Queen of the Immortals

by T. R. Hamby

  Then there was a Presence--two Presences--and they looked around.

  Nora felt her heart drop. It was Serene, her curly blonde hair woven into a braid. Beside her was clearly Gabriel. Nora could tell by his eyes--he had Michael’s eyes too.

  He was a couple inches shorter than Michael, and fit but lean, like Mel. He again had Michael’s eyes, but not his face like Serene did. He was pale-skinned, with pale hair that came down to his shoulders. Tattoos covered his body--flowing script on his face, and gorgeous pictures on his neck, his arms and his hands. Two silver bars pierced his left eyebrow.

  He stood staring directly at his father. The four of them stood, both Nora and Gilla coming to Michael’s side. Nora was ready this time--Agatha had caught her by surprise. But this time she wasn’t going to let anyone else step all over Michael.

  But Gabriel glanced around, frowning, and Nora was surprised to find awkwardness on his face.

  He looked at Michael, shifting on the balls of his feet. “Can we….go somewhere?” he asked quietly.

  Michael stared at him for a long moment, as if he too had been expecting some sort of argument. Then he shook himself and nodded.

  “Yeah….um….”

  “Library,” Nora suggested, and he nodded again.

  They left for the library, and the four left over looked around at each other.

  Serene sighed. “It’ll be all right.”

  “Gabriel always had a temper,” Mel said warily.

  “It’ll be fine,” she replied. “He and I talked before we came down. He’s….had a change of heart.”

  Mel smiled. “Just like you?”

  “Yeah, I guess so.”

  “Perhaps the years are finally catching up with you,” he teased, and Serene rolled her eyes.

  Michael

  Michael had gotten so used to remembering him as a boy that he was almost shocked to see Gabriel as a man again. The little blonde child who had once sat on his knee and giggled at his stories was now much taller, graceful, slouching into the library.

  He had more tattoos than when Michael had last seen him. His forearms were now covered, as well as his neck, and his face bore a few lines of script on his cheekbones. The piercing was new too. Michael would have smiled if he wasn’t so nervous; Gabriel’s mother must have lost it when she saw the ink on his face.

  Michael closed the door behind them. He was shaking, his heart racing so fast it purred in his chest. He had no idea what Gabriel would say, though the fact that he looked calm was encouraging.

  They faced each other. Gabriel shifted on the balls of his feet, tutting, looking around the room.

  Then he said, “I’m not going to defend my anger. It was justified.”

  Michael took a deep breath and nodded. He deserved that.

  Gabriel’s jaw worked, and he avoided Michael’s eyes. “I let it go on for too long. And what I said to you the last time we met….”

  He paused, and Michael saw tears in his eyes. “I’m sorry.”

  He felt a rush of disbelief. Millennia of avoidance, of cruel words and cold shoulders….and here he was, getting both his children back. It didn’t seem possible.

  Michael cleared his throat. “Are you--sure?” he asked, his voice hoarse.

  Gabriel rolled his eyes. “I’m telling you, aren’t I?”

  Michael couldn’t help but chuckle, and Gabriel smiled.

  But there was something Michael had to say too. His insides sickened at the thought, but he had to do it. It had to be addressed.

  “What I did….” he whispered, and Gabriel tensed. “I have no justification. I….I killed that girl. I took her life….I took her from your uncle.”

  He closed his eyes, remembering Lilith’s body lying on the ground, her eyes staring, Mel’s necklace shining from her neck.

  He brushed at his eyes. “If I could go back….”

  “I know.”

  “You should all hate me. All of you.”

  “Mica,” Gabriel said, and Michael looked at him, encouraged by the word.

  “I never hated you,” he said firmly. “Truly. I know the things I said. But I don’t hate you.”

  He said it stubbornly, as if expecting Michael to argue.

  But Michael didn’t argue. He nodded, relief flooding him, his heart leaping. Gabriel must have caught the look on his face, because his expression became emotional. They embraced, and Michael was so happy, so relieved, that it hurt.

  They pulled away, and Gabriel brushed at his eyes, clearing his throat.

