by Erin Snihur
Even the souls who had turned on me during my escape attempts approach me and Darius to apologize for what had happened in the past. I quickly forgive them, for I know in that time, nothing was their fault. The curse had a hand in causing the worst kind of pain and fear among those people. I cannot fault them for wanting peace and normality. It isn’t too long ago that I too craved a normal life.
It isn’t until hours later that a booming voice is heard over the rest.
Aggie, the self-appointed leader of the souls of the InBetween, in all her plump glory, is standing on top of a wooden stool and seems to be holding onto an equally plump man’s shoulder for balance. This older man’s red beard is bushy and his face cheery as Aggie calls everyone to attention.
I smile as Aggie meets my eyes and she sends me a cheery grin before speaking, “I know you all want to speak to our heroes, but the food’s getting cold in the village center and I think these poor folks deserve some hot food and rest. You can harass them some more tomorrow.”
Before I can comment, we were both ushered in the direction of one of the golden villages and placed in the seats of honor at a large table. Bea quickly takes up the seat on the other side of me and Aggie takes the seat on the other side of Darius. Aggie cannot wait to introduce me to her husband, Ivan, who had passed away on Earth a few years after the InBetween was cursed. He has been waiting for his beloved wife the entire time, praying the curse would be broken.
Throughout the entire meal, Bea demanded to know what had happened after I’d opened the gates to the InBetween. I eventually had to give her a look that said to drop the questions, because I knew it was private and not for a soul’s ears.
When the meal is finished and Aggie is been able to wrestle us away from the admiring villagers, I swiftly collapse into the large bed. Aggie is blushing beet red when Darius requests one room instead of two separate rooms.
“You know the whole afterlife is going to know about our relationship by morning?” I moan as I lean on my elbows on the comfy mattress, watching Darius as he examines the room.
My eyes turn away from him and instinctively search for the Flaming Sword, which stands in the corner of the room, shiny and beautiful as ever. I’ve been trying to keep it in my sights at all times, but that grows difficult. Thankfully, one of the villagers made me a belt and sheath to go around my waist.
“I believe the entire afterlife and the souls therein will know about our relationship fairly quickly since you kissed me in front of everyone,” Darius mutters as he investigates the wardrobe and bathing chambers in the adjoining room.
I blush and cover my face with my hands as I recall that kiss, “It was stupid of me, right?”
“Nothing you do is stupid, Elara,” Darius’ murmur close to my ear has me jumping in fright. I grin up at the silent angel who has tiptoed over to the bed so that he is leaning over me. His grinning face is mere inches from my own.
I sigh and stare into his dark eyes, “Do we have to leave this place tomorrow?”
Darius’ smile turns from teasing to soft as he leans forward and gently bumps his nose with mine, his breath is warm against my face. “Unfortunately, yes. The Archangels will want a report on what has transpired.”
My heart beats faster as I recall the Archangels through Ambriel’s dark and shadowy memories. If I concentrate hard enough, I can remember everything that transpired while I was infected with Ambriel’s demonic presence, but it hurts my head too much to do so too often.
“Are they going to kill me?” I wince at how small my voice sounds and clear my throat as I stare into Darius’ now hard eyes.
“Not if I have anything to say about it,” he growls and pushes away from the bed.
Through the open window of the bedroom, a light breeze dances through and I inhale at the smell of flowers and happiness. Does happiness have a smell? My heart warms as I think, yes.
I watch as Darius leans against the window sill, watching the villagers below as they dance and sing to some music someone began to play over the course of the night. The souls celebrate everything and everyone. It’s a happy and peaceful place.
Standing, I clear my throat to get Darius’ attention and slowly begin to peel away my ratty and torn clothes. Darius’ eyes lit up instantly in desire as he watches me until I am completely bare before him.
“If I’m going to die tomorrow, we better make tonight count.”
28
Darius
I don’t remember what time I woke at. I had woken tangled in the bedsheets with Elara tightly wound around me. She had been exhausted. We had spent most of the night talking, making love and eventually her tears began to flow. She hadn’t wanted to kill Renna; but she knew in her heart that if she didn’t do it, another would and they wouldn’t have given her such a quick death.
In the wee hours of the morning I’d woken, only to spend the rest of the early morning watching Elara sleep. Her eyelids flutter and her mouth moves as if she is dreaming, though I cannot sense her distress, I am unsure if she is having a nightmare or not. How I wish I can take away her pain.
Placing my lips to her forehead, I kiss her softly and slowly begin to extract myself from her arms and bed. Ensuring she still sleeps peacefully, I quickly dress in just my pants and a t-shirt and exit the room. Once outside in the slowly warming early morning air, I inhale and my wings ache to extract, but I refuse to allow them the pleasure.
Not yet.
Walking through the village, I don’t bother with the illusion to keep myself hidden. The souls that I do see all wave or call a good morning to me. Elara was right to show them the true me. The protector and Keeper of the InBetween. Even if the InBetween is no more.
As I enter village after village on the long winding path that eventually leads me to a more secluded village, I extend my senses and breathe in slowly. My nose tickles as I find my target. As I approach the golden home with the thatched room and lavender flowers abounding from the windows and pots, I slowly take in a deep breath, unsure of what greeting I will receive from the two souls who reside beyond those doors.
