The gym was decorated with All That Jazz paraphernalia—black and silver tulle with gold, red, and silver stars, and a city skyline draped the walls. A bandstand mural gave the illusion of a live band. Standees of a jazz guy, flapper girls, and twenties cars added to the mood. Around the floor were lamp posts covered with black gossamer and silver.
Immortals, Valkyries, and Grimnirs were easy to spot. They glowed with invisibility runes, adding to the effect. They were also dressed for the prom, even though they didn’t dance. I spotted Raine and Torin. I would have thought she’d be too grief-stricken to come. Maybe this was what she needed.
She saw me and waved. Then she left Torin and cut across the floor. She looked amazing in a moss-green outfit. I remember when she’d complained that her mother would dress her up like a character from The Great Gatsby. Book or movie, not sure which one. She totally channeled the era down to her frilled head piece. It sparkled as though it had real jewels.
“You made it,” she said, giving me a hug.
“Couldn’t miss this. Prom and reaping is an unbeatable combo. Everyone’s here.”
She glanced back at Torin, who couldn’t take his eyes off her. He wore a white suit with a moss-green vest matching her dress. He lifted his hat and bowed.
“Yep. Torin has some amazing memories of this era. Mom too. I’ve heard nothing else for weeks.” Her mother, Femi, and Lavania must have raided some boutique because they sparkled in high-fashion flapper outfits, including necklaces and cigarette holders.
“I assume the rest are Grimnirs,” I said, counting at least fifteen of them. Most stayed together in groups, although they did dress the part. Andris must have decided less was more. He wore black skinny pants, a white shirt with a sweater, and a bow tie. He appeared to be listening to Hawk—the guy who ran Raine’s family’s store—but his eyes were on Ingrid, who stood with Rhys, Blaine, and a group of Grimnirs. Ingrid looked ethereal in white.
“Where are Nara and Syn?” I turned toward Echo, and my eyes widened. He’d removed his duster to reveal a black tux, white shirt, and waistcoat. Typical him, he’d not worn a bow tie. It was my turn to be speechless.
Raine chuckled. “Pick up your tongue from the floor,” she teased.
My eyes followed Echo as he closed and locked the door, wishing he would turn around. He etched more runes on the door. “I wish this was a real prom.”
“It is a real prom,” Raine insisted. She took my arm and dragged me from my super dreamy man. “We just happen to have a few more dead than live attendees. Did Echo take you to see the cafeteria?”
“No. We just arrived.” I glanced over my shoulder at him. He dropped his duster on a bench. I wanted to dance with him. I could just imagine him in the era, smiling at some girl. I wanted to be that girl.
“Blaine had to pull some serious strings to make the student council and the teachers switch venues, but your man placed the cherry on top.”
I dragged my eyes from Echo. “What did he do?”
“He found a live band. Reapers. Never heard of them, but the reaction in the cafeteria was worth it. I heard they were supposed to be playing elsewhere tonight, but since our town is the destination for everything supernatural, they didn’t mind. I sneaked off to watch earlier. They’re good.”
Nara and Syn must be performing. “They’re Grimnirs.”
“I knew it.” She punched my arm. “Another thing you kept from me.”
I winced. “They kicked Echo out, so they weren’t exactly my favorite subject. Can we go see?”
“Sorry.” She pulled me forward. “You need to be here until this is over. Maliina’s followers might end up there and we wouldn’t like that.”
I searched the dancers, but there were no dark souls among them. “Have you seen Dev?”
“Didn’t Echo tell you? He’s the one leading the dark souls, or pretending to lead them. Engage your special runes.”
As the runes appeared, the souls nearest us stopped dancing and turned. It was as though they’d felt me. The ones next to them followed until a wave swept through the dance floor. Within seconds, we were surrounded by souls.
“Thank you for coming,” I said, pressing my hands together. “I promise I will be available starting tomorrow afternoon.” I often used the mansion as the meeting place before my lessons. Lavania had insisted on it. Now that she was a back and I was no longer volunteering at the nursing home, I’d have more time for them.
