"Franz, tell Dad we got on the flight in one piece," I whispered to the driver.
"But, Princess, you haven't boarded yet." For such a big guy, he sure sounded whiney.
I glared at him, marvelling what the air must smell like up there. "Do as I say."
"My instructions—"
"We'll be fine," I hissed. "Now chop, chop. Or you'll be looking for a new job once I get back home."
He bowed, his brows furrowed. "As you wish."
As soon as he was gone, Dallas and I purchased a latte macchiato and headed for our gate, ready for our final adventure aka visiting Aunt Selena.
It was a half-hour drive from the airport to Aunt Selena's bungalow in a suburb of New York. I paid the cab driver while Dallas grabbed our bags, then we headed up the front porch, my heart hammering in my chest. Two aunts down, one to go, but any previous success could pulverise into dust with a snap of Aunt Selena's fingers.
She was the dragon among my aunts, the stubborn one, the spinster that kept changing her mind like the weather. Heck, a hurricane was more predictable.
"How old is she?" Dallas whispered.
"Old," I muttered. "Why?"
"I'm trying to figure out which charm to use."
"You have more than one kind?" I snorted. "Don't waste your breath. Whatever you sell, she probably ain't buying it."
"Why?"
He'd see soon enough. Ignoring him, I pressed the bell, peering around as we waited for someone to open. The hedges were trimmed to perfection. Wild rose bushes stretched from the ground to the windowsills, their gigantic thorns sending out a menacing message to any prospective burglars. I stretched out my hand, watching the thorns move toward me as though they were alive. This was definitely good ole magic because no thorn I'd ever seen could do that.
The wall was painted a dirty white. A huge box blinked in the upper right corner. The door looked like not even a medieval battering ram could kick it in.
"She's into security big time, isn't she?" I whispered.
Dallas nodded, grinning. "You could say that."
A door bolt slid open, followed by a loud rattle, then the door opened with a heavy groan, and my aunt appeared. I stared at her, dumbfounded. She couldn't be serious. What was wrong with my wacky family? If Dallas didn't make a beeline for the nearest exit already, I wouldn't be surprised if he did now.
"Cassandra." Aunt Selena's thin lips curved downward as she grabbed me in a loose hug. The countless wooden yin yang pendants dangling from various chains around her neck clattered against each other. Her once black hair shimmered grey and golden in the sun.
"What happened? Did you turn into a pumpkin?" I pointed at her garish orange dress, tight around the waist and buttoned up to her chin. She laughed, but it sounded more like the cawing of a crow.
"And the hair." I couldn't keep myself from staring, horrified. She used to look so polished and well dressed. As a child, she was the epitome of my fashion world, thin but not too skinny, and always so stylish.
Peering at her hollow cheeks, I wished I could order some hamburgers from the nearest McDonald's.
"Come on in," Aunt Selena said with a pained expression on her face. I walked past, getting a better glimpse of her skin. Was that grey, smudged eye shadow right beneath her cheek? I squinted, but she turned to close the door.
"Thanks for having us, Auntie." I followed Dallas to drop our bags on the thin rug. Aunt Selena let out a pained huff, as though she was mortally ill or something. I frowned. "What's wrong?"
She turned from the door, her shoulders slumped, her mouth pressed in a tight line. "Nothing, dear. You're just interrupting something rather important."
"Want us to come back later so you can get on with whatever you were doing?" What was wrong with her? I'd never seen anyone so—
serious, beaten, and depressing. I could only hope it wasn't contagious.
She sighed again. "It's too late."
Dallas shot me a questioning look. I shrugged and walked into the living room, halting in the doorway because what I was just seeing was beyond macabre. Every inch of the walls was covered in pictures of statues, goddesses, the yin and yang sign and passages of what looked like Chinese. The place was a fire hazard with wax dripping from the huge candles in the chandeliers, leaving shiny imprints on the breakfast table and the floor. The few bookshelves were stocked with nothing but copies of yet more Chinese books. The flowery, discoloured sofa looked like it was created in the sixties and went through a few car boot sales.
