Music blares from the bathroom, and the scent of fruit drifts through the air as Maddy showers. She wasn’t keen on the idea at first, but her body needs to relax after testing her abilities. At least that was the excuse I used. I don’t like lying to her, but I need a few minutes of privacy—and after the situation at the park, we’re not separating again. Even being in different rooms has me anxious.
The powers she wields shouldn’t be possible. I’ve had Charges that had an ability, but never multiple. They were always simple ones like psychic visions or minor telekinesis.
Maddy’s are powerful and made even more dangerous by her inability to control them and her lack of knowledge of them. Given time, we can control the majority of them.
However, the one I’m most concerned about is whatever happened when we kissed. I felt it building inside her. My essence fought to tame it—to keep us both from losing control—but I have no control when I’m kissing her. Everything inside me is heightened. It’s overwhelming. It must be why my Mark—the shield each Protector places around the essence of the Charge—was suddenly visible outside of the Veil of Shadows. But Maddy is not my Charge. How did I Mark her, and why did the Mark come back to me when we stopped kissing? She still needed to be protected from the flames.
The water the flame tornado scooped up from the pond may have kept the heat down, but it still could have hurt her. I didn’t know how we were going to get out of there. I was relieved when it vanished. But for all the danger we were in, Maddy wasn’t frightened. I couldn’t believe it as she just watched on with a sense of wonder, in awe of what we’d done—she’d done.
The easiest way to handle it is to not kiss her again. But even thinking it, I know neither of us can resist. So what sparked that reaction in her? And how was she able to manipulate two elements—fire and water—without recognizing she was responsible for it?
I listen for her heartbeat again, finding solace in the calming rhythm. She’s safe. I clear my mind and reach out for Alexander using Cerebrallink.
MJ, he says once our minds have connected.
Did you find anyone at the park? I ask.
No. The woods were empty. The spirit is gone. Do you think it’s the same one you’ve encountered before?
The day I met Maddy, a spirit tried to shield her from me in the park. Maybe this same spirit made that sound in the woods at the bridge. The spirit is still unknown, but I believe it’s part of a group of four supernatural beings supposedly working together to protect Maddy. The only confirmed member is Maddy’s Guardian, posing as the substitute math teacher Ms. Morgan. A suspected member is Duane, the Shadowwalker posing as Maddy’s uncle. I have no leads on the fourth member.
Considering none of them helped save Maddy from the demon last night, they’re done being a part of her life. I will hunt them all down and send them to Hell. I need to keep her safe and hidden.
Thunder rolls through the air. I check on Maddy again, listening to her elevated, but still normal, heart rate. I move to the bathroom door and peek inside. The shower curtain is closed, though I can hear the water as it hits her skin. No one else is in here. She’s safe.
I shut the door and link back to Alexander. I’m not sure if it’s the same spirit. I didn’t sense an essence, but I knew someone was there. I don’t understand how that’s possible.
I have a thought, Alexander says, but you’re not going to like it.
I don’t like the majority of the situation we’re in. Out with it, I reply.
He’s silent for a moment, which only increases my anxiety. I don’t think it was the spirit—it had an essence. I think it was one of the Fallen.
My body stiffens. Hairs stand on my neck. That’s not possible, I say, though I don’t know if the lie is for me or him.
The Fallen’s essences are guarded so we cannot detect when they are on Mortal Ground. I already know the Acquisitioner is after her, but that doesn’t mean Death, the Gatekeeper, and the Ferryman aren’t too. Maddy could change everything about the afterlife. If the others know about her, I have to assume she makes them nervous.
Though if that being were a member of the Fallen, it would have either killed her or taken her by now.
You’re probably right, Alexander says, drawing me from my thoughts. It’s probably not possible. Speaking of the impossible, any ideas on the fire tornado?
I groan. You saw it?
I’d wager half the state saw it, not to mention Immortal City.
I sigh and run my fingers through my hair, desperate for control. I must contain this. I must protect her. Come here. Bring the others too. We need to talk.
A moment later, Alexander appears near the window in Maddy’s room. His jeans are covered in dirt, and his shirt has several burrs stuck to it. As grateful as I am for his help, I don’t need evidence of his presence sprinkled on Maddy’s floor.
I wave my hand at him, removing the traces of his search through the woods.
He looks down at his now-clean clothes and shrugs.
“Thank you,” says a female voice near Maddy’s bed.
I turn. Tension builds inside as I gaze at the two women standing before me.
