If I release your voice, will you be a good girl?
She tried to scream again, but to no avail.
That’s what I thought. Why don’t you hear me out first, and then we’ll discuss a sharing plan.
Realization dawned. The unbelievable, high-handed, fucking bastard had possessed her.
You didn’t leave me much choice, Vivian.
She willed him to release her.
No. You’re going to need some backup if you are to get through a council trial.
Wait. Was he telling her that he actually brought her to the guardian council?
Of course. Free will, remember?
But—
I couldn’t exactly stroll through the front door with you, now could I?
He shouldn’t have. He—
As much as I’d love to continue this conversation, I suggest we save it for later. I’ll give you back your arms, legs, and wayward tongue so long as you follow my advice. Refrain from speaking until I tell you and do not under any circumstances fire until I give the order. Understood?
“Fine,” she muttered.
Good girl. You may thank me properly later. Or attack me. Either way, it should prove a delightful diversion. Shall we?
“Where are we going?” Vivian asked.
If memory serves, I believe any direction will suffice. The gates will appear when they are ready for you.
“Will they be pearly?”
If that is what you envision, then yes.
“What do you mean if that’s what I envision?”
Much of the physical manifestations in our realms, when made for the benefit of mortals and newly released souls, are based upon the expectations of the subject.
“So none of this is real?”
The spirits are as real as you, Vivian. The setting is dynamic and tailored to your vision, though in this case I suspect they’ll strive to present an air of supreme authority. Home court advantage, if you like.
Vivian remained silent for a little while, allowing her body to adjust to the presence of Darkmore and her mind to process information overload. Normally, the human subjects of spirit possession remained unaware during the period of occupation. It certainly felt strange to her.
“Is this as weird for you as it is for me?”
Not at all, but I have extensive experience. Besides, I’ve been itching to get inside of you.
“Very funny, asshole.”
Sticks and stones. Whether you’re willing to admit it or not, part of you has been itching a bit as well.
“You never did answer my first question,” she said, changing the subject.
Ah yes, back to Ezra. What has he told you of his life as a mortal?
“He told me he’d been a tobacco farmer, husband, and father. I assume he was a man of faith. He told me that you tormented him after his stroke.” Vivian tried to keep her tone neutral. Reapers tormented the living and dead, as she had recently witnessed. As she’d also observed, those souls often did something to deserve it, though she didn’t put it past any reaper or guardian to interfere with the living or dead out of spite or ulterior motives.
Oh, he became very pious later in life.
“Which implies that he wasn’t always like that. He once told me he had the zeal of a convert. Like Paul.”
Darkmore’s laugh echoed in her mind.
Indeed, though perhaps St. Augustine would make a better comparison, as in “Lord, save me from my sins, but not quite yet.”
“So he was a bad man before?”
For a time, I suppose. Of course, moral relativism is a bit of the norm in my circles, just as it is for the guardians. He did change, though not necessarily in the way he’d have you believe.
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
Let’s just say he liked to play both sides when it comes to our kind, rather like you.
Vivian opened her mouth to comment, but the thinning fog interrupted her. She suspected they were near the meeting place. That gave her an idea.
“I’ll be asking a lot more about that later, believe me, but let’s get back to the whole ‘manifestation of setting’ business. If it’s based on what I expect, then I can change it if I change my expectations?”
You’re catching on. What did you have in mind?
“Something a little more to my advantage,” she said. She closed her eyes and concentrated on the familiar image held in her mind. When she opened her eyes, she stood before a closed door.
Did it work?
“One way to find out,” she said. With that, she placed unsteady fingers on the doorknob and opened it.
CHAPTER 29
Walking through the door, Vivian saw three corporeal spirits seated around a familiar conference table that she’d modeled after the one at her office. She recognized Uriel, looking as poised and polished as he had during their last meeting. Other than the table, bland office chairs, and their occupants, the rest of the setting remained cloaked in fog. At least she had her round table. It leveled the playing field and placed them as equals, at least in her mind. She tried to hold onto that image as her confidence faltered.
Uriel spoke first. “Good evening, Ms. Bedford. Thank you for joining us.” He gestured to an empty chair in invitation.
“Good evening, Uriel,” she replied, looking around the room before taking a seat.
Ask for an introduction.
“May I be introduced to the rest of the council?”
“Of course,” Uriel said. “Allow me to present our brother Raphael.” The tall and imposing spirit seated on Uriel’s right nodded. “And our brother Gabriel.” Gabriel, beautiful in his projected form, smiled at Vivian and nodded. “My brothers, may I present Vivian Bedford, mortal woman and assistant to our guardian Ezra.”
How interesting. Uriel only brought his brethren who helped fight against the Watchers. Confused? Allow me to bring you up to speed, then. The Watchers were guardian spirits who chose to mate with human women and impart their knowledge to mortals—a big no-no back in the day.
Ask why you’ve been summoned, and do try to be polite about it.
“May I ask why you have summoned me here?”
“We have evidence that you have continued to use your spirit powers for unauthorized activities. What’s more, you’ve failed to report them to Ezra. I recall warning you about that.”
