by Shuler, Tara
When they reached the door at the other end, there was no guard. Beth was shocked.
“Where is the guard?” Beth asked.
“They don’t need one. There’s a spell on the door that keeps him from using any of his powers. He can’t get out unless we open the door. I don’t think they were expecting you to show up.”
“Where’s my mother?”
“Your mother? I haven’t seen her. What happened?”
“A demon took her. I’ll explain later.”
Beth rattled the keys in the door, and finally she heard the lock click open. She yanked on the door, and Malachai sat on the floor uninjured, but looking lonely and lost.
“Beth?” he asked, looking up at her. “What are you doing here?”
“I came to get you out of here. Let’s go!” Beth demanded.
Malachai got to his feet.
“I don’t want to go,” Malachai insisted. “I came willingly. That’s why there’s no guard. I turned myself over to save Aztos.”
“Well, it didn’t work! Look what they did to him!” Beth hissed.
Malachai’s brow furrowed as he glared at Aztos. He would have relished Aztos’ condition if he didn’t know how much it was hurting Beth.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t know they would do this to him,” Malachai said. “They promised you and he would not be harmed if I turned myself in willingly.”
“Well, clearly, they lied!” Beth snapped. “I told you we were not going to turn you over, and now you see one of the many reasons why! You can’t trust these demons!”
“You do,” Malachai quipped.
“I trust Aztos,” Beth corrected him. “I do not trust any of the others. Come on, let’s go! We have to find my mother!”
“Your mother?” Malachai asked.
“Yes. A demon came and took her.”
“She’s not here. There are only two cells as far as I saw,” Malachai said. “Let’s just get out of here, and then we’ll find her. I promise.”
“I can get us out of here,” Aztos said weakly.
“You’re in no shape,” Malachai told him. “Let me.”
Malachai gently laid his hands on the shoulders of Aztos and Beth, and they were soon in Malachai’s clearing.
“Where are we?” Aztos asked as Beth lowered him gently into the grass.
“My home,” Malachai informed him. “I thought it was best if we didn’t go back to yours right now.”
“We can’t stay here, long, either,” Beth said. “It’s too close to the house.”
“Yes, but I need something,” Malachai said.
Malachai whistled, and Sam came running into the clearing seconds later. He marched right up to Malachai and licked his hand.
“Sam!” Beth gasped, and he barked at her happily. “He’s your dog?”
“You could say that,” Malachai said. “He’s summoned.”
“What does that mean?” Beth asked.
“That means it’s not real,” Aztos said.
“Sam… isn’t real?” Beth breathed sadly.
“He’s flesh and blood real,” Malachai quickly corrected Aztos. “He just isn’t a real dog as you think of them. I created him.”
“Why did you create him?” Beth wanted to know.
“At first, it was companionship. I was lonely. When you came along, I had him come check on you now and then. Now, he’s going to help us find your mother.”
“He can do that?” Beth asked.
“He can find almost anything,” Malachai said. “But his name isn’t Sam. It’s Leopold.”
“Oh. Well, hi, Leopold,” Beth chirped, and Leopold yapped joyously.
Aztos coughed, and blood rained down on his shirt and the grass around him. He sputtered, and he sounded as though he were choking.
“Aztos!” Beth gasped, wiping his mouth with his own shirt this time.
“Here, let me help,” Malachai offered.
Malachai laid his hands on Aztos – one hand on his forehead, and the other on his arm. He closed his eyes, and a beautiful, golden halo of light radiated from behind him. It flowed through his hands and for a moment, Aztos glowed brightly. When the light subsided, Aztos was completely healed.
“Malachai!” Beth gasped. “How did you do that?”
“I told you I lost most of my powers,” Malachai reminded her. “I didn’t lose them all.”
“Then why didn’t you heal yourself?” Beth demanded.
“It doesn’t work on myself,” Malachai explained. “I can only heal others. I wasn’t even sure it would work, because I haven’t tried to use it since I was cast down.”
Aztos sat up and took Malachai’s hand, shaking it warmly.
