Creshan felt his heart thundering in his chest at her words. The blood was rushing through his ears. The easy smile that had been on his face fell and he stepped away from the woman. Something clenched within him, and he felt… he didn’t know what he felt. But within an instant he’d opened and shut the cell door again, turning his back on Estella Mayfire.
How dare she? What does she know? Nothing!
He paused at the corner of the cell block, reaching for the bars and clenching them in his fists as he took a moment to gather his thoughts. Then, he straightened, pushing Stella from his thoughts. It was time to face Erebus. He only hoped that he would survive.
~
No. Loki, leader of the Mariadies, had said no to their heed for help. The word still rung loud and clear in Caspian’s ears as Muka and Tahiki, Oscar’s old mentors, led he and Oscar through the winding tunnels and up into the mountain to their apartment.
They’d travelled so far to speak to Loki and she hadn’t even granted them the chance to at least plead their case. She’d simply refused them. Caspian could hardly believe it, and yet, some part of him couldn’t help but understand where Loki was coming from. The Enchanted had abandoned them in a desperate time for need, leading to the slaughter of the majority of the Mariadies. She had a right to be wary – to decline their extended hands for aid.
Oscar was quiet beside Caspian and Caspian was sure that the red-haired young man was probably thinking about their meeting with Loki as well. Caspian couldn’t imagine the heartbreak he felt at being refused by his former family. Oscar had trained for a year with the Mariadies, and judging from the reactions of everyone who saw him, it was clear he’d made life-long bonds with many. For him to come to them seeking help and to be rejected so quickly must have hurt.
‘I think you will find everything is as it was,’ said Muka as she slipped her key into the handle, twisted and opened the door to their home.
They were rather high up inside the mountain, though they’d taken a different tunnel to the one they’d trailed down upon their arrival. There were walkways leading off in all directions along the sides of the large rock faces, working their way upwards into the earth, scattered throughout the underground base. Along many of the paths were doors indented in the stone or archways leading into stores.
Caspian had never seen an underground system quite like it. Even Erebus, who opted for the underground lifestyle also, had nothing quite so sophisticated set up. The Mariadies had made the mountain their home, and it looked as if they’d done quite a good job at building something from nothing.
Tahiki stepped aside, allowing the two of them and his wife to pass through the door and into the dimly lit living room. It was a spacious apartment, more so than Caspian expected. An open kitchenette joined the lounge room and there was a short hallway off to the right of the kitchen where doors were visible. The room was clean. Spotless in fact, and the little furniture that filled the lounge and kitchen was a plain grey colour, matching that of the stone walls. A few photos or artworks hung on the walls, but besides that there was no real clue as to what those who occupied the home were like. Caspian recalled Oscar mentioning to him in passing that the Mariadies were minimalists. He hadn’t realised to what extent.
‘I never thought I’d see this place again,’ Oscar commented as Tahiki closed the door behind himself.
‘We never expected to see you again, either,’ Tahiki remarked, his tone light. He weaved past them and made a beeline for the fridge. ‘Drink?’
‘Water please,’ replied Oscar.
Tahiki’s eyes fell on Caspian and he froze under the scrutiny. But then he realised that Tahiki was only waiting for a response and he managed to croak out ‘water’ as well.
Muka made her way down the hall, ‘your room hasn’t been used since you left. You can stay there tonight. I’m afraid we don’t have any other rooms so you will have to share.’
Caspian’s heart was hammering in his chest. He hadn’t quite thought about where they would be sleeping. They’d shared a room when they’d been held hostage in Alast, but those were vastly different circumstances. They were dangerous times. Though, perhaps times still were.
‘That will do just fine, thank you Muka,’ Oscar replied and she disappeared behind a door.
Tahiki appeared with two classes of water and Caspian took his gratefully, gulping it down in an instant. Why was he so nervous? His palms were clammy and he felt a little uneasy.
‘How long do you expect to stay?’ Tahiki asked, taking no notice of Caspian’s state.
