Bitter Sweet

by Lennell Davis

  “I didn’t want to frighten you. I hoped that if she saw us together, she would make it one of her playful visits and leave. But she didn’t; she sent Ceil ahead and got us apart and I saw that leaving with her was the only way to keep you alive. Ceil wouldn’t hurt you as she was really just there to fight me.”

  “Go on...

  “You have no idea how hard it was to leave you there hurt. I was hoping to get a message to Lilith and have her pick you up, but Lucifer turning up complicated things.”

  “Why did you kill him and Eden?”

  “Actually, I killed Eden,” Ceil corrected.

  “And I killed Lucifer,” June chimed in. “We had to; they were going to kill Alik.”

  “What?!”

  “Vanessa, Eden and Lucifer both loved Aaliyah and in Aaliyah’s mind, she loved both of them back. Both found her in her time of need and both saved her; how could she not fall in love with them?”

  Alyon Alik

  Chapter 47.0

  I was just glad Vanessa had stopped yelling, i could see she was angry at me still. I couldn’t blame her for that I would be angry at me too. I hoped that the reasons behind all of this would at least let her start to forgive me.

  “How do you know that?” I Vanessa asked, looking into my eyes.

  “Eden and Lucifer both kept journals that were lost long ago, but recorded in the archive; that model of the galaxy in the room we just left keeps track of everything that happens within Heaven, Hell and Earth and records it with in the garden.”

  “Just explain why did she do all of this first, the garden acn come later.”

  “Aaliyah, or Eve, was originally a Solarian, second only to Eden in power. However, where she lacked in raw power, she made up in control and cunningness. It was her idea to seal the Lunarian’s away and it was her who came up with the manipulation to do it. The war between the Solarian and Lunarian was so vicious and filled with

  hate that at its start it literally created the afterlife. Death was new to both the Lunarian and the Solarian, and if the war could create another dimension that attracted souls trapping them, she thought, why couldn’t she. But in order to pull off her plan, thousands of Solarians would have to die so the power of their souls could be harnessed, to upset the natural balance of things and then be directed to where they were to be kept. Apart from the mass murder of her people this would subject all sacrificed Solarians to have their souls blackened and at the mercy of the Lunarian for eternity.”

  “How come souls are different colors? Lilith’s was pure white.” Vanessa cut me off.

  “Was it?” I gasped shocked.

  “What? Should it not have been?”

  “No, The main difference between the Lunarians and Solarians was their souls. The Solarians were the light of the galaxy while the Lunarian’s were its darkness. In killing so many of their kind, the one who cast the Lunarians out would have become what they hated the most. Eden didn’t want this to happen to Eve, but she would not let Eden perform this ritual alone. Eden lied and

  agreed to her terms only to learn the power. Before they were to perform the act, Eve was sent an urgent message and she had to leave Eden for a while. That message was a lie sent by Eden to spare her his fate. Eden began the ritual, but something went wrong and he lost control. The Solarians they had chosen for the sacrifice were not the ritual’s target, Eve was. Eve and nearly a thousand other Solarians near her had their souls ripped out of their ethereal bodies and hurled around the Lunarian’s, casting them from Earth and into hell.

  “Eden killed Eve himself? So that’s what he was talking about as we walked into the room…”

  “Yeah, this place must have brought back a lot of memories. This is the last of Solanna what the Earth was before its recreation.”

  “Eden said Eve came back though. How?”

  “Eve was smarter than Eden in many ways, there were even many Solarians that wanted her as God. Eve however was more

  nterested in the experimental than the command of thousands. Eve in one of her experiments attached herself to Eden long before they attempted the ritual to know if he was alright. It was this tether that led Eve back when Eden called her name when creating the human. For years, Eden told himself some warped ridiculous story that he created the Earth and sealed the other Solarians away. He never did. When Eve was ripped from her body, he felt it and lost his focus, the manipulation twisted and not only were the Lunarians cast out, but the remaining Solarians as well. Both peoples souls so oppisite that they split creating Heaven and Hell. Eden was left alone, the sole survivor responsible for the destruction of his people. Could you live with that pain? Knowing that you killed the person you loved the most and your people?”

  “He began to believe a lie?”

  “He loved her. When I left you, I told myself that it was for the better and that it would be okay. When I saw you in the desert, I had almost believed the lies I told myself. Then when you looked at me, I couldn’t look you in the eyes, it hurt too much to see you like that more than you know.”

  “I know the pain,” I Vanessa said, looking into my eyes. “I see what you mean; I told myself many times that you had left me because I wasn’t enough for you. I didn’t want to believe it, but I made it fit so completely that I began to have no doubt.”

  “Do you still believe that?”

  “No, I know the truth now,” I said and then kissed him.

  “Ummm, yeah we are still here. Can you please go on with the story?” Ceil stated, and Vanessa looked at her with hate in my eyes, but I could tell she was curious as well, so it passed quickly.

