Chapter 17

(Knox's POV):I felt the change in our bond instantly. Lexia was with another male. But the weird thing was I wasn't feeling possessive or angry about it, I actually felt fine with it. At peace with it. Like it didn't bother me or Quest. Quest stayed silent like he knew what was happening, only that's crazy, because if he knew he'd tell me what was happening. Right?

And that was only the beginning of my day. We were later informed that Lexia got out of prison. But the group and I think she was pulled out. Because let's be realistic here. If Lexia actually got out on her own, she would have at least tried to make some sort of contact with us. I knew something strange was happening because all last week I was in pain. I did nothing because there was nothing I could do. Lexia is in pain, and she isn't with me so I can't do anything. So when I went to a witch, she told me that my mate was sucked into another time and space. So I find Lexia has been sucked into another universe just like this, and I could only wonder what types of dangers and struggles were there for her and whoever was with her. I could only pray that whoever was with her were good people, and would keep my mate safe.

I was laying down and deep in thought.

Fwoosh

I spun around and was shocked at what I saw. A blonde male stood on my balcony, he had black streaks in his wavy locks. His eyes were black and blue, and he had two horns on his head. One black and the other was red. He wore almost nothing but black dress pants. Leaving everything else naked to the eye. His wings were a mixture or black and white. Something swished around low behind him, a black fur tail with an arrow shaped at the end flickered back and forth behind him. Other than that, he literally looked like a human.

Then he spoke to me, "Knox's?"

I nodded unsure how to react. He in turn grinned.

"Are you familiar with your mate being in another universe?" He asked with a grin.

'Uhhhhhhh, what's going on?' I asked my quiet wolf.

'Just answer him.' I have never heard him so soft at the mention of our mate.

"Yes! Is she alright? When is she coming back? How is she? Is she back-" he cut me off.

"That's why I came to you. She will come back, but you see she's got into some trouble. But when she left this world, so did I, and to protect her. She can't talk anymore, her captor took her tongue and snapped her vocal cords. She can't even use mindlink, she is and forever will be mute. . . Now she has been selected as the last Reaper, she has been granted immortality. She's still discovering her abilities because when she was stripped of her vocals so was Tala, her Tox. And yes Quest, Tala is in a better place now. But this is the most difficult part to explain. . ." He trailed off.

"Go on." I just finished processing what my mate has been through.

"She and the others from the other universe had a run in with a Reaper, and when he was dragged to Hell she was too. Hell notified Heaven of the new Reaper, so I was sent to do the job of collecting her, but Hell wouldn't let that happen so they tried to inject her with Demon blood. I took hit number one. But I didn't think they'd have two, so she had Demon blood in her system and she died. Immediately an infection spread through her body, so to slow it down she was injected with the same amount of Angel blood and it didn't slow down as much as we hoped. But enough to find a cure. And this is where I tell you about our trio bond—Wait, that doesn't sound right. I made an Angelic bond also known to connect someone with someone else. When she woke up we talked, then I ran here to tell you. But since I was bound to her, I became bound to you somehow. And don't worry, the moon goddess knows and has complete control over this situation, so excuse me but I have to get back to Lexia. I'll let you know if we need help getting back!"

Just before he left out my window I asked, "Why not zap her back with you?" He turned and his grin widened.

"It's not that easy my friend." He then leapt off into the night leaving me confused, yet lonely.

So, since Quest had nothing to say. We fell asleep, happier than we did the night before.

Lexia's POV: It was time. For what? I don't know. Did I feel the strong pull into the night? Yes, yes I did. It was really strong, and I tried to ignore it. But it was like a constant nagging in the back of my mind; but it only seemed to grow.

So I leapt out my window on the second story and landed with a soft pat. And took off in a heavy sprint towards the pull, it should have taken longer than it did for me to reach my destination. But I made it there in fifteen minutes. Once I got there, I was just in time to see a car turn and another car speed through a red light. Then from heren on it was in slow motion. The red car seemed to speed up as the light changed from orange to red. The blue car was just turning; but it was too late and there was nothing either driver could do. And the cars clashed, the crash sent the yellow vehicle flying in the air andand landing upside down.