“I remember you from the hospital.” I doubted he heard me, but he smiled and nodded. “And you were at The Hub. You two,” I pointed at two to my left, “are always by the vineyard. When you’re ready, come find me.” I didn’t chase down souls. I usually waited for them to come to me. Some reached out as though to touch me. Funny how I wasn’t feeling cold now that I’d engaged the medium runes.
The music was so loud I didn’t hear the first warning. Then, someone turned off the music and Echo’s voice filled the gym.
“They’re here.”
I looked toward the door, but I couldn’t see anything. The souls were in the way, and they seemed to press around me. To avoid contact, I shuffled sideways. They shuffled along with me, deliberately shielding me and pushing me out of the way.
When some of them lifted off the floor, I realized the dark souls were floating in through the roof and walls.
“Move,” I yelled.
Either they suddenly became deaf or they were ignoring me. I couldn’t push them aside without going through their energy, yet I had to see what was going on.
I closed my eyes and plunged through them. The usual iciness was barely there. The medium runes helped, but they didn’t protect me from their thoughts, which seemed to be the same.
Must protect the medium. Must protect Cora… the medium… Cora…
The moment propelled me to the edge of the group and the next second, I was staring at a giant portal on the floor, sucking souls to the frozen land that was Hel. Sounds of Hel’s hound howling and snarling and screams escaped the portal, filling the gym. Weird how the souls attained physical form and an ability to make sounds once they crossed over.
An arm wrapped around my waist, pulling me back from the edge of the portal and against a hard chest.
“What are you doing?” Echo snarled in my ear. “Protect her,” he yelled over his shoulder.
I stepped back, feeling useless. Bait. Yep, that was me.
The dark souls zipped around the room in a frenzy, trying to escape the portal and the deadly rays from the scythes and artavo, but the runes trapped them inside the gym. Who knew the same lights used to etch runes could also immobilize souls?
I couldn’t tell how many souls were left. Their energies blended together until I couldn’t see the ceiling. The immobilized ones left the mass and tumbled down the hole, but the swirling dark mass didn’t seem to lessen. The huge scythes packed more punch than the smaller blades. Not surprising since Grimnirs chased souls bound, while Valkyries didn’t. I mean, who wouldn’t want to go to Asgard. Hel on the other hand…
More screams and howls came through the portal, and I jumped.
I needed to help instead of standing uselessly on the sideline. Echo had planted himself in front of me and the regular souls to make sure we were okay. Everyone was fighting. Even Raine had her witch staff out and was busy zapping. Her staff was even more powerful than the scythes. I reached out and tugged Echo’s coat.
“What?” he threw over his shoulder.
“Give me my artavus. I want to help.”
“You don’t have the right runes.”
Dang it! I had to do something to help. Where was Dev? I couldn’t see him.
“Dev!” I screamed and immediately wished I hadn’t. The mass from the ceiling seemed to find a new escape route. Me. The mass changed directions and gunned for me.
Echo cursed, his scythe elongating to giant proportions. He zapped them at hyper speed, but they kept coming. Others noticed, too.
Me and my big mouth. I
was sure I was a goner.
Two things happened simultaneously—Dev managed to escape the dark mass and reached me first. Before he could enter me, something big leaped out of the portal and landed on all fours over it. I wasn’t sure whether it was a dragon or a werewolf or some weird mythical creature. It was huge and black. Something slapped the floor somewhere to my right, probably its tail, and hot breath fogged the air to my left. The souls changed course and headed back to the ceiling.
Garm. Hel’s hound.
Too petrified to move, I tilted my head back and stared at it with round eyes. Echo moved back as though to protect me, and then he did something strange. He covered my ears. Still, I heard the growl, felt its journey as it rumbled up the hound’s throat and became a howl. The entire gym vibrated.
The mass of dark souls must have decided the portal was the better escape route. They poured through it, their screams echoing in the barren, icy land. One left the doomed souls and darted around the room, trying to escape the bursts of light from the magical blades.
“Teléia,” Echo yelled and drew its attention. Her attention.