  “I do want to know the rest,” I Vanessa said as well.

  “Well, for the most part, the lie wasn’t too far off. Eden did create the human form and Eve’s soul, which was tethered to Eden’s, returned from the afterlife and took hold of the first human. She was reborn, but her memories were gone and she again fell in love with

  Eden and he with her. However, once Lucifer found a way back, his presence left its mark. The lie Eden told himself began to break down and in anger and despair, at Eve taking a bite at the apple at Lucifers suggestion. He banished Eve from the sanctuary he created here. Lucifer saved Eve from the fate Eden condemned her too, and she became his queen, and Eden lost all connections with Eve. Eve regained her memories once she was given Lunarian blood, and her soul was able to overcome the bindings of the human body. She was born for a second time and she gave herself the name Aaliyah. Her anger at Eden drove her to the brink of war again, now against her love. With Eve’s skill as a Solarian, and her new Lunarian skills she was more powerful than ever. However, Lucifer’s refusal to join her was enough to break her ties with him as well. Lucifer and Eden, both loving the same woman, sealed her away only because they were not able to kill her themselves. Her own depression was enough to cause her to block out the pain by forgetting and when freed, the Adam and Eve story triggered her pain and she made it fit to her liking. That’s their story.”

  “Where does Lilith come into all of this? Why was she killed?” Asked Vanessa.

  “This power that we can use leaves traces if you’re not careful. Lucifer left a trail of where he had been. He wanted Aaliyah to find him. Aaliyah went to Lilith to tell her that I was with her. She felt the traces Lucifer left behind and…” he sighed. “This sword, Lilith used it to send me a message, she told me that I made the right choice.” He pulled it from its sheath and in the handle, he removed two small pieces of metal that held the handle on and slid it off. Etched in the metal was a note.

  -Alik, if June has given you this, then I am dead. I’m sorry I never got to see Vanessa as a vampire, but I already considered her one of us. Take care of her for however many lifetimes you two get to spend together. Please watch over June and Vanessa. I love you all more than my own life. Lilith.-

  “So that’s the reason I had to give you that sword?” June

  asked, reading over his shoulder.

  “Yes, thank y
ou for catching on as well with Lucifer when he moved to kill me; I had no time to even tell you anything.”

  “I could read your intentions no matter the situation; you’re my brother.”

  “What about the other Elders?” Asked Vanessa.

  “They will be dealt with; they agreed that Lilith was a traitor and should have died.” I didn’t bother to hide me hatred.

  “ So all of this was because Lucifer wanted to see Aaliyah?”

  “I wish I would have killed him slower now,” hissed June.

  “Why was that so easy? You say they were these powerful people, so why was killing them so easy?” asked Ceil.

  “They had a hard enough time controlling their emotions; how did you expect them to mount an attack of any kind? Besides, flesh is flesh. Be it Lunarian, Solarian, human, or vampire. All flesh can wither and die no matter your power, especially if you’re already weakened on the inside.” I explained.

  "Who is she?" Asked Vanessa, pointing to Luna who had snuck up behind me.

  "This is Luna, she is my new shadow and the last flesh and blood decendent with a direct connection to Adam and Eve."

  "She is very shy." Vanessa said holding out a hand, Luna slowly reached out and took it.

  "She hasnt had the best life. You can't blame her for being casious. She might even give you a run for your money June." I joked

  "Ha Ha, height jokes." June sneered.

  “Well, what now?” asked Ceil.

  “You can do what you want to do.” I told her.

  “I was wondering if I could tag along with you guys for a while, actually. I love a good fight and they seem to follow you.”

  “I don’t mind; there’s one more fight coming up, actually. I owe two vampire a visit.”

  “Nice.”

  “Vanessa?” I called out just before she slumpped and I managed to catch her before she hit the ground. She passed out breathing softly in my arms. I smiled down at Vanessa as she slept. She was back where she belonged with me, and this time I swear no one will take her from me again.

  Vanessa Stanton

  Chapter 48.0

  I don’t completely remember how we got back to New York, but my first memories after Alik finished his story were of Alik’s bedroom ceiling. I sat up and heard a soft purr at the foot of the bed and saw Nela resting there. He brought the tiger back with us? Do they allow tigers on commercial jets? Then I looked around and saw that Alik wasn’t in the room, so I slipped into one of his shirts. Nela woke up and yawned, blinking at me, and walked over to rub against my leg. She was just as affectionate as always. She followed me over to the main part of the house and Alik wasn’t there either, but I found my phone resting on a table. I realized that I hadn’t talked to my mom in almost a week and a half and Sam must have still thought I was in grave danger, so I dialed Sam’s number first.

  “Vanessa!”

  “Sam.”

  “Thank goodness you’re all right.”

  “Yeah, I’m fine. And so is Alik.”

