Spirit

by Charmaine Ross

  His voice was pained, sadness in his eyes. “I had to make myself look authentic. As though he could use me for information. Become his leading source of information. He let me use the ruby he’d stolen in that first shipment, but he never gave it to me to take with me. He was always there, watching, waiting for me to do something with it.”

  He hooked my gaze, and I felt the weight in his eyes, “It’s strange. Absurd even. To think that someone like me could even do such a thing. That even something like that existed. But…one day I opened a Portal. Only once. I don’t know how I did it. Or why. I just did and Black John saw me do it. He wanted me to do it again, but I couldn’t. I didn’t know how I did it in the first place. I persuaded him to let me take the ruby home with me and practice.”

  “He didn’t want to but I’d earned his trust by that stage. It’s priceless, a human wonder, but even more than that, I couldn’t let Black John keep something with so much power. I was going to hand it to the authorities when he sent someone to me and told me he wanted me to return it. Said he had Sam and he would shoot him if I didn’t bring it.” Elliot shrugged, his mouth twisted. The irony wasn’t lost on me, “So I went. I didn’t think he’d kill me for it, but I was wrong.”

  “But Sam was on Black Johns side and you didn’t know.”

  Elliot nodded, “He took me away from my wife. I was a fool.”

  “Not a fool. You thought he was a friend. You trusted him. He betrayed you.”

  “I let it all get to my head. I thought I was immortal. I lost touch with little things. I didn’t see what was in front of my eyes. I didn’t see it then, and I couldn’t see it after my death. I only know that I was saved when you called me from the Grey-Mists. I’m forever thankful for that.”

  The intensity of his gaze sunk right into me into the nice warm place that was reserved just for Elliot. “I’m forever thankful that you found me. But, Elliot, the ruby. How did I find it in Marie’s jewellery box in your house?”

  “I told her everything. Just in case something like my death happened she would know what to do. She said she would keep it safe. She persuaded me not to take it that night. I’m forever thankful I listened to her. She must have kept it when she found out what had happened to me. I can only imagine the torment she lived with. To think she was pregnant, and she hadn’t even told me.”

  “She must have had her reasons not to tell you.”

  “I was totally involved with what was happening. My work became everything and I lost touch with the things that mean the most. If I’d have known…”

  “I’m sure she understood. Please, don’t blame yourself.”

  “Then who else is there to blame? I can only thank that she did what she did.”

  “She loved you and would have understood the gravity of the situation. She did keep it very quiet. I haven’t heard of anything about it in my entire life. I’m sure something like that would be a national treasure and wanted by every museum that could house it.”

  “More than that. It actually works. Black John wants the ruby back and he wants me to use it for him.”

  “Even if you did that, how on earth can he claim to become king of earth?”

  “There are many things I don’t know about the Portal. All I know is that it can be achieved. Beyond that, I don’t have any idea of what can be done. But I’m sure Black John knows things that I don’t. He’s had eighty years of practise. He’s learned enough to build his own world in the Grey-Mists, but he wants more. He’s greedy and he’s determined and that makes him dangerous. If there’s one thing I’m sure of, it’s that we need to stop him. If we don’t, there’s no-one else who can.”

  I shuddered, “Or would be willing to stop him. If he can offer anyone here another chance at life back on earth, they’ll be behind him one hundred percent. He wants to take over the Earth Plane with the dead.”

  I shuddered, thinking of Sam’s soulless eyes. Black John had done something to Sam to shut off any humanity there was. No doubt he’d done similar to everyone here. “A private soul-less supernatural army. Literally Hell on Earth.”

  Elliot rose to one knee and held my hands. He paused, just watching me and I could see the regret he felt, “It’s too dangerous for you here. You need to help everyone back on the Earth Plane. You have to go now, Cassie.”

  “I don’t want to,” I whispered.

  He rubbed the back of my hands, “I know. Neither do I.”

  I grappled for any reason I could think of to change his mind. “But you can’t fight them all by yourself!”

