We were making good time as we talked nonsense but soonenoughwe saw the body count Phillip was talking about. There were two women just inside a department store that wereon the ground, blood pooled around them.Krystanshot me a look.She saw them too but continued to distract Sophie, debating what was best in a truckload form.
“Chocolate,” Sophie said, a smile in her voice.
“Rainbows,” said Krystan.
“Stuffed animals,” I added, absentmindedly, ushering Sophie along faster as I saw six people who had almost made it to the mall exit but were down for the count.
“Yeah, stuffed animals. You could jump in and snuggle them like a pool,” Sophie agreed.
Finally rounding the bend, we saw Astrid and Phillip. Astrid was on the ground, a circle of black candles, salt, and a smear of blood across her forehead, just like the first time we saw her. Her eyes were closed as she rocked back and forth, chanting.
There were four agents, standing guard with Phillip who waved us forward.
“How long do you think it will take?”Krystanasked.
One of the agents turned her gun up under her chin and shot. I covered Sophie’s eyes with my free hand.
“Shit,”Krystansaid. Before Sophie could say anything,Krystanadded, “I know, I know, it’s a bad word.”
I didn't remove my handfrom blocking Sophie’s view. “Sophie, it’s coming. I need you to hold on tight to Merlin.”
Sheisso young and justhad to watcha woman shoot herself.That could have broken her fragile belief system about fighting monsters. The horrormustbe seeping into her, the way it is to me.She won’t be able to fight the Shinigami. We are going to throwher right to her own gruesomedeath,and it will take her soul. Then we will all be doomed.
“It’s real close.”Krystan’seyes had closed as if she were battling her own thoughts. “Stay with meKrystan.”Her eyessnappedbackopen, but they were wild.
We all stood there waiting but Phillip had sprung into action. He holstered his guns and pulled out a large, round orange crystal that filled bothhis palms.He began to chant in another language.
The effect of the Shinigami immediatelylessened,and I knew Phillip was doing his best to shield us.The sound of harsh breathingpulledmy attention. Gregory was running up, slightly limping.Redspattered across him like Pollock painting, and his sword looked like it had been dipped in blood.
“The others?” I asked, but Gregory shook his head. As he neared, I saw a sheen of orange a few inches outside of his body for a moment. He was being shielded as well.
A moan turned my attention back toKrystan. Her teeth were gritted, and tears leaked out the corners of her eyes as if she were battling extreme pain.
“Krystan,” I yelled. “Open your eyes. Look at me.”
I saw the same orange glint that had been on others, shine off her. It wasn’t enough. She was still affected by the Shinigami.
I directed Sophie to close her eyes and moved her closer to Gregory. I crossed the distance toKrystan. My hands curled around her shoulders, and I gave her a brief shake.When her eyes snapped open again, they were looking up and past me as if watching a horrific scene take place.
“Phillip,” I yelled."Help her.”
Phillipshota furious look and chanted faster, but she continued to look held by the Shinigami.
We allsearched the area, waiting forthe creatureto appear.When it did,I would kill its ass.I tried to take Batman out ofKrystan’shand. I didn’t know how many knives were on her or where. She wore cargo pants today. “You couldn’t have worn one of thoseminiskirtstoday, could you?” I muttered, but she didn’t respond.
Something flashed into view right behindKrystan. I blinked, unable to comprehend what I just saw. I shook her shoulders harder. “Krystansnap out of it, do it right now goddammit, or I’ll kick your ass.”There it was again, a looming, dark figure with glowing red eyes right behind her as if it were her puppeteer.
My breath caught in my throat. “Jesus, Phillip, it’s right behindKrystan. It has her. It’s cloaking itself or something.Gregory,I need Sophie.”
“No,” Gregory said, stopping Sophie from moving toward us. “It’s hooked intoKrystanfeeding on her directly. If Sophie tries todestroyit, the Shinigami may takeKrystanwith it.”
I pulled my hair. Fuck, fuck, fuck. I had to get her out of there. Lord knewKrystanand reason weren’t the best of friends.
White engulfed her eyes until those big brown orbs disappeared.
If I didn’t do something, Krystan and our baby were going to die.
26
