Lunar Ryce, Soul Savior: Sheol Legacies, #3

By M J Rutter

Living with her choice is breaking her heart. Lunar cannot just move on and forget who she had to leave behind and neither can she live with the choice she had to make.

Everyone around her is trying to help her see that she has to move on, but she can't, not when the night comes with its never ending nightmares as if that fateful day is on repeat in her head, she can't let it go.

Sheol is desperate for her to return to work, souls need collecting and life needs to return to normal. The only thing she is certain of is her love for Elias and though its forbidden, she will find a way for them to be together.

Debts have to be paid and when an innocent is stolen, ripped from their hands, revenge seems the only way forward, but what of her love, what of her destiny? Sheol needs her, but her choice has been taken away...for Lunar, time is running out.

• Language: English
• Publisher: M J Rutter
• Release date: Sep 7, 2018
• ISBN: 9781386934714

Book preview

Acknowledgments

A 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 made this happen for me.

Another huge thank you to my amazing Beta team, Denise Roberts, Angela Spivey, Gillian Conway, Faye-Marie Conway, Heidi Christensen-Wynne, Michelle Robinson, Rowena Mayor and Katie Prior. 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.

A glossary can be found on Page 209

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.

© Copyright AuthorMJRutter2014

Lunar Ryce,

Soul Savior

Book 3

of the

Sheol Legacies

The Choice

Prologue

Her eyes darted around the cave; suddenly there was no air, her friend or her sister? She loved her sister and if anyone could survive the Underworld it would be Michaela, but she didn’t ask for any of this, there was no reason for her to be part of this fight. So she could choose Jaxon, who was already injured with a gaping wound in his side from the fearsome and savage Harpies. The same Harpies that were sent for her, to capture her. This choice was impossible, because whoever she chose, she knew deep down she couldn’t live with it.

I haven’t got all day, Lunar, Charon grumbled as she tried to fathom a way out of this. The ideal would be to bring them both home, but she had promised Nigel that she would free his soul so that he could take care of his daughter. Tick-tock, he mocked.

I choose...uh..., her eyes flashed to her sister again, then to Jaxon. I can’t... she cried, Please, let me take them both...

I told you, I am not a generous creature, it’s not in my nature. I may need you again and one of these will make for a good bargaining chip. He moved in closer to her, his icy breath fluttered across her face and chest, Choose, he bellowed...

She gasped and sat up in her own bed, Elias sat up beside her. She was in her room and the moonlight streaked through the wood over her window. She quivered all over, her face was wet with perspiration and she felt so sick. He moved her hair away from her neck as he pecked her shoulder softly with his lips.

You made the right choice, Lunar, he whispered in the moonlight.

If that’s true, then why can’t I live with it? she asked.

One

Coming to terms

She hadn’t spoken much all morning, Elias moved gingerly around her not wanting to upset her further or say the wrong thing to trigger off the memories of the last few days. She had barely slept, eaten or really done anything much at all. Syrus had also been quiet, not entirely sure how to take the new couple as they so freely loved each other whether they were alone or not. Obviously, Lunar had had weeks of freedom, with no rules and no one to ensure she followed those rules.

Elias wondered if she was missing her new friends, Stella, Mackenzie and Cameron had all gone home and Layton was recuperating in Sheol with Lord Noradious and the other Collectors. But of course the only friend she truly missed, with every aching beat of her heart was Jaxon.

She sighed loudly and stood from the table, she had that look on her face again. The one that said she didn’t want to talk about it. Mika was still sleeping off the effects of Charon and Syrus guessed she’d be pretty much useless for at least a week. He needed to return to Sheol, but the burning question on his mind was when would she be going back to work? Her list of Donors was still growing on a daily basis, even though she had collected so many souls for Sheol, even though she was racked with guilt, they still had work to be done. Noradious had given her a few days to recover, the trip and the Underworld and the tiresome journey home had hit them all hard.

I’m going for a shower, she said quietly, leaving the men in the kitchen. Elias stood and immediately began rinsing the breakfast things and loading them into the dishwasher,

You are quite at home here, aren’t you? Syrus accused sourly. Elias shrugged his shoulders, too tired to argue or retort something that didn’t involve swearing. He and Syrus had never really got along, now with his blatant disregard for the rules, he felt sure he’d bring more heartbreak and misery to Lunar.

Do you want to check on Mika? Elias asked him, I am concerned for her health.

Why? Syrus asked as he stood from the table.

Apparently she was with Charon a week before we got there; she is dehydrated, painfully thin and extremely weak. He explained and kicked the dishwasher door shut, I am wondering if we should get her a doctor.

And what do we tell the doctor? Syrus demanded.

It was just a suggestion. Elias shrugged as he dried his hands on the dish cloth.

Mika is awake, Lea said from the door. She had her blonde hair tied up in a curly ponytail and wore a pair of Lunar’s overalls with nothing underneath them.

Lea, perhaps you can find a shirt to wear with those uh...what do you call them? Sy frowned heavily.

I like them like this, she shrugged. They look cool, she added and opened the refrigerator door.

