by Brea Essex
I stared at him, incredulous. “Then why are we here, attempting to take it from its place? Are you insane? What if it kills you? What if my parents die, or my sister?”
He pulled his gaze from the book and looked at me, his eyes dark with worry. “Rhiannon, I hate to tell you this, but your sister is as good as dead anyway. Only a very elaborate and complicated ritual could free her from Typhon’s grasp. He will use her, and then he will discard her. Maybe he will kill her himself. But I can guarantee that if she lives, she will never be the same twin sister you once knew.”
My mouth gaped open. I couldn’t believe he would speak of her like that. “How can you be so blasé about my sister’s life? We may not always get along, but she is my twin, the other half to my whole—until I found you.”
“I know I could never replace your sister. She fills a different part of you than I do. It’s a different kind of relationship, a different kind of love. And I’m not trying to be flippant about Aislinn’s fate. I’m trying to tell you the truth. Unfortunately, we have to be realistic. It is highly unlikely that we will be able to save your sister. She chose her fate—albeit unknowingly—when she went with Typhon that night.”
“The night when I accidentally called her to me,” I said quietly. “Don’t you get it, Zac? This is my fault!” Now I stared down at the book, determined. “I will save her, if it’s the last thing I do. The rest of the world be damned. Yeah, we’ll keep trying to stop Ty, but the world won’t be the same without my sister in it. My real sister, not the zombie robot Typhon has made her into. I will learn the ritual. I will bring her back to me.” I paused. “Maybe the ritual is in this book.”
Zac shifted nervously beside me. “It’s possible. It’s said that The Book of Thoth holds some of the most powerful spells and rituals.”
I finally glanced up at him. “Well, now we have another reason to take it. You were right before. I need to stop living in fear. If this book is what it takes to save my sister, and to stop Typhon from destroying the world, then we need to access it at all costs. We just need to pray that no one else dies in the process.”
I reached for the book, but Zac’s hand on my arm stopped me. “One more thing. These supposed consequences—they may not come to pass right away.”
I smiled up at him. “Then we can deal with them when they do come, right?”
He smiled back, but it didn’t look genuine. He looked more worried than I had ever seen him before. “Yes. You’re right. Unfortunately, we need this book. We just have to hope these consequences never happen.”
I reached for the book again, this time lifting it off its pedestal on the elaborate table. At first, nothing happened. I breathed a sigh of relief, but my satisfaction came too soon. The ground began to quake beneath our feet. Dropping the book back on the table, I reached for Zac to steady myself. As I watched in horror, a form began to coalesce in front of us.
I half expected the Egyptian Prince’s spirit to take the form of his mummified body. The spirit I had first called upon when training Hecate didn’t reflect the state of her body, but Hecate had said that some did. Some did it to try and scare necromancers. Some did it because they didn’t realize they could appear the way they had in life. But this was not a mummy wrapped in bandages that stood before us.
A darkly tanned man in his prime of life hovered just above the floor. He wore a white robe, which was cinched with a wide, elaborate golden belt inlaid with jewels that glittered even in the low light. Atop his head sat a giant gold and black striped headdress with a huge snake with rubies for eyes in the center above his forehead. “Do you understand what you do?” his dark, rough voice echoed throughout his tomb.
“What’s going on?” Zac leaned down and whispered to me. “Is he here?”
“You can’t see him?” I murmured back.
He shook his head vehemently. “No. I can only see spirits when I’m in the spirit realm. When I’m in this realm, in my body, I can’t see them.”
“Ah, I see.” He had never mentioned that before. “Yes, he’s here. He wants to know if we understand what we’re doing.”
Zac looked in the general direction of where the Prince’s ghost was hovering. “Your Highness.” He paused and bowed low. I stared at him, then took his cue and executed an awkward attempt at a curtsey. “We are very sorry to disturb your slumber in your final resting place. However, the world is in grave danger from a dark force. We humbly ask your permission to remove the book temporarily in order for it to assist us in combating this evil. Once he is vanquished, you have my word that the book will be safely returned to its rightful place.”
