Lunar Ryce, Soul Redeemer: Sheol Legacies, #4

By M J Rutter

Lunar is missing, she left a note to tell everyone not to look for her, she had no choice. Leaving Elias sleeping in her bed, she fled the house and her life to work for Charon in the Underworld. He threatened to kill everyone she loved, so she had do as he asked.

Charon wants her to collect souls for him, he has used his manipulative powers to influence her decision and it fast becomes something she can't bear to live with.

The realms are in chaos, with the most powerful collector missing, the balance is out of whack and all of the realms must work together to bring her home safely.

Her prophesy is waiting, Sheol is waiting, Elias is waiting too, time is running out, losing her to the Underworld forever, is not an option.

• Language: English
• Publisher: M J Rutter
• Release date: Sep 7, 2018
• ISBN: 9781386764939

Book preview

Acknowledgments

AGAIN, ANOTHER HUGE thank you goes out to each and every one of my readers. Your support overwhelms me time and time again. I am running out of things to say, but know you are who I do this for, without you I wouldn’t have any point to writing. You make this happen for me.

Eternal gratitude as always to my small but amazing Beta team, Denise Roberts, Gill Conway and Michelle Robinson. You have no idea of how much help you have given me and how much your feedback means. You are a fab team to work with.

Finally, to my family, once again you have been there, and I can only thank you for everything, especially my husband, Franie, and our children, Mackenzie and Brodie. I love you all very much.

Cover Artwork by Amygdala Art.

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. No part of this book may be reproduced or distributed in any form, including digital and electronic or mechanical, including printing, photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without the prior written consent of the Publisher, except for brief use in reviews.

This book is a work of fiction. Characters, names, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

Recap

I THOUGHT YOU MIGHT appreciate a little recap of the story so far. M.J.

Book 1:

Lunar Ryce’s grandmother, Delly, was found dead in her bed, leaving Lunar and her sister, Mika, alone and to fend for themselves. Lunar was left an unusual pendant, an Amber Diamond on a silver chain. Mika returned to college after being contacted by a long- lost cousin volunteering to look after Lunar until she finishes high school. Syrus arrives the night of Lunar’s seventeenth birthday party.

At her party, school La Crosse captain, Scott Wilkinson, shows some interest in her, much to her best friend, Jax’s dislike. Scott asks Lunar out on a date and she quickly falls for him. Syrus finally tells her about her legacy after she begins to have dreams about chasing people and collecting their souls. He tells her of the realm, Sheol, and that she is the last full-blooded Soul Collector, that they need her, but she has to decide to do this herself. He is her Guide and will be with her always. She will never age unless she wants to, she will not die but she cannot fall in love. She discovers that maybe her feelings for Scott are one sided. She runs away to her favourite place, a lighthouse, where Scott finds her upset, he confesses that he is a Demon. She is petrified, Jax arrives at the same rock on the beach and he also confesses that he is half angel, Nephilim.

It seemed all around her had lied, and not having the pain she felt because of Scott’s lies seemed a good idea. So, she asks Syrus to take her to Sheol to begin her legacy as a Soul Collector. She meets other Collectors and strangely feels like she is home. She begins her training and is shown how to receive her soul donors. She is also introduced to her Hunter, a guardian who will protect her, Elias. The Demons are angered by this and they break into Sheol, capturing the Collectors. Elias helps Lunar escape and they go on the run.

Elias takes her to another realm called Innerrim where she meets her new friend, Leasoubra, a princess, also protected by Elias, they flee Innerrim to avoid her betrothal to a Demon. During this time, Lunar discovers she has feelings for Elias, but he tells her they cannot be together, it is forbidden, that night, she runs away. Sheol’s veil is thinning and souls are needed.

BOOK 2:

Lunar is out Collecting alone, she is quickly joined by her school friend Stella, who turns out to be a See’r from a place called Gatesbury. Another liar in Lunar’s eyes. She travels the world collecting souls with Stella and learns that Layton, another Collector had been taken captive, so they go to the Hunters in their hidden fortress, Underville, for help. Elias is already there and relieved she is safe. He tells her he has feelings for her too, but he paid the price for falling for a Collector before and will not risk her life for love.

