Page 98 of Ashes and Lilies
Like Anthony and Finn, Brayden had also somehow acquired a weapon—which was somewhat demoralizing, because I’d never been offered one. His good-natured features had shifted into something more solemn and unreadable, but there was still a warmth in how he looked at me.
“But,” I began. There really was no reason why he couldn’t; he was, after all, supposed to be an officer and very strong. But what about me?
“Just in case Finn is right,” Brayden said, lifting the corner of his lips. “Besides, better me than Bryce. I’ve more control of my empathic abilities—he has trouble connecting with others.”
“But—” I started again. What if something happened? Then it’d be my fault.
“Besides, have you even done channeling before?” Brayden asked me. “Or did you read about it this morning in that book I checked out for you today?”
I closed my mouth and looked away. Why did he have to be right?
“It’s not your place to take any reckless chances.” Brayden winked. “That’s my job. You’ve done well getting him this far. I’ll take over from here. Why don’t you watch to see it in action, and then you can do it with me next time?”
He started past Finn, and my stomach twisted.
I didn’t understand. I was nobody to him.
“Why…” I grabbed the back of his shirt. “Why would you help me?”
Anthony knew who I was, but Damen hadn’t told Bryce or Brayden yet. As far as they understood, I was Bryce’s future ‘protégé.’ That was, unless they’d figured it out, which I was beginning to suspect was the case.
“I have my reasons,” Brayden said. Then he left me with Finn and moved toward James’s still-frozen form.
The salt circle was still glowing, and Miles remained on the other side, chanting under his breath, while Finn, Anthony, and I stood aside within. Meanwhile, Brayden approached James with a regal assurance that made my breath catch.
I could now easily see why the Dubois family was considered a noble line. There was an air to him that seemed otherworldly and untouchable. A tension vibrated through the ground and into my bones as Brayden stepped in front of James.
James’s presence flickered and wavered like a candle in the wind as his eyes fixated on Brayden.
Meanwhile, Brayden was calm as he extended his left hand to the ghost. In his right hand, he still held the lance. It was pointed to the earth, but this time, shimmering marks and swirls were etched along the handle and blade.
“This is your last chance to leave,” he told James.
“No.” James narrowed his eyes. The space between them crackled with tension, yet Brayden remained steadfast.
“I don’t want to exorcise you,” Brayden said, eyes flashing. “Either move on, or I will make you leave by force.”
I frowned at the scene and leaned in to Finn, “How is that not an exorcism?”
“It’s not,” he said. “It’s actually much more peaceful.”
Brayden closed the distance between them and grasped the front of James’s tattered shirt before his eyes began to burn a low emerald.
I glanced at Finn.
“Brayden is using his abilities to connect with the ghost,” Finnreplied, watching with mild curiosity. “He’s much nicer about it than Bryce is.”
His easy explanation only made me that much more annoyed with the onmyoji. This sort of scene was not unfamiliar to him—yet he’d never once spoken to me about it.
The burning smell grew stronger, and I covered my nose as Brayden and James remained still amidst the swirling clouds.
“Either one of two things will happen next,” Finn continued. “Brayden will be able to help the ghost sort through his feelings and reach a peaceful conclusion, which will allow him to move on. Or James will reject the help, and Brayden will sever the connection himself and James will have no choice but to move to the Underworld.”
“But…” I wrung my hands. “It’s not an exorcism?”
“It’s not.” Anthony stretched, and I noticed that his weapons were now missing. “An exorcism is used as a last resort, usually only used in two situations. The first is if a spirit has done something horrible, or if they’re about to become a lost soul. An exorcism erases a soul from existence, and they do not go to the Underworld. Damen normally believes that most people deserve a second chance. James really pissed Damen off when he decided to attack you.”
“And most fae do not like exorcisms,” Finn added. “While Bryce or Xavier might have supported Damen in this, Brayden is completely on your side.”