They are a little revealing, Lea... Elias offered.

And I care because? she shot back and left the kitchen. Syrus looked at Elias.

She is watching far too much television. Elias grumbled. He filled the kettle and put it on to boil; he was just about to ask Syrus if he wanted a cup of coffee,

What the hell is going on? Mika demanded with her hands on her hips.

You’re awake, Elias smiled.

Damn straight I’m awake, now, what is going on? she frowned looking at each of them.

You remember Syrus, he’s uh, he’s well...

I’m your cousin, from down south, he explained. Mika screwed her eyes up.

Right, so, who is the half-naked Blondie, sprawled out on my couch?

Lea, Elias replied, She’s uh, she’s from Europe. He looked at Syrus; Mika scared the heck out of him. I am making coffee, would you like some? he then asked.

I know you are my sister’s boyfriend, but just remember one thing, this is my house.

For God’s sake, Mika, calm down. Lunar chided as she entered the kitchen. Elias and Syrus are here to protect me, if you have a problem with that then I’ll go back the Sheol.

Why are they here? she asked.

Elias carried you home, you could show him a little appreciation, Lunar explained sourly. You do remember where you have been, right?

I thought it was a nightmare, she sighed as she sat and clasped her shaking hands, resting them on the table in front of her.

No, it was real, Lunar stated and placed a bowl in front of her, you need to eat, I’ll get you some cereal.

Where is Jax? Mika asked looking around. He is like a piece of furniture around here normally. Both Elias and Sy looked at each other.

He uh, he had to stay behind, Lunar explained sadly, I could only save one. She added and left the room. Elias followed quickly after. I’m alright. She barked and ran up to her room leaving him standing in the hall.

She closed her door and sat on her bed, she could barely breathe and she couldn’t look into any of their eyes. Jaxon was now condemned to an eternity in the Underworld, or Hell, either way, it wouldn’t be good, especially because he was half angel. She remembered his description of Hell, an eternity of being ignored of being nothing to anyone.

Coffee raced up her throat, she hurried to her bathroom and promptly threw up in the toilet. She couldn’t do this, she couldn’t act like everything was back to normal. Yes, Sheol was free again and all of the Collectors were out busy collecting from their Donors. The Seer’s had all gone back to their lives and the Hunters were back in Underville. But Lunar had to stay home, she had to admit that she had failed and she had to leave Jaxon with Charon. That was unbearable to accept.

When she came out of the bathroom, she gazed at her Amber resting on her nightstand beside her bed, where it had been since she got home. She heaved a sigh and sat on her bed once more. How could she move forward when all she wanted was to turn back the clock and change everything?

Stella’s face seemed embedded in her mind, pure disappointment, and she had no idea of what to tell the Angels. If they were angry at her or if they were now planning to attack her, she seemed to have upset everyone except Lea. She understood that the decision was difficult, almost impossible for Lunar. Lea’s eyes didn’t hold the sad glare that the others had, and for that she was grateful.

A gentle knock on her door snapped her from her reverie, the door opened and Elias gingerly stepped in, unsure of what to say to her. Please don’t ask me if I am okay again, she pleaded in her head.

I am thinking of going for a walk on the beach, would you like to come? he asked.

No, thank you, she replied. As he nodded and turned she added, But I could take you to see the lighthouse, you might like that.

Sounds like a plan, he smiled.

Elias, I’m... she stopped, because of she said it, if she said that she was sorry, she feared it would open up a new level of pain and she knew she couldn’t stand that.

I’ll wait for you downstairs. He said softly and left her in her room. She washed her face and brushed her teeth again, tied her hair up in a ponytail and pulled her sweatshirt over her body. Her eyes looked dull, like someone had stolen the light from them. Wracked with guilt she left her room and walked down the stairs.

She is old enough to make her own decisions, Elias groaned, Lunar hovered by the kitchen door, but stayed out of sight.

Well, Mika snapped tartly, I am back now, so, she will do as she is told. You might be her boyfriend, but I am her older sister and she is still an adolescent.

I am fully aware of her age, but it is just a number, Elias sighed, after all, how many seventeen year olds do you know have the responsibilities she has endured and come out of it the other end stronger? Lunar stormed into the kitchen. Mika was washing up at the sink with her back to Elias and Sy.

Have you looked into my little sister’s eyes? They’re empty and why? Because of all of this supernatural crap, that’s why. She can’t cope with it, it’s too much and if she does continue, she might disappear complete... she turned around and her faced colored with a blush, ...ly. Sorry, Lunar, but you are not going to do this anymore.

It’s not up to you, I made my decision and I can’t go back on it now, Lunar said quietly. I’m going out.

Where? Mika questioned.

Out, with my boyfriend, I’ll see you later. She took Elias’s hand and pulled him to his feet. Syrus, I will be back on the job in a few days, you can go home if you like, but I promise you, I will be back, because I need this now more than ever. Mika went to talk, Lunar raised her hand, Don’t make me regret saving you, she groaned.

What, more than you already do, you mean? Mika barked, threw the dish cloth on the table and left the kitchen.

