Angels and Elves- Act I

by William Collins

  “Never,” Brooke spat. “You’re a monster. The way you talk about my…siblings…you’re sick, evil.”

  “Oh, I didn’t realise you’d care so, for a brother you’ve never met,” the Disciple mused. “But what about the adopted brother you were raised with. Did you care for him at all?”

  “What are you talking about?”

  Kalkavan looked off to his left. “You can come out now.”

  *

  Brooke had been on the brink of an anxiety attack ever since the pale man had started talking. The only thing stopping the fear from overwhelming her was her worry about Evan. His face had gone white and muscles twitched in his cheek. She was terrified he’d do something stupid.

  Her own sword was in her hand, whilst her left hand glowed with a purple orb of energy magic. As Kalkavan spoke, however, she let the energy magic die out. She needed to prick her finger with the very point of her blade to signal Emillia to wake her up from back at Veneseron.

  She had no idea whether she and Evan could be awoken now they were no longer in Veneseron, but she had to try something.

  Thoughts of escape left Brooke’s mind altogether as Kalkavan looked over his shoulder at the shadows behind him.

  “Who can come out now?” Evan replied to the Disciple, raising his hand of emerald flames higher, preparing to attack.

  She heard footsteps as a young man shuffled out of the gloom and came to stand beside Kalkavan. A gasp left her mouth as she realised the man was an older version of the boy who’d tormented her as they grew up together.

  “Adam?”

  “Hi sis,” he waved at her, beaming stupidly. “I guess a hug is out of the question?”

  She shook her head, blinking rapidly, she felt like she was seeing things. Confusion crashed through her mind. “I…what are doing here? How can you be here?”

  “He’s my guest,” Kalkavan answered. “Since Vanderain stole you from me, I guess he told you what I did?”

  “Yeah,” she growled. “You planted me with a family and spelled them to believe I was their natural daughter.”

  “And Adam here was part of the deal.” Kalkavan smiled. “He was a child I’d stolen from that same Carn family a couple of years before you were born. It’s how I knew just the right place to store you, Brooke. I sensed the magic in young Adam, so I took him back to my home realm. I was trying to see if I could make a normal Venator into a demon-spawn with various demonic tests, but Adam failed all of them.” A flicker of anger crossed Kalkavan’s face and Adam looked ashamed. “I found a use for him after you came along though. I placed him back with his family, now with a new sister, so he could be your guardian.”

  She laughed, a brittle sound to her own ears. “Guardian? He didn’t look after me. Adam made my life hell. He’s not right in the head, thanks to you.”

  “Yes, the fool got himself taken away from you and into Earth’s authorities. You killed someone didn’t you, Adam?”

  “Hey, that guy called me names. And he was always looking at me funny. He deserved it,” Adam whined, like a petulant toddler.

  “You see, Adam’s got quite the temper. But his heart’s in the right place. You may be right about him being touched in the head, but he sure it entertaining, don’t you think?”

  Brooke struggled to find her breath, and the words for how much hatred she felt. “You talk about humans like they’re, insects, or toys.”

  “Well, aren’t they?” Kalkavan spread his arms wide. “They’re nothing to us, even Venators pale in comparison to such elite specimens of demons you and I.”

  “We’re not the same,” Evan growled.

  “Do you know of any other spawn out there.” Brooke asked, desperate to know more, despite how much she despised communicating with such a monster.

  Kalkavan nodded. “Two of Akirandon’s litter died in the demon civil war her birth created. Four went missing, still infants. You were one of the four, Evan. Taija is obviously the second. So, there’s two more I still need to find. And find I will, hopefully with you by my side. Akirandon managed to keep only three of her children and one of them has already died. His Dethyr consumed him.”

  “What do you mean?” Evan uttered, looking scared to even ask.

  “Akirandon pushed him too far. The boy was burned from the inside out by his demon magic. I don’t have to tell you how hard the Dethyr is to control, do I? And you could both meet the same fate. Without me to teach you, the next time you unleash your demon power it could destroy you.”

  Kalkavan leaned back in his chair, letting his words hang in the air.

