-13-

Jack and Agnes had been stuck in the house for a while, so Jaylee invited them to her show. Eternity the Illusionist was a crowd bringer. With three children and a husband Jaylee didn't have as much time to perform as she used to, but that was all well and good, it made her appreciate the few moments she had for herself.

Agnes and Jack were having so much fun that Jaylee even managed to get Agnes up on stage and into the magic box.

Jaylee had just ended her performance when chaos broke out in the kareoke club. Jaylee grabbed her chest as she watched a woman's life slip away from her, the others could see it too, but not the same way Jaylee could. They could not see the pale soul leave its body, they could not see the grim reaper stroll into the room.

Jaylee raced off the stage and stood in the center of the room, two more women collapsed, the screaming increased. People huddled together but nobody made a move to leave the club. Jaylee remembered that her in-laws were there, she located Jack and grabbed onto his arm. "We have to get out of here!" She ordered him and tugged on his arm. 

"No. Where's Agnes?"

She saw the hooded figure coming toward the man she loved as much as her own father and without second thought put herself between Jack and the Reaper. Jaylee scanned the room and located Agnes, "She's near the door, come on Jack, please."

A cold unlike any Jaylee had ever felt passed through her. She turned around and faced the hooded creature. There was no face to be seen underneath the hood, just a nothingness that threatened to pull her into it. "You have no place here."

"Jaylee Winter." Her name echoed inside her head. Suddenly, Vita's warning the last time she was at the karaoke bar came back to her.

"Jaylee!" Monika burst into the club. 

"Monika."

"You have to get out of here."

"I can't leave my husband's parents here." Jaylee thought about what she'd said, "I can't leave any of these people here."

"Damnit!" Monika mumbled, she stripped out of her clothing to reveal her sparkling golden dress. She climbed onto the stage and began to sing. Silence fell across the room, even Jaylee paused. Monika sang in a language that Jaylee had never even heard before, yet she had full understanding of Monika's desire. Leave. Leave this place. Return to your homes. 

Jaylee shook her head and broke the spell, she watched in amazement as all the shallow-minded humans began to walk out of the karaoke club, they went to their cars and they left, just as Monika had ordered.

When the club was empty Monika took Jaylee by the arm, they went upstairs to the recreation area. "What just happened?" Jaylee asked, rubbing her temples with two fingers.

"The Reaper." Monika said. "You are not the only summoner around Jaylee, who knows how many Vita has on her side. He took three lives in this place tonight, three Jaylee! But he took your father first."

Jaylee gazed long and hard at Monika. "My father? Erik? He's dead?"

"Yes. Your mother wishes to see you."

"Sure." Jaylee was numb. She and her father had just patched their relationship, Jaylee was looking forward to at least five years of watching her father enjoy his grandchildren, but it was not to be. She wondered how Jamie was taking Erik's passing.