Shadow's Grace, page 5
“Are we ready to call him?” Ariel asked. She wore new black leggings, new trail running shoes, a black turtleneck and tactical vest. He was dressed in a similar style. A backpack that awaited supplies sat on the coffee table. They had filled it with some items, but he expected Dennis to add the rest. She paced the room and picked at her clothes with a nervous energy he knew all too well. Dread coiled around him. He couldn’t die; she certainly could. And if she did, there would only be one person to blame.
“No,” he said quickly. Her eyes widened. “I mean yes, we’re as ready as we’ll ever be. You need to call him.”
Ariel took a deep breath. He had tried to be supportive during the assessments. But while she wasn’t skilled in combat, he wasn’t skilled with hiding his emotions. Despite his best efforts, he knew she had seen the disappointment on his face when she couldn’t perform to the levels he was hoping for.
“Okay,” she said, her agreement clipped. Since he had taken her to the hospital parking lot, she had been more reserved around him. Which was fine. There was no point in trying to start something physical, no matter how good her ass looked in those pants.
Ariel pressed the stone as Dennis had instructed. And nothing happened. Seconds ticked by. She looked at her watch. It was an older timepiece and he liked that about her. Nothing smart, no phone addiction. The world was moving too fast for someone who was four hundred years old.
“Did I do something wrong?” she asked.
“No,” Dennis said. They both turned to the entrance to see Death standing in the hallway, looking into the living room.
“I was just wrapping up a meeting when I received the notification,” Dennis said. “I’m happy to get your call.” He walked past her and Vio, apparently oblivious to their tension in his presence, and took a seat on a grey sofa. “Please, have a seat,” he said to them. Ariel sank into a wingback that gave a puff of dust at being sat on for the first time in years, and Vio took the piano bench that creaked under his weight.
“So, you have an update for me?” Dennis asked, cutting to it. Of course, Vio thought. He’s a busy man.
“We do,” Ariel stammered. Vio wished they had taken some time to discuss what they were going to say to him.
“We’re almost ready to sign,” Vio said, taking the lead.
“That’s almost excellent,” Dennis said.
“You haven’t told us everything yet,” Vio continued. “We need to know who – or what – is hunting Klassen. And why, if you know it. And we don’t want to waste time travelling. We want to be able to transport. This starts in Italy, and I have no idea where the fuck it ends. We can’t lose days in airports. Plus we need additional supplies that you can help with. And then there’s Ariel’s power.”
“My what?” she asked, surprised. Everything else Vio mentioned was anticipated, but this caught her off guard. He knew it would. He told himself he didn’t care.
“Of course I was going to tell you what you’re up against,” Dennis said. “And the transporting thing is a good idea. I’ll work that ability into Ariel’s necklace. But only Ariel will have that ability. If you want to transport, you’ll have to be touching her.”
Vio glared at him. Dennis grinned. “Tisk tisk, you don’t honestly think I’d give you that power and just trust you not to abandon her as soon as I left? Like I said, this is something you do together. No exceptions. I need Klassen found. I’ll see what I can do about supplies, but what about Ariel’s power?” he asked, looking at Ariel.
“It’s –” Dennis held up a hand at Vio, cutting him off. Vio gritted his teeth but remained silent.
“What is this about your power?” Dennis asked her again.
“I have no idea why Vio said that,” she said, and set her grey eyes on him.
“Vio.” Dennis said.
“I’m fast, strong, and can’t be killed,” Vio started. “Her power is a disability. When a ghost latches on to her, she’s weakened and can’t protect herself. And she’s not trained for combat or with weapons. She should have something to make her stronger. This won’t be like following maps until we reach Klassen. There will likely be physical battles, encounters with powerful beings. She’s mortal. If you don’t give her something to protect herself, she could easily die.”
Dennis turned his gaze on Ariel, but Vio avoided looking directly at her. From the corner of his eye, he saw the damage his words had done to her.