Gathering up my courage, I extend my hand and knock softly on the door. I lost my breath as a familiar wavy, brown haired woman with her hazel eyes opens the door. The eyes that resemble Elara’s before her powers overcame the dark color and then went white. The older woman stands at the doorway, her green, flowing skirt and white blouse the only indicator of this woman’s “free living” lifestyle.
“Yes? Can I help you?” The woman asks curiously as she stares back at me. It’s as if she can sense there is something off about me and that I’m not like the other souls here.
I clear my throat and nod my head at her, “Yes, you can. Are you Cynthia Greer?”
The woman shoots me a puzzled look and movement behind her has her tensing as she pushes the door open wider for her husband to join her. Matthew Greer looks the same as the day he died with curly blonde hair and bright blue eyes. Elara is right, she looks nothing like her father. But no matter, this man is more her father than anyone, no matter what blood dictates.
“Yes I am. What is this about?” Cynthia shoots Matthew a confused look as Matthew lays a strong hand on Cynthia’s shoulder.
“And you’re Matthew Greer, correct?” I ask, knowing the truth already, but I have to hear them say it.
Matthew speaks then, pulling his wife closer, “Yes I am. Now what’s this about?”
I had spent the entire walk here trying to come up with something to say, but everything felt wrong or cheesy. Finally, I decide to just aim for the truth and hope they don’t freak out too much.
“It’s about your daughter, Elara?” I say and before I can finish, Cynthia’s eyes tear up as she clutches tighter to her husband.
“Is she okay? What happened?” Cynthia says, completely confused.
I smile and hold up my hands in what I hope is a reassuring gesture. “She’s fine. I’m a friend of hers. Have you heard of the InBetween?”
Mat
thew’s eyes squint as they stare down at me intuitively, “Yes. We’d heard rumors about it.”
“Can I come in? I think this news would be better given sitting down,” I ask and look around, noting neighbors who are leaving their homes to begin the day are staring at me strangely and, of course, being nosy.
Cynthia pushes open the door and motions for me to enter, “Yes, of course. Please come in.”
As I step through the doorway, I know I will have to begin at the beginning. I am just unsure how much they should know. As I step into the modest, open floor plan living room, kitchen and dining room, I take in the painted canvas sitting atop the fireplace mantle. It is a painting of Cynthia, Matthew and Elara as a child. I stare into their happy faces and know one thing. I want Elara to be that happy again, even if it is only for today.
29
Elara
Waking without Darius has never proved lucky in the past. As I shower and dress for the day in a simple creme blouse and beige pants with strappy sandals, I almost jump at the sight of a beautiful bouquet of lavender flowers sitting on the nicely made bed. That wasn’t there before.
As I pick up the bouquet, a small card falls from the pile and my face warms at the sight. Picking it up, I slowly read, feeling giddy at the sight of Darius’ masculine scrawl.
Meet me by the lake before lunch. I have a surprise.
Love, Darius
Squealing to myself, I jump around and pull the blooms to my face. Inhaling the scent, I sigh in happiness. Can this day get any better?
Turning to the old grandfather clock hanging from the wall, I squeak in the realization that it was almost lunch time. Tying my sword belt and sheath to my waist, I stare at myself in the mirror. My eyes remain white. They are beautiful. Pure almost, but unnerving all the same. My cheeks are pink with excitement and the sword definitely adds to the badass vibe I hope I give off, at least around demons.
As I exit the tiny home Darius and I were borrowing for the night, the village seems to come alive all at once. People stop me in the street to tell me good morning and to give me blessings. Some even kiss my forehead, mostly the older ladies. As I slowly, but surely, make my way to the lake, I breathe a sigh of relief at the sight of Darius sitting on a large bench that faces the lake.
I stop for a moment as I realize he isn’t alone. A blonde-haired man and dark-haired woman sit with him. Even from this distance, I can tell the couple is romantically involved by the way the man holds the woman close and she, in turn, leans on him.
Perhaps these are some of Darius’ fans come to thank him.
As if sensing my approach, Darius stands and turns toward me with a soft smile on his face. His face is calm, as if a couple centuries old curse has finally been lifted. I smile back and, as I approach, my inward senses are going haywire. Something is off or maybe different about the two people that remain seated on the bench.
When Darius glances away from me and back to them, nodding in my direction, the man and woman stand, still clinging to each other as if they are worried they will fall apart if they don’t keep a hold on one another. As they both turn to face me, I freeze mid-step and my breath is lost. My vision grows blurred as I try to blink away the tears.
“Mom? Dad?” I ask breathless as my voice quivers with emotion.
They both look like they have been crying. Because of what, I had no idea. When they both nod, I don’t even think first. I launch myself into my mother's arms and, in an instant, we are both wrapped up in my father’s familiar bear hug.
“Oh! My Little Moon! My Elara!” My mother wails over and over again as we both cry loudly and my father cries softly into my hair.
The hug lasts several moments. When my mother allows me to pull back so I can stare at them both, I notice out of the corner of my eye, Darius’ figure walking the path back toward the village. This is his surprise.
