AFTERMATH (Descendants Saga)

by James Somers

  Her father gave her a grim look. “I’m afraid so. The power expenditure must be unbelievable. These cherubim are as potent as ever. How Black has made use of them, I cannot understand. What could he possibly offer in exchange for what they bring to the table? I’ve certainly not seen this level of power out of the Fallen.”

  “Perhaps, they are satisfied with any role that fights against us,” Sophia offered.

  Brody nodded. “It may be as simple as that.”

  I was about to suggest our plan for reconnaissance when Sadie cut me off. She had seen that I was about to speak and had done this on purpose. I knew she wasn’t afraid—at least, I didn’t think she was.

  “Father, have you and the others been able to come up with a way to bypass the barrier?” Sadie asked, glancing my way again.

  I leveled a frustrated look at her. I wanted her to know that I knew what she was attempting to do. However, I was already confident that no other way had been found. Certainly, I hadn’t been able to come up with anything better than Adolf’s plan.

  “Laish and I could not breach it,” Brody said. “We’ve discussed attempts to construct various kinds of portals for teleportation. But in every case, we have the same problem. We have to pass in some form from here to beyond, and the barrier prevents that.”

  “What if you had a physical way out?” Adolf interjected.

  The full weight of Sadie’s glare moved from me to him. Adolf must have known, but he ignored her. I noticed the slightest bit of a smirk on his face when he looked at Brody.

  For his part, Sadie’s father seemed quite surprised by the question. “Of course, a physical doorway that bypassed the barrier would be wonderful,” he said.

  Sadie glanced back at me, knowing she was defeated and not liking it one bit.

  “However, I don’t know of any physical door from here into the mortal world, do you?” Brody asked Adolf.

  “It’s not exactly a direct connection,” I answered.

  “What do you mean?” Brody’s obvious doubt a moment ago, began to turn into genuine curiosity.

  I glanced at Adolf, deferring to him. This was his idea. He should have the opportunity of presenting it.

  Adolf grinned at me, passing his gaze to Sadie and away to her father. “Cole and I were discussing how he and Sadie entered the Underworld through a gateway in Siberia.”

  Suddenly, we could all see that Brody knew where this train of thought was leading. And he wasn’t indignant. Excitement lit his face. He was nodding as Adolf continued, looking like he wanted to interject, but politely allowing my friend to finish his thought.

  “Since the cherubim destroyed the Descendant kingdoms and the boundaries separating them, as well as that between the Underworld and the spiritual plane, could we not utilize that open gateway to get us from here into the mortal world and on to London?”

  Brody was smiling now, but there was caution in his eyes. Sadie seized upon this. “But what about the cherubim father? We saw them there in all of their terrible power.”

  “You have a point,” Brody said, uncertainly. “However, we must know what is coming.”

  “But anyone going into the Underworld could be killed,” Sadie protested.

  “If we don’t find out what Black has coming for us, even more lives could be lost when it arrives,” Brody countered. “I would have to have a small team with me in order to avoid detection.”

  At this point, Sophia spoke up. “But you and Sadie carry Malak-esh, the very weapons that released the cherubim. Such items of power will surely not go unnoticed.”

  Brody hesitated, considering it. “I can’t argue with your logic, Sophia, but I can’t ask someone to go into that place and not be willing to go myself.”

  “I’ll go,” Adolf volunteered.

  All eyes fell upon the boy immediately.

  “I appreciate your enthusiasm, Adolf,” Brody began, “but I couldn’t possibly ask you to do something so dangerous.”

  “You don’t have to ask me, sir, I’m volunteering to go.”

  “But what about your parents?” Sophia asked. “Surely they won’t hear of it.”

  “I have no parents,” Adolf replied. “They were both killed.”

  “I’m sorry to hear that,” Brody said, “but still—”

  “I’m going with him,” I said. “My parents were also killed. Besides, I know the realms and the Underworld. I’ve been through it before. I’m familiar with the gateway, all of it.”

