This time, the silence was longer, but no one spoke.

"I thought her brothers had died. With my people on the move and split into groups, it was hard to keep up with who was alive and who was dead. We thought the Romans didn't keep Druid prisoners. We'd heard them say over and over how it was a waste of good food. It was a lie. They were keeping Druid prisoners and using them to secure information from their relatives."

He stopped again. He would make a good narrator, especially for a tragic story.

"Although some of our people were being hidden by the non-Druids, the majority preferred to stay together as we journeyed to a safer place," Dev continued. "I noticed the patterns of the attack, the way they happened the nights after my visits," Dev continued. "I couldn't tell Echo or my fellow Immortals my suspicions. I didn't want to believe she could betray us, or that she'd used me, so I decided to confirm it. I gave her false information, which she passed on to the Romans. As usual, they rode to the forest, expecting to find defenseless Druids in hiding. But a group of us-Mortals and Immortal Druids-were waiting for them. None of the soldiers survived. Next, we mounted a rescue operation and got our people from the Roman dungeons. When we reached safety, they recounted what they'd seen-me passing the Romans a basket with hidden messages and betraying our people."

I didn't need to hear the rest to know how it had ended. Poor Dev. Of course, the betrayer was Teleia, the girl all the Druid boys seemed to have fallen in love with. Funny I'd been jealous of her and even felt sorry for her. Now, I wasn't sure what to think. She had betrayed her people to save her family. If my parents were being tortured by ruthless soldiers, I would do whatever I could to rescue them. The decision couldn't have been easy for her.

"I couldn't tell them what she'd done," Dev continued. "She would have been excommunicated, and I couldn't do that to her. Before I could confront her, the soldiers retaliated. They'd always known about the Druid sympathizers and looked the other way. Not this time. The raid was brutal. None of them survived, including Teleia and her host family. I keep telling myself I would have saved her. If only I hadn't been so angry with her and confronted her right away..."

Would she have confessed? From Dev's words, being excommunicated was a fate worse than death to a Druid. On the other hand, they might have understood her dilemma. Family should come before community or tribe.

"What a terrible tragedy," Lavania said, and I remembered she was Roman too, originally a Vestal Virgin. I'd been reading about Druids and knew she had already been an Immortal, possibly a Valkyrie, when the Romans slaughtered the Druids.

"Now I understand," Raine's mother said mysteriously. "I hope Echo reaped all those soldiers."

"He did, ma'am. He waited until the Valkyrie Council handed down their sentence, and he and his Druid brothers and sisters were banished to Hel."

"Banished?" Ingrid asked, and I wondered if she was thinking about Rhys.

"Echo and his group of Druid Valkyries turned so many of us into Immortals, even though they knew it was against the law. Once they were assigned to serve Goddess Hel, they went back for the souls of the soldiers. Even those bound for Asgard ended up in Hel."

"No wonder he has a reputation for stealing souls bound for Asgard," Torin said.

"He's made it his mission to reap souls of dictators or war-mongering leaders and their tin soldiers regardless of where they are from," I said. "Whenever innocent blood is spilled, the people responsible are his."

Raine studied me with narrowed eyes. I knew that look. She wasn't going to let me forget I'd kept Echo's past a secret. I'd figured that his past belonged in the past. Unfortunately, it was catching up with us.

"Did the brothers of the woman you loved make it to safety, Dev?" Raine asked.

"Yes. I personally escorted them to the Island of Mona in Wales where most Druids were headed. It was our remaining stronghold and a refuge. Not only for us, but also for British rebels fighting the Romans."

"Unfortunately, Governor Gaius Paulinus," Lavania said, speaking slowly, "the most hated Roman leader of our time, decided to level it." We all stared at her. "He built boats to cross the strait and destroyed every building and altar, every man, woman, and child. I was a Valkyrie by then, but I've never forgotten the sight. The Immortals fought back, but it wasn't enough."

No wonder Echo couldn't stand Andris, a Roman. He had told me how the Romans had massacred Druids on the Island of Anglesey as it was now called, and how the Immortals fought alongside the resistance led by a Celtic queen.

