Broken Butterflies

by Stephens, Shadow

  She studied the size of the chimney and decided to go for it. Pulling herself up she wedged her knees against the black wall and shimmied. She met no resistance so she kept going. As she neared the top she saw that a wire mesh blocked her exit. One corner was loose so with all her might she pushed against it with her head as she inched up. Her face popped out, scraping against the sharp edges of the mesh. She popped her arms out causing the old brick to crumble to the roof.

  When she stepped out of the chimney, she was covered with black soot. The roof pitched steeply and she searched around for any way to climb down. On the other side of the chimney was a wood lattice with ivy running its length. Getting down on her stomach, she stuck her leg out and her foot hit the makeshift ladder. Grasping the edge of the roof she pushed herself over the side. At one point she lost her footing, but quickly able to get her feet back under her.

  Keeping a firm grasp, Ilisha was able to keep her feet moving down the lattice. “Please hold, please hold,” she said as she slowly made her way down.

  When she was about half way down, she heard a pop and the thin wood began to pull away from the brick. She hurried down two more steps before it gave way and she fell to the ground, landing on her back. The air burst from her lungs in a big whoosh. She lay motionless, coughing and wheezing.

  Though she got the wind knocked out of her she knew she needed to move. Damon could be back any second. She staggered to her feet and crept to the woods.

  With her feet unsteady she decided to go on her hands and knees. Every once in a while her kneecap would hit a rock or pinecone causing her to wince. She was covered head to toe in black. Feeling a slight pressure on her head she blinked against it, trying to keep her focus. The pressure became searing pain. She hit the ground gripping her head, pain throbbing like a hammer. She cried out and rocked back and forth.

  “Ilisha, baby, it’s Bram.”

  Her mind raced as she tried to concentrate on his voice and not the extreme pain. Bram’s voice was so loud it was like a monster speaker playing right beside her.

  “You need to tell me where you are,” he urged.

  “Aahh, I don’t know. Some house by a lake. Make it stop!”

  “I need to see what you see. You need to get up and look around.”

  She managed to push herself up on all fours. Crawling in a slow circle she forced her eyes to stay open. “All I see is trees,” she groaned.

  “Stop, go back,” he said.

  She crawled back to the left, fighting to keep her head level with the pain shooting through her eyes.

  In front of her was a cave. The entrance was jagged like a lightning bolt, just big enough for a small person to squeeze through sideways.

  “I love you Ilisha, I’m coming.”

  “Why does this hurt so bad?” She asked falling back to the ground.

  “This is the first time your mind has been hacked, it will get better. I won’t check back in unless it’s necessary. Go to the cave and stay there.”

  “Okay,” she whispered.

  The fusion of Bram’s mind and hers dispersed and she rolled over and puked violently. Her back arched and wretched as she gagged and heaved. The only thing coming up was stomach acid, which made her throat hurt. She needed some water, but that wasn’t likely.

  Ilisha moaned and got to her feet. Her body ached like a semi had collided with her flesh. She scurried for the cave, her feet giving away several times.

  Gripping the rock walls, she squeezed inside. Sitting on a boulder she pulled leaf from her hair. Her fingers meticulously picked and parted, hitting sap and knots, but it kept her mind busy.

  In the distance she could hear running water. Her tongue danced around her cottonmouth, and she swallowed against the ache in her throat. Determined, she got to her feet again. Further back inside the cave was a waterfall. She desperately squeezed through a narrow opening and fell into an open cavern. Large stalactites and stalagmites lined the floor and ceiling. There was little light from the entrance and only a small amount coming from the opening where the water was rushing in. Ilisha tripped several times when trying to walk to the water.

  The waterfall fell several feet to a pool below. She bent down and tested the waters temperature with her hand. It was cool, so instead of taking off her clothes and getting in she washed off her face and tasted the water. It didn’t taste salty so she walked over to the fall and drank from it. The water rolled past her sore throat and soothed it.

  Though there was not a square inch on her body that didn’t ache, she lie down on the stone floor and fell asleep. She woke to the sound of shouting. She shot up and focused her mind. The voices belonged to men. Inching herself back through the opening and into the main chamber, she watched from the shadows as Bram argued with a very tall, very built, blond haired, blue eyed angel.

  “She’s my wife now,” Bram said forehead creased in anger.

  “She wouldn’t be if you told her the truth.”

  Ilisha tucked her hair behind her ear hoping it would extend her hearing.

  “You didn’t tell her anything did you?” The stranger said, shoving Bram in the chest.

  “So, why are you here; to become the great avenger? Now you’ve fallen and all will be well in the world?” Bram said shoving back.

  Ilisha scurried out the opening just as Bram raised his fist.

  “What are you doing? Who is this?” She asked catching Bram’s bicep.

  “We need to go,” Bram said taking her hand.

  The other man looked into Ilisha’s eyes and swallowed hard. Tears brimmed for a second and he cleared his throat. He bent down and touched his fingertips to Ilisha’s scrapped knee. His touch was cool and familiar. Bram postured beside her as the man went around her battered body, healing each wound. His touch was so familiar it caused her breathing to become deep and heavy. Ilisha stared down at him like she was looking at a long lost love.

