"I just don't understand why you need to leave, mija. You know this is an important time to be here. They have to get used to seeing your beautiful face in charge, you know."

DeVian weathered his hesitations with a curt smile on her lips, hands clasped behind her back as she waited for an opening in his worried monologue.

"I know, papa. But this is something I have to do."


"It's not helping that you won't even tell me why. I've half a mind to tell you no."

'Can you hear me?'
'So much pain...'
'This corner or that one? I can't decide which to stand on today.'

DeVian's ears felt hot. This was the worst time to be hearing the voices. The ghosts. Sometimes they were louder than the voices of the living, and most of the time infinitely more irritating.

"I'm going, but I'll call you. That's all I can do, papa."


"You'll call every day?"

"Oh, there's no way in hell. But I'll check in often."


"Last time you left home without an explanation, you drove your car into the sea."

'Are you ignoring me?'
Leave, leave, leave!'

"I remember. If you keep worrying so much, it'll rub off on me."


"You are mi corazon, hermosa. I will always worry."


-



It felt like every time Novevu was pissed with her she heard more of the ghosts. Sometimes she saw more. They hung on the edge of her vision, following her like a shy shadow. It seemed like a lot of them talked to themselves. On the occasion, she found herself asking the undead for directions. Some of her previous tasks for Novevu had included putting a few of the restless spirits to permanent sleep. She supposed she was a part-time mostly-human grim reaper at the Ancient of Death's discretion.

Even now, as she sat with her legs crossed in the hangar of one of Law Technologies' private airfields, she was impatient to get this over with. The ghosts were everywhere, constantly heckling her. It felt like the Void was just over her shoulder.

'I'm pretty sure I'm speaking the right language.'
'Little girl.'
'I. AM SO. BORED!'
'Look at Novevu's descendant, ignoring her duties.'

"Excuse me?"
Dev's concentration finally snapped, dark brows lowering as she glared into the nothing beside her. She could see a small gathering of ghosts standing there, just congregating for no apparent reason. Most of them faced her, but there were a few mindlessly facing any direction. One of them cocked his head at DeVian quizzically. "Why are there so many of you here, anyway? There's not enough room on the rest of the Earth for you to haunt?"


'Trust me, your company is really not so grand.'
'Can't you feel it?'

"What are you talking about?"


'The energy of Echowix, young one.
'Have you not heard the message?'
'It was for you.'
'For all of us.'
'Have I always not been able to feel my legs?'

Her fingertips felt cold. But it wasn't from fear. If anything, she was becoming more exasperated by the situation with every new development. On the other hand, the challenge was more attractive. It wasn't like she feared the other houses, for she was a descendant of Novevu, the original thief and the one that put the creator of the Ancients to sleep. She knew of the power her house was capable of. She just didn't know if she felt like applying it amid the demands of her civilian life.

"Tell me, then, what you saw."


'Now she wants something from us.'
'Well tell her.'
'What's in it for me?'

"I will try my best not to send you shrieking into the Vacío. Unless you prefer the Prism?"


'She can't do that...'
'Can she?'
'Do you want to find out?'
'I want to rest...'
'I just want to go to Elysian.'
'The beam of light seen around the world. Echowix has returned.'

A metal clanking sound made the tech giant heiress start. She looked over her shoulder, relieved to see the pilot loading bags into the cargo hold. "Who the hell ya talkin' to over there?" he asked, grunting with exertion.

"What? I wasn't talking."


"Fuck, I must be tripping out. I could've sworn I heard you over here. Well, we're about ready to get this baby in the air."

"Barrett, who wants to hear their pilot say they're 'tripping out' right before they take a metal death trap into the skies?"



-



The time difference from Sao Paulo to Rome was only five hours, but DeVian was dead fucking tired by the time she walked into her hotel. The penthouse was already taken, much to her dismay, but she'd gotten the best money could by for her stay. Which honestly wasn't that great. The tourists had booked a lot of the rooms, especially since she'd needed to come on such short notice.

She rubbed at her forehead as she collapsed onto the queen bed in the room, exhaustion pouring out of every muscle. But sleep didn't come. Instead, she found herself falling into the Void. There was no ground to land on, nor was there any fear related to the falling. She just felt weightless, as if she were floating around a pool.

"Something has changed," came Novevu's echoing voice, but this time she was not looking up at him. He still sat on his throne nonchalantly. DeVian felt as if she were perpetually falling at his eye level. The false illusion of water did not ripple under his feet.

"Master, I am following the book,"
she told him hurriedly, annoyed already with any scolding he might have on his mind.

"Echowix herself has appeared in this mortal realm to appeal to all the houses. This is unprecedented."

"So we're not the only ones looking for it."


"No, but it is in our best interest to be the ones who possess it. Destodai is already so unstable. Alvax fancies himself a just crusader." He let something like a sigh pass out of his nose. "She appeared in the Colosseum of Rome. Echowix is not so thoughtless that that place has no significance."

"Very well. Tomorrow--"


"Go now."

Her jaw flexed. That was as far as the physical extent of her annoyance went.

"One more thing. Do not forget what house you belong to."

"Yes, I am DeVian of House Desdon. You never leave me alone long enough to forget it."


The unhinged laugh that she hadn't heard thus far rang in her ears. And the very next moment, she was waking in her hotel bed and internally screeching. There was no explanation for how tired she was. She just knew she had to do this mission for Novevu, before she found herself unable to sleep because ghosts decided to hold a conversation at all hours of the night. So she just rubbed her eyes, threw a series of punches into the air in her frustration, and left the hotel again. The bath she had on her mind for later... Maybe this stress would be worth it, after all.

Rome was beautiful; that was a given. She had been all over the world, and even in Italy, but never Rome. Despite the fact that Italian was close to her native Spanish, she could barely make conversation in Italian. It was mostly phrases she had picked up in the business.

The cab driver was pleasant enough. It was easy to get to the Colosseum since it was such a popular destination. Even moreso since a woman had appeared and disappeared in an amazing display of light.

Dev stepped out, throwing on a pair of sunglasses to combat the sun. It had only been about 10 AM at home, but it was mid-day here. The sun was out in full force and it was a bit humid. The dark-skinned woman approached the stairs of the ancient structure slowly and cautiously. She could feel it as soon as she stepped onto the scene: the magic. The raw magic Echowix must've left behind--

Or was that the book? Was this just the imprint the book left?

She was not afraid of coming toe-to-toe with the other houses. What she was more afraid of was disappointing Novevu if she did not perform well. He would have domain over her soul after she died, and the Void didn't seem like the most welcoming place. There was no amount of fear or respect that rivaled what she held for her Ancient, despite how demanding and ambivalent he could be.

'You are not the only--'
'They are here!'
'You claimants all smell the same.'

DeVian's lips moved into the start of a grin. Good. The ghosts would do all the searching for the other claimants for her. "Point them out to me, mis encantadores. It's time for a few business deals."

"I just don't understand why you need to leave, mija. You know this is an important time to be here. They have to get used to seeing your beautiful face in charge, you know."

DeVian weathered his hesitations with a curt smile on her lips, hands clasped behind her back as she waited for an opening in his worried monologue.

"I know, papa. But this is something I have to do."


"It's not helping that you won't even tell me why. I've half a mind to tell you no."

'Can you hear me?'
'So much pain...'
'This corner or that one? I can't decide which to stand on today.'

DeVian's ears felt hot. This was the worst time to be hearing the voices. The ghosts. Sometimes they were louder than the voices of the living, and most of the time infinitely more irritating.

"I'm going, but I'll call you. That's all I can do, papa."


"You'll call every day?"

"Oh, there's no way in hell. But I'll check in often."


"Last time you left home without an explanation, you drove your car into the sea."

'Are you ignoring me?'
Leave, leave, leave!'

"I remember. If you keep worrying so much, it'll rub off on me."


"You are mi corazon, hermosa. I will always worry."


-



It felt like every time Novevu was pissed with her she heard more of the ghosts. Sometimes she saw more. They hung on the edge of her vision, following her like a shy shadow. It seemed like a lot of them talked to themselves. On the occasion, she found herself asking the undead for directions. Some of her previous tasks for Novevu had included putting a few of the restless spirits to permanent sleep. She supposed she was a part-time mostly-human grim reaper at the Ancient of Death's discretion.

Even now, as she sat with her legs crossed in the hangar of one of Law Technologies' private airfields, she was impatient to get this over with. The ghosts were everywhere, constantly heckling her. It felt like the Void was just over her shoulder.

'I'm pretty sure I'm speaking the right language.'
'Little girl.'
'I. AM SO. BORED!'
'Look at Novevu's descendant, ignoring her duties.'