  Brody and Sophia looked stunned and very much like they wanted to protest.

  “You said it yourself, sir,” I continued. “Someone has to go for us. Both of you carry the swords. The cherubim will spot you right off because of them. However, Adolf and I can both fly. We’ll be stealthy about it, keep away from any fighting and go through quietly. Once we reach the gateway into Siberia, we can teleport to London and find out what we’re all up against.”

  No one said anything for a minute. Brody’s eyes went back and forth between me and Adolf. He was seriously considering it. I knew he really didn’t have a choice. Someone had to go. Both Adolf and I were obvious choices to send.”

  Finally, Brody came to a conclusion. He nodded. “All right, you go.”

  “Are you serious?” Sadie bellowed.

  Her father’s stern look backed her down again.

  Sophia, however, would not be stifled. “Brody, are you actually going to send these two children into the spiritual realm? After what has happened there? They’ll be killed.”

  Brody’s look became grave. “I understand your concerns, believe me I do. But Cole, despite his age, is an excellent warrior. I couldn’t pick anyone better trained for something like this.”

  “And I can vouch for Adolf,” I offered, interrupting. “I’ve sparred with him, and he was the one who put Liam in the hospital.”

  Again, all eyes fell upon Adolf. I hadn’t exactly meant to give that away. It just came out in the heat of my argument.

  “He wouldn’t leave well enough alone,” Adolf said. “So, I taught him a valuable lesson.”

  Brody and Sophia looked at one another knowingly.

  “Perhaps, we should just inform the Shade King that we have a team going, without giving names,” she suggested.

  Brody coughed, attempting to stifle a small laugh. “Agreed.”

  Everyone became quiet. This was happening. Adolf and I were going. It was exciting to be entrusted with such an important mission. At the moment, I wasn’t even considering the great danger involved. Sadie wouldn’t look at me now, but I saw her wipe a tear away.

  Sophia stood. “Both of you will stay here tonight. In the morning we’ll send you on your way with our prayers.”

  Sadie got up from the table. She went out, I suppose to her room. She didn’t speak to anyone. I watched her go, wanting to say something, but I didn’t.

  Brody stood also. “Adolf, I’ll show you to a guest room where you can bed down. Then I’ll have a word with you, Cole.”

  Apparition

  The guest room where we left Adolf that evening had been created from the mind of Brody West. The castle at Highmore was no great feat of engineering, no gothic edifice with regal towers and hundreds of rooms. It had been a simple affair, just enough for a lord and his family. A stable for a few horses and other animals.

  However, with this basic construction already present, Brody and my grandfather had set about to making certain embellishments. They weren’t terribly fancy here in the apartment of the Lycan Queen and her king, but they were functional. Extra rooms with elegant furnishings, increasing the size of the kitchens, etc….Practical, everyday sort of things.

  By contrast, my grandfather’s apartment in the castle, had been transformed into a fine rendition of his former palace home in Xandrea. Truth be told, each apartment in the castle today had been nothing more than a single room before. But so much could be done with a small space.

  Brody had opened the door for Adolf, allowing him to come inside
to a room fit for a king. A large poster bed with cotton sheets and a deep purple quilt sewn together with gold thread dominated the room. Dark wood had been fashioned into matching furniture. A large rug on the floor featured various Descendant races.

  “I trust you’ll be comfortable, Adolf,” Brody said. He gestured toward the dresser. A porcelain pitcher and basin appeared, no doubt with warm water inside to wash up with. “We’ve hot and cold running water in there,” he said, indicating the door on the far wall.

  The room was very nice. However, Adolf didn’t look particularly comfortable. Still, he nodded, thanking Brody for the room.

  “Get some rest,” Brody said. “You’re both going to need it for tomorrow.”

  When we arrived at the room I usually stayed in, when I came over to see Sadie, Brody came inside and shut the door. I did not have to ask the obvious question.

