The Artifact Reaper Saga Box Set

by Jen L. Grey

  “We need to get out of this water.” Charlie takes a few steps my direction and searches in the water. “There is no telling what’s hidden in here with us.”

  Shit, I hadn’t even thought of that. “Well, unless you want to go back, I don’t see a way around it now.”

  Dax’s tone is low, and his body tenses. “We need to get out of this and fast. Can you get a read on the artifact so we know which way to head?”

  They’re right. I need to focus. “Let me try now.” I close my eyes and try to block out everything around me. Something is throwing us off, and I need to limit my distractions.

  The image of the three bubbles pops up in my head, but as soon as it does, it’s reflected multiple times almost like one of those fun house mirrors at an amusement park. I can’t even see the water around it like I did back on Earth. What the hell is going on?

  I can’t give up. We’ve got to find this. My time is running out, and this must be the right place. I try to focus on the center image, but the mirror images flash, causing me to break my focus. Dammit, this isn’t going to work. I hate to admit failure, but they need to know. “I can’t get the location. I’m sorry.”

  A hand touches my shoulder, and lips press against my forehead. “You’ve done your best. We’ll figure it out. We’re in this together.”

  Oh, thank God he’s here. Growing up, he may have given me hell, but he’s always been honest with me. I trust him in a way that no one can touch. Charlie always seems to know how to comfort me even before I’m aware that I need comforting. “Yeah, but if we can’t find it, I’m screwed.”

  “We’ve been here before.” Dax frowns and shakes his head. “We got through it then, and we’ll figure it out now.”

  Something like the roar of an engine fills the air. All three of us turn our heads in the direction of the sound, and soon three cargo planes that resemble the military ones back on Earth fill the sky. They fly directly over us and head to the west.

  “Bingo.” Charlie lets out a breath. “Let’s follow them. They have to be heading somewhere they can land.”

  That’s true. Once we get out of this water, maybe we can find help.

  “Let’s go. I don’t want to be stuck out here at night.” Dax splashes off in the direction of the planes.

  Charlie intertwines his fingers with mine and tugs me after him. “Come on. We all need to stay together.”

  Progress is slow, especially since we’re keeping an eye out for anything that could attack us. I fully expect an alligator to pop up at any second, but who knows if they even exist on this planet.

  After a while, I realize that the guys have flanked me, one on each side, as we wade. I want to say something, but I bite my tongue. Maybe they didn’t do it on purpose. I mean, they both know me and not each other. It could have just happened like that, right?

  Just as I’m about to give up and head home, the murky water clears and gets deeper, and I can see some immense areas that are designed to hold water up ahead.

  In front of us, tall grass breaks through the water, but other than that, the water stands still. It’s marked off in sections to the left and right with a wide flowing section of water in the middle as if for traveling.

  “Hey, look.” Charlie points to a large tree where the swamp ends and meets the clear water.

  There is a boat tied off there. It’s not huge, but hell, it’s dry. “Well, it has to be someone’s.” I glance around, but there’s no one in sight. That’s freaking weird.

  “It’s ours now.” Dax splashes over to it and sighs. “I hate to do it, but we are running out of time, and we need to get to wherever those planes went. There is no telling how far it is, and this water is getting deeper.”

  He’s right again. I hate stealing but as the angel told me in the Angel Realm, sometimes we must make sacrifices for the greater good. “Fine. Let’s just do it. I don’t know how much longer I can go like this anyway.”

  “We’re making the right call.” Charlie squeezes my hand. “We’ll try to bring it back when it’s all said and done.”

  Yeah, that’s wishful thinking. We’ll be heading right back to Earth when it’s all said and done. “Let’s just go.”

  We swim to the small wooden boat with three sections for seats, and Dax climbs in first, causing the boat to rock back and forth. He slips and lands on his back in the middle section. "Shit, that hurts."

  A giggle escapes me. "Oh suck it up. You've been stabbed before."

