Dark Rain: Book 1 of The Aetherium Saga

by Jilly MacKenzie

  ‘I’m not drunk now,’ she breathed in a dulcet voice that made him quiver with attraction. Her face was so close to his, that he could smell her hair. Lavender. The sultry look in her green eyes, and the closeness of her, caused him to swallowed hard, and he could feel his heart beat in his heated cheeks. Lenore smiled defeatedly, beginning to retreat. No! he screamed to himself. Then suddenly Finn’s protective quilt dropped around him and he pulled her to him in a burning kiss. He exhaled into her kiss with a noise deep in his throat; a masculine sound of craving. She snaked her fingers behind his neck, feeling her way into his warm golden hair. His arms dragged her by the waist to sit on him, and her heart raced with excitement. She had awoken something inside of her loveable boyish companion, and she loved every second of his craving touches and grasps. The fire is so warm, and he is so… so warm.

  Chapter 48

  Divergence

  The mood was sombre the next morning, with minimal conversation as everybody ate the plentiful spread of breakfast. Wyatt likened it to the group’s Last Supper, and it struck very close to the truth.

  Some would be leaving. Embarking on their own journeys, and playing their vital roles in the troubles ahead. They all ate slowly, eyeing each other, their shared struggles and memories mirrored between their sad eyes.

  Anubis had asked Marduk to stay with her during the night, as if she sensed that he would soon be preoccupied with Nibiran matters. They sat silently together, though everybody knew that they were most likely communicating via their connection.

  The weather had seemed affected by the group’s melancholia, and snowflakes had been floating down from the grey sky all morning. Beatrice rushed in from outside, the shoulders of her coat, and her dark hair, were speckled with snow.

  ‘Anything else, lovelies?’ she queried, removing her coat, and Wyatt shook his head, smiling appreciatively.

  ‘Nothing more for me, thanks,’ and he rose to his feet. Axel looked up at his friend, expectantly.

  ‘It’s time we get going, mate,’ Wyatt suggested, motioning for Axel to move, ‘We’ve got armies to lead, and splices to save.’

  The group let out a collective subdued laugh, and rose from their places. Upon following Wyatt and Axel into the foyer, Lenore noticed two bags placed by the door. Cat and Jenny strode forward and picked them up, smiling slyly at the group.

  Wyatt sighed with amusement, ‘Well, that’s the lads vacation in Amsterdam, cancelled,’ he joked throwing his arms in the air, and Axel nudged him, grinning victoriously.

  ‘I wouldn’t have gone without her anyway,’ Axel revealed, smiling at Cat, who responded by cheekily poking her tongue out.

  ‘Jennifer,’ Beatrice began, moving through the group, ‘You’ve always wanted to be out there, making a difference in the world. You ‘ave yer chance now, my darling. Be careful, you ‘ere?’ and she took her daughter in a firm hug.

  ‘I will, mum,’ Jenny assured, ‘I’ll come back, I promise.’

  Lenore could not help but tear up, as Cat’s small frame embraced her tightly. She was my first true friend, she lamented as she looked sadly from Cat to Axel.

  ‘It was just us three, at the beginning. Before everything,’ Lenore recalled with a smile, and Cat nodded slowly, tears escaping her large brown eyes.

  ‘Drakestoke...’ she uttered nostalgically, and Axel held her close to him.

  ‘We’ll be in touch. We’re friends,’ he told Lenore.

  ‘We have to keep in touch. We’re allies now,’ she jokingly corrected, and Cat tearfully giggled.

  Finn and Wyatt shared firm a gauntlet grip, ‘Stay alive, little guy,’ Wyatt urged with a smirk.

  ‘I plan to,’ Finn frowned with a roll of his eyes, and Wyatt chuckled as he moved over to where Marduk and Anubis stood like beautiful, observant phantoms.

  ‘Lord Satan,’ Wyatt mockingly bowed, then held his arm out, grinning. An amused smirk spread across Marduk’s face, and he accepted Wyatt’s arm in a strong grip.

  ‘May the Saboteurs be victorious in all of their battles.’

  Wyatt grinned at the stirring phrase, ‘Yeah, you, and the other Anunnaki... too.’ Anubis snorted in amusement, and Wyatt was once again struck by her beauty. The eleven scarred lines on her face did nothing to mar her perfection. As a scarred mercenary himself, they only attracted Wyatt more. He swallowed as her blue eyes met his.