  He looked at Michael. “You’re in love.”

  Michael was a little surprised. “Serene told you?”

  “She told me everything, I think.”

  He was frowning, almost troubled. “Strange, isn’t it?”

  Michael nodded.

  Gabriel shook his head. “Father’s antics. Typical.”

  “You sound like Mel.”

  He shrugged again. His dark eyes glittered. “Can I meet her?”

  “You want to?”

  “You know I didn’t ask out of politeness,” he replied, and Michael grinned.

  God, he had missed Gabriel’s snark.

  “How are you?” he asked as they made their way back to the living room.

  Gabriel shrugged. “Fine. Fighting.”

  “That’s what Serene said.”

  “I know it’s a shock,” he said dryly. “Been doing it for a while. I do visit Earth sometimes, though. Practice my English.”

  They went to the living room, found it was empty, turned and headed for the kitchen. Everyone was sitting at the counter, drinking tea--including Barry, to Michael’s annoyance. The five stared at the two cautiously.

  “We made tea,” Nora finally said, springing up to fuss with the kettle. “Cream or sugar?”

  Gabriel looked unsure; he must not have had tea before. There were still things he hadn’t picked up, visiting Earth so sporadically.

  “None, thanks,” Michael said, and he gestured for Gabriel to sit down.

  But Gabriel folded his arms, looking around. His dark eyes rested on Barry, who was hunched over his tea, watching.

  Gabriel started pointing. “Let me see--Kira and Serene, of course--Nora,” he said, pointed correctly at Nora, who beamed, “and Gilla,” Gilla smiled shyly, “and….you are?”

  His eyes were on Barry again.

  “Tom Barrett,” Barry said, fiddling with his mug. “I’m only a guest.”

  Gabriel nodded, frowning. “Tom Barrett.”

  “Barry’s fine.”

  “You finished with your tea, Barry?” Michael asked pointedly.

  Barry drained the last of his tea, put the mug in the sink, and hurried out, shooting one last glance at them over his shoulder.

  Michael couldn’t help but smile. Barry had turned out to be a much more welcome guest than he had expected.

  Gabriel was studying Gilla, who looked back at him calmly. He smiled awkwardly, and walked around the counter to her. Gilla stood, flushing, and he hugged her gently.

  Michael felt an ache--a good ache in his chest. His son was holding the love of his life, just as Serene had done a few days ago. It was a precious sight, and he struggled not to look emotional.

  Gabriel whispered something in her ear, and she beamed, nodding. He let her go, and held out his arms to Nora, who laughed and hugged him around the waist.

  He pulled away, looking around at them. “I can see why,” he said quietly, shrugging. “I would love them too, if I could.”

  Michael nodded--it was true, of course. Anyone would.

  Then Gabriel reunited with Mel.

  “Jesus, do you have any skin left?” Mel asked, holding up Gabriel’s arm.

  “Yes, but I won’t tell you where.”

  Everyone laughed. Gabriel and Michael accepted their tea and sat down. There were six of them now, and for a short moment they sipped their tea. No one seemed eager to begin a conversation.

  Finally Gabriel leaned on the counter, lookin
g serious. “What are we doing?”

  Nora cleared her throat. “The plan is this: Tomorrow at five p.m. Michael will go Up There to bring Agatha and Judith down here. Andreas--the surgeon--should arrive by six. We’ll get him settled, and Serene will use her Talent on him to calm him down--so he doesn’t lose it when we tell him what’s going on.

  “We have an operating table upstairs, lights, all the equipment we need. Agatha will put Mel to sleep--” and she glanced at Mel worriedly, “--and Andreas will perform the procedure on him. That will be the hardest part.”

  “I’ll be fine,” Mel said, as everyone shifted in their seats.

  Michael ground his teeth together. There had been times when he had wondered if he should tell Mel about the deal he had made with Father--that Mel could never die, unless by his own hand. The surgery could go wrong, very wrong, and Mel would still survive.

  But it was a silly notion. The two were at odds with each other; how could he tell Mel about the deal? He could barely tell him to pass the salt.

