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

by Cynthia D. Witherspoon

  “Joey,” I whispered. “Not Joey.”

  Apollo flicked his wrist, and the scene disappeared. I looked at him in desperation.

  "Please. Save him! Or let me go back. I have to help him!" "No,” said Apollo calmly. “You will have the opportunity to interrupt the Skinwalker's ritual when you wake. For now, I need you to listen." Apollo turned to me and tapped his finger against my temple.

  “It is true that you will return to Covington. Hera has requested that her dog conduct more sacrifices to draw you in. The first being your Joseph Lawson. But you must know how to protect yourself, Daughter. She has already begun to weaken your mental barriers.”

  “Cyrus.” I shuddered. “She showed me—something.”

  “I am aware.” Apollo nodded. “You know the story of Delphine. It is true that Delphine and her keeper fell in love. I blamed Eros, but Cyrus has sworn to me that he had nothing to do with their pairing.”

  “I don’t know if I can stand to hear this.” I crossed my arms over my chest. “And please do not show it to me.”

  Apollo tilted his head. “Then I will not. Nor will I speak of my servant’s past. But you must promise. Swear to me that you will not allow what has passed to break your spirit.”

  “Is it that bad?” I frowned as he nodded. “Fine. I promise. Now, how can I protect myself here?”

  “The magnetic field lines.” He gestured to the glow around us. “They run the whole of Earthplane. Man does not believe they can cross, but in certain points, they do.”

  “Ok.” I breathed out the word. “And that means—what, exactly?”

  “That the gods cannot reach you here in Rome. Wretched name for a town, don’t you think?” Apollo waved his hand. “At any rate, as long as you are on the physical plane, Hera can’t attack you directly. Yet, if she can capture you and pull you onto the

  Astral Plane, then she can steal your essence. Absorb it, if you will.”

  “Oh, for the love of—” I stamped my foot against the stone floor. “No offense, Apollo, but this is too confusing.”

  “She will lure you onto the Astral Plane.” He moved away from me to the very center of the room where Elliot had placed his victim in the vision. “This is the portal. You will be taken along with the Blue Aura. But what creates a barrier for us can also be used to against us.”

  At last, I realized why Apollo went to all the trouble to get me here. I realized what he was trying to tell me. I grinned as I crossed the distance between us.

  “Tell me everything I need to know.”

  ***

  I’m not sure how much time had passed, but when we returned to GrannisonMorris, the sun was fading off into the distance. Apollo walked with me until we reached a thick wooden door.

  “Are you sure you understand what you need to do, Sibyl?” He turned with his hands stuffed into his pockets. “Once you are on the Astral Plane, I can no longer interfere.”

  “I do,” I nodded as we passed through the door. I didn’t try to rationalize our actions. There was no point really. “Are you certain I can’t say anything to Cyrus, though? He has a right to know.”

  “No he doesn’t.” Apollo made it sound final.

  He whistled as he took in the sight before us. The room was empty save for my unconscious form, Jonah, Jonathan, and Cyrus. Each seemed to be immersed in their thoughts, but I felt my throat close with emotion as I saw Cyrus holding my hand, his eyes never leaving my face. Even Jonah—damnable, stubborn Jonah—appeared to be concerned. He leaned against a counter which ran across the far wall with one arm crossed over his chest and one hand pressed against his mouth.

  “Apollo, put me back.” I took a step towards the bed. I couldn’t stand to be the cause of all this worry. “Please.”

  “In a moment. I am not finished yet.” Apollo moved to stand in front of Jonah to study him. He reached out, but stopped just short of Jonah’s nose. For his part, Rowe jerked as if startled. “This man will not betray you, Eva. He had no intentions of fulfilling

  Hera’s request.”

  “You mean I owe him an apology?” I groaned. “Apollo—”

  “Yes.” Apollo had that intractable look again. “He will help you a great deal. Now and in the future. Heal the rift between you two.”

  “Fine.” I sighed. I was ready for this to be over and done with. “I’ll play nice.”

  “Please, do not mistake me. He considered following Hera’s orders. Briefly.” Apollo drew a circle in the air in front of Jonah’s face. “But that is neither here nor there.”

