The Oracle Series: Vols. 4, 5, & Grave Endowments

by Cynthia D. Witherspoon

  Unless he was a Keeper with benefits.

  But Jonah filed that away. Eva had taken one hell of a beating. Cyrus wrapped his arm around her shoulders (another bold move), but Jonah chose to remain silent and fell in step beside them. When the estate came into view, Eva broke the silence.

  “Where are the others?” She lifted her arm in a fruitless attempt to wipe the blood away from her mouth. “Did you hear me?”

  “Yes.” Cyrus looked to Jonah as he answered. “But we were heading your way far before you called out to me.”

  “Really? How?” Eva stumbled and caught herself on Cyrus’ arm. “I don’t understand.”

  “Two things,” Jonah huffed. “First off, Reena sensed something wrong in your essence. Then your sword disappeared. We figured you needed it.”

  “Oh.”

  Jonah blinked. After everything that just happened, all she could say was, “Oh?”

  She was a spoiled brat. She was more concerned with her boy toy and her image than the shadow things that nearly tore her to pieces.

  “One week,” she mumbled under her breath, “I can handle one week.”

  “That makes one of us,” grunted Jonah.

  He led them to the infirmary, where Jonathan, Terrence, and Joey already were. Reena had a table set up next to a sturdy chair, and only had eyes for Eva when they entered. “Sit,” she told Eva without hesitation.

  “It’s no big deal,” said Eva. “I’m immortal.”

  “And I’m Hawaiian,” said Reena with indifference. “Now sit.”

  With a sigh, Eva complied. Jonah almost laughed. If she thought she could spurn

  Reena’s attempts to aid her, she had another thing coming. Apparently, Cyrus couldn’t withhold his admonitions any longer.

  “I told you so, Little One,” he said to her. “How could you be so careless?” Cyrus paced in front of the chair while Eva took, at least in Jonah’s eyes, more time than necessary to answer him.

  “Cyrus, I’m fine." She winced as Reena put some sort of cream on the wound across her back. “In fact, I’m not even sure why y’all are going through all the trouble to bandage me up. My wounds will be gone before morning.”

  “Yeah?” Reena muttered as she focused on tying gauze across her forearm. “How

  about the time between now and then? This will help with the pain.”

  “Eva, please.” Cyrus knelt down in front of her. “I know you. I know you wouldn’t just run out into the night. You must tell me what happened.”

  “This conversation is going to drive me crazy,” announced Jonah. “What were those things? They looked like Haunts in the shapes of people. There were what? Five? Six of those things?”

  “Eleven,” corrected Eva as she shook out the arm Reena had been working on. “I took out five of them before I got ambushed from behind. Six, if you count the one I saved your ass from. And what exactly is a Haunt?”

  Jonah stared at her. She took out five by herself, huh? He kind of wished he’d seen that.

  “Fine,” said Eva. Apparently, she didn’t want Jonah to tell her what a Haunt was.

  “Where is Jonathan? If I’m going to tell this, I may as well do it with everyone here.”

  Jonah watched Reena pack up the healing satchel that she used with almost as much aptitude as Liz. They all filed through the kitchen so as to reach the family room. Eva grabbed an entire bottle of wine (Christ alive, where did she put all that liquor?), but Joey cleared his throat, took it, and poured her a glass. Jonah shook his head. Beyond remedying the effects of a Haunting, he had no use for liquor. He hoped she didn’t expect that crap to clear her mind.

  “I am here, Eva.” Jonathan appeared though the door. He nodded to Jonah and

  Cyrus as he perched himself on the arm of the couch where Eva seated herself. “You did well, Jonah.”

  Jonah shrugged. He was more concerned with those Haunt-looking things than praise.

  “Look, this is going to be painful to talk about.” Eva started with a ragged breath. “I

  saw my mom.”

  “Your mom?” Terrence leaned forward with his elbows pressed against his knees.

  “You saw your mom in spiritess form?”

  “Yes,” murmured Eva as Cyrus sat down beside her and took her hand. “I shouldn’t have seen her. Apollo forbade it…”

  Her breath caught on that that last part, but she must have fought back tears. So she had too much pride to cry in front of strangers. Jonah shook his head. Eva was an unusual celebrity; most of them milked their emotions for all they were worth.

