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“Of course. Ask away.”
Leon eyes me closely as he asks. “How did you escape the forsaken in the parking garage? I saw them, Vivian. And don’t think I didn’t see the hole in your car’s window. No mortal should have ever been able to come out of there alive.”
His gaze on me is scrutinizing, as if he’s looking for the slightest hint that I’m keeping something.
The memory of Leon’s shocked expression at seeing the forsaken spilling out of the garage after me quickly comes to mind.
I consider my answer carefully before starting. Leon hasn’t made any mention of my ability to free trapped souls or to see ghosts. And the more he refers to me as a powerless mortal, the more I get the sinking suspicion that what I can do isn’t tied to my role as a Keeper.
I should tell him.
We’re on the same side.
But Leon has made it abundantly clear he’s loyal to the council, to the point of leaving my past self to die. I have to assume anything I tell him will make its way back to the council. The more I learn about the council’s beliefs, the less I want to be on their radar.
“I…” I start. “I got very, very lucky. My car wasn’t far from the door, and I was able to get inside before most of the forsaken ever even noticed me.” It isn’t an outright lie, but hopefully, it will satisfy him.
I lay it on a bit thicker with a small smile. “I almost didn’t make it out though. One of the creatures got a hold of my car, and well, you saw the damage. I drovemy car against the edge of the garage door to knock the creature off.”
I’m staring at my nails and force myself to make eye contact.
Leon definitely knows I’m omitting some information. His eyebrows knit together, but he doesn’t press me for more details.
I ask my question before he changes his mind. “What are they? The forsaken, I mean.”
“They’re broken souls,” Leon says.
Nailed it!
A small wave of triumph glows within me.
Leon continues. “Some forsaken are powerful Otherworld beings that have been disgraced in death, either at a fight they lost, or they died asleep in their beds. These souls are broken by humiliation and dishonour. Morgana is the lady of the shadows and the only creature known to any realm who can communicate with and control them. She can direct their fury. They’re bloodthirsty creatures, twisted by hate and darkness.”
At the mention of Morgana, Leon’s eyes get the faint blue glow again. He pauses to take a deep inhale before he continues. “The souls in the Otherworld are not like the souls of your realm. Our souls can move about in the physical world despite losing their bodies. They can still pick up objects and complete tasks. You’ll even be able to see them here, so try not to be too alarmed. Most of the souls can’t do you any harm. But the forsaken are an exception. They can murder the living. Something no other soul can do.”
I frown at his explanation. So, the ghosts here are visible, which is less of a shock than he might imagine, but there’s one point that bothers me.
“I don’t understand. Why aren’t the souls just freed and allowed to pass on?”
Leon starts laughing as if my question is absurd. “The forsaken? Because their disgrace bars them from serving as any other soul. Any soul that doesn’t live their life in the light or passes on in a dark way becomes a forsaken. Souls that live in the light and pass on naturally become servants to the council, helping to run the entirety of the Otherworld.”
My jaw drops. “Wait – so no one’s soul is free in death? They become those twisted creatures, or they become servants?”
Leon just shrugs. “The forsaken have made their bed. Besides, there’s nowhere else for spirits to go.”
“That’s barbaric,” I exclaim.
I want to ask him what he means by the souls having nowhere to go, but Leon continues, ready to move on to more important topics.
“We need to discuss the mission. I had time to think about a plan while you slept today. I need to know where Morgana is hiding. There’s little doubt that wherever she is, Sin will be.”
At this, I swallow. “The Destroyer Morgana has is the one that can control minds?” That thought puts a thread of fear inside of me. I’m already wary of having magical forces in my head.
Leon nods. “Yes. And I am going to kill him before he can ever touch you, Vivian.” He says the words fervently. “If it’s any consolation, I can do it too –control minds to some degree. All three of us are unlimited in our abilities, but we all have our… talents.”
I gulp. That isn’t a consolation.
“Morgana used to work for the council. During her time there, she amassed countless spies. That’s where we’ll start trying to root out where she’s holed up.”
