The Artifact Reaper Saga Box Set

by Jen L. Grey

  "What took you so long?" He turns around and shakes his head. "I figured you'd be here a minute ago."

  Wow, I'm a minute later than he expected and he's giving me grief. I'm not about to tell him I'm feeling off though. "Sorry, I had to run to the bathroom first."

  He rubs his eyes and then lets out a huge breath. "All right let's get down to business. I know you need a new realm jumper."

  Wait, what? "What are you talking about? I can transport."

  "Yes, but only in the realm you're in." He lifts his chin and looks down his nose at me. "You can't jump realms. We can only transport in the same dimension, so you'll need someone for that. I've found the perfect person."

  My hearing is now going in and out and a cold sweat breaks out over my body. My power is clawing at my skin, trying to get out. I don't understand what's going on, but I can't even pay attention anymore. It takes all my concentration to keep whatever is going on inside.

  "He was supposed to be a reaper, but he couldn't pass the test." He takes a few steps toward me and bends down so he catches my eye. "Much like your friend Beth."

  Wait.... Did he just say Beth's name? I focus on him, startled out of whatever is going on.

  He leans back on the desk and crosses his ankles. "See, I knew that would get your attention." He rolls his eyes and crosses his arms. "Like I was saying, this person is trained in security, so he is perfect to assist you in the rest of your missions."

  "But didn't you say he's a reaper?" Am I losing my damn mind? Granted right now, I don't feel like I belong in my own freaking skin.

  "Not anymore." He clears his throat and fidgets. "Dax, get in here."

  The door opens behind me and I spin around. A man walks in who can't be past his mid-thirties. What the hell? "Is his time already up?"

  "Not exactly." Luke walks up beside me.

  Storm gray eyes meet mine. Dax straightens his shoulders causing his council-emblemed, pure black ensemble to stretch out against his muscular chest. "It's an honor to make this sacrifice to serve the greater good."

  Oh, dear Lord. Another brainwashed minion. When will these people have a mind of their own? "So, you're going to take him before his time? Isn't that against the rules?"

  Luke snorts. "Not when you make the rules." He motions for Dax to follow him to the other side of the room.

  That shows how observant I am. I hadn't even noticed that they had brought in a cot until now. Dax lays down on the bed and rests his interlaced hands together on top of his chest. If his chest wasn't moving up and down, I would think he was already dead.

  “Now, I’m going to reap you.” Luke lays a hand down on his shoulder and gives a small smile. “But don’t worry. I’ll bring you back quickly. It won’t hurt at all.”

  This isn’t right, but what can I do. Once again, I feel helpless and at their mercy. This must change. I can’t live with all these regrets much longer.

  “I’m ready.” He gives a nod and adjusts his body so it’s straight.

  A sensation close to static fills the air int eh room and surrounds me. It rubs against my body and causes friction almost as if it’s searching for something inside me. As it creeps against me, the coldness I always feel engulfs me. It’s strange. The friction doesn’t cause warmth, but bone-cold chills across my skin. It seeps through my skin and intensifies the already-chaotic magic churning inside me. I turn my attention back to Luke. Dark gray reaper magic spills from his hands. Luke’s hands connect with his chest and then begin pulling.

  Dax’s body convulses as his soul is sucked from his body into Luke’s and transported into his designated afterlife. It lurches, fighting against the draw. It’s not his time so this will be more of a struggle.

  After a few seconds, his body begins to still and the soul gets sucked into Luke’s.

  Despite my magic being crazy, I want to throw up at what’s going on in front of me. This shouldn’t be happening. Luke knows what he’s going to put this man through, but he doesn’t care. It’s all about the artifacts when we could try to find another way.

  After a moment, Luke places his hands back on Dax’s chest and the friction against my skin begins moving counterclockwise. The dark gray magic turns a white color and surrounds the body in front of me. Soon something flashes and I have to look away.

