My Tethered Soul: Volume 2 (Reaper's Rite) (32 page)

“Great Samael.” Mrs. Poulter shivered as she spoke. “We wish to break the pact made between you and Diana Anglia of Maleventum, Italy. We wish to end, once and for all, the Reaper’s Rite.”

Samael roared with tremendous force. The ground shook and pieces of rock broke free from the cavern walls. The floor broke apart beneath us. Paxton and Erina tumbled into a hole in the ground deep enough that we could barely see the tops of their heads. Diana backed up into us, grabbing the nearest person—Gavin—and pulling him with her as she toppled into another ditch. The ground opened up under Chase, Hunter, and me. Our feet fell out from under us. Scrabbling to keep from falling into the gap, we grasped for a hold on the crumbling floor. The others were knocked off their feet, but managed to stay on the unaffected ground. Chase, Hunter, and I climbed from the hole.

“Great Reaper Lord,” Mrs. Poulter yelled as she scrambled to her knees. “Tell us what it is you want in exchange for ending the pact.”

The pact remains. I take what I want. Vila soul and witch power for interrupting my slumber.

His voice was like feedback from a speaker. I cringed, covering my ears as his voice echoed.

His wings contracted and expanded again. This time when the ground shook, the sound of rushing water resonated. Water flowed into the cavern from outside, crashing over rocks and breaking apart parts of the walls as it charged in. It quickly filled the holes in the ground. Paxton hoisted Erina up so she could climb out. Hunter rushed over and helped her pull Paxton out. Diana and Gavin were up to their chests in water. Gavin pushed Diana up, but when she grabbed onto the ledge, she kicked him back. Her foot hit him in the face, and he sloshed back into the water.

I lurched toward the ditch, my hands extended. “Gavin!”

He paddled to stay afloat, but the ground shook again, tossing waves over his head.

I summoned my power. Concentrating on the water, I moved it in a wave to push Gavin out of the hole. I grabbed his hands when he was close enough. Though it ached to use my muscles, I yanked him out toward me. We rolled on the ground away from the ditch, water swilling around us.

Mrs. Poulter screamed.

When I looked up, Erina walked toward Samael.

“No, Erina! What are you doing?” Mrs. Poulter shouted, clutching at her own chest.

“This has to end,” Erina cried, glancing over her shoulder at us. “You took me in, Aunt Morgan. You rescued me from demons. I owe this to you.”

Yes, come!

“Erina, stop!” Paxton screamed. “No!”

“I can do something good. I can save you all and help the Vila. I’m not afraid.” She turned back toward the Reaper Lord and raised her chin. “Samael, I sacrifice myself to thee. In return for you sparing the lives of my friends and family.”

“Erina, don’t!” Diana yelled.

Chase, Hunter, and Paxton took off in the direction of Erina, daggers at the ready. But in a flash, a thick wall of glass materialized between them and Erina. The three men ran into the glass, pounding on its surface and trying to break it with their weapons.

Hunter unstrapped his shotgun, which hung in a holster on his back, and took a step back. He fired at the glass wall, but the blast ricocheted, hurling Hunter backward. He’d left a crack in the wall, but it was not enough.

Behind the glass, Erina held her arms out at her sides, her head tipped back, as the Reaper lifted her into the air.

Lilura passed Hunter, then passed Chase and Paxton, and placed her hands on the wall. Moving her lips but chanting silently, she pressed her forehead against the glass. I couldn’t believe my eyes. She pushed forward through the glass, moving
through
the wall, as if she were a ghost.

Erina’s body dropped to the floor, unmoving.

Lilura walked until she was directly in front of the Reaper Lord. Then she turned around to face us. Chase and Paxton dug at the wall to no avail.

“Grandma!” Chase screamed.

Samael’s red eyes glowed brighter. The cave shook again as the Reaper Lord put his hands on Lilura’s shoulders. His enormous wings folded inward, enclosing her. I gaped in awe as he pulled her toward him. But instead of knocking into her, he passed through her. Entered her. Her face stretched, her jaw expanding as if it was made of heavy clay. She appeared bigger, stronger.

What was happening?

Lilura’s lips were still moving. Her eyes were locked on Mara. And then suddenly, her blue globe appeared, shielding herself and Samael. Blocking anything from getting in.

