Only the Lost

by Amanda M. Lee

  “I would rather not see the reaper right now.” He made a face. “She’s got a mouth on her and the vile threats that she issues remind me of a mage I once knew. She’s giving me a headache because she won’t stop talking. I swear you’ll get her before you leave. I definitely don’t want to keep her.”

  I pursed my lips, considering. Finally, I slipped into one of the chairs ... although not the one he indicated. “Who are you?” It wasn’t the most auspicious of greetings, but I wasn’t in the mood to be polite. “Are you an angel?”

  He chuckled. “No. I am not an angel. I’m also not here to discuss theology. If you have questions about life and death, I cannot answer them. That’s not my place.”

  “You still haven’t answered my questions,” I pointed out. “You know who I am — I prefer Izzy to Isabella, by the way — but I don’t know your name.”

  “I am Cernunnos.”

  I recognized the moniker. “You’re a god.”

  “I am.”

  “You’re the god of life and the underworld.”

  “I am ... among other things.”

  I frowned. “You’re supposed to have a horn.”

  “Not all horns are visible. Also, I wouldn’t mention the horn to your reaper friend. She’s already offended by the beard. She says if I try to make her eat frog legs she’ll castrate me. She is quite worked up. Your vampire friend is trying to calm her.”

  Well, that was good news. Both Oliver and Aisling were alive. If I had to guess, they were somewhere close. That meant I could retrieve them ... as soon as I was done talking to a god.

  Wow. That’s something I’d never thought I would think.

  “The revenants are a problem,” he announced, drawing my attention back to him. “They have managed to punch a hole between worlds. They spent years trying to take over this world. They failed, so they made a hole into another plane. They are ... tedious.”

  “Are you saying the revenants don’t live in this world?” That was interesting ... and confusing.

  “The revenants live between worlds. They created their own world. They travel to this one occasionally, but only because they’ve figured out they cannot cross to the other planes without a gate. They need to use the one here. We’ve managed to destroy great swaths of their army over the eons, but now they have a plan to reproduce.”

  That made sense. Well ... kind of. “They plan to invade our world and multiply. They’ve already started.”

  “They have.” He nodded. “You must stop them before they get a true foothold. You will get your opportunity in the next few hours. They will move on your gate with the express purpose of bringing more of their kind through. You must not let that happen.”

  “Okay. Give me my friends and we’ll go back and prepare for battle. We’ll stop them.”

  He chuckled. “You’re impatient to see your friends. You will be reunited shortly. I promise no harm has come to them. I wasn’t aiming for them when I reached to the other side. I was aiming for you ... and missed.”

  My heart sank. “You’re saying you accidentally took them.”

  “It was a mistake. I can walk on your plane — and have many times — but I’m needed here because the revenants are starting their big push. I cannot let them take over this world. It serves a very important purpose.”

  “It’s the waiting room,” I mused aloud. “The souls cross over and then are met by guides who take them onward.”

  “You’re very smart.”

  “That’s common sense.”

  “Don’t sell yourself short.” Cernunnos steepled his fingers on his stomach as he leaned back in his chair. “It is not my job to alleviate the woes of men. I’m supposed to stay out of things.

  “I’m supposed to let the various races fight their own battles. This one is too important to risk failure, though, so I’m giving you a warning. You must stop the revenants on your side. Even then, they will continue to push. This is only the first battle. The war is yet to come.”

  He was grave and somehow — although I wasn’t sure how — I knew he spoke the truth. “We can fight them. We’re aware of the threat now. But how did the revenants get the reapers in the first place? If you’re supposed to be watching the gate ... ?”

  “I don’t watch the gate. In fact, I spend very little time at the gate. The process is streamlined. I haven’t been needed here for a very long time. Besides, there are many gates. Spending my time guarding one – the only one we seem to have a problem with, mind you – sounds like a terrific waste of time.”