  “Better?” He asked in a deep, velvet voice.

  Ilisha started at his kind eyes, which seemed to burn into her soul. As he looked back his eyes held tenderness and love. She swore she had looked in those eyes a million times.

  “Yes, thank you,” she barley choked out.

  “Are you done?” Bram asked sharply.

  The stranger whirled around on him with a cautionary look. Bram didn’t respond. Infact, he cowered slightly. “If her life were not in peril right now, I would take this opportunity to end yours,” he said as Bram continued to back away.

  A shriek rang through the woods and echoed around them. It sounded like a wounded, pissed off, feral dog. Ilisha tensed, knowing who it was.

  “That would be Azriel. I think it’s time to go,” the stranger said.

  Ilisha’s forehead crinkled in confusion, but before she could question anything Bram’s wings burst out and they took flight. She clung to him, nails digging into his chest. Her eyes were pinched shut, not wanting to watch.

  “She still hates flying I see,” the stranger said.

  Feeling the air swirl around them at great speed, she tucked her head into Bram’s chest as he cradled her body.

  Bram’s feet made contact with the ground and she ventured to open her eyes.

  They were on the front porch of the home she shared with Bram. Dusk had fallen and the chirping of insects filled the air.

  “Are you okay?” Bram asked running his hands over her face and arms.

  “I’m fine. Who is this?” Ilisha demanded pointing to the stranger.

  Anger flashed across Bram’s face. His mouth went into a hard line.

  “I’m Da—”

  Bram cut him off. “Don’t,” he said turning to face the tall angel.

  “Don’t think for one second you won’t be punished for this,” the stranger said, his voice filled with venom. “I think this lie has lasted long enough.” The man looked down at Bram who was much shorter.

  Bram cowered and fear filled his eyes.

  “Someone better speak up,” Ilisha cautioned.


  “Ilisha, I’m Damon.” He walked toward her.

  Upon hearing the name Ilisha backed up. “What the hell is this?”

  “I’m the real Damon. The man trying to kill you is Azriel.”

  “I’ve been locked up by a crazy man, had to crawl out a chimney to escape, pissed off a raccoon in the process, and on top of that hid in a cave. I’m tired and sore, so both of you have all of two seconds to tell me what the hell is going on. If you don’t then I suggest that both of you leave, now.”

  “I came because you need to hear the truth from the man you love,” Damon said softly.

  Ilisha blinked and let that process. “Excuse me?”

  “Bram has told you half-truths.”

  Ilisha rolled her eyes and started to fidget impatiently. She stared Damon down waiting for the rest.

  “In your previous existence we were in love and apparently Bram was also in love with you.” He stared Bram down and Bram took a few steps back. “When you came into your human form I was patiently waiting for you to come back. When that day finally came Bram decided to interfere with my plan. He fell to keep you from me. In return, Azriel is raising an army for his own sense of justice. Bram should have known better than to play with fate.”

  “I think she’s been through enough today,” Bram said deep with anger.

  “If you force me I will use my authority over you,” Damon cautioned back.

  Bram stirred uneasy, but backed down. Ilisha’s eyes flashed back and forth.

  “Bram, is it true?” She asked looking him in the face.

  Bram sat silent.

  “Answer her!” Damon demanded.

  “Yes, what he says is true,” Bram barley whispered.

  Ilisha stumbled back and fell into a lounge chair. She held her head in her hands and let her dirty hair fall around her face. Silently, tears ran down her cheeks. He lied to me. A knot caught in her throat and she swallowed against it, causing her esophagus to ache. Before showing her face she wiped her tears dry and stood up. “I trusted you and you’re nothing but a liar.”

  “I’m—,” Bram started.

  “You know what; don’t even try to fix this right now. I don’t want to hear you’re sorry. And, I think you need to stay out at the barn for a while.”

  “I can’t leave you alone. It’s not safe,” Bram pleaded.

  “Leave, now!” She walked to the front door and held it open until he was gone, then slammed it shut behind him.

  Ilisha walked up the stairs with heavy feet. She looked out her bedroom window and watched Bram walk into the darkness. She didn’t see where Damon went, and didn’t care.

  She tore off her clothes and threw them in the trash, knowing the black soot would never come out.

  Climbing into the shower, she curled up in the corner and wept. The hot water ran down her body and pooled black before swirling down the drain.

  “How could I be so stupid? I trusted him.”

  After several minutes, she forced herself to wash her hair.

  Wrapping a bathrobe around her she walked to the living room. Turning on the TV, she grabbed a blanket and curled up on the couch. She was unaware of what was playing out on the screen.

  Ilisha woke to the sound of screaming and thrashing. She shot from the couch. In the hall Damon slammed a troll like creature onto the floor. He reached around the black, green skin of its face and snapped the creature’s neck.

  Ilisha started to shake. Her eyes were wide with freight.

  Damon straightened his black leather jacket and pushed back his dark blond hair. He turned to Ilisha. “Oh, crap.”