  When his soul returns to his body, something pierces the air and it’s as if my body is submerged in ice water.

  Not able to hold myself up any longer, I fall to my knees and struggle to breathe. Even though my power now feels icy, it’s still swirling like a tornado, cutting me up from the inside. Beads of ice line my brow and I roll over and wrap my arms around my knees.

  A hand touches my arm. “What’s wrong?” Luke’s tone is full of concern.

  Like I freaking know? “I … I don’t know.” I take in a deep shaky breath. “My power is going crazy inside, and I don’t know how to contain it.”

  “Shit, I should have known this would happen.” He touches my arm and soon he’s transporting us somewhere.

  Oh, no. Where is he taking me? Is this finally the end for me? Even with two artifacts inside me, is their tolerance gone?

  The world stops swirling and I find myself in a clear field. It’s pure grass for miles all around. “What? Where are we?”

  “We aren’t too far from the mansion, but you need to release your power.” He stands back and motions around. “This is a safe place. Just do it and once you’re done, I’ll explain.”

  Not wanting to give in, I try to stand, but it’s like my legs are ice. They won’t move.

  “Just do it, Christina.” His eyes are kind for once and there is an understanding there.

  Not able to take any more pain, I do what he asks. I push the raging tornado out. The air picks up and the ground rumbles. The tornado is huge. It’s several miles high and pure white. Hail beats down and the ground rumbles all around us, breaking in spots, ruining the grass. I keep my power centered and away from Luke and myself, trying to get the devastation just in one spot.

  Granted, I could attack him right now, but I can’t just outright kill someone. He’s not attacking me and there would be no justification.

  After several minutes, I drain my power enough that I can stand. When I do, I pull it back inside me. I don’t expect to see what’s left behind. The once-grassy area is now just dirt, torn up and frozen over. “Oh, my God.”

  “Oh, don’t worry about it. Think of it this way: someone will walk by and wonder what happened.” An envious grin spreads across his face. “They’ll wonder what kind of power left that.”

  Someone with that kind of power shouldn’t cause that kind of destruction. They should be able to control the raging beast inside. Seeing his reaction to what I just did proves how I feel about the council. “What the heck is wrong with me?”

  “Absolutely nothing, child. You’re magnificent.” His mouth is open and his body leans toward me. “You were just reacting to my power. Your dominance responded to mine and you had to let it out before you destroyed the house.”

  At least that explains why my power surged even more around him when he used his. “Well, okay then. We need to get back to Dax before he wakes. There is no telling how he will feel. Becca was out of it at first.”

  “Well, you’re right, but he should be in a better frame of mind than she was.” He steps toward me and his hand touches my shoulder once again. “He knows what he should be expecting.”

  The world once again spins around and soon we’re back in the room. Dax is still out cold on the cot, but again, his chest falls up and down.

  “While we wait, why don’t I take you on a tour of the mansion?” Luke holds his hand out and waits at the door.

  Yeah, I’m not taking his hand. That’s just weird and creepy. I close my hand in a fist and hold it close to my body. “I’ve been to the mansion several times.”

  “True.” He drops his hand and straightens his shoulder. “But you’ve only seen what we’ve allowed you to. I’m
offering to show you what only the Elders are allowed to see and the most trusted Butlers.”

  Huh, I'm intrigued. What all are they keeping hidden from everyone? "Sure, I'd love to see it."

  He opens the door and motions me forward. "No time like the present."

  I step through the doors and wait in the hallway, not sure which direction to go. Maybe this isn't the smartest thing after all. There is no telling what he's going to show me.

  "Follow me." He brushes past me and walks down the hall and keeps going. He bypasses the door I used to always stop at to meet Margaret and continues down to the last set of doors. He opens the door and continues through.

  Not missing a beat, I march along behind him. When I step through that doorway, I enter a room that is plush beyond my imagination. There is a huge light grey stone fireplace in the middle of the room and two light beige couches and loveseat centered around it. "Oh, wow. This room is amazing."

