by Sirena Noir
“You’re here for Darius, aren’t you?”
Those words stopped Aiden in his tracks. He turned on his heel to face the lorean. “What did you say?”
The angel chuckled. “Darius. That’s who you’re here for, right? Sweet lady. You know, she used to be into witchcraft? Hoodoo, if I remember correctly.” He chuckled again. “But, she gave all that up a long time ago.” He sobered. “She’s blind and has dementia now.”
Aiden grinned. This lady sounded like someone who might have seen his mother’s key. It was a long shot, but weirder things have happened. He was an angel. Nothing surprised him anymore. “Dementia I can work with, friend. But tell me why I would be looking for her.”
The man held his hand out. “I’m Sariel.”
Aiden hated how fate was something that always reared its head at him. There was a reason he was in that nursing home. He shook the angel’s hand. “Aiden. But you already knew that.”
Sariel grinned. “I did.”
Aiden was over pleasantries. He was never one to draw out introductions. “So, why am I looking for Darius?”
Sariel smiled wider and stared off past Aiden. Turning to see what he stared at, Aiden only saw a few older men playing cards at a table. “Sorry, my assignment is coming to a close, and I’m just watching him a little closer.”
Aiden scoffed, holding his hand up, gesturing to the group of men. “They’re all gonna die. Listen, tell me about Darius.”
“Yes, but some die more suddenly than others and if you miss the ending, you miss the whole reason for the passing.” Sariel narrowed his eyes toward Aiden. “And, yes, they will die. If they didn’t, I’d be out of a job.” He returned his gaze to his charge in the other room. “Darius is one-hundred and eight years old. You won’t find anyone older in town.”
Aiden cocked his head, watching Sariel. “How’d you know who I was looking for?”
Sariel laughed. “You aren’t the only one with powers.”
Fair enough. Aiden folded his arms. “Where can I find Darius?”
“Be prepared though, she’s blind and has severe dementia. She never speaks.” Studying Aiden a moment long, he finally nodded down the hall. “Down the hall, fifth door on the right.”
“Thanks,” Aiden said over his shoulder, headed toward Darius’s room. He wasn’t sure what he was expecting, but the old woman he saw was not it.
A dark skinned woman with gnarled hands sat near the window gazing out at nothing. She twisted a tuft of white hair in her fingers. Aiden wasn’t sure if it was her hair, if she’d pulled it out herself, or if it just fell out… He wasn’t sure he wanted to know. Sariel did say she had dabbed in hoodoo.
She shifted in her seat, her white eyes wandering the room aimlessly, without purpose or focus.
Aiden took a step closer, his boot scuffing the tile floor with a thump.
Darius jumped slightly, looking his way. She blinked as if to clear her vision and a wide smile split her lips. She inclined her head.
He froze, cocking his head to the side. He better stick to yes or no questions, if she couldn’t talk. “You can hear me?”
Her smile grew more broad and she winked. “I can see you, too.” Her voice cracked with age. “Not sure if that smell is you though, or I did something in my britches.”
Aiden laughed. If anything, she was amusing. His kind of human. He walked to the edge of the bed and sat down. She was full of surprises and he would turn away from the chance to ask her questions. So much for her dementia.
She followed him with her tear-filled white eyes. She slumped over in her chair, bowing her back. “I didn’t think I’d ever see you again. All my life… and you decide to come now.”
“Again?” he asked, confused. He was certain he’d never met her before. She hadn’t been in his care, and she was much too young to have known him when he was still living on Earth.
“I found a crystal attached to a locket, buried under a tree about eighty years ago. When I worked a spell anywhere around it, it would show me your face. That was so long ago.” She sighed and smiled again. “I thought it meant I was supposed to marry you. Darn thing lied to me. Cost me two husbands, too.”
He ignored the suggestion that they would have been meant for each other. Aiden was tied to that necklace, but only by blood. He wasn’t sure why she’d seen him, but that wasn’t his concern. He sat up straighter. “A locket? The crystal, did you keep it?” The crystal was the key to the box. He couldn’t believe his luck. How had he found the one woman who had his mother’s necklace?
