The Reaper (S E Rise's The Fade series Book 1)

by S E Rise

  “Do you believe in magic?” I asked and expected to hear the damn Peanut Gallery of the Dead start singing the rest of the music to the show tune. She didn’t give him time though. The gun was in her hand and pointed in my direction so fast that even Wyatt would have been pressed to match her.

  “Brin…” I said and only got her name out before she had pinpointed my exact location and fired a round. The discharge was enormous and my ears wrung from it, I felt the bullet tear out a line of flesh from my shoulder as it sped by and embedded in the bookshelf behind me. Books filled with Braille no doubt spilled to the floor.

  “That’s what he said too…” she said, drew back the hammer and ordered me to stay exactly where I was.

  What? Who said? The wheels in my head were turning. There was something I was missing here and I had to hear Marley’s remark to put it all together.

  “You have got to be kidding me…You have no idea do you Jack? I have hit the “Jack”pot here baby.” Marley gloated and then felt it necessary to add “And yes, the pun was intended.”

  I saw the backlash of the blue summoning fire as it burned in the young girl’s eyes.

  No way.

  “Hello Brin…I can’t tell you how happy I am to see you again.” Marley said, the black spidery liquid reacted to his excitement and its movement escalated across the ceiling.

  She had turned her face into the direction his words had come from and adjusted her aim. I engaged the exit of the Black Trap and whispered the words of the location. I would rather not get shot again in the process but I would pay the price. It was past time that I got her out of here.

  “You better hurry Jack, you are quickly running out of time.”

  “So are you.” I said in mock challenge. There was no way that I was prepared to battle him. His show of power was intentional. He wanted me to be afraid.

  “I think you better bring your A Game with you next time. Your silly little parlor tricks just ain’t going to cut it.” The barrel locked onto his location and she squeezed off a round. I went for it as well, deployed the entrance to the Black Trap behind her and charged.

  “You’re not the sadistic little bastard that blinded me are you Jack?” As she spoke the question, I saw her register that I was coming at her. She swivel the gun back into place and tightened her grip on the trigger. I didn’t need to answer her question though because her father dead corpse, though now missing ear, answered for me via Marley.

  “No Brin, that would be me.” The maniacal laughter rolled across the room and she tried to fire off another round.

  “Don’t hurt me Jack.” She whispered at the point of my impact and the force of it wrapped her arms around me. My weight and our momentum turned us in mid air as I fell into the Black. I felt the brush of feathers as we passed through and the hiss of something enormous. Though I had passed through the Black countless times over the years, I tried to close my eyes every time. There are things in here that should never be seen.

  The hard surface of smooth polished wood smashed against my back and I felt the air knocked out of me by the impact. We slid and rolled with controlled chaos. As I drew my first breath, I recalled the Black Traps. On my second breath I welcomed the smell of barley and hops, stale tobacco and the comforting smell of worn leather. The tune playing on the old piano suddenly died and as well the conversations from the patrons. All eyes were on us and Brin successfully struggled from my grasp and rolled up on to her feet. I was moving a bit slower and she took the opportunity to kick me in the thigh. This also gave her a point of reference to point the barrel of the gun.

  “Make sure you choose your next words wisely Jack; they maybe your last. What did you just do?” She said, I started to sit upright and she ordered me to stay exactly where I was. I of course complied.

  Chapter Thirty Three

  I felt the eyes of everyone in the place watching as our drama played out before them. As Ginger spoke I heard genuine amusement in her voice.

  “Oh I like her already Jack.” Ginger said from behind the immaculately designed bar. Brin swiveled the barrel of the gun and pinpointed Ginger by the sound of her voice. That was a mistake and I saw The Demon move to intercede. I had to do something immediately. Brin’s life depended upon it.

  “Brin, point it back at me. Immediately. NOW!!” I emphasized the last word a little louder than I should have and it startled her. It startled her but she accepted the sense of urgency for what it was. I saw Ginger raise her hand to stay her Demon. She knew she wasn’t in any danger, but we both knew that Brin most assuredly was. She motioned with a roll of her hand for me to continue. She wanted to see how this all played out; immortals will take anything they can get when it comes to entertainment.

  “I’m scared Jack. Fix this…now.”

  The desperation I heard in her voice crushed me inside. I took a reassuring breath and set to calming her.

  “I know Brin and I’m sorry…but you have nothing to fear from me. I will never hurt you.” She heard my words yet still kept the barrel of the gun leveled at me. She turned her head in Ginger’s direction.

  “Is he telling me the truth?” she asked at Ginger and I saw it for what it was. She didn’t know who or even what Ginger was but she was female and at the moment it was all she had.

  “Hello Brin. My name is Ginger and this is my establishment…” she paused just long enough for the information to be received and processed. “I trust Jack, I’ve known him for many years. But…from one woman to another you need to listen to what your heart is saying to you.”

  Thanks for that Ginger…I think.

  The Gypsy tilted her head the slightest bit and shot me a glance that said “Hey, it’s up to you now.” She wasn’t about to get in the middle of a lover’s spat if that’s what this was. Especially if that’s what this was.