  “I can see it in your eyes,” I said. “You have some plan you did not wish to share with Adolf?”

  Brody smiled. “You got me. I don’t know Adolf well enough to entrust him with everything. However, I wanted us to create a blood bond before you leave tomorrow morning. That way you and Adolf will have an immediate and powerful means of escape no matter what you come up against while in the Underworld.”

  “All right,” I replied. Truth be told, I was very glad for this. The blood bond was extremely powerful. Boundaries that might seem overwhelming for normal teleporting were cast down in the face of such a bond between two people.

  My mother and father had told me once of a time when he was trapped in Greystone with an entire kingdom of starving vampires. However, my father had established a blood bond with Brody earlier. Despite anyone’s natural ability to break through the wards around Greystone, Brody and my father were able to create a portal together that briefly linked Greystone with London.

  “But wouldn’t the link you had with my father have come down to me as his son?” I asked, unsure.

  “I don’t believe the blood bond can be shared like that, Cole. Besides, we want to have as powerful a bond as possible.”

  I couldn’t agree more.

  Brody offered the palm of his hand. Using one of my sharp vampire’s fingernails, I sliced a small laceration into his palm. Blood welled in the wound. I did the same to my own hand. We clasped our hands together and the deed was done. Nothing else would be required. Now, I could open a portal instantly back to them, or Brody could open a portal to me.

  Adolf had not quite dozed off when he heard the sound of someone in his room. The bed he had been left was extremely comfortable—maybe even too comfortable. Adolf had gotten used to sleeping in the outdoors. He still preferred the meager tree dwelling he and his mother had shared all of his life.

  The wall sconces flickered as flames came upon them. They grew steadily brighter, lighting the room. Adolf sat up in bed. He had a sudden familiar feeling.

  Lucifer stood at the end of his bed, as Adolf might have expected. “Moving up in the world?” the angel asked.

  “Why are you here?” was all that Adolf said.

  “Looking after your interests, dear boy.”

  “Rather, you’re looking after your own,” Adolf replied.

  “Really? And you sit here in the lap of luxury.”

  “I’m trying to make a new life,” Adolf spat.

  Lucifer was suddenly standing over him at the side of the bed. “Have you forgotten so quickly?”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “Your mother, Adolf! She was killed. You were thrust out into a world that hates you.”

  Adolf tore himself out of the bed, standing opposite the angel on the other side. “I haven’t forgotten,” he said angrily. “What do you expect me to do?”

  “Take revenge upon those who’ve committed these injustices against you, of course!” Lucifer crowed.

  Adolf paced around the bed. “These are Leprechauns here and other Descendants, not Alois, not the Jews. They did nothing to me.”

  Lucifer smiled. “Ah, but you are right in the middle of an opportunity here.”

  Adolf gave him a puzzled look. “What do you mean?”

  Lucifer strode around the bed, coming face to face with the boy. “Adolf, do you know who was responsible for you having to leave Galidel and end up in this world where they killed your mother?”

  “Something about the cherubim,” Adolf answered.

  “It was an angel called Black who released them, with the intent of destroying the Descendant kingdoms on the spiritual plane.”

  “I’ve heard of him,” Adolf said. He considered what Lucifer was saying for a moment. “Still, I have no power over angels.”

  “You have more than you realize, dear boy,” Lucifer said. “As I mentioned, you are at the door of an opportunity here. It is Black who is using the power of the cherubim to trap everyone here in Ireland. It is also Black who is sending Gladstone from England with his army to destroy this place.”

  “So?”

  “Do you really think that I am ignorant to your plans to travel through the Underworld and then to England?” Lucifer asked.

  Adolf didn’t say anything.

  “I’m an angel. I know things. And I know the power of the cherubim you hope to sneak by on your way.”

  “Is it possible?” Adolf asked. “We’ll they see us?”

  “Certainly, they will know you are there,” Lucifer said. “However, I might be willing to distract them.”

