He had never felt it for his wife, Sarpanit, nor for Nanaya, nor for any of the many women and men which had prostrated themselves, bare at his feet. He had never thought highly of humans before. And he certainly had never deemed them worthy of laying with him.
Until he had fallen, and walked among them as an aetherless shell of himself, Marduk had always believed humans were beneath Anuna, in all aspects. The thought of relations with one would have disgusted him back then. But not now. Now, the very thought of touching her skin sent a rush of static over his own, and the imagined scent of her caused his body to momentarily stiffen. He swallowed, shifting uncomfortably. How has this happened to me? But he knew the answer.
He opened his mind, but kept his blocks up so she could not detect him, and probed his consciousness between time and space, down their shared tether, and instantly found the comforting sensation of her. He felt her anticipation of the current situation. A celebration of some kind? A dance. And he felt her uneasiness at the many eyes on her.
Her overpowering loneliness, despite the crowd, dug sympathy out from Marduk’s core. She was feeling isolated within the congregation, and the slightest trace of jealousy, as she watched couples dance and showing affection. She wanted that for herself, but also loathed it. She extremely empathetic, yet seething with hatred. She was light and dark. And Marduk was enchanted by it, for it was that same duality which he held within himself.
Marduk immediately wanted to aetherate to her side, but fought against it. Until her next thought gave him no choice. She thought of him.
He slipped his hand into a concealed pocket of his Nibiran-style tunic, and pulled out a single, tiny, cockle shell.
He rubbed his thumb over its ridges thoughtfully. I had known it the day she gave me this, and it has only grown and flourished every day since. That feeling. And now I am sure it’s mutual. We know the same loneliness, the same pain. She's one of my kind. A kind which she and I are the only members. Nurturing our own kind of soul sadness.
He pocketed the shell and prepared himself. He hadn't aetherated in thousands of years, but he knew he had enough for a return journey and more. And that was all he needed to worry about.
Identifying the theme of the dance from her mind, he materialised his helmet. It's familiar metallic embrace felt good on his skin. It's been too long. Then he was gone.
Anubis' calculating eyes met the staring faces as she entered. Judge me all you want. You’re all nothing. Her jaw tensed and the awestruck faces awkwardly shied away, slowly resuming their activities.
Her two orderlies, also dressed for the occasion, left her to her own devices as they met with friends and pondered the food table.
Anubis’ walk gave away her prestigious heritage, and it was only natural her straight, and carefully graceful gait drew eyes towards her. Her presence was magnetic.
She brushed by a young woman who, oddly, did not recoil from the touch. Briefly eyeing each other as she passed, their guarded gazes met. The new red-haired woman I saw in the courtyard… She seems different than all the others. More aware… Anubis turned away, resuming her path to the drinks table.
After pouring herself a tall glass of a sparkling red drink, she sighed and leaned against the table, observing. What a pointless occasion, she thought bitterly, and her eyes rested on a couple, dancing passionately in time to the deep drumming of the music. Her bitterness began to transform into seething jealousy. Why do you get to be so happy? What makes you all more worthy than I?. And as her heart ached, the comforting image of her shadow man embraced her mind and momentarily soothed her heated disposition. The delightful scent of hot rain, with an undertone of gasoline, met her nose. I know that smell… Where is it coming from?
Everybody was now so consumed in their dancing, conversations, or drinking that she no longer felt like she was being watched. Not even the strange new woman was judging her now.
Anubis scanned the vast room freely, and her eyes landed on the only person looking her way. Taller than anyone else present, his wild hair was black, but gold streaks revealed themselves under the fluctuating lights. The mass of gold and black suddenly seemed oddly familiar to her.
His mask was a gloriously crafted golden bull mask. It enveloped only the upper part of his head, leaving his mouth and perfect jaw visible. It was more like half a helmet, complete with magnificent obsidian horns. His body was cloaked in a well fitted black tunic, of a kind she had never seen before.
