My Tethered Soul: Volume 2 (Reaper's Rite) (17 page)

I smiled and slid back down to my pillow. Outside my window, he sat on the portico roof and winked at me before he ducked out of sight.

I straightened out my dress for the hundredth time. Not because I felt I needed to look good, but because I was getting impatient. Mara was taking forever to get ready for the graduation ceremony. Dad, dressed in an old suit and tie, read the paper in his chair and occasionally glanced at his watch. I leaned back against the couch cushions and checked my phone again. It had been two days since I heard from Gavin, and I was beginning to worry.

The doorbell rang, and I jumped to my feet. “I’ll get it.”

The hope in my heart and the prayer on my lips were answered when I opened the door to find Gavin. Gavin was back! I rushed out onto the porch. I didn’t care about the wrinkles my dress was sure to get from crushing myself against him. I was just happy to have him back, safe and sound and in my arms.

“You came!” I said against his lips.

He smiled against my mouth. “I told you I would.”

I held him at arm’s length. My eyes took in every inch of his face. “You look really, really good.”

He smirked. “So do you.”

“Nice suit and tie.”

He pulled me closer again. “Nice lips.”

I closed my eyes as we made up for all the missed kisses. We parted when Dad’s cough traveled out to us from the living room. I was glad he couldn’t see us or our display of affection.

“So, did you find out what happened?”

He looked down at our joined hands. “Yeah.”

Why was he so quiet? “Do you want to talk about it?”

His brow creased, his eyes on his feet.

“It’s okay. I understand.” I didn’t want to press him. It was obviously something he had to deal with on his own. For now, anyway. “When you’re ready, I’m here for you.”

His brilliant blue eyes found mine, and he reached up and stroked my cheek.

“Okay, I’m ready,” Mara called as she skipped down the stairs.

I pulled Gavin inside the house. Dad nodded to him as he stood from his chair. Then all eyes were on Mara. Silver high heels peeked out from the bottom of her dark blue gown. Strawberry blond waves spilled out from beneath her graduation cap.

“Wow, Mara.” Dad ran a hand through his hair, his smile wide. “You look great. I dreamed about this day. Seeing my baby girl getting her diploma. I only thought… Well, congratulations.”

I knew exactly what he was thinking.
I only thought Mom would be here too.

It was unfair that she wasn’t here to share this day with us. She’d been robbed of so many family moments. I couldn’t stand the thought of her missing more. My chest filled with motivation. Mom would come home. And I would make sure no Reaper would ruin her return.

Mara rode with Dad to the school, and I sat happily in Gavin’s passenger seat. It felt like he’d been away for so long, I didn’t want to let him out of my sight for a second.

The parking lot was beyond crowded, littered with cars and families taking pictures. We eventually found a place to park and managed to get through the crowd of people headed for the football bleachers.

A couple of Mara’s classmates waved her over. She smiled at Dad and me.

“I’ll see you out there, I guess,” she said.

“I’m proud of you, honey.”

“Thanks, Dad.”

The bleachers were full, but luckily, Dad, Gavin, and I found three seats together. Unfortunately, the sun was directly in our eyes. Gavin was smart and put on sunglasses. I squinted onto the field and smiled when I spotted Mara.

“Zadie!”

I turned to see who shouted my name. A few rows back, Naomi sat with her family. Her parents had their phones aimed at the field, undoubtedly snapping pictures and video of Naomi’s brother, Nate, in his graduation outfit. I waved at her and made a note to talk to her after the ceremony.

After the valedictorian made her speech, the diplomas were handed out. Mara’s face lit up when they called her name, and Dad took a million pictures. I stood and clapped, genuinely proud of my big sister. Glad she was alive and well and could enjoy this milestone in her life.

After the last student’s name was called and the school principal congratulated the class, a storm of graduation caps filled the air. Families and friends piled out of the bleachers as if every second counted. I knew there was no rush. Mara had people to talk to and pictures to take. I told Dad to go on ahead, and I would see him for Mara’s dinner. Naomi joined Gavin and me, and gave me a big hug.

“Sorry I’ve been MIA,” Naomi said. “The extended family is in town for Nate’s big day, and Mom’s appointed me official hostess.”

“It’s okay. I did miss you, though.”

