If I Fall..._Will You Remember Me?
Page 7
At the heart of the city, burned a beacon so bright, it nearly blinded him which was amazing in and of itself since he was a member of the Host that served the light. It served to remind him that there was a greater light above all that even he couldn’t face as an immortal, and also that there was a darkness in his heart that was festering. Mortals were unable to perceive the intensity of the holy light – their senses deadened by their weak mortal flesh. If they were able to see it, they’d wouldn’t be able to withstand the light and it would destroy them. So, the Heavens protect the mortals and blessed them with a spiritual covering to protect them until they, on their own, are able to build up a tolerance to the light on their journey to the heart of pure truth and love. Nathan closed his eyes and longed for that feeling of peace and love to fill his heart, but the ugly dark seed of doubt had taken root, a seed planted by his own brother. Nathan knew he wouldn’t find peace until he discovered the truth of Quariel’s identity.
The beacon was a light to all who sought truth and light and contained the Holy of Holies, a place so sacred, that not even he could enter. A place were only a God himself could step foot. Nathan did not know if God had ever visited this place or not, but it certainly shined as if it was ready for His arrival. One day, he was told, he might ascend to the ranks of gods…if he was worthy. But it all started with keeping his simple vows as a Watcher.
Nathan turned away from the Heart and found a place to sit on the rooftop edge of a nearby building and look down on the city below. People were out enjoying the spring evening strolling through the area called City Creek. A light rail train breezed through the streets amongst cars zipping here and there. Nathan spotted a wedding party moving away from the Heart of the city and towards the surrounding gardens – the bride resplendent in her beautiful white gown and the groom beaming smiles all around. Nathan couldn’t help but smile for their happiness, but it also made his heart ache for the woman he loved, who, at this moment, her identity a mystery.
Nathan couldn’t help but notice the ever present shadow people lurking in the darkened corners of the city, reaching out and snatching energy from passersby, sometimes able to latch on with an unconscious invitation from the mortals themselves to feed upon their dark thoughts. If only mortals understood how powerful their thoughts were, Nathan mused. With their thoughts alone, they could attract or repel the shadows, but most humans just didn’t exercise their own inner power, or did not understand it. For the mortals that did grasp this concept and tried to share it with their friends and family, their attempts were usually futile. The covering mortals put on themselves to protect them from things that they don’t understand, could sometimes be very thick and impenetrable. Nathan shook his head. He remembered all too well when he used to wear his ignorance around him like a thick protective coat during his mortal phase.
Nathan watched a young couple walk arm in arm across the street below. Nathan could tell the young man’s thoughts were dark for he was attracting a group of shadows. Nathan shifted his focus, looking for his guardian angel. She was there, but weak and Nathan saw that she was closely related to the young man for they had similar features, perhaps a sister? His mother?
The young man was choosing to feed his energies to the darkness, instead of drawing upon the light to make him stronger. Nathan gritted his teeth and dropped to the ground behind them, coming up behind the group of shadows. The guardian angel, turned and reacted as if startled by his sudden presence.
The shadows immediately sensed Nathan’s presence and slowed their pursuit of the young man and turned toward him, ignoring the guardian angel altogether. A few rapidly departed, but two remained. Both of the shadows were very thin and sickly looking, disheveled, unlike Drogo’s minions who were slender, sleek, and polished.
Nathan determined these were lowly Tempters, the lowest of the Shadow people, ones who were sent out to bait Mortals so that higher ranking Shadows could feast on the results of the Tempter’s work. Nathan glanced around; looking for the one who controlled this group of Tempters, but doubted the leader would be anywhere near. Instead, the Tempters would work to bring the weakened Mortal to their Master. Nonetheless, these Tempters must have been desperate to come this close to the Heart. The Master Demon that had dominion over this city, as well as the Arch Angel who countered the darkness maintained a very delicate balance. The tension was palpable here this close to the Heart.
