Dark Rain: Book 1 of The Aetherium Saga

by Jilly MacKenzie

  Another song started up, and a wind instrument of some kind piped out a cheerful melody. Turning to face the stage, Marduk saw it was a tin whistle, and he watched the musician carefully as he hopped about the stage. Marduk was impressed by his skill, and the piper winked when he noticed his unmoving gaze. Marduk nodded in praise, and crossed his arms as he continued to watch on. The piper eyed him curiously and unpocketed another whistle, offering it out to Marduk. Anubis made her way across the room, amongst the frolicking neopagans. They eyed her Anubis mask in appreciation, as well as her long Nibiran gown. The draped silk of her arm coverings flowed out behind her as she moved.

  What are you going to do? she asked with a smirk as she reached Marduk’s side, but he had already hopped up onto the stage with the tin whistle in hand, squaring up to the piper in amusement. Cheers began to sound from the room, urging them on.

  You ever played a tin whistle? she probed.

  You’ve seen me on the duduk. How different can this be? And he blew a few notes out, testing the strange instrument. It was piercingly high-pitched, and chuckles echoed about the room above the steady ambient music.

  That was too hard, he realised, it’s much more delicate than the duduk.

  The piper continued his trilling tune, prompting Marduk to join in. With a steady breath, Marduk brought the instrument to his lips, and began to finger a beautifully complimentary tune alongside the piper. Sounds of praise bounced around the room, and the piper upped the tempo. Marduk matched him in kind, until finally they faced one another, shooting out high notes at each other like musical dagger stabs. They dipped, and squared up, and circled each other, all the while piping out the most invigorating tune.

  The room was engrossed in dancing to the sound of the whistle war. Couples skipped and spun around, and groups held each other, jumping and tapping out the rhythm with their toes, until it came to an end. Marduk’s piping prowess surpassed that of the piper, and the piper bowed in defeat. Marduk bowed in return and attempted to return the whistle, but the piper refused. ‘You earned it!’ he insisted, and Marduk smiled in thanks, pocketing the small instrument.

  Jumping off the stage beside Anubis, Marduk circled her slowly with a smirk, eyeing her.

  What? She laughed.

  You would suit being an Anuna, he smiled.

  I want that more than anything… sighed Lenore.

  He stopped and held out a hand, more than me?

  She smiled and took his hand, and he pulled her into a strong embrace before unfurling her back out again. They joined the heaving mass of primitive dancing, and the music took upon a shamanic tone once more.

  Finn watched Anubis and Marduk dance with vigour. They moved with lustful grace amongst the other pulsating bodies of the room. It seemed as if their dance alone was powering the entire floor; driving its writhing rhythm, and fuelling the primal vibrations. It was a frenzy of passion. An atmosphere of wild chaos. The Devil’s dance floor.

  Shaking his head and laughing in disbelief, Finn carried on downwards searching for Lenore. He sometimes saw a flash of red hair, and his heart would begin to flutter, but it was never her. After almost 20 minutes, he was reaching the lower levels of Enigma, and was beginning to doubt himself. Had I accidentally missed her on the one of the upper levels? He scanned the 1990’s and to his amusement he found Jenny, Emile, and Johnny partaking in some sort of strange stepping and sliding dance. Still no Lenore... He descended down another level, and was both relieved and nervous at finding Lenore sat at the 1980’s bar, already looking in his direction. His movement out onto the floor caught her eye and she beckoned him over with a smile. Why am I nervous? Does drinking make me nervous? No! I’m Irish. Drink does nothing to me. I’m just nervous because...

  He noticed Cat and Axel swaying together in complete bliss. Yep, good job, me, he mused. Then he realised that Lenore had been watching them, not the door. Okay, so she wasn’t waiting for you. So what?

  Before he knew it, he was face to face with her watchful emerald eyes. Her hair was like fire, beneath the yellow glow of the bar lights.

  ‘Finally, someone to talk to,’ she exclaimed, patting the seat beside her, and Finn gladly obliged.

  ‘Glad I can be of service. Anything else?’ he asked mockingly, gesturing at the bartender washing glasses behind them.

  ‘Actually, yes,’ she began, ‘Glacial Torrent please.’

  He rolled his eyes with a smirk and ordered her drink, and a dry stout beer for himself.