They leave Underville with a team to rescue Layton. As they walk the streets of her hometown, Lunar gets into a fight with Elias, she kisses him for the first time and leaves him shocked, but also in love with her. At the Wilkinson house, she is confronted by their Demon mother and Scott’s younger brother, Cody. He allows them to take Layton and they return to Lunar’s home while Layton recuperates. While there they are attacked and chased by Harpies, flying half bird-half woman creatures, sent from the Underworld. Lunar is injured before they can get away. Lea helps to heal Lunar’s leg and they continue their mission to free Sheol by reinforcing the veil.

Scott recruits the help of Charon, the Ferryman, he rules the River Stix, sending souls to the Underworld. Scott then begins to collect souls himself. While in England Lunar and the team meet a man called Nigel, a single father who is petrified if dying after giving his soul to Scott for a credit card with no limit, leaving his daughter alone. Elias and Lunar agree to get Nigel’s soul back. Jaxon is captured by the Harpies and when they get to the Underworld entrance, Charon makes her chose between Jax or her sister, Mika.

Book 3:

Trying to live with her Choice, Lunar struggles to come to terms and return to normal life. Mika makes life at home difficult and tries to separate Lunar from Elias, saying that she is too young to feel so much for this man she barely knows. Lunar rebels, he takes her on their first official date and on returning home, Scott arrives covered in blood, Charon had killed his younger brother. Lunar is devastated and agrees to help Scott by going to the funeral. She tries to deepen her relationship with Elias, but he manages to keep their relationship on a PG level. Elias is sent on a mission as the Hunter Council have learned of his love for his charge, they also try to keep them apart.

A new boy starts school, Finnian, He tells Lunar who he really is and that he is looking for his brother, Jaxon. She denies all until he gets the truth out of her, she agrees to help him, but she also has to try and find Nigel’s soul. They return to the underworld and rescue Jaxon, he is so angry that she left him behind, he tells her they will never be friends again. Finnian tried to comfort her and kisses her, Elias sees the kiss and is furious, without thinking, he breaks up with her. She runs away again where she is captured by a grieving Wilkinson mother. Elias and Finn rescue her, and Elias begs her for forgiveness.

Charon comes to her and threatens to kill everyone she loves unless she surrenders herself to him and agrees to work for the Underworld. Afraid and world weary she agrees, she plans a final night with Elias because she knows she will never see him again, nothing else matters, he finally gives into her and they spend their first night together, he wakes up in her bed alone and Lunar is nowhere to be seen.

Epilogue

Elias’s legs collapsed under him and he landed in the chair. In his hand, he held the letter she had left for him. She couldn’t be gone; she wouldn’t have just left without saying good-bye. After sleeping together, after he took her virginity, she just up and left. He couldn’t fathom it, he shook his head as he lifted the ring he had only given her two days before, when they promised to love each other forever, how could she just go?

A knock on the door disturbed his reverie, he had to contact Sy, Gage and the Angels, and they all had to know that she had gone. Where she had gone was a mystery, why she had gone was even more so. He pulled open the door to Finn and Jax. Both looked how he felt, in shock, but devastated.

He led them to the kitchen and they sat down around the table.

She had no choice in the end, Finn said. She asked me to lie to you and tell you she left of her own free will, but that’s not the case. Charon gave her another choice, either go with him or he will kill everyone she loved, so she has sacrificed herself to save you.

This is Bullshit, Elias roared launching a cup across the kitchen, I am going to end him, I am going to finish that son of a bitch once and for all.

So, we take it that you are with us? Jax asked.

With you? Elias frowned.

Yes, we are waging a war on Charon and anything else that wants to come from that cesspit. He replied.

We are going to need others, Finn added. Will the Hunters be on board?

Yes, Elias nodded. I know of at least six that will help us. I also know that Lea will summon the High Gods.

You can add me to that list too, Syrus said from the doorway.

How did you know? Elias asked.

Star, she saw it last night, he replied.

What um, what else did she see? Elias

asked.

Enough, Syrus groaned.

Sy, I uh...