“Do you feel that your ability to see ghosts is a disability?” Dennis asked her. Vio finally turned his gaze to her, but didn’t meet her eyes.
“I don’t mind seeing them. But when they latch on...” she looked down at her hands. “It’s a liability. It’s painful, and I can’t ignore it. It could make things dangerous for us in an already dangerous situation.”
“I see,” Dennis said. He ran his hands over his long legs and moved to standing. “It is unfortunate that you view it that way. Do you know why I’ve paired you with him?”
“Because the ghosts will be able to tell me –”
“Right,” he said, cutting her off. “You can talk. To. Ghosts. You’re at a massive advantage. Talk to them. And then everywhere you go, every battle you’re in, you won’t have just one set of eyes, like that immortal hulk of muscle over there,” he gestured loosely to Vio, “you’ll have three, ten, a hundred, a thousand. Listen to them, Ariel, talk to them. You need to embrace the incredible advantage this is. Now I know it’s not all easy, I know that the angry ones come at you and that hurts, and that’s a distraction. But it’s one you need to temper with the other gift. Even the angry ones can be an asset, if you can use it properly.”
“How?” she asked.
“You’ll have to figure that out. Just remember that they come to you for help. They could be grateful in return.”
Always bargains with you, Vio thought, but was smart enough to keep it to himself.
“Now,” Dennis said. He walked over to the mantel and leaned against it. “Like I said, I believe Klassen is moving into a mass-market reanimation business.”
“And a world without death is bad for your business,” Vio snapped. Dennis ignored the barb.
“A world without death is a problem. You’re both intelligent enough to know why. The world needs some kind of balance. What Klassen is doing is not just a threat to me, but to the world. To humanity. The other threat is who I believe is also hunting Klassen. My brother.”
A shadow of anguish crossed Death’s face. Vio blinked, and it was gone, replaced with an angry scowl. “Your brother?” Ariel asked, and Vio was glad she did. He knew nothing of the Family Death.
“My brother – Lucian – and I did not part on positive terms. He disappeared over a year ago. I’ve had feelers out for him, and my information has led me to believe he’s also interested in Klassen.”
“Why?” Vio asked.
Dennis shrugged. “The reasons could be small and petty; he could be after him because he knows what Klassen does defies me; or he could be after something much more sinister that could do real damage. I don’t know. If you come across my brother, alert me immediately. He is incredibly dangerous, and not to be trusted.”
“Is he as powerful as you?” Ariel asked.
Dennis shook his head. “His powers are limited. He can transport, he has some minor powers, but no, nothing like me. Ottavio could possibly rival him in strength. But if he learns you’re also after Klassen, he could be dangerous to you. I don’t know what his network is like. Be careful.” He looked at Ariel when he spoke. A tremor passed through her.
“What, ah, what does he look like?” she asked.
“Here.” By way of answer, Dennis handed each of them a black cell phone, with a case that bore an elegant silver skull on the back. “Each of these is loaded with all the information I have on Lucian and Klassen. You can also use them to text each other, me, or Lady Death if I’m not available. Our numbers are already in there.”
“Thank you,” Ariel said, her thumb running along the screen. Vio only tucked the phone into his pocket.
“The supplies?” Dennis prompted.
“I, ah, I could use some salt,” Ariel said. Vio couldn’t help but notice the hesitation in her voice. The insecurities that she couldn’t hide. “Salt that I don’t need to worry will run out. It’s the only thing that protects me from the ghosts. I will try to embrace that ability more and find a way to have some control, but right now I need assistance. A salt circle is my only protection from them.”
“Hmmm,” Dennis said. He closed his eyes and clasped his hands together. Slowly he pried them apart, and as he did, something that looked like a cross between a flashlight and a tall saltshaker appeared. He handed it to her. “Unlimited salt. Just click the lid for it to open and pour. It won’t run out.”
“Thank you,” she said, a faint smile touching her lips. Vio noticed her hands trembling as she held it. She knew this was becoming real.