  He was blunt, I had to give him that. “So ... you’re saying the revenants somehow took over the gate long enough to grab the reapers and then hold them for sixty years. I don’t get it.”

  He let loose a heavy sigh. “That’s not what I’m saying at all. There was a malfunction with the gate sixty years ago. Word spread quickly that we had visitors. We dispatched personnel to intercept them, send them back.

  “Believe it or not, we don’t want to keep people when it’s not their time,” he continued. “The business of life and death is a balancing act, and they were taken before they should’ve been. The revenants somehow got wind of the reapers first. There is bureaucracy in everything. While we were discussing how to handle the situation, they took the reapers back to their plane.”

  I was still confused about this alternate plane of existence business. “How did they create their own plane?”

  “They pooled all the energy they had into it, sacrificed a great many of their kind, and even then the world they created is small. They can’t expand as they wish. It’s a dark and depressing world ... but it is free of us. That’s all they care about.

  “They took the reapers sixty years ago and there was no way for us to get them back,” he continued. “I don’t like admitting defeat, but we figured they were a lost cause. We did not realize what they were planning to do.

  “It isn’t easy for them to cross back into this world. They lose numbers whenever they make the attempt. They tried for decades to cross over again. The only time they managed it was a few days ago ... when they sent revenants disguised as reapers through. It was an imprecise drop.

  “We managed to intercept eight of them,” he explained. “One was mortally wounded as he fell through the gate. Five crossed to the other side intact. We were hopeful you would realize something was wrong and destroy them, but things didn’t work out that way. Instead they began breeding.”

  Things were finally starting to make sense. “They’re coming back to the gate because the revenants are going to try to cross again.”

  “Yes. We will be fighting the revenants on this side. We need you to fight them on the other.”

  “Okay.” That sounded easy enough ... in theory. “What happens after that?”

  “As I said, killing all the revenants won’t be possible today. We can only hope to hurt them. They will retreat and regroup. That will give us time to work up a battle plan. We need that time now that we know what they have planned. They will stay secluded on their plane only so long.”

  I nodded in understanding, my mind busy. “So we kill the revenants on our side and you kill as many as you can here. That gives us some breathing room.”

  “For a time,” he agreed. “They will continue to try.”

  I was determined as I rose to my feet. “If what you’re saying is true, I need to get moving. I would appreciate you giving me my friends ... and next time you want to chat, don’t cause the gate to malfunction and steal people I love. You have everyone thinking they’re dead.”

  “The gate doesn’t kill people. This is not the afterlife. It is a stop on the way to forever. There is nothing to fear.”

  “Yeah, well, I’m starting to believe that the reapers don’t understand the mythology they’re peddling.”

  “That is very true. Now is not the time for that discussion, though. If everything works out, I can answer some of your other questions at a later date.”

  “Okay, well ..
. .” Something occurred to me and I switched course. “Just for my own edification, was it a revenant that came through the gate and killed my parents?”

  He nodded. “It was.”

  “What happened to that revenant?”

  “We don’t know. It disappeared.”

  “How do you know it’s not out there right now creating other revenants?”

  “We don’t. We can only deal with one problem at a time, and this is our current problem. I ... .” He broke off, furrowing his brow when a man — equally as dirty — appeared in the archway at the far side of the room. “What is it?”

  “The reaper is demanding an ice cream bar,” the man replied. “She will not shut up.”

  Instead of reacting out of anger, Cernunnos shook his head. “She really is something.” He stood and gestured toward the man. “Bring her and the vampire out. They’re leaving ... and not a moment too soon.”

  My heart leapt at the news that I was about to be reunited with Aisling. Still, I had a few more questions. “Will I see you again?”

  “Most assuredly. This isn’t our final meeting. I will be in contact when I can manage ... and you don’t have to worry about me pulling you through the gate. I’ve learned my lesson.”

  That was a relief. “How do I let you know that we’ve won?” Honestly, losing wasn’t an option, so I didn’t let doubt creep into my mind.