Tamitha brushes strands of her long brown hair behind her shoulder and then motions to Alexander, smiling. “We were all in the woods, yet he was the only one covered in dirt.”
“That’s his norm,” Sissy, the redheaded angel beside her, scoffs. Her light brown eyes land on me, taking me all in.
I trained her—all of them—but now I’m different. Even from here, I can sense their unease. Maddy . . . takes some getting used to. If they’re not ready yet, I’m not letting them come near her. I couldn’t admit it to her last night, mostly because I didn’t want to admit it to myself, but Justin was right. My kind could kill her.
The first and most important rule is to keep our identity a secret. If mortals knew the truth of the afterlife, their life on earth would lose its value. People would take as many irresponsible risks as they pleased, then they’d die and be reborn as if it were no more than pressing restart on a video game. To protect our existence, we were given the ability to compel mortals. Both angels and demons use it every day. It’s the one rule everyone abides by.
Maddy can’t be compelled, and she can shield her thoughts from us—both violate rule one. I’ve told my team this, but hearing about her and actually experiencing her are different.
I called you here, I begin, speaking to their minds so Maddy will not hear, to discuss recent events. We already had the odds stacked against us in regards to protecting Maddy, but things have changed again—and not for the better.
They stiffen, and Alexander frowns. Is this about the tornado? I was joking—mostly. And anyway, we can—
No. My head pounds as a headache forms. I close my eyes and pinch the bridge of my nose, trying to soothe it. After a moment, I give up, dropping my arm to my side. I mean, the tornado is troubling too. But before the flame tornado, I was testing one of Maddy’s abilities. When we touch, sometimes she sends our souls someplace, while our bodies remain in the original location. She’s always sent us to the bridge until today.
Where did you go? Tamitha asks, stepping closer.
Emotions sway inside me, rolling like the waves of the ocean, and I am no more than a drifter clinging to a life raft. For a moment, I consider not telling them, but I’m in over my head.
I asked her to send us to what can best be described as a dream—a nightmare, really. She did, but it wasn’t a recreation or an alternate plane. It was real.
Alexander places his hand on my shoulder, sending the reassurance I needed. What are you saying, MJ?
Maddy sent us back in time to the day I died.
The truth clings to the air, silencing the room. I didn’t want to believe it either. I tried to find another explanation, but there isn’t one.
They all step back. Then their voices start shouting in my head, blending in a cacophony of shock and disbelief. I rub my temples, trying to drown them out. After this reaction, I’m glad I downplayed the tornado.
Thunder rips through the air, rocking the house. I check on Maddy again, listening to her quickened heart. If I search the room again, I might catch her in a vulnerable state now that the shower is off. Instead I listen for other sounds in the room—anything to shed a light on what’s upset her. I hear nothing other than music, her racing heart, and ragged breathing. The demons she’s facing are her own. Is she realizing what this morning means too?
I want to go to her—comfort her. It won’t take away her pain, but it seems to help her. However, I can’t while the other Protectors are here.
After several moments, the thunder and other angels calm. So do I.
MJ, Alexander says, have you considered that perhaps this is why the Acquisitioner is after her?
My shoulders slump, fearing the truth of his words. The Binding Agreement—the contract the Influencer had—was created by the Acquisitioner. He drafts all contracts in Hell—mainly Binding Agreements, which he uses to collect souls for the Devil. So why did he write that contract for the Influencer to use with Maddy, and what does the Acquisitioner get out of it? More than likely, as Alexander suggested, he’s after Maddy for himself.
I’ve already lost too much to him. I won’t lose her too.
He’s right, Sissy says. With access to that kind of ability, the Acquisitioner could travel to any fixed point in time and change it. History could be rewritten. Everything is in jeopardy, including us. He could stop the creation of the Protectors. He could even go back and prevent the Fall. This ability is too dangerous—not to mention the other abilities Maddy seems to have. We cannot allow her to fall into his hands.
She cannot fall into any of the Fallen’s hands.
So you’ll help me with her? I ask.
Hope grows as they agree. Sharing her isn’t ideal—I had hoped to protect her myself. But I can’t do it on my own—not until the situation is resolved with the Influencer and the Acquisitioner. With my team on board, we might protect Maddy. She needs to meet them, though. That way they can help protect her.
Give me an hour to get her ready. Meet us at the park across the street.
You’re doing the right thing, MJ, Sissy says.
We’ll clean out the park, Tamitha adds. Just in case there are any more incidents like at the bridge.
I nod, and they take their leave. This will work. I have to believe it. The only problem left is getting Maddy to go along with it.