Relax, Elias, do you think I am worried that you two consummated your relationship because she thought she was going to Hades and never coming back? Sy frowned. It’s done, it can’t be undone, plus you will have to answer to the Council when she returns. Elias nodded and frowned, Sy was right. Lunar knew she would be gone, so sleeping with Elias the night before was not technically breaking the rules. That was the least of his worries though.

Do you think we will get her back? Jax asked.

Definitely, Lea said defiantly from the doorway. In her hand she held an ancient map. I believe the entrance we used before is destroyed?

She made me do it, she would never have gone if I didn’t, Finn explained. Lea handed him the map.

It’s written in Aramaic, the native tongue of the Angels, I believe. She said firmly.

Yes, Finn nodded. Your Highness, what happened to the little princess in need of rescuing?

"Oh, she is gone, this was my destiny, to be here fighting for the greater good and right now, the best and only friend I have ever had needs our help for a change, what say we go and kick some Underworld butt?" 

Mika stood behind them, hands on her hips, not happy to find a house full of people, Elias slumped in the chair, half dressed and looking woeful. Syrus, with a crease down the middle of his forehead and the brothers, Jaxon and Finn.

A-hem, she cleared her throat. Lea jumped at the sound and moved out of the way. Why are you all in my kitchen at such an early hour? she asked.

Mika, Syrus frowned.

Syrus, she nodded. Elias, I see you are back.

Um, yeah, he stood.

She gazed over his bare chest, tearing her eyes away she looked around the kitchen, So, is my sister still in bed? 

No, Lea answered. 

Where is she then? she frowned. Panic began to radiate through her veins, was her dream real? Was Lunar in danger?

Maybe you should sit down, Syrus suggested.

Maybe you should just cut the crap and tell me where my little sister is.

They all looked at each other, not knowing what to say or how to tell her. Mika’s eyes searched the room but came to an abrupt stop when she saw the three letters on the table. One with Mika, scribbled across the front of it in Lunar’s handwriting.  Well? she demanded.

One

Beneath

Lunar gazed around the cave, it’s dry red walls and sandy floor with a lit torch by the opening, there was no door. There would be no privacy for her now; this was to be her home for the next eternity or two. Charon hovered behind her, his strong but bony arms were crossed over his broad chest revealing his stump. He could feel her heart breaking, but this would put him back in favor with the High Gods and though he felt pity for her, he couldn’t show her, he had to be firm.

It’s rather humble, but it will suffice. He said.

Her body jumped at the rumble of his deep, raspy tones, Yes, she muttered.

I will need you to hand over your Amber.

She turned and frowned. I don’t have it, I gave it to Finn.

Why? he almost growled, the whole point of you coming here was so that I would have an Amber, without it, I can’t surface.

Well, she stiffened and crossed the cave, I suppose we are both stuck here now then, aren’t we?

He heaved an angry sigh, You’ll do well to remember where you are, Lunar Ryce. This is my place and you will have some respect, or it will be beaten into you. He all but growled.

And you will do well to remember that I am here of my own free will, lay one of those bony fingers on me, so help me God, I will cut the other hand off too. She retorted. He left the cave and she sighed heavily. How on earth would she be able to cope here? No sun, no moon, no fresh air, this was not the end of her existence. It couldn’t be.

She sat on the small, wooden framed cot and pulled her cell phone from her pocket, she had no service, but she did have a couple of pictures of Elias, ones she took while he slept in her bed. She ached to be safe in his arms and now she wondered if she could have turned Charon down and they would all be safe fighting him together. This was only her first hour and already panic began to writhe.

She thought back to last year, Delly was writing her Christmas list, school was preparing for Home Coming and the ritual that surrounded the school celebrations including the dance. When Scott asked her out, one of her first thoughts was about the fact that she might get asked to a dance now. Then Delly died and everything changed. Her future was taken out of her hands and placed in Sheol’s.

She couldn’t stop wondering what Elias was up to, if he was angry with her for leaving him, was he angrier that she had lured him to her bed and more or less seduced the poor guy, and then before he could wake up, she left. Memories of their night flooded her mind, made her cheeks turn pink and drown her heart. At least she now knew how it felt to be that close to someone, to connect mind, body and soul to another human being. That would keep her going, the thought that just once in her life, he was completely and utterly hers.

