Dark Calling

by McIntyre, Cheryl

  “Should I be worried?”

  “No.”

  “Yes,” Nick sighs.

  Kimberly fixes Nick with a glare. “Don’t make her anxious. She’s prone to panic attacks.”

  “Excuse me, Mrs. Kiem, but don’t lie to her. She needs to be prepared.”

  “But you said they just want to meet me.”

  “They do, Keely. They want to get a feel for you. Like your mom said, they need to verify that you aren’t a threat. But the fact that your dad wants you alive…” He leaves it in the air. They have already discussed this. She knows how bad this could get.

  “Mom, you said no more lies.” She stares heavily at her mother. “Do you think it is at all possible that they could decide I am too big of a risk? Could they decide to kill me?”

  “Of course not,” Kevin says. “They’re the good guys, right?”

  Nobody says anything for much too long.

  “Right?” Her dad tries again, worried now.

  “It is a small possibility. But nobody even knows why he wants you. And as long as you stay true to the Angel, you should be fine.”

  “I’m dead.” Keely shakes her head as if she is trying to shake the thought away. “I’m dead for sure.”

  “Didn’t you listen to me at all? Just tell them-”

  Keely cuts her off. “I know why he wants me. And it’s bad. They’re going to kill me when they find out.” She sinks into a chair. She doesn’t want to die yet. Not now. Not when Asmoday has just given her hope.

  Nick kneels in front of her. “Keely, what did you find out?”

  It takes Keely a second to look at Nick. She’s in a daze, consumed with her realization of undeniable death. “I read the prophecy in the Grimoire. I bring Hell to Earth. I open the realms. And I make the Heavens fall. Every evil being arises from Hell. They tear the worlds apart. Kill everything, over, and over, and over. There is no peace for anyone. And I do it. Asmoday said I can change it. He said he’s watched it change before. But the Hierarchy, they’ll never believe it. How can I be so powerful? It doesn’t make sense.”

  “How do you do it?” Nick asks gently. He regrets his wording as Keely grimaces.

  “It was like this story I read once in school. This guy goes to Hell to save his wife. He sings a song so beautiful that he’s told they can go. But his wife must walk behind him the entire way until they make it out of Hell. He’s not allowed to look back at her. Not even once. If he does, she has to go back. It was exactly like that. I don’t know what I’m not allowed to look back at, but I do it. I know I shouldn’t, but I do. The stairs just kept going forever like they never ever stopped no matter how far I made it. Almost like I was meant to spend eternity walking these steps. Like it was a trick. When I looked back, I swear I looked at myself, but it’s impossible. I wasn’t really there.”

  “How can he make her do that? How could he ever force her to walk up a never ending flight of stairs?” Kevin asks.

  “Threatening her,” Kimberly answers.

  “Bargaining. Trading someone she loves for this simple task,” Asmoday says behind them. “Go up these stairs without looking back and you may free your loved one.”

  “Oh, crap,” Keely breathes. “You were supposed to stay in my room.”

  Asmoday shrugs. “You needed me.”

  “I—I did not.”

  “Why was he in your room?” Nick grumbles.

  “Why is he in our house?” Kimberly seethes.

  “Who is he? Who are you?” Kevin redirects his question.

  “Asmoday. I brought you back from the Demon realm you were imprisoned in.” He holds out his hand and Kevin takes it as he tries to recall his face.

  “Don’t shake his hand! He’s a Demon, Kevin,” her mom shrieks.

  “Why not? He’s my brother. And he helped us. He saved you! If it wasn’t for Asmoday, we would all be stuck in another realm. In fact, we would probably be dead.”

  “Keely, you don’t understand how things work. I’m grateful for the help he offered us, but he did that on his father’s command. He is not trustworthy. He’s a Demon.”

  “He’s part Angel. And he gave us the Grimoire. He warned me about the prophecy. He has proven to me I can trust him, Mom. Please trust me if you can’t trust him.”

  “Get out of my house. Now,” Kimberly spits.

  Keely stands in front of Asmoday. “He’s my brother. If he isn’t welcome than neither am I.”

