Raven's Breath (The Women of Purgatory)

by Tish Thawer

  Panicked, I increased my efforts, wriggling and writhing but to no avail.

  "I took your memories with the help of your father, as a way to gain access to what I needed, but also to help free you from your immortal ties, as was our deal. No longer will you be stuck in Hell, just as I will no longer be stuck serving my endless sentence here."

  "What are you talking about?" Holli's tears flowed in earnest.

  "I'm talking about the chance for us both to live again. Really live, Holli, on Earth. Free to enjoy life, and eventually death, as it's meant to be. Once I remove most of your soul, you'll no longer be immortal, but I'll leave you with just enough so that you can join me topside, where we can live out the remainder of our very long lives."

  Holli's head shook back and forth while tears continued to flow down her cheeks. "You're crazy. And I don't understand why you're doing this or what you're even talking about."

  "Just hold still, my dear, and everything will become clear."

  I screamed at the top of my lungs, hoping for a boost of strength, or to simply offer a distraction and delay what was about to happen.

  It wasn't me, however, who gave Holli a small reprieve.

  It was Krev.

  36

  "What are you doing here?" Death demanded.

  "Do you think I would miss this fairy-tale ending?" Krev's voice sounded funny, odd and layered with a strange accent.

  "How did you get in here?" Death asked, seeming genuinely confused.

  "The same way the archangel did. I tore a hole in space." His eerie smile sent chills up my spine.

  I looked up to the ceiling to see Michael, unconscious and tied to the steel structure high above our heads. His wings were frayed and torn around the edges where a shimmering green rope cut into them.

  "Who are you?" I demanded.

  Krev's laugh was sinister. "Hel's father, of course."

  Loki.

  "That's right...I can tell by the look on your face you've got it all sorted out." A shimmer in the air revealed the God behind the mask. The image of Krev disappeared and was replaced by the Norse God of Mischief; blonde, handsome, and evil through and through.

  "Wave hi to Daddy." He wiggled his fingers at Holli, who looked like she was about to pass out.

  I pulled as hard as I could against the souls still holding me captive but couldn't move an inch.

  "Loki. My friend. You surprised me. I had no idea you'd taken on the guise of one of my Reapers."

  Death was trying his damnedest to sound at ease, but I'd been around him long enough to know when he was feeling strained. And right now...I could tell he was feeling very strained.

  "I was just about to free your daughter's memories. Would you like to do the honors instead?" Death offered.

  Loki moved towards Holli, and I couldn't breathe. I certainly didn't want to meet the Goddess Hel, but more importantly, I didn't want to lose my friend.

  "Wait. Please. Why do you need to take her soul? I mean, if she can travel to Hell, why don't you just have her bring you another demon to use? Then you can take her topside with you, whole and unharmed." I wasn't really sure if what I was suggesting made any sense or helped Holli in any real way, but as long as I could keep them talking, and Death's scythe away from her, I'd say anything that popped into my head.

  "Because, Raven. If I want to make sure all my hard work pays off, I can't settle for anything less than the most potent souls of both Heaven and Hell. It's the only way to make my visit permanent, or at least until I die a natural death at the end of my very long life on Earth."

  Panicked by his words "the most potent souls" I stole a quick glance at Michael and prayed Death wasn't planning on reaping his soul as well. Keep him talking.

  "Why would you want that? You spent your entire existence creating the Reapers and performing your job. A job, may I remind you, that is probably the most important in the world. You alone are in charge of maintaining the balance in the universe. Doesn't that satisfy you in the slightest?"

  "It used to. Until I saw that in order to do my job, it was I who had to pay the highest price. The longer I served as Death, the less I became." The muscles in his jaw clenched and his knuckles turned white around his scythe. "To say it's been a miserable existence would be an understatement. So, when Loki approached me with an alternative, I simply couldn't pass it up. I've served this sentence for far too long."

  I took a deep breath and couldn't deny the twinge of sympathy I felt. Even with as powerful as he was, apparently, being Death came with a downside.

