by Rue Volley
***
Josh had graciously agreed to sightsee before escaping into the unknown. His uneasiness had become worse by the minute and if it were not for his love of Lily and Jonah, he would have left. He had said he would go though, and felt that this last act of being compliant would maybe soften the blow of his leaving to unknown parts for however long was needed. Lily walked down the large staircase slowly and Josh looked up at her and wondered what the hell his problem was exactly. Lily was a beautiful girl, wanted by many and yet he refused to allow himself to get close to her. Lily stepped down onto the checkered floor and glanced at him quickly.
“Would you like to see the city now?” she asked him.
“Sure.” Josh said as he held her coat up and she placed her arm into one sleeve and then the other.
“There is a new transit system here… amazing really. I have had your things sent ahead, so that you may leave.” She said.
“Oh… well thanks.” Josh said as Lily adjusted her coat and started to button it up. “Lily I ah...”
Lily smiled at him and placed her hand on his face.
“There is no need.” She said as she looked into his eyes.
Jonah ran into the room and slid across the glossy floor. He stopped about three feet from the two of them and tipped his hat. Josh smiled and bowed slightly.
“Shall we do up the town?” Jonah asked.
Josh nodded and Lily left the two of them standing there as she headed for the door. Josh ran ahead of her and opened the door up for her and she nodded as she stepped out into the sunlight. Lily took a breath and looked up at the sky.
“Just beautiful.” She said as Josh stepped out behind her followed by Jonah.
“That it is!” Jonah said as he slipped his arm into his coat and adjusted it.
Josh looked up and narrowed his eyes, as he shielded the bright sunlight from his face. He focused in on the clouds and an echo welled up his ears. He sucked in his breath and just as quickly as it happened, it faded. Jonah tapped him on the arm and jumped down the steps to follow Lily to the awaiting car. Josh shook his head and started to walk down the steps to follow.
Josh stopped and looked back at the house, he looked up and stared at the angel, with a sword and his head ached again… like a lingering headache that had no intention of fully leaving him.
“Having second thoughts?” Lily asked as she peeked her head out the car window.
Josh looked back at her and rubbed his forehead.
“Sorry… beautiful house.” He said as he ducked his head and slipped into the backseat next to Lily. Jonah sat across from the two of them and as the car started to move he placed his finger on a button and a silver holder rose up with a bottle of chilled wine in it. He pulled it out, grinning as he popped the cork and smelled the bottle. He filled two glasses and handed them out to both Josh and Lily. Lily took hers as she grinned and Josh held his hand up.
“I think not.” Josh said.
Jonah raised his eyebrows and grinned as he placed the glass to his lips and swallowed.
“Perhaps not.” He said as he relaxed against the black leather seat and glanced at Lily.
“So… where are you travelling to Joshua?” Jonah asked.
Lily looked out the window and watched the trees lining the long driveway pass by. Josh glanced at Lily and back to Jonah.
“Not sure... I just want to sail.” He said.
“Well, I am sure that any crew would be lucky to have you.” Lily said without looking at him.
“Well… I thought that perhaps I would try to new human invention… the water ship.” He said.
“Ah! I have seen those. Quite elaborate for their kind. A submarine of sorts, but so advanced that you can watch the sea as you pass through it like knife through butter.”
“Yes… I think maybe I would like to try it.” Josh said as he glanced out the back window and watched the house become smaller as they travelled away from it.
“Well… that sounds like a leisurely trip… not a work adventure.” Lily said.
“No… I ah, I just want to be in the water. Not part of a crew. Those days have come and gone anyway.”
Jonah looked at him and smiled. “True… the days of large vessels on open seas at her mercy have passed. It is all digital and hands free now.”
“I wish that wasn’t true.”
“Well Joshua Barrington, the sea calls you to her and I would guess that you will enjoy being on the new water ship… she is in port and I will arrange for you to be able to board her by evening, before she sets off.”
“Thanks.” Josh said as he relaxed in his seat and closed his eyes, hoping that the pain in his head would leave him sooner… not later.
Lily slapped her hand on her knee and sucked in her breath.
“We should go.” She said.
Josh and Jonah looked at her and tilted their heads.
“Go where love?” Jonah asked.
“On the water ship of course… a trip would be nice.” She said.
Josh looked at her and raised an eyebrow.
“You hate water Lily.”
“True and not all at the same time. I do not wish to heave and ho on a wooden vessel, just waiting for disaster… but I would be quite content on a vessel such as the new water ship in port… I believe it is headed across the pond, and we have not been there in so long… what say you Jonah?” Lily looked at Jonah and he sighed and then raised his glass to her.
“To adventures.” He said.
Josh looked out the window and sighed. He didn’t hate the idea but didn’t love it either… he felt like being alone, but would not tell them that they were not welcome.
Josh looked at Jonah and smiled.
“That sounds great.” He said, trying to sound enthusiastic but not in a fake way.
Lily giggled and he looked at her.
“Glad you are happy.” He said.
