Raven's Breath (The Women of Purgatory)

by Tish Thawer

  Yes. No. "Thank you."

  "You're welcome. And as for what this is..." His lips met mine and I was transported––Heaven was merely a pit stop.

  25

  "Why are you so giddy?" Garrett asked.

  I smiled and set my drink back on the bar. "I'm not giddy. Just happy we decided to take a break from the fight."

  He eyeballed me, gauging my response. "BS, you're hiding something."

  I laughed out loud. "Fine. During one of my retrievals today, Death paid me a visit."

  His eyes widened. "And that's put a smile on your face?" he interrupted.

  "No...the trip I took to Heaven afterwards did." I squirmed in my chair.

  "Ah ha. So how is the Archangel?"

  "Shhhh...shut up. Someone could overhear." I gawked around the bar, my eyes darting to each Reaper's face, looking for signs as to whether they'd overheard us or not. It wasn't like the words 'Heaven' or 'Hell' were out of place in our conversations, but I was pretty sure the words, 'angels', 'archangel', or 'Michael', would perk a few ears. I was relieved when the Reapers continued to lift their drinks and shift on their stools, oblivious.

  "Not here, okay?" I suggested.

  "Sure, sure. You're right." He nodded and turned his attention back to his drink. We sat quietly, sipping from our glasses––his filled with whiskey, mine with an Amaretto. When Garrett had suggested we come here to blow off some steam, I thought it had been a good idea. Now...not so much.

  "So, what did Death want, anyway?" Garrett's question broke the silence.

  "Oddly enough he didn't open up and tell me his deepest darkest secrets," I teased, rolling my eyes. "Honestly, the entire thing was so strange. He reminisced about the first time he saw me, almost to the point of sounding nostalgic. I thought he was there to check up on me and ask about my mark, but he didn't."

  "Did he say where he's been?" Garrett asked.

  "No. I wanted to ask but doubted he would be very forthcoming."

  Garrett shrugged and we fell back into an uncomfortable silence.

  Death's appearance had certainly unnerved me, as did my time with Michael afterwards, because for the second time in my life, it appeared I was headed in a completely different direction. I couldn't stop thinking about what Michael said about me belonging to him when this was over. While the thought of being with him certainly put a smile on my face, it was the opposing idea of losing my job and leaving Garrett that truly pulled at my heart.

  Lost in thought, I'd missed the commotion on the far side of the bar. I looked up and focused, then tore from my seat.

  Holli was standing in the doorway, frantically looking from side to side.

  "Holli, what's happened?"

  "Oh thank goodness you're here." She grabbed my arms. "I'm not sure what's going on, but I think it's bad." Panic marred her sweet features and her eyes welled with tears.

  Murmurs rose and the crowd started to churn, signaling we were out of time. A quick glance back at Garrett showed he'd already left his perch and was making his way towards us.

  I nodded to him and pushed Holli out the door. I grabbed her hand, shot into the sky, and headed for my apartment––something that should have been impossible due to Death's restrictions.

  We flew straight to my window and I quickly ushered her into the bedroom.

  "Okay. Tell me what's happened. How are you even here right now?"

  She sat down on the bed and lowered her head. After taking a couple of deep breaths she began. "I was standing on my balcony, alone as usual, when suddenly a loud 'POP' rang out. I fell forward, pushing past Death's boundary, and into the sky. When I righted myself in the air, I noticed I was beyond my previous limit and decided to see how far I could go." She paused and raised her eyes to mine. "It seems I can go where ever I want now." There was a cold edge to her words.

  "That's great! Doesn't it mean Death's lifted his magic?"

  "No, that's just it. I don't think so. I think something's happened to him."

  "What do you mean?"

  "Death would never willingly remove the magic he's placed on me, but somehow it's gone. Burst, like a bubble, and I have a bad feeling that can only mean something bad has happened to him, or..." she started to cry full-on.

  "Or what, Holli?"