  ‘Thanks,’ she smiled and sipped the chilled blue liquid with delight.

  ‘How many have you had tonight?’

  ‘Mmm,’ she shrugged. ‘A few.’ Although her speech seemed fine, her behaviours and mannerisms were exaggerated, and Finn chuckled at the sight.

  ‘Yeah, sure,’ he smirked.

  She continued to sip her drink, unfazed, and then turned to watch Cat and Axel again.

  ‘So glad that drama’s over,’ she announced with a happy sigh, ‘You think Axel will be alright with her?’ She felt awful even asking that, but it just flew out of her mouth.

  ‘Oh yeah,’ Finn assured, ‘From what Wyatt bragged, he’s been great. Training, raids... He’s completely off the Drakestoke drugs.’

  Lenore nodded in agreement, ‘Of course,’ she swallowed and blinked a few times, ‘I had forgotten.’

  Finn eyed her suspiciously, ‘Yeah… you’ve definitely had more than a few.’ She snorted, and swatted his arm dismissively, almost sliding off her seat. He looked at his upturned forearm. The time on his OBdevice read 4:17am.

  ‘Okay, it’s bed time for you now,’ he declared, attempting to lead her away, but she resisted.

  ‘One more drink,’ she countered with an angry pout, ‘then I’ll go.’ The face she made was adorable, and Finn felt like defying her further in order to keep seeing it, but he sat back down and sighed with resignation. He ordered her one more blue drink, and she took a joyous sip.

  ‘Anyway, you can’t tell me to go to bed. I’m older than you,’ she boasted.

  ‘Oh yeah? And how do you know that?’

  ‘I just do... actually I don’t. How old are you?’

  ’23…’ he stated with a level gaze.

  ‘Are you really?’ she narrowed her eyes at him.

  ‘I swear it, Ambassador,’ he placed a hand over his heart in a mocking vow. She shrugged in acceptance, ‘Well I am still older than you. I’m 24.’

  He chuckled, shaking his head in amusement.

  ‘Is that so important to you?’ he laughed.

  ‘Not really. But you can’t boss me around,’ she yawned and closed her eyes for a few moments, then opened them again and swayed backwards. Finn jumped to his feet and caught her.

  ‘Okay,’ she announced, nodding wildly and pointing upwards, ‘Bed.’

  ‘Okay,’ he concurred with a chuckle, helping to stabilise her as she walked. She somehow managed to walk with relative ease beside him, holding onto his arm for support. Until the motion of the elevator ascending made her fall against the mirrored wall, giggling. He couldn’t help but laugh at her, and affectionately eyed her dizzy joy. Ambassador of ECIT. Soon to be seated at an alien council, planning the defence of our world... he mused. Although, the supposed alien prince is starting some sort of mass orgy upstairs with the neopagans... what a council it’s going to be…

  The elevator stopped at their hotel floor, and Lenore took hold of his arm once more as he guided her down the brightly lit corridors, passing the beautiful arrangements of water features and inside gardens. They reached her room, and Lenore released a large sigh of happy relief, then placed her thumb on the door ID register. It clicked open and she pulled Finn inside, much to his surprise.

  ‘Norey? W-what...’ he gently resisted, trying to pry her hands from his jacket, but she managed to drag him further in and the door closed behind them.

  ‘Shhhh....’ she hushed him, stroking his dark blonde sideburns, ‘Cutie.’

  He laughed nervously, ‘Yo
u’re drunk,’ and he tried to back away, but she yanked him forward once more and held him close to her face. He swallowed hard as her green eyes gazed into his.

  ‘Stay with me,’ she whispered, blinking slowly, and then kissed him full on the lips. He closed his eyes and savoured the feeling. The relief of finally experiencing this moment, the trembling pleasure within him, and the rising uneasy guilt. He broke the kiss softly, and held her at arm’s length.

  ‘Lenore… I want to… But you’re drunk,’ he explained gently.

  ‘I want you now,’ she moaned, ‘We don’t know how long we have to live. We could die tomorrow.’

  ‘Then we die tomorrow,’ he unhooked her fingers from around his neck, and back away unhindered, ‘And we can take each other in the afterlife. When you’re not drunk,’ he smiled.