She’s concerned for you, honey, Sy offered softly.

She needs to go back to Seattle and leave me the hell alone, Lunar sighed. I’ll see you later. I have my Amber so she can’t touch it. She smiled slightly and left towing Elias out of the back door.

She started the engine of her trusty Nissan and as always, it didn’t let her down. Elias smiled at her vanilla air freshener in the shape of a Yankee Candle. She drove down the highway with the radio playing in the back ground. Elias rode alongside her wanting to discuss what had happened in the kitchen, but unsure of how to approach the subject without upsetting her.

As they drove towards the lighthouse, he saw it peep out from behind the trees in the distance. She turned the radio off as a Rapture song began.

I thought you liked Rapture, he queried.

That was before you told me they were demons, now all I picture is more Scotts and Xaviers on stage where the band used to be. She replied dryly.

Demons or not, they rock. Elias smiled. Silence hovered briefly, Can I ask you something?

Sure, she shrugged.

Are we okay?

What? she frowned.

Well, things seem...I don’t know, different.

In what way? she pressed, obviously she had been a little pre-occupied with what had happened to Jaxon, but she thought they were okay.

I know you are upset about Jaxon, he was your best friend, but you saved your sister, you made the right choice and I don’t know why, but you seem distant to me and I am concerned. She sighed loudly as anger began to boil in the pit of her stomach, he was there, he should have known how hard it was for her to face life knowing that she had to leave him behind, that she failed to save his life. If anyone would have understood, it should have been Elias.  Sorry, now is probably not the best time to bring this up.

No, if that’s how you feel, she frowned and began chewing the inside of her mouth.

You’re doing it again, he moaned, stop blaming yourself.

I wish it were that easy, she sighed and shook her head. Every time I close my eyes I see him, his face when I had to choose, his eyes pleading me, begging me to save him, she blinked and a tear dripped from her eye, I can’t seem to shake this, and I am not sure if I want to.

I am sure the Angels are working out a way to go and rescue him. He grumbled, not liking the fact that she was so upset, but at the same time, grateful that she was finally talking about it.

I hope you are right, she nodded and brushed the tear from her cheek.

Come on, sweetheart, don’t cry, he said softly and traced his finger down her cheek. 

When they arrived at the lighthouse they climbed out of the car and closed the doors. She gazed over the deep blue ocean. In the distance the clouds looked dark and menacing, the wind had also whipped up around them and they could smell rain in the air.

Shall we get a coffee and take it down to the beach? he asked her.

Okay, she shrugged and as they walked towards the small café at the top of the steps, he took hold of her hand and wove his fingers in with hers. She enjoyed the comfort it gave her and made her realize that she had barely shown him any affection since they had returned, no wonder he thought things had changed between them.

They got their coffee’s to go and she led him down onto the beach. It was virtually deserted and she guessed it was because the children were all back in school. She liked the idea of them being virtually alone; it placed an echo of excitement in her tummy. They walked over the pebble scattered sand as white, foamy waves crashed along the shore.

Hand in hand and not uttering a word, they walked slowly up the beach. She was relieved that talking about what had happened seemed to be over for now. It ran over and over in her head like a movie on replay. She certainly didn’t need to talk about it all. In fact, what she wanted now more than anything was a little normality.

I used to meet Stella in that cave, she said as she pointed into the cliff face. I thought she was a friend, now of course I know that neither Stella nor Jax were truly friends, they were placed into my life, sort of like you really.

My actions placed me into your life, nothing else, he grumbled. But falling in love with you wasn’t part of a bigger plan. That happened because you riled me to the core for one thing, but I think it was more about the fact that no matter how useless everything seemed, you would always look for a way out, you never gave up. She let go of his hand and sat on a rock facing the ocean. Are you giving up now? 

What’s the point of carrying on? she asked. He approached her slowly and sat beside her.

Well, I thought you wanted to stand with me before the Council, I thought you were going to accept any task they give you to prove to them that we should be together...if you still want to be together... he frowned, Lunar, are you giving up on us? Pain filtered through his veins, touching every part of his body. Lunar?

She stared in silence, was she? Do you honestly believe that they will give us their blessing? she asked finally.

So, because you think they will say no anyway, that’s it, you are throwing in the towel, he spat angrily. I thought we had something special. Gees, Lunar, you really know when to kick a guy. He stood from the rock, No use waiting around here then is there?

Panic snapped her back from her sultry mood, Where are you going?

To see if I can hitch a ride back to Sheol with Sy, he sighed and began walking away.

Elias, wait. She called out, tears already streamed her face. One thing she was certain of, she loved him, loved him with all of her heart and losing him would not change a thing, Jax would still be gone. I’m sorry. He turned to face her, noticed her tears and swept her up into his arms, I am so sorry, she cried into his shoulder, soaking his shirt. He rubbed his hands over her back and up through her hair as she sobbed, the pain and torment she had been suffering poured out in her tears.

It’s alright, sweetheart, he said softly and pressed his lips to the side of her head. She lifted her head from his shoulder and gazed into his amazing blue eyes, We will get him back, I promise you. She nodded