by K. G. Reuss
She frowned at the information. “How?”
“I’m not that high up to know. I assume the Order has a way of handling them at that point. Just because I’m a general doesn’t mean I’m privy to all the information. Some things even I don’t want to know.”
She nodded, not looking convinced.
“If I die tonight and Shadow doesn’t come, will you promise not to take me in that box thingy to Xanan?”
My hands shot out on instinct, taking her delicate face in them and pulling her to me. A small gasp escaped her lips as I forced her to look at my face.
“I would die before I saw harm come to you. Do you understand me?” I growled at her. “I’d never let you die or be hurt. Understand that.”
“Why would you do that for me?” Her eyes searched mine.
I licked my lips as I gazed down at her, my heart stumbling along in my chest. I could tell her the truth. Or a half-lie. I went with the half-lie.
“Because the Order would have my ass if I let you die. You aren’t even supposed to be with us tonight. This is unsanctioned and hasn’t been approved. You’re delving into a world you aren’t supposed to know anything about.” My hands dropped from her face.
“I figured that was the reason,” she mumbled.
Damnit! It wasn’t the reason! Not all of it.
We both grew quiet before I spoke again. “How have the dreams been? The Veil-walking?”
“Distant,” she murmured, back to eyeing the blade. “It’s like faraway thunder. I can hear it, but the storm hasn’t arrived yet. I know it’s coming though.” I watched as she twirled the blade in her hands, an elaborate move which had me impressed. “Marcus has been a godsend most nights.”
“Good,” I answered, my voice tight. “I’m glad it’s helping.”
She nodded, looking to the door. “We should go. If we wait much longer, I might run. Sorry. I’m just being honest.”
I let out a soft chuckle. “Just listen and do what you’re told tonight, OK?”
“That’s a tall order, General. Don’t be too upset if I screw this up. I’ve never really been good with authority.”
“First time for everything, right?”
“Doubt it.” She gave me her first real smile before turning on her heel and walking out of the room, her long dark ponytail swinging behind her.
Forty-Five
Everly
“Everyone ready?” Raiden’s deep voice boomed out. He came to stand beside me. His presence usually unnerved me. But lately, I’d felt calmer, more relaxed whenever he was near me. I wanted to reach out and grab his hand. I wanted him to hold me and say that I’d be OK. I knew he’d said it a million times already, but I craved his nearness. I hated myself for it. It felt like I was breaking Shadow’s trust even though he’d left me. I loved a creature I didn’t know, who didn’t want me enough to tell me who he was. I was a hot mess.
“Ready,” the drone of Conexus voices pulled me out of my morose thoughts.
“Miss Torres, in case you need an introduction, Eric, Damien, Sloane, Adam, Brandon, me, and Chloe will be going.” He went around the room, each of them inclining their heads at me as they were introduced.
I’d pretty much memorized who was who. The only ones I hadn’t been sure about were Adam and Chloe. It was good to have that sorted.
“Listen to them. Stay near one of us at all times, especially me, Eric, or Damien. Don’t wander off alone. And if you see something, say something,” Raiden continued in a gravelly voice. “This particular hunt is crucial. It’s been a hotspot for weeks of Cipher activity and hauntings.” He turned his attention back to the group. “Not only that, a prediction was made about tonight. We don’t know what the sacrifice is. But you all know my stance on it.”
Everyone fidgeted at his words, but no one spoke. I knew what he was prepared to do. A true captain who’d go down with his ship, especially if it meant saving his friends.
“We want to end it. Get in fast. Leave fast. Nothing lives but us. Got it?”
Everyone affirmed their understanding before Raiden broke the short meeting up. Conexus members went out the door, so I followed them, confused about what was happening. Were we going to walk there?
My answer came in the form of the sleek black SUV which I’d arrived at Dementon in. Jared hopped out of the driver’s seat and dropped the keys into Eric’s hand.