Oscar seemed to have seen, though, and gave Caspian a worried look before casting his eyes on Tahiki.
‘I don’t know. We never really got that far in the plan. I suppose I assumed Loki would want to help and we’d be on our way instantly.’
Tahiki scoffed. ‘Help the very people who drove us to almost extinction? Pah. I know some of you are good. That’s why we never turn away anyone who arrives on our doorsteps seeking training. But for the most part, the Enchanted would see us rot down here before lending a hand to us. Why should we help them?’
Oscar lowered his glass at that. ‘I know. I’m sorry for what my people have done. But it’s about so much more than that. The Humans are in danger. Hundreds are being kidnapped and experimented on. Enchanted are being converted to Wicked,’ Tahiki’s eyebrows shot up at that. ‘We’ve seen it with our own eyes. It is happening. Not only that though, Erebus is working with the Devils and their demons. They’ve trained the Wicked beyond anything we’ve ever seen. The Enchanted can’t hold them back and protect the Humans on their own. Soon enough, we will lose, and when that happens, Erebus will take over. He will destroy this world. He’ll convert all remaining Enchanted to Wicked, and enslave the Human race, or continue trying to turn them into Wicked as well. You will all be affected. You won’t be able to hide down here forever. He will find you, and when he does, he’ll destroy you.’
Caspian could see the resignation in Tahiki’s face. For a moment, he was sure the man would take them to see Loki again. But then he shrugged his tattooed shoulders and forced a sigh.
‘Be that as it may, I doubt you’ll be able to convince the entirety of the Mountain of that. What Loki say’s goes, and word will have already spread of the meeting. I doubt anyone will be looking to hear you out.’
Oscar’s head dropped in defeat. Caspian felt bad, and something within him stirred to life.
‘We’ll just have to convince you then. All of you,’ Caspian said before he had the chance to register the words that were leaving his lips.
Tahiki’s gaze turned to him, and Caspian studied the look of both interest and respect in his eyes. It gave him the confidence he needed to continue.
‘We won’t give up. In the meantime, we have another task. We’re here to speak to Erine as well; about the conversions. Perhaps tomorrow you could take us to him?’
Tahiki burst out with a laugh and Caspian was a little taken aback.
Oscar, he noticed, was laughing lightly too.
‘Boy, you know nothing. One does not seek out Erine. Erine will come for you, in due time,’ Tahiki told him.
Caspian furrowed his brow, eyes drifting to meet Oscar’s. Oscar shrugged in response.
‘I’ll get the word out tomorrow that you hope to meet with him, but you might be waiting a while before he actually comes for you. It’s the best I can offer,’ Tahiki said at last.
‘When you boys are ready for sleep turn the light out. It’s been a long day and I’m going to bed myself,’ Muka called from down the hall.
‘Goodnight Muka. Thank you for having us,’ Oscar said in return, and Tahiki took their glasses, placing them in the kitchen sink.
‘You know where everything is. You’re welcome to have something to eat, but I best be off too. I’ve got Guard duty till midnight tonight.’
‘No worries. We’ll see you in the morning,’ Oscar said, and with that, Tahiki left.
Suddenly it was just Oscar
and Caspian in the room. Caspian had to admit, he didn’t quite know where to begin. They hadn’t discussed Loki yet, they’d made no decisions on what they would do if they were refused and they had no idea how long it would take to make contact with Erine.
‘You hungry?’ Oscar asked, opening the pantry door.
Caspian’s stomach growled at the mention of food and he nodded.
Soon the two of them were making sandwiches, though the silence between them had grown thick and was almost deafening.
‘Look, I know you’re mad. I’m sorry okay. I really thought they’d help,’ Oscar said at last as he spread the butter over his bread.
Caspian started. ‘Mad? Why would you think I’m mad?’
Oscar didn’t look at him. ‘Because you’ve been ignoring me since the moment we left the council room. I didn’t know she was going to react like that, I swear.’
‘I’m not mad, Oscar,’ Caspian said quietly.
