The Soother (28 page)

“Don’t worry. I forgive you,” she said, to ease his mind. “I kinda like the new me.” She stepped around Krystoff, gathered her magick and threw it at Riona. Calliope looked over her shoulder, crooked her finger. “Hurry up. We’ve got work to do.”

Krystoff gave a half-smile. “Well, then. Let’s do it.”

He crouched, scooped up a handful of earth while Calliope side-kicked a fae and sent it flying into the flames. The glistening wings caught fire and shriveled before disintegrating. The screams tore at her heart, but Calliope realized she couldn’t spend her life always feeling bad for others. Especially not these creatures. Not after what they’d done to her coven. What they would continue to do if they weren’t stopped.

Calliope watched Krystoff in her peripheral. He muttered a few words and threw the dirt on the fire. The fire roared, and then vanished.

Elbowing a shifter in the ribs, Calliope twisted to avoid a blast from Riona, and swore she heard Krystoff whistling.

Moments later, Ambra, Isabelle and … yes, the being Krystoff had called Scout charged past the stones. As happy as she was to see familiar faces, Calliope couldn’t spare a second for a reunion.

Colorful sparks broke up the grays and blacks of Mistropa. Scout handled three shifters at once. Calliope fought hard, throwing her magick and strength into the battle. She spotted Riona just as queen bitch barreled toward her. Calliope rolled to the side, landing hard on her shoulder.

Chaos raged around her, but Calliope only had eyes for Riona. Calliope shoved off the ground and crouched into fight stance, held ice-blue magick in both of her hands. Riona giggled, insanity darkening her eyes as she transferred black magick back and forth between her hands like a juggler at a freak show. Calliope threw first. Riona retaliated. Their magick hit in the middle, sending shards of ice-crystals to the ground. Calliope allowed herself two seconds to be amazed, then shrugged. Apparently, her magick was altered, too. She’d never thrown ice before.

Riona conjured a knife, circled Calliope. Krystoff came up behind his mother, grabbed her in a chokehold. Calliope stilled, her breath stolen in the blink of an eye. As much as she wanted revenge, Krystoff had been dealing with Riona for far longer. She lowered her hands and nodded.

Silence ensued. Calliope assumed it was because Krystoff had Riona and the Mistropans were contemplating their next move. The next voice had her spinning on her heel.

“Looks like we got here just in time.”

Calliope squealed. “Carrine!” Her eyes dashed to the beautiful witch next to Carrine. “And Meera!” Ghanem, Steffen, Drake and several other guardians were there too. Calliope noticed Thane wasn’t among them. Her first thought was that he and Bevva were together. Until she remembered Eron had taken Bevva.

Meera smiled warmly, amethyst eyes sparkling. “You okay, Calli?”

Whispers of the Luminary’s presence and power flitted through the Mistropans. Some tried to flee. Meera lifted a hand. Pure, white magick poured through her fingertips, creating a barrier.

Riona gurgled for breath.

Calliope moved to stand next to Krystoff as Meera stepped forward. “Riona, queen of Mistropa, you are found guilty of crimes against fellow veiled.” Meera lifted her eyes to Krystoff, then back to Riona. “Crimes against your son. I find it fitting that he will decide your fate.”

“She will die,” Krystoff said between clenched teeth.

Calliope rubbed his back. He turned to look at her, eyes swirling with emotion. “Are you sure?” Calliope asked.

“Her shadows have taken over. She isn’t fit to live.”

Understanding his implied meaning, Calliope offered a soothing smile. “You are not Riona.”

He blinked. “I am shadowed. Just like her. In time, this will be who I am.”

Calliope refused to believe that. “You are nothing like her. Don’t let your shadows win,” Calliope urged. “Don’t let Riona win.”

Krystoff growled low when Riona squirmed, wrenched her arms behind her back to keep her from using her magick. He looked at Scout. Scout’s jaw was clenched tight, his eyes solemn. Something silent passed between he and Krystoff, then Krystoff swore softly under his breath and turned to face Meera. “What is my other option?”

Ghanem stepped forward. His hair had grown back, now hanging to his shoulders. His spiraled, charcoal horns gleamed. “We will take her into custody. She will be imprisoned for eternity.”

Meera laced her fingers through Ghanem’s and nodded.

“We have a lot of work to do, Krystoff. Together,” Calliope said.

