Chapter 5: Soulstones, Showdowns and a new start

Ashwick’s dawn was a lie, all soft pinks and golds that hid the fact I was about to face a soul-stealing creep and a banshee with a grudge. Nightshade galloped through the streets, her phoenix-forged shoe glowing like a warning light. Lirien rode beside me, her skull under her arm, its green eyes blazing with a mix of determination and something new worry.

 I, Felix Carver, was no longer just a diner dropout. I’d thrown iron at a banshee, swiped a witch’s dagger, and somehow become the guy a dullahan trusted in a fight. But as we headed for the abandoned church where the Collector was plotting to tear the Veil, I couldn’t shake the feeling this was my last shift in the mortal world. Lirien’s voice cut through my panic. “Felix, focus. 

The Collector’s using the soulstone to summon something big probably a demon lord. If he cracks the Veil, Ashwick’s gonna be ground zero for an underworld invasion.”I gripped the rune-etched dagger I’d nabbed from Marrow’s cabin, its weight weirdly comforting. “And Siobhan? She’s the Morrigan’s attack dog, right? She’s not gonna let us waltz in and ruin her revenge party.”Lirien’s skull snorted, a haunted wind-chime sound. 

“Siobhan’s a problem, but the Collector’s the real threat. We stop him, we save the Veil, and maybe I don’t get fired from my dullahan gig. You in?”I grinned, despite the terror. “Like I’ve got a choice. But if I die, I’m haunting you for that Paris vampire story.”Her body leaned closer, and I swear her skull winked. “Deal. You’re not dying today, Felix. I kinda like having you around.”My heart did a stupid flip, but there was no time to unpack my crush on a headless reaper. 

The church loomed ahead, a crumbling gothic wreck with stained-glass windows that looked like they’d seen better days probably before Ashwick was even a town. The air buzzed with magic, thick and heavy, like static before a storm. Nightshade snorted, her hooves sparking on the cobblestones.Inside, the church was a nightmare of shadows and glowing runes. 

The soulstone sat on a makeshift altar, pulsing with sickly light, surrounded by chalked symbols that made my eyes hurt. The Collector stood at the center, his patchwork coat shimmering like oil. Kieran, the wisp kid, lounged nearby, tossing his glowing orb with a smirk. “Lirien, Felix,” the Collector purred, his smile all sharp teeth. “Right on time. Care to witness the Veil’s end?”Lirien’s whip cracked, green fire flaring. “Not happening, creep. 

Hand over the soulstone, or I’ll make you regret it.”Before he could answer, a scream tore through the air Siobhan. She materialized from the shadows, her hair swirling like a storm, silver eyes blazing. “Lirien! The Morrigan wants you broken, and I’m done waiting.”I dove behind a pew as her wail hit, a sound like shattering glass that made my bones ache. 

Lirien’s whip lashed out, green fire clashing with Siobhan’s magic. The Collector laughed, chanting in a language that sounded like pain. The soulstone’s glow intensified, and the air rippled, like reality was starting to crack. “Felix!” Lirien shouted, dodging Siobhan’s claws. “The soulstone! Break it!” I scrambled toward the altar, dagger in hand. Kieran lunged, his orb flaring, but I chucked a handful of iron dust from my pocket thanks, Marrow.

 He shrieked, flickering like a bad signal, and I reached the soulstone. Its heat burned my fingers, but the runes on it matched one I’d seen at Marrow’s a binding sigil. An idea hit, stupid but maybe brilliant. “Lirien!” I yelled, carving the dagger into the altar’s runes, reversing the sigil’s flow. “Keep them busy! ”She didn’t question me, her whip a blur of green fire holding off Siobhan and Kieran.

 The Collector’s chant faltered, his eyes locking onto me. “Mortal! You dare? “Yup!” I shouted, slamming the dagger into the soulstone. It cracked, light spilling like blood. The air screamed, and a shadow loomed a demon, half-formed, with eyes like voids. My heart stopped, but I twisted the dagger, channeling every ounce of dumb courage I had.

 The soulstone shattered, and the demon howled, dissolving into mist as the Veil snapped shut.Siobhan’s scream cut off, her form flickering. “No!” she spat, lunging at me. I raised the dagger, but Lirien’s whip wrapped around her, yanking her back.“Enough, Siobhan!” Lirien roared. “The Morrigan’s not getting her show today. ”Siobhan’s eyes blazed, but she faltered, her glow dimming. “This isn’t over, Lirien. 

You’ll pay for Dublin.” She vanished in a swirl of mist, her scream echoing faintly.The Collector snarled, his coat flaring like wings. “You’ve delayed me, mortal. But the underworld’s coming.” He snapped his fingers, and he and Kieran vanished in a puff of smoke. The church fell silent, the soulstone’s shards dark and lifeless. I collapsed against the altar, panting.

 Lirien knelt beside me, her skull’s glow softening. “Felix, you idiot. That was… incredible. ”I grinned, weak but proud. “Told you I wasn’t useless. ”Her body leaned closer, and I felt a warmth that had nothing to do with magic. “You’re more than that. You’re my partner now.”My face burned, but before I could reply, a chill filled the air.

 A figure shimmered into view a woman, tall and cloaked, with eyes like dying stars. The Morrigan. Her presence was a weight, like gravity had doubled. “Lirien,” she said, voice like a blade. “You’ve defied me. Again. But this mortal…” She glanced at me, and I swear my soul hid. “He’s interesting. Keep him close, or I will. ”She vanished, leaving my heart pounding. Lirien’s skull sighed. “Great. My boss has a crush on you. 

This is why I hate office politics.”I laughed, shaky but real. “So, what now? The Veil’s safe, Siobhan’s gone, and the Collector’s pissed. Am I fired from the supernatural gig? ”Lirien’s skull grinned. “Nah. You’re stuck with me, Felix. Ashwick’s still a hotspot, and I need someone who can break soulstones and steal daggers. ”We rode back to town on Nightshade, the dawn light feeling less like a lie now. 

My diner shift was in an hour, but I wasn’t the same Felix who’d washed dishes yesterday. I’d faced a demon, outsmarted a banshee, and earned a dullahan’s trust. Maybe I was a hero, or at least a guy who could fake it. As we passed the diner, a strange rune glowed faintly on its wall, pulsing like a heartbeat. Lirien’s skull tilted. 

“Trouble’s not done with us, Felix. “Good,” I said, surprising myself. “Because I still want that vampire story. ”She laughed, the sound echoing in the morning air. “Stick with me, partner, and I’ll give you stories that’ll blow your mortal mind.”