by Reid, Susan
Rahab and Edanai have moved in essentially, and it was my suggestion, for the time being. Since Morning Star wanted nothing more than to do whatever he could to avenge what he thinks I did and let happen to Starling, I wanted to ensure that they both remained safe and protected.
If I didn’t know any better, I’d say they’ve both been spending an awful lot of time together too; cooking, and gathering food, and in conversation. Rahab would watch in awe, volunteering eagerly to be used for testing, when Edanai practiced new healing magiks. He was being quite the flirt and gentleman, which was a good thing. Both he and Edanai needed each other, and I was happy for the both of them. That had been another reason all the more not to reignite that level of intimacy with Edanai again.
It worked out better this way. I was adamant on my privacy and in keeping things orderly and clean, but I liked the company— especially now. Having a personal chef around didn’t hurt either.
I didn’t intend to invade Starling’s privacy by reading the journal she had obviously just begun writing —but I did anyway. Seeing her neat, uniform, cursive handwriting, her words and thoughts put to paper, made me feel as if she were right here with me now. I had no idea how long her visions and dreams about the end of the world had been plaguing her. She wrote very well, describing everything that she saw of the spirit realm to a ‘T’.
I’ve written many of my own journals sporadically throughout time, and I kept them all together in my library— though for what purpose or reason I wasn’t sure.
No mortal or immortal would ever find, or read them.
Reading hers inspired me to continue to write again though. It was an outlet, an alternate release of my dark energy, and it both calmed and clarified my thoughts.
Three baby implings sporadically whizzed past me, leaving a dusting of red glittering powder in their wake. They all made a u turn in line formation, and hovered around me in their annoying, high pitched chirping. They flapped their clear, purple veined wings, and their small angled snouts twitched, as if sniffing me or trying to communicate. I found it peculiar, seeing as they rarely flew this high, let alone ever approached or bothered me at all.
“What is it?” I asked, as if I expected them to communicate verbally with me.
They continued to hover for another second, and then quickly flitted away, back down to the forest below the cloud bank. Okay, strange.
Implings were harmless, babies of the wood imps that lived in the trees in the neutral area. Unlike the ugly, mischief causing imps that lived in the Darklands, wood imps were cute, helpful creatures of light.
Starling’s cell phone began ringing from my bedchamber, where I kept it. I smiled to myself, listening to the quirky synthesized melody that revealed much about her personality. I kept her phone because I knew that her friends would eventually call her, and expect for her to call them at some point too.
The signal and power remained constant and connected to the human realm, fed by my magic. I had a few other belongings of hers that I had taken from her room that night too. The large, gold-framed portrait of the two of us together from that evening, still hung above my bed— as my own private shrine.
The letter I left in her handwriting on the pillow in her room, informed her best friend China, that a long lost relative had contacted her back in Jamaica. They wanted her to meet the rest of her family on her mother’s side.
It sounded both realistic and convincing enough. I took her car and hid it in the garage shed behind the farmhouse. I masked it by making it appear to be a broken down, old and rusty tractor, so no one would ever discover or know it was there.
Every so often, a few other friends would call or text her phone, even the hospice and the gym where she taught gymnastics, both called with concern. In all instances, my text replies of her having to leave town for a family emergency, were accepted with prayers and wishing her well.
So far, no one knew the truth. That was exactly what I wanted all those that meant something to her to believe…for her sake. It was terrible of me, I know, but I wanted them to believe that she was still alive. They were all she had left. They were her family now. Someday, she may return to the mortal realm, and she would eventually remember them. I did know that much.
My plan has been working so far. It seemed to satisfy China in the beginning, but she was becoming more and more hysterically upset and depressed. To her, Starling had jumped up unexpectedly and left both school and town without a word, or preparation, in the middle of the night.
I understood her worry.
I think that a part of her current state of mind, was a result of the lingering effects of my having temporarily possessed her. Some of the darkness in me may have messed with her psyche, but I had no choice. I had to do it to save the both of them from the void that had used China as a vessel, in order to drag Starling into the portal.
Her friend Joel on the other hand…well, I could care less about his concerns and feelings, even if he did sound hurt and apologetic in his voicemail messages.
He told her that he was in love with her, and that he has been for a while in one of his recent messages. Yeah, I’m sure that was what he had been feeling when Edanai found him impressively humping the living daylights out of a squealing girl, like a jack rabbit on speed.
She would never hear that message— I made sure of that. Even though he would be a scout once he made it to the divine hall, he would be no threat. Hell, he wouldn’t even be able to leave the hall from what I’ve learned and observed about the warriors. I chuckled at the thought.
Whatever relationship they had could possibly be rekindled then, but it didn’t matter to me.
She was mine.
The only thing he could ever make me do at this point, would be to kill him over her— and I would. Alright maybe not kill, but I would torment the living shit out of him, and maybe even render him impotent for the rest of his existence. There was no other torture more profoundly spiteful for a male of any species, in my opinion.
