Amongst the Fallen

by Devin Lee Carlson

  My hand froze when I reached out and tried to touch the nearest vein. I gasped. The radiant outline of my arm looked transparent, sparkled with electricity. Panic and dizziness whirled inside my head as I examined the rest of my spiritual body and saw more of the same. Even brilliant energy created by disturbed space outlined the edge of my wings. Unlike my body, the winged appendages absorbed light much like a black hole. My spiritual form flickered with excitement. It made sense. If I traveled the portal in corporeal form, the stars and galaxies would reduce me to ashes.

  The visions, the nightmares that had haunted me of late were real, fearing all this time that I was losing my mind. Or am I still? The universes orbited around me. Mesmerized, I couldn’t decipher up, down, left, or right. I had no idea which direction to head or how to move. Nothing solid beneath my feet, yet I didn’t fall. The answer had to be the wings that beat in rhythm with my frenzied state.

  The bat. I swung it through the air at an invisible ball. The disturbance I caused buzzed with electrical static when the solid object breached space. My fingers released their hold to see which direction the bat would fall. My jaw, or an ethereal version of it, dropped as the bat hurled end over end into the darkness, sucked into a vacuum. Down was not where I expected it to be, but then I was no longer in Kansas. And this wasn’t the Land of Oz. I managed a chuckle, the sound echoing in my mind only.

  All around me, the wide-open space and the boundaries beyond rippled with a webbing of translucent vessels. They sparkled as if covered with silver and gold glitter. These strings much like fairy lights branched off in every direction, thousands splitting off, extending forever into the unknown. I would need an eternity to explore them all. But then the Fallen were immortal—we had forever.

  Between the turbulence and the currents my wings produced, the environment seemed peaceful. If I relaxed into a trance, the wings beat with steady resolve and fluttered with purpose, no longer the frantic thrashing of a frightened, reckless fool. Success. Yet, I couldn’t help but wonder if I had moved an inch, much less a mile within this expanse.

  The question of time hit me next. Trapped inside a time continuum twisted my gut into knots. How many hours, days, weeks, had passed inside this universe compared to the time I lost back home? Fear conquered reason as I reached for the bracelet and unlocked the lever, spinning it to the neutral position.

  A maelstrom swelled overhead and hurled me into a tailspin as the universe around me disappeared. I plunged downward; my last vision was the black funnel spiraling toward blue sky. Followed by a sonic boom, the force slammed my body onto the roof of someone’s house. Mine? The noon sun blinded me. Exhausted, I collapsed.

  36

  I’M NO ANGEL

  A thunderous clap echoed across the neighborhood. The nearest resident scurried out of his makeshift shelter to investigate the disturbance. From his lookout, Sabree shot a quick glance at the rooftop of the adobe ranch below and discovered the source of the commotion. A hole hovered in midair, the tail end of a black outline expelling outward. Along with a few sparks, a body shot from the opening and landed on the roof. Lightning arced as the tear collapsed within itself.

  “Brian?” Stunned but mostly fearful, he misted onto the roof next to the ghoul’s unconscious form. Brian’s exposed flesh baked in the intense sun. Sabree flung his long duster over him. “What the hell?” he asked, hearing only a grunt in reply.

  He knelt to examine Brian’s leg. A single brow climbed up his forehead. How did his foot puncture the roof without disturbing the clay tiles? Sabree tugged on the leg next and pulled it free. The action launched them into motion. Dislodged roof tiles flew upward as they tumbled off the roof falling onto the back deck in a heap.

  Disorientated, Sabree regained composure first by removing himself from Brian’s thrashing limbs. He looked up and spied Ariane peeking from behind the French doors. The entire neighborhood rocked under the thunder, the crash on the roof, and the loud thud on the deck. Who wouldn’t investigate the ruckus?

  Ariane’s eyes opened wide along with the doors. “What’s going on?”

  Straddled on top of Brian, Sabree leapt catlike to his feet. His face warmed from blushing rather than from the sun.

  “Get your sorry vampire asses inside before you both get sunburned.”

  His boot nudged a grumbling Brian. “Get up,” Sabree said. “You have some explaining to do.” He brushed himself off and bowed in acceptance of her invitation.