She hugged me again. “I missed you too. And you’re coming to the party tonight, right? Danny’s coming.”

“Of course. We’ll be there.”

“Good. Because a ton of people already backed out to go to Kelly’s party.” Naomi pouted.

I winked at her. “You can count on us,
chica
.”

As the crowd thinned, Chase appeared by the side of the football field. His expression was always stoic, but this time he looked like something was on his mind. Gavin and I exchanged a look and then approached him.

“What’s up, Chase?”

His hands were in his trench coat, brows drawn down. He nodded a quick hello to Gavin before he spoke. “We found Rudy.”

I couldn’t breathe.

“Where?” Gavin asked.

Chase looked over his shoulder before continuing. “In the hospital.”

“He’s alive?” I could barely get the words out.

Chase nodded. “Beat up, but, yeah. Alive.”

“Thank God.” I placed my head against Gavin’s shoulder.

“I talked to him,” Chase said.

Naomi’s eyes widened. “You what?”

“Yeah. I told him I used to be the paperboy. He was pretty out of it, so it wasn’t a problem.”

There was a pinch in my heart. I held my hand over it. “What did he say?”

“He can’t remember what happened, really. Said he was sleeping and somebody broke in. Attacked him. He couldn’t remember if he locked the door or not. His head was bashed, he’s bruised up, and he has some gashes in his chest. They found wood splinters stuck in his skin. But he can’t connect you, so you’re probably okay.”

I swallowed back the bitterness lodged in my throat. “That’s not my biggest concern here.”

Chase dropped his gaze. “I know.”

Gavin pulled me close. “He’s going to be all right, Zadie. We got lucky.”

I took a deep breath and let it out. Yes. At least he survived. I didn’t kill anyone. Not yet, at least.

Chase raised his chin and looked me directly in the eyes. “You know it wasn’t you, Zadie. You were being controlled.”

I pressed my lips together, knowing he was right but still feeling the guilt in my heart.

“Lilura wants you and Mara to come train today. She might have an idea of how to call the Reaper out.”

I rubbed my hands together. There was so much to do, and so little time to do it in. “We’ve got Mara’s graduation dinner.”

Naomi elbowed me.

“And then Naomi’s party.”

Chase regarded me for a moment. “Tomorrow, then. First thing in the morning.”

***

“Yay, you’re here!” Naomi gathered me into her arms as soon as she opened her front door. “Come in, come in. Congratulations once again, Mara.”

Naomi and my sister exchanged a quick hug.

“Thank you.”

When Gavin, Mara, and I stepped into Naomi’s living room, I was surprised it wasn’t jam-packed like it had been the previous year. I guessed word of Kelly’s huge bash had made its rounds, leaving this party very low key. If I had to be honest, I was glad. I wasn’t in the mood for a rowdy party anyway. Just Gavin and I relaxing side-by-side on the couch, surrounded by our best friends and my sister, sounded like exactly the evening I needed.

Nate, Naomi’s brother, sat near the fireplace with his girlfriend and his closest friends, both male and female. Even though I hardly ever saw him—in or out of school—he’d always been friendly to me. Not just because I was his little sister’s best friend, but also because that was the type of guy Nate was. He waved a quick hello in our direction before focusing back on his girlfriend’s story.

“Hey, buddy.” Danny stood from a chair and fist bumped Gavin. “Where’ve you been hiding?”

Gavin slapped him on the shoulder. “You’re the one too busy to call.”

“Full-time summer job. Look it up, slacker.”

Naomi linked her arm with mine and giggled. “I’m so glad you came. If you haven’t noticed, the turnout hasn’t exactly met my expectations. But who needs anyone else if you’re here?”

“It’s their loss,” I said, giving Naomi’s arm a squeeze. “You’re the hostess with the mostest.”

“I brought a DVD.” Gavin handed it to Naomi with an impish grin.

“Figures.” Smirking, Naomi took the DVD and skipped over to pop it into the player. She held the case up and read the title:
Curse of the Swamp Creature
.

Mara chuckled. “This is probably the real reason nobody showed up.”

“Shut up. It’s a classic.” Gavin pulled me next to him on the couch and slung his arm around my shoulders. “Totally ridiculous and awesome. Prepare to be dazzled.”

Danny settled back into his chair, arms and legs dangling all over the place. “Are you sure this isn’t something you found on YouTube?”

