Page 35 of Shadowed Spirits

I don’t know that I really want to know the answer, but I ask, anyway. “Why was she locked up?”

Levi looks reluctant and hesitates for a second before telling us, “She tried to kill me, and she successfully plunged the last realm we guarded into chaos that led to the eradication of all life on that planet.”

CHAPTER 18

IZZY

“Oh, fuck. That’s what she’s trying to do here, isn’t it?” Shaking my head, I go over to where Gran’s sitting and hop up on the counter with her. My hand accidentally brushes her spectral one, and I’m surprised that it feels like regular skin. I wonder if that’s because I’m a spirit mage or if that’s just how she is.

“I can’t say for sure, but I’d imagine so. Lua’s magic thrives on bloodshed, war, death, weaponry, and anything related to chaos. The more violence a species experiences, the stronger she gets. If she gets strong enough, she can not only destroy Earth but alsoInfernus.”

I rest my head on my hands, already incredibly done with Lua. It’d be cool if she’d just be a chillcurawho is the goddess of puppies and sunshine or something like that. But nope. Thecurahelping Doyle loves war, blood, death, and ending entire planets.

Fantastic.

Archer wanders over at some point, and I look up when he jumps up to sit on the counter next to me. He grabs my hand in his and intertwines our fingers. “It’s gonna be okay, sunshine.”

I give him a weak smile because it doesn’t feel like it, but I appreciate his effort to make me feel better. I’m almost afraidto ask my next question. “What stops her from destroying other realms after she finishes with those two?”

Levi gives me a grim look. “Nothing.”

Awesome.

So, not only do I have to worry about my family getting hurt if I’m arrested for being a spirit mage, but I also have to worry about the fate of the fucking universe if we don’t stop Lua.

I’m sure I should be freaking out about her destroying humanity and Earth. Instead, I just feel exhausted with everything. Just once, I’d like something to be easy with my magic. “And I’m guessing we’re the only ones who can stop her?”

Levi nods curtly. “Pretty much, but I don’t expect you to get involved in this mess, little raven.”

Like I’m going to sit out a fight that he’s in. “Would my power be helpful?” If I’d only cause problems, I’d consider not getting involved. Otherwise, there’s no way I’m letting one of my mates fight this battle alone.

“It would. Besides Hades, you’re the most powerfulcuraI’ve ever met.” My eyebrows raise at Levi’s statement. I know I have more power than the average mage, but I thought I would’ve been low on thecurapower scale since I’m half human. “But I don’t want you in danger.”

“Well, I don’t want you in danger, either, but it doesn’t seem like we have much of a choice right now. So, what’s our plan? Kick Doyle’s ass and get some answers?” I’m really hoping the answer is yes. I’d love nothing more than to beat Doyle to a pulp, not just for being a major dickwad but for putting our entire planet in danger for his own selfish power gain.

Levi barks out a laugh. “I want to say no, but yeah, kind of. We need to figure out the best time to approach him and use him to find Lua. The faster we can find her, the better chance we have of stopping her. I’m already worried about how much strongershe is with a couple hundred years of stealing magic under her belt.”

“We should probably talk to my dad, then. He’ll know Doyle’s schedule better than anyone. It’s around lunchtime, so Dad should be home. We can head over there now. Do you want to come, Gran? Aiden and Rhys should be there too.” We don’t get to see Gran and Gramps as much as we’d like to. They’re always busy with their own thing, so we see them probably once a month. Now that I know Gran was Anya this whole time, I wonder why she didn’t visit us as Gran more often.

“Sure. Lemme close up shop. It should only take ten minutes, then I’ll be ready to go.” Gran pushes herself off the countertop and busies herself with shutting the store’s door and turning the sign to Closed.

I’ve helped close up everything with Anya so many times, I can do it blindfolded, so I jump down to help. Then I realize I haven’t seen Cerberus for this whole conversation. I hope they didn’t accidentally eat any of the toxic herbs or something. With worry churning in my gut, I start toward the back of the shop. I call over my shoulder, “I can help. Just lemme find Cerberus first.”

“Cerberus?” Gran’s shocked question makes a small smile tilt my lips. I may not have super cool magic, but I have a pretty badass familiar.

“Yeah, they’re myfamiliaris. They’re in Chihuahua form right now and wandered off when we first got here.” My voice is filled with laughter as I try not to dissolve into giggles at a fearsome hell dog condensing down into a three-headed Chihuahua.

Gran opens and closes her mouth a few times, trying to figure out what to say. “That’s new.”

“Yep. I found it out when we went toInfernus. I didn’t even know mages had familiars. I’ll be right back!” I jog into the backroom. Tall walnut shelves line all the walls from floor to ceiling. An assortment of glass jars, vials, and books are crammed into every inch of the space. The only other furniture in here are two large tables at the center of the room, one of which has a cauldron sitting on it. Matching dark wood floors, a thick, dark green rug, and one small window make the cluttered space feel cozy.

I inhale the familiar herbal scent as I glance around for my three-headed dog. When I can’t immediately find Cerberus, I get worried. They’re not on the floor or anywhere on the shelves. Taking a chance, I peek in the cauldron and snort. My scary familiar is snoozing peacefully in the bottom of the cauldron on a bed of herbs. Russ is using Cer as a pillow, much to Cer’s displeasure, I’m sure. They’re even snoring slightly, and it’s the cutest thing I’ve ever seen.

I don’t want to wake them, but we do need to get going. “Hey, guys, it’s time to get up.” I try to keep my voice low and soothing, so I don’t startle them.

Bear peeks one sleepy eye open. When he sees that it’s me, he is instantly fully alert.“Do you need something,sagana?”Bear shakes himself, which has the effect of waking up Cer and Russ. They both glare at Bear before noticing me peering down at them. They scramble to their feet and await my answer.

“I’m all good. We’re just getting ready to leave, and I didn’t want to leave you guys behind. Do you want me to get you out of the cauldron?” When I get a sharp nod from Cer, I carefully pick them up and set them down on the ground. I stay crouched as I pet each of them. “Do you want me to carry you for our next stop? We’re probably going to portal, so it shouldn’t be a ton of walking.”

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