  He cuts his eyes at me and grins. "Yeah, but let me just have this moment." He sits and then holds his hand out to me. "Charlie, can you help me boost her up?"

  What the hell? I can get myself into that boat. I open my mouth to complain, but Charlie beats me by grabbing my waist and hoisting me up in the air.

  Dax wraps his arm around me and pulls me into the front of the boat. "Stay here and try not to cause trouble." He grabs Charlie's arm, helping him in as well.

  I don’t know what all the fuss was about at the apartment, but they’re playing nice now. Seeing them work together eases some of my worry.

  All right, let's get moving. "Are we ready to go?" I turn to face them, feeling my clothes cling to me. Ugh, I hate wet clothes. Tapping into my power, I channel the wind to blow through the boat and dry our clothes. It's an intense breeze, but I'm prepared.

  "Whoa." Charlie and Dax grab onto the side of the boat as the wind hits us.

  However, it doesn't last long because we're dried in seconds. "Oh, thank God. I couldn't take being wet another second."

  "You didn't think to warn us?" Chris grins at me and shakes his head.

  "Yeah, really." Dax's shoulders tense, and his eyes narrow. "That could have tipped us over."

  Wow, I'm getting some serious anger vibes from Dax right now. "Yeah, I guess I should've, but I didn't think about it."

  "You never think, do you?" He tilts his head, and the air around him turns that slight gray hue once more.

  Oh, hell no. "Actually, I think a lot. Weren't you the one who got stabbed in Hell and almost died?" He's never acted like this before, so I'm not sure what his problem is.

  "She didn’t do anything wrong. Don’t get your panties in a wad." Charlie picks up an oar and hands it to Dax. "Let's get moving. We have an artifact to find."

  Taking the oar, Dax relaxes his shoulders and breathes in. "Yeah, you're right. I don't know what just came over me." He glances at me and puts his oar in the water. "I'm sorry. That was uncalled for."

  Yeah, I'm not going to tell him it's okay because it's not. I hadn't meant to be a jerk to them and he overreacted. I turn forward and remove the rope from the tree branch. We need to get going and fast. There's no telling if someone is close by.

  Silence descends over the boat as both guys paddle us down the canal. After leaving the swamp, there is nothing but water farm after water farm as far as the eye can see. I'm not sure how long we've been traveling, but I'm so thankful we’ve got this boat now. I can't imagine if we had tried to swim this entire way. We wouldn't have made it.

  I stare out in front of me, willing for something to appear beside an endless vista of liquid. A dot suddenly appears ahead, and I keep my eyes on it for a minute, watching it grow bigger. Great, I've been imagining it so hard that I'm beginning to see things. "Guys, I'm losing it."

  "What?" Dax stops rowing for a moment and leans forward. "Is it your powers?"

  Dear God. "No, but I think I'm seeing things." I point out in front of me to where the dot seems to have gotten even a little bigger. "Is that something besides water up there?"

  He lets out a breath and nods. "Yeah, it sure is. It looks like there is an island or something."

  "It's about damn time." Charlie grumbles and stretches out his arms. "I'm not sure how much longer I could go on. I was beginning to wonder if there was ever going to be any land."

  "It's strange though." I glance curiously around at the endless water. "It looks like this place is surrounded by these farms. Back on Earth w
e have some variety, but not here."

  "You're right." Dax nods and picks up the oars. "But we haven't seen the whole world, or, at least I don't think we have."

  It doesn't matter because seeing our destination has given us another burst of energy. The guys begin rowing faster, and the land gets bigger.

  As we get closer, tall buildings come into view as well as machinery that seems to be pumping water out of the reservoirs and into what looks like a huge manufacturing plant. There is condensation blowing out from the top of a large building as the water is run through some type of process.

  To the right, there is a long pier that has places for a boat to dock. There are several openings, and we begin to head in that direction.

  "Do you think it's smart that we are just walking in here unannounced?" I don't know why, but I'm kind of nervous. These types of things never end well for me.

