Page 16 of Shadowed Spirits (Haunted Magic #2)
CHAPTER 16
IZZY
L evi chuckles, the deep sound helping break some of the tension from earlier. “I’m not a fallen angel, little raven.” His pitch-black wings extend more than a foot taller and wider than him when they’re tucked into his back. His wingspan has to be over thirty feet with those enormous wings.
“Yeah. If one of us were an angel, it’d be me.” Hades stacks his hand under his chin and looks up in what I think is supposed to be an angelic look but just looks unhinged on him. “Alas, angels don’t exist, earthling. His wings are just one of his forms.”
My eyes widen as I look at Levi. “What are you, then?”
“I’m a versipellis, which is known as a shapeshifter on Earth. Unlike animal shifters from your realm, I have multiple forms.” Levi’s raven wings rustle and shift while he’s talking, almost like they’re trying to find somewhere comfortable to lie on his back.
“That’s so cool,” I gush. “What are they?”
Instead of answering my question, Levi takes a deep breath and shifts into a huge screech owl. After flapping around me for a few moments, he lands on the ground and transforms into a massive snake. He has to be almost three feet wide and over twenty feet long. His big snake head rises from the floor to be level with mine. I swear, snake Levi smiles at me before he resumes his human form, minus the cool-ass wings. “I can also turn into a kraken, but that form is too large for this room.”
“That’s awesome! I’d love to see you turn into a massive sea monster sometime.” I can’t wipe the goofy smile off my face at seeing Levi transform into his other forms. I’ve been wondering for ages what he is. It takes me a moment to realize something. “You have a tattoo for everything you can transform into.”
“Yes, little raven. The tattoos are my creatures, not just something reminiscent of them. Versipelles receive their creatures when they come of age. On rare occasions, we can gain tattoos when we are older if certain forms are drawn to us. That’s how I got my wings. I have more power when I am in my winged form, so that’s why that creature came out during the confrontation with the hellhounds.”
I wonder why the wings were drawn to him and what type of creature they are. I’d love to have a pair of gigantic wings. Flying sounds amazing.
I glance at his brother. “So, is Hades a shapeshifter too?”
“No. I’m a favilla .” Hades holds out his hands and conjures a purple flame in one and a pile of violet ash in the shape of a skull in the other. “My affinities are fire and the dead, hence the human myths of me being god of the underworld. Being able to control the manes , or shades, as humans call them, probably helps with that reputation too.”
“Huh. The more you know, I guess. So, are we all good to go? Do you have any other creatures you’d like to introduce us to so they can attack us, or should we be on our way?” My tone is snarky, but I can’t help it. While I know it’s not Hades’s fault Mira and the other hellhounds were dicks, I’m pretty done with the creatures of this realm, at least for a little while. I’d like to come back and meet some of the common people, but that’ll have to wait.
Hades rolls his eyes, like I’m an overdramatic toddler. “You’re exceedingly theatrical, earthling. You had everything handled, just like I knew you would. You’re free to leave. If I need anything, I can send a carrier pigeon with an instructive epic poem on it.”
My nose scrunches in confusion. “Can pigeons fly between realms?”
Hades looks at me like I’m dumber than a bag of rocks. “No, of course not.” I narrow my eyes at him and flip him off when Seph looks away. He cackles, earning another glare from me.
We say our goodbyes. Seph gets a little teary-eyed that we’re leaving and clasps my hands in her smaller ones. “Come and visit as soon as you can, Izzy, okay?”
I squeeze her hands in reassurance. “I can do that, Seph.”
Zeus gives me a warm hug. Poseidon ruffles my hair affectionately and tells me, “Be safe, kiddo.” I give him a small smile and a nod, not having the heart to tell him that I haven’t been safe in a long time.
After pulling his brother into a bro hug and whispering something I can’t quite make out, Hades meanders over to me. He flicks me on the forehead when he reaches me, and I bat his hand away. He’s almost as annoying as Aiden. “Try not to die and all that jazz, earthling. You’re too entertaining to have a short life.”
“I’ll try, since I live to serve you, Hades,” I deadpan.
