“Some are, some aren’t. It depends on the realm. For instance, Lucien is the king of the demon realm with mages and enforcers who help him control the thousands of demons living there. However, even Lucien answers to higher powers.”
“I think I understand what you’re saying. Each realm has a power hierarchy. The Fallen help maintain a semblance or order in all realms, much like the Mortal Realm’s policemen. When criminals are captured, the Erinyes judge the crime and issue punishment, which is carried out by the Watchers and ultimately, you.” I grinned at him, this time confident I’d understood. “Well? Did I pass?”
“You made an A.”
“Where does God and Lucifer fit in to all of this?”
Joachim waved a hand. “It is a story for another time.”
I pressed my fingers against my temples. “I’ve heard that a lot. I’m going to have to start a list. I also have a headache.”
“Damn, but I think I learned something too.” Johnna laughed behind me.
“Johnna, language.” Another feminine voice reprimanded her.
I twisted around in my chair to see Johnna standing inside the kitchen entryway with her fists planted on her hips. Her huge smile disappeared and her jaw dropped as she stared at me.
The two women flanking her were strangers. Both resembled Johnna and were as pretty as she was. The redhead to her right could have just stepped off a plane from Ireland. The black-haired beauty on Johnna’s left reminded me of a dainty, short-haired pixie. All three women had the same full lips and brilliant blue eyes.
I gave Joachim a confused glance. “I thought you said she was with her grandmother and mother?”
“I did and she is,” he began, but whatever else he was going to say was lost in Johnna’s shriek.
“Willow! What happened to your hair? And your eyes are silver!” She glared first at the redhead then the pixie. “That is so not fair. How’d she rate a makeover and not me?”
I stared at the women flanking Johnna. Power exuded from them, amazing and terrifying at the same time. I felt their magic sizzle across my skin and sink into my bones. Neither of the women looked much older than me, but in the depths of their eyes, I saw eons of experiences and memories.
The dark-haired pixie made me want to curl up beside her and just be. The redhead? She scared me, judging my every movement. This feeling, however, belied the hope clinging to her as well. Her chin and bottom lip quivered as she stared back at me, her gaze drinking me in like a drop of water on parched desert sand.
“Cassia?” the redhead whispered, her voice cracking as she took a step toward me.
Johnna laid her hand on the woman’s arm. “Mom, this is Willow Kallias. Willow, my mom, Sabine.”
The redhead’s blue gaze pinned Johnna’s then turned back to me, a slight frown puckering her eyebrows. “You look so much like my sister. How is this possible?”
Even I could hear the confusion in her words. And I practically saw the wheels spinning as she tried to make sense of, well, me. I, however, was still stuck on their ages and how young they both looked.
Johnna winked at me. Did she know what I was thinking? “I know this is supposed to be tragically serious, but it’s not often I get to see my mother dumbfounded and tongue-tied at the same time.”
The black-haired lady nudged Johnna with her elbow. “Johnna! Be nice to your mom. She’s been through an ordeal.”
It was like watching a tennis match as they bantered back and forth, but my attention kept returning to Johnna’s mom. Her unblinking stare made me nervous.
Sabine stepped toward me, her hand reaching out to cup my cheek, her lips and chin quivering as her eyes filled with tears. “I can feel a part of her spirit in you.” Another step and her arms wrapped around me, holding me close as she sobbed. “We’ve searched so long, clinging to even the tiniest bit of hope Cassia would come home.” She paused as she sniffled a few times beside my ear. “A daughter. You are her daughter. We never even knew she was pregnant. How did we not know?”
The other woman stepped forward and laid her hand on Sabine’s back as she smiled at me. “We will figure this all out, Sabine, but for now let’s just enjoy finding Willow. From what Johnna said, I think she needs us as much as we need her.” She wrapped one arm around Sabine and the other around me. With a quick kiss on my cheek, she whispered in my ear, “I’m Gaia. Your grandmother.”
