by R. L. Perez
Why did I feel so afraid? I wasn’t breaking any rules. Mom had said it herself: we were welcome to use our magic here. This was supposed to be how Reapers were different from the Nephilim clans.
Even so, ripples of unease coursed through me like a dark omen of things to come.
At long last, the Reapers retired to the sleeping quarters. Some lingered, chatting or reading, and I resisted the urge to shout at them. I lay stiffly in my bed, my gaze fixed on the bunk above me, waiting. Agitation surged inside me. I gritted my teeth. My head throbbed.
Finally, the lights went out. Still, I waited. The beds creaked as the others got comfortable. Gradually, soft snores filled the room, echoing in the dark chamber.
My blood thrummed with anticipation as I eased out of bed. My eyes had adjusted, and the faint glow of the lanterns in the hall lit my path as I dodged the beds to escape the bunker. I waited in the tunnel just outside the sleeping quarters. When I heard the soft patter of Jocelyn’s footsteps, my heart skittered.
She appeared, her red hair wild around her face and her eyes alight with excitement. “Ready?” she whispered.
I nodded, and together we crept down the tunnel. Each noise made me jumpier, reminding me that I was doing something I shouldn’t. But my determination fueled me. I had to try.
We’d been here long enough to find our way to the dining hall without getting lost. The space was dark and empty like a vast abyss that would swallow us whole. I suddenly felt uncertain about using this area to practice Jumping. But we couldn’t exactly use the living quarters, and this was the closest space where we wouldn’t disturb anyone.
“What do we do first?” Jocelyn asked, her voice trembling.
I swallowed. If I wanted to time travel, I needed an anchor. From within my pocket, I pulled out a balled-up T-shirt—the same one I’d worn when I first arrived here. It smelled of sweat and pine trees and home. The bitter nostalgia clamped down on me, unyielding. Emotion built up in my throat, and I sucked in a deep breath. I’d worn this shirt on the last day I’d seen my dad.
I closed my eyes, gripping the fabric tightly in my fist as I imagined that day.
Just let me go back, I pleaded. Let me see Dad and Cora one more time. Please.
“Stand back,” I told Jocelyn. I heard her scuffle away from me. I took another breath and envisioned the lacrosse field. The morning dew still clung to the blades of grass beneath my feet. Sweat and dirt coated my skin like a second layer. Adrenaline pulsed through me. In my hands, I gripped my crosse, my palms calloused and ready.
I searched the field, looking for my teammates. Usually, when I went into my imagination like this, the faceless opponents and teammates surrounded me. Luke had been the only one familiar.
Now, it was only me. No one else.
Unease spread through me. Could I still do this without other players? I swung my crosse tentatively, but nothing happened.
There was no ball. Everything here was just . . . empty. Like a switch had been turned off.
No, I thought in horror.
I gazed around the field, desperately searching for something. Anything.
“Hello?” I called.
“Looking for this?”
I whirled around. My heart lodged itself in my throat. Across from me stood Luke, though he wore street clothes, his face and arms clean of dirt and grass. In his hand, he held the lacrosse ball. His eyebrows lifted expectantly.
My throat felt dry. “Luke,” I said. Seeing my old friend reminded me of my former life—before time travel, before Hector’s betrayal, before the Ceremonial Rite. Relief swelled in my chest, and I took a step toward him.
Luke smiled and lifted his chin, his dreadlocks bobbing. “Long time.” His eyes were guarded, and the smile didn’t quite reach his eyes. I wasn’t used to seeing his face look like that. He’d always been the goofball.
Now, he was something else entirely.
“What—what’s going on?” I asked, gesturing to the empty field.
“Your powers don’t work the same way anymore.”
I was getting so sick of people saying that. “What does that even mean? They still work, right? How do I do this?”
Luke shrugged, and my frustration mounted. “I’m just a guide. I’ve never Jumped before.”
“Some help you are,” I muttered.
