Page 61 of Haunted Hearts

While Theo works with Willow, Kwil and I work with Jonah. The dummy swords in the training room are brought out and here, under the rising sun, Jonah learns how to use the weapon. It’s strange trying to teach another how to use a weapon that feels so natural in my hand. It’s an extension of myself. How do I explain what comes so naturally to me?

As it turns out, I can’t. My patience doesn’t extend as far as the sword in my hand. Kwil manages to show him technique, and when it comes to sparring, I step in when Kwil’s instincts can’t be trusted to not pummel the guy to a pulp. It doesn’t take us long to find a groove after the first day.

Around noon, Theodon ushers us back inside to get cleaned up, eat lunch in the large dining hall, and then herds us into Death’s massive library on the second floor of the house. There, he would insist we pick up a book and learn about the Realm of the Dead. Death has books about everything. From the creatures and people to history of the civilizations that formed here and everything in between, there’s a book on it. Some books look nearly as old as Death himself.

Jonah seems to have the hardest time sitting still and putting forth an effort into learning. Most of these hours consist of me kicking his foot to wake him up or telling him to sit down when he gets up to pace around the large space.

After a few hours of reading, we head to dinner. Theo insists we have it in the dining hall again. I think it’s more for him than any of us. Being cooped up in the apartment, even as large as it is, must make him feel as suffocated as I do. Years of traveling through the Third Realm in wide open spaces has made it difficult to adjust to this domestic way of life.

After dinner, Theo gives us downtime. This usually consists of exploring the different rooms of the house, the property surrounding Death’s castle, or hanging out in the apartment to play cards or pool, or having sex with Willow, which the night ends with no matter what. That’s probably my favorite part. Being wrapped up in her arms, and sometimes her legs, makes everything feelright.

On the fifth day, however, we’ve run into a bit of a roadblock.

Willow’s screams echo up and down the beach.

The rest of us are panting hard as we compose ourselves. This is the sixth time today that the Realm of the Dead has tried to absorb Willow back into itself. Her terror each time it happens makes it hard for all of us to focus on pulling her back. My heart races right along with hers as she fights it and part of me wants to scream with her.

“No, please!” She shrieks as her knees hit the sand, a shiver wracking her body. Sweat beads her forehead as her body starts to fade right before our eyes. “Please, please, please, don’t let it take me!”

“Willow, focus,” Theo orders sharply. “Take deep breaths and picture yourself here in the now with us. Can you feel us? We’re here with you, but we need your help now. That’s right, just breathe.”

Squeezing her eyes shut, I can tell she’s trying. I hold my breath as I focus. I can feel the piece of her soul that I possess grow cold with terror as Willow fights the realm. I crouch down beside her, grabbing her arm, hoping to hold her here by force. A moment ticks by before Willow’s form resolidifies. We all let out a heavy sigh of relief as Willow sags forward, gasping for air.

“That’s right, you did good, Willow. You’re ok, now,” Kwil murmurs from behind her. He rubs her back as he shoots a worried look at Theo.

“I hate this for you too,” Jonah says as he plops down in the sand beside her. His tail comes around Willow’s waist and rests there.

“Why is this happening so much? Is it because Willow’s using so much of her power?” I ask no one in particular. “Whenever she uses it, that could be what triggers the reaction.”

Theo shrugs, “It hasn’t beenthisbad when she’s used it the past few days.”

He’s right. While the realm has tried taking Willow from us, it’s only been happening once, sometimes twice, a day max.

“Who the hell knows?” Kwil sighs. “I wish Death would show up so we could ask him.”

Jonah groans, “Well, until he does show up, we’ll keep working on keeping you with us, Willow.”

“It has to be because we’re splitting our attention to other tasks,” Theodon surmises. I can hear the strain in his voice.

I guess we could work with Jonah later. If Willow needs all our attention on her while she practices control, we can do that. Rearranging our routine wouldn’t be that hard. As I open my mouth to suggest it, I feel the presence of another. Stiffening, I start to turn when a new voice says,

“It’s not you guys.”

I turn the rest of the way to find Brock walking towards us from a few feet away. How long has he been here watching us? Seconds? Minutes? An hour? The reaper comes to a stop just outside of our loose circle around Willow. He looks pretty well off considering he’s been away from his mate for five days now. His dreads are pulled back into a ponytail and he’s dressed in clean clothes.

“You’re back,” Willow whispers from where she sits.

The reaper nods slowly, “I didn’t mean to be gone as long as I was. Something came up.”

“Huh, something more important than helping your mate?” I ask coldly.

Willow smacks my ankle with her hand. It’s a soft warning but I back off. She can deal with the reaper however she pleases. It’s not my place to say anything.

Brock nods at once, “Nothing is more important than Willow’s wellbeing, but time got the best of me.”

“We’re just glad to see you back,” Kwil replies as he reaches down and helps Willow to her feet. Jonah’s tail remains wrapped tight around her waist as he stays close to her side.

“What do you mean that it’s not us?” Theodon asks, cutting straight to the point.

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