by J. E. Cluney
“No. I didn’t. I…put Joseph down,” I said, glancing at the young girl sitting at the desk as she focused on her drawing. It was like she didn’t even notice I was there.
“Thank God,” Marcus said with a sigh as his hands fell to my waist.
“You…” I bit my lip to stop it from quivering.
“I would’ve done it again in a heartbeat. You are everything to me, Allison. I’d protect you with my life,” he said softly as he rested his forehead on mine.
“You did,” I choked out as I closed my eyes.
“It’s okay,” he murmured as he stroked my face, and I opened my eyes to gaze into the frosty ones I loved so much.
“I love you. More than anything,” I whispered as I caught his lips in mine.
He kissed me back for a moment before pulling away and smiling gently at me.
“I love you too,” he said as he tucked a strand of stray hair behind my ear.
“I’m here to take you home, back to the world of the living,” I said carefully.
He frowned as he glanced out the window, and I followed his gaze, my heart skipping a few beats.
His parents were in the backyard, sitting beneath a mango tree on a picnic blanket as they laughed.
“I finally got to see my family again,” he murmured.
My heart twisted for him, and I stared at his turned face, at the mix of emotions there.
He didn’t want to leave his family either.
I understood how torn he was. I’d feel the same if I finally saw my parents again.
The brief thought of whether or not I could see them in this world flickered through my mind, but I pushed it aside.
Marcus was all that mattered right now.
“Marcus,” his sister started as she set her pencil down and spun her chair to face us. “It’s okay.”
“What do you mean?” Marcus asked, his frown deepening.
“We’re all okay here. This place is good. I know you miss us, and we miss you too. But this woman, she’s your mate, right?” she said as she cocked her head, finally noticing me.
“Ariel…” Marcus started, but she shook her head.
“We’re not going anywhere. We’ve been here since the day we left you. Mom and Dad are happy too, they’ve found their peace. Sometimes, they go away, and I know they’re reliving their holidays. This place is magical and fun, we can do whatever we want here,” she stated as she smiled at me.
She looked so much like Marcus, with her thick, black hair and bright blue eyes that weren’t as frosty as his. Her high cheekbones only added to her sweet, gentle look, and she focused back on Marcus.
“You’re not ready to join us yet. I know you think it’s time, but you also want to go back with her. She’s giving you that chance. No one ever really gets that chance, so you should take it,” she said as she looked out the window. “We’ll be fine, we can wait as long as it takes to see you again.”
Marcus smiled, a genuine, heartfelt smile that made my stomach turn to mush as he turned his head to gaze at me.
“I do want to go back, to be with you and the others,” he admitted. “I just… I’ve wanted to see them again for so long,” he murmured.
“I know,” I said as I cupped his face.
“Is it…safe? You know necromancy is forbidden, right?” he asked with a pained sigh.
“Yes. It’s not dark magic. Walter and some other spirits have offered to give their soul magic up in order to be free and to revive you. It’s only possible because of what I am, my banshee side. Her affinity with spirits has made this possible,” I said, explaining as best I could.
He nodded softly before releasing me, and I stepped aside as he moved to stand before Ariel. She rose and wrapped her arms around him as he hugged her tight.
“I’ll see you again eventually. Besides, I want to know how Nightwood goes too,” she said as she pulled back and gave him a toothy grin.
“Right,” he said and chuckled softly.
“Go say bye to Mom and Dad. I’m sure they’ll be thinking the same as me though,” Ariel said as she waved at me before plopping down in her chair again. “Maybe when I see you again, I’ll finally be drawing better than you,” she added.
“Definitely,” Marcus murmured as he kissed the top of her head.
“Take care of Allison too. You’ll owe her big time for this,” she said as she gave him one last smirk.
Marcus just rolled his eyes but vowed he would before taking my hand and leaving the room.
We headed out through the backdoor, and I stayed quiet as we strode across the green grass to where his parents sat under the mango tree.
“Ah, this must be Allison,” his father said as he rose to greet me.
He shook my hand as his mother also got to her feet.
His mother was clearly the one they got the blue, frosty eyes from. She was a gorgeous woman, with dark brown hair that was pulled back in a high ponytail, and her high cheekbones and plump lips only made her look like a supermodel.
His father gave them his dark black hair, and his deeper blue eyes were soft and loving as he pulled Marcus in for a hug.
I finally understood where Marcus got his love for the box beard style from. His father pulled it off well, making me think he was a marine with his sturdy build and cropped hair.
“Allison, thank you,” his mother said as she stepped closer to me. “For choosing our son to be one of your mates. You gave his life meaning and purpose once more, brought him back to life. I’ve seen what you’ve done for him, the love you share. It means everything,” she said as she gave me a sweet hug.
“I can say the same. Happiness is all I ever wanted for my children,” his father said as he let Marcus go.
“But I guess you’re here to take him back, right?” she asked as she gazed past us, and I turned to find Walter had entered the backyard and was standing off to the side of the house.
I nodded as his father let out a heavy sigh.
“We’re grateful we got to see you again, but as for why you’re here, no one wants to know their child has passed,” his father said as he folded his arms.