“Where is Ezra?” she asked.
“He is in the company of our brothers at the home office. Do not fret, my dear. He is quite safe, I assure you. All quite informal, as is this little get-together.” Uriel waved his hand. “Now, let’s get back on track. Do you care to confirm or deny your activities?
Answer him honestly.
Vivian hesitated, her bravado giving way to fear. She didn’t believe Uriel’s claim regarding Ezra’s safety. Given what Darkmore told her about the makeup of this particular council, she questioned her safety as well.
Answer the question.
She had no choice, she supposed. Then again, she figured she could dodge answering Uriel directly, since he seemed content to pussyfoot around with his interrogation instead of just asking what he really wanted to know.
It could buy her a little more time to devise an escape plan with Darkmore.
“I don’t deny it. I used my powers to help a few friends out with marital and relationship issues, but that hardly seems important in the grander scheme of things.”
“Come now, Ms. Bedford, you disappoint me. Coyness does not become you.”
“You’re right. It doesn’t. It doesn’t become you, either. How about you tell me about your energy management plan?”
Uriel’s eyes widened a fraction, and the up-until-now-immobile Raphael cocked his head slightly to the left. Gabriel raised one lovely, arched brow. Vivian figured those qualified as astonished reactions from the ancient trio. She almost winced as she waited for Darkmore’s response, but then she decided to dive right in before he had the chance to talk her out of it.
“I pay at
tention, and I’m not stupid. I know you targeted my sister because of her energy, and a lot of the crossings I’ve attended are similar. Disabled or incapacitated mortals? Weary friends and family who look a little peaked? That little stunt Wallace pulled at the zoo? You’re siphoning off their energy, aren’t you?”
Uriel smiled, and it chilled her to the bone. “Payment for the ferryman.”
“And what about all the others who suffer?”
“We get to them when we can, of course, but this is, for lack of a better term, a business we’re running, Ms. Bedford. A very lucrative one, I might add.”
“Meaning?”
“Meaning,” he began, rising from his chair and seating himself on the top of the table, “perhaps we could come to some sort of mutually beneficial arrangement, if you’re willing to work with us. You are a businesswoman, are you not?”
“Not that kind.”
“No? Let me sweeten the deal for you, then, by informing you that your little side projects do not interest me. We’re all about pro bono and charity, aren’t we, my brothers?”
Gabriel spoke, his voice as beautiful and mesmerizing as his face. “Our guardians are free to assist those who cannot offer full payment. Most of them do. We are not heartless.”
“Of course not,” Uriel chimed in. “But you must understand, it takes a great deal of energy to accomplish our tasks. If we did not focus on paying clients, as it were, we would not have the resources to operate at all. Ask your reaper friend sometime. He’ll tell you the same thing.”
You could ask him about his interest rates, or why human souls require assistance in crossing at all, but I think it might be wiser to hear his offer and request some time to consider it. Get them to let you leave this realm.
“So what’s the deal?”
Raphael laughed. “I like this one. She has her mentor’s cunning and survival instincts.”
“Perhaps…” Uriel mused. “Very well, our proposition is as follows: you advance and move on to special collections.”
Vivian narrowed her eyes in disgust.
“Come now, it’s not as if you haven’t the stomach for it, or the taste,” he said, leaning closer to her ear so he could whisper. “I know about your visit to Mr. Rockford this evening.”
“So you’re proposing to move in on reaper territory?”
“You may have noticed that the lines are rather blurry. You wouldn’t have to sneak around anymore. You’d be operating with our full support.”
Vivian froze as realization dawned on her. “You sent the rogue guardian after me.”
Uriel laughed. “We had to test your convictions. Not to mention your abilities. Mortals often need a bit of a crisis in which to find and hone their skills, you being no exception. Your healing abilities were quite an unexpected bonus. I wonder what else we might discover?”
Vivian opened her mouth to protest, but Darkmore stilled her tongue.
Wait! See what else he has to say.
“Oh, don’t get me wrong. There are still guardians within our ranks who believe that humans have no place here, but that was never our intent. The Nephilim, not to mention mortals in your situation, might have continued their work and existence had they worked with us rather than against us.”
“So your rogue doesn’t know about your plans?”
“He is rather zealous, but do not fear. Our soldiers remain ever loyal. Don’t believe me? He could have attacked any number of your loved ones, yet he chose the priest.”
“So?”
“Doesn’t she know?” Raphael asked.
“It would seem that she does not. Your friend has moved on, at least from the mortal plane. I do not believe he has crossed to us quite yet, but he’s been in decline for several months, and was therefore our safest target.”
Vivian couldn’t breathe. She couldn’t think. Father Montgomery. No, he couldn’t be dead. She was just talking to him. He couldn’t be!
Vivian, listen to me. Your life and soul depend upon it. They don’t have him yet. You heard that yourself. Tell them you’re interested in their offer and ask to think about it. Tell them now!
“I…I’m feeling a little overwhelmed. I need some time to work all this through.” She allowed her tears to flow freely. They were genuine. She hoped they would interpret her turmoil as human weakness. To her shame, she admitted to herself that a good bit was human fear and wavering.
