Into the Void (The Godhunter, Book 10) Page 18

  “Clearly,” Torrent laughed. “But what can you do?” He was eating again.

  “Shave everyone?” I offered.

  He choked and looked back at me with horrified eyes. “That was a joke, right?”

  “Yes, that was a joke,” I giggled. “Like I could ever shave Nick.”

  “Oh but shaving Kirill would be fine?” He scoffed, “Or yourself?”

  “Oh no, I didn't mean me,” I said loftily. “I have a horrid dent in my skull, I could never rock the Sinead O'Connor look. Hey, you still haven't told me what happened in the Inter Realm.”

  “Nothing,” he sighed and pushed his empty plate away. Yes, he also picked up the Intare's speed of eating. “Whoever sent that email was damn good. I followed it all across the world, it took me hours. Back and forth until finally, I found the computer of origin inside a public library in Wisconsin.”

  “Shut up,” I laughed. “Wisconsin?”

  “Obviously not where their headquarters are,” he rubbed a hand over his face, a gesture I think he picked up from Trevor. He did it just like my wolf, full handed and slow, like he was trying to block out the world and erase whatever terrible stuff was going on. It made me think about how impressionable Torrent was. Iktomi really taught him nothing but cruelty and Torr had rejected that entirely. So now he was a blank page looking for poetry. Trevor wasn't a bad place for him to start, at least in my opinion.

  “Thank you for trying so hard,” I said softly and he looked at me in surprise. “Torr, I know this is going to sound a little patronizing but I'm going to say it anyway. I'm so proud of you, of who you're becoming. You're a good man and considering where you started, I think that shows remarkable strength.”

  “Vervain,” his face went soft as his eyes focused on mine. “Thank you, I don't feel patronized by that at all. I like who I'm becoming and I'm glad you like him too.”

  “Torr!” I leaned forward and grabbed his face. “Holy cannolis!”

  “What?” His eyes went wide and panicked.

  “Your eyes,” I looked over the previously glass-clear green irises. “There are striations in them, they look almost...”

  “Human?” He whispered with such longing that it brought tears to my own eyes.

  “Oh, Torr,” I hugged him. “You're so much more than human. I wouldn't want you any other way.”

  “I love you, Vervain,” he said when I pulled away. “You're my best friend, you know that?”

  “I love you too,” I ran a hand down his cheek. “I wonder what this means?”

  “That you're a sucker for green eyes?” Trevor walked in with his breakfast. “What's all this now? Please don't tell me you're going to ask me to add him to your list of lovers.”

  “Trevor,” I groaned. “Shut up. Torrent's eyes are changing, they've taken on more organic aspects.”

  “Look,” Torrent turned his face so quickly, his platinum blonde locks went flying into his eyes. He brushed them away absently. “There, now look, what do you think?”

  “I think the mind is a very powerful tool,” Trevor mused as he sat down on my other side.

  “What's that supposed to mean?” Torr frowned.

  “I think he means that being around people you care about has made you want to become more like them,” I tried to explain while Trevor started to eat. Trevor had actually become a more sedate eater after watching the lions consume their food. “You're magic, Torr and so your brain is probably more powerful than others. It asserted its will on your body and you changed.”

  “Do you think so?” He grinned. “How wonderful,” he touched the skin beside his left eye. “I would like to look a bit more normal.”

  “But not too normal,” I nudged him with my shoulder. “I mean, look at the company you keep,” I waved a hand toward Trevor. “Normal is not the norm around here.”

  “Thank you very much,” Trevor gave me a smug grin while puffing out his already impressive chest.

  “Honey-Eyes,” I laughed, “watch it or you'll stretch out your T-shirt.” I knew it was one of his favorites, black with white writing that read: Howl if you love werewolves.

  “Vervain?” Azrael came in followed by his dad and a woman I'd never seen before.

  “Hey, Babe. Hey, Babe's Dad and Babe's Dad's friend,” I grinned “You guys want some breakfast? Aidan cooked today and, amazingly enough, he's a very good cook.”

