Erina glanced at Mara and me. Diana leaned forward to block her view, the smug look on her face a punch to my gut.
“There are a few rules.” Mrs. Poulter patted the bun at the back of her head. “I am leading this ritual; therefore you must do as I say. Disruption will break the bond. Do not fire your weapons until I give the word; there may not be a need to. Do not trust anything you hear from any entity we contact. Demons lie. Reapers only crave pain. We are going into this with everything to lose.”
Diana narrowed her eyes at me. “Don’t get your hopes up. It’s highly unlikely a Reaper Lord will answer the summons.”
Mrs. Poulter cleared her throat. “If you’re ready, follow me.”
She led us through the den to a double door I hadn’t noticed before. The wood was the same color as the surrounding bookshelves, therefore easy to miss. The doors opened to a dark room about the size of a two-car garage.
Mrs. Poulter lit candles on an altar on the back wall. In the flickering light, I noticed a pentagram inside a circle drawn with black coal in the middle of the floor.
Paxton lit an incense stick and placed it in a holder. He brought it to the center of the pentagram. Mrs. Poulter placed a glass goblet filled with wine beside it.
“Naomi, dear. I’m sorry, but—”
Naomi threw her hands up, cutting her off. “Yeah, yeah, I know. I’m not allowed to take part. But how come the guys get to join you?”
“Though Hunter and Chase have no powers,” Helene said, “they do carry Vila blood. And Gavin is a Cation. His presence will actually help.”
Naomi scoffed. “Whatever. I’ll just wait in the den.”
I pouted at her. She shrugged her shoulders and shook her head as she left the room. The room dimmed as she shut the doors behind her.
“Everyone sit in the circle.” Mrs. Poulter folded her legs underneath her, apparently not thinking twice about getting charcoal on her clothes, and gestured to the rest of us.
Chase, Hunter, and Gavin placed our weapons behind our backs on the floor. I double-checked that my bow and quiver were within reaching distance.
When we were all sitting, Mrs. Poulter held her hand out toward Diana, who passed her a white-handled knife. I held my breath as Mrs. Poulter leaned forward toward the center of the pentagram. As if she’d done it a million times, she sliced at her palm with the knife, then squeezed her hand into a fist to let the blood drop into the center of the floor.
“I call upon thee, Samael, great Reaper Lord, dark angel of death. Hear my summons.”
She picked up the wine and took a sip, then passed it to Diana. After Diana sipped from the goblet, she passed it to Helene. And on it went through the circle. The bitter liquid burned my throat when it was my turn. But I kept my remarks to myself, so as not to disrupt the ritual. When the cup came back to Mrs. Poulter, she finished the remaining wine—a mere three drops—and placed the goblet back in the center of the pentagram.
Paxton refilled the goblet.
Mrs. Poulter squeezed her cut hand over the center of the floor once again. “I call upon thee, Samael, great Reaper Lord, dark angel of death. Hear my summons.”
The wine made a second round, then, after another offering of blood, a third round. When the goblet finally came back to Mrs. Poulter, she turned it upside-down on the floor and said, “So mote it be.”
She closed her eyes and dipped her head down, and we all waited in silence. My skin prickled. The candles flickered and the air grew cold. Something pinched my ankle. I turned to look at my legs, which were tucked under my bottom, but couldn’t make out anything in the darkness. I scratched my anklebone, but immediately drew my hand back when the touch burned my fingers.
Then, without any more warning, my leg was pulled out from underneath me, dragging my body along the floor. The shadow had ahold of me. Not Samael. But the Reaper from last night. I screamed, my nails digging into the ground. Gavin and Chase rushed forward, but a force knocked them both back.
“Zadie!” Mara lurched forward, hands stretched out to me.
I grasped for my crossbow as the shadow pulled me out of the circle. My fingers brushed the edge of the bow, but the shadow dragged me out of its reach. Erina stared, wide-eyed, as her lips moved quickly to recite the Devitalizing Spell.
The Reaper growled in fury, whipping me to the side. I rolled over the floor until my leg smashed into something. Tears spilled over my cheeks as a shard from the broken wineglass pierced my skin. I quickly reached down and tore it from my leg, pushing down on the open wound to slow down the bleeding.