Luke sighed. “You had to use an anchor before, right? To ground you like gravity. Well, in your realm, gravity works differently. You have to abide by those rules and find a way.”
In your realm. The Astral Realm was not my realm. It wasn’t my home.
“How does gravity work differently?” I asked. “If it didn’t work, I’d just be floating.”
“Unless there’s something else grounding you.”
I remembered what Mom had said about reaping magic from a soul. The magic returned to the air where it could be used freely by everyone. She claimed my warlock magic would do the same thing.
Magic surrounded the Reapers like a living thing. A blanket of power and energy.
“It’s magic,” I said softly. “Magic grounds us.”
Luke’s brows knitted together.
“Can I use magic as an anchor?” I asked.
Luke immediately shook his head. “No. If magic is your anchor, you risk damaging all the magic in the realm. You’ll mark it, just like you marked Hector.”
I flinched, then cursed myself for it. I didn’t regret what I’d done to Hector. He’d been about to kill me. Frustration mounted within me. “You know, you’re spouting a lot of rules without offering anything helpful.”
“Don’t shoot the messenger, man.”
The words were so easy, so normal, I found myself grinning without realizing it. Remembering my situation, the smile slid off my face. “Why are you here, Luke?”
“I told you, you and I are bound.”
“Yes, but why?”
“A spell was cast, binding us together. I don’t know the details—I was really young when it happened. But even if I wanted to, I couldn’t withdraw from you.”
A spell was cast. Who would’ve done that? Who had that kind of power? And why would they do it?
I dropped my crosse and rubbed my forehead. “Look, I just want to get out of here. Can’t you help me at all?”
“I already told you I don’t know. You’re the Jumper. And I’ve never been to the Astral Realm.”
“Well, what do your creepy Timekeepers have to say about it?”
Luke’s gaze shifted slightly, his eyes tightening. Ah, finally, a reaction. “They don’t say anything about it.”
“I find that hard to believe.”
“Contrary to what you might think, the world doesn’t revolve around you, Vince. Once you left the mortal realm, you were no longer on their radar.”
I frowned. “So Timekeepers can’t travel to other realms?”
Luke hesitated. “I didn’t say that.”
Something sparked in my mind. Of course Timekeepers could travel to different realms. Their powers were similar to mine. And Luke all but admitted that they could.
“Can you bring one of them here?” I asked eagerly. “Maybe one of them can show me—”
“Vince, no!” For the first time, Luke looked nervous, his gaze floating around the field as if expecting someone else to show up. “You can’t talk about them. They’ll hear you.”
I wanted to laugh. But the severity of his words sent a chill racing down my spine. They’ll hear you. Suddenly, I looked around too, the back of my neck prickling like someone was watching me.
I swallowed and drew closer to Luke. “What am I supposed to do? Just go back to the Astral Realm and sign my life over to this prison?”
Luke’s lips spread into a sympathetic grimace. “That’s the path you chose.”
I lifted my arms and let them fall. “That’s hardly a choice! Imprisonment in Hector’s clan, or imprisonment with the Reapers!”
“Don’t be so dramatic. It’s not a prison. And
you weren’t a prisoner in the clan, either. You still had a life. Now, you’ll just have to learn how to make one here.”
I shook my head, staring at him numbly. “So, you won’t help me at all?”
“I’ll always help you, Vince. But I can’t do the impossible. You have to tap into your magic your own way.”
I remained silent, something in me deflating. Luke held my gaze, offering a sympathetic smile.
“Why did you lie to me?” I whispered. “All those years growing up when I thought we were friends.”
“We were friends.”
“So, why didn’t you tell me? I told you everything.” My chest ached as I spoke, and I swallowed hard.
Luke sighed, his cool exterior fading. Sorrow gleamed in his eyes. “The Timekeepers forbade me from telling you. They said it would alter the timeline if you knew. I’m really sorry, Vince. More than anything, I wanted to tell you.”
