by Jane West
“Oui. It does seem their future is at a disadvantage now.” Dom rubbed his mustache, thinking.
“What about the infusion between Aidan and me? Shouldn’t I be dead too? If Aidan was truly dead, then that theory was a fallacy.”
“Nothing is certain, chère. Aidan’s theory could’ve been wrong.”
I shook my head, “Aidan didn’t make mistakes. He was too careful.”
“True!” Dom curtly answered.
“I don’t know.” Now I was really confused.
Dom went on. “There were other trials than you. Different. Although, sadly, the mothers died during birth. The children who successfully survived had a blended mix of fey DNA, like Sam.”
Jeffery blew out a sharp sigh. “That explains why Sambo was so mean!”
“Yeah, Sam.” I raked my fingers through my hair.
“Boo, don’t you fret any over that no-good count. He was plum evil.” Jeffery wiggled in his chair.
I shrugged. “Anyway, how did the fey become involved with the Illuminati?”
“Well,” Dom went on further. “You’ve heard of the Nephilim giants?”
“Yes, my dad read the Bible story to me when I was a child.”
“Then you know the Nephilim was the offspring of the angels and the daughters of man?”
“Yes, I remember.”
“Did you know that the giants were the gateway for the fey race?”
“Really! How so?”
Dom began, “As the story foretells, the giants are evil in every sense—”
I interrupted, “Are you saying the giants still exist?”
“Non, not the ones from the ancient world.”
“Was there another world?”
“No, the same earth, just another period. It was called the Time of Ole, the biblical era,.the world before the flood. ” Dom clarified.
“Oh, yeah, I remember reading the story.”
“Oui! During the Time of Ole, angels walked among man. Some were friends with Noah. Of course, their relationship took a drastic turn when the angels took the young daughters of man. This angered the humans and enraged the angels’ creator. Angels and humans having intercourse were forbidden in the ancient world. Angels were not meant to have human desires, even more so to produce offspring children—half-angel, half human. In the eyes of their creator, it was apostasy, an unforgivable act. As for the aftereffect, the angels were punished for their disobedience.”
“What sort of punishment?” The hairs on my neck bristled.
“Since the celestial beings were perfect creatures with eternal life, they faced eternal destruction for the act of treason. However, first, their creator had to set an example for the heavenly body to see the consequences for their ill behavior. Until their allotted time, the rebellious angels were marked as an outcast and bound to the earth, no longer permitted to enter the heavens.” Dom’s shoulders appeared tensed.
“I’m confused. Am I one of them, half human and half angel?” I glimpsed over at Jeffery, who was starting to go pale. I slid my Coke over to him. Without delay, he snatched it up and down it like it was a shot of whiskey.
“No, you are not half human and you were not conceived by a human. Your design is quite different.
“Then I don’t understand why you are telling me this.”
“Please allow me to explain.” Dom smiled.
I nodded, silently.
Dom exhaled sharply and continued. “The Nephilim reached adulthood very quickly. Soon the giants followed in the footsteps of their angelic fathers and mated with other humans and every other creature as well. Subsequently, the children of the Nephilim created a new race fey. They’re referred to as seelie.” Dom paused, giving me a moment to let it sink in.
“So the fey have survived all these centuries?”
“Funny you should ask. The Nephilim offspring received protection by the Illuminati.”
“I thought the first Illuminati formed a secret society in the early seventeen hundreds as the Knights Templar?”
“My dear child, they emerged much later under the Order of Solomon. The Illuminati have been in existence since the beginning of time. Actually, Cain was the catalyst for the Family’s true beginnings. Cain became the true founder of the occult. Of course, it has evolved since then but it is still the true beginnings.”
“This just seems uncanny all wrapped up with a pretty pink bow on top.” I cringed from the visions tromping through my mind.
“Yes. Now that you are part of the world of extraordinaire, you can see it has many faces. It’s something you mustn’t ever reveal to anyone nor forget.”
