Page 32 of Bound By the Wraith: Northern Realms

She and Coraliane walked back up to the hospital, but the closer they got to the hospital, the more she felt uneasy. Like someone was watching them. Coraliane grew quiet too, like she was sensing the shift in the air, and she quickened her pace.

They made it to the portal and Cali could see it glowing, just beyond the shimmering veil.

“I’ll see you in a few months,” Coraliane said.

“Yes.” Cali took a step toward the portal, then there was a burst of energy that tossed her back.

Coraliane screamed and was thrown back too by the blast, knocking her unconscious. Cali opened her eyes to see Elodi standing there, smiling.

“So, you think you can go back to him?” Elodi stated. “You think your love will break the veil and destroy us? I think not. His mother warned you what would happen if you stayed with him. I’m going to kill you, Cali.”

Cillian paced nervouslyby the portal on his side. He knew that something was wrong and the moment that the sun set in the mortal realm, his instincts were proven right. It felt as if there were a slice through him. His realm was lost then.

Honk was crying and the realm began to shake. Everything that had grown and was alive because of her presence began to shrivel up and die. His realm was no longer his.

“Honk,” Cillian called out. “You need to stay close to me.”

“Yes, master.” Honk scurried forward, shrinking themselves and climbing up into his pocket. He couldn’t take all the other goblins with him, only Honk, because Honk seemed to care about Cali and vice versa.

Cillian knew that Cali had not broken the promise. Something had happened to her. He’d find out what, but first he had to deal with the bet he lost. The realm that was about to be taken away from him and his plans that had been dealt a serious monkey wrench. As his realm was transferred over to Gootch, hefelt some of his power fading. So much for time travel. He could feel invisible chains locking him to the northern realm.

Gootch appeared, grinning, and then his mother followed slowly behind.

“Well, well. It seems she didn’t return like she promised,” Gootch said gleefully. “You have lost, Cillian, and your realm is now mine!”

“I concede that, but I know that Cali was waylaid by another. She remembers who she is and has protection. So she didn’t break her promise.”

“Not for long. Not when I fully take control of this realm,” Gootch stated. “She has powerful magic protecting her now, but soon she will be mortal again and helpless. And mine.”

A shiver of dread ran down Cillian’s spine as Gootch said that word. As Cillian looked to his mother, floating there with a smug expression on her face, he knew that it was her who had betrayed him and that Cali’s life was in danger.

“So, Mother, you have set this up. Haven’t you?” Cillian snarled.

“You need to learn to not bind your heart and soul to a mortal. You’ve played with time for far too long and I know the reason why. You want to overthrow my father. You want to control all the realms and have mortal and magic mix once more. It’s what you’ve always wanted. So like your father.”

“I’m nothing like him. Spineless mortal he was,” Cillian snarled.

“Well, you’re stuck in the northern realm now, but I can give it all back to you,” his mother stated.

“How?” Cillian asked.

“Your mother has agreed to give me most of your powers, but I’ll hand this over and some of your freedom back, if you keep away from Cali,” Gootch stated. “You need to let her die and let her soul cross over the Styx. She won’t come back.”

Cillian’s blood boiled. “Why would I do that?”

“Her hold on you is not good for you,” his mother snapped. “You’re a wraith. Act like one."

“Is that so?” Cillian tapped his chin. “And how would a wraith act?”

“You’re playing with things you cannot comprehend,” his mother howled. “You don’t want to give up your realm, your powers. You’re Death’s grandson. Do you really want to walk away from all of this?”

Cillian looked around at his realm. The place he grew up. The sanctuary he provided to his half siblings who were lost, never born, or just plain evil. It had been his since the day he was born, but here it was stone and bereft of life. Magic and mortals were supposed to mix and didn’t mix enough. He wasn’t sure how he was going to bring down the veil without his powers, but he knew one thing, he couldn’t live this eternity without Cali.

“No. I don’t want this. Gootch may have my realm.”

“But Cali is mine!” Gootch hissed.

“I offer you a trade,” Cillian stated.

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