by J. L. Weil
Soul Symmetry
A Raven Novel
BOOK 3
J.L. WEIL
Published by J.L. Weil
Copyright 2016 by J.L. Weil
http://www.jlweil.com
All rights reserved.
First Edition 2016
ISBN-10:
ISBN-13: 978-1535574488
Edited by Librum Artis Editorial Services
Cover Design by J.L. Weil
Photo credits: http://lisajen-stock.deviantart.com/
License Notes
This eBook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. Except as permitted under the U.S. Copyright Act of 1976, no part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, or stored in a database or retrieval system, without the prior written notice of the publisher. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.
This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are a product of the writer’s imagination or have been used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblances to persons, living or dead, actual events, locales, or organizations is entirely coincidental. All rights are reserved. No part of this may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission from the author.
Also by J.L. Weil
THE DIVISA SERIES
(Full series completed – Teen Paranormal Romance)
Losing Emma: A Divisa novella
Saving Angel
Hunting Angel
Breaking Emma: A Divisa novella
Chasing Angel
Loving Angel
Redeeming Angel
LUMINESCENCE TRILOGY
(Full series completed – Teen Paranormal Romance)
Luminescence
Amethyst Tears
Moondust
Darkmist – A Luminescence novella
RAVEN SERIES
(Full series completed – Teen Paranormal Romance)
White Raven
Black Crow
SINGLE NOVELS
Starbound
(Teen Paranormal Romance)
This book is for you, the reader. Without you, none of this would be possible. Not even this book. I thank you from the bottom of my heart.
CONTENTS
Cover
Title Page
Copyright
Other books by J.L. Weil
Dedication
Prologue
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Epilogue
Prologue
The boardwalk wasn’t a place you’d expect to find a reaper. Out in the open, for anyone to see, the slight morning sea-salt breeze blowing over his face. Not a soul had an idea that a harbinger of death was in its amidst, and they probably wouldn’t have believed it anyway. Humans rarely saw reapers for who they really were; the veil between the living and the dead aiding their true identity. But it was the four frowning hallows beside Heath that were the true concern. The ghosts walked freely among the living, plotting and planning revenge, destruction, and evil, carving a path of devastation.
The five of them were discussing the events from the night before—the coronation. Proceedings hadn’t gone according to plan, but lately they hardly ever did. Not since the arrival of Piper Brennan.
There was one thing they all agreed on…she needed to be eliminated.
They slunk under the docks, away from the early stragglers—not that the tourists would have heard them. Heath, the overload of the Red Hawks, was a phantom reaper whose responsibility was to mark humans for death. His dark suit was newly pressed and stiff, like his personality.
“Your plan failed, overlord,” hissed the hallow with shoulder-length blond waves. He stepped forward, letting the reaper know who was in charge.
“Not entirely true,” Heath disagreed. “All is not lost. Actually, I don’t think things could have gone smoother.”
The ghost angled his head in rapid, jerky movements. “How so?”
“Death’s heir has fallen.” The shock had worn off, and Heath could see the advantage fate had dropped into his palms. He grinned, flashy a row of pearly teeth.
“This aids us how?” asked the smallest of the four hallows, no inflection in his flat voice. Hallows didn’t feel emotions, other than rage.
A flash of annoyance sparked in Heath’s silver eyes. He didn’t like being questioned. “The veil has been broken.”
The four hallows nodded. “We felt it, but tell us something we don’t already know.”
“I’m working out the details, but trust me, you’ll get what you was promised,” Heath said. “We all will.”
“Trust?” a hallow echoed, distaste dripping.
“You haven’t precisely proven to be dependable,” another commented, his ghostly outline standing out against the vivid blue ocean.
Water lapped on the shore, leaving behind foam and shells under the dock, but Heath disregarded the rise and fall of the water as easily as he did the four hallows. “I’d wait and hear me out before you pass judgment.”
The four hallows exchanged skeptic looks. “We’re listening,” replied the blond gravelly.
“It’s about time, because I was beginning to wonder if I’d made a mistake.”
A unified hiss erupted. Heath knew working with these chumps had its risks, but the thing about hallows was, they were disposable. And there were plenty more where they came from, eager to have a chance at revenge.
As they gathered, a calculating plot began to unfold.
“Your son? Can he be trusted?” asked the ghost of a woman who used to be called Felicity. Her eyes were so pale blue they were almost iridescent. They sharpened.
Heath was steadfast in his conviction. “There is no question where my son’s loyalty lies. He will cooperate.” If he knew what was good for him, Heath added silently. Crash might be unpredictable, disappointing, and often lazy, but he was his blood and his heir. Heath knew the bitter taste of revenge well, and knew how it would fuel his son. Estelle’s death wouldn’t go unpunished. He swore it. And his son would do whatever it took, no matter what the costs. He would see to it personally.
