The Beloved Fire

  She scoffed. Anytime someone told her to calm down it just created the attitude they thought she had. Either way she had a feeling what he was about to say was bad. Taking a drink of wine, she hesitantly went back to eating.

  “This was all by Heavens design. A game, and they knew that the immortals at this meeting would vote to proceed because we were all bored.” He sighed. “The Scroll is a one-time contract between the almighty and Gabriel giving him permission to procreate and birth a child on Earth. On top of that the Scroll is to be your marriage contract between you and which other Fated you end up with. If you fell in love with both twins, the Reaping would be activated, and they would have to fight to the death for your hand and ultimately level the scales.”

  She almost spit out her food. “What?!”

  “Just listen.” When she nodded her compliance, stomach churning, he frowned taking a bite of his own food. Blake, James and she were the Fated. She was created to belong to one of them. Her world temporarily spinning, she set down her fork once more patting at her mouth with her napkin, the hunger evaporating quickly.

  “The cubes were how Blake and James could…can travel dreams making them dream walkers and also the start of the show. When the brothers find their cubes it will start recording their lives for when the Reaping occurs. The cubes are also assigned a master to hold over each twin. Because Gabriel and Samuel come up with the idea of cubes, they became the masters. Gabriel picked Blake and Samuel picked James. They also assured everyone the Reaping would happen, that with your creation there would be installed a strong desire between you three to be drawn to each other at all times.

  “At this point, all of us standing around the round table realized it was a game. Not wanting to be put out of our top position, the king whispered to me he wanted an in. Everyone quieted down as I spoke, from the king, to the table. Hell wouldn’t allow Heaven to have such an advantage. He proposed a relic, and so it came to pass. The Relic would be created and hidden from both Heaven and Hell, by The Hider who presides on the council of the Magical. If the Reaping came to pass, this relic would have to be found first, and all pieces submitted to control the arena in the end. This was Hells contribution.”

  He took more bites before swallowing it down with wine. Her head continued spinning at the truth. “The Magical at this time offered in their contribution, which we will get to later, but what started out as a way to avoid the curse, the apocalypse, ended up a game. After all sides added their contribution it wasn’t long before bi-yearly meetings were met at this neutral spot and bets were made to see which side would pan out. The Magical was forbidden from interfering with the Fated, you, James, and Blake, but there were no set rules on the table for the Watchers or the Chosen.

  “We all continued to monitor you from birth on, sometimes even trying to curve the outcome in our favor. Like how I was able to bind Blake into a guard position in Hell. If we hadn’t taken you and interrupted the games, that one act would put James in the lead if you were still on Earth and the Chosen would be more apt to win. See they aren’t betting on who will win the apocalypse when it is triggered, we already know that with your birth it will stop. They are taking bets on what brother you end up with.”

  Her jaw dropped. Heaven and Hell were taking bets on her love life, because she was created to stop the end times, and the end result was Blake and James fighting to the death for her because they were all drawn to each other by their births. She turned her head looking out at the fireflies that still blinked happily around the garden. Her mind was numb. What do you say to that? Her whole life was a joke. A game.

  “It’s a lot. I told you, but I thought it was only right for you to know.”

  When she sat un-talking and moving, he spoke again drawing her attention back to him. “Do you have anything you want to ask?

  She gave him her best, well no shit, expression. Heaven and Hell meet up twice a year to bet on which brother she would end up with. It was laughable. How could anyone make up something so stupid? Shit, half her fantasy novels back home on her shelves were laughing too. Oh, and the Magical. Apparently, demons and angels weren’t enough, they had to make witches and warlocks too.

  He sighed. “I thought you would.”

  “So what is the Breaking Ritual?”

  Before Anock could finish waiters came taking their dinner plates, replacing them with her favorite dessert. Molten brownie with vanilla ice cream. Chocolate assaulted her senses and she knew she wasn’t going to be able to resist. Sigh. She dug in. Might as well start the stress eating now.

  Anock laughed when she took such a huge bite that she had trouble closing her mouth. “I never thought watching someone eat would be so interesting.”

  She rolled her eyes.

  “From what you learned you can tell, I am not part of these games Heaven has planned, and you know that we are trying to create dream walkers for Hell to win; but what you don’t know is that we also have some of the Magical on our side.”

  “I thought they were supposed to be neutral.”

  He answered right away. “They are supposed to be neutral to the games. I had the magical that I have from the start. They were born from a Magical and Satan himself and are extremely powerful. They are said to be the opposite of you…if you are Angel and Magical.”

  “Cain and Elijah?” She asked feeling her cold breath flow over her tongue from a bite of ice cream. It was clear they had some type of magic.

  Anock smiled wickedly and reached up pulling his hair from the tie holding it back. It fell lazily to the sides of his face and looked like the night she first met him. She never had a thing for guys with longer hair, but Anock pulled it off. Was it the angel in him? “So you noticed their powers, care to take a guess at who they are?”

  She thought on it for a while. During her time here, she only had a few friends and even thought they were currently upset with her. She didn’t want to ruin her perception of them by knowing their true identities.

  “No. That’s okay. I’ll wait for them to tell me.”