He tensed. What if this was a trick? How would the fate or karma as the mortals called it, be on his side? His nerves were raw and on edge. A food tray dropped outside in the hall, echoing throughout the facility, making him jump.
She waved him off, her knotted fingers curled. “A crystal like that? Of course I did. But I can’t get it.” A devious grin permanently imprinted on her face. “But you can.”
Aiden tried to read her mind. He wanted to see where the locket was, but every attempt he made, he was blocked.
“You can’t do it that way. Knowledge like that has to be protected. The only way you’re getting it, is if I die.” She held her head up high on her boney, frail shoulders. “I want to make a trade.”
A trade? Aiden couldn’t kill her for the information. He would be in Outer Darkness. Was it worth it? He was willing to go for killing the girls, but… Darius wasn’t part of the prophecy. Could he justify killing her, too?
He clenched his jaw together and thought about how this old woman should die.
Chapter Ten
Aiden sighed, taking a seat on the edge of her bed. He only had two things on him to trade, and neither were on the table. He wasn’t sure what kind of trade she wanted, considering she wanted to die. He fiddled with his fingers, trying to think about what to do.
Grumbling, he stood back up and started to reach back to grab the box. He kept his back toward the wall. There was no way he’d let the tablet be seen. Not even to a human.
“I don’t want whatever it is you’re reaching for. That’s not what I want.” Her voice was slowing down, as if her lungs had had enough talking.
Aiden left the box where it was, snug beside the tablet. “Then what do you want from me?” Taking a step back, he felt trapped into a deal that hadn’t been made yet.
“I already told you. I want to die.” She lost all humor as her voice cracked with a resolved weariness that resounded throughout the room.
He shook his head. “I can’t. Besides, only a council guardian can approve what you’re asking for. It’s an official order that I don’t have.”
“I know.” She smiled past Aiden. “But he can.”
Aiden spun around to see Tristan filling the doorway. “You’re always there. How did you find me?”
Tristan initially ignored Aiden’s comments. He arched an eyebrow. “I can authorize it.” He traipsed into the room. “Hello, Darius.” He took her hand gently. “It’s been a long time.” He turned to face Aiden. His brow knit together. “I’ve been trying to track you.”
“Well, you found me. Congratulations,” Aiden said dryly, folding his arms and rocking back on his heels. He curled his lip and tried to ignore the pounding in his head. He wasn’t sure if the pain was from the stress of constantly being babysat by duddly-the-do-good-lorean or from the lack of energy he had. But he didn’t care either way.
Aiden was going to do what he came for, regardless of Tristan’s ever-present company. And if he worked into the night, then Tristan would have to follow him into the shadows. He wasn’t stopping for anyone.
Darius’s face lit up even more as she stared at Tristan. “Did you take care of my baby girl like you promised?” She worried the corner of her blanket in her free hand, twisting and turning the corner between her gnarled fingers.
Tristan nodded, still holding her hand, giving her his full attention. He raised his brows and gave her a small but knowing smile. “Did you stop practici
ng hoodoo like you promised?” His soft chuckle wouldn’t brook argument or lying.
She pulled her hand away and waved him off, scoffing. “Yes. My final spell locked my memory from any and all searches. Had to keep that stuff from falling into someone else’s hands, if you know what I mean. It happened two days after you guided Lesana home.” Her voice quieted and she squeezed her eyes shut, rubbing a hand over her heart. “She was the only one I ever truly loved, you know.”
Studying Darius, Tristan whispered across the space between him to the old woman. “The memories of the crystal have kept you alive this long. Your spell bound you to the earth and you haven’t been able to die because of it. Your ties to the crystal have made you earthbound because of the timing of the prophecy. Now… now we can break you free. Thank you, Darius.” Tristan glanced over at Aiden, raising his voice to its normal volume. “I can authorize the trade. Darius is due to go home soon anyway.”
