Death Knows My Name (Memory Keepers)

by Narome, Casse

I sat up, lifting my head from his shoulder and turning it as much as I could to look behind me. We both sat on the desk’s chair. Actually, he sat on the chair. I sat on his lap reclining against him.

  “Yes. How did you know? It was strange.”

  He nodded, moving his head minutely. “Continue.”

  “He was gorgeous. I thought he was an angel because of how bright he was. He was golden. That’s the only way I know to explain him and he knew my name! I thought it was the nametag I was wearing because when I asked him he said that as his excuse, but get this, babe, I wasn’t even wearing it! How is that for some crazy shit?”

  “So he was here. I thought I felt him,” Eric said, almost more to himself than to me. He didn’t seem angry though. He wrapped his arms around me tightly. “I have to go, but don’t worry if he returns. He won’t hurt you.”

  “Why would he hurt me? I was worried he was one of Valience’s Swarm but he seemed so genuine.”

  “He isn’t Valience’s friend. He is one of my oldest friends. He won’t hurt you, especially if he has figured it out—but he is never genuine. Promise me you won’t go anywhere with him. As I said, he wouldn’t hurt you but you don’t want to live the life he would offer you.”

  He kissed my cheek and then he was gone. I was sitting on the chair instead of his lap. His arms were no longer around me. I eyed the mess on the floor. Crap, I had to straighten up Devon’s desk.

  The rest of my shift was uneventful, besides being tired from my lunchtime exertion. When I arrived back at my apartment, Big Jim again met me at the front door with his leash. I groaned but clipped it to his collar and jogged back down the steps. I let him go two blocks before I had enough and tugged on his leash, letting him know it was time to turn around.

  He huffed, annoyed, but turned around all the same and we made our way back home. I was slower going back up the stairs, no jogging this time. Once I got in my apartment, I was sort of relieved Eric wasn’t back yet. I know it sounded bad, but I was tired and I was afraid his libido was way too much for me tonight. I know, for shame. What kind of sex goddess was I?

  I fell onto my old friend that had, as of late, been forgotten—my recliner. I sighed deeply. Ahhh. Big Jim was up on my lap where he figured he belonged and I shrugged. I reached for the remote to the DVD player and pressed ‘play’. Old times.

  My annoying ringtone sounded.

  My cell phone went off and I let out a groan. I was seriously starting to hate that damn ringtone. I dug in my pants pocket, cursing Eric for transferring the stupid ringtone when he replaced the phone he had crushed and destroyed. He probably thought it was funny.

  “What?” Yes, my phone manners were at their best.

  “Where the hell are you?” It was Devon, which made me really confused. I rubbed my eyes tiredly. I didn’t have plans with Devon tonight.

  “Huh?” was my articulate response.

  “I’m here at the bar looking at your sexy little friend as you and one of your boyfriends stand her up.”

  “Devon, you have got to start making sense sometime soon. I am too tired for this.”

  “Well, un-tired yourself and get to State of Mayne quickly. Your friend, the cute one, is sitting here and I’m plying her with alcohol. You and your lunch date,” he said, pausing before clarifying, “yesterday’s, not today’s thug, were supposed to meet her for drinks.”

  He had referred to My State of Mine by its real name, the name Dante wanted to name it if I hadn’t put my foot down. I remember the night Dante and Devon had won it in a pool game fair and square. No hustle was needed. I was 16 years old. The memory floated through with barely a sting. I didn’t even flinch when Devon called it State of Mayne, as I would have done in the past.

  I groaned. “I never planned to show up! She and Michael are supposed to be getting to know each other so they can get it on!” I hate when my plans don’t come together. I was pushing myself up as Big Jim gave a little halfhearted bark in protest.

  “Michael didn’t show up, and I am getting to know her. Hey, does that mean I can get it on with her?”

  “Don’t you touch her. I’m serious. I’m on my way and if you pull that sexy eye shit on her again I will tell you what happened on your desk today.”

  “What the hell happened on my desk?”