Lilura and Helene chanted in unison.
Paxton threw a dagger. It soared over my shoulder, but missed the Reaper by an inch.
The shadow released me and flew to my sister.
“Mara!”
Her wide eyes were locked on me as the Reaper lifted her off the floor and threw her into the altar. Candles were knocked to the ground, snuffed out and smoldering. Mara groaned as she tried to get to her feet. Hunter rushed over and gathered her into his arms. I limped toward her, but the shadow rushed back to me, dodging the daggers Chase and Gavin pitched at it. The shadow didn’t stop when it reached me, dragging me by the waist across the floor, and slamming me into the double doors.
The doors cracked, the wood splintering. I whimpered, the pain in my head making me see stars. The shadow backed up and rammed me into the doors again, breaking through the wood so it fell apart. Naomi jumped up from the couch when she saw me being thrust in the air toward the windows. My body hit the frame, and I fell to the floor.
“Now!” Hunter yelled.
I couldn’t see them, but I heard daggers zoom across the room. The Reaper’s laugh and Chase’s curse words told me their aim was off.
My head spun, my cheek pressed against the carpet. Helene’s shoes came into view, but my mussed hair blocked out everything else.
I became extremely hot, but I couldn’t move. I felt as if my brain was swelling and would burst from my skull. The migraine I had the night of Naomi’s party came back to me.
No! Not again.
Then I sat up. Or rather, the Reaper moved my body to sit. I tried to lift my hand, but couldn’t.
Oh, no. He’s controlling me.
“Zadie, are you all right?” Gavin crouched down, his hands on my shoulders.
My hand moved up and clutched his wrist.
“Zadie?”
Oh, God, Gavin. Get away before I hurt you!
I twisted his wrist downward. His mouth dropped open. I used him to pull myself to standing, and when I got to my feet, I grabbed him with both hands and threw him across the room. He nearly collided with Erina, but smashed into the wall.
“The Reaper’s controlling her,” Mrs. Poulter shouted.
Naomi covered her mouth as she screamed and backed up near the fireplace.
Lilura started chanting.
“Throw a dagger into her,” Diana yelled.
“Are you crazy?” Gavin grunted as he pushed himself off the floor.
Diana’s eyes were wild. “He’ll leave her body. Then you’ll have a better shot.”
“No.” Mara shoved Diana back with both hands. “No one hurts my sister.”
The Reaper turned me toward the fire. The blaze grew higher and brighter, the heat leaping out at me. My hands came up, as if I were grabbing the flames with my palms, making the fire jump from the fireplace. I twisted, carrying the fire through the air in an arc across the den. The flames caught the edge of the couch, the fire spreading swiftly. The blaze flared out and licked the table next to me. With a roar, the table went up in flames.
Just as it was about to explode in fire, Chase rushed forward and wrapped his arms around me. I could feel the heat fold around him as he shielded me from the blaze. His back taking the blunt of the flames, he screamed in pain, still clinging to me. The fire traveled up his trench coat quickly. Hunter charged forward, grabbing us both and pushing us away from the flames.
Chase fell to the
floor, twisting in agony as fire ate at his trench coat. Hunter released me to help him, pounding out the flames with his hands.
Helene crouched in front of the couch and pulled two fans out of her blazer. Eyes narrowed, she tossed them in the air. They hovered, then split into a million pieces. The bits of fan transformed into sprays of water, raining down to put out the fire.
The Reaper growled. I bared my teeth at Helene at the Reaper’s will.
My hand jutted out. The force of power thrown from it hurled the coffee table up and into Helene’s side. She bent in half and crashed into the bookcase. The shelves crumbled, and the samurai sword that hung above the case came loose and whipped to the floor.
Naomi tried to move away from me, but the Reaper made me reach out. I caught her sweater with my fingers.
This one must die, the Reaper whispered.
No!
I tried to scream, I tried to resist, but I was powerless.
Under the Reaper’s control, I grabbed Naomi’s throat and pushed her back against the wall. Slowly, I raised her off the ground. Naomi gasped, scratching at my hand, tears flowing from her wide eyes.
