Though his words made sense, Alexandra didn’t know how to rise above her physical limitations and the doubts in her mind. How could she swing her blade fast enough to deflect the brunt of Koneh’s strikes? Strength was one thing. Her muscles had toned and firmed over the past few months. But how could she move like Koneh moved? He seemed to anticipate her attacks.
He was just too fast.
Though Koneh expressed disapproval over staying in Brasilia so long, he didn’t force the matter. Everyone seemed to be enjoying the downtime. Alexandra respected Koneh’s desire to remain distant, though it took a considerable amount of self-control on her part. If he needed some space, she decided she’d honor his wishes. Yet, the memory of their kiss haunted and excited her each night.
Padre Hernon sent a messenger to Alexandra asking for another meeting, but for two days she ignored the request. She didn’t want to face the Padre’s intense stare again. What if he suspected something?
She spent most nights on the small hill that overlooked the Brazilian city’s central plaza and TV tower. Alone on her hill, she found time to think.
As Alexandra meditated on the past week in Brasilia, she succumbed to the weight of her eyelids and fell asleep. When she awoke, the redness had retreated from the sky and she gathered her things to head back to the hotel. With a woosh of air, Erzulie landed on the backside of the hill. Then, Alexandra remembered that Erzulie had folded her wings before the group entered the city. It couldn’t be Erzulie.
Whoever landed wasn’t her friend!
Alexandra reached for her sword. “Shit,” she said as she remembered leaving the weapon in her hotel room. She assumed Brasilia was safe.
A grating female voice answered her. “Indeed.”
Then, Lilev appeared from the darkness. Alexandra whirled to face the demon. “What do you want?” she asked, though she had a guess.
Lilev folded her bat-like wings against her back and pointed a clawed finger at her. “You are unwise to think yourself safe. I could tear the flesh from your bones if I wanted.”
Though Alexandra received death threats while she worked for the State’s Attorney’s office, none of those people were as frightening as the demon named Lilev. Her throat dried and she couldn’t speak.
“However,” Lilev said as she stepped towards her, “that will have to wait. I have an offer for you.”
The demon was an arm’s length away when Alexandra found her strength. She took a step backwards and said, “Stop right there.”
Lilev smiled to reveal two rows of jagged yellow teeth.
“Of course.” Despite her words, the demon mirrored Alexandra’s movement and continued to advance.
Alexandra noticed the demon’s eyes were much like Koneh’s. Pure black.
“He cannot save you now,” Lilev said. “Yes, your assumption is correct. I can skim your thoughts laden with fear when we are this close, Lamb.”
How was this possible? Like a frantic beekeeper trying to put a lid on a dozen angry nests, Alexandra attempted to blank her thoughts and focus on the demon. Her efforts were futile. She may as well have tried to stop the rain from falling.
Lilev snapped forward with her clawed hand, but Alexandra stepped to the side to place more distance between them.
“Aha,” the demon said, “I see Koneh’s training in your movements and in your mind. How very interesting.”
“You said you had an offer,” Alexandra said, commanding her voice to remain even.
“Indeed,” Lilev said. “Listen to my words as I will not repeat them.”
Alexandra nodded. This demon had little of the grace that Erzulie commanded and Lilev’s movements appeared jerky, like some other consciousness fought for control under the surface. Lilev’s voice grated like metal scraping against metal.
“I will tell you where your enemies are and how much time you have left,” she said. “I will also help you in your journey by delaying my master’s main force.”
Alexandra raised her eyebrow and said, “Even if I believed your words, what would you want in return?”
Lilev snorted. “You will know the truth of my words as soon as I speak them. You are the Mih’darl. Truth is like a light in the dark for you, is it not so?”
“What if I’m not the-” Alexandra struggled with the word, “Mih’darl?”
“Koneh wouldn’t be with you if you weren’t, Lamb.”
Alexandra weighed the importance of this information and said, “Okay, what do you want in return?”
“I want to look into your dreams, dear child, that is all.”