“Don’t worry. I will take this to my grave.” I just found a whole new freak-out. I squeezed my waist trying to hold it together.
Dom smiled, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “The Illuminati had always been interested in science. The Family realized that they had something exclusive. So they agreed to provide shelter to the young fey if they agreed to abide by the sealed contract.”
“What is it with this damn family and contracts?” I scoffed. “So the children of the Nephilim survived the flood?”
“That is correct,” Dom said.
“What happened to the original giants and their mothers?”
“The giants didn’t have as much luck as their children. Even the Illuminati knew they couldn’t coexist with the Nephilim. However, they did extract DNA from the adult Nephilim, however any further dealing with them had ceased.”
I wrinkled my nose, unclear. “Dom, how did the Illuminati know about DNA back then?”
An impish glint hid behind Dom’s eyes. “The angels, of course. They assisted in mankind’s creation.”
“I guess that makes sense.” I shrugged, picking at my cold food.
“It does seem incredible for man to have such advanced abilities that early in time. However, before mankind was even a thought, the knowhow of science was always there among the angels.” Dom took a sip of his coffee.
“So, you were saying about the giants?” I propped my elbow on the table, still playing with my food.
“Yes. As I was explaining… no one succeeded in reigning the mighty giants into submission. For this reason, the Family left them and their birth mothers behind, sealing their fate once and for all. The deluge took their lives.”
“What happened to the angels?”
“They took their true spirit form.”
“How did the Illuminati and the offspring of the Nephilim survive?”
“The fallen angels assisted in carrying the old ones to the highest peak, sealing them off in a cave were the water couldn’t penetrate. When the water receded and land resurfaced, they came out, though, weak and thin. They survived by feasting on others who didn’t have as high of a position. The lesser ones were much more expendable.”
I fought back the vile that tried to crawl up my throat. Then a question popped into my head. “Dom, how did you come across this information? This isn’t in the Bible accounts.”
“You are correct. The Illuminati have kept historical records from the beginning of time.”
“I remember Aidan saying something about how they kept meticulous documentation of my father’s death, but I had no idea that their accounting went back to the beginning of man’s existence.”
“Man’s existence began long before Adam and Eve.” Dom flashed an erudite grin. “But that story will have to be told another time. How I came across the accounts, well, when you have worked for someone for as long as I have, a trust is established. Many of their secret meetings, I prepared their meals, and I was permitted to be amidst the red and white cloaks. Eventually, they trusted me with a key. At night, when the house was quiet, I’d sneak down to the hidden chamber and snoop through their records.”
“Aidan explained the books were protected by black magick. How were you able to get past that?”
“Yes, they are very protective of their scrolls. It is their bible.”
“Then how were you ab
le to go unnoticed?”
Suddenly a roguish grin hid under his mustache. “I had the key to unlock the protective spell. Like I said, they trusted me.”
I gawked at Dom as if he was the cat that ate the canary. “If you had been caught, they would have ”
“True, but I managed to stay under their notice.”
“I should be taking lessons from you.” I smiled with a newfound respect.
“I do have a few tricks up my sleeves.” He smiled back, then he took a long-winded breath. “What I’ve discovered...is astounding and quite disturbing.”
“Do tell!” I held my breath.
Dom furthered his story. “After the deluge, another race of fey began. This time the new fey became the offspring of the angels and the adult children of the Nephilim, creating a much more distorted fey, the unseelie.”
“Wait! Are you saying, the new fey mated with grandpa?” Right away my stomach roiled.
“Oui. To humans this act is disgusting, but angels are supernatural beings as well as fey.”
“Holy crap! I’m condemned as they are.” All of a sudden, sheer fright swept through me.
“Non, non!” Dom echoed. “You are not of their sort.”
“What makes you so sure?”
“You were created in a lab. The angel’s DNA you share did not have intercourse with a human. You are much different, a genetically altered angel.” Dom insisted.
A moment of silence settled between us as I gulped down air, trying to settle my pounding heart. Then I asked. “Okay, then why the history lesson?”
