by Jen L. Grey
"Fine." He's up to something, but I'm not sure what. "I'm assuming it's just us and this other person here?"
"Yes, this person has been sick for a very long time." He opens the door, leading us into the back master bedroom.
There is an older man lying on the bed with an oxygen mask on his face. He's breathing in and out but is in a very deep sleep. His face is sagging, and his skin is turning yellow.
"What's wrong with him?" The stench of death is already upon him, so he doesn't have much longer. It's strange because that smell used to turn my stomach, but now it doesn't faze me at all.
"He's suffered a stroke." Luke stares at the man and frowns. "He hasn't been able to function since. His wife is just down the hall and will be back in just a few moments."
"So... why are here?" There is always a reason with him.
"Like I said, I want to test something." He nods at the man. "Why don't you heal him?"
"Really?" This will be easy. My healing ability has always been the most natural for me, so it’ll be a piece of cake.
"Yes, otherwise he is marked to die tonight." Luke leans back against the wall and grins. "So, if you can heal him, he'll get to live a few more years."
"Okay, one healed old man coming right up." I walk over to the man on the bed, and my white power churns inside me. As it begins to move, the three elemental powers along with my reaper magic begin to swirl, increasing strength.
I open my hand and touch the old man's chest. As soon as my power connects with his soul, it begins to blend in with it unlike any other time before.
His soul connects with me, and I see flickers of his life and memories. The first time he met his wife, the moments when his son and daughter were born, all of these different moments of time are recalled in my mind as if I'm part of him.
When I reach the end of his life's slide show, it's somehow clear that he has lived his life and it's time for him to die. My white power begins to dim, and my black reaper power begins to strengthen in its stead.
But that's not what I'm supposed to do right now. I'm supposed to be giving him a few more years with his family. The vibrant purple strand of the fire element lights up and flashes inside me and into my mind.
Oh my God. This is what got me in that mess to begin with. Saving this person is not the right thing to do. His time is up, and the balance of the world depends on life and death. Him having a few more years past his due time on Earth with his family is not worth risking the world. It makes me no better than Damien, who collects souls instead of letting them go into their afterlife. I've endangered the world because I saved one person – Becca. I can't do it again.
The strands of the artifacts rush into the reaper powers to form a swirl of black, brown, blue, and purple. Instead of healing, the reaper magic begins working, and my hands begin to suction the soul out of the body.
This man doesn't fight me; he's ready to go home. His soul comes willingly, and soon he's passing through my body and going into his afterlife.
There is no coldness or nausea this time. When the transition is complete, I open my eyes to find Luke staring at me with his mouth wide open.
"You... You reaped him." His face turns a shade more pale, and he rubs his fingers together.
If he thinks he's the only one surprised, he's got another think coming. "I know, but I had to. Extending his life would cause problems. I saw it."
He shakes his head, and his forehead wrinkles. "What do you mean?"
My magic suddenly flares inside me and takes my breath away. I stumble and almost fall to the floor.
"What's wrong?" Luke rushes over to me and takes my arm. "Are you okay?"
"No..." Another wave of power crashes over me, and it feels as if my insides are going to be ripped to shreds if I don't let it out. It's never been this strong before. "My power..." I can't even finish my sentence because holding it in takes all my concentration. Shit, there is no way I can keep it inside for much longer.
Chapter Three
His grip tightens on my arm. “Christina, we have to go. There is still someone in the house. You can’t lose control.”
My power swirls and presses against my core, threatening to burst right out if I can’t control it fast. My knees buckle, and I drop to the floor even with Luke there trying to keep me upright. I’m at the mercy of the artifacts.
“Shit.” With his free hand, he pulls out his cell phone and puts it to his ear. “Dax, clear the mansion the best you can. We are coming back now.”
I close my eyes, unable to keep them open. I’m going to die right here and now. I’m not even going to get a chance to tell Charlie I love him one last time.
The air begins to churn, whipping around me, increasing the discomfort inside me. At least I won’t kill the old lady doing laundry. It’ll be hard enough on the family that the old man died. His memories showed a very loving and close family.
Soon, we’re back at the mansion, and I curl up in the fetal position on the floor. I don’t know how much longer I have, but each breath hurts.
“What the hell happened?” Dax rushes over and bends down next to me. As soon as he touches my skin, he jerks back. “Ouch. You feel as if you’re on fire. What the hell?”
What am I supposed to do? I’ve got to get out of here.
“You have to calm down.” Luke’s tone is low, almost soothing. “Take control of the power and push it down. Things are going to get bad if you don’t. We need you.”
Doesn’t he think I know that? If I were feeling better, I would slap him. Everything inside me is quivering against the ferocity of the magic. It wants out and now.
Dax closes his eyes and takes in a deep breath. “We’ve got to get you out of here, Luke, in case she can’t stop it.”
Thank God. At least one of them has some common sense.
“What?” Luke’s head jerks up, and he glares. “We need her. We can’t win without the artifacts.”
“Yeah, but if we lose you, who's to say the next two replacements won’t go rogue with the oldest Elder?” Dax’s voice cracks, but he stands tall. “We need you just as much as we need her, especially if she doesn’t make it.”