Needing only to make his status as Watcher clear to the Tempters, the Shadow kind quickly scattered. The Guardian Angel smiled gratefully as the young couple paused at the street corner – the shadows gone. Nathan noticed the young man glanced around, looking for something but did not know what. It wouldn’t be long before the young man would attract more Shadow-Kind if his thoughts did not change frequency, but for now, his Guardian Angel, empowered by a gift of loving energy from Nathan, moved closer to her ward, protectively.
Satisfied with himself for doing his part to protect the mortals and feeling the weight of his concerns lessen, Nathan pulled out the envelope from his back pocket and looked at the address. She was close. Just a few blocks away.
He looked in the direction of where he needed to go and began walking. He could have shimmered there instantly, but he wanted time to think, prepare himself for the meeting with the mortal Quariel had become. Was she an old woman? Bent with the ravages of time, eyes dimmed? He glanced around; saw an elderly couple walking hand in hand across the street. He never reached old age in mortality – it had been taken from him so quickly.
Chapter 12
Six guests were booked for the Schoolhouse Bed and Breakfast opening weekend. All Six were due to arrive in the morning. Julia looked over her list. The first guest due to book a room was a woman from California, a writer for a travel magazine. Natalie Walker. She was a friend of Mrs. Blackwell’s and would be writing up a brilliant piece for the Bed and Breakfast for the next issue. Incidentally, Natalie had requested the Writing Room on the first floor during her stay.
Why not? Julia smiled. Makes perfect sense.
Julia looked over the check-off list Mrs. Blackwell had given her that morning, and then took the grand staircase two steps at a time to the Writing Room, passing the Reading Room and the Arithmetic room on the right side of the long wide hallway. Mrs. Blackwell had a theme for each floor of the Bed & Breakfast, and the second floor was dedicated to the building’s original purpose as a schoolhouse.
The Writing room was connected to the adjoining Music Room with a lockout door between. The Writing Room had an antique desk Mrs. Blackwell had purchased in Europe. The room was bright and airy with a comfortable queen size bed. Julia checked the bathroom to make sure it was properly stocked. Mrs. Blackwell had done a thorough job of seeing to every detail and would be on hand for the next two weekends to make sure Julia was well trained before officially turning over the management of the Bed and Breakfast to her.
Julia adjusted the thick fluffy white towels on the decorative rack, then rearranged the bouquet of spring flowers in a sparkling cut crystal vase set on the corner of the wide countertop. Checking the nearby closet to make sure the bathrobes were neatly hung with the belt loops loosely tied, she couldn’t help but remember when this room was being completed just a few months ago, one of the sub-contractors was having issues with the doors for this floor.
Julia paused to reflect on the day she came to inspect the install of the doors only to discover that all the doors had to be replaced because someone, or something, had punched holes through every single one as they had stood on end downstairs drying after they had been painted. It was small acts of vandalism like that which had plagued the entire project. Julia shook her head. It was a wonder she hadn’t torn her hair out and quit. If it hadn’t been for Nathan’s help and protection, she was sure the vandalism would have been more frequent, but he could only do so much to guard her project from the supernatural as shadow activity increased in the small town. Little did she know then, that the shadow forces were congreg
ating in anticipation of Quabin’s release.
Turning away, Julia ran a finger along the writing desk that Natalie would be using to make sure there was no dust. She then scanned the room and smiled. She could vividly remember the horrible and disgusting ruin the building was in when she first saw it with Mr. Blackwell and Rick almost a year ago. She couldn’t deny that even though the work had been challenging and overwhelming, she knew she had done a great job. Gramps didn’t live long enough to see its completion, but she knew he was proud of her now.
“See Gramps?” she said aloud, “I did it!” she smiled as a warm and comforting feeling came over her. Gramps had just given her a hug. She beamed, took up Mrs. Blackwell’s checklist and proceeded to check the rest of the rooms. Check, check, and check!
