“Oh, the real reason for the party.”
Cyril began with a toast to everyone for coming up for our holiday open house and everyone responded back in a loud, “Cheers!”
“We have some business to quickly get out in the open too. As you know there have been occurrences. We initially attributed them to the re-phasing of Ana. However, they have become more frequent, persistent, and candidly rough. It seems Azazel is involved and possibly Asmodeus. It has been pretty calm since we have been back to Whistler, but before we left we had noticed increased activity. We had a couple of run-ins that we were able to thwart. Once we got down to Washington, their presence was much more pronounced. I think there may be a movement going on, a building of legions. I don’t know why or if it’s over anything specific, but I think we all need to be a little bit more cognizant of our surroundings and make sure our network is strong. We need to be vigilant in our methods of communicating any threats that may be lurking out there to one another for the time being, no matter how big or small.”
Jordan, who I met only briefly at the front door, began to speak up.
“Cy, it’s not only your family who has been targeted. We have had no run-ins similar to your family. The presence around us is much more than we have ever experienced for no specific cause. Many are low level demons, posers, with very little experience, but all the same.” His voice trailed off.
A woman stepped through the crowd. I had not met her yet. Her mate was right behind her holding her hand as they made way to be able to speak.
“That’s Jessica,” Athen whispered, “She has been in Whistler with her husband longer than any of us.”
Jessica began speaking.
“We, too, have experienced unexpected interference, far more than usual when stepping in with humans. We have had several situations in the last few weeks while we are working with our targets, and the creatures would vanish only to bring in a new set. We honestly dismissed the occurrences. But hearing some of your stories makes me reconsider. What struck me as worrisome was that on even minor infractions, the demons were persistent, where they normally would retreat. They’ve lingered on infidelity scenarios and everything. Usually we try our persuasion a little and they flee. It hasn’t been that way.”
Our front door opened and a breeze began drifting though the entire house. I couldn’t see who was at the door. I hoped it wasn’t one of my friends returning for something. I began to sense an uneasiness infiltrate the room. The crowd was completely quiet as the stranger made his way into the family room. I saw his bright green eyes look up at us all. It was the snowboarder. How could he be one of us, and my family miss it or my vision be so wrong? There was an awkward silence throughout the entire room as he made his way to the center of our family room.
“Is Ana here?” His voice uttered the words I least expected.
Athen tightened his grip around me a littler harder.
“You are going to have to explain the significance of all of this to me later.” I whispered to Athen.
“I honestly don’t know the significance.”
My heart plummeted and confusion set in.
I had no idea who this person was, and the fact that my family didn’t either made me worried. Arie stepped forward.
“I’m Ana.”
What was she doing? My body stiffened at the notion that she was putting herself in jeopardy. I noticed the mood in the room shift from awkward silence to anticipation. I began seeing bodies around the room shift and ready themselves for what was about to begin. They were preparing for a fight, but I couldn’t understand why they would be fighting one of our own. There was a feeling unlike any that I had encountered thus far. A restless stirring just daring the being to make a move was hovering in the air. Athen slowly moved my body back into the crowd’s protection. That’s when I realized the snowboarder was a demon, an imposter posing as one of us. He had been taken.
This demon was sent into our den to masquerade as one of us. He was probably created on the mountain just for this very occurrence. His masters fully knew that he wouldn’t come out in the same form he went in. He was being sacrificed as a message to us. The legions were building and we were the targets, not just our human companions.
Before I knew it, the demon leapt for Arie who crouched down as graceful as a swan while Cyril leapt over her capturing his neck by one hand in a quick, fluid motion as I had seen many times before. From every angle the white demons collapsed onto the imposter tearing every piece of him to shreds. As the black cloud began to surface, it traced its way back out the front door. I collapsed onto the floor in a sitting position in utter disbelief. From this moment on, I had no shame for what I was, only pride.
I was proud to be a white demon, a fallen angel. I now fully understood the difference. I would never again feel the shame that haunted me from that first night of my reintroduction process. We were all intertwined somehow and had to fight for the common goal. I looked up at Athen and whispered I love you to him as he helped me up.
The silence in the room began turning into a flurry of activity. I heard Arie continue speaking, letting them know the specifics of our occurrences that she had attempted to tell everyone before we were interrupted. We were in this together. That was apparent. To what degree we didn’t know, but we definitely had to build up our forces. I squeezed Athen’s hand, so thankful for him.
I suddenly wanted everyone to leave. I needed time to absorb what was going on, hoping that my imagination was much more active than what reality could hold. I learned quickly that my reality is far beyond what my imagination ever dreamed. I wasn’t sure how much time had passed, but while I was trying to wrap my head around things Arie had finished up, and everyone was beginning to gather their coats and other items, trickling out the front door. I followed Athen to the foyer to say goodnight to everyone. Amidst the many hugs and cheek kisses I began feeling stronger, more secure with what might be lurking out there against us. We had a strong community, and this was only a tiny portion of it.
Athen and I made our way up to bed. Matilda decided to stay downstairs. Sometimes she enjoyed the thought of not moving more than being tempted to snuggle with us.
