Samantha dropped her bag onto the floor of the motel room and brushed her fingers through her hair. A single queen-sized bed, a desk, a television and bathroom. She had only brought two bags. One for school and the other a duffel bag with another set of clothes and some amenities bought while here.
She walked toward the bathroom, turning on the water in the shower. While she let it run she looked in the mirror at herself. She dragged her eye down seeing the bags under them. She then tapped her nose scrunching it slightly.
Taking off her clothes she winced as she touched her arm. Staring at the beginnings of bruises from the wraiths bite. It hadn’t been anything special but she knew she had been slow in manifesting her geist. She remembered Dick battle crying his Geist into reality and laughed.
Stepping into the shower she let the water wash over her and let out a slow breath. Just comfortably letting it wash away the aches from the day. Only one fight against the wraiths but being a student again was a weird situation for her. She had an education thanks to the legion.
Her thoughts lingered back to Dick’s story. Of watching his twin and his parents be consumed by the fire. She was sure it had been a wraith. Even though he had been a child too young to understand what had happened it was too textbook. Though textbook wasn’t what she would have thought when he talked.
The nightmares, the therapy, the years of not having his parents, having his twin and knowing they were taken from him. He was talking about it like it was easy and simple but his voice didn’t stay consistent the entire time. He would pause in his story, slow down, his voice would crack here and there.
When she talked to the other boy who had survived the wraith attack that set her on this path, this was different. Not because his story wasn’t sad but because back then she hadn’t cared. She’d just been angry. Wanted to get revenge and hurt the wraiths back. The anger still burned but she’d had time to mourn.
Dick was the closest thing to a friend she had ever had. And hearing him in so much pain hurt her in a way that she’d never felt before. She wished she could have helped him with the pain or at least lessoned the blow but it was his cross to bear. So, she had sat quietly and listened to him. Let him tell it at his own pace and in his own way.
She turned off the water she reached for a towel, wrapping it around herself. Getting another she wrapped her hair before finally leaving. Sitting on the bed she turned on the television flipping to the news. She’d been here a month and the wraiths were still around. She and Dick had killed a few. The two the day she met Dick, the one that gave her the tip, the ware house full of the them and finally the one from today.
Only five really, but that was more than she was used to. More often than not it was two and move on. It meant that there was one making them in the city somewhere. A powerful one, the head of a line. But where could it be hiding. It had to feed somehow.
“The Riverside killer has struck again,” the newsman said shuffling the papers. “A body was found, washing up along the shore. It had the same signs, heavy burns and bite marks. This is the first time that one has appeared in such a public place. Locals have been put into a state of panic by this. The police are making a mandate to stay away from the river and shutting down the lake.”
Samantha sat up straight and stared at the screen then rushed to the corner and got her laptop. Flipping it open she went straight toward the record of the people killed in this case. There had been about half a dozen murder victims in this case alone and those were just the ones that had been found and reported.
Opening another tab, she went and saw the missing persons cases. She went through them and of course there were almost a hundred. Instead she tried to find those in the past three months and there were at least three. From what she could find out, the last place they had been last seen near the river front.
She looked at their faces and tried to study them and none of them jumped out at her. But one did catch her eye. A twenty something year old, handsome enough and well built. She remembered seeing that face though. It was the one at the club. And that meant that at least some of the missing persons had been turned into wraiths.
So that meant that the wraith that made them had been active since longer than she had been there. How had it been feeding and turning these people without her knowing about it. Whenever one of them changed forms they would know immediately if they were close by.
This one was hiding from them. Then again, she’d never seen a wraith do what the one in the club did. She knew they could be powerful but there wasn’t a flow chart to it. Maybe this one could hide itself from them. Moving the laptop to beside her she let out a frustrated sound and lay back on the bed.
A whim struck her as she sat up and grabbed her computer. She searched rather than missing persons she searched arson cases. She went back almost twenty years scrolling through the articles before she found the one she wanted. Her heart felt heavy as she read the headline.
