Soul Guard (Elemental Book 5)

by Rain Oxford

  Chapter 10

  Henry and I sat in the front seat while Darwin and Scott sat in the back for the five hour drive to Elizabeth Vegas’s house. I figured the trip with Scott would be a pain… but no, Scott wasn’t the problem.

  Darwin tried to grill Henry on Zoe and even asked if he was going to marry Addison. Henry finally shut him up by saying that if he was going to talk about his relationship, it would be with Scott and Addison first.

  “I have to go,” Darwin whined.

  “Tell me you’re joking,” I said. “You went fifteen minutes ago.”

  “Yeah, but they said I had to buy something, so I bought a soda. I had coffee, milk, and orange juice this morning.”

  “My orange juice,” Scott pointed out gently. “You drank the last of my orange juice.”

  “Sorry, little bro.”

  “Fine, but don’t get another drink,” Henry said.

  “I’m not daft.” Fifteen minutes later… “Hey, they had cherry slushies!”

  * * *

  By the time we got to Elizabeth’s house at dusk, I was ready to throw Darwin out. When I told Darwin to stay in the car and watch Scott, the kid hopped out the window to avoid being left alone with Darwin.

  The home was a perky little two-story, cookie-cutter house with red brick and a rainbow garden of flowers and roses. The aura, however, wasn’t so sunny. In fact, as soon as I stepped through the white picket fence, the presence returned.

  We approached the door, but before I could ring the bell, it opened and a crying Elizabeth hugged me. I couldn’t do anything except pat her back awkwardly. I hated when women cried and Elizabeth needed someone who knew her and her sons to comfort her. Nevertheless, I wasn’t stupid enough to push her away.

  “Did you find out anything?” she asked, pulling away.

  “They went missing less than twenty-four hours ago. We’ll find them.”

  “They’re only four!”

  “I know. We’ll find them. These are my friends from Logan Hunt’s university: Henry, Darwin, and Henry’s son, Scott. Guys, this is Elizabeth Vegas.”

  “Are you all wizards?”

  “I’m half fae, half shifter,” Darwin said, blushing a little.

  Scott apparently realized he was allowed to reveal his nature here, because he grinned brightly and said, “I’m a jaguar shifter,” copying his father’s accent. Henry smiled at his son.

  “Well, thank you for coming. Chase hasn’t come home; he’s walking up and down streets, looking for the boys. I’m afraid to leave the house because I still expect to walk back into that bedroom and…” She broke down crying.

  I guided her inside and sat her down on the couch. The house was cozy with comfortable furniture and plenty of space between the couch and the television for family interaction. I imagined Elizabeth had been the kind of mother to insist on family game nights and dinners together. At least until her daughter was killed and her sons showed signs of being evil.

  “I think I can help find them using magic.”

  She shuddered. “I don’t… I don’t want them to be involved in all that. I’m sorry, but you’re John’s son and it bothers me that you use magic like him.”

  “Devon is nothing like John,” Darwin said.

  “I know. I’m just…”

  “If they do develop magic, what are you going to do?” I asked, knowing full well that they were already developing magic. Well, at least one of them was.

  “I will accept them because that’s what mothers do, but I’ll probably send them to Mr. Hunt’s schools so that they don’t turn out like John. Okay, do what you need to do.”

  “Do the boys have a favorite toy?”

  “They’re kind of… distant. I think they might be autistic. Chase thinks it’s just because they’re twins.”

  “Which one was it that had bruises all over him?”

  “Jason. He and Jamie are always wrestling and Jason gets hurt.”

  “He had bruises on his throat. Four-year-olds shouldn’t be wrestling like that. What’s really going on with them?”

  She looked heartbroken. “Jamie is a little… creepy sometimes. Reagan was a happy four-year-old. I’ve woken up in the middle of the night to find Jamie glaring at me. He has locked his brother in the basement and the attic. Jason just takes it. But it’s okay, because he just needs love and attention.”

  “I need to see something that belongs to them.”

