“Yes, well. Watching isn’t quite the same as experiencing. First, you thought I was just interested in you to keep myself out of prison.”
Kari gave him a look out of the corner of her eyes.
“Well, I admit, staying out of the ice was important to me, at first. I guess I was being pretty selfish, rushing you. But I knew it would help keep you safe. And the sooner it was done, the better for both of us.“ Rahmiel ran his hands through his hair and just looked at her.
She remembered him telling her of the girl who didn’t get the safety of a binding.
“Everything happened fast,“ she admitted. “Considering the circumstances there wasn’t really time to talk a lot.”
“After we defeat the demon, we can get to know each other better.” He moved to the bed and looked down at her mother. “Hopefully she’ll quit thinking I’m some kind of evil cult leader.”
“I’m sure she’ll come around. We don’t have to figure everything out right now.”
Rahmiel nodded. ”I think I’ll go see what Tehmuel is doing. That way you can be alone with your mother.”
He left and soon her mom’s eyelids fluttered. Kari sat next to her on the bed and patted her hand. “Hey, Mom. How are you feeling?”
“Like I owe you an apology. I believe you now. I wish I’d believed you earlier.”
“Oh, Mom, who could believe a story like this—Angels and demons? No wonder you thought I was crazy.”
Kari’s mother burst into tears. “I’m so glad it isn’t what I thought it was drugs, or mental illness, or something awful.”
* * * *
Rahmiel fled the room, glad to leave Kari to take care of her mother. Now, there was a difficult woman.
Tehmuel was in a small sitting room with a bottle of wine open in front of him.
Rahmiel poured himself a glass and gulped it down.
“Pah,” he spat as the drink registered. “Hate this crap.”
Tehmuel grinned and raised his glass. “My friend, this is Assembly Approved nectar. If you drink about fifteen glasses of it really fast, you’ll start to feel it.”
“Pitiful. Just pitiful.”
“Earth has some great beer. Tressa treated us to several varieties when we went fishing. Now, that was a pleasant experience. Mud, stinging insects. And the fishing equipment was astounding.”
“Overland is pretty and all, but it seems…lifeless,” Rahmiel observed after he calmed down a bit.
“Yes. We have primped and trimmed it into dullness. Everything is perfect.”
Auriel phased into the room. “Samuel’s coming. He wants Kaliel and some of the other Assembly members to meet him here. Tell Kaliel, would you? I’ll be back soon.”
Tehmuel raised an eyebrow as Rahmiel remained in his chair. “I don’t know what room they took Kari’s mom to. Looks like this is your errand.”
Rahmiel flew to the room and delivered the message. Kari’s mother was sitting up on the bed, holding Kari and both had cheeks wet from tears. He looked at them warily.
“Um, Kaliel, I’m here to get you. Samuel has been studying Kari’s book, the one with the summoning ritual. He wants to meet with you and the other Assembly members. Auriel’s gone to fetch the others.”
Kaliel grew serious. “Follow me. We will meet in the Grand Assembly Chamber.
Kari. Mary Ellen. Please feel at home here. We all have to leave for awhile.”
“May I come?” Kari asked. “I’d like to know about the ritual.”
Kaliel frowned in thought and then nodded. “Yes. The humans can be present.
Rahmiel, take care of that.”
“Mom, do you mind?”
“Your mother may come, also,“ Kaliel said.
Rahmiel, of course, didn’t know where the Grand Assembly Chamber was located, so he had to get Tehmuel. Between the two of them they phased Kari and her mother to the Chamber.
The Chamber shimmered of milky white glass inlaid with gold filigree. Intricate gold filigree hung from carved columns spaced throughout the huge chamber. A large stage stood at one end. Couches, covered in rich fabrics, covered tiers going up the walls, facing the stage. Angels came in on foot or wing, and some just appeared.
Rahmiel seated Kari and Mary Ellen front and center with a silent chuckle. The Assembly probably sat in rank. Now he would throw them all off. He sat down next to Kari.
“This is all overwhelming,” Mary Ellen whispered. “But I’m sorry for the things I said earlier, Rahmiel. Kari tells me you saved her life.”