“Family of four burned alive in their home. Only one son survives,” she whispered and she saw the picture of Dick. So small and fragile being taken care of by some paramedics. She read over what had happened, how the fire started suddenly. It had been called a sudden gas explosion.
What caught her eye was the fact that there was another article. It was a few months later. A similar situation, a sudden fire and a family completely burned alive within it. Unlike with Dick there were no survivors. And she started noticing that there were more of these situations. Over the years freak fires kept happening.
Gripping the bed, she clicked forward year after year seeing these. No one had connected them to anything because they were random. Faulty wirings, fireworks going off badly, gas leaks, or a candle left out. A family. A single person. It didn’t matter. They always started out of nowhere and it always killed at least one person.
That started to scare her just to think about the possibility of it. The idea that a wraith could have been active in the city for almost two decades, slowly eating and amassing power. It made her shudder and she pushed her computer over to the other side of the bed.
She reached for her phone and started to dial her mentors’ number. Staring at it though she stopped and didn’t finish it. Instead she quit out of it and sat up. She didn’t need her mentors help every single time. She just had to be smart about how she approached this. The river seemed to be the best place to start investigating. Carefully of course.
So rather than get into contact with her mentor she instead contacted her partner. A weird thing to think even now.
Me: Dick can you meet me at the river?
Dick: Uh, maybe? I think. Whats up?
Me: I think I know where to find the master wraith.
Me: The one causing all of this.
Dick: I can try. Give me like twenty minutes. My tio is still awake.
Dick: He’ll get suspicious if I head out now.
Me: Fine. I’ll be near the bridge.
Dick: Ok
She sat up tossing the phone away and going to the duffel bag. Dragging out regular clothes, she got dressed quickly. Tying her hair back as well she turned everything off, glad that she’d made some sort of headway. It meant that she was that much closer to finishing off the wraiths.
Getting on the train station she noted the darkening sky. The loss of light and the attempt for stars to come out. But the cities lights were too bright and the small pinpricks were almost entirely enveloped in that orange haze. The train wooshed in and she waited for the previous passengers before joining them.
The doors closed and she decided to stand rather than take an empty seat. She kept one hand in her pocket and the other kept her balanced as she stared out the window. The giant metal tube creaked as it took a turn and she stared at the lake. The water’s surface was undisturbed and now it gave her unease.
The train crossed over the bridge and she tensed without realizing it. When they crossed the other side, she felt her hand ache in pain. Shaking it out she winced and heard the autonomous voice mention her stop. She nodded crossing the middle of the train and stepping on the platform.
Leaving the station behind she walked across the side walk, her gaze fixated on the river at her side. Breaking off the street, she walked onto the grass. It angled steeply down as she moved near the bank. The water gently lapped at the shore and it was too peaceful for how paranoid she was.
She didn’t know what was out there but people had been disappearing and she had to be on guard. She was no stranger to tension. She’d felt it before many times. But for some reason this felt different. Like things could get worse.
“Hey! Samantha! What are you doing out here?”
Her pulse jumped and she whirled around at the person saying her name. She had been staring at the water for so long, trying to sense for wraiths that she didn’t notice a regular person. She stared through the darkness and once her eyes adjusted she saw Lily.
It was somewhat weird seeing her outside of their school clothes but it was normal. She had a plastic bag in one hand. She walked down to join her at the shore and then faced the water taking a deep breath.
“What are you doing out here?” Samantha asked finally.
“I could ask you the same thing. But I live out here. My mom wanted me to pick something up from the store. Can’t say no since she’s doing the dishes at home.”
“You trade off on dish duty?”
“No. It’s my job but she offered to do it this time and who am I to deny her kindness. Honestly she’s probably playing with our dogs.” Samantha smiled, laughing lightly with Lily. “So, your turn. What are you doing here?”
Samantha debated on telling the truth or coming up with a lie. This was one of Dick’s friends. Lying now and having him show up would make things annoyingly complicated. Yet her first instinct was to make up a story. Before she could answer her phone buzzed. Pulling it out she flipped it open.
Dick: Omw!
She rolled her eyes and put it back in her pocket but Lily was already looking at her. She had a knowing look that was a little unnerving. “You’re meeting Dick, aren’t you?”
