Snow Rises

by L. A. Long

  I sigh and try to keep calm. It will be easier with Ren and Syn I tell myself.

  Makus frowns. “Please don’t try to get under our skins by mentioning Team Limpdick. There’s no way they can do to you what we can.”

  “Maybe I should just choose them now. Get it over with.”

  Makus jumps up and stalks me until my back is against the wall. He puts both hands on either side of my head. “Don’t ever threaten me.”

  I laugh. “Bitch, please. If that was your best demon impression …”

  Makus narrows his eyes. “Caz, you’ve never seen my best demon impression.”

  He leans so close that his lips almost touch mine.

  “I said no touching.”

  “I’m not touching you, my soulless one.” He leans even closer. “But you won’t be able to resist us for much longer. In fact, I imagine you’ll be begging us to touch you very soon.” His lips move closer to my ear as he whispers. “Touch you with our fingers like we did a few hours ago. That was fun, wasn’t it? We can touch you with our tongues.” He looks down. “Our very large—”

  “Is that a challenge?”

  Bast sighs. “Seriously, Makus. You had to say that. You know how stubborn Caz is.”

  Makus laughs and walks away. “Don’t worry, Bast, she can’t resist us. Her body demands our touch. She’s aching. She wants to feel.”

  “Feel this, asshole,” I say as I flip him off. Yes, it’s childish, but it feels good.

  Bast laughs. “Deserved that, demon.”

  Makus stares at Bast. “Remember who has your soul and remember what I can do with it.”

  All of a sudden, a chill descends as Bast’s expression changes from pure bad ass to fear. He stares down at the ground and only glances at me once.

  I don’t think I’m the type to revel in the sticky, so I drop it. Just kidding. “The hell was that about?”

  Bast shakes his head. “Nothing. Not important.”

  Makus continues to stare at Bast. “Not important? Like your heart hasn’t just ramped up.”

  Bast studies his arm. “It’s still Vietnam. That hasn’t changed.”

  “Didn’t ask that, did I warlock?” Makus continues his glare at the warlock like he’s waiting for Bast’s penance.

  I walk closer to Makus and wait until he looks at me. “Do I detect a snag in the demon warlock bromance?”

  Makus tries to stifle his grin because he’s still angry. “Listen, Caz, unless you’re prepared to drop your panties for us. Again. I suggest you drop the subject.”

  I raise my hands. “Oooh. Sensitive demon.”

  He turns around quickly, and his expression isn’t playful but very serous. I know I should drop the subject, but without a soul I have no sense of danger. I just realize what that means. That might be dangerous. But if I don’t know it’s dangerous, is it still dangerous?

  Makus sighs. “Caz, you must get your memories back. You’re going to give me a migraine with all that back and forth thinking.”

  “How could you feel pain? You’re a demon.”

  Makus grins. “You know I don’t feel pain. No matter how often you tried to make me feel it. It is agonizing when you clench tightly around me and forbid me from pulling out even though your delicious insides must ache from taking in all of us.”

  “I bet the angel and reaper don’t sit around and compare lengths.”

  “That’s the real Caz.” Bast chokes. “Fearless.”

  Makus nods. “You’re coming back to us. You know it. We know it. You’ll give in to us like you always do. You can’t resist us. You’re coming back to us.”

  I get as close to Makus as I can and stare into his impossibly brilliant blue eyes. I raise my hand and almost touch his face. “But will I stay? That’s the question.”

  The demon sighs. “You remember how to torture us. That’s for sure.”

  “How much longer?”

  Bast looks at his arm. “Six hours.”

  “You said that like six hours ago.”

  “Did I?” He grins. “Then I guess we’re here.” He jumps up as Makus opens the door to the RV.

  I peek out. “It’s the same used car lot in Reno.”

  “Is it?” Makus peers around. “Huh.”

  I stop myself from getting upset. This is just what they want.

  “Oh, it is.” Makus looks me up and down. “We wanted to give you some more time to torture yourself into thinking you can resist us.”