  “Well, Jamie prefers to throw toys on the stairs. Jason has a teddy, but it’s new… Jamie keeps destroying Jason’s toys.”

  “As long as Jason held it, it should work.” She took me upstairs to the first door on the right. It was a picture perfect boy’s room. There was a bunk bed with Star Wars blankets, a big blue toy chest, glow-in-the-dark stars on the ceiling, and a small fish tank. I also noticed what was wrong with it; there was a lock on the chest, the fish tank had no fish, and the entire room was impeccably clean.

  Scott froze up at the door and shuddered. I could pretty much see him regress to those days where he was experimented on. “Get him out to the truck.”

  Henry took his arm, but Scott whined. “No, I want to do a case! I can be helpful.”

  “Are you sure it’s okay?” Henry asked.

  “Yes, Daddy, I can do this. It just reminded me of the days when the bad guys had me.” He hid his face behind his father.

  “Where’s Jason’s teddy bear?”

  Elizabeth went to the bottom bunk and pulled a small brown bear off the pillow. “You’re not going to take it, are you?” she asked.

  “No, I just need to hold it for a while.” I took it and sat down on the bed. I had to duck under the top bunk, because it was lower than the beds at the dormitory, since it was made for kids. I pulled my ring out, slipped it on, and the vision came on instantly.

  I expected there to be darkness, demons, and death, but that wasn’t the case at all. Although it was dark, it wasn’t ominous because I recognized it. On top of my coffee table, in the middle of my living room, was Vincent’s book. I hadn’t seen the old grimoire in a while. It was full of formulas, incantations, and sigils that were very, very dangerous in the wrong hands.

  A normal four-year-old couldn’t use it, but if the twins learned to have visions, they could probably get something from the book. Fortunately, I didn’t develop visions until I was thirty. In fact, until I started actively using magic, even my mind control power was limited to communicating with animals and putting them in a trance if I had to. I always had my instincts, though, and Jameson had tried to get into my mind the only day I had seen him. So, it was possible that the book could be dangerous if one of them took it.

  Then it dawned on me that if Krechea or Langril got it, we would be in trouble.

  I pulled the ring off and returned to reality. “I might know where they are,” I said, standing.

  “Where?”

  “I will explain if I find them. Henry, drive Darwin and Scott home.” I focused on the symbol and followed it into the shadow pass. When I was closed off from the world around me, I shifted my concentration to the twins. I felt an irritation in the back of my mind, like I had forgotten something really important. Unsure what was wrong, I focused on Jason. The frightened look in his eyes as he stared at the floor told everyone around him that something was wrong.

  The black abyss of the shadow pass faded, along with the gravity, the unevenness of the ground, and the dreaded silence, leaving me standing in my living room with Jason.

  The boy was sitting on my couch, alone, with Vincent’s book on my coffee table. “Hey, kiddo. How did you get here?” I sat down on the couch next to him and he held up a key.

  “The cat gave me this.”

  I took the key and recognized it as my apartment key. “What cat?” The thought occurred to me then. “Was it a really ugly cat?” Since only Henry, my landlord, and I had one, I checked my keying. Sure enough, it was mine. Ghost took my damn apartment key.

  “It’s not nice to call hi
m ugly. He helped me.”

  “I know. You’re right. What are you doing here and where is your brother?”

  “Jamie chose his path, but I don’t want to follow the shadow man.”

  “Kre---”

  Jason interrupted me with a harsh shushing. “Don’t say his name! He hears you when you say his name.”

  Shit. That complicated things. It also explained things. “How do you know that?”

  “I saw it. Jamie used to be nice to me, but then he heard Dad tell Mom that he wasn’t our dad and that he might leave. Now Jamie gets mad when I don’t do what he says. He’s mad right now because I’m talking to you.”

  “He knows you’re talking to me?”

  “He always knows what I’m doing and I always know what he’s doing. I know he’s in a dark place with dirt everywhere.”

  “Dirt?”

  “Yeah. The room doesn’t have walls or a ceiling, just dirt.”

  “When did the shadow man come to you and your brother?”

