Souls (Runes series)

by Ednah Walters

  “May I use your bathroom?” Andris asked.

  “Sure. There’s one downstairs. I’ll show you.”

  We entered the house, and Mom looked up. I was surprised to see Dad with her in the kitchen. From the looks of things, he was helping her.

  “Just showing Andris the restroom,” I said.

  Andris caught my hand before I could turn and go back outside. “I should be out in five minutes. Ten minutes tops.”

  “Ew, too much information. Take your time.”

  He smirked, glanced over my shoulder at my parents, and said, “Keep your parents away from the bathroom, or you’ll have some s’plaining to do.” He disappeared inside the bathroom.

  He was so weird sometimes. I turned around, and my eyes collided with my parents. “Need help with anything, Mom?”

  “Maybe in ten-fifteen minutes. Is everything okay?” she asked.

  “Yeah.”

  Mom wiped her hands on a dish towel, her eyes not leaving me. “You know I can tell when you’re not okay. Did something happen at school?”

  “No.” If she hugged me now, I was so going to start bawling like a five year old.

  “Are your prom dresses okay? I saw the dress bags, but with your friends around, I haven’t really seen them.”

  “They’re beautiful. I gotta go outside, Mom.” I hurried out of the house before the tears started. Raine had kicked Torin from the porch swing. In fact, Torin and Blaine were talking by the orchard. She pulled me down between her and Ingrid.

  “If anyone can find Echo, it’s him,” Raine said reassuringly. “Andris has connections in places that would shock you.”

  “Or make you blush,” Ingrid added.

  His behavior made sense now. I grimaced. “When he said he’d be out in five to ten minutes, I thought he was just being Andris.”

  “Nah, we thought Echo was taking too long, and he offered to go look for him.”

  “I wanted to go with him if he was going to visit a certain club frequented by Grimnirs,” Ingrid added and sighed.

  “You have it bad,” Raine teased her.

  “Rhys is gorgeous, but I’ve met gorgeous men before. I felt something with him, and I just want to explore it without Andris watching. He gets overly protective.”

  “So how many guys have you dated since you became Immortal?” Raine asked.

  Ingrid laughed, drawing the attention of Torin and Blaine. “I’m not going to tell,” she said.

  “Why not?” Raine asked.

  “Because you might think I’m just as bad as Andris.”

  Raine’s jaw dropped. “No way.”

  “You don’t live for a couple of centuries without leaving behind a string of broken hearts.” She had our attention. “Or getting your heart broken. There was this soldier I met in France during World War Two…”

  Ingrid just went from interesting to super cool in the blink of an eye. She was funny, outrageous, and naughty. I completely forgot about stressing, until Dad came outside and said Mom needed help. Then he went to join Blaine and Torin. Raine and Ingrid followed me inside.

  “We girls can use the table and the men can take the stools or sit in the living room,” Mom explained. Our table only seated four, which was perfect for my small family, not entertaining.

  “How long is that boy going to be in the bathroom?” Mom asked.

  I glanced at my watch. Andris had been gone for over ten minutes. What if something had happened to Echo? Rhys could have been lying about wanting to help us. Echo could have walked into a trap. I wish I hadn’t texted him about Rhys’s offer. Then there were dark souls. I was sure he didn’t stand a chance against a horde of them.

  “Cora?” Mom asked, snapping me back to the present.

  I said the first thing that popped into my head. “Mystery meat.”

  Mom straightened and harrumphed. “That’s two too many.”

  The principal was going to get a phone call tomorrow. She disappeared in the basement, where we had the pantry.

  “Two what?” Raine asked when I joined them at the other end of the counter.

  “Two people with stomach problems after eating mystery meat at school.” Raine and Ingrid wore questioning look. “It’s the only explanation I could think of when she asked about Andris’ disappearance in the bathroom and me barfing yesterday after encountering you-know-what.”

  They laughed.

  “It’s not funny. Mr. Johnson is going to get a phone call tomorrow, and I’ll be called to the office to explain. You two have it good. You don’t have to make up stories for your weird behavior.”