  “I can and I will. You’re not in any condition to fight Black John. He is mad. He won’t stop at anything to achieve what he wants and that’s me. When he finds out that Sam isn’t coming back, he’ll get dirtier than he already is. He’ll attack our weakest points. Your mother. Your father. My grandson. You have to go back and protect them. Ask Ariel. Surely an angel can help protect them from Black John.”

  I reached for Elliot’s hand. He enfolded my fingers in his. I knew he was right, knew the time had come, but I didn’t want to leave him. Didn’t want to go back to the physical world where I couldn’t touch him. We’d never have this again. I wanted more time. I wanted more of him, but I knew he was right. Black John would stop at nothing to achieve his purpose.

  He leaned forward, pressing his lips to mine. If can say that a kiss was devastating, then this outweighed everything I’d thought possible. I felt every emotion that churned through his mind. Felt him searching through me, seeking my emotions, and understanding them. I felt his tenderness, his heartbreak, and his need to overcome. When he pulled back, I was shattered.

  “We’ll have this again, Cassie. But it will be better. We won’t be in some half world built from the mind of a criminal. We’ll be in a beautiful world, a real world, built by God. I’m not going to rest and let things go back to how we are on the Earth Plane. We’ll be together. I promise.”

  All I could was nod, or rather my head jerked up and down. His eyes shimmered with heat. I choked back a sob when he took the ruby from around my neck. Knowing what was coming. Knowing it was the last thing I wanted to happen.

  And knowing there was no guarantee that I’d ever see him again.

  “Tell me you’ll fight. Tell me you’ll win,” I whispered.

  He closed his eyes for a moment and when he opened them they were filled with determination, “I’ll fight. I’ll win. I’ll bring Laura back to you. I’ll see you again.”

  I held my breath, the hot rise of tears trying to choke me, “Do it. Do it now. While I still have the courage.”

  Elliot stood in front of me and aimed the pointed end of the ruby at his chest. He closed his eyes, face calm, body relaxed as he concentrated. I watched the ruby as long moments passed, but there was no change. It remained its normal deep red.

  Elliot frowned, he took another breath, allowing his shoulders to relax before he concentrated once more. But there was nothing. No glowing heat. No spectacular light show. Slowly he opened his eyes, his features tense. “God, Cassie. I’m so sorry. I…can’t save you. I can’t get it to work.”

  Chapter Ten

  I was selfishly happy and horrified at the same time. No matter what had happened to me or what I faced, I could steal a handful more moments with him. “I can’t understand why it won’t work. How did I manage to open the Portal when I was a part of the Earth-Plane and not be able to do it here? What good am I if I can’t protect you, Cassie? Damn this thing! Damn being here and…damn everything.” He stalked the small office, his hand threading his hair.

  His frustration matched mine, “Maybe it’s a sign. We’ll get out of here, but we’ll do it together.”

  My placating didn’t alter the fierce expression on his face. “It doesn’t make it any better. I want you to be safe.”

  “Then let’s use this time wisely. We don’t have much of it to waste.”

  He turned and faced me. The torment of his emotions crashed on his face but in the end, I saw w
hen better judgement won, “Together to the end.”

  “Only if you promise not to swear so much. I don’t think I can take it.”

  A wry grin touched his mouth and at my attempt at humour. Elliot placed the ruby around my neck, “Keep this safe. It seems to like you.”

  I tucked it between my breasts. I felt the connecting hum of the stone as soon as it touched my skin, “We need to get to Laura. Now. Then we need to get the hell out of here. I’ll get this ruby to work even if I have to threaten it.” I could only hope that I could get it to work again. I had no idea how it had hummed to life and open the Portal that took Sam, not sure if I could do it again, but I was an optimist. And it was the only chance we had.

  “Are you up to it?” Elliot looked at me with deep concern.

  I took another swig of whiskey, the potent taste making me gag. It seemed I was as much a drinker here as I was back in my physical body. Which wasn’t much. I could be called into emergency surgery at any time so I tended not to drink and hadn’t for years now. My voice was raw when I spoke, “This helps.”