  "Yes, it's the Elders’ room." He walks over and sits down on the couch and leans back looking at home here.

  "Then why am I here?" That doesn't make any sense. Why would he show me this?

  "Isn't it obvious?" He opens his eyes and raises an eyebrow. "We are down an Elder and you're the next in line."

  "That's what Margaret said, but I find that hard to be true." That doesn't make sense. My parents were always assumed to be next in line.

  "I know what you're thinking. Everyone assumed it would be your parents, right?" He sits back up and smooths out his shirt. "But the truth of the matter is every single member on the council has a special power just like you. We held your parents close because we had hints that you were different. Unique. Like us."

  "That's what she said too." I don't understand it. They don't let others know their powers work different. "If you are so special, why do you keep it hidden?"

  "Because people fear things they don't understand." He sighs and shakes his heads. "Look at how your parents treated you when they noticed your abilities. That's why we have to be smarter... stronger. That's why it's best for you to align with us. People like you. Who understand you."

  In other words, manipulative and shady. Yeah, that's not in the cards for me. "What happens if I turn the opportunity down?"

  "Don't be stupid. That wouldn't be good." He stands and paces in front of the couch. "Margaret told me she showed you the mirrors so you've seen what our world will become in just a few short months if we don't get our hands on these artifacts."

  Oh, I remember all right. The mirror showed the end of the world of sorts. It was barren and desolate. She said it was due to Damien taking souls and not letting them go on to their afterlife. That's where Beth might be which makes me cringe. But I can't help to think that the council might have a hand in that vision.

  "That's why you must step up and become one of us. Our kind of reapers do not come around very often and the council works in pairs. Margaret knew that." His tone lowers and his jaw clenches. "That's why I can't understand why she took the chance and reached for that artifact."

  Her greed got the best of her. That's what happened. "That's a lot of you all to ask someone so young."

  "Yes, it is and it's not ideal." His eyes soften and he relaxes his shoulders. "It's not very fair to you, but it's for our kind. We have an open seat that needs to be filled and you're the only one that can fill it. We need you to step up."

  There is a knock at the door and it opens. A butler walks in and looks straight at Luke. "Sir, I'm sorry to interrupt but Dax is awake."

  Chapter Thirteen

  What I'm not expecting is to find Dax up and walking around when we get back to the room he was reaped in. Yet, there he is, pacing around the large table taking sips of water from a large glass one of the butlers has handed him.

  "Hey, how are you feeling?" I can't help but worry about him. Becca's reaction to her resurrection comes back into my mind and makes me wonder how he's handling the physical part of this so much better.

  "I'm fine, really." He takes another sip of water and shakes out a leg. "Just a little jittery, that's all."

  "Why are you so worried about him?" Luke rubs a thumb across his lip and tilts his head.

  "It's just when I brought Becca back, she was barely coherent and didn't feel right in her skin." Granted he seems a little out of sorts, but nothing like her. "He's just doing a lot better."

  "That's because he knew what he was getting into." Luke walks over next to me and watches him. "I warned him what it would be like, so it helped with the transition."

  This is so strange. "Why would you agree to this?" I would never willingly die and come back to life for anyone.

  His dark, black eyes find mine and he stretches out his arms. "It's for the greater good. I have family and I don't want them to have to suffer if the future is as bleak as they say. I’m willing to do whatever it takes to make sure we can change it for the better."

  So, in other words, they found someone who wants to change the world for the better and manipulated them into doing this. Been there, done that, except I didn't care about the world until now. Heck, it's more than just Earth too. "But it's more than just changing this world."

  "I know." He nods and puffs out his chest. "I'm ready to escort you to Hell. That's the whole reason I needed to be brought back. So I can take you there."

  Well, shit. They did tell him the whole truth. I'm a little flabbergasted here. "Don't you think you need a little more time to acclimate. I don't want to push you."

