Dark Calling

by McIntyre, Cheryl

  “What about Demons?” Nick asks.

  “Asmoday can stay with Keely.” Ramuell reads the uncomfortable expression on her face and amends. “Because of his bond to her, I feel it’ll be more comforting for them both and therefore easier for them to sleep. As for Apophis, well, I have a special place in mind for him.”

  “I’ll just go back to my realm. You can send Asmoday when it’s time,” Apophis says dryly.

  Ramuell moves quickly in front of Apophis and slides a necklace over his head. “I don’t think so.” He steadies Apophis as he staggers. Lowers him to the floor. Apophis swings his arm attempting to fight off Ramuell, but the talisman leaves his muscles worthless. “I’m sorry, but I can’t have you disappearing on me now. Not when we’re this close. Just sleep.”

  Ramuell gestures for Elijah to help him and they carry Apophis through the door to the Angels room.

  “O.k. Well, on that note, I think I’m going to bed,” Lila says. She pushes back the door to their room and whistles. “Nice.”

  “Money is not an issue for us,” Micah says from behind her.

  “I see. I may not want to go back home when this is over.” Lila puts her hand over her mouth and stifles a gasp. She whirls around and stares at Micah. “I do go home, right? We all do?”

  Micah looks over his shoulder at Israfil who looks away quickly.

  “Oh my God. I die?”

  “You don’t die,” Micah says quietly.

  Lila sighs with a smile. It fades quickly. “Does anybody die?”

  “I shouldn’t discuss this with you. You should sleep.”

  Lila’s hand shoots out quickly, gripping his arm tightly. “I want to see it. Let me read the prophecy.”

  Micah pries her fingers from his arm with little effort. “I can’t, Lila.”

  “Don’t give me that. If I can fight, I can read it. I want to read it.”

  “So do I,” Keely says suddenly.

  “Yeah, me too,” Bryon adds.

  Asmoday pushes himself off the wall he was quietly leaning against and steps forward. “It will not change anything. We all must play our parts regardless of the outcome. There is not one of us who is not sacrificing to be here. Because we all know what the higher cost is. Leave it be.” He turns and walks into the bedroom.

  Lila follows him. She throws herself onto the bed closest to the window as he sits on the edge of the other bed. “I don’t know how you’re doing this,” she murmurs.

  Asmoday flinches as if she startled him. “What do you mean?”

  “You know how this will end for you and you’re still here. I hate to admit it, but that’s pretty bad ass, Asmoday.”

  He looks at the floral painting on the wall. “I love her,” he says as if that is all the explanation needed.

  Lila rolls over so she isn’t facing him. “People have done crazier things in the name of love.”

  Bryon and Nick come in and survey the room. “Nice digs,” Bryon utters. He lowers himself carefully to the bed next to Lila. “Mind if I share with you?”

  “Nope, just don’t hog the blankets,” she says without looking at him.

  “It’s bad enough I have to be in the same room as him, but I’m not sleeping in the same bed. He tried to kill me,” Nick says as he glares at Asmoday.

  “Well, come over here and snuggle with me, big boy,” Bryon teases. He pulls the blanket up offering a space for Nick.

  “Don’t be a jerk,” Keely says as she brushes past him. She plucks a pillow from behind Asmoday and tosses it to Nick. “You can sleep on the couch and I’ll sleep here.”

  Nick throws the pillow back on the bed. “I’m not sleeping on the couch and I’m not cool with you sleeping in the same bed as him.”

  Keely snatches up the pillow. “I’ll just sleep on the couch.” She does an about face and slams the door behind her. If she’s being honest with herself, she’s glad Nick is acting like a jerk. It makes staying away from him a little easier. She feels bad for leaving Asmoday in there, but what else is she supposed to do? Share the bed with both of them? Why not all three of them? At least this way she doesn’t have to choose.

  The couch is huge and really comfortable. She sinks into the plush cushions, snuggling to the pillow. Keely pinches her eyes closed as the bedroom door opens and closes quietly.