  “Don’t even think about it.” A bit unsteady, Brian stood up.

  Smirking, Sabree yanked his duster from beneath Brian’s feet, knocking him off balance, and then followed Ariane into the kitchen. “I thought Brian was repairing the roof. I rushed to his aid, and for gratitude, he knocked me off. Fortunately, his body padded my fall.” Still mystified himself, he could think of no better way to explain the incident. Unless Brian broke into the portal. So much time had passed since its thunderous roar vibrated through his teeth and bones. A most welcoming sensation.

  “Sweet tea or red wine?”

  Ariane’s question pulled him from ancient memories. “Wine, of course.”

  While she poured him a glass, she opted to have tea, more than likely to keep her wits. “How many times must I remind you, I am not a vampire? None of us are.”

  “You’re still a bloodsucker. Still sensitive to sunlight.”

  Sabree ignored the rude comeback and sipped the wine while craning his neck to see if Brian had come inside. The deck was empty except for the pile of broken clay roof tiles.

  3 3 3

  Stunned by the short visit to God knows where, I snuck into the house through the French doors of my bedroom. The room looked like it barely survived an earthquake rated greater than three on the Richter scale. I tilted my head at the lopsided wall clock where midnight now faced three o’clock. Only minutes had passed since I activated the amulet. My robe was somewhere in this disorganized mess. No surprise, still under the bed where I had dropped it this morning.

  How did I end up on the roof? In front of the cracked mirror, I examined my back before pulling on the robe. Wings? Unfreaking believable. Yet I had often dreamt of the appendages. The room in shambles, I’d pick up the mess later. Sabree was in the kitchen with Ariane—alone.

  The eccentric immortal never ceased to amaze me. I paused at the kitchen door. There sat Sabree having afternoon tea and wine with Ariane. Last week in Scotland, she attacked him and tried to drink him dry. In retaliation, he nearly drained her, forcing her to feed on my blood. Then I had to feed on Chambers. An ambulance carted him off to the nearest ER. I smirked. Perfect example of the trickle effect.

  The ill will I felt toward Sabree would linger for a spell. Oh well, maybe not. For some unknown reason—and I had a good idea why—it would be difficult to stay mad at the pesky immortal.

  “Aye, Fang, don’t you belong in the doghouse overlooking our property?” I asked, my tone thick with bitterness. “Ariane asked about getting a dog, but it seems we already have one.” A butt ugly mutt at that.

  Sabree visibly flinched. “True, it’s quaint, but I see no reason to call it a canine shelter. And what’s with the smartass nickname?”

  “I forgot, where’s my neighborly manners? Are you staying long?”

  “Call me a watchdog if you wish, I was only looking after you. I’ll leave when I’m good and ready.” Sabree raised his glass to Ariane. “Best call a repairman for the roof, Ariane Rose.”

  If he ever called my sister by her middle name again, I vowed I’d drink him dry again myself. But then that would only hurt myself. Ariane too. Deflated but not defeated, I slumped into a chair and slapped the arms as if playing the drums. I sat straight when Ariane left to check on my room. She grumbled all the way down the hallway.

  “Brace yourself,” I said, winking at Sabree.

  “What the hell?” she hollered. “What happened in here?”

  Although I expected her reaction, Sabree and I winced together. Her f-bomb abo
ut the state of my bedroom stung our ears. One side of my lip curled up for a second, only to droop when I glanced at him. In need of someone to confide in, that someone being Sabree, the pout formed a thin line. “How do you deal with it for thousands of years?”

  “Deal with what?” Sabree replied as he eyed the exquisite bracelet.

  My other hand slipped over the amulet. “Death.” His aloof attitude hurt, but it didn’t stop me from elaborating. I half-expected as much from Sabree. “I almost killed a man in Scotland. Or maybe Chambers died. That makes me a monster.”

  Sabree raised his glass. “Welcome to the club. I’m a monster at times…” he paused and then muttered, “lost count.”

  “I had no choice. Chambers posed a threat.”

  “Genuine monsters have no regrets. I sense yours. You and Ariane are part human. As for me, I applaud us both for cleansing the world of evil. Some would consider us angels of death.”