  “Keely, what are you doing?” Nick stammers.

  “You’ve done something to her. You put a Demon spell on her,” Kimberly accuses.

  “He didn’t do anything to me except help me. He’s on our side.”

  “No. I am on your side,” Asmoday corrects her. “And I am making things difficult for you. I’ll go. But I will be close if you need me.”

  Keely turns around to protest, but he’s already gone. She knows he stayed true to his word and stayed close. The cord hardly pulls.

  “What’s going on, Keely?” Nick looks hurt and she can’t stand it. She doesn’t know why it’s so important that they accept Asmoday. It just is.

  “You can’t do this again. If you act like this in front of the Hierarchy, they will find you as a traitor for sure,” Kimberly says. She massages her eye brows. “It’s punishable by death. You mustn’t have any connection to him. Can’t you see I am only trying to protect you?”

  “But I am connected to him.” More than they know. “I’m not an idiot. I’m not going to go tell the Hierarchy that I think my brother’s a super special guy. But I need you guys to understand. I am seriously starting to feel like you don’t want anybody in my life but you, Mom.”

  “That’s ridiculous.”

  “Is it?” Kevin lifts his brows.

  “Yes, it is,” Kimberly answers coolly. “I have to protect her. No matter what it takes.”

  ***

  Nick sits across from Keely unsure where to begin. The way she had acted with Asmoday, something is bothering him. How had she gotten so close to him so quickly? How is she so certain she can trust him? He knows his time alone with her is limited. If he could just find the right words.

  “I need to tell you something,” she says breaking the silence first. “I didn’t tell you yesterday when I realized because there was too much happening and we were all exhausted.” She picks at the little black polish remaining on her nails. “We don’t know how it happened, but somehow, Asmoday and I are bound. I feel his emotions—he feels mine. It’s kind of like…this cord. Running from me to him. When we’re too far away, when it’s broken, it causes me…pain. Emotionally, not physically. That’s what happened yesterday in the realm when he took my parents back. When he left, the cord snapped and it was the worst sadness I have ever felt. He felt it too.”

  “He must have done something. A spell, like your mom said. We’ll find a way to break it.”

  Keely is shaking her head. “No. It’s not a spell. I know when he’s lying. He doesn’t know what’s going on anymore than I do. And he really is on my side. He’s betraying our father to help me. He’s doing this because we are tied. Because he knows I don’t want this. If I were to find a way to break away from him, I don’t know if I could still trust him. So for now, it just has to stay this way.”

  “What else?”

  “What?”

  “There’s something else. I can tell,” Nick sighs.

  Keely swallows hard. She doesn’t want to do this part. She just wants to throw herself into his arms and let him hold her. “My mom suggested we not see each other anymore. Because it will look bad for you with the Hierarchy. I don’t want to do that.”

  “I don’t want to do that either.” Nick reaches across the dining room table and catches her hand.

  “Maybe we should end whatever this is with us. Just for now. We can go in front of the H
ierarchy and honestly say that we are not doing anything wrong.”

  “It doesn’t matter. They all saw me kiss you so it would do no good. Unless you don’t want me anymore.”

  Keely’s eyes go wide. “No, I want…I want to be with you. You still want me, don’t you?”

  “More than ever,” he says softly, his eyes shining with adoration.

  Keely stands and pulls on Nick’s hand. She guides him into the laundry room, just off the kitchen, for added privacy. As soon as she shuts the door, she tugs his shirt, bringing him in for a kiss.

  Nick doesn’t need much persuasion. He kisses Keely back as if he hasn’t seen her in days instead of hours. “I missed you.”

  She knows exactly what he means. She missed him too. Missed his closeness. His touch. His smell. The way he tastes. The sound of his voice when he whispers in her ear. As if he knows what she’s thinking, Nick slides his mouth slowly up her neck. Stops at her ear. “I love you,” he breathes.

  Keely shivers with desire and ushers his lips back to hers. The cord pulls violently without warning and Keely gasps. Nick pulls away trying to make out her face in the dark room.

  “Are you all right?”

