He crosses his arms. “It’s better than letting seven powerful mages roam free.”
“True,” Gisella comments.
Charlie ties his blond hair into a ponytail and releases it again. Once, twice. “I’ve been wondering about something.” He shoots Jeep an apologetic look. “Not that I question how powerful you are or anything, but…” He hesitates.
“Go on,” Jeep says.
“How did you manage to lock seven powerful mages inside your tattoos? You’re not good at spells, so…”
“That’s a good question,” Jeep says. He takes off his hat and turns it round and round in his hands. “The truth is, I don’t know. It all happened really fast. My wife was attacked, and I did what I could to get them away from her. Once I got a hold of the first ghost, I pressed it against me. I remember thinking of a way to trap them, since I didn’t know how to vanquish them. Then it started melting into my tattoo. Once it was gone, I did the same to the rest of them.”
“You don’t have any idea how that happened?”
Jeep rubs his hat. “I’ve thought about it many times, of course. The only thing I can think of is that my wife had some magic left inside her, and she used it to help me.”
I recoil. “Your wife was also magical? You never told me that.”
“She renounced her powers soon after we met. Said they were too much for one person to handle. She always believed great power should be divided, not given to one person.” He stares at his hand moving over the fabric of his hat, but I think he doesn’t see it. The memories floating through his head are so strong I can almost see them. “They tried to kill her to steal her powers.”
“Sounds like she was a smart woman,” D’Maeo comments.
Charlie shifts his feet uncomfortably. “Not to be a nag, but that doesn’t explain how you did it. You and her against seven mages? I don’t see how you could’ve succeeded.”
Jeep lifts his hands in defeat. “Me neither. But we did.”
Charlie removes a hair from his shirt and shakes his head. “No, it doesn’t make sense.” Suddenly, his hand freezes, and his breath catches in his throat. “The book. Maybe it’s in there.” He pushes past us. “I’ll go check.”
Silence descends on the back garden when he disappears inside.
Jeep is still rubbing his hat, lost in thoughts.
Vicky puts her hand on his to make him stop. “You’ll see her soon,” she says softly. “Once our mission is over, you’ll be free to join her.”
His grateful smile tells me that’s a comforting thought. To me, however, it’s like a stab in the heart. After all, it’s not only Jeep that will move on once we complete our mission. I’ll lose my whole Shield. I’ll lose Vicky.
Pain shoots through my chest when I imagine going on without her.
“It’s in here!” Charlie hurries back to us with Shelton Banks’ book in his hands.
Gratefully, I grab the opportunity to focus on something else.
“Listen to this.” Charlie comes to a halt and tries to control his breathing. “The necromancer, Jeep, was aided in his attempts to defeat the seven mages by The Keepers of Life, who─”
“What are The Keepers of Life?” Kess interrupts.
“Not what, but who,” I answer. “They are the ones that protect the Book of a Thousand Deaths.” I wink. “The real one.”
“I see.” Kessley nods at Charlie to continue.
“The necromancer, Jeep,” he starts again, “was aided in his attempts to defeat the seven mages by The Keepers of Life, who kept an eye on Charlotte.” Charlie looks up from the book. “Was Charlotte your wife?”
Jeep nods. Shock is written all over his face.
“It is said that it took ten Keepers of Life to lock the seven mages inside Jeep’s tattoos,” Charlie continues. He flips a couple of pages. “That’s all there is.”
Jeep’s words sink in only now. “Wait, did you say your wife was a powerful mage too?”
“A magician yes, a female mage. Why?”
I walk over to Charlie and start flipping the pages of the book. “She should be in here too then, right?”
Jeep turns his back to us. “If she is, I don’t want to see it.”
Vicky rubs his back soothingly while I keep searching. There might be important information on her page.
“There!” Charlie calls out, and I pause.
Charlie goes back two pages, and I take in the drawing of Jeep’s wife. She looks sophisticated, in a long, satin dress and with a small feathered hat, but there’s a mischievous glint in her eyes. Her hair is pulled back, but several stray locks touch her high cheekbones.