  “Um, sure,” Azrael glanced at his companions. “First, this is my mother, Holly. Mom, this is my girlfriend Vervain, and this is Trevor and Torrent.”

  “Oh, nice to meet you,” I gave her a closer inspection.

  She was very pale, almost translucent. You could even see a light tracery of veins at certain places beneath her skin. Her hair was white and very long, going past her hips, straight and so fine that wisps of it lifted in the air around her. Her eyes were very light blue, even lighter than Azrael's were when they weren't sparkling, and there was a softness about them that made her look more angelic than any angel I'd met. She was practically colorless, except for a light blush in her cheeks, and she was wearing a long, white silk dress which only emphasized her pallor.

  “Nice to meet all of you too,” even her voice was breathy, like an EVP of Marilyn Monroe.

  “Please, “ I stood and held out a chair for her, concerned that she might faint. No wonder men had gone to war over her, she made you feel protective. “Have a seat, I'll go make some plates for all of you.”

  When I came back from the kitchen, they were all speaking animatedly, even Holly, who looked healthier when she was in conversation. I smiled at her and put a plate of food in front of her before giving one to Luke and one to Azrael. Then I returned to my seat between Torrent and Trevor.

  “They've been telling us,” Trevor started, “that Jerry isn't behind the sonar attacks.”

  “Really?” I couldn't hide my surprise.

  “I snuck into Araboth,” Luke nodded, “and told Holly what's been happening.”

  “I saw no reason in beating about the burning bush,” she grinned at me and I instantly liked her. Anyone who could make fun of their own religion was okay in my book. “I went straight to Jerry and asked him about it. No one can get a lie past me after all.”

  “They can't?” I was intrigued. “Is it your super power?”

  “My...? Yes, I guess so,” she laughed and suddenly I saw the beauty that had attracted both men. She was irresistible in that moment, seeming to coalesce into a shining thing. What a pair her and Luke would make, with her shining and his wings out in full, sparkling glory. It'd be like staring into the sun. “It's my super power. I can see straight into the hearts of men... and gods.”

  “So what did he say?” Torrent prompted.

  “He was shocked actually,” Holly shrugged. “I wasn't entirely surprised. This isn't like Jerry, he's just too apathetic to come up with it.”

  “So it was purely Gabriel?” I needed to know more before we could call the others in.

  “That's the problem,” she glanced at Luke. “Jerry didn't know and he didn't care. We fought horribly about it. Frankly, there's nothing worse than an apathetic god... or lover. So I left him.”

  “Finally,” Luke laughed, “it took you long enough.”

  “Are you really going to bring this up in front of Azrael's friends?”

  “They're my friends too,” Luke made a face at her. “I'm helping Vervain learn how to navigate the Void.”

  “And that makes it okay to air our private issues in front of her?” She lifted a white brow at him.

  “Oh damn,” I laughed. “She's good, now I know where Azrael gets it.”

  “I'm witty,” Luke whined.

  “You're comedic, sweetheart,” Holly patted his hand. “There's a difference.”

  “Oh, she's wonderful,” I beamed at Azrael. “Can I keep her?”

  “No, I've finally got her,” Luke put an arm around her. “And no one's taking her from me ever again.”

  “Oh shit,” I realized s
omething. “The last time I was involved with a woman leaving home to move to Hell, it went very badly.”

  “Da,” Kirill walked in with a cup of coffee. “You are trouble magnet.”

  “This is Kirill,” I waved a hand to him as he came over and gave me a kiss before sitting down. “My Ganza.”

  “Is that code for something?” Holly looked at Azrael and then back to me.

  “No, actually it's not but I told you, Mom,” Az sighed. “Vervain's magic requires her to have multiple lovers. Both Trevor and Kirill are involved with her.”

  “It's a lion thing,” I felt my cheeks heat. Normally it didn't embarrass me but telling a boyfriend's mother that her son wasn't my only lover felt a bit awkward. “It took me awhile to get used to.”

  “Well, as long as everyone's happy,” she nodded. “And I believe Azrael is, so that's all that matters.”

