The LATEST, Lettie. I’m serious, he’s counting on you.
I know, I promise.
Love you.
Love you, too.
In the kitchen the coffee maker beeps that it’s done. Jack sits at the counter island. “Guy’s a real prick.” He says.
I shake my head. “I guess he turned out to be.” I say with a wry smile.
“Wait—that’s him, then? Ya shoulda let me kick his arse, Lettie.” Jacks so utterly serious.
I laugh. Like, really laugh. It feels good. “Maybe. But I have other things to worry about.” I say, the thoughts sobering my mood.
“Aye,” Jack agrees. “We back at it again today, then?”
I nod. The coffee awakens synapses in my brain and I look down. “First let me go change into boots and jeans.” Nobody should have to run around hell in shorts and flip flops.
Ten minutes and another sup of coffee later, we’re ready. For a split second before I poof us away two different combating desires wash over me. One to have an uneventful day... and its counterpart to wreak destruction on Elias...
Which to hope for...
The moment we hit Abyssus I no longer have time to overthink. Something is different here. Something is wrong. I can feel it.
Jack must feel it, too. His movements are cautious as he scans our surroundings.
Shit! “Hold tight.” I warn Jack.
“Mom?” I move through her place quickly. The relief is quick once I find her and Maddy in the back. They look as happy to see me as I am to see them.
“Lettie!” Jack calls from behind me.
“Back here,” I call back. “What’s going on?” I ask my mom and Maddy.
“We’re not sure.” My mom answers.
“Lettie, do me a favor.” Maddy says. “Poof home and back again for me, don’t ask why.”
I shrug, but comply. When I’m done I stare at her expectantly.
“Nobody else can do that.” My mother says quietly. “It’s as though we’ve been stripped.”
Stripped? “But why?” I ask.
“It’s not just that, Lettie. Think about it.” Maddy continues. “Your mother and I are stripped, yes, but our powers are not of this plain. Those whose are retain their abilities, if not propel them now. Something has shifted. Something terrible.”
I absorb this, the facts and what-ifs bouncing around inside me. Once more, as I have a dozen times over, I gather every iota of power inside me and try to release my mother from this place. Once more, nothing happens. I sigh.
“You know it won’t work, Lettie.” My mom says sadly.
“Doesn’t stop me from trying,” I say glumly. “It’s not safe for you two here.”
I walk to the window and lay my palm on the frame. I cast a powerful net around the place to ensure anyone who approaches with the intent to harm will be handled.
It’s then I notice my mother stare at Jack. She looks like she’s seen a ghost. She’s spent years in hell, so she doesn’t scare easily.
“Does she know?” My mom asks Jack.
Maddy’s eyebrows shoot up. “Get right to the thick of it, hmm?” She shakes her head.
“No, she doesn’t know yet.” Jack admits.
Well, isn’t this just great? “What don’t I know now?” I pinch the bridge of my nose as my temples begin to throb.
“Are you going to tell her, or should I?” My mother asks.
Confusion
“I’ll do it. I should’ve before, I know. But regardless, it should be me.” Jack says and my heart drops.
“What now?” I ask. It figures. It’s my own stupid fault for believing in friendship yet again.
“Lettie, darling, I was gonna tell ya right away, but the timing just never seemed right.” Jack takes a deep breath. “Anyway, so I’m your half-brother—not on your ma’s side,” his gaze shoots from my Mom then back to me. “I hope that doesn’t change your opinion of me.”
It takes a moment to digest before I’m able to answer. By the time I am, I get it—I really do. “It’s okay, I understand. I’m all hell bent on destroying our father—pun intended—and it wasn’t the best time to denote your patriarchal lineage.”
“Exactly!” Jack agrees brightly, his demeanor changing instantly. “See—she gets me.” He says to no one in particular.
“I also knew right away that you meant me no harm,” I point out.
“As long as everything is above board,” Maddy says. I can tell her impression of Jack is left wanting.
I return to the main issue. “I need to figure out how to get you out of here,” I say more to my Mom than Maddy. Maddy only stays because of her.