  “You would do that?”

  “I said, I might,” Lucifer clarified. “It depends on you.”

  “How so?”

  “I want to bring you up in this world as a ruler,” Lucifer said. “The humans need someone who can rule them wisely. They destroy one another with all of their squabbling. No kingdom stands for long. Look what they did to you and your mother.”

  Adolf nodded. “They’re bloodthirsty.”

  “However, with someone to lead them, a great kingdom could be established over all the Earth,” Lucifer explained. “I want to see that kingdom rise. I want to add my power to you and see you rule that kingdom one day. Is that too much to ask?”

  “I don’t suppose,” Adolf replied. “But why me?”

  “Why not you?” Lucifer answered. “You are descended from Grayson Stone, a very powerful Descendant.” Lucifer paused. “And Grayson Stone was my son.”

  Adolf’s eyes grew wide. He had heard the name of his father before, but he had never been told which angel he had come from. “I didn’t know,” he said.

  “Did you think I looked after you for no reason?” Lucifer asked. “You are the son of my son. You are my heritage. My power is your power, and you’ve only just begun to come into it. You’ve seen your sprite’s attributes, but very little from your father’s side.”

  “My strength?”

  “Will grow,” Lucifer assured him. “But there’s so much more. When your father spoke, all who heard him desired to do as he bid them.”

  “Like a sprite?”

  “Not the same,” Lucifer said, “though I could see why you might see it that way. A sprite can control one person. Your father held entire audiences in his grasp.”

  Adolf had lost his animosity toward the angel now. Knowing that he was related had changed matters in his mind. He wanted to know more now. “What else could he do?”

  Lucifer smiled devilishly, reminiscing. “With a touch, he could change a person’s physiology, or kill them.”

  Rather than being horrified by this information, Adolf became excited by it. He had no idea his father had been so powerful. He had been deprived of the man all his life. Often Adolf had felt cheated not having a father. Now, he was finding out more than he had ever expected.

  “How did he die?” Adolf asked.

  Lucifer paused, considering his answer. How much would be too much to reveal at this moment? He wanted the boy to continue with this mission. Black’s plans could be undone with his help, but not without the other Descendants like Brody We
st.

  “I’m not sure this is the appropriate time to discuss the matter,” Lucifer said.

  “Why not?” Adolf asked, growing a little angry.

  Lucifer leaned in. “Because I’m not sure you intend to follow in his greatness. Until I feel that is the case, I will not reveal all that has happened. That knowledge is for a young man who will follow in his father’s footsteps, someone who would make his father proud by carrying on his legacy.”

  Adolf considered it. “And if I said that I would?”

  “Now is not the time,” Lucifer said. “Prove yourself to me. Show me that your intentions are true by your actions. I want you to complete this mission with the young vampire prince. I will aid you as you pass through the Underworld. Bring back the information that is required of Black’s army. Do your part, and I will be watching. I am always watching.”

  Adolf blinked, and Lucifer was gone.

  Farewell

  Morning came faster than I expected. I awoke early, before the sun was fully up. An excitement had come over me, knowing that we were about to enter into danger. But there was a sadness as well. Sadie was angry with me. I couldn’t leave without settling the matter somehow.

  I dressed quickly, casting my black trousers and shirt on with a wave of my hand. I checked my dimensional pocket where I kept my swords and several other items. There wasn’t any need. Those things were always there, waiting to be called into my hand. I was just anxious.

  When I was ready, I crossed the room and opened the door. Sadie was waiting on the other side, leaning against the doorframe. I was startled to see her and it shone on my face. I couldn’t help but smile.

  “Hello.”

  I could see the sadness in her eyes.

  “I didn’t want you to leave without saying goodbye,” she said.

  “Sadie, I don’t want you to be angry with me. Even your father believes that someone must go for us.”

  She nodded, surprising me. “I know. I just didn’t want it to be you.”

  “At least Adolf will be with me,” I said.