  He caught Nora’s eye. She had a strange look on her face, and he knew she was wondering about the deal as well.

  She shook herself, and continued, “So, we’re expecting pain after the procedure. That’s when you come in, Gabriel.”

  “How does that work, exactly?” Mel asked curiously.

  Gabriel leaned back in his seat. “Sort of like Serene’s power, only I can only suppress physical things, not emotions. I can direct it onto one subject--with a touch--and the effect lasts for a few hours.”

  “Do you know specifically?” Michael asked.

  Gabriel thought. “Maybe three or four.”

  “You’ll have to be up a lot in the night,” Mel said, looking guilty.

  Gabriel rolled his eyes. “You’re right. I better go.”

  There were chuckles.

  Gilla gave a little clap, and everyone looked at her. Will Mel be groggy? She signed, looking at Gabriel.

  Michael translated, and Gabriel replied, “No. It doesn’t do that.”

  “Mel will probably be worn out from the procedure, though,” Nora said wisely.

  She shot him a look. “You’ll need plenty of rest.”

  “Something tells me I won’t have a choice,” Mel replied, absentmindedly rubbing his arm.

  There was a pause. Then Gabriel asked, “What about these Angels? You know, I think I used to fight Persephone’s siblings. Horus and Valor. They were good. Very good.”

  “But you never met her?” Nora asked.

  He shook his head.

  There was a collective sigh. Michael pinched the bridge of his nose. All they had were two missing girls and a tall man with long dark hair. No other clues, and nothing on the mysterious Persephone, either.

  They filled Gabriel in. Serene was indignant.

  “Why didn’t you Call me?” she exclaimed. “I could have gone and talked to the people at the club. Did you forget that I can get the truth out of them?”

  “You were hunting down your brother,” Michael reminded her.

  She huffed. “Well, I’m here now,” she said firmly. “Once this operation is over I’ll go out and poke around.”

  “You’re going to look out of place,” Mel said. “A woman alone in a strip club?”

  She thought, frowning.

  Just then Gilla gave another clap. She signed, I can go--

  “No,” Michael said instantly, and she raised a stern eyebrow. “No, Gilla. It’s not safe.”

  I’m Immortal, she said, and you’ve been teaching me how to fight--

  “No. You’re not strong enough to fight off an Angel.”

  She smacked the counter, frustrated. Stop interrupting! She signed, her hands moving violently through the air. You can’t stop me from going.

  Michael felt a flash of anger, which immediately softened into worry. She was right--he couldn’t stop her from going. But it scared him. What if she ran across an Angel with a Blade? It would surely kill her.

  Nora had been quietly translating in Serene’s ear. Then she asked, “But what do you mean, Gilla? I mean--I guess it looks a little more normal for two women to be there instead of just one--”

  Gilla motioned with her hands. Bride.

  A bachelorette party? They paused, considering.

  Michael still wasn’t onboard, and he stared at Gilla, silently pleading for her to reconsider. But she stared back, determined, her pale face set.

  Serene shrugged. “It could work. Bridal parties go to strip clubs all the time. Are there male dancers there too?”

  “Barry might have mentioned it,” Mel said, frowning.

  Nora couldn’t help it either. “I know how you feel, Gilla, but it’s dangerous,” she said.

  Gilla huffed, turning red. I made a deal.

  “You traded your voice in order to become Immortal,” Michael said bitterly. “Not to fight Angels.”

  She got up, her whole face red now, and strode from the room, disappearing up the stairs.

  Michael sighed and held his head in his hands. He should have expected this. Father, after all, had said that Gilla would be special, would be integral to their work, if she chose to do so. And here she was, choosing.

  He didn’t know if he could handle it.

  Everyone was shifting awkwardly, and Mel, hurting, went to lie down on the couch. Serene and Nora resumed their talks about the clubs, and Gabriel listened, casting furtive glances in Michael’s direction.

  Michael sighed and got up, went up the stairs to their bedroom. He was guilty--he had interrupted Gilla twice, something she hated, especially now that she had no voice. And now he was arguing with her, insisting she shouldn’t make what was so clearly her own decision.