  "It'll be fine." Charlie grins from behind Dax. "It's not like we have much of a choice anyway."

  I hate to agree, but he does have a point.

  "Yeah, we'll be fine." Dax points forward. "It's not like we have a choice now. Someone is heading our way."

  A man who looks just like us walks in our direction as we pull into the dock and tie off. He's around six feet and appears to be in his mid-forties. He adjusts his blazer jacket as he gets close and straightens his shoulders. He comes off as one of those political types from back home, similar to those on the council.

  That sucks for him. I really dislike the council. I climb out of the boat and already feel my feathers ruffle.

  Dax and Charlie get out and flank me on each side.

  "Well, hello there." The man smiles, and his teeth are so white they are almost blinding. "Welcome to Golden Cascades. I've never seen you before, so I assume it's your first time here. My name is Tide, and I am here to help you. Is there anything in particular you are after?"

  A strange feeling overcomes me in that moment, and the three artifacts inside me begin thrumming and reaching out. It's like I'm being pulled past him and into the city. Something is calling me, but I can't get an exact read. I think it's the Water Artifact. It's here and close, yet it's not.

  When I focus on the tugging sensation, I realize I can't focus on one solid direction. It's as if it's all over the city and being reflected in my mind. I don't have time for this. I need to find it and fast. "We are after something. It's an artifact that's made of three individual water bubbles."

  Charlie looks down at me and raises an eyebrow.

  Yeah, maybe that's not the smartest to say. But in all fairness, he asked, and we're low on time.

  "Three individual water bubbles?" He laughs loud and adjusts his collar. "I have no idea what you're talking about. Water doesn't stay separated; it merges together."

  Oh, wow. He's a condescending asshole. Why am I not surprised?

  "Not when they're artifacts." Dax tilts his head and looks him over.

  "Uhhh... I guess." Tide clears his throat and glances at Charlie. "You can get a cleansing spell if your stomach is upset, an age-defying spell if you want to stay young." He looks at me and then Dax. "A strength and quickness spell to aid in fights. There are all kinds of spells you can find throughout the market. If you can just give me what you're looking for, I can lead you in the right direction."

  He's acting shifty, and I'd bet almost anything that he knows exactly what I'm talking about. "I'm here for the Water Artifact, not any spells. We can do this the nice way or hard way. Which do you prefer?"

  Both guys step closer to me, and we face Tide together.

  Chapter Seven

  Tide arches an eyebrow at me and crosses his arms. "Once again, I have no clue what you're talking about, and to come to a new place and threaten isn't very wise."

  The artifacts within me are beginning to pulse. They sense the fourth one close by, and it's causing them to activate. My reaper and healing powers attempt to tug away from the elemental powers, wanting to hide my core. "I can sense it's here." I take a step toward him and try to hide the chaos that's going on inside. "I just need you to tell me where it is instead of playing this game. I've done this way too many times to count, and I don't have time for it now."

  Charlie takes a step close to me and places a hand on the small of my back. "She's literally been to Hell and back, so I wouldn't test her."

  Shit, he's concerned about me. He knows me too well.

  "She does know if the artifact is here." Dax scowls at the man and takes a step toward him.

  "Well, in this case, I'm afraid she is mistaken." Tide smooths out his forehead and drops his arm. "I'm sure there might be some type of spell she can find in the market that can get water to do something similar to what she's needing. I just don't know of anything like that off the top of my head."

  He's full of it. "Where do you recommend not going?" Maybe that's being sly?

  Dax looks at me from the corner of his eyes, and Charlie's shoulders shake a little.

  Okay, maybe that wasn't as cool as I’d hoped.

  Tide rolls his eyes and shakes his head. "Just go down the pier and in between those two large buildings." He motions to the manufacturing building on the right and a massive glass building on the left. "Once you get past them, the path will open up to a plaza where there are hundreds of tables set up. Each one is selling water spells, and they are congregated in spell types."