It wasn’t accusatory but Samantha felt embarrassed at the look she gave him. It didn’t show on her face but she gave a short nod. “Yeah.”
“Mmhm.” She nodded slowly with a chuckle and glanced her way and then at the water. “So, tell me. Girl to girl. You like him?”
“What? Dick?”
She turned around to face her and nodded. “Yes Dick. Do you like him?”
“No. No. I mean I’ve only known him a month. He’s nice and all but.” She stopped not liking the way this conversation was going. Turning to stare at Lily she watched the girl giggled behind her hand and Samantha scowled. “Now I see what Dick calls you La Diabla Gringa.”
She broke out into a fit of laughter at that and Samantha couldn’t stop it as she also laughed with her. They laughed together in a way she hadn’t in a long time. The only other time she had done that was with her mentor.
“Dick’s a good friend.” Samantha said finally.
“That he is. Though he gets ahead of himself easily.”
“That he does,” Samantha agreed with a smile.
Samantha was about to speak when the ringing started in her ears. Like she’d been hit hard by something solid. She staggered slightly and turned to the water and a shape leaped forward from the waves splashing water in every direction. It was like a mass of writhing tendrils emerged from the waters seeking out anything nearby. Her instincts kicked in and she rushed to the side of Lily.
Her geist manifested around her and she slammed her arms together creating a dome of ice around them. But the shadow smashed its form into it and shattered the ice sending the warrior flying into the grass. She groaned trying to get to her feet and stared at the shape.
She could see it clearly and she could just barely hear the ringing in her ears. “Lily run! Get out of there!”
Lily held a hand to her head and stayed right at the edge of the river. it wasn’t that she didn’t run. It was that she couldn’t. The Wraith hovered over her, the tendrils circling themselves rapidly until they morphed into a giant wall of flame.
Samantha shouted again as she punched the ground and ice formed under Lily’s feet. She was launched backwards and Samantha jumped to catch her. Landing lightly they both slid backwards. Lily blinked rapidly her eyes focusing onto Samantha and her masked face.
“Easy Lily. It’s me.” The mask slid away, revealing her visage. “Don’t ask questions right now. Just get out of here.”
“You’re the girl that saved him,” she whispered.
Samantha set her onto her feet and before she could respond the wraith surged toward them. She got in front of Lily ready for anything but she wasn’t ready for what it did. It went from a giant blaze to a condensed almost humanoid body. Its shaped moved, the flames very much active as it attacked her.
It spread its arms sending fire racing across the ground. Samantha crossed her arms in front of her creating a shield of ice but it shattered under the raw power of the attack. Getting launched into the air momentarily she tried to keep track of the wraith but it was gone.
“Above you little warrior,” She looked over her shoulder to see it floating there like a dark star. It reached down and grabbed her by the face. It squeezed nearly crushing the mouth piece of her geist. She let out a muffled shout before she was blasted to the ground by an explosion from its palm.
She would have hit the ground hard and closed her eyes bracing for the impact but instead something caught her. She opened her eyes and realized that she was still floating in the air and being gently lowered to the ground.
She gasped at the glowing white shape that was staring up at her. She knew another Geist Warrior when she saw one but she also knew it wasn’t Dick. As far as she knew there weren’t any others in the city. She looked at her shoulders and legs and saw she was being held by thin arms with long sharp fingers.
Gettning her bearings, she struggled her way out of the arms and fell. Landing roughly she grunted and then turned to stare at the other warrior. They were taller than she was but they wore a white cloak around their entire body. It had a hood that was connected to a mask. It was silver but didn’t over their entire face, just from the cheeks up. The mask looked rough, with horns on the forehead and tiny teeth under the eyes.
“Thanks,” she said softly. “For the help.”
“Samantha. What is this? What’s happening?”
She froze at the voice that came from behind that mask. The arms that caught her floated to the ground resting at the side of the stranger. The claws retracted and they looked like any normal arms. They raised the mask and Samantha was staring at Lily. Lily’s bewildered and scared face. Before Samantha could even process this on top of everything else the wraith landed its head tilted to the side.