"Excuse me?"
Dev's concentration finally snapped, dark brows lowering as she glared into the nothing beside her. She could see a small gathering of ghosts standing there, just congregating for no apparent reason. Most of them faced her, but there were a few mindlessly facing any direction. One of them cocked his head at DeVian quizzically. "Why are there so many of you here, anyway? There's not enough room on the rest of the Earth for you to haunt?"


'Trust me, your company is really not so grand.'
'Can't you feel it?'

"What are you talking about?"


'The energy of Echowix, young one.
'Have you not heard the message?'
'It was for you.'
'For all of us.'
'Have I always not been able to feel my legs?'

Her fingertips felt cold. But it wasn't from fear. If anything, she was becoming more exasperated by the situation with every new development. On the other hand, the challenge was more attractive. It wasn't like she feared the other houses, for she was a descendant of Novevu, the original thief and the one that put the creator of the Ancients to sleep. She knew of the power her house was capable of. She just didn't know if she felt like applying it amid the demands of her civilian life.

"Tell me, then, what you saw."


'Now she wants something from us.'
'Well tell her.'
'What's in it for me?'

"I will try my best not to send you shrieking into the Vacío. Unless you prefer the Prism?"


'She can't do that...'
'Can she?'
'Do you want to find out?'
'I want to rest...'
'I just want to go to Elysian.'
'The beam of light seen around the world. Echowix has returned.'

A metal clanking sound made the tech giant heiress start. She looked over her shoulder, relieved to see the pilot loading bags into the cargo hold. "Who the hell ya talkin' to over there?" he asked, grunting with exertion.

"What? I wasn't talking."


"Fuck, I must be tripping out. I could've sworn I heard you over here. Well, we're about ready to get this baby in the air."

"Barrett, who wants to hear their pilot say they're 'tripping out' right before they take a metal death trap into the skies?"



-



The time difference from Sao Paulo to Rome was only five hours, but DeVian was dead fucking tired by the time she walked into her hotel. The penthouse was already taken, much to her dismay, but she'd gotten the best money could by for her stay. Which honestly wasn't that great. The tourists had booked a lot of the rooms, especially since she'd needed to come on such short notice.

She rubbed at her forehead as she collapsed onto the queen bed in the room, exhaustion pouring out of every muscle. But sleep didn't come. Instead, she found herself falling into the Void. There was no ground to land on, nor was there any fear related to the falling. She just felt weightless, as if she were floating around a pool.

"Something has changed," came Novevu's echoing voice, but this time she was not looking up at him. He still sat on his throne nonchalantly. DeVian felt as if she were perpetually falling at his eye level. The false illusion of water did not ripple under his feet.

"Master, I am following the book,"
she told him hurriedly, annoyed already with any scolding he might have on his mind.

"Echowix herself has appeared in this mortal realm to appeal to all the houses. This is unprecedented."

"So we're not the only ones looking for it."


"No, but it is in our best interest to be the ones who possess it. Destodai is already so unstable. Alvax fancies himself a just crusader." He let something like a sigh pass out of his nose. "She appeared in the Colosseum of Rome. Echowix is not so thoughtless that that place has no significance."

"Very well. Tomorrow--"


"Go now."

Her jaw flexed. That was as far as the physical extent of her annoyance went.

"One more thing. Do not forget what house you belong to."

"Yes, I am DeVian of House Desdon. You never leave me alone long enough to forget it."


The unhinged laugh that she hadn't heard thus far rang in her ears. And the very next moment, she was waking in her hotel bed and internally screeching. There was no explanation for how tired she was. She just knew she had to do this mission for Novevu, before she found herself unable to sleep because ghosts decided to hold a conversation at all hours of the night. So she just rubbed her eyes, threw a series of punches into the air in her frustration, and left the hotel again. The bath she had on her mind for later... Maybe this stress would be worth it, after all.

Rome was beautiful; that was a given. She had been all over the world, and even in Italy, but never Rome. Despite the fact that Italian was close to her native Spanish, she could barely make conversation in Italian. It was mostly phrases she had picked up in the business.

The cab driver was pleasant enough. It was easy to get to the Colosseum since it was such a popular destination. Even moreso since a woman had appeared and disappeared in an amazing display of light.

Dev stepped out, throwing on a pair of sunglasses to combat the sun. It had only been about 10 AM at home, but it was mid-day here. The sun was out in full force and it was a bit humid. The dark-skinned woman approached the stairs of the ancient structure slowly and cautiously. She could feel it as soon as she stepped onto the scene: the magic. The raw magic Echowix must've left behind--

Or was that the book? Was this just the imprint the book left?

She was not afraid of coming toe-to-toe with the other houses. What she was more afraid of was disappointing Novevu if she did not perform well. He would have domain over her soul after she died, and the Void didn't seem like the most welcoming place. There was no amount of fear or respect that rivaled what she held for her Ancient, despite how demanding and ambivalent he could be.

'You are not the only--'
'They are here!'
'You claimants all smell the same.'

DeVian's lips moved into the start of a grin. Good. The ghosts would do all the searching for the other claimants for her. "Point them out to me, mis encantadores. It's time for a few business deals."

"I just don't understand why you need to leave, mija. You know this is an important time to be here. They have to get used to seeing your beautiful face in charge, you know."

DeVian weathered his hesitations with a curt smile on her lips, hands clasped behind her back as she waited for an opening in his worried monologue.

"I know, papa. But this is something I have to do."


"It's not helping that you won't even tell me why. I've half a mind to tell you no."

'Can you hear me?'
'So much pain...'
'This corner or that one? I can't decide which to stand on today.'

DeVian's ears felt hot. This was the worst time to be hearing the voices. The ghosts. Sometimes they were louder than the voices of the living, and most of the time infinitely more irritating.

"I'm going, but I'll call you. That's all I can do, papa."


"You'll call every day?"

"Oh, there's no way in hell. But I'll check in often."


"Last time you left home without an explanation, you drove your car into the sea."

'Are you ignoring me?'
Leave, leave, leave!'

"I remember. If you keep worrying so much, it'll rub off on me."


"You are mi corazon, hermosa. I will always worry."


-



It felt like every time Novevu was pissed with her she heard more of the ghosts. Sometimes she saw more. They hung on the edge of her vision, following her like a shy shadow. It seemed like a lot of them talked to themselves. On the occasion, she found herself asking the undead for directions. Some of her previous tasks for Novevu had included putting a few of the restless spirits to permanent sleep. She supposed she was a part-time mostly-human grim reaper at the Ancient of Death's discretion.

Even now, as she sat with her legs crossed in the hangar of one of Law Technologies' private airfields, she was impatient to get this over with. The ghosts were everywhere, constantly heckling her. It felt like the Void was just over her shoulder.

'I'm pretty sure I'm speaking the right language.'
'Little girl.'
'I. AM SO. BORED!'
'Look at Novevu's descendant, ignoring her duties.'

"Excuse me?"
Dev's concentration finally snapped, dark brows lowering as she glared into the nothing beside her. She could see a small gathering of ghosts standing there, just congregating for no apparent reason. Most of them faced her, but there were a few mindlessly facing any direction. One of them cocked his head at DeVian quizzically. "Why are there so many of you here, anyway? There's not enough room on the rest of the Earth for you to haunt?"


'Trust me, your company is really not so grand.'
'Can't you feel it?'

"What are you talking about?"


'The energy of Echowix, young one.
'Have you not heard the message?'
'It was for you.'
'For all of us.'
'Have I always not been able to feel my legs?'

Her fingertips felt cold. But it wasn't from fear. If anything, she was becoming more exasperated by the situation with every new development. On the other hand, the challenge was more attractive. It wasn't like she feared the other houses, for she was a descendant of Novevu, the original thief and the one that put the creator of the Ancients to sleep. She knew of the power her house was capable of. She just didn't know if she felt like applying it amid the demands of her civilian life.

"Tell me, then, what you saw."


'Now she wants something from us.'
'Well tell her.'
'What's in it for me?'

"I will try my best not to send you shrieking into the Vacío. Unless you prefer the Prism?"


'She can't do that...'
'Can she?'
'Do you want to find out?'
'I want to rest...'
'I just want to go to Elysian.'
'The beam of light seen around the world. Echowix has returned.'

A metal clanking sound made the tech giant heiress start. She looked over her shoulder, relieved to see the pilot loading bags into the cargo hold. "Who the hell ya talkin' to over there?" he asked, grunting with exertion.

"What? I wasn't talking."


"Fuck, I must be tripping out. I could've sworn I heard you over here. Well, we're about ready to get this baby in the air."