I found myself nodding, though I didn’t know why. If anyone could understand being bound by rules and laws they didn’t understand, it was me. I wasn’t sure when, but I’d already forgiven Luke. My predicament with the Reapers made all my other problems seem small in comparison.
The field around us faded. I could feel my consciousness drifting between Luke and the dining hall with Jocelyn.
“No,” I said desperately. “I need more time. Luke—”
“It’ll be all right, Vince.” Luke’s voice grew faint.
“I—I wish you were here. Really here with me.”
“So do I.”
I closed my eyes, trying to ward off the tears that threatened to spill.
“Choose your own way,” Luke said, his voice like a whispering wind. “Stop seeing a prison and start seeing the possibilities.”
He vanished, leaving me standing in front of Jocelyn, my eyes burning as they adjusted to the darkness. My palms were slick with sweat, and I was breathing heavily.
“Did it work?” Jocelyn asked.
A hard lump formed in my throat. Despair crashed through me, dragging my heart down like an anchor.
“No,” I whispered numbly. “No, it didn’t work.”
10
Cora
I couldn’t sleep. Anytime I closed my eyes, I saw Vince’s face. That expression, hardened by grief and trauma. The long, jagged scar on his face.
One year. That was all it took to alter him so much. To think his goodness, his innocence was so fragile that it could be shattered in merely a year made me shiver.
But who was I to talk? I’d seen it all. I’d been a killer most of my life.
Deep down, I knew I couldn’t judge Vince. I didn’t know what he’d been through.
But part of what had initially drawn me to him was his innate kindness. His determination to see the good in people. Even in a monster like me.
Had whatever trauma he’d endured changed that? Would he see me differently now?
You’re an idiot, Cora, I thought irritably. Of course he won’t see you differently. You changed, too, and you still love him.
I’d just given up on sleep and tossed aside my blanket in frustration when my cell phone rang. It was loud, shrill, and obnoxious, and it made me jump, reaching for my dagger. Once I realized what it was, I relaxed, and anger rose up inside me. Benny had insisted I get this stupid phone in case of emergencies. I usually never carried one. It was just one more way for people to find me when I wanted to stay hidden.
I took a deep breath, pressed the phone to my ear, and grunted, “What?”
“You’d better get here. Quick.” I recognized Benny’s gruff voice.
I straightened, and an icy chill of foreboding swept over me. “Get where?”
“The office.” A small click, and Benny hung up.
My mouth fell open as I stared numbly at the phone. The office? What the hell was going on there in the middle of the night?
Urgency pulsed through my veins. I quickly dressed and armed myself before darting out the apartment. It didn’t take me long to reach the set of office buildings the coven owned. And even before I got there, I knew something was off.
Smoke filled the air. Well, more than usual. On this side of New Jersey, the air was always filthy. But sparks and ash floated in front of me, and the closer I got, the thicker the smoke became.
I quickened my steps, practically sprinting down the sidewalk. My pulse thundered in my ears, a warning rhythm that something was very, very wrong.
I rounded the corner, and my heart shuddered. My eyes widened, my body stiffening in shock. My blood ran cold.
The office building was on fire.
A small crowd filled the parking lot. Many of them wielded weapons. A gunshot fired in the air, and I lunged forward.
“Stop!” I roared, racing toward the mob. I quickly found Benny and hurried to his side. A long, bloody gash lined his cheek, and white fur coated his arms—a sign of his transition to wolf form.
Benny normally had no problem keeping his cool. If his wolf was starting to emerge, I didn’t want to think about what the crowd had done to him.
I looked him over, searching for any urgent injuries.
“I’m all right,” he said, answering my unspoken question.
“Why didn’t you call sooner?” I demanded, tugging him away from the crowd. Several men grabbed Benny’s arm, intent on keeping him there, but I raised my free hand and shot a burst of purple magic. The demons flew backward, releasing their grip on Benny.
“I thought I had it handled,” Benny said.
I gritted my teeth and shot him a sharp look. “Even if you did have it handled, you still should’ve called me.”