I inched closer and picked up a picture of a fat man dressed in an orange tunic in a blinking plastic frame. "What is this? A shrine?"
Aunt Selena appeared behind me. "Don't be silly. Having a shrine is blasphemy. Do you want some water? You must be thirsty."
Looked like a shrine to me. I smirked. "I think I need something stronger. Maybe tea or coffee." Preferably something that would wake me up from this nightmare and I realised it was only a dream.
"Water it is." Aunt Selena turned on her heel when I grabbed her sleeve, forcing her to face me, my gaze searching for answers in her big, green eyes. Something glittered there before she pulled away and ambled out to the kitchen, cowering slightly as though her back was hurting.
"Whoa," Dallas whispered behind me. "You could've told me she was this—"
"Fanatic?" I turned to face him.
He shook his head, grinning again. "Devoted."
"Right." I shrugged and headed out after her because there was no way I wouldn't confront her.
I found Aunt Selena in the kitchen, hovering over a glass of water. As soon as I entered, she flinched and hid the glass behind her back. I narrowed my gaze. "Let me see that, Auntie."
She shook her head. I walked around her and snatched the glass out of her hands, then took a sniff. That didn't look and smell like water to me, more like plum juice or something stronger. She wasn't so holy after all. I gave her the glass back and put my hands on my hips, regarding her intently. "What's going on?"
She cocked a brow and shook her head lightly, as though she didn't understand my question.
I sighed. "What's with the fat guy in the picture frame? Do you have a new boyfriend?"
"No." She slapped my hand, shocked. "That's Buddha."
"Ah." I clicked my tongue. "Think I heard of him at school." I trailed off, leaving her room to elaborate. She didn't. So, I sighed.
"Listen, as much as I'm enjoying our Q&A, I'm a rather busy girl, meaning let's get this over and done with. Why are you being so weird?"
Aunt Selena's back straightened, her jaw set. I grumbled inwardly, wondering whether I could just take out my phone and force this woman to start speaking or sign the dotted line, so I could return to my beloved, and she to her shrine.
"Strange things have started to happen, Cassie," Aunt Selena whispered. I cocked my head and inched closer, unsure whether I had actually heard her communicate, or my imagination was just playing tricks on me. Her green eyes pierced into mine.
I gestured her to continue. When she didn't, I said, "What things?"
She shook her head. "Bad things. You can smell it in the air. You can hear it in the wind. It's coming over the waters and riding the surface of the earth."
"Sounds like Doom's Day's near." I laughed. "You shouldn’t believe everything you watch on YouTube, mate."
Aunt Selena's gaze remained glued to the floor. When she lifted her head again, something flickered in her eyes. Fear. Nervousness.
Confusion. With tense strides, she reached the high-tech fridge in the corner and retrieved a bottle of water, which she tossed my way. I caught it in mid-air and unscrewed the cap but didn't drink.
"You're not getting married," Aunt Selena said.
I stared at her, stunned. My anger flared but, to my surprise, my mind remained clear. "Dad told you." He could kiss his beautiful campaign goodbye now.
"No, dear." Aunt Selena shook her head. "I can sense the bond between the boy and you, but there's more. Somethin
g dark and twisted."
"Yeah, it's in the air and all that." I rolled my eyes. "Let's get back to the marriage thing. What makes you think I won't be marrying him?"
"It's not happening."
I regarded her coolly as I bobbed my head slowly. No point in losing my temper now. If I wanted to win this particular battle I had to come up with a strategy and give it my all. Her green gaze bore into mine for a second too long, then she turned away and started wiping the already sparkling counter.
Why would she do this to me? Surely, my own family should be concern about my wellbeing. I peered at the small yet modern kitchen. White plates were arranged in neat piles in a glass cabinet.