  Brin turned her head and directed her last question at me. When she asked it I felt the world slip away. At that moment there was only her and I.

  “Are you Him? Are you the one that idiot summoned into the circle?” The question hit me like a hammer and I almost shattered. The pieces of me flew away and came back together then, though I had already figured most of it out… Now it was her turn.

  I answered her question truthfully.

  “Yes, Brin…I am.”

  She dropped the barrel of the gun to her side, eased the hammer back into place and began to pale. I took her actions as permission for me to move, came close to her but not too close and tried to keep her from fainting.

  “Take a deep breath so you don’t pass out.” I said and she visibly calmed and placed the gun once more into her purse.

  “Ok folks…show’s over.” Ginger said taking charge and the piano started up once again. As if on cue, murmured words and voices fell back into their previous conversations.

  This situation was not ideal and I sure as hell did not want to make it worse. This was nothing at all like I had planned but it was what it was. For this to go any further and if I was going to keep her safe I needed to do this first.

  I pulled the vial of enchantment from my pocket. Over the last week I had asked Ginger if she was able to make me something. It wasn’t easy of course and I had gathered the necessary ingredients she had asked for. I poured all of the powder into my palm, stepped into within an arms length of Brin and waited for her to look at me. She looked lost with her arms wrapped around herself like that and it made me want to hold her. I thought that could be the worst thing I could do for her at the moment.

  Actually, if this didn’t go as planned then this would be the worst thing I could do to her.

  I gave Ginger a quick glance and she returned my gaze with a “What are you waiting for?” gesture. I needed Brin to look up at me first though.

  “You okay?”

  “Not really, I’m a little overwhelmed is all.”

  “Justifiably.” I said and she kept her face tilted to the ground. It was a natural instinct, even if you were blind.

  “I
wanted to give you something, this may not seem like the right time or place but I think it will help.”

  She looked up at me with wide eyes; tears rimmed the edges.

  I hope this works.

  It will work.

  I took in a deep breath, hoped she wouldn’t blink and blew all of the enchanted powder into her eyes. She gasped and brought her hands up in a defensive manner to cover her face and eyes.

  “What the hell? Jesus Jack. What are you doing?” she said and tried to take a step back from me. I took her by the shoulders, tried to soothe her and then sat her in the wooden chair just behind her. Her hands flailed in a defensive manner.

  “Brin, it’s okay. It didn’t hurt you. Just give it a second.”

  “What did you do?” she asked and almost clipped off the last word of her question. Ginger had said there would be a delay. I didn’t need to look back to see if the gypsy would be watching her handy work in action.

  “Oh My GOD!” Brin exclaimed and almost silenced the room again with her outburst of surprise. She grabbed the arm rests of the chair and slammed her eyes shut.

  From behind me I felt Ginger’s words float down to me. “Well Played Jack, very well played.” They said and I wondered if that were true.

  “Jack, I can see.” Brin said and I watched a few tears of enchantment run down her cheeks. I almost looked away from her from the habit the Forget Me Spell had established within me. But the spell of enchantment would, as long as it lasted, override the Forget Me Spell. I had no idea how to tell her it was only a temporary spell and a onetime deal. After twelve hours it would be gone and it only worked in the Fade. After that she would be left once again in the dark.

  “That’s what I was hoping for…” I said and couldn’t help but get caught up in the joy she was experiencing. We were still in trouble though and I tried not to cut things short with Brin.

  “Oh my God Jack I can see.” She leapt from the chair and wrapped her arms tightly around my neck. Her breath was hot on my flesh and I lost myself in her embrace.

  “I can see in your eyes that it’s not permanent but that’s okay Jack. This is amazing.” She said and began taking in with her eyes everything around her. I made eye contact with the Demon and then with Ginger. I needed to let them know that we were being hunted. From a booth against the wall Wyatt watched with interest. What we had just done was a breach of protocol. I should have made him aware she was coming. Marshal Earp was damn good at his job for a reason. He needed to know that Marley was in pursuit as well.

  He gave me a nod that communicated two things to me

  “I see her and you have time. Take care of your business at hand.”

  She was still looking at everything around her as if it were a dream. “How is this possible?”

  “Magic.” I said and tried to do it with a smile. A waitress in saloon girl attire stepped up to the table and set two short glasses filled with amber liquid.

  “Compliments of the House.” she said, smiled and sauntered away to the next customer.

  Brin eyed the drink suspiciously. I couldn’t blame her of course.

  “That’s not going to make me shrink or grow into a giant is it?” she asked and I imagined right now she did feel a bit like Alice.

  “No, I think it’s just whiskey.”

  “Thank God.” She said, scooped up the glass and lifted it towards where Ginger watched from behind the bar. She nodded her head in a gracious thank you.

  “Agreed.” It was exactly what was needed. We looked into each other’s eyes and tossed them back without hesitation.

  Chapter Thirty Four

  Ginger sidled up to the table. There was so much that needed to be said between Brin and I and I had no idea where to start. It was a bit overwhelming. Ginger’s arrival was perfectly timed. Before Brin and I had the big conversation there were things I needed to get done.