“Thank you, Malachai,” Aztos told him, and Malachai nodded.
“We have to find my mother,” Beth reminded them both.
“Alright. We’ll need tethers,” Malachai said.
“What’s that?” Beth asked.
“They’re invisible bonds that will keep us together, and keep Leopold from getting lost. We’re probably not going to find your mother here on Earth, so we’ll be traveling elsewhere.”
“Oh. Well, how do we get these tethers?” Beth wanted to know.
Malachai touched the foreheads of Aztos and Beth. A slight golden glow emanated from his fingertips, and burned a symbol painlessly into their foreheads. The symbols glowed brightly for a moment, and then disappeared.
“There. Now we’re all tethered together. We’ll always be able to find each other quickly – at least until the spell wears off,” Malachai said. “Leopold, find Beth’s mother!”
Leopold leaped into action. He barked happily, and then took off. He pranced merrily through the grass, leaping over a log, and then he disappeared.
“So that’s how he kept getting out of the garage and house!” Beth laughed.
“Yep, that’s how he does things,” Malachai agreed. “Let’s give him a few minutes to do his job. I’ll know as soon as he finds her. Then we’ll go straight to her.”
Beth wrapped her arms around Aztos’ waist, and she laid her head gently on his chest. She’d been so terrified he would lose him when Addie said they were going to kill him, and when she saw him beaten and nearly catatonic on the floor, she feared the worst.
“I love you,” she whispered. “I was so afraid I’d lost you forever.”
“I love you, too,” Aztos said into her hair. “I honestly thought I would never see you again.”
Malachai cleared his throat uncomfortably and looked away. Not only was the scene intensely private, but it also pained him terribly to see.
“Sorry, Malachai,” Beth said. “I know this isn’t easy for you.”
“It’s fine,” Malachai told her. “I have to learn to get used to it.”
Malachai watched the crystal clear water of the stream, ignoring the happy couple as much as possible. Beth placed her hands on Aztos’ face and pulled it down to her, kissing him. He squeezed her tightly, and returned her kiss with intense passion. Beth felt electrified as her love for Aztos surged through her body. His kiss was incredible.
“Your mother has been located,” Malachai said. “Let’s go.”
Reluctantly, Beth and Aztos separated, and they waited for Malachai to take them to Beth’s mother. Malachai placed his hands on their shoulders, and in a moment, they were standing outside Beth’s childhood home. Leopold yapped with pride and wagged his tail at a job well done.
“I don’t understand,” Beth said. “I saw a demon take her!”
“Let us go inside and make sure she is safe,” Aztos suggested.
They rang the doorbell, and Sharon soon opened the door, drying her hair with a towel.
“Beth! Darling! Come in, baby!” she sang happily.
“Mom? Are you okay?” Beth asked.
“Sure, why wouldn’t I be? Is everything okay?” Sharon wanted to know, noting the concerned look on her daughter’s face.
“Yeah, it’s fine, Mom,” Beth said. “I just want
ed to drop by and say hello. We have somewhere to be, actually.”
“Oh, you’re not staying?” Sharon asked, clearly disappointed.
“No, sorry. We have to be somewhere,” Beth told her mother. “I’ll see you soon, though. I love you.”
“Oh! I love you, too, honey!” Sharon sang. “See you soon!”
She closed the door, and Beth, Aztos, and Malachi stepped off the front porch and into the yard.
“I don’t get it. I saw him take her,” Beth muttered, confused.
“A trick,” Aztos explained. “She was never there. She was here at home the whole time. I’m sorry.”
“How is that even possible?” Beth asked.
“A demon can make you see anything he wants,” Aztos said sternly. “You cannot trust them.”
“Them? You mean you?” Malachai reminded him.
“Look, angel,” Aztos spat. “I am tolerating you right now, because you saved my life, and…”
“Aztos, stop,” Beth interjected. “Let’s not argue right now.”
Aztos closed his mouth and glared at Malachai stormily.