The driver died instantly upon impact. I looked around, and I found myself in Toronto. It was 5:58, and I checked my phone. The name Hayden McClane was what ran in my head, I stared at him from the growing crowd.

Hayden McClane dragged himself from his wrecked car. He looked around and noticed everyone was looking at something behind him. He slowly turned around, and he was frozen in his tracks. His eyes were the size of softballs; and he stared down at his twin. Realization flashed across his face, and he began looking around. No one even saw him, except me. McClane continued looking around. His eyes met mine; and they widened when he realized I could see him. He jogged over to me and

"What's going on? Why can't people see me? How can you see me?"

'You're dead, you died in the car crash behind you.I'm the only one who can see you because I'm a Reaper.' I wrote on my phone, and showed it to him.

He began to tear up. I walked up to him, and put a hand on his shoulder. Suddenly there was a flash in the sky. And I found myself in the clouds with McClane. There were two doors, one was a light baby blue that looked innocent. While the other was a scarlet red that had ancient carvings in it. In the middle of the red door was a trident, there were lots more carvings in the door, and I had no patience to count the countless symbols.

"Hello, Hayden McClane." A genderless voice says out of nowhere.

We spun around looking for the source, but we were completely alone.

"I go by many names, some call me: Fate, Karma, Destiny, Doom, Lot, Portion. I have an unlimited list of names. But you can't see me, and I decide what happens to you when you die!" The genderless entity says.

"Hayden, you are a generous person. Always willing to help others, I know your place and so does our Reaper. Reaper, can you lead him to the correct door!"

I was about to indicate I don't know how, but I didn't have to. The red door disappeared and the blue opened. I saw pure white stairs going up, the further you looked up it seemed the stairs grew smaller until they disappeared completely. I walked McClane to the door, and watched his back as he went up the stairs, and soon disappeared out of my sight. With the same flash that brought me there, I found myself back on Earth. Exactly where I disappeared from. But I noticed something different! I came back with a large, lightweight, black, hooded cloak. A strangely carved but beautiful Scythe. And a mask to hide my mouth and nose.

I immediately noticed that I was surrounded by other cloaked Reapers. They all bowed, and one by one faded into nothing, and that's when I knew. I was, and always will be, the one and only Grim Reaper. It was in my daze that my second reaping was ready. The name and place pounded in my head harder than last time.

'Sophia Isabella, Charlotte town, Wakefield, 6:00 PM.'

And then I was off running. I made it to Charlotte town, Wakefield at 6:00 PM. Just in time to see a brunette get mauled to death in an alleyway by a pit bull. Once satisfied the Pit Bull ran off down the street. I saw Sophia looking around confused, once she saw me her eyes widened.

"It's that time already?" She asked.

I didn't answer her, I only walked towards her and put my hand on her shoulder in a friendly gesture. The second I did that we were snapped to the same two doorways in the clouds. This time though, neither of the doors were open.

"Sophia Isabella." The genderless voice spoke.

She jumped in fear, and the voice knew because of the way it spoke, it was cruel and taunting.

"You are going to spend eternity in—" It drawled.

Though, with the evil tone it used. It was proof that it wasn't good.

"In tHe pItS oF HeLL!"

Suddenly the red door opened. Shadows began to cover everything, and the air seemed to get thicker. I even noticed the glow coming from the door. Hell's stairs were unlike Heavens, Hell's stairs didn't go up. Instead they went down. A shadow-like hand with a long arm and long fingers slithered up the stairs. The shadow-like hand came out from the door and violently grabbed a screaming and thrashing Sophia. She twisted and turned but it did nothing. And she was dragged roughly down Hell's stairs. And with a loud slam Hell's door shut.

"Nice upgrade Reaper, see you real soon!" The voice said.

Suddenly I flashed back down to Earth. And I stood there not sure what to do now. So I decided to walk home. During my walk, I turned down a deserted alley. Or so I thought. Turns out this alley had a group of armed muggers and a helpless female trapped against the wall begging for her life. I knew I shouldn't have interfered but if you were in my situation here and now, you'd understand why I did it. I scraped my scythe along the ground creating a horrible sound, and their heads whipped in my direction.

