Dark Calling

by McIntyre, Cheryl

  “I know, Honey. I know. I’m sorry.” He looks at Ambriel. “What will you do with him?”

  “There is a warded prison on campus. It’s like a guest house. He’ll be treated humanely and have all his needs met. He just will not be able to leave the building. I give you my word, Princess. No harm will come to him as long as he is not a threat.”

  “He’s not. I swear,” Keely whimpers.

  Ambriel smiles at her kindly. “He is not a threat to you, but I don’t know he isn’t to the rest of the world. It is my duty to be sure.” She turns to the man that put the necklace on Asmoday. “William, you may transport him now.” She looks back at Keely. “Once you are both settled, you may visit him to ease your mind.”

  “Can I drive her?” her dad asks.

  “Of course. You are welcome any time.”

  Kimberly gets up quietly from her chair and hugs Keely awkwardly before escaping to her room. Keely glances over at Nick. He meets her gaze with questions in his eyes as she turns to leave.

  “Keely, wait,” he calls. She comes to an abrupt stop. The others move around her, clearing the room.

  Her back still turned to him, she says, “What is it? I have to go.”

  “I didn’t know this would happen.”

  “Is that all?”

  He pulls her arm, turning her around. “Why didn’t you tell me he wasn’t your brother?”

  “Because I just found out right before everything with Bryon,” she whispers. “There hasn’t been an appropriate time.”

  “I didn’t mean for this to happen to him. They won’t hurt him. I’ll tell them how strong your bind is. They won’t take the chance on hurting you too.”

  “Thank you. I would appreciate it.”

  “I love you,” he says quietly. He puts his arms around her. She feels good here, but her head is so confused.

  “I love you too, Nick.” She pulls out of his embrace, his hands sliding down her arms. “I’m so tired. I really need to go.” She walks out of the house without looking back.

  Thirty-Seven:

  Ambriel shows Keely to her room on the second floor. It’s larger and much nicer than she expected. The spacious room has two beds with a wide nightstand in between. Two dressers, two desks, two large bookshelves. The burgundy curtains match the bedspreads perfectly and reflect in the roses woven into the plush rug. There is an adjoining bathroom and Keely gives a sigh of appreciation.

  “What do you think?”

  “It’s nice,” Keely says.

  “Anything you need, do not be afraid to ask. We’re very happy you’re here with us.” Her dark eyes focus on Keely carefully. “I will be tutoring you in your spare time. I want to get you caught up as soon as possible. There is a certain responsibility you hold being a Princess and a Doyenne. You’re the first of your kind in a very long time. You’ll need to present yourself as a leader.”

  Keely’s eyes go big. “But I’m not a leader.”

  Ambriel smiles kindly at her. “You will be,” she says. “This is more than a school. One of seven Academies around the world. We teach, we train, and we hold judgment, conference, and assembly. We have the dorms, the courts, the prisons. Training facilities, the Great Room where our festivities are held. There’s a smaller building where on sight staff resides. There will be hundreds of sets of eyes on you constantly and they will all be looking to you for example.”

  At Keely’s haunted expression, Ambriel laughs. “I’ll help you, Keely. For now, remember how special you are. Hold your head up high and remind yourself that you belong here.”

  Keely nods, unsure. “When can I see Asmoday?”

  Ambriel regards her for a moment. “Don’t you want to unpack first?”

  “I can do it later.”

  “I’m sure he’s situated by now.” She motions for her to come with her then stops. “Please do not think poorly of me for saying this, but you may want to keep your feelings for Asmoday to yourself.” She smiles. “At least when there are others around.”

  Keely can’t help the question. “Why?”

  Ambriel smiles again. “It is not common practice for someone of such importance to have a Demon boyfriend. Or more than one boyfriend at one time,” she says coyly.

  “Oh. He’s not…he’s not my boyfriend.”

  “Whatever he is to you, keep it under wraps for the time being.”

  “O.k.” Keely twitches nervously under Ambriel’s knowing gaze.