“Are you aware of the consequences?” Prince Neferkaptah boomed. His voice was so powerful that I felt as though my entire being was shaking.
I nodded nervously. “Yes, Your Highness. We are. You see: my sister is in trouble. She’s being held hostage by the evil man Zac mentioned.” I gestured in Zac’s direction. “I need the book to save her, and also to stop that man.”
The Prince waved his ethereal hand indifferently. “The trivial woes of one mortal do not concern me. I am sorry for your sister; however, that is not a good enough reason to allow you access to The Book of Thoth.”
I started forward. A few steps was all I managed before I froze. The Prince was the most intimidating ghost I’d ever encountered. He was far more frightening than I had imagined. His appearance may have been normal, but he still scared me. Probably because he held our fate—as well as Aislinn’s fate and possibly the fate of the entire world—in his transparent, non-existent hands.
“You don’t understand,” I told him, all attempts at royal propriety aside. “This isn’t just about me, or about saving my sister’s life. This is about the fate of the entire world.”
“The fate of the entire world?” the Prince scoffed. “Many have come to me, claiming to be involved in a life or death situation, one that will determine the fate of the world. It never is.”
“Well, it’s the truth this time. We believe this man is trying to collect seven powerful, historical relics to aid him in raising an army of dead bodies, animated by wraiths,” I informed him.
“What’s he saying now?” Zac asked.
“He doesn’t believe us as to how important this is.”
“Man, if it’s not Greek gods messing with us, it’s dead Princes. What the hell? Think The Necrovorst is having it this bad? He did end up with the Helm of Hades before us,” Zac said indignantly.
“The Necrovorst is involved in this?” Prince Neferkaptah asked, sounding suddenly intrigued.
“Uh… yeah. You’ve heard of him?” I asked incredulously.
“Yes. Unfortunately, his actions reverberate through many realms.” He paused for a moment, eying me appraisingly. “Very well. I will allow you to access The Book of Thoth. Only, you must promise me a favor in return.”
“Sure, I guess so. What’s the favor?”
“That shall be decided at a later date. You will know when it comes due.”
I looked to Zac. “He wants a favor in return for the Book. Only, he won’t tell me what he wants. Should I agree?”
“Yeah,” he answered instantly. “Whatever he wants. We need that Book.”
“All right,” I told the Prince’s ghost. “We agree.”
A thin, creepy smile stretched across his slightly transparent face. “Good. I will collect my favor in due time. You may take the Book.” With a grand gesture in the general direction of the Book, he wavered and disappeared.
“I have a feeling that’s going to come back and bite us in the ass,” Zac told me with a wry smile.
“You’re the one who told me to agree!”
“Yeah, because we need the Book.” He strode over to the table where the Book lay and picked it up. “Now, let’s get the hell out of here and get home.” .
Twenty-One
Everyone had gathered on the beach. Peeking out from the door of the pavilion that we had erected for me to get ready, I tried to watch
without anyone noticing me. The weather was perfect: bright and sunny, not too hot. The waves rolled gently, lapping up against the shore. I knew Zac was around somewhere, getting ready himself. The whole day was a bright spot in our dreary fight against Typhon and the wraiths. The only thing that would have made the day better was if Aislinn could have been here with me.
Dropping the door flap, I swore loudly.
“What's wrong?” my mother asked from behind me.
Oops. I couldn't tell her why I was upset. She still didn't remember Ash. “Uhhh... I thought I snagged my dress, but it's fine,” I lied.
She came over to me and started inspecting my mermaid-style dress. It hugged my body to mid-thigh and then flared out to form a short train. It was made entirely of white satin. My mother had pushed for a poufy, lacey thing, but I had disregarded her desires. It was my day, after all, and I didn't think something that fancy fit with a beach wedding.