“Good luck, brother.” Jared clapped Eric on the shoulder. Members began clamoring in, Eric and Damien taking the front seats. I stood back, figuring I’d just try to fit in wherever there was room. A warm hand on my elbow had me looking up into the face of Raiden.
“Come,” he instructed softly, pulling me along.
I followed without protest. I was surprised when he offered me his hand to help me into the vehicle. I took it, relishing in the feelings it gave me.
“In the back, Miss Torres,” Raiden’s deep voice called out as he helped me in. I managed to trip and nearly fall into Adam’s lap. He quickly righted me with a comforting smile on his face.
“Sorry,” I muttered. “Thanks.”
“Easy does it, girl,” Adam encouraged as I moved off him.
By the time I was seated in the back of the SUV, my heart was in my throat. I couldn’t even get into the damn car without issue. Trying to figure out how the hell I was going to survive the night had me nearly paralyzed with fear. This would be the first time I’d be leaving Dementon since I’d gotten there. I’d be near them. The dead. I was fair game outside the walls of the school.
Huddling into myself, I leaned against the window. A moment later, Raiden joined me in the back. I figured he’d have fought it out with Damien for the front seat.
“We good?” Eric called out.
“Let’s go,” Raiden returned, his voice still tight. He glanced at me. “You OK?”
“Fine,” I whispered, being a complete liar. I was anything but fine.
Forty-Six
Raiden
Everly tensed as we rolled through the gates of Dementon. I wanted to hold her and offer her comfort. Unable to, I did the next best thing.
“You’re safe with us, Ever. No need to worry.”
“But I am worried. I-I can’t do this—”
“Shh,” I murmured, giving in and reaching out for her hand. She was on the verge of a panic attack. “Everly, focus.”
Her breathing came in short gasps, her eyes darting around.
“What do I have to do to get you to relax? You can’t be this way when we go out there. I need you to be alert and ready.”
“Tell me a truth.” She was breathless, her body trembling as we exited Dementon grounds.
“A truth?” I widened my eyes at her, wanting to bellow out the biggest truth of all, but knowing I couldn’t. Or shouldn’t. “I like chocolate cake.”
“Me too,” she breathed out. “Tell me another one.”
“I hate doing haunts. They’re my least favorite.”
“Why?”
I shrugged and caught Eric’s eye in the mirror. I knew everyone was listening to us.
“I hate the idea of capturing the dead. I truly don’t know what happens to them when they’re sent to Xanan. It worries me.”
“It worries me too.”
“Tell me a truth,” I said, grateful she was starting to calm down.
“I’m terrified of spiders.”
“So is Damien.” I chuckled. “It’s why he doesn’t shift into them.”
“I don’t shift into them because we all know damn well I’ll be welcomed as their spider king, and I have better things to do,” Damien piped up from the front seat. “Wolves, dragons, lions, bears, now those are the cool things. Spiders? Not so much.”
“But spiders scare more people,” Chloe stated. “I’d be more scared of a horde of spiders than a pack of wolves.”
“Only because you’re part wolf,” Adam teased, tweaking her nose. She grinned at him and planted a quick kiss on his lips.
“You’re
a couple?” Ever asked, looking between the two of them. Chloe’s cheeks flushed, but Adam grinned.
“Yeah, we only started dating a few weeks ago. I might keep her though.”
Chloe slapped at him. “We’re bound through our Conexus connection too. That helps.”
“Connection?” Ever’s gaze darted from them to me.
“In Conexus, we have an induction. We let our blood decide who we are bound to,” I explained. “Those who are able to heighten the other get bound. The closest in blood will bind.”
She wrinkled her nose for a moment before speaking. “I guess I’m confused. What does it mean once you’re bound to someone? Like, why does it matter so much?”
“Well, it can mean as little as we simply heighten one another and have a stronger bond or it can mean something huge, like…” I paused, unsure of the word to use so I didn’t scare her.
“Love?” Her lips parted. “Blood can decide who you love?”
It took all I had to tear my eyes away from her plump lips and focus on the words I had to say. “No. It can never make you love someone.”