  "I'm sorry you feel as though this position has been a punishment, but you have Holli now. Why can't you just stay here and keep things the way they are?"

  I hated offering that as an alternative, but again, I was desperate and would say anything to stall them.

  "Because, part of the deal is to free my daughter from the confines of her position as well," Loki interrupted. "Hel will walk the Earth again, and I for one, can't wait to see the chaos she brings with her."

  Loki's triumphant laugh was interrupted when Garrett came crashing through the door with Svell hot (or cold?) on his heels.

  37

  Garrett dove out of the way, leaving the ice-hellion to slide directly into Loki, who yowled in pain when his entire right arm turned to ice.

  "Call off your dog, Daughter," he commanded.

  "Never!" Holli screamed, then nodded her head at Svell. The beast turned and blew out a massive breath of crystallized ice, freezing both Loki and Death right where they stood. The instant their connection was severed, all the phenoms fell to the floor, covering it in a layer of black fog.

  Silence reigned for a split-second before Holli exclaimed, "Garrett! Thank goodness you're all right."

  I pushed off the ground and flew to Michael's side, leaving the lovebirds to comfort each other. The green rope holding Michael had lost its luminosity so I grabbed it and tugged.

  It fell away easily, dropping to the ground.

  I glided us back to the floor and laid him on the tile, displacing the fog with the mass of our bodies.

  "Michael, please wake up." I ran my hand down his cheek and placed a kiss on his lips.

  Garrett and Holli joined me, standing silently off to the side. "Is he dead?" Holli asked.

  Tears filled my eyes and I shook my head. "No. He can't be." I lowered my head and prayed my words were true.

  Svell came to stand next to his mistress, his frosty breath tickling the back of my neck. We all remained still and after a few moments, were covered in a light dusting of frost.

  Michael inhaled and the chilly flakes slid from his rising chest. "Michael!" I threw myself across him.

  "Raven." He coughed. "Are you all right?"

  I sat up. "Yes. Yes, I'm fine. Are you okay? What happened? How did Loki get the drop on you?"

  Michael shook his head and his expression turned fierce. "Loki! I should have known. When I took to the sky I felt a snap at my back when I got near the dome and that's all I remember."

  I reached for the rope. "He had you tied to the structure with this."

  Michael grabbed the long braid that had bound him and clutched it in his fist, turning it to ash. "The poison must have been what rendered me unconscious."

  "Poison? Are you sure you're all right?" I asked, trembling.

  Michael reached for me, placing his hand gently on my cheek. "Yes, my love. I'm perfectly fine. It will have no long term effect on me."

  Michael released me and pushed off the floor, coming to stand in front of Loki and Death. "Svell?" he asked with a knowing smile.

  "Yes." I laughed.

  Michael and I turned to Holli and Garrett, who stood holding hands with the ice-hellion heeling at their side. "Thank you for saving us," he said, addressing them both.

  I shook my head at Garrett's wide smirk and cocky nod. I could only imagine how I'd never live down the fact that he was the one who'd saved the day.

  Holli smiled at Michael. "I'm sorry
I freaked out when I first met you," she said, shyly, "but in my defense, it was only because Death had told me you would kill me."

  "It's all right. His lie was no doubt meant to keep you away from me, for he knew if we were to get too close, I'd be able to sense your true nature."

  Holli lowered her head and sunk into Garrett's embrace. "So it's true? I'm the demon Goddess Hel, and the daughter of Loki?"

  "Yes," Michael replied.

  "I'm sorry," Holli answered.

  We all looked at one another, then I burst out laughing. "Holli, how can you be sorry for being who you are? Like the saying goes, you can't pick your family, and it's not your fault your father's an asshole. Plus, you are the sweetest person I've ever known, so I don't care who you really are, to me, you're simply my friend."

  She smiled and wiped a tear from her cheek. "Thanks, Raven. Do you think my memories of being Hel will stay locked away?"

