The Ripple Effect (Rhiannon's Law #3)(45)



She didn’t bother placing the chicken back in the cage when she finished. Instead she tossed it aside, stepped into the circle, and started invoking the spell. Her rushed Latin was impossible to make out, so I didn’t know she was finished until she quit talking. She rotated slowly, gazing around the room. I quickly did the same.

“Do you see him?” Sonja demanded, searching for Baxter inside the space.

“He’s here,” Krull said, smacking his lips as if savoring the taste of his meal.

“Where?” Sonja stared at the demon, her face a combination of anxiousness and fear.

“I said I would tell you if the soul was here, not where he was.”

“Damn it!” she yelled. “No games! Not right now!”

“No games. Only the terms of your bargain. You should have been more specific. Blame Rhiannon Murphy for rushing you before you could clarify the terms specifically.” Krull swiped the corners of his lips, bowed in a courtly manner, and smiled. “I have fulfilled my end of the agreement. Farewell, Sonja Wheaten. Summon me again, and you’ll regret it.”

“Wait!” Sonja almost stepped out of the circle that would keep the spell in place. “Don’t do this.”

The demon walked to the mirror, started passing through to Hell, and peered over his shoulder at her. “You’ve been summoning me to do your will for two years. Consider this my way of showing you how it feels to be under the authority of another.”

The mirror distorted as he crossed, displaying a desert wall with raging tornados, and returned to normal.

“No!” There was so much anguish in the cry, so much misery. I knew she loved Baxter. Although we didn’t share much, I was aware of how important it was that she do this for him.

The time I had was dwindling away to nothing. I grasped the amulet under my sweater. Using it was becoming more and more of a habit, something I didn’t want. Like Gollum and his One Ring To Rule Them All, I’d start craving the power if I wasn’t careful. I realized as my fingers surrounded the jewel that the hold was already too strong. When anything happened, I reached for it.

Just like now.

I stopped thinking about that and did what needed to be done, drawing on the power of the stone. I had to go, time was short. I didn’t have the luxury of worrying about anything aside from what was happening right now.

“Vim corporem, potestatem praesentiamque tuam da mihil! Libere tibi me do!” Present me your force, physical strength, and presence. I freely give myself to you.

I’d only called on the full force of the amulet twice. The first time punched through my soul. The second time felt as if the power merged with my anger. This time, the feeling was unadulterated bliss. I rocked on my heels as an invisible wind swept through me, wrapping me in its embrace, erasing all my fears.

Why had I waited so long? Why had I fought this?


“Rhiannon?” Sonja sounded so far away, so distant. Then she became louder. “Rhiannon! Snap out of it!”


Holy hell, it was hard, but somehow I managed to do as she requested. This time I rotated in a circle, searching for the lost soul of Baxter Lomen, and then I saw him. He was standing against the wall, mouth moving as if screaming. Then it came to me that he was screaming, only no one would ever hear him. He was hidden in his realm, behind a wall necromancers couldn’t see.

“I see him,” I said and started in his direction.

“You do?” Her voice was strained. “Where is he?”

“Here,” I said and reached out for the spirit who would spend an eternity in banishment without our help. The moment of contact was slightly different, and I felt a disgusting shadow cross over my skin. It warred with my ability, trying to keep Baxter contained. The power of the amulet overcame it, backing my necromancy, breaking the spell. The feeling vanished and Baxter became solid under my fingers. I stepped back, maintaining contact, and he literally ripped from the wall.

He met my gaze, then focused over my shoulder. When Baxter was alive, he always worried vampires couldn’t go to Heaven. It was his biggest fear and the one thing he fixated on. Judging by the wonder in his eyes, I knew he’d just learned even lost souls were given a second chance.

I didn’t jump when I felt Sonja grasp my free hand. Necromancy talents could be shared by touch, and I had a feeling she’d want to say goodbye. After several seconds, I knew she saw him. She dissolved into tears.

I released Baxter and moved so she could get closer to him. I knew from past experience it was harder than hell to deny Heaven, but Baxter managed. He turned to Sonja and his expression changed, almost heartbroken. I held my breath when he lifted his hand. I could touch him, but would Sonja be able to do the same using my necromancy?

The sob Sonja released when his fingers brushed her face almost broke me. Tears always were my weakness. I wanted to leave them alone, give them privacy, but there was nowhere to go. Without holding onto me, they couldn’t have this—a final and bittersweet farewell.

“You were right,” he whispered, cupping her cheek. “Heaven does exist. Even for us.”

I didn’t have to see Sonja to know that, while she was relieved he could see the light, she was also devastated. It was official. He would cross over, and she would be left behind.

For the two of them, it was over.

A familiar ache formed in my chest, wrenching my heart. The finality of the moment was one I was familiar with. Vivid memories of my own anguish assailed me, of a time when Disco was dead and I would have done anything to be with him again. I felt empty, as though I’d lost a part of myself. My soul had been ripped in two, leaving behind a person that functioned but didn’t truly live.

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