“Um, what?” I croaked.

“That is the only way for anyone to speak to him, why do you think I need you.”

Oh God. “No, there has to be another way.”

I must have been too loud, several people turned giving me curious looks.

“I do not know of one, do you?” Still not an inkling of emotion; did Katana even want to go back to him?

“I-I- just give me a couple of days, please,” I was starting to hyperventilate.

He looked at me for a long moment, “Two days, I do not recommend involving the Worshippers, this is between you and me.”

The Blade rose, dropping a hundred on the table, “You will be hearing from me.”

I nodded. I had two days to dream contact Eternal and get Katana back. Great!

I paced the length of my hotel room. I should just tell Heala and Lightning and ask for their help. Yes.

I even went so far as to wait for them outside their hotel room. Only when I heard them laughing as they got off the elevator did I realize how cruel it would be to drag them into this with me.

I scurried away like the rat I felt before they could see me.

In my hotel room, I packed a bag, I actually had stuff to pack this time, wrote a note and went to bed. The sooner I could communicate with Eternal the better.

I lay awake for hours thinking the dream would just come to me before I grew too tired and actually fell asleep.

“Took you long enough,” Eternal paced in front of me as I sat on the ground.

I looked around. Duh, I had to fall asleep.

“Emma, snap out of it,” I turned back almost colliding with Eternal’s forehead.

I scooted back. He moved away.

“The Blade wants his girl returned,” he shook his head, “He should have prayed for that. He’s out of luck now.” He shook his head returning to his pacing. “But if he’s watching you, it hampers your work and I can’t help you from here.”

I didn’t rise, wrapping my arms around my knees, “What do you plan to do when you come back?”

He stopped, “Worried about the humans or the gods?”

I shrugged, not sure myself.

“I have no interest in the humans, actually they’re the only company I’ve had in this hell. I’ve talked to religious fanatics, scientists, it’s been…interesting. As for the gods, well, maybe just two to ensure I am not banished again.”

The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

I didn’t need to ask which two. I wanted to ask if there was another way but I knew what he would say. Focus, Emma, one issue at a time.

“What do you mean, he’s out of luck?”

He stopped pacing, watching me as if gaging how much he could tell me. “I do not know what’s on the other side. If I used to, I don’t remember. So once a soul passes through, I have no way of retrieving it.”

Great!

“So there’s nothing you can do.”

“No.”

“Great.”

“How so?”

“What? Oh no, I was being sarcastic,” why couldn’t these gods at least learn to speak human.

“Oh,” Eternal said without emotion.

“So what am I supposed to tell him? The truth?”

Eternal shrugged.

I took a deep breath. For three years I ran and everything was great. Now I had to think of a way to outwit one god, convince another of something they chose against at the beginning of time and keep a third from killing the one god I think I don't want dead.

Why me!

“What are the chances you forgot how to bring a soul back from the other side?”

He shrugged again, “Much from the beginning of time has been forgotten.”

“Could you try to remember?”

He laughed at me. Actual, out loud, human-sounding laughter.

I rose, “Seriously? I’m trying to help you but you have to help me.”

“If I could remember then I would be able to get myself out of here.”

I put my hands on my hips, remembering my mother, “How about you try and I stall.”

“And then?”

“Hopefully I succeed in convincing Ethel and you can talk to the Blade yourself.”

Eternal's mouth shifted into a fully bloomed smile, “Ah such a clever human, there may be hope for you yet.”

I scowled and woke up.

Dawn flooded through the window. Crap, I gotta go before Heala and Lightning come to get me.

I left a note at the front desk and called a cab. I had a little cash, how far would it get me? Instead of a cab, a private car stopped in front of me. The window rolled down and the Blade poked out his head, “Get in.”

Okay, here goes nothing.

“You are running, yet I am the only one who found you.”

And now you’re following me, “I’m giving my friends distance. I’ve been thinking that I’m the only reason they’re running. You confirmed that.”

He nodded, “They may also notice you die.”

“Uh,” I jolted, “Actually, I already talked to Eternal…last night.”

So, that’s what a surprised god looks like. A little widening of the eyes, but otherwise as emotionless as ever.

“How?”

“Well,” make it sound convincing, “It seems, the way he explained it, we are connected sort of like god and Worshipper except I don’t get any powers. When he saw you found me, he contacted me through my dreams.”

The Blade frowned, “He’s not supposed to be able to do that.”

“When was the last time he brought someone back from the dead?” A gamble, but I thought it was a small one.

The Blade nodded, “Never.” I sighed in relief.

“Are you going to fixate on that or what I found out?”

“Go on.”

“He needs her body, her whole body. I guess the soul has to go somewhere,” I shrugged like I wasn’t sure what I was saying.

“Fine, we’ll go to Miami, immediately.”

Crap. “Um, I’m not going back to Florida.”

“Where will you stay? You have no money and no friends.”

Crap. “I…I have friends but I was thinking of seeing if my family was still alive.” I felt like I ran a marathon.

“Family?”

“Yeah,” think Emma, “If I’m gonna be on the run on my own, I might as well start there.”

“It shall not take me long to retrieve the body. How long do you wish to have with your family before I find you again?”

I gaped, he was giving me time? “Two weeks,” can’t be too greedy or he’ll get suspicious.

“Here,” he pulled out a wad of cash, “This shall ensure you do not starve.”

“Um, thanks,” now I was living off the generosity of a god. How low could I get? Still I took the money and let him drop me off at the airport.

I walked into the airport lobby. I didn’t even know where I was going, nor was I willing to test my new and rather fake ID.

Stupid, Emma, I should have asked Eternal where Ethel was, he has to be keeping tabs on her.

I waited the appropriate amount of time and walked out of the airport.

I bought a bus ticket to New York. There was one person who still owed me, if I could find him without the gods finding me.