  “They are gone, but I heard my mom calling for help from the trees,” Eva continued. “I—I didn’t think. I didn’t hesitate. I ran right into a trap and I know it.”

  “There is more, I think.” Jonathan glanced around the inhabitants of the room, and then at Eva. “Tell us about this trap.”

  “What is there to say?” shrugged Eva. “I got slammed against a tree. Their leader told me there were some things worth going to hell for. Said I was a threat to harmony or something. Then I started a good old fashioned brawl.”

  “That’s when we showed up.” Jonah had to describe those beasts. “Jonathan, those things looked like human-shaped Haunts.”

  “Those weren’t Haunts, Jonah.” Cyrus spoke, but he didn’t take his eyes off of Eva. “They are called Shades. Powerful creatures blessed by Hera herself. They were believed to be soldiers who had fallen on the battlefield. Only the best were brought forth from the

  Underworld to serve the Queen of the Heavens.”

  “So she has an army now?” sighed Eva. “Great.”

  But Jonah ignored her. He wasn’t about to give up that easily. “Why did they look like Haunts?”

  “They are products of the same Astral material,” Jonathan explained. “Hera is mixing our worlds to create new monsters.”

  Jonah hung his head. So this woman—goddess—whatever, was borrowing from both their worlds to make shadow soldiers. Swell.

  And then Jonathan had to go and make things even more swell.

  “Jonah,” he said with his eyes on Eva, “I want you to remain with Ms. McRayne throughout the duration of her stay here at the Grannison-Morris estate.”

  “What?” Jonah blinked. “But Eva already has a bodyguard. Besides, why me? Why not Terrence? He’s the big fan.”

  “Emotions will do no good when you encounter a threat.” Jonathan held up a hand as everyone started to protest. “Cyrus, old friend, I understand your position. Yet, I believe the threat your Sibyl is facing is far more dangerous than anything we’ve ever encountered before.”

  “I accept your offer, mentor.” Cyrus nodded. “Any assistance will be greatly appreciated.”

  Jonah raised an eyebrow. Really? He was fine with it?

  “But now,” Cyrus took Eva’s arm and helped her to her feet, “I believe it is time for

  Eva to retire. It has been quite the eventful evening.”

  She said her goodnights to all of them as Cyrus steered her towards the door. She stopped in the threshold and turned to face Jonah with the hint of a smile on her face.

  “Thanks, Country. I really appreciate your help back there.”

  The appreciation took Jonah by surprise, but he recovered nicely. “Don’t mention it,

  Superstar. Thank you for getting that one that was behind me.”

  Cyrus guided her out. Jonah plopped down as Terrence whacked Joey on the shoulder, no force behind the hit.

  “Let me show you your room, Joey,” he said. “It’s a couple doors down from mine.”

  “Wow,” said Joey with wide eyes, “how many rooms do you guys have??” “Oh Lord.” Reena rose and untied her hair. “The number of people in here is in single digits, and still there is bromance. I’m going to paint.”

  She headed for her art studio, which left Jonah alone with Jonathan.

  “Who thought so much bull—sorry—B.S. could fit into one day?” he asked. “But

  I’m more
than happy to put it behind me. ‘Night, Jonathan.”

  “Not so quick, Jonah.” Jonathan never took his eyes off of the door that Eva and Cyrus used to leave. “Remember how I told you that I wished you to remain with Ms.

  McRayne?”

  “Duh, Jonathan, you just said it five minutes ago—”

  “I want that to begin now.”

  Jonah stared at his mentor. “Um—huh?”

  Jonathan’s expression didn’t change. “You heard, son.” “At 1 in the morning?”

  “Time makes no difference, Jonah. You know that.”

  “But Jonathan!” Why the hell was Jonathan doing this? “She is in a room with Cyrus!”

