“Put the news channel on,” Dave snapped.
“Which one?” Rebecca asked.
“Any,” Lucifer answered.
Oh shit. Rebecca changed the channel, and a massive breaking news banner flashed along the bottom of the screen, which was split between a pale newsreader who looked like she wanted to run and hide, and live camera footage flicking through several cities. New York, Washington, Chicago—all the biggies. People screamed and ran in all directions as shadowy figures chased them. “Remnants,” I whispered.
The newsreader cleared her throat. “This is not a hoax. Ghosts are terrorizing people all over the country. The President has mobilized the national guard, and is urging people to stay indoors while they tackle the threat.”
A well-known female reporter standing on a busy New York street interrupted her. “Overnight, the police were inundated with reports of spiritual activity and hauntings, sparking a countrywide panic. That’s right—countrywide. The ghosts have invaded us from California to Maine, and appear to be gaining in both strength and numbers, with no known cause or reason. No one has reported any intellectual contact with these entities. Authorities have advised everyone to stay home until they get a handle on what is happening. Calls to law enforcement have been going unanswered as they struggle to cope with the burden. The President has called an emergency meeting and is expected to address the nation within the hour. One thing is for sure, America, we are not alone, but the terror hasn’t come from space like many have speculated. No, it’s the grave we should be worried about.”
My hand covered my mouth as one side of the TV cut back to the newsroom while the other remained on a loop, showcasing the terror erupting through various cities. “It’s started,” I whispered. I couldn’t believe Eloise actually went through with it. Somewhere deep down, I thought she was bullshitting to get the factions to play ball. When they didn’t, she forced the situation by exposing our world to humanity.
“We can’t scoop this under the rug,” Lucifer said. “It’s too wide. A city or two, I could do. But the entire country? That’s impossible.”
“Agreed. This is happening,” my father added. “We need to control the next steps but also accept that we can’t go back from this.”
“Can’t God help?” Hudson asked.
I already knew the answer. “Yes,” my father said. “But He won’t. If this is the will of the world, then it has to play out.”
“I suppose it won’t hurt that there will suddenly be a lot more folks in churches repenting for their sins,” Liz added.
Nothing like an apocalypse to bring people together and accept religion.
“It would take a deity to reverse this,” Lucifer muttered.
The phone rang as my mind pieced everything together. No, no, no, no. Just no. Eloise had outmaneuvered us again. I was tired of games and done being everyone’s puppet. If they wanted Cora, daughter of death, at their side, then they better get ready.
Indigo stirred in my mind.“You hungry?”I asked her.
“Ravenous.”
Rebecca picked up the phone, and her eyes widened as our gazes met. “It’s Cillian,” she whispered. “He would like to speak to you.”
I rose as the supernatural heavyweights argued back and forth about a plan. Everything from something involving ghostbusters, to sending my grandmother to rot in a prison cellin Hell. I’d already explored that and discarded it. Donn would just yank her out.
Rebecca passed me the phone, and I offered her a small smile and nod. She walked away, glancing over her shoulder at me with a frown.
“It’s started,” I said.
“It has,” he agreed. “It’s currently contained to America, but we expect that to change quickly.”
“So it’s time for your army.”
“Eloise hasn’t yet stepped forward as humanity’s savior.”
My brows pulled together. “She’s waiting for the panic to build.”
“I agree. I predict looting, a rise in crime and murder, plus all the other things a lawless society would expect.” Because no one could get through to emergency services if they were slammed with spiritual reports. Fuck, this was so much worse than I expected.
“So we wait?” I wasn’t okay with sitting on the sidelines while people sank into crisis.
“There is an option you may wish to consider.”
Here it is. I had put this together less than two minutes ago and felt stupid for not doing it before. “I’m listening.”
“Donn,” Cillian said. I met Hudson’s eyes as he folded his arms and tilted his head.