  "Or he's decided to leave me here and remain topside forever."

  Holy shit! How had I forgotten about this piece of information? I now recalled being so sure that Death's visits topside to see Holli were a big part of this puzzle, but with everything that had happened––Garrett's disappearance, Michael's involvement; my gift manifesting––it had completely slipped my mind.

  I started to pace. How does this all fit together? What the hell are we missing?

  A knock on my front door announced Garrett's arrival. Thank God! I knew he'd come straight here to make sure we were okay and his timing couldn't have been better. I motioned Holli towards the living room and yanked open the door, quickly pulling him inside. "We have a problem."

  "Um...yeah, I figured that out when Holli crashed the party! What the hell is going on, how was she able to leave the castle?"

  I waved my hands in the air, interrupting him with a plea for silence. I needed to think. I was on the verge of uncovering something; I could feel it.

  It took a few more monotonous trips back-and-forth across my living room, but finally, my head snapped up. "I think I know why Death visited me during my retrieval today."

  "Why?" Garrett asked.

  "I think he hitched a ride with that girl's soul to sneak into Heaven."

  Garrett flinched. "Why would he need to sneak into Heaven? He can visit whenever he wants."

  "Yes. He can move between Heaven and Hell, materializing and making his presence known, but what if he didn't want them to know he was there? What if he wanted to spy on them?"

  Holli sat quietly, looking between the two of us. I wasn't sure if we should continue our conversation in front of her or not, but relaxed a little when she piped up."You could be right, Raven. Death can't see into Heaven or Hell using his gazing pool, so if he needs something from either place, he'd actually have go there in person."

  "How do you know that?" Garrett asked.

  "The day we left Raven in the graveyard, he transported us directly to his throne room. He looked frantically into his gazing pool, trying to see into Heaven to gain insight into Raven's mark. He was furious when he was unable to do so. I think he forgot I was watching."

  "There's something else," I added.

  Garrett flopped down on the couch and shoved his hands through his hair.

  "Holli mentioned something to me awhile back that I thought may be important, but with everything that's happened since, I forgot to bring it up."

  He huffed and gestured for me to continue with an impatient swipe of his hand.

  "She told me that during her training Death visited her topside every day for months, before and after her death."

  Garrett's eyes went wide. His mouth slacked while his head shook back and forth.

  "What? What does that mean to you?" I demanded.

  He didn't respond. His chest began rise and fall rapidly while the look in his eyes grew wild. Obviously, I'd been right to assume this was something really bad.

  "Garrett, tell us, please," I pleaded.

  He stood and claimed my previous path across the carpet. Again and again, he walked the length of the room, mumbling to himself, his head never ceasing its swing of denial.

  "Dammit, Garrett! Stop and tell us what's wrong," I shouted.

  His abrupt halt sent me crashing into his back. He spun and gripped my arms tight. "Raven. Give me a fucking minute, okay! This is important, and I need time to think it through," he said through clenched teeth.

  Garrett had never cursed at me before. I nodded and moved to sit next to Holli, allowing her to grab my hand. We remained silent and watched Garrett carry on a sometimes internal, and other times external, conversation with himself. The few words t
hat drifted through the air made no sense at all. "Solstice. Equinox. Impossible." I held my tongue while he continued to rant.

  After working up a sweat and downing two beers, Garrett sat down across from us, took a deep breath, and began to fill us in.

  26

  "What I'm about to tell you is something no other Reaper knows," Garrett began.

  Holli and I nodded our heads.

  "As part of the covenant, Death is only allowed to visit topside four times a year, once every season on the solstice or equinox."

  Holli and I looked at one another; the weight of his statement hung heavy in the air. I dove in, asking my question first. "Then how is it that he appeared in my apartment when I died? It wasn't on a solstice or equinox."

  "No, that's not what I mean. Death can materialize anywhere in Purgatory, or travel between Heaven and Hell, and visit topside when someone dies because all those places reside in the netherworld. What I'm talking about is actually walking the Earth as a fully coalesced person."