“So what did you think of tonight?” Athen asked as we hugged under the covers trying to warm up.
“I had my reservations for sure, but I’m happy Arie did this. It makes me feel not so alone in this, whatever this is. I can’t believe one of them showed up in our house though. I thought they wouldn’t trespass in our area and the green eyes?” Athen squeezed me and I cozied up even more.
“We have a strong network out there. We have to dial into them all and let the word spread. As for the uninvited visitor… It’s a shame. The demons knew what they were doing. He is only weeks old. He was just sent in not even knowing his own fate. As for the green eyes, laughable as it may seem, green contacts do wonders.”
“I can’t believe he was turned. It makes me sad we couldn’t get to him. His poor family.”
“Well, that would explain why I didn’t sense him as one of us. I’m surprised I didn’t catch that he was one of them, however. I was so shocked that I was looking at the same person as in the pictures and then when he asked for me by name, I was at a loss.”
“Yeah, it was a trigger for us, but as you saw he didn’t have a chance. We’ve got to figure out why the demons are moving and taunting us so much. We have got to find out what their motive is sooner rather than later. We will get it, though. Don’t you worry.”
“I have to admit I was comforted a little to hear that the others were noticing things too. It makes me feel like it isn’t me the creatures are out to get.”
Athen nodded, “I know. But don’t get too comfortable.”
We laid in bed quietly holding each other until morning let us know it had arrived. Then we finally fell asleep. Christmas was only a few days away.
CHAPTER 29
I was back at the house putting dishes away when I began to feel Athen’s aura ten
se up. I was thankful that I was finally beginning to be in tune with my family’s whereabouts and their feelings without being directly with them. Being so new to it made it hard to distinguish the different level of consciousness unfortunately. He was out with Matilda so I wasn’t sure why this was coming over me. Hoping that the negative vibes that were disseminating around my body were false, I told myself that I was over reacting. I tried frantically to rid the fear that began to take hold. I left the kitchen and went over to the family room to look outside where I last saw Athen and Matilda in the woods. I scanned quickly and didn’t see anything. The feeling began getting stronger, but at this point I convinced myself that I was getting overly paranoid. That was the problem with still trying to gauge the emotions of others. These skills were not easy to pick up.
I talked myself out of my panic attack, going back to the kitchen to finish putting the items away from the dishwasher. I saw Matilda’s reflection in the window running towards the house without Athen, and then suddenly his voice entered through my veins, “I will follow your soul wherever that leads me. We will never be apart again for as long as we were, but my immediate time might be ending. Ana, bring Cyril, quickly.”
The plate I was holding crashed to the floor. Arie came running down the stairs and Cyril dashed in from the deck. They already knew. This wasn’t a false alarm. I didn’t need to say a word. I was seeing the present. Athen was surrounded by six black demons. They didn’t have the human form that I was used to seeing, but they didn’t have the image right before their death either. Athen had summoned me up. This wasn’t like before. He was the target, not I. He had the complete disadvantage. This was like my dream. Why didn’t I tell anyone? If the demons couldn’t get me they would get the next best thing to split our family apart and stop us from trying to do good in the world. The first legion had announced itself. Now it was our time to fight for Athen.
I ran as fast as I could following Arie and Cyril out the door. Our bodies darted through the woods as spirits did in the otherworld. I no longer had the restraints of earth or nature keeping me in check. We were mere seconds into our journey and almost to Athen, but it felt like an eternity. I knew in my heart this time was different. The images bothered me the most. I could see them in my mind just swirling around Athen, teasing him. This had been one big game to the demons thus far. This was my nightmare. I wouldn’t let this end the way it had in my nightly dance of good and evil. I had to get to him. We had to save him. I cursed myself for not telling anyone of the horrible demons that ate at me in my dreams.
The level of confidence and cockiness that Cyril had exhibited last time was nowhere to be found. I knew Athen was strong, quick and smart with his fighting ability. I also knew at this moment he was in trouble. He was outnumbered for one, and I was helpless to save him unless we were there. Everything was a blur as I sped up even faster. I could see Athen crouching down. I couldn’t tell why he was doing that. I was concentrating so hard on my visions, I realized I hadn’t shared any of them still.
“He’s crouching. There are six black images surrounding him, Cyril. I don’t know what it means.” I screamed out of air.
“We are almost there, just focus.” Arie planted the words directly in my head.
The trees and homes were unrecognizable shapes and colors on the backside of the village. Everything was a blur. I knew I had to get to Athen. Time was not on my side. There was no way I could lose him. We had barely found each other again. I didn’t understand why this was happening. Why was our family the target?
I saw Arie and Cyril slow down up on top of the hill. They had found Athen. I could see Athen look up at them in my vision in recognition before I met the others. As I tried my hardest to get there even faster I cursed myself for not being up to their level of speed. I finally arrived at my destination. Meeting their gaze as I saw what was before us. It was not one creature. It was several just like my nightmare, and, unfortunately, my eyes were far more developed than before. I could see that Athen was losing. It was my nightmare.