The dance lights blackened in time with a caesura in the music, and only his silhouette was briefly visible, revealing a sight which made her almost buckle under the shock of her realisation. It's him! She had no doubt about it. The hair and horns matched the glimpses she had caught of him in her nightly dreams. His shape. That tall, masculine outline that she had studied so lovingly during every storm.
The teasing sweeps of colour resumed and he remained. Am I dreaming? He began to move, never breaking his hungry gaze, as he slowly crossed the room, turning only his body to meander around dancers and talking patrons.
Anubis couldn't breathe, everything seemed to be stuck in slow motion, except him. He had almost reached her now. She was unsure of whether to retreat in fear, or desperately run to him and end the yearning.
She felt lightheaded as he came to a stop in front of her. What is this feeling? I.. I can't... She felt her drink slipping from her hand but he caught its base and placed the glass on the table to his left. Their blue eyes never left one another, both burning with secretive desire.
He raised his hands, invitingly, and suddenly she recoiled slightly, and looked about her. Why haven't my orderlies intervened? Haven't they noticed he is not a Drakestoke resident?
Everybody was continuing with their joyous revelry, leaving a large space around her and her shadow man. As if an unseen force field had surrounded them, keeping them separate from the festivities. He’s doing that. Somehow.
He stayed put with his hands held out, and Anubis glanced down at his bare forearm. His skin was a warm tone of ivory, and the line of faint symbols along its length seemed to be of the same kind as the ones in her room.
He was entrancing, and she suddenly noticed that her hand was moving to touch his skin. He is so warm, and smooth. Silent sparks of blue static erupted along his skin as her hand slid over the tattooed surface. Tracing his prominent veins.
She looked up to meet his eyes, finding him breathing heavily, his sharp jaw tight, and his gaze, hungry. A small smile escaped her red lips, and accepting the smile as some sort of unspoken agreement, he pulled her close. She shuddered with pleasure and he leaned in, inhaling her scent along her shoulder and neck.
He brought his face before hers once more, then extended her arm out with his and proceeded to lead her into a dance she knew all too well.
The low, lust-inducing tone of the song emphasised their Dionysian display of touch and movement. Each step and hold. Both of them in effortless rhythm and faultless synchronisation.
Her legs wrapped around the back of his, and his strong hands held her safely. Leaning her back, then swiftly pulling her close. The short, snappy views she stole of him during the fast dance, reminded her of her dreams. Only focusing on specific parts of him at a time. Although this time, they were real, and within arm’s reach.
The other attendees were still completely oblivious to the passionate display. Two lonely souls were colliding in a glorious courtship of passion and understanding, and the audience were none the wiser.
All too soon their dance came to an end. He brushed Anubis’ cheek softly with a thumb, and she took in the sight of him, fearful that he may disappear. His skin was flawless, and his exposed jaw and mouth were statue-perfect, then those smirking lips were upon her own. A surge of helpless elation soared through her, and she surrendered to his ravenous force. She closed her eyes, but quickly regretted it, because her fear came true. He was gone.
Anubis was left alone, stood upon two large black cuneiform symbols charred onto the bri
lliant marble floor. The marks were proof that it had not all been in her mind. Anubis looked around herself in a daze of loss, and locked eyes once again with new woman. Anubis could tell by the way that she was glancing in knowing astonishment from her and then down to the floor symbols, that the newcomer knew more than she should. Perhaps more than Anubis herself knew.
Chapter 11
Pandemonium
Lenore could smell petrichor and aromatic hydrocarbons, and saw the Sumerian cuneiform. Love. Walking over to where Anubis stood, she knelt down brushing her fingers over the black charcoal-like markings. The fine obsidian powder was soft and velvety as she rubbed it between her fingers.
Anubis stepped off of the symbol, eyeing Lenore suspiciously. Did she see him? What does she know? To Lenore's surprise, the cuneiform began to fade rapidly, revealing the white marble underneath, completely unmarred. She looked up to Anubis and softly questioned her.
‘Who is it?’
Anubis was taken aback. She's speaking to me?
Lenore stood up to meet Anubis' eye level, ‘Who is your Anuna? It’s important, please.’