  Anock pursed his lips in thought. “Okay suit yourself.”

  “I will.” She crossed her arms, making him laugh.

  “So, back to the Breaking Ritual. To put it simply, to severe your connection to Blake and, or, James by performing this ritual and tying yourself to me you will no longer be part of their game. The curse will kick off again, and Hell will still be in the lead and it’s a win-win, because we will finally have someone of blood to produce more dream-walkers. Real ones and not the abominations created in attempt. Therefore, it’s breaking your bond, so we just named it the Breaking Ritual.”

  Simple enough, but it still pissed her off that everyone talked about her like cattle. He talked so nonchalant about her just being there to produce dream walkers and that it was okay because the alternative would be her playing a betting game designed by Heaven. This whole thing was confusing, unfair and made no sense.

  “So what about my powers? My immortality I supposedly have now?”

  Anock stood. “How about we take a walk as we finish this discussion?” He held out his arm and she stood hesitantly taking it. He felt hot, like feverishly hot and it was almost uncomfortable to keep her arm on his but left it as he guided them back to the moss-covered path and through the garden.

  “We believe you can borrow or steal powers while in your demon form, or other form. We call it demon because we don’t know your other side. You are either angel and demon, or angel and magical. We are leaning towards the latter, but either way the Magical is made from a demon and human, so technically it still would be your demon side.”

  She sighed feeling overwhelmed.

  “You said I’m immortal…” She trailed off leaving the question in the air.

  Anock nodded, the moonlight glistening off his tan skin. “You are.”

  She paused their walking, dropping her arm from his, and turning to face him. “How do you know?”

  “Because immortals can sense ot
her immortals. Well, experienced ones. You’re still a baby, I’m well over ten thousand years old.”

  Her eyes bugged out. “What?! I mean wow…I had no idea.” She cleared her throat, and Anock tilted his head down chuckling before running his hands threw his hair pushing it back off his face. He was the sexiest ten-thousand-year old man she’d ever seen.

  “I’ve been around a while. I was once an angel. My name wasn’t Anock though, it was Gadreel. I was one of the almighty’s most ambitious helpers, my name meant helper. I watched the angels fall to earth for the interest of the earthly women over the course of time, I remember seeing some myself that looked interesting. The fall took place and it wasn’t long before I missed my brothers and that was what made me fall from heaven. I was taken into Hell with a new name and different colored wings. New place to reside and new job. I’ve watched the beginning of time on Earth, the wars, and plagues. I’ve also got to punish some of the most corrupt of mortal kind and although it might not make sense, Hell’s purpose isn’t all bad. I’ve seen and experienced a great deal. I hope that you can trust me in that way. Being with me is a much better than for you to be subjected to a game for the entertainment of immortals.”

  Mikayla looked over trailing her fingertip over a soft pink flower that was cascading down beside her head. He wasn’t much better though, he just wanted to use her to create an army. “What is-“

  A shrill alarm blared out from an unseen place and she stepped closer to Anock looking toward where it was coming. Anock tensed up going from boyish charming, to prince and leader within a second.

  Talking over her shoulder he shouted, “Get to the gate now!” Throwing out his hand for whoever it was to go. Mikayla turned in time to see Blake step into his light and vanish. How long had he been there?

  Anock grabbed her shoulders, his wings snapping open. “I have to take you to your room. You’ll be safe there.” He pulled her towards him before sweeping her up in a cradle. She threw her arms around his neck just in time as he crouched down before jumping up and taking off in the air.

  Holy shit. She pressed her face into his chest slamming her eyes closed. The wind whipped around them, her dress flapping wildly at her feet. Reaching a height she felt them level out and she turned her head slowly opening her eyes when she heard loud growls ring through the air. She wished she hadn’t.

  Below demons of every shape, size and color clashed against other demons running from the mansion. Black blood poured out of body cavities that had been disfigured and left on the ground. The sounds even from this height were awful and the alarm still blared on. Soon they passed over the battle and when Anock dipped down descending she closed her eyes again putting her face back to his chest, holding on tight.

  Anock landed on a patio and she was surprised when he opened the door and it lead into her room. She never had a patio before, it was like he had just willed it to be there, or it was installed while they were on their date. It also alarmed her that a demon could possibly break in and eat her while she slept. He set her down right inside the threshold and with shaky legs she stepped back further inside, her heart slamming against her chest.

  “You’ll be safe.” He reached out touching her cheek softly before turning around and taking off into the sky.

  As she stepped forward to shut the door, a snow-white cat ran into her room, scaring the ever living shit out of her, as it rubbed up against her legs before leaping into the air and transforming. Mikayla shut and locked the door and ran to get Alex a blanket.

  “Hi!” The little girl said with a bright smile, her brown curls bobbing in excitement as she took the blanket Mikayla handed her.

  Shaking out her nerves, she smiled back. “Alex, right?”

  “Yeah, my name is actually Alexis. That’s the name my mommy picked out before she died, but daddy calls me Alex for short. Daddy killed her. I’m sad every day, but I’m glad you’re here. You are nice! We have the same blood I can tell. Anyways, you can call me that, but I really like Alexis better.” Alexis rambled from one thing to the next as well as the next little kid. Mikayla’s heart clenched hearing her talk about Anock killing her mother, all while having a smile on her little face.