  ‘Thank you, again,’ she voiced wholeheartedly, ‘For helping me escape the IGS.’

  ‘No problem,’ he grinned shyly under her gaze, then nodded a farewell to Marduk, before going to clap Johnny on the shoulder. Cat skipped over to Anubis and threw her arms around her slender waist.

  ‘I’ll never forget you. You almost died for us. And you let us live here in your home. Thank you.’

  Anubis looked down at Cat tenderly, ‘I would do it all again,’ she soothed. Cat slowly let go with a sigh, smiling in gratitude, then flung herself onto Marduk too. He rumbled out a chuckle at the affectionate small human, and watched on as Cat left them and joined Lenore in a group hug with Axel and Finn.

  Cat dragged Emile into it too, and they shared an emotional embrace. The Drakestoke survivors, together for the last time.

  Wyatt, Axel, and Cat made for the door, and Johnny squeezed his sister a crushing farewell, before she too went to join them. They sullenly left through the great doors of the Overlook Manor, and boarded Diablo. And watching the black and red skycraft take off from the ground, and turn away through the falling snow, was a saddening sight for Lenore. All too suddenly, Cat was gone. And Axel, after only being reunited with him for a few days.

  Lenore felt an uneasy wave of loneliness wash over her, until Finn appeared at her side, and held her hand tightly.

  ‘You won’t be getting rid of me,’ he assured, as if reading her mind, and she looked at him with teary green eyes.

  ‘Never,’ she affirmed, and leaned into him as he guided her back inside.

  ‘Feels weird, doesn’t it?’ Johnny murmured in the foyer. He had a comforting arm around Beatrice, as she dabbed her eyes with a decorative handkerchief.

  Lenore sighed, nodding in agreement, ‘Very,’ she looked around at the remaining group, ‘It’s just us now.’

  ‘Not quite,’ Anubis voiced, her red lips were tight, in a subtle frown. Lenore was confused for a moment, then she realised that Anubis would naturally want to go wherever Marduk went, and that meant, Nibiru.

  ‘Somebody is out to sabotage me. They have my weapons. If they find out I have a Chosen...’ he held Anubis close, ‘They’ll be coming for her next.’

  ‘Of course,’ Lenore breathed, understanding his reasoning completely, ‘For both of your safety. Absolutely.’

  ‘Besides,’ Anubis began, looking about the grand entrance hall, ‘There’s nothing left for me here.’

  ‘It’s yer ‘ome, Miss Victoria,’ Beatrice whined in disbelief, and Anubis came forward to embrace her old housekeeper.

  ‘Left in your capable hands, Beatrice. It has always been your home too.’

  ‘Yes, Victoria,’ she whimpered, crying into her handkerchief again, ‘You’ll always find it ready for your return.’

  Lenore found it hard to imagine herself continuing without Anubis’ silent strength in the corner of rooms, and her rare words of raw, unapologetic truth. She greatly admired Anubis and her wildly different view of the world. Not a people person at all, but Anubis holds great emotional intelligence and empathetic understanding. She just chooses to hide it most of the time, and only bestowed her mercy on those deserving of it. Lenore knew that Anubis had intended to die for only herself, during the escape from Drakestoke, but she was sure Anubis also saw something in the group worth saving. And in doing so, she’d made a strong circle of friends. Anubis herself is a loyal friend when she allows herself to be, evident by returning severely injured Cat to Blois, while badly wounded herself.

  Anubis was also a great judge of a person’s character and worth. Compassion, and understanding come easy to
her, yet she viewed most people as unworthy of such gifts from her. She likes to keep her lighter side hidden, choosing instead to be the emotionless face of righteous justice. And it is that unabashed confidence in her own judgement that I admire about her.

  ‘I will be sad to see you go, Anubis,’ Lenore admitted, sullen concern clear on her face. Anubis’ beautiful face softened as she met Lenore’s sad gaze, ‘Likewise,’ she agreed in a low tone.

  ‘Well we’re not going anywhere,’ Johnny joked, and Emile smiled beside him.

  ‘Yeah, I love it here,’ Emile agreed in her soft French accent, ‘And we will not be much use in the war that is coming,’ she shrugged sadly.

  ‘Well, if ever we need farmers or horse riders, we know who to call,’ Finn joked, and Johnny burst out laughing.

  ‘Speaking of which,’ Johnny began, nudging Emile, ‘You ever ridden in the snow?’

