Page 104 of Crossing Between
Varon cursed under his breath. "Then we proceed without them. I'll call Grum and Haruto to join us."
"I'm coming too," my voice was firmer than I felt.
"Kærasta," Elias began, concern etching his features.
"Don't," I cut him off. "He's my brother. And I'm the only one who might be able to save him."
The three men exchanged glances, having one of those silent conversations they'd developed since our binding.
"She's right," Kenji stroked a hand down my side. "Her Soulbinder abilities are our best chance."
Varon nodded reluctantly. "You stay with us at all times. No exceptions."
I climbed out of bed, already mentally preparing for what lay ahead. "I need myarmor."
Two hours later, we gathered at the edge of a ravaged landscape. The abandoned town sprawled before us, a collection of crumbling buildings and empty streets. Thin wisps of smoke rose from cracks in the ground, evidence of the coal fire still burning beneath our feet.
I stood between Varon and Elias, with Kenji just behind me. The armor Quilith had helped me choose gleamed in the midday sun. I wore a fitted leather jacket embedded with protective runes, my corset that would give even more protection, pants reinforced with flexible armor panels, and my most treasured item: the phoenix gloves that granted protection against the Essencefeasters' influence.
Bradley approached with a group of officers, both human and supernatural. I recognized Grum's massive troll form and Haruto's delicate yokai features among them.
"The main energy signature is coming from the center of town," Bradley explained, spreading a map on the hood of a police cruiser. His eyes kept darting to me, a mixture of awe and wariness in his expression. Word of what I was had spread through the department, though the details remained classified.
"We'll split into teams," Varon decided. "Grum, take the east quadrant. Haruto, the west. Bradley, your officers cover the perimeter. No one goes in alone."
"And us?" I adjusted my gloves.
"We follow you. You're our compass, little one." Varon kissed the top of my head.
I nodded, taking a deep breath. "I can feel him. Ryan. It's like a pull."
"Trust your instincts," Elias murmured, his hand warm on my shoulder.
"Remember, we can't stay long," Bradleywarned. "The toxins from the underground fire are dangerous with prolonged exposure."
"Then let's not waste time," Kenji cracked his neck, his skin already taking on the deeper maroon hue that signaled his oni nature rising to the surface.
We crossed the invisible boundary into the town, and immediately I felt the difference. The air was heavier here, charged with an energy that made my skin prickle. My magic responded, swirling just beneath my skin like an eager animal.
"This way," I followed the tugging sensation in my chest.
We moved through empty streets, past abandoned storefronts with shattered windows and homes frozen in time. The silence was oppressive, broken only by our footsteps and the occasional creak of settling buildings.
"Z...Z...Zo..." The whisper of my name floated on the air, so faint I almost thought I imagined it.
"Did you hear that?" I stopped abruptly.
Varon's hand went to his weapon. "Hear what?"
"Someone calling my name."
Elias scanned our surroundings, his eyes narrowed. "The Veil is thin here. Too thin."
He was right. The boundary between our world and the spirit realm, normally invisible to all but the most sensitive, was visible as a shimmering curtain that rippled and folded around us. Through it, I could see shadowy figures moving, watching.
"We shouldn't be able to see this much past the curtain of the Veil," Elias muttered, concern evident in his voice.
The tugging in my chest grew stronger, leading us toward a large structure ahead, an old church, its steeple partially collapsed.