  “Great. I get to look after a drunk and her sister,” Elliot murmured.

  My smile turned into a grimace as he helped me to my feet. The world swung crazily for a moment and I was grateful for his support as he tucked me into his side. I tried to ignore the pain in my shoulder, but it felt like it was on fire. I gasped, riding the pain while Elliot caressed me through it.

  “Okay. Better.”

  “I don’t believe you for a moment,” he said.

  “How are we getting there?”

  Elliot snagged a key from an office draw, “Ever wanted to ride in a patrol car?”

  “As long as it’s a black nineteen thirty-five Ford V-8.” My research into Elliot’s time period had paid off.

  “I have just the thing. You’re in luck.”

  I quickly learned that comfort wasn’t the main characteristic feature for the standard Ford V-8. I didn’t know if suspension was invented yet, but it bloody well should have been. I felt every turn and jolt as we rumbled down Victoria Parade. Elliot didn’t say anything, but I knew he drove as carefully as he could manage, avoiding potholes and road bumps. He glanced at me every so often, checking that I was managing to stay upright. I kept my mouth shut, even though my shoulder groaned. I held my arm to keep it as still as I could. I didn’t want to worry him any more than was necessary.

  I was concerned about my parents. They must be worried out of their minds by now. Both daughters all but dead to the world, bearing the weight of not knowing when or if we were ever coming back. I uttered a prayer, hoping somehow, someway, they would receive my thoughts.

  Everything was so unsure right now. There were too many ‘what ifs’ and crossed-fingered hopes for my liking. It all balanced on the thin thread of advice we’d find Laura from a man facing whatever he saw through the Portal. Judging by the way he screamed, it wasn’t good.

  I could only hope like hell that in that one instant he found a moment of morality and had told us the truth; that Laura was held in one of the rooms in the basement of the Manchester Unity building. If she wasn’t, I didn’t know how much longer I could keep going.

  It wasn’t only my shoulder that jolted with agony with every movement, but the pain in my stomach simmered. It was at a low level and it only caused me discomfort at this stage, but it hadn’t gone away. I glanced at my cord. It was past lethargic. Every so often, it would twitch, but that was all. It reminded me of a dying fish, gasping for water, muscles moving by reflex alone.

  If we didn’t find Laura soon, there was no way back to my body and I would die from existence alongside my sister. Mum wouldn’t even have the comfort of seeing our spirits. There would be no spirits. There would be nothing.

  I was brought back from my black thoughts as Elliot parked the car in a dim side-alley, the paving of Bluestone Pitchers bumping the wheels beneath the car. He cut the engine, hunching over the wheel, “Are you ready?”

  I nodded. There was no more time for delay. We just didn’t have that luxury anymore. “Let’s go.”

  I steadied myself as I stepped from the car. Warm hands enveloped me, holding me upright. I looked up into Elliot’s concerned eyes, “You’re not ready.”

  “It doesn’t matter. We have to go now.”

  Elliot glanced at my cord and muttered a curse. He wrapped an arm around my back, gripping me close to his side. I wound my arm close to him, around his back, locking us together, “You’ll be back in your body in no time.”

  I returned his half smile. I knew I had to survive, but the cost was too much for me to bear. We walked arm in arm to the end of the alley, for all purposes linked together like a regular couple out for a stroll. Elliot kept me upright and protected and I leaned on him, needing his strength. I was sliding quickly through my reserves, energy flagging as much as my silver cord.

  Elliot stilled, watching Swanston Street. There were few passers-by. Those few seemed to be intent on keeping to themselves. A hand fell on my shoulder and I bit down a scream. Elliot must have felt me stiffen. He turned like a flash, whipping his fist into someone’s jaw. I blinked to find a man sprawled on his back behind us.

  He held out a hand, palm facing us, “Cassandra. It’s me. George. I’m here to help you.”

  “George?” I peered at the man at my feet trying to wobble to his knees.

  “Please don’t hit me. That hurt!” He rubbed the spot on his jaw that was quickly bruising.