Krystoff touched his forehead to Calliope’s. “Do you want Riona imprisoned?”

Calliope nodded. She did. The soother in her didn’t wish death on anyone when there was another option. If Riona was imprisoned, Krystoff could at least have the peace of mind that he hadn’t killed his mother.

“Then she is all yours, guardian.” Krystoff hurled Riona toward Ghanem.

Ghanem caught her. Riona screamed in protest; then she giggled, reached up and grabbed one of Ghanem’s horns. Calliope had no doubt that Riona’s shadows had devoured any and all sanity Riona may have had left. Meera zapped Riona’s fingers. “Do not touch his horns.”

Calliope understood Meera’s territorial behavior. She planned to be every bit as possessive when it came to Krystoff. She threw her arms around his neck to show him just how much she wanted to be with him.

Krystoff returned the embrace, squeezing so hard her ribs ached. He kissed her ear before whispering, “I still don’t have a soul.”

She leaned back and met his eyes. Smiled. “That doesn’t matter to me.” She’d come a long way in a short time and had learned to reserve judgment the hard way.

Krystoff pulled her to him and kissed her soundly. “It should,” he said against her lips. “You deserve better.”

Was that a goodbye speech? She’d heard better. Krystoff wasn’t getting away that easily. “I’m
better
with you.”

His smile widened and Calliope breathed a sigh of relief. He finally looked like Charmer again.

He dragged a finger over her lips. “I’ve been trying to tell you that.”

Calliope grinned, snuggled closer, not caring that they had an audience. “I’m not always the best listener.”

Rubbing his chin on her head, Krystoff laughed. “Ah, this I know. I’ll need to brush up on my power of persuasion.” He stilled. “I haven’t given up. I’ll get my soul back.”

Calliope tilted her face up, kissed Krystoff on his chin. “We’ll get it back.”

Krystoff stood back and watched as Calliope introduced Meera to Ambra. The reunion called for better ambiance. A few rhythmic words, a heavy dose of magick and a blast from the staff Isabelle had safely returned to him, and the gloom of Mistropa lifted. It wouldn’t last, but at least it was something. His gift to a mother that was nothing like his own. Why hadn’t he thought to do that before? Would have made his early years more tolerable. Ah, but back then he didn’t have this kind of power.

Calliope smiled and mouthed a silent
thank you
. Krystoff bowed his head in acknowledgement, then walked out of the circle to join the group. Calliope sidled up next to him and made introductions all around. When she’d tried to describe who he was to the newcomers, she’d finally settled on
‘he’s mine’
after fumbling for words. Krystoff couldn’t have asked for more than that. He was hers. And she was his. He’d known it since the day she’d walked into his life.

Several of the guardians had been tasked with taking Riona to her new prison. Krystoff was just glad he didn’t have to look at his crazed mother anymore. More than that, he was thankful Calliope had convinced him not to kill her. Riona still had Hannah’s soul. If she were dead, Scout would never be able to get it back for his sister. Who knew how many other souls she’d taken over time. The Luminary definitely had her work cut out for her, and Krystoff vowed to do anything he could to help.

Ambra stood between Calliope and Meera, her green eyes sparkling with fresh tears. They had a long way to go to make up for the lost years, but Krystoff had no doubt they’d do that and then some.

“Where is Bevva?” Ambra asked.

Calliope squeezed Krystoff’s hand, then stepped forward and faced the group. “Eron took her,” she announced. “I don’t know where.” Calliope relayed the entire conversation she’d had with Eron and finished with, “He said the crowds would love her.” Her voice trembled as she spoke the last words.

“Thane is missing, too,” Ghanem announced.

“What are the chances that’s a coincidence?” Carrine’s tone didn’t reflect optimism.

Meera shook her head. “It’s not a coincidence. Not with the way Thane feels about Bevva. Not with the uncanny timing.”

Calliope sighed. “Eron disappeared. We can’t even question him.”

An idea formulated and Krystoff stepped forward. “Maybe not him, but there are some other Mistropans here who may know a little something about this situation.”

The cocky guardian Calliope had introduced as Steffen cracked his knuckles. “Now you’re talking my language, Wizire.”

“Wizire?” Krystoff asked, though he doubted he wanted to hear Steffen’s answer.

“You know, a wizard-vampire mix. Vampard works, too,” Steffen said, laughing.

Isabelle laughed uncontrollably. “That’s hilarious. I like you, horn man.”

