Secrets

by Shannon Pemrick

  I sat down and leaned back to relax. The water rushed over my legs, cooling me off, and I sighed happily. Seda and Genesis came down to join us and began splashing around. I shielded myself when they went after me and I made an attempt to ignore it so they’d leave me alone, but when Shva’sika joined in on the assault, I changed my mind. We all laughed and enjoyed the change of pace from competition to leisure. I stopped splashing around when Ryoko stomped through the water over to us.

  “I guess it’s safe to assume you didn’t catch him,” I said.

  Ryoko snorted and held up her fingers to make a measurement. “I was this close. This close! Then he took off into the woods and I wasn’t going to run after him with bare feet.”

  I splashed her a little and she squeaked. “Well, forget about it and have some fun. It’s not worth it.”

  “He pushed me!” she defended. “Of course it’s worth it.”

  I splashed her again, but this time with quite a bit more water. Ryoko huffed with annoyance and stared me down. I grinned and splashed her again.

  “That’s it!” Ryoko swung her arm and splashed me with a wave of water. My retaliation consisted of laughter and a wave of my own sent her way.

  Ryoko laughed this time, but instead of splashing me back, she hit Genesis with some water. The water then became a war zone until I had enough and backed out. I sat in the shallows, watching them continue on with their little game. The longer it lasted, the crazier their antics became. I became puzzled when they stopped suddenly and looked at something behind me. They had stopped laughing, and Ryoko was making an awful glare.

  I turned to see Rylan and Raikidan making their way down to us. In Rylan’s hand was a small tray of snow cones. If they thought snow cones were going to make Ryoko or me feel better, they were dead wrong. I for one didn’t even like snow cones.

  Ryoko crossed her arms. “If you think a snow cone is going to get me to forgive you, you’re sadly mistaken.”

  Rylan shook his head. “They’re not for you. I only have three here, and they’re for the ladies next to you.”

  Ryoko glared at him, not that could blame her. He really did only have three snow cones on the tray, which meant neither she nor I was going to get one. What were they up to?

  Rylan then pulled his other arm from behind his back, revealing an ice cream cone with green ice cream, a light brown liquid, multicolored sprinkles, and some other weird candy on top. “But you can have this, Ryoko.”

  Ryoko gasped. “Is that mint ice cream with peanut butter sauce, sprinkles, and candied bacon?”

  I choked on a breath of air. “Candied what?”

  Genesis and Seda laughed at her and Ryoko glared at us. “Leave me alone! It tastes good.”

  I shook my head and laughed at her. She had some weird tastes.

  “So is it really candied bacon, Ry?” Ryoko asked, her hands coming to her face, giving her an adorable pleading look.

  Rylan chuckled. “Promise not to pulverize me, and you can find out.”

  Ryoko sighed and then held out her hands with a pout. Rylan snickered and walked over to them. The four of them accepted his peace offering and ate contently. I went back to washing water over my legs to keep me cool. I knew there wasn’t any for me, so there would be no point in waiting for something that wasn’t going to happen.

  Raikidan chuckled in my ear. “We didn’t forget about you.”

  I tilted my head when he offered me a wafer cone with chocolate soft serve ice cream topped with whipped cream, peanut butter and chocolate sauce, and rainbow colored sprinkles.

  “I know how much you like chocolate.”

  “You really think chocolate ice cream would be a good peace offering for pushing me?”

  He kept his voice low. “It’s also a peace offering for what I did on that assignment the other day. I know I should have stayed in the car, but I thought it better to protect you instead. I know you can handle yourself, but I feel like you need to be willing to let someone else help. I let that get the better of me and I made the situation harder on you. And for that, I’m sorry.”

  I took his offering and then smiled wickedly. I turned and smooshed it a little in his face. “I forgive you.”

  Raikidan wiped his face as I ate the rest of my sweet snack. He smirked, and I grunted when he splattered my cheek with the ice cream on his hand. I tried to rub it away with my free hand, but it was a little difficult as it was sticky and the hot sun was making it dry fast.

  “Jerk,” I muttered as I dabbed some water on my face.

  Raikidan chuckled and then touched my back. “You’re getting a little red back here.”

  I glared at Shva’sika. “I told you I needed more sunscreen.”

  Shva’sika shook her. “You burn way too easily.”

  I stood up and headed for some shade. Raikidan followed me, after washing his face, and when I sat down on a towel under a large umbrella, he handed me a bottle of sunscreen. I handed him my ice cream and went about applying the cool liquid. I made an attempt to get my back, but failed miserably.

  “I’ll help,” Raikidan offered, reaching for the bottle of sunscreen.

  “No, I got it,” I insisted.

  Raikidan grunted, but sat back and waited anyway. I sighed and looked at him with a pout when I gave up. He snickered and handed me my ice cream cone. I took my ice cream and ate it while he applied the sun screen. His gentle, but firm hands pacified me, and I couldn’t help but think about how good he might be at giving a back massage. Not that I’d ever want one.

  I glared at Raikidan when he stole my ice cream from my hands and replaced it with the bottle of sunscreen after he finished with my back.