I casually reached out an open hand, from where I sat on the roof of my domicile, facing the East. I liked this side the most. It was right next to a small, rushing waterfall that filtered in from the immense Eternal Waters of light beyond.
Once her cell phone landed firmly in my palm, surprisingly still ringing, I closed my fingers around it and glanced at the display. I sighed with annoyance.
It was her friend China, yet again. I missed answering the first call just now, so apparently she was calling right back. A blinking magenta light at the top indicated a new text message, but I left that one alone.
Edanai was already behind me, wiping her hands on a towel, before I could even relay a telepathic message to her—already knowing the routine. I handed her the phone with a smirk, catching the roll of her eyes and pursed lips, as she reluctantly took it from me. She smelled of herbs, apparently having been in the kitchen helping Rahab prepare dinner.
“No wonder they’re best friends, she’s just as annoying as Star is.” Edanai huffed.
I flashed her a wry glance as I stood up to listen in on the conversation.
“She’s a worried friend. It is human nature. I mean it isn’t like she knows that her best friend was just killed by a fallen.” I told her.
“I swear, either I’m a real pushover, or I must really love you Cam.” Edanai shook her head at my cynical humor, and sighed heavily again.
“Hey China.” She spoke first after raising the phone to her ear.
It was still eerie, even to me, just how well Edanai could emulate Starling’s voice. It was one of the many talents that we demons have mastered over humans, but it was mainly for our own amusements.
She sounded exactly like her.
By now, I thought I had gotten over how much hearing her do it affected me, but I immediately felt a tightening in my chest once again.
I could hear China’s voice clearly, as if she were standing right here.
“Girlfriend, how’s everything going?” China
asked.
“Good. It’s been weird, but I’m glad I came out here.” Edanai replied.
There was a pause on China’s side.
“That’s great, I’m glad. We all miss you though, and don’t forget to send pics.” China then replied.
“I know, I will. I miss you guys too. How is everything there?” Edanai asked.
“Same old stuff. Are you and Cam still gonna be seeing each other? I mean, I know you guys only went out once, but I haven’t even seen him around campus. Is he still patrolling the University area?” China went on to say.
Edanai shot me a smirk, with a discerning scan of my physique.
“Don’t.” I whispered, and held up a finger in warning. I knew exactly what she was going to say— something smart in regard to Starling.
“He’s called. I’ve talked to him a few times since I’ve been here.” She grinned.
“So…is he worth another date? If you say no, I will personally pay for your eye surgery and hormone replacement therapy.” China chuckled.
Edanai laughed at her comment, and then smirked at me. I tensed, knowing that she was just dying to say something sarcastic.
“Looks aren’t everything China, but yes, I still want to see him.” She winked at me.
I let out a soft sigh of relief.
“Yay. The head of Gamma Phi Gang Bang keeps asking about you and him on the sly, but I know exactly why she’s being extremely nosy. Don’t worry, I already told her ass off.” China giggled.
Edanai and I both chuckled with laughter at that one. I did more so, because I knew exactly who China was referring to.
She shook her head and turned away from me, pacing along the edge of the ledge.
“Good looking out, thanks.” Edanai giggled again.
There was a long pause.
“So, when do you think that you’ll be coming back to school and home?” China then asked softly.
“Soon, we’ll see. You know me, I’m not in any hurry, and I’ll catch up somehow. This is actually a long needed vacation for me.” Edanai then said.
“Yeah I know. I hope you don’t mind, Steve’s been over here a lot. I’ve been really creeped out lately here by myself.” She then said.
“I don’t care about that, as long as you guys stay off my bed. What do you mean by creeped out though?” Edanai asked, as both of our eyes locked.
“I keep hearing things and seeing stuff, like in the photo of you and Cam that night at the concert. That whole thing was so unbelievably crazy and scary. People are still talking about it, and I still can’t get over what happened. You were right about those shadows you said you saw, like you always are. I think that I can see them sometimes too, and there’s been a lot of weird stuff happening since then. It’s like there’s a dark energy settling around campus ever since that night. I feel like something else bad is gonna happen again, soon.” China explained.
Edanai shot me a questioning look. We were both thinking the same things apparently.
“It’s just what happened. It was senseless, and it’s still having an effect on everyone. You know what they say, negativity breeds negativity, and many people are still grieving, upset, and depressed too. I’m just glad all of you made it out okay.” Edanai then said.
That was a good response, I thought.
“Me too. I still don’t remember how we did though. Anyway, I really miss you. I’ve always felt safe when you’re here with me, you know that.” We could hear her begin to choke and then start to sob.
Edanai glanced at me with raised brows and an arm out, as if asking me, ‘What now?’
“Don’t make any promises.” I said telepathically.
“I’m sorry.” China sniffed, “I’m being selfish. You need to be there and reconnect with your relatives. I’ll be okay, I just miss you…you’re my BFF.” She sniffed again.
“I know, I miss you too. Don’t pay the dark things any attention or show fear. They can’t and won’t bother you unless you let them, and always pray, okay?” Edanai then said.