I was sort of okay with just the two of them hugging me, but when Johnna joined the impromptu group hug, my skin prickled until it hurt, and my throat tightened. I couldn’t catch my breath. The longer they hung on to me, the more I shriveled until Joachim’s large hands pried me from the women’s grasps.
“Ladies?” His deep baritone a welcome sound. “There will be plenty of time for getting acquainted. At the moment, however, we have more important issues we need to discuss.”
Johnna pulled me aside. “Never thought you’d conform quite so fast. A Watcher uniform too? And what’s with the cape?” she hissed in my ear. “It’s so military chic. Think you can get one for me?”
I scowled at her and returned to the safety of my stool. “How is any of this even possible? How are you my aunt and grandmother? You don’t look much older than Johnna or me.” My eyes widened and I glanced at Joachim. “Is there a fountain of youth too?”
“Umm,” Johnna mumbled. “About that—I’ll explain it all to you later. It’s complicated.”
Gaia’s own sparkling blue gaze turned to Sabine as she chuckled. “Definitely related. She has Johnna’s sense of humor. She also reminds me of Cassia at that age.” She looked at me, her eyes narrowing thoughtfully as she stared into mine. “And her father.”
Sabine nodded with a sad smile. She drew in a deep breath, staring at the floor, her shoulders shaking.
My nerves tumbled over one another. I wanted to make a good impression on Sabine, but how was I supposed to act? A million questions flew through my mind. Would she like me? Or worse, would she be mad because I wasn’t her sister?
“I’m sorry we were a bit later than expected,” Gaia said. “Hephaestus met us on the island of Lemnos. I didn’t dare go to his home on Olympus. Zeus has spies everywhere. After some persuasion and a few promises I will have to deal with later, he agreed to redesign Achilles’ armor for the Watchers. Of course, he will be working nonstop, but with his sons helping, the breastplates should begin arriving soon.”
“Tell me why the armor is important?” I also hoped they’d explain who Achilles was.
“Hephaestus is the gods’ metalworker,” Gaia pointed out, seeing the confusion on my face. “Because of how the succubi are killing the Watchers, I thought having breastplates made with the same protective enchantments Achilles had during the Trojan War might help.”
Joachim bowed toward her, the old-world kind of bow I found really cool. “My men and I are, indeed, honored by such a gift.”
In the dark recesses of my brain, I thought I heard Malachi’s voice calling my name. He sounded weak and far away. I squeezed my eyes together and clenched my jaws, pressing my fist against my aching chest.
Malachi? I’m here. Please, answer me!
“Willow?” Johnna and Joachim asked together.
“I almost had him.” I hated feeling useless.
Joachim’s frown deepened. “Had who?”
“Malachi. He sounded terrible.”
“You can mind speak with him?”
I nodded, not trusting my voice.
“Is it a problem?” Johnna asked for me, reaching for my hand and giving it a comforting squeeze.
“Definitely not a problem. In fact, it might help us find him faster. I’m sorry, Willow, but I need to know what you saw in the Nightmare Realm. Even the tiniest detail could be helpful in figuring out why Tarja has declared war against us.”
> I sighed. “That’s what Lucien said too. Next time, though, I’m going to make sure everyone is present so I won’t have to keep retelling the worst experiences of my life. I can’t tell you when things started to change. I noticed some time before Malachi arrived, the nightmares became erratic. At first I didn’t realize my nightmares were changing, but the last one I had before leaving the realm came close to killing me.”
Johnna nodded. “I was there and witnessed the aftermath. She was impaled by a lance and actually brought it and a knife into the realm with her.”
I concentrated on the dark countertop, flipping through my experiences like a deck of cards until I was certain of my timeline. “Now that I think about it, I’m quite sure I noticed even in the beginning more and more of the columns appearing. Malachi told me the realm should have been filled with people being tortured by their pasts, but I never saw anyone. Not until after DC appeared.”
“DC?” Joachim echoed.