“You’re spell will hold and keep us safe,” Mom says confidently.
“Yeah, but it’s only a for now thing, ma. We need a more permanent solution.” I frown and add it to my seemingly impossible to-do list, right next to save the world... again.
“Go.” My mom insists. “Go do what needs doing. I’ll send Maddy if it gets that bad.”
A glance to Jack shows he’s eager to go too. “Alright. But I’m going to figure something out.”
We use the door since there’s no real reason to poof anywhere. The vibe here is still off. If I weren’t me, it’d actually scare me. Only I am me, so I walk down the alley like I own it. I’ll fear nothing in this world.
It seems my slightly vampiric half-brother shares my fearlessness. If not, he does a damn good job at faking it. I suppose actually eating people makes you feel badass, though.
The place is a dead zone... I realize where I have to go next and sigh.
“Hold on,” I tell Jack. With a poof we’re back in his kitchen. I whip out my cell phone. “Shay? I need a favor. It could take a while.”
“Anything for you, love.” Shay agrees instantly. “Is this a bring Max trip or the other kind?”
“The other kind.” I say. “I’m hoping that it’ll be uneventful, but I need you to hang with Mom and Maddy for a while and keep them safe. There’s something going on that I need to figure out and I need to know they’re okay.”
“Got it. I’ll be read in five.” Shay disconnects.
“You want to hang here or poof around with me?” I ask Jack. Sometimes too much poofing makes my passenger lose their lunch.
“I’ll tag along if you don’t mind.”
“Good. Then you can fill in Shay on the whole family tree.” I grin and poof us over to Shay’s.
The first thing I do is hand Shay the USB for Max—before I forget. After he puts it on the counter and shoots Max a text, we go to Mom’s.
She and Maddy grumble a little, but they love Shay and vice versa, so it’s almost an all-around win.
The almost part being a huge WTF is going on now.
With my Mom and Maddy secure with Shay inside my little safety net, I poof Jack and I back to my place. I land on the couch with a loud plop before I sigh and crack my neck.
“I have to go to Aether.” I tell Jack.
“Aye?” He perks up. “I’ve never been.”
“You want to come with, then?” I ask, though it only surprises me a little. “If my gut feeling is right, it may not be everything it usually is.” Only I have people to check on and someone important to see.
“Yeah, regardless of whatever’s going on up there, it can’t be worse than what I’ve seen down there.” Jack points out.
I shrug. He’s not wrong.
It takes me a moment to peel myself up, but I do. Jack begins to fuss with his shirt and hair.
“What are you doing?” I ask.
“I dunno, I told ya I’ve never been before.”
I shake my head and poof us over. “First things first,” I explain as we begin to walk the path I know so well now. “Have you ever heard of Cerdomum?”
There are certain things that I’m good at. Avoidance is one of those things. I’ve managed to avoid Chase’s parents, Aurora and Rafferty since Chase sacrificed himself into an alternate dimension to save me. How do y
ou face someone after something like that?
Unfortunately, I’m about to find out. If anyone knows what in the Hell is going on, it’ll be the Cerberuses. There’s no choice—and no time to be cowardly. Besides the answers I seek about Elias, there’s this whole creepy Abyssus vibe that has me more than slightly concerned.
I hardly make it to the edge of town before I hear someone call my name. Jack looks impressed, but really it feels more like notoriety than anything to be too excited about. Maybe it’s just because my mood sucks. Or maybe it’s because everything does. Despite our distracting mission, the emptiness inside me still remains the most prominent.
Cyrus (Gabe’s brother) strolls over and gives me a big hug. It’s bittersweet for me. My happiness to see Cyrus displaces itself quickly with the sadness his familiarity brings.
“Little—almost—sister, so you’ve heard then and came to help?” Cyrus asks.
I shake my head. “I noticed something was up, but haven’t heard what yet.” Behind me Jack clears his throat. Cyrus immediately sizes him up and I stifle an eye roll. “Cyrus, meet my brother Jack.”