  “I’ll know.” He made a face at the sound of scuffling at the door, and when I turned I found a furious Aisling being pushed through the door.

  “I don’t see why you’re being such jerks,” she complained, her hair wild. “It was a simple request. Ice cream always makes me feel better.” She pulled up short when she saw me. “What are you doing here?”

  “I came to get you.” It was the simplest answer. I met Oliver’s steady gaze over her shoulder. He looked much calmer than she did. “Both of you. We’re about to head back. The revenants are going to attack the gate and we need to stop them. Although ... why were they heading toward the gate yesterday in the first place?”

  “They intended to carry out their plan,” Cernunnos said. “I intervened, caused the gate to malfunction early, which interfered with what they wanted to do. I accidentally grabbed your friends instead of you.” He held out his hands and shrugged. “Nobody is perfect. Not even a god.”

  He was hard to dislike, but I wasn’t certain I couldn’t manage it if given a bit of room to breathe. “Well, don’t do it again.” I held out my hand to Aisling. “Come on. Your family is wrecked and your father intends to cross the gate to find you. We need to get back before he does something stupid.”

  “My family.” She shook her head as she moved toward me. “I bet Dad will give me an ice cream bar.” She looked happy at the prospect, although she darted a dirty look toward Cernunnos.

  “Your father will give you the world he’ll be so happy to see you. Your husband and Jerry are so upset they’ll smother you when they finally get their hands on you.”

  Aisling’s smile dimmed at the information. “Then let’s go. I want to get out of here. This guy is the worst host ever.” She jerked her thumb in Cernunnos’s direction. “I mean ... who doesn’t have ice cream?”

  It was such a surreal conversation, I wanted to laugh. Before I could, the dirty god called out to me.

  “Before you go, tell Paris Princeton that Bob sends his regards.”

  I was understandably confused. “Who is Bob?”

  “I am. She’ll understand. Also, inform her that the mage will likely have to get involved before all is said and done. She’s not done fighting quite yet.”

  Everything he said sounded like gibberish. “Am I supposed to know what that means?”

  “No, but she will. She will understand. I will be in touch with her and the mage, too. Make sure she warns the mage. I don’t want to be set on fire when I come calling.”

  I wanted to question him further, but didn’t have time. “We have to go. We need to prepare for a fight.”

  “You definitely do.” His eyes momentarily traveled to Aisling. “I won’t miss you in the least.”

  Aisling simply rolled her eyes. “Right back at you.”

  Twenty-Eight

  I thought the hardest part of our return would be crossing through the gate with Aisling and Oliver. I was determined to keep a firm hold on each in case there was a problem. Other than the itchiness returning, however, it was a smooth trip.

  We emerged into absolute chaos in the gate room.

  “How could you let this happen, Braden?” Cormack was beside himself as he glared at his son. “The plan was for me to go through.”

  “Izzy thought she was better equipped to deal with it.” Braden, still holding the rope, was morose. “She’s got a mind of her own. I couldn’t stop her.”

  “So she tied a rope around herself and just waltzed over?” Redmond was flabbergasted. “Well, that sounds like an awesome plan. Oh, wait ... .”

  Griffin was with them, looking as though he hadn’t slept a wink. Everybody started talking at once, blaming each other, and no one looked in our direction. Finally, I cleared my throat to get their attention. When that didn’t work, Aisling stepped next to me and screeched.

  “Doesn’t anyone want to make a big fuss over the fact that I’m back?”

  Seven heads snapped in our direction in unison. Griffin shoved past Redmond and Cillian as he raced to his wife.

  “Baby!” He burst into tears the second he had her in his arms, his shoulders shaking as he held onto her for dear life. “I thought I’d lost you.”

  She patted his back as her brothers descended on them. “I’m fine. There’s no ice cream on the other side, though. Prepare yourselves for that.”