“My demon cat—DC for short. Anyway, one death still gives me the willies. I heard him before I noticed him. He emitted a horrible blood-curdling scream—it could have shattered glass and made my toenails curl. His body swelled up to three times its original size, and his skin bubbled. His arms and legs flew out in all directions, and he landed on the ground spread-eagled. He never moved again.”
I could feel their horror growing, and kept my gaze focused on the toes of my black boots. “I wanted to help him but didn’t know what to do until the sound started. It was the most gawd-awful sucking sound. Like someone slurping a milkshake through a straw and really, really enjoying it.” I let out a pained sigh, remembering the morbid flush of heat consuming me as I watched the man’s final moments. “The body’s huge girth decreased while the slurping got faster. Seconds later, I was staring at a husk of skin in clothes.”
I shivered as the next memory spewed through my mind—the image of the violent churning sand as it quickly consumed the body. I forced my head up and met the Watcher’s swirling gaze. “Afterward, I found three more bodies. The skin on the back of their necks had been filleted open. Within minutes of me finding them, they were fully encased in sand-like termite mounds.”
Joachim crossed the kitchen to stand in front of the only window. He stared into the night’s inky darkness, the muscled bulk of his crossed arms jutting out from his chest. “The calling card of our friend Tarja, no doubt. They aren’t playing games anymore or hiding their kills. They wanted you, and ultimately us, to know what they were doing.”
“Believe it or not, talking about it again gave me an idea.” I leaned my elbows on the tabletop. “I think I may know how to rescue Malachi, but I’m going to need your help.”
“Go on, I’m listening,” he said.
“So are we,” the three women around me chimed in.
“Malachi told Johnna time varies in the Nightmare Realm. It explains why we didn’t see the effects the deaths were having on him.” I knew I was speaking too fast, but I couldn’t seem to stop the words from tumbling out of my mouth. “Joachim, we can’t wait for confirmation. Malachi is growing worse by the minute. In my heart, I know this will save him!”
“I can’t agree until I know the plan.”
“Sorry.” I took a quick breath and hoped for the best. “Okay, here’s my plan. Malachi’s strength is dependent on maintaining a steady place for the punishments. So, we recreate it.”
“How do we do that?” Johnna asked. “Especially without alerting Tarja?”
“We punish people. We do what the realms aren’t.” I waited for someone’s smart-ass remark, but none came. “Joachim sets up a few of his wards in the Nightmare Realm, and Niki does his enforcer thing, delivering as many POWs as he can. After the prisoners arrive, Sabine can begin the judgments.”
“How will this help Malachi?” Gaia looked doubtful. Though I’d known her less than an hour, I suspected the expression on her face meant it will never work.
“No, I think Willow’s on to something. Her plan just might work,” Joachim mused. “Malachi’s strength is tied to the punishments. If they stopped completely, he would likely die. But start them again, even if it’s only a few, and keep them going as steady as we can, and his strength should return. Theoretically, of course.”
I nodded in agreement. “We have to try.”
Johnna and Sabine stepped forward in unison, flanking me. “What do we do?”
“Johnna, Lucien told me you can possibly heal the Summoned. Is this true?” Joachim asked. For the first time since meeting him, I heard excitement in his voice.
Johnna nodded. “I can. The healing uses a lot of my power, and I don’t really know how many I can fix at one time. Niki won’t let me experiment.”
Gaia moved next to Sabine. “I believe I can help. Johnna, your power is earth-based, as is mine. If you are able to heal the Summoned, I should be able to heal them as well. I’m also a bit older, and my power won’t fade as quickly as yours.”
“Grams, what a great idea!” Johnna’s smile quickly disappeared. “Wait, what about Dad?”
Sabine wrapped her hand around her daughter’s. “As much as I’d love for all of us to go rescue him, I have another person in mind who will have a much better chance getting the answers we need. Someone even Zeus finds intimidating.” She glanced at Joachim. “Has Lucien sent his answer yet?”
“He has. It’s now or never. Lucien’s managed to keep Tarja’s people from getting into the room, but they are closer to breaking the wards. For every ward he puts up, they bring another down.” He scrubbed his face in frustration.