"Barrett, who wants to hear their pilot say they're 'tripping out' right before they take a metal death trap into the skies?"



-



The time difference from Sao Paulo to Rome was only five hours, but DeVian was dead fucking tired by the time she walked into her hotel. The penthouse was already taken, much to her dismay, but she'd gotten the best money could by for her stay. Which honestly wasn't that great. The tourists had booked a lot of the rooms, especially since she'd needed to come on such short notice.

She rubbed at her forehead as she collapsed onto the queen bed in the room, exhaustion pouring out of every muscle. But sleep didn't come. Instead, she found herself falling into the Void. There was no ground to land on, nor was there any fear related to the falling. She just felt weightless, as if she were floating around a pool.

"Something has changed," came Novevu's echoing voice, but this time she was not looking up at him. He still sat on his throne nonchalantly. DeVian felt as if she were perpetually falling at his eye level. The false illusion of water did not ripple under his feet.

"Master, I am following the book,"
she told him hurriedly, annoyed already with any scolding he might have on his mind.

"Echowix herself has appeared in this mortal realm to appeal to all the houses. This is unprecedented."

"So we're not the only ones looking for it."


"No, but it is in our best interest to be the ones who possess it. Destodai is already so unstable. Alvax fancies himself a just crusader." He let something like a sigh pass out of his nose. "She appeared in the Colosseum of Rome. Echowix is not so thoughtless that that place has no significance."

"Very well. Tomorrow--"


"Go now."

Her jaw flexed. That was as far as the physical extent of her annoyance went.

"One more thing. Do not forget what house you belong to."

"Yes, I am DeVian of House Desdon. You never leave me alone long enough to forget it."


The unhinged laugh that she hadn't heard thus far rang in her ears. And the very next moment, she was waking in her hotel bed and internally screeching. There was no explanation for how tired she was. She just knew she had to do this mission for Novevu, before she found herself unable to sleep because ghosts decided to hold a conversation at all hours of the night. So she just rubbed her eyes, threw a series of punches into the air in her frustration, and left the hotel again. The bath she had on her mind for later... Maybe this stress would be worth it, after all.

Rome was beautiful; that was a given. She had been all over the world, and even in Italy, but never Rome. Despite the fact that Italian was close to her native Spanish, she could barely make conversation in Italian. It was mostly phrases she had picked up in the business.

The cab driver was pleasant enough. It was easy to get to the Colosseum since it was such a popular destination. Even moreso since a woman had appeared and disappeared in an amazing display of light.

Dev stepped out, throwing on a pair of sunglasses to combat the sun. It had only been about 10 AM at home, but it was mid-day here. The sun was out in full force and it was a bit humid. The dark-skinned woman approached the stairs of the ancient structure slowly and cautiously. She could feel it as soon as she stepped onto the scene: the magic. The raw magic Echowix must've left behind--

Or was that the book? Was this just the imprint the book left?

She was not afraid of coming toe-to-toe with the other houses. What she was more afraid of was disappointing Novevu if she did not perform well. He would have domain over her soul after she died, and the Void didn't seem like the most welcoming place. There was no amount of fear or respect that rivaled what she held for her Ancient, despite how demanding and ambivalent he could be.

'You are not the only--'
'They are here!'
'You claimants all smell the same.'

DeVian's lips moved into the start of a grin. Good. The ghosts would do all the searching for the other claimants for her. "Point them out to me, mis encantadores. It's time for a few business deals."

"I just don't understand why you need to leave, mija. You know this is an important time to be here. They have to get used to seeing your beautiful face in charge, you know."

DeVian weathered his hesitations with a curt smile on her lips, hands clasped behind her back as she waited for an opening in his worried monologue.

"I know, papa. But this is something I have to do."


"It's not helping that you won't even tell me why. I've half a mind to tell you no."

'Can you hear me?'
'So much pain...'
'This corner or that one? I can't decide which to stand on today.'

DeVian's ears felt hot. This was the worst time to be hearing the voices. The ghosts. Sometimes they were louder than the voices of the living, and most of the time infinitely more irritating.

"I'm going, but I'll call you. That's all I can do, papa."


"You'll call every day?"

"Oh, there's no way in hell. But I'll check in often."


"Last time you left home without an explanation, you drove your car into the sea."

'Are you ignoring me?'
Leave, leave, leave!'

"I remember. If you keep worrying so much, it'll rub off on me."


"You are mi corazon, hermosa. I will always worry."


-



It felt like every time Novevu was pissed with her she heard more of the ghosts. Sometimes she saw more. They hung on the edge of her vision, following her like a shy shadow. It seemed like a lot of them talked to themselves. On the occasion, she found herself asking the undead for directions. Some of her previous tasks for Novevu had included putting a few of the restless spirits to permanent sleep. She supposed she was a part-time mostly-human grim reaper at the Ancient of Death's discretion.

Even now, as she sat with her legs crossed in the hangar of one of Law Technologies' private airfields, she was impatient to get this over with. The ghosts were everywhere, constantly heckling her. It felt like the Void was just over her shoulder.

'I'm pretty sure I'm speaking the right language.'
'Little girl.'
'I. AM SO. BORED!'
'Look at Novevu's descendant, ignoring her duties.'

"Excuse me?"
Dev's concentration finally snapped, dark brows lowering as she glared into the nothing beside her. She could see a small gathering of ghosts standing there, just congregating for no apparent reason. Most of them faced her, but there were a few mindlessly facing any direction. One of them cocked his head at DeVian quizzically. "Why are there so many of you here, anyway? There's not enough room on the rest of the Earth for you to haunt?"


'Trust me, your company is really not so grand.'
'Can't you feel it?'

"What are you talking about?"


'The energy of Echowix, young one.
'Have you not heard the message?'
'It was for you.'
'For all of us.'
'Have I always not been able to feel my legs?'

Her fingertips felt cold. But it wasn't from fear. If anything, she was becoming more exasperated by the situation with every new development. On the other hand, the challenge was more attractive. It wasn't like she feared the other houses, for she was a descendant of Novevu, the original thief and the one that put the creator of the Ancients to sleep. She knew of the power her house was capable of. She just didn't know if she felt like applying it amid the demands of her civilian life.

"Tell me, then, what you saw."


'Now she wants something from us.'
'Well tell her.'
'What's in it for me?'

"I will try my best not to send you shrieking into the Vacío. Unless you prefer the Prism?"


'She can't do that...'
'Can she?'
'Do you want to find out?'
'I want to rest...'
'I just want to go to Elysian.'
'The beam of light seen around the world. Echowix has returned.'

A metal clanking sound made the tech giant heiress start. She looked over her shoulder, relieved to see the pilot loading bags into the cargo hold. "Who the hell ya talkin' to over there?" he asked, grunting with exertion.

"What? I wasn't talking."


"Fuck, I must be tripping out. I could've sworn I heard you over here. Well, we're about ready to get this baby in the air."

"Barrett, who wants to hear their pilot say they're 'tripping out' right before they take a metal death trap into the skies?"



-



The time difference from Sao Paulo to Rome was only five hours, but DeVian was dead fucking tired by the time she walked into her hotel. The penthouse was already taken, much to her dismay, but she'd gotten the best money could by for her stay. Which honestly wasn't that great. The tourists had booked a lot of the rooms, especially since she'd needed to come on such short notice.

She rubbed at her forehead as she collapsed onto the queen bed in the room, exhaustion pouring out of every muscle. But sleep didn't come. Instead, she found herself falling into the Void. There was no ground to land on, nor was there any fear related to the falling. She just felt weightless, as if she were floating around a pool.

"Something has changed," came Novevu's echoing voice, but this time she was not looking up at him. He still sat on his throne nonchalantly. DeVian felt as if she were perpetually falling at his eye level. The false illusion of water did not ripple under his feet.

"Master, I am following the book,"
she told him hurriedly, annoyed already with any scolding he might have on his mind.

"Echowix herself has appeared in this mortal realm to appeal to all the houses. This is unprecedented."

"So we're not the only ones looking for it."


"No, but it is in our best interest to be the ones who possess it. Destodai is already so unstable. Alvax fancies himself a just crusader." He let something like a sigh pass out of his nose. "She appeared in the Colosseum of Rome. Echowix is not so thoughtless that that place has no significance."

"Very well. Tomorrow--"


"Go now."

Her jaw flexed. That was as far as the physical extent of her annoyance went.

"One more thing. Do not forget what house you belong to."

"Yes, I am DeVian of House Desdon. You never leave me alone long enough to forget it."