“I understand what you were thinking, and it isn’t a problem,” Rahmiel said. “This is my first visit to the Overland, so it is quite new to me, also.”
“Really? I thought this was the Angel’s home. Where have you lived?”
He heard Kari take a quick breath, and her eyes were huge.
“I was in a distant dimension, doing observations of Earth.
“Oh, like a news reporter.”
He grinned. “Something like that.”
* * * *
Kari relaxed against the plush couch when she heard Rahmiel’s explanation. Mom really didn’t need to know about his years in prison.
The Grand Chamber filled quickly as Angel after Angel phased in.
Angels stared at them, the ones who sat down near them nodded politely, but none came forward to speak with Rahmiel or ask why there were humans in their chamber.
Rahmiel had been away for a long time, perhaps there were few people now who knew him. Or perhaps they already knew everything, some Angel communication thing she didn’t know about. She wondered if these Angels would send Rahmiel back to ice.
An Angel with long white hair brushed straight back off his forehead appeared before them. “Rahmiel, I’ve thought of you often through the years. I was opposed to the ice, but I didn’t expect it would be the last I’d hear of you.” The older man slapped Rahmiel on the shoulder, and then they embraced.
“Introduce me to your lovely Earth companions,” the older man continued. “It has been too long since we of the Overland have been graced by such a lovely presence.”
The man’s eyes glittered and Kari noticed that other than his white hair and a few lines on his face, he didn’t look very old. Rahmiel took Kari’s hand. “This is Kari, to whom I’m bound.”
“What does that mean?“ Mom whispered into Kari’s ear. “Is it like an engagement?”
Kari squirmed. This was not a conversation she wanted to have with her mother.
“Um, it’s a protection thing, to keep me safe from the demon.”
Rahmiel turned toward the women. “Kari, Mary Ellen, this is my former tutor, and Head of the High Assembly, Samuel.”
“Did you find out about the ritual in the book?” Kari asked.
The smile left Samuel’s face and he suddenly looked older and serious. “Yes, child, I found out something very troubling. I will be explaining my findings to the Assembly.”
The chamber filled and Samuel moved to the lighted stage.
Without preamble, Samuel spoke to the Assembly. “Many long years ago, the Angeli decided to sever our ties with Earth and move here, to a dimension we could form to our own liking. We felt, at that time, that leaving Earth would protect our people from the violence and hardships that are so prevalent there. Some of us did protest. What of the demons our Angeli Guardians kept contained? What would happen to Humans if we left them vulnerable?
“But still, the majority persisted in their desire to create this world, and the Angeli eventually severed all ties to Earth. But our little world is not perfect, is it?”
Out of the corner of her eye Kari saw movement, and she turned her head to see several Angels get up and walk toward an alcove, whispering and gesturing. They did not look happy.
“While the Overland provides a good home for our artists, our craftsmen and healers, what has it provided for the Guardians? Now, Guardians police other Guardians, and those once engaged in a most honored and necessary profession spend their d
ays checking the alcoholic content of wines and chasing bored children out of the decorative fountains. It is a waste of their lives,” Samuel paused. He bent down and spoke to Kari and her friends. “Ladies, please stand up.”
Kari glanced at her mother. What was happening? But she trusted Samuel. She nodded slightly and they stood.
Kari wished she was wearing something other than shorts and a tank top.
Samuel continued speaking, “Some of you may have noticed there are human women here in our front row. They are here for their own safety. Kaphawn, the famine demon that killed the entire Forlingian tribe, is once again loose on the Earth.”
There was a stir in the crowd now, and some murmuring. Samuel gestured toward Kari and her mother. “Thank you, ladies, you may be seated.”
Kari sank gratefully onto the couch. She didn’t think the Angeli seemed pleased to have humans in their meeting.
“As many of you might recall,” Samuel continued, “Kaphawn was defeated long ago, before we left Earth, by Rahmiel and the Guardians. Rahmiel was recently pulled out of the ice dimension to fight Kaphawn. So far the kills have been small in number, but we know how Kaphawn works. If we do not stop him, whole cities will die. He could kill the entire population of the Earth in less than a year. If he does this, he will be immensely strong.”
