by Mary Ting
“Kiss ass,” Kelly hissed.
Ezekiel flashed an evil look at Kelly.
“I’ll be waiting here. So don’t worry about me.” Kelly cackled.
A hideous sound indeed.
Uriel cradled Liana in his arms and stood. “I’ll take Liana back to the cot. Paymon, she’ll be fine. Go.”
After everyone left, Ezekiel and I lagged behind but stayed close to the door in the shadows where Kelly couldn’t see us.
“You okay?” Ezekiel whispered. “I’m sorry for everything.”
“It’s strange. I don’t know what my mother looks like or who she is, but I see her in Kelly.”
I kept my voice down as a precaution so Kelly couldn’t hear.
“I knew your mother. And I know what she looked like. Strangely, I saw her in Liana and Kelly. Come on. Let me buy you something to eat. We have a long day tomorrow.”
Before we left, I stole another peek at Kelly. She was in the same cross-legged position. Her eyes were closed, but she wore a huge smile. One that said, “I won.”
Chapter 33
Kelly’s Life
Uriel
I told Jonah to stay with Liana at the first aid station. Everyone had gone home for the night except for those who worked the night shift in NU. I greeted them in passing and went to see Kelly.
Kelly hadn’t moved from her position on the floor, even though it had been three hours. I didn’t bother to turn on the light, as I could see clearly in the dark. Besides, I didn’t want her to know I was watching her, but she sensed my presence despite my caution.
Kelly opened her eyes and slowly craned her neck to the left where I was standing.
“You came to see me. Why?”
She sounded happy and sad at the same time.
I stood in front of her with my hands behind me, the glass wall dividing us. “Tell me what you’ve been doing all these years.”
“All these years?” She rose to meet me. “I don’t understand.”
“Start from when you were born. Who were your parents? Did you go to school? Did you know you were different?”
“So many questions, handsome, but if you’ll stay with me, I’ll give you the story.”
“I want the real story. Not a made up one, okay? I’ll know if you’re lying.”
She gave me a sidelong glance. “I bet you would. You’re not like Ezekiel. He’s an ass. You might want to sit down. It’s a long story.”
“Fine.” I lowered to the ground and crossed my legs.
Kelly paced from one wall to the next, biting her fingernails as she spoke. “I was born in Texas. My father was a doctor. My mother a nurse. I had two older brothers, and I was the youngest. I went to school like any other child. Everything was fine. Normal. We went to church. I learned to play the piano and loved to sing. I was smart and good at school. I was the perfect child.”
“Sounds like you had a great childhood.”
“You sound like a therapist.” Kelly laughed.
I’m surprised at how freely Kelly had opened up.
“I only thank you if it’s a compliment.”
Kelly laughed again.
“For the most part, I liked my childhood. Then I turned sixteen. I was very pretty. I was the head cheerleader and my boyfriend was the quarterback everyone adored. Things couldn’t have been better. But then …”
“Go on…”
Kelly whimpered and stopped pacing. “But things change. Like everything in life changes. I became angry. Something in me changed, awakened. Even I was afraid of myself. I also became hungry, extremely hungry, and nothing could satisfy my hunger.”
“And?” I prompted when she stalled.
Kelly placed a hand over her face. “I don’t know how it happened, but I woke up in my parents’ room and … and I had blood on my hands and all over my nightgown. My parents … they were broken and their flesh torn, like someone ate them. I screamed and screamed. And when I went to my brothers’ rooms, they were dead too. I thought I was dreaming. I went to the bathroom to wash the blood, and I saw myself in the mirror. I looked like a zombie. My eyes were pitch black, my skin so pale and cold. I didn’t know what to do so I ran. I ran to my church for help.”
“You went to the church? Did they help you?”
