by Last, K. A.
I didn’t quite understand why they’d said that. Every mission I’d ever been on required my complete devotion; that’s what it was all about. The clouds parted and the floor of the chamber opened up. It revealed the image of a young woman and her husband seated at a table. The woman rose and placed a hand on her pregnant belly. A sense of déjà vu washed over me. Another pregnant woman, I thought.
“Am I saving her or the baby this time?” I asked.
“Neither,” the Council said.
I was confused. “Her husband then?” I waited for the silence to be filled with the Council’s answer.
“This couple are the first in what we hope will be a long lineage. The woman is carrying twins who will be born to serve a very specific purpose.”
“So, I am saving the babies?”
“Grace,” the Council sighed, and it sounded like a collection of different pitched voices. A mound in the cloud dust formed beside me. “Sit. And just listen.”
I sat.
“The situation in Australia is becoming dire,” the Council continued. My ears pricked at the mention of a country other than England. This was going to be good. “And we need to set something in place to alleviate it. The birth of these twins is vital in the fight against evil, and their role is important. The boy will be born first. He is the hunter. He is human but stronger, faster, and more agile—built specifically to fight the ultimate creature of evil. The vampire.”
“You’re creating a vampire hunter?” I asked.
“The girl,” the Council went on, ignoring my question, “is the protector. She will also hunt, but her main duty is to protect her brother. We already have some teams like this stationed at various places around the world. One particular linage in England is still alive and strong, thanks to the efforts of your last mission. But a need has arisen for another location to be protected. Hopetown Valley is under vampire attack. The creatures are moving from the cities into the country areas in search of more secluded feeding grounds.”
“The twins Seth and I saved grew up to be vampire hunters?” I asked. “But I don’t understand. What part will I play in this if I don’t need to ensure the safety of these unborn children?”
“You will be one of these children.”
I needed to sit down, but I was already sitting down. The silence in the chamber was thick. I tried to let the Council’s last words sink in, but they bounced off me and spiralled out of control around the circular room.
“Um, can you repeat that, please?” I eventually said.
“The children you saved on your last mission: one was a Protection Angel—like you will be—and the other was a hunter. The man sitting at that table is distantly related to William.”
The face of the baby boy Seth and I saved came to the front of my mind. I watched the man in the image below me and tried to see if there was any resemblance. He smiled at his wife as she set a cup on the table in front of him. He pulled her onto his lap and gave her an affectionate cuddle, kissing her belly. I still couldn’t quite fathom what the Council was asking of me.
“We’ve specifically chosen this couple to be your parents. Their names are John and Sophia Tate. They know what is expected of them, and that you will be special. You will be born into this generation of hunters, to grow alongside your brother and keep him true to his path. You will protect him until he is ready to be trained, and you will keep protecting him until it is time to be born into the next generation.”
Again I had to let the information sink in. I’d never in my existence been asked to undertake a mission as complicated as this. Usually we went to Earth, saved someone important or prevented a tragedy, then came home. This was something different entirely: an indefinite mission. The Council said there were already other Protection Angels out there. It was possible. There were so many of us there was no way I could know all the angels that lived in Heaven, or all those currently serving on Earth.
“I’m not sure I fully understand how this will work. I’ll be re-born, over and over?” I asked. “Why? Why not stay and protect each son when he’s born?”
The Council sighed. “You need to form a bond with each generation, and we feel the best way to do that is in utero. You will be completely in tune with each other; thinking and acting together when needed.”
“But what about the down time? Our younger years, and the time we need to train?” I had so many questions the Council would not be happy about. The air in the room tightened with their frustration, but if they wanted me to do this, I needed to know the details.
“Grace, we’ve never known an angel to ask as many questions as you.”
“How do you get any answers if you don’t ask questions?” I said.
The Council remained silent for a few moments before continuing. “Very well. Your parents will continue the fight while you are young and in training; specifically your father. He is the one that keeps the lineage going. Your mother will learn skills as your father trains your new brother, but her main role is to nurture you both in your younger years.”
“Um, so basically my brother will become my dad? That’s just weird. And yucky.”
Another collective sigh. “Your soul is divine. You are not related to them by blood.”
“It’s still yucky,” I mumbled.
“Is there anything else you would like to know before you leave?” the Council asked.
“Yes, one more question. What happens to me when it’s time to be born again? Do I just vanish into thin air? Won’t people ask questions?”
“Each generation will be treated differently and dealt with when the time comes. You will know when it’s time to move on.”
“Will I know what’s happening?” I asked. “When I’m … born.”
“What happened to one more question?” The Council made a noise that I could only describe as chuckling. “You will know everything from the moment you are inside your mother. You need to in order to do your job.”
“Ok, ok, ok,” I breathed. “This is really weird. You want me to become a baby then grow up beside a human who will be my twin brother and protect him while we fight vampires? Then I’ll die and be re-born to do it all over again? Several times.”