‘Then what’s wrong?’ Oscar asked.
Caspian didn’t reply. He wasn’t sure. Well, he was, but it wasn’t anything Oscar himself didn’t feel.
‘Tell me,’ Oscar pressed. ‘Please?’
Caspian’s lifted his gaze to meet Oscar’s deep grey eyes. ‘I’m just worried. About all our friends. About everything. I guess I just assumed we’d come here, convince them to help us and leave the same night we arrived, you know? I never thought we’d be staying a while, and it seems we will be considering how long it’ll probably take to contact Erine. I just want to get back out there. Find the others and make sure they’re all safe. They’re all alive.’
Caspian’s eyes fell to his food and he dropped the knife to the chopping board. He wasn’t so hungry anymore.
‘It’s my fault,’ Oscar said after a while. ‘I should have told you what they were like. Prepared you for the possibility of failure. I didn’t think we would fail, though. That’s the problem really. I never think-’
‘Don’t be silly,’ Caspian cut in.
‘No, it’s the truth. I never think about the consequences. Like when I yelled at you on that cliff. I thought I was just being funny, and you nearly lost your life! My trainers were right. They were always right.’
Caspian was confused. Beyond that, he was concerned. ‘What do you mean? The Mariadies?’
‘No, not them. As a kid I had to have special training.’
Caspian shook his head, ‘that doesn’t mean anything. I had to have special training too-’
‘Because you didn’t know about the Spirit World! It wasn’t your fault. But me, I was a pathetic excuse for an Enchanted. I was weak and clumsy and stupid. Clearly, I still am.’
Caspian straightened, hit with both a wave of shock and understanding. The drive within Oscar made sense. He fought so hard to be the best he could, trained hard, and worked hard, all because he’d always been made to believe he was worthless.
‘Oscar-’
‘No, don’t try to convince me otherwise. I swore to myself that I would make sure I didn’t fail. That I would help win this war. I really thought I was doing some good by coming here, but all I’ve done is waste our time. And while we’re here, safe and alive, others are out there dying in battle,’ Oscar’s face was red and at some point he’d dropped his own knife and began pacing.
Caspian rounded the bench, his heart in his throat. He felt for Oscar. After all the time they had spent together, he’d never thought to ask about his past. Never thought there would be anything to tell. But Oscar had insecurities of his own, which was perhaps why he’d been so kind to Caspian in the first place. Because they weren’t so different after all.
‘Oscar,’ said Caspian, coming to stand in his line of pacing.
Oscar, however, didn’t halt. Caspian reached out his hands and gripped Oscar’s shoulders firmly.
‘Oscar!’ He said, straining to keep his voice quiet so as not to disturb Muka.
Oscar paused, his body tensing under Caspian’s grip. He raised his grey eyes to meet Caspian’s, his face growing pale in comparison to before. He looked utterly defeated, and Caspian hated seeing that kindness, that joy, that laughter deflate behind his eyes.
‘You are not a failure, okay? Look at you! You’re literally considered a God to most of us trainees! Logan basically worships you!’
Oscar didn’t smile or laugh, but his expression softened a tad.
‘I don’t know your whole past, but clearly you’ve worked hard as hell to build something for yourself and your family. You’re one of the best Guardians of our time. So much so that you’ve been promoted to the position of leader of a whole flipping Guild at, what, twenty-two? Even Leo, also one of the best Guardians of his time, never reached that level! Look, I know you feel like you’ve failed right now, but trust me, in my eyes, you haven’t. We’ve had a minor setback, but we will convince them to help us. We have time. I know I said I’m worried about the others, and yes there is a war raging out there, but if it takes us a bit longer to gain their help then it will be worth it in the long run. It will also give us time to find a cure for the Converted Enchanted. Okay? So stop calling yourself a failure. You are not a failure.’
Oscar’s expression was still saddened, and he looked small and innocent under Caspian’s gaze, but Caspian could see he’d calmed down somewhat. Caspian was relieved. For a moment, he’d felt genuinely concerned for Oscar. Not only that, but it hurt his heart to see how much Oscar doubted himself, especially considering just how talented he really was.