  “What are you doing?” I frowned as I moved to stand beside him. “You aren’t going to hurt him, are you?”

  “I considered it,” Apollo admitted, “but no. Jonah Rowe is integral in ways that even his Protector Guide does not yet understand. Plus, the two of you will need each other in the future, as I’ve mentioned. I will not harm him.” “What are you doing, then?” I asked him.

  “I am merely granting him my protection since he will be your guard on the Astral

  Plane.”

  “I don’t need a guard,” I muttered for the fiftieth time since Apollo began his teachings at Covington. “I can handle it.”

  “I have no doubts, child. But it never hurts to have an extra set of hands.” He smiled as the blue of Jonah’s aura formed around his body. I watched as the blue shifted until it was flickering both blue and gold. “There.”

  “You didn’t just bless him, did you? You did something else.”

  “I did.” Apollo smirked, clearly proud of himself. “His aura will burn any who dare to fight against him.”

  “Ok. Look,” I sighed. “As much as I hate for our little bonding time to end, I would really like to get back.”

  “If you insist. But remember all I have taught you, Eva. Your very existence depends on it.”

  I nodded as he moved to press the tip of his finger against the center of my forehead.

  “Wait.”

  Apollo’s finger paused inches from its mark. “Yes?”

  I looked him square in his eyes. “Two last things. First, don’t think you’re off the hook. Someday, we will have the conversation that you wouldn’t have tonight.” Apollo flashed another dazzling smile. “Fair enough.”

  “And the last thing.” I softened my gaze somewhat. “Something is different about Hera now. She seems more vindictive—more determined to destroy me than ever. Do you know anything about that?”

  Apollo regarded me for a few moments. “No,” he said. “The bitch has merely elevated her vitriol, I suppose. Now, I must bid you farewell, Daughter.”

  He touched my forehead with his fingertip, and I sat up with a gasp, wrenching myself free from the grip Cyrus had on my hand.

  “Little One? Thank Apollo.” Cyrus stood as Jonathan and Jonah circled my bed within moments. “Stay still.”

  I buried my face into my hands as it all came rushing back. The argument with Jonah. The meeting with, and lessons from, Apollo. But the one thing that caused my heart to stop beating? The image of Elliot turning on the man at Covington.

  “I’ve got to get to Covington.” I lifted myself from the bed. “Now.”

  “Eva, stop.” Cyrus spoke with such authority. Any normal person would have backed down. “You’ve been unconscious for just over twelve hours. We need to assess you.”

  “And Joey is at Covington. With Elliot.” I gritted my teeth together as I pushed my hair out of my face. “He’s doing a ritual, Cyrus. Please. Apollo—”

  “Apollo?” Jonah frowned as he took the spot next to Cyrus. “What are you talking about?”

  “I’ll tell you on the way.”

  I jumped off the bed, but caught myself against it as the world started to spin. Cyrus gave Jonah a long look before taking my arm.

  “Eva, honey. You need to get back in the bed. We will go check Covington. You stay here.”

  “No. Cyrus, please.” I whispered. “I couldn’t bear it if something happened to Joey.

  I have
to make sure he’s alright.”

  “Fine. But if you go, you stay in the car. Got it?” Cyrus tightened his grip on my arm. “Jonah, if you wish, you may join us. I fear I will need your help.”

  Jonah grumbled something under his breath, but I didn’t pay any attention to him.

  With Cyrus guiding me, we ran out of the house as soon as we could. I could only pray that we would reach Joey in time.

  The ride to Covington was uneventful. Of course, the entire heavens could have opened up and I wouldn’t have noticed. I was in knots over what we would find when we reached the house. Jonah had taken his seat in the back behind Cyrus and as we approached the turnoff, I turned just enough to take a look at him.

  He was sweating. Literally sweating. I could see the gleam of his skin in the low light.

  “Jonah. I am sorry.”

  He jerked, but didn’t look at me. So I tried again.

  “I’m sorry for what I said. Look, it’s not easy for me to admit when I am wrong. But

  I was wrong about you. I’m sorry.”

  Jonah muttered words I couldn’t make out before he sighed. “Apology accepted. Now, if you don’t mind, will you tell me just what the hell we’re doing?”