Samuel paused and looked around the Assembly. “Do you think he will leave the Overland alone? Remember, all of us have human relations on many levels. Many of us sitting here have Human blood in our veins. My own grandmother, Mara, was human.”
“Rahmiel has not had the support of the Guardians. In fact, Lemuel placed him in custody, leaving the Earth with no defense against Kaphawn. The Assembly must intervene and allow Rahmiel to do his work. And after this pressing need is met, we as a people need to question our decision to remain separate from our human family.”
There was a rumble of low voices throughout the Assembly.
“Do you think they will side with Lemuel?” Kari whispered to Rahmiel.
“I do not know,“ he murmured in her ear. “Lemuel is from an old and powerful family. But Samuel is on our side, and he is well respected.”
“I have another concern.” Samuel held up Kari’s book. “A young Earth girl found this book, which included a ritual to be thinner. She prepared for and completed the ritual, which unleashed Kaphawn. Where did the ritual come from? Back in the days Kaphawn was terrorizing the Earth, there was no such ritual. Someone, a mage or sorcerer, developed this ritual to summon Kaphawn. Why? To decimate Earth populations? What would be the purpose of that?
“Is this the only summoning ritual unleashed on Earth? I fear there may be more.
The book contains Angeli symbols.” Samuel put the book down and paused looking down at Kari for a moment. “I fear we have abandoned too many of our old ways. Our Guardians no longer rove the Earth. This leaves not only Earth vulnerable, but also the Overland. Let us send Rahmiel to defeat Kaphawn, and let us consider a new direction for our Guardians and for the Overland. Now the Assembly may speak.” Samuel left the stage.
There was a roar from the crowd as dozens of Angeli leapt up and the orderly room descended into chaos. Several Angels Kari recognized as Guardians flew in front of the stage and called for order. “What’s going on?” she asked Rahmiel.
“They will discuss and argue for hours now, even days. Returning Guardians to the Earth means great change for the Overland.”
“There’s Lemuel,” Kari said, indicating an Angel striding toward them. Was he coming to arrest Rahmiel? She clutched Rahmiel’s arm and looked at him. “Take me with you. If you have to go to the Ether to avoid arrest.”
Rahmiel drew a finger along her cheek. “If there is a need, I will take you with me.”
He stood. “Lemuel, why do you seek me out?”
“The Guardians will not hinder your actions against Kaphawn.” Lemuel spoke in a terse tone. “I know that some of my men have sought you out. They will not be disciplined for their involvement in this matter.” He turned abruptly and left.
“They will not vote until all discussion, all points, have been brought out. It will soon be sunset,” Rahmiel said. ” Let us return to Kaliel’s for a meal and preparations.”
Kari’s heart rate sped up. It was almost sundown, time to go back home.
“What’s going on, honey?” Mom asked as they left the Assembly chamber.
“Rahmiel and some of the others need to leave, Mom. They want to try and fight Kaphawn tonight.”
“Oh. When will I get to return home? I have to be at work on Monday.”
“I know. Hopefully it will all be over tonight.”
Others from the Assembly hall followed them, but Rahmiel refused their help for the night. “If we do not defeat him tonight we will contact you for special training tomorrow. There is not time now to teach you our plan.”
“Mom, why don’t you visit with Amber? I’m sure she would enjoy the company,”
Kari suggested as Tehmuel and Rahmiel got them to the correct corridor.
“Aren’t you coming with me?”
“I can’t, Mom. I need to be with Rahmiel.”
“I don’t understand. You’re gong to the battle?”
Kari nodded. “But I’ll be all right, okay? I’ve gone through the binding, so I am much stronger than I was.”
“I don’t like this Kari. I think you should stay with me.” Her mom was beginning to panic.
“I can’t, Mom. Please be okay with this. I’ll come see you later tonight.” Kari was beginning to panic a little herself. It was hard to tear herself away and leave the room.
“Are you ready?” Rahmiel asked her.
She nodded. He gave her a quick hug. “I’ll be there.”
“I know,” she whispered.
