Beatrice had shut off most of the main lights on her way out. Only the self-regulating fireplaces and wall sconces lit the mansion, casting dark shadows in most places. Anubis was left in solemn silence beside the foyer hearth, listening to the crackling logs, and the sighing wind outside.
She slowly rose to her feet. I have to see him, she thought with determination as she opened the main doors and left the mansion. Unfazed by the relentless island wind, she rounded the house and traversed the wet, muddy grass up to her family mausoleum. It stood proudly, like a small dark temple, inviting her, yet also repelling, for she knew what lay inside.
She forced the stiff door open with a series of scrapes and creaks, and entered inside the large monument. Motion-sensitive lights activated and dimly lit the mausoleum. Her steps echoed eerily throughout the sepulchral chambers, and her eyes scanned various vaults until she finally paused at two newer looking slabs, side by side. Their names and lifetimes were cut into the marble, like they were on her heart. William Alexander Morwenstow. Leo Drake Morwenstow.
Anubis was relieved to see that Beatrice had insisted Leo be entombed as a Morwenstow, and not a Lloyd. He was more mine, than Deryk’s, she bitterly thought as tears filled her vision, and she sat down, touching the cold smooth marble.
She traced his name in the semi-darkness, as the wind howled through the tomb chambers.
‘My baby...’ she moaned, her throat constricted in painful sorrow, and she lay her flushed face on the frozen slab. The cold was welcoming against her burning facial cuts. A sense of relief washed over her as she gazed around at her family tombs. Leo is safe here. He loved Lundy. He lived and breathed the wildness here. He lives in the relentless wind, and whispers amongst the whistling rocks.
She rose to her feet slowly, brushing his name once more, and left the tomb with a strong close of the heavy door. She let the freezing gusts dry her tears, then entered the shelter of her mansion once again. Anubis trailed in her muddy feet, and ascended the stairs, mournfully. The upper levels were dimly lit by wall sconces, and she crossed the hall and opened up a room she had vowed never to enter again.
The door creaked from disuse, and the musty smell told of a room which had not been lived in for years. The great windows at the far side, let in the dull indigo of the ocean night, and it bathed the room interior in a melancholy glow.
His presence was inescapable. His paintings and scribblings adorned the walls, and his toys littered the floor. She could almost sense the past playing out before her, overwhelming her with loss and nostalgia. Echoed giggles, shadows of running feet, and the smell of paint.
‘Mummy, look!’
The voice startled her and she scanned the room frantically. Was it in my head? she breathed heavily. Just a memory so strong it was made detectable in my mind…
The atmosphere in the room felt hushed, and pining. Like it was holding back. As if teetering on the verge of an outburst of joyous excitement. A framed painting on the far wall caught her eye, and she moved slowly towards it. Three pairs of eyes gazed down at her from the canvas. Her own, Leo’s, and Deryk’s. She met his lifeless gaze, and ripped the large painting down from its place on the wall. And holding it in one hand, she dragged it behind her, as she left the room, and began making her way down the stairs.
Lenore, unable to sleep, heard distant thumps outside of her room, and she gingerly poked her head out to investigate and was met with a strange sight.
Everything about Anubis is strange, am I really surprised by this? she mused. She strode curiously to the wrought iron railings of the bannister, and peered over. Anubis was walking purposefully down the great curved stairs, dragging a large painting behind her which made a loud wooden thump on each step.
Lenore followed her at a distance, as if watching a rare animal, fearing her presence may make it cease performing its odd behaviour. Anubis reached the bottom, and glided over to the large roaring fire, and with no hesitation, she flung the painting into the flames.
Lenore came up beside Anubis who was unmoved by her presence, and watched the flames devour the painted faces of Anubis, her son, and Deryk. Oh, Lenore realised, she thinks he’s corrupted the painting. She wants every trace of Deryk erased.
‘He doesn’t deserve to be on the same canvas as us,’ Anubis sneered into the flames, and she watched Deryk’s face blacken and disappear.
‘Cleansed by fire,’ muttered Anubis in a calm daze of tranquility.
