Styx & Stoned (The Grim Reality Series Book 2)

by Brux, Boone

  “No,” said the woman dressed in white. “Right now, you are the only one who can help us keep this contained.” Even though she spoke softly, her silvery-blue gaze speared me. This was a woman who didn’t take crap from anybody or hear the word no very often—if ever. “We also have need of Mara and her knowledge about the River Styx.”

  We looked at each other, Mara’s signature eyebrow arching in a silent WTH.

  “What we are asking of you is a little unorthodox,” Tabris said. “But desperate times call for thinking outside the box.”

  “What is it you want me to do?” A thousand possibilities popped into my head—none of which I liked. “This doesn’t involve seducing Charon, or traveling into the bowels of Hell, does it?”

  “Nothing like that, Lisa.” He gave a disingenuous chuckle that raised my first row of defenses. With deliberately slow movements, Tabris folded his hands in his lap and swiveled in his seat, giving me his full attention. A lazy smile coupled with the slight tilt of his head was his attempt at reassurance through body language. Warning sirens went off in my head. Whatever bomb he was about to drop, I knew I wasn’t going to like it.

  He inhaled, and I braced myself. “We need you to ferry the dead.”

  His words bounced right off my head, refusing to sink in. “Come again?”

  “Charon has made no move to return, and someone needs to start ferrying the dead across the river.” The deep voice of the large black man, one of Hell’s reps, cut through the room. He placed his ankle across his knee and draped his arm across the back of the brocade chair. “At this time, you are the only person capable of running the ferry.”

  “Me?” He’d said that like I was the obvious choice, which was ridiculous. A doughnut eating contest, I’m in. A sci-fi movie marathon, again, I’m your girl. But ferrying the dead, not so much. “I’ve never driven a boat in my life. I mean, there was that one time I took a day cruise on Prince William Sound, but I didn’t drive the boat.” I pressed my hand to my stomach. “I get seasick.”

  “None of that matters,” a white-haired woman from Hell’s team stated. “And Mara will help you navigate the waters.”

  “We are both happy to do our part,” Mara said, “but with all due respect, asking something like this from us raises a lot of questions. At the very least, I think we deserve to have them answered.”

  Go, Mara.

  “I understand.” Tabris’s smile was placating, but from the tight press of his lips and touch of coldness in his eyes, I could see he was running out of patience. “We don’t mean to appear callus. It’s just that the situation is rather dire and getting worse by the minute.” He held out his hand toward Mara. “Please, ask your questions.”

  “Styx is treacherous for souls. Many are lost, even when Charon is ferrying. Why would you put the fate of thousands of souls in our hands?”

  Okay, so my concern had been about why they’d asked me to ferry, not about losing souls. Treacherous river? That sounded horrifying. A wave of nausea to rolled through my stomach. Talk about pressure.

  “Yeah, that’s a good question to start with,” I said, trying to sound unrattled.

  “At this point we have no other choice.” Tabris swiveled a few inches more to directly face me. “There are things about you, Lisa, that make you the only reaper for this job. I’m not at liberty to discuss that right now, but let me reassure you, you’re quite capable of doing this.” Next he turned to Mara. “You offered to ferry when we first talked because you know the route and dangers. Lisa will need your help.”

  “The most important thing right now is to keep as many souls safe,” said the woman in white. “And we need to do it as quickly and quietly as possible.”

  I flinched. “You mean not tell Nate or Cam?”

  “I mean,” she tilted her head toward me, “telling no one.”

  “We’re supposed to help in the search for Charon and convincing him to return.” I wiggled a finger between Mara and me. “How do you suggest we explain our absence?”

  “You won’t have to.” Tabris shifted, addressing the group again. “When you pass through the gates to the shores of Styx, time stops. You will return at nearly the same moment you left. Nobody will ever know you departed.”

  “Seriously?” I aked. Man, the things I could do with the ability to stop time. Exercise, read the stack of books next to my bed, learn to play the guitar, while still maintaining my schedule as maid, chauffer, and chef. “They’ll never miss us? Never know?”

