by Zoe Knights
She squeezed her eyes shut, his brown eyes staring at her inside her head until finally, her exhaustion won out and sleep took hold.
At first, everything was black.
Then a voice that she had heard before rang through her ears: Azrael.
Eden is safe. Do not seek her out yet or your father will find you. Take your hellhound to this location…
An image on a map suddenly sprung before Eddie’s eyes.
I will find you there, your father cannot follow. Trust me, and you will have your human once more.
The map disappeared and Eddie’s eyes slowly opened, though everything seemed a little distant, foggy… surreal.
She didn’t recognise the room. Though something about the wallpaper was thoroughly familiar…
She was standing, but not of her own accord. From the corner of her eyes, she saw Neeshka rise from the shadows.
“Shh!” the sound fell quietly from her lips, but it was not her voice or her choice to speak.
It was Sam.
Eddie was sure her heart should have been thundering, but she could feel nothing.
She moved forward, in Sam’s body, to the closed door where voices could be heard just outside.
“Leave his beast be,” Azrael’s voice spoke. “You’ve already taken his little human from him. Allow him his pet, lest he despise you for eternity.”
There was a long moment of silence.
“How long till he wakes?” Lucifer’s voice demanded roughly in irritation. “I do not wish to stay in this house.”
“It is protected – no one can get in now that I’ve reactivated the runes,” Azrael said back. “Honestly, brother. Sometimes you are so tiring.”
“Don’t think I haven’t forgotten your obsession with her,” Lucifer snarled lowly. “This… living situation you’ve developed for yourself will be discussed further, I assure you. For the moment, I would see my son.”
“He rests,” Azrael said back calmly. “You and I must discuss Somni. His mark remains on Samael’s hand.”
Eddie wanted to keep listening, but Sam stumbled away from the door, looking quickly back to Neeshka. He lay a hand on her head, and she closed her eyes. There was a long moment before she puffed lowly from her snout.
“Please…” Sam whispered to her. “For Eddie. This is our only chance…”
Eddie stared through his eyes as Neeshka finally tilted her head, shifting silently. Sam didn’t hesitate to jump on her back.
Shadow engulfed them, and Eddie woke with a start.
She sat bolt upright in her bed, eyes wide in the darkness.
Quinn’s sleeping form could just be made out across her room, while Eddie’s heart thumped heavily in her chest.
That had not felt like a dream. Nor real life. She did not know what she had just experienced, but she felt quite certain what she had witnessed actually happened. At least, a part of her desperately hoped for that to be true.
The next day she felt like a zombie. She was disconnected to everything and everyone around her. Though anger managed to flare in her veins any time she saw Simon or Linh. Neither of them showed her much attention. In fact, both appeared to hardly know her. Everyone commented on how strangely forgetful they both were.
Eddie lasted the day only to escape to her room, once more without dinner, so to fall asleep again as soon as she could in the hopes to see Sam once more.
After over an hour of tossing and turning, fatigue finally took hold, and Eddie drifted away into her subconscious.
Just like the night before, everything felt not real, and yet not fake. She was there… and yet not.
Sam was in a church, sitting on a pew while Neeshka paced uncomfortably back and forth along the aisle.
Silvery moonlight drifted in from the stained glass windows, a few candles lit near the alter casting flickering shadows over the mahogany floor.
A dull creak announced a new arrival through the large, oak doors at the front of the church. Azrael strode through briskly, her navy blue robes rippling behind her.
“Well done, Samael,” She said smoothly, her voice carrying eerily through the empty chapel. “Your father believes you to have run away. He is watching the girl for your arrival, and not me.”
Sam stood up immediately, Eddie staring out of his eyes. “Where is Eddie?” he demanded immediately. “If you did anything to her, I-”
“She is safe, her memory intact, and simply back at your school,” Azrael said sharply. “It was necessary that your father believed her to have forgotten everything. It was the safest way.”
Sam narrowed his eyes. “For you as well,” he said lowly. “He is clearly unaware that you are working against him.”
