Scarlet Rain Part 23

"James!" Cold wind blew on his back as he was pulled from the water and dropped onto something hard.

"Mel?" he croaked.

The bright, cheery Hawaiian sky shattered as lightning splintered overhead and thunder pummeled his ears. Rain pelted his face, and he recoiled. "Melanie?" He reached over the side and feverishly clawed at the dark water.

"James!"

He turned toward the voice, trying to focus on the person it belonged to.

"Get your s.h.i.t together." Confusion wrinkled Eva's brow. "I don't know what the h.e.l.l is going on with you, but we have to save Bridget. Get us back to sh.o.r.e."

"The Nosoi. They-they messed with my head, made me see things." He tried to explain, but Eva was already busy helping Bridget. James grabbed an oar and sliced it through the water. His thoughts spun as he realigned himself with reality. "Mel's gone. She's really gone." He battled the current of the rising Arkansas River. He hadn't been able to save his fiancee, but he couldn't let Bridget down. He wouldn't let Bridget down.

Thirty-Three.

Bridget had never been so still. Color had drained from her face, except her lips, which were the hue of fresh blueberries. Eva tipped Bridget's chin up and started CPR. "C'mon Bridget," she begged, and pushed against her chest with the heels of her hands. Again, she covered Bridget's cold mouth with hers in a desperate attempt to revive her. "Nothing's happening." She turned to Alek, tears warming her cheeks.

He opened his mouth to say something, but only shook his head, hopelessness dulling his eyes.

Her arms burned as she pounded against Bridget's sternum.

The boat stopped suddenly when they reached the sh.o.r.e, knocking Eva off-balance. She stared down at Bridget, who was still unmoving and pale. Sorrow sucked the air from her chest, and her sobs came out in silent gasps. "Please don't leave me too." She rested her lips against Bridget's cold, wet forehead.

"I wish I could have healed you." While she spoke, amber smoke poured from her mouth, tickling her tongue as it floated from her to her friend. It caressed Bridget's cheeks before slipping between her parted lips. Eva said a silent prayer to the ancient Oracle she knew was watching.

You do not need me, young Oracle. Your gifts are your own, Pythia purred in response.

A new scarlet streak painted Bridget's blonde hair as her eyelids fluttered open, and her chest expanded. Water dribbled down her chin as she sat up and coughed into her hands. "Did it work?" she asked between breaths.

"You were dead," James and Alek said in unison.

Alek cleared his throat and continued. "The Oracle revived you."

"Good thing you took first aid in school. I thought getting CPR would suck a lot more than that." Bridget fanned her face. "It's hot out here. Is anyone else hot?"

Eva shivered against the wind. "It's probably a little bit of leftover magic. I used one of my powers to heal you."

Bridget squinted up at her. "But you can't heal people."

"Yes, yes I can." Eva couldn't stop grinning. "I don't know exactly how, but I can, and I did." Exuberance filled her cells, and she threw herself against her best friend. "And now you're back, and you can't ever leave me again."

Thirty-Four.

James lived in the heart of his jurisdiction, in a drafty rental with creaking floors and chipped paint, but it suited him. Its only purpose was to shield him from the elements while he slept. Well, that had been its only purpose.

The doorbell rang, and he checked his reflection in the TV before answering.

"Hey!" Bridget bounced up and kissed him. Her cinnamon gum left a hint of spice on his lips. "I thought we could stay in tonight and, I don't know, watch Netflix and chill." Her presence brightened the barren s.p.a.ce, and almost made him forget about how lonely he'd been. "And since your fridge is always empty, I brought food." She pulled a Tupperware container out of her tote and headed for the kitchen.

Cheesy goodness covered each fat noodle, and his mouth watered at the sight of the homemade meal. "You made this?"

"Well, no. My mom made it, but it was my idea to bring it over here instead of h.o.a.rding it at my place while I watched The Office for the millionth time, so you're welcome. Now, go sit down. I'm sure you've had another killer week at work pretending you don't know about what's really been happening."

"You're going to serve me?"

"Only because I know you'll return the favor later." A lascivious smile curled her lips.

Desire warmed his core, but he did as he was told and took a seat on the far end of the couch, where he could still see into the kitchen. He was learning that, with Bridget, it was best to go in fully energized, so he needed the carbs.

"Is this the only silverware you have?" She held up a box of a.s.sorted plastic cutlery, and raised an eyebrow.

"Yeah. The real stuff is still in a box somewhere." He motioned to the unlabeled boxes stacked against the wall.

"How long have you lived here?" Plastic clattered against the countertop as she shook out the utensils.

James shrugged. "I don't know. Nine months maybe."

"Women grow an entire human being in nine months, and you haven't even finished unpacking."

He smiled. "Think of it as art."

Bridget's alarm blared, and she squealed excitedly and clapped her hands. "The news is starting! Turn it to channel six." She plopped down on the couch and handed James a steaming bowl of macaroni.

He balanced the savory dish and fished the remote out from between the couch cushions. "I thought you hated watching the news."

"I can grow and mature and stuff," she said through a mouthful of cheesy pasta. "Plus, a crew came into the store and interviewed me about shopping local. The segment airs tonight and I want to watch myself."

James changed the channel, and let Bridget settle against him before taking his first bite.

"The effects of the midtown Tulsa power outage and deadly viral outbreak are still being felt throughout our city. Local pharmacies are already out of the flu vaccine, and many Oklahomans are left wondering what will happen to them if another outbreak occurs."

"If people only knew what really happened," James mumbled. "You should hear what Schilling's saying. He's not a conspiracy nut or anything, but all of this might just tip him over."

"I don't think he or anyone else would believe what went down, even if you convinced Alek and Eva to show off their abilities. You saw it with your own eyes and still had trouble believing me."

