The Angel

by Blaire Hammond

  Then off to the right, Laura witnessed a Wicked sneak past Creshan’s guard, and his weapon plunged straight into the young man’s chest, emerging out the other side. Creshan fell, the sword still protruding from his heart. In an instant, he was dead.

  No more.

  Laura drove her claws straight into Erebus’s mind and began to tear. Erebus staggered, began to scream, as she forced her thoughts, her feelings, her power through his defences, shoving past his soul.

  The blackness within began to fade as Laura dug deeper and deeper, pushed harder and harder, drawing on the power, her power that knew her soul so well. It obeyed her, seeing her, feeling her, defending her as she fought through Erebus’s soul.

  She could feel the pain, hear the screams, until suddenly she was the one screaming. Her voice cracked, and she fell to her knees, her broken fingers stinging as she clenched them.

  ‘Ace?’ Drew breathed, taking three hurried steps towards her.

  Laura threw up her hand, her eyes pleading him to stop. Begging him not to come any closer.

  He saw it then, and his face shattered as he peered at her, his emerald green eyes already watery. Laura felt her own vision begin to blur as her soul receded. She blinked and stood, rushing to reach for her sword. She had one chance at success and she couldn’t lose it – she would not allow Erebus to return to power in her own body. She had little time before he did.

  Laura met Drew’s gaze – looked him right in the eyes, hoping she portrayed all the sorrow, all the pain, all the love she felt for him.

  ‘Forgive me,’ she whispered.

  Then, before he could react, before Erebus could take back control, before any more death could occur around her, Laura drew her Westmill sword, the Red Ruby gleaming in its hilt, and turned it on herself. In one swift movement, she plunged the blade straight into her heart.

  Agony.

  Agony and darkness swept over her. Her vision disappeared first, a blackness taking over her entire being. Her hearing fell next, just as screams sounded. Her smell vanished after, taking the final memory of blood with it. Then, her taste left her.

  But the feeling remained. All she could sense was pain; stinging and throbbing and aching. A red pulse seemed to thump against her vision, a bright light among the black.

  Then, bit by bit, the hurt began to withdraw too, taking those last flashes of colour with it. Laura rested in a pool of blackness. A nothingness, an abyss that she floated within.

  Something appeared in the distance, growing larger and larger. A white door. Laura found herself standing. Walking. Jogging. Running.

  The door loomed up and she reached for it.

  Somewhere above, she heard her Father whisper. ‘Stay strong, Laura.’

  Then her hand clasped the white knob, and she twisted. The door swung open. She paused. Took a deep breath. Glanced back at the abyss.

  She stepped over the threshold.

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  The Angel Awaits

  Treading into the stark whiteness was blinding, and it took Laura’s hazel-gold eyes a moment to adjust after being stuck in the dark. Slowly, the room came into focus.

  White walls, no windows or doors besides the open one behind her. A bed rested to her left, white framing, white pillows and blankets.

  ‘Laura.’

  Laura glanced up. The sight hit her hard, winding her. She gasped, gasped again, as her mother floated down from above, coming to stand before her.

  ‘Mum?’ She whispered, her voice trembling.

  ‘My brave girl. You did so well,’ Cara said, her voice so soft, just as Laura always remembered.

  ‘Mum…’ Laura croaked again, tears welling in her eyes.

  She threw herself into her mother’s waiting arms. Cara hugged her tightly to her chest, allowing her the chance to cry, to let it all out.

  ‘I’m so sorry mum. I love you so much. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you enough. I’m sorry you died because of Erebus and that I couldn’t save you,’ Laura sobbed into her shoulder.

  Cara rubbed her daughters back, soothing her. ‘It’s okay Laura. It’s okay. It’s not your fault. We all have a path. This was always going to be my fate. I’ve accepted that.’

  Laura hugged her mum for a long while, not wanting to let her go. But after a stretch, her mum drew back.

  ‘We don’t have much time,’ she told her.