“Let’s get out of here,” Malachai said suddenly. “I have a bad feeling.”
Malachai put his hands on their shoulders, and in seconds, they were standing outside an old farmhouse.
“This place is protected,” Malachai explained. “Demons can’t find us here.”
“Are you sure? I’m here,” Aztos argued.
“Only because I want you to be,” Malachai shot back. “Well, not really. Because she wants you to be.”
“What about my mother? Will they hurt her?” Beth asked.
“I don’t think so, but I could go back and watch over her if you like,” Malachai offered. “You two will be safe here.”
“I don’t think we should split up,” Beth argued. “Maybe we should bring her here.”
“I don’t believe that will be necessary,” a voice said, and they all turned to face it.
Azmond stood a few yards away. He was wearing an attractive business suit, and his brown hair fluttered lightly in the breeze. He stood with his hands in his pockets, looking comfortable and cool.
“Father, what are you doing here?” Aztos demanded.
“I have come to take you back to Lucifer, of course,” Azmond explained. “What did you think I would be here for?”
“How did you find this place?” Malachai asked. “It is protected.”
“You think your silly spells still work?” Azmond scoffed. “Demons learned how to defeat your weak protection spells centuries ago.”
“Azmond, please,” Beth begged, stepping between Aztos and Azmond. “Don’t do this. He’s your son!”
“My son would not knowingly harbor an angel,” Azmond spat disgustedly. “My son would not betray his own people. My son would not develop… feelings… for a pathetic mortal creature like you! This is not my son. He’s nothing but a pathetic waste of space, and he always has been.”
“That’s not true!” Beth shouted. “He’s a better person than you will ever be!”
“Let us not forget who demanded that he treat you better on your wedding day,” Azmond reminded her. “He couldn’t even get that right.”
“Stop it!” Beth yelled at Azmond. “Don’t you dare talk about him like that!”
“Well, well, well,” Azmond mocked her. “Aren’t you a spunky little mortal! I like it! At least I can see why Aztos got sucked in by you.”
“Stop it, Father!” Aztos shouted.
“Oh, shut up,” Azmond growled at his son. “You are so pathetic you couldn’t even bring in a fallen angel. We handed him to you on a silver platter when you married her, and you even failed at that!”
“What?” Beth gasped, her stomach lurching.
“Oh, dear,” Azmond said mockingly. “Now she knows. Yes, Elizabeth. It’s true. The moment I touched your mother I saw it. I saw the fallen angel in love with the little mortal girl. When Aztos married you, he should have had it all wrapped up cleanly in no time. But he had to go and fall… in… love. What a joke.”
“That’s why you betrothed your son to me?” Beth asked. “So you could get to Malachai?”
“You didn’t really think a demon would want his only son to marry a pathetic human, did you?” Azmond snarled. “I admit you’re not bad to look at, but you’re pathetic… weak. You let foolish emotions guide you.”
“Love is not a foolish emotion,” Beth argued.
Azmond burst into a rich, booming laughter.
“It got you here, did it not?” Azmond chuckled. “Your foolish love for Aztos nearly got you, him, and the angel killed. And your love for the angel will cost you all your lives.”
“She doesn’t love him,” Aztos growled.
“Oh, but she does, son,” Azmond said. “You have always been weak. I don’t even have to touch her to feel it. Just being near her is all I need. I can feel her love for him radiating out from her like the warmth of the summer sun. You fool! You let your wife fall in love with an angel!”
“No!” Aztos shouted. “It is not true! Beth, tell me it is not true!”
“Of course it’s not true! I only love you!” Beth assured him.
Azmond tilted his head and looked at her curiously.
“Ahh… she does not even yet realize it herself,” Azmond said. “She feels it deep inside her, but her mind has not yet accepted it.”
“Stop it!” Beth yelled. “Just stop this and leave us alone!”
“I am bored with this conversation,” Azmond growled. “Let us get this over with at once.”
Azmond stepped toward Beth, and she instinctively shot her hand out toward him. An arc of lightning flew from the end of her fingertips and hit Azmond. For a moment, he seemed dazed. He froze in place, and he appeared to be in pain. Then he burst into dramatic laughter.