“And do you wish to inform him?” Azrael quipped smoothly.
Sam remained silent.
“I thought not. Now sit, we have much to discuss. I will replace the wards.”
She swept around the perimeter of the church, pulling a short, white stick from her robes. She spun it in her hands, golden light emanating from both ends and a staff was created before Eddie’s eyes.
She used it to draw runes here and there before returning to Sam who still stood, with Neeshka beside him. When he turned to look at his hellhound, Eddie saw her ruby eyes alert and ready, watching Azrael like a hawk.
“What are those?” Sam demanded. “How do you know so many wards and… traps?”
“They are the ancient language, Samael,” Azrael sighed with disinterest. “I’m shocked your father hasn’t taught you.”
Sam stared at her. “What do you mean, the ancient language?” he probed lowly. “I know hundreds of languages, I don’t recognise-”
“It is what created this universe. It is the basis of everything,” Azrael cut in sharply, now moving back toward him briskly and spinning her staff back into the stick before hiding it away in her robes once more. “Now – sit, we-”
“God is the basis of everything,” Sam cut in, frowning. “Not a language. What-”
“His language, his knowledge. Yes. He created the universe, by creating the code to build it from. Quantum mechanics, in layman terms, I suppose. Isn’t that obvious?” she quipped condescendingly. “It is intensely complex, and I am not about to attempt such an explanation. I will teach you some of the rudimentary laws if you choose to aid me, but this is not the time for such discussions. Now sit.”
Eddie could tell Sam narrowed his eyes, but he slowly sank back down onto the pew behind him.
Azrael moved closer to him. “Scoot.”
Sam slowly moved further along, and she sat gracefully beside him.
“Why does my father seem to trust you?” he demanded immediately.
Azrael raised an eyebrow. “Well, don’t you know who I am?” she mused loftily. “I am Azrael, or as the plebeians insist on calling me – The Angel of Death. Your father and I have a very… close relationship. More so, since he fell.”
Sam shook his head slowly. “Why would you care about my mother’s family?”
Azrael’s eyes darkened. “I have already explained this to you.”
“You said to protect her from my father. Then you brought him to her house!”
Azrael sighed lowly. “I knew your mother. That is all you need to know.”
“How am I supposed to trust you when-”
“Have I not saved your little human girlfriend? Protected you from the clutches of your Satanic father?” Azrael cut across sharply. “It is you who must earn my trust.”
Sam glared at her for a long moment. “What do you want from me?” he finally asked lowly. “I know your help is not without a price.”
Azrael smiled slowly. “First,” she said softly. “As I said, you must prove yourself; I must be certain you are not the Antichrist. And – you must get this mark on your hand removed.”
“And how am I supposed to do that?” Sam spat roughly.
“Only Devna or Somni has the ability to do so. That will be on you to solve.”
“Wha
t?!” Sam spluttered. “How-”
“On you, Samael. However, once you leave this church, any of my siblings on the lookout for you will be able to sense you if they are near enough,” she said lowly. “Your only option is to receive the same mark that Devna bears. You will appear as a mere human – however, it also leaves you vulnerable to manipulation – as are humans. Devna suffered this first hand.”
Sam stared at her silently, and Eddie continued to listen intently inside his head. “What do you mean?” he asked finally.
“Somni was… once an angel. He fell with Lucifer,” Azrael explained slowly. “He was nearly destroyed in the battle and has lost his corporeal form.”
Sam waited for her to continue.
“His talent once lay in dreams and… acts of the mind. He could make you see exactly what he wanted you to see…” she continued quietly. “Now… he can only delve in dreams. He… lays bait. He cannot force a soul to take it… but if they do, his hold grows and he…”
Sam leant forward. “He what?!” he urged lowly.
“He takes a little of their soul. You… are aware of how souls work, yes?”
Sam nodded hesitantly. “I know… that there is power in them,” he said uncertainly.
