Chapter 4

4

As we exited the castle, I remarked, "Where are the other reapers?" Only Cain and Vance accompanied us.

"Asher seems to think we won't be much use. Something about roc having tough skin," Vance explained.

"He's fought one?"

Cain, who'd taken the lead, shook his head. "No. He got that from a quick internet search."

"Meaning it will have to be handled with magic," I mused aloud.

"Hell, yeah. Barbecued roc for dinner," Mizuki joked, sending up a spray of fiery butterflies that burned bright for a few seconds before dissipating.

"You think it's edible?" I wrinkled my nose.

"No idea. Most likely it will disappear like the demons do when they die." Vance had a ready explanation.

A strange facet of the monster incursions was how upon death they simply disappeared without a trace. Weird, but at the same time, it made it easier to cover up from human authorities.

The walk from the castle to the dais that would allow us to teleport out of the protected valley didn't take long. To my surprise, another reaper waited for us in the woods.

Barron stood, looking stiff and angry.

A glance at Mizuki showed her chin lifted while she studiously avoided his gaze.

Oh-ho. Someone had a fight. I wondered if it had to do with my friend deciding she wanted to be a warrior witch rather than staying behind in safety.

"Hey, Barron, are you joining us?" Vance asked.

"Yes." His gaze carefully avoided Mizuki. "While you two have protective duty over the messovenata, I will guard the fire witch."

"The fire witch has a name," Mizuki snapped.

"Sorry, I need to guard the dumbass who thinks it's fun and games to put herself in danger." Barron's glare lasered her.

Her tone emerged even frostier. "I wouldn't talk, Mr. Hasn't-Met-A-Monster-He-Won't-Fight."

"That's different."

"Ah yes, because you're not the one waiting to find out if you survived or not," she huffed.

"I always come back."

"Until you don't."

Barron's expression pinched. "Reaping is my job."

"And being a witch is mine. So suck it up, buttercup. I am going on this mission, and if you want me back alive, then you'd better put those reaper skills to good use." With that, Mizuki stomped to the center of the dais.

I sidled close and murmured, "Lover's quarrel?"

"Not lover's yet," Mizuki muttered back. She cleared her throat. "So, when we arrive, I'll immediately set up a shield that will prevent anyone from noticing our presence just in case there are some folks who aren't fooled by the invisatunica." A fancy word for the coats that turned us invisible. "This barrier will also repel anyone trying to get close to the tower."

"Good idea. I assume it will also protect against bullets?" I asked. Trigger-happy people could sometimes be more dangerous than the monsters themselves.

A recent mission to clear out a demon nest in a basement club had resulted in two reapers getting shot as the cops, panicked by the screaming, fired blindly into the room. Demons emitted a fog to hide their actions and appearance. Only reapers and I could see through it. Witches and regular humans couldn't unless the demons stood in full sun. It was part of the reason why the world remained ignorant of the forces of evil that constantly filtered over from Inferis. Although, of late, the monsters hadn't been hiding as much.

"It will block gunfire and pretty much any projectile so long as I don't run out of juice," she stated. "And that's also assuming I don't have to drop it to fight."

"I'll handle the fight part," Barron growled. The reapers all had an alpha vibe to them. No wonder they were irresistible.

"Before we enter the portal, what about the voice? Should we be worried about it?" Cain asked, eyeing the talisman he'd pulled out. We all had one despite the fact the amulets could transport a few people at once.

"I'll handle the voice," I claimed and hoped I sounded confident. Not the time to mention I was worried it would want one of my group or the fact I probably wouldn't be able to stop it.

"Everyone ready?" Mizuki asked.

Barron's reply was to place his hand on the middle of her back, while my own pair of reapers flanked me so close, I could feel the heat radiating from their bodies.

"Let's go bag ourselves a roc." I tried for enthusiasm even as I hoped I didn't fail.

"See you on the other side," Mizuki chirped and popped out of sight with Barron.