The unhinged laugh that she hadn't heard thus far rang in her ears. And the very next moment, she was waking in her hotel bed and internally screeching. There was no explanation for how tired she was. She just knew she had to do this mission for Novevu, before she found herself unable to sleep because ghosts decided to hold a conversation at all hours of the night. So she just rubbed her eyes, threw a series of punches into the air in her frustration, and left the hotel again. The bath she had on her mind for later... Maybe this stress would be worth it, after all.

Rome was beautiful; that was a given. She had been all over the world, and even in Italy, but never Rome. Despite the fact that Italian was close to her native Spanish, she could barely make conversation in Italian. It was mostly phrases she had picked up in the business.

The cab driver was pleasant enough. It was easy to get to the Colosseum since it was such a popular destination. Even moreso since a woman had appeared and disappeared in an amazing display of light.

Dev stepped out, throwing on a pair of sunglasses to combat the sun. It had only been about 10 AM at home, but it was mid-day here. The sun was out in full force and it was a bit humid. The dark-skinned woman approached the stairs of the ancient structure slowly and cautiously. She could feel it as soon as she stepped onto the scene: the magic. The raw magic Echowix must've left behind--

Or was that the book? Was this just the imprint the book left?

She was not afraid of coming toe-to-toe with the other houses. What she was more afraid of was disappointing Novevu if she did not perform well. He would have domain over her soul after she died, and the Void didn't seem like the most welcoming place. There was no amount of fear or respect that rivaled what she held for her Ancient, despite how demanding and ambivalent he could be.

'You are not the only--'
'They are here!'
'You claimants all smell the same.'

DeVian's lips moved into the start of a grin. Good. The ghosts would do all the searching for the other claimants for her. "Point them out to me, mis encantadores. It's time for a few business deals."

"I just don't understand why you need to leave, mija. You know this is an important time to be here. They have to get used to seeing your beautiful face in charge, you know."

DeVian weathered his hesitations with a curt smile on her lips, hands clasped behind her back as she waited for an opening in his worried monologue.

"I know, papa. But this is something I have to do."


"It's not helping that you won't even tell me why. I've half a mind to tell you no."

'Can you hear me?'
'So much pain...'
'This corner or that one? I can't decide which to stand on today.'

DeVian's ears felt hot. This was the worst time to be hearing the voices. The ghosts. Sometimes they were louder than the voices of the living, and most of the time infinitely more irritating.

"I'm going, but I'll call you. That's all I can do, papa."


"You'll call every day?"

"Oh, there's no way in hell. But I'll check in often."


"Last time you left home without an explanation, you drove your car into the sea."

'Are you ignoring me?'
Leave, leave, leave!'

"I remember. If you keep worrying so much, it'll rub off on me."


"You are mi corazon, hermosa. I will always worry."


-



It felt like every time Novevu was pissed with her she heard more of the ghosts. Sometimes she saw more. They hung on the edge of her vision, following her like a shy shadow. It seemed like a lot of them talked to themselves. On the occasion, she found herself asking the undead for directions. Some of her previous tasks for Novevu had included putting a few of the restless spirits to permanent sleep. She supposed she was a part-time mostly-human grim reaper at the Ancient of Death's discretion.

Even now, as she sat with her legs crossed in the hangar of one of Law Technologies' private airfields, she was impatient to get this over with. The ghosts were everywhere, constantly heckling her. It felt like the Void was just over her shoulder.

'I'm pretty sure I'm speaking the right language.'
'Little girl.'
'I. AM SO. BORED!'
'Look at Novevu's descendant, ignoring her duties.'

"Excuse me?"
Dev's concentration finally snapped, dark brows lowering as she glared into the nothing beside her. She could see a small gathering of ghosts standing there, just congregating for no apparent reason. Most of them faced her, but there were a few mindlessly facing any direction. One of them cocked his head at DeVian quizzically. "Why are there so many of you here, anyway? There's not enough room on the rest of the Earth for you to haunt?"


'Trust me, your company is really not so grand.'
'Can't you feel it?'

"What are you talking about?"


'The energy of Echowix, young one.
'Have you not heard the message?'
'It was for you.'
'For all of us.'
'Have I always not been able to feel my legs?'

Her fingertips felt cold. But it wasn't from fear. If anything, she was becoming more exasperated by the situation with every new development. On the other hand, the challenge was more attractive. It wasn't like she feared the other houses, for she was a descendant of Novevu, the original thief and the one that put the creator of the Ancients to sleep. She knew of the power her house was capable of. She just didn't know if she felt like applying it amid the demands of her civilian life.

"Tell me, then, what you saw."


'Now she wants something from us.'
'Well tell her.'
'What's in it for me?'

"I will try my best not to send you shrieking into the Vacío. Unless you prefer the Prism?"


'She can't do that...'
'Can she?'
'Do you want to find out?'
'I want to rest...'
'I just want to go to Elysian.'
'The beam of light seen around the world. Echowix has returned.'

A metal clanking sound made the tech giant heiress start. She looked over her shoulder, relieved to see the pilot loading bags into the cargo hold. "Who the hell ya talkin' to over there?" he asked, grunting with exertion.

"What? I wasn't talking."


"Fuck, I must be tripping out. I could've sworn I heard you over here. Well, we're about ready to get this baby in the air."

"Barrett, who wants to hear their pilot say they're 'tripping out' right before they take a metal death trap into the skies?"



-



The time difference from Sao Paulo to Rome was only five hours, but DeVian was dead fucking tired by the time she walked into her hotel. The penthouse was already taken, much to her dismay, but she'd gotten the best money could by for her stay. Which honestly wasn't that great. The tourists had booked a lot of the rooms, especially since she'd needed to come on such short notice.

She rubbed at her forehead as she collapsed onto the queen bed in the room, exhaustion pouring out of every muscle. But sleep didn't come. Instead, she found herself falling into the Void. There was no ground to land on, nor was there any fear related to the falling. She just felt weightless, as if she were floating around a pool.

"Something has changed," came Novevu's echoing voice, but this time she was not looking up at him. He still sat on his throne nonchalantly. DeVian felt as if she were perpetually falling at his eye level. The false illusion of water did not ripple under his feet.

"Master, I am following the book,"
she told him hurriedly, annoyed already with any scolding he might have on his mind.

"Echowix herself has appeared in this mortal realm to appeal to all the houses. This is unprecedented."

"So we're not the only ones looking for it."


"No, but it is in our best interest to be the ones who possess it. Destodai is already so unstable. Alvax fancies himself a just crusader." He let something like a sigh pass out of his nose. "She appeared in the Colosseum of Rome. Echowix is not so thoughtless that that place has no significance."

"Very well. Tomorrow--"


"Go now."

Her jaw flexed. That was as far as the physical extent of her annoyance went.

"One more thing. Do not forget what house you belong to."

"Yes, I am DeVian of House Desdon. You never leave me alone long enough to forget it."


The unhinged laugh that she hadn't heard thus far rang in her ears. And the very next moment, she was waking in her hotel bed and internally screeching. There was no explanation for how tired she was. She just knew she had to do this mission for Novevu, before she found herself unable to sleep because ghosts decided to hold a conversation at all hours of the night. So she just rubbed her eyes, threw a series of punches into the air in her frustration, and left the hotel again. The bath she had on her mind for later... Maybe this stress would be worth it, after all.

Rome was beautiful; that was a given. She had been all over the world, and even in Italy, but never Rome. Despite the fact that Italian was close to her native Spanish, she could barely make conversation in Italian. It was mostly phrases she had picked up in the business.

The cab driver was pleasant enough. It was easy to get to the Colosseum since it was such a popular destination. Even moreso since a woman had appeared and disappeared in an amazing display of light.

Dev stepped out, throwing on a pair of sunglasses to combat the sun. It had only been about 10 AM at home, but it was mid-day here. The sun was out in full force and it was a bit humid. The dark-skinned woman approached the stairs of the ancient structure slowly and cautiously. She could feel it as soon as she stepped onto the scene: the magic. The raw magic Echowix must've left behind--

Or was that the book? Was this just the imprint the book left?

She was not afraid of coming toe-to-toe with the other houses. What she was more afraid of was disappointing Novevu if she did not perform well. He would have domain over her soul after she died, and the Void didn't seem like the most welcoming place. There was no amount of fear or respect that rivaled what she held for her Ancient, despite how demanding and ambivalent he could be.

'You are not the only--'
'They are here!'
'You claimants all smell the same.'

DeVian's lips moved into the start of a grin. Good. The ghosts would do all the searching for the other claimants for her. "Point them out to me, mis encantadores. It's time for a few business deals."