The oven showed a few droplets of dried grease where she had forgotten to scrub. There was only one mug left out to dry on a kitchen towel. No flowers from an admirer, no Valentines card. Maybe she was lonely…or jealous of my happiness, which wouldn't surprise me given how bitter she seemed.
I curled my lips into a smile. "If you help me out with this one I'll sign you up on an internet dating site, or even better, come with you speed-dating. Bet you'd have so much fun." Her jaw dropped like someone had just pulled a string. I shrugged. "Not your thing? I'll find something else then. Bingo, maybe?"
"This isn't about me, Cassie." She sighed that long, exaggerated sigh of hers again that made me want to pour a bucket of cold water over her head just to shock some life into her. "He's mortal."
Heard that one before. "So?"
"If he dies, bad things will happen to you," Aunt Selena said softly.
I leaned forward, all ears. "What bad things?"
"You'd turn into a reaper."
"A what?" I laughed, but it sounded forced even in my own ears.
She cupped my hands in hers, and for the first time I noticed concern in her eyes. "Your dad's guardians were once fallen angels, just like you and I. Now, look at what they've become after their bonded mate's death."
My mind travelled to the winged creatures transporting souls in and out of Hell. I was somehow connected to them because the moment I pictured them, the strong smell of sulphur invaded my nostrils, making me gag for a brief second. "I thought they were demons," I said, pushing their image to the back of my mind.
Aunt Selena shook her head. "I know you think guarding the gates and smelling a bit isn’t that bad. But that's not all they do." I opened my mouth to speak when she held up a finger to stop me, eyes wide as she continued, "They tear the thread that binds the ethereal body to the physical."
Didn't sound particularly gruesome to me. I nodded, motioning her to continue.
"Hasn't your father told you anything?" She sighed again. It was starting to get on my nerves. "With every thread they destroy, they become slaves to their own nature, living for nothing but death. They start to ache when death's not around, so they linger around hospitals and the ill, waiting in pain and anticipation until someone dies. Then their own suffering disappears for a brief time, until the cycle repeats itself."
My mind went blank. I was rarely lost for words, but this story gave me the creeps. When my brain recovered a bit, I said, "What makes you think I might ever turn into one of them?"
"The boy's mortal, is he not?"
I nodded, suddenly seeing the connection.
"Then it's only a matter of time until he dies," Aunt Selena said.
Aunt Selena's words sank in, leaving an uneasy feeling in the pit of my stomach. "I'll do anything to keep Dallas young and alive," I whispered.
"You can try and keep him with you at your father's, but he will want to venture out one day. Every man does eventually," Aunt Selena said.
I swallowed past the lump in my throat. If only Kinky and Pinky were still here, they might know how to get through this. "Give me your blessing, and I'll find a way to make him immortal."
"Cassie." Aunt Selena's face neared mine until our noses almost met. I could smell her breath, the faint scent of plumes and mint. "I never said you don't have my blessing. I would never stand in your way."
"You said I wouldn't marry him."
She nodded, gravely. "I meant it literally. He will be gone by the time your curse takes effect and you're bound to Hell. After that, it's only a matter of years before he dies."
So, basically, what Aunt Selena implied was that the guy would make a beeline for the nearest exit as soon as I revealed my identity.
But we were so loved up. It didn't make sense.
Aunt Selena filled a glass of water from the tap, then headed out the kitchen, probably to offer Dallas a drink. I stared after her, my heart unwilling to believe her words, and yet I knew she was right.
Like Patricia and Krista, Aunt Selena had the seer ability, only Patricia had yet to turn eighteen and get her powers. And Aunt Krista couldn't be bothered to ever use it because she said all the thinking gave her wrinkles.
I knew I had to tell Dallas the truth eventually. So, was it really a matter of time until he left me? Would he still leave me if we were already married by the time I told him? Either way, I wouldn't give up on the love of my life without a fight. Not least because I wasn't going to be stuck in Hell forever.
"You said you'd give us your blessing. You can start by signing the dotted line," I said, stomping into the living room and tossing the scroll on the coffee table.