  ‘What do you mean?’ Laura asked, gripping her mother’s arms, refusing to let her go. ‘Where are we? What is this place?’

  ‘I can’t answer that. The God’s won’t allow it. It took a lot of convincing to permit me to be assigned to you in the first place.’

  ‘What are you talking about?’ Laura pressed.

  Cara smiled down at her daughter. ‘Laura, you know Angels are here to help save the dying. I am here to save you.’

  Laura felt something within her, her heart, her soul, she wasn’t sure, but it seemed to thump louder at her mother’s reveal.

  Cara’s brow furrowed with worry, then she took Laura by the shoulders. ‘We’re running out of time. Laura, you can survive this. You were able to live on in your body alongside Erebus because you’re part angel, and Angels are born to inhabit a body, helping it to heal as the bodies soul heals along with it. You were able to stay there with Erebus, and you were able to fight back against him because of the Angel soul within your own.

  The Westmill stone, as I understand Emperor Marries told you, holds the power of time. All time. Including granting someone more time. When Terian told you to keep the blade close, he understood this. It was why he allowed his own death, a blade straight through his heart – so you would know what you had to do. And he recognised that, should you use you blade to end Erebus, it would distinguish the Westmill blood within you.

  It has granted you more time, because you’re story is far from over. There is much more for you to do on Elixir, and it senses that. It’s giving you the time, and it helped you drive the darkness that was Erebus from your body. But whether you accept that and wake up is up to you.’

  Laura felt breathless, felt something throbbing within her. Was that the pain returning?

  ‘You’re- you’re saying I can chose to live? I can choose to take the time the stone is granting me?’

  Cara nodded.

  Laura stared at her mother, a feeling of joy encasing her heart. Then, a sadness hit her. She would live on, but without her parents.

  ‘We’ll be with you forever, Laura. We’ll be watching over you. I love you so much. You father does too. We are so proud of you.’

  Laura swallowed her tears. ‘Have you- have you spoken to him?’

  Laura knew her father would be in whatever human heaven existed. He wouldn’t be living on as the angel her mother was.

  Cara smiled down at her daughter.

  ‘I see him every day.’

  Laura did cry at that. Knowing her parents would forever be together, even if her mother worked as an angel and her father stayed behind.

  Laura’s mum hugged her again, and Laura smiled into her shoulder. She hated that she wouldn’t see them again, but knowing they were together, they were happy, that they were always watching over her and were proud of her; it was enough.

  Laura pulled back suddenly.

  ‘Wait, what about Erebus? Did I kill him?’

  Cara’s face shifted to one of apprehension.

  ‘He is dead, yes. But a Wicked soul always comes back as a demon.’

  ‘But if he’s a demon, that means he can still return?’

  Cara inclined her head. ‘Perhaps, but that is no concern of yours for now.’

  Laura didn’t know what to make of that answer, but she understood that her mum couldn’t tell her any more than what she already had. Laura sighed, a mixture of emotions flooding her entire body. There was so much to consider. To think about. To do.

  Yes, there was much to do, and she couldn’t do it from here.

  Then, something sharp speared through Laura’s
chest, and she gasped, doubling over.

  ‘Laura!’ Her mum yelped.

  The pain slammed into her again and again and again. It hit from all angles, taking over her entire being.

  ‘Laura, my sweet girl, it’s time.’

  Laura glanced up at her mother, the pain finally subsiding. She stood uneasily, the memory of the pain still fresh, and threw her arms around Cara.

  ‘I love you mum. I always will. And please tell dad I love him and miss him. I’ll never forget either of you, okay? I promise,’ Laura told her mum.

  ‘I know my sweet girl. I know. We love you with all of our hearts, and we will never stop loving you, even after death.’

  Her mum gave her one last squeeze, then turned her away, bestowing upon her a little nudge towards the still open door that lead back to the darkness.