You’re of no importance to me…
‘Look, I know you don't speak anymore, but please. I need to know who I'm dealing with?’
Anubis was irritated, and her eyes narrowed at Lenore. What she know about me? Who is she? He’s not here for you, you fool. He’s mine, and mine alone.
The subtle tonal sound of a device was heard over the music and Lenore and Anubis reactively turned to inspect the source simultaneously.
Madame Cavere’s worry was unmistakable underneath her small eye-mask, as she brought a small tablet close to her face. The screens white glow illuminated her face in the undulating darkness. Her lines deepened as her face shifted to intense concern and then, as her nearby staff members gathered close, panic.
All their faces screamed silent screams of terror as they scanned the room, seemingly wanting the place instantly cleared of people.
Anubis and Lenore watched on as Madame Cavere and her companions dispersed, hurrying around the room, and murmured hushed commands to other orderlies and staff who quickly removed their masks. The music came to an abrupt stop. The party was over.
Residents were led off individually and some in groups, the distressed staff members uttering repeated apologies and weak excuses of the sudden change in plans. The most vulnerable residents began crying. One was screaming on the floor, throwing her venetian mask in anger as she was removed from the ballroom.
Lenore saw Cat’s grasp on Axel’s arm break as he was led away with two other young men, and she looked around in anxious despair. Lenore instinctively went to comfort her friend, and she looked back, Anubis was being escorted out of the ballroom by her usual two orderlies.
Lenore traversed the room, keeping a hold of Cat, and approached Madame Cavere who was conducting the staff, and trying to diffuse the ensuing chaos with a faked smile. Confused and distraught residents passed her on their way out, and a subtle concerned frown escape her thin lips.
‘Madame, what’s going on?’ Lenore demanded.
‘Miss Blake,’ acknowledged Madame Cavere, ‘You should make your way to your rooms. Lock your door.’
‘Why? What's happened?’
‘Nothing to concern yourself with Miss Falkirk. Please, go now,’ the Madame assured with an overpowering sense of urgency. Cat tentatively pulled on Lenore’s arm.
‘Come on Lenore. I don't want to be here,’ she pleaded.
‘Madame, please tell me! I know something isn’t right here!’ Lenore exclaimed, ignoring Cat. The Madame resigned with a sigh, carefully contemplating what to say.
‘You all have to go to your rooms. For your own safety. I am expecting… Just go! Please!’ she urged, her voice strained and shaky. Cat’s grip tightened.
‘Expecting what? What's going to happen? What did the caller say that you?’ Lenore probed. Madame Cavere stiffened.
‘Who is the caller, Madame!’
‘I will say no more. I'm sorry! I've tried so hard to protect this place… I… Please, both of you go now!' she implored as she made her way past Lenore and Cat and out of the ballroom, disappearing into the commotion.
‘I heard an orderly say "they will commence shutdown” what does that mean Lenore?’ Cat revealed quietly.
‘I think they are closing Drakestoke, but I don't know why. Either way, this isn’t good at all,’ Lenore admitted. She wondered who the Madame's mysterious caller was, and whether it had any correlation with the Anuna visitor, only moments ago. A cosmic coincidence perhaps, again.
Lenore moved through the chaos, and helped Cat avoid the clutches of a panic-stricken orderly, whose attention quickly moved onto helping restrain a struggling resident.
The two swiftly made their way to the female quarters and locked themselves in Lenore’s room. The cacophony of shouts, screams, and cries could still be heard through the solid door.
Lenore removed her mask and quickly began to change out of her dress which fell at her feet in a pool of crimson. She struggled back into her Drakestoke attire, and began to pack everything she deemed useful, into a rucksack, and urged Cat to go and do the same.
‘We all have to leave,’ Lenore urged.
After only ten minutes, the ambience of the chateau was now eerily silent, and Lenore had assumed that the staff had finally accomplished the task of getting everybody safely to their rooms.
Cat sat crossed legged on Lenore's bed, watching intently as Lenore listened through the door for any sign of movement outside.