  ‘Not now?’ she whispered sadly.

  ‘Not now. Not like this,’ and he turned and opened her door to leave.

  ‘Finn!’ she called, and he stopped and faced her.

  ‘I will remember this in the morning,’ she declared, ‘If that’s what you’re afraid of.’

  He let out a breathy chuckle, ‘We will see, Norey,’ and then he left, and the click of the door closing was a sound of finality that hurt both of them.

  Chapter 40

  Morning After

  An intrusive ringing on her room comms system, awoke Lenore in a groggy state of confusion. Having become so accustomed the tranquil sound of seabirds, and the tenacious Atlantic wind, it took Lenore a few moments to remember that she was no longer on Lundy.

  The wall device was still ringing, and she hoisted herself out of bed, and softly thumped the flashing screen with annoyance, ‘Yes?’ she croaked.

  ‘Miss Falkirk? Miss Lenore Falkirk?’ the Hotel Equinox receptionist tentatively questioned.

  ‘This is she.’

  ‘Sorry to bother you, but you have a visitor waiting for you in our bar.’

  ‘A visitor?’ she rubbed her aching temples.

  ‘Yes, a Mr Deacon, miss.’

  Lenore’s heart skipped a beat, and her mind raced through dozens of questions at once. Deacon? How does he know I’m here? Of course he knows! What does he want? Will he be mad at us being here? Have I disappointed him? Shit.

  ‘Thank you,’ Lenore breathed and ended the call, staring at the interactive screen in disbelief. I really hope it’s not bad news.

  ‘Shit...’ she stopped in her tracks suddenly, remembering the night before. She recalled how she had come on to him strongly, pulling him into her room. I kissed him... she gasped in disbelief, pressing her fingers to her lips in shock, then groaned and covered her face in embarrassment and shame. Oh my god... What was I thinking? I must have seemed so desperate... It’s going to be so awkward now. Remembering how much of a gentleman Finn had been, was not helping Lenore’s overwhelming embarrassment, so she set about readying herself to meet Deacon. Her boss could not have arrived at a worse time. Drinking a cup of hot tea managed to quelled her hangover, and calm her nerves. She felt somewhat closer to her usual self, and checked herself in the mirror once more before leaving her room.

  The wall advertisement screens were almost blinding to Lenore’s sensitive eyes, as she tenderly made her way towards the spacious elevator. An enthusiastic voiceover in the lift greeted its residents and listed a variety of places to visit, and activities to do, in the Enigma tower. Lenore just wished the chirpy female voice would shut up. She was relieved when the doors opened to the Hotel Equinox leisure level, yet also apprehensive. I’m about to meet Deacon for the first time in my life.

  Through her five years of ECIT training, he’d been an ever present voice and name in her life. He had regularly offered motivational talks to all initiates, inspiring them to do their best. It was at the end of Lenore’s second year, that her high marks and promising progression caught his attention. And from that moment on, he’d personally overseen her development as her tutor and supervisor. Her had guided her training, and pulled strings here and there to further help her excel, but all out of view. Only ever a calm, husky voice over a comms system. But that voice was one she had come to rely on so completely. I will finally be able to put a face the voice, she pondered.

  She walked among the numerous sets of tables and sofas, scanning the numerous faces enjoying their drinks and food. She swept her gaze over the lively conversations, and subdued laughter, hoping for some indication of his whereabouts. He had the unfair advantage of knowing everything about her, including what she looked like. She quickly withdrew from pacing the tables, so as not to draw unnecessary attention to herself, and resorted to asking the bartender about the current whereabouts of her visitor. After a quick comms check with the receptionist, the bartender pointed behind Lenore, to a corner nook at the far end, at which she could see the back of a curly brown head.

  Lenore frowned, he’s been here the whole time. And she approached him with a nervous smile. Her heart was beating hard as she rounded his table and faced her mysterious supervisor The esteemed leader of ECIT.

  He was younger than she had imagined. His gravelly voice always gave the impression of advanced age, yet the man sat before her looked to be only middle-aged. In his 40’s at the most. However it was his eyes that struck her first. Watching her, large and green. And they seemed to smile with subtle amusement along with the rest of his attractively structured face.

  ‘I knew that fine initiative of yours would be put to use,’ his familiar voice purred.