  “Oh thank you, baby Jesus!” I declared in relief and the room went silent. “Oh, sorry. Not the best choice of words.”

  “No it's fine,” Holly laughed. “Jesus tells me he likes you too. It seems you've made a good impression on my whole family. Though I must admit, it's been a long time since Jesus was a baby.”

  “It's a human saying,” I cleared my throat. “So anyway, you weren't able to find out who else is involved?”

  “I skulked around a bit but wasn't able to find anything,” Luke huffed. “I'll go back and try again though, maybe I'll astral project this time. It could prove easier.”

  “Speaking of which,” I leaned forward. “Do you think I may be ready to start training?”

  “Absolutely,” Luke nodded, “it's the other reason we came. Do you have someplace quiet and secure we can put you in?”

  “My bedroom?” I offered. “It's safe and quiet as long as no one else is in it.”

  “That'll work,” Luke nodded. “We can start after breakfast.”

  “Wonderful,” I gave Trevor a look. “Maybe you guys could show Holly around the palace while Luke and I do that?”

  “Oh, yes please,” Holly smiled and everyone kind of sighed, even me. “I'd love to see what you've created. Luke told me all about it.”

  “Guard her around the Intare,” I whispered to Trevor.

  “No kidding,” he chuckled.

  Chapter Thirty-Seven

  “Okay,” Luke's voice was soft. “Close your eyes and relax. Breathe in deep and then out slowly. Squeeze your toes very tight and then release them so they can totally relax. Now continue up your body, squeezing and releasing each muscle group until you've relaxed everything.”

  I was laying on the far right side of the bed, Trevor's side, and Luke was sitting beside the bed in a chair. I did as he instructed, going through the motions until my body felt like it could float away.

  “Are you relaxed?”

  “Yes,” I sighed.

  “Good, now open your eyes and look at this,” he held up my hairbrush. I gave a little frown, how odd. “Focus on this object, see every part of it until you can picture it perfectly with your eyes closed.”

  “Alright,” I looked it over, realizing that the object didn't matter, it was the deep focus.

  My eyes drifted shut and I felt almost weightless, picturing the hairbrush in my mind. Everything else was dark, all I could see was the brush. The wooden handle, curved and polished by countless uses. The boar's hair bristles, spiky black and tangled with my own hair.

  “Now, keep your eyes shut,” Luke's voice penetrated the dark. “But look around you. Gaze into the darkness around the hairbrush. If light crosses your vision, ignore it, it will go away. Let it disappear and send yourself into that darkness.”

  Light patterns did indeed streak across my eyes but they were brief and once they disappeared, I felt so relaxed, I barely knew I had a body. I started to feel a vibration but I wasn't sure if it was in my body or my soul. It was the strangest feeling, like someone shaking me from the inside.

  “You will soon feel a vibration,” Luke said on cue. “Don't be alarmed, it's only your astral body beginning to leave your physical body. Now focus on the vibrations as they travel through you and try to control the frequency and strength of them. When you master that, try to stop them entirely and then start them again.”

  I focused on the shaking within me and urged it to speed up. It did, so then I lowered the strength of it till it was the barest flutter. I sped it up and down, increased and decreased the strength, and then finally, demanded that it stop. It was like trying to pull one of those whirling playground rides to a stop. The motion was against me and it took severe exertion to stop it. Starting back up again wasn't as difficult. The vibrations wanted to be released, all I had to do was allow it.

  “Now,” Luke said, as if he knew exactly where I was in the training. “Imagine there's a golden cord hanging down from the ceiling right over your chest. Without opening your eyes, see yourself reaching for the cord. After you grab onto the cord, release it and let your hand fall back into your physical body. Slow the vibrations and awaken yourself.”

  I saw it above me, a glowing gold rope, but reaching for it was difficult. I felt sluggish, like trying to run in a dream when someone is chasing me. My arm just didn't want to move. I focused harder and tried again and again and again until I slowly was able to lift my hand. After it was about an inch out of my body, it seemed to burst free and it flew up to the cord with no resistance at all. I grabbed the cord with great satisfaction and started to pull. Then I remembered what Luke had said and I released it, letting my hand drift back down into my body and then forcing the vibrations to slow to a stop.