“Mom, there's nothing wrong with it. I just checked it. I was imagining things.”
She finished her inspection of my dress and started messing with my hair. She rewound the curls around her index finger, making sure they lay perfectly in their cascade over my shoulder.
The tent flap pulled back, and my dad walked in, looking uncomfortable in his khakis and blue button up shirt that I had picked out.
“I should have worn a suit,” he grumbled.
“I told you: no suit.”
“My only child is getting married. I should be wearing a suit. Just like your mom should be wearing something fancier than a sundress.” He gestured toward my mother. Despite my mother’s protests, I had overruled her on their outfits. I was surprised she hadn’t thrown a fit.
Not his only child. I wondered if they would ever remember Ash, or get to meet their grandchild. Had Ash delivered the baby? Was it a monster like its father? If it was, I hoped my parents would never get to meet it. They didn't need to be involved in all of this, and they wouldn't know how to react to an evil grandchild—let alone an evil daughter they currently couldn't remember.
I broke that train of thought. “I told you: you don't need to wear a suit. We're on the beach. Besides, it's too hot to be outside in LA, during the summer, in a suit. Aren't you more comfortable like this?”
They both shrugged. “I know you would rather see me get married in some fancy church, in a huge dress, and have a reception in some lavish hall... It just doesn't fit Zac and me, okay?”
“Speaking of, aren't his parents coming?” my mother interrupted.
How was I to sidestep that? His parents were long dead, killed by a wraith attack. Certainly I couldn't tell my parents that. I couldn't even tell them that Zac's parents were dead... that would prompt way too many questions.
“They can't make it. But some of his... extended family... will be here.” It was the best way I could think of to describe the rest of the Zayin warriors who were going to witness our wedding.
“They're missing their only son's wedding?” my mother asked incredulously. “I couldn't miss my only child's wedding! Wait, Zachary is an only child, isn't he? You never said anything about any brothers or sisters.”
I'm not your only child, I thought. There had to be a way to get them to remember Aislinn.
The flap of the tent pulled aside. Zac stood on the other side. By the look on his face, I instantly knew something was wrong.
“Zachary! It's bad luck to see the bride in her dress before the ceremony,” my mother scolded him.
This was no time to be worried about “bad luck.” I was sure there was something worse going on. I weaved my way around my mom, who was trying to block Zac's view of me. He strode quickly over to me and pulled me out of my parents' earshot.
“What's wrong?” I whispered furiously.
“We have a problem.”
“I figured that. Now are you going to tell me what it is?”
He hesitated. “It's your sister. She's here. With Ty.”
I felt the blood drain from my face. I knew I must have looked as white as my dress. “What do we do?”
“We need to get them out of here. How can we get the humans out?” He jerked his head toward my parents.
“I can wipe their memories, if necessary. I'd prefer to get them out of the line of fire, though. They might not remember Ash, but I'm sure she remembers them. But with the way she is these days, who knows what she might do to them?”
I raised my voice. “Mom, Dad, stay here. There's a problem... with the caterer.”
“I can handle that, sweetheart. No need to fret on your big day,” my dad said.
“No, don't worry.” I scrambled to remember a spell to freeze time, or transport them out of here, but my mind drew a blank. “Can you transport them somewhere safe?” I asked Zac.
“I could, but I don't want to leave you.”
“What about one of the other Zayin?” I was starting to panic for my parents' safety, and I needed to keep my cool so I could face my sister and Ty. “Can't one of them take my parents?”
He shook his head. “They won't leave me, or any of the other warriors. We'll need everyone we have.”
“I'm not going to stand by and watch my parents get hurt by my crazy sister and her evil husband!” I shrieked, realizing belatedly that I should've kept my voice down.
“Your sister?” my mother asked, clearly puzzled. “You don't have a sister, honey. You're just confused.”
“Will someone please tell me what's really going on here?” my father asked.