Stop! Leave her alone.
The Reaper’s low growling voice sounded in my head. I’m hungry, Zadie. Squeeze harder.
I felt my fingers tighten. I died a million deaths from the panicked look on Naomi’s face.
Hands were on me—Gavin and Paxton, from what I could tell. Pulling on me and screaming at me to stop.
“Let me,” Mara said, her voice strained.
A cold breeze blew over me, and I was able to turn my head just enough to see Mara. Her hand was held out, palm facing me. A small white glow emanated from her palm. Wind lifted her hair around her. She came closer, and the Reaper’s shadow growled. When she touched me, it was as if electricity surged through my body. I instantly let go of Naomi, who dropped to the floor in a slump. And I screamed in pain.
With my voice.
The shadow fled, quicker than my eyes could follow, the thunderous echo of its shriek filling the room. The house shook as the Reaper crashed through the window. I backed away from Naomi and Mara, tears finally escaping. I needed to get away. But instead, Gavin gathered me into his arms. He held me tight and pressed his lips against my temple.
“It’s okay, Zadie. He’s gone now.”
Naomi coughed, grasping at her throat. Paxton lifted her off the floor. She wrapped her arms around his neck as he swiftly carried her out of the room.
Lilura held a shivering hand over her mouth, staring at the floor.
Erina crouched down, inspecting Helene. The samurai sword was impaled in her stomach. Her shirt was soaked red, and her face was stark white. Her wide eyes fell on me, blood dripping from her hot pink lips as she took her final breath.
Chapter Twenty-Four
The sun mocked the somber mood of the funeral. Especially a funeral hosted by witches. Luckily I had something black to wear, but I had to don sunglasses to keep the glare out of my eyes. Or maybe it was to hide the tears.
I couldn’t help but think Helene’s death was on my hands. She only came along to the Poulters to help us. And now she was being buried. I was almost too numb to be taken aback by the fact that the Poulters knew a coffin maker who could provide Helene’s casket at a moment’s notice.
The land we stood on, as I was told, belonged to the Poulters. It was a private cemetery, where all the Poulters were buried. The Poulters no doubt had hired help to run the place. I shivered, thinking about how they must have dug the hole for the casket the night before or very early in the morning. None of the help were around now—not from the cemetery or the house. I wondered if they were even invited to such things.
Along with the traditional black attire, the Poulters each wore a black hat. Not the pointy kind I’d always associated with witches growing up, but classy ones with short mesh veils and black flowers. Paxton’s was more of a bowler hat. Mr. Poulter did not attend.
Chase was also missing, but for different reasons. His back was severely burned when the Reaper attacked us. Paxton and Hunter tended to his wounds, but he was bed-ridden for the rest of the day while the healing ointment took effect. I just hoped he wasn’t in too much pain. Another thing I had to feel guilty about.
“Please be seated,” Mrs. Poulter instructed.
Chairs were arranged in a half circle. I sat between Gavin and Mara. I glanced at Naomi, but her eyes were cast down. She hadn’t looked at me all morning. Everyone was seated except Mrs. Poulter, who stood over the casket, her hands covered in black gloves. On top of the casket, which was covered in a beautiful black cloth, sat a small glass chalice and a black hammer. Both items rested upon a thick cloth bag. A clay mortar sat next to the cloth. The last two items on the casket were a burning candle, protected in a glass container, and a small golden bell. Incense burned from wooden holders placed at the base of the casket.
Morgan stretched her hands up toward the sky.
“I call to thee, Oh great Manannan Mac Lír. Here, may the spirit of our beloved parted one, within this sacred circle, manifest and be made welcome. I ask of thee Lord of Tir fa Thon, allow the castle gate of Murias be opened, so the Nereids of water may guide our sister, Helene Foley, to Tir Na Samhradh. Let her be brought into the warmth of the land of Summer.”
She picked up the hammer and placed the head on her palm, while still gripping the handle. Holding it out in our direction, she continued her speech.