“She could also use a weapon or two,” Vio said. “Something to protect her from those who don’t give a fuck about salt. Something that will keep the other demons at bay. Something small, easy to use and carry, easy to conceal. Surprise might be her best weapon. For now,” he added, hoping that made him sound less like a pompous, disapproving asshole.
Dennis looked at Ariel. “Stand up,” he said. She leapt to her feet too eagerly, ready to ask ‘how high’ if Death told her to jump. The trust she put in their Reaper set his teeth on edge.
Dennis touched her bare arms. Shadows slowly knit over her forearms. Vio caught a flash of stone and hilts. “These are blades made from my magic,” Dennis said. “A black dagger on each arm. Grab the hilt and remove it as needed. The blades will remain sharp. There is also one on each calf. Four black blades, fused with death magic, should be enough to slow down anything in your path.”
Ariel drew one of the blades. Vio had to admit, it was a work of art. Smooth obsidian, with a silver hilt that was coated in soft leather, and a grey skull on the pommel. There was no doubt who had crafted these blades. Dennis had been smart in this weapon; the mere sight and knowledge that they were from Death would be sufficient to deter some of the lesser unfortunates they might run into.
“They’re beautiful, thank you,” Ariel said, sheathing the blade.
“Now, I believe you have something for me?” Dennis asked.
“Wait,” Ariel said, frowning. “Vio, what do you need?”
“Nothing,” Vio ground out.
Ariel frowned. “But I thought –”
“I’m fine,” he snapped, ending the conversation. They were each going to ask for one item, but Vio had given up his for her to be more protected. “We just needed her to be better prepared. So, thank you for her gifts.”
“Then you’re ready to sign?” Dennis asked.
Vio took the contract out of his back pocket and Ariel did the same. Once again, her hands trembled. He felt a twinge of guilt for her involvement in this. But it wasn’t as strong as it had been before they called Dennis. With the salt and blades, she would be better protected. That would give her confidence to tap into the strength he was certain must be buried within. They could do this now. Yet that didn’t stop her face from displaying an expression of so this is really happening.
“Ariel?” Dennis asked, moving towards her, but Vio was there first. He wrapped his fingers around her arm, forcing his attention to her.
“We can do this,” he said. She nodded. He gave her a faint smile. “You’re stronger than you know.”
“I wouldn’t have asked you to do this if I didn’t think you could,” Dennis said softly. “Are you ready to make a deal?” He extended a fountain pen.
With a shaking hand, Ariel took the pen. She moved quickly, as though afraid of losing her nerve, and signed her name at the bottom. Without looking at him, she extended the pen to Vio. He took it slower than he should have, but signed quickly, not wanting her to know he had his own hesitations and fears about what they were embarking on. Ariel released her breath in a woosh when Vio extended his contract to Dennis.
“Excellent,” Dennis said, and the contracts were gone. He didn’t take them, they just disappeared. “My assistant will file them, don’t worry,” he said. Vio extended the pen to Dennis, who looked from it to Vio. A mischievous light danced in his eyes. “Keep it,” Dennis said. “You never know when a pen might be useful.”
Vio rolled his eyes but tucked the pen into his pocket. He had no idea how a pen from death might be useful, but if it was as any kind of weapon, it was better to have it than not.
“Now that you’ve upheld your end, it’s my turn,” Dennis said. He moved to Ariel and took the necklace in his hands. He closed his eyes for a few seconds before opening them to hold her gaze. “There. You can use this to transport. Wrap you hand around the necklace and think about where you want to go. A word of advice; when my wife was mortal, she always took a Gravol first to help her stomach. Good luck, and keep in touch. You have a month, starting now,” he said, and was gone. Ariel gasped at the sudden departure.
“Jesus,” she breathed. Her eyes turned to Vio. He crossed the room to her again.
“Well, little witch, it’s time for some vengeance. For what it’s worth, I’m glad you’ll be by my side for it. Ready?” he asked, when he was anything but.
