Archangel of the Fallen

by Devin Lee Carlson

  The two spiders seemed to get along until Ariane leaned over and caught a glimpse of the web between them. Sam’s doing, she bet. Her brother had no idea how to walk or sit still let alone weave a web. Recalling how soft Sam’s spots felt, Ariane brushed her fingers along the top yellow spot centered on Brian’s back. “So silky,” she whispered.

  Her gaze settled on Sam next. “I’ll miss our time together. We have visited before in the future, my future self.” She pulled her hair to one side and leaned over as best she could, so Sam could see the turquoise spot. “You gave this to me as a farewell gift. I gave you a kiss in return.”

  “Not I. Wrong color. Sam spots red.”

  Feeling as if she might squash her brother, hearing him squeak, Ariane sat back up. Her eyes downturned, she scoffed at her hands. “The Teachers recoiled from the red spot when I first arrived. They forbid the color and changed it to turquoise. I couldn’t stop them.” Full of wisdom or whatever, they had no right to change her gift just to imprison her. “I’m sorry.”

  “No sorry. Happy to give myself. We friends. Both times!” Sam jumped over Brian and the web to land on her lap. “This is our first farewell? The second yet to come?”

  Ariane absently stroked his spots. “Yes, Sam, I’m afraid so. But the second may not happen, because my brother altered the events of time.” She poked the yellow spot on top of Brian’s head. “You awake?” When he didn’t answer, she scooched aside to make sure he was all right. “Brian?”

  His body expanded as if he had been holding his breath. Brian wheezed before he spoke. His words croaked at first. “You almost crushed me. The body armor did its job or otherwise I’d be bug juice.”

  Spots shimmered from reddish-purple to blue as Sam giggled in her lap. “Better a Lighted One, Mr. Brian.”

  “You scared me half to death.” Ariane poked the top of his head. “Thought I squashed you.” When he murmured something on the line of her gaining weight while eating for two, she gently nudged him toward the web. Not a good idea to crush her only escape. “How are you going to get me out of here?”

  “JLS.”

  “As a spider?”

  “First, say your good-byes. Then I’ll change into my physical self and JLS us home. We have to move fast. Nothing gets by these Teachers.”

  Certain the last farewell they exchanged was painful enough, she saw no reason to cause such grief again. Ariane smiled when Sam leaned into her baby bump.

  “Please, Ariane. Visit JoJo. After Brian defeats aThorsis. After Brian frees Fallen.”

  “I’d love to.” Ariane kissed the tiny spot on top of his spider head. “See you later, Sam I Am Then.” He sprouted wings and hovered a few feet away. “I’m ready,” she said. “Change now.” Ariane flicked Brian’s yellow spot.

  The spots flashed as if upset. Brian managed to point a leg at Sam. “I could’ve flown all this time? Thanks for letting me in on the secret, Sam.” Laughter increased in volume as Brian morphed from the two-foot spider into a six-foot nude man. He accepted the sweater she handed him and winked at Sam when he wrapped his arms around her. “Take care. Thanks for keeping her safe.”

  “Stop!” Appearing out of nowhere, the Teachers formed a tight circle around them.

  A barrier much like a sheet of constricting plastic encased Ariane and her brother. She wanted to scream at the Teachers. Make them leave but she couldn’t speak. The plastic liner squeezed against her face. Her breath caught. Still in her brother’s grasp, she felt his body temperature rise until his skin almost burned her own. She squirmed against him.

  “You can’t have her,” Brian’s voice thundered in everyone’s mind. “aThorsis is the enemy, not me.” No longer flesh and bone, his ethereal hand reached for the fortress of the barrier. Electrical current sparked from his fingertips and branched out, melting the plastic into a heap at their feet.

  The Teachers advanced but took no further action to stop them. “You go against the Lighted Ones. Leave her and no harm will come to you.”

  Still in his powerful grasp, Ariane cringed when her brother raised his hand at the Teachers as if to melt them next.

  Brian mind spoke to all. “Speak to aAriel. She will explain why we go against your wishes.” He waved to Sam next and spoke aloud. “Good-bye, Sam I Am Then. And remember...” Brian jabbed a finger on the back of Ariane’s neck, on the spot and turned it back to its original color.