  “The only way would be if somebody saw you leave or arrive, or if you tell them,” Tabris said. “Which I highly suggest you don’t.”

  “Yeah, of course.” I gave Mara a questioning glance. She shrugged, obviously as clueless about the situation as me. “So, just how do we get to the River Styx?”

  For the first time since I’d met Tabris, the angel appeared wary. He gave me a tight, humorless smile. “Hal.”

  “No.” The word popped out of my mouth before the wisdom of contradicting the board’s order registered. “I mean,” I said, backpedaling, “I thought he hated Charon. Why would he agree to help?”

  “Perhaps he won’t,” Tabris’s gaze darted to the far corner of the room for several seconds and then back to me. “But, it would be best for everybody if he willingly agreed.”

  I looked at the corner. At first I didn’t see anything but a shadow. As I turned back to Tabris, a movement caught in my peripheral vision, but when I glanced in that direction again, all I saw was the dark empty corner.

  “Okay, I guess I’ll trust you on that.” I didn’t. Even though these people were from higher echelons, I doubted Hal would cower to their demands. “So what do we do now?”

  “I think you should check out the situation for yourself.” Tabris stood. “Why don’t you call Hal?”

  This was all happening so fast. Slowly I rose, unsure my legs would hold me. “Now?”

  “No time like the present,” he said. “First, can you shut off your phones? Multidimensional travel can be hard on electronics.”

  “All right.” I fumbled with the power button and dropped my phone into my purse, slinging it across my body. “But I’m just calling him, right?”

  “Yes, just summoning,” Tabris said, gesturing to where he wanted me to stand.

  I eyed him, a thread of wariness winding its way through me. Mara joined me, and the rest of the group rose, filing out to the open area of the room. Everybody watched, waiting for me to summon my porter.

  I cleared my throat. “Hal.” Nothing happened, which was normal for him. “Hal Lee Lewya.”

  A thin, pink light flashed near one of the stone lions. I shifted, focusing on the expanding strip. It stretched into a long line and then expanded, forming a door. The glow dimmed and the elevator opened. In his usual style, Hal stood squarely in the center of the car, decked out in royal blue satin pants and shirt, a gray velvet brocade duster, and black motorcycle boots. His yellow gaze peered at me over the top of tiny silver oval sunglasses. He looked less like a transvestite circus master, and more like a rapper. Instead of donning one of his many vibrant hats, today Hal wore his hair down, hanging in glossy black waves over his shoulder. Jealousy poked at me. I’d kill for hair like that. So unfair.

  “Lisa.” His deep voice filled the room, and his gaze remained riveted on me, ignoring the others. “Not your usual summons, I see.”

  “Hey, Hal.” I clasped my hands behind my back and shifted to my other foot. “How’s it going?”

  He continued to stare at me, but didn’t reply.

  “So much for small talk.” I released a deep breath and plunged forward. “We need your help.”

  Hal’s gaze flickered to the group, and then back to me. After several seconds, he said, “No.”

  I glanced behind me, but nobody moved to back me up. It was becoming clear that dealing with ethereal upper management wasn’t much different than in the real world. Toss me into the lake to see if I’d sink or swim. So, this was all on m
e.

  I glared at Hal. “You don’t even know what I was going to ask you.”

  “You need transportation to Styx so you can ferry the dead.” A sneer curled the corner of his mouth. “Because my brother is being an idiot—again.”

  “Uh, okay, so you do know.” The fact that Hal already knew amped up the anxiety racing through my body. One because of the precarious situation with the souls, but also, how the hell did he know these things? Could Hal somehow spy on me—like when I was in the shower, or executing my killer dance moves when I was home alone? “Why won’t you help?”

  His yellow gaze skated slowly over the room, the sneer fixed on his mouth. “I didn’t make this mess.” He sniffed. “Let my brother take responsibility for his actions for once.”

  “Yeah, yeah, I get that,” I said, holding up my finger. “The problem is, he isn’t taking responsibility. Actually, we can’t find him. Now the dead are spilling back into the physical world.”