  “Exactly,” said Jonathan. “His judgment is not what it should be at a juncture like this. And she doesn’t need the distraction that my dear friend is undoubtedly causing her at this time. You two have a mutual experience with each other’s worlds. We should strike while the iron is hot. Besides, Cyrus can assist me in assessing the new defenses. ” “Oh come on, man!” Jonah kind of understood what Jonathan meant, but the timing was garbage. “Just give them the night, Jonathan. I’ll link up with Eva in the morning. If I go in there now, there is no telling what I might be interrupting—”

  “Your presence may very well interrupt something,” said Jonathan. “An innocent woman from experiencing a horrific fate.”

  That one stopped Jonah in his tracks. Jonathan had to go there, did he?

  “Alright, Jonathan,” he said. “Fine.”

  ***

  Jonah hated ruining moments. But he had his instructions. It was what it was.

  He returned to Eva’s door, no violent intent this time around, and knocked. He heard stirring, steps, and then the door opened. It was Cyrus.

  “Yes, Jonah? What is it?”

  Jonah sighed, hoping that his voice would convey his reluctance about this arrangement. Yeah, he was amenable to it, but in the middle of the night? “Jonathan wants my staying with Superstar to start.”

  Cyrus looked at him. “Now?”

  “Yeah,” said Jonah. “Right now.”

  Cyrus shook his head. "She is already asleep. Perhaps it would be best if you waited until—"

  Then he heard Eva’s voice. “Can’t it wait until daybreak? I’m all for it, fine. But at 1:00 in the morning?”

  Jonah shrugged. These were the same questions that he had asked Jonathan himself.

  Why couldn’t they understand that? “Jonathan doesn’t really care about time,” he told them. “When I asked him those same questions, he said Eva and I have a mutual experience now and it’s best to expound on that sooner rather than later. Plus, he’d like your assistance with shoring up defenses, Cyrus. He didn’t want those Shades anywhere near here again.”

  Some of the aggravation left Cyrus’ face at the mention of the Shades. “Very well,” he said. “I’ll depart. But if Eva needs me—”

  Jonah rolled his eyes. “Dude,” he said, “you really think I’d hold you back?” Cyrus understood, but it seemed to Jonah that he still couldn’t really bring himself to leave Eva. He shook his head.

  “Cyrus, I swear to you,” he said, “if Eva needs you, I’ll personally see to it that you know about it. Deal?”

  Cyrus took a breath through his nostrils. “Alright,” he relented. “See you in the morning—well, later in the morning, Evie.”

  Finally, he departed. Jonah threw an awkward glance at Eva, who stared back at him.

  “So what’s the sleeping arrangement?” she asked with a raised eyebrow. “Because you aren’t about to share my bed—”

  “Calm down, Superstar,” said Jonah, but he noticed that there was far less venom in

  his voice now. “I’ve got sleeping equipment here. All is well.”

  Eva shook her head and turned on her side. “I maintain that we could have done this just fine at 7:30,” she grumbled.

  “My feelings exactly,” murmured Jonah. It was the truth. There was no point in sugar-coating it. “But when Jonathan says something, it gets done.”

  Eva scoffed. “Do you always do what you’re told?” “Hell no,” said Jonah, “but I’m cool with doing this one.”

  He placed his batons within reach and their blue gleam faded. He stretched out on

  the mat he’d brought and placed his hands behind his head. Jonathan owed him for this one.

  Big time.

  Initially, he didn’t want to be anywhere around this woman. But then she showed a trace of backbone. Okay, it was more than a trace. She had some badass in her. But then

  Jonathan had to ruin the ride and stick them together like this. Didn’t he know that the last thing they needed right now was to be shoved down each other’s throats?

  This was going to be a long week. How many times was that going to run across his mind?

  “This is wonderful,” said Eva. “Just wonderful. I’m not going to be able to sleep now.”

  Jonah shook his head. Badass, but still bratty. “You’re a grown woman, Eva,” he muttered. “I promise you that you can sleep without your boyfriend for a few nights.” “What did you say?” she demanded.

  “You heard me,” Jonah replied. “There is no point lying about it.” Silence. “How did you know?” she asked him in a quiet tone.

  “Well, the obvious thing was his pet names for you,” answered Jonah. “He referred to you as ‘Little One.’ That would be way out of line if you guys weren’t together. The subtle thing? Well. Let’s just say that lovers interact with each other differently than they do with other people.” More silence.