  Makus stays in the doorway as Bast boxes me between them.

  “I thought we were supposed to go to Vietnam?”

  “Were we?” Bast looks at Makus. “Did I say Vietnam?”

  “I think you did. But it’s always been Reno.”

  I shake my head. “Let me guess. You two lie and manipulate while it’s all truth and rainbows with the reaper and angel.”

  Makus puts his hand over his heart. “Whenever you bring those two up, I get a sad.”

  I wait for them to move, but they don’t. “You going to let me through?”

  Makus’ eyes flicker. “I haven’t decided yet.”

  Bast moves closer to me. I can feel his breath on my neck. “What will you give us to move?”

  “How about I let you keep your balls? Otherwise I’ll add them to my collection.”

  Makus laughs and moves. “Damn, the things you do to my insides, girl.”

  Chapter 7

  I step outside. It feels like it’s about a thousand degrees. Dust scatters through the air like confetti. “So, how does this work?”

  They both stand with their arms behind their backs and look at me.

  “You tell us,” Bast says.

  I close my eyes. For once I know they’re not just pissing me off. This is what I do. I don’t know why, but I know it. I concentrate. My head moves to the left, and I open my eyes. “He’s in the office.”

  They walk over to the office. I’m surprised they’re so determined. They definitely have their game faces on. At least they’re professional. Is that how I would describe a demon and warlock when they are about to …? I have no idea what they’re about to do.

  Bast glances at me and grins. “I love how your mind works.”

  The door is open about an inch, and much of the outside dirt has swept inside the office. We step in. “Place looks abandoned.” I wouldn’t be surprised if tumbleweeds flew by.

  Bast studies the shelves which are overflowing with various machine parts. He runs his finger along a shelf and holds up how many inches of dust he’s just collected. “I hate it when humans have no pride.”

  Makus nods.

  The counter is littered with loose papers, empty coffee cups, various keys, and mostly dirt. “Nice.”

  Makus notices a bell on the counter and slams his fist down on it. The sound reverberates through my spine and continues to whine for several minutes bouncing around the room in a demented echo.

  I lean over and stop the bell from continuing.

  “You could have asked me to stop the insidious noise.” Makus grins. “I love it when you order me to do things.”

  I hear something moving in the back office. If this is the public place, what the hell does the back office look like?

  A glass breaks. Boxes shift. Various swear words merge together. Then, a large man who definitely needs a larger t-shirt throws himself to the counter and grunts. He looks like he’s on the eighth day of a two day binge.

  Bast studies his arm. “Peter Young?”

  The man rubs his overly stubbled face and yawns. “Who the fuck is asking?”

  I like this guy already. I’ve definitely greeted people like that before. Lay it out on the table, and everyone knows where everyone stands.

  Makus glances at me and grins. He leans closer to me. “I don’t think I could be any more turned on right now.”

  Bast reads the symbols on his arm. “The Peter Young brought back to life December 17, 2003?”

  The man stops his yawning and stares at each of us. I
hear his heart beating faster.

  “What do you want?” He starts to back up before his gaze finds the bat behind the counter.

  Makus shakes his head at him.

  Peter grabs it anyway. Before he’s able to fully grasp the bat and swing, Makus is a blur as he’s behind Peter in an instant.

  Peter whips around and looks at Makus. “What the hell are you?”

  Makus grins. “About that.” His eyes turn pure black and then red.

  Peter jumps back and falls over the trash can.

  All I can think is why is there a trash can here and why hasn’t it been used? Filth would be embarrassed by this place.

  Peter backs up until he hits the wall. “Please. You’re one of them, aren’t you? I need more time.”

  Makus leans over him. “I do hate the begging and pleading.” He stretches his neck this way and that. “My beautiful soulless one, what do you see of our friend here?”

  All eyes are on me. I take a deep breath and look at Peter. I look at him, through him. I can see his past. “You were a total shithead, weren’t you?”

  Peter nods while tears stream down his face.

  “What else do you see, Caz?” Bast asks.

