Exhausted, Malini borrowed a phone to call Jacob to come and get them. When Lucifer took her clothes, he also took Warwick’s sapphire, her only means of communication with Eden. The Hopi were unbelievably accommodating, especially the medicine woman. Willow explained that Spider Woman came to her in a dream and commanded the Hopi to perform the Snake Dance at the highly unusual time of year.
She’d have to thank Fate later for saving her life. Of course, Fatima would deny everything. Technically, the immortals weren’t allowed to interfere.
Cheveyo borrowed his father’s Jeep and helped carry Dane down the mesa. Working together, they transported him back to the Desert Days Motel, where they procured a room and propped Dane’s limp body on the bed. His nose was still bleeding, and his skin was doing a good job of matching the sheets.
Malini tried to heal him but healing wasn’t the problem. He needed to unload the gifts he’d been carrying before they ate him alive from the inside out. It was like any of their powers. If Malini healed for too long, she burned. If Ghost dispersed for too long, he ached all over like he had the flu. For Dane, if he held onto a gift for too long, it ate him alive.
With a crack, Samantha arrived in the room, staff in one hand and geode in the other. She gasped when she saw Malini and then Dane, a storm of emotions: horror, anger, and pity flitting across her face. She didn’t say a word, just walked to the closet and set up the portal. A few minutes later, Jacob emerged from a tunnel of purple light, T-shirt and shorts dappled with wet spots.
“Surfing,” he said to Samantha. “It might take the others a few more minutes.”
She nodded.
The second Jacob saw Malini, a growl breached his throat from deep within. “What happened?” His eyes wandered over her chopped hair, her borrowed T-shirt and shorts.
“Believe me, Lucifer got the worst of it.” She reached for his hand.
He pulled her into his embrace, running his hands through her hair and whispering sweetly in her ear.
“Um, I’m Cheveyo, but people call me Chevy.” Cheveyo’s mahogany hand extended toward Jacob awkwardly.
Jacob stepped back from Malini and shook the boy’s hand. “Nice to meet you in the flesh.”
Any further greeting was cut off by the sound of the ocean and a spray of seawater. Bonnie and Ethan stepped from the closet.
Ethan didn’t even look toward the small group of Soulkeepers near the window. He rushed to Dane’s side, lowering himself to the edge of the bed and leaning over his body. Carefully, he placed a hand on his cheek. “What’s wrong with him? He’s burning up.”
“He needs to give you all your gifts back. They’re killing him,” Malini said.
Ethan tapped Dane’s cheek and shook his shoulder gently. “Dane. Dane. Wake up, buddy.”
Dane’s eyes fluttered open.
“Good morning, Hero. You need to give me my power back, now.”
A pinched smile spread across Dane’s face. “So, take it,” he drawled.
Ethan lowered his mouth to Dane’s.
“Whoa.” Malini forcibly turned Jacob and Cheveyo toward the window. Bonnie turned too, raising an eyebrow.
“So, ah, you were right about that one thing we talked about before,” Malini said to Jacob.
“And don’t you forget it. You know, just because you’re the Healer doesn’t mean you know everything.”
Samantha cleared her throat from her place in front of the closet. “Yeah, it kinda does, Jacob.”
“Definitely,” Bonnie agreed. She pressed her eyes closed and smacked her forehead with her palm. No one needed to ask why.
“Huh. Well, I’ll always have this.” Jacob pulled Malini into his side.
A loud pop behind them welcomed Grace and Master Lee to the room, each arriving by means of their own staff.
“Oh!” Grace said when she saw the kiss. She joined the others at the window while Lee made himself busy helping Samantha. “So … that’s happening.”
“And it’s about time,” Malini added.
Grace smiled warmly in response. “Maybe we should leave them alone?” she offered.
“Not until you get your damn powers out of my boyfriend,” Ethan said. “He’s not doing so good over here.”
“Happily.” Jacob turned from the window and reached across the bed for Dane’s hand. With a jolt, his eyes took on the sparkle of a Soulkeeper.
Lillian arrived next through the closet, followed by Ghost, who seemed like he’d enjoyed the journey all too well. He whooped and gave Samantha a peck on her cheek.
“We just got the message from Dr. Silva— shit, Dane, you look like Hell.”
Concerned, he walked over to the bed, slugging Ethan in the shoulder in lieu of a hello.