“Does it matter?” she whispered.
Vio finally found the strength to meet her eyes. “No,” he breathed. He took her hands in his and placed one to the necklace. Still holding her other hand, he said, “now take us to Italy.”
Chapter 7
Vio
Vio and Ariel flipped through time and space. He closed his eyes and gripped her, terrified as his body shattered the laws of physics. Her nails dug into his hand. A second later they stopped, or more like crashed. He inhaled sharply as they stumbled and fell backwards onto a hard, dry surface. The scent of brick, olive trees, and dry earth hit the back of his throat. The nostalgia was like another crash landing, but to his soul. He shuddered at being in his birthplace for the first time in hundreds of years.
“Vio?” Ariel asked. Her hand grazed his shoulder. He didn’t realize his eyes had been closed while lying on his back. He opened his eyes slowly, and saw only her face and the clouds; as brooding as his reflection. They hung low and heavy, threatening a storm.
“Ariel,” he said, reaching for her without thinking. Without warning, she had become his lifeline; his grounding force.
“Do you know where we are?” she asked, looking around. Vio reached out and felt that he was on a smooth, flat surface. He let her help him to a crouching position and looked around. To the right, there was nothing but plains. Rolling hills of faded green and beige as far as he could see. He turned slowly to the left. Stretching before them was the city of Craco. Or what was left of it. The city had been abandoned about sixty years ago, with most of the last residents leaving for America after a series of landslides had driven the final residents from their homes. The entire city was structurally unsound.
“We’re on the castle roof,” he said, and they helped each other to their feet. This high up, the wind whipped at them, as though trying to tear them from the surface of the tall rectangle that was the strongest – and oldest – part of the city, dating back to at least the 1300s. It stood at the top of a sand-stone ruined city that had once housed almost two thousand people in its heyday of the 1600s. Home to a few churches, a university, and a self-sustaining community of olive farmers, Craco sprawled before them, sweeping down the mountain it was carved on top of. Below the beige walls was green scrub that swayed in the harsh winds. An unfamiliar scent – likely animal fecal matter – tainted the air, as humans had not set foot in the city in decades.
Over the years, Vio had read stories that Craco had been looted and relegated to the status of a ghost town. Around the town, buildings sat with their windows and doors open, the foundations crumbling. The house next to them looked ready to collapse at any moment. To their right, half of one building had fallen, exposing a kitchen table and chairs that looked like they were still waiting for the family to have a meal.
Though he hated Klassen for creating him, Vio still felt an ache in his heart for the state of what he had once thought of as home. This was his place of creation. The people were his own. And now, before him, only the shadows of the afternoon light were there for company. It’s fine, he told himself. He had spent hundreds of years in the shadows. They were as much of a home as any place.
“You okay?” Ariel’s soft hand touched his arm. He turned to see her and winced with guilt. Her eyes were wide with fear, her arms wrapped around herself to keep out the cold. What he could see of her neck was rippled with gooseflesh. She shivered, and he didn’t know if it was from the cold or that they were really here, starting their quest, and there was no going back.
“Fine,” he said, harsher than he intended. It wasn’t just her he needed to convince.
“Where should we start?” she asked.
Vio looked down. “We can’t stay up here. Take us down, maybe a central location? How about the church?” He pointed to a tall building on the edge of the town with a narrow dome roof. “It will be a good place to start. I can get my bearings from there.”
“I’ll try to take us inside,” she said, squinting at the structure. She held out her hand and Vio looked at it. Did she realize how inviting that gesture was, how he wished it was more than just to transport, but everything else that came with the simple, intimate gesture. That was probably one of the reasons Dennis required that they be touching when they transported. Just to fuck with him.
Vio took her hand in his. She wrapped her other around her necklace and closed her eyes. A second before they spun through space, she gave his hand an extra squeeze, and he squeezed back. Then they were ripped from the roof and slammed onto the church floor.