  I look closer. Peter was a Low Thief. Don’t know how I know that term. Never hurt anyone physically. He stole, cheated, stole more. “Even stole from your grandmother.” I narrow my eyes. “Your mother. Her rent check. She was thrown out. Your sister’s money for your niece’s medicine. She ended up in the hospital.”

  Makus slowly stands up and looks at Bast. “What’s the bounty?”

  Bast studies his arm. I lean over to look because to me it’s a symbol. A black smudge mark. The more I study, it actually starts to make sense. The mark shifts as words, symbols, images appear. Bast notices I’ve suddenly taken an interest and moves his arm more so I can see. “Can you read it, beautiful?”

  “They want his soul.”

  Bast smiles. “Everything’s coming back to you.”

  “So, I’ve been able to read that before?”

  Bast nods, but then his expression quickly turns devious. “Sometimes, the message isn’t on my arm but on more interesting places. You always like those.”

  I step back. “You two are full on all the time, aren’t you?”

  Makus slams his hand on the counter and laughs. “Only with you, Caz. Full on, no off switch, always ready, all the time.” He touches the counter again. “We can quickly clean this off if you want to try this one. I can put everything on the table like you just said. Although …” he studies the counter like he’s working on the logistics. “Not sure if all of me could fit up here.”

  Peter tries to use the perv break to slip away. Unfortunately, neither Peter nor the office is meant for stealth. He slips on several pieces of paper and slams on the ground with a thud.

  Makus nonchalantly looks back at Peter. “That’s unfortunate.” He leans close to him and wipes blood off Peter’s head. “I’d say this was going to leave a mark, but you’ll be plenty marked where you’re going.”

  Peter’s eyes widen. “Please. I can’t go back there.” He tries to slip away, but Makus steps on his leg which stops him.

  “What else do you see, Caz?”

  I look closer at Peter. I see contrition. Forgiveness. Amends. He’s married. A baby on the way. He’s good. Dirty. Needs a bath. Needs several baths. Definitely mouth wash. “He’s turned his life around.”

  Makus flinches. “That’s one of the scariest phrases in any language.”

  I look into Peter’s pleading eyes then glance down at the floor and back at Makus. “You’re about to soak in his piss.”

  Makus looks down and jumps back. “Humans.”

  Just then the door opens, and a woman looks at us with wide eyes. I know from seeing the images in Peter’s mind that she’s his wife, Janey. She’s also seven months pregnant. “Merde.”

  Bast quickly looks down at his arm.

  I glance over as the marks swirl around. “They can’t be serious.”

  Makus grins. “They are always serious.”

  I motion to her. “She’s pregnant.”

  Makus and Bast look at me as if I’ve suddenly turned into a squid.

  Bast shrugs. “The orders are clear.” He grabs the woman.

  I rush to Peter. “They are going to kill her. You have to go willingly.”

  Peter shakes his head. “I can’t. I can’t go back.”

  Makus wipes his hands together. “Sometimes human smell just doesn’t come off.” He glances down at Peter. “You realize what this means, don’t you?”

  Peter nods.

  “Peter,” the woman screams. “What’s going on? Who are they?”

  Bast holds Janey in a headlock. When I look into his eyes, I know what he’s going to do.

  “Peter, I saw your life. You’ve turned everything around. Don’t let this happen. So, you slipped. You can get your sobriety back. Make things right.” I look at his wife. “Janey, it’s alright. He’ll do the right thing.”

  Makus snorts. “You don’t even believe that, Caz.”

  I look back at Peter. “Look at me.” When he finally makes eye contact, I plead with him. “They’ll take her life. She’s pregnant. Your child. You’ll kill your wife and your child to have a few more years?”

  Peter looks into his wife’s eyes. “I’m sorry. I can’t go back there. Not just yet. I need more time.”

  “There’s no coming back from this.” I stand up and shake my head. “There’s nothing you will ever do to make this right. No atonement. Ever.”

  “Peter,” the woman screams. “Please—”

  Bast snaps her neck, and she falls to the ground.