  Laura peered back over her shoulder, catching the smile of love and pride evident on her mother’s face. Laura returned it, sharing with her mother one last wave, before she stepped back across the threshold and into the abyss beyond.

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  A Better Reality

  Laura’s eyes fluttered open.

  At first her vision was blurred, and she began to fear the worst. Then, slowly, the muffled sound left her ears and the room came into focus.

  She could hear the consistent beeps of the machines about her, could smell and taste the air being forced into her lungs through her breathing mask. She could see a small room, the pin wall in front of her full of get well posters and cards, the bench standing against it topped with flowers and other gifts.

  To her left was a door, a cupboard and a bedside table with another vase of flowers.

  To her right was another window, though all she could see through it was the bright blue sky. The sun could be seen, but not a cloud was in sight. Sitting in front of the window, in the white leather chair, fast asleep, was Estella Mayfire.

  Laura’s hazel-gold eyes came to rest on her mentor, the woman who had become like a second mother to her. Her almost white hair was wet as if she’d only just showered, and her clothes were wrinkled and casual, completely unlike her battle gear.

  Laura didn’t want to disturb her, but her eyes drifted to her other bedside table where a pitcher and a glass sat. Her throat was dry, so dry she could barely swallow. She removed her breathing mask and lifted her head slightly.

  ‘St-Stel-’ She tried to croak, her voice weak and barely above a whisper.

  Stella heard her though, jarring awake in an instant. Her eyes flew straight to Laura and widened.

  ‘Laura?’ She asked, standing and hurrying to the bed. ‘Oh Laura.’

  She took Laura’s hand and squeezed, tears welling in her eyes, the smile on her face full of relief and joy.

  Laura was too weak to grip her hand back, to even smile, though she wanted to. She couldn’t find it in her to speak anymore either, so she flickered her eyes to the water pitcher.

  ‘Oh, of course. Silly me. You must be thirsty,’ Stella muttered to herself.

  She poured a glass and lifted it to Laura’s lips, one hand reaching down behind her head and raising it enough so she could tip the glass back. The moment the cool liquid washed over her lips, Laura felt more alive than she had since awaking, and she gulped back the water until it was all gone.

  Stella laid her head gently on the pillow and returned the glass to the table.

  ‘How- long?’ Laura managed to ask after feeling the saliva regenerate in her mouth, easing the pain in her throat.

  Stella dragged the chair closer and sat down, taking Laura’s hand again.

  ‘You’ve been in a coma for almost a month,’ Stella told her quietly. ‘They didn’t expect you to wake up. They said you should be dead. Your heart had stopped, yet somehow you kept breathing.’

  Laura gave herself a moment to take that in. She didn’t know how the Westmill Ruby worked. It could grant her more time, but how did it heal her heart? She wasn’t sure she’d ever really know the truth of how she’d survived. Perhaps it had something to do with her gift and ability to heal. Perhaps her mother. Part of her didn’t want to know. She didn’t want to think about the fact that she was living on borrowed time. She didn’t want to know the truth – of what would happen in the future.

  Instead, she managed to ask Stella: ‘What happened? Tell me everything, please.’

  She wanted to know. Needed to know who had survived. If the war was really over. What was going on in the world? She had to hear it all.

  She replaced her breathing mask and fixed her eyes on Stella, whose face darkened as she began to relay the events.

  ‘Well, after Erebus died, we managed to destroy the rest of the Wicked. They were all in shock, and they lost hope pretty quickly. We… um. We aren’t exactly sure what happened between you and Drew. He hasn’t really spoken about it, besides telling us that you killed Erebus.

  We brought you straight to the Alast hospital. It was still abandoned, but the Casters that survived the battle started working on you immediately. Drew was adamant that you were still breathing. You didn’t have a pulse though. We didn’t know what was going to happen.

  We managed to portal in healers, and they operated on you, trying to mend the damage. After that, there wasn’t much else either they or the Casters could do. No one was sure whether you would survive. Somehow, though, you just… kept breathing.’