  “I don’t have weird behavior,” Ingrid protested.

  “Having dates with three guys at three different restaurants at the same time is super freaky,” Raine said.

  “I had to know which one was the better kisser,” Ingrid quipped. “Which reminds me. I can do accents and change the pitch of my voice. If I make a few phone calls complaining about mystery meat, maybe the principal won’t call you to the office.”

  “Perfect.” I hugged her.

  “Look who’s finally here,” Mom called out from behind us and I turned, expecting Andris to be out of the bathroom. Instead, she was staring outside at Echo’s Escalade.

  I was out the door and racing toward the SUV before Echo parked. This time, he was prepared. Probably saw me coming. I leaped into his arms and he caught me, turning around.

  “You’re here,” I whispered.

  “As opposed to being where?”

  “Out there where terrible things are happening. Dark souls are headed this way. When you didn’t answer my text, I thought I’d lost you.”

  He stopped and leaned back against the SUV, one arm around my waist, the other cradling the back of my head. “I have you to come home to, Cora-mio. I’d never do anything to get hurt or lose my way.”

  I leaned back and smacked his chest. “Then why didn’t you answer my texts?”

  He fished his cell from his back pocket and frowned. “I’m supposed to respond?”

  I pushed his chest, getting angry. “Of course you were. What’s the point of…?” I realized he was teasing. “Very funny.” I tried to wiggle out of his arm again, but his grip tightened.

  “I’m sorry I missed the others. I’ll read all of them and respond. Right now, I need my kiss. Then you can explain why the entire Valkyrie nation is at your home.”

  I reached up and planted a brief kiss on his lips, but he didn’t let me get away with it.

  “You cannot cheat on a kiss, not after that welcome home hug,” he whispered against my lips, cupped my face, and kissed me properly. I forgot that my parents and my friends were probably watching us.

  He leaned back. “Better?”

  “Yes.” I was so lame. “No. You still have to tell me what happened. But right now, dinner awaits.” I grabbed his hand and pulled him toward the house. Everyone was inside.

  Right before I opened the door, he stole another kiss. My cheeks were hot when I entered the house and I was sure my eyes sparkled. Mom shook her head, but I knew what she was thinking—I’d been pining for Echo earlier and that was why I’d looked miserable. If only she knew.

  “Get some food and head over there, son,” she said, pointing at where the men were seated in the living room. Andris was back. “Have you met her other friends?” Mom added.

  Echo glanced over at Torin and the others, and for a second I was sure he’d pretend he didn’t know them. I elbowed him.

  “Briefly, ma’am,” Echo said.

  Someone coughed, and I was sure they’d choked on their drink or food.

  “Ah, then this is an opportunity to get to know them better,” Mom said and shooed him away.

  The conversation at the men’s table was going to be interesting.

  “Briefly,” I whispered as I scooped spaghetti. We were the last ones to serve ourselves. Mom had made garlic bread sticks to go with the pasta and meat sauce.

  “It would have been hard to explain ho
w I know them, don’t you think? Besides, I want the Valkyries to squirm as they try to answer questions about their pasts.”

  “Be nice, Echo,” I warned him.

  His answer was to shove a stick of garlic bread into my mouth and smirk. Mom was at our table, so we couldn’t discuss Echo and his antics. The conversation around our table revolved around food from different cultures, with Mom wanting to know more about Ingrid, who was perfectly happy talking about her Celtic roots. The only time she faltered was when Mom asked her about her family.

  “My parents died when I was young, so my sister and I stayed with Aunt Lavania and her adopted sons, Torin and Andris.”

  “I haven’t met Lavania yet, but Cora told me she was your aunt, Raine.”

  “Actually, she’s Eirik’s aunt,” Raine corrected.

  “Sorry, I got them confused,” I added. This dinner might end up being a disaster. We should all sit down and come up with the perfect fake story for everyone.

  “So, you’re related to Eirik?” she asked Ingrid.

  “No, Mrs. Jemison. Lavania took us in, but she didn’t officially adopt us,” Raine explained.

  “And is your sister here with you?”

