Page 50 of Outcast

“Harlow...”

“Listen. I don’t doubt that your mind was corrupted, Crew. It’s not really me you need to apologize to, it’ll be her. You left, caused chaos, and a battle that led to her murder,” I pointed out. It was harsh, but this wasn’t the time to beat around the bush. “You have all of about three minutes to make your decision. You’re not a human anymore, Crew. Your compulsions are gone. I know how you felt about demons and Helheim, but now you’re a part of it.”

“You brought me here? You did this?”

The realm came to my aid, snapping out at him until he was forced to step back. I stood at the threat, my body growing in a show of power. It fed through the soles of my feet and flowed through me, rising in intensity until I felt more like Helheim than myself.

My face didn’t falter as I stared him down, not saying a single word until he’d sat in his chair and calmed down.

When he’d visibly chilled out, I let the power recede until I was normal again.

“What the fuck am I?” His eyes were still wide but at least he wasn’t acting on raw anger anymore. That was one thing he better lose like he lost his humanity.

“You’re a wraith. Not human but immortal. You won’t have powers that I or my men do, but you’re being given a second chance,” I said, waiting for that to process before dropping an icy dose of fear. “And if you don’t handle it well or wish to leave, I’ll exile you. You’ll likely die as a human on Earth in the mess Hel made, your soul will be forfeited, there will be no afterlife.”

“Can I ever go back?” he whispered. “To Earth. Without losing my soul?”

“I don’t think so,” I answered. They’d been infused with extra power to rejoin their soul with their bodies, but nothing more. Helheim wasn’t willing to give it and I respected that. “I’ve never seen a wraith go through that didn’t have extra power. I can’t guarantee you’d survive.”

He turned his head and stared at Layne. It was a lot to process but I doubted he had much time to do so. Emotions were warring across his face and I didn’t envy the shitshow he had to sort out. I had to do the same thing on my own, I woke up alone and without someone to answer my questions.

“She died there?” he asked, looking back at me.

“Right after you did,” I confirmed. “We thought we got all of the demons when your leaders attacked, but apparently one was hiding in the ashes and rubble. She walked in, saw you, screamed in pain, and drew his attention. He slaughtered her without a second thought. Stravos tore his head off for his crimes and we brought you both here.”

“Why did you bring me here with her?”

“For her,” I said simply. “Even if you are an idiot who deserved to pay for what you did, she loved you. If you decide to walk away this time, that’s on you but I had to try. You weren’t given a fair fight. Here you get to find a purpose and live without the stress of Earth.”

My explanation seemed to bring him some peace. His shoulders sagged and he nodded once, his hand rubbing the back of his neck as if he were nervous, or maybe it was a human reaction to all the information he was processing. I was never close enough to Crew to read this easily.

“Stravos is going to kick my ass.”

“I am!” The words echoed from the hallway. Crew let out a dark laugh but it was every bit self-deprecation. It was as if the haze was gone from his mind and the gravity of his actions was finally settling in.

“You’re lucky all of us don’t kick your ass at this point.” He didn’t argue that. “When did they take you over?”

“When I was still in Dark Haven. It started as whispers at night. Then I heard them in the daytime or anywhere I went. It was impossible to ignore. Then I started blacking out. It wasn’t long after that happened that I wasn’t in control anymore. I got to watch my body say and do things I wouldneverhave done on my own. It was awful.”

He looked over at me with eyes that pleaded for me to believe him.

“I saw it in your eyes,” I said. “They shifted back and forth between that poison and you. The last time they shifted back, it took over completely. That’s when Monty had to kill you before you tried to hurt me and set back our mission.”

“And here you are, cleaning up my mess too.” He sighed. Crew leaned forward and clutched at his dirty, ragged curls.

“You are a dumbass,” Layne rasped out. Her voice was as hoarse as his had been but seeing those blue eyes open and alert was enough for a sob of relief to escape me. I shoved Crew out of the way as he rose from his chair, so I could claim her in a hug, holding her tight.

“I’m so fucking glad you’re alive.”

“Am I? Because I distinctly remember dying,” she joked.

“When your bestie is a badass queen of the underworld, death isn’t the end for you,” I sassed right back. “I’m glad your sarcasm didn’t die with you.”

“You really are a badass,” she agreed, serious this time.

Crew cleared his throat and I barely held back an eye roll.

“Listen, I’ll give Stravos the good news and give you two a moment. I’m down the hall, curve to the left, follow our loud voices... when you’re ready for a break.” I said that part to Layne before walking out.

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