Felicity let a low grumble. “You sound confident. I wish we had the same assurance. He’s been seen sniffing around the White Raven since her arrival.”
“You dare question me?” Heath’s voice was a dangerous whisper, the threat evident. “Remember who brought you here.”
The four hallows exchanged silent glares of unease. It was the blond who cleared his throat. “We haven’t forgotten. We only want to ensure that there are no bumps in the road. Last night might have ended in our favor, but it could have easily been a disaster.”
A blank look remained on Heath’s face, and his smooth Celtic accent never wavered. “My scouts will keep us informed. If she so much as sneezes, I’ll know about it.”
“And when the time comes…”
A crow squawked somewhere from above the mass of twinkling stars. Even with the roar of the surf, others listened in on the conversati
on with their keen supernatural abilities. Heath’s eyes shifted skyward, and the four vengeful spirits fluttered at the itch of trouble.
A wicked grin spread across Heath’s lips. “Oh, you’ll know.”
“We’re counting on you to not screw this up, overlord. The spirit world is flooding with souls ready for their chance to live again.”
“I’ll do my part.” Heath glanced at his watch, impatience leaping in his eyes. “Spread the word, and wait for my command.”
“You might have freed us, reaper, but we don’t answer to you.”
“Just be ready,” Heath warned.
The fun and games were over; it was time to get down to business. And Heath had the perfect plan.
Chapter 1
I screamed, long and loud.
It was more or less my thing. That, and collecting souls—a harbinger of death. No prissy, pink bows for this girl. My life was darkness, the afterlife, and souls.
Twelve years ago, on my sixth birthday, I saw my first ghost. To this day, I didn’t know if it was a spirit or a hallow. There was a big difference. One wanted me dead. And the other wanted to aid or warn me.
Almost a year from today, my mom had been taken from me in the most brutal way a daughter could lose her mother—murder.
I came to Raven Hallow because of her death, to spend a summer with my Grandma Rose. A woman I didn’t have the pleasure of knowing until it was too late. Now, she was one of those spirits who abetted me.
It was strange how a journey could change you. That’s what coming to this island had been—a journey of self-discovery. The things I learned about myself couldn’t be taught in school. It was one of those life lessons you had to experience, and experience I did. I learned the truth about who I was and what I was capable of. Those two things were life altering.
My abilities were amplified since Zander had died, and I’d taken his soul, a formidable task that wasn’t my choice. I had tried to save him, but no matter how powerful I was, some things were still out of my control.
It didn’t really matter now. He was gone. The boy who was supposed to be my husband was dead.
A fire began to kindle inside me, a satisfying burn and purpose I’d never felt before. Losing Zander had snapped something inside me. Never again would I sit back in silence and do nothing. The hallows weren’t just dead, they were a threat to us all. And now I was personally invested, and I had the power to stop them. Being a banshee no longer seemed a hindrance. The hallows might have found a way to lift the veil between realms, but they hadn’t done so on their own. It wasn’t possible, not without help.
Time to weed out the traitors and clean house; if you weren’t on the side of the living, then you were dead. No more sweet, nice Piper— not that I was ever actually sweet. Despite all the unknowns, I was stronger and more focused than I’d ever been. For the first time, I didn’t doubt myself. I was going to kick some serious hallow ass.
The most immediate problem was how I was going to put the veil back in place. I had no clue, but hallows were sucking reaper souls, lapping them up like they were the last banana split on Earth. Someone had to stop them. I always got the short end of the stick, but lucky for me, I had one kickass, very hot, and dangerous boyfriend.
Speaking of Zane…
Holy Scooby snacks.
He was standing on the open balcony, the wind whipping through his dark locks, carrying in the night and the sea. His face was angled, a five o’clock shadow lining his jaw. I blinked. Seeing him, I felt like a different girl than the one who had stepped foot on the island just weeks ago, angry at the world. Zane played a big part in my transformation, he and the intense feelings he aroused inside me.
Then I remembered. The scream. Crash. It all came tumbling back in waves of fear, pain, and uncertainty. After what had been a train wreck of a night, Crash had snuck into my room, much like a stalker. He made it clear his sister’s death would not be forgotten, and the person responsible— in this case me— would pay. The whole conversation left me shaken and confused. Was he warning me or threatening me? No doubt Crash was long gone after his dramatic exit and threats, but he left me trembling in his wake.