  He shrugged. “Still not my problem.”

  It was clear Hal had dug his heels in over this issue. The conflict with Charon ran deep, and it appeared he had a long, unforgiving memory. I ran through the list of I things could possibly bribe him with.

  “If you help, Hal…” I swallowed hard. The things I did for this job and humanity. “I’ll let you take me for a ride around Hell.”

  Hal’s last reaper had ventured a little too close, and Hal had snatched him up for a spin around several circles of Satan’s playground. Currently the guy resided as a permanent resident in the psych ward at one of Anchorage’s behavioral centers. No way did I want to end up a drooling nutcase, but taking me for a ride in his elevator was the one thing he constantly tried to talk me into. Either he wanted to see if I was made of stronger stuff than my predecessor, or Hal was just a sick bastard.

  My offer drew an evil grin from him. Hal smiling is off-putting at the best of times. Today his expression held an extra measure of wickedness. “Tempting, but still no.”

  Finally, Tabris chimed in. “I don’t think you understand the severity of the situation.”

  “I understand completely.” Hal’s fingers skimmed down the edge of his duster to a metal cylinder at his waist, hanging from a chain belt. “If you truly understood the situation, you wouldn’t have asked for my help.”

  “There are times when we must put our differences aside and act for the greater good.” One of Hell’s representatives stepped forward. He reminded me of Nate’s porter, Pick. Dressed in a crisp suit and tie, his shoes sparkling under the golden lights, he looked like an attorney for the mob. “This is one of those times. Duty dictates you help.”

  “I’m not much of a team player,” Hal growled.

  Silence blanketed the room. Nobody moved, the tension ratcheting. As the only mortal human there, I figured I had the most to lose if some kind of supernatural rumble broke out. I understood Hal’s position. Mara and I hadn’t been given a choice in the matter either, and we didn’t have the turbulent history that he had with Charon. Still, I was willing to do my part.

  “So, you’re going to be a dick about this?” I asked.

  Mara’s eyes rounded and she gave me a quick look. Tabris coughed and then cleared his throat.

  “Yes, Lisa.” Hal grinned. “I’m going to be a dick.”

  I crossed my arms and hit him with my best glower. “Jerk.”

  “All your name-calling and pouting will not change my mind,” Hal said. “So if we’re finished—”

  “We are not finished.” The voice of a woman ricocheted around the room, seemingly echoing off every wall at once.

  A lot of things happened at once. The smug expression melted from my porter’s face. The group of powerful supernatural beings flinched in unison, turning toward the corner of the room. And I tried to look everywhere at once, as usual, having no idea what was going on.

  Careening my neck, I peered in the direction everybody else was looking. The shadow in the corner of the room churned, condensing to form a woman. Ebony hair danced around her shoulders and settled along her arms. Sooty smoke swirled over her hips and down her legs, dissipating to leave her clothed in one killer gown. She glided across the room, her coal-black eyes riveted on Hal.

  The most movement I was willing to risk was a glance at the other occupants. The head of every board member bent in a slight bow, their eyes fixed on the floor. I glanced at Tabris, and then Mara. They were doing the same thing. I never claimed to be a genius, but if angels and demons were cowering at the sight of this woman, I probably should too.

  I bowed my head low, making it clear I was the submissive dog in the group. In the face of supernatural power, I found pride to be a useless commodity. Survival instinct on the other hand—priceless.

  A set of gorgeous ebony sandals stepped into my view. My curious nature warred with my desire to remain alive, but survival won out over peeking. It didn’t matter, though. Cold fingers gently grasped my chin and lifted my head. We were the same height, but where I was platinum and blue-eyed, this woman was the incarnate of darkness.

  My gaze locked with hers. It was fathomless, but not cold. Neither dead and emotionless, nor full of life. The longer I stared, the deeper I fell. Creation, dark space, vast intelligence, and knowledge I struggled to comprehend. She was the beginning, a part of the greater whole. Her name slipped from my lips in a whisper. “Nyx.”