I smiled, it sounded exactly like something Starling would have told her. I appreciated her heartfelt effort for me.
“I will. I love you Star—be safe.” China then whispered.
“I love you too China.” Edanai said before clicking off first.
“I really appreciate this.” I began, as Edanai handed the phone back to me.
“I know, and you owe me. Now, even I have to say this Cam— isn’t this all a little…cruel? You don’t even know that she’ll ever return to the mortal realm, let alone the University. Hell, she’ll be aiming for your eyes or your head when she sees you.” Edanai pointed out.
I pursed my lips, unsure of my own reasoning or answer, as I gazed into the distance towards the Divine Hall.
Through the dark, velvet purple of night; dotted with shimmering flashes of stars from many other dimensions and planes, the silhouette of the Divine Hall sat like a pristine, hulking line of defined points and squared shapes, in the far distance. The moon was a reversed reflection of the mortal realm, which made it appear a dark bluish, yellow, and rusty orange color.
The eyesight of Demons and Angels, is as precise and acute as our hearing, so I could still make out the faint outlines of the fire lit domed steeples and bell towers. It’s an expansive fortress, protected and sanctified within hundreds of acres, and surrounded by miles of both fortified consecrated land and waters. Nothing of darkness or of shadows could break through, pass, or even come close to penetrating it from the ground or the air.
“Or she will return, and she may not decide to kill me…immediately. One can always hope, right?” I finally answered, looking back over my shoulder at Edanai again.
She studied me.
With a flick of her eyes in the direction of the Divine Hall she replied, “Hope? Sure, but when you decide to come back to reality, just be prepared. This kind of devastation is nowhere near what you’ve known.” Edanai then said softly.
I knew exactly what she meant, but I didn’t want to hear it.
“I didn’t mean just hope for me.” I replied.
Edanai paused at the realization of what I was saying and why. Her face suddenly softened, and her eyes flicked down to the stony ground.
“What do you think her friend meant by weird and creepy activity though?”
“Dare we even guess?” I looked at her wryly.
She laughed. “Sounds like Morning Star may be at it again.”
I shrugged a shoulder. “I doubt it. That doesn’t sound like his approach. He’s way more subtle than that. He likes to build up any and all possible collateral damage first, before striking. Either way it’s not my concern. I’m no longer Chief Angel of all Powers anymore.” I answered.
She pierced me with a hard stare and a single raised brow. “Tough shit. It was your fault for falling in love with another human in the first place— and much against my protest. You were the one who decided to carry on this charade of making her friends believe that she was still alive; instead of simply vanishing without a trace, like humans believe about all of the other chosen. Ensuring their safety comes with that territory, in case by some small, miniscule reason, she does decide to return there. Therefore, you owe it to all of them now. Leave it to a male not to think about these things first. See what I have to put up with? That’s why you need me.” Edanai pointed her index finger at me, with her other hand on her cocked hip.
I couldn’t argue, one never could with a female. All I could do was stand there with my mouth open…knowing damned well that she was absolutely right.
I gave her an agitated glare and sighed. Speechless.
She gave a nod. “That’s what I thought.”
I licked my lips in thought.
Edanai sensed my silent pause, and her voice softened once again with a hint of compassion, “She seems to have a good heart and spirit— and yes, she is beautiful. There’s no doubt that there is something special and unique about her, I’ll give you all of that.
The curiosity and question lies in the why is she different. That sphere you were telling us about, the one that appeared around her.” She then began to say.
My eyes instantly met hers with interest and full attention. “Yes?”
Edanai glanced the distance where the Divine Hall lie briefly once again, and then looked back at me. “That was her aura.” She stated.
Disbelief hit me first, and then fascination during the moment of silence between us.
“There’s no way…” I began, with a shake of my head.
Edanai nodded with a serious expression, and held up a hand to stop me from saying what she already knew as well. “I know. I’ve never seen that before either—not while a chosen was still mortal, but it was her own aura, which is probably why it’s so damned bright to begin with. Personally, I don’t think it has anything to do with her and Eve having the same kind of aura either. I mean, it deflected and actually hurt Morning Star— protecting her. That is what you said, isn’t it?” Edanai asked for confirmation.
I nodded. I thought back to that night, and everything that had happened before she was surrounded and completely shielded in a sheer, sphere of light. It sprang up immediately after her ear-piercing scream. My brows furrowed. I thought it had been Elohim—though I was sure he still helped her in some way.
“Anything of light would hurt Morning Star.” I added.
“But she was still human, and she has the lungs of a damned Psy.” Edanai reminded me.
That was most definitely true. Psy was short for Psyren. They were former seraphs, cursed into imperfect flesh form, and tainted for their deceit and trickery, and copulating with beings of darkness. They were all female, and the only ones who could emit ear shattering, high-pitched warning shrieks. They hung out with the Aural Bandits, simply because they complimented one another. Both consumed souls and stole auras for both trade and sale.