  ***

  Asmoday opens his eyes and the room spins. Everything is blurry and unfamiliar. His body feels heavy and uncooperative, followed by the stress of panic. Keely? Where is she?

  The door creaks open and relief washes over him. He knows it’s her despite the fact he’s unable to turn his head. “Keely.”

  The door closes quietly and she’s standing over him. “Asmoday.” She brushes her lips against his forehead. “You stupid, stupid idiot.” Kisses each of his cheeks. “Why did you do that, you big dummy?”

  He smiles at her. “I am not an expert, but I am fairly certain those are not correct terms of endearment.”

  “Why would you do that? I was scared to death. Why wouldn’t you just answer her questions?”

  “I kept us together.”

  Keely stares at him in shock. “You really are an idiot. What if they would have sent you to one of the other Academies to imprison you there?”

  “A chance I had to take.”

  “Asmoday, you put yourself in jail just to be able to see me. I can’t believe you did that.”

  “Someday I hope you will be able to understand how deeply my devotion runs. I cannot wait until the day it no longer surprises you. The day when you know without a second thought that I would lay my life down for you. When you accept it as a fact as true as people need air. I love you. I. Love. You.” Asmoday twists a chunk of her hair between his thumb and first finger. Pushes it behind her ear and slips his hand behind her neck. With the slightest pressure, she moves toward him. Brings her lips to his. Breathes life into his weighted limbs. Her mouth is like a shot of caffeine. His other hand pulls her leg over his thigh, positioning her so she lies on top of him. Keely’s hair falls around their faces, sealing them in their own private cocoon. Her hips move over his causing him to gasp and she sits up quickly.

  “Are you hurt?”

  “Not at all,” he breathes. Draws her back down to him. His hand slides over her cheek and grips her chin. Pulls her mouth back to his.

  Thunder roars outside and Keely jumps. Asmoday laughs and rubs his hands over her arms. “It’s all right. It is only thunder.”

  Another clap of thunder sounds and Keely ignores it. She brushes back Asmoday’s silky hair and places her lips back to his. Fingers scratch gently at her back as he pulls her against him. She loves the way his hands feel on her bare skin. How she feels so soft against his hard body.

  Thunder sounds again, shaking the building. Asmoday pulls away reluctantly. Appears as if he is listening to something. Thunder ripples in the sky again and Keely realizes he wasn’t listening to something, but for something.

  “Was that four? Four claps of thunder?”

  “I think so. Why?”

  “It isn’t raining.”

  Asmoday pushes Keely gently off him and goes to the window. A bolt of lightning streaks through the sky casting his face in blue brilliance. He turns his head toward her, fear in his eyes. He screams her name as a horn blares from all around them. It grows louder and louder. Keely covers her ears. Glass sprays inward from the windows, flying through the air.

  The building shakes again as the horns die down, replaced with a rhythmic pounding, beating against the ground. Keely pushes herself off the bed and stumbles in Asmoday’s direction. Something outside catches her eye. It moves in the distance, coming fast in their direction.

  “It’s happ
ening. They have come.”

  “What’s happening? Who’s coming?”

  “End of days,” Asmoday cries.

  Students pour out of the Academy and rush through the yard. Keely opens the door. Asmoday right behind her. “I cannot go,” he says as she trips down the stairs.

  He starts to say something else, but it fades away as the pounding grows stronger. Keely can see now that it looks like a horse. She moves faster, trying to see better. Now in the yard with the other students, she understands the noise is hooves pounding against the ground as the horse gallops harder and harder. It sounds as if it’s coming from all around them. Some kids look off in other directions and Keely follows one girl’s gaze. Coming from the North, Keely sees another horse. She turns quickly, from the west, yet another. She knows before she turns again that there will be another from the south.

  She looks back at Asmoday, his eyes are fixed on the horse he can see coming from the east. Keely sees now, too. It has a rider. A man with black hair and a breast plate of armor on his chest. She doesn’t need to be told; she knows what he is as he pulls the mahogany colored horse’s reigns and comes to a stop.

