I grab the vase just as Brennus’ shimmerin’ dust distorts everythin’. Seein’ double, Hell fades, replaced by a black, white, and gray version of the library. The walls abandon their shape, bleedin’ into one another, formin’ indefinite lines and boundaries.
Before I can think, Brennus whirls on me with a look of frustration. “Whah were ye standin’ around for? When Hell opens up, ye use yer powers ta close it.” He motions to Finn to join him at his side. What’s left of his army of Gancanagh gather nearer, checkin’ their weapons and shakin’ off the battle, but none make a move to harm Zee or me.
“You givin’ me tips now?” I ask.
He stalks nearer, sayin’, “Do na even breathe when I’m speakin’, dat is da tip o’ da day.” He turns to his brother. “Finn, dey’re attemptin’ ta pull us back ta dem. Weave a stronger silver-linin’ spell.”
“What were those white creatures?” I blurt out, referrin’ to the albino moth men who just came at us from Sheol.
“Motes,” Brennus growls. “Dey consume fear. Stop feedin’ dem! Dey could smell it on ye da moment our world was ripped open ta dem. Ye need ta learn ta control it if ye want ta become invisible ta dem.”
“Why’d you save us from them?” I ask, indicatin’ Zee and me with a gesture of my hand.
“I need ye ta speak to Genevieve—she’s incapable of making a good decision lately—she only accepts me help when her circumstances are dire. I need ye ta convince her dat she needs me—dat we’re allies.”
I throw my head back and laugh. “You’ve been suckin’ on Evie’s blood again, haven’t you? Are ya buzzin’ or somethin’? ‘Cuz you know me well enough to know we’re not friends!”
“Have ye na assessed da situation?” Brennus asks in with a calculatin’ look. “’Twas tousands of centuries o’ yer past dat jus leaked out all over da room back dere.” He points his thumb over his shoulder to the world just beyond this one.
In the backdrop of this new dimension, shadows from the ashen Motes creep ‘round; their pensive movements stalkin’ the magic of this realm, lookin’ for a way in. The angels and Emil are there, too. Finn is holdin’ up his hands with his eyes closed, murmurin’ words that work to entwine silvery layers, creatin’ thicker walls. I turn away from him to focus on Brennus.
“Have you forgotten the past few months? You tried to enslave all of us!” I remind him.
“’Twas before Genevieve changed me. I was different den.”
I scoff. “You expect me to believe that after you just tried to possess her like a freakin’ demon? You wouldn’t hesitate to throw us all under the bus if it suited you!”
“I did na have ta save ye back dere. I could’ve jus left ye for Hell ta sort out, but Genevieve cares about ye. I do na want ta see her suffer.”
The thought of bein’ dragged to Sheol by the creatures I just saw makes my guts twist. “If that’s true, then leave her alone!”
“’Tis impossible!” Brennus says with no small amount of disgust in his expression. “I’m incapable of leaving her alone! I’m always tinking of her! Hell is about ta rain down upon us all. I can na be more plain dan dat!”
I feel the need to refute what Emil said back there. “I’m her soul mate. I feel our connection!”
He sighs heavily. “I did na tink otherwise. Ye’re Emil in reverse—da good ta his bad. Talk ta Genevieve—see whah she remembers,” Brennus says in a quiet tone that I can’t just brush off and ignore.
“I have to find her first. It’s been a little harder than playin’ Where’s Waldo.”
“Eh? Why is it dat I never quite know whah ye’re saying?”
“Evie—I’ve been lookin’ for her but I can’t find her.”
A suppressed smile twitches at the corners of Brennus’ mouth. “I was jus wi’ her—in her past—she has returned once again. It should prove ta be far easier for ye ta locate her now.”
“I’m not even gonna ask you what you’re talkin’ ‘bout,” I say as I shake my head.
“Good. Da less ye speak, da better. Find her, and take dis.” Brennus reaches down and pulls a dagger from a holster strapped to him beneath his pant leg. I recognize the knife; it’s the one Evie had on her when she came to Zee’s island—the one Brennus used to find her. He must have gotten it back from her bungalow before be blew the crap outta the island. “Yer blood on dat blade will summon me. ’Twill give me a way ta find ye when ye need me help.”
“You think I’m gonna ever use that, Brennus?” I ask incredulously.
The dagger flies from Brennus’ hand. Before I can move, it embeds in my side. I wince and look down at the hilt stickin’ outta me. It’s just a flesh wound, missin’ my vital organs, but it still hurts like hell.
“I was na askin’. Ye’ll use it so dat ye do na become a weapon dat Emil can wield against Genevieve. Either ye summon me for help wi’ dat knife, or ye end yerself wi’ it. I do na much care. Da choice is yers,” Brennus replies.
Brennus waves his hand at me and I’m whirlin’ away from the dimension the Gancanagh created as his magic shoves me into the vase portal.
EVIE