“He needs to dump your power,” Jacob said. “It’s giving him a headache.”
“It’s probably the smell,” Ethan added, rubbing his arm where Ghost had punched him.
“Ha, ha. More like he can’t handle the magnanimous power that is me.” Ghost clasped Dane’s arm at the elbow.
Dane returned the grip, flipping him off with his other hand. “Oh, I handled it. I just know you need it more than I do,” he said, passing the power back.
Malini rolled her eyes. “Do you guys ever stop?”
Ghost’s electric violet eyes fluttered in response. “Whatever do you mean?”
“One more,” Lillian said, grabbing Dane’s hand. Malini watched her power return to her like a long lost friend.
“How are you feeling now, Dane?” Malini asked.
“Much better. My headache is gone.” He accepted Ethan’s help and sat up on the ugly brown bedspread.
“Excellent. We’ll help you back to Eden to unload Archibald’s gift.”
“Archibald? He gave you something?” Ethan asked.
“Yeah, super sight and hearing. It saved our lives.”
“No shit?” Ghost grinned incredulously.
“No shit,” Dane said.
At the serious glare Dane gave him, the smile melted from Ghost’s face and he nodded.
“Malini,” Lee said. “We’d better go. I don’t think it’s safe for all of us to be here.”
“Absolutely,” Malini said. “Not to mention, I’ve got to do something about this before my parents see me.” She pointed to her head.
Grace and the girls lowered their eyes, as if they couldn’t stand the sight of her talon-shorn hair. Even Lillian looked like she might cry. But Jacob rubbed her head with his hand. “Looks tough. Very G.I. Jane.”
While the other Soulkeepers discussed the mission and how they were all going to get back to Eden, Dane smiled weakly at Ethan. “So, I made it home, as promised.”
“Knew you would.” Ethan shrugged.
“Right. You thought I was Watcher fodder.”
“But you weren’t.” Ethan’s dark eyes lit up, and he wove his fingers into Dane’s.
“So, I guess we should come out to my parents,” Dane suggested, suddenly serious.
Glancing away, Ethan played with the corner of the pillowcase.
“What?” Dane asked.
“Might not be the best time,” he said. “Your dad is still in the hospital. He hasn’t gotten any better.”
“How long were we gone?” Dane asked.
“Weeks. It’s October fifth.”
Stunned, Dane glanced at Malini. She didn’t look much better than he felt. This mission had ruined both of them and she’d missed her birthday. But he would never forget how it felt to plunge that metal rod into Auriel’s back. They’d attacked Lucifer in his own backyard, and they’d lived to tell the tale.
“Well, I guess life-changing conversations can wait ‘til everything is back to normal.”
Ethan nodded. “We’ve got nothing but time.”
“Yeah. I guess we do.”
After some discussion, the Soulkeepers divided themselves into groups of two for the trip home, deciding to take turns with the enchanted staffs rather than chancing the challenge of a new portal with Malini and Dane in their weakened condition. Since the staffs were limited to two Soulkeepers at a time, Jacob, Ethan, and Jesse volunteered to stay back for the second trip.
Cheveyo balked. “What about me? This is my home. What about my mom and dad? Raine?”
Malini placed a hand on his shoulder. “Your father, Willow, and Raine were there today. They understand exactly what you are and why you need to leave. Our Helpers will come up with something to tell your mother.”
“I want to stay.” Cheveyo shook his head. “My dad says I can complete the Hopi coming-of-age ritual. I never thought I wanted to before but I do. I really do.”
Bonnie, Samantha, and Grace glanced at each other, and then eyed Cheveyo empathetically. They knew all too well what sacrifices becoming a Soulkeeper required.
“I’m sorry,” Malini said. “There will come a time when you can go home. But not now. It’s too dangerous. Lucifer could retaliate and you’re too vulnerable here.”
He opened his mouth to argue but Malini grasped his hand, giving him a heavy dose of her healing power. Understanding softened his shoulders, and eventually he nodded his acceptance.
They agreed to meet behind the flower shop. Lee helped Dane into position, and Malini joined Lillian at the staff Lee had brought for her. Bonnie and Samantha huddled around the one Samantha had used, and Grace offered a kind hand to Cheveyo. They tapped the staffs on the shaggy beige carpet and began their journey home.