There were six black beings wrapping themselves through Athen, swirling in such a manner that was frightening beyond belief. I wasn’t sure if it was the pure number of demons or the advanced skill level that they possessed, but they were all over. Screams and crashes echoed out in between shrill laughter coming directly from the legion members. I knew this might not have an ending that I could live with. It might end like my nightmare. I forced myself to quit thinking those thoughts and concentrate on what was before me. All I could see of him was his white and green energy trying to hold them off. He was at his end. He was crouching, jetting one leg out, and reaching with the other arm. I saw him grab one of the demons and rather than it turn to air like I imagined, the demon only stiffened into a serpent and dropped to the grass. Could it be her?
My spirits lifted seeing him defeat that being. But witnessing his reaction as he did it made me realize that he had obviously been holding them off for some time, and then I watched the demon slither away and regenerate. One against six was unimaginable and they were regenerating. Athen was exhausted. His spirit was diminishing. These were definitely not minions. These were well-developed demons. I saw Cyril leap into the mess and then Arie. As I began to position myself to jump in, Arie screamed out to stay put; that I was needed on the outside of the circle. I couldn’t fathom what she was talking about. Athen needed my help. We obviously needed numbers and watching on the sidelines was only going to quicken his demise. I was witnessing my true love be defeated because of me, and now I’m told not to move. I wasn’t going to listen. I was going to act.
“Ana, I love you. I will see you soon. I promise. Please listen to Arie and learn. This is how a white demon dies. Remember it can be beautiful.” I heard Athen’s voice radiating over to me. I fell to my knees. I knew what this meant but refused to accept it. I continued to witness the spectacle as it escalated. The black and white images began to wrap themselves and release much faster. It looked like Arie and Cyril were able to annihilate two of the demons as soon as they jumped in. There was hope. My nightmare was wrong.
I saw Cyril grab another one of the black demons and crush it. It fell to the grass lifeless. I was beginning to feel invigorated as I saw Athen begin to get a reprieve, until I realized there were still six demons. They were still regenerating. Another one darted from the sky in an instant as a loud thunderous clap occurred.
Tears began streaming down my face as high pitch sounds began screeching through the air making sounds my ears were barely capable of hearing, followed by another loud cracking boom, and that was it. That is when I knew it was over. Athen was gone. There was a green burst of light. Then I saw his white spirit begin to spiral up towards the sky. I dropped my head to the ground screaming. It was my fault. I was afraid to stop watching his spirit as if by tracking it I could stop the process. The black spirits vanished immediately leaving Cyril and Arie in their full form. They both came running over to hold me. I kept looking up into the sky, screaming. I could no longer separate his image from the clouds. My body began to uncontrollably shake. To have found love and lost it so quickly was more than I could handle. I closed my eyes and prayed to be taken with Athen. I could have stopped it.
“Ana, Ana, listen to me! Listen to me!” Arie was shaking me. I didn’t even know how much time had passed on the hill or how long she had been yelling at me. I didn’t care. I wanted Athen. I did nothing to stop the demons, and now Athen was gone. I didn’t know how long it would be before I would ever see him again. My head began pounding. I wasn’t sure how much longer I would be able to sit upright.
“It was just like my nightmare. It was just like my nightmare. I can’t go on. Please, this was my fault. If only I had said something. I just can’t. Please leave me be.”
“Ana, we can bring him back. Ana, you have to focus. This is the time that we should be planning. Come on, Ana! Don’t waste time. The sooner we start, the better our chances to get him back sooner. We don’t ha
ve time to worry about that stuff right now. We must begin the Awakening.”
I looked at Arie and finally realized what her words meant. I was wasting time. I needed to do whatever they said. I needed to quit feeling sorry for myself. Athen did it for me. I need to gain courage and do this for him. They knew how to bring him back. I didn’t. I had to be strong. Cyril and Arie helped me up and we began speeding back to the house. I knew I would do anything it took to get him back as quickly as possible. I cringed at the thought of how long it took them to reconnect with me this last time. We had to start the Awakening, whatever that entailed.
By the time we got back to the house, I could barely hold myself together. I looked to Arie hoping she would begin explaining things to me, but she didn’t. She went straight to the study. Cyril dashed upstairs leaving me to my own misery not knowing what to do or what was expected. The tears began welling up again. I knew I had to follow Arie to find out what she was doing, if for nothing else my own sanity.
“What are you doing? How can I help?” I muttered to Arie.
“I’m reaching out to the other families to let them know to be aware. The legions have begun their formation. There is a movement to destroy us, and we seem to be the family they started on. Once I do that, we will hope that enough time has settled. We need to track him. Get him before his complete immersion. It’s a balancing act. We do it too soon, we will find him, but we will miss our chance because he won’t be ready. He won’t recognize us. We do it too late, and we won’t be able to locate him for a long time. We need to begin the Awakening, and you must follow our instructions, Ana. The Awakening is the most crucial part of the entire process.”
“The Awakening? So how long are you talking in generalities? Hours? Days?”
My heart was beating so fast I couldn’t even fathom everything that was going on. Too soon, too late – I had no idea what this meant.
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