  The truth in his words made my shoulders tense. “I'm no angel, though I did spread my wings a bit.” All levity aside, I disclosed the sad truth. “Whatever we are, we’re the furthest things from angels.”

  “We?” Sabree chided. “You and I are not the same species—never will be.” He paused when he gazed into my eyes. “And yet, we are all part of some sick game. The Fallen live forever, humans die, perhaps to be reborn another day. The vicious circle never ends. There’s no good or bad when it comes to our coexistence with humans. This banishment was forced upon us, and if we were meant to suffer, then so shall humankind.”

  Unable to accept his line of shit, I stared out the French doors and lowered my head into my folded arms. “What are we? What am I or Turian?” More than likely, the know-it-all had no idea. Vampire legends never mentioned anything about wings or the ability to travel time and alternate universes, except for turning into a vampire bat. The Fallen were different, but it didn’t explain my latest discovery.

  In accordance with the scrolls, the power awarded to Turian was his alone. Those powers included the black wings and the amulet. No mention of time travel, though. Admired and envied by his peers, the Fallen had urged Turian to end all communications with those who banished them. The majority saw no reason to keep in touch. I believed certain members of the Fallen tried to murder Turian to gain possession of the amulet. Did the Caderen believe the device a myth?

  “You can answer those questions better than I. Translate the scrolls. They will clarify five thousand years of myths.”

  I jumped at the sound of Sabree’s voice, forgetting he was next to me sipping a goblet of wine. Did he read my mind? Ariane told me he telepathically spoke to her once. “No need, I can read the dialect. Pop—Duncan scanned fragments of the scrolls found in Turian’s vault.”

  “Liar!” Sabree spat. “A lowly ghoul cannot read let alone understand ancient script.”

  “Well, I’m ghoul extraordinaire.” His eyes darted about. “You look troubled.”

  “Troubled? If only you knew.” Sabree patted the top of my hand, close to the wrist that purposely hid the amulet.

  I pushed his hand away. My curiosity piqued. The twinkle in his eyes had to come from his recollection of the bracelet. “What’s wrong?”

  “You are what’s wrong, but not in a bad way. I hate to break up our little chitchat, but duty calls.” Sabree misted away.

  “Just like that?” I stared at the empty chair. Paybacks are a bitch. Somehow, someday, I would pay him back with quick entries and exits of my own.

  37

  DON’T BITE

  E xperiments with the amulet had begun anew. I flew through the portal until I entered the wormhole that had haunted me in my nightmares. Summoned me on the last visit. I shot through it and rematerialized on a new world. Below me, an ocean submersed the entire planet. However, unlike the turquoise-blue waters of Earth, this murky soup sloshed a darker burgundy than Bordeaux wine. More like muddied blood. I recalled the nightmares about this phantasmal realm, its environment intended solely for birds—incredibly large birds.

  Colossal trees covered more than three-quarters of the planet. Jagged bark of green, black, purple, and blue, all the iridescent colors found in coal, confirmed this was an alien world. The Sequoia trees on Earth look like toothpicks in comparison. The tallest averaged at least a mile high. The circumference of the trunks varied from three to five hundred feet. The absence of leaves suggested that either the planet varied in seasons, or the forest had petrified eons ago.

  If giant beings inhabited this world, they’d have trouble maneuvering through the dense forest. Considered the size of a small bird in comparison, I easily darted in and out as I flew around them. I’m flying. Unlike the time I returned to Earth, my wings flapped steadily; otherwise, I would have fallen into the bloody waters and drowned.

  Buzzing over the blood sea as if I were a hummingbird collecting nectar, I slipped a finger into the ocean to sample a drop. As expected, the thick pudding tasted saltier and more metallic than blood. My hand formed a ladle next and dipped into the liquid. I drank several handfuls until my body could absorb no more, my appetite quenched. Above the sanguine pool overshadowed by trees, I glanced skyward and wondered if anything thrived in this world. Maybe the planet was simply home base for portal travelers like the Malakhim. A 7-Eleven of sorts for weary visitors.