  “I’m sorry to hear about your mom. I’ll call you Alexis, I think it’s a better name too.” At this the little girl smiled and walked over to join Mikayla on the couch as her pink blanket dragged the floor behind her.

  “Are you going to marry daddy?” Alexis asked as she sat down holding a serious face.

  “Umm.” Mikayla sighed, trying to come up with something to say when her bedroom door flew open making both she and Alexis stand up in fear.

  Cain and Elijah rushed in slamming the door behind them. Her hand flew to her mouth in shock. They both held various degrees of blood and demon matter on their black uniforms. They matched the uniform Blake always wore.

  Out of breath Elijah walked over, leaving bloody footprints in his trail, grabbing at the liquor decanter with shaky hands opening it up and drinking straight from it. She could see his bloody hands smearing the glass. She’d never heard anyone gulp liquor like that. Whatever happened must have really shook them. She’d never seen the twins so affected by something, but she saw how bad the fighting was when she and Anock had flown over. If they’d been in that, she couldn’t blame them for being so freaked. Would Blake be okay?

  “I’m taking a shower.” Cain muttered in a dazed looking state before turning and heading for her shower. She looked down at Alexis who had transformed back into a cat and was balled up shaking in the corner of the couch.

  “Awe. Alexis, it’s okay.” Mikayla reached out to pet her and hopefully sooth her, but Alexis growled, before hissing and swiping out at Mikayla’s hand to scratch her. She pulled her hand back fast, shocked at Alexis’ reaction.

  Elijah finished draining the decanter before trying to shake out anymore drops. Mikayla had no words. Apparently done trying to scrounge the rest out of the bottle he turned towards her looking at Alexis then back at her. “Don’t get offended. When the shapeshifters are in their other state, a lot of the time they don’t have total control over their actions. She being so young she can only control when to change forms.”

  “Poor little thing is terrified.” She said wanting to reach out and try again to pet her.

  “Poor little thing is half demon, and if you get a scratch or bite from her, Cain and I will be trying to heal you in the medical room again for hours upon hours.” The lightness, and fun Elijah usually carried in his voice was gone, and she hated that he’d been so overwrought.

  Elijah headed for her bathroom without another word, as Cain walked out, with no doubt magical clothes on his body, unless they had stored clothes in her closet she didn’t know about. He was in fresh jeans and a black sweater, his hair styled perfectly, and the strong smell of sandalwood permeated the air. He walked over shooing Alexis, who hissed and ran out of the door Cain opened and closed with a flick of his hand. Mikayla gaped, like a fish.

  “We need to talk about your plans with Blake.” He turned to her flicking his wrist again as a martini appeared in his hand, his expression was stern. It was becoming glaringly obvious that he was as powerful and magical Anock had told her he was.

  She acted dumb. “What plans?”

  He took a sip closing his eyes, before taking a deep breath. “The plans to get out of the Breaking Ritual.”

  Before she could protest, Elijah walked out of the bathroom in jeans and a sweater similar to Cain’s.

  “We want in.”

  14

  Acceptance

  Before she could respond to Cain or Elijah, a bright wall of light appeared by her bed, and Blake stepped out, a bloody mess, immediately answering for her.

  “No!”

  How had he known what was said? She watched as he stomped over to her bathroom, his eyes red and uniform ripped in places. He too left blood and ick in his wake, and apparently her bathroom was the only one in the mansion. That or they just wa
nted to make her dodge blood every time she needed to go to the bathroom from now on.

  Shaking her head, she stood heading for the liquor cabinet. There were more bloody footprints trailed across her floor than she could shake a stick at. She sighed. Good thing she still had on her shoes. Walking through the bloody mess she saw the ends of her white dress dyed black and red, making her cringe.

  “Why is there a battle of demons trying to kill each other outside?” She asked more calmly than she felt. Her hands shook as she poured the first liquor she could find into a short glass. She brought it to her nose, smelling it. Suppressing her gag, she took a big swig throwing back her head to help it down. It burned all the way, as heat pooled in her belly. A shiver ran down her spine.

  “Oh god that burns!” She gasped, setting the glass down looking back to the twins, who looked amused.

  “That’s Blake’s personal stash sunflower, I’m surprised you aren’t throwing up. That stuff is too strong, for even us.” Elijah said with a shake of his head. He walked over digging through the cabinet, trying to find something to drink.

  “Can’t you just magic a drink like Cain?” She looked over at Cain who raised his glass up in the air like a toast smiling triumphantly.

  Elijah scoffed, with an eye roll. “Well, duh. But it’s more productive this way.”

  She grabbed her drink with shaky hands and made her way back over to the sitting area, while trying to dodge what she could of the bloody mess on the floor. The couch cushions sunk in from the feathers, and she let out a relaxing sigh.

  “Cain please just magic me some pajamas, I’m exhausted.” She muttered jokingly.

  A cool breeze slid over her body followed by a slight tingle and she opened her eyes to look down at herself in red silk pajama bottom shorts, and matching top. She sprung up sloshing liquor everywhere.