Kelly sat, shoulders slumped. “The old priest held up a cross and prayed. He splashed holy water at me. One of his helpers came out with a gun and shot me when I tried to eat the priest. I ran again. I hid inside an abandoned shack for three days while I healed. The bullet popped out and my stomach sewed itself back together like it never happened. Afterward, I ate more people. My hunger became less when I fully turned into what I am now. I still don’t know what I am. Then I traveled, following a pull I couldn’t understand. It led me to this town. That’s when I ran into Keira. And I knew in that instant why I had come.”
I felt sorry for her, for all her suffering. But I had to keep my emotions at bay. Knowing she had half of Abigale’s soul softened me. “So then what? You purposely got caught to be in this cell, to be close to Keira?”
“Yes.” Her chest rose and fell with a dramatic sigh. “I love her. I love her like a mother loves her child. The emotion I felt was powerful. Dominant. She didn’t know I killed demons that attacked her and her friends. She wouldn’t believe me if I told her anyway. To everyone else, I’m a monster. And maybe I am. I can’t help my hunger. I didn’t ask to be born this way. And sometimes I have a terrible temper. Not to mention my people skills are horrible. I scare them off. My appearance doesn’t help either.”
I chuckled, and I couldn’t believe I was actually enjoying our conversation. Most demons lied through their teeth, but I could sense when they did. And my gut told me this one spoke the truth.
“You feel things, but have you ever glimpsed into the past?”
Kelly idly drew circles on the ground with her finger as she spoke. “I did. I did more so when I was looking for Keira. It’s so strange. I know who I am, but at the same time, I feel like someone else. I see things through Keira’s mom, and I think I’m her sometimes. And I feel … I feel things I don’t want to feel.”
“Like what?” I raised an eyebrow.
Kelly curled into a ball. She wrapped her arms around her legs tucked under her chin. “Longing for and wanting you.” She flashed a demure glance at me, and then back to her toes. “These feelings are Abigale’s, and yet they are mine too. Also, I could tell she hated Samyaza. She wants to tear him apart. What did he do to her?”
I furrowed my brow at how accurate she was. “Samyaza isn’t the same being he was back then. He tried to kill Abigale, but my Abigale was fierce and strong. She also knew how to use all kinds of weapons. She stabbed him and ran away.”
Kelly let out a funny sound.
“What?”
“You said my Abigale. You still love her.”
“I-I—”
“You can’t have her. I won’t die,” Kelly bellowed, her anger resonating in her cell. Hissing, she bared her teeth. Then she cowered and she sank lower. “I’m sorry. Please don’t leave. I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to. Sometimes I can’t help myself. Oh, no. I’m bad. Mother said I’m bad.” She rocked her body as if to soothe herself, hiding her face in her knees. “I don’t mean to be bad. Forgive me.”
“It’s fine, Kelly. I’m not leaving.”
She peered up and tears filled her eyes. “You see. I’m hot and cold. Always mean but sometimes nice. Like right now. I haven’t had this kind of talk with anyone for so long. I was starting to lose myself. But right now, I feel like a person. I don’t want to die, Uriel. I want to live. I like the feeling of love. The kind of love I feel for Keira and the love I have for you. I don’t want to let those go. It makes me feel good, like I have a purpose.”
I shouldn’t have gone to that room, shouldn’t have spoken to her. Now, she was no longer a demon to me. “I can’t promise you anything, but I do promise you I will do my best to separate you from Abigale. Then maybe you can
have your own life.”
She gave me an affable smile. The first genuine smile I’d seen from her, but then it fell.
“That’s what I thought.” She clucked her tongue. “I don’t believe your empty promise, Uriel. Everyone lies to me. I’m a hideous monster who doesn’t deserve to live. That’s how everyone sees me. And Liana, the pretty girl, has a family and friends who love her and will do everything to keep her alive. How is that fair? I know, I know. Life isn’t fair. Who’s going to stick up for me? Who’s going to fight for me?” She turned her back on me. “Go. You shouldn’t tease me with promises you can’t make, or give me a promise you can’t keep.”