“My dreams?”
Lilev nodded. “Do you agree?”
“How?”
“I need to touch you,” Lilev said. “And you need to cooperate by opening your mind to me.”
“How do I know you won’t just kill me after you get what you want?”
“You sense truth in my words, yes?” Lilev said.
Though she wanted to run to Koneh and Erzulie for protection, she sensed only a hint of deception in Lilev’s offer. However, Alexandra believed the demon would honor a bargain.
“Tell me,” Alexandra said as she found the strength to make some demands of her own, “why do you want my dreams?”
“The future concerns me,” Lilev said, “nothing more.”
Alexandra recognized the demon’s tactic. The creature was giving as little information as possible to avoid being caught in a lie. Well-coached witnesses often employed this trick. However, Alexandra knew how to peel the layers of a simple answer and get to the juicy core.
“I cannot see the future,” Alexandra said.
“Your thoughts tell me you believe otherwise. Don’t try to lie to me, Lamb.”
“What about the future concerns you?” she asked.
“No more questions!” Lilev said. “If you accept my offer, we will have a bargain and I will not harm you this night. Decide!”
There was little to decide.
“Very well,” Alexandra said. “You tell me your information and if I find it useful I will allow you to see my dreams.”
“You will find it useful, child.”
“Good,” Alexandra said, “then agree to my terms and we will have a deal.”
Lilev leaned back on her cloven feet and studied her for a few moments. Then, through her wicked teeth, the demon said, “Agreed.”
“Okay. Tell me what you know,” Alexandra said.
Lilev nodded. “My master, Derechi, heads for Eden now. Iblis has promised the Earth to the demon who delivers the Mih’darl and Derechi’s hounds have already sniffed you out. Derechi may be the only one besides Iblis, Koneh and myself who know the location of Eden, so the Unclean One has an advantage. If you delay any longer, you risk facing Derechi’s entire army. I will keep them at bay for as long as I can, but even mighty Koneh cannot win a battle against such large numbers. You would be wise to leave this city now and head for Eden before the main force arrives.”
“So,” Alexandra said, “Eden is empty right now? Nobody else knows where it is?”
“Koneh knows, so you should make haste. If you leave now, you will still have to deal with Derechi’s advance force.”
“I see. And how large is this force?”
Lilev waived her hand and said, “Oh, small enough for Koneh to handle. Maybe thirty greater demons. The best flyers are already scouring locations told to them by Derechi. It won’t be long now.”
“And we can make it there before the main force?”
“If you leave now, yes.”
Alexandra sensed truth in the demon’s words, but could the creature be trusted? Would Lilev kill her anyway once the creature got what it came for?
“You reek of fear,” Lilev said. “And you should, for you and I are enemies.”
This time, the demon snatched Alexandra’s wrist.
“Now,” Lilev said, “open your mind to me and allow me to see what you have seen when you sleep.”
The presence of the demon in
Alexandra’s mind was overwhelming. Lilev filled every corner of her thoughts. She fought against the violation.
Through clenched teeth Alexandra said, “You… will honor… the bargain.”
“If you don’t let me in, human, I will be forced to kill you,” Lilev said. “Pity that would be as I may have use for you again.”
There wasn’t something quite right with her threat – a hint of hesitation. Alexandra mounted one last stand with her dissolving willpower, but the demon remained. Then, she let go and allowed Lilev free reign. Darkness overwhelmed her and she fell to the ground. When she tried to open her eyes, the world spun around her little hill. Forcing the nausea away, Alexandra struggled to remain conscious.
Where was Lilev?
The world settled to a halt. Alexandra scanned the hill. Though Lilev was gone, the demon’s words rang clear in her head, “…you would be wise to leave this city now and head for Eden before the main force arrives.”
Was Eden mankind’s last chance for happiness on this scorched Earth? Alexandra didn’t know the answer, but she believed the demon spoke truth about Derechi’s army. Before this moment, she wasn’t sure of her path. Now, however, she realized that Eden was her destiny. She felt a new determination to find the mythical birthplace of humanity. Demons and humans would fight for Eden and Alexandra knew she had some part to play. If her group had a chance, now was the time!