"I just don't understand why you need to leave, mija. You know this is an important time to be here. They have to get used to seeing your beautiful face in charge, you know."

DeVian weathered his hesitations with a curt smile on her lips, hands clasped behind her back as she waited for an opening in his worried monologue.

"I know, papa. But this is something I have to do."


"It's not helping that you won't even tell me why. I've half a mind to tell you no."

'Can you hear me?'
'So much pain...'
'This corner or that one? I can't decide which to stand on today.'

DeVian's ears felt hot. This was the worst time to be hearing the voices. The ghosts. Sometimes they were louder than the voices of the living, and most of the time infinitely more irritating.

"I'm going, but I'll call you. That's all I can do, papa."


"You'll call every day?"

"Oh, there's no way in hell. But I'll check in often."


"Last time you left home without an explanation, you drove your car into the sea."

'Are you ignoring me?'
Leave, leave, leave!'

"I remember. If you keep worrying so much, it'll rub off on me."


"You are mi corazon, hermosa. I will always worry."


-



It felt like every time Novevu was pissed with her she heard more of the ghosts. Sometimes she saw more. They hung on the edge of her vision, following her like a shy shadow. It seemed like a lot of them talked to themselves. On the occasion, she found herself asking the undead for directions. Some of her previous tasks for Novevu had included putting a few of the restless spirits to permanent sleep. She supposed she was a part-time mostly-human grim reaper at the Ancient of Death's discretion.

Even now, as she sat with her legs crossed in the hangar of one of Law Technologies' private airfields, she was impatient to get this over with. The ghosts were everywhere, constantly heckling her. It felt like the Void was just over her shoulder.

'I'm pretty sure I'm speaking the right language.'
'Little girl.'
'I. AM SO. BORED!'
'Look at Novevu's descendant, ignoring her duties.'

"Excuse me?"
Dev's concentration finally snapped, dark brows lowering as she glared into the nothing beside her. She could see a small gathering of ghosts standing there, just congregating for no apparent reason. Most of them faced her, but there were a few mindlessly facing any direction. One of them cocked his head at DeVian quizzically. "Why are there so many of you here, anyway? There's not enough room on the rest of the Earth for you to haunt?"


'Trust me, your company is really not so grand.'
'Can't you feel it?'

"What are you talking about?"


'The energy of Echowix, young one.
'Have you not heard the message?'
'It was for you.'
'For all of us.'
'Have I always not been able to feel my legs?'

Her fingertips felt cold. But it wasn't from fear. If anything, she was becoming more exasperated by the situation with every new development. On the other hand, the challenge was more attractive. It wasn't like she feared the other houses, for she was a descendant of Novevu, the original thief and the one that put the creator of the Ancients to sleep. She knew of the power her house was capable of. She just didn't know if she felt like applying it amid the demands of her civilian life.

"Tell me, then, what you saw."


'Now she wants something from us.'
'Well tell her.'
'What's in it for me?'

"I will try my best not to send you shrieking into the Vacío. Unless you prefer the Prism?"


'She can't do that...'
'Can she?'
'Do you want to find out?'
'I want to rest...'
'I just want to go to Elysian.'
'The beam of light seen around the world. Echowix has returned.'

A metal clanking sound made the tech giant heiress start. She looked over her shoulder, relieved to see the pilot loading bags into the cargo hold. "Who the hell ya talkin' to over there?" he asked, grunting with exertion.

"What? I wasn't talking."


"Fuck, I must be tripping out. I could've sworn I heard you over here. Well, we're about ready to get this baby in the air."

"Barrett, who wants to hear their pilot say they're 'tripping out' right before they take a metal death trap into the skies?"



-



The time difference from Sao Paulo to Rome was only five hours, but DeVian was dead fucking tired by the time she walked into her hotel. The penthouse was already taken, much to her dismay, but she'd gotten the best money could by for her stay. Which honestly wasn't that great. The tourists had booked a lot of the rooms, especially since she'd needed to come on such short notice.

She rubbed at her forehead as she collapsed onto the queen bed in the room, exhaustion pouring out of every muscle. But sleep didn't come. Instead, she found herself falling into the Void. There was no ground to land on, nor was there any fear related to the falling. She just felt weightless, as if she were floating around a pool.

"Something has changed," came Novevu's echoing voice, but this time she was not looking up at him. He still sat on his throne nonchalantly. DeVian felt as if she were perpetually falling at his eye level. The false illusion of water did not ripple under his feet.

"Master, I am following the book,"
she told him hurriedly, annoyed already with any scolding he might have on his mind.

"Echowix herself has appeared in this mortal realm to appeal to all the houses. This is unprecedented."

"So we're not the only ones looking for it."


"No, but it is in our best interest to be the ones who possess it. Destodai is already so unstable. Alvax fancies himself a just crusader." He let something like a sigh pass out of his nose. "She appeared in the Colosseum of Rome. Echowix is not so thoughtless that that place has no significance."

"Very well. Tomorrow--"


"Go now."

Her jaw flexed. That was as far as the physical extent of her annoyance went.

"One more thing. Do not forget what house you belong to."

"Yes, I am DeVian of House Desdon. You never leave me alone long enough to forget it."


The unhinged laugh that she hadn't heard thus far rang in her ears. And the very next moment, she was waking in her hotel bed and internally screeching. There was no explanation for how tired she was. She just knew she had to do this mission for Novevu, before she found herself unable to sleep because ghosts decided to hold a conversation at all hours of the night. So she just rubbed her eyes, threw a series of punches into the air in her frustration, and left the hotel again. The bath she had on her mind for later... Maybe this stress would be worth it, after all.

Rome was beautiful; that was a given. She had been all over the world, and even in Italy, but never Rome. Despite the fact that Italian was close to her native Spanish, she could barely make conversation in Italian. It was mostly phrases she had picked up in the business.

The cab driver was pleasant enough. It was easy to get to the Colosseum since it was such a popular destination. Even moreso since a woman had appeared and disappeared in an amazing display of light.

Dev stepped out, throwing on a pair of sunglasses to combat the sun. It had only been about 10 AM at home, but it was mid-day here. The sun was out in full force and it was a bit humid. The dark-skinned woman approached the stairs of the ancient structure slowly and cautiously. She could feel it as soon as she stepped onto the scene: the magic. The raw magic Echowix must've left behind--

Or was that the book? Was this just the imprint the book left?

She was not afraid of coming toe-to-toe with the other houses. What she was more afraid of was disappointing Novevu if she did not perform well. He would have domain over her soul after she died, and the Void didn't seem like the most welcoming place. There was no amount of fear or respect that rivaled what she held for her Ancient, despite how demanding and ambivalent he could be.

'You are not the only--'
'They are here!'
'You claimants all smell the same.'

DeVian's lips moved into the start of a grin. Good. The ghosts would do all the searching for the other claimants for her. "Point them out to me, mis encantadores. It's time for a few business deals."

"I just don't understand why you need to leave, mija. You know this is an important time to be here. They have to get used to seeing your beautiful face in charge, you know."

DeVian weathered his hesitations with a curt smile on her lips, hands clasped behind her back as she waited for an opening in his worried monologue.

"I know, papa. But this is something I have to do."


"It's not helping that you won't even tell me why. I've half a mind to tell you no."

'Can you hear me?'
'So much pain...'
'This corner or that one? I can't decide which to stand on today.'

DeVian's ears felt hot. This was the worst time to be hearing the voices. The ghosts. Sometimes they were louder than the voices of the living, and most of the time infinitely more irritating.

"I'm going, but I'll call you. That's all I can do, papa."


"You'll call every day?"

"Oh, there's no way in hell. But I'll check in often."


"Last time you left home without an explanation, you drove your car into the sea."

'Are you ignoring me?'
Leave, leave, leave!'

"I remember. If you keep worrying so much, it'll rub off on me."


"You are mi corazon, hermosa. I will always worry."


-



It felt like every time Novevu was pissed with her she heard more of the ghosts. Sometimes she saw more. They hung on the edge of her vision, following her like a shy shadow. It seemed like a lot of them talked to themselves. On the occasion, she found herself asking the undead for directions. Some of her previous tasks for Novevu had included putting a few of the restless spirits to permanent sleep. She supposed she was a part-time mostly-human grim reaper at the Ancient of Death's discretion.

Even now, as she sat with her legs crossed in the hangar of one of Law Technologies' private airfields, she was impatient to get this over with. The ghosts were everywhere, constantly heckling her. It felt like the Void was just over her shoulder.

'I'm pretty sure I'm speaking the right language.'
'Little girl.'
'I. AM SO. BORED!'
'Look at Novevu's descendant, ignoring her duties.'