  “I bought it,” he reminded.

  “You bought it for me,” I corrected.

  “I gave it to you as a peace offering, and you seem pretty peaceful now.”

  “I can change that.”

  Raikidan stared at me for a moment and then reluctantly gave the ice cream back. I started eating my ice cream again, and eyed the soldiers who were still hanging around. Most of the soldiers were paying attention to everything going on in the park, but Zo didn’t feel as inclined to work. He and Zane were talking about projects the boys had to do, and it bored me.

  Handing the rest of my ice cream to Raikidan to finish off, I laid down to relax. I continued to listen to Zo and Zane’s conversation, making me think about the paint job I still had to do on my motorcycle. I had finished my helmet some time ago, but I hadn’t had the time between work, assignments, and that small vacation out of the city to get over to the shop.

  Maybe I should do that soon. It sounded like a good idea. It wasn’t going to get painted on its own, and my helmet looked dumb without something to match it. Maybe I’ll ask Azriel for some time off. I needed a change of pace anyway. I could make it look like I was still working at the shop for Zane, and that would give me a nice break from the hell I had to endure to make Azriel happy.

  I sighed contently and closed my eyes. Good plan, Eira.

  Chapter 15

  Iheld my breath to remain steady as I welded a new link to Rylan’s neck shackle, and I was grateful that he was being patient and still. Even with a fire-resistant cloth protecting his neck, something could go wrong if I wasn’t careful.

  He had come to me earlier and asked to help him with his shackles. Apparently the ones on his wrists were getting in the way too much, and he needed a way to keep them from doing so but to also stay a bit fashionable as well. Even though I couldn’t see how chains could ever be fashionable, I agreed to help him anyway. Or try to. The material these chains were made of made it difficult to add something to them, and taking the collar off was out of the question.

  Rylan worked up a design that was removable and I proceeded to create it, even though I doubted it was going to b
e any less annoying than before. I was actually sure it’d be more so, but that was why I was making it removable, just in case.

  I sighed when I finished and looked the design over to make sure it looked good. The chains on his wrist shackles were now longer and connected to a large silver ring. His neck shackle now had three chains hanging from it, and they also connected to the silver ring, positioning it in the middle of his chest.

  “Okay, we’re done,” I said. “What do you think?”

  Rylan smiled. “I like it. It’s light, and exactly to the design I was looking for.”

  I nodded. “Good.”

  We looked at the stairs when the door to the living room opened and Ryoko came jogging down into the basement.

  “Hey, Ryo,” I greeted.

  “Hey,” she said with a smile. “Just figured I’d come to see what you two are up to. You’ve been down here a while.”

  I pointed to Rylan. “Just finished up a fashion request for the diva.”

  Rylan snorted and Ryoko laughed. “What new fashion statement is trending now?”

  I shrugged. “A new chain look.”

  She took notice of my work and looked Rylan over. She then nodded. “I like it.”

  Rylan smiled. “Thanks.”

  I looked at the stairs when the door opened again, and raised a brow in slight confusion when Shva’sika made her way down. “What are you doing home? I thought you went to do some shaman-related things.”

  She nodded. “I did, but then I was called to do something else.”

  “That something requires you to come down here?” She was never directly involved with rebellion affairs, and she didn’t know how to drive, so I couldn’t think of what she’d need down here.

  “No, I just came to get you.”

  The look she was giving me was making me uneasy. “Me? Why?”

  “She’s asking for you.”

  I blinked. “Who?”

  “Arcadia.”

  Ryoko and Rylan looked at each other, but remained quiet.

  I stared at Shva’sika for a moment and then shook my head. “Wait, what? Why? She never makes contact with anyone.”

  “Not true. She comes in contact with full-fledged shamans all the time.

  “But I’m not a full-fledged shaman.”

  Shva’sika nodded. “That is why you are being summoned. She says you need to progress through this next step in your training. It’s your turn to take a trip to Hell.” My eyes opened wide in shock. “All shamans are brought through this process before they can be considered for full shaman status.”

  I held up my hands. “No. There’s a mistake. I’m not ready for that kind of stuff.”

  “She thinks you are.”

  I sighed. “Shva’sika, I just barely got through my issues with the spiritual plane. I’m not ready to go to Hell, even if it is temporarily.”

  “You don’t have a choice.” I glared at her. “You’re willing to defy a summons from a god?”

  I sighed. “This isn’t a good idea.”

  She smiled a little. “It’s not going to be that bad. I did it and came out in one piece, I’m sure you’ll have no problem.”

  I thought this over for a moment. “What am I supposed to do?”

  “You just need to go to the spiritual plane. She’ll be waiting for you and then she’ll tell you how to get in and out of Hell, and the rules you need to follow while there.”

  “I have to know, why do I need to know how to get in?”

  “I think you already know the answer to that.”

  I sighed. “Do we really get information from such corrupt people?”

  “As shamans, we do not pick sides. We collect the information needed from whoever can offer it. Whether it be from a spirit who was sent to move on, or sent to Hell, it doesn’t matter. That is our way.”