The third floor used to be the attic in the original schoolhouse, but had been renovated to fit five additional rooms. The theme for this floor honored the surrounding area’s rich history of the native Americans and pioneers who settled the area in years past. Julia’s favorite room was the Moenkopi room which had the most expansive view of the surrounding red rock cliffs to the northeast with 8 large windows on three sides of the room. It was the largest, brightest room and Julia often found herself drawn to this room to look out over the valley and the red rock cliffs encircling the town of Torrey and its outlying areas.
It was this room that she felt the most peace and comfort when the project had been delayed or something went sideways – even before the room was completed, Julia always came here to gather her thoughts and find her focus again. Thoughts of Matthew came unbidden then, and she let them meander about to see where they would take her. The motorcycle rides? The hikes through the surrounding canyons? The impromptu picnics? Julia shook herself. “No,” she told herself. “We’re not going there.”
With the last room checked off her list, Julia heaved a sigh of relief. It was 12:30 and she was starving. She hurried downstairs just as Liu walked in the doors carrying two large reusable canvas grocery bags.
“Oh thank goodness!” Julia exclaimed. “You came just in time!”
Liu, the grandmotherly Asian woman with hair pulled back into a bun and dusted with grey, and a compact body, raised an eyebrow at her as she handed one of the bags to Julia to carry to the kitchen.
“Of course. I’m always just in time,” Liu said simply and shuffled toward the kitchen with Julia in her wake.
“I’m starving. I almost went down to the Freeze to get a milkshake,” Julia told her. Liu clucked at her as she set the groceries on the counter.
“You eat junk,” Liu scolded. “In 20 years your body will be junk.” Liu wagged her finger at Julia and began unloading the grocery bags. She pulled out fruits and vegetables, green leafy lettuces and herbs, paper wrapped pears, apples, asparagus, and three fat whole chickens double wrapped in butcher paper.
“I exercise,” Julia sniffed as she took the chickens from Liu and placed them in the fridge.
Liu shook her head. “Doesn’t matter. What you give your body to live on makes all the difference. Would you build a house with sand or bricks?”
“Bricks of course,” Julia said.
Liu shrugged. “There you go. Eat strong food, like this,” she held up a purple cabbage, “and you will have a strong body.”
Julia wrinkled her nose at it. “Cabbage?”
Liu sighed and rolled her eyes. “Not just cabbage. Fruits and veggies and chicken, fish, a little beef,” she held up her fingers to indicate little. “No pig. Not healthy.” Liu went back to unloading her groceries.
“Oh come on,” Julia dismissed. “Like you eat that way all the time,” she teased.
Liu turned and gave her a serious look. Julia looked back at the older woman, feeling a little awkward and unable to read Liu’s stare.
“How old do you think I am?” Liu said quietly.
Julia shrugged helplessly, and gave a sheepish grin. Liu shook her head and pushed Julia away, stood for a moment next to Julia and then quickly dropped into cartwheel and then did a backbend, moved fluidly into a handstand and then dropped to her feet. Liu cocked her head to one side as she dusted off her hands. “Not bad for a great-grandmother, right?”
Julia gaped at her as the diminutive grandmother walked back to the counter to finish putting away the groceries and asked in a business like fashion, “How many guests this weekend?”
“Six,” Julia replied slowly, still amazed and surprised by Liu’s demonstration. Julia looked at the older woman with renewed resect.
Liu nodded. “Any dietary restrictions?”
“Just one. Natalie Walker, the magazine writer. No dairy.”
Liu nodded. “Good for Mrs. Blackwell getting a writer out here to tell the story of Torrey, right?”
Julia shrugged. “I suppose so,” she thought briefly of her own experience in renovating the schoolhouse. Now that would make a better story, she thought.
“Go set the table. I’ll fix lunch,” Liu instructed.
“What are we having?” Julia asked peering at the veggies Liu was rinsing and getting ready to cut and chop.
