Page 55 of Woven Souls

“So, even if we wanted out of this, it sounds like you wouldn’t be able to piece us back together…” Jonah’s smile is slow in coming, but it grows so wide and is so bright that by the time it’s in place, there is not a single doubt in my mind that he is thrilled with this news. When our eyes meet, I smile back, unable to stop the swelling of my heart at the reaction. At least one person is thrilled about this news.

It would be impossible.Dad shoves his hands into his pockets and then turns to face me.Since we’re on the topic of you using your power for situations that aren’t your concern,you must stop sending souls over to the Realm of the Dead.

I make a face. “Well, if they would just cross over or if the reapers just did their jobs, I wouldn’t have to. Slivers are popping up everywhere, Dad. I have to, or this realm is going to have a lot of possessions soon. What’s going on with the Veil, by the way?”

Dad begins to pace, slower this time. Now that he’s done being mad, his wheels are turning as he mulls over the situation with a clear head.

Something is causing an imbalance in my realm. I cannot find the source, and it’s throwing things into chaos. My reapers cannot cross over to reap souls, and it’s affecting souls from crossing over on their own. I would reap if I could, but dealing with the chaos the imbalance is causing is a full-time job. I would be there now if it weren’t for the fact that I felt the imbalanceyoucaused last night and became concerned that something was wrong.

“I mean, therewassomething wrong, but it’s all good now,” I assure him brightly.

Dad shakes his head.You got lucky.

“Maybe.” I shrug. “But it sounds like I should continue to send souls over since no one else is capable of doing it.”

Using your gifts for that is only drawing more attention to yourself. Attention you don’t need,he scolds, but it lacks heat.

“I’m just going to keep doing it. The spirits won’t stop pestering me if I don’t.”

You are so stubborn, just like your mother. My dad smiles fondly at me before it fades away and is replaced with interest as he turns to Theo.Maybe you three Fae can look into something for me since my attention is needed elsewhere. I believe the Fae have taken advantage of my realm’s imbalance. Given their history with infiltrating realms and destroying others, I’m pretty sure they are trying to gain access to the Realm of the Dead, and I wouldn’t be surprised if they do something stupid, like opening up the Veil in a disastrous and unfixable way.

“Excuse me?” Viktor stands up quickly, surprising everyone. “What do you mean ‘given their history?’”

Dad tsks in disappointment.Don’t you know your own people’s past? You all love to put your hands where they don’t belong. Look at the monsters that have infiltrated this realm because of your doing.

“Monsters enter this realm from the Third Realm because of the natural ripples,” Theo objects firmly. “The Fae have nothing to do with that.”

Natural ripples do not exist, Theodon of Windom, Dad states firmly.The Fae are the ones who opened up these ripples in the first place. They did the same thing when they first came to this realm, and the realm before this. And each time they cross to another realm, it ends poorly for the previous one they resided in. For what purpose do they do this, who knows? But I don’t meddle in the business of those that are living. There is enough on my plate as it is. In any case, I need you to figure out what they’re doing and stop them. They’ll not only hurt themselves, but they could potentially cause the collapse of this realm if they don’t stop.

Theo stiffens in surprise. Viktor lets out a shaky breath, his eyes moving from Theo to Death as if he’s not sure what to believe or how to take this news.

Theo clears his throat. “But we were told—”

Believe what you would like.Dad shrugs.I don’t have the time to give you a full history lesson.

Kwil and Viktor exchange looks with one another while Theo falls silent. I reach up and awkwardly pat the hand still resting on my shoulder. Clearly, this is news he wasn’t ready to hear yet.

“What you’re asking of us is impossible.” I turn back to my dad. “These three aren’t welcome back into Everlast, and even if they were, I doubt the Fae will admit to tampering with realms and causing the ripples to the Third Realm.”

I’m sure you’ll find a way. Put your heads together and figure it out, Willie. You need to stop them because if they do access my realm, the Realm of the Dead will devour this one. It will be like the end of times.

“Um, Mr. Death, sir, couldn’t you just pop over there and tell them to stop?” Jonah asks curiously.

Even if I had the time, I cannot intervene in the lives of the living.My dad tilts his head sharply, as if listening to something. With a huff he looks at me.My realm needs me, Willie. I have to go. I suppose, given your situation, continuing to forbid you from using your power would be foolish. Just be smart and stay safe.

Kwil walks over and stands on the opposite side of me. He takes my hand and looks at my father, for the first time without fear.

“We’ll take care of her.”

My dad nods slowly.I hope so, because if you can’t, you must be ready to give up your lives to come join her on the other side. She’ll need you. Willie cannot be without all of her power once she’s firmly settled in the Realm of the Dead. There are…Dad hesitates as he tries to figure out what he’s allowed to say.There are others who would gain much with Willow in their clutches.

Kwil stiffens but nods, his hand tightening around mine.

Dad turns to Theo next.Will you look into the Fae’s involvement? You could possibly stop a disaster from happening before it’s too late.

When Theo doesn’t answer right away, Viktor steps forward to stand beside Death.

“We’ll look into it,” he promises.

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