  “I told you so!” she said mockingly, but I could hear that she

  was crying.

  “Are you at Alik’s house?”

  “Yeah.”

  “I’m coming over there now, I have to see you.”

  “Okay, okay. I will be here.”

  The phone clicked and I proceeded to dial my mom’s number.

  “Mom?”

  “Vanessa, uh, this is a bad time. Do you mind calling back in about twenty minutes?”

  “Oh, I just wanted to check in with you.”

  “Okay, noted. I will call you in a bit,” she said hurriedly.

  “What are you doing, mom?” I asked puzzled.

  “What are you doing, Mariee? It’s your bet. Hector and Sheryl are robbing us blind,” I heard my dad say in the background.

  “Are you playing poker with Sam’s parents?”

  “Yep and we are losing, so I got to go. Bye, dear.”

  The phone clicked again and I sat it down and remembered that it was Lilith who gave me that phone. I really missed her. She had loved me so completely in the brief time that I had with her. I couldn’t lose Alik again; being human in his world was a fatal weakness. I heard a faint click coming from the garage and I headed over there. The shiny black car was there glowing in the light while the smaller white one was tilted up. I thought it was on a jack, but when I walked around it, I saw Luna holding it up while reading a book Alik underneath it.

  “Sam coming over?” he asked, still under the car.

  “Yeah, she will be here soon; it’s late and there won’t be any traffic.

  There was a wrench lying on the ground a few feet from him and he reached out, but couldn’t get to it. I started to bend down so I could hand it to him when it slid over to his hand.

  “Just what all can you do now?”

  “What do you mean?” he asked, sliding out from under the car. He messed up Luna’s hair and she smiled at him.”

  “Lucifer called them Manipulations?”

  “Lots, actually. I haven’t completedly explored it, but I can move things and manipulate souls outside the body as well as alter the nature of animals like Nela under certain conditions.”

  “So she’s completely safe to be around for anyone?”

  “She is from the garden, so she is safer than a baby kitten. If i had done it, it wears off if I get to far from the animal, or if the animal is strong willed.”

  “You know I cannot lose you again, right?” I cut to the chase.

  “I won’t leave you like that again, Vanessa. It was harder than anything I’ve ever done.”

  “That’s not what I mean. I mean if your offer still stands, I’m ready to join you completely as a vampire.”

  “What about Sam coming over?”

  “How long will it take?”

  “It depends on the person; a couple of hours, maybe even less since you’ve had so much vampire blood in you lately.”

  “Then do it; you can think of something to tell her. I’m ready.” I hadn’t noticed Luna was gone till I looked to where she was sitting remembering she had been in the room.

  “Are you sure?” he asked, kissing me. He then moved to my cheek and then my neck. “There is no turning back.”

  “You’re the one who doesn’t ask for directions; I know where I’m going.”

  His teeth sunk into my skin, but it didn’t hurt. There was a strange sense of euphoria that flooded my body, but that quickly changed. It became harder to breathe and my vision started to get fuzzy; I felt close to passing out. Alik laid me down and took his finger and made a thin cut in his neck. The first few drips hit my lips and I couldn’t stop myself from grabbing onto him and drinking from his neck. It felt like I had been thirsty for days and his blood was the only thing that would quench my thirst. When I calmed and stopped drinking from him, I passed out. From time to time, I would open my eyes deliriously and look around the room, unable to move. There was something warm by my leg, but I couldn’t see it. I would also hear voices. I don’t know how long I was out.

  Vanessa Stanton

  Epilouge

  If you have ever had a dream in which you have died only to wake up gasping for breath and felt your heart pounding in your chest, you know partly how it feels to be vampire. My mind and heart raced the whole time as everything I had ever known broke down before me. At times, I was freezing with fear and at other times, I was burning with a passion to maintain my life. I could see all that was going on from outside of my body as well as in with sound alone.

  “Vanessa, are you with me?” asked Alik, snapping me out of my contemplation. I feared that could become a habit now that I was vampire.

  “I’m sorry, what?”

  “I asked ‘are you with me?’”

  “Yeah, sorry. I was lost in my own thoughts.”

  “Well, we are here. Are you ready?”

  Alik took my hand and led me out of the car into the night. On our left was Ceil, hidden in Alik’s sh
adow Luna, and to his right was

  June, all of us draped in deep black cloaks. We walked slowly through the streets. It was as if the people around couldn’t see us or didn’t want to see us. We came to a condemned church in a dark corner of Rome. We looked around and no one was anywhere near. We slipped through a side alley and up a set of backstairs to an upper door. We walked past a few old rooms that could have once been offices on to an upper balcony that looked down on the floor. The inside was lit by candlelight that shone around the room from hundreds of candles. Around forty vampire moved beneath them. As Alik shut the door, Ario stood up from his seat, where the altar would be, to address his guest.