Chapter 11

11

E lektra felt naked not wearing her normal uniform. Vanth had convinced her to stick with jeans and a T-shirt, but she wasn't happy about it.

"I'm not going to have you freaking any of the other residents out at the facility," he said stubbornly. "You are intimidating enough without the leather murder suit."

"It's not used for murder. I am a reaper. The suit is tactical when fighting things that manage to get through the Veil."

Vanth hadn't budged, so Elektra had given in to the jeans, but she still carried her sickles.

"It's a hospital, Elektra. You are the most dangerous person there," Vanth said, getting into the driver's seat of his van. For all of his bluster, he carried a dagger in his boot, and the two ghouls were already in the back, watching her with dead eyes.

"Apart from you," she replied drolly.

"Please. I'm a pussy cat."

Elektra pulled a face. "Save your lies for someone who will actually believe you."

Elektra had never been to a hospital for magical people. Vanth had explained that it was for anyone with magic and degenerative diseases. The wards were almost as powerful as the prison back at the Celestial Court. She tried not to shiver. She hated feeling caged in.

Vanth smiled and talked to the security guard, but the man didn't even bother taking their weapons.

"They trust you here," she commented, giving him a questioning look.

"They know they wouldn't be able to take me in a fight, and it's not weapons that are a threat here anyway. Most of the people are in independent housing."

Vanth opened a door for her, and they stepped into a reception area. A pretty woman sat behind a counter. She was all smiles at seeing Vanth until she realized Elektra was with him.

"Vanth, back again so soon?" the woman asked.

"I was worried about her. How has she been since yesterday, Clara?" he asked.

Elektra's magic itched as the two dropped into an easy rapport that spoke of friendship. Her fae senses were twitching, telling her that something wasn't right, but she couldn't see what.

"And who is your friend?" Clara asked. The way she said 'friend' sounded strongly of jealousy. So she had a crush on Vanth. No surprise there. He was charming when he wanted to be. It just wasn't the side that Elektra liked most.

"I'm Elektra. A cousin," she replied and gave her no more information.

Vanth cleared his throat. "Eiline hasn't seen her in years, and I thought it might help get her back into a more lucid state."

Clara pursed her lips but nodded. "Just don't upset her more."

"Cross my heart," Vanth said and winked at the nurse.

Elektra's magic burned again. She didn't know why it was acting so weird all of a sudden. It probably was still getting used to the human world's rhythms. The temple existed in a liminal space between the real and spirit world, and Elektra hadn't spent serious time in the real one in years.

That had to be it.

Elektra didn't hear the rest of whatever Vanth and Clara had said. She quickly scribbled a nonsense signature where Vanth pointed on a form and followed him out. She took a deep breath of fresh air and tried to clear her head.

"You okay? You looked like you dissociated for a bit there," Vanth said as they walked through the gardens.

"Why? Did the girl with the big eyes for you have something important to say?"

Vanth laughed. "Clara doesn't have 'big eyes' for me."

"Takes a female to notice."

"Sweet Clara likes to flirt, but she couldn't handle what I really am," Vanth said and shrugged. "There are few people who could look into the reality of what we are and what our magic is and not run screaming in the opposite direction."

"Most people are boring that way. We are unique, Vanth. I don't feel bad about that, and neither should you." Elektra had been tossed out of the Celestial Court a long, long time ago for what came naturally to her. She had gotten over apologizing for what she was and how she was made. Elektra had been talented but otherwise normal amongst the temple acolytes. She suddenly felt sorry for Vanth, having to come to terms with his power without anyone around him who had similar abilities.

She felt a whole lot less sorry when Eiline opened her door, and her magical aura smacked her in the face. Eiline didn't look older than about thirty-five, but that was typical fae genetics.

Elektra's training had her bowing low in the way she would to any high-ranking priestess.

"I see you have made a friend, Tarael," Eiline said, her voice soft and sharp at the same time.

"This is Elektra. She broke into my house, and I haven't been able to shake her," Vanth replied, hugging his mother. "How are you feeling today?"

"Hazy. Get inside, the pair of you. I don't feel safe right now, and I don't know why," Eiline said.

Elektra stepped into a comfortable and brightly decorated cottage. It wasn't what she expected until she saw the painting on the wall.

"Did they not give you enough canvases, Ma?" Vanth asked.

"Not big enough. I don't understand why I would paint this. Seems rather frightening," EIline said. She was making tea, moving lightly.

Elektra couldn't tear her eyes away from the painting. The temple was trashed, and there were bodies scattered in the gardens and fields around it. In the background was painted a shimmering wave of lavender and blue light, like a brilliant wave about to crash down on top of them. It was the Veil, as only very few could see it.

"Your reapers?" Vanth whispered softly.

Elektra's jaw clamped too tight to form words, so she nodded.

"How do you like your tea, miss?" Eiline asked.

"Black with one sugar, thank you," Elektra said, shaking off the cold feeling in her stomach. "My name is Elektra. I... It's an honor to meet you."

"Is it?" Eiline asked, her brows drawing together.

"She doesn't know," Vanth said softly. "She doesn't remember."

Elektra pulled out her necklace. "I was given this by a friend of yours. Her name was Maria."

"Maria..." Eiline said and stared at the necklace.

Vanth took out his and slotted the pendants together. Sweet music rose up from it, and Eiline dropped the spoon she was holding. She moved slowly over to them and took the singing pendant in her shaking hands. "I remember." Tears filled her eyes, and she pressed the pendant to her cheek. "Orcus, my love."