I didn’t apologize, though I felt like I should have. She was right. Everyone was fighting for Liana to live. Without a word, I walked away. Just before I reached the door, Kelly cleared her throat, her back still to me.
“Do you think demons can change? And if they do, can they go to Heaven?”
Tough question. Maybe it was a trick one, but I decided to give her the answer she wanted to hear. Unlike Liana, born from the light, Kelly was born of darkness and would remain a demon until she died. Could a demon change? I had no idea. I had never encountered one that had.
“Yes. I believe anyone can change. If Heaven were only open to those who have been good all their lives, then no one would be there. It’s a place of celebration for those who have turned to the light.”
Kelly didn’t say anything after that. Her sigh sounded like a roar in the quiet.
Needing to check up on Liana, I left and closed the door.
Chapter 34
Confession With Kenan
Samyaza
After I gave mass, I chatted with the parishioners. I had told them I would be in the confession room if anyone needed a moment to talk in private. Sometimes, the humans just want to be heard. Get whatever worried them off their chest.
They often talked more than they confessed. Confessions were mostly trivial, like dirty thoughts of other women. Calling in sick to work when they weren’t sick. Fibbing. Wanting to get away from their children for a weekend and feeling guilty about it. Wishing they could look as pretty as their friend. Coveting money and the material things others had.
I sighed and looked at my watch. The woman on the other side talked nonstop about these petty things. I had to get her moving. Kenan and I were to meet in the confession room.
“… and then I didn’t know what to do. I wanted to tell the lady she shouldn’t say bad words in front of her two-year-old. Do you think it’s my place to judge? Or do I just move on? If I don’t say anything, am I being a bad citizen? Is that against God’s wishes?”
I rolled my eyes and clenched my jaw. It was a good thing she couldn’t see me. “You do what your heart tells you to do, and that is how you know you’re doing the right thing. Now, I must ask you to give others in line a chance to speak with me. It’s getting late.”
“Oh, yes. Thank you, Father Sam. And be safe. And have a good night. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you for listening.”
I scrubbed my face, annoyed. “You may leave now. Thank you.”
The door clicked shut after she left. Then it opened. The scent of a cigar filtered through the confessional, and I knew who it was before he spoke.
“I thought I’d have to wait forever. What does that woman have to confess about?” Kenan’s heavy European accent resonated in this little space.
“Keep it down. The walls are thin.”
“Fine. I’m here as you requested. What news do you have for me?”
“I’m going to say this one time. If I find out you double-crossed me, I will kill you myself.”
“Relax, Sam. I turned down Awan even though she threatened me. Either she found Cain or she somehow created those newborns herself. She’s a witch. Don’t ever underestimate their kind.”
“I knew Awan was behind the attack. Without the source, I have no proof. And knowing her, she’ll make up lies and blame it on her next victim.”
“I can have my men do some snooping. I don’t want Trinity Order thinking it was our doing. I shouldn’t have allowed you to hire my men for your graveyard showdown. This is your fault.”
“Watch your tone. She doesn’t know they were your men.”
“Oh, really? Surely she didn’t miss that they were vampires.”
Though I couldn’t see his face, I pictured his scowl and felt the mockery in his tone.
“There are vampire clans out there we’re not aware of. Where did you think she found hers?”
A heavy deep sigh. “I have a bad feeling. Awan is stirring up something, and I bet even her sisters aren’t aware of it. She’s out for revenge.”
“No, not for revenge. I think she wants to finish what she started back then.”
“What do you mean? All the originals were burned at the meeting except for her, right?”
“Yes, and have you asked yourself why?”
“I figured she escaped somehow.”
Silence. The mumble of prayers and footsteps filtered in.
“Guess again,” I said.
“What do you mean? I have no guesses. I only know the facts, and … wait. Are you saying Awan had her kind killed to eliminate competition? No. She wouldn’t. That’s impossible.”