  “Yes,” she decides and leans in to kiss him again. As their lips meet, the cord pulls with so much potency she is forced backward out of Nick’s arms. She tumbles to the floor holding her chest.

  Keely is outraged. She could literally kill Asmoday if he were here right now. Or are those his emotions?

  “Are you o.k.?” Nick asks finding her hands and helping her to her feet.

  “It was the cord that binds me to Asmoday. I guess he doesn’t want to experience how I feel when I’m kissing you. I suppose I can’t really blame him. He’s mad.” She shakes her head. “I’ve never felt so much anger.” She crosses her arms trying to push away the false feelings.

  “We have to find some way to get rid of this as soon as we can. Either that or he’s going to have to learn how to deal with it.” Nick kisses her cheek. Runs his hand down her hair. “I have to admit I’m a little jealous right now. I wish I could feel what you feel. Not him. And I hate that he can impose on our private moments. Every time I kiss you he’ll be there. I. Hate. It.”

  “I’m sorry, Nick. As soon as I know I can trust him without the bind, I’ll figure out some way to sever it.”

  “We need to decide what you’re going to tell the Hierarchy tomorrow.”

  She wraps her arms around him, thankful he is so understanding. “I’m going to tell them the truth. I think it will show I’m committed to their side. Your side. Honesty is always the best policy, right?”

  “I think it is in this case, but I’m not sure you should offer everything.”

  Keely finds the switch on the wall and flips the light on. “Asmoday said I should ask for their protection. I can’t ask for their protection if I don’t explain why I need it.”

  “You have their protection. You have me.”

  “But I may not after tomorrow. I need their help to stop my father. You and I can’t do it alone. And maybe if they know I want to stop him they won’t feel the need to kill me.”

  “I’m still willing to run with you.” He kisses the top of her head.

  “We can’t outrun this.” She reaches back and opens the door. “It’ll be o.k. No matter what happens, we’ll make it all right.”

  She turns. Comes face to face with her mom. Keely can’t help it, she bursts out laughing. Maybe the stress has finally gotten to her, but her mom’s expression is the funniest thing. With the world in danger, you’d think her mom would lighten up about Nick. “Don’t worry. We weren’t doing anything wrong,” she giggles.

  Keely takes Nick’s hand and moves around her mom. “Oh, and by the way.” She holds up their interlocked fingers. “We talked. This is still happening. And also, I’m telling the truth tomorrow. It’s my life. It’s my decision.”

  Nick raises his eyebrows and follows Keely to the front door. “I’ll pick you up at eleven tomorrow.”

  “What should I wear?” Just the thought fills her with nearly as much dread as facing the Hierarchy.

  “You can wear whatever you’re comfortable in. We don’t have a dress code.” He kisses her cheek and waves at her dad. “See you tomorrow. I love you.”

  “I love you too. Be safe.”

  “You too.”

  She shuts the door behind him and stomps up the stairs to her room. “What the hell was that?” she hisses.

  “Do not ever do that to me again,” Asmoday says through ground teeth.

  Keely shuts her door and stares at it. Gives herself a moment to find her own emotions. Yep, she’s still pissed. She spins to confront him and is surprised at how close he is. “I didn’t do that to you,” she breathes. “That was between me and Nick,” she says much less confidently than she had planned.

  “Can you even fathom what that was like for me?” he whispers.

  “I didn’t do it purposely. Once I realized, we stopped.”

  He glides a finger, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. “I know you will say I have no right, but I do not want you to feel like that unless I am the one making you feel that way.”

  “You’re correct. You have no right.”

  Asmoday puts his hand on the door behind her and leans his body into hers. “Why is that again?” His breath blows sweetly across her face.

  Keely’s mind spins. “Why?”

  He places his other hand on the other side of her. Brings his mouth near her ear, his lips touch her hair. “Yes, why do I have no right?”

  Why? Why? Why? She tries to remember why. His body presses her against the door. Her stomach somersaults. “You’re…you’re my—my brother,” she whispers.