  ‘No,’ she replied, and he sprang into action, pulling her towards the door, ‘We’ll see you guys later!’ he called as they left. Beatrice pocketed her handkerchief, then turned and walked silently into the dining room.

  ‘I should go,’ Marduk announced softly to Anubis, and she nodded in agreement.

  Hopefully somebody can give you some answers, she thought to him. He stepped away from Anubis, but she grabbed his arm once more, don’t be too long, please, she urged, and he placed a hand over hers gently.

  Pack your things. I’ll be back for you, he assured with his usual wide grin, kissing her hand firmly, before letting it go. Immediately aetherating away in a brief haze of white light. Anubis continued staring at the spot where Marduk had stood only seconds before, inhaling the scent of his astral travel. Lenore could smell it too.

  ‘And then there were three...’ Finn mused, his voice echoing in the cavernous foyer. And all three of them couldn’t help but feel abandoned and deserted.

  Chapter 49

  Dark Rain

  ‘Race you to the Three-Quarter Wall!’ Emile yelled, kicking her Clydesdale mare, Gwynn, into a gallop past Johnny on his stallion, Hawke. He immediately urged Hawke into a gallop, and the stallion’s greater size and muscularity, helped him overtake Gwynn over the flat terrain. Their laughs carried on the snowy wind, and although it had continued to snow, it was difficult for it to settle on the ground due to the salty environment.

  The Three-Quarter Wall was in sight, and Johnny was strides ahead, steering towards the gap in the stone wall. She followed him through, then he suddenly reigned Hawke to sharp stop, making the stallion whinny in retaliation. Emile had more time to react, and came to easy stop beside Johnny.

  ‘What is it?’ then she noticed the carcasses. Before them, were the remains of six Lundy ponies. Strewn around the grassy expanse, straight bloody slashes cut into their flesh which steamed in the freezing air.

  ‘Johnny!’ Emile screamed in horror, as Johnny remained still. Staring at the broken, innocent bodies through teary eyes. He felt sick to his stomach at the scene of such senseless death, refusing to accept the sight before him. Their mounts jolted and shifted uneasily, as the top of a large grey skycraft rose above the edge of the cliffs to the left, then dipped below sight again.

  ‘Who is that? Did they do this?’ she croaked in distress. Johnny’s eyes were fixed on the line of cliff edge. Then suddenly, from dead ahead, the skycraft appeared again, and sped towards them.

  ‘Run!’ Johnny yelled, and they both attempted to turn their steeds and race away. Almost before they could react, a bright red flash rippled through the air, hitting Hawke square in the breast. The mighty horse reared in screeching agony, and collapsed, taking Johnny down with him.

  Emily galloped back through the wall gap, as a hot red light flickered past her, singing a steaming hole into the grassy earth beside Gwynn’s thundering hooves.

  ‘Johnny!’ she shrieked, not daring to look back as she urged Gwynn on, tears and cold wind obscuring her vision.

  ***

  The north quarter É-kaš of Eden was crowded, and like any good drinking hall, the beer and wine was flowing well, for Anuna and humans alike. Marduk had expected to find Nanaya here. It was one of her favourite haunts, and she frequently loved to dance and sing for the crowds here. Seeking pleasure wherever she can find it. Instead, Marduk found Horus and Nergal engrossed in a game of Twenty Squares. He moved through the crowd, swatting the bowing and praising figures out of the way. He had no time for being a royal right now.

  ‘I need your help, both of you,’ he announced when he reached their table.

  ‘Can it wait, father?’ Horus groaned, his face concentrating on the board game between him and Nergal, ‘I’m winning.’

  ‘Ha!’ Nergal boomed, ‘I’ve got him in a trap and he doesn’t even realise it.’

  ‘It’s important,’ Marduk insisted.

  ‘Marduk,’ Nanaya appeared at his side, smiling up at him, but then noticed his concerned expression, ‘What is it?’

  ‘I’ve been looking for you,’ he smiled, relieved.

  ‘Here I am, what do you need?’ she queried, becoming worried, ‘Has something happened?’

  ‘Yes,’ he sighed, ‘I need you to come with me to the ruins of Finchale Hermitage... You know,’ he leaned closer to her, ‘Where my weapons were stored.’

  ‘Yes I know it,’ she nodded, ‘Wait... were?’

  His look said it all, and she knew it was serious, ‘Let’s go,’ she declared.

  They exited the É-kaš, and she caught him before he aetherated, ‘I’ve never been there before,’ she reminded him.