  My hearing goes out even though his mouth continues running. The artifact powers are now ramming my insides. The pull from the Water Artifact is now attacking me from the outside while the other three are clawing at me from the inside. I can't take it much more of it.

  The wind picks up around us, and the ground shakes underneath our feet. I try to rein it in, but it doesn't work. Between the water on the outside and the other artifacts on the inside, it’s like I’m trying to contain a tornado.

  "What the hell is going on?" Tide's mouth drops open, and his eyes widen.

  "It's that artifact you supposedly don't have." Dax's tone is gruff, and he points a finger at him. "That's what's going on."

  Charlie takes a step toward me, but I shake my head.

  I want to bury myself in his arms, but I refuse to be a weak person any longer. If I'm to handle all four artifacts, I better damn well act like it. I concentrate deep inside me and focus all of my attention there. I push the strands of brown, blue, and purple down and am surprised when they listen. When the ground stops quaking and the wind becomes a breeze, I turn my attention to Tide. "That's just a taste of what I can do."

  He pulls at the collar on his shirt and then wipes the sweat off of his forehead. "Fine, you need to go see Ria. She's the keeper of the Water Artifact."

  Now we're getting somewhere. "Funny how your tune is changing."

  "This isn't my fight." He takes a few more steps back away from me. "Just go through the market area to the last tent on the right. You will find her." He then turns and walks away.

  "Hey, are you okay?" Charlie's tone is husky, and his hazel eyes are filled with concern.

  "No, I'm not, but we don't have time to spend on this." My power is already clawing to get out again. "We need to find the fourth artifact and fast."

  "Let's get moving." Dax heads off in front and glances around. "I don't trust that guy."

  At least I'm not the only one getting that vibe.

  We move in the direction of the buildings. They look just like the ones on Earth. The manufacturing plant has a giant pump that is sucking water out of the reservoirs and running it through some kind of process. The building across is made of glass, and we can see our reflection in it as we walk by. It's almost as if we are the only ones here, but we know that's not true.

  With every step closer to this market, the Water Artifact’s hold over me grows stronger. Not able to hold it down any longer, I feel the artifacts' power spring free and attack me once again. I don't want to alert the guys to this, but I'm not sure how much longer I have until I lose it.

  Dax is
still leading with Charlie right behind him. We emerge from between the two buildings and come to an expansive common area where lush grass covers the ground. There are small wooden tables set up along the sides and a walkway down the middle. There have to be hundreds of tables and people standing side by side.

  A lady at one of the tables stands and holds out a small jar of water. "This water can heal your soul. I've spelled it so any ailments will be alleviated at the first drop that passes your lips." She takes a few steps toward us and stares at me. "I'm sure your friend could use it. In return, I would just want a lock of her hair."

  Oh, hell no. I want to open my mouth, but all concentration is around my power.

  "No, that won't be happening." As if Charlie reads my thoughts, he steps in between us and glares at her. "But thanks for the offer."

  It's not like that water would work anyway. I'm not injured in the way she thinks; the energy inside and outside is just too much. The wind picks up, and at this point, it’s a losing a battle.

  “Holy crap.” Dax mumbles, and there is some shuffling. “Back away from her now, and Charlie, do something.” His tone is anxious, and there is a hint of panic.

  He knows what’s going on. He’s been around me enough to know when I’m about to melt down.

  Hands slide over my cheeks and lift my face up. “Hey, I’m right here.” Charlie’s tone is soft and soothing.

  The pain is so intense inside that I can’t open my eyes. I’m afraid if I blink even once, the release will happen faster, and I don’t want to hurt all of these people. It feels as if I’m about to shatter into a million pieces from the pressure building inside of me.

  “How can I help you?” He pulls me into his arms and wraps them around me.

  No, I can’t hurt him. He’ll be hurt standing this close to me. The ground begins to shake, and there is a shriek. I pull away hard, but he holds on to me tightly.