Lenore nodded in understanding. She does what she needs to do, in order to cope, Lenore noted sullenly, watching the burning painting a few moments longer, then left Anubis to her solemn healing rituals.
***
Marduk had felt Anubis’ emotional pain. It was a dull ache in his consciousness, and though he had become used to its melancholia over the years, this night felt different. He had sensed her usual solemn essence, but upon arrival to her old home, she had emitted a fluctuating, overriding sorrow. She was slowly coming to terms with her surroundings and all the old memories they stirred up.
However, the moment which caught Marduk’s attention was the self-righteous judgement Anubis had projected, while she purged the corrupted painting out of her life, with fire. It was an echo of how she was when she executed Deryk, and it pleased him greatly.
He aetherated immediately to her, and watched from the darkness of the cavernous hall as her companion left her alone. Though missing her mask, Anubis still looked formidable in the firelight. She caught Marduk’s eyes and thoughts like no other human ever had, and he took great pleasure in observing her unhindered for a few moments. Her form was lean and strong, with powerful legs that carried a small waist. Her wild, untamed hair matched her spirit, as the reflections of flames danced their golden dance within its sheen.
He stepped forward, and she raised her head, inhaling his scent. She knows I’m here.
The scent of petrichor finally reached her nostrils, over the smoky smell of burning canvas. I know that smell all too well… she thought, and with it came the tingling sensation that she was being watched. She was surprised by the feelings which came flooding to her with the prospect of seeing him again. Hopefulness, relief…
‘Completeness,’ he murmured from the shadows, and she turned to face him, bewitched by his statuesque form emerging from the darkness. His flawlessly carved face wore a neutral expression as his hypnotic eyes assessed her reactions. He tentatively stepped towards her. She regained herself, and backed away quickly, making him stop his advance. His hands extended out before him, apologetically.
‘You’re an alien,’ she breathed, accusingly. ‘Anunnaki. Aren’t you?’ She rounded a settee, putting distance between herself and him. He laughed, and tilted his head.
‘Yes. I can explain it all to you. If you would permit me.’
She did not answer, and instead focused on the details of him as he moved within the firelight, becoming fully illuminated before her.
He stood at a greater height than her. Greater than most men, she assumed. He wore no metallic armour this time, and instead was clothed in a fitting array of dark layers. Under-armour padded out specific parts of his clothing, such as his shoulders, elbows, thighs, and knees. Accentuating his masculine form in an aesthetically pleasing way. The gold accents in his black hair glistened in the light.
She narrowed her eyes at him, ‘What’s your name?’ she probed.
He smiled and paused, ‘You have asked me that same question once before. Many years ago…’
She looked at him with confusion. Her adult mind could not remember the brief encounter with a bearded hermit outside of a Cornish cave. He sighed.
‘Your kind know me by many names,’ and he slowly began approaching her. His body burst into a mass of bright yellow flames, and golden armour encased him. Complete with a black horned bull helmet. Lines of blue cuneiform and hieroglyphics glowed upon his skin, from his arms to his neck and face.
‘I am Amar-utuk. The Solar Calf. Bull of the Sun,’ he announced, an
d she backed away, entranced at the dazzling being before her, as he continued to advance. His fire reduced as suddenly as it had appeared, to a soft aura around him. The armour dissipated, and a long golden tunic replaced it, ‘I am Ra.’
A great wind enveloped him, and his golden aura made way for electric sparks. His eyes were blinding blue orbs amid a torrent of swirling energy. ‘I am Haddad, and Jupiter. Wind, and Storms.’
The wind ceased and great black wings then sprouted from his back and spread out wide, blowing Anubis’ hair with their power.
‘I am Seraphim. Angel.’
His golden aura turned into deep orange flames. They danced and licked at his body which had quickly covered in black and gold armour once more, ‘I am demon, and Devil,’ he stated, as his eyes glowed vibrant blue through his veil of flames.
‘I am Lucifer, and Satan,’ he rumbled as he closed in on Anubis, and horns sprouted from his fiery head. His dark hair danced about wildly, and he stopped in front of her. Anubis backed into a wall, feeling the heat emanating from him.