  She felt it burn for a second and then glanced at Sam and waved.

  “Red again as it should be,” Brian whispered to Sam. “Spiders cannot change their spots.” Then he glared at the Teachers. “Nor can the likes of you.”

  Sister and brother disappeared together.

  3 3 3

  To those back at the mansion, especially the two combating fools, I had never left the office. After dropping Ariane off in her bedroom, I raced to the office in my infamous faster-than-the-eye-could-detect speed. Neither Azrian nor Sabree saw me. Aye, I missed racing around. Inside the office, speed at full throttle, my invisible blur zipped downstairs to retrieve the desk chair and parked it in its rightful place.

  Before letting them know that I had returned, never mind left, I took advantage of each orbit by adjusting a few things to make sure the conflict between my son and Sabree ended poorly. Quick and dirty, lightning speed made it too easy to mess with them while frozen in time. Well, almost. On the first lap, Sabree’s eyes were squeezed shut, and on the next both were one-quarter open, and so on. By the sixth lap, they had opened wide—both irises bright teal.

  The breakneck orbits ended with a snap and the two resumed pushing each other, this time with a twist. Between coughs, his neck in a chokehold, Sabree pointed at the desk without looking my way. “Brian’s gone.” His stocking feet slipped, both of his boots missing. “What the—”

  “Pop gone? You lie!” Azrian tried to drop his hold on Sabree and ended up supporting him when he collapsed into his arms. “Who did this?” Azrian hollered. The ends of his sweater sleeves were tied in a knot.

  Long before the dancing duo separated, I raced back to the chair and sat with my legs crossed on top of the desk. Neither one noticed me yet, too busy quibbling.

  Azrian glared at Sabree. “I saw it too. The light. Bet he left to fix the crap you started.” He grabbed Sabree’s arms and shook him. His mouth twisted in a sneer, his hardened gaze focused on the hammer Sabree held. “How could you? You and Pop used to be best friends. Traitor!”

  “No choice.”

  “Bullshit! Uncle or not, I will never forgive you, you coward! You’re a sniveling worm just like the curse your father gave you. Get out!”

  “No one leaves,” I said, rising from the chair and pulling them apart, my grip stronger than ever. “Aye, feels damned good to be me again.” The streak in my hair glowed bright enough to mimic a halo. The obscure shadow of deceit clouded over us as my hardened gaze focused on the traitor. “Et tu, Sabree?”

  He fumbled at first for the right words. “I deserve that.”

  “And much more. But we’ll worry about that later on. It’s not all about you, Sabree.” Harsh, aye, but my condemnation had just begun.

  “Did you take his shoes and tie up my sleeves?” On my smirk, he slapped my shoulder in jest. “Cool trick, Pop.” His eyes darkened. “Can you help Aunt Ariane?” Azrian cocked his head when my crooked smile spread into a full-fledged toothy grin.

  “No need.” How long had it been since I used those facial muscles?

  One end of Azrian’s lip curled up in question. “Did I miss something?”

  “Good as done. Mother and unborn child…” Arms folded, my gaze lifted to the location of her room. “Are safe upstairs. Bada bing, bada boom.” Dropped Ariane off at her request, got dressed myself, and then sped here. The same smile showed off even more white teeth. “Aye, the Brian you all know and love is back.”

  “Ariane’s here,” Sabree gasped. “Make sure she stays put. This house is protected under some kind of celestial talisman.” He g
lanced at me with a downturned gaze. “Is she upset?”

  “Upset? Try furious to say the least.” Thin lips and lowered brow expressed the urgency of my request. “Sabree, set up a meet with Farian. No tricks.”

  “Why do you want to meet with him?”

  “He’s next on my do-over list. Don’t screw this up.”

  “I had been looking for him ever since the Malakhim abducted Ariane. He ignored my calls, but I may have another idea how to get him to meet me. No tricks.” Sabree rolled his neck, glanced at Azrian, and then stared at his stocking feet. “Please find it in your hearts to forgive me. Brian. Azrian. I’m afraid I cannot undo all of the damage caused. Only time will fix Earth. Only in time will I win back your trust.”