  We all turned back to look at the ice domes encasing Loki and Death. "Yes, as long as they can't combine their magic again to reverse the effect," Michael answered.

  "What do we do now?" I asked.

  "I'll take them to Heaven to receive their punishment."

  "You guys can punish another God?"

  Michael smiled. "Power is power, Raven. It all comes from the same source. Whether you worship the Norse Gods, the Greeks, or my own, they're all different, yet one in the same."

  Michael wrapped me in his arms and kissed the breath out of me. "Think about your decision while I'm gone."

  The sexy angel pulled out his sword and touched the tip to each ice dome. I was awestruck when they lifted into the air, hovering inches above the floor.

  His glowing light built and at the apex exploded, filling the space in a brilliant white glow.

  I shielded my eyes.

  When my vision cleared I found that all the phenoms had been erased, leaving the floor completely clean.

  "So, what do we do now?" Garrett asked, repeating my earlier question.

  "I'm not sure. I guess wait for Michael to return with Death and see where things go from there."

  "Do you think he'll actually return?" Holli asked.

  "I assume he has to. Michael said that without Death in his position, all the Reapers would cease to exist and the world would be plunged into chaos," I summarized.

  A panicked look crossed Garrett's face. "Chaos feeds Loki. What if that's still part of his plan? If Death failed, I'm sure Loki would double-cross him in a second to bring about the end of the world."

  I sneered. Fuck! "Back to the apocalypse it seems."

  It didn't take much for my anger to build and my portal to open. I reached for Holli and Garrett.

  We appeared outside the golden gates as usual and I looked around, wondering which direction to head.

  "Raven?"

  I recognized the red-haired angel that tried to stop Death on his previous visit. "Yes. Hello. Can you tell me where Michael is?"

  "He just passed through the main gates, taking the prisoners to face their judgments."

  "Great. We have to get through there. Are we able to pass?"

  "You can, yes, because of your mark. But they cannot." She gestured to Holli and Garrett.

  "Fine. Can you take them to Michael's quarters and wait for us there?"

  "Of course."

  Garrett nodded and attempted a smile, while Holli rushed to give me a quick hug. "Be careful," she whispered.

  "I will."

  I paused, watching Garrett and Holli walk hand-in-hand into the cloud bank, then proceeded to enter the pearly gates.

  The clouds were thicker here and brushed softly against my skin. I took each step with caution, worried I'd hit some barrier or sink through a hole that was meant to claim unwelcome visitors. Luckily, neither was the case.

  As the fog lifted I had to force myself to remember why I was here. The grandeur of Heaven was beyond compare and an overwhelming distraction. Cascading waterfalls, lush vegetation, sparkling buildings, and in the distance a colossal castle resting on a mountain.

  I flew to the entrance and stood outside the enormous see-through door. There was no handle or seam marking a way for it to open, only a large square barrier of pure crystal at least three feet thick blocking my way. I contemplated knocking, but instead decided to lay my palm flat against the door. The mark behind my ear warmed, and the obstruction disappeared. Thank God.

  I rushed inside and raced to catch up to Michael.

  38

  I ran down the long corridor and rounded the corner, spotting Michael at the far end of the next hall.

  "Michael!" I called out.

  He spun around and smiled, confident yet surprised. "Have you made your decision so soon?"

  I shook my head, slightly embarrassed. "Um, no. I'm sorry, that's not why I'm here. Garrett thinks Loki has an ulterior plan. He feels that since Death failed, Loki will attempt to eliminate him in an effort to destroy Purgatory anyway. I came to warn you."

  Michael sheathed his sword, which caused the ice domes carrying Death and Loki to gravitate back to the ground. He took two steps towards me and pulled me into a hug, nuzzling my ear.

  "Thank you for your concern," he kissed my mark, sending a shiver across my skin.

  I closed my eyes, and for a split second, allowed myself to enjoy the feel of his body against mine.

  Tink, tink.

  My eyes snapped open.