The Council remained silent. I stood and ran my hands through my hair. The couple below me continued to smile and laugh happily with each other. It would be strange, being inside someone’s belly, then going through childhood and actually growing as a human would do. Angels aren’t born; we are created, and I don’t remember my creation. I just remember being there and receiving my creation ring.
“Will I keep my powers?”
“You will be able to do everything you can do now. It will be the same as every other time you’ve been sent to Earth,” the Council replied.
“How long is this mission?” I asked.
“The determined amount of time is indefinite. You will serve until such time as we see fit. Or a time when you are no longer needed to carry out your duty.”
“Then it’s pretty much forever?”
“We are not asking for you to agree, Grace. We are asking you to comply,” the Council said.
“Yeah, I know. What you say goes.” I watched the cloud dust float over the image of the couple until they were completely obscured. “When do I leave? Can I say goodbye to everyone?”
The marble door appeared in the wall of the chamber and I took it as my answer. What would I say to my friends, to all the angels that had been my family for so many years? I’d been selfish in my grief over the loss of Seth; he’d been their friend and brother, too. They’d lost him as well, and now they would lose me. Maybe not in quite the same way, but I didn’t know when I’d be back. I might never come back.
My body went numb as my feet carried me to the chamber door. It slid open at my touch and I stepped across the threshold.
The Council spoke one last time, their voice echoing off the chamber walls. “Good luck, Grace. We’ll see you in your dreams.”
NINE
He held my gaze with his serious brown eyes. There was something in his stare that unsettled me. I gently probed his mind for an answer. Surprisingly, he let me in—but only so far.
No details, Grace. Just know he isn’t in Hell.
For now, that would have to be enough.
Why did he do it? I asked. You know, don’t you?
As much as I want to, I can’t tell you. Michael blinked. He shoved me out of his mind, startling me.
“I’ll never forgive him.”
“Never is a long time,” Michael said.
Angelica floated over and laid a gentle hand on my arm. “You’re going on another mission, aren’t you?”
“I have to; everything here reminds me of him. Leaving is the only way I’ll be able to forget,” I said. “And I don’t know how long I’ll be gone.”
“Yes, but unlike Seth, you’ll come back eventually,” Angelica said. “He’s a traitor and a coward, and I hope he gets what he deserves.”
I frowned at her. “If this is your way of helping me forget about him, it’s not working.”
“Grace, I—”
“No. Don’t keep talking, Angelica. For once just keep your mouth shut.”
The angels surrounded me, offering hugs and words of encouragement. Angelica got pushed to the outer edge but moved with us as the crowd swept me along to the earth-bound gate. I’d lost sight of Michael and when I finally managed to look back at him, he stood in the middle of the field with his arms folded.
Goodbye, I said. Thanks for being a great arch, even if you are annoying.
This isn’t goodbye, Grace. We’ll see each other again. Just make sure you’re prepared for anything.
Always pack my toothbrush? I giggled.
Something like that, yes. Michael smiled and it filled the field with light. It was the last thing I saw before the gate closed and I had nowhere else to go but the departure pad.
TEN
Daniel smiled warmly when I approached the departure desk.
“You know, I think I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve sent you down to Earth,” he said.
“Really?” I asked. “Because I can remember every single one of my missions.”
“I know. I was only joking.” Daniel’s expression grew serious. He stared at me for a long time. Finally, he spoke again. “This is the first time on your own, though.”
“I guess it is. I hadn’t really thought about it.” I stared at my hands and fiddled with my ring. Why did Daniel have to point out that Seth wasn’t with me? Sadness overwhelmed me, and for a moment all I wanted was to sink into the surrounding mist and disappear. I wanted it to swallow me up and encase me in warmth, to shut everything else out.
“I’m going to miss you,” Daniel said.
I looked up into his open face and struggled to hold back the tears that threatened to spill onto my cheeks.
“We’ll see each other again.”
“I know.” He handed me the clipboard. “I just get all mushy when an angel is sent on an indefinite.”
I signed the sheet and handed the clipboard back to Daniel. He set it on the desk then came around to join me on the other side.
“It’s going to be different this time. You won’t really land anywhere,” he said.
I took a deep breath and let it out slowly. The dust on the departure pad began to swirl; that was my cue. My stomach tightened with nerves and I wrung my hands together.
“Thanks, for everything,” I said.
Daniel gave me an awkward hug and patted me on the back. “This isn’t goodbye. You’ll return someday, and I’ll still be here.”
The comfort from Daniel’s embrace lingered around me as I stepped onto the departure pad. I turned to face him, smiled, and gave a small wave.
“You’ll be fine, Grace. I haven’t seen you fail a mission yet.”