  “Keely? I’m sorry. I came with a peace offering,” Nick whispers. She opens her eyes and looks up at him. He stands over her holding a blanket and wearing a pitiful puppy dog look on his face. “Can I sleep with you if I promise to keep my opinions to myself?”

  She nods and wiggles over. He sits beside her and drapes the blanket over them. “I miss you,” he murmurs.

  Guilt weighs on Keely in a smothering way. Guilt for what she is keeping from Nick. Guilt that she’s here with Nick while Asmoday is in the other room. Guilt for what she knows she has to do soon. How can she be lying here with Nick, wasting her precious last minutes with Asmoday? How can she crave Nick’s presence so much and still want Asmoday? Still think of Bryon. What is wrong with her?

  “I need some air,” she croaks as she pushes the blanket off of her. Nick tries to grab her arm, but she jerks away from his touch.

  “Where are you going? You can’t just leave.”

  “I can’t stay here either. I need to…” She shakes her head. “I don’t know what I need. There is so much going on inside of me, Nick. I can’t explain it. You can’t understand it. I just need-”

  “Asmoday?” Nick closes his eyes. Places his thumb and first finger over them and presses. When he opens them again, there is so much pain staring back at Keely it causes her to take a step away.

  “I don’t know.”

  “You don’t just love him as your brother. No, because he’s not your brother. You’re in love with him?”

  “I don’t know.”

  “But you want him?”

  “I don’t know.”

  “Well what do you know, Keely?” Nick’s voice rises unsteadily.

  “I know in a little while he and I are going into the Cimmerian Stairway and I’m the only one coming back. I know that he is choosing to do this. And I know that the cord binding him to me will break and I will die inside.” She places her hand on the door knob. “I know I don’t want to hurt anybody, but I know I’m going to.” Opening the door, she hopes Nick will not follow her.

  ***

  The city is beautiful from the roof. The sun glares off the golden top of Mont Zion, hurting Keely’s eyes. It won’t be the last time that place will hurt her. She can’t even begin to fathom how something so glorious can hold something so terrible inside for her. She thinks of how it houses the stairway that she will ascend. How it actually is a wonderful place that will bring peace. Her mind is aware of this fact, but her heart still sees the end of something magical before it had a chance to truly begin.

  Hot tears run down Keely’s cheeks and she is furious. How can she feel sorry for herself? Why is she standing on the roof having a pity party? Squeezing her hands into fists, she turns back to the door just as it opens.

  “I know you want to be alone, but your Guardian did not think you should be. I tend to agree with him on this one. I can wait in the stairwell if you prefer,” Asmoday says.

  Keely shakes her head. Why doesn’t he know? How doesn’t he feel it? Can’t he sense how hard it is for her to not throw herself into his arms?

  “Oh,” she mouths. She understands. He doesn’t want her in his arms. Her stomach tightens sharply and she tries to turn away before she loses it. She doesn’t make it. With a pained gasp, Keely bursts into fresh tears.

  Asmoday cringes against her overwhelming sadness. He rocks back, fighting against his need to go to her. To hug her, kiss her, and make her feel better. His heart hurts physically as it pounds against his ribs. Hands ache to reach for her. He turns on his heel.
Forces himself to walk away. Makes it to the door, but can’t manage to walk through it. He stares at the door until it blurs into nothingness. His body quivers and suddenly he is in front of her, drawing her against his chest.

  Asmoday wipes the tears from her face and presses his head against hers. “Do not do that. Do not ever doubt how much I love you. I thought it would be easier if I pulled away now instead of waiting until...” He slides his nose over hers and brushes his lips across her forehead.

  “I just want the time we have left.”

