SWNOVELS Chapter CHAPTER 17
Whispered voices could be heard coming from Maggie and Grace as they discussed what they had just learned about Cal. Their words became harsher as their anger rose while they talked about the menacing spirit. Upset that the Powers that Be knew what dwelled at the waiting station, and frustration for the fact that they did not intervene when they found out that the little jerk had been tormenting Alina, nearly pushed them over the edge of agitation. “How could the Powers that Be let this happen?” Grace growled out in a demanding tone.
Throwing her hands up in the air in aggravation, Maggie chimed in; “we need to go speak with Grim again. He should know what Cal has done. Maybe he can assist us in keeping that rotten spirit away from Alina. Looking at each other, they both nodded their heads in agreement and then locked their hands together before flickering out, in search of Death.
“Death, sweetie. We have some news we wish to share with you.” Maggie sang out as they came upon him, delivering a new soul to the waiting station.
“Huh, what?” He grunted in response as he glanced over his shoulder to see who was speaking to him. “What are you two ole’ bats talking about?” His full attention focused towards them now, he arched an eyebrow to their statement.
“Though we haven’t figured out how,” Grace said. “We have determined that Cal was somehow able to manipulate you into pulling Alina’s soul from earth before her fated time.”
Never had anything shocked Death before now. “Ha!” A harsh laugh escaped his lips. “There is no way that is plausible! Never in the Millenia that I have reaped souls, has any spirit been able to force my hand to pull a soul before it’s time. All souls have an expiration date. I am not able to remove any before their destined time.” Death gave each of them an angry glare, how dare they say I have faulted in my job performance!
“Don’t get all huffy with us, Mr. Reaper! This soul had two different paths set for her. Depending on which she chose to travel, determined how her fate would fare.” Grace stated in a haughty voice. “The Powers that Be claimed that because of this differing allowance, Cal was able to use this to his advantage and sway you to believe it was her time; even though she chose the path that would allow her to stay earth bound for at least another sixty years.”
“Who is this spirit?” Death snarled at the twins. “I will tear him to shreds!” he added, gripping his scythe tightly in his hands. “I have to leave,” he stated with a growl and a second later vanished from their sight, leaving them in a state of apprehension.
**
Death paced back and forth in a furious state. On impulse he found himself standing at the gates leading to the sanctuary of the Powers that Be. How could they have allowed a simple little spirit to manipulate him so? There has to be a reason as to why and he was determined to find out what that reason was!
He was granted entrance and hastily made his way to their meeting chamber where they sat surrounded by white. White walls, white curtains, white high-back chairs with white cushions and they themselves were shrouded in white robes waiting patiently for him as though they had all the time in the world. Even if he wanted to describe the Powers that Be, there wouldn’t be any proper words to use other than insanely bright white light of omnipresence. However, he did not care to describe the ‘Powers’ and so he stood before them, a dark shadow amongst their brightness.
Offering the Powers that Be his coldest, iciest glare, he began to question their reasons for allowing Cal to do what he had done. “What is this spirit who has the capability to sway my movements and force my hands unknowingly to do his bidding?”
A booming, echoing voice of one, but many, sounded throughout the room. “It is not your place to question our methods and reasons, Grim Reaper! We will not divulge more than what is needed to be known. And all you need to know is, it has always been predetermined that this is the fate for all those involved or tied to the soul you removed from earth ‘before her time’.
“Will you at least share with me who this rotten scoundrel of a spirit is? I have bargained with an old Crone on earth to find out for them what they will be dealing with in exchange for her soul.”
“We will grant you this one request, but nothing more.” The thundering voices seemed to ricochet within his mind, followed by a series of images as he was forced to close his eyes from the onslaught of words.
“Cal is the last of the Kallikantzaros, which are malevolent goblins. Throughout the centuries they have dwelled below the earth and are only able to surface from December 26th to January 6th (the 12 days of Christmas), i.e., the winter solstice, for a fortnight during which time the sun ceases its seasonal movement. And though they had a yearning for the blood of children, their hunger for blood broadened to humanity in general. When they feed, if they did not kill their victims, the humans would be left to die. Sometimes the victims do not die but transform into monsters! In today’s human terminology the Kallikantzaros, or Calikantzaros, are called vampires.
“So, if Cal is waiting in the station, why not just end him? Why allow him to exist, even if just in spirit form?”
“Nothing more can be shared with you Death! BE GONE!” The voices shouted with such force that Death was pushed from the chamber and out the gates from their strength.
~
Jean had gone to their local library within Ambrosial City. An ancient building containing all forms of history from human to otherworldly. Bookshelves surrounded her in all directions. In a smaller room beyond the shelving held parchments, scrolls and modern documents and hoping to come across some information on the soul mate occurrence when she felt a ripple amongst the air around her, she looked behind her, her eyes falling upon the grim reaper.
Putting on a façade of sorts, Death decided it was time to pay Jean a visit, having acquired the information the witch needed so they would be able to deal with the evil spirit, correctly.
“Dear, dear, Jean,” Death clucked his tongue against his teeth as his gaze fell upon her as he came through a rippling pool of silver and blue that was the essence of the portal he had produced from the netherworld. “I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but this just cannot be ignored. You need made aware of what spirit exactly is trying to hone in on Alina’s magical powers.”
He was trying to sort out the best way to share the bad news but making sure at the same time she understood the magnitude of the situation that was before them.
Jean watched him as he stepped closer to her. She noticed that he wasn’t wearing his typical grey cloak, but rather black jeans, a black t-shirt and black boots. She took him in from head to toe, appreciating his natural beauty that exuded off him before raising an eyebrow in questioning Death as to what he was referring to. “Well go on then, I’ve not got all night to be waiting for you to tell me. I am after all preparing to resurrect a soul in less than 48 hours.”
A grin crossed his lips as Death smiled in appreciation of Jean’s feistiness. If there was one thing Jean didn’t tolerate, it was anyone who would dilly-dally around a conversation instead of getting straight to the point. “Well, your spirit that you’ve been dealing with just happens to be a peculiar type of Greek vampire.”
“And this should be disheartening because?” she asked as she continued to gaze at him with little interest or regard for his words.
“The Callicantzaros is most dangerous during the Christmas holiday, and its strength is incomparable to any other spirits lingering within the spirit realm. The spirit will only grow stronger during the days leading up to said holiday. Your witch is the only one strong enough to keep it from entering into the human world. Once she has returned to human form, you will have to act quickly. For if he should return with her, a real-life nightmare will be unleashed upon earth. With that being said, I will grant you an extra 15 minutes with her and your circle so that you may be able to pull her through and then all together close out the ritual so nothing else will be able to enter.”
Jean nodded her head in understanding, “I thank you for allowing this extra time, so we will be properly prepared to take on the task of swiftly but efficiently closing the circle to prevent that nasty spirit from crossing over too.”
Death scoffed, “kindness is not a factor. Do not take it for anything more than face value. This is the only way to prevent disorder in both realms and maintain life. Plus, I am only allowed one soul in exchange for another from your group. Otherwise, I would gladly take the lot of you.
Once it is finished though, you will follow me willingly into the afterlife. I shall return one more time before you begin your ritual for Alina’s return. Until then Jean, fare thee well.” Death raised a snow-white eyebrow and looked pointedly her way.
She returned his look with a look of her own, acknowledging what he said. “Do not worry, reaper, my word is my bond, and I already gave you it. I will see…” Death was gone before she could utter the last part of her sentence; “you soon.”