I shrugged. “TO are not ruthless. They impose order on our chaotic supernatural society. I have a feeling Awan is making stories up, spreading different rumors to different groups, to make us feel sorry for the witches and make TO look bad. If you take out the Trinity Order, then guess who gets to step in their place?”
“That bitch. What do we do now?”
I leaned back, exhausted from humans yapping all day about their problems. They thought they had it bad. I wished they could be in my shoes for a week. They would have nothing to complain about.
“Nothing. Lotus is taking the witches to a TO meeting tomorrow night.”
“You’re freakin’ kidding me, right? How did she manage to do that? And why?”
“Awan wants a seat. And I don’t know what Lotus said to convince the council, but something smells fishy. I have a feeling Awan is going to get what she deserves.”
Chapter 35
Trinity Order
Keira
To get to Trinity Order, Lotus took us underground. I’d expected to take the subway, but we went through a portal. Lotus had mentioned that entrances to the meeting room were different every time and that no one would ever be able to find the portal unless given the specific destination.
On the other side of the portal, the concrete floor gave way to white marble. Water trickled down the wall from the ceiling on either side, no beginning and no end. I felt as though I was walking through a liquid tunnel.
After about half a mile, the wall opened to a meeting room. The room was circular with a high, domed ceiling, which was painted with twelve angels with massive wings. One of them I recognized—Uriel, my father.
Seats were arranged in five tiers around the circumference. All filled up. The councilors were here and ready. And we stood smack in the middle.
Trinity Order housed about one hundred members: vampires, demons, humans, but mostly angels. Some angels were archangels, but they were not warriors like Uriel and Michael. In the center, one seat jutted out, in which sat the headmistress.
The headmistress had golden hair pulled back into a sophisticated bun. The other members wore white gowns, but hers was golden.
“Good afternoon, Headmistress.” Lotus bowed. “Today, I come before you not as a member, but as a representative on behalf of the witches. Standing before you are Awan, Corian, Giselle, Balen, and Keira. Keira is not a witch. She is a Nephilim, a member of NU. We have a special request after we finish our first item on the agenda.”
We each took a bow after she introduced us. I had dreamed about standing in a meeting inside Trinity Order, but I’d thought it was a wish I couldn’t obtain. And there I was.
“Welcome, Lotus and friends. On behalf of Trinity
Order, we have heard your plea and we will listen.”
The headmistress’s sultry yet stern tone made my hands tremble.
“Thank you.” Lotus smiled and gave a slight incline of her head.
The witches bowed again, and I did the same.
“What was done is in the past,” the headmistress added. “We shall move to a better future by reuniting and welcoming the witches to Trinity Order. However, before the witches are welcome, do tell how the Book of Enchantresses was stolen under our nose, and for what reason?”
“I can explain, Headmistress.” Awan stepped forward. “I needed that book to help save a life. Liana, Malum’s daughter, is in a coma. Her life is slipping away. So I sent Uriel and a team capable of retrieving it to find the book. I do apologize for not going through the proper channel, but I didn’t know there was one. After all, I felt I had the right to retrieve what belonged to us.”
Liar. Awan flat out lied. But then again, I had already known she would. I just didn’t know she was going to use my mother’s desperate situation to get the headmistress to understand what she had done. Lotus would not allow this lie.
But why hadn’t Lotus called her out? I waited, but no rebuttal came. I might have spoken up, but I thought better. Maybe Lotus had a plan. I decided to keep my mouth shut.
“I see. And is this true, Lotus?” Headmistress asked.
“Yes. And I have the book.”
Before we’d left Malum’s mansion, Lotus had asked for the book to be in her possession. Awan hadn’t put up a fight. At that point, she would do all kind of ass-kissing to be in the TO.
“Hold up the book.”
When Lotus did as asked, phantom hands coming from the headmistress snatched it. The book thumped on her podium.
“The book can’t be opened unless we give it permission, were you aware of that?” Headmistress asked.
“No,” Awan replied. “I won’t lie. I tried to open it to find the spell to help Liana, but I couldn’t open the book.”