“I’ll make popcorn and bring out some drinks,” Naomi said.

“But you’ll miss the beginning.” Gavin almost pouted.

“I’m sure I’ll catch up. I’m clever like that.” Naomi winked at me then headed off to the kitchen.

In the beginning of the movie, an evil scientist threw a body wrapped in a sheet into an alligator-infested swamp.

“Guess that first date didn’t go well,” Danny said.

We all laughed. It was great to let off steam this way, and I immediately felt my shoulders relax. Naomi eventually returned with the popcorn and drinks, then curled her legs under her at a spot near Danny’s feet. Once in a while, she would throw a piece of popcorn in Danny’s direction because of his constant commentary.

Everything seemed to be going well until the dull ache started in my head. I shifted positions, thinking I might be pinching a nerve or something, but it didn’t reduce the heaviness that slowly took over.

It felt like a migraine was coming on. I took a sip of my soda, hoping the sugar or caffeine would chase the problem away. But after another ten minutes, my head felt worse. It was the same feeling I got at the dentist’s office when he used a drill. My neck and chest felt clammy. Though I didn’t want to move away from Gavin, I had to shift to cool down. Maybe I was coming down with a fever.

I put down my drink. “I’ll be right back.”

Gavin smiled up at me from the couch as I left the room.

Once I reached the hall, all the blood drained from my head. I stumbled in the hallway and had to slap my hand against the wall to steady myself. Everything swayed back and forth before me. The lights dimmed then got brighter. Or was the headache merely traveling to my eyes?

I pushed myself forward and finally reached the bathroom. I had to pause at the door for a moment to get the room to stop swimming before me. The sink was just two feet away from me, but it felt like miles. Holding my fingers to my temples, I thrust myself forward to the sink. The cool porcelain felt great on my hot skin. But only for a moment. Maybe I really was coming down with something.

I turned the tap on and leaned down, hoping a splash of water on my face would do the trick. Closing my eyes, I filled my palms with cold water and then splashed my face with it, allowing the icy liquid to run down my cheeks to my chin. The floor moved under my feet, so I steadied myself by gripping the counter.

You’re fine, Zadie. Get ahold of yourself.

I straightened up to check myself in the mirror. The eyes looking back at me were black. That couldn’t be, could it?

Then my reflection smirked at me.

What the hell?

It was my face, but I couldn’t feel myself making that expression. It was as if it was someone else in the reflection, taunting me. I tried to lift my hands to feel my face, but they wouldn’t budge from the counter. I tried to speak, to scream, but again, I had no control of my body.

A soft whisper tickled my ear. My name. The low growl of a voice drew my name out, long and rumbling. I watched in horror as my reflection backed away from the counter, chin lowered, eyes wide and determined. Whatever called my name had beckoned me. And my body was responding.

No matter how much I tried, I couldn’t fight it. The Reaper had me under his control. A shadow behind me floated through the bathroom door and into the hall. I followed.

Instead of heading to the living room, my body pulled to the right, to the kitchen. Almost before I realized what was happening, my hand swiped the set of keys off the counter, and my feet led me to the front door. I could hear Gavin and Danny bantering about the film, Naomi and Mara’s laughter floating through the air, but I couldn’t turn my head. I couldn’t call out to them. I couldn’t stop my feet from moving forward.

I was out the front door in an instant, leaving it open to the night air. A small flicker of hope tugged at my heart: someone was sure to notice the door was left open. That had to clue them in that I’d left the house. At least, once they realized I was missing.

The Reaper’s shadow swept over Nate’s car and then seeped into it. My fingers clutched the cool metal of the car key. With no trouble at all, I was inside Nate’s car, sticking the key in the ignition. Shock at the Reaper’s meticulous tactics shuddered through me, though my body didn’t react. I speedily pulled out of the driveway and barreled down the street.

Where was I headed? I wanted so badly to look around, to register my surroundings, but the Reaper wouldn’t allow it. The car was traveling down a road I didn’t recognize, and soon it was climbing a tree-lined street that led up the side of a hill.

Street lamps were sparse, and though I could barely see the narrow road ahead of me, I took every curve with expertise. Outside, I must have appeared cool and controlled, but inside, I was screaming, crying, trying desperately to claw my way out.