“Oh, great In Daghda, great father of life and death, Eochaid Ollathair, I call to thee. Bless and consecrate this hammer, that it may hold the necessary virtue through you for this somber ceremony. Give this tool the power to release beloved Helene from this realm to the land of Summer, where she may be reborn, from your great cauldron.”
Then she gestured to Erina, who came forward with a piece of black silk. Mrs. Poulter took the cloth and placed it on her palm, setting the hammer on top of it. Erina dipped her hand into the mortar, which was filled with water. Slowly, she drizzled water over the hammer. Mrs. Poulter then wrapped the cloth around the hammer and placed it on the casket. Erina returned to her seat, hands folded in front of her.
Raising her hands into the air again, Mrs. Poulter called upon another spirit, this time picking up the chalice and presenting it to us on the palm of her hand. This time, Paxton came forward with a piece of blue silk. Water was drizzled over the chalice before it was wrapped in the cloth and placed on the casket.
Mrs. Poulter lifted her chin and closed her eyes. “We must let you go, dear Helene. Stay no longer, and fear not. We give you our blessing to leave, for you await a new destiny.”
A wind blew through the area. My hair flew around my face, wild and fast. After a long moment, the wind died down, and Mrs. Poulter opened her eyes. Her gaze fell on me for a moment.
“Our sign of respect has been shown. Helene has moved on to a better place, knowing she was appreciated.”
After Mrs. Poulter placed the wrapped hammer and chalice into the cloth bag, she blew out the candle and rang the bell. Lilura sniffled, but kept her head down. Ever graceful, Mrs. Poulter walked around the casket and signaled for us to stand. Paxton lead us out of the cemetery, singing a lament in a language I didn’t understand. Diana and Erina joined in the mournful song, but Mrs. Poulter and Lilura remained silent.
It felt strange to leave the casket there, above ground, but I figured the caretaker had instructions to handle it. It was even stranger returning to the house without Helene. I’d only known her a short time, but she’d grown on me—on all of us, I was sure.
Once we returned to the estate, we gathered in the living room. A couple of tables were brought in, each piled with food. Erina had told me it was customary for a wake to be held after the funeral, but I had no appetite at all.
Naomi sat in a chair at the side of the room. In her hands was Helene’s compact mirror, which she flipped open and closed repeatedly. Her neck was tainted with a blue bruise in the shape of my hand. I w
anted so badly to go over to her, to tell her how sorry I was, but she needed time and space. I knew her well enough to understand that, and I loved her enough to give her what she needed.
“She’s not mad at you.” Lilura kept her voice low so only I could hear.
“I know. But she is scared of me. I think I hate that more.”
Lilura nodded, letting out a barrage of coughs.
I put a hand on her back, surprised when she didn’t push me away. “Are you all right?”
“I think I just need to lie down.”
“Let me help you to your room.”
She looked like she was about to disagree with me, her eyes shifting left and right. But then she gave me one curt nod. Exhaustion and sorrow must have taken a toll on her if she didn’t even have it in her to turn me away.
Lilura’s room didn’t look the way I expected. For one thing, it was almost completely white from the bed sheets to the wallpaper. But the other thing that surprised me was that it was immaculate. I was used to Lilura’s things being present around her, like in her house. Of course there were servants to tidy the room, but not one item of Lilura’s could be seen. She must have tucked everything away, out of view. Or maybe she kept everything in her suitcase, stashed in the closet.
She took a handkerchief out of her pocket and covered her mouth as she coughed. Before she could fold the cloth away, I spotted blood on it. She turned away from me and pulled back her covers.
I wrung my hands. “Can I get you anything?”
Lilura’s lids were heavy. “No. I’ve already taken my medicine. Just need a nap.”
She slipped off her shoes and slipped her legs under the covers. I walked over to the side of the bed and pulled the sheet up to her chest. My heart felt like a stone. Lilura not only had her failing health to deal with, but she’d just lost a lifelong friend. I bit my lip, not knowing what to say.
“She was younger than me. I never thought she would go first.” Lilura wiped her brow with the back of her liver-spotted hand. “Then again, I’ve lost loved ones before whom I thought would surely outlive me. And who, by all rights, should have.”
My Tethered Soul: Volume 2 (Reaper's Rite) Page 22