"And who may you be? What relation do you have to this woman?" He fired back.

I wanted to give them a snarky comeback. But all I could do to piss him off was mock his stance and do an "amazing" impression of him. Boy, did that tick him off. Guess I pushed the correct button, too bad it didn't last long. He turned back to the female and began threatening her. Welp, can't say I didn't try. I gave them the easy way out but he chose number two. So I picked up my scythe and beheaded all the other muggers silently, none of them made a sound. Until I had my scythe at the leader's neck, he froze and looked around. Seeing his fallen comrades he let out a high pitch scream, and dropped the girl he held to the wall. I grabbed her and pushed her behind me, then I slit his throat. I turned to see the girl running terrified out of the alley.

"Nice job, I must say. That outfit looks hella good on you Reaper!" A voice taunts in a sarcastic tone.

I looked up to the top of the building slowly; only to see a familiar face and he smiled. Adrian! I rolled my eyes and continued walking, but then a thought came to mind.

'Do I want to risk frightening more innocent souls?' No, I do not.

So I spun around into a run and leapt onto the roof. Running along the rooftops, I jumped from one building to the next. I could hear Adrian follow. As I was running I turned around and gave the Angel a questioning look. He just shrugged and grinned. What is this feathered-ass up to now?

"I can hear you, you know!"

'What, how? I'm mute.'

"You may be mute, but that doesn't mean I can't read your thoughts. And this is nothing like mindlink, as I have said before. You and I have a special bond." The Angel states

I couldn't help but to roll my eyes.

'Stay out of my head feather brain!' I snarled.

I jumped through the window of Knova's house and slid into the bed. The Angel flew in, and I stared at him shocked. I jumped out of bed quickly and tried to shove him right back out the window. Only he was too heavy and I ended up falling resulting in making a huge thud. Some book fell off the shelf, and the Angel walked over to pick it up. For a book it seemed to catch his attention rather quickly. Then suddenly he was grinning like an idiot. I got up from the floor and walked over to him. Peeking over his shoulder I read the page title, 'Between worlds'.

There were a few paragraphs about dream walking, spells and rituals for this. But nothing to actually step through and get back to that world. We were both disappointed since we couldn't find a way back. Then I had an idea! Why not check out the library here where I first became one with Tala. It was worth a shot, so I ran out the room grinning. I'm so glad none of the others are here yet. I could hear Adrian behind me, but not as fast. I entered the library and began searching. It wasn't too long when I came across what I was looking for.

A soul sister?

I have a plan! As long as both of us are safe the universe stays in balance. The only thing would be the consequences this would cause. All I know is I need this world's version of me, then I breathe some of my soul into his body. Second, the last step is getting him to live as a Reaper for this world, so I can safely cross back to mine with Adrian!

"If your plan works, you're gonna have to bring this world's version of me for Lex. And not to mention binding the four of us. Because Lex will have part of your soul, which means—'' I ignored whatever else he had to say.

"You also can't do it without Lex's mate and friend circle, they play a big part in this." Adrien says.

I so wish I could speak, there is so much I'd love to say to this feathered ass.

"I heard that."

Stupid mind reader. I walked out of the room to grab the ingredients: salt, blood, candles, and an Angel feather. All the ingredients are what we have in the kitchen. Well other than the blood and Angel feather. But those last two are easy to get my hands on.

I thought back to who was who: Bree's version is known as Bren, Knox's other self is Knova, Jax's other self is Jayne, Lance's other self is called Lana, Arin was Aviva's other ALIVE self. And Zev and Xena's other selves were Zavier and Zern. Lastly, my other self's name was Lex, and he was currently dead at the moment. But that left one more unsolved question. Who is Adrian's other self?

I was thinking as I was setting up. And that's when I heard the door shut and I froze. In walked seven teens, they froze when they saw Adrian behind me. Plus what kind of stuff I'm working with. They immediately snarl at the Angel. Adrian looks at me before he opens his big mouth and speaks,

"Lexia, you should tell your friends what you're planning." I didn't need to turn around to see the innocent smile because it was in his voice. So using one hand, I held it out and suddenly my Scythe appeared. I swung it back and held it to his throat. I may be human/Reaper, but I could hear him gulp behind me. And I decided to ignore him, while also not moving my Scythe.