  I didn’t get the chance to answer. Cyrus brought the SUV to a stop and I was out before he put it into park.

  “Eva!”

  I barely heard Cyrus’s call. I dodged the hole Jonah had made on the porch when we were filming and disappeared inside. I made my way to the underground room, ignoring the thick tension radiating around me. Joey was here. He was in trouble.

  A scream filled my ears as I ran down the stairs, but it wasn’t until I reached the bottom that I stopped.

  The same white light I had seen with Apollo filled the room. I willed my sword into my hand as another wave of dizziness hit me. Elliot was here. I could feel him.

  I took careful steps towards the light as Jonah and Cyrus joined me. It wasn’t until I reached the very center that I felt my blood run cold.

  Joey’s camera had been tossed aside. His body was crumpled into a heap as blood ran from his face.

  “By the gods, no,” I whimpered as I dropped down beside him. “Joey! Joey, wake up!”

  I heard a snarl to my right, but when I focused on it, I saw a black blur lunge towards Jonah as Elliot attacked. Jonah fell back with a cry. I stood as Cyrus’ own sword came into view just before Elliot snapped his jaws over Jonah’s throat.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Jonah Rowe

  When the wolf descended, Jonah expected his physical life to flash before his eyes. The damn thing blindsided him, and he heard Cyrus and Eva yell.

  But his physical life didn’t flash before his eyes. Without thought, he gripped the wolf’s upper and lower jaw before it got a proper clamp on his throat. Those teeth hurt like hell against his fingers, and he could see blood coming from the wounds that were now gouged into his hands, but he knew it would be a whole hell of a lot worse if the wolf succeeded in biting down on his throat.

  Jonah’s plan was to maneuver his feet so as to kick the wolf away, but before he could implement that plan, something very unexpected happened.

  The wolf’s maw began to steam and hiss, as though Jonah’s fingers were scalding hot. It howled and distanced itself from him.

  Jonah rose, puzzled. Why did that happen?

  The wolf lunged before Jonah had the chance to retrieve his batons, so he threw up his hands by reflex. Once again, its flesh hissed and burned when it came into contact with Jonah’s bloody hands. It crumpled to the ground in a whimpering, disoriented heap.

  Jonah could see blisters on its skin where he’d touched it.

  “Surprised?” He shouted at the beast. “Me too!”

  He snatched up his batons from the ground, and had never been so thankful to see

  the blue gleam. But he didn’t pay it too much attention. The wolf was down, but not quite out.

  By this time, Cyrus was next to Jonah. Eva was off to the side, cradling Joey’s limp form. The wolf contemplated the now-uneven playing field, clearly cognizant of its own wounds. With a snarl, it faded to black and dissipated amongst the shadows. Jonah narrowed his eyes. That wasn’t the first time he’d seen figures vanish into the shadows, but it was never a thing he got used to.

  He focused on Eva, who only had eyes for Joey. “Joey, please wake up,” she sobbed. “Please, just move!”

  It made Jonah wonder. On a hunch, he closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and willed the curtain to rise and the actors to perform.

  Sure enough, Joey Lawson’s spirit was there. He stood over Eva, who still cradled his physical form. He then scanned the room in confusion, and locked eyes with Jonah.

  Jonah wasn’t unnerved by the event, of course, but he was glad that Eva couldn’t see what he saw. She would probably go into hysterics.

  “Joey.” Jonah communicated with him mentally, as all Eleventh Percenters could with spirits. “It’s up to you. I don’t want you to pass into Spirit for Eva’s sake, plus I like you a lot. But your life and your choices are your own.”

  Joey looked down at his damaged body, and then he focused on the sobbing, supplicating Eva. “I’m comfortable,” he admitted. “At peace. But I don’t think I’m ready to check out yet. I—I feel like I got more to do.”

  Jonah nodded. “I think so, too. Even without knowing you all that well, I think you’ve got more to do. So you want to stay?” Joey’s spirit nodded.

  “Go on, then.” Jonah tilted his head to Joey’s prone physical form. “Make Eva’s

  night.”

