"Fine." He's up to something, but I'm not sure what. "I'm assuming it's just us and this other person here?"
"Yes, this person has been sick for a very long time." He opens the door, leading us into the back master bedroom.
There is an older man lying on the bed with an oxygen mask on his face. He's breathing in and out but is in a very deep sleep. His face is sagging, and his skin is turning yellow.
"What's wrong with him?" The stench of death is already upon him, so he doesn't have much longer. It's strange because that smell used to turn my stomach, but now it doesn't faze me at all.
"He's suffered a stroke." Luke stares at the man and frowns. "He hasn't been able to function since. His wife is just down the hall and will be back in just a few moments."
"So... why are here?" There is always a reason with him.
"Like I said, I want to test something." He nods at the man. "Why don't you heal him?"
"Really?" This will be easy. My healing ability has always been the most natural for me, so it’ll be a piece of cake.
"Yes, otherwise he is marked to die tonight." Luke leans back against the wall and grins. "So, if you can heal him, he'll get to live a few more years."
"Okay, one healed old man coming right up." I walk over to the man on the bed, and my white power churns inside me. As it begins to move, the three elemental powers along with my reaper magic begin to swirl, increasing strength.
I open my hand and touch the old man's chest. As soon as my power connects with his soul, it begins to blend in with it unlike any other time before.
His soul connects with me, and I see flickers of his life and memories. The first time he met his wife, the moments when his son and daughter were born, all of these different moments of time are recalled in my mind as if I'm part of him.
When I reach the end of his life's slide show, it's somehow clear that he has lived his life and it's time for him to die. My white power begins to dim, and my black reaper power begins to strengthen in its stead.
But that's not what I'm supposed to do right now. I'm supposed to be giving him a few more years with his family. The vibrant purple strand of the fire element lights up and flashes inside me and into my mind.
Oh my God. This is what got me in that mess to begin with. Saving this person is not the right thing to do. His time is up, and the balance of the world depends on life and death. Him having a few more years past his due time on Earth with his family is not worth risking the world. It makes me no better than Damien, who collects souls instead of letting them go into their afterlife. I've endangered the world because I saved one person – Becca. I can't do it again.
The strands of the artifacts rush into the reaper powers to form a swirl of black, brown, blue, and purple. Instead of healing, the reaper magic begins working, and my hands begin to suction the soul out of the body.
This man doesn't fight me; he's ready to go home. His soul comes willingly, and soon he's passing through my body and going into his afterlife.
There is no coldness or nausea this time. When the transition is complete, I open my eyes to find Luke staring at me with his mouth wide open.
"You... You reaped him." His face turns a shade more pale, and he rubs his fingers together.
If he thinks he's the only one surprised, he's got another think coming. "I know, but I had to. Extending his life would cause problems. I saw it."
He shakes his head, and his forehead wrinkles. "What do you mean?"
My magic suddenly flares inside me and takes my breath away. I stumble and almost fall to the floor.
"What's wrong?" Luke rushes over to me and takes my arm. "Are you okay?"
"No..." Another wave of power crashes over me, and it feels as if my insides are going to be ripped to shreds if I don't let it out. It's never been this strong before. "My power..." I can't even finish my sentence because holding it in takes all my concentration. Shit, there is no way I can keep it inside for much longer.
3
His grip tightens on my arm. “Christina, we have to go. There is still someone in the house. You can’t lose control.”
My power swirls and presses against my core, threatening to burst right out if I can’t control it fast. My knees buckle, and I drop to the floor even with Luke there trying to keep me upright. I’m at the mercy of the artifacts.
“Shit.” With his free hand, he pulls out his cell phone and puts it to his ear. “Dax, clear the mansion the best you can. We are coming back now.”
I close my eyes, unable to keep them open. I’m going to die right here and now. I’m not even going to get a chance to tell Charlie I love him one last time.
The air begins to churn, whipping around me, increasing the discomfort inside me. At least I won’t kill the old lady doing laundry. It’ll be hard enough on the family that the old man died. His memories showed a very loving and close family.
Soon, we’re back at the mansion, and I curl up in the fetal position on the floor. I don’t know how much longer I have, but each breath hurts.
“What the hell happened?” Dax rushes over and bends down next