The hound turned its massive head toward us, fangs dripping, four red eyes unblinking, and a scratching sound filling the air. I was sure those were his nails scraping the gym floor. It tilted its head as though undecided whether we all belonged down there in Hel. Dev was now hiding behind me, ready to enter me if need be. I didn’t blame him. Echo was focused on the
I was too busy watching the hound and missed what Echo did next, until a lone dark soul floated to the hound’s head and slid down the side of its face. Teléia? Possibly. The hound’s tongue, wet and long, snaked out and swept her into its mouth, then spat her into the portal.
No one made a sound. Even the Grimnirs, whom I was sure saw it several times a day, didn’t move. Then a shrill whistle came through the portal, and the hound’s ears lifted. Its tongue lolled to the side as it wagged its tail. The next second, it hopped through the portal and was gone.
The relief in the air was tangible. Still, no one moved.
“Here, boy!” a familiar voice called out from the other side of the portal. “Catch!”
As though prodded, we all converged around the portal and stared down at Eirik. Dressed like a reaper, he threw something, probably his magical flail, and the ground shook as the hound chased it.
He looked up and waved. “Is anyone hurt?”
“Damn show off,” Echo grumbled.
“We’re okay,” Raine yelled, waving.
“Hey, Raine. Sorry I’ve been MIA. See you soon. I promise. You okay, Cora?” Eirik asked.
I laughed. He was truly the master of grand entrances. “I’m fine, Eirik.”
“What? He thinks I can’t protect you?” Echo snarled.
“Quite whining, Echo. I can hear you. Enjoy the rest of the prom, guys. We’ll round up these guys and take them to the boat.” He waved his hand and the portal closed.
Everyone started talking at once. Raine and I exchanged a smile. Somehow, we’d known he would show up. Someone started the music again. As though the dark souls hadn’t attacked and Eirik hadn’t saved our asses again by sending Hel’s hound, we all started dancing.
Foxtrot. Charleston. Waltz. Echo even taught me a few moves. Surprisingly, the Grimnirs didn’t leave. They danced, socialized with Lavania and Raine’s mother, and totally ignored the regular souls. It was an unusual prom, yet I wouldn’t trade it for any other.
“Time for you to head home before your mother finds your room empty,” Echo whispered as we waltzed to a smooth jazz tune.
“But I wanted to stop by the cafeteria and check out your old band,” I said, pouting and burrowing in his chest.
“You’ll see plenty of them from now on.”
I leaned back and studied his face. “Are you back with the band now?”
“Absolutely. How else am I going to get girls to fantasize about me?”
I laughed and hugged him. I didn’t care if girls fantasized about him as long as he came home to me.
THE END
BIOGRAPHY
Ednah is the author of four series:
The Guardian Legacy series: YA fantasy series about children of the fallen angels, who fight demons and protect mankind. Awakened (book 0-prequeal), Betrayed (book 1), Hunted (book 2), and Forgotten (book 4). She’s presently working on the last book in the series, tentatively titled, Vindicated (book 5).
Runes Series: a Young adult paranormal romance about Norse mythology, reapers and immortals. Runes (book 1), Immortals (book 2), Seeress (book 3), and she is presently working on Witches (book 4).
Grimnirs Series: This is a spinoff the Runes series and can be read alone or with the Runes series: Grimnirs (book 1), Souls (book 2).
The Fitzgerald Family Series: Contemporary romance under the pseudonym E. B. Walters. You can visit her online on FB, her blog, or at www.ednahwalters.com and www.author-e-b-walters.com.
To my fans, if you haven’t read books by these two amazing indie authors, here are some tantalizing teasers:
REFUGE
(Book 2, Relentless Series)
By
Karen Lynch
Coming December 2014
CHAPTER 1
I felt it coming even before he slammed into me and sent me flying back a dozen feet to land in a heap against the wall. “Ow.” Little pin points of light floated before my eyes and I tasted blood in my mouth where I’d bitten the inside of my cheek. That pain was nothing compared to the bone deep aches all over my body. God, how much punishment could a body take?