Swallowing, Darius snapped her fingers, grabbing their attention. “I’m still here, you know.” She mumbled, returning to fumble with the knot of hair still in her lap. “They talk like I’m already gone. No respect for an old witch.”
Aiden jerked his focus from Tristan to the old woman who was quickly growing on him. He liked her character. The small portion of attitude reminded him of himself. Chuckling, he slipped past Tristan and squatted down next to her, holding on to the arm of her chair to for support. “You are a mysterious woman, Darius. I like you.”
Her cheeks flushed, deepening the dark color of her skin. “You ain’t so bad yourself, but you’re about a decade too late for a proposal.”
“Really? You’re flirting with her now?” Tristan yanked Aiden to his feet, his frustration tantamount. “Get up.”
Aiden held his hands up, stumbling slightly at the fast jerk reaction. His grin widened. “I was only giving her the respect an old,” he looked at Darius, “What did you call yourself?”
She patted the top of his hand on the armchair. “An old witch, darling.”
“Ah, yes, I was giving the old witch some respect.” Aiden enjoyed seeing the spark of frustration in Tristan’s eyes.
“Now, boys, don’t fight over me. I don’t think my heart could take either of you. It’s too old and worn out.” She sniffed the air. “My goodness, you still smell like cookies. I thought I had imagined that before.”
“I do not smell like a cookie.” Aiden folded his arms and his wings went rigid. Smelling like a baked good was not ‘his thing’. His mom had smelled like cookies, but not him. He liked to think he smelled of vodka and lemon. Or something equally tough. Whiskey. He wasn’t sure.
Tristan chuckled. “Yes, you do. We all smell like that. At least to humans.”
Aiden stood, straightening his back, glaring at his brother’s friend. “Maybe I’m different.”
“Doubtful.” Tristan rolled his eyes. Placing a hand on Darius’s head, Tristan sobered. “Darius, are you sure you’re ready for this?”
“Of course. I’m old. I’ve lived my life. And if we don’t do it soon, I may retract what I said about this angel’s proposal.” She winked at Aiden.
For only knowing her a few moments, Aiden knew he would miss her. It was too bad he had not met her sooner in her life. She could have been a fun reprieve from his daily torture.
Tristan stiffened as if he’d heard Aiden’s thoughts which was impossible. He looked out into the hall and furrowed his brow. “We just need a Reaper.”
Sariel glided into the room, his hands folded at waist level. “You called for me?”
Tristan nodded. Aiden was confused. When did Tristan become so important and high up the lorean line? “Darius has entered an official trade. I’ve approved her passing. Please, complete the task.”
Sariel turned his direction to the old woman and gave her a sad smile. He took her hand from Tristan. “I’m certainly going to miss you. You’ve been my longest charge and I’ve enjoyed every moment with you. Are you scared?”
Darius waved off the Reaper, then held out her hand for him to take. “Not in the least, young man. Take me away.”
Spreading his wings, Sariel took her offered hand. He wrapped the feathered appendages around Darius. Light filled the room so brightly Aiden had to look away. But Tristan stood there, staring transfixed on the brightness.
When the light faded, Aiden glanced back, but Darius was slumped over in her chair. A younger woman who looked like a youthful version of Darius stood beside the discarded shell of a body. She had a slight glow to her the light followed.
She crossed over to Aiden, stopping just before him. He didn’t move. Why should he? He wasn’t afraid. It wasn’t his first time seeing a human rebirthed into the after layer. Before he could say anything, she reached up and placed her hands on his temples and floods of visions and memories flowed from her to him. The pain of having to deal with the witchcraft also came with the memories.
Aiden growled. It was as if his head was on fire. But soon it passed. All that was left were the latter memories of her life. And then, he saw it. The necklace.
It was around a baby girl’s neck.
The only problem was she was in a casket. In the vision, Aiden could see the lid close and the coffin lowered into the ground. “You buried my mother’s locket with your daughter? Where is she?”