  I hung up the phone. After grabbing my coat and planting a kiss on top of Big Jim’s head, I was out the door and headed to the bar.

  Just as I was walking over to the table, one of the waitresses was dropping off a shot glass of whiskey. From Devon, no doubt. Rolling my eyes, I picked up the glass and turned to find Devon. I raised the drink in cheers before I put it to my lips and downed it. I turned toward Tammy.

  “You stay away from that boy, do you hear me?” I motioned in Devon’s direction using the empty glass. “Where is Michael?” I slid in the booth seat across from her.

  “Well, aren’t you in a mood? He had an emergency gig and couldn’t make it. Where were you? With a guy?”

  “Oh God, you have no idea how not funny that is. I’ve had so much sex in the last 24 hours. I think he’s a fiend. I’m so damn tired. This is the first time he has been out of me for more than a few hours. I was asleep.” Tammy looked at me horrified, or was it more like appalled?

  “What?” I asked.

  “You seriously have no concept of what’s appropriate to say to people do you? Where were you brought up, a frat house?”

  I signaled for two more shots. “Foster homes. There is a difference, but not much.”

  She cringed. “Oh gosh. I’m sorry.”

  “You have to stop apologizing. Anyway, Michael was supposed to be here, not me. I was trying to give you two some space to get the fireworks going. He blew that!”

  When the shots arrived, they were carried over by Devon. This boy just didn’t give up.

  I huffed while scooting over. “Devon, sit your butt down.”

  He grinned and slid in next to me, draping an arm loosely around my shoulders. “So, did she tell you about this thug she’s been hanging around with?”

  “Nope, just that he’s a sex fiend and has barely let me up for air in the last 24 hours.” I answered for Tammy, and she blushed.

  Devon winked at her, which caused her to blush even more.

  I elbowed him in the side. “Knock it off, Devon.” It came out as a whine.

  Someone caught my eye and I leaned past Devon to get a better look. I was having a hard time believing that I was seeing who I was seeing in a bar, let alone this bar!

  Valience.

  I gulped and picked up the nearest shot as he turned my way. He raised a brow at the glass of vodka in my hand. I knocked it back in defiance, the familiar sting warming my throat.

  Devon followed my eyes to see who I was looking at. “How many guys do you need? These aren’t just regular guys either. Do they have to be creepy?”

  “You’re one to talk. All your girls are skanky.” Devon had never been a one-woman man. He was devoted just long enough to get a woman to bed at the end of the night.

  I met Devon’s unyielding stare. “Fine. He is just a friend of Eric’s, the guy I’m sleeping with.” I still wasn’t comfortable saying his name in front of anyone. “I asked him to do me a favor and look into something important for me. Now move. I have to go over and speak with him, unless.”

  I turned to Tammy so she’d know that I hadn’t forgotten about her. “Do you think you could use your sexual goddess skills and loosen this guy up for me? He doesn’t really like me with his friend too much, but if he were to get with my friend . . .” I teased.

  She threw her balled up napkin at me. “Girl, get on.” She drawled heavily.

  I eyed Devon as he stood up. He had given her more to drink than I thought he had. “No more drinks for her. I’m serious
.” I snatched the remaining shot from the table and downed it before pushing my way through the crowd to where Valience stood by the bar. He was surrounded by a lot of people yet everyone gave him a wide enough berth to feel safe.

  Squeezing into the space beside Valience, I leaned against the bar facing outwards. He was eyeing me like I was some sort of new species under the microscope.

  “What you got for me, V?” I smiled annoyingly at him just to get under his skin, since he hated me anyway.

  “Don’t call me V. I just came by to tell you. I fail. I—” He paused as if it were causing him actual physical pain to say what he was saying. “I cannot do. It.”

  My mouth dropped open. “What! Just like that? You aren’t even going to try? Did you even try?”

  He discreetly grabbed my upper arm and pulled me closer in one hard yank. “Listen! I cannot do it. Do you understand what I am saying?”

