jocelyn’s gone...and it’s not just her. Antonio and the kids are missing, too.

  My heart freezes.

  Me: What? How?

  Shay: I’m not sure, but I’m on my way over. Be ready and we’ll see what we can find.

  Me: Okay

  I try to convince myself that this has to be some sort of misunderstanding, but in my gut I know better. In my gut, I know that someone got to my friends.

  And someone did it just to hurt me.

  I have no idea what to do. Where to begin to search for my friend’s family.

  Despite Gabe’s protest, I zap over to see my mother. She promises to put out the word in Abysuss. Next I poof over to Aether. I have to cover all my bases after all. Gabe’s family also agrees to keep their ears to the ground.

  I’d stop in and say hi to Chase’s family, but to be honest I’m far too cowardly to face them. What do you say in a situation like that? Sorry I sent your son to some unknown alternate dimension?

  I think not.

  By the time I return home, I tremble from the combination of anxiety and exertion.

  “Babe, if I ask you to rest, would you?” Gabe asks cautiously.

  I shake my head. “I can’t. We have to go look for clues.”

  Gabe frowns. “I figured as much. And I get it—I do...but you have to remember it’s not just you that you’re running down.” He points out.

  He’s right and I know it. “I’ll rest later, I promise.” I concede slightly.

  He sighs. “Can you at least eat something before we go? You’re shaking.”

  Crap. I was hoping I hid that better. “Deal.”

  Gabe cooks us up some eggs and bacon faster than I’ve ever seen him do before. He places a plate in front of me and joins me at the table. Then he puts on his serious face. I don’t know if Gabe is aware that he gets this look about him every time he has something important to say. If I was so distraught, it’d make me giggle.

  “Lettie,” he begins, “we’ve been together for a while. I know how you are—what makes you tick—and I love every single part of you.”

  “I love you, too.” I throw in.

  He smiles softly before the serious face returns. “I know you’re used to doing everything, running your stamina to its max—but I have to beg you to tone it down. At least for the next few months until the baby arrives. It’s not healthy for either of you. You’re already making a whole other life inside you. That’s pretty amazing and takes a lot of work on its own.”

  I allow his words to resonate as I chew and swallow. Everything he’s saying is correct. “I know it, baby. I just don’t really know how to stop being this way, though.”

  “I understand...just promise me you’ll try...and maybe not bite my head off when I say something about it.” He adds with a smirk.

  I give him a coy smile. “Bite your head off, or suspend you upside down from the ceiling?” I tease.

  “Neither—preferably.”

  Ha! “Deal.” I shove the last of my food down my throat and slam down my small glass of orange juice like a shot at the bar. My hands have stopped trembling, so I guess food was just what I needed. “Now can we go look for clues?” I ask.

  “Yeah, just remember you promised to rest later.”

  “Yes, sir.” I say and follow him out to the car.

  The police tape across Jocelyn’s door sends my anxiety back into overdrive. Luckily the door isn’t sealed, so we don’t have to get too creative with our entry.

  Inside is immaculate, as always. Jocelyn has some slight OCD tendencies. While it’s obviously a space of warmth, love, and family, you can see the touches throughout. It makes my heart swell with concern for my friend’s welfare.

  This is the hardest part of knowing exactly what the world holds—of being privy to secrets of good and evil. I know there’s a chance that Jocelyn, Antonio, and the kids could be somewhere awful. Somewhere hot, and dark, and torturous.

  Somewhere good people should never have to experience.

  “Babe?” Gabe’s arms wrap around me. It’s then I notice I’m shaking once more. “I don’t see anything here, sweetheart.”

  I nod into his chest. “The lack of a struggle makes me think it’s something non-human that took them.” I mumble.

  “I know.” He agrees. “We’ll find out. I’ll get a team on it—if you promise to take a nap.”r />
  “We both know you’ll do it anyway.” I point out. They’re his friends, too.

  “Yeah—but I’m grasping at straws here, babe. Work with me.”

  A nap does sound kind of nice. I have to stifle a yawn as I reply. “Fine. Nap. I’ll do it.”

  “Let’s get you home then.”

  Indicators

  I do take a nap. Maybe not a super long one, but once my head hits the pillow I conk out for a solid hour. A deep replenishing dreamless sleep.

  It’s kind of just what I needed.

  It kind of irks me when Gabe’s right. At least he doesn’t say ‘I told you so.’ At least, he’d better not if he knows what’s good for him.

  Gabe’s nowhere to be found when I get some water. I no sooner sit in a chair when the flash comes to me. This time it isn’t a summons through my mother, but a direct request.

  Gabe’s’ going to be pissed, but who am I to turn Him down?

  I go back to Aether, back to the magical palace directly this time. The massive doors open at my arrival and I step inside. This time it’s not my home, but what must be his.

  “Lettie, thank you for arriving so quickly.” He says.

  “Of course.” I reply.

  “There’s an importance to why I’ve asked you here.” He says. “Unfortunately, I feel it’s out of your comfort zone.”

  “Maybe you can help me, too.” I explain about Jocelyn, Antonio, and the kids.

  He pauses and seems to stare at the corner of the massive chamber. “They’ve been taken to Abyssus.” He pauses again. “Elias—he didn’t do it himself, but he gave the order.”

  I knew it.

  “Lettie?” He asks.

  “Sorry, I knew it was him.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  “Thank you.” I say sincerely. “May I ask what you needed?” Now that I know where to find Jocelyn, I’m itching to find out her fate.

  “Go, find your friend. Come back after you’ve done that and had some rest. This can wait.”

  “Thank you. Thank you so much.”

  He smiles warmly. “And allow me to help you. Save your energy for once you get there. You’ll need it.”