“This is confusing,” she muttered, shaking her head.
“Think about it like this. Everyone’s soul is a puzzle. The pieces fall into place, each part of who they are forming the sort of soul they are. For instance, a dark soul will have dark experiences and fit those pieces accordingly into their soul. The soul is always seeking all its pieces.” I paused and studied her face.
Curiosity lit her features, her eyes locked on mine.
I pushed forward with my explanation, wanting to do right by her. “When blood decides it in Conexus, that puzzle piece falls into place, locking us in if it’s strong enough.”
“So it forces people together?”
“Sometimes,” I answered delicately, catching Eric’s eye in the rearview mirror.
“Forever?”
“Only the soul bond lasts forever.” I cleared my throat, my heart clenching in my chest. “If a stronger soul comes into Conexus, the blood can shift to that soul. A soul bond never shifts.”
“I see. Is anyone soul bound in Conexus?”
I gave her a shaky smile. “No. No one is soul bound. That’s the strongest of bonds. A complete fusion.”
“What if someone did become soul bound? What would happen?”
“Ultimate power,” Damien piped up from the front. “Pretty much unstoppable.”
“Has it ever happened before?” She looked from Damien back to me. “Has anyone ever been soul bound?”
The car grew quiet, all of us probably thinking the same thing.
“No one has ever been soul bound,” Sloane’s soft voice broke through the silence. “It’s said only a mancer and a reever can be soul bound.”
“Oh, shit,” Ever whispered. “So it’s bad.”
“It could be,” Adam said. “Especially considering the information we have on it. But I’m of the mindset that we can be whoever we want to be, titles be damned.” He looked over his seat and shot me a pointed look. “Right, Gen?”
“Right,” I replied tightly.
“Are you bound by blood then?” Ever cocked her head at me.
“No. I’m not. Not yet at least.” I gave her a small smile.
She nodded but didn’t push the subject. She appeared to have relaxed. It seemed normal conversation was a great distraction. I still held her hand. I didn’t want to let it go but saw no reason to continue holding it. And yet, I clung to it, hoping she didn’t find it weird and call me out on it.
“So Adam and Chloe are blood bonded. And Sloane, are you and Damien bonded or just seeing each other?”
Laughter echoed around the interior. Everyone was laughing except Sloane. I caught the sad look on her face before she righted it and plastered on a smile.
I’d have to have a talk with Damien about Sloane. Everyone knew they were crazy about each other, but Damien had the mindset that he was a perma-bachelor, despite his feelings for her.
“Sloane is too hot for Damien,” Brandon chimed in through the laughter. “Everyone knows it.”
“We’re not together,” Sloane finally answered. “Damien couldn’t handle me.”
Damien chortled from the front seat. “Oh, I’m pretty sure I could handle you, baby girl.”
Sloane shook her head, not bothering with a retort. My heart went out to her.
“What if two guys or two girls are bound like that?” she pressed, her eyes wide. “What if they want to love someone else—”
I chuckled. “You can love someone without being in love. I’m speaking on a grander scale. This is a soul bond. One where you live and die for one another.”
She opened her mouth again, but before she could speak, Adam interrupted. “Chloe and I have always been friends. Even before we were in Conexus together. We grew up down the street from one another in a Special town called Cordova on the southwestern side of the state on Lake Michigan.” He smiled at Chloe and tucked a stray piece of blonde hair behind her ear. The car practically buzzed with their affections for one another as she gazed back at him, lovestruck. “It wasn’t until our induction that our blood chose one another. It could’ve been our history together, or it could simply be we were meant for one another.” His eyes slid over to me, and I shifted uncomfortably in my seat. “The point is, I fell in love with her more when we bonded. Our powers grew exponentially with each other. I think history plays a big part. Experiences. You know?”
Everly nodded, quietly contemplating what he’d said.
Everyone fell into comfortable conversation after that, leaving me and Ever to talk to one another easier.