  Brooke wanted to believe he was lying, just to get them to join him. But she knew in her heart, Kalkavan was telling the truth. Their demon magic was uncontrollable, and evil. But she’d never thought it would get so bad as too kill her from the inside. She also remembered Evan describing to her what had happened to Taija after she banished Kalkavan. The blood from her nose and ears, the fits. She would’ve died too if Vanderain hadn’t healed her in time.

  Kalkavan was right, in a way. He did know more about their powers than anyone, certainly more than Vanderain. But still, trusting him was madness.

  “Come back with us, Brooke.” Adam broke the silence, looking at her with his eyes wide and imploring. “I’m sorry for those times I hurt you. But it was only a few bruises, really. I had problems with my anger. But I’m all better now. Come on, don’t you want to be a family again?”

  “What happened to my family?” She rasped, forcing herself to meet Kalkavan’s eyes. “The Carns, I mean. You mentioned Vanderain got to me first, that means you went back for me?”

  “The humans?” Kalkavan frowned. “Oh, they were useless to me once you’d gone. So Adam and I disposed of them.”

  Brooke’s throat constricted and all that came out was a choking sound. Evan stepped toward her, as if he could shield her from Kalkavan. She held Evan back, however, turning to Adam.

  “How could you? You killed your own parents?”

  “They abandoned me,” Adam whined. “They never visited me once after the police took me away. They deserved it, Brooke. But don’t worry, I’d never hurt you again.”

  He started walking towards her, but she back away suddenly. “Get away! Don’t you dare come near me.”

  Evan moved into Adam’s path. “I may not be able to use sorcery here. But let’s see if I can still hack your head off.”

  “Try it, burn face,” Adam spat.

  “Boy,” Kalkavan barked. “Here, now!”

  Adam slinked back to his master’s side, staring back at Brooke repeatedly as he went.

  “Please,” said Kalkavan, “Tell your precious Vanderain about our meeting. “I can’t very well capture you from inside the dream realm. But I’ll wait until we next meet face to face. Where you’ll join me, whether you want to or not. That will come to pass, I assure you. So, tell your Masters, get your baubles to protect me from your dreams, but just know that nothing you can do will stop me from finding you, and this time, you shall not escape.”

  “I won’t be trying to escape,” Evan growled. “I’ll be destroying you.”

  Kalkavan chuckled. “That’s the spirit, little monster.”

  The demon Disciple’s laughter rang through the air even as he and Adam flickered, before disappearing, leaving her and Evan alone with the table full of dead things and the worms writhing in the walls.

  “C’mon,” she said, her voice hoarse even to her own ears. “We need to signal to the others to wake us.”

  Evan didn’t reply, still staring fiercely at the spot Kalkavan had been sitting. The green flames in his hand suddenly burgeoned into an inferno and he launched them with a guttural roar.

  To her amazement, the flames exploded from his hand and struck Kalkavan’s chair, setting it ablaze.

  She stared at Evan in disbelief, none of them were supposed to be skilled enough in Dreamwielding to cast magic in it yet.

  Evan stood still, shaking with rage.

 
“Evan?” She called his name again and again, but he didn’t acknowledge her.

  Finally, she pulled up his sleeve and nicked his forearm with her sword tip. He looked over at her then, his eyes dull.

  “What are you doing?”

  “Getting us out of here.” Brooke pricked her own finger. “Before the spectres show up. They’re drawn by spells, remember.”

  Evan looked down numbly at the blood dripping from his forearm, even as two spectres drifted through the wall opposite them.

  “Ushk,” she swore in panic, the spectres had got to them first.

  Chapter 14- Splintering

  C’mon, wake us up, wake us up, Evan’s mind screamed at Emi and Elijah back at Veneseron.

  He and Brooke back away until they hit the castle wall, worms falling into their hair as the spectres cornered them. They were inches away when suddenly he and Brooke’s dream forms dissipated and he awoke, back in Li’Azar’s chamber.

  He breathed a huge sigh of relief, before seeing the bright blue worm wriggling on his shoulder and flicking it off.

  “Finally,” Elijah sighed. “I was shaking you for ages Ev…eurgh, what’s that?” Elijah jumped up as the blue worm wriggled his way.