“Oh, my! The silly little mortal is a witch just like her mother! How lovely! How long have you been practicing that one?” Azmond teased, fighting to contain his enormous fit of laughter. “Your little tricks won’t work on demons, girl!”
“No, but mine will!” Malachai snarled, throwing his hand out and hurling a bolt of lightning at Azmond.
Azmond fell to the ground, and a low, guttural growl flowed from his lips. He was momentarily paralyzed. Beth’s eyes grew large, and her mouth hung open. Malachai had far more powers than she’d ever realized.
“Aztos, get her out of her!” Malachai shouted.
“No! We’re not leaving you!” Beth screamed at Malachai.
“Aztos, take her. Go!” Malachai insisted.
Aztos nodded, and he immediately wrapped his arm around Beth’s waist and picked her up, tucking her under his arm.
“Malachai!” Beth shrieked, reaching her arms toward him and struggling to free herself from Aztos’ iron grip.
But it was too late. Aztos blinked them away from the area.
“Why did you leave him?” Beth yelled, pushing her palms into Aztos’ chest and nearly knocking him over.
“Because it is over, Elizabeth. They have won.”
“What do you mean they’ve won? What’s over?”
“Malachai’s home was supposed to be safe. If we can be found there, we can be found anywhere. We cannot run, nor can we hide. It is over.”
“No! That can’t be!” Beth insisted. “I can’t lose you!”
“Shh, darling,” Aztos whispered, taking Beth into his arms. “Malachai will hold my father off long enough for us to say our goodbyes.”
“Goodbyes? You’re talking like I will never see you again!”
“That may be true,” Aztos admitted. “They will try me for treason, and I will undoubtedly be cast into The Pit. I do not know what they will do with you, but I have to believe your soul is redeemable. You may make it to Heaven.”
“I don’t want to go to Heaven without you, Aztos! I don’t want to go anywhere without you!”
“If there is even the slightest chance I can spare you from The Pit, I w
ill do whatever it takes. I will give you up. I will never see you again. I do not ever want you to have to go through that. You do not know what it is like in there!”
“Anywhere will be Hell without you!”
“Please, darling,” Aztos tried to reason with her. “Listen to me. I know it took me too long to realize my feelings for you, and for that, I will punish myself for all eternity. But you must know that I love you with all my heart, and I will do whatever it takes to spare you from The Pit. I cannot allow you to go there if there is anything I can do to stop it.”
“No, Aztos. Please don’t make me live without you,” she sobbed, burying her face into his chest. “Please!”
“They will come for us, soon,” Aztos said. “Let us not spend our last moments arguing.”
He tilted her chin up gently, forcing her to look into his eyes. The amber clouds in his eyes that normally were shifting and swirling were now lazy and slow.
“Kiss me,” he begged. “One last kiss, to last forever.”
Beth stood on her tiptoes so she could reach his lips, and she pressed hers against his hungrily. She felt his strong arms wrap around her waist and pull her body off the ground, and she tangled her fingers in his perfectly disheveled hair and pulled him into the kiss.
For one moment, time seemed to stop. The whole world disappeared, and nothing existed but the two of them and their love for one another. It was deep, it was unending, and it would outlast even Heaven and Hell. Within that kiss was more magic than within ever witch, every demon, and every angel that had ever existed, and ever would exist.
And suddenly, the two of them slipped into darkness…
Chapter Fifteen
When Beth awakened from the darkness sometime later, she was frozen. Every muscle in her body was as solid as stone. The demons’ spell kept her from moving or speaking, forcing her to watch the proceedings from the chair upon which she sat.
The room was circular, and made entirely of stone, aside from the windows that formed the outer walls. Huge stone pillars formed a circle in the center of the room, and several layers of stone bleachers rose around the back half of the room. Chandeliers full of dozens of candles hung about the room from the high ceiling and cast their flickering light upon the witnesses in the bleachers.