  I looked at Holli again, just as she added, "But he did. Every day for at least three months before I died. That's when he taught me how to fight. It wasn't until I passed on that I got my wings and began training to fly."

  Garrett scooted to the very edge of his seat and reached out for Holli's hands. "So you're saying, that while you were alive and still human, Death appeared to you as a normal man, in your world, everyday for three months before your death?"

  "Yes. That's exactly what I'm saying. Then, once I'd died, he officially recruited me to be a Reaper and gave me my wings. I remained topside, hidden in the netherworld, while he trained me to fly. It wasn't until I'd met his approval in both areas before he actually brought me through to Purgatory," Holli explained.

  I leaned back, crossing my arms. "Okay. So let me see if I got this straight. Death can materialize and move through the netherworld unimpeded, but he can only become corporeal and walk the Earth four times a year. But now, it seems he's somehow figured out a way around that and I'm assuming by your reaction, Garrett, this is the 'very bad thing' we've been trying to figure out all this time, right?"

  "Right," Garrett acknowledged..

  I continued on in a rush. "Okay. But why? Why is it a bad thing if Death walks the Earth whenever he wants? Maybe it's a stupid question, but if he's allowed to do so four times a year, why does it make a difference any other time?"

  A white light filled the room, cutting off Garrett's response. Michael, once again, stood in my living room, looking magnificent as always.

  Holli leapt from the couch, screaming bloody murder and pulled her sword from her belt. I grabbed her arm as the weapon extended to its full length.

  "Protect yourself, Raven. He's here to kill us both," she screamed.

  I looked at Michael and back at Garrett, who'd moved to the far side of the room, plastering his back against the brick of the fireplace.

  "Holli, calm down. This is Michael, he's an Archangel from Heaven and I promise you, he won't hurt us."

  "Lies! Death told me of his kind. It's their mission to rid the world of any female Reapers Death creates." For the first time since meeting her, Holli actually looked scared and it was obvious she believed what she was saying.

  I tightened my grip on her arm. "Holli, you're mistaken. Listen, if that were true, how would I still be here?"

  "I don't know how you've escaped their wrath, Raven, but don't be naive. Why do you think you have been the only one for so long? They've killed all the others Death attempted to create, and that's why I was taught to fight and given this weapon. So I could not only protect him, but myself as well."

  I turned to Michael, desperate for a little assistance. "Michael, will you please say something?"

  My palms started to sweat, Michael remained silent and stoic.

  There's no way she could be right. Is there? A quiver rippled over my lips as the question settled on the tip of my tongue.

  I opened my mouth, then noticed Michael chanting under his breath. He gripped the hilt of his sword. Suddenly, another burst of light struck out, filling the room. Thankfully, this time when it cleared, Garrett and I weren't passed out on the floor. Holli, unfortunately, didn't fare so well.

  "Okay. What the hell is going on?" I demanded.

  "I'm sorry. There was obviously no talking her out of these false delusions. Besides, she cannot be allowed to retain all the information she's learned here tonight. Her involvement with Death makes her too much of a risk."

  I started to protest, since she'd been the one to validate most of our ideas tonight. But, before I could form the words, Michael's free arm was wrapped around me, his lips pressed boldly into mine.

  I smiled. "I can tell."

  Garrett coughed from his position across the room and Michael released me, leaving a cold distance between us. I didn't like it. And I really didn't like that I didn't like it. How could this man be affecting me so much so soon? I was already craving his touch and missing it when it was gone. I shook my head. Questions for another time. We had to get to the bottom of this.

  "Okay, so let's talk about this," I prompted. "Did you know that Death figured out a way to travel topside whenever he pleases?" I saw no point in beating around the bush.

  "Yes. But there is much more to it than either of you know."

  I placed my hands on my hips. "So let's have it."