“Lucifer spared no time to school you on our ways, clearly,” Azrael said with disapproval. “They are the building blocks of both Heaven and Hell,” she explained swiftly. “In Hell, they are corrupt and used. They do not hold much power; hence Hell is… destitute. In Heaven, they are pure. They exist in their happiest memories while their power is used to keep the silver city in all its glory. Understood?”
“Uh… I guess-” Sam began.
“Good,” Azrael cut him off. “Thus, when Somni succeeds in tempting a pure soul, the more powerful he will become. When he has…for want of a better word, absorbed enough of this power, he will be able to recreate his corporeal form.”
Sam remained silent, merely waiting for more information.
“He must be returned to Hell before he can do this.”
“Right…” Sam murmured vaguely. “And you want… me to do this?”
Azrael inclined her head, a small smile dragging up the corner of her lip. “Precisely. If you do, I will have fair argument to take to my siblings to prove you are not the Antichrist. You will be welcomed into Heaven.”
Sam hesitated, and Eddie could tell he was chewing on his tongue. “I am not… siding with you. I don’t want ‘access’ to Heaven,” he said lowly. “I only want Eddie’s safety guaranteed. I want to make sure she never goes to Hell.”
Azrael’s smile grew, a strange glimmer in her eye. “Well, that is perfect,” she said softly. “I think you will find our goals are more aligned than you imagine.”
Sam narrowed his eyes again, and Eddie agreed with his reaction. She could not understand what Azrael’s angle was here.
“Now,” Azrael continued smoothly. “Will you accept the mark?”
“Will I be able to see Eddie?” Sam demanded instantly. “If I do this?”
Azrael’s smirk grew. “Yes,” she said quietly. “Though, you will have to be careful. I doubt your father will leave her unwatched. But, you do have your little beast there,” she casually gestured to Neeshka who still glared at her, hunched on the floor. “I imagine you’ll find a way. But,” she added seriously. “Somni’s mark remains. Even with the rune I can place on you, if you use your divine abilities… or even reveal your wings while on earth… you will instantly signal Devna and Somni to your location. Do you understand? That is why you need to get that mark removed.”
Sam sighed lowly. “Right. But, only one of them can even do it…” he said dryly.
Azrael smiled slowly. “Exactly. So glad you’re catching on.”
Sam looked down to Neeshka, staring into her glimmering eyes for a long moment. “Alright…” he said finally, looking back up slowly. “For Eddie. I’ll do it.”
Eddie knew her heart would be flying around her chest back in her body, but she could feel nothing hidden behind Sam’s eyes.
Before she was ready, her vision was blurring, the images fading and suddenly…
Her eyes snapped open, the dark ceiling of her room above her.
She didn’t think she’d be able to sleep again that night. Too many thoughts were flying through her mind. Sam’s final words leaving her heart fluttering madly beneath her ribs.
Part of her thought she may have lost her mind. But, as she held Sam’s feather in her necklace as tightly as she could, her heart believed what she saw was true.
New Beginnings
28
Eddie dressed early the following morning. She didn’t take much notice for her appearance, not really caring how messy her loose ponytail was. Her face that had lost the brunt of her Australian tan by now, making her few freckles on her nose a little more prominent.
She pulled on her crisp, brand new uniform that had mysteriously replaced the one she’d lost in Hell, and strolled outside before anyone else was awake.
She found she relished the cold now. Enjoyed the frosty chill against her cheeks. Her heart ached in her chest, yearning to see Sam. She knew she was lingering on a dangerous line, wishing for sleep so that she could see him again. She tried to ground herself to the earth, using a few of her mother’s tactics for when she was in one of her dark patches.
And…if what she saw was true… she would see him soon.
She pressed her hand against his necklace beneath her jumper, as was becoming a habit. She must have been used to the warmth of it now, for she no longer noticed it.
Her head felt in a strange place. She felt so separated from those around her with what she now knew. She’d reached the point of no return and flown straight past it. There was so much she still didn’t know or understand, and this had only led to a thirst growing inside her for more knowledge so that one day she could fully comprehend the truth of the universe. Fear aside, she was fascinated by what she’d learned so far.