  The Grimlocks turned themselves in a mass of hugs as they surrounded the couple. There wasn’t a dry eye in the house. Well, other than Oliver and Brett, who reunited in much less dramatic fashion. Braden broke from his family and came to me, his eyes wide.

  “You did it.”

  “Obviously you had doubts I would be able to pull it off,” I said dryly. “I told you it would all work out.”

  “Yeah, but ... .” He didn’t finish. Ultimately, it didn’t matter. Instead, he drew me to him and kissed my cheek as he held tight. “I always have faith in you,” he whispered. “I was just afraid.”

  “I know.” I held on for as long as I dared and then pulled back, my eyes drifting to Aisling and her family. She stood in the center of fawning brothers, a relieved father and a husband who refused to stop touching her. She grinned so wide it almost swallowed her entire face. It was a beautiful moment. Sadly, I was going to have to wreck it. “We have a problem,” I announced. “I’m sorry to cut the reunion short, but the revenants are on the way. We have to take them out. All of them.”

  Cormack shifted his eyes to me. “How do you know they’re coming?”

  I gave him an abbreviated version of my conversation with Cernunnos. When I finished, the Grimlocks were already springing into action.

  “Where are the weapons you keep here?” Redmond asked Oliver.

  “I’ll show you.” Oliver moved toward the hallway, his eyes holding mine for a moment. “Thanks for coming to get me, by the way. I had everything under control, though. He was going to release us at any moment.”

  “He was going to release you,” I agreed. “He was sick of Aisling’s mouth.”

  Aisling beamed. “I have a way with people.”

  Griffin planted a smacking kiss against her cheek. “You’re magical all around, baby ... and I want you to go back to Grimlock Manor right now, before the revenants get here. I’ll stay and help your father and brothers.”

  Aisling’s eyes widened and lit with fire. “Excuse me? I am most certainly not going home. I’m part of this.”

  “I just spent almost twenty-four hours thinking you were dead ... or trapped on the other side ... maybe forever.” Griffin didn’t back down in the face of her fury, which was fairly impressive given wha
t he’d gone through. “I wanted to go after you. I would have, but your family stopped me. Do you want to know why?”

  “Because of Lily,” Aisling answered without hesitation. “If you’d come after me and we couldn’t get back, Lily would’ve been left alone.”

  “Not alone,” he corrected. “She would’ve had your father and brothers. My sister certainly would’ve been there for her. But she wouldn’t have had any parents. That didn’t stop me from wanting to come after you. The only thing that stopped me was that it would’ve hurt you if I’d left Lily … even if it was to go after you.”

  “I would’ve kicked your ass,” Aisling agreed.

  “Losing you would’ve broken me,” he pressed. “It did break me. I’m not risking you again. I want you at home with our daughter.”

  Instead of exploding as I expected, Aisling was calm. “You didn’t break. You might’ve thought you did, but you didn’t. You did what you had to do, what was necessary for our daughter. I know you’ve been through it. I can see that.” She pressed her hand to his cheek, a lifetime of love and compassion wrapped in the gesture. “I was always coming back, though. I know you can’t see that because you’re so worked up, but I was never going to leave you. You’re stuck with me forever.”

  He cupped the hand she held against his face. “That was beautiful. But you’re still going back to Grimlock Manor.”

  “No, I’m not.”

  They stood toe-to-toe, all the mushiness of the earlier moments forgotten. They were ready to throw down ... until Cormack put himself in the line of fire.

  “She needs to stay, Griffin,” he supplied, meeting his son-in-law’s death glare without flinching. “We can’t risk her being separated from us right now. I know you want her safe, but she’ll be safer with us.”

  “We don’t have time to argue about this,” I added. “They’ll be here soon. We have to be ready ... and we can’t let any of them escape.”

  “We won’t,” Cormack replied simply. “We’re all back together and we’re strong. We can win this.”

  I hoped he was right. The alternative was too difficult to think about.