A shadow fell across my face. “Is anything broken?” asked a gruff Scottish voice that rang more of impatience than concern.
I rolled onto my back and stretched my sore limbs to test them for injuries, grunting when my shoulder made a small pop. Satisfied that my body was still in one piece, even if it was as bruised as a ripe peach, I peered up at the dark-haired man standing over me with his feet planted apart and his hands on his hips. “I’ll survive,” I muttered, not sure if I was happy about it.
He extended a hand and I took it reluctantly, letting him pull me to my feet. When he let go of me, I leaned against the wall as the training room did a little spin before my eyes. I didn’t need to see straight to know that my painful flight had been witnessed by Terrence and Josh: the two other trainees in the room who were watching us while pretending to focus on their own workouts. I could not blame them; my daily training sessions were something of a spectacle, like a pileup on the highway that you can’t help but slow down to watch.
Callum crossed his arms over his wide chest and fixed me with a reproachful stare. Solid muscle and taller than me by almost a foot, he was my penance for every one of my past screw-ups. At least that is what I told myself every day when I lowered my freshly bruised body into the bath. How I ever thought it would be fun to train with the smiling warrior with the sexy ponytail and chocolate brown eyes was beyond me. It took less than five minutes of our first session for me to discover the scourge hiding behind that pretty smile.
“You are still not working with your Mori and you will never be able to fight or defend yourself unless you open to it. Remember, without that demon inside you, you're only human and just as helpless as one.”
Not quite human. Not that Callum or anyone else in this place would know that. Only a handful of people knew my secret and they were all far away from here.
I rolled my shoulders to work out a kink. “I know what you told me, I’m just not sure how to do it. Maybe my demon is defective.”
His scowl deepened. “Your demon is not defective and this is nothing to joke about. How do you expect to become a warrior if you cannot fight?”
“Maybe I don’t want to be a warrior?”
Callum barked a laugh. “You attract a lot of trouble for someone who doesn’t want to be a warrior.” I blinked in surprise and he shook his head. “Oh, I’ve heard of your little adventures, and how you kept a whole unit – not to ment
ion two of our best warriors – running around Maine for the better part of a month.”
His remarks conjured an image of a dark haired warrior with smoldering grey eyes. I brushed it away angrily. “They were there because of the vampires, not me, and they could have left whenever they wanted. In fact, I told them to leave more than once.”
“So I’ve heard.” Was that actual amusement I saw in his eyes? “There are not many people who would challenge Nikolas Danshov. I expected more from someone who did.”
He was baiting me and I refused to bite. “Sorry to disappoint you. Maybe you should find another trainee who will meet your expectations.”
I got three steps away before he spoke. “Where do you think you’re going? We are not done with this lesson and you leave when I say you leave. Now assume your position.”
So much for pleasantries. I adjusted my padded vest and went to the area he had marked off for us. There was a painful twinge in my lower pack and my backside was already protesting the punishment that was sure to follow, but I pushed the pain aside and turned to face my trainer. I might suck as a fighter but I still had my pride and I’d see this through if it killed me.
Callum, however, was not where I expected him to be. I looked around for him and found him by the door talking to two men and a woman I had not seen before. The woman was tall and beautiful in a knee length red dress, with flawless skin and long black hair. I could not help but notice that the boys had stopped pretending to train and were ogling her instead. She seemed not to notice them as her emerald eyes found me and her nose wrinkled delicately. I almost laughed because I could only imagine how I looked and smelled after two hours with Callum.
My eyes went to the men with her. They were both tall like most Mohiri males but very different in appearance. One had a very nondescript appearance with curly brown hair and tanned skin. The second man had long blond hair pulled back in a ponytail that suited his finely sculptured face. His blue eyes swept the room as he listened to whatever Callum said to him, and they lit on me briefly before returning to my trainer. The man’s commanding air and the way the other trainees had perked up told me he was someone important. This place was a hive of activity with warriors coming and going almost daily, so it was impossible to know everyone. But I was obviously the only person in the room who did not recognize the blond stranger.
Souls (Runes series) Page 30