Daniel’s reassuring voice was the last thing I heard as everything turned white.
ELEVEN
1874
When I opened my eyes I was greeted by darkness. My body floated inside a warm bubble, and the steady rhythm of a heartbeat pulsed around me. I heard the sound of muffled voices. When I reached out my hands I touched someone. Instantly, I realised it was my brother. A thin membrane separated us, but I could still feel his emotions and hear his thoughts.
Don’t be scared, I said. I’m here to protect you.
There was a squeeze. Gentle pressure pushed our bodies closer, and for a moment we jostled for position in the cramped space.
Someone cried out in pain.
Here we go, I said. It’s your turn first. I’ll meet you on the other side.
TWELVE
1889
First Incarnation – Fifteen Years Old
The horses brayed and tossed their heads as my father adjusted the buggy pole. It was my favourite day of the week. Mother and Father were going into town for supplies, and that meant my brother and I had the whole day to do as we pleased.
“I trust you two will stay out of trouble,” Father said. My brother, Samuel, grunted in reply from his seat on the cottage steps.
“Of course they will,” Mother said. “They never get into any trouble they can’t handle.” She winked at me and ruffled Samuel’s hair on her way past.
“We’ll see you later this afternoon.” Father held Mother’s hand and helped her into the buggy. He flicked the reins and the horses pulled them off down the long drive.
I walked away from the house to the centre of the clearing and turned my face to the sun. Samuel came to stand with me and we went through our little ritual, like we did every town day. We stood back to back. At six-foot-two, he was an entire foot taller than me, so the back of my head fit comfortably into the curve of his neck. We entwined our fingers and I closed my eyes. Slowly, we raised our arms out to the side and Samuel bent forward. I leant back into him and waited for the exact moment to flick my legs into the air. Once I was up, I balanced on his back for a few minutes.
It was an odd ritual, but it reinforced our trust in each other. I trusted Samuel completely. For fifteen years I’d protected him, shadowed him wherever he went. We shared an unbreakable bond, even if we had a funny way of showing it.
A sound in the forest startled me and I fell. Before I hit the ground I orbed and landed on my feet in front of Samuel. He stumbled forward but managed to stop himself crashing into me.
“What was that?” I whipped my head around in an attempt to find out where the sound had come from. “Someone is in the forest.”
“I don’t see anyone,” Samuel said.
Something flashed through the trees. It was almost white and gleamed in the dull forest light. I focused on it and orbed. When I landed all I saw was a cloud of dissipating black mist.
“Grace, what’s going on?” Samuel joined me amongst the trees.
“There was someone right here,” I said.
“I think maybe you’re—”
I saw the flash again and orbed before Samuel could finish his sentence.
“Crazy,” I mumbled to myself when I landed.
The mist I’d seen the first time swirled in front of me before dissipating into nothing. I was a bit baffled. I’d never seen someone disappear in a cloud of mist before. I’d seen plenty of vampires explode into dust, but never black mist. I walked back to the clearing where Samuel sat on the grass waiting.
“Are you finished being crazy?” he asked.
I flopped down across from him and picked at a tuft of grass. “I think someone is watching us,” I whispered. “You know how careful we have to be.”
“I know,” Samuel sighed. Then he used our twin connection and spoke in my head. Are you going to launch into your “We’re here to save the world” speec
h again?
I pursed my lips, and brushed the dirt and bits of grass from my hands.
“This is serious,” I hissed, smacking him on the arm. No one can know what we do. And if there is someone watching us, it can’t be good.
Samuel leant back on his hands and stretched his legs out beside me. “Don’t worry about it; we’re vampire hunters, who could possibly be watching us that we can’t handle?”
“Shhh!” I smacked him again. “Keep your voice down. We don’t know who’s out there.”
Well, it’s not a vamp; it’s the middle of the day, Samuel said silently.
Then he froze.
His eyes searched for something over my head and he furrowed his brow. Don’t look, he said before I had the chance to turn around. I’ll show you. Just pretend we’re still talking.
I stalled; then started talking a little too eagerly. “What do you want to do today?” I asked. I chattered about anything I could think of while Samuel showed me what he was looking at. All he had to do was hold the image in his mind and I could go in and take a peek.
You’re right, Samuel said. Someone is watching us.
A figure stood in the forest beneath the shadow of the trees. It stepped forward and my breath caught in my throat. I had to force myself to keep talking. Samuel was responding but I didn’t hear the words coming from his mouth. His mind held the image of a face I hadn’t seen in a long time. A face I’d struggled to push out of my thoughts and my heart. After all the time that had passed, he hadn’t changed. His eyes still wore the same hardened and pained expression they’d held when I’d last looked into them.
“Seth,” I breathed. But when I turned to look, he was gone.
THIRTEEN
1947
Third Incarnation – Twenty Years Old