“We weren’t expecting you so soon,” his mother added. “When Allison arrived, I felt her life force. I had a feeling she was here to take you back,” she said with a small smile that touched her eyes. “My sweet boy,” she murmured as she hugged him and touched his face. “You have so much life still ahead of you. So much love to feel and give. Now is not your time.”
“Thanks, Mom,” Marcus said as she smiled lovingly at him, while his father rested a hand on his shoulder.
“No more living with the grief of our deaths. Sure, it was unexpected, but bad things happen and we’re happy here. Be grateful we had wonderful lives with you two kids, that we were fulfilled. And now, we’re at peace,” his father added as he gave his shoulder a pat.
Marcus nodded as he stepped away from his mother.
“We’re both so proud of the man you’ve become,” his mother added. “Now go back and live the rest of your life.”
Marcus choked as he smiled, struggling to keep his emotions in check as I slipped my hand into his.
“You ready?” I asked softly, and he nodded after a moment of gazing at his parents as they waved and held one another.
We turned and slowly walked over to Walter.
“You okay?” I asked carefully.
“Yeah. I’m glad I got to see them all, to see that they’re at peace and happy,” he murmured as he kissed the side of my head. “Thank you for coming for me.”
“I had to,” I said firmly. “I love you. And I need you. We all do,” I said as he managed a small smile.
“You two ready?” Walter asked as we reached him.
“Yes, we’re ready,” I said as Marcus nodded, no longer wanting to speak as he cast a look over his shoulder.
His eyes were glistening, something I’d never really seen before on him. I’d seen more emotions in the last few minutes than most of the ti
me I’d been with him.
“Do you mind if we go somewhere quickly first? Your vitals are holding steady,” Walter asked hesitantly, his honey-brown eyes uncertain.
“Of course,” I said with a nod.
He managed a relieved smile and offered his hand.
I took it, holding tight onto Marcus as the land whooshed by, whisking us to another place in this realm.
We found ourselves before a quaint little stone cottage in some woods, one I’d picture in a fairy tale. It was so cozy and sweet, with blue songbirds singing as they flitted by.
A lone woman was in the garden walled off by a small stone wall, humming softly as she tended to the various veggies and herbs.
Walter sucked in a breath, and I watched as the woman rose and turned around, giving us a sweet smile. She had the same honey-brown eyes as Walter and similar natural red hair that cascaded down her shoulders in wild curls.
“Wally,” she said as she held her basket of herbs close. She was dressed in an old forest green gown that laced up at the front.
I frowned as I looked to Walter, who had a shocked and awed expression on his face.
“Mother,” he said softly as he started forward.
The woman’s smile grew as she set her basket down and lifted her dress up as she strode over to the small wooden gate and pushed through it.
“My sweet boy,” she cooed as they met on the dirt path out the front of the cottage. She reached up to touch his face, and he relaxed at her gentle caress.
Her face dropped to one of sorrow, and Marcus gave my hand a soft squeeze as we just watched.
“I’m so sorry about your father. I tried to stop him when he started up his experiments. It cost me dearly,” she murmured.
“He told me you died from a shifter attack,” Walter said with a frown, pain marring his face.
“That was a lie, but it’s all in the past now. I watched on as you helped so many people, saved so many. You did so much good, despite the wickedness of your father,” she said, her eyes searching his. “I saw what he did to you as well, that horrible thing he turned you into. I’m glad you’re free now, and you helped this woman save the entire town. Surely more if we think about it,” she said with a soft smile as she cast us a sideways look.
“I’m so sorry,” Walter mumbled, but his mother just shook her head.
“Do not apologize, my boy. You have done nothing wrong. I felt Joseph pass on. He didn’t get to come here. He moved past this realm, onto the dark one, banished there for his wickedness,” she said gratefully.
“Will I go there?” Walter asked.
“No, never. Not you, my sweet boy. Though I shouldn’t call you that now,” she said and chuckled softly. “You’re all grown up. A true gentleman now.”
Walter smiled brightly as his mother pulled him in for a hug, and my heart melted at the sight. Walter easily towered over the small woman, but she didn’t let that stop her from embracing him tightly.
I’d not known anything about his mother, and hearing what had happened, I felt sorry for him. At least he could see her now.
“Would you like to stay with me? We have so much to talk about. So many places we could visit,” his mother said, excitement and hope glittering in her eyes as she pulled back.
Walter frowned as he turned to look at me.
“I need to help Allison return. Besides…I’m linked to her void,” Walter said softly.
My banshee squirmed within me, and I heard her words as I smiled knowingly.
“No. You’re free now, coming here has set you free from my void. My banshee has released you now that you’ve helped us stop the evil she sensed coming. Stay here with your mother,” I said, and Walter’s expression broke into one of gratitude.
“Thank you,” his mother said with a thankful curtsy.
“I will send you back to the spirit world and pass on the last of my soul magic so that Mabel can bring Marcus back,” Walter promised as he stepped towards me. “Thank you for saving me, Allison. For being the one to grant me this chance to see my mother. I know it was not intentional, but I'm forever indebted to you,” he said as he took my free hand in both of his.