"Excuse me?"
Dev's concentration finally snapped, dark brows lowering as she glared into the nothing beside her. She could see a small gathering of ghosts standing there, just congregating for no apparent reason. Most of them faced her, but there were a few mindlessly facing any direction. One of them cocked his head at DeVian quizzically. "Why are there so many of you here, anyway? There's not enough room on the rest of the Earth for you to haunt?"


'Trust me, your company is really not so grand.'
'Can't you feel it?'

"What are you talking about?"


'The energy of Echowix, young one.
'Have you not heard the message?'
'It was for you.'
'For all of us.'
'Have I always not been able to feel my legs?'

Her fingertips felt cold. But it wasn't from fear. If anything, she was becoming more exasperated by the situation with every new development. On the other hand, the challenge was more attractive. It wasn't like she feared the other houses, for she was a descendant of Novevu, the original thief and the one that put the creator of the Ancients to sleep. She knew of the power her house was capable of. She just didn't know if she felt like applying it amid the demands of her civilian life.

"Tell me, then, what you saw."


'Now she wants something from us.'
'Well tell her.'
'What's in it for me?'

"I will try my best not to send you shrieking into the Vacío. Unless you prefer the Prism?"


'She can't do that...'
'Can she?'
'Do you want to find out?'
'I want to rest...'
'I just want to go to Elysian.'
'The beam of light seen around the world. Echowix has returned.'

A metal clanking sound made the tech giant heiress start. She looked over her shoulder, relieved to see the pilot loading bags into the cargo hold. "Who the hell ya talkin' to over there?" he asked, grunting with exertion.

"What? I wasn't talking."


"Fuck, I must be tripping out. I could've sworn I heard you over here. Well, we're about ready to get this baby in the air."

"Barrett, who wants to hear their pilot say they're 'tripping out' right before they take a metal death trap into the skies?"



-



The time difference from Sao Paulo to Rome was only five hours, but DeVian was dead fucking tired by the time she walked into her hotel. The penthouse was already taken, much to her dismay, but she'd gotten the best money could by for her stay. Which honestly wasn't that great. The tourists had booked a lot of the rooms, especially since she'd needed to come on such short notice.

She rubbed at her forehead as she collapsed onto the queen bed in the room, exhaustion pouring out of every muscle. But sleep didn't come. Instead, she found herself falling into the Void. There was no ground to land on, nor was there any fear related to the falling. She just felt weightless, as if she were floating around a pool.

"Something has changed," came Novevu's echoing voice, but this time she was not looking up at him. He still sat on his throne nonchalantly. DeVian felt as if she were perpetually falling at his eye level. The false illusion of water did not ripple under his feet.

"Master, I am following the book,"
she told him hurriedly, annoyed already with any scolding he might have on his mind.

"Echowix herself has appeared in this mortal realm to appeal to all the houses. This is unprecedented."

"So we're not the only ones looking for it."


"No, but it is in our best interest to be the ones who possess it. Destodai is already so unstable. Alvax fancies himself a just crusader." He let something like a sigh pass out of his nose. "She appeared in the Colosseum of Rome. Echowix is not so thoughtless that that place has no significance."

"Very well. Tomorrow--"


"Go now."

Her jaw flexed. That was as far as the physical extent of her annoyance went.

"One more thing. Do not forget what house you belong to."

"Yes, I am DeVian of House Desdon. You never leave me alone long enough to forget it."


The unhinged laugh that she hadn't heard thus far rang in her ears. And the very next moment, she was waking in her hotel bed and internally screeching. There was no explanation for how tired she was. She just knew she had to do this mission for Novevu, before she found herself unable to sleep because ghosts decided to hold a conversation at all hours of the night. So she just rubbed her eyes, threw a series of punches into the air in her frustration, and left the hotel again. The bath she had on her mind for later... Maybe this stress would be worth it, after all.

Rome was beautiful; that was a given. She had been all over the world, and even in Italy, but never Rome. Despite the fact that Italian was close to her native Spanish, she could barely make conversation in Italian. It was mostly phrases she had picked up in the business.

The cab driver was pleasant enough. It was easy to get to the Colosseum since it was such a popular destination. Even moreso since a woman had appeared and disappeared in an amazing display of light.

Dev stepped out, throwing on a pair of sunglasses to combat the sun. It had only been about 10 AM at home, but it was mid-day here. The sun was out in full force and it was a bit humid. The dark-skinned woman approached the stairs of the ancient structure slowly and cautiously. She could feel it as soon as she stepped onto the scene: the magic. The raw magic Echowix must've left behind--

Or was that the book? Was this just the imprint the book left?

She was not afraid of coming toe-to-toe with the other houses. What she was more afraid of was disappointing Novevu if she did not perform well. He would have domain over her soul after she died, and the Void didn't seem like the most welcoming place. There was no amount of fear or respect that rivaled what she held for her Ancient, despite how demanding and ambivalent he could be.

'You are not the only--'
'They are here!'
'You claimants all smell the same.'

DeVian's lips moved into the start of a grin. Good. The ghosts would do all the searching for the other claimants for her. "Point them out to me, mis encantadores. It's time for a few business deals."

"I just don't understand why you need to leave, mija. You know this is an important time to be here. They have to get used to seeing your beautiful face in charge, you know."

DeVian weathered his hesitations with a curt smile on her lips, hands clasped behind her back as she waited for an opening in his worried monologue.

"I know, papa. But this is something I have to do."


"It's not helping that you won't even tell me why. I've half a mind to tell you no."

'Can you hear me?'
'So much pain...'
'This corner or that one? I can't decide which to stand on today.'

DeVian's ears felt hot. This was the worst time to be hearing the voices. The ghosts. Sometimes they were louder than the voices of the living, and most of the time infinitely more irritating.

"I'm going, but I'll call you. That's all I can do, papa."


"You'll call every day?"

"Oh, there's no way in hell. But I'll check in often."


"Last time you left home without an explanation, you drove your car into the sea."

'Are you ignoring me?'
Leave, leave, leave!'

"I remember. If you keep worrying so much, it'll rub off on me."


"You are mi corazon, hermosa. I will always worry."


-



It felt like every time Novevu was pissed with her she heard more of the ghosts. Sometimes she saw more. They hung on the edge of her vision, following her like a shy shadow. It seemed like a lot of them talked to themselves. On the occasion, she found herself asking the undead for directions. Some of her previous tasks for Novevu had included putting a few of the restless spirits to permanent sleep. She supposed she was a part-time mostly-human grim reaper at the Ancient of Death's discretion.

Even now, as she sat with her legs crossed in the hangar of one of Law Technologies' private airfields, she was impatient to get this over with. The ghosts were everywhere, constantly heckling her. It felt like the Void was just over her shoulder.

'I'm pretty sure I'm speaking the right language.'
'Little girl.'
'I. AM SO. BORED!'
'Look at Novevu's descendant, ignoring her duties.'

"Excuse me?"
Dev's concentration finally snapped, dark brows lowering as she glared into the nothing beside her. She could see a small gathering of ghosts standing there, just congregating for no apparent reason. Most of them faced her, but there were a few mindlessly facing any direction. One of them cocked his head at DeVian quizzically. "Why are there so many of you here, anyway? There's not enough room on the rest of the Earth for you to haunt?"


'Trust me, your company is really not so grand.'
'Can't you feel it?'

"What are you talking about?"


'The energy of Echowix, young one.
'Have you not heard the message?'
'It was for you.'
'For all of us.'
'Have I always not been able to feel my legs?'

Her fingertips felt cold. But it wasn't from fear. If anything, she was becoming more exasperated by the situation with every new development. On the other hand, the challenge was more attractive. It wasn't like she feared the other houses, for she was a descendant of Novevu, the original thief and the one that put the creator of the Ancients to sleep. She knew of the power her house was capable of. She just didn't know if she felt like applying it amid the demands of her civilian life.

"Tell me, then, what you saw."


'Now she wants something from us.'
'Well tell her.'
'What's in it for me?'

"I will try my best not to send you shrieking into the Vacío. Unless you prefer the Prism?"


'She can't do that...'
'Can she?'
'Do you want to find out?'
'I want to rest...'
'I just want to go to Elysian.'
'The beam of light seen around the world. Echowix has returned.'

A metal clanking sound made the tech giant heiress start. She looked over her shoulder, relieved to see the pilot loading bags into the cargo hold. "Who the hell ya talkin' to over there?" he asked, grunting with exertion.

"What? I wasn't talking."


"Fuck, I must be tripping out. I could've sworn I heard you over here. Well, we're about ready to get this baby in the air."

