Release (The Protector Book 3) (37 page)

Placing one hand on either side of it, he lowered his head and spoke. “Journey traveled, vessels safe, close the doorway, and erase our place.”

A loud snap broke in the air and the ground rumbled momentarily until the portal began to fade. The stone crumbled, falling into the rippling mirror. Stone by stone, it consumed itself until there was nothing left.

Everyone stared at the empty space the arch had once occupied, and Grayson smiled. “A gift to my people from Athaniel. Before he left our world, he granted us safe passage to each of the dimensions. Those arches provide travel to any dimension without leaving a trace of who has journeyed there.”

“I guess that saves you a hell of a lot of energy, huh, Tiki?”

Tiki nodded and shrugged at the same time. “It does seem more effective.”

“Can we leave now?” Vincent said. “I am famished, I’ve spent far too much time with all you people, and we don’t have much time.” He pointed to the sky, which had already begun to lighten.

“As much as I’d love to see your face when the sun comes up,” I said, “you’re right. And we need to get the Claw back to Rayna. Hopefully she knows what to do with it.”

Chapter 30

We’d stashed the Jeep in the bushes off the road. When we made the near hour-long ride back to the warehouse, everyone was dying to rest. Before I even unbuckled my seatbelt, the group was halfway to the entrance, but I took my time getting out of the car.

Rai cawed from above, taking in the crisp air and stretching her wings. She looked like an eagle soaring in the clouds. The chirping that came from her orange beak was in quiet harmony with the silence, and it brought a smile to my lips.

The sun broke into the world with streaks of red, hues of pink, and swirls of orange. It was unnaturally warm for November, but the morning air had a bite of its own.

Vincent and Veronica were already inside hiding from what would otherwise be their ashy fate. Everyone else had gone to rest, and I couldn’t help but revel in a moment alone.

My elements had been tearing at one another from the inside, a silent battle I’d been keeping to myself. The only relief I had was when they were released, but that caused me pain. The power I’d desired for years thrived inside me—the power to stop Riley—and just as I got it under control, I could no longer use it.

The stillness that came with the rise of the sun was harmonious, and it settled the edge of tension that had crept up my shoulders. I closed my eyes and let the air wash over my skin. It was refreshing and a much needed wake-up call.

I was stuck in a world where to most, monsters were something that existed only in movies and nightmares, and yet here I was, fighting every day to stop them. Now, after eighteen years, a lost mother, and a father who was hell-bent on ruling everyone, I found myself surrounded by people, yet feeling alone. I was the Protector. I was the one who was supposed to stop all of this and keep all the dimensions safe, but I couldn’t even protect myself from the magic that was intended to help me. I was trying to be a leader and not allow myself to be ruled by emotion, but right now all I felt was fear.

I had done as Athaniel told me; I’d gotten the Claw. My next step was to go to Vortan and retrieve Ithreal’s other soul piece. I didn’t know where in Vortan it was, but I had to trust Serephina would guide me. I knew what to do, so why did I feel so out of touch?

Everyone I had in my life was inside those doors. All the people I cared about had been awaiting our return, and yet, I didn’t want to go in. Something inside me didn’t feel right, and I didn’t know if it was them, or me, but I didn’t feel like I belonged anymore.

Willy had changed, becoming his own person with the werewolves and I hardly saw him these days. He had grown, and I felt like I had watched my little brother change from a boy into a man. And my jaw still hurt from his punch—proof that he wasn’t the weak, stuttering demon I’d first met.

I couldn’t get the story of what Vincent had done to him out of my mind. It only further confirmed what I had started to believe: Willy deserved better than this. They all did. None of my friends should be here. I knew they would stand beside me, but I wanted more for them. They deserved more than an impending apocalypse and an undetermined fate. They deserved life.

I learned more about Tiki every day, but even he seemed to be changing. Maybe it was the fact I was truly starting to get to know him.

Vincent was the infestation I couldn’t get rid of, constantly lurking around corners and somehow finding his way back into my life every time I thought I was rid of him. And then there was Rayna.

Her green eyes flashed inside my mind and my chest tightened. Heat flushed up from my soul and into my shoulders. Water followed and crashed over it, washing the burning surge away. My elements tangled with each other, twisting and turning in a choreographed dance of power. Warmth filled my body at the thought of her, and I realized she was the only connection I had left. Rayna was the one thing that grounded me and gave me a place that resembled a home. I didn’t know where we stood with each other, but she was the only person I was truly comfortable around.

Rayna’s voice resonated through my ears and it pushed the negative emotions away. As much as I didn’t feel like smiling, the sound of her voice forced one over my lips, and I took in a deep breath of fresh air.

“Chase…” Her voice came again and I realized I wasn’t imagining it. “Are you okay?” The vision of Rayna faded from my mind and I found her standing in front of me. I jumped back and my pulse leaped in my chest. “Whoa, relax!” she said, throwing her hands up and stepping back.

“Sorry…” I said. “I didn’t see you.”

“I’ve been shouting at you from the doorway for five minutes.”

“I…I don’t know, I was in my own world, I guess.”

Rayna watched me from beneath well-manicured brows. They arched perfectly over her bright eyes. She reached up and touched her hand to my forehead. “You’re warm, are you sure you’re okay?”

“Yeah, it’s been a long few days.”

“At least this time it’s only been a few days here, too. I’m not sure I could survive a whole week with these people without you here to keep me sane.” Rayna smirked, her fingernails trailing down my cheek.

The sensation sent chills down my neck and I shuddered. Her smirk turned into a smile and she reached up on her toes, her hand falling behind my neck and pulling me closer. Our lips locked, pressing firmly against one another and the sweet taste of her lip gloss slid across my tongue.