“I think it’s important for you to know the Family’s past, present and future. It may save your life someday.” Dom confessed.
“Okay, I’ll listen.” Yet, I really wanted to close my ears. It was just one more thing for me to add to the list of reasons why I hated the Family.
Dom cleared his throat as he finished the rest of the story. “I have a feeling their grand scheme of things is much larger than ridding the world of sickness and death.” Dom withdrew a tattered sigh. “I’m afraid they are creating an army.”
I glanced again over at Jeffery, and his expression had changed from bulging eyes to tongue hanging. Crap! Was he going into shock? Still, Jeffery better not drool on me. “Oh my god! Fey on steroids,” I whispered.
“Oui! A mass production of super-strength fey.”
“So if they are creating an army of fey, why didn’t they contain Sam? He was like the hulk when he turned to his true nature.” I shuddered from the flashes of that horrendous night.
“I think they decided to use him as a decoy.
“Dom, what do you mean?” I asked, baffled.
“Sam had mastered the skill of trickery. Unfortunately for Sam and everyone that he came into contact with suffered. As Sam became progressively worse, no one could control him. Simply, he needed to be handled.” Dom’s last word clung to my mind—handled.
The hairs on my neck began to prickle. I knew that term too well. “The Family handled my father.” I felt sick. “I know about the Family terminating Sam.”
“Yes! However, his death had a double-edged sword. They appointed Aidan as the eliminator. When Sam found out, he became enraged. He fell into the Family’s hands, as they had hoped.” Dom pushed aside his cold coffee.
“I think I know what you’re leading to. Sam sought out revenge against Aidan by coming after me.” It was all too clear. “Aidan played along, convincing me he’d saved my life, confessing his dying love for me as we rode off into the blazing sunset.” I took a moment, letting this sink in. “The Family orchestrated that attack. It was a ploy to get me to trust Aidan. But why? What did the Family want from me?” I shook my head, mystified. “Every event that transpired since I stepped foot on Louisiana’s soil had everything to do with a master plan to catch me at my weakest moment and snag me.” I was speechless. I’d been a fool. “I played right into their hands!” I murmured mostly to myself. Stunned, I placed my palms over my face, feeling the impact of the veracity. Just when I thought I had washed my hands of that family, I found myself still in the same deadly whirlwind. I thought it was over. Rather, I’d just begun. I raised my head, catching Dom’s gaze. “Was I ever in real danger of Van taking my powers and leaving me for dead? After all, he was the reason I volunteered myself to Aidan.”
Dom’s face became smothered in sorrow. “There are still so many mysteries surrounding your capture. I think there is so much more we have yet to uncover. However, I do believe Van was after you. I believe when Monsieur Aidan refused to join him, Van went into a rampage. However, for some unknown reason, the Family intervened.”
“What does the Family want from this vicious ploy?”
Dom shook his head. “Whatever reason they have, it is enough for them to have locked you away. I find it quite suspicious to drop your charges and set you free.” Dom’s brow arched, speculatively.
I sat there numbfucked. Dom reached over with his untouched glass of Coke, pushing it directly in front of me. I grabbed the drink and gulped it down quickly, wishing it had a kick to it.
Then it hit me like a head on collision with a freight train. I slammed my glass down with force. I looked straight into Dom’s eyes with an abrupt awakening. “They wanted me pregnant. Oh dear god! I have a child!” It wasn’t a question, it was a statement. I shot to my feet in a whirlwind of panic. My chair flew backward, crashing to the floor. I could barely ask the heartening question. “Do you think my child is still alive?” My heart felt like it was going to break in two.
Dom hesitated, his eyes shifting, thinking. “Yes, the child has to be! Why else would Helen warn you to stay away? They must be hiding the baby.”