  “Wednesday night.”

  I groaned. Of course he came right after Hunt and I discussed the boys, because we said Krechea’s name. Anything that happened to my younger brothers was partially my fault. And when the hell did the two strangers become my brothers? The only relation I had to them was John Cross, who I hated, killed, and hoped to never become like.

  “Why did you come here, though? Why not go back to your mother?”

  “Jamie isn’t any good to the shadow man without me, so he wants to get me back. My mom can’t stop him. I was hoping you can.”

  “Why isn’t Jamie any good to the shadow man?”

  “Because we only have magic when we’re together. I think we’ll learn to do it alone later, but right now, we can read minds or see the future when we’re together. Will you help?”

  “Of course I will. I still need to call your mother and tell her you’re safe. I know Jamie is in the dirt room, but is he safe?”

  He nodded and I pulled out my phone. Elizabeth picked up on the second ring. “Did you find them?”

  “I found Jason. Although Jameson isn’t here, Jason says he’s safe.”

  “Give me your address. I’m coming to get him.”

  “Hang on. I know this isn’t what you want to hear, but they were taken. Jason found my apartment because he thinks I can protect him with my magic, and he’s right.”

  Jason scrunched his fingers lightly in my jacket sleeve, so I gave him the phone. “Hi, Mommy. I’m okay; I just want to stay here. I’ll be safe here. No, don’t come. It’s small because Devon’s mean wife stole his house and the judge let her.”

  “Ex-wife,” I corrected, ignoring the fact that he knew way more about me than he should have. “You can’t tell your mother not to come here.”

  “Hang on,” he said before lowering the phone. “Then what do I say? We can’t all stay here.”

  “No, I think it’s time to move the party to the university.”

  * * *

  Since Hunt couldn’t use a cell phone, I had always resorted to calling people to ask them to get ahold of him. For the first time, I used my uncle’s method; I wrote Hunt a letter.

  Logan Hunt,

  I found Jason, but Jameson is still missing. Jason has a little more information that might help us get rid of Krechea. If the university is ready, I need to bring Jason and his mother to the university.

  Best,

  Devon Sanders

  It felt a little awkward, since my uncle wrote extremely formal letters to me and Hunt, who was his best friend. Pushing that aside, I reached out with my magic for the mind of one horribly ugly familiar with a foul attitude who probably should have been named “Deus ex Machina.” Ghost appeared on my coffee table a moment later, glaring at me.

  While he didn’t look as rundown as he had been last time, he still looked more haggard than normal… which was saying something. He was sitting up, at least, and his glare was steady. “Can you take this letter to Hunt?” I asked.

  He narrowed his eyes.

  I folded the letter and set it on the coffee table. When he continued staring at me, I slowly slid it closer to him. Finally, he stood up, set one paw on it, and he vanished along with the letter.

  “Poor little guy. He’s so sad,” Jason said.

  “Why?”

  Jason shrugged. “Haven’t you ever asked him?”

  “Normal people can’t talk to animals.”

  “I can when Jamie’s with me. You can, too, can’t you?”

  “Yes. I just never asked Ghost anything because, honestly, I’ve never wanted to get to know him. I used to try to stay away from the magic stuff, so I always thought he was weird and creepy.”

  “Weird is just another word for special.”

  Ghost appeared again with another letter under his front paws. When he stepped off of it, I took it.

  Devon,

  The university is prepared. However, there is an award ceremony at the children’s school today, so I will not return until late tonight. Some of the wizards staying at the university have been involved in magic for as long as I have and are set in their ways. Be prepared.

  Best of luck,

  Logan Hunt

  I called Henry. “Hey, I found Jason.”

  “I heard. We didn’t leave until you called Elizabeth. She’s following us, but I don’t think we can all stay at your apartment.”

  “No, we’re going to head to the university. Take Elizabeth there and I’ll pick up my mother and meet you there. I’m pretty sure I remember the way.”

  “Jason needs a child seat.”

  “I’ll use Scott’s spare one at my mother’s house.”