  I took a deep breath. “Okay. Where do you want me to do this?”

  “Wherever you feel most comfortable. You may be there for a while.”

  “So, my room.”

  She giggled. “I guess that makes sense. Do you want my help?”

  I nodded. “I think I’m going to need it.”

  She motioned for me to follow. “All right, let’s get started then.

  I sighed and reluctantly followed, leaving Ryoko and Rylan to go about their own business. This wasn’t a good idea. I may have felt better about going to the spiritual plane, but that didn’t mean I was experienced enough yet.

  I sat down on my bed while Shva’sika shooed Raikidan out, not that I wasn’t expecting him to be back in here when I came back from my little trip. He didn’t like being forced out of here, especially lately, and definitely not without a reason, and Shva’sika had done just that.

  Taking a deep breath, I placed my hands over Shva’sika’s when she situated herself, and closed my eyes. Once my spirit shifted from my body to the other plane, my eyes fluttered open. I stood up and looked around the dark area, which was covered with a thick fog. Not what I was expecting. Had Shva’sika not been standing next to me, I would have started to think something bad was going to happen again.

  My attention was pulled to one direction when I heard the clopping of wooden shoes. Through the thick fog, I could see two lights of different heights approaching us.

  “Looks like she’s here,” Shva’sika observed. “Do you want me to stay here for when you’re done?”

  I shook my head. “I know how to come back.”

  She nodded. “Okay. If I feel like you need more spirit to keep your body from passing out, I’ll feed it some while you’re gone. Your body has become more accustomed to the transition, but it’s still not where it can infinitely continue on its own.”

  I grinned. “If I get a headache I’m blaming you.”

  She giggled and then disappeared as she went back to the physical plane. I then went back to waiting as the two lights came closer. As they did, the fog thinned until it revealed a tall, fair-skinned, white-haired woman with plate crystal eyes. The woman wore ancient swordsman attire I had only seen in library books, and was adorned in magnificent jewelry. Several Katanas were tied to her hips, and in her hand she carried a bamboo pole with a lantern attached to the end.

  By her side walked a magnificent white wolf with piercing amber eyes. The wolf carried a matching lantern in its mouth and, as they stopped advancing, it placed it down on the ground and waited.

  I bent down on one knee respectfully. “Arcadia.”

  Her sullen expression twisted as she tried to smile. “It’s good to finally meet you face to face, Eira.” Her hollow voice took me by surprise. “Are you ready?”

  “I suppose, though I don’t really know what I’m doing,” I admitted as I stood back up.

  She chuckled. “Since those sentenced to Hell cannot leave, I’ll be showing you how to enter and leave in case you need information from someone there. It is an important skill to have.”

  “Are there any rules for me to follow?” I wanted to make sure I didn’t mess this up.

  She nodded. “Don’t make any deals. It will only cause you problems. If at any time I must leave you, stay with Maiyun. If she hands you her lantern take it. It will protect you from the most dangerous of souls. The last rule is to not show fear, but I don’t have any doubts about you on that rule.”

  I chuckled and then nodded. “All right, then I’m ready.

  She turned and walked back the way she came. I set a quick pace to catch up with her. I didn’t want to lose her in this fog, although we didn’t need to walk much farther. When she stopped walking, I looked around. There was nothing but fog surrounding us. Was this Hell? Was it really that easy to enter? No, that couldn’t be right. If it were that easy, Arcadia wouldn’t need to waste her time showing us how to get there.
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  Arcadia lifted her free hand and reached out into the fog, but as she did, the fog began to ripple as if it were a sheet of water. “This is the entrance to Hell. Touch it.”

  I lifted my hand and touched it like she instructed. The fog ripped when I touched it, but I didn’t feel anything.

  “Good. Take notice of how the fog rolls across the ground and through the air. Notice how around this door, it makes a subtle frame. The more you see it, the more you’ll be able to recognize it when you approach.”

  “How do I find it anyway?” I questioned. “How will I know where to look?”

  “I watch over this plane. I know when spirits come in to be guided, and I know when shamans enter to seek information. I can sense what the shaman needs, and I can either place their spirit in the location they need to be, or tell a spirit with the proper information to meet them. If you are looking to enter Hell, I will place you by the door. You just have to go to it.”

  “Sounds like a tough job,” I commented.

  “It used to be, when I was inexperienced and was just allowing the living to come here momentarily. But now it’s a pretty simple task, even when having to manage several tasks at once. Now, follow me.”

  I nodded and walked through the door after she passed through. Once on the other side, I looked around. The placed looked like a terrible place to be sentenced to. Dark, ankle-deep water covered the rocky ground, and dead plants and trees were sprouting out of it. Ancient tombstones and rocks scattered about had eerie lights emitting from them, and a thin fog blanketed the area. It looked like a dark forest from some horror movie or bad dream. “This is Hell?”

  Arcadia nodded and began to walk. “Yes, this is what it looks like. Dreary place, isn’t it?”

  “Well, it’s fitting,” I murmured as I followed and continued to look around. Arcadia giggled and I looked at her funny. “What?”