Sweat beaded across my forehead. “I have a child!” I hardly whispered. Those monsters had my baby. What if they are hurting her? With my eyes wild with worry, I glanced over at Jeffery, rocking and hugging himself. I desperately wanted to join him. “It’s all clear to me. That’s why Helen was trying to frighten me. They’re hiding my child. Those conniving, devil-dealing, bastards!” I shouted to the rooftop. Rage and fear shot through me as my head spun with all the possibilities.
“What did Helen say?” Dom asked, disquiet colored his face.
“She warned me to stay away or else.” I cringed as my mind rushed over her baleful words.
“Or else what?” Dom stared at me parroting horror.
My face grew ashen. “She threatened my life and both you guys too.”
“Oh, my! Aidan’s sister is quite a catty one.” Dom tapped his finger on his chin. “We need to take precautions an alarm system, perhaps.”
“Or I can move. If I’m gone, they’ll leave you and Jeffery alone. Besides, no high tech alarm system is going to keep this girl out. She’s gifted.” I picked my chair up off the floor and sat it upright. Though I wasn’t in the mood for sitting too antsy. I began to pace.
“No. We won’t let her run your life or ours’ either. This is your home. We will deal with this as a family.”
“Dom!” I stopped in midstream pacing. “I don’t care about my life, but I can’t have ” Suddenly Jeffery snapped out of his coma and sprung from his chair.
“I say hell to the no! That white-no-count-high-priced-ho ain’t kickin’ you out of our home. Besides you is the one with the checkbook.”
“Jeffery!” Dom gaped.
“I was just sayin’.” Jeffery shrugged.
Dom flashed Jeffery a I’ll-Deal-With-You-Later glance. Then his eyes slid to me. “Stevie, I know your heart must be breaking.”
“My heart has already been shattered a long time ago. This”—I clenched my teeth— “This has me enraged!”
“If this helps any, I believe Aidan cared for you.” Dom’s face softened.
I threw up my hands in disgusted resignation. “There’s no excuse that can cover his treachery. I lost three years of my life, framed for crimes I didn’t commit. I lost my mother, my father. I lost my innocence. I lost my will to live. And the big
gest loss ever—losing my child, who may or may not be alive.” I took a deep breath, calming my rapid heartbeats. Then remorse struck. I shouldn’t have taken my anger out on my friend.
“Dom, I’m sorry.” I peered outside the window, easing my breath, slowly. The breeze was blowing lazily as the trees swayed gently back and forth. I wanted to find my way back to the swing and forget the woes that beseeched my spirit, but my mind kept jumping around like a rock skipping over water. Then I knew what I had to ask next. The answer beckoned me, and I could no longer deny its thirst. I held my gaze on the trees, eschewing eye-contact with Dom. “Do I have the DNA of a fallen angel?” I boldly dared.
Dom gave a startle gasp. “I think you are better off not knowing.”
“I disagree.” My heart lurched.
“I can’t be certain. However, I do have my méfiance (suspicions).”
“Do you think this angel was an accessory to stealing my child?”
“It’s possible.” By the distortion in Dom’s face, it was plain to see that he was warring with himself over whether or not he should reveal the truth.
With no warning, Jeffery slammed his white-knuckled fist onto the table, bringing both Dom and me to his full attention. “Dom, if you don’t tell her, I will.” He threatened. “She needs to know the whole truth!” Before Dom could gather a full sentence, impatient Jeffery bellowed like he was a one-man band. His eyes latched onto mine. “Yes! You have mofo-bad-angel-blood inside you, gurrrl.” Then Jeffery used his indoor voice. “But that doesn’t mean you is bad. Just a little spicy is all.”
Dom threw Jeffery a lemon-lime glare.
“Holy crap!” My knees buckled. Quickly, I grabbed the table for support.
“Child, don’t go and break your neck. Let me help you.” Jeffery glided me back into my seat. “I’ll get you a refill.” He snatched up my glass and shuffled off.
Then I focused back to Dom, “I’d like to know his name.” It suddenly became crucial for me to know the other side of my bloodline.
“A name, yes. I haven’t met this creature, only stories, and I pray I never do.”
“Is there a way to call upon him?”