  Musings about the rest stop distracted me. I almost missed seeing the scarlet star, five times the size of the Sun, vanish behind the horizon. The thick assemblage of trees blocked most of the skyline. Soon enough, its absence darkened the sky. Up until now, this strange world didn’t appear to be as threatening. The shadows and the claustrophobic thicket urged me to terminate this visit. I hesitated, hovering inches above the sea.

  I choked on a breath when the ocean splashed below—a splash created by a creature the size of a whale, not a guppy. Before I could soar upward, something reached from the sea, hooked onto my legs, and yanked me into the murky soup. The liquid churned around me as the creature dragged me deeper and deeper. The black wings laden with the thick goop felt like ton weights on my back. I gagged on ragged breaths, swallowing too much of the salty ocean.

  All was still. No sign of the creature. I swam upward and almost broke the surface when the ocean began to churn again. Jagged teeth chomped down on my abdomen. An immense pressure squeezed my innards, forcing the contents of my stomach upward. I coughed violently, gulping more of the sea. The agonizing pain sent my head reeling. Shock set in; I grew numb. My consciousness faded until all went black.

  I bolted upright in bed. My breaths wheezed and my gasps caught until I reined in the panic attack. Similar to the nightmare of the black hole essence that drained me of my light, my soul, this nightmare reoccurred all too often. Dreamt it umpteen times, and each time the nightmare pulled me into the same noxious world. I never seemed to grasp the danger while hovering over the sea like a complete idiot.

  Could these dreams be Turian’s memories or premonitions of my own tragic future? More like the latter, otherwise Turian would never survive the vicious attack. I shuddered all over and rolled onto my stomach to suppress the fading pain. Alert eyes stared at the wall, refusing to close.

  3 3 3

  The house seemed emptier than usual this late in the morning. Ariane slid her hand over to the other side of the bed and patted the sheet. Empty, she remembered Eric had volunteered to cover for his coworker who was getting married. He tried to wake her after the alarm went off, cupping her breast tenderly while kissing her shoulders. When his kisses moved up her neck, she pushed him away, calling out Sabree’s name, lost in a dream. A sudden awareness made her skin crawl. She rolled onto her back. Her eyes shot open and she gasped.

  A self-satisfied smile spread across the intruder’s face. His sparkling eyes drank in her nakedness.

  Ariane reached for the sheet to cover her nudity. “What gives you the right to pop in here unannounced?”

  “Get dressed, we have much to discuss. Meet me in Brian’s room.”

/>   Ariane wrapped the sheet around herself and jumped out of bed as soon as Sabree slipped into the hallway. “Who made you boss?” she said, grumbling to herself. “Discuss what?” The pervert had one hell of a nerve barging in her bedroom like he owned the place. She headed for the walk-in closet.

  Minutes later, after fighting with the zipper in her skirt, she tiptoed to her brother’s bedroom and tapped on the door. Her knocks rapped louder when anger changed to concern. She cracked the door open and was hit by a blast of heat. The environment, hostile to humans was Brian’s norm. She peeked inside.

  Still asleep, he lay on his belly in rumpled sheets, completely nude. It had been a while since she saw any hint of his pale skin, especially his firm buttocks. He looked serene and in no way menacing. Then she saw Sabree on the other side of the bed. He reeked of danger when he hissed Brian’s name.

  “Get out of his bedroom,” Ariane hollered.

  “Huh?” Brian rolled over.

  Spying a full frontal made Ariane gasp. She never expected him to turn. She glanced aside. “We have company, Brian.”

  Her words raised his level of consciousness. “What?” he muttered again, this time frowning. He grabbed the sheet to cover his privates. “Must’ve overslept.” Reacting to her silence, he rolled onto his belly. “Company at this hour?”

  In answer, laughter filled the room.

  Brian jumped out of bed with his fists balled and jaw clenched as if ready to battle Sabree. One of his feet got tangled in the sheet and caught him mid-stride. He crashed onto the floor.

  Sabree clapped. “Ghoul debonair.”

  Brian scrambled to his feet and lunged into empty mist, landing on the floor again. “Bugger!” he cried.

  Snickers preceded Sabree as he reappeared next to Ariane who joined in with giggles of her own. She couldn’t help it. His playful eyes and genuine smile touched her. She cringed when Sabree clapped his hands at her brother.