“Uh huh.” Lily said as they pulled through the gate and away from the beautiful house to unknown adventure.
Gracie woke again… irritated this time. She started to sit up and found that her hands were bound in light as well as her ankles. She looked down the bed and saw Alex standing at the window, staring out into the town.
“Excuse me.” Gracie said and Alex turned to look at her.
“Hello.” He said.
“I would suggest that you release me.” She said.
“I did not bind you… I wouldn’t know how too.”
“You lie… unbind me and I will show you mercy.” Gracie said as she tugged on her binding.
“I wish that you would remember me as I am to you Gracie… I am not the enemy, these rogues are.”
Gracie laughed and relaxed on the bed.
“As are you Alexander… I remember everything now and find your pathetic attempt to seduce me disgusting.”
Alex sighed and walked to the chair and placed his head in his hands.
“So you know what you are then.” He said, more like he was announcing it and not as a question.
“Well of course I do! I am Grace Barrington… well, born of the sword and the shield with all intent to destroy what plagues this world. I will restore Valon to its rightful owners and rid the world of weakness.” She said.
“Fantastic.” Alex said as he looked up at her.
“You mock me; you are not shielded from my wrath.”
Alex stood up and stared at her.
“I would suggest that you find me a friend to you… as I am, for you have no friends amongst these rogues.”
“I will kill them all.” She said.
“Gracie…please, this is not the plan. We were to go to Valon together, to live there together… do you not remember?” Alex asked her.
“I remember a boy who never became a man.” She said as she turned her face away from him.
“Do you not love me then?” Alex asked as he took a step towards the bed.
“Love you?... how could I allow myself to love that of which I
hate?” she asked as she looked at him and narrowed her eyes.
Alex sighed and sat back down in the chair.
“Why do you stay in this room with me Alex? Surely you would prefer to be with your own kind.”
Alex looked up at her and shook his head.
“I only have you Gracie… they are not my kind as you put it.” He said.
“You sicken me.” She said as she turned her head away from him again.
The door opened and Erik stepped in, with a small girl behind him holding two blades. Alex stood up and stared at the two of them as Gracie ignored their presence.
“I see that we are having fun in here.” Erik said as the girl slid passed him and stood in front of Alex.
“What do you want?” Alex asked.
“To talk to you… alone.” Erik said.
“You are a twisted, mutated version of a monkey.” Gracie said as she lifted her head to look at Erik.
“Well now! We are feeling better now, are we not?”
“My brothers and sisters will feast on your bones.” Gracie said.
“Well, that they may… but not before I have my way.” Erik said.
Alex glanced at Gracie and then Erik held his hand out to him.
“Trust me… you need to realize that she is not your love, not anymore Alex. It is time that we have a civil conversation as to what we need to do to survive.”
Gracie laughed and pulled her head up.
“As soon as they feel me, this place will be consumed in fire.”
Erik grinned and waved his hand to Alex.
“Come friend… let us eat.”
Alex glanced at Gracie and she continued to ignore him. He sighed, knowing that he would not be swayed in his feelings for her… but could use a break from her mocking. The girl stepped aside and Alex followed Erik out of the room as he felt his stomach ache for the first time in a long time. Feeding had not occurred to him, only Gracie… perhaps he should and regain some of his strength to once again try to persuade her that he was not an enemy, but her partner till the end.
The girl closed the door behind him and he heard Gracie scream out “Monkey” just as one last reminder that she was not going to be swayed, at least not at that moment… but he had hope in his heart that she would, she had to. He loved her too much to destroy her without destroying himself.
He followed Erik down a dark hallway that opened up to a decent sized room. Nothing in the house smelled clean or new, in fact it was one step up from living out in the open. He looked to the table and Erik sat down as another girl stepped up to him and poured deep red liquid into his clear glass. Erik sloshed it around and peeked up at Alex as he sipped it, licking his lips to get the remaining sweet flavor from his lips. Alex felt his stomach clinch up and walked to the cracked and weathered wooden table. He sat down slowly and looked up as the same girl filled a glass in front of him too. He starred at it and then looked up at Erik.
“It has been a while since I simply drank blood.” Alex said.
“Pity… you should try this, it is fantastic.” He said.
Alex touched the glass and turned it in his hand, letting it make a slight noise as the bottom of the glass fought against the rough surface of the table.
“What did you want to talk about?” Alex asked as he took his fingers from the glass and relaxed his hand on the table next to it.
“If you drink, we shall talk… I would guess that it may put you in a better mood.”
Alex raised his eyebrows and grabbed the glass… gulping it all down in three swigs. Erik grinned and nodded to the girl standing behind him. She walked from the room and left the two of them alone.
Alex felt it pass his lips and down his throat, it pooled in his stomach like a brick…h heavy enough to make him feel lethargic for a moment. He looked at his hands as he felt the tingling sensation reach the tips of his fingers and make them sensitive to the touch. This was a feeling that he had not had in so long, almost a tad bit dizzying. He cleared his throat and locked eyes with Erik, who looked pleased that he had given in and drank it all.