Strange sensations vibrated over my lips and unfamiliar power rippled through Rayna. I could feel it as my tongue pushed against hers; it was something new. My lips started to burn and surges of energy sparked between us. I pulled away from the kiss, touching my mouth.

“What is it?” she asked.

“I don’t know. You feel…different.”

“I’m a different girl than when you left.”

“Is that so?” I smirked.

“It is.” Rayna nodded, biting her bottom lip. “I think I have what it takes to hide the soul piece now.”

“Already? That’s great,” I said, and without a second thought I wrapped my arms around her and pulled her against me.

Rayna laughed and nodded. “Once Grams realized where my focus needed to be, things just sort of fell into place. My magic came alive in a new way. It was…incredible. I can’t wait to show you.”

“You won’t have to wait long,” I said, pulling the Claw from my back pocket.

“This is it?” Rayna didn’t sound impressed, turning the glass in her hand. “It doesn’t look like much.”

I laughed. “It’s got some power to it, trust me.”

“You used it?” Rayna’s brow furrowed.

“I didn’t mean to, it just sort of happened. Why, is that bad?”

“Well it can’t be good, not with the Dark Brothers around. We need to find Grams and hide this thing.”

“I need to talk to her too,” I said. “It’s about that book.”

“What book?”

“The book we bought from The Ouija Board. The one she stole from us. The
11th Dimension
.”

******

“Of course it makes sense!” Grams snapped. Her white dress was covered in purple flowers and looked like it had been made from my grandmother’s curtains. “This book has been around since long before any of us were born. Why do you think I was so pissed
you
had it? You could’ve killed us all.”

“Why would Debbie sell it if it was so dangerous?” Rayna asked.

“How the hell should I know? That woman, gods rest her soul, sold board games and trinkets to the mundane. She spent most of her time floating pencils and nurturing plants in her precious garden. She was hardly a seasoned witch.”

“So what now? Whatever is in that book, Riley wants,” I said.

“We’ll have to make sure it stays hidden,” Grams said softly, seemingly lost in thought.

“I can hide it then, like the soul piece,” Rayna said.

“That’s not soon enough. We need to do something with it immediately.”

“Well, let’s do it now,” Rayna said. “We can do them both together. I’m ready, Grams.”

“I know you can call the spirit, but you’re a rookie. Summoning two guardians at this point isn’t safe. You could end up losing power over one and then we’d have a pissed off spirit we can’t control.” Grams gripped the book in her arms.

“Then what do you suggest, oh wise one?” I asked.

Grams’s cold blue eyes narrowed and she leaned in, speaking in an angry whisper. “Cut the attitude, boy, or I’ll string you up by your ears with fish hooks.” Even without a cigarette in her mouth I could smell the tobacco fresh on her breath—stale death waiting to suck me in.

“Glad to see you’re okay.” Marcus’s hand patted my back. “And I’ve heard you were successful on your trip.”

“I wouldn’t say that, but we all came back alive and with the soul piece.”

“Good,” he said, squeezing my shoulder. “Then why is everyone so tense?” Marcus’s eyes paused on each of us.

Grams and Rayna filled Marcus in on the events and I took the break happily, letting my eyes wander over our temporary home.

We were in the main room where empty cots lined the walls. Tables were set up with food and drinks, and my mouth watered at the thought of a cold glass of water, or even better, something besides that fishy garbage I’d abstained from eating in Silas. But Marcus’s questions came before that craving would be sated.

“How did Riley get inside your head?”

“I don’t know. Whatever was on the arrow knocked me out cold. Hard enough to drop my shields and kick me out of my own body.”

“That’s unnerving,” Marcus said. “What do you think, Edna? What do we do with the book?”

“We need to keep it somewhere else. We have two things of value now—the book and a soul piece. It might not be the soul piece they need, but it has power nonetheless. Our best bet is to keep them separated.”

“This is the only secure location we have. This is the safest place,” Marcus said.

“Maybe that’s the point,” I said.

Grams, Marcus, and Rayna all turned to me at once.

“Think about it. The condo is empty. There’s nothing left but some tattered furniture and blood-soaked bandages. It won’t be long before Riley and the Brothers realize we’re not on their radar anymore. If they go to the condo and see it like it is, they’ll know we’ve left. I got the feeling they’re on a tight timeline, so they aren’t wasting a second. They won’t even consider looking at the condo because they’ll think we’d keep anything of value with us at all times. What better place to hide something than right in front of them?”

I stood awkwardly while everyone stared at me. Moments of silence passed and I felt more and more out of place.

Grams reached out and slapped the side of my face gently. “That might be the least dumbest thing you’ve ever said. I’ll gather some of the coven and we’ll take the book there. We have enough combined power that I think we can use a spell to hide it and still keep this place secure.”

I couldn’t tell if that was Grams’s way of complimenting me, so I ignored her comment.

“Good thinking, Chase.” Marcus smiled, and a look I didn’t recognize filled his eyes.

“I’ll get started on the Claw,” Rayna said, pulling my shoulder down and planting a kiss on my face.

“Just you wait a minute there, kitty cat.” Grams snorted. “You’re not doing anything until Marcus and I are ready.”

Rayna rolled her eyes. “Whatever, I’ll go get ready then. I need some time to focus and open up my channels anyways.”

“What—” Grams started but Rayna was already across the hall. “The lack of respect among these…
kids
makes me sick.” Grams spit out a thick lump of something, and Marcus and I grimaced as it went
splat
against the concrete.

******

Nestled in the back of the expansive warehouse was a small, empty room. Marcus, Grams, and I were against the back wall, watching Rayna as she sat in the middle of it.

Her green eyes had vanished behind dark painted eyelids. An open black sweater hung over her shoulders, covering a purple tank top and part of her form-fitting black pants. A row of black, unlit candles were placed in front of her, and before them, the glass Claw sparkled on the floor.