Rahmiel handed her a plate of food, and she ate without tasting any of it.
After the light meal, they phased to Kari’s home.
“We are going to the Ether now. We will wait for Kaphawn’s appearance.”
Kari swallowed hard and nodded. Her mouth was dry, her palms wet. Rahmiel gave her a swift hug, and the Angels vanished.
The living room smelled musty. Kari wondered if it was the stench of dried blood.
She gagged at the thought. She got a diet cola from the fridge, hoping it would settle her stomach. She eased her way back to the living room, and peered around the corner.
Was Kaphawn there yet? Then she remembered what Rahmiel had told her about pressure in her ears. Her hands shook so hard she could barely open the can. She sat on the couch, on the edge as far from the blood stain as she could get.
The light in the room began to dim as the sun set. She tried to turn on the remaining lamp, but even that was an effort. Her sweaty fingers had a hard time gripping the small knob.
What if Rahmiel doesn’t arrive in time? What if the binding didn’t work right andKaphawn drains me? What if I die tonight?
She thought of her Mom, returning to the house, knowing her only child died in the living room. A tear slid down her cheek.
It wasn’t worth it. Being thin wasn’t worth this. She felt pressure in her ears, the same pressure she had felt during the ritual. Her stomach rolled with nausea and she swallowed hard. Her heart began to skitter.
Kaphawn was there, right in front of her. He was huge, but no longer skeletal. This time, tight brown skin stretched over his bones. His mouth widened into a frightening open-toothed grin and sharp black eyes seemed to pull at her.
She watched in frozen horror as Kaphawn reached out one huge hand covered in taut leathery brown skin. The nails were long and yellowed, with brown stains.
Blood! The brown stains are blood. Amber’s—or Auriel’s—or Rahmiel’s.
She heard a sound, and realized it was her own scream.
Kaphawn reached for her slowly at first then his fingers suddenly shot out, striking her abdomen.
She screamed a high piercing screech.
His fingernails scratche
d her and she could feel warm blood trickle down her skin toward her waistband, but he couldn’t stab into her abdomen and impale her. The binding worked.
Kaphawn grabbed her around the waist and lifted her. He can still kill me. She tried to scramble away, but he held her effortlessly and laughed into her face.
His breath was foul. She gagged.
Kaphawn roared louder. He raised his arm back as if to strike her. She fought to get away in panic, clawing and hitting at him. A blow from his huge hand could easily break her neck.
Then Rahmiel was there with a flash of sword. From behind the demon, Rahmiel stuck Kaphawn’s raised arm.
Tehmuel and Auriel and three other Angels she hadn’t met appeared, swords drawn.
Kaphawn dropped her to the floor to slice at Rahmiel. Kari crawled under the dining table. Her job was to stay out of the way. She scrambled back toward the wall.
A large hard hand reached under the table. She couldn’t get away fast enough. The walls and chairs hampered her retreat. Steel strong fingers bit into her as Kaphawn hauled her out from under the table. She covered her head with her arms, but he crashed her against the table as he yanked, and she cried out in pain. Her arm flared with pain and fell limply to her side. She looked in surprise at the odd red lump in her forearm, and realized her arm was broken. Kaphawn swung her into the air. The pain as her arm flailed helplessly nearly caused her to pass out. She managed to grab her broken arm and hold it to her stomach.
Rahmiel gazed at her in horror.
“She is mine,” Kaphawn spoke in a low throbbing voice. It hurt her ears. He was holding her so tight she could barely breathe. She wondered if he intended to snap her spine.
Other Guardians were all around, slicing at the demon with their swords when they could, careful not to hurt her. Kaphawn laughed at their efforts. They weren’t getting near him.
“Auriel,” Rahmiel yelled. “I need to get close, get her out of here.”
Kaphawn shoved her against the wall. She covered her face with her good arm, but her wrist smashed against the wall. “No,” she screamed.
Kaphawn slashed at one of the swordsmen. He crashed back against the dining table, shattering it with a tremendous crash. The Angel didn’t jump right back up as she expected. She watched in horror as blood flowed from his chest and stomach onto the shattered remains of the table.
Angel Magic Page 11