I could feel their confused looks, so I jerked my thumb in the Angel's direction and I straight up thought what I knew Adrian would translate for me.

"She found a way to solve our problem, I can read her thoughts and basically she's giving me the thoughts and I tell you. First step is to retrieve- WHAT! NO WAY." The angel yelled and I snickered.

I finally looked up and rolled my eyes at him; I picked up a nearby notebook and explained my plan, they all waited patiently. Finally I finished writing, and I handed the pad of filled pages to Bren and he began reading aloud as I grabbed the wooden bowl.

I made a circle of thick salt and began to make the spell. Pouring the holy water in the bowl, I cut my palm and their heads snapped my way at the smell of blood. But I gestured back to the plan and they began reading again as my blood poured. Finally I stop and mix it with the blood. It looks as if they have stopped reading and come to help.

"Your spell is well done; except the blood you're missing. And the object to connect you to Lex." Bren said.

I nodded, then he did something completely new. Him and the others cut their palms and add to the bowl, just not as much as I had. Even Adrian does.

"Ashlee should be here soon to help!"

Ashlee?

"My other half." he says.

"I'm here to help!"

We all turn to see a female version of Adrian. She stopped and stared at me for a bit. She looked quite close to crying.

"Lexia." She whispered, but I heard her.

She shook her head; and a different expression replaced it. Then I realized what she had in her arms. A corpse! Lex's corpse, she walked and we all made a path for her. She puts the corpse into the circle and then gives her own blood.

"We have everything except the object to connect you two." Lana says.

I looked at Adrian, and sensing my gaze he turned and said, "She's not planning on using an object." I nodded.

"For what is about to happen you all may want to leave." He added.

"No, we are staying to support both our friends!" Zern says.

I smiled kindly at them. And I gave them each a hug, and they gave me one in return. I walk back to the salt circle. I start taking off my clothes leaving me in only a T-shirt and shorts. I didn't need to do anything to Lex as he was only in shorts. I lay beside him and hand the binding symbols to both the angels; then I point to the knife then to my chest. I pointed to the area right between my collarbone and shoulder. I closed my eyes and tried to relax. But really, what's more relaxing than some Angel carving a symbol into your chest with a knife. Right? At Least this time, the pain was short lived.

I sat up and looked at Lex. Then I looked at the bowl. Stepping out of the salt circle I shrunk it without actually breaking it. I then removed the leftover salt. I picked up the bowl and grabbed a paint brush. I looked over my shoulder and thought I needed Bren! I pointed at Bren and he understood. I shoved the blood and paint brush in his hands and gave him a little example of what to do. He was confused but didn't answer.

I then grabbed Knova and sat her at Lex's head. I felt bad placing her there seeing as she was in tears already. I gestured the others out, and they listened, but not before a final goodbye. Bren was finished and lex was a full coat of watery red, I looked at Adrian and Ashlee. Only they were already watching me. How do I split my soul?Ashlee choked and stared at me shocked.

"You. Want. To. What?" She screamed.

"Easy, put your mouth close to his in an 'O' shape!" That got a glare from Ashlee.

He only grinned back at her. And I nodded. I positioned myself as told and opened my mouth. Nothing happened. Suddenly I felt the urge to puke only when I tried to pull back. I was stopped by someone— more like some feathered ass who liked to get in my head. Suddenly I puked, only I didn't. Some sort of glowing white-ish blue string came out and entered Lex's mouth. His whole body seemed to glow and come to life. When the stuff stopped I could finally move and Adrian let me. I felt really tired, so when I stood up I stumbled back and fell right into Adrian's arms.

"Falling for me already-" I elbowed him in the stomach and he stumbled. But I regained my balance.

We all heard a gasp for air and suddenly Lex sat up wide eyed. Nova squealed and jumped into him covering his bloody body with kisses. He looked around and stopped at me.