  “Very good, Country,” said Eva.

  Jonah snorted. It wasn’t like he was an idiot.

  “But since we’re playing Sherlock,” Eva’s tone was shrewd, “you’re a liar.”

  Jonah turned his head in her direction. “What?”

  “You’re a liar,” she repeated. “The story you told about the tether that protected you from the Sirens? That was a crock.”

  A surge of apprehension rose in Jonah. “What makes you say that?”

  Now it was Eva who snorted. “Cyrus has given me all types of literature on the old days,” she replied. “Most of it washes over me, but not everything. One of the things I retained was the whole tether thing. Family connections only protect you if the Sirens tempt you with family members you’ve lost or have no contact with. But if they’re trying to tempt you sexually, the family tether has no effect.”

  “Meaning?”

  “Meaning that your grandmother wasn’t the woman who kept you from giving in to the Sirens,” said Eva.

  Jonah felt the heat in his face as he closed his eyes. So she was tougher and smarter

  than he thought. “This conversation is over,” he said flatly.

  Eva snickered. “Fair enough.”

  That actually sounded like genuine mirth to Jonah. So they’d made a little more progress. Great.

  After a moment of silence, Eva spoke up again. Jonah sighed. This was going to be a very long night if she kept this shit up. He contemplated calling Cyrus back into her room so that he could get some sleep.

  “I know why you’ve been on the defensive around me since I got off the plane.”

  “Is that right?” Jonah closed his eyes as he tried to make his voice harsh. He couldn’t do it. “Do tell.”

  “Because I remind you of Turk Landry.”

  Jonah sat up like a shot to stare at the woman watching him. She had curled her head on the pillow so that she could see him. “What the hell do you know about Turk

  Landry?”

  “That’s he’s damned creepy for one,” replied Eva. “And two? He’s a fraud.”

  She shifted to sit up and crossed her legs beneath her. “He’s been after me to do an Autumn special with him. Swears that it would make the ratings of our shows go through the roof. But I can’t be in the same room with him.”

  The woman was smart. Jonah faced her, studying her form wearily in the dark. “So you’ve met him?�
� “How could I not?” She shrugged. “We travel in the same professional circles. Grave is vastly destroying him in the ratings game. His people approached mine, I shot them down. Then he cornered me at the premiere of Shadowed Histories a few months ago. Told me he had settled in a small North Carolina town called Rome and that he had discovered a hotbed of paranormal activity.”

  Jonah didn’t respond. He kept staring at the girl in silence. Turk had found a hotbed alright. It just didn’t turn out too well for him.

  “Anyway, I shot him down in person. He threatened to expose me as a fraud if I didn’t join him. Or sleep with him. It was my choice.”

  “What did you do?” Jonah felt a nerve in his jaw twitch. Classic Turk. Always offering options that would only benefit himself in the end. “Better yet, what did Cyrus do?”

  Eva chuckled. “He threw Turk into a fountain and ruined the creep’s Armani suit.

  You should have been there, Jonah. The man looked like a waterlogged frog.”

  Jonah felt his body relax as he shook his head. She was right. He would have loved to have seen that. “Listen, Eva. Turk Landry is a crook. He uses—”

  “Private investigators.” She started picking at the blanket over her shoulder. “Some firm in Burbank. He stalked the families, exploited their pain for money, and moved on. Turned out he was no better than a damned vampire.”

  Jonah choked. He actually choked as she looked to him in confusion. “What did you say?”

  “Vampire. You know. Blood-sucking monsters from the bowels of hell? That’s what he reminded me of.”

  Jonah found himself clutching his hands together in his lap. How could she know that? Did she know Turk’s real secret? He shook his head. No. If she had, then she wouldn’t have been so stunned when Terrence did his little light show. So he focused on the first question.

  “How could you know that? About the investigators, I mean.”

  “Research. Talking to his staff and so-called friends. I figured if he got pissed off enough, he really would try to ruin me. So I decided to dig in the dirt to protect myself.”

  “Very good, Superstar.”

  Jonah shook his head. There really was something about this woman. He didn’t think she could surprise him anymore than she already had. Then she opened her mouth again as she laid back down.