“Maybe we should all go to Lucien,” Gaia said. “It sounds as if he could use our help.”
Joachim shook his head. “No. Finding Gerard is more important. Without his magic, we don’t have a chance. I’ve already sent several of my Watchers to relieve Lucien so he can confront Zeus. When I last talked to Lucien, Gerard’s father had just arrived and will help hold off Tarja’s force a bit longer.”
“Mom?” Johnna sighed, heavier and louder than usual. “You really believe Zeus is behind this, don’t you?”
Sabine opened her mouth then clamped it shut.
“You’re clenching your jaws again. Please, just tell us,” Johnna begged.
Sabine finally nodded. “Yes, Zeus is the one behind the war, although I’m not at all certain he’s acting alone. We have to be sure someone else isn’t helping him.”
“Wait a minute,” I began, “didn’t Gisele start it? I mean . . . I thought . . . Never mind.” I dropped my gaze to my clasped hands, wishing I had a do-over button so I could sit quietly and not say a word.
Gaia responded first, probably saving me from a verbal lashing from the narrow-eyed glare Sabine threw my way.
“She’s right, Daughter. Stop fuming at her. You’re just mad because you didn’t see it in time.” Gaia met my gaze. “Yes, Willow. Gisele did start the fight. And Johnna stopped her.”
Sabine waved her hand in the air and, from out of nowhere, another stool appeared. She plopped on it with a loud huff. “Truthfully? I believe Zeus controlled Gisele too. I overheard a comment he made to Hera about a new project he was working on that would give him a better bargaining chip with Lucifer. He knew God wouldn’t negotiate. I put two and two together when Hera told him she didn’t care what he did, but he’d better stop doing it with a demoness and a succubus.”
“I knew Rhea and Kronos should have taken a firmer hand with that boy.” Gaia also waved her hand. Two more chairs appeared. She sank slowly onto hers, too ladylike for a solid plop. “Does my own family listen to me? Hell no! I’m only their matriarch. I’m just too old-fashioned and don’t know what I’m talking about. I’m sick and tired of the machinations of men, especially if they are gods.”
“Mom,” Sabine whispered. “Now isn’t the time for your issues. We n
eed to find Gerard and figure out a solution or we could all be in real trouble.”
“I agree,” Joachim said.
From the way his eyes swirled and roiled and his skin glowed, I’d have said real trouble hadn’t met the Watcher King yet.
Chapter 22
Malachi, Tarja’s Camp
Willow was up to something. I felt it in my bones, but I couldn’t open my mind to her for fear of letting her experience my pain. Parts of my brain questioned everything that had happened to my world and to hers. Why Willow? The meek little mouse had stolen my heart, but I was confused, my thoughts jumbled.
I tried to recall her pretty face, the faded purple streak in her hair. But I couldn’t. I saw someone else—a golden-haired girl with swirling silver eyes. Why?
The bond pulling us together was stronger than anything I’d come up against. Each time I convinced myself to step away, she’d do something, like looking at me with those huge sapphire pools of hers, and I’d give in.
I shook my head, ignoring the large drops of blood still dripping from Tarja’s last visit. My lungs struggled to pull air in. Getting away from Tarja should be my first priority, not thinking about Willow.
Malachi? I can feel your pain. Just hold on a bit longer—please? We have a plan to get you back.
Willow’s voice washed through me, easing the agonizing pain burning across my body. The many cuts and bruises I could deal with and had done so, for thousands of years, but not my guilt. The reason I’d fallen . . . it was eating me alive.
Malachi? Please answer me—I need you to hold on!
I am here, kitten, I whispered, my mind clearing. I will always be here for you.
Why didn’t you answer me?
I’m sorry. There’s so much you don’t know—could never understand. Decisions I’ve made in my past . . . Why I’m . . . why I’m even here.
Saved by the Spell (Of Mystics and Mayhem Book 2) Page 22