“Finally. Someone around here has the right attitude.” Seph shakes her head and smacks Hades lightly on the stomach. He kisses her passionately to distract her, and I take that as our cue to leave.
In a somewhat somber procession, we follow Levi through all the twists and turns of the castle to get back to the foyer. I’m surprised to see Cerberus in their rottweiler form waiting for us. The castle staff are giving them a wide berth and shooting terrified looks their way. I can’t help my laugh since Cerberus’s tail is wagging and two out of their three tongues are lolling out of their mouths. They look like the happiest puppy, instead of the formidable hell dog I know they are.
When I’m directly in front of them, I ask, “Are you guys coming with us?”
Russ nods his head up and down vigorously, but Cer is the one who answers. “We are, as long as you do not object to that.”
“No objections here. You’re welcome wherever I am.” I give each head an affectionate scratch before heading out the castle door. With Cerberus in tow, we start the long trek through Acheron and the surrounding desert to get to where we can open a rift to go back home.
Stepping through the rift, I look around the familiar main street of Hawthorne Grove. It’s strange being back here. Even though we were only gone a day, so much happened. It feels like we were gone decades instead of twenty-four hours. All the mage politics that have consumed my life since I was little seem so insignificant in the grand scheme of multiple realms and cura with the power of gods and goddesses.
Luca was the first through the interdimensional portal, then me, and Archer, Cain, and Bishop follow. After Bishop steps through, Cerberus leaps into this realm. Midair, they change from an intimidating rottweiler to an… apple head Chihuahua, with three heads. They’re only about a foot tall, which is a huge change from their twenty-five-foot height in Infernus .
I’m sure my eyebrows are at my hairline as I look them over. “So… a Chihuahua, huh? Why’d you choose that form?”
My mates take notice of Cerberus, and they’re almost as amused as I am. Archer barks out a laugh, and Luca, Bishop, and Levi try to hide their grins.
“Chihuahuas are one of Earth’s fiercest creatures, the strength of their burning rage known throughout the realms. It is an honor to take on Earth’s war beast form while we are here.” Cer’s adorable little Chihuahua chin lifts in pride as he speaks.
I choke on my laugh at his explanation. I’m pretty sure Cerberus got some of their information mixed up. But they seem so proud of their choice, I don’t have the heart to tell them any different.
“Wise choice.” I’m super impressed I’m able to say that with a completely straight face. Glancing down at their short legs in concern, I wonder if they’re going to get tired on the trek to Anya’s. “You want me to carry you guys? It’s a bit of a walk, and I’m not sure if that form can keep up.” Needing something to distract me from everything I’m worried about, I fish out an earbud from my bag and pop it in while I wait for their answer. I play “Hardest of Hearts” by Florence + The Machine.
“Yes!” Russ shouts.
At the same time, Bear growls, “No.”
I look between the two heads currently glaring at each other. “Um. Which one am I supposed to listen to?”
Cer chimes in as the tiebreaker. “We have never been carried before, sagana , so we will try it for this journey . ”
“Okay. If you guys hate it, just tell me. I’ll put you down immediately.” Bending down, I carefully scoop my three-headed Chihuahua familiar, which isn’t a phrase I ever imagined thinking. I make sure to put my hand under their doggie butt to keep them supported as we walk the half a mile down Main Street to Anya’s shop.
“This is quite pleasing,” Bear tells me after we’ve been walking for a few minutes.
I snort. “I’m glad you guys approve.” I wonder if I look ridiculous responding to something only I can hear. Oh, well.
“So, what’s the plan here, sunshine?” Archer reaches down to pet Cerberus, but they snarl at him and flash their wickedly sharp teeth that are definitely not those of a normal Chihuahua. He jerks back his hand before they have a chance to bite him.
“Only our sagana can pet us, wolf. Keep your paws off us before we remove them for you.” Bear’s grumpy voice is tinged with warning.
“I guess I’m the only one allowed to pet them, sunny boy. Sorry.” I flash him an apologetic smile, which he returns with his usual good-natured grin. “As for the plan, we’re just going to ask Anya if she’d be able to locate a family member for us.”