  He knocked, waited for some sort of sign that he couldn’t come in. When he didn’t get one, he went inside, closing the door behind him.

  Gilla was sitting on the bed, hugging her knees to her chest, tears streaming down her cheeks. She was looking at her feet, and her choppy hair just scraped her chin as her head bent downward.

  Michael sighed and sat next to her. “I’m sorry.”

  She looked at him, her jaw tense with anger. Not a child, she signed firmly.

  “I know.”

  Everyone acts like it.

  He frowned. “No, they don’t. We’re just worried.”

  She sighed, her jaw working. Stop. I don’t want worry.

  “You know I can’t not worry about you,” Michael replied, a little hurt. “You’re everything to me.”

  It was a strange thing for him to say, and to say so easily. He had never been the best at conveying such things. But he needed her to know.

  He took her hand. “I’m sorry. I’m just….I can’t lose you.”

  He continued, “This whole….special thing….it’s worrying all of us.”

  She brushed at his fingers. Her anger seemed to be ebbing away, and her tears had stopped.

  She looked at him, letting go of his hand so she could sign, Me too. But I need to do this. I don’t know how to say….just need to.

  He nodded, though it didn’t assuage any of his worries. But he had to trust her. After all, like she had said, she wasn’t a child. She had received so many lessons in combat that she might as well have been a ninja. She could do it.

  She had finally chosen what Father wanted. Michael just hoped it didn’t come with consequences.

  It was six o’clock on Friday evening. Michael was sitting in the kitchen, drinking a beer and trying desperately not to panic. He knew Mel would survive, no matter what, but what if something happened? What if he lost his arm, or was paralyzed? Mel would never forgive him.

  Serene was sitting beside him, drinking a whiskey, calm as could be. Agatha, Judith, Gilla and Gabriel were upstairs in the loft, and Barry was out working his job as a bouncer.

  Everyone was in position.

  The front door opened, and Nora, Mel, and Andreas Berg walked in. Nora immediately took Andreas’ arm, swinging him to the living room s
o he wouldn’t see Michael and Serene. The two had been out talking on the doorstep with him for some time, buttering him up.

  Nora sat him down on the couch while Mel hung up their coats one-handed. He turned into the kitchen, a little pale, and took the beer that had been waiting on the counter. He winked at Serene, and went to the living room, handing the drink to Andreas, who thanked him.

  “Got it in a sling,” he said as Mel sat down. “When are you coming for an appointment?”

  “Fairly soon,” Mel replied.

  Serene stood and walked lightly to the couch. She stepped around it, and Andreas looked at her.

  “Oh, hello,” he said.

  “Serene King,” she said, sticking out a hand.

  Andreas took it, and Michael immediately noticed a change. Andreas leaned back against the couch, clearly relaxed, shaking her hand lazily.

  He looked at Mel. “Your sister?”

  Mel smiled. “My niece.”

  “What? You look the same age.”

  Mel glanced at Serene. Then he looked at Andreas, his blue eyes striking in the light.

  Then he said, “I’m about to tell you something extraordinary.”

  About an hour later they were ascending the steps to the loft. Andreas was puzzled, confused, but not afraid or panicked. He followed them up the stairs, his hand in Nora’s, who found it necessary to keep him tied to her.

  They entered the loft, and Andreas looked around. He took in the operating table, the tools neatly laid out on the tray. Then the four people in the living area, studying him carefully.

  He looked at Nora and Mel. “I wasn’t expecting a football team.”

  “I need a couple of them for….different things,” Mel explained. “And they’re family.”

  “Is the equipment sterile?” Andreas asked, rolling up his sleeves.

  “Doesn’t matter.”

  Andreas looked puzzled, but then replied, “All right. Let’s get you undressed.”

  Michael perched on the edge of the couch while Nora helped Mel with his shirt. He desperately wanted to do something to help--anything, and he kicked himself for being such a dick to Mel on their flight from Sweden. Mel had been taking a step forward--a small step--and, once again, Michael had ruined it.