  “Then we should make the most of it,” he breathes. His lips move to hers lightly, savoring the warmth of her mouth. He gives in to the desire he’s been fighting and allows his hands to caress her skin. Fingers hungry and greedy as they explore the curves of her body. His mouth shadowing his hands, kissing, tasting. Keely shivers and sighs. Asmoday’s muscles tighten in response and though he wants to move quicker, he forces himself to slow down. To stretch this moment. He doesn’t want to rush. This will be his memory of her. The memory he will replay in his mind as he meets whatever fate awaits him at sunset.

  Keely’s fingers tremble as she slides them under Asmoday’s shirt. He knows she wants to memorize him as much as he does her. He pulls the back collar of his shirt up and over his head. The sun is warm on his skin, but it falls short in comparison with the heat coming off of Keely. She trails her hands down his stomach and he pulls her mouth back to his. He has to remember her warmth. How right it makes him feel. How safe. How whole.

  He moves to her neck, running his lips down the side. Pulls the strap of her tank top off her shoulder and kisses there. She shivers again and Asmoday forgets he’s trying to take his time. Forgets he is supposed to be slowly appreciating each sensation. He picks her up and lowers her to the roof top. Hovers above her as he looks down at her. The way her hair fans out around her beautiful face. The way her green eyes look so vibrant in the sunlight.

  He pushes her shirt halfway up her stomach and lips follow fingers once again. Keely’s stomach muscles go taut as she sits up just enough to remove her shirt and Asmoday’s hands travel over the new sights. His tongue moves over her belly button. Slides up her stomach. He brushes his lips over her bra and across her chest, kisses her neck again.

  Keely grabs his hair and brings his mouth to hers in a rush. They pant against each other and she feels like she cannot take one second more or she will explode, but she doesn’t want to stop. She doesn’t even want to pause. She finds the button on his pants and tugs. Bites down on his tongue just hard enough to keep him in place as he tries to pull away. He groans loudly and rolls, bringing her with him so she lies on top of him. She sits up, straddling his hips. Smiles at him as she unbuttons her shorts.

  “Are you sure?”

  “Do you really need to ask?” She laughs and kisses him.

  “I know you want to, I feel that. I only worry if this will make it more difficult for you.”

  Keely goes still. Stares down at his concerned face. “Nothing could make this more difficult for me, Asmoday. I don’t want to lose you. I don’t want to leave you. Not now. Not ever.”

  Keely lowers herself so her head rests over his heart. “What if I were to stay down there with you?”

  Asmoday pushes her off him harder than he intends. She falls back on her butt hard. “NO!”

  His anger is so intense it almost scares Keely. She gets to her feet quickly as his eyes blaze with furry. “I will not allow you to sacrifice yourself like that,” he spits. His eyes are slits as he glowers at her. “You are too important. You are everything.” He runs his hands through his hair and exhales loudly. Tries to soften his expression. “I can do my part as long as I know you live the life you were meant to. What good will dying along side of me do?” He shakes his head sadly. “You have to understand how that would torture my soul.” He meets her gaze. “Promise me. Give me your word right now that you will not abandon your purpose for me. For anyone.”

  Keely picks up her shirt and puts it on as she walks toward the door. Asmoday blocks her path. “Keely, please promise me.”

  She stands on the tip of her toes and kisses him deeply. She hugs herself to him. “I won’t,” she says and pulls away.

  Keely gets through the door before Asmoday understands what she has said. He cuts her off on the steps, one hand on the railing, the other on the wall so she can’t get past him. “You won’t what?”

  Keely rolls her eyes. “We’re supposed to be sleeping. We should get back to the room.”

  “You won’t what?” He raises his brows and ducks his head so he can look in her eyes. He feels her determination. Knows she thinks she’s right. “You will not make the promise?”

  She stares at the wall. He grips her arms and jerks her to get her full attention. He puts his lips close to her ear. “You will not just break my heart. You will kill them all. Lila. Bryon. Nick. Your mother. Her husband. Even the Angels. I am not worth one life, let alone all of them.”

  “But I can go and come back…”

  “You cannot. You know it as well as I do. Now give me your word.”

  Tears burn her eyes, but she refuses to cry anymore. “It’s not fair.”