Chapter 28
“I’ll miss you, Alex,” Nicole said.
Hugging her friend, Alexandra said, “I’ll miss you too.”
After saying farewell to Santino and Delia, packing the truck, bartering for some cold weather clothing and resupplying the pickup, Alexandra, Koneh and Erzulie were ready to leave Brasilia.
“Are you sure?” Benjamin asked as he handed a full gas can to Alexandra.
Earlier that day, Alexandra told Benjamin to stay in Brasilia. Perhaps he could find peace with Nicole and the couple might build a life together. In the end, Alexandra resorted to ordering the soldier to stay and protect Nicole, Santino and Delia.
Alexandra smiled and hugged him. “We’ve been over this.”
Benjamin blinked back tears and kissed her on the cheek. “Thanks,” he said, “for saving my life.”
“Just remember our deal,” Alexandra said.
Benjamin nodded and pulled Nicole close. “I’ll look after them.”
“I’m counting on you.”
“Oh! I almost forgot.” Benjamin pulled a pistol from his belt and held the grip towards her. “I know you’ve been training with swords, but you might need this.”
She grasped the weapon. “Thank you. I wish I could say I won’t have to use it.”
“We’re ready,” Koneh said.
After Alexandra reported her encounter with Lilev to Koneh and Erzulie, Koneh grew quiet. Erzulie confirmed that Lilev was bound by her bargain with Alexandra, so the demon would honor any pact made. While they secured their supplies, Koneh kept silent. Alexandra assumed he was thinking things over and preparing his scolding for her. Or maybe he was reconsidering his wish to not express his feelings? Alexandra’s heart hoped for that possibility.
She winced as the memory of Lilev’s mental invasion resurfaced. Why did the demon want to know about her dreams? Was the future really in there somewhere? To Alexandra, her dreams were a tangled mess with the white-haired crone at the center of everything. Did this old woman hold some key to the future? She shook her head. She didn’t know anything for certain.
“Be safe,” Erzulie said as she hugged Benjamin and Nicole.
“I won’t forget you,” Nicole said.
At the edge of the city, Alexandra stopped the truck. A row of jeeps and Brazilian soldiers blocked their way. “This might be trouble,” Koneh said as he opened his door and stepped from the cab.
Erzulie stayed in the flatbed while Alexandra and Koneh approached the jeeps. The Brazilian soldier, Cedro, met them in the road.
“You must go back,” he said. “Padre Hernon wants to ask you questions.”
“I’m sorry, Cedro,” Alexandra said, “but, we’re not going back into the city.”
Cedro frowned and averted her gaze. “I have orders,” he said, “You must go back or we take you back by force.”
Koneh huffed, but before he could speak, Alexandra said, “Fine, we’ll go back. We’re not looking for a fight.”
“I’m sorry to do this,” Cedro said. “You must be cuffed.”
Koneh leaned towards her and whispered, “Last chance. This might not go well, especially for Erzulie.”
“Are her wings out yet?”
Koneh glanced towards the truck and said, “Should be.”
“I don’t want to get in a fight here,” Alexandra said. “We’ll cooperate, but they’re not taking Erzulie.”
“I’ll follow your lead,” Koneh said.
Raising her voice, Alexandra said, “Erzulie, we’ll be back. Fly now!”
Without hesitation, Erzulie burst from the flatbed and disappeared into the dark sky. The soldiers seized Alexandra and Koneh.
“I suspected you were dangerous,” Padre Hernon said to Alexandra from the other side of the bars. “You bring demons to Brasilia? Not wise.”
“That wasn’t a demon,” Alexandra said. “She’s a fallen angel and I ordered her to escape because I didn’t think you’d understand.”
The Padre laughed, but there was no joy there. “You think I don’t understand? I tell you what I understand. You bring demons to Brasilia, your friend with the scars is a demon and you lied about who you are.”