You have been requested to join Master in the throne room. A voice said from the door, after yet another monotonous hour had passed.

What does he want? she asked.

I should imagine he wants you to eat. He answered. She turned her head. A young boy of about sixteen with dusty blond hair and light blue eyes frowned. I’m Jason, he said softly. Or, at least I was when I was on earth.

I’m um, Lunar. She stated as she stood.

Everyone knows who you are. He smiled slightly. We better hurry, he doesn’t like to be kept waiting. She nodded and followed him down the long, dark tunnel that seemed to go on and on. She wondered if she would ever learn her way around, then pain struck her chest, she had a millennium of eternities to learn.

ϖϖϖ

ELIAS SHOWERED AND dressed quickly, as he brushed his teeth, his hands began to shake. Had he hurt her? Did he do something wrong to her? All of this flooded his head and caused his heart to thud heavily in his chest. He gave into her, he allowed her to push him so far, there was no return and now his heart, his mind and his soul were all filled with regret.

He wondered how long she had planned this, if this was the only way she thought she would get him to give in to her. If she had told him the truth, what was going to happen, they would have worked out a way to fight Charon. She didn’t have to go and become his slave, working for the filth of the Underworld.

He rinsed his mouth and stepped out of the bathroom, gazing at her bed, why did he give in to her? If he had said no, maybe she would have put it off; maybe she would have changed her mind. As amazing as she was, as wonderful as it was, their first time together now left a bitter taste in his mouth. He knew one thing though, that dark and rainy morning, he loved her now more than ever and he had to get her back.

He pulled his boots onto his feet and tied the laces as the door opened, and Mika frowned at him,

You promised me that you’d never hurt her, that you would protect her. She accused.

He stood humbly, Mika, I...

You promised me and said that I could trust you and then I hear what happened to her while I was away, Charon, the demons, all this legacy BS...

If you remember it right, I was sent away, and you couldn’t wait to get rid of me, he growled. I feel like crap, okay? If I had thought for one second what she was planning, I would have tied her to a chair to stop her. I promise you this though, I will assemble the mightiest of armies, we will take Charon down once and for all.

She stared at him, Really? Well, you don’t exactly keep your promises, Elias, do you? My intentions are honorable, my ass. She barked, turned on her heels and stormed down the hall, slamming her bedroom door shut behind her.

Angry with both himself and Lunar, he grabbed his leather jacket from the floor and ran down the stairs. Jax was leaning against the wall in the hall, Don’t say a word. He warned.

About what? Jax asked.

I know it was wrong, I know I shouldn’t have, but you weren’t here, you didn’t see how determined she was to get what she wanted. Elias groaned.

I have no interest of what went on between you two, she is not my concern anymore. Jax retorted smartly.

So, why are you here then? Elias demanded. Jax looked up and stood from the wall. Yeah, you can’t lie to me, Jaxon. He lifted Lunar’s car keys from the small table by the front door and walked towards the door.

Where are you going?

I can’t think here, I need some air. He replied and slammed the door closed behind him.

He raced towards her car and opened the driver’s door. Fueled only by pure rage, he started the engine and put the shifter into drive. Then without even looking, he backed down the driveway narrowly missing Mika’s car.

The lighthouse seemed so different compared to yesterday. As he gazed up at the lighthouse above him, it looked dull, lifeless against the dark grey, stormy looking sky. Only yesterday she was there with him, holding his hand, sipping coffee and enjoying a walk along the beach. Only yesterday had she made him an amazing dinner, then took him to her room and only yesterday he had taken the one thing that was truly hers and there was no way he could change any of it. Deep down in the pit of his stomach he wondered if he wanted to change anything from the previous day. It was a perfect last day, he would have done the same for her, made it special, made it memorable. He would have made her feel loved, the way she made him feel that night, when he asked one last time,

Are you sure? he asked.

She smiled sweetly while her green eyes danced in the dim light of her bedroom. Yes, she answered in certainty. I am positively sure.

I love you, he muttered and kissed her. He wasn’t sure at the time, but now he knew, she had tears in her eyes when she replied.

And I love you too, Elias Reid, always and forever.

The savagely cruel wind stung his eyes, no, the wind stung the tears that were forming in his eyes as the night before