"Barrett, who wants to hear their pilot say they're 'tripping out' right before they take a metal death trap into the skies?"



-



The time difference from Sao Paulo to Rome was only five hours, but DeVian was dead fucking tired by the time she walked into her hotel. The penthouse was already taken, much to her dismay, but she'd gotten the best money could by for her stay. Which honestly wasn't that great. The tourists had booked a lot of the rooms, especially since she'd needed to come on such short notice.

She rubbed at her forehead as she collapsed onto the queen bed in the room, exhaustion pouring out of every muscle. But sleep didn't come. Instead, she found herself falling into the Void. There was no ground to land on, nor was there any fear related to the falling. She just felt weightless, as if she were floating around a pool.

"Something has changed," came Novevu's echoing voice, but this time she was not looking up at him. He still sat on his throne nonchalantly. DeVian felt as if she were perpetually falling at his eye level. The false illusion of water did not ripple under his feet.

"Master, I am following the book,"
she told him hurriedly, annoyed already with any scolding he might have on his mind.

"Echowix herself has appeared in this mortal realm to appeal to all the houses. This is unprecedented."

"So we're not the only ones looking for it."


"No, but it is in our best interest to be the ones who possess it. Destodai is already so unstable. Alvax fancies himself a just crusader." He let something like a sigh pass out of his nose. "She appeared in the Colosseum of Rome. Echowix is not so thoughtless that that place has no significance."

"Very well. Tomorrow--"


"Go now."

Her jaw flexed. That was as far as the physical extent of her annoyance went.

"One more thing. Do not forget what house you belong to."

"Yes, I am DeVian of House Desdon. You never leave me alone long enough to forget it."


The unhinged laugh that she hadn't heard thus far rang in her ears. And the very next moment, she was waking in her hotel bed and internally screeching. There was no explanation for how tired she was. She just knew she had to do this mission for Novevu, before she found herself unable to sleep because ghosts decided to hold a conversation at all hours of the night. So she just rubbed her eyes, threw a series of punches into the air in her frustration, and left the hotel again. The bath she had on her mind for later... Maybe this stress would be worth it, after all.

Rome was beautiful; that was a given. She had been all over the world, and even in Italy, but never Rome. Despite the fact that Italian was close to her native Spanish, she could barely make conversation in Italian. It was mostly phrases she had picked up in the business.

The cab driver was pleasant enough. It was easy to get to the Colosseum since it was such a popular destination. Even moreso since a woman had appeared and disappeared in an amazing display of light.

Dev stepped out, throwing on a pair of sunglasses to combat the sun. It had only been about 10 AM at home, but it was mid-day here. The sun was out in full force and it was a bit humid. The dark-skinned woman approached the stairs of the ancient structure slowly and cautiously. She could feel it as soon as she stepped onto the scene: the magic. The raw magic Echowix must've left behind--

Or was that the book? Was this just the imprint the book left?

She was not afraid of coming toe-to-toe with the other houses. What she was more afraid of was disappointing Novevu if she did not perform well. He would have domain over her soul after she died, and the Void didn't seem like the most welcoming place. There was no amount of fear or respect that rivaled what she held for her Ancient, despite how demanding and ambivalent he could be.

'You are not the only--'
'They are here!'
'You claimants all smell the same.'

DeVian's lips moved into the start of a grin. Good. The ghosts would do all the searching for the other claimants for her. "Point them out to me, mis encantadores. It's time for a few business deals."

"I just don't understand why you need to leave, mija. You know this is an important time to be here. They have to get used to seeing your beautiful face in charge, you know."

DeVian weathered his hesitations with a curt smile on her lips, hands clasped behind her back as she waited for an opening in his worried monologue.

"I know, papa. But this is something I have to do."


"It's not helping that you won't even tell me why. I've half a mind to tell you no."

'Can you hear me?'
'So much pain...'
'This corner or that one? I can't decide which to stand on today.'

DeVian's ears felt hot. This was the worst time to be hearing the voices. The ghosts. Sometimes they were louder than the voices of the living, and most of the time infinitely more irritating.

"I'm going, but I'll call you. That's all I can do, papa."


"You'll call every day?"

"Oh, there's no way in hell. But I'll check in often."


"Last time you left home without an explanation, you drove your car into the sea."

'Are you ignoring me?'
Leave, leave, leave!'

"I remember. If you keep worrying so much, it'll rub off on me."


"You are mi corazon, hermosa. I will always worry."


-



It felt like every time Novevu was pissed with her she heard more of the ghosts. Sometimes she saw more. They hung on the edge of her vision, following her like a shy shadow. It seemed like a lot of them talked to themselves. On the occasion, she found herself asking the undead for directions. Some of her previous tasks for Novevu had included putting a few of the restless spirits to permanent sleep. She supposed she was a part-time mostly-human grim reaper at the Ancient of Death's discretion.

Even now, as she sat with her legs crossed in the hangar of one of Law Technologies' private airfields, she was impatient to get this over with. The ghosts were everywhere, constantly heckling her. It felt like the Void was just over her shoulder.

'I'm pretty sure I'm speaking the right language.'
'Little girl.'
'I. AM SO. BORED!'
'Look at Novevu's descendant, ignoring her duties.'

"Excuse me?"
Dev's concentration finally snapped, dark brows lowering as she glared into the nothing beside her. She could see a small gathering of ghosts standing there, just congregating for no apparent reason. Most of them faced her, but there were a few mindlessly facing any direction. One of them cocked his head at DeVian quizzically. "Why are there so many of you here, anyway? There's not enough room on the rest of the Earth for you to haunt?"


'Trust me, your company is really not so grand.'
'Can't you feel it?'

"What are you talking about?"


'The energy of Echowix, young one.
'Have you not heard the message?'
'It was for you.'
'For all of us.'
'Have I always not been able to feel my legs?'

Her fingertips felt cold. But it wasn't from fear. If anything, she was becoming more exasperated by the situation with every new development. On the other hand, the challenge was more attractive. It wasn't like she feared the other houses, for she was a descendant of Novevu, the original thief and the one that put the creator of the Ancients to sleep. She knew of the power her house was capable of. She just didn't know if she felt like applying it amid the demands of her civilian life.

"Tell me, then, what you saw."


'Now she wants something from us.'
'Well tell her.'
'What's in it for me?'

"I will try my best not to send you shrieking into the Vacío. Unless you prefer the Prism?"


'She can't do that...'
'Can she?'
'Do you want to find out?'
'I want to rest...'
'I just want to go to Elysian.'
'The beam of light seen around the world. Echowix has returned.'

A metal clanking sound made the tech giant heiress start. She looked over her shoulder, relieved to see the pilot loading bags into the cargo hold. "Who the hell ya talkin' to over there?" he asked, grunting with exertion.

"What? I wasn't talking."


"Fuck, I must be tripping out. I could've sworn I heard you over here. Well, we're about ready to get this baby in the air."

"Barrett, who wants to hear their pilot say they're 'tripping out' right before they take a metal death trap into the skies?"



-



The time difference from Sao Paulo to Rome was only five hours, but DeVian was dead fucking tired by the time she walked into her hotel. The penthouse was already taken, much to her dismay, but she'd gotten the best money could by for her stay. Which honestly wasn't that great. The tourists had booked a lot of the rooms, especially since she'd needed to come on such short notice.

She rubbed at her forehead as she collapsed onto the queen bed in the room, exhaustion pouring out of every muscle. But sleep didn't come. Instead, she found herself falling into the Void. There was no ground to land on, nor was there any fear related to the falling. She just felt weightless, as if she were floating around a pool.

"Something has changed," came Novevu's echoing voice, but this time she was not looking up at him. He still sat on his throne nonchalantly. DeVian felt as if she were perpetually falling at his eye level. The false illusion of water did not ripple under his feet.

"Master, I am following the book,"
she told him hurriedly, annoyed already with any scolding he might have on his mind.

"Echowix herself has appeared in this mortal realm to appeal to all the houses. This is unprecedented."

"So we're not the only ones looking for it."


"No, but it is in our best interest to be the ones who possess it. Destodai is already so unstable. Alvax fancies himself a just crusader." He let something like a sigh pass out of his nose. "She appeared in the Colosseum of Rome. Echowix is not so thoughtless that that place has no significance."

"Very well. Tomorrow--"


"Go now."

Her jaw flexed. That was as far as the physical extent of her annoyance went.

"One more thing. Do not forget what house you belong to."

"Yes, I am DeVian of House Desdon. You never leave me alone long enough to forget it."