She knew she must finish school. But, she felt her path was not one her parents or brother could ever understand. She knew without a doubt that whatever happened next, she wanted it to be with Sam. This realisation filled one half of her with excitement, while the other half felt almost nostalgic about the life she had now lost.
She wrote out her thoughts and feelings for over an hour in her journal outside in the cold before the bell eventually rang for first period.
She headed to Math, though her mind was anywhere but on school work. When she reached the classroom, she saw Quinn outside with a few other students. Millie was with her, just saying goodbye and Eddie saw her suddenly lean forward to peck Quinn on the cheek before the red-head’s freckled face flushed madly and she darted off with a silly grin.
Eddie smiled for the first time in days, walking over to her friend who looked as giddy as Eddie had felt after Sam had kissed her.
“Wow…” she teased with a grin, waggling her eyebrows at Quinn. “So…spill please.”
Quinn attempted to keep her composure. “Millie and I are… going on a date on Saturday,” she said, but her excitement was clear behind the attempt and a nonchalant voice.
“Oh, Quinn that’s amazing!” Eddie said, happy for her friend. “Who asked who?!”
“She asked me,” Quinn admitted, finally allowing the silly grin to spill over her lips. “Just now. She’s so bloody cute. I can’t believe she just did that. Here I thought I’d be the one to make the first move!” she gushed excitedly.
Eddie chuckled. “Well I’m happy for you,” she smiled honestly.
Quinn grinned at her, and the two headed into the classroom. “So have you heard from Sam then? Did you two ever… resolve your weird thing?”
Eddie fiddled with a strand of her hair, but Azrael’s words echoed through her head. “No,” she said quietly. “That’s entirely over.”
“Oh… sorry, Eddie,” Quinn blanched. “Actually, is your phone still broken? What if he’s tried to text? You could put y
our SIM card in my old phone – I’ll get Mum to post it. It’s not great, but at least it works.”
Eddie felt a well of gratitude toward her friend. “That would be amazing, Quinn. But, he won’t have texted. It’s over. Which is fine, don’t worry.”
Quinn eyed her carefully. “Are you sure you’re okay, Eddie?”
Eddie threw her a forced smile. “Absolutely. But, I hope that means I still get the phone?” she added teasingly.
Quinn chuckled, her gaze still concerned. “Yes of course. It’s just laying around gathering dust… though it’s not quite as ancient as your old brick.”
Eddie elbowed her in the side. “At least I don’t waste money buying an overpriced, brand new iPhone the moment one is released,” she said loftily.
Quinn stuck her tongue out. “Nothing you can say will bug me right now,” she quipped. “I’m on a happy Millie high.”
Eddie snorted. “Well, that’s the weirdest thing you’ve ever said. Oh God… I’m going to have to deal with you two being all lovesick around me now, aren’t I?!”
Quinn merely kept smiling, shushing her lightly as the teacher walked in.
That afternoon, Eddie returned alone to their room while Quinn and Millie hung out in the common room. She chucked her bag down on her bed, then sat to pull her shoes off.
A soft rustle made her look to her pillow, and her heart jumped to her throat.
There was a note.
She grasped it immediately, unfolding it with shaking hands.
A bushy, brown stick-on moustache fell out. The same one she’d worn on their excursion together.
Meet me tonight at midnight in the room I ‘impressed you’ with…
Oh – and a little token so you know it’s me – don’t lose it though, I told you it becomes you.
Eddie stared at the handwriting, her fingers clutching the little moustache too hard while her heart ached in her chest. She brought the paper to her nose, knowing how insane that would look, but she was dying to catch a whiff of his scent.
She folded the paper carefully and tucked it under her pillow with the moustache. Excitement had her stomach churning while impatience took hold. Seven hours till midnight. Seven hours till she could see him again. The wait seemed eternal.