  Ilisha’s eyes grew heavy and her legs gave way. Before she could think about what was happening, she collapsed. A few seconds later her eyes flew open to see Damon’s lips a centimeter from hers. A pulsating light came from his mouth and entered her agape mouth. She sucked in a shocked breath and her arms dug into the couch as she pushed herself back.

  “It’s okay,” Damon said putting his hand on her leg.

  Her eyes followed his hand and he removed it quickly. “Sorry.”

  “This is not okay. None of this is okay,” she said through tears.

  Damon sat on the edge of the couch. “I’m sorry for all the pain you feel.”

  “What is that thing?” Ilisha looked over her shoulder to the form slumped on the floor.

  “That would be a member of Azriel’s army. I guess you could say it’s a low ranking demon.”

  “Wha—?” Ilisha’s face filled with stress.

  Damon brought his hand to the side of her face. “Trust me.”

  She looked up into his eyes and a calm came over her. Ilisha nodded, feeling intensely relaxed.

  “I need to dispose of it before daylight, but I’ll be right back.”

  She nodded again.

  Damon walked to the kitchen and Ilisha could hear sounds of him rummaging through the pantry. She assumed he was looking for a garbage bag because she heard him flip one through the air to open it. Watching mesmerized she sat motionless on the couch as he rolled the creature into the large, black, bag. Its arms were skinny and long, hitting below his knees. The demon’s round head had sparse patches of white hair. Black skin, tinged with green, covered its body. No bigger than three feet tall, Damon tucked it in the bag with no problem. He scooped up the body and shot down the hall and out the back door in a blur.

  He was back before Ilisha could blink.

  Damon sat back down beside her. “I’ll get your rug cleaned.”

  “Why did that demon look like a troll and Azriel looks more human?”

  “Like I said it’s a low level demon. They chose not to have a human life or be amongst the rank of angels. Basically they are creatures.”

  “This is never going to end for me is it?”

  “Yes it will, just not immediately,” he said with some compassion.

  “When you said you have authority over Bram, what did you mean?”

  “There is a hierarchy and I’m over him. I’m his prince.”

  “So he has no choice but to listen to you?”

  “No, he has no choice.”

  “That seems a little barbaric.”

  “It gives order to our world.” He paused. “You need to rest.”

  “I don’t think I can sleep. There is too much going on.”

  “I could put you to sleep.”

  “No thanks,” Ilisha said uneasy.

  “Okay then, I’ll leave you to your thoughts.” Damon was off the couch and out the door before she could get a word out. The breeze from his fast movements hit her.

  Ilisha paced the house. “Ugh.” She grabbed her hair in frustration. “This is total crap.”

  To take her mind off things she got her dark blue nail polish out and meticulously painted her nails. When done, she paced some more.

  She ran up the stairs and threw on some sweats and a t-shirt and stomped back down the stairs. Sliding a pair of rubber gloves on, she scrubbed her oven. Up to her elbows in Easy-Off she began to talk to herself.

  “I can’t believe Bram lied to me. This entire relationship is a joke.” As she spoke the scrub brush dug deeper and harder into the metal surface. “I don’t know how much more of this I can take.” She scrubbed faster and faster as her anger built.

  When the oven was clean she moved to the floor. On her hands and knees she scrubbed each tile with hot, soapy, water.

  “Who tricks someone into loving them? Now I’m married to the asshole. What do I do now? It’s not like I can run to the courthouse and have an annulment. Screw this,” she said tossing the scrub brush in the bucket.

  Grabbing some shoes she ran out the door and got into the car. She parked in front of her mom’s house and turned off the engine.

  Tiptoeing up the stairs, she sat in the doorjamb to her mother’s bedroom, watching her sleep.

  “Things are such a mess mom,” she whispered.

  Dena stirred a little and went right back to sleep.

&n
bsp; Ilisha’s eyes felt heavy from fatigue but even more from being emotionally worn out. She let her head slump and found sleep.

  “Oh, Ilisha, you scared me,” Dena said.

  Ilisha looked up, blinking against the sun. Her mom stood in her robe and slippers.

  “I just wanted to check on you,” Ilisha said getting up.

  “I’m doing much better. When did you come in?”

  “Last night.”

  “You slept on the floor all night?” Dena’s forehead crinkled.

  “Yep.”

  “What’s wrong?”

  “I don’t want to talk about it. Want breakfast?”

  Dena locked her arm inside Ilisha’s and they walked down the stairs together.

  As Ilisha scrambled some eggs, Dena popped some bread in the toaster.

  “I can see the stress on your face. What’s wrong honey?”

  Ilisha scooped the eggs onto two plates and stuck the pan in the sink. “Too much for you to worry about.”

  “I’m going to worry more not knowing,” Dena replied sitting down.

  “I just needed a distraction. It will all work out.”

  Ilisha buttered her toast and piled the eggs between the slices.

  “You’re just like your dad. Scrambled egg sandwiches were his favorite.”

  Ilisha took a big bite. “Are you getting around okay now? Do you need help with a shower?”

  “No honey, I think I’ll be fine.”

  Ilisha rolled her eyes knowing her mother would feel embarrassed to take her clothes off in front of her.

  “We’re both girls mom.”

  “I’ll be fine.”

  “Suit yourself, but if you change your mind call me.”