The Ripple Effect (Rhiannon's Law #3)(34)

“We’re looking for stories on angels, right? Their origins, the creation of the world. Things like that?”


And any other information I could find, but I didn’t tell him that. “Yeah, so?”

“Fallen angels fall because they want vengeance. They’re not ready to rest. That’s why they are chosen. Yes, they are beings of light, but there is enough darkness to warrant the fall from Heaven. They destroy demons because it’s easy for them, something they enjoy. As beautiful as they might seem on the outside, they are evil on the inside. They have to be to do what they do. They are not so different from those they hunt, aside for the fact that they come from the other side of the spectrum.”

“Kill demons?” I hadn’t seen that in any of the tomes I’d read. “I thought they fell to maintain the balance between good and evil?”

“They focus on the creators of vampires, what they consider a taint on humanity. They protect the innocent from evil. Think about it, what do you think is more evil than a follower of The Dark Lord?”

“Are they a danger to the family? Would Marigold hurt Disco and Paine?” That was something I didn’t want. If I revived Marigold, I wouldn’t allow her to harm them.

“If she hurt them, it would only be indirectly, unless they get in her way. Vampires retain a soul. The fallen only kill bystanders when they have no other alternative.”

It made sense. Good versus evil. Light versus dark. All taking place right at my backdoor.

“You’re asking me to discard the amulet now? When I need it most?”

“You don’t need it, that’s what I’ve been trying to tell you. You have talents of your own, and you forget how resourceful you can be when necessary. The necklace creates the illusion you can’t be strong unless you keep it. That’s why it’s so addictive.” He leaned forward, rested his arms on his knees and steepled his fingers. “When we exorcised the entity, you did so by yourself. You used the information you’d been given, you kept control and you handled yourself beautifully. You don’t need any help. It’s your lack of faith in your own power that makes you weak.”

“If I do what you’re asking, I’ll make myself vulnerable.”

Shaking his head, he produced a soft sigh. “And there is the problem. You already are vulnerable. You’re thinking with a one track mind. Stand back and take a look at the bigger picture. When you do, you’ll be able to view the entire scope of the situation.”

“You do know Marius wants to kill me, right? Without the amulet, I’ll be a dead necromancer walking, no matter how powerful I am.”

Goose rose from the couch. “I’ve told you what you need to know. I’ve given you my advice. It’s up to you to listen to me or wish you had.”

“So that’s it? Give up the amulet and get killed? Or keep the amulet and get killed. Neither choice sounds all that appealing.”

“You’re not looking outside of the box.” I could tell his patience with me was wearing thin. “If you don’t think smart, I can’t help you. Think, Rhiannon. Use the brain God gave you. Stop making things difficult when they don’t have to be.”

“If you want to help me, then stop playing The Riddler. Come out and say it.”

“Did it ever occur to you that I can’t? That I’ve been forbidden to share too much with you?”

“No.” I sounded as dumbfounded as I felt. “Why would you be?”

“Because, my dear, sweet, and pain in the ass friend, you’re still thinking inside the box. If I can’t tell you something, there has to be a reason. I’m going to leave you to figure it out on your own. You’re smart enough. It will come to you eventually.”

He walked past me and I heard the door open.

“It’ll come to me eventually, huh?” I asked.

“For both our sakes, I truly hope so.”


The door closed, leaving me alone again. It wasn’t the hum of the decrepit heater that hardly worked that caused the chill in the air. It was the way Goose said he truly hoped so, as if everything was on the line if I couldn’t see what he couldn’t say.

I’m not sure how long I sat in the recliner, attempting to put the pieces together. I only knew that each time the amulet called to me, promising to put an end to all my problems, I remained in my spot and didn’t go to it.

If Goose was right, this was one mystery I had to solve on my own.





Chapter Nine


“Rhiannon!” Deena tore my attention from the brown box I’d retrieved from UPS. The club was in full swing, but I was having a hell of a time focusing on work.

At the moment Sucker was safe and sound under the bar along with my jacket—a jacket that just so happened to have Marigold’s amulet inside its inner pocket—and I didn’t want to move too far from my prizes. I’d listened to Goose for a change and hadn’t put the necklace back on. At first it had been liberating, but after I retrieved my package from the Men In Brown, I’d almost had a panic attack. Emotions were harder to deal with when they weren’t filtered, and there was nothing to block my fear or anxiety when I realized I was actually going to give Marius what he asked for.

If I lost the f*cking thing, he’d probably kill me.