  “Stay where you are. On your knees. How did you know we’d be here? How did you find us?”

  “I knew you’d be here sooner or later. It was just a matter of waiting.” George squinted up at Elliot when we didn’t answer, “Don’t trust me. Okay. I understand. I mean, I haven’t shown you the best side of me, I guess.”

  “You think?” I muttered.

  “I know where Laura is. I can take you there.”

  “How do you know about Laura?” Every what-the-hell nerve in my body went on high alert.

  “Take it easy. Everyone knows. Black John’s spread the word. Everyone’s looking for you. Anyone who brings you both in gets rewarded big-time. Know what I’m saying?”

  “I’m don’t trust you, George. What’s stopping you from bringing us in for a reward all for yourself?” I asked.

  He hesitated, a muscle worked at his jaw before he turned his eyes on me. “The truth?”

  “That would be a good place to start,” Elliot said.

  “This can’t last forever. Whatever this world is, it’s a stop-over for whatever happens next. Black John’s planning something big and the fate of everyone here rests on his shoulders. I need to protect myself. Hedge my bets. Do something honest here, it might pave my way to a better place next, know what I mean?”

  “Do this and go to Heaven, you mean?” I choked. The man was a soulless bastard of the worst order and he though one semi-good deed was going to alter his course in the afterlife. I could have told him too little, too late, but I wasn’t going to look a gift-horse in the mouth either.

  “You better not be lying to us, George. Because I’m not in the best frame of mind at the moment, and I’m looking for a punching bag to take my frustration out on,” Elliot said.

  “I know. You can trust me. Honest. Can I…get up now?”

  At Elliot’s nod, George stood. He brushed the knees of his pants clean and I rolled my eyes. Even in death, he was concerned about his looks. “Okay, this way. I’ve found a back entrance into the basement that I know isn’t guarded.” He gestured for us to follow him.

  I glanced at Elliot, but it seemed we had little choice. It was a chance we had to take. Elliot carefully embraced me once more and we followed George back into the side-alley. He led us to a door that was indented in the brickwork. Unless you knew it was there, you wouldn’t find it. Several steps led down to it from the ground level we stood on.

  Elliot gestured for me to wait while he followed George inside. I placed my hand on the wall, usi
ng it to keep me upright. I was caving by the minute. Weakness bit right into my bones, making my limbs heavy. My head drooped and I rested my forehead to the bricks.

  “Cassie. It’s clear.” I opened my eyes to see Elliot. He didn’t say a word, just took my elbow, and helped me through the doorway. What could he say anyway? His face said it all without words. We both knew time was running out too quickly. He drew me close, his actions gentle and tender. I didn’t dare look at him, knowing that I’d probably ball my eyes out if I did.

  We followed George through a labyrinth of hallways. We reached another set of stairs that would take us further into the depths of the building, “Are you positive you know she’s here?”

  George nodded, “I overheard some guys talking. We’re nearly there.”

  All I knew was that the further we went into the heart of the building, the more we entered the centre of the web. As we turned yet another corner, there was a murmur of voices. Elliot froze, gripping George’s arm to keep him with us, “You want to tell us something we should know? Just remember your afterlife is resting on your actions right now.”

  “It’s all good. They are the guys guarding Laura. We…you…need to take them out to get to her. It’s the only way in.”

  Elliot scrutinised George for an impossibly long moment. I wasn’t sure if he was satisfied with what he saw, but when I sagged against the wall, I saw a muscle clench at his jaw. “You’re coming with me, Campbell. And you’re going to do exactly what I tell you. Got it?”

  I’d never seen this side of Elliot. The term ‘tough cop’ sprung to mind. He was hard, harsh, and God I loved seeing him like it. It suited him. Despite my weakness and throbbing shoulder, a primal thrill fluttered in my stomach.

  Elliot took George’s arm. He offered me a reassuring smile, but the concern in his eyes outweighed the comfort I received from it. I tried to smile back, but exhaustion made it more of a grimace than a smile. He tugged George around the corner and I crumpled against the wall.