“Bricks,” Liu replied evenly, then laughed at Julia’s scowl. “Go,” Liu waved her off.
Julia turned away and went to the basement door to retrieve the tablecloths and linens she would need for that evening after their lunch. She hesitated on the doorstep after she had pulled the cord attached to the bare lightbulb above her head. The light illuminated wide planked treads that led down ten feet into the basement. Even though it had been only been less than a year since Roy’s incident, the basement spooked her. There was a portal there – a natural portal that had been there from the foundation of the world. Nathan had used it to bring Roy to safety, but for all Julia knew, anyone or anything could use that portal. Nathan assured her none but the Host could use it, so that mollified her a bit. Julia took a deep breath and went down the stairs, reaching for the 6 inch long butcher knife she kept hidden just inside the doorframe just in case.
A quick glance around once she had reached the concrete floor revealed all was clear. Julia hurriedly snatched the tablecloths from the shelves against the nearby wall and thumped back up the stairs, stashing the knife in the side niche between the frame and the unfinished concrete foundation wall.
Liu glanced at her curiously as Julia hurriedly went to the grand room and began setting the table. By the time she had finished setting the table for the 6 expected guests in the morning, Liu had finished with their lunch and brought it to set at a smaller table in the corner.
“Thank you,” Julia said as they sat down. Liu had prepared an Asian salad with sesame and ginger dressing tossed with sliced almonds and thin sliced chicken breast and tossed with wonton strips.
“This is delicious,” Julia exclaimed around a mouthful. Liu nodded and just focused on eating mindfully. After a few moments of silence, Liu looked at Julia with concern etching her wise round face. “Why do you keep a knife in the door frame?”
Julia looked up and then away as she shrugged, “Just in case of emergencies.”
“In the basement?”
“You never know what could be down there,” she offered a sheepish smile and went back to eating. Liu didn’t move. She kept looking at Julia. Finally Julia looked up again. “What?” she asked innocently.
Liu shrugged, “I didn’t say anything.”
“I feel like you want to say something,” Julia said.
Liu motioned with her fork, “You are getting better at perception.” Julia looked confused. She looked carefully at Liu. It was hard to tell what Liu was talking about sometimes, even more, it seemed like she knew a lot more than she was letting on.
“What do you mean?” Julia ventured.
Liu took another bite, chewed slowly as she appeared to be thinking. After she swallowed, she said, “Everyone is born into this world with gifts. Some a few, some many. Some never develop their gifts at all.” Liu turned in her chair to face Julia fully and leaned forward.
“How do you know?” Julia asked defensively.
Liu chuckled and said, “Let’s just say I’ve been around a long time and have seen a lot of things. I know the mark of a demon when I see it. Tell me, who gave it to you and what is its purpose?”
Julia looked away. How to explain? She looked sideways at Liu. “My roommate’s boyfriend who just so happens to be the Master Demon of LA. And he gave me the ability to see other demons, to protect me, from Matthew.”
Liu nodded as if Julia’s answer did not surprise her. “What else?”
“I can see darkness around some people. When their thoughts are negative. I can sense when they’re weak. And I see the shadows gather around them like moths to a flame,” Julia whispered.
“And?”
Julia shook her head, “That’s it. I just see dark energies around people and the shadows that are attracted to them.” Liu looked thoughtfully at her for a moment then said, “Look at me with your gift.” Julia leaned back in her chair. This was the first time anyone asked her to actually use her gift right then and there. She suddenly felt uneasy.
“Go ahead,” Liu said reassuringly as she settled her elbows on the table and propped her chin with the heels of her palm.
“Well, okay.” Julia picked up a napkin and dabbed at the corners of her mouth, but held the napkin in her lap. Looking in Liu’s direction, Julia allowed her field of vision to take in the spaces around the woman – waiting to see a bit of the darkness that surrounded everyone Julia had ever looked at in this way. It was like everyone had a shadow taint of some kind. No one was immune. No mortal, that is, she corrected herself.