  "Perhaps we should move Holli to your bed, before we begin," Michael suggested, looking down at her prone form, sprawled on the floor. "I've erased her memories of this night, and she'll remain asleep until I want her to wake."

  Wow. His power was impressive. Scary impressive.

  "Of course. Garrett?" I motioned for his help. We lifted her easily and carried her to my room, and minding her wings, laid her gently on the bed. Upon our return, we found Michael relaxed on the couch, his ankle crossing his knee. He gestured for me to join him.

  I didn't want to be rude, but being near him made it hard to focus. "Sorry, I think I'll stand."

  Michael smiled, as if he knew exactly what I was thinking. "All right, let's begin. Though you may already know some of this story, it has many parts and begins a very long time ago, so prepare for a long tale."

  Garrett settled into the chair and I propped myself against the fireplace and nodded for Michael to begin.

  "The covenant that gives Death his power has many specific rules that were laid out by both Heaven and Hell. Death's Reapers are always male, chosen automatically in accordance with the world's expanding population at the time of their human deaths. They are required to look and operate in a certain way––obeying the law of free will. This has always been the way of things and cannot be changed."

  Garrett and I remained still while Michael continued to explain.

  "Another less-known aspect of the covenant, however, revolves around Death's pardon from Purgatory four times a year. His reward for keeping the balance, if you will. The bargain was struck and through the melding of spirits from both Heaven and Hell, Death is allowed to walk the Earth only during those times."

  "Wait. What do you mean, through the melding of spirits? And I've always wondered, why only four times a year?" Garrett asked.

  "Only during these cosmological events is the feat possible. On the morning of a solstice or equinox, an angel from Heaven and a demon from Hell are sent to Death's chamber to prepare him for his pardon. A small piece of each of their souls are placed within Death, then he's transported to Earth to begin his visit. By the end of the day the soul fragments dissolve and he's transported back to Purgatory."

  Whoa.

  "What does he do on Earth that would make him want to visit more often? If he likes power so much, he's got plenty of it here, why would he venture to a place where restrictions are put on him, as I assume they are?" Garrett questioned.

  "Actually, it's quite the opposite. It's the restrictions in Purgatory we think Death is trying to escape."

  What the heck? I was so confused, but luc
kily Michael continued to shed light on the situation.

  "Death is no longer the same as you or Raven, he cannot enjoy the taste of food, or quench his thirst with a good wine. He is as dead as the phenoms of this world. That is the price he pays for the magic he wields. It's only on Earth that he's able to experience the joys of such things again. I imagine that's now the life he craves after serving as Death for so very long."

  This was blowing my mind. I thought back to our dinner in Holli's room. Death had joined us, but I couldn't remember him partaking in any of the food or drink. "So you're telling me all of this is because he wants to quit his job?" I declared. "You've got to be joking."

  "The position of Death isn't something one simply quits, and therein lies the problem. If Death were to remain topside for too long, Purgatory would fall and the Reapers would cease to exist; ghosts would overrun the Earth, and Heaven and Hell would battle for control."

  Garrett looked straight at me. "What did I tell you? Apocalypse!"

  27

  After the shock wore off, Garrett continued to hammer Michael with questions. "What does any of this have to do with Raven?"

  "Ah, yes. Now we come to the next part of the story."

  "Great! How many parts are there? Aren't we already neck deep?" I quipped.

  "As you're both aware, there are three things that can happen during a Reaper's retrieval. One: The person's soul chooses to willingly go with their Reaper, and depending on their pre-destined fate, are delivered either to Heaven or Hell, via the Reaper's portal. Two: The person's soul chooses to not go with their Reaper, and instead tries to run. This is a choice we have to let them make in order to honor free will. The runners are then stuck to their Reaper until they return to Purgatory where they become phenoms; lost souls. Three: In rare cases when a runner escapes his Reaper, they remain on Earth as a ghost. There was no way for a ghost to be brought back to Purgatory...until you, Raven."