Zane was a forced to be reckoned with, and those who knew him well, knew it. By the expression on his face, he was very much not okay. I wasn’t even going to ask. Pain and hurt refracted in his stormy blue eyes, yet he’d still come to my rescue. A little late, but who could blame him? He wasn’t in top form. I was honestly surprised he was here at all.
“You came,” I whispered, placing a hand on the wall to steady my racing heart. Between Crash’s unexpected visit and Zane’s presence, my heart was overtaxed.
His voice was gruff when he replied, “I will always come.”
It meant a thousand times more to me, hearing him say it. Zane was bound by an ancient oath to protect me. “I-I just thought with everything that happened—” My voice caught as tears begin to swell in my eyes, closing off my throat. The sight of him broke down my walls. I didn’t have to be strong or tough.
He stepped inside, closing the double glass doors behind him. “I’m not taking any chances with you. What happened?”
I swallowed, forcing the tears to remain at bay. “Crash. That’s what happened,” I said, and waited for him to turn green and go Hulk. I wasn’t disappointed, minus the green skin.
His eyes went dark, veins exploding down his face. “He was here?” he rumbled from deep in his chest. “He dared to show his face?”
I picked the half-peeled black cherry nail polish from my fingertips. “He came to give me a warning…I think.” I was honestly left a little perplexed by Crash and his actions.
Zane clearly didn’t trust him. “I’m going to kill him. His soul is mine.”
This was pretty much the reaction I’d expected. I circled around the bed to the center of the room, where he stood rigid and unyielding. Tonight of all nights, was not the best time to piss Zane off. Crash must have a death wish, because I wasn’t certain I’d be able to stop Zane from sending him to an early grave. Against the reaper rules or not, Zane was angry enough to act now and screw the consequences. Luckily for him, I was the White Raven. “Normally, I would argue with you, but maybe you’re right.”
His lustrous eyes glowed eerily in the dark. If I didn’t know him, I would have been frightened. “I’m always right, princess.”
And just like that, his arrogance became part of his armor. Zane was a complex guy, and under the hard shell and temper, he was hurting. And that brought on the guilt. “I shouldn’t have sent the distress signal. You should be at home with your family, not here. Crash didn’t hurt me. I’m not in danger at the present moment.” Other than my shaken nerves and the uncontrollable need to feel safe, I was fine. Although, I wasn’t sure I’d ever truly be safe again.
His icy eyes thawed. It was possible he caught a flicker of my unease, but it was misplaced. It was him I was worried about. As if my skin was made of porcelain, he lightly ran a finger along my jaw. “I should have come sooner.”
“He didn’t hurt me,” I reiterated before Zane got any ideas about going commando on Crash. I shouldn’t have felt the need to object. Yet, regardless of what had transpired, I understood Crash’s actions. I would have done anything to make the people responsible for my mother’s death pay. Suffer even.
Maybe that was what he was doing. Taunting me, before he made his final move to strike me dead.
I knew now that muggers hadn’t killed my mom, but instead reapers, probably Red Hawks. Knowing the truth didn’t diminish the anger or desire for revenge. It had once blazed inside me, spreading until I thought of nothing less, and in my rage made some pretty stupid mistakes I could never take back.
Zane shook his head, wisps of his windblown hair partially obscuring his eyes. “That’s not the point, Piper. He could have hurt you…or worse. Apparently, it doesn’t matter how much security we assign, unless someone is stationed by your side twenty-four seven, you’re exposed.”
Zane…not so much.
But I’d always known who Zane was, what he was, and none of it changed my feelings for him. He might be a ruthless reaper with a rap sheet longer than even the most prolific serial killers, but when I saw him, I didn’t see a destroyer of souls. I saw the guy I was hopelessly in love with.
And feeling his fractured pain, I wanted to wrap my arms around him, and absorb his agony. The only thing worse than death was being the person left behind to deal with the loss and the anguish. It was times like this that made our linked souls overwhelming, when emotions were tremendous. His hurtled into me, and my blood pressure escalated. “And that someone is going to be you?” I assumed.
“For tonight,” he responded in a strangled voice.
I reached out, grabbing his forearm before he could turn away from me. “I appreciate the offer, but I’m okay. Really. I don’t need a babysitter.”
He wasn’t convinced, maybe because I was gnawing on my lip to keep it from trembling. “I’m not leaving.” And to prove his point, he kicked off his shoes.
We could go back and forth all night, but someone was going to have to cave. And he’d already been through too much for me to be a thorn in his backside. “Zane, what about your family—”
“They’ll understand. Trust me. I need to be here tonight, with you.”
I think my heart stopped. “Okay,” I agreed, pressing my forehead to his chest.