My ears begin ringing from all the pressure. They need to go and now. Dax is right and Luke needs to get on with it.
“Fine.” Luke glances at me one last time, concern shining through his eyes. “I hate it, but you’re right. Let’s go.”
Grabbing Luke, Dax pulls them both through the portal he already had open.
Holy crap. I’m alone now, and I need to get out of here. I can’t hurt all the people in here. There must be at least ten butlers who are always here, and no telling if there is anyone else in the dungeon or what not.
I roll over to my belly and attempt to get up on my hands and knees but fall back down. Ugh, I’ve got to find a freaking way out. I won’t have my life end in such a catastrophe.
A strong gust of wind blows into the room and picks me up. I’m lifted about five feet in the air.
What the hell is going on?
Something pulls at me, and my body moves toward the windows in the back of Luke’s office. I’m not moving slow or fast, but somewhere in between. I’m reminded of long-ago summer days when Beth and I would ride our bikes down the road with no destination in sight. Fast enough to feel a breeze, but we weren’t in any rush.
As I get close to the window, the power begins vibrating, and my vision begins to bounce. I can’t see straight, but I hear a loud crash and feel piercing cuts all over my body. I’ve gone right through the window
The smell of fresh cut grass hits my nose, which makes me want to laugh for some reason. I’m losing my damn mind right before I die. I wonder if everyone does or if it’s just me. Hell, I’m flying for goodness sake.
I fly through the air and land at the base of a huge oak tree. As soon as my back hits the bark, more power from the ground bleeds into me. My vision goes black, and the pain is like never before. I don’t know where I begin or end, and it f
eels as if I’m splitting in two. The artifacts’ energy glows brighter, and soon it rips me apart and pours out of me.
“Is she okay?” Dax’s tone is hoarse, and then he coughs.
“Yeah, at least for now she is.” Luke is right beside me, and a hand brushes some hair off of my face.
My eyelids flutter, but I still can’t open them. What is going on? How am I still alive? My body feels heavy, and my breathing is shallow.
“I can’t believe she did all this.” Dax laughs and then stops short. “I mean, she’s something, but this is scary. She doesn’t deserve this.”
“Don’t you think I know this?” Luke huffs, and his hand leaves my face. “However, it wasn’t my choice. I didn’t choose her for this.”
Wow, they sound like they really believe in me. Good thing I don’t need validation any longer. I can do this with or without their support. I tug at the white power inside me, and it unfurls and begins circulating through me. As soon as it’s made a round through my body, I can breathe easier, and the pain isn’t quite as bad.
I’ve never tried healing myself before, but hey, at least it worked. This time, my eyes open, and I find Luke kneeling over me.
“How bad do you hurt?” His suit is in disarray, and there is dust all over his jacket.
I take a deep breath, letting air fill my lungs. “Actually, I’m okay. I don’t know how, but I’m fine.” My throat is dry, grainy, and I cough. I need water or something to drink. I begin to sit up when Dax comes to my other side and places a hand on my arm.
“Take a minute before getting up. Make sure you have your bearings.” He licks his lips and shakes his head. “You went through a huge ordeal.”
“You don’t think I know that? I was the one living through it.” Times like these make me hate being around people. They act like I’m not part of what’s going on, like I’m just a bystander.
A small grin spreads across his face. “I think she’s going to be just fine. There’s my fire cracker.”
Where did this nickname come from all of a sudden? It’s sweet but makes me feel a little uncomfortable. It’s almost like he’s turning into a different person. That’s how Becca started out too.
“Can you both just focus for a minute?” Luke rolls his eyes, and he glances behind him. “How in the world did you get out here? We left you in my office.”
Hell, he’s right. Everything comes back to me. “I didn’t want to injure anyone. I remember focusing on that. Those butlers are just doing their jobs. Many probably would rather be doing something else. So I wanted to make sure everyone was safe, and somehow a major wind gust picked me up and brought me out here.”
“Did you come out the window?” Luke frowns and glances at my arms. “One is broken but I don’t see any cuts.”
“Yeah, I did.” That part is hazy, but I do remember the crash and pain. “But I’m sure my healing power fixed or did other things to cover the injuries up.” I sit up, wanting to see what they keep looking around at, but I’m not prepared for what I see.
The wind had taken me a good two hundred yards from the house, and everything even up to the mansion is charred or crumbled. The brown stone on the back side of the mansion now crumbles and falls to the ground, and the windows are cracked.
The ground is churned and broken as if an earthquake happened. All the grass is now gone. The large trees that covered the property for privacy are flattened as if they were never there to begin with. The only proof of them are the wide tree stumps that rise slightly out of the ground.
Shit, even the tree I was laying under is gone. What did I do? How is it possible that I caused this much destruction when I wasn’t even aware? “I… I did this?”
“Yes, but don’t worry. We can fix it in no time.” Luke steps in front of me.
“Did I hurt anyone?” Oh, God. I messed up the side of the house, which means I could have killed someone.
