"What took you so long?" He turns around and shakes his head. "I figured you'd be here a minute ago."
Wow, I'm a minute later than he expected and he's giving me grief. I'm not about to tell him I'm feeling off though. "Sorry, I had to run to the bathroom first."
He rubs his eyes and then lets out a huge breath. "All right let's get down to business. I know you need a new realm jumper."
Wait, what? "What are you talking about? I can transport."
"Yes, but only in the realm you're in." He lifts his chin and looks down his nose at me. "You can't jump realms. We can only transport in the same dimension, so you'll need someone for that. I've found the perfect person."
My hearing is now going in and out and a cold sweat breaks out over my body. My power is clawing at my skin, trying to get out. I don't understand what's going on, but I can't even pay attention anymore. It takes all my concentration to keep whatever is going on inside.
"He was supposed to be a reaper, but he couldn't pass the test." He takes a few steps toward me and bends down so he catches my eye. "Much like your friend Beth."
Wait.... Did he just say Beth's name? I focus on him, startled out of whatever is going on.
He leans back on the desk and crosses his ankles. "See, I knew that would get your attention." He rolls his eyes and crosses his arms. "Like I was saying, this person is trained in security, so he is perfect to assist you in the rest of your missions."
"But didn't you say he's a reaper?" Am I losing my damn mind? Granted right now, I don't feel like I belong in my own freaking skin.
"Not anymore." He clears his throat and fidgets. "Dax, get in here."
The door opens behind me and I spin around. A man walks in who can't be past his mid-thirties. What the hell? "Is his time already up?"
"Not exactly." Luke walks up beside me.
Storm gray eyes meet mine. Dax straightens his shoulders causing his council-emblemed, pure black ensemble to stretch out against his muscular chest. "It's an honor to make this sacrifice to serve the greater good."
Oh, dear Lord. Another brainwashed minion. When will these people have a mind of their own? "So, you're going to take him before his time? Isn't that against the rules?"
Luke snorts. "Not when you make the rules." He motions for Dax to follow him to the other side of the room.
That shows how observant I am. I hadn't even noticed that they had brought in a cot until now. Dax lays down on the bed and rests his interlaced hands together on top of his chest. If his chest wasn't moving up and down, I would think he was already dead.
“Now, I’m going to reap you.” Luke lays a hand down on his shoulder and gives a small smile. “But don’t worry. I’ll bring you back quickly. It won’t hurt at all.”
This isn’t right, but what can I do. Once again, I feel helpless and at their mercy. This must change. I can’t live with all these regrets much longer.
“I’m ready.” He gives a nod and adjusts his body so it’s straight.
A sensation close to static fills the air int eh room and surrounds me. It rubs against my body and causes friction almost as if it’s searching for something inside me. As it creeps against me, the coldness I always feel engulfs me. It’s strange. The friction doesn’t cause warmth, but bone-cold chills across my skin. It seeps through my skin and intensifies the already-chaotic magic churning inside me. I turn my attention back to Luke. Dark gray reaper magic spills from his hands. Luke’s hands connect with his chest and then begin pulling.
Dax’s body convulses as his soul is sucked from his body into Luke’s and transported into his designated afterlife. It lurches, fighting against the draw. It’s not his time so this will be more of a struggle.
After a few seconds, his body begins to still and the soul gets sucked into Luke’s.
Despite my magic being crazy, I want to throw up at what’s going on in front of me. This shouldn’t be happening. Luke knows what he’s going to put this man through, but he doesn’t care. It’s all about the artifacts when we could try to find another way.
After a moment, Luke places his hands back on Dax’s chest and the friction against my skin begins moving counterclockwise. The dark gray magic turns a white color and surrounds the body in front of me. Soon something flashes and I have to look away.
When his soul returns to his body, something pierces the air and it’s as if my body is submerged in ice water.
Not able to hold myself up any longer, I fall to my knees and struggle to breathe. Even though my power now feels icy, it’s still swirling like a tornado, cutting me up from the inside. Beads of ice line my brow and I roll over and wrap my arms around my knees.
A hand touches my arm. “What’s wrong?” Luke’s tone is full of concern.
Like I freaking know? “I … I don’t know.” I take in a deep shaky breath. “My power is going crazy inside, and I don’t know how to contain it.”
“Shit, I should have known this would happen.” He touches my arm and soon he’s transporting us somewhere.
Oh, no. Where is he taking me? Is this finally the end for me? Even with two artifacts inside me, is their tolerance gone?
The world stops swirling and I find myself in a clear field. It’s pure grass for miles all around. “What? Where are we?”
“We aren’t too far from the mansion, but you need to release your power.” He stands back and motions around. “This is a safe place. Just do