Krystoff saw Scout clenching his fists and wondered how long it would be before the nomas and the guardian had it out.

“Yeah, hilarious. A warning, guardian,” Krystoff said to Steffen. “My dark side is very dark. His … ” He cocked his head toward Scout. “Is a lot darker.”

Steffen had the gall to smile. “Sounds like fun. Maybe we can all play together sometime.”

Krystoff shook his head and turned the conversation. “There’s a dungeon here. I say we use it for interrogation.”

Calliope wrapped her arm around his waist. His shadows sighed, slid along her back. She smiled up at him. Maybe the soother could tame his shadows. Krystoff wouldn’t put it past her.

“Then we’ll go find Bevva and Thane?” Calliope asked, hope glimmering in her bright eyes.

“Yes,” Krystoff said. “Come morning, we’ll leave.”

Ambra clapped her hands as if she’d just made a decision. “I’m going.”

“Me, too,” Isabelle announced, bouncing on her heels.

Krystoff rolled his eyes.
Hello, déjà vu.

Scout grumbled, and then stepped up. “I guess that means I’m in, too.”

Krystoff coughed into his hand to muffle his words. “Broken record, people. Broken record.”

Brow creased, Calliope asked, “Do I even want to know?”

Krystoff just shook his head and pulled her close. That was all the answer she needed.

Carrine smoothed her skirt with one hand. “Now that that’s settled, did I hear you mention something about a soul?” Carrine asked.

“Yeah.” Krystoff pointed with his thumb. “I loaned it to ghost boy over there … for safekeeping. Didn’t quite work out that way.”

Scout didn’t say a word, but lifted his gaze and tilted his head toward a large tree.

Krystoff looked up. “You’ve got to be kidding me.” He glared at Scout. “How did you? Never mind,” he said, shaking his head. “Don’t tell me.”

Calliope gasped, and then laughed. “The owl?”

Indeed, the owl was perched at the top of the tree, regally assessing the masses.

Hands on hips, Carrine pursed her lips in thought. “Not impossible, but that’s going to take some time.”

Krystoff smiled at Calliope. “We’ve got time, don’t we, angel?”

Calliope kissed him soundly, her full lips wreaking havoc on his heart. That was the only answer Krystoff would ever need.

A poem written especially for The Soother by Vivienne Moss

The owl takes flight

In the shadowless night

Whispers of Magick

On ghostly wings

The veil of dark

Shrouds the sorcerers spark

Dim secrets of ecstasy

The tangled web

Visions of dread

With hauntingly

Prophetic dreams

The Banshee cries

Piercing through life’s lies

Embraced by Deaths

Sweet eternity

Summerlands light

Is the souls delight

True loves charmed kiss

Will set you free

Elle J Rossi grew up in rural Indiana surrounded by great people, a huge family, and more animals than she could count. But the sights and sounds of the world beckoned, so she left her small town to escape into a creative world full of music. As a full time singer she was able to lose herself in a thousand different songs in a hundred different places.

After meeting the love of her life and settling down, she yearned to find a new and fulfilling creative outlet. Overly fond of the happily ever after, she wondered what it would be like to have her own characters lead her down dark and twisted paths. The very first word on the very first page sealed her fate. She’d found a new love. She’d found her escape.

Now along with weaving haunting tales about the journey to love, she’s creating cover art for authors around the world and loving every second of it. For fun, she cranks country music to take her back to her roots, and sings karaoke anytime she gets a chance. Her husband, two children, and two cats that rules the roost keep her company along the way and guarantee she doesn’t get lost in the enchanted forest. She wouldn’t have it any other way.

“It’s happened again, hasn’t it?”

Meera Jones didn’t have to say anything. The cards said it all. They always did. She twisted her long black braid around her fist and stared at the images laid out on the table in front of her.

The Chariot. The Tower. And worst of all, the Moon.

The picture of two brightly clothed, dancing marionettes held upright with thin strings controlled by a scouring moon sent chills down her spine. She’d always felt like two sides of a coin on any given day — bright and cheery one moment, hauntingly shadowy and tarnished the next. The Moon card, which represented dark influences, trickery, and illusion, had just confirmed her earlier suspicion: She could very well be losing her mind. Some scoffed, but Meera trusted the power of the tarot, and more importantly Carrine, the woman who had become her sole confidant over the past several months.