"So you've never told anyone your side of the story?" Raine's mother asked.

"No, ma'am. The Druid Grimnirs, all former Valkyries, are not interested in explanations. According to them, I belong with the damned souls in Hel. However, they'll have to catch me first. It's been two millennia and I'm still around."

There were chuckles. Lavania glanced at me. "Is this why you're helping him?"

I nodded. "If Echo listens to his story, the others will too."

Lavania nodded. "Well, I do hope they get to hear this. Dev's only guilty of being in love. He was not responsible for her actions."

"She died because of me," Dev insisted.

"The poor girl died because she tried to save her brothers and brought the wrath of the Roman army on her head," Lavania said in a hard voice. "You want to blame someone, blame the Norns for letting this happen. They're in charge of fate. Do you think you can stick around and talk to us about medium runes?"

"I'd love to, but it all depends on Echo and Cora."

Everyone looked at me. I had no answers. My job was already done. "After he talks to Echo, we'll see what to do next." I looked at my watch and saw the time. It was almost eleven. "I have to go home before my parents find me missing and call the police. I'll see you tomorrow," I added, looking at Raine. She nodded. I picked up my cell phone, said goodnight to everyone, and headed for the portal.

Once the portal closed behind me, I angled my head and listened for movements in the house. Nothing but silence.

"The girl you were talking about is Teleia, isn't it?" I asked.

"How do you know about her?" Dev asked.

"Echo told me. You were all in love with her at one time or another."

"But she chose me," Dev bragged.

"And she was your downfall," I wanted to say, but that would be cruel. I unlocked my door and peered down the hallway. I realized what I was doing-searching for dark souls in the shadows-and grimaced. Until this mess with the dark souls was over, I'd keep looking over my shoulder.

I could always lock my door, crawl in bed, and send Dev to patrol the farm, but my throat was dry and my mouth tasted funny. Served me right for almost finishing a bag of Twizzlers.

"I agree with Lavania, Dev."

"About?"

"Teleia." I headed toward the stairs. Dad's snoring greeted me before I reached the door to their bedroom. How the heck could Mom sleep through that ruckus?

"You shouldn't blame yourself for her death. She made her choice, tough as it was, and it had nothing to do with you."

"She doesn't feel that way," Dev muttered.

Doesn't? "What do you mean?"

"Nothing," Dev said quickly. Warning bells went off in my head, but I waited.

Downstairs, I turned on all the lights so I could see every corner of the room, got myself a cup of filtered water from the fridge, and hurried back upstairs. Dev hadn't spoken, but his presence in my phone was reassuring.

Who knew I'd feel that way about a dark soul?

Back in my room, I closed the door, chugged my drink, and then went to brush my teeth. "Do you know Echo said you'd watch over me while he's gone?" I asked, squeezing the paste onto my toothbrush.

"In his usual colorful language with dire warnings."

I could only imagine. "That's just his way of doing things. It's harmless."

"He should take lessons from you. You disarm with praise while he vows to unleash mayhem if he's not obeyed."

Yet his way was just as effective. Most of the time. "Echo is a product of what happened to your people. I'm not sweet when people lie to me either, so if you see a dark soul, tell me. Don't try to be a hero again. Tomorrow, I volunteer at the nursing home. If you feel I shouldn't go because a dark soul is lurking around, tell me. I'll listen."

"Yeah. Right."

"Really, I will."

"And if I say I can handle them?"

I chuckled. "I still would want to know. I have my iron rod and can help."

"Okay, doll-face."

"Don't call me that." I finished brushing my teeth and turned off the bathroom lights. I got my pjs, but hesitated. Just because he was in my phone didn't mean I could change in front of him. "Now that we have an understanding, can you tell me what you meant by "she doesn't feel that way"?"

"I was hoping you didn't catch that."

I grinned. "You'd be amazed by what I don't miss. The truth please."

"Teleia was never reaped. She was scared of ending up in Hel with the souls of the Roman soldiers, so she ran. Over the centuries, her guilt turned into bitterness. She hates what she's become, and she blames everyone, but herself."

"Typical. Well, after you tell Echo the truth, he'll probably reap her and throw her poor soul on Corpse Strand."