  No. I did not understand. I, I thought that I had found the answer to be with Eric and now. I saw all the dreams I didn’t know I had dreamed in the last twenty-four hours crumble before me. I fought tears.

  “I need a drink.” I turned around. “I thought you were some big bad death bringer, ‘Leader’ of the Swarm.” I barked laughter. “Puh-leaze. Just another overinflated male ego. You may go now.” I waved him off barely looking back at him, but what I did see was enough to freeze my blood if I still cared. My dreams had fallen apart right before my eyes even before they were fully realized.

  “You need to watch who you wave off like a fly, little girl. I don’t care who you are.” His voice was like death itself.

  I turned, realizing that I didn’t care what kind of a death wish I had, it wasn’t smart to turn my back on this angel.

  “I believe the young woman said you may go now. So be a good boy and run along. Don’t overstay your welcome.” The voice was soft and very feminine, but Valience’s spine visibly straightened. “Go now, before you say too much.” This new woman’s words seemed to be saying something to him underneath the pleasant enough sounding words.

  The newcomer was small but nicely built. Her cocoa-colored skin appeared soft and creamy. Her dark black hair spilled over her shoulders in loose curls. Valience nodded. She put a hand on his arm as if soothing a sting away. He let her for a brief moment and then left. Maybe this painfully gorgeous woman was his ex.

  “We need to talk.” She took my hand, her brown eyes haunting.

  They held so much depth I wanted to look away from them. Then she plunged into my mind. I tried to stumble back but I was already up against the bar. I felt my mind being leafed through like a filing cabinet.

  I shook my head. Stop. Please. And she did just that. So she was an angel too, then.

  She grinned. “Only half.” She opened up her arms and enveloped me in a hug. “It is so good to finally meet you,” she whispered. “My God, you look so much like your mother.”

  I shrank back. My mother? “Wait, you knew my mom?” My mouth hung open. The only memories of my mom were those I had while I slept. Grief and sorrow clawed at my chest.

  The small woman nodded. I noticed now that half the guys in the bar were staring at her. Was she some kind of siren or something? If she were only half angel, was the other half siren? The guys were blatantly ogling her and this chick seem oblivious.

  She laughed. “No, I am half human like you. I knew your father, too. I told you, we need to talk. About a lot.”

  She took my hand and started leading me over to where I was sitting before I saw Valience, only a few minutes earlier. Had it really only been a few minutes? It seemed like hours. This new woman came in and dropped two bombs on my life and me. She knew both of my parents. I didn’t even know them. I was so young when they died. I finally realized where exactly she was leading me. I stopped.

  “No. They don’t know anything about this. I don’t want them to know about Angels of Death or anything of the sort.” I whispered the word angels.

  She smiled patiently at me, her eyes like pools of understanding. “I just want you to tell them that you are going to be a while so they don’t worry. I completely understand how you are feeling. When I found out what I was and the how and why I came to exist, let’s just say you are handling this with much more grace than I.”

  I grinned at her, in spite of myself. I couldn’t help it. She seemed so nice, almost like I had known her my entire life.

  “I seriously doubt that.”

  She laughed and nodded. “I am serious. I was a complete brat! I was horrible to my father who is fully an angel. I blamed him for everything wrong in my life and for my brother not being with me. I was a little bitch.”

  I choked on my next breath. Could angels say bitch?

  “Angels, rather us hybrids, can do whatever the hell we want, especially if you’re me.” She answered my unvoiced question. I had a suspicion that this woman was a badass. She had to be, the way she had intimidated Valience. A small, but wicked smile danced on her lips as she tugged me forward.

  “Come on, and let’s go speak to your friends.”

  She led me to the booth and released my hand. Devon slowly looked up from Tammy. His eyes dragged up the tiny badass angel’s body and widened even more when they landed on her face.

  “Woah.” His mouth froze in that ‘O’ shape. That was all he said.

  “Woah is right!” Tammy exclaimed.