  “Whatever,” I said, “just see to it. Your boots are in the hall.” The grief Sabree caused us could have botched things up forever, terminate the do-over for good. One antagonist too many, Sabree had better take a back seat to aThorsis. The next time I entered the Lighted Realm, the battle would begin. Or not. Either way everything depended on my readiness.

  29

  To Catch a Rogue

  M y eyes squeezed shut, a blueprint of the mansion rolled across my mind, revealing everyone’s location at the moment. Not sure which Fallen gift this skill applied to, it did come in handy. Sabree waited for me in the great room, away from my son who was downstairs helping Ariane. I decided not to mist in front of Sabree to keep the new abilities to myself. The surprise might come in handy later on. My sister agreed to keep my secret.

  Sabree greeted me with a report when I walked inside. “I sent Farian a worldwide telepathic message, one that should lure him right away.”

  “What did it say?”

  “Farian help-Loree-trouble”

  “Short and sweet.” Well maybe not so sweet. To catch a rogue meant scratching off one more item on the do-over list—this one a doozy. The expression on Sabree’s face, deadpan as usual, conveyed how much he detested entrapping his father with lies. Out of habit, I reached over to put a hand on his shoulder. As always, he twisted away. “There’s some truth. Loree is in trouble as long as aThorsis possesses her.”

  “What does that mean?” Sabree asked. “How much trouble?”

  “When aThorsis is done with her ethereal body and soul, he could either release Loree or…” I paused to clear my throat. “Or destroy her. I’ve yet to see his merciful side.”

  Sabree’s eyes brightened from the wetness of tears that he fought back by rolling his neck. Unlike Sabree 2.0, this one rubbed the smooth bloodstone ring, nowhere near as loose on his finger. “He prefers to meet me at the Wieliczka Salt Mines where we last met. Farian will tell me when.”

  Never heard of the place. “Hey, Sabree? If that happens anytime soon, send me a worldwide message, so I can JLS behind him and throw a mister’s net over his head.”

  Sabree glanced at me as if I had lost my mind. “Won’t work. He will sense your approach.”

  “My stealth mode ability tops yours a hundredfold. Trust me. Easy peasy.” Besides the teal hue, his eyes revealed nothing, no second thoughts, fear, or a sudden bout of cockiness. Brazen, only Sabree was fool enough to believe he could outthink me. “Are you with me? Or not.”

  Sabree nodded. “If we can save Loree, then oui, let’s do this.” He cocked his head toward the window. “Farian just sent me a message. He wants to meet now. I will alert you the minute he shows up.”

  Untrustworthy, not even close to Sabree 2.0, I held out a hand so we could shake on it. “To rescuing Loree then. I’ll listen for your telepathic text.” When he turned away, my inner voice warned, “No tricks, Sabree.” Perhaps the sudden glint of brown in his eyes weakened my faith, but better safe than sorry. The threat of enduring another curse like the last one triggered an outbreak of heebie-jeebies that coursed through my nerves.

  His duster billowed like a sail catching a gust of wind when Sabree bowed with an exaggerated wink. “Wouldn’t dream of it.” The same sparkle of brown flashed before it vanished.

  The gesture seemed harmless enough, playful like the good old Sabree. Either way, I’d rely on him to do the right thing. As I chewed a few tablets, my wary gaze watched him mist away.

  A few minutes passed. To occupy myself, I paced wide circles in the great room under the starburst chandelier. The light fixture made me feel more at home as if inside the Lighted Realm. The more I visited there, the more the place rendered a safe haven natural to the new me. The me destined to dethrone aThorsis.

  Static buzzed in my head. I paused beneath the array of lights. My head tilted to the left, lifting an ear in the direction of the static. Unnecessary. Just an old habit before telepathy came into play.

  “Farian’s here. He’s nervous. Worried about Loree.”

  Mister’s net in hand, I focused on Sabree’s mind. Observed through his eyes to find the perfect spot to JLS behind Farian. My gaze had become somewhat distracted as the overhead chandeliers flickered and brightened the salt crystal artwork. The chapel wide open, there was no reason to worry about materializing inside a salt sculpture or wall.