“There's no time,” I brushed them off. “We have to get you two out of here.”
Before I could say another word, the entire tent lifted off the ground. The four of us tumbled across the canvas bottom, landing in a pile in one corner. My mom shrieked, and my dad scrambled to try to get to us. Zac reached for my hand. Our fingers laced together, then slipped. We went flying in opposite directions. The tent tilted a sharp forty-five degrees, and we all fell out of the opening, crashing onto the sand.
A shadow crossed my face, and I looked up to see an old woman standing over me, leering down. “Hello, dear twin,” she sang out. “It's been a long time.”
I stared at her as Zac helped me struggle to my feet. I wished that I were wearing something other than my wedding dress. It was extremely cumbersome, and we couldn't afford for me to trip up. “Aislinn?”
“Surprised to see me?”
I took in her wrinkly skin and her slightly bent posture. Her formerly blonde hair was so streaked with silver that you could barely tell what color it was originally. How could this possibly be her? “What happened to you?”
“An experiment gone slightly wrong,” Typhon’s voice came from behind her. She stepped to the side and made room for him. “I achieved my purpose, but I aged her more than I had intended.”
“Why did you have to age her?” I demanded.
“Oh, I had good reason, trust me.” He paused and grinned wickedly. “Would you like to meet your nephew, Rhiannon?” Typhon turned and gestured behind him. I wondered who was bringing out the baby, since Aislinn was still standing next to him.
A tall, blond man strode out. His arms were empty. Where was the baby? I looked at his face. Something about him seemed familiar.
As I studied his features, trying to place him, it dawned on me. The eyes, the cheekbones, the mouth… they were Aislinn’s. They were mine. This was their child? How had he grown up so quickly? He stopped directly across from me. His smarmy smile echoed Typhon’s own. I stared at him, not quite believing what I was seeing.
He opened his mouth and spoke. “Hello, Auntie. I’ve so been looking forward to meeting you. Trust me, though, it will be the last time.”
Acknowledgments
First of all, the biggest thanks go to my wonderful husband! He put up with a lot of craziness from me while I worked on this book—actually, he puts up with a lot of craziness from me all the time.
Thanks to my two silly boys, for (finally!) keeping calm long for me to f
inish writing and editing this. I'm sure when you're teenagers, you'll be embarrassed by the fact that I've thanked you in this book.
HUGE thanks to my awesomely amazing momma for everything she does for me! I don't know what I would have done without all your help, especially all that you've done for me lately (I feel a song coming on here).
Big thanks to the incredibly talented Joseph Eastwood for doing my cover and formatting! You're great!
To the always awesome, always encouraging, wonderfully talented J.F. Jenkins: I seriously don't know what I would do without you. If it weren't for you and your encouragement, this book never would have been finished. I may even have given up writing. So thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for being such a great friend.
For my amazing editor, Tamar Hela of Hela Write: Thank you so much for all of your help and hard work! I appreciate all your long hours and encouragement more than you know.
To Destany Pingle, my fantastic proof reader: you, my sarcastic, snarky friend, are incredible! Thank you so much for all of your reassurance and support throughout this whole project, and always.
Finally, big, poufy hearts to Cassandra, Laura, Alison, Judy, Peggy, Anna, Devyn, Kym, and Gracen for being such awesome friends!
If I missed anyone, I'm sorry! It doesn't mean I don't appreciate you—it just means I have two small boys and have lost my mind.
About the Author
Brea Essex was born in Gilroy, California, called "The Garlic Capitol of the World". She graduated college with a degree in Medical Assisting, however, she soon decided that field wasn't for her. A self-proclaimed "recovering diet soda addict", she now lives near San Jose, California with her husband and two small sons. She is also owned by three cats and a dog who thinks she's a cat.
Feel free to stalk me online!
Website: www.BreaEssex.com/
Facebook: www.facebook.com/breaessex
Tumblr: www.breaessex.tumblr.com/