  Her head tilted and she smiled. Love and approval poured through me, and I had to blink back the tears suddenly burning behind my eyes. Emotions surged, nearly swamping me, and I barely managed to maintain my composure.

  Her gazed roamed my face for a few more seconds, and then lowered her hand. She turned to Hal, who still stood silently glaring at his mother.

  “She is your reaper?” Nyx asked.

  He hesitated, and then defiantly lifted his chin. “She is.”

  Nxy nodded, looking back at me, her eyes tracking down my body. “I approve. She is a good match for you.” As quickly as she’d drawn me in, she turned, dismissing me. “You will take her to Styx.”

  Hal remained silent, not agreeing or disagreeing with her.

  “I know your grievances, Thanatos,” Nyx continued. At the sound of his real name, Hal bristled. “I admit, I usually do not meddle in these affairs, but as you and Charon are my sons, I feel compelled to intervene. This situation cannot continue, and you’ve left me no choice but to exert my authority. You will do as you’re told.” Again she cocked her head and leveled her black eyes on him. “And you will not harm her.”

  “Wait, what?” My head jerked toward Hal. Had he been considering that? It wasn’t my fault they were making me ferry souls. Why blame me? His teeth pulled into a feral snarl. I took a step back. Whatever that reaction meant, I was pretty sure I wouldn’t like it.

  “This will happen—now.” Nyx pivoted and waved Mara and me toward the elevator. “You will take Lisa and Mara to Styx so they can first assess how dire the situation is. You—” She paused, driving her point home. “—will wait outside the gate until they return. You will not accompany them.” Taking each one of our hands, she walked us to within a yard of the elevator and stopped. “They are under my protection. Is that clear, Thanatos?”

  With a mocking bow, he bent low. “Crystal clear, Mother.”

  She released our hands and gestured toward the elevator.

  No, no, no, no. My body refused to move. Self-preservation demanded I get in the elevator, but paralyzing fear rendered me immobile. Crazy how strong terror can be. Here I was, in a room full of beings that could probably think me out of existence, but what terrified me most was getting in an elevator with Hal.

  Thank God for Mara. She grasped my hand and pulled me forward. With tiny steps, we closed the short distance. Bile crept up my throat and I was sure that’s where it would stay. Hal’s eyes boring into me didn’t help. Mara entered first, and then turned and tugged me forward. Forcing my right foot to step across the elevator threshold was one of the toughest things
I’ve ever done. The hardest? Taking that second step.

  Chapter Seven

  When Nate first laid out the ground rules after I became a reaper, never let your porter touch you was a biggie. I took that to mean that Hal wasn’t the only porter with a perilous streak. But nevertheless, here I was, standing less than three feet from one of the most dangerous porters—the original Death—intent on taking a ride to the netherworld in his elevator, and all without my partner’s knowledge. Yeah, that sounded exactly like something I’d do.

  I crammed my body into the corner, placing Mara between Hal and me. She was a demon, and frankly, a more logical choice for a buffer. The door slid shut, sealing the three of us inside. Though the elevator was more spacious than I had originally thought, it still wasn’t big enough in my opinion.

  None of us spoke. When the elevator started to move it hitched upward slightly, and I braced myself for a drop. Instead my body pressed to the right, as if we were moving sideways. I glanced at Hal, chancing the first dialogue. “We’re not moving down?”

  “No.” He leaned against the opposite wall, his arms held wide, and his hands resting on the gold handrail, he continued his silent stare.

  “Oh.” Brilliant comeback. I glanced at the ceiling, the floor, and after five seconds, I’d looked at everything there was to see. Nervousness triggered my need to fill the silence. “I expected we’d descend.”

  Hal heaved a long-suffering sigh, as if replying to a question I should already know the answer to was a huge burden. “Up, down, sideways…it’s relative to where the souls are dropped.”

  “So the River Styx is a sideways trip?” I asked, goading him to speak.

  “It depends where I’m at when I start the journey.” He peered at me over his glasses. “If I am in Hell, then the elevator would travel upward.”