"Or you could make him understand why she did it and spare her the torture. He listens to you."

He did. "And he does have fond memories of her."

"Not anymore. He knows she's the one who tried to possess you."

I blinked. "What? Teleia is the one who attacked me?"

"Tried to possess you, not the same thing. Echo can forgive many things, but an attack on you in unacceptable, which reminds me, I need to walk through your house and the grounds."

I was still savoring the sweet rush of relief. Maliina hadn't tried to attack me. She was probably screaming on Corpse Strand. I could rest easy knowing she was out of the picture.

"Cora?"

"Hmm?"

"When I come back, I'll just stay in your room, so don't freak out if you see me."

"I'll get more blankets." I watched him slither out of my phone, waited until he disappeared through the wall, and then quickly changed into my sweatpants and shirt. My mind at rest, I had no problem falling asleep.

"Good morning, blondie. You have exactly thirty minutes to get to school. And you may want to wake up your parents."

For a moment, I wondered where the annoying radio announcer was coming from. Then I realized it was Dev, and what he'd said registered. One look at my clock and I sat up. Crap! I was going to be late.

I kicked the covers off and ran to the bathroom.

"You're welcome," Dev's voice followed me.

I splashed my face with water. "How was last night?"

"No unwanted visitors. Echo's runes scared them."

I left the bathroom frowning. "Does that mean some came close to the farm? And don't lie to me."

"Yes and no. FYI, your parents are still asleep."

My stomach dropped, and I stopped in the process of choosing a dress. I usually laid out an outfit the night before. I hadn't last night. "What do you mean?"

"Yes, some came close to the farm, and no, I'm not lying. Your parents are snoring loud enough to wake the damn state."

Icy fingers crawled up my spine. "Uh, okay. Can you make yourself useful and... wake them up?"

"Uh, I don't go 'boo,' missy. Hollywood gets everything wrong. And you wouldn't approve of the other things I could do to them."

Yeah, possession was not a fun trip. "Just float above their bed and let your cold front do the work."

He sighed. "You're trying to get rid of me. I've noticed you do that before you change. I cannot see you from this contraption unless you take a selfie. I've gone through your pictures and none show you naked or even half-naked. Echo's pictures? Too many. Made me want to gag. Don't you send him any naked pics, or do you delete them?"

For a second, I couldn't find my voice. "You bodiless perv."

"Perv? Really? I'm just stating the obvious. Most Mortals take naughty selfies, so I assumed-"

"Out!"

"You're a grouch in the morning. I was only trying to make conversation." He drifted from my phone, and I could swear he stuck out his tongue at me before drifting away.

A loud bump from down the hall had me racing to my door. I expected Mom to come out of her room yelling "A ghost!" Instead, her door swung open and she marched out still wearing her nightgown. Dad was right behind her.

"I don't understand how I overslept," Mom said, heading for the stairs. "In all my adult years, I've never..."

"Sweetheart, you did a lot of cooking last night for Cora's friends, and remember afterwards?"

I wasn't sure what "afterwards" meant, but I could only guess. Their voices grew faint and I went back into my room. Dev stood in the middle of the room. "Thank you."

He bowed and slithered back into my cell phone without speaking. I finished brushing my hair and applied makeup. Then I grabbed my backpack and phone and raced downstairs.

"Morning. Bye. I'm running late," I called out, heading for the door.

"See? She overslept, too," Dad said. "Must be something in the air. Morning, sweetheart. Have a nice day at school."

"Not so fast, young lady. You know how I feel about breakfast." She removed toast from the toaster and dropped them on a sheet of paper towel.

I detoured, took her offering, and pressed a kiss on her cheek. "Thanks, Mom. Love you, guys."

"I plan on calling your principal about the mystery meat. In fact, I'd planned to make you lunch this morning, but I overslept. Your father can drop it off later."

Eek. "No-ooo. I'm in high school, not junior high. Raine and I can eat..." Hel's Mist. Raine. I'd completely forgotten. "Mom, Dad, I, uh, got some bad news. Raine's father died last night."

"Oh, dear," Mom mumbled.