  When my eyes flew open, the back of Farian’s head came into view. Sabree’s look of surprise almost gave me away. In the blink of an eye, I slipped the net over Farian’s head and backed away from his flailing arms.

  “Sabree,” he growled. “What’s the meaning of this?” Farian twirled around to confront me. “Foulest of creatures! The curse should have destroyed you.” He spun backed to Sabree, while trying to remove the net. “You betrayed me.”

  “You betrayed me first. Betrayed Loree.” Sabree sucked in a breath to control his rising emotions. “She might cease to exist because of you.”

  “Loree’s a soldier. She’s aware of the risks involved. Well worth death if it means the end to the anti-beings.” Farian turned around and spat at my feet.

  No longer could I settle on just listening in. A quick yank on the net gained his attention as I leaned into his ear to speak my mind. “Didn’t see you volunteer to let aThorsis possess your mind and body. Repulsive coward.” I squeezed the net tighter until he choked.

  “Let me take care of the snake,” Sabree snarled. “I should be the one to end him.” He stepped beside me and placed a hand on my arm. A light squeeze brought me to my senses.

  My gaze met his. Amber glimpsed upon lavender. My mind responded to the serene calm. “You would regret it. I won’t allow his death to burden you. Believe me, I know too well how quickly self-reproach decimates one’s soul. Let the Fates decide.”

  “How?” Sabree asked.

  Farian wiggled under the net. “The Fates are on my side, you traitors.”

  Together, we tightened our grip. “Care to take a trip into the portal, Sabree?”

  A smile brightened those lavender eyes. “Thought you’d never ask.”

  He had longed for this moment. Even if it meant putting an end to his father’s tyrannical crimes. The portal opened before us. “Hang onto my arm. Without wings, you will drift into oblivion.” Oblivion indeed, for the Dark Ones never refused a being no matter how dull or bright their light. As the net constricted around Farian’s head and Sabree’s arms tangled around my own, we leapt into the portal together. Once inside, the window closed behind us and I braced myself for Sabree’s reaction.

  His mind rushed me with explosive emotions of awe, recognition, relief, and keen devotion. I experienced the wonderment through his eyes, as our minds entwined, his willingness to share the private moment with me a surprise. An honor.

  Through his eyes, the portal revealed itself in a different light as if perceiving it for the first time myself. Unlike my initial visit laced with fear, Sabree savored the experience of returning home again. To heighten the thrill, I flew around to give him a first-class tour. Farian could wait. Maybe the detour would heighten his dread of what’s to come.

  After passing a few explosive quasars and nebulas, I headed for the serene galactic span where I had set Turian’s ashes adri
ft. Let him see where his friend lay to rest amongst the stars. As we approached, a gulf of celestial bodies filled our view. The cosmic marvel embodied galaxy clusters, supernovae and nebulae remnants, and a star cluster that spanned ten times denser and longer than the Milky Way. I hovered in silence to share that moment with Sabree. Gratitude flooded my mind.

  Sabree’s inner voice whispered. “I cannot thank you enough, Brian. The burial I gave him in Scotland pales to this glorious tribute. You’re not such a bad guy after all.”

  “Fool, he’s Satan’s spawn.” Farian’s eruptive growl ruined the private moment.

  “By Satan, you mean aThorsis?” I squeezed the net to squelch his reply. No need to hear his lame excuses. Farian had sealed his fate, thus earning the accolade of being set adrift in the no-fly zone nearest the most notorious Dark One in the portal universes. Few dared enter the vast cosmic void. Not me, thanks to the ability to JLS us out of there. I flew in a new direction.

  The ethereal version of Sabree’s eyes reflected a kaleidoscope of colors as we soared by nebulas, galaxies, and quasars. Even black holes lit his eyes with wonder. The universe condensed into one continuous soup of splendor as we traveled near the speed of light. His exhilaration filled me with joy. I had given Sabree a tour that would suffice until my promise to set him free from exile.

  The lightshow ended abruptly. Across the expanse, stretched out as far as the eye could see, a darkness hovered over a cloud of stars sprinkled across the entire horizon. I turned to Sabree. “I will set Farian adrift here. Let the Fates decide his destiny. Agreed?”

  After a slight nod toward the dark rift, Sabree asked, “Is that a Dark One?”