Jeep turns his head curiously when neither of us speaks.
“She’s beautiful, Jeep,” I say. “And a bit… intimidating.”
I study her again. She reminds me of someone, with that playful smile and the kindness behind that glint in her gaze.
It’s only when Jeep comments, “I always thought leather suited her better”, that I realize the answer is staring me in the face. So that’s why he likes Vicky so much. She reminds him of his wife. She could’ve been their daughter.
Kessley steps closer, leaning in for a peek. “What does it say?”
Charlie clears his throat. “Charlotte was a powerful magician who used her powers to entertain people. She worked in a circus for years, where she met her husband Jeep, a necromancer. After a couple of mages asked her to join the Devil’s army, Charlotte renounced her powers. Her magic can be summoned by a powerful mage, with the help of her husband, with whom she still has a strong connection. To harness these powers, one will need an empty body…” Charlie gives me a sideways glance full of questions before he reads on, “because only someone without magic will be able to hold all of it. A magical body will not have enough room to take in all of the power, and will, therefore, perish.” He licks his lips. “Well, that sounds awesome.”
Maël points her staff at Jeep. “This means Shelton Banks did not only want the mages inside your tattoos, but also you. He wants to use you to transfer Charlotte’s powers into someone he controls.”
Taylar clenches his fists. “As if seven powerful mages weren’t enough.”
“Well, that settles it then,” I say, turning to Jeep. “You’re not coming with me to Heaven. You can’t lock the mages inside your tattoos yourself, and if they escape, they’ll try to take you back to Shelton Banks or to one of Satan’s other accomplices. You’ll be safer here.”
Jeep grumbles something under his breath but doesn’t object. He knows it’s no use; the ghosts in my Shield have no choice but to obey me.
Vicky lets go of Jeep and pulls her leather jacket tighter around herself. “You know, the Devil isn’t the only one who could use a powerful magician’s magic.”
I breathe in sharply. “You’re right. We could…” I shake my head. “No wait, we couldn’t. We’ve all got magic.”
Mona clears her throat. She’s been so quiet I’d almost forgotten about her. “Not all of us.”
As soon as I look at her, I know exactly whom she has in mind. I hold up my hands. “No, absolutely not.”
She leans forward. “Listen, Dante, Susan is strong. If anyone can handle those powers, she can.”
“Are you crazy? I’m not putting Mom in that kind of danger!” My voice rises with a mixture of fear and disbelief.
Mona remains calm. “She’s in more danger now without any powers to defend herself with.”
“Fighting by our side is something completely different than getting kidnapped by someone who loves her. Right?” I look at the others for support.
Charlie shifts his feet uncomfortably.
“What?” I say.
He fidgets with the pages of the book.
“Just tell me, Charlie.”
“Well, I think it’s a good idea.”
“To put her in the middle of a battle against Satan?”
He tilts his head. “She alre
ady is, you know.”
“Not like that! Fighting with us is much more dangerous.”
Gisella snorts. “More dangerous than getting dragged through Purgatory and Hell?”
Mona paces in front of the glass cages. “Think of everything she’s been through and how she handled it. She lived with those fits for years. She lost her husband, learned about magic, got kidnapped by the Devil himself, and still she’s standing. If anyone can handle it, it’s her. I think this was meant to be, Dante.”
I cover my face with my hands and try to think. Could they be right? My heart keeps screaming at me not to even consider it.
“I can’t,” I whisper. “I need to protect her, not put her in more danger.”
Vicky grabs my hand. “Maybe you should let her decide, once we’ve gotten her back.”
I straighten my shoulders and look Mona in the eye. “She’s been through enough already.”
The fairy godmother nods with a sad smile. “You’re right about that, but unfortunately, we don’t get to decide what’s enough. We can only make the best of it all.”
“True, and the best is not to involve her more than necessary.”