  The angel held out her hand to Tammy. “Hi, Tammy, I’m Dhylaka. Call my Dhyla.”

  Even her name sounded exotic and badass. It fit her.

  Tammy took her hand. “Hello?” It sounded more like a question than a greeting, but Dhylaka was already turning her attention to the drooling boy sitting across from Tammy. I rolled my eyes.

  “Devon, I’m Dhylaka,” Dhylaka hesitated. “I am a friend of Mayne’s.”

  He took her hand and his face hardened in what most likely was his attempt to regain composure. “Oh yeah? How did you two meet?”

  Dhylaka’s eyes pinned his, and he looked how I had felt earlier. She was rifling through his mind like she had done mine. Did all angels have this power? I knew Eric could read my thoughts sometimes but could he dig through my mind for anything that he wanted? It seemed like a violation of some sort.

  Devon lifted a hand to his head as if he were getting a headache.

  Dhylaka lifted her brow. “How strange.” She didn’t elaborate.

  “Enough, Dhylaka.” Did I really just tell this badass angel who just told me she could do whatever the hell she wanted enough? After what she did to Valience? I really did have a death wish.

  “Guys, I am going to go sit over there and talk to Dhyla about something. Devon, if I’m not back in time can you make sure Tammy gets home safely?” I quickly added, after the twinkle I saw in his eyes. “Alone, please.”

  He sat back, pouting.

  Dhylaka reached out and tousled his hair like he was a petulant five-year-old. “Devon, She is serious. Please behave yourself.”

  Still pouting, Devon answered, “Yes, Ma’am.” His eyes widened in shock. Maybe he was thinking the same thing I was thinking, Ma’am? She couldn’t be more than a few years older than him, thirty-five, if that.

  Dhylaka didn’t respond.

  We sat in the far corner away from everything. She looked like she was in bars every day. At least the guys stopped ogling her outright.

  “Do you want a drink? Before I start?” She straightened the cuff of her tan shorts before crossing her legs as she smoothed the nonexistent wrinkle from her linen tunic.

  “Will I need one?”

  “Probably, but it might help you comprehend better if you don’t have one.”

  I grumbled, “Do all Angels have this immense dislike of alcohol?”

  “We don’t like the thought of being intoxicate
d. We want to be in total control. Those that are like me don’t have the luxury of losing self-control or people are apt to lose their lives. A lot of people. I shall begin now.” Her eyes met mine.

  “Eric loves you. That is why I am here. When a being such as Angels and other Celestial beings love, it is heavy.” She exhaled.

  It was an exhale like the one I had heard from Eric once before. It was as if they were tired. Eons worth of it.

  “Humans, you don’t understand how good you have it—to be able to love and love and love and never have to limit the amount. We have duty and honor to think about. How it affects the whole. It seems unfair, but it’s just the way it is. I had to accept that. It took me a while, but eventually we all get it, we all catch on.

  “I have confused you, I know, but please allow me to continue. Eventually the two ends of this circle my words have formed will meet. Eric loves you very much. Is he willing to risk it all for you and give you what you want? I do not know. Time will tell. If he does, there will be much disconcert. There will be a battle. Not just a battle, The Battle. I want you to be able to live your life and have what you want, I just can’t help but wish that you weren’t a keeper and Eric hadn’t chosen you to be the one he would take a stand with. My husband and I never would have imagined that he would ever go this route. He has chosen his duty over love before.” She laughed.

  “It figures that you would be the one he’d decide came before it.”

  So she and Valience were married? Not only, but something else she had said. I had to interrupt. “Wait, he said I was his first.” I felt hurt he’d lied to me.

  “Oh you were his first time while he was imitating man. Celestials of any kind don’t, we aren’t supposed to . . . have sex. It’s how I came to be. The great schism of Heaven. But there has been another whom he debated risking the truce for.”

  “Truce?” I asked, lost.

  “The truce between Heaven and Sheol. There is a battle that is going on and has been going on. We are only at a truce that hangs thinly in balance. Keepers and Death are what keep it in place.