  "Michael, look out!" I shouted.

  The metal blade of Death's scythe was glowing bright blue.

  The dome around him shattered, bursting in an explosion of ice. I pushed Michael to the side and flung out my ribbons, ensnaring Death before he could make a move.

  Michael drew his sword and stalked to Death, who was attempting to fade to shadow.

  "You will not escape again." The tip of the archangel's blade rested under Death's chin.

  Michael chanted under his breath and the air grew thick with magic.

  My eyes grew wide as Death went rigid––turning as solid as a board––and floated inches into the air.

  Michael moved passed him, leaving him to dangle in stasis, and let out a frustrated breath. "Loki has escaped, but Death will not go unpunished. Release him and let's go."

  I drew back my ribbons and followed Michael down the hall, stopping to stare at the now empty ice dome which previously held the Norse God of Mischief.

  I reached out a finger and jumped back when it shattered at my touch. "Where do you think he went?"

  "I can't be sure. Home, to regroup most likely."

  This is all my fault. "I'm sorry I distracted you. If I hadn't come, you wouldn't have turned your back on them."

  "Don't be silly, it was only a matter of time before their powers broke through. With centuries to plan and an endless supply of magic to wield, I knew Death would have a trick or two up his sleeve. And to be honest, if you hadn't been here, I'm not sure I would have had the chance to stop Death before he turned to shadow and disappeared, or before Loki was able to complete his mission and eliminate him all together. I'm grateful for your presence."

  I managed a small smile but couldn't shake off the guilt. I remained quiet as we walked further into the castle, Death floating in the air between us, guided by the tip of Michael's sword.

  We continued down elaborate corridors that shimmered as if the walls were liquid. Our movements caused them to ripple and roll, fanning out in tiny waves as we passed. I was completely mesmerized.

  After a few more twists and turns, we reached the main chamber.

  "Wait for me here," Michael instructed. Focused again, I started to protest, but Michael smiled and shook his head. "I'm sorry, but there's no alternative. You cannot pass."

  I smiled and nodded, overwhelmed by how proud I was of him and the position he held. "I'll be right here."

  I paced outside the golden chamber for what felt like an hour, though it was probably no more than fifteen minutes. Finally, Michael emerged...alone.


  "Where's Death?" I strained my neck to look behind him.

  "After much debate, and no doubt under duress, he requested to be destroyed. The alternative he was offered was clearly not something he could bear."

  I cringed. "How can that happen? I thought you said the world would be plunged into chaos if Death left his position."

  Michael took my hand and started to walk us back down the hall.

  "Yes. That's true, but a replacement has already been selected."

  I stumbled. "A replacement? For Death?"

  "Yes."

  I was speechless. And Michael, too, chose to say no more as we made our way out of the castle.

  My thoughts were a chaotic mess as I tried to process how this was even possible. I couldn't imagine how it would be to have a new person serving as Death. Would they look the same? Would they grow to despise the position just as their predecessor had? I shook my head, contemplating the fallout.

  This is so not a good idea.

  Michael came to a stop just outside the pearly gates.

  My head snapped up and I sucked in a breath.

  Garrett and Holli strode in our direction, regal and fully dressed for their new positions. Death, in his suit and tie, and his Queen, in a beautiful red gown.

  "Oh my God, Garrett! You're going to be Death?"

  "Seems so," he lifted the scythe he now held and smiled wide. "Holli and I were sitting in Michael's home, when suddenly I was transported to the golden room. Death was there and relinquished the position and the magic that came with it. Apparently, it had to be offered freely before the transition would work. Once I negotiated my conditions, I accepted their offer and received my marks from Heaven and Hell."

  "What conditions?" I asked.

  "That Holli be allowed to serve at my side, retaining her memories as they are, and that I don't lose my life force the longer I serve." Garrett smiled. "After what's happened, they agreed that my happiness and the addition of Holli and Svell to our kingdom, will only help ensure its safety in case Loki tries to return."