“You can’t protect her forever, Dante.”
A sharp pain goes through my heart at the thought, but I push it away. “She won’t need protection forever. But as long as she does, I’ll be there for her.”
Kessley blinks wildly and sniffs.
“What’s wrong?” Taylar asks, putting his arm around her.
“I’m sorry,” she says, her voice choked-up. “Dante’s concern hit me hard. Maybe it’s the booze playing up again…” She clutches Taylar’s hand and leans against him. “It made me think about my mother. I wish I had a bond like that with her.”
“I understand,” Taylar soothes her. “If I were Dante, I wouldn’t give my mother those powers either.”
“Sometimes the best decisions are also the hardest,” Maël interrupts.
I stomp my foot and nearly kick over one of the cages. “Don’t try to push me into sending my mother to her death!”
My voice is shrill and loud. Silence answers me, as well as shocked expressions.
Like a deflated balloon, I slump down onto the grass and grab my pounding head. “I’m sorry. I’m not mad at you guys, I’m mad at the situation.”
“It’s fine,” Mona says. “I understand. We’re all angry and frustrated, I think.”
There are mumbled agreements.
Mona raises her hand. “Does anyone need sparkles? I’ve got plenty to spare.”
After a short silence, Kessley clears her throat. “I do.”
Mona turns her hand, and several yellow sparks leap onto Kessley, who sighs in relief. “Much better. Thank you.”
“Anyone else?” Mona asks.
“Hit me,” I say, spreading my arms.
With a smile, she brings her arm back and throws some sparks in my direction. While I let them do their work, the others give in too.
“Why don’t you just throw them in the air and let it rain sparkles?” Kessley asks.
I open my eyes in time to see the mischievous expression on Mona’s face. She takes a step back and starts to turn. Her hands rise higher with each turn, and when her arms are fully stretched, she brings them forward. The air above the protective circle explodes in fireworks. There are sparks everywhere, almost blinding us. Soon, we all light up like candles. Another shot of happiness spreads through my limbs, and I lean back to take it all in. A quick sideways glance tells me the sparks didn’t hit the cages or the crows inside.
“We shouldn’t do this too often, Mona,” I say with a sigh once the feeling subsides. “This is like a drug.”
“How would you know?” Charlie teases. “You’ve never tried drugs. Mr. Perfect.”
I laugh out loud. “I’m far from perfect, mate.” I grin when he shrugs. “Anyway, it’s time for the next step in our plan. Me, Vicky, D’Maeo and Kessley are going back to the gates of Heaven, where, according to Mona, the crows will show their true faces, just like we did when we went there. They’ll turn into human ghosts again, so we can question them about Shelton Banks’ plans.”
“And hopefully get rid of them for good,” Jeep grumbles.
“We will,” I assure him. I rest my hand on the shoulder of each friend we’re leaving behind.
“Stay safe,” I tell Maël.
“We will be here when you come back,” she says confidently.
Mona tries to hide her fear behind a smile. She hugs me. “Keep an eye on D’Maeo.”
I squeeze her, feeling guilty for asking the old ghost to come back to the place where he fought the Black Void within himself. “Of course.”
When I pass D’Maeo on my way to say goodbye to Ginda and Chloe, I nod in Mona’s direction discretely.
He takes the hint and walks over to her to say goodbye. I hope he can assure her better than I could. I understand her worries, but I’ve thought about this, and I want D’Maeo’s power of deflection, in case the mages are able to use their powers on us. Deflection works much faster than bending time, and without it, I’m not sure how we will stay safe.
“I’m coming with you,” Ginda says when I reach her and her friend.
Chloe opens her mouth too, but I cut her off before she can utter a word. “You can’t come.”
“What? Why not?” The Mahaha’s blue face goes a bit purple.
“It’s too dangerous for you. Here, at Darkwood Manor, no one can find you. In Heaven, they might.”
“No one’s looking for me,” Ginda objects.
