Page 26 of Mystique of the Fallen
“We were thinking we’d start with Courage,” Eternity replied.
“Wonderful, she’s easy to find,” Fate said. “Let’s go to Justice’s armory. No doubt both of them are there sharpening swords or whatever it is they do all day.”
“Like the warriors they like to create or mold, they spar, dear sister,” Death retorted. “Give me Grant’s soul. It must stay here.”
“Oh, right, I forgot. If his soul crosses the threshold between theebirllobaand the land of the living, we have no idea what will happen,” Fate remarked.
Death created a waist-high pillar complete with a thick cushion where she carefully rested Grant’s sphere. With a smile, Eternity slung her arm through Death’s, and together they followed Death out of the castle.
“Odd that Mother didn’t explain why a soul can’t cross,” Fate commented as they passed into the bright palace.
“I expect they will be destroyed,” Eternity said. “Magic is so rich in the air; it would bombard them with more than they can handle.”
“A good assumption,” Death responded. “That was my conclusion as well.”
Fate rolled her eyes. “Of course it was; you two have always been far too similar in your thoughts.”
They quickly wound through the palace, and Fate lifted her skirts before she stepped into the gleaming armory Justice called home. The heavy clang of weapons filled the air as Justice and Courage fought as if war were imminent. Justice had an enormous gold sword, while Courage had opted for a flail and shield.
“Courage,” Fate called out.
Neither Courage nor Justice bothered to glance in their direction. Instead, Justice glared at Courage and slammed her blade into the silver shield nearly as tall as both ladies.
“Great,” Fate grumbled. “They’re ignoring me. Anyone good with a bow and arrow? Maybe we could shoot one of them.”
“I have a better idea,” Death said. With a grin, she created a thick black cloud that grew as it spiraled toward the combatants.
Curses filled the air, and Death laughed.
“You are far from amusing,” Justice roared. “Clear the skies, Death.”
Death did as she was told and lifted a red brow at the frowning blonde. “Before you lecture me, we need your attention for an urgent matter. We have Grant’s soul.”
Justice stabbed her sword into the ground. “Care for it until Chander is ready. What else are we to do?”
“He needs help,” Eternity explained. “Nearly every ounce of courage in him has been thwarted by years of being controlled.”
“Of course you have my help,” Courage responded instantly as her flail and shield disappeared. “I can enrich what he has lost, and it will flourish until Chander casts his spell.”
“Wonderful, we have a plan for his courage,” Fate said, then turned to Death with a gleam in her eye. “Now we must fix his hopelessness.”
“Oh no,” Death retorted. “I amnotdealing with Hope.”
“I know how you feel about her, but Grant needs her,” Eternity commented, pleading in her silvery gaze.
“Yes, okay, I will admit you are right,” Death replied. She extricated her arm and stepped away from her sister. “But you do not need me to find her or ask for her assistance. It doesn’t take a gaggle of goddesses to convince one of us to help a soul.”
“We are in this together,” Justice stated. “And we’ve decided Grant is to be a fallen knight. That race was your idea. He is yours. Let’s act as a team to get him everything necessary to make him flourish.”
“Now I remember why I prefer to keep to the company of my own castle,” Death muttered.
Eternity returned to her side and took her arm again. “Come now, it won’t be too bad.”
“Well, I haven’t talked to her in an age,” Death replied. “I don’t even know where to find her.”
“She created a treehouse,” Courage supplied. “It’s not far from here.”
“Can we really call it a treehouse?” Fate asked as Justice led them in a brisk walk out of the lists and into the hallway.