“Another one. Except. Fresh. So young. So scared. Perfect food.”
“First Dick and now you. I guess it makes sense considering you’re his friend,” She turned toward the Wraith. “If we want to survive, I need you to follow my lead and instructions. Can you do that?”
Lily glanced at her and then at the flaming wraith and gave a short nod. Lowering the mask over her face the claws extended from the floating arms. Samantha took note of this and even smirked behind her mask. “I hope you pick this up fast too.”
She pounded her fist together when the air wooshed beside her. She glanced over her shoulder and felt the heat first. The wraith was there so much faster than she had ever dealt with before. Wreathed in flames it swung an arm at them and both of the girls were sent flying toward the river.
Samantha managed to land on her feet but Lily was on her side struggling to get to her feet. Rather than search out the wraith she hit the ground ice forming a circle around the two of them and then expanding to another dome. The wraith shattered it the moment its fist connected with it and she winced under the impact.
The wraith turned its gaze onto her and Lily threw her hands in front of her face to defend herself. The clawed hands sparked to life without her realizing and flew at the Wraith. The claws sank deep into its chest lifting it off the ground. She glared and turned, throwing it into the ground.
It landed on its feet and took a step forward but Samantha was already on it. Fist cocked back she slammed it the wraith her fist glowing slightly. Even though it didn’t have a true face it seemed to look amused.
The wraiths hand shot up and caught the attack. Ice exploded through its hand and down its arm but flames exploded behind them. It gripped her fist tighter and then shoved her into the ground, pushing her arm back. She let out a shout of pain glaring at it.
She met its gaze and her breath caught in her throat. She wasn’t at the river with Lily fighting for her life. She was cowering in the corner of her room, wearing a nigh shirt several sizes too big as heavy footsteps stalked through her home. She could hear her parents screaming, hear them dying.
The walls turned to fire and the door burst open as the Wraith that put her down the path appeared before her. She couldn’t fight back against it and felt herself shaking in fear as it towered over her. It reached a burning hand toward her and she let out a scream, the same from that night.
But then it all disappeared and she was back. She was being swept backwards through the air by one of the hands. The other hand flew at the wraith slicing off its arm. It just regrew it from the flames before turning its gaze back toward them. “Samantha are you okay?” Lily asked.
She shuddered and blinked staring at Lily then at the wraith. Standing slowly she shook but nodded. “It got in my head.”
The Wraith looked at the pair of them then leaped high into the air. Opening its mouth wide it shook before unleashing a beam of fire straight at the two of them. Samantha saw it and she wasn’t even sure she could protect herself let alone the both of them.
Lily’s cloak flared out behind her almost like a shield. The floating arms came forward and pressed into the ground grabbing ahold of her shoulders. Lily wasn’t nearly prepared as the beam slammed into her cloak and she let out a scream of pain but the hands kept her from falling. Both of them could feel the heat from behind and Samantha stood to help Lily keep herself steady.
The flames abated and she sank down gasping, out of breath. Her cloak was smoking but still intact. When it fell, it wrapped around her again Samantha looked toward the sky but she couldn’t see anything. She also couldn’t hear anymore ringing. But she stood up, hands raised ready to fight still.
“Is it really gone?” she mumbled to herself and then turned to Lily who had finally collapsed. Her geist faded away and she was just lying on the ground.
Running to her side Samantha, checked her pule and breathing. Both were fine, she was just exhausted. Considering that was her first time out, she couldn’t blame her. Letting out a breath Samantha crouched then sat down letting her own geist fade for the time being.
“Samantha. What are you doing?” She turned to the sound of the voice and waved a weak hand toward Dick who was running her way.
He stumbled down the hill losing his balance for a second and then righted himself as he looked at her frowning. “You look like la infierna. Wait,” he turned and his eyes went wide. “What’s Lily doing here?”
Samantha shook her head and stared at him. “Forget why I called you here. Get her home. We have a lot to talk about tomorrow. And there’s someone you need to have a conversation with. Both of you now.”
The Harlequin Library 