‘Now, I’m starving, so let’s finish making these sandwiches - then we can talk strategy,’ said Caspian, removing his hands from Oscar’s shoulders.
Oscar gave Caspian a nod, his back straightening.
As they finished putting together their dinner, Oscar murmured a quiet thank you to Caspian. It was that small gesture that sent a thrill through Caspian. He ignored it, responding with only a smile, and the two of them sat down to figure out what their next plan of action would be.
~
It were as if Leo was in a daze. The world around him was fuzzy and unrealistic. Nothing was normal. Not without Stella by his side. He wasn’t sure how he managed to pull all the hostages together and portal them using Erebus’s spare Devils Cane to the safety of Mortan Island.
From there, someone was able to make contact with their fellow Enchanted and organise a group to come collect them, flying them back to their families on Alast’s Enchanted Birds.
It was a blur of people running, reuniting, crying, screaming for those who had been killed. It soon became clear that his students had left to help aid in the war, though no one knew exactly where they were or what tasks they were fulfilling. Leo recalled briefly praying that they were all safe; all alive. Then he was again hit with the recollection that his own wife was most likely dead.
No. He couldn’t think like that, he’d told himself. He had to believe she was still alive. That she was fighting. She was a strong woman and she would not give up.
Then, he was watching as Archer told his parents what had happened to Stella. He was watching as Stella’s mother fell to her knees, chocking on her sobs. He was watching as Stella’s father bent down to hold his wife to him, barely able to conceal his own utter pain.
Leo couldn’t stand to see them in such agony. He’d turned away, biting back the will to let loose a blood curdling, throat tearing cry of frustration and sadness. It was his fault. His. He had promised to always protect Stella. He had sworn he would never let harm come to her. He had made a vow. But he’d broken that.
‘Leo?’ A voice came from behind him and he broke away from his trance.
He sat at the back of one of the tents where Stacey’s trial for her betrayal of the Rebels had taken place. She had quickly been found guilty. She’d admitted her crimes, and had been sentenced to jail time. She would not be banished to hell. Not when the Enchanted were desperate for every hand they could acquire. So she was to be placed in jail and only used as a backup should her assistance in the
war be vital.
Tilly was heartbroken. She’d voted for Stacey’s sentencing, yes, but to lose her partner, Emiline, who had been executed in front of all the hostages when Erebus had discovered her and a few other rebels attempting to take Creshan’s life, and then only weeks later realise her best friend was working for the very man who’s hand had taken Emiline’s life? Leo could understand her pain. She’d left the safety of the island soon after the trial, intending to join the war in Lastrala.
It was at that point that Leo must have zoned out, for an hour and a half had passed and Archer was standing behind him.
‘I have to find her,’ Leo said numbly.
‘I know,’ Archer said, taking a seat beside him.
‘I swear on my life I won’t stop until I do.’
Archer leaned his elbows on his knees, head hanging down in misery.
‘I’m so sorry. I’m so, so sorry,’ Leo whispered.
Archer glanced sideways at him, ‘we don’t blame you, Leo-’
‘But I blame me! I made a promise to protect her and I failed to do just that!’ Leo’s voice was hoarse and he bowed his head, the tears flowing freely down his cheeks.
‘Stella is strong. She knows you’ll find her, and she’ll fight like hell until you do. Until we do,’ Archer said, placing a hand on Leo’s back as he sobbed.
Leo pressed the palms of his hands into his eyes, forcing the tears to stop. He couldn’t break yet. He had to stay strong so he could find Stella.
‘It’s okay. They need you here. I’ll go,’ Leo murmured.
‘Like hell,’ came Martins voice.
‘Yeah, we’re coming whether you like it or not,’ Tarim added.
Leo peered up to see Stella’s three other brothers, Martin, Sully and Tarim all standing before him.
The Angel Page 4