“And who do you think I am?” Alexandra asked, raising herself to look down on the priest.
Padre Hernon stepped forward and said, “Do not try to intimidate me. You are a servant of Lucifer and you will be punished for your crimes. We spoke with Rome. They warned us about imposters of the Christ. Stories of you have come to us now as well. We have a man who will identify you as false.”
“Identify me?” Alexandra glared at him. “What are you talking about? What does Rome have to do with anything?”
Padre Hernon shouted over his shoulder. “Bring him down.”
A few moments later, Marco appeared beside the padre. Alexandra’s blood roiled.
Marco winked and said, “Si, that is her.”
Alexandra glanced at his bandaged hand and asked, “How’s your wrist?”
He fumed but he didn’t respond.
“And what did she do? So we have a record,” Padre Hernon said.
“She claimed to have healing powers,” Marco said. “And she led a demon army into Tampico. Everyone was butchered.”
Alexandra grasped the bars and said, “Marco! You bastard! What are you getting out of this?”
“Oh,” Marco said, grinning, “she also killed a priest named Father Callahan.”
Alone in her windowless cell, Alexandra wondered what happened to her friends. Was Erzulie waiting for them in the sky? Did Padre Hernon arrest Santino, Nicole and Benjamin too? What would happen to Delia? Was Koneh in another cell? Worse?
Alexandra didn’t want to fight the soldiers of Brasilia. Was that the correct decision? Of course it was. How long would the remains of humanity last if they fought amongst themselves? Was it even a matter of us versus them anymore? Were the lines blurred beyond all recognition?
One thing was certain, Alexandra felt she could pull that trigger on Marco now. His betrayal had gone beyond his servitude to Derechi. He seemed to want her out of the equation. But why? According to Lilev, there was a reward on her soul. If they had the right girl. She still wasn’t convinced she was the new Messiah. Sure, she healed General Ryan and Benjamin, but maybe she was just a freak of nature? What if Bishop Palusa’s altered Bible was simply the ramblings of a crazy man? What if Koneh was mistaken? What if Erzulie was as flawed as she insisted? Alexandra might die at the hands of the Catholic Church for merely denying Marco a roll in the sack. She shivered. What a way to go.
Alexandra recalled
the overturned bus, the zombie-like mob, those evil hounds, meeting Koneh, Erzulie’s grace, Father Callahan, abandoning Tampico, vivid dreams, healing General Ryan and Benjamin, the battle at the beached cruise ship, Marco’s first betrayal, the demon Lilev, the birth of Delia and Holly’s plummet.
Did she really experience all of those things?
Like a swinging door, her thoughts returned to Koneh. Time and again, the man had put himself between Alexandra and mortal danger. Though he claimed to be on a mission from God, Alexandra didn’t always believe him. He cared for her, but he was afraid to express his feelings. Their kiss seemed like a lifetime ago, but she attempted to remember every detail of that sweet moment.
Alexandra curled into a ball on the cold slab and closed her eyes. She remembered another emotion she enjoyed near Koneh. Security. Alone in her cell, she desired his company and protection.
“Where are you now, Koneh?”
When no answer came, she drifted into sleep. A field of razor-sharp rocks extended out from where she awoke. The red-black sky above threw shadows across the narrow paths between the protruding rocks. In the distance, Alexandra saw something shine and then disappear.
A dream.
“Yes,” said the white-haired crone.
Alexandra spun. The old woman was perched atop one of the jagged rocks. She felt insignificant under the stare of the crone.
“Where are we?” Alexandra asked.
The old woman shrugged and said, “This is your vision. I come to peer upon my enemy.”
“Enemy?”
“You travel to this place,” the white-haired woman said. “You must tell me your intentions.”
Alexandra climbed. Since she knew she was dreaming, the cuts from the stone didn’t hinder her. The razor edged rocks extended into the horizon. Then, in the distance, something sparkled and was gone again.
Eden (Eden Saga) Page 28