Cyrus looks at Jack with confusion plain on his face so I quickly explain the family tree. “Oh,” Cyrus says and holds out his hand, though he still looks slightly suspicious of Jack. “Pleased to meet you.” I can tell the lack of sincerity in the statement (and I’m sure Jack can, too.)
“Back at you, mate.” Jack says. His voice sounds like he doesn’t really care what Cyrus thinks.
This time I do roll my eyes. “If you boys are done, can someone please tell me what’s going on?”
“Have you been to Aether?” Cyrus asks.
“No, we came straight here from Abyssus.” I tell him. “The vibe there is way off and the place is oddly quiet.”
“That’s because so many left.” Cyrus says.
“But they can’t leave.” Jack states the obvious. “That’s kind of the whole point of Abyssus.”
“Well, they did.” Cyrus says. “And what’s more, some of them got into Aether.”
I try to digest this new information. My own personal issues and vendettas aside, this is serious. Extremely serious.
End of days, serious.
“If they got out of Abyssus and into Aether, then that means...” I let my voice trail off.
“They’re both gone?” Jack guesses.
Cyrus nods.
A thought pops up and I realize opportunity knocks. Cyrus has fought beside me enough to know when my cogs begin to turn. Maybe Jack just realizes due to our sibling connection. They both give me a moment and await instruction.
“Jack, I’m going to zap you back to Abyssus to my mom, Maddy, and Shay. You tell them what’s happening and have Maddy zap all of you back to Shay’s house. Cyrus, you gather everyone here in the square. You’ll all be going to Shay’s as well. I’ll zap us all there and then the three of us will go to Aether and find out what in the hell is going on.”
“What if they don’t listen?” Jack asks.
“If you’re not at Shay’s when I get there, I’ll come help.” I reassure him. Before he has a chance to state any more doubts I poof him away.
“I feel a danger there.” Cyrus says, referring to Jack.
“He’s got a little demon in him.” I shrug, “but then so do I. He means no harm.”
Cyrus sniffles and holds back whatever else he has to say about Jack. “Where’s my brother? I thought for sure he wouldn’t let you out of his sight during this—especially with the baby.”
The pain that tears through me almost doubles me over, despite my promise to myself to focus on the bigger picture. Instead of letting it free, I shake my head no sadly and slowly, “Long story for another time, but I don’t know where he is, nor do I care.”
Cyrus’s mouth hangs open momentarily. “Um, okay then. Shit, I’m sorry, Lettie.”
I try to shrug it off. “Come on, we have work to do.”
We gather those who remain in Cerberus and explain the situation. Many have never left and fear it, but I fear more the idea of them being attacked. While they are all very strong and resilient, losing them all would have consequences that I don’t even want to imagine. Sending them to Shay’s is a double-edged sword of awesomeness. I figure our realm is currently the best place to hide them. As an added bonus, they can help Shay keep my mom and Maddy in one piece. Plus all Cerberus in general are pretty gorgeous, so Shay can just pretend that he’s hosting a very large and long model party.
It takes a little convincing, but in the end they all agree that it’s safer my way. With a note to any that may return and after they batten down the hatches, we stand in a cluster. It takes a lot of energy—so much so that I tap into that festering rage inside me. Soon we all stand on Shay’s back deck. The door slides open from inside and Shay steps out with Max.
“Is everyone here?” I ask. He knows who I mean.
Shay nods. “She didn’t want to, but I think she was the most surprised that she was able.”
I breathe a small sigh of relief. “Everyone, this is Shay and Max—your gracious hosts.” With that and an apologetic look, I go inside to find my mom.
She seems a little shell-shocked, but no worse for wear otherwise. “You okay?” I ask her.
“I’ve just been in Abyssus a very long time, Lettie.” She looks around wistfully. “I forgot so much of this place.”
“I know. You stay here. Help Shay, Max, Maddy, and the others. Be ready in case things get worse.” I don’t want them to, but it never hurts to be prepared.
My mom and Maddy nod. Jack joins me from the corner and it’s then I notice that Cyrus continues to flank me.
“You two ready?” I ask them.