  He exhaled a huff of amusement, ‘Of course, sorry,’ and he grasped her arm. He noticed that she had her arms and chest, unusually, fully covered.

  ‘Wait!’ she stopped him before he aetherated the both of them, ‘When was the last time you replenished your aether?’

  He shrugged, ashamedly, ‘A number of days ago...’

  ‘You need to replenish,’ she urged, and he sighed in agreement.

  ‘Then we will go to your hermitage straight afterwards. You need to keep strong, Marduk,’ she explained in her gentle voice. It was impossible to argue with her, especially when Marduk knew she was right. He agreed and they unfurled their great wings, and took the skies.

  Nanaya’s wings were the usual silvery grey of higher Anuna of non-royal status. She soared ahead, like a ghost in her white full length gown. She lead him to one of their old childhood playgrounds, a secluded aether pool, in the beautiful jungle-like deep gardens of Eden. She walked to the water’s edge, flicking her feet into the water, ‘Any shields you have, put them down,’ she sullenly reminded him.

  He laughed, ‘I never have them up when I’m with you, anyway. Why would I?’

  She feigned an amused smile, then turned away from him to hide a stray tear. She watched Marduk’s reflection in the water as he evaporated his clothing, revealing his exposed pale body in all of its glory.

  ‘You will be great again...’ she muttered, barely audible. Marduk looked in confusion at Nanaya’s quivering back. Is she crying?

  Suddenly, a searing pain tore through his abdomen, momentarily knocking the air from his lungs as he bellowed in agony. Looking down, he could see a sharp black object jutting out from his midriff. An ornate, curvaceous obsidian blade. Imhullu. I’ve been stabbed by my own blade...

  He immediately tried to summon his armour, but he didn’t have enough aether to fully cover himself. An innate property of Imhullu was aether-draining, and it was siphoning the last of his. He heard chuckling behind him.

  ‘Turn and face him Inanna!’ The voice demanded joyously. I know that voice... Sin.

  ‘Observe your genius plan!’ Sin demanded, and Nanaya turned, her face soaked with tears. She met Marduk’s crestfallen gaze, and shared his pain, wailing with sorrow for what she had done. She took my weapons… and brought me here… Marduk deduced in silent fury.

  ‘You kneel to me now,’ Sin proclaimed, twisting the hilt of Imhullu, causing the blade to scrape into Marduk’s sp
ine, further tearing his flesh and organs. He let out a pained cough and splutter of blood, and fell to his knees on the leafy undergrowth.

  ‘Very good,’ Sin praised.

  Nanaya fell to her knees with him, keeping herself below Marduk’s level at a last attempt of respect and apology.

  The pain was intolerable, and the expansion of Marduk’s lungs was agonising, so he kept his breaths shallow. Staring in betrayed hatred at Nanaya. He had no words for her. Her betrayal hurt him worse than The Fall.

  Sin roughly pulled out Imhullu through Marduk’s back, making him wail in pain once more. Marduk felt his strength waning. I am to die here? Now? I have so much to do. I have let everybody down. Anubis... Sin came into Marduk’s blurring view, brandishing Imhullu in front of him, laughing. Marduk’s eyes focused on the fading form of Nanaya, sobbing into the dirt behind Sin. She looked up, her face contorted with devastation, and silently mouthed, ‘I’m sorry.’ Marduk blinked, and attempted to focus himself, trying to forget the overwhelming pain of the bleeding hole through his abdomen.

  ‘Goodbye Marduk. King of nowhere,’ Sin held Imhullu high, over one shoulder, ‘God of no-one.’

  And he brought Marduk’s blade down, and in one swift motion, he beheaded the royal prince where he knelt. Nanaya screamed at the sight of Marduk’s head landing a few paces from his body, then his body slumped sideways with the force of the strike. Marduk’s head rolled side to side on the ground, eventually settling to a stop, facing Nanaya. His blue eyes stared forward accusingly, before slowly closing.

  She clawed her long black hair in horror and screamed again, curling up in the dirt. In the span of just a few minutes, her heart had broken into ten thousand pieces. It was all too unbelievable. Marduk... dead... She could hear Sin chuckling, and the dull thuds of him kicking Marduk’s exposed body, then Sin’s confusion, ‘What the...?’

  Nanaya looked up and saw Marduk’s flesh quickly turning black, cracking like charcoal. His blackened head and body began caving in on themselves, collapsing into ebony dust, which then flowed away through the air, in a smoky stream. It seemed to be headed in a particular direction.