  “Jack, I will keep Brin here company for a bit while you take care of the things that need to be done. You don’t mind do you Brin?” She said and if I didn’t suspect the Demon would cut my head off I would have kissed her. I saw the look of hesitation flash across Brin’s face and then slide away as confidence took its place as she looked at Ginger.

  “No. Not at all.” She said and I stood up to give Ginger my seat.

  “Thank you and I won’t be far.”

  “Okay.” She said and let go of my hand.

  Chapter Thirty Five

  “Jack, go ahead and grab a chair.” Wyatt offered in invitation. I offered my hand for him to shake. He stood and gripped it like only well met friends can do.

  “I presume this and our unsanctioned guest have to do with Marley Jenkins.”

  “It does.”

  “I saw you talking with the Demon; did you update him on the situation?”

  “I did and he does not seem too concerned.”

  “He probably doesn’t need to be. If Marley has gained in power as much as you say he has, I would actually pay to see the fight between the two of them.” Neither of us needed to talk about how powerful the Demon was, he was technically in a class of his own.

  “Also one of the reasons I came here.”

  Wyatt gave me a nod in agreement for my decision and moved onto the topic of Brin. “How long will she be visiting?” he asked and took a long pull from his draft beer.

  “No more than 12 hours.” I said and explained about the surgery she had lined up tomorrow. He was quiet and I took a moment to glance over to the table. Ginger and Brin seemed to be getting along well. The increase of focus on Brin’s face told me that Ginger was probably letting her know the limitations of the spell she had created.

  “Do you mind if I say something on a personal note?”

  “Go ahead.”

  He took another sip from his beer, set the glass onto the table and leaned closer to me.

  “Does she know the enchantment is only temporary?”

  “Yes.” I answered and wasn’t sure where he was going with this.

  “I see, you know my friend…she may not thank you for this gift when the time comes.” He said and it was actually what I was a little bit worried about.

  “I’ve thought of that.”

  We let the silence stretch comfortably between us. Wyatt was one of the smartest men I knew and I waited patiently for him to add a word of sage knowledge.

  “Well, let me know if I can help with anything on this side. Might be I can help on the other side as well.”

  “Thank you, I will.” I said, stood to shake his hand and departed. If I could get Wyatt’s help…

  “Well, it looks like my time is up. Good luck with your surgery tomorrow…In the meantime you two kids don’t have too much fun.” Ginger said as I approached the table, they both turned in my direction and I wasn’t sure what to make of that.

  As Ginger stood to leave she had one more thing to say just to me in parting. “I like her Jack, make sure she gets to her appointment tomorrow on time and don’t screw this up for her.” I was a little put off by the tone of her voice. Like I would knowingly not get her there on time.

  “I will and I will do the best I can.” I responded and it was the only thing I could say.

  “Make sure of it.” she finished and once again there was that unspoken threat. They must have had a very meaningful conversation. I sat down across from her and I could see the events of today were taking their toll. The seriousness of her situation and the death of her father were starting to overcome her excitement at being able to see.

  “Jack, before everything and all that has happened overwhelms us…promise me that you will get me to my appointment on time.”

  “I promise I will get you there on time.” As long as I can keep us both alive until then that is.

  “One more thing.”

  “Go ahead.”

  “Is my Dad in a better place?” she asked and instead of telling her exactly what I knew or what I could know because her father’s soul had already been reaped…I told
her an answer to make her feel better.

  “Yes, he is.” I said and she accepted my answer without making me promise. There was an uncomfortable silence as we took a second to regroup.

  “Are you hungry?” I asked to change the subject.

  “Starving.”

  Chapter Thirty Six

  We stepped from the open lofty ceiling of the saloon and into a transitioning hallway of dark polished wood. The noise of the reveries and conversations died away. It was a nice change. She held my hand and I guided her along without need. The dark plush carpeting was almost black and seemed to absorb everything around it.

  I stopped her at the door. This next bit was a bit much to take in if you weren’t prepared for it.

  “This leads into the common lobby, I just wanted to warn you that it’s a bit much to take in at first.”

  She drew in a deep breath and nodded to me that she was ready. I pulled open the door and we stepped onto the marble floor of the commons. It expanded outwards in the style of Grand Central Station and upwards like an ancient cathedral. Those patrons and residents that were in attendance were made small by the sheer size of the architecture. The Grand Staircase was the center of attraction though. The white marble staircase was mesmerizing, the light from the wall of stained glass washed down across it giving it an ethereal glow. One whole side of the hotel was created this way. The staircase came to a plateau after a hundred or so stairs and split. Above it was a hollowed out core that allowed for the rooms to open outwards and look down upon all the little people or to the mosaic view of the stain glass wall. Levels of stairs branched outwards at the sides to allow access to the twenty or so floors.

  It wouldn’t be much of a walk for us and I would rather not have to use the elevator. Not everything was as grand and/or reliable as the staircase.

  “I am actually speechless.” She said. “This is amazing.”

  “I live way up on the top floor.” I said and saw her eyebrows rise in apprehension. “Ok, that’s a lie. I live on the fifth floor. I just wanted to see your reaction.”