Maybe I should have a super well thought out-plan, but I don’t. If Anya can’t help, then we’ll ask my family. Speaking of which, I probably need to check in with them since I didn’t yesterday. Phones apparently don’t work in Infernus . When I opened my phone, I saw tons of missed texts and calls from my family. I wince at the thought of having to deal with my mom’s anger, but there are certainly worse problems to have than a family who loves me.
As we walk, the guys chat among themselves. I’m too lost in my thoughts to participate, even though Archer tries to draw me into the conversation. While in Infernus , I didn’t have a chance to dwell on everything going wrong here. Now that we’re back, it’s all trying to bury me six feet under.
How in the hell am I supposed to keep everyone safe?
I don’t honestly know, and that kills me. Before I have too much time to wallow, we’re in front of Anya’s shop. The greenery- and glassware-filled building has become like a second home to me. Anya was one of the few people willing to take a chance on me once everyone thought I didn’t have magic. She’s always been kind, compassionate, willing to teach me, and put up with my teenage sulky attitude. I’d like to think I’ve grown out of that, but I’m not sure my personality now is really an improvement.
The guys let me go first into the shop, much to my surprise. I pull open the heavy wood door that’s painted a deep green to match the awning out front, and the bell above it tinkles, announcing our presence. As I enter, I’m immediately whacked in the face with the familiar medicinal herb scent of the shop. I breathe it in and instantly feel a little calmer.
Cerberus wiggles in my arms, so I carefully set them down on the floor. They trot off with a happy wag of their tail to go inspect the shop. Their three heads keep bumping into each other as they all try to sniff the ground. After getting knocked into multiple times, Cer lets out a warning growl that has Bear and Russ jerking back. I hold in my giggle at their antics and eventually lose sight of them.
Glancing around at the shelves lined with glass jars, plants, and dried herbs, the worn wood front counter, and the hallway to the back rooms, I don’t see Anya. “Anya? Are you here? It’s Izzy!” I call as I make my way farther inside.
“I’m coming, I’m coming!” Anya’s slightly smoky, Russian accented voice shouts from somewhere in the back of the shop. I chuckle at how exasperated she sounds. While Anya enjoys helping customers, her true passion is tinkering around with potions. She hates being interrupted when she’s working on something new.
After a long moment, the woman who has become like a third grandma to me waddles out, her short legs never moving as fast as her body seems to want to. As always, Anya has her shock of white hair in a neat French twist and spectacles perched on top of her head. Her green apron is covered in colorful powders, but her floral dress is pristine.
“What are you doing here, dearie? Shouldn’t you be in school for another few hours until your shift?” Anya asks as she reaches the wood counter I’m standing in front of.
I wince, feeling awful that I completely forgot about my shift today in the chaos of everything. At least Doyle ordered my arrest on a Monday so I didn’t leave Anya hanging with no explanation. “I had a situation at school yesterday, so I’m not attending classes for a little while. That’s actually why we’re here. We need your help to find someone.”
My mates wandered from where they were checking out the shop to where Anya and I are standing while I spoke.
Anya is no longer looking at me. Instead, she looks at Levi with hope and resignation warring on her face. “Leviathan? What are you doing here?”
He frowns at her. “Do I know you?”
“Ah, yes, I remember now. You always did struggle to see through my illusions.” Anya steps back from me slightly. Levi and I just stare at her in confusion. Giving us a small smile, Anya disappears in a flash of blinding black and white light.
Squeezing my eyes shut to escape the harsh light, I turn away until I can no longer see the bright light through my lids. Blinking open my eyes, I stare in confusion at the woman standing in front of me. She has golden hair flowing down around her shoulders, sad gray eyes, and a heart-shaped face. While she’s an inch or two shorter than me, she’s quite a bit taller than Anya.
The strangest thing about the woman is that half of her body is normal, and the other half is spectral. She almost looks like she’s half here and half in the spirit realm. I don’t even know how that would be possible.
I’m about to ask who she is and where Anya went when Levi breathes, “Melinoe?”