“You’re still holding my hand,” she said, her eyes on me. There. She’d called me out. I knew she would.
“You’re holding mine, Miss Torres.” I winked at her.
“We can agree to disagree, General.”
But neither of us made to release each other’s hands. We rode in silence the remainder of the drive. I was honestly terrified it may be the last time I ever got to be near her. I wanted to take my victories where I could get them, handholding and all.
The crunch of gravel pulled me from my thoughts as we descended a trail into a dark forest. I looked over at Ever who was visibly shaking again. If I could just hold her, I knew she’d relax. Instead, when Adam opened the door, I held her hand tighter, bringing her out with me. Her breath came out in small, white puffs in the chilly, dark night. Her hand finally released mine as she wrapped her arms around herself tightly.
“Hey, don’t be nervous,” Sloane said to her. Ever surveyed her for a moment before giving a tight nod.
“If it helps, on my first hunt, I stuck close to one of the guys. Raiden is really good at keeping things in check. And Eric can stitch if he needs to. Damien can shift and protect. Adam is really great at casting. Brandon can heal anything and is superfast. So yeah. Just pick a guy and stay with him. Even if they’re jerks.” She offered Ever a comforting smile. Ever returned it with a twitch of her lips.
“I’ll take the little minx under my wing,” Damien proclaimed, coming forward and draping his arm over her slender shoulders. She tried to move away, but Damien was a brute and wasn’t having it. I thought for a minute she was going to hit him or snarl, but instead, the fight seemed to leave her, and she accepted him.
Damien did have a way of muscling his way through things. I knew she’d be safe with him, and it gave me time to talk to Eric.
“Remember what I said. We get in. We get out. Look out for one another. Don’t rush ahead. No one gets left behind unless it’s a necessity.” I looked over all the faces in front of me, praying we’d all return safely. It was time to test Ever’s prediction abilities.
I gestured everyone forward through the overgrown, dark forest, while I hung back with Eric. It was unusually cold out. It was the sort of cold that ate at your bones. The place we were going was an old abandoned house in the middle of the woods. The central region’s General Stone claimed this was t
he portal where things were getting through. They just couldn’t get close enough to shut it off. And since it was a haunt too, that meant they weren’t really equipped to deal with it quite like we were. They had more casters and shifters in their ranks than psychics. Plus, my abilities helped my crew see things a bit better should the ghosts decide to show themselves. I hoped they would, since Ever was with us. She was an all-you-can-eat buffet for them, as bad as it sounded.
“What’s up?” Eric asked as we walked. I looked ahead and saw that Damien and Ever had moved up beside Brandon and Adam.
“I know stitching wears you out, but if we need it, do it. Don’t hesitate. If you guys have to leave me behind, do it. I have this feeling something bad is going to happen tonight.”
“Me too,” Eric answered, his eyes on Ever as she walked beside Damien. “I’d die for her. For any of you. We aren’t going to leave anyone behind.”
“I know, brother. Let’s hope it doesn’t come to any of that though.”
“Good news is not only do I have a reever here tonight but also the Mancer. I could probably come back if you two could get your shit together and you’d tell her you’re Shadow—”
“Shh,” I hissed, pulling him to a stop. The others continued moving ahead of us, disappearing into the darkness.
“What is it?” Eric asked, his breath a white cloud.
“Damnit!” I breathed out, clutching my head. I fell to my knees as a piercing noise jackhammered through my skull. Images flashed through my head. My mother. My father. Laughter. An image of Everly lying in a puddle of water not moving. Her strapped to a chair, screaming, her green eyes wild. Her wearing a red cloak reaching for me. Her words drowned out by the horrible screeching noise.
Collapsing forward onto my hands and knees, I sucked in a deep breath, unsure about why I was suddenly having visions.
“Raiden?” Eric’s voice was filled with worry. I looked up at him at the same time I heard shouts and screams from up ahead.
“Ever! Ever! No!” Damien’s voice turned my blood to ice.