Reapers

Chapter Twenty-Nine: Darcie's Choice

Darcie slowly opened her eyes; her ears rung, her vision blurred.

"Darcie!" she heard Era yell through the ringing, "Darcie, wake up!"

Slowly she sat up, her vision became clear. She was on the sandy beach in front of Alex's house, Era was on her knees next to her. She looked around and saw Alex sitting on the sand appearing somewhat dazed.

"Darcie!" Era yelled again.

Darcie looked toward her, "Yeah? I'm awake...I'm okay..." she managed.

Era sighed, "Good." she said shortly before looking back at Alex, "You idiot! You could have scrambled her brain!"

Alex jerked his head toward her, "I wasn't there physically, Era, I couldn't have done any real damage even if I wanted to. I'm a peaceful Demigod, not a freaking psychopath!"

"You still could have hurt her, killed her. We both know you have the capability to do so."

Alex rolled his eyes, "Like I said a second ago, I can't kill with mind tricks." he muttered.

Era didn't respond, instead she stood quietly with her katana in one hand and the other wrapped around her leafless tree pendant. "You should stop hiding, if you're going to try to kill us go ahead, but know you're out numbered."

Darcie and Alex stood, but while Darcie took a step back to be behind Era, Alex took a step forward to be beside her. Darcie looked at the woods that surrounded Alex's house on at least two sides; three teenagers walked out of the woods, each dressed in black. Darcie felt her heart stop as she recognized Kali, Trix, and Luc.

Out of the corner of her eye she saw Alex take a pair of brown leather gloves out of his back pocket, he slid them on and smiled. "I assume you're Era's cousins. I feel honored to be part of such a...lovely family reunion."

"Shut up, demigod. If you want to live then you'll be wise and stay out of the way." Trix snapped.

"Yeah, I wouldn't my love to see something so terrible." Luc said smiling at Era.

Darcie saw Alex look at Era, "Love?" he questioned.

"It's nothing." she muttered then took a step toward the Canadian, Alaskan demi-reapers. "You're not getting Darcie Dawn, understand!" she yelled.

Kali smirked and stepped forward passed Trix and Luc, "Oh Era, do you even know what you're protecting? And even so, are you willing to die for someone you met, what? Three days ago? Demi-Reapers like us are supposed to protect mortals, but where does it say we have to die for them?"

"It's implied." Era muttered tightening her grip on her katana until her knuckles were white, "I'm starting to doubt if you ever even had a part of you that was mortal."

Luc smirked, "My love, of course, or else I couldn't love you." he smiled but was elbowed by Trix.

Kali smiled back at them, "Come now, Era, give us the girl and no one gets hurt."

Darcie saw Era look back at her for a moment, and for a single moment Darcie thought that Era may have been considering Kali's words. The moment quickly ended as Era's katana cut through the air in front of her, "You idiots underestimate our strength." she said looking away from Darcie and back at the Demi-Reapers.

Kali seemed to smile, "So then, I take it you're not going to hand her over willingly...cousin?"

Alex laughed, "What was your first clue?" he tugged on his gloves, "Hasta la vista." he swung his arms in front of him. The trees around Kali, Luc, and Trix twisted into each other until the Demi-Reapers were trapped in a wooden cage.