The unhinged laugh that she hadn't heard thus far rang in her ears. And the very next moment, she was waking in her hotel bed and internally screeching. There was no explanation for how tired she was. She just knew she had to do this mission for Novevu, before she found herself unable to sleep because ghosts decided to hold a conversation at all hours of the night. So she just rubbed her eyes, threw a series of punches into the air in her frustration, and left the hotel again. The bath she had on her mind for later... Maybe this stress would be worth it, after all.

Rome was beautiful; that was a given. She had been all over the world, and even in Italy, but never Rome. Despite the fact that Italian was close to her native Spanish, she could barely make conversation in Italian. It was mostly phrases she had picked up in the business.

The cab driver was pleasant enough. It was easy to get to the Colosseum since it was such a popular destination. Even moreso since a woman had appeared and disappeared in an amazing display of light.

Dev stepped out, throwing on a pair of sunglasses to combat the sun. It had only been about 10 AM at home, but it was mid-day here. The sun was out in full force and it was a bit humid. The dark-skinned woman approached the stairs of the ancient structure slowly and cautiously. She could feel it as soon as she stepped onto the scene: the magic. The raw magic Echowix must've left behind--

Or was that the book? Was this just the imprint the book left?

She was not afraid of coming toe-to-toe with the other houses. What she was more afraid of was disappointing Novevu if she did not perform well. He would have domain over her soul after she died, and the Void didn't seem like the most welcoming place. There was no amount of fear or respect that rivaled what she held for her Ancient, despite how demanding and ambivalent he could be.

'You are not the only--'
'They are here!'
'You claimants all smell the same.'

DeVian's lips moved into the start of a grin. Good. The ghosts would do all the searching for the other claimants for her. "Point them out to me, mis encantadores. It's time for a few business deals."

"I just don't understand why you need to leave, mija. You know this is an important time to be here. They have to get used to seeing your beautiful face in charge, you know."

DeVian weathered his hesitations with a curt smile on her lips, hands clasped behind her back as she waited for an opening in his worried monologue.

"I know, papa. But this is something I have to do."


"It's not helping that you won't even tell me why. I've half a mind to tell you no."

'Can you hear me?'
'So much pain...'
'This corner or that one? I can't decide which to stand on today.'

DeVian's ears felt hot. This was the worst time to be hearing the voices. The ghosts. Sometimes they were louder than the voices of the living, and most of the time infinitely more irritating.

"I'm going, but I'll call you. That's all I can do, papa."


"You'll call every day?"

"Oh, there's no way in hell. But I'll check in often."


"Last time you left home without an explanation, you drove your car into the sea."

'Are you ignoring me?'
Leave, leave, leave!'

"I remember. If you keep worrying so much, it'll rub off on me."


"You are mi corazon, hermosa. I will always worry."


-



It felt like every time Novevu was pissed with her she heard more of the ghosts. Sometimes she saw more. They hung on the edge of her vision, following her like a shy shadow. It seemed like a lot of them talked to themselves. On the occasion, she found herself asking the undead for directions. Some of her previous tasks for Novevu had included putting a few of the restless spirits to permanent sleep. She supposed she was a part-time mostly-human grim reaper at the Ancient of Death's discretion.

Even now, as she sat with her legs crossed in the hangar of one of Law Technologies' private airfields, she was impatient to get this over with. The ghosts were everywhere, constantly heckling her. It felt like the Void was just over her shoulder.

'I'm pretty sure I'm speaking the right language.'
'Little girl.'
'I. AM SO. BORED!'
'Look at Novevu's descendant, ignoring her duties.'

"Excuse me?"
Dev's concentration finally snapped, dark brows lowering as she glared into the nothing beside her. She could see a small gathering of ghosts standing there, just congregating for no apparent reason. Most of them faced her, but there were a few mindlessly facing any direction. One of them cocked his head at DeVian quizzically. "Why are there so many of you here, anyway? There's not enough room on the rest of the Earth for you to haunt?"


'Trust me, your company is really not so grand.'
'Can't you feel it?'

"What are you talking about?"


'The energy of Echowix, young one.
'Have you not heard the message?'
'It was for you.'
'For all of us.'
'Have I always not been able to feel my legs?'

Her fingertips felt cold. But it wasn't from fear. If anything, she was becoming more exasperated by the situation with every new development. On the other hand, the challenge was more attractive. It wasn't like she feared the other houses, for she was a descendant of Novevu, the original thief and the one that put the creator of the Ancients to sleep. She knew of the power her house was capable of. She just didn't know if she felt like applying it amid the demands of her civilian life.

"Tell me, then, what you saw."


'Now she wants something from us.'
'Well tell her.'
'What's in it for me?'

"I will try my best not to send you shrieking into the Vacío. Unless you prefer the Prism?"


'She can't do that...'
'Can she?'
'Do you want to find out?'
'I want to rest...'
'I just want to go to Elysian.'
'The beam of light seen around the world. Echowix has returned.'

A metal clanking sound made the tech giant heiress start. She looked over her shoulder, relieved to see the pilot loading bags into the cargo hold. "Who the hell ya talkin' to over there?" he asked, grunting with exertion.

"What? I wasn't talking."


"Fuck, I must be tripping out. I could've sworn I heard you over here. Well, we're about ready to get this baby in the air."

"Barrett, who wants to hear their pilot say they're 'tripping out' right before they take a metal death trap into the skies?"



-



The time difference from Sao Paulo to Rome was only five hours, but DeVian was dead fucking tired by the time she walked into her hotel. The penthouse was already taken, much to her dismay, but she'd gotten the best money could by for her stay. Which honestly wasn't that great. The tourists had booked a lot of the rooms, especially since she'd needed to come on such short notice.

She rubbed at her forehead as she collapsed onto the queen bed in the room, exhaustion pouring out of every muscle. But sleep didn't come. Instead, she found herself falling into the Void. There was no ground to land on, nor was there any fear related to the falling. She just felt weightless, as if she were floating around a pool.

"Something has changed," came Novevu's echoing voice, but this time she was not looking up at him. He still sat on his throne nonchalantly. DeVian felt as if she were perpetually falling at his eye level. The false illusion of water did not ripple under his feet.

"Master, I am following the book,"
she told him hurriedly, annoyed already with any scolding he might have on his mind.

"Echowix herself has appeared in this mortal realm to appeal to all the houses. This is unprecedented."

"So we're not the only ones looking for it."


"No, but it is in our best interest to be the ones who possess it. Destodai is already so unstable. Alvax fancies himself a just crusader." He let something like a sigh pass out of his nose. "She appeared in the Colosseum of Rome. Echowix is not so thoughtless that that place has no significance."

"Very well. Tomorrow--"


"Go now."

Her jaw flexed. That was as far as the physical extent of her annoyance went.

"One more thing. Do not forget what house you belong to."

"Yes, I am DeVian of House Desdon. You never leave me alone long enough to forget it."


The unhinged laugh that she hadn't heard thus far rang in her ears. And the very next moment, she was waking in her hotel bed and internally screeching. There was no explanation for how tired she was. She just knew she had to do this mission for Novevu, before she found herself unable to sleep because ghosts decided to hold a conversation at all hours of the night. So she just rubbed her eyes, threw a series of punches into the air in her frustration, and left the hotel again. The bath she had on her mind for later... Maybe this stress would be worth it, after all.

Rome was beautiful; that was a given. She had been all over the world, and even in Italy, but never Rome. Despite the fact that Italian was close to her native Spanish, she could barely make conversation in Italian. It was mostly phrases she had picked up in the business.

The cab driver was pleasant enough. It was easy to get to the Colosseum since it was such a popular destination. Even moreso since a woman had appeared and disappeared in an amazing display of light.

Dev stepped out, throwing on a pair of sunglasses to combat the sun. It had only been about 10 AM at home, but it was mid-day here. The sun was out in full force and it was a bit humid. The dark-skinned woman approached the stairs of the ancient structure slowly and cautiously. She could feel it as soon as she stepped onto the scene: the magic. The raw magic Echowix must've left behind--

Or was that the book? Was this just the imprint the book left?

She was not afraid of coming toe-to-toe with the other houses. What she was more afraid of was disappointing Novevu if she did not perform well. He would have domain over her soul after she died, and the Void didn't seem like the most welcoming place. There was no amount of fear or respect that rivaled what she held for her Ancient, despite how demanding and ambivalent he could be.

'You are not the only--'
'They are here!'
'You claimants all smell the same.'

DeVian's lips moved into the start of a grin. Good. The ghosts would do all the searching for the other claimants for her. "Point them out to me, mis encantadores. It's time for a few business deals."