"Yeah, but I've grown and matured and stuff since then." He winked. "Where are Eva and Boy Wonder anyway?"

"Alek took her to Ely." Bridget paused and scrunched her face. "Elo? Eluh? Heaven. Alek took Eva to the Underworld's version of heaven to visit her mom."

"That's great. Someone dying suddenly like that can really mess a person up," James said.

"I'm so glad she gets to go see her. She can't stay long, but it's better than nothing. Oh, look! It's me!"

"And don't you look good." He smiled.

"Shh! It's me. We have to listen." Bridget turned up the volume and nestled against him.

James chuckled softly to himself.

What they were doing was simple, and it made him realize he'd been living all wrong. Mel isn't coming back. That was something he'd known, but his heart hadn't felt it until that night at the river. I'm done telling myself I can't be happy because it will betray Mel. He could be happy again, and Bridget and his new circle of friends proved it was possible.

h.e.l.l, maybe he'd even finish unpacking.

Electricity crackled in the air as the deepest level of the Underworld formed around Eva. She ignored the static lifting the hairs on her arms and followed Alek into the Hall of Echoes. Soft gold light illuminated brilliant turquoise pools rippling up from the shimmering floor.

Eva gasped. "What happened? This is all so beautiful."

"We defeated the queen of the Nosoi and returned the escaped to their rightful place. Tartarus is repairing itself. But that is not why we're here." Alek nodded over her shoulder.

"Mom?"

"Eva! Oh, my girl-my precious girl!"

Eva rushed to her mother, tears welling in her eyes. She wanted to hurl herself into her mom's arms, but Lori had taken a small step back. "Momma?"

"It's okay honey, but you shouldn't touch me."

Tentatively, Eva reached for her mom's familiar hand, and sparks shot from her fingertips. "What's wrong? Why can't I touch you?" Tears spilled down Eva's cheeks.

"I'm not really here, Eva. My soul is in Elysium. The Furies used their magic so I could see you."

"You know about the Furies?" Eva asked.

"I know about it all."

"I'm sorry. I should have told you everything."

"As your mother I'd say yes, you should have. As a rational human being, I'm pretty sure had you told me about all of this," Lori paused, making a gesture that took in Alek and the turquoise pools surrounding them, "I would have insisted you check yourself into the psych ward at Laureate."

"And now?"

"Well, there's nothing like dying and then waking up in Elysium to broaden your horizons." A smile brightened Lori's eyes. "I know everything-everything about Alek and Pythia. I'm so proud, Eva. I'm so proud of you."

"Thanks Mom. It's such a relief that you know." Eva struggled against the need to touch her mom, to curl up in her arms and sob with relief, like she was a kid again. "But what about you? Is Elysium nice?"

Lori's smile widened. "Nice? It's better than nice. Did you know that, in Elysium, I can drink all the wine I want and not get a hangover?"

"Really, that sounds-"

"And we feast. Every day, Eva. Every single day. Without gaining weight," Lori said, sotto voice.

Eva grinned at her mom. Sure, she looked a little insubstantial and blue, and she was wearing a draped, silky dress that was disconcertingly see-through, but she definitely looked good. "That's great Mom. And I swear you look thirty."

Lori giggled. "I know, right?"

Alek clear his throat, drawing their attention. "Eva, your mother's immortal soul is now anch.o.r.ed to Elysium. She has been granted the ability to visit you here in Tartarus, but even the Furies cannot change the natural order of things, and her visits must be short."

"She has to go? Now?" Loneliness rushed over her at the thought of losing her mom again.

"It's okay honey. I can come back. It'll be like you actually went away to college and we're Skyping. But before I go, I have to hear what's been going on since you banished that plague." Lori sat at the edge of one of the turquoise pools and patted the s.p.a.ce next to her.

Eva sat beside the ethereal being that was her mom. As she spoke, she felt herself relaxing into the familiar security of talking, just like she used to before the Underworld and Oracles and ancient evils got in the way. "Well, you'll be happy to know that I'm no longer wanted by the police. Turns out, there was zero evidence against me, which completely makes sense since I didn't do anything wrong. Alek, on the other hand, is a totally different case. But I'm pretty sure he doesn't have anything to worry about. They're never going to be able to find him, especially since we now have a detective on our team, and he's also dating Bridget."

Lori frowned. "You know I love Bridge, but I wouldn't count on her love life to save the day." She glanced at Alek, who was standing close beside Eva. "I'd count on Alek, though. And you. Mostly you, Eva." She glanced at Alek, "No offense. Your mothers have told me all about you, and I do appreciate that you are Eva's warrior, but I think my daughter has smarts and strengths that go beyond even an immortal's comprehension."

Alek smiled at Lori. "No offense taken. I agree with you. I have her back, but she's the Oracle."

Lori turned her gaze to Eva. Slowly, she lifted her translucent hand, as if to caress her daughter's cheek. "Oh Alek, she's so much more than that." Then she looked up at Alek and smiled knowingly. "But I think you might already understand that. Take care of my girl, Alek."

And then Lori's body began to shimmer.

"Momma?"

"Don't worry honey. We'll talk again soon. I love you. I'll always love you."

"I love you, too!" Eva called, as her mom's body faded away.

"Come here, Eva," Alek said.

Eva let him take her into his arms, where she cried a mixture of happy and sad tears.

Thirty-Five.

Eva hurried around her house, tidying up before Alek magically materialized in her living room for their first official date.

"So, you're going on a date with Warrior Boy. You excited?" Bridget's voice chimed through the phone.

"Yes, I'm excited. Nervous, actually. My hands are all sweaty." She pressed the phone between her shoulder and her ear, carrying an armful of unfolded clothes into the laundry room and tossing them back into the dryer.