"What's a Reaper doing here? Wait, you can all see her right?" I silently chuckled but no sound came out.

"This little ball of joy is you from another universe, she also brought you back." The feathered brain then did something that pissed me off so much.

He. Gave. Me. A. Freakin'. Noogie. In. A. Headlock. I spun around so quickly and punched him square in the nose sending him flying through the doors!

'That'll teach that little feathered brain to do it again.' I growled.

"But you're hum-" I stopped him with a quick zip it gesture.

I then turned to Ashlee and say to her,

"I was a Tox, got tortured. Got my tongue cut out for being a badass. Got saved by Knova and her friends. Reaper showed up and told me I'm to be the last and only Reaper; but I gotta go back to my world and back to my mate. So we resurrected you, and to not have any consequences, I shared my soul with this mark and ta da. I can go home now!" Ashlee translates for me.

I pulled up my shirt and pointed to the carving, then pointed to his chest. He looked down and his eyes widened. I then began to put my clothes on and Ashlee finished. Adrian comes back in the room fixing his nose; and is followed by the others. Suddenly some green hole showed up and I grinned at him. Adrien then yells as he runs at the hole,

"Race ya home mute. Maybe I'll tell Knox that you kissed me!" He looked amused, but paused after realizing that that would most likely be his last words before Knox kills him.

I shook my head and rolled my eyes, I made my way to Bren first and gave him one big squeeze. He grinned and squeezed back.

"It was nice to meet the girly version of my buddy. Stay strong over there." He says.

I give him a thumbs up.

Next was Jayne, Lana, Zern, Arin, Knova then last was Lex.

"Jeez, you girls are so emotional-" I was done.

I grabbed his ear and threw him in first, giving the others a one finger salute. I was about to leave when someone jumped through from my original universe, and another grabbed my wrist jerking me back. The person who jumped through had me shocked, and I looked to see Lex was the one who pulled me back.

"Ah, Lexia, darling! Crossing worlds doesn't hide you from a jail cell-" He was cut off by Lex.

"Who are you, and what jail cell?"

"Awww, you didn't tell your new friends what you did?" He grabbed my neck and squeezed.

Suddenly my mouth felt tingly, and then I felt something flop around in it. Impossible!

"Thanks for healing me Zero, hehe! Also, no longer this 'dangerous' animal you brought to the public. Now, I don't even exist. Wanna guess what I am?" I grinned.

"Some little girl who ruins my plans-''

"I do do that, but now. I'm the one who delivers you upstairs." I chuckled

SLAM

I was slammed against the wall; and zero says, "Why don't you introduce me to your new group of friends. Because well. Just look at what happened to your old ones."

Six big guys come through the hole all holding someone, and those people are all my friends.

Chapter 20 (Lex's POV):"Leave them out of this." The other world version of me snarled at this tall and power hungry looking man.

"Do we step in?" Arin asked.

"I don't know," I say.

"We can't, that guy's immortal. But if we can help in any way, we should start with her friends. They're being held by military officers?!" Bren says .

"The rift is closing!" Lana says.

"Shoot!" I whispered.

"Lexia!" I yelled

I pointed to the closing rift when I got her attention. Her eyes widened, but it was no use. She was struggling with fighting the immortal alone. I had to help her. But how? I looked around.

'Help her!' a mysterious voice said.

It wasn't my tox but the voice was correct.

"Go help over there and free her friends. I gotta help other me!" I yelled and began making my way to Lexia.

I kicked the immortal in the knee and after hearing it crack, I knew I did something to him. And next thing I know is that he dropped Lexia and I caught her on my shoulders. She tensed but saw it was me. Bending down she whispered,

"We need to put him back unless you want another Zev running around here."

I nodded and was about to put her down, when she said something.

"Get me over there and on my signal duck as low as you can. And tell anyone you don't want to die to do the same." I ran her over to where she instructed.

And then ran off to instruct the others on her plan. Well, what I know of it. I also noticed both Angels have disappeared. Ofcourse, leave those father brains in a fight and they disappear. The rift seemed to freeze, and stay open. Almost as if something was keeping it open.