  He’s an Angel.

  He slides from his horse as the others approach. Keely forces herself to look away. To look at the other horses. To see their riders. Upon the cream colored horse that arrives next is an Angel with thick dark hair. His eyes are just as dark and they nearly glow as they catch the lights from the school building. He dismounts fluidly and comes to stand by the other Angel who is several feet taller.

  Keely jumps as the next horse arrives and whinnies restlessly. It’s a solid black, its coat glossy as oil. The Angel jumps from the horse, planting his large feet on the ground. As he looks around, his eyes rake over the other kids until they fall upon Keely. His amber gaze locks with hers and he nods almost imperceptibly. There’s something familiar about his eyes and she’s struck with the feeling that she has seen him before.

  The last horse thunders up and stops abruptly. The pure white horse stomps its feet as his rider dismounts. He is the only one with light hair. It’s long, swaying back and forth across his shoulders as he walks. He speaks first.

  “Who is in charge here?” His voice is loud and clear and stands the hairs on Keely’s arms straight up with its beauty. Purer than her father’s voice. Gentle and strong at the same time.

  Like a ripple in water, the students fall to their knees. “It is the end of days,” a girl cries out. “Who of us are chosen?”

  “Please give me the seal of our Father,” a boy pleads. He folds his hands in prayer.

  “Please stand. You do not bow before us,” the Angel says. “You may rest easy, for the end of days does not come now. We are here only for the Scion.”

  The students rise to their feet slowly, unsure what to do, but wanting to obey this beautiful Angel before them. They begin to part down the middle as Ambriel walks briskly forward with the man Keely thinks of as the principal and the man she has always thought to be in charge.

  “My name is Nathan. I head this Academy. How may I assist you?” the man says. His eyes are full of wonder as he looks at the Angel before him.

  “We come for the release of the Scion,” he says again. Only this time, his pale hand thrusts out, his finger extended. Every head follows the direction he points. Keely does an about face to look behind her and gasps.

  The only one behind her is Asmoday, standing in the doorway of his prison. His eyes break away from the Angel and meet Keely’s for a moment before returning.

  “There must be a mistake,” Nathan begins. He shakes his head. Angels sent from Heaven would not make mistakes.

  “Please release the boy,” the Angel says. He moves his finger slightly. “And the girl as well.”

  “Me?” Keely asks in shock.

  The Angel smiles at her revealing perfectly white teeth. He nods.

  “We will release the Demon to you, but the girl is needed. She’s our only Doyenne and is said to fulfill the prophecy of damnation,” the principal says.

  The Angel with amber eyes and ebony skin steps forward. His hand brushes across a scroll hanging from his belt. “We have a prophecy as well. The girl,” his hand sweeps toward Keely, “holds the key.” His hand sweeps toward Asmoday.

  “Is that a seal? May we see it?” Principal stumbles forward, his hand outstretched.

  “You are not worthy of its contents,” the Angel with the golden hair declares. His hand goes to his sheath, ready to draw his sword.

  “Please, we have so many questions,” Nathan says. “We’ll do as you ask, just speak with us, please.”

  “We have no time for council. The King of Demons has waged war upon us.”

  “What do you need us to do?” Ambriel asks. “We want to help.”

  He nods at her. “For now, stay put. You’re safe here. He’s after the blood of the innocent. Do not allow him to take it from you.” He looks back to Asmoday. “Release him now.”

  “Yes, of course.” Ambriel and Nathan move to the building. Nathan paces around the outside while Ambriel moves past Asmoday, going inside. They murmur something softly, repeating it over and over. As Ambriel appears back in the doorway, a gust of wind ruffles the grass. “That’s it.”

  Asmoday looks at her questioningly. “I am free to go?”

  “Yes.”

  He bounds down the stairs and sweeps Keely into his arms. She hugs him tightly, unsure what they are about to face.