“True,” I say, “So if you want to come, I would be grateful. But I understand if you’d rather stay here.”
She shrugs. “I’ll come. You might need my powers if the crows escape.”
“That’s settled then.”
D’Maeo joins us, and I step into the protective circle to set up everything for the spell to take us to Heaven.
CHAPTER 26
The thought that I’ve done this before doesn’t calm my nerves one bit. Visions of everything that could go wrong flash before me. What if something blocks us and we get stuck half-way? What if Heaven doesn’t only transform the crows back into ghosts, but also dissolves the cages?
“Take a deep breath,” Vicky says calmly. She looks me in the eye, and I feel her powers calming me down. “We’ll be fine.”
I blink away the depressing images. “Okay, everyone. Make sure you stay inside the circle.”
I light the three golden candles that I placed inside the herb circle I drew. Then I turn to the candles one by one with the remains of the herb mixture in my hand.
“Powers that be, hear my cry.
Open a gateway to Heaven up high.
Grant us safe passage but keep us alive.
Keep us together until we arrive.
Powers of High, hear my plea.
Keep us safe and keep us free.
Let us travel to the heavenly gate,
and please don’t let this change our fate.”
The spell seems to work faster this time. The candle flames reach up, and we’re swallowed by light. I squeeze Vicky’s hand hard until my feet touch solid ground again.
I’m surprised to find cold creeping up my legs.
With a frown, I look down and find snow and freezing slush. Why doesn’t this look the way I imagined it? There should be a road made of clouds.
I’m a bit dizzy from the journey, and some of the visions of failure still cling to me, which is why it takes me several seconds to realize we’ve got company. And not of the good kind.
“Fancy meeting you here,” a familiar voice sneers.
Hate rages through me when I face the man in the burgundy suit. His hair is a bit ruffled up now, but other than that, he looks the same.
“Trevor, how wonderful to see you again.” Each word that comes out of my mouth is drenched in disgust. “You must be lost. Hell is the othe
r way.”
“I see you’ve picked up even more attitude in the last days,” he answers.
“And I see your company hasn’t improved.”
The panda demons by his side produce deep-throated growls and crunch their teeth. From up close, they’re even creepier than I thought. Their eyes almost pop from their skulls, and their lips are curled into snarls. The snow and slush we’re standing in comes from their dripping bodies. Their long claws scrape over the rocky surface below.
“Where’s my mother?” I continue when Trevor doesn’t respond.
D’Maeo, Vicky and Kess tense beside me, ready to dive into battle. I also see the cages with the crows in them. They’ve grown quite a bit, and see-through human shapes move within them. It worked. If only there wasn’t an earth elemental with a small demon army messing things up.
Ginda is moving her hands. Only low muffles come out of the mages’ cages as she weaves plants over their mouths. Good. This means they won’t give away the purpose of our visit here.
“Susan is safe,” Trevor says, folding his arms. “Now tell me, how did you find us?”
I do my best to keep a straight face. He thinks we’re here to stop him. He thinks we tracked him down somehow. Let’s keep it that way.
I copy his stance. “What does it matter? We’re here now. I brought reinforcements.” I nod at the cages next to me. “Seven powerful mages who will do whatever I tell them to.”
Trevor barely moves, but the slight twitch in his mouth tells me he’s concerned.
We stare at each other for a while. The earth elemental is the first to speak. “You know I’m not the only one here, right? I’ve got my own back-up inside.” He waves vaguely at the gates of Heaven behind him.
I take a bold guess. “Oh, you mean the back-up that was supposed to let you in already?”
He grits his teeth, and the demons take a step forward. So, my hunch that he’s been waiting here for a while was spot on. Hopefully, that means the angels are winning.
Inside, I’m begging fate to give me what I need to bluff my way out of a fight or for some pleasant surprise to help me out. If it comes to a battle, Trevor could get his hands on the seven mages, and that could mean the end of the world, of all worlds.
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