Darius smiled and shrugged. “I don’t know. It’s a memory I burned from my mind forever. It was a precaution I took so no one could ever find it. But, if you had an empath… they could find it. My pain and hope are wrapped around that child for an eternity. I hope she’ll find me one day just as I weep at the thought that I’d lost so much time with her.”
“But…” Aiden didn’t get to say anything more.
Darius disappeared like the fog in the morning sun. She slipped away with peace across her face.
She was gone.
And so were her memories.
Great.
Aiden looked at Tristan, a growl of disdain slipping past his tongue. “What are you doing here?”
“Keeping you out of trouble, as usual.” Tristan nodded toward Darius’s body. “What would you have done had I not shown up? Would you have risked everything and killed her? And for what? The knowledge of where some locket is?”
Aiden shrugged. “I don’t know. Maybe.” He wasn’t about to talk about what he would or wouldn’t do. He was so close to doing what he shouldn’t that it scared him.
Tristan placed a gentle hand over Darius’s eyes, closing them for the last time. “What are you going to do now?” He looked at Aiden like he expected to be told everything.
It was hard for Aiden to see such compassion and yet not have any. Closing her eyes would have been the last thing he thought to do. Dara would be so displeased that he had failed—again. He better focus on what he did best. “I’m going to find an empath.”
Chapter Eleven
Darius’s room no longer held the warmth and welcoming feeling as before. Aiden stiffened, staring at her lifeless body. It was always hard for him to see someone so full of life just… disappear. Not that he stuck around much after a rebirthing to have to see it.
“You two seem like a real joy to be around,” Sariel said, jerking a thumb over his shoulder. “But I gotta go. I have another human to help today.”
Aiden cast a snide glance his direction. “Then go help them.” He was more upset that Darius’s passing bothered him more than he was with Sariel. Honestly, Sariel did nothing wrong, but Aiden couldn’t bring himself to admit that. He was the one who helped her cross over.
For a small moment in time, Aiden had a friend again since losing Dominic to the dark. Darius would have liked Dominic, too.
Tristan frowned. “Sariel, thank you for helping today. I wish we had met again under better terms.”
Sariel chuckled. “I’m a Reaper, there are no better terms.”
The gray lorean went to leave the room, but eyed Aiden with a curious look. “I’ll see you around.”
Tr
istan waited for Sariel to leave before running a hand down his face. “You’re going to find your brother, aren’t you?”
“I don’t know. It wouldn’t be hard. But maybe I can kill two birds with one stone, if I find the girl instead?” Aiden grinned. The thought of finding Madison burned into the fiber of his being. With enough power he might be able to break through Chase’s shield protecting her.
He couldn’t siphon any energy from Tristan. The angel was too perceptive and would know what Aiden was doing immediately. He would have to find someone else. Luckily for him, there were about fifty other someones in the foyer, just waiting for him.
Aiden turned to leave, but Tristan grabbed his arm, holding him back. “This is very dangerous. If you kill someone, there is no going back from that. Outer Darkness is forever.”
“Exactly, that’s why I’m trying to protect the prophecy from happening. It’s supposed to be forever, and no one, I repeat, no one should get out.” The fact that Hawthorne was probably in there along with any other evil and vial person reiterated that fact deep down inside Aiden. Why couldn’t anyone else see that what he was doing was good?
He shrugged off Tristan’s hand. “Follow me, don’t follow me… I don’t really care.” He left Tristan in Darius’s room just in time for CNAs and nurses to come rushing in.
He didn’t care what happened to Darius now that she was dead. She had given him the information he needed. The humans could try to revive her all they wanted, but she wasn’t coming back. He winced. He couldn’t think like that or he’d be no better off in Tealsdor.
He did care. And he hated it.
Aiden pushed through the mass of loreans in the foyer, snatching power along the way. Each lorean he touched, he thought of Darius leaving, of his brother, his mother. His whole life was empty. He didn’t care how much he took anymore. Something needed to fill the void in his chest.