His fire quelled and ceased, and his blinding blue eyes and tattoos faded. He looked upon her as his original, relaxed self, with a gentle smile. And as she looked up at him in awe, he was humbled to find no fear in her eyes or thoughts.
‘I am Marduk,’ he breathed softly, ‘And I ask for your forgiveness.’ He fell to his knees before her, holding out her Anubis mask.
She was breathing heavily in excitement at what she had just witnessed, then regarded him and his gift with astonishment. I finally know the name of my shadow man, and he’s returned my mask to me!
It was in Anubis’ default nature to hold grudges. Forgiveness did not come easily to her, but she had never before witnessed an act of such genuine apology as this. It was as if his life depended on her approval and acceptance of him. She stepped forward, taking the mask from him, and gently lifted his hanging head up by his chin.
Marduk rose to his feet, a slave to her touch, his eyes never leaving hers. They shared an intense blue gaze, and he knew all was forgiven.
He firmly backed her into the wall, but was momentarily surprised by the closeness of her once again. The sensation of her warmth and quickened heartbeat filled his senses and his head span with desire. He sensed a burning compulsion rise to Anubis’ mind, and he instantly acted on it, and pressed his lips to hers. Their mouths moved together, harmonising to their shared passion, and his strong, warm hands held her to him. He brushed her smooth skin with his thumb, as if making sure she was real. Their eyes closed, falling into relieved bliss.
Anubis suddenly felt air rush about her, and her nose filled with the wonderful fragrance of petrichor and gasoline once again, and she opened her eyes to a strange new world.
Chapter 26
Man And Monster
IGS skycrafts had been deployed to the Blois area, soon after Lenore and the group had departed.
Axel judged that from the high number of relentlessly searching crafts, it was definitely a high priority search, and the heat was on. Maybe they’re after this runaway too, he guessed. The rogue IGS had ducked out of sight from the crafts, hiding himself behind a tree, pistol drawn and ready.
Axel watched the defector cowering in the cold, from the safety of his hollow. His exceptional night vision studied the stranger in detail. A helmeted face that looked to be around Axel’s age, and a strongly built frame under flexible, skycraft armour.
It began to snow heavily as the searching lights of the skycrafts persisted with sweeps through the trees, close to where their presumed target crouched in hiding.
‘You might wanna hide...’ Axel suggested from his den. The sentry shuffled position, looking about in the dark.
‘You’re still here, splice?’ he mused, ‘they’re looking for you too you know.’
‘The difference is, they’ll actually find you,’ Axel chuckled, feeling superior from the cover of his den.
The runaway dodged from tree to tree, pistol drawn, and appeared at the entrance to the den, much to Axel’s annoyance.
‘Make some space then, splice,’ the stranger demanded, and without waiting for a reply, he proceeded to squeeze his way into the hollow beside Axel.
Looking pointedly at the intruder, Axel growled, ‘And it’s Axel,’ he corrected, irritated by the closeness of this annoying newcomer.
‘Wyatt,’ the rogue reciprocated, breathing into his gloves to warm his hands more.
‘What do they want you for?’ Axel probed, moving his body to the furthest side of the den, away from Wyatt.
‘I’m an insider,’ he laughed with a shrug, ‘I couldn’t stand by any longer, watching the immorality, and cruelty. So fucked up. I guess I made my true intentions clear after I helped one of their prisoners escape,’ he sighed remembering the ordeal, and removed his helmet with a hiss of pain.
His blonde hair was slick with blood, and an eye that was previously hidden by a tinted visor, was swollen and weeping.
‘Never witnessed anything as fucked up as what that asshole did to that poor girl,’ he murmured, shaking his head regretfully. Axel narrowed his eyes in curiosity.
‘What girl?’
Wyatt shrugged, ‘Dunno, she never spoke a word,’ he began, then gestured to his face. ‘She had this weird mask though. Like some Egyptian thing.’
Axel stiffened in recognition, ‘Anubis...’ he breathed. So that’s how she came to be around here… So in a way, this guy also saved Cat.
‘Yeah, something like that,’ groaned Wyatt as he settled down, making himself more comfortable in the cramped space.
