Page 41 of Monsters' Touch

The thin, scratchy fabric, woven for warmth and not comfort, with leads and tube weaving in and out.I’m sorry, Barb, all I see is what’s here.

Barbas wraps my arms around me even tighter this time.That’s all right. Just keep trying, Lil.

I stare into the white blanket, trying to make something appear, focusing with all my might.

And something does appear.

Blinding white light. So bright, I don’t understand how I haven’t seen it before. So bright, it’s all I can see.

You see it, don’t you?

Yes. It’s like looking into the sun,I say, and try to look away. Barbas senses this and shifts our gaze to the empty hospital bed behind the reclined chair.

What color is it?

It’s white, like blindingly bright white.

Excitement washes through me, such that I’ve never felt from Barbas before.That’s excellent news, Lily.

Is it?

Yes. Think of it like a star. The brighter and closer to white it is, the hotter and more powerful the soul is. More energy packed into one soul. A white soul will count for about five to seven standard souls, depending.

What makes a soul white or red or whatever color?

Barbas sucks in a breath and directs our attention back to the man.It’s time.

The whole room is aglow in brilliant light as the spark of energy within the man leaves his chest.

I can’t see what happens next, and I’m glad for it.

One moment the room is pure white, and the next, the long tones of flatlined machines and sobs reach my ears.

And I have the strange sensation of being heavier, no,fullerthan I was before.

Okay, where to next?

Chapter16

Barbas

This next part might be a little… strange,I warn as I tap into the soul plane.You may want to close your eyes.A courtesy, as I’m the one closing our eyes.

A twinge of fear pricks at my awareness, but Lily is very adept at managing her emotions. She talked herself through a traumatic accidental death collection, which I personally wouldn’t have chosen for her first time.

They were always the worst.

Traveling the soul plane is similar to traveling the void between realms. Except to a human—

Holy shit balls! Did we just teleport here?

I take in the new room as much for Lily’s benefit as my own. An elderly woman lies ahead of us, looking as though she’s peacefully sleeping.

I scent the chemicals that keep her face placid and her mind unaware. Humans believe this to be a kindness and I agree.

This woman would have been a much better first reaping, with a gaggle of offspring and gathered, telling stories about what a vibrant woman she was in her youth.

We traveled along the soul plane, but it is similar.