I clasped my intricate amulet and visualized the CN Tower. I'd only ever seen it once in person. Ironic seeing as how I used to live in Toronto. In my defense, I'd been too busy working to sightsee in my own city.

Cold enveloped us as the portal opened and sucked us in.

In that chilly expanse, the voice spoke to me. Finally, you've brought me some acceptable choices.

Instantly, I retorted, Hold your horses. These people aren't for you. We're on a mission.

I just need one, it almost whined.

You can't have them. These are my friends.

What of your promise?

I'm working on the body for you, but you'll have to be patient. Then because I was annoyed the voice even suggested it… I don't suppose you'd like to inhabit a roc's body?

Smelly things. Clear disdain.

Speaking of smelly, we need to get to the CNN Tower ASAP before the invading roc kills any more civilians.

If you must… I swear the voice sighed but at least it obeyed.

A blink later and I stood at the base of the CN Tower with my entire party. A relief. I'd been a little worried there.

"Shield activated," Mizuki stated, her body emitting a faint reddish glow. She at least remembered to act. Meanwhile, I gawked.

The CN Tower appeared taller in person than expected. I craned and whistled. "Damn, that's high."

"Yeah, it is, and we get to climb it using the stairs since the power to the place has been shut down." Vance's less than encouraging announcement.

I grimaced. "That's a lot of fucking stairs."

"It's good for the glutes," the sadistic Cain claimed.

Before we tackled them, I glanced around to see the place ringed in flashing cop cars, their doors open, the police crouched behind, using them as shields. I could see why. Spatters of blood sprinkled the ground, but more disturbing were the body parts. An arm here. A leg there. My gorge rose at the head perpetually watching wide-eyed.

As I looked, something plummeted from the sky and landed with a splat, leading to a sudden burst of gunfire.

Despite the shield protecting us from harm, Cain threw himself in front of me. The guy just didn't know how to avoid danger. At the same time, had to love a dude who wanted to be my knight in shining armor.

"We should head inside and start the climb," Vance stated.

"It will be hard to hold the shield and exert myself at the same time," Mizuki noted.

"Which is why you'll stay out here," I ordered.

"What if you need me?" Mizuki chewed her lower lip.

I didn't want to come across as overly confident, but honestly, given the number of elements I wielded, if I couldn't handle it, then Mizuki with only fire to call upon wouldn't make a difference. I gave her a reason to stay. "I'd rather you stick around the ground level and make sure no one tries to ambush us from behind."

"You think it's a trap?" Her gaze darted around suspiciously. "I don't see any fog." A sure sign of demons nearby.

"You won't see them coming because it's too sunny. We can't be too cautious. Barron, you should probably stay with her just in case."

He nodded. "I shall protect the fire witch with my life."

I knew he would, hence why I suggested it.

"Sweet. See you in a few." I quickly marched to the tower and heard Vance murmur, "Could you have been less subtle?"

I eyed him over my shoulder. "I don't know what you mean. Mizuki needed a guard. I doubt you or Cain would have volunteered."

Cain snorted. "I would have suggested it if you hadn't. He would have been way too distracted if he'd come with us into the tower. Those two need to bone so he can get his head back in the game."

"That's priceless coming from you," I muttered as we entered the base level of the tower. I wanted to sigh as I eyed the daunting number of stairs. More than I liked, but at the same time, I'd gotten quite toned living at the castle. A bedroom on the third floor helped as did my training that involved sprinting up and down the hill too many times a day.

"I'm ready and willing whenever you are," Cain drawled.

"Awesome. So, I can expect you and Vance naked in my bed after we're done here?"

The sudden glowering silence had me smirking.

"Now is not the time," Cain eventually growled.

"Well, you better figure out the time because we might not have much left," I muttered.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Cain replied.

"Call it a gut instinct." Something was coming.

Something big.

And I had a sneaky feeling I wouldn't emerge unscathed… if at all.