  "Tsk, tsk." Luke grabs a piece of paper off the table and looks at it. "He's a grown man. If he says he is able to take you to Hell, I think he knows. He's one of the best trained council agents there are."

  Yeah, I'd be sucking up to him right now too if I were Luke. "Okay, so we're going right now?" Shit, I've had one training session. I was hoping to have a few more before heading down under.

  "There is no time like the present." Dax nods and takes a few steps toward me. "The longer we wait, the closer we get to that future."

  "He's right. You should go now." Luke's brow creases, he sets down the paper, and turns to me. "But you should be very careful. As we discussed earlier, you're very important to both the council and our kind. We can't afford to lose you."

  I have to bite my tongue to prevent the fit of laughter that wants to rattle my chest. Growing up, I always felt like I was a nuisance and could never do anything right in my parent’s eyes. So, to have the council tell me I'm important and they need me is a little surreal, even if I've never liked them. "My goal is to make it back unharmed." Isn't that everyone's' goal?

  His eyes turn to Dax. "I need you to make sure she's protected at all times. She needs to come back safe and unharmed."

  "The message is loud and clear." Dax lowers his head and lifts his shirt up revealing a gun on each side of his jeans and knife strapped to his side.

  Holy crap, I didn’t expect him to be armed in here. They must trust him, which increases my suspicion twofold. I wish there was a way I could get down there and back without help from the council or Damien.

  “We also can’t afford for her to fall into the hands of the wrong people.” Luke lowers his head and looks up. “Do you understand? I need her back here just as she stands now.”

  “You do realize I’m right here?” I hate it when people talk as if I’m not even in the room. Hell, I have two artifacts inside me, and he even admits I’m powerful, so why is he treating me as if I’m inconsequential?

  His head snaps over in my direction. “Of course, dear. It’s just I need him to understand how important you are to us.”

  So, he can’t do that by including me in the conversation? Yeah, not buying it. “You can still address me as well, especially if I’m important.” They want to make me an Elder but still treat me like this. Something isn’t adding up. “I mean, if you believed that, wouldn’t you want to make sure I felt that way … felt valued?”

  “How can you not when we risked one of our best men, so th
ey could accompany you on your journey?” His tone is condescending, and he lifts a hand. “Yes, I can bring people back to life, but it’s not always guaranteed. There was a slight risk of losing him.”

  If that’s the case was the risk of losing Dax worth it? Once again, it sure seems they have shady practices. “Are you sure you’re on the good side? Because I’m not sure you are.”

  His mouth drops open for a second, before he closes it and forces a smile. “Of course, I am. I’m doing this all for our kind and humanity. We must maintain the balance.”

  There is no point to arguing, but we didn’t have to reap Dax. We could have found someone who’s time is up and used them as the realm jumper. They could have just transported both Dax and me. Doing this to Dax is just an unnecessary risk that ties him to the council … or is that what they want?

  “I promise I’m okay. I’m ready to go on to Hell if you are. I’ve been training for weeks now, and we need to get moving.”

  Wow, how long have they planned this? “Fine, let’s go.” I do want to get this over with.

  “Okay, so, Christina, this process should work the same way as the other jumper.” Luke heads over to me and motions for Dax to come close. “Picture the flame in your head in Hell and when Dax touches you, project it towards him.”

  That is what I did with Becca, so we had figured out the right way. I guess some things just come to you. I do what he asks, and the flame springs up in the center of my mind. The orange and blue flames cascading into one another.

  “Now, Dax, reach out and touch her.” Luke’s tone is filled with excitement. “When you see the image in your head, tug toward it. When I brought you back, I added a layer of magic to you, so you should be able to transport like us, just across realms as well.”

  Well, that should be more convenient than Becca. With her, she had to draw a circle and we had to step through. If he can transport us, that’s one less step, which will help if we are in danger.