If she accepted their offer, she could keep her loved ones safe.
“What about Zeke?” she asked.
“What about him?”
“Will he be safe?”
“All we ask for is discretion. And payment. We’ve been monitoring Zeb.”
“That’s sick!” She understood all too well that reapers and guardians targeted the most vulnerable humans and sapped their considerable spirit energy reserves, but the thought of any of them harming Zeke’s autistic son made her stomach roll and blood boil.
“It’s business. No real and lasting harm would come to the boy. You could persuade Ezekiel to see reason, I’m sure.”
She knew she couldn’t keep control for much longer. She needed to get out of there. She rose and took a step back, careful to keep the waterworks going. “I need to think about this.”
“Of course you do,” Uriel said patiently. “Just don’t take too terribly long. You aren’t under our protection yet.”
The sound of Uriel’s mocking laughter echoed as she ran back into the fog.
CHAPTER 30
“You can let me go now,” she shouted. Then she collapsed on the ground and curled up into a ball of tears. She had enough of her faculties still intact to be mortified at the display, especially with Darkmore still around, but she’d reached her breaking point.
Then a cool breeze caressed her skin. Taking in a deep breath, she smelled honey and citrus, and her throat felt soothed, as though she’d taken a long drink from a clear mountain stream. She could feel Darkmore, but she didn’t see him.
“Please, just go,” she pleaded. She was too weary to bear his scrutiny.
Go? And leave you to wallow in sorrow and self-pity? I think not. It wreaks havoc with your complexion, you know. Besides, you’re rather tasty at the moment.
“I can’t do this,” she whispered.
What happened to my fighter?
“She realized that she’s in over her head and can’t do this alone.”
Oh, don’t fret. I do believe you’ve earned yourself a few reinforcements.
“What?”
Try sitting up instead of wallowing. It does tend to change one’s perspective.
She sat up and took in her surroundings as best she could, given the darkness. They appeared to have landed in a clearing surrounded by tall trees. The crescent moon glowed through a few scattered clouds, along with quite a few stars. Not a lot of street lights, then. She noticed a few round bales of hay scattered throughout the field and caught a whiff of cow patties. On her feet and ready to complain, the first flash of white light caught her off-guard and almost made her jump out of her skin.
Jeanne and Wallace materialized, flanked by the padre and Junior, now in full corporeal form and beaming with pride. Before she could speak, Mildred Bluff’s transparent manifestation emerged through the trees at the opposite end of the field, followed by all of the ghostly residents of Nolensville. She also recognized a host of spirits from Woodlawn Cemetery, many of whom she’d befriended when visiting the graves of Mae and Zeke. Just when she thought she could not be more overwhelmed, Mrs. Martin came too, bringing at least twenty other corporeal spirits with her.
“How did you—”
Before she could finish, Jeanne ran up and wrapped Vivian in her arms, filling her with the warmth and comfort of her guardian nature. Junior joined her, as did the padre, and for long moments she stood wrapped in their circle of peace, drawing in their strength. She longed to stay there forever.
But she had way too many questions. Not to mention an apology to deliver.
“Padre, I’m so sorry for everything. I…I didn’t know.”
“I didn’t want you to know, Vivian,” the priest said, taking her hand. “You had enough to worry about. It was just my time. Ezra was kind enough to give me a heads-up and help me with the planning.”
“Did it hurt?”
“No, dear, not at all.”
“So, are you a guardian?”
“I’m a newly-minted freelance agent,” he said with a smile. “It seems you’ve awakened the rebel in me.”
“What is all this?” Vivian asked, turning and looking at all of the spirits surrounding her.
“Oh, Vivian, I’m so sorry that I kept you in the dark, but I was afraid you’d…well, you’d be you and do something rash.”
“Too late, but you might as well tell me now.”
“It would be safer to get you to Mississippi and let Waylon explain. His allies can protect you until we’re ready to strike.”
“Whoa there, let’s rewind and try that again. Allies? Strike? What have you gotten me into?”
Jeanne looked at the priest, who nodded and took Vivian’s hand. “There is dissent among the council and guardians, as we told you, in regard to mortals working alongside them. I’m sure you’ve gathered by now that the conflict runs much deeper.”
“Ah, hell!” Mrs. Martin shoved her way through the crowd as she spoke. “Cut to the chase, why don’t you? The guardian higher-ups are running an energy racket at the expense of the souls they’re supposed to serve!”
“Honey,” Jeanne said, trying to soothe. “We’re getting to all that.”
“It’s not that complicated. They’ve got a bureaucracy that makes the federal government look efficient. I’ve been waiting for ‘processing’ so long I swore I was back at the DMV!”
“You’re one of the lucky ones!” Mildred Bluff chimed in. Great, let the battle of the biddies begin. “At least they came back for you. Look around. See all of these good folks they’ve left in limbo or just plain left?”
“Anyway,” Jeanne said. “Many field agents don’t like it and we’ve been conducting crossings in secret.”
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