“Only minor injuries.” Dax places a hand on my shoulder and comes up beside me. “Nothing major at all. I think the worst one was a twisted ankle.”
Why does that not make me feel better? I mean, I’m glad I didn’t kill someone, but I still hurt someone. “What if this happens again? I might not be so lucky again.”
“You were so worried that you somehow managed to get yourself out here, saving a dozen people.” Luke lowers his head and stares me dead in the eye. “You have more control over yourself than you give yourself credit for. You’re stronger than you realize.”
He’s right. I managed to save myself and not destroy too much stuff at one time. That’s a win within itself.
“But you do realize this is going to continue to get worse until you find the fourth artifact.” Luke arches an eyebrow and crosses his arm. “This will be a pleasant memory if things don’t happen fast.”
As if responding to his statement, the powers inside me begin to collide with one another. Very similar to what they did before I got the Flame of Hell. “You’re right. Things aren’t feeling right again.”
“Wait… This is going to happen again?” Dax frowns, and his body tenses.
“Yes, if we don’t work fast.” Luke glances at him and then back to me. “But it’s the last one. Then, all four elements will be in your control and, thus, balanced. You won’t have to worry about any of this again.”
No matter how much I wish he was wrong, he’s not. I must get to the fourth artifact and fast. I need the balance, or otherwise I’ll implode just like the witch told me before I left to get the Flame from Hell. It’s now or never.
Chapter Four
My throat feels as if it's been ripped apart by a sandblaster. In my mass of chaos, I swallowed a lot of dirt. "Then we need to..." I begin coughing and can't finish my sentence.
Dax frowns. "She needs water."
"Let's go back inside and get her something to drink while we figure out where this last element is." Luke grabs my arm lightly and tugs me toward the house.
I haven't told them that the artifact has been found, but in my defense, it hasn't come up. Between getting on the council and acclimating to my powers, this last week has been a whirlwind.
We walk around the debris and past the door that is partially ajar. Crap, I messed this place up.
"Don't worry about this." Luke motions to the side of the house. "This will be fixed in no time. Probably by the end of the day. We already have the emergency crew on the way."
Of course they do; the council couldn't have their mansion imperfect for long.
He leads us a little further down where there is another door. This section of the place is still intact except that the grass is a shade of light brown. He opens the door and motions us in. “Go on into my office and have her sit down. I’ll go get some water for her. The butlers are preoccupied right now.”
“I bet they are.” Dax murmurs close to my ear.
If I weren’t so uncomfortable, I’d snort, but I just stopped coughing not too long ago. "Let's just go." I head on in, not waiting for him at all.
As soon as I enter the room, I sit down on the couch in the corner. It's not the most comfortable seat in the world, but it'll do. The fabric is stiff since no one uses it and it's not broken in, but I'm still a little worn out from my accident.
"So are you really okay?" Dax stands in front of me and crosses his arms.
Dear God, my hand itches to smack him. "Yeah, I'm fine. We've been through Hell before, so it's not like this is much different."
"In Hell, you didn't almost implode." Dax's jaw twitches, and his tone lowers.
"The best thing to prevent it from happening again is to get the fourth artifact." I don't like how he pays attention to me half the time. We're friends, but there are times where it feels off. Is he developing deeper feelings for me?
"Now that is true." He drops his arms and runs a hand along the back of his neck. "Do you have any idea where it is? Don't you normally see it?"
"Yeah, it's in a weird world." Whenever I see the artifact, it's just
three floaty circles, but it's surrounded by water. "It's mainly water."
The door opens, and Luke walks in with a large glass. "Here you go." He hands it to me and smiles. "Drink up."
Not wasting any time, I grab it from him and take a big sip. The cool water hits the back of my parched throat, and it hurts for a brief second before it brings relief. I drink it so fast that water spills out of my mouth and drips down my chin.
"Whoa there, firecracker." Dax laughs. "You're going to spill more than you drink."
When the glass is empty, I lower it and hand it back to Luke. "Thanks."
His eyes widen, and his mouth opens and closes.
"So, are you both ready to go get the artifact?" We don't have any time to waste, and I'm worried that I could lose control again any second.
"Of course." Luke closes his mouth and sets the glass down on the table. "Let's get there and get back."
Dax steps over to me and touches both mine and Luke's arm. "I'm ready when you are."
I close my eyes so I can picture the world perfectly. I need to make sure we land in just the right location. What comes to mind is a place where there is emerald blue water everywhere. I can't see land in any direction. "You both need to be prepared to swim." Before they can ask any questions, I project the image out to Dax, ready for him to take us there.
"Wow, you weren't kidding when you said it's a water world." Dax takes in a deep breath, and then he removes his hand from Luke to draw the portal. "Shit."
"Christina, are you projecting the image still?" Luke's voice is puzzled.
"Yeah." I open my eyes and see that Dax's portal isn't working. "What the hell?"
"I... I don't know." Dax shakes his head. "Maybe I'm the tired one this time."
That could be true. The first time in Hell, I couldn't locate the Flame because I was too tired from everything else. My abilities weren't working right. His could be the same way.