“Aye.” Jack agrees.
“Yup.” From Cyrus.
“Hold onto your hats, boys.”
Aether is always so bright. It’s like it should hurt your eyes, but doesn’t. We walk to the outskirts when I hear the first scream. The three of us begin to run towards it.
A small cottage-like house sits alone on the rolling green, seemingly perfect hills. It’s a completely picturesque scene—with the exception of the beautiful female angel wailing in agony over the corpse of another male angel. The scene is brutal and horrific. The attack had obviously been savage and unexpected if the mangled remains are any indication.
My heart aches for her, knowing the pain of loss all too well.
Cyrus places a hand on my shoulder. “There’s nothing more that can be done here, Lettie. We should move on.”
I nod, but something about the woman calls to me. “Just give me one second.” I murmur to the guys.
Slowly I walk over to her, hands relaxed by my side to show no threat. I stop a few feet away from her. I keep my words in her mind, private and where I know it’ll get through.
When the anger surpasses the fear and you’re ready to fight, call for me here. I’ll come back for you.
I’m almost back to Jack and Cyrus when I hear her meek answer. I will.
Something about her tells me that she’ll be an important addition once she’s ready.
The three of us push further into Aether. Here chaos runs rampant. Angels themselves are fearsome creatures to an average human... however they’re no match for the creatures that have overrun them from the depths of Abyssus. I see some Cerberuses around, evening the odds some.
“Cyrus, tell them where to bring everyone. Then come back and help Jack.” I tell him and watch him rush off. A four-legged two-headed demon the size of an elephant charges him from the side, but Cyrus knocks the beast out cold with one punch, barely missing a step.
“What am I doing?” Jack asks. He looks eager to fight.
“I need you to guard me for a moment while I focus.” I tell him and in the middle of all of this insanity, I sit down at his feet.
“Whatever you say, sis,” He agrees with a grin.
“Uh, Jack? Demons only.” I add. His shoulders only fall slightly as he nods his agreement.
>
My eyes close and I reach for my other senses to feel around me. First I confirm our suspicions. HE has left. Instead of trying to figure out the why, I focus on a solution. I recall the last time I was in such a battlefield and what I did when I’d had enough.
This time I focus only on the souls that don’t belong here. As though through a pipe, I hear demon screams and shouts of glee from Jack. I shake it off and focus again. Once I’m certain that I have each and every intruder firmly under my grasp, I hit the pause button and open my eyes.
Angels look around in confusion, but nobody looks upset about it. One female seconds away from attack flicks the nose of the demon before her. When it doesn’t react she slowly crawls backwards away from it.
“We all must go, now!” I order. It takes barely a second to feel the eyes of so many upon me. “Gather everyone who belongs here. It’s no longer safe.”
“Uh, Lettie?” Jack asks. “I think this may be too many people to fit at Shay’s.”
I look around and realize he’s right.
Shit.
Luckily for me, most Angels are well-versed enough with the human realm to not only be able to blend, but to have places they can go. So we scatter them about and figure it’s likely the safer option for them anyway... that and it gets me off the hook for accommodations for everyone.
I decide to do something I haven’t done in what feels like forever. I go home, shower, braid my hair, and put on my most comfortable clothes. Then I fall into a very heavy and much-needed sleep.
My phone wakes me. It surprises me to see only four hours have past. I feel a little better after my power-nap. Freezing demons takes a lot out of a girl.
Speaking of... I double check and ensure my hold on them still ensnares them all. Finding it strongly in place, I change and head out to Shay’s after I text Jack.
We have to find the leaders of Abyssus and Aether. It’s of the utmost priority. Only for some reason, I can’t help but think this all leads back to Elias. Stop thinking that this revolves around you! I scold myself. Yes, I have some awful things going on—but this precedes everything. I haven’t even found the demons on earth yet. Some are always here, yes, whispering in ears unseen or swaying odds in their favor another way. While I’m sure the allure of finally seeing Aether attracts many of them, it won’t attract all. Some of them are far too smart for that.
Soul Decisions Page 9