  “You ride with me,” the light haired Angel says to Asmoday.

  “You are with me,” the amber eyed Angel tells Keely. She takes his outstretched hand and he helps her onto the horse that is black as a moonless night. She runs her hand down his mane.

  The Angel propels himself up onto the horse behind Keely. “He’s a gorgeous animal, isn’t he?”

  She nods. “Yes, he is.”

  “His name is Ephesus and I go by the name Elijah.” He slaps the reigns and makes a sound that Ephesus understands. He trots forward and Keely grips the saddle.

  “I’m Keely. Well, you probably know that already.”

  “Yes, we’ve met before.”

  Keely tries to turn to look at him, but she sways and he straightens her. She looks over at Asmoday who looks perfectly at ease with his fingers knotted into the white mane of the horse he rides.

  “I don’t mean to sound rude, but I don’t remember ever meeting you. I don’t think that’s something I could ever forget.”

  “Your body had died at the time,” he says as if this is self explanatory. Her body stiffens and he laughs, the sound like a melody of chimes. “I brought you to my Father after you were attacked. Your soul was strong, but your body weak. I called the paramedics to save you. My Father had to join you with your body twice before you were strong enough. I remember it well.”

  “You saved me? After Apophis attacked me?”

  “Yes.”

  “I thought it was a security guard making his rounds.”

  “Or a Guardian Angel posing as one.” Keely can hear the smile in his voice.

  “I have a Guardian Angel?”

  “I’ve been your guardian ever since you died at such a young age. Currently you have two, due to circumstances. On the red horse, that is Micah. He will help guide you as well as guard you.”

  “Your father, do you mean…?”

  Elijah smiles. “The Lord, my Father.”

  “God?”

  “Yes.”

  “God put my soul back into my body? Twice? Why?” Keely asks incredulously.

  “He’s the only one who can do it.”

  “But why did he do it?”

  “Because,” Elijah says. “You fulfill our Prophecy of Peace.”

  Thirty-Eight:

  “I read the prophecy in the Grimoire. I saw it. I bring damnation. Not pea
ce. It’s awful what I do. So many people…die,” Keely explains.

  Elijah says, “You’ve only seen what will happen if you fail. You have not been shown the possibilities if you succeed.”

  “But the prophecy is that I won’t succeed. Isn’t it?”

  “That is not how ours reads.”

  “But it is how it reads in the Grimoire. Isn’t that risky?”

  Elijah laughs. “I have faith in you.”

  “I’m glad you do, Elijah, because I watched myself fail. I felt the importance of what I was doing, and I knew I shouldn’t look back, for whatever reason, but I did. And the whole world fell apart.”

  “In ours, you succeed. And the whole world remains intact. Trust me. In our prophecy, it has only ever been you. You have only ever conquered the darkness. You are a heroin.”

  Keely ponders this new information. Her chest fills with pride and her eyes slide over to Asmoday as he beams at her. She smiles, feeling embarrassed.

  “Why do you have names?” Asmoday asks the Angel he rides with. “The Demon King always told me that he has no human name.”

  “It’s true, we don’t. Our Father gave us these names to call ourselves while we walk among you.”

  “What is yours?”

  “Ramuell.”

  “Why don’t you have wings?” Keely asks. Her cheeks go warm as Ramuell looks over at her and smiles. Did she just ask a really dumb question? Are Angels with wings something humans exaggerated or possibly made up?

  “We cannot use them in our human form.”

  “So you’re human right now?” she asks.

  He nods his head. “As much as you are.”

  “Why did everybody think it was the end of days?” Keely tries to look at Elijah again.

  “They’ve read the Revelation to the prophet John,” Elijah explains. In the prophecy, four Angels come to Earth to put the seal of our Father on the chosen.”

  “Are you one of those Angels?”

  He laughs. “No. But Israfil is.” He points to the Angel with the curly hair upon the cream colored horse. “He sounds the trumpet as he did tonight.”