Benny was panting. He met my gaze, but his eyes were tired and resigned. “I know.”
“You can’t just walk away from us!” roared a voice behind me.
Fury exploded within me. I released Benny’s arm and whirled to face the angry crowd. “You want to stop me?” I shouted. “I’d like to see you try. Go ahead!” I raised my arms expectantly.
The man—Finn, a dark warlock—hesitated. He wielded a pistol, and his fierce gaze was contorted with rage. But he knew he couldn’t take me.
“Is this what you wanted?” I yelled, gesturing to the burning building. In the distance, sirens echoed, but I knew it was too late. The offices would be reduced to ash. “Are you satisfied with your little temper tantrum? Or do you still need to let out some frustration?” I stepped forward, drawing my knives and stakes before dropping them to the ground with a loud clatter. “I’ll even make it easier for you. Now, I’m unarmed. Have at it.”
A few demons glanced at each other warily as if sensing a trap.
“Well?” I practically screamed. “Why else are you here, if not to fight me? Why would you torch this place if you didn’t have a problem with me? It’s all out in the open now. Let’s hear it!”
Some of the demons shifted uncomfortably. Then, a loud voice cried, “You aren’t fit to lead us.”
The voice was deep but distinctly female. I squinted, trying to see through the crowd. The coven didn’t have many women in it.
A spark of bright purple hair caught my eye. It was Piper, a dark witch who’d joined the coven just before Damien’s death. I didn’t know much about her, just that she was powerful and could hold her own in a fight. If anything, I admired her—until now.
I raised my eyebrows. “Oh? And why not?”
“You’re a merciless killer,” she snarled. “You don’t see the problems right in front of you. All you see are your next targets.”
“Who do you think assigned those targets?” I snapped. “You think I was just killing for fun?”
“That’s not the point,” another man said. “Killing is all you know how to do. But Damien, he knew us. He cared about us.”
“He was willing to turn you over to the Nephilim!” I argued.
Shouts mingled as several demons cried out in outrage, clearly unconvinced of my claims of Damien’s betrayal. I had to scream until my throat w
as raw to get them to quiet down.
“Okay, clearly you have a problem with me,” I said hoarsely. “So you decide to burn down the building? How does that help?”
“You think we’re stupid enough to confront you?” Piper screeched. “You demonstrated your power with the execution. We knew you’d only see a confrontation as another opportunity for spilled blood.”
More voices shouted their assent. I went very still. Though anger still quivered through me, something small and logical pierced through the haze of my thoughts.
You did this, the voice said. You wanted them to fear you. Well, good job. Now, they do.
But they didn’t respect me. Benny was right. I didn’t know them at all. And they didn’t know me.
So, naturally, they relied on their fear and let it completely take over.
A hard lump formed in my throat. A desperate urge rose within me, the desire to fix this. But it seemed broken beyond repair. What could I do?
“Cora,” Benny groaned beside me. I glanced at him and found him leaning against a lamppost for support, clutching his side. The sirens in the distance grew louder.
Many in the crowd shifted restlessly, no doubt nervous about the authorities showing up. It was no secret that most of the demons here were criminals. It was why we lived in Hinport, after all.
I had to do something about this. Now.
“Look.” I licked my lips. Even I could hear the note of desperation in my voice. “I’m still new at this. You’re angry, I get it. You’re confused and worried. I may not have been listening before, but I am now. Come back here at noon tomorrow. I’ll be here to listen to your complaints.”
“You expect us to believe you won’t hurt us?” Finn scoffed.
“Yes,” I said sharply. “Because I swear it. And if I do hurt any of you, you have my permission to gang up on me and execute me yourselves.”
I heard Benny’s sharp intake of breath behind me, but I ignored him.
Some of the men looked at me doubtfully.
“I may be powerful, but I can’t take on twenty at once,” I added.
Mutters rippled through the crowd. The sirens were so loud they blared against my ears. Already, demons were peeling off and disappearing into the street, afraid of being caught.