  “No. She passed away recently.”

  Mom reached out and gripped her hand. “I’m so sorry for your loss, dear.”

  “Don’t be, Mrs. Jemison. I know it’s terrible to see death as a good thing, but for Maliina it was. She was very ill and in so much pain.”

  My admiration for Ingrid went up a notch. She had perfected her background. She kept Mom entertained throughout dinner. Then she and Raine helped me clear the table despite Mom’s protests. The guys helped, too. They brought their plates to the sink.

  Andris, as usual, didn’t bother to get up. He was busy talking to Dad about the science fiction genre. I doubted there was a sci-fi book he hadn’t read. Going by Dad’s expression, he was impressed.

  “Interesting friends you have there,” Dad said after they left.

  “Let me guess, Andris is going to get an ARC of your next book,” I said.

  He nodded. “Now I understand why he co-runs my blog. The boy has a mind like a sponge. He knows every character in my books and everything they did. He’s even read sci-fi books I haven’t read.”

  I kissed his cheek. “Goodnight, Daddy. I’m happy you finally met your number one fan.”

  “Number two,” Mom corrected, coming to stand by my side. “Goodnight, honey. Your friends should visit more often.”

  “They will.” Now that they had cleared the biggest hurdle—their backgrounds. “’Night, Mommy.”

  I raced upstairs, knowing Echo would be coming later. I entered the bedroom and froze. Dev was in the middle of my room, jabbing his disembodied fists at some poor soul.

  Not just some soul.

  Raine’s father.

  15. POSSESSION

  “HEY!”

  The two souls looked at me, relief flickering on Mr. Cooper’s face. Tears rushed to my eyes. I knew he’d been sick for months and had slipped into a coma. Still, it was a shock to see his soul. It was too soon for him to die.

  “Leave him alone,” I yelled at Dev. I locked my door, pulled out my cell phone, and extended it toward Dev. “Get inside.” My eyes didn’t leave Mr. Cooper as Dev slithered into my phone.

  “I tried to scare the old dude, but he wouldn’t leave,” Dev said. “I thought you were supposed to have runes around the house to stop souls from getting inside.”

  “And somehow you got inside after I told you my house was off limits,” I reminded him.

  “I used Echo’s place and came through the portal. He came through the window. You shouldn’t leave your windows open. Get rid of him because we need to talk.”

  “Not now. And FYI, he’s not an old dude.” A quick glance at Raine’s father told me he was no longer scared. Just unhappy and maybe confused because his eyes kept volleying between me and my cell phone. I wondered how he’d moved past the runes around my house. I didn’t think he knew how to create portals. “His name is Mr. Cooper, and he’s my best friend’s father. He’s been ill. Did you talk to Echo?”

  “Not yet. His first priority was finding the person who tried to attack you. I know who it is now.”

  I wanted to know who it was, but Mr. Cooper was my first priority. I headed toward the mirror, engaging portal runes. The mirror responded.

  “Where are we going? Did you hear what I said?” Dev asked.

  “I did. Since you’re not going anywhere, I need to find Raine.” The portal opened into the mansion, but it was too quiet. A quick peek outside showed no cars. Raine’s father followed me as though we were tethered.

  “The old man is not too happy,” Dev said. “He’s not ready to go.”

  “How do you know that?”

  “His energy is flickering, a sign of agitation.”

  “Of course he’s freaked out. You threatened him.”

  “He came to you, a sign that he needs your help.

  Last time Mr. Cooper flat-lined, he’d come straight to me. Then his soul had returned to his body. I texted Torin.

  “Who is Torin? Why are you asking him to meet you?”

  “Stop talking, Dev. I’m trying to focus.” I texted Echo. The lights in the foyer flicked on just before I re-directed the portal to Raine’s house.

  “Cora, what in Hel’s Mist is…?” Lavania called from the second floor balcony and raced downstairs at a hyper speed without finishing her question, runes blazing on her skin. “Tristan,” she whispered, staring at Raine’s father.

  “I found him in my bedroom after Raine and the others left. I thought I’d check here first before going to her house.”