“You owe me nothing. You’re helping me bring back my mate,” I assured him, and he gave me a charming smile.
“Marcus, take care of her. This one is beyond special in so many ways,” he said as he flicked his gaze to Marcus.
Marcus nodded, and Walter closed his eyes.
I felt his magic flow into me, my banshee catching it in my void to hold on to as the blinding white light washed over us.
“Thank you, Allison.” Walter’s final words were distant, and I smiled as I let his magic guide us back to the spirit world.
We appeared back with Mabel, standing over Marcus’ body as my hunched over body remained by his side, my eyes filled with the darkness of my void.
“That’s not creepy at all,” Marcus muttered as he gazed down at his lifeless body.
“Are you ready to return to the land of the living?” Mabel asked as she stepped up beside me.
“Yes, we are,” I affirmed as I gripped Marcus’ hand tight.
“Well, thank you for the chance to move on. We’ll take it from here,” Mabel said as she took my free hand.
A circle of ghostly witches and other supes appeared around us, and they linked hands, the young man on the far side of Marcus offering his hand out.
Marcus gave me a questioning look, and I nodded approvingly as he took it.
Power surged through us, and my banshee offered up Walter’s magic as well, the magic swirling through us, crackling through every nerve ending.
Darkness blotted out my vision, and I clung to Marcus’ hand tighter than anything else.
I lost all feeling as I fell into the abyss.
Except for a deep contentedness.
12
I gasped as I slammed back into my body, sucking in mouthfuls of air as tingles coursed through me.
“Allison! Are you okay?” Ollie grabbed my shoulders, and I gave him a shaky nod as I stared into those terrified hazel eyes.
“You sure?” Skip asked as he rested one hand on my back, while Lucas had placed one on my shoulder.
I turned, my lips parted as I sucked in air, noting that the pain in my throat had drastically lessened.
I stared at Marcus, at his soft features as he faced the night sky, his eyes closed.
Please. It had to work.
We all stared at him with bated breath, waiting as the moments agonizingly ticked by.
“Maybe…” Skip started, but I gripped his arm tight, refusing to hear the words he wanted to say.
No, it would work.
It had to.
I gasped as I felt the bond reignite within me, and Marcus gasped, sucking in a life-giving breath as he sat up.
The boys pulled him into an embrace, and I was squeezed in between them as Marcus’ oddly warm arms wrapped around me.
“You saved me,” he murmured as I nuzzled into his chest.
“Of course I did, it’s my best quality,” I joked, but he just tightened his grip on me.
“You scared the shit out of us there, dickhead,” Skip mumbled as he clung to him as well.
“I’m sorry, guys. I was only trying to protect Allison,” Marcus said as he kissed the top of my head.
“I’m just glad you’re back,” Lucas said with relief as he sat back and dragged the back of his palm across his forehead wearily.
“Don’t ever scare us like that again,” Ollie commanded, and Marcus let out a hearty laugh that hit all of us, causing us to smile at him.
“You were pretty badass, ripping heads off the zombies. Even scared me a little,” I stated as I pulled back to smirk at him.
“Everyone knows that you need to go for the head when dealing with zombies,” Marcus said with a shrug.
I leaned in, catching his lips with mine in a tender kiss. His hands moved up my back, holding me closer as he returned the sweet kiss.<
br />
“Well, I’m glad everyone is okay,” Trish said as she joined us.
I looked up at her, gasping as I averted my eyes.
“Just what he wants to be revived to,” Skip said with a snicker as my grandmother stood by us with Brad, both of them stark naked.
“Well, she wasn’t lying when she said you were hung,” Lucas mused, and Brad sheepishly covered his manhood.
Lucas clicked his fingers, and clothes appeared on them.
“Oh c’mon, this body would bring anyone back from the dead,” Trish said with a chuckle and winked at us, but the soft smile she gave me was one of relief and joy for me.
“Is everyone else okay?” I asked as I pulled away from Marcus, still clutching the front of his shirt, not caring that it was covered in zombie blood.
I spied Emma sitting on the grass with George as her mother and aunt worked with some other witches in covering up the various bodies. Mr Brady had disappeared, probably off sorting out this entire mess.
“It’s over. Joseph is dead,” Marcus said with a huge sigh of relief as he flopped back on the ground, dragging me down with him.
“What about Walter and Mabel?” Lucas asked.
“Mabel and some others moved on to the next world by bringing Marcus back. Walter found his mother there, and we left him with her,” I shared.
“So the afterlife is different to the ghost world then?” Lucas asked as he pried into my mind to see what he could.
“It’s the next place. Where everything is perfect. I saw my family there. They were happy,” Marcus said softly as he stared up at the stars.
I rested my head on his chest, unwilling to let go of his shirt as I stared up at the moon and stars above us.
“Well, I guess that’s good to know. No longer need to be so scared of dying,” Trish said as Brad wrapped an arm around her.
“Trust me, I’ll keep you fit and healthy. You’re not going anywhere any time soon,” Brad said sweetly as he kissed her cheek.
“We did it,” I murmured.
“No, you did it,” Marcus said as he held me against him, kissing my forehead as he stroked my arms.