Suddenly, an emergency alarm sounded. Piercing through the silence with its repetitive whines, making both the both of them jump. Looking through the old keyhole of her door, Lenore could see the undulating red hues of the ceiling hazard lights, as they swept the darkness of the hallway, like a crimson lighthouse.
She saw other doors open, and the faces of residents poked out of their rooms, scanning up and down the hallway in confusion and fear. Some had also changed out of their formal attire, while others remained formally dresses and still wearing their masks.
‘Lenore, what's going on?’ Cat quizzed as she crept up beside Lenore, wanting a look.
‘Something bad, whatever it is.’
Heaving her pack securely onto her back, Lenore swiped her keycard, unlocking her door and emerged out into the flashing hallway. Looking back at Cat in the darkness of her room, she beckoned for her to follow.
Cat slinked out, wary of the sense of danger now consuming her beloved Drakestoke, she too wore a backpack and her usual day outfit, complete with winter boots and a skycraft-style winter jacket. She sensed Lenore knew what to do, and she followed her out of the female quarters without complaining
The peering faces of curious residents watched them pass in disbelief. Some disappeared back into their rooms, presumably to prepare to leave too.
***
The siren had interrupted Madame Cavere, but she continued hastily at a louder volume, ‘I am sorry Victoria, I have tried so hard to protect this place from them,’ she implored.
Anubis, who was still reeling from her encounter with her shadow man, had been led to her room in the isolated section by her two orderlies. They swiftly left with anxious faces as Madame Cavere arrived.
She seemed distraught as she poured out the true nature of the situation to Anubis.
‘The IGS. They have decided to...’ Cavere stopped to breathe and swallow, trying to gather her wits. ‘They have decided to shut us down.’
So we will all be moved to another institution? I have a bad feeling about all of this.
‘Victoria,’ her voice softer now, ‘They are shutting us down in such a way that… there will be no survivors.’
Well that explains the panic… Although, I hadn’t planned on dying here.
Anubis' fleeting moment of realisation must have been detectable in her eyes, because Madame Cavere reached out and touched her shoulder sympathetically.
‘
You'll find the service door at the back of this isolation section unbarred, and unlocked,’ she revealed. ‘Go free, Victoria. You shouldn’t have been put in here to begin with.’
Cavere’s sad, wrinkled eyes managed a pained smile, ‘I've got to try and stop this,’ then she turned and left.
Anubis pondered everything that Cavere had said, but her thoughts couldn't help pulling the sight of him up from the depths. Her shadow man had been right in front of her, no longer a dark shape on a wall, but flesh, and warmth, and breath. He felt so real. I could smell him… she closed her eyes, savouring the memory of his earthy and fuel-like scent. Delightful.
She recalled the veins under his tattooed skin, the strength of his arms around her, the feeling of him brushing on her neck. And he was beautiful. The fragments of her distorted dreams coming together in perfect harmony, as a magnolia-skinned statue with charred gold for hair.
I don't know who he is, or what he is. But I need him.
Lenore and Cat emerged out into the main foyer, on their way to the male quarters for Axel, when they noticed Madame Cavere, hammering on a keypad and interactive display screen in the security kiosk.
They approached her while she muttered French curses, bashing a series of keys and yelling, ‘Override’ into the voice command.
‘Not recognised,’ the system rejected.
‘Madame?’ Lenore asked softly, trying not the startle her.
‘Miss Blake, miss Sowerby!’ she exclaimed, ‘I've tried! I've stopped some of them, but I cannot stop them all.’
‘Stop what?’ Lenore pleaded.
Madame Cavere looked at the screens in horror as they turned black one by one.
‘Go! Please! You cannot be here! There's a door in...’ A loud explosion of yellow heat cut Cavere off mid-sentence. Originating from under the floor, her body was thrust upwards and dismembered instantaneously. The shockwave of searing light propelled Lenore and Cat backwards across the foyer, sliding across the flagstone floor along with computer fragments. Remnants of Cavere’s body, which settled about them as bloody rain.
Dark Rain: Book 1 of The Aetherium Saga Page 7