  Asmoday hugs her tightly. “I know.”

  “I promise I will walk up those stairs. But if there is any way for me to come back for you, I’m doing it. Just so you know.”

  Forty-One:

  Keely opens her eyes. The room is dark. She feels around until her fingers hit the table. Glide up the lamp. Search for the switch. With a click, the room bursts with color. It takes several seconds for her eyes to adjust. And she’s alone. The couch is empty. She stands quickly making her head dizzy. Moves to the room where her friends should be sleeping, but two empty beds await her. She runs to the other room, panic making her clumsy. She fumbles with the door twice before it opens. This room is empty as well.

  They left her. How could they leave her? It doesn’t make sense. The light behind her casts an elongated shadow across one of the beds and up the wall. It moves, growing smaller though Keely stands still. Her heart pounds in her chest. The sound is loud in her ears. She tries to turn around. Wants to run as the shadow moves closer to her, but she’s glued in place. No sound comes from her mouth as she tries desperately to scream.

  Keely is seized from behind. She falls back against her attacker as they both hit the floor. The hard arms release her immediately and she is thrown to the side as a blur of white moves past her. Apophis yanks the door, pulling it closed just as something hits it loudly. The floor shakes and the door vibrates. His hands are white on the knob, his lips move quickly speaking a language Keely has never heard before. Though she doesn’t know the words he says, she understands their meaning. He’s sending the Demon away.

  Apophis’ voice grows louder. Demanding. Commanding. A lock of his hair falls loose in the front, hanging across his sweaty forehead. His blue eyes fade to white and his skin grays. The door stops shaking, but is replaced by impossibly loud pounding, as if someone were kicking it. Apophis looks back at Keely with unseeing eyes. “Help me,” he shouts.

  Keely thrusts herself forward and places her palms against the door. It burns, but she doesn’t pull away. Together they chant his words over and over. Each time she utters them, their meaning becomes clearer. The pounding slows, becomes weaker. Her voice grows stronger. She can no longer see the door in front of her. Instead, she sees a massive creature inside her mind. It’s not a shadow like it first appeared. The eyes are terribly blood shot. Its needle teeth are brown with rot. She can almost smell the stink of its breath. Feel its rage. Purple veins protrude from the skin like thick wires running in mazes up and down its form. The Demon’s chest is three times the size it should be, bloated to the extreme. The flesh there is ripping and thick yellow liquid oozes slowly out.

  Keely is screaming the words now, wanting the image erased from her mind. The Demo
n staggers. Its hands drop to its sides. Closes its eyes. When they open again, they are clear and bright. Alight with every color Keely can name and many more she cannot. They’re her father’s eyes. The creature’s mouth doesn’t move as the Demon King’s voice fills her head.

  “My daughter. Open the door and allow me in.”

  Apophis says something, but Keely doesn’t hear him. She shakes her head. “No.” Her head feels light. She closes her eyes tightly. “Just go away!” she screams.

  Above her, two more hands touch the door. Asmoday’s chest heaves against Keely’s back with each breath he takes. “What’s happening?”

  “My father. Where were you?”

  “Awake,” he pants.

  Apophis begins the chant again, the color fading from his eyes once more. Asmoday joins, followed by Keely. Their voices merge together becoming one. In her mind’s eye, the creature shakes violently. His body falls to the floor leaving her father standing as if he dropped a coat from his shoulders.

  “I will wait for you to come to me then. Your mother says hello.” He laughs silently as a blinding light swarms around him. “See you then, my children.”

  Keely stares at the door. “Is he gone?”

  “I think so,” Asmoday says, but his hands remain firmly in place.

  Apophis pushes himself back and swoops his hair back in place with one finger. He pulls the cuffs of his jacket and smoothes the front.

  Keely turns to him, letting her hands slide down the door. “What the hell was that?”

  “Not my dream, Kitten.” He crosses his arms over his chest and stares at her. “And I am fairly certain he wasn’t here for me.”