‘No,’ Axel quickly interjected, ‘I mean, yeah, but… I know her!’
Wyatt sat up, interested, ‘You do?’
Axel nodded, ‘Yeah, we escaped from the same place. Drakestoke.’
‘Shit…’ Wyatt croaked in pain, then sat back, regarding Axel in disbelief. ‘So you’re both from there...’ he deduced, dabbing his throbbing head with small handfuls of snow.
The air-search persisted for most of the night, Wyatt had fallen asleep sitting up. He would sometime begin leaning towards Axel, who would push him away again.
Lights close to the ground could be seen approaching through the trees. Foot soldiers! He shook Wyatt, and the rogue sentry awoke, stiff from the cold.
‘What is it?’ he groaned weakly.
‘Soldiers, coming this way.’
They both emerged quietly out of the den, and hid behind the large tree which had sheltered them for what felt like an eternity. The lights were getting closer, and Axel’s eyes counted five IGS soldiers. They were walking slowly, many paces apart from each other, trying to cover as much ground as possible.
‘They’ll be on us in no time,’ Wyatt observed while stretching out his cramped legs. Making a low growl, Axel tried to think of a way past them, and dodged to the next tree.
‘Don’t wait for me then, mate,’ Wyatt muttered through gritted teeth as he swiftly followed.
‘Has you gun got enough charge?’ Axel sharply inquired. Wyatt looked at the oncoming soldiers, then frowned. ‘For all them? No,’ he huffed.
‘Well,’ Axel softly began, as he crouched low, ‘You better be a damn good shot,’ then he ran silently into the darkness towards them.
Wyatt chuckled nervously under his breath and unholstered his pistol, gathering his wits.
‘Lucky for you, mate, I am,’ then he raced forward, ducking behind trees on his way to a good vantage point.
Axel sprinted around to the soldier on the farthest right of the line, and swiped his feet out from under him. Before the surprised soldier could voice a warning to the others, Axel had covered his mouth with one hand, and grabbed the soldier’s weapon hand with his other, making him shoot himself in the chest. The faint airy sound within the eerie silence, drew the attention of the nearest soldier, who reactively turned to investigate.
Wyatt, peered out from behind a tree and took the opportunity to take aim, breathe, and fire. The laser met with th
e back of the soldiers helmet, and Wyatt held the trigger down, prolonging the beam.
The soldier heard the fizzing sound on the back of his helmet, and began to feel heat on his scalp. He quickly turned around to observe his attacker, and Wyatt’s steady, unmoving beam tore into his face, killing him instantly.
‘Two down, two to go,’ Axel informed as he raced by Wyatt, throwing another pistol at Wyatt’s feet, before once again disappearing into the dark.
Wyatt readied the new pistol in his other hand, dual-wield, nice, he thought to himself, pleased, then made his way to the remaining two soldiers. They were aiming their lights sporadically into the forest around them. They knew they were in danger now. Smiling to himself from their obvious fear, Axel closed in on another soldier. He leapt up a nearby tree trunk, then kicked off, propelling himself into a surprise aerial takedown. He landed heavily on the soldier, interrupting his frantic request for backup.
The soldier landed hard into the snow, knocking the air from his lungs, and he lost grip of his pistol. Axel squeezed his throat with both hands, strangling him as he struggled for life beneath Axel’s weight.
The last soldier raced towards them, drawn by the sounds of choking breath and struggle.
A laser shot whirled past the approaching soldier’s face, and she stopped in her tracks and quickly fired a series of shots in the direction it came from. Then she felt heat on her ribs, and realised too late that a laser had been searing through her armour from the side.
Wyatt was on the ground focusing both pistol beams into the soldiers side, and watched her scream in pain as the lasers quickly cut into her body and scorched through her chest cavity.
Wyatt met up with Axel at his strangled kill, ‘I’ve got you’re back, mate,’ he jibed, clapping Axel hard on his back. Axel rolled his eyes, and rose to his feet, focusing through the dark trees to a low stationary set of amber lights. A grounded skycraft. Is it the one belonging to the soldiers we just killed? Axel wondered, with hope.
Dark Rain: Book 1 of The Aetherium Saga Page 16