My mother’s hands come to rest on my face as she and my father pull away, “Let me look at you,” she commands in that familiar motherly voice and smiles. I do notice the way her eyes widen at the sight of my white eyes, no doubt.
“You’re just as beautiful as the day of the accident,” Mom blubbers out through the tears as she studies my face closer, “Though your eyes are a bit different.”
I try to laugh it off, but wince at the reminder, “A side effect of everything that’s happened in the last little while.”
My father speaks up then, “We know. The Keeper, Darius, told us.”
As he speaks, he begins pulling us back to the bench and sits me in the middle while he and my mother sit on either side of me. My father’s hands are holding one of my hands and my mother is holding my other hand to her chest, right above her heart.
“He told you everything?” I blush at the realization that Darius might have told my own parents everything.
Mom laughs and smiles through her tears, “Someone’s blushing. I guess he didn’t tell us everything after all.”
Dad sends us both a confused look, before a flash of understanding crosses his face and he shoots me a serious look, “Are you using protection?”
“Dad!” I cry out and pull my hands from theirs to cover my face, “I’m twenty-four years old, guys. I don’t need the talk.”
Mom scoffs, “What your father is trying to say is, are you being safe? Especially with…,” Her voice trails off as she tries to find the words, but I know what she means instantly.
“You mean with an angel?” I ask.
Dad nods and pulls my focus, his clear blue eyes searching mine, “We love you, Elara. We only want what's best for you.”
I smile up at the man I’d always known and always considered my father. Darius hasn’t told them everything after all. Maybe that was for the best. Leaning forward, I wrap my arms around my Dad’s neck and squeeze.
“Thank you. I really miss you guys. Why did you have to go?” I ask as the tears begin to flow once more and I try to tamp down my rising emotions.
Mom pulls me back and clutches my hands while my father rubs my back. Flashbacks of memories flood my mind of me crying due to one thing or another and my parents always being there, mom holding my hands and dad rubbing my back.
“We didn’t want to leave you, Little Moon. Don’t ever think that. It was just our time,” Mom croons before her bright smile spreads across her cheery, tear streaked face, “We are so proud of the woman you’ve become. Darius told us how brave and strong you were in that place. The InBetween.”
“He told us you rescued hundreds of souls,” Dad says, pride filling his voice.
Mom grins in obvious delight, “He also mentioned you became a veterinarian on Earth. You cannot imagine how proud I am to hear that. You always loved animals as a child.”
Dad pipes up again and pulls my focus away, “But of course, if you wanted to get into the corporate world, we would obviously be proud of that. Right, Cynthia?”
Mom scoffs and teasingly makes a face at my father. “Boring desk jobs. Our daughter can save lives.”
Dad chuckles and grins back at my mother. “If I recall, you fell in love with a guy who had a boring desk job.”
Mom grins back and nods, “And look how in touch with nature you’ve become.”
Turning back to me she claps her hands and holds them to her heart, “Your father has taken up meditation since we’ve been here and even wood carving.”
I glance up at Dad, amazed at the transformation of my corporate world loving father. “Hard to believe.”
Dad winks back at me, “I have to get out of that house sometime, you know.”
Mom gasps in fake outrage, “You rude little man! That’s it. No more peach cobbler for you for a week!”
Dad scoffs and stands to full height. He’d always been a tall man and even now he towers over my mother and myself. Though he isn’t as tall as Darius.
“Little? Who are you calling little?” He grins as he gestures to himself. “If I recall, you can hardly resist making that peach cobbler. In fact, I
think the last time you made it, you ate it all yourself.”
The teasing continues until we are all holding our stomachs in laughter.
“There’s going to be a special lunch hosted by some of the souls that Darius and I rescued from the InBetween. You should come. I don’t know how long we can stay, but I’d love it if you can join us."
Mom glances at Dad and at his nod, she turns to me excitedly, “We’d love to.”
As we walk along the paths that eventually take us to the village Darius and I had been welcomed into, I notice a large crowd forming and the pearly white gates are open and shining. Souls are shouting and yelling. At who, I can’t tell. The crowds are too large to make out who they are shouting at.
Unsheathing the Flaming Sword, I hold up a hand to my parents, “Stay back.”
Mom grabs my free hand and stares at me with a familiar maternal worry, “You’re not going into the middle of that, are you? It might not be safe.”
I smile at both my mother and my father, “I have to go check to make sure no one is hurt. If things get too out of hand, I need you to promise me, you’ll go back to your house.”
Staring back at the unruly crowd, I shoot them a wane smile, “I love you guys.”
“We love you too, Elara. Be safe,” my father answers for the both of them and pulls my mother into his chest as they both watch me push my way through the crowd.
As people begin to notice who it is pushing their way through, the crowd parts to let me pass easily. I see Bea’s nervous and upset face jumping up in the crowd and watch as she pushes her way through to me.
“What’s going on?” I ask as she stands before me shaking like a leaf.
“Soldiers appeared through the gates. They have Darius in chains and they are looking for you. You need to run, hide, anything,” Bea answers, her voice shaking almost as much as her body is.