  Makus closes his eyes and leans his head back. “Delicious.”

  Bast pulls me off Peter. I hadn’t even realized I’d lunged for him. Bast picks me up like I weigh nothing. I mean seriously how strong is this guy? He takes me out the door and puts me down in the parking lot and stands in front of me. I can hear Makus’ laughter.

  “What happened?”

  Bast frowns. “You tried to kill him.” He shrugs. “It happens.”

  “So, that’s it? That’s what we do?”

  Bast nods. “Sometimes they can make a deal. A soul for a soul.” He glances back at the office. “In his case …”

  “Two souls?”

  Bast looks at me. “He’ll suffer for that.”

  I pace and fume. I have no idea the thoughts that are going through my mind. They’re jumbled. Out of order. I close my eyes as my head starts to pound. I open my eyes when I think I’m calm enough for a rational question, but I’m not in the Reno parking lot anymore.

  I don’t see Bast or Makus. I’m staring out of a floor to ceiling window at a forest. As far as the eye can see, wood surrounds me.

  Someone clears his throat behind me and I turn around to see the angel and reaper watching me.

  Chapter 8

  We’re in a cabin. “Is this like a cabin in the woods where scary shit happens, sex ensues and then we all die horribly as a warning against teenagers having sex?”

  The reaper looks at me and frowns. “No.”

  I jump when I hear an eagle screech outside. The bird lands right on the balcony and drops a mouse back to it’s nest. The mice waves at the eagle before it hugs it’s mouse family and disappears into a hole in the side of the house. The eagle winks at me and flies away.

  I blink about a thousand times before I turn around. “Is this heaven?”

  Syn and Ren look at me and smile. It’s not the leering can’t wait until you drop your panties leer that Makus and Bast greet me with. It’s the kind smile that you’d give a librarian or your grandmother.

  Ren narrows his eyes. “I do not think I’ve ever looked at you as if you were my grandmother.”

  “Do you even have a grandmother?”

  “No.”

  “You can read my mind too?”

  They both nod.

  I brace myself. �
��The demon and warlock are …” I don’t know quite how to describe them to an angel and reaper.

  “Sexually charged without an off switch?” Ren asks.

  I step back. “Didn’t know angels could talk like that.”

  “Always taunting you with memories you don’t have?” Syn asks. “About what you three did together?”

  I wait, but they don’t leer or grin or look me up and down. “But you two aren’t like that?”

  Syn shakes his head. “With us, it wasn’t physical.”

  “It wasn’t just physical,” Ren interrupts.

  Syn nods. “It was … It is love.”

  “Love?” I frown. “Am I capable of love?”

  Ren puts his hand over his heart. “What did those fiends tell you?”

  I thought about my conversation with the demon and warlock. “It was mostly fingers and panties and tongues and their large …” I stop when I see the angel and reaper with the strangest expressions.

  I throw myself down on the couch and realize it’s the most comfortable thing I’ve ever known in my life. I could sleep on this forever.

  In an instant, Ren has a pillow and blanket and motions for me to lie down. “You’re safe here, Cassandra.”

  As I look into his eyes, I trust him. Completely. Totally. I lie down and watch them. Even as my eyes do the slow blink dance, I still watch them.

  Syn leans over me and drags some of my hair from my face. “You don’t have to keep your guard up around us. You never did. You can be yourself.”

  ✽✽✽

  I open my eyes and jump up. Where?

  “How’d you sleep?”

  I quickly turn around to see Ren and Syn sitting at an oversized table looking over papers. I turn back around to the window to see a couple of rabbits nibble on some lettuce as they swing in a very small hammock and watch me. Three wolves stand beside them and stare at me. The wolves grin, paw at the window, and run away. A hummingbird taps gently and flies away. I blink again. “Right. Cabin in the heavens.”

  Ren laughs. “Everyone’s curious about you.”

  I walk over to the angel and reaper. In front of them several spreadsheets taunt me. “You do spreadsheets?”