  “Come. His soul should stay by his body or he won’t be reaped.” Runes on the mirror responded to the ones on her body and she disappeared into Raine’s living room.

  “Who’s the lady with the lovely voice?” Dev asked.

  “Shh. I swear, if you don’t stop talking, I’ll kick you out of my phone,” I whispered and followed Lavania with Raine’s father trailing behind me. Femi was reading in the living room, saw us, and gasped.

  Her eyes welled up. “I checked on him ten minutes ago, and he was still breathing. ”

  “He must have just died and went straight to Cora’s house. Take him to his body. Pull yourself together, Femi, and find Raine. I’ll get Svana.” Lavania disappeared through the portal.

  Tears continued to race down Femi’s face. “I told Raine he was okay. She’s going to be devastated.”

  “I already texted Torin and told him what’s going on. He’ll know what to do.”

  Femi wiped tears from her cheeks. “Okay, I’ll stay with you and… and… Could you lead him back to his body?”

  Who knew that Femi had grown attached to Raine’s father? She came from ancient Egypt and was thousands of years old.

  Inside the study, I watched as the soul stared down at his body. Then he looked at me. I knew that look only too well. I trusted Mr. Cooper, so I nodded and extended my hands toward him.

  “Bond with me,” I said. He moved closer.

  “Don’t bite my head again, but your medium runes are not on,” Dev piped up from my cell phone.

  “Excuse me?”

  “Your medium runes should be blazing before you allow a soul to possess you.”

  I frowned. Was that what I’d been doing wrong? I raised my hand toward Mr. Cooper and he stopped. “Dev, you said souls see my medium runes from afar.”

  “Yes. You’re like a beacon.”

  “Why then should I engage the runes if they’re already there?”

  He sighed, and when he spoke, he did it slowly. “So you tap into the runes and protect yourself. Some souls never want to leave because they can feel again when they’re inside you. Oh, no wonder you get sick. You never engage your medium runes.”

  So that was what I’d been doing wrong all these months. You engage strength runes if you wanted to be strong, speed runes to
move fast, invisibility runes to cloak… It made sense to use medium runes for possession.

  I closed my eyes and willed the medium runes to appear on my skin. I rarely used them, so I wasn’t sure what they looked like. I only recalled one bind rune. It appeared, inking my skin as though it was being etched in real time.

  “I can feel their power,” I whispered.

  Something weird started to happen. More runes appeared even though I didn’t will them. It was as though the first one was pulling the others to the surface. The same runes repeated themselves until my arms were covered with them.

  I waited for them to glow like my other runes. They didn’t. Majority of them continued to coil under my skin like tiny snakes. A surge of power shot through me, the effect stronger than anything I’d ever felt with other runes. Panic followed. Maybe I wasn’t supposed to engage these runes.

  “I can feel them, yet I’m inside your phone,” Dev said. “I don’t know if I can… if I can resist their pull.” He sounded weird, breathless and weak.

  “No, you stay in there,” I yelled.

  “But I feel their glow, their pull… I could feel again.” His head slithered out of the power outlet on my phone.

  “Go back inside, Dev, or I swear I’ll tell Echo to reap you.”

  The door swung open, and Femi entered the room. “Cora? I heard a… What’s going on? What have you done to yourself?”

  Her questions registered, but I was busy trying to understand what Dev had said. What did he mean by their glow? The runes were like tats on my skin. The few that were glowing were pain and strength runes, which I must have automatically engaged without thinking. Maybe only souls could see the medium runes glow. They already did even when I didn’t have them on the surface.

  “They’re medium runes,” I said.

  Femi had moved closer and was studying me as though I was an alien. Ignoring her, I extended my hands toward Raine’s father, who was frowning.

  “It’s okay, Mr. Cooper. We can bond now.”

  I could see the concern on his face, but he couldn’t resist the pull of the runes. I braced myself as he drew closer. A cold draft accompanied him, but it wasn’t as chilly as before. The effect of bonding wasn’t as nauseating. The need to push him out of me was still there, but it didn’t overwhelm my senses.