"Sure, dear." Aunt Selena didn’t seem surprised. With slow movements, she grabbed the pen out of my outstretched hand and scribbled her name on the parchment, then handed it back to me, smiling.
Dallas shot me a questioning look, which I ignored. I clutched the scroll to my chest, relieved. Getting her signature had been easy, as though she couldn't even be bothered to argue.
"How are you going to save yourself from your fate?" Aunt Selena said.
"What fate?" Dallas asked.
I scowled at her, lest she say more and mess up the whole situation. "She thinks we're too young to marry and that we won't last." I scoffed. "Since my birthday's in a few weeks, we'll have to hurry up a bit with the wedding. Let's say, next Friday?"
Dallas's brows shot up. I flashed him my most gorgeous smile, ignoring the shocked expression on his face. Yeah, well, if he had cold feet, he could just suck it up. We were destined to be together, hence, why wait?
"I'll make sure to come," Aunt Selena said. "It'll be a rainy day, what with all the tears and sorrow."
Chapter 25 – The Plan
"What was she going on about?" Dallas said as soon as we exited Aunt Selena's house. "And why the hurry to leave?"
I hesitated, considering my words. What could I tell him? That Aunt Selena couldn't keep her mouth shut if her life depended on it?
That her words of caution had made me worried and I wanted to return to the safety of Hell ASAP because I had a plan?
"Cass, what's wrong?" Dallas insisted. "I know you're hiding something. Think me weird, but I can feel it."
I smiled and gave his hand a squeeze. Of course he could feel it, and soon he would start to sense other things, like the fact that I wasn't ordinary and the ghouls outside Dad's mansion didn't blink and turn their heads because of some special effects. I had started to see what he was seeing when he wasn't around. Soon, my lies wouldn't keep him from putting two and two together when I couldn't explain the pictures flashing through his mind.
"Dad sent me text." I tried to keep my voice nonchalant. "He said the campaign was such a success that he needs us to work on step two straight away." It wasn't even a lie. Dad had called and left a message to return home, but not because of the campaign. Someone had broken into Hell. While he hadn't thought it necessary to bother me then, the situation apparently escalated when one of the guards was attacked. As much as I hated to waste my time on yet another flight, I vowed it'd be the last and just got on with it.
"You sure that's all?" Dallas asked, unconvinced.
Nodding, I flashed my most sincere smile. "Come on. We have a plane to catch."
We arrived in Hell the same day, jet-lagged and tire
d. I left Dallas in his room to get some sleep while I went in search of Dad. I found him pacing his room up and down, a deep frown set between his brows. He was dressed in jeans and a crumpled shirt, barely resembling his usual suit-clad, composed self.
"Your vampires sucked one of the reapers dry," Dad said.
My jaw dropped. "What makes you say that? I told you Aidan doesn't drink blood."
"And the girl?"
I couldn’t answer that one because I didn't know. I had long guessed Aidan turned Amber after she almost died from her journey to the Otherworld in order to retrieve the book of Shadow incantations and magic that was now in my possession since I stole it from the immortal warriors. It never occurred to me that while Aidan's ritual had transformed him and his dim-wit brother, Kieran, into vampires who no longer needed blood and darkness to survive, the same might not apply to Amber. And yet I had seen her walking around in broad daylight. What Dad was implying didn't make any sense.
"There's my answer then." Dad rubbed a hand over his face. I noticed dark circles around his eyes that weren't there before.
"It wasn't Amber or Aidan," I said.
Dad turned to face me. "And how do you know that?"
"I just know. Trust me." I grabbed his hand. "There must be someone else, Dad. Just think about it. Why would anyone drink a reaper's blood?"
"To get their powers?"
"Is that possible?"
Dad shrugged. "Of course it is. At least for a time."
All the talk about reapers reminded me of something I had pushed to the back of my mind ever since Aunt Selena mentioned it.
"Why didn't you tell me if something happened to Dallas I'd turn into one of them?"
Dad groaned. "Selena and her big mouth."