  “What happened?” Li’Azar hurried over to the commotion. “I said to only use the blood signal if you were in grave danger, I cleared the spectres out just an hour ago.”

  Before Evan could answer, the door banged open, and Vanderain crashed into the room. He took one look at Evan and Brooke before sagging in relief. “Oh, thank Rueda you’re safe.”

  Brooke hastily pulled a worm from her own hair as the rest of the trainees stared between them and Vanderain in shock.

  “Master Eternal.” Li’Azar inclined his head respectfully. “I didn’t expect you back. What are-”

  “Don’t worry, everyone,” Vanderain interrupted, smiling reassuringly. “A minor disturbance in the dream realm brought me here. It’s not uncommon. I suspect Evan and Brooke encountered another spectre, that’s all.”

  Evan nodded enthusiastically, understanding that Vanderain didn’t want to draw attention to him and Brooke.

  “But a spectre already went for Evan,” Firk called out.

  “Yeah,” said Fenik. “Why’s they always after you, Umbra? You ain’t special.”

  “Just my terrible luck, that’s all.” Evan shrugged, although nothing he could do would stop the suspicious looks many of his fellow Venators were giving him.

  “I must ask you all to cut this session short,” said Vanderain. “Li’Azar and I will cleanse the dream realm.” The Eternal then gestured for Evan and Brooke to stay as the rest of the class filed out, already gossiping.

  The moment the last Mid-Realmer had left, Li’Azar rounded on Vanderain. “What in Rueda’s name is going on? Are you suggesting the dream realm has been breached?”

  “Indeed, by a Disciple.”

  “Holy Ushk.” Li’Azar lost his composure.

  “It’s not your fault,” Vanderain replied grimly. “Kalkavan did not enter Veneseron itself. I was in my room at Del-O-Reth when I felt a great demonic presence enter Veneseron. I suspected it was Kalkavan using his demon magic to lure my Venators to him, so I portalled here at once, to ensure they awoke.”

  “But how could these rookie Dreamwielders leave Veneseron?” Li’Azar looked at them in disbelief.

  Evan tried not to look guilty. He was often surprised himself that Vanderain kept the fact they were demon spawn a secret from all the instructors except Tarensen and Taretta.

  “And how could Kalkavan send his magic through Veneseron’s barriers?” the instructor continued.

  “I shall answer your queries later.” Vanderain laid a hand on Li’Azar’s shoulder. “For now, please fetch Taretta for me and send her here.”

  “But the trainees. If they encountered spectres, I must check for possession.”

  “I’ll handle it, Li. Thank you.”

  Li’Azar reluctantly nodded and strode from the chamber, leaving them alone with Veneseron’s High Master.

  “Are you both okay?” Vanderain asked, running a hand through his long blond hair in agitation.

  Brooke nodded as Evan murmured, “I think so. Kalkavan only spoke to us.”

  “I’m a fool,” the Eternal sighed. “The spells I placed on Veneseron to guard it must not be as effective when in the dream realm. I’ll have to remedy that at once. Am I correct in thinking Kalkavan used his demonic sorcery to lure you from Veneseron’s protections?”

  “Yes, it was my fault,” said Evan. “I couldn’t stop myself, it was like I was compelled to pass through the dream realm Version of Veneseron and travel beyond. My own Dethyr was drawn to Kalkavan’s.”

  Vanderain looked up sharply. “How do you know that name?”

  “So you knew that word,” he shot back. “You just felt like keeping it from us?”

  “Evan!” Brooke stared at him in shock.

  “No, it’s quite alright.” Vanderain inclined his head. “You’re right. I didn’t inform you. I assumed you’d be uncomfortable using demonic language to describe your powers.”

  He nodded. “That’s fair, I guess.”

  “What else did Kalkavan tell you?”

  “He wanted us to join him,” Evan replied, surprised at himself that he had the courage to meet Vanderain’s silver eyes. “Kalkavan said he alone could teach us how to use our demon magic, that you would only ever try to suppress it.”

  “We didn’t listen, of course,” said Brooke hastily. “He was trying to manipulate us.”