Samael howled from inside her.

“He’s tethered to her now.” Mrs. Poulter whispered at my side, her eyes wide in disbelief. “Her body is weak, but her magic is strong. She’s made a seal.”

Mara hoisted the crossbow, aiming it at Lilura.

“Mara, what are you doing?”

Mara’s voice quivered. “She made me promise.”

“Mara.” Lilura’s voice echoed through the cavern. “Now.”

I backed into Gavin, unable to speak.

Tears flowed from Mara’s eyes. And it hit me. Lilura and Mara had made a pact all their own. One they never told me about. Lilura’s plan all along was to trap the Reaper Lord so they would have a clear shot. The blue shield wasn’t conjured to stop anything from getting in, but to stop anyone from getting out. Mara pulled the trigger, crying out in misery as the arrow zoomed through the crack in the glass wall toward Lilura’s chest.

The impact of the arrow knocked Lilura back a bit. The blue globe started to sputter out. The point of impact began to glow a bright red. The Reaper Lord growled, the reverberation shaking the air. Lilura formed fists with her hands and closed her eyes.

“Now, Zadie.”

Mara took my hand. I knew what to do. Though quivering lips, I started chanting. Gavin took my other hand and squeezed it.

Sparks of white glowed between my fingers and Mara’s. The vibration shook us, more than Samael’s cries did. But we pushed our hands together, willing the ball of energy to grow stronger.

The wall of glass suddenly shattered. It crashed to the cavern floor in shards and debris. We held on to our Orbis, letting it grow bigger than we ever let it grow before. And with an ear-piercing wail, we chucked the Orbis through the air toward Lilura.

The blue globe dissipated as the sphere breached its surface. The Orbis hit Lilura with a tremendous
thud
. A high-pitched tone blared in my ears. A blinding white light filled the Haunt, knocking down everyone in its path as it expanded. I shielded my face, but the light still stung my eyes. An aftershock of light blasted through the cavern, creating smoke as it hit the walls.

Rocks and granite fell from the ceiling as the smoke cleared. Then all at once, we all rushed forward to the two bodies that lay on the cavern floor.

I paced the living room, every once in a while pausing to look out the window. With a grunt, I rubbed my hands on my jeans. What was taking them so long?

“Would you cut it out?” Mara always got bossy when she was nervous, so I let her comment slide. She pretended to be put-together, but her foot was tapping awfully fast on the living room rug. “They’ll get here when they get here.”

“Did we remember to put the cranberry juice in the fridge? Do you think it’s still her favorite? What if she doesn’t like it anymore?”

“Zadie, stop!”

I ran my hands through my hair and sat on the couch beside her. Without looking at me, she laced her fingers with mine.

I gave her hand a squeeze. “It all feels so surreal. She’s actually coming home.”

“This whole past year feels surreal.” Mara let go of my hand and stood up. Now she was the one pacing. “Think she’ll forgive me for never visiting her?”

“Of course. Mara, she knows what you did for her.”

“What we did, you mean.”

I smiled up at her. The sound of a car approaching out front made my eyes go wide. “They’re here!”

Mara and I ran to the door and threw it open. Dad was barely out of the car as we clambered to the passenger side door. Mom stepped out. The sun’s rays caught the brilliant red of her hair. She wore a light knit top, a flowy skirt, and sandals. It made my heart swell with joy to see her in normal clothes. Summer clothes. Apparel that screamed freedom.

I clung to Mom. And she clung back. When she laughed, tears escaped from my eyes. Mom was home. Standing in front of our house. Back where she belonged. I kissed her cheek and took a step back to admire her once more.

She smiled at me then turned her head to Mara.

“Mom, I…”

Mom stepped forward and held her arms open to her. Eyes brimming with tears, Mara let out a cry as she moved into Mom’s embrace. Dad folded his arms over the top of the car and smiled at the scene.

“Let’s take this party inside, okay?” He popped the trunk open.

Taking in the view of the house, Mom adjusted the purse on her shoulder. Dad was all smiles as he carried her suitcase.

“We’ve got everything ready for you,” Mara said.