  “With the shadow walkers around, I wouldn’t risk driving him to your mother’s without a child seat.”

  “You’re right. I’ll call you when we head for the university.”

  “Okay. See you then.”

  I hung up with him and called my mother. It was Kyle who answered. “Is everything okay?” he asked.

  “Yes. Hunt fixed up the university’s defenses, so we’re going to head over. Can you two meet me at my apartment?”

  “No problem.”

  “I also need you to bring Scott’s car-seat.”

  “Is Henry okay?”

  “Yes. He and Scott are heading to the university. I need it for another kid.”

  “How big is he? The one we have isn’t adjustable.”

  “He’s about forty pounds, maybe forty inches tall.”

  “That’ll work.”

  “How do you know?”

  “I told you I raised my brothers and sisters. I just didn’t mention that I have seven of them. We’ll be there in about half an hour.”

  When I hung up with him, I asked Jason if he was hungry. He nodded. “What do you like?” He shrugged. Well, that was immensely helpful. I went to the kitchen and searched the cabinets. “Do you like spaghettios?”

  “Yeah.”

  * * *

  Everything went smoothly and Kyle and my mother arrived right on time. My mother seemed to be okay when she hugged me, but she froze when she saw Jason sitting on the couch. “He’s John’s son,” she whispered to me.

  “How do you---” She cut me off by pulling me into the hallway and shutting the door behind us.

  “I don’t want him to go with us. You can’t trust John.”

  “He’s not John. He’s four. You can’t hate---”

  “He’s John’s son,” she interrupted.

  “So am I.” Well, it was possible. Either he or Vincent was my father. I reached for the doorknob, but she stepped in between me and the door.

  “I’m ready for you to see it now.”

  I knew what she meant. “Are you sure?”

  “You should know what happened.”

  “Okay. Let’s go inside.” She moved and I opened the door for her. She went straight for the kitchen, so I pulled out my wallet. “Take Jason to the diner down the street for dinner and ice cream,” I whisp
ered to Kyle as I handed him money. I figured even if Jason wasn’t hungry, he wouldn’t turn down ice cream. Kyle nodded and led Jason out without a word. I tugged on the mental bond between Rocky and me. “Watch over them.”

  My mother was already sitting uncomfortably at the table. I couldn’t figure out what John and Jason had to do with Astrid attacking her. I sat down at the table anyway.

  I let my power feel out her mind gently. “You’re going to have to see it again, but don’t fight it or you’ll remember more details. I can push a sensation of peace that will make it feel like a dream instead of a memory.”

  “No. I don’t want you to change anything or do anything to me.”

  I nodded. “Okay.” She closed her eyes. “It might be best if you lead it. Just start at the beginning and remember it. If it starts to get blurry or something is falsified, I’ll nudge it in the right direction.” My eyes closed as her memory faded in.

  * * *

  I felt her confusion as she woke, but it was quickly overcome with horror as she sensed a familiar numbness in her mind. Familiar to her, at least. A pot clanged in the kitchen and she jumped. That was what woke her in the first place.

  According to the clock on the bedside table, it was a little after four in the morning. She got out of bed slowly, dreadfully, and glanced back only when she reached the door. Joseph Sanders slept soundly. She closed the door behind her and even from the top of the stairs, she saw that the light was on in the kitchen. “Devon?” she called quietly. There was no answer, so she started walking slowly down the stairs. When she reached the bottom step, she hesitated because her skin was crawling. It was actually a little like my own instincts. Unfortunately, she ignored them, entered the kitchen, and froze. She couldn’t even take in a breath.

  John Cross was sitting at the kitchen table, drinking a cup of coffee leisurely. He wore a dressy black, button-up business shirt and black pants. His black hair was the same style as when I first met him, but he looked about ten years younger. Since this was more than twenty years before he entered my office, that wasn’t too bad. His dark brown eyes were still cold, but they looked less stressed. His cheekbones were a little less prominent, his skin was less weathered, and he didn’t have the scar from the edge of his mouth to his chin that he would have in 2015.