  The corner of Lenore’s mouth turned down into a subtle frown. A test then, she realised, as I should have expected from my mentor. He was like an owl. Looking up at her with an ever watchful gaze of extensive knowledge and deep understanding of everything possible in the human world. Like humankind’s own Marduk. She tried to appear more calm and collected than she actually was, but he noticed her uneasiness and breathed out with a reassuring smile.

  ‘Please,’ he gestured to the seat opposite him.

  Lenore seated herself before him, and the feeling of nervousness began to creep back, until he spoke again, and his voice provided its usual calming quality. Like a velvety blanket blowing in the wind, coming loose, and wrapping around her shoulders. Warm, and comforting.

  ‘This meeting has been a long time coming,’ he began, eyeing her apologetically, ‘I am sorry to have interrupted what is hopefully, a good time?’

  ‘Forgive me,’ she hesitated, ‘I should have told you. We shouldn’t have come here so soon after our identities were cleared, I...’

  He breathed out a chuckle of sympathy, and cocked his head to one side, waving away her words dismissively.

  ‘Not at all!’ he smiled with understanding, ‘You know I can see where you are at all times anyway,’ he raised his eyebrows pointedly, gesturing to the compulsory ECIT tracking cell in her neck. She smiled appreciatively, and sat back admiring the man of prestige before her.

  ‘So why have you come here, Administrator?’

  ‘Deacon, please,’ he gently corrected.

  ‘Why now? Of all times and places?’ she quizzed.

  ‘Why not?’ he grinned, leaning back. ‘You’re in my city. How can I resist an impromptu visit with my best agent?’

  Lenore nodded with gratitude but Deacon could tell that she was not satisfied with his answer.

  ‘I needed to let you progress freely,’ he began softly, ‘To go as far as you could go. No distractions, unhindered,’ he explained. ‘And now that you’re Ambassador... well, now’s as good of a time as any.’

  A smile escaped onto her lips, ‘I understand,’ she breathed.

  ‘It’s good to finally meet you, Lenore,’ he said softly, addressing her informally, so she replied in kind.

  ‘Likewise, Deacon,’ she nodded gently.

  Their combined emotional intelligence made the meeting, and subsequent conversation, an easy and relaxed one. And Lenore was thankful she would have him by her side tomorrow, at the council on Nibiru.

  ***


  Waking up to Marduk softly breathing beside her, was always a soothingly tranquil experience for Anubis. He was already awake, as usual, which only added to the comforting feeling spreading through her. He was lay on his back with hands behind his head, gazing up at the ceiling with a neutral expression. Without moving, she looked upon him for a few moments. Watching the rise and fall of his great ivory chest, the Dingir symbol over his heart reminded her once again of his true nature. She still found it hard to believe that she was in love with an alien. An ancient being, so complex, and primordial. Older than her own species. It almost overwhelmed her to tears, until his azure eyes flicked down to meet her own.

  ‘You have no need to think of me as anything more than you,’ he assured with a smile, stroking her voluminous brown hair, gently.

  ‘I know, but I like to,’ she rolled to sit atop him, straddling him with a sleepy grin. She touched the Dingir on his chest.

  ‘And you should be proud of what you are, Marduk,’ she insisted.

  He let out a smiling exhale, and brushed his hands over her smooth thighs. Her expression was subtlety sad, and she was guarding her thoughts.

  What is it? He probed.

  ‘I want to be like you,’ she whispered sullenly, ‘One of your kind,’ and she stroked his cuneiform marked skin.

  ‘You are,’ he soothed. ‘When my father and his genetic engineers made the first humans, they were made with the DNA of the evolving Earth hominids at the time, and our own DNA.’

  ‘We were genetically engineered?’

  ‘Yes,’ he admitted with a frown, ‘And no. Your hominid ancestors were already on their way to evolving into a dominant species, perhaps a lot like what you are now. All we did was... speed up the process.’

  Anubis lay back beside him, deep in thought as she felt the weight of her origin.

  ‘I am not a creator like my father. All I know is that we created mankind. A new hybrid, advanced in intelligence and ability by many millions of years. We just gave your species their rightful form, much earlier than was naturally possible. In a blink of an eye, you became what you were always destined to be.’ He smiled softly at her, stroking her cheek.