  Asmoday pushes off the door with the smallest of smirks. The cord hums as if it were plucked like a guitar. He feels vindicated, making everything else seem insignificant. “That’s the only reason?” He chuckles softly. “Good night, Keely.”

  Twenty-Six:

  After a very long and sleepless night, Keely rises with the sun. She removes the polish from her fingers and toes meticulously. Showers slowly. Brushes her teeth as if she were going to the dentist. She even flosses. Takes extra time on her hair, deciding to dry it straight today. As she runs the brush through her locks, she is startled at how blond she is. It’s been a long time since her natural color showed. She swears it seems lighter than before she started dying it. And the length, when it is all dried and smooth, astounds her. She had no idea there was so much hair on her head.

  Keely continues to get ready, refusing to let the nerves get the best of her. She lightly powders her face. Applies a coat of mascara. Glosses her lips. She examines her face in the mirror. She doesn’t look like a threat. But Keely is pretty sure the Hierarchy is smarter than to judge her on her appearance. Just in case, she decides to dress the part.

  Keely shoves her clothes to one side of the closet so she can reach the few outfits she’s kept from her old life. An above the knee pink, pleated skirt with a bow at the waist. A soft white scoop neck blouse. She trails her fingers over the silky pink ribbon that gathers the waist of the blouse. It matches the skirt perfectly. Keely’s mom loves this outfit.

  It costs her ironing, but she welcomes the extra distraction. Anything to eat up the time. When every imperfection is smooth, Keely changes and takes the brush through her hair one more time. She is a stranger. A former Keely. If she couldn’t see the scar on her neck so clearly, she would think she is looking at a picture from two years ago. Not her reflection.

  Keely goes back to her closet and fishes out the pink flats she used to wear with this outfit. She sits on her bed and slides them on her feet. They feel strange. Not like her Converse. These squeeze her toes uncomfortably.

  “You look beautiful.”

  Keely jumps from the bed with a squeal
. She hadn’t felt a difference in the cord. Didn’t see him coming at all this time. “You can’t do that to me. I must be getting used to this or something because you caught me totally off guard.” She puts her hand over her racing heart.

  “I am sorry, but this is your own fault. I have not been able to rest all night. You are nervous. It makes me nervous.” He eyes her bed longingly. “This is very early for me.”

  “I can’t help it. I didn’t ask for this. Any of this. I can’t choose how I feel and I can’t stop you from feeling it.”

  “I did not ask for this as well. It is very difficult for me. You’re changing me.” He looks at her pillow. “You truly do look beautiful,” he says and lowers himself to her bed. He lies on his side and hugs the pillow to his head.

  “Make yourself comfortable.”

  “You are a little more relaxed now. I need sleep.”

  Keely realizes that his presence has relaxed her. Probably the simple fact that he’s occupied her thoughts. Taken her mind off things for the moment.

  Her eyes trace his body repeatedly from head to toe. Lying in her bed. His appearance is very impressive. Nearly perfect. She picks up her sketch pad and pencils and crawls carefully up on the bed. She slips her shoes off and sits on her legs as she begins to draw his outline. Keely nearly sighs with the gratification this brings. Asmoday does sigh and snuggles closer to her pillow.

  “It would be easier to sleep if you did not watch me,” he mumbles.

  “Just one picture. I promise.”

  He opens one eye. Looks at her hand moving effortlessly over the page. “Beautiful,” he mouths before falling asleep.

  Keely has never been one to break her promises, but he’s sleeping so peacefully. Her sketching is not bothering him in the least, so she keeps going. This one just of his face. Though Apophis makes her want to vomit now, before he tried to murder her, Keely thought he was very handsome. Asmoday puts him to shame. Every single feature is pleasant to look at.

  Keely flips to the next sheet of paper to draw another picture and stops. This page is already taken. Filled with a rendering of Nick. She looks at the alarm clock on her nightstand. It reads ten minutes to eleven. Where had the time gone? She looks back through her pad. Page after page is of Asmoday. Her hands are black from lead. She slides off the bed cautiously. If she gets her skirt dirty she won’t have anything to wear. After scrubbing her hands, Keely touches up the powder on her face. Her mom knocks at the door.