by S L Zammit
“You must be unaware of all the horrible things I’ve done,” says Aurora sadly.
“I don’t think you’re viewing the situation from the right angle. None of that matters since you’re still here, which means that you’ve been given the chance to make things right,” says Ariel.
Aurora notices an excited look cross his features. “You’re so immersed in your feelings of loss and despair that you just can’t see what all this means,” he says. “That track you so forcefully embarked upon wasn’t yours to begin with. Your raison d’être is finally being revealed to you. Think of yourself as being a mirror of the universe. Within you is the reflection of all that is great in humanity. I will be by your side and I’ll be able to help you bring out all the goodness in you that has been buried under your instinctive need to survive. In return, you are going to help me complete the mission I was sent to accomplish!”
“What mission?” says Aurora feeling exasperated. “Why are you even here interfering with my life?”
“I followed the devil to his den,” he says softly. “I’ve come to guide you to the path that was allotted to you before your conception. I need you to help me set things right.”
Seeing the fatigued and defeated look on Aurora’s face, Ariel moves close to her and puts his arm around her shoulders hugging her close.
“We’re both soaking wet and you look exhausted,” he says. “Let me take you home so you can change and rest. I’ll be with you, right by your side, you’ll sleep like an angel, I promise.”
2
Aurora finally drifts off to sleep. Ariel is gently stroking her forehead with his fingertips. Satisfied with her disposition, he carefully places a pillow by her side to cushion where she is leaning against him, and quietly slips off the bed.
Walking stealthily down the dark corridor of the apartment, he makes his way to Graziella’s bedroom. The door creaks open but there is no movement within the room.
Stepping inside, he makes out the girl’s shape under the light sheet. Ariel turns on the night lamp on the inn table by the bed and studies Graziella’s peaceful face, her lips are slightly parted and she is smiling. She seems to be sleeping, but gently raising the cover he notices that her body is slightly raised from the mattress, her arms dangling by her sides, her head drooping backwards, her supine form hovers a foot above the bed.
Ariel softly caresses her eyelids, opening her eyes that just as he expected, are rolled back. He lightly grabs her hand and moves his face close to hers.
“Graziella,” he whispers softly in her ear. “Can you hear me?”
The girl purses her lips and shakes her head reluctantly, as if Ariel’s voice is pulling her away from something very enjoyable.
“Graziella, are you there?” he insists.
Graziella moans softly.
“Where are you Graziella?” he probes. “Describe your surroundings.”
Tightening the grip on her hand, Ariel moves his ear over her moving lips.
“I’m in the house of color,” she whispers hesitantly. “It looks flat when you approach it from the multi-colored buffer zone, but the inside has walls and floors made of a uniform grid of cubes and there is only one color.”
“What is the color Graziella?” he asks. “How does it feel inside?”
“It’s yellow like honey,” she says softly in a singsong voice, “and warm like a ray of sunshine. It’s a happy place.”
“And you’re not alone are you?” asks Ariel moving closer to Graziella.
“No,” says Graziella smiling. “No, I’m not alone. Andras is here with me.”
Gently releasing her hand, Ariel softly shuts Graziella’s eyelids and turns off the light at the bedside.
Threading lightly, he leaves the room and makes his way back to Aurora’s bedroom. Climbing back on the bed by her side, Aurora moves in her sleep and smacking her lips mumbles, “What’s going on?”
“I have finally located Andras,” Ariel whispers happily. “I found where he goes.”
“What was that?” asks Aurora still half asleep cuddling closer to Ariel.
“He can’t hide from me any longer. He’s going to have to help us now. I’ve discovered how he has managed to stay off my radar for so long,” he whispers contentedly. “He hovers in lower astral planes concealed by the woman who loves him.”
“Hm,” Aurora mumbles drowsily.
“Go back to sleep my dear,” he says softly to Aurora, stroking her back as she nestles into his chest.
Aurora sighs and falls back into deep sleep.
Chapter 26
The Seven Virtues
The grand clock in the foyer of the old French Auberge in Valletta strikes midnight. Seven men step out of the shadows of the quiet night street, each arrived separately, at half hour intervals. The seven follow personalized directions to a changing room where each finds a porcelain Venetian carnival mask and a black, hooded cloak.
Each member of the Order enters the formal meeting room and takes his place at the large oval table: temperance, charity, diligence, patience, kindness and humility.
The final guest is greeted personally by the maître d’. He is a tall, handsome man in a perfectly tailored suit and beautiful shiny shoes.
“They’re all here sir,” the maître d’ informs him, his voice soft and respectful, but at the same time making a concerted effort to avoid looking him directly in the eyes. “They’re waiting for you in the den.”
The man smiles and nods, and as the old maître d’ backs away, a familiar chill of terror travels down his spine. Although the man is a generous tipper, there is no overcoming the dreadful feeling of unease caused by his creepy raven eyes and toothy grin. The gentleman passed by a mirror and the maître d’ could have sworn he saw no reflection there.
Inside the dressing room, the man puts on his mask, a black face with a pointed chin and a prominent nose. Donning his cloak and entering the room, he can’t help but smile as he takes his place at the empty spot labeled Chastity. And as the righteous seven rise around the table he nods, satisfied that everything is going according to plan.