  Laura wasn’t sure how she felt hearing that. Knowing what she did, she still couldn’t make sense of how she’d been able to continue breathing.

  ‘The rest of us got to work pretty quickly, clearing the mess from the streets. The Grand Courts and those who were left from the Minor Courts had teams working around the clock, getting everything back to normal. There was a lot of cleaning up to do, and even now, it’s not all finished. Buildings have to be rebuilt, streets repaved. But we’re getting there.

  For the most part, the lands have returned to normal. All the humans have had their memories wiped and have been fed a fake story about a worldwide storm that destroyed everything. Most of them are back in their homes and starting to do what they can to return to normality.

  Erine found a cure for the Human’s that had been turned into Enchanted. They still have traces of the Spirit World within them, meaning they can see through our charms. We couldn’t wipe their memories because of it, but special centres have been opened across the world for them to visit and talk about their experience. It’s been working so far. It has helped a lot of them come to terms with everything. But it’s awful that they’ll always know what really happened. They’ll always remember the torture and the death of other Humans.

  While the memory charm didn’t work, the God’s granted us one favour. They allowed us to cast one final charm over those Humans, so that they couldn’t tell anyone of what had happened, besides us and those alike themselves. Some Enchanted were unsure as to whether it would be fair on the Humans to tie them down as such, but a lot of us knew we couldn’t allow the rest of the Humans to know of our existence.

  Many Human’s did die, which we had to tie into the storm. Extra counsellor shelters have been opened for anyone who needs to talk, and there are Enchanted situated in all towns and cities, keeping an eye on everyone to make sure they are dealing with their losses. It’s been hard though. So many of us hate lying to them about what happened to their loved ones.

  Some considered wiping them from their memory all together so they didn’t have to feel the pain, but the rest of us felt that would be interfering in their destinies.’

  Stella paused, her eyes downcast as she took a moment to compose herself. Laura understood, and she managed to grant Stella the faintest squeeze of the hand to let her know so. They were Enchanted. They’d sworn to protect the Humans. It was an awful blow to know they’d failed so many of them.

  Stella straightened a little, and moved on to the next subject.

  ‘Well, you’ll be glad to hear the Grand Courts have established bases across Eli
xir to integrate the Wicked into our society. They managed to speak to the Emperor Marries and he confirmed what he’d told you. They couldn’t argue with that, so they’ve decided to do as they promised and make a change.

  It’s not going to be easy. Many Wicked are unsure and weary, and many Enchanted are worried, but we’re working on it. We still don’t know what makes them different to the Witches and Wizards and Warlocks. Even the Casters. They’re born in the same way we are, so what gives them the red lightning and makes silver dangerous to them in the way gold is dangerous to us?

  Erine is already working on figuring that out, anyway. In the meantime, the Wicked have cut all ties with the Devils. They’ve renounced their pledges and given their allegiance to the Gods. They still have their Gold Identity Mark and red lightning, it just means that when they die, they’ll become angels from here onwards. We’re still working on a new name for them, though. Wicked hardly seems suitable.

  The Grand Court Members came out with this great speech last week, promising not to let their people return to their old ways and habits. They pledged to everyone that they’d do better. That they’d accept everyone and would ensure they lived a fuller life. It was a huge moment. Everyone was crying with joy. The Wicked, the Mariadies, the Casters, everyone.

  I suspect General Lain had something to do with that. Which reminds me! One of the Grand Court Members was killed in battle, and General Lain was appointed his position by popular demand!’ Stella told her, her voice growing louder in excitement. ‘He checks in with us regularly to see how you’re doing and to listening to any other ideas we might have that he can take back to the Court. He’s been really fantastic.’

  Laura was almost able to smile at that. She was glad to hear the news. General Lain had been the first Enchanted to be introduced to the Mariadies, Casters and Creatures. He’d taken them in his stride, never once showing indifference. He was a good man.