“Quite the feeling.” Erik said.
Alex relaxed in his chair and starred him down.
“One of which I could live without.”
“Oh come now… no need to act as if you have risen above your nature, we all crave it Alex, it is what we are.”
“I lived just fine without it as I was trapped in memory.”
“Oh yes… about that, how did you manage to get out?” Erik asked.
Alex grinned. “Not sure.”
Erik stood up and walked to the dirty counter top and grabbed the bottle. He returned and filled his glass to the brim and starred at it. He lifted the bottle to Alex and he raised his hand to say no. Erik raised his eyebrows and sat down, leaving the bottle between them to tempt him.
“Really?... well, from I heard, you made a deal of sorts to escape.”
Alex shifted in his chair.
“I made an agreement, with Gracie… that I would help her.”
“You cannot ‘deal’ with an angel Alex; they will eat you for desert when they get what they want.”
“I trust that she will not do that.”
Erik leaned forward and sipped from his glass, sloshing it as Alex starred at the deep red sweetness.
“She is a demon; you know that in your heart.”
“Demons are not like angels Erik… demons are treacherous and have no will but that of destruction and their selfish nature makes them impossible to contain.”
Erik smiled.
“Such a fine line between the two, but you see… this is their war… not ours. We are just target practice for frustration.”
“You are very optimistic Erik; it is a wonder that you have a family of rogues willing to follow you.”
Erik grinned again and then slammed his glass on the table, spilling a little blood onto the wood. Alex watched as the old wood started to soak it up as if it was water.
“What if I told you that I know where the creator is?” Erik asked.
Alex leaned back and starred at him.
“No one knows where she is Erik.”
“Oh but that I do… and I have a proposition for you.”
“Why do I feel like I am listening to the devil himself?”
Erik laughed and leaned back, placing his hands behind his head and stretching.
“What if I was to tell you that I have died?”
“Died?”
“Yes… passed on as we all eventually do, and I was able to return… only stronger, better.”
Alex laughed.
“No one has returned from death Erik, you must have been confused.”
“No!” Erik slammed both fists into the wooden table and the bottle tipped and rolled, crashing to the floor and spilling what little blood it had left in it.
“I do not mean to upset you.” Alex said as he suddenly felt as if the power had shifted from himself to Erik.
“I was killed Alex… at the hands of Joshua Barrington, but as I entered the realm of memory I came upon a creature, that told me that the rogue would rise to power, and that it would help me make it so.”
“Demons lie Erik, they cannot be trusted.”
“And what of angels, Alex? Are they not one little twisted chromosome from being that of a demon? We are all so similar in nature I find it ridiculous for war, but I will do what is necessary to ensure my survival and that of my family.”
“You look for vengeance.” Alex said as he starred at the bottle on the floor.
Erik flashed around the table to him and leaned into his ear.
“I look to the future… and you can either be a part of that and perhaps save your Gracie, or you can refuse and I will kill you both.”
Alex started to stand and Erik slammed his hand onto his shoulder and pressed down as a light flashed from his palm and then started to sink into Alex’s flesh. He moaned and Erik leaned back into his ear.
“You will enter memory
and take Gracie with you… you will bait the creator with Gracie and then we shall bring her top side.”
“What?” Alex said as he moaned.
“Once the creator is here and has rid the world of demons and angels alike, we shall trap her in the tree and control her energy… and then a new age shall rise, that of the rogue.”
“You are crazy Erik; the creator will kill us all.”
“No… she will not, not with Gracie as bait... for you see Gracie hid the creator away Alex… I know you did not know that I knew, but I know much now that I have tasted her blood.”
“What?!” Alex screamed as he rose up quickly and twisted Erik’s hand, bending it back to almost the point of breaking. The girl flashed back in and struck Alex on the back of his head with the hilt of her blade and he fell to the floor. He lay still, next to the empty bottle of Gracie’s blood that rocked slowly from side to side on the floor.
***
Johnathan busted out into a furious flash across the countryside with Brooke in his arms. The only thing that kept running through his mind was running… ironically enough. Thank god Brooke knew a spell. He felt like a total tool for not knowing any, he could portal, he knew Latin and his blade well enough, but the thought of learning spells to cast had completely eluded him. He looked down at Brooke as he carried her and grinned. Of course a human girl would allow them to escape, how pathetic. But Brooke was not so much a normal human girl as he was a full-blooded protector. She had accepted them all so easily and stood by them as they battled through crazy so many years prior, and yet he had let her go away… and why? Well, he knew… it was fear of loving her, because he did and still does, but it seemed that she hated him, even more so than he would of guessed… suck in a hugely sucktastic way.
He pushed on, not even winded at the crazy speed that he was moving at and then he slowed down as he neared the lake. The deep and crystal blue oasis that looked so welcoming and yet was a reminder that they were still too close to Valon for comfort. He looked out across the lake and adjusted Brooke and she started to flutter her eyes. He looked down at her and muttered.