I rushed forward and opened the front door for her. She came in slowly, looking around as if she didn’t recognize the place. When we got into the living room, Mom looked over at the side table, where picture frames sat in a row. Some were old and some new. Mom picked up a new one of Mara and me from Mara’s graduation. Mom ran a finger over it, a little sadness in her eyes, but then she lifted her chin and smiled at us.

I clasped my hands in front of me, my blood sizzling with energy. “Let’s get your stuff upstairs, Mom.”

“Okay,” she said. “That would be nice.”

A shiver of excitement flowed though me, hearing my Mom’s voice in the house. It was by far the best sound ever. And I hoped it would always be around.

Mom followed us up the stairs. When was the last time Mom climbed these stairs? Back then, she must not have felt safe in her own home. But now, she didn’t have anything to be afraid of anymore.

We let her go into her room first. Mara and I glanced at each other as Mom ran a hand over the bed sheet. I couldn’t remember if it was one she bought or not. Dad dragged Mom’s suitcase in behind us.

“You want to lie down, honey?” He put his hands on her shoulders and caressed them.

She touched one of his hands, squeezing his fingers. “No. All I’ve been doing for years is lying down. I want to move around. I want to live.”

He turned her into his arms and hugged her. “Okay, but you still have to rest. Doctor’s orders. Your body has to get used to being off medication.”

“I already feel like I could get very used to it.”

He picked her hand up and kissed it. “I’ll give you some time with the girls. Thought I’d start the grill up. Burgers and dogs sound good to everyone?”

We all agreed, which put a smile on Dad’s face.

Once he was out of the room, Mom called us over to sit by her on the bed.

She held our hands. “Thank you, girls. I’m so sorry it came to all of this.”

Mara rested her head on Mom’s shoulder. “There was no way of you knowing, Mom.”

“We would do anything for you,” I said.

She shook her head. “You both amaze me. I don’t think I could ever be as strong and clever as the both of you. I’ll forever be in your debt.”

“Well, you can start by making those delicious brownies I always loved.” Mara winked.

“Oh, yeah.” I licked my lips. “My favorite too.”

“I guess that’s a beginning.” A small smile brightened her face for a moment, but then her expression saddened. “I want to hear all about your dear friend who passed away. I’m so sorry you lost her.”

My gaze hit the floor. “She was special. She taught us a lot.”

“Not everything though,” Mara said. “I think I’m going to still read through her collection of journals and see if I can figure everything out. I might need to pass that information on one day if I ever have daughters of my own.”

“You mean way off in the future, right?” Mom stroked our hair. “Give me a little time to have my daughters to myself. I’ve been gone way too long.”

“Yes, you have,” I said.

We squashed together in an embrace.

“Mara,” Dad called up the stairs. “Can you give me a hand?”

Mara laughed. “Be right there.” She pecked Mom on the cheek before she darted out of the room.

“What do you want to do now?” I asked.

Mom looked around the room. “I think I’ll unpack. Put my things back where they belong. Then I’ll really feel like I’m back for good.”

“You want some help?”

“You’ve already helped me more than I deserve, Zadie. Go on down and make sure your father doesn’t blow up the grill. I’ll be down later.”

I squeezed her hand. “Okay. See you in a bit. I love that I can say that now!”

As I left her room, my phone buzzed. I smiled when I saw the text message from Erina.

Hope your Mom’s move back home worked out.

I texted her back a smiley face and a thumbs-up emoticon. My phone buzzed back right away.

Cool. Diana’s driving me crazy, as usual.

I laughed, leaning against the wall outside my room as I texted her back:

If you need an escape, you can always come visit me.

I’d love that. Let’s Skype this weekend.

When we’d left the Poulters, after Lilura’s funeral, Erina and I were on really good terms and promised to keep in touch. She told me she felt guilty that Lilura sacrificed herself in Erina’s place. But I assured her that no one blamed her. That Lilura knew she didn’t have much time left, that she did the honorable thing.

The doorbell rang, and I ran down the stairs. I found Chase on the porch. The sun was shining, someone in the distance was mowing their lawn, and birds sang in nearby trees. Normally, those elements made my spirits happy and serene. So why did I have a bad feeling in the pit of my stomach?

I stuffed my hands in the pockets of my shorts. “Hey, Chase.”

He shocked me with a half smile. “I drove down Ivy Lane. Rudy’s got a new windmill.”