  Joey’s spirit vanished, and seconds later, he coughed and opened his eyes. Jonah didn’t think he’d ever seen such relief on Eva’s face since he’d met her.

  “Joey, are you alright?”

  He coughed a few more times, but then gave her a slightly bloody smile. “I’ve been better, Evie,” he said, “but I'm thinkin' I might need a raise.”

  Despite everything, Jonah smiled. He’d communicated with many spirits and spiritesses in the past, but this was the first time he’d conversed with one who still had the chance to resume physical life. He was glad that Joey chose to stay.

  “What were you doing with Elliot? You know better than to be alone with him. Don't you ever do that again,” snapped Eva, trying and failing to mask her relief.

  “Promise me.”

  “Tell you what,” said Joey. “If you help me to my feet, I’ll even pinkie swear.”

  They helped him to his feet. Joey cut his eyes at Jonah, who smiled and shook his

  head. Eva hadn’t wanted to lose her friend. Jonah though it was for the best if she never knew that for a few minutes, she actually did.

  “I’m glad you’re alright, man,” he said to Joey. “But I want to know what the hell was up with me! Burning Wolf Boy like that? That was ethereality that I didn’t know that I had!”

  “You're just full of surprises, Blueberry.” said Eva. “Who knows? It might come in handy again sooner rather than later."

  For some reason, Eva sounded nervous when she said that, and she refused to look at him or Cyrus. So she knew something. There was more to it then.

  Jonah filed it away. There was still Joey to think about. Apparently, Cyrus was on the same wavelength.

  “Joey needs to get to Jonathan’s infirmary,” he said. “But I’m not about to leave you two to take him.”

  “Let me see if I can summon help,” said Jonah. “Never really done it before, but I think I can do it.”

  “Who are you calling?” asked Joey. “Jonathan?”

  “Nope.” Jonah concentrated. “I want the Protector Guide who put you guys on

  Jonathan’s radar.”

  Cyrus began attending to some of Joey’s more obvious wounds. Eva rose and scanned the room, like she expected more wolves to jump from the shadows. Jonah deactivated the Spectral Sight and continued to concentrate. Within seconds, he succeeded in his summons, and Akraia appeared. Jonathan was
the only Protector Guide that Jonah had ever met, so he kind of assumed that they all dressed like him. Akraia proved that this was not the case.

  She looked like she was in her late forties, but since she was a spiritess, age was a non-factor. She had bright-brown hair, a slightly angular face, and friendly, welcoming eyes. She wore a mauve business suit that included pants, not a skirt. For some reason, this gave her demeanor a bit of an edge, and Jonah figured that she probably commanded as much respect as Jonathan did.

  “Jonah Rowe,” she said. “It’s a pleasure to put a face with a name. Why did you summon me?”

  “There are some things that you need to know, ma’am,” said Jonah. “But first, I

  would like to request that you transport an injured man to Jonathan.”

  “Certainly.”

  “Thank you, ma’am.” Jonah cracked his neck muscles, which were a little sore after fighting the wolf. “I should probably introduce you to everyone. Eva, Cyrus, this is

  Akraia.”

  Cyrus whirled around in horror, completely abandoning Joey’s ministrations. “Get away from her, Jonah! Akraia is one of the many names of—!”

  “Silence!” Akraia flicked two fingers, and Cyrus flew into Joey, which sent both of them into an ancient table. “I’ll not be exposed by a slave.”

  Jonah and Eva stared as Akraia’s form began to change. The bright brown hair became black, topped with a high, cylindrical crown. The features became stunningly beautiful, yet vengeful and malevolent at the same time. The mauve pantsuit became an immaculate white chiton dress. Lastly, the eyes changed to toxic green.

  “Hera.” Jonah was thunderstruck. “My God.”

  Hera’s eyes darkened. “Goddess, boy.” She shook her head at him. “I’m disappointed in you, Blue Aura. I would’ve given you everything you wanted if you’d had done as I had asked. But alas, now you shall share her fate.”

  Then Jonah felt what seemed like being pulled through fire, then ice. The next thing he knew, he was on the Astral Plane. He knew it well, after all. He and Eva were back to back, bound so snugly that he could barely move his arms. He felt movement from Eva, which must have been her turning her head this way and that.