  Vanderain nodded to show he’d heard her, yet he never took his eyes off of Evan. He felt a surge of fear, wondering if Vanderain was angry or disappointed with him. The High-Master’s face was expressionless.

  Evan broke the silence by telling Vanderain everything Kalkavan had said, about Adam and Adena, and how he believed there was only two more spawn out there for him to collect.

  “Rueda,” Vanderain whispered after Evan finished. “I must tell the council everything Kalkavan said, the information is invaluable. I don’t know if he slipped up by telling you so much, or if it’s a part of his plans. He’s usually three steps ahead of everyone else. He could’ve been bluffing.”

  “There’s something else,” said Brooke tentatively. Evan saw her trembling and could tell how scared she was of Vanderain’s reaction. “It happened a while ago, but you’ve been away all this time.”

  “My deepest apologies,” he replied. “What was it, dear?”

  “I, uh…during the Moonlight War I accidentally used my demon magic, and a Rakarn witnessed it. I fear she might’ve informed Akirandon herself.”

  It was only a flicker, but Evan caught the fleeting look of fear pass across Vanderain’s face. He leaned against one of the chamber’s pillars, exhaling heavily. “You should’ve said,” he murmured. “You should’ve informed Tarensen or Taretta.”

  “I know.” Brooke looked over at Evan, face twisted in anguish as her eyes glimmered with tears. “I’ve been so stupid. I thought, maybe it would all go away. That no one would believe the Dark-Venator or…something.”

  “Things have gone from bad to worse.” Vanderain shook his head.

  Evan had never seen him this shaken.

  “Does that mean Akirandon knows about us now?” he asked.

  “I…it’s possible,” Vanderain hesitated, deep in thought. “The one good thing we have going for us is that Akirandon has been away from Velkarath for some time, leading her armies across distant realms. Her being busy with wars may have given us time.”

  “I’ve ruined everything, haven’t I?” Brooke tried to keep from sobbing.

  “No, of course not,” said Vanderain firmly. “Even if, and that’s a big if, Akirandon takes the Rakarn witness’s word for it, she can’t breach Veneseron to get you. She’ll doubtless force my hand some other way though. However, I must assume the worst. I’m returning to the Republic.”

  “You’re leaving again?” Evan said. H
e knew he shouldn’t let his anger seep out, and he couldn’t believe he was speaking to Veneseron’s High-Master this way, but he couldn’t help it. “I thought you might finally get round to teaching us what little you know about our demonic sides.”

  Vanderain met his eyes once again. “Mr Umbra, I understand your impatience and you have a right to feel frustrated. So much chaos is happening in so many worlds that my attention has been pulled this way and that. Yes, I am leaving Veneseron again, and both of you are coming with me.”

  “What?” he and Brooke cried simultaneously.

  “I’d hoped to keep all of this contained,” said Vanderain mournfully, “but I know now I must inform the Republic that demon-spawn not only exist, but are trainee’s at my Fortress.”

  “Seriously?” Evan gasped. “That’s huge. But what if the High-Council doesn’t understand? What if they try to…do something to us?”

  “I shan’t let either of you come to any harm whilst at Del-O-Reth, at any cost to myself. But things are moving too quickly, we have to reveal ourselves to the council. Myself and the chosen representatives of all the Realmers must decide how we face this head on.”

  Evan was at a loss for words, shocked it was finally happening. He always knew he couldn’t keep it a secret forever. But he couldn’t believe it would happen so soon.

  “Are you going to tell everyone at Veneseron too?” Brooke asked.

  “No,” Vanderain promised. “I shall only inform the High-Council, and swear them to secrecy. I also have a way to keep your identities hidden, in case word gets out and targets are put on your heads.”

  “Targets? That doesn’t sound ominous at all,” Evan mumbled.

  “We must go to Del-O-Reth right now,” Vanderain continued. “It took an age to get the Republic convened. The council will meet for the final time in mere hours. That’s where I’ll present you. I’ll have you meet my three most trusted friends also, they will protect you both with their lives, as I will. I must also seek advice on this from my mentor.”