  I opened my eyes and was immediately alert, not at all like waking from sleep. I looked over at Luke and smiled.

  “That was very interesting.”

  “You did well,” he nodded, “but it's going to take time. That was the first step but you'll be able to do the rest on your own, as long as you have someone watching over your body while your gone. Just in case.”

  “So what do I do next?” I was eager to proceed now that I had a plan for Odin's soul.

  “Next time you train, follow those same steps that I taught you but after you grab the cord, pull your other hand up to hold it as well. Then you use the cord to pull yourself up and out of your body. You may feel some resistance and the vibrations will increase to a higher frequency but keep going. You may even feel a bit dizzy, this is normal. You must continue on until you are completely free of your body.”

  “And then what?”

  “Then you travel,” he grinned. “Go anywhere you want to go. Just concentrate on it and your soul will take you there.”

  “Anywhere?” I gave him a mischievous smile. “Can I go to Neverland?”

  “I suspect you could,” his eyebrows lifted as he considered. “It depends whether there's enough belief in it to actually construct a place. Although mythical places like that would only exist in the Aether.”

  “You're telling me that amid all those floating memories and focused will, there are worlds?” I thought of my last glimpse into the Aether and shuddered as I sat up in bed.

  “Sounds like you've peered into the pit,” Luke grinned but it was a serious grin.

  “I traveled through the Aether in a vein of Inter Realm that allowed me to stop and enjoy the sights,” I grimaced.

  “The Inter Realm, I've heard this place mentioned before,” Luke leaned forward on his elbows, placing my brush on the floor. “What exactly is the Inter Realm?”

  “Oh, I'm sorry, it's the Internet,” I was actually happy to have something I could teach him. “You know how the humans made the Internet to transport information?” He nodded. “Well, it's energy, it can be manipulated, and it became it's own realm, laid over the top of the Human Realm and in some cases, the God Realm. We have a vein of it here, it's why there are paths of it through the Aether. We had to pull it through, establishing a link between the God Realm and the Human in order to have internet access here.”

  “Like I do
with my cable,” he nodded thoughtfully.

  “Yes, exactly,” I agreed. “I learned how to travel through it, though Torrent is much better than I, since he's made of Internet energy.”

  “He's what?”

  “You didn't notice anything odd about him?”

  “We're gods, Vervain,” Luke rolled his eyes. “We're all odd.”

  “He'd be so glad to hear you say that,” I smiled approvingly. “I'm going to tell him that you did. Anyway, his creator was a god named Iktomi and he made Torrent with pieces of himself and Internet energy. Torrent is very special.”

  “I see that,” Luke actually sounded impressed.

  “He can do anything with the Internet,” I admit I was bragging a little. “But I digress. I traveled through the vein of Inter Realm that connects my territory to the Human Realm and saw it for what it is.”

  “And you saw memories in there?”

  “Among other things,” I nodded. “It seems that the Aether copies our best memories as a type of payment for letting us through. They remain there, floating around with images of things witches have used magic to create. You know about how witches use the Aether to manifest their spells?”

  “Yes, of course,” he nodded.

  “Did you know that the magic humans hold comes from the fey?”

  “Now that I did not know,” he leaned even closer. “That explains so much. Like why it's different from our own Atlantean magic and why it's so compelling to us. I assume you're saying that the fey bred with humans ages ago?”

  “Yes, exactly,” I nodded. “So humans have a little magic of their own and it helped them to create the Internet, what we call the Inter Realm, just as the fey created the Aether but the Inter Realm isn't alive like the Aether. It's more like a tool to be used.”

  “Fascinating,” Luke frowned, “but you didn't enjoy the view of the Aether as much as the Inter Realm?”

  “The Aether is a place of thought and magic,” I shrugged. “If you got lost there, you'd remain nothing more than a thought forever. It's a little scary. Also, all those memories floating around and playing out around you is disconcerting.”