Existence: A Dark Paranormal Fantasy (The Devilgod Series Book 1)

by S. C. Lewis

  I took hold of Ramiel by the shoulders, hoping to appeal to his caring and nurturing side. I knew Ramiel would have an answer, although I felt like a child under the protective hands of my master. I didn’t care, if it would help get the job done. I would pretend to be naïve, just this once. I would even betray the man who had fathered me; there was no doubt about it. I smiled as I rested my head on Ramiel’s shoulder.

  “Don’t worry; I shall take care of everything, including Nathan. I will not fail you, my dear young friend.”

  Ramiel put his hand over my head and pressed me close. It seemed my warmth and attempts to be close and seek his approval delighted him, as well as gave him a sense of acceptance. It seemed to be the best reward he had ever received.

  I smiled delightfully. Oh, how I hated Nathan; though despised was probably the better word. I couldn’t wait to tell him how much. I wanted to see the look on his face when I told him I was in charge now; I would be running things, and he was no longer welcome. I owned everything, including Sophia’s heart. And Nathan couldn’t have her. I wanted to tell him everything of what I felt, what I was. The time would come soon enough.

  “I’d better take Sophia upstairs to her bedroom. I’ll be there, preparing the room,” Ramiel said, pushing me gently away. He caressed a hand upon my cheek softly. He had always been like a father to me.

  I nodded; recalling that the repairs in Sophia’s room had been finished, and his only concern had been how to get her to return to it before Nathan returned. After today, that could be now more easily accomplished.

  “What about those vampire fools? What if they start asking questions?”

  “What about them? They didn’t see anything. I wouldn’t worry about them, Seth,” Ramiel smirked cajolery as he lifted Sophia’s body; she curled against him, mumbling.

  “Perhaps you’re right,” I said, pushing the nest of black strands of hair from my face.

  “They’re harmless. Trust me. Now, you’d better change, before someone sees you and before Nathan returns,” Ramiel said, walking out of the office with Sophia in his arms.

  I nodded, grinning while removing the bloody shirt. I stood holding the bloody cloth in my hands, snickering wickedly as Ramiel vanished upstairs. A chuckle pressed through my lips and I began to laugh more freely. I finally fell over and slammed a fist on the table. Sophia would be with me finally. She would come to accept me; I had no doubt. And Nathan would know.

  23

  Vampire Liquid

  Lucas kneeled near the toilet and threw up. A knock came from the other end of the stall.

  “Are you alright in there, man? Want us to call someone?”

  “I’m fine! Go away!” Lucas yelled back; the voice on the other side disappeared, and he didn’t hear anyone again.

  It was silent in there, and only the sounds of flushing and the faded music outside continued. Lucas felt fragile and helpless. He rose to his feet, but couldn’t balance himself, so he fell on his knees again, gripping the toilet and dropping his face inside. The sour taste had returned; the liquid running down the side of his lip was clearly blood. He wiped it with his tongue, but it didn’t taste the same, and the idea made him sick.

  He was able to lift himself and push open the bathroom door. What had happened? He couldn’t think clearly; he couldn’t remember how he had ended up in the bathroom, bent over with his face in the toilet. Was it the vampire again? Vampire, he realized how foolish that sounded. There’s no such thing as vampires. But now he wasn’t sure any longer.

  He didn’t even know how long he had been gone this time, nor just how he had left the side of the bar, where he’d been. Only then did he realize exactly where he was. He pulled himself to the sink and rinsed his face and hands, desperately trying to recall the events that had led to this incident. However, his mind was completely blank.

  He looked himself over in the mirror, staring into the pale features of his face. He looked wasted, drained, and tired. He hadn’t slept in days; he couldn’t remember the last time he had. But every time he blacked out, it seemed to make up for the lost sleep. And oddly, he felt well-rested, except for the sour taste he had acquired during his absence.

  He bent over the sink to wash his face, then gazed back at his reflection, only now behind him he saw another reflection in the mirror beside his own.

  He spun around as the white-haired intruder boldly stepped up to him.

  Lucas’ lips trembled as he noticed the figure’s lips stained in blood smiling over at him, revealing a pair of double canines from the folds of his mouth.

  “Soon, very soon!” the intruder hissed, grinning. Then, in a gasp, the image faded.

  Lucas felt a gentle shove and fell against the sink; he took a breath as the image passed through him and vanished. Lucas dropped to his knees, at first unable to breathe, then exhaled desperately as if unseen hands had released his throat, allowing him a solitary breath.

  “Soon, very soon.” he repeated the phrase, invoked by a voice inside him.

  He fought for control over his words, but the pain was stronger than anything he had ever felt. Instead, he screamed as yet another phrase forced its way through his quivering lips.

  “Nathan, it is complete.”

  24

  Nathan’s Unwelcome Return

  Ralph

  If a Wrong is gotten away with, and someone else repeats it and also gets away with it, is a Right birthed into existence?

  I opened the door of the Lincoln as Nathan stepped out and greeted me with a shy smile. I had always liked the senior Abuda, because he was so kind and caring to every member of his staff. He treated us like a part of the family, and was civilized even when talking business with us. He was like an older version of Seth, but with a softer and more down-to-earth personality. Although the resemblance was keen, there were differences in many ways.

  Nathan had a warm and caring smile unlike his son, who was mostly fake and devilish in his own twisted way. They both were well-dressed men, handsome and well-respected. The senior Abuda was kindhearted, and understanding in a style that I couldn’t explain, like an innocence he had never truly lost. Mr. Abuda was quite unique, and I couldn’t find myself disliking him in any way.

  “Welcome back, Mr. Abuda.”

  Nathan appeared distracted, but flashed me a smile in greeting. An uncertainty seemed to consume his gentle face as he looked up at the Cathedral he had always called home.

  “Is something wrong, sir?”

  “I’m not sure, Ralph. Where is everyone?”

  “What do you mean, sir?” I asked, although I was certain what Nathan meant. Most night this is how things were, quiet. Although this evening, Seth and Ramiel seemed to be busy discussing business before I had left for the airport. It was strange to see Mr. Desfanto here for so long. He never extended his stays this long.

  Had Nathan discovered what took place while he was gone? I wondered.

  “The incident,” as it had come to be known by my fellow workers was something I wasn’t allowed to talk about.

  25

  Dreadful truth

  Nathan

  I didn’t say anything as I began to climb up towards the entrance of the Cathedral. Ralph unloaded my luggage from the trunk of the Lincoln.

  Why hadn’t anyone come out to greet me? Didn’t they know I was returning today? I had called and spoken to Seth about my early arrival. The Lincoln had been sent for me, yet no one had come down the concrete steps of the monstrous Cathedral, not even my beloved Sophia.

  An eerie feeling crept up and raced up my neck. I looked up at the towers and the Cathedral’s peaks; its walls seemed to have a new aspect, different than usual. There was a strange sensation I now felt, like I was being watched, but the feeling soon left me, and I tried not to think about it as I made my way to the door and pried it open.

  Inside, the same feeling aroused my fears. The same sensation that someone was watching me returned, and I found the antechamber of the Cathedral almost fore
ign to me. I couldn’t explain why, but it grew as I walked deeper into the place that once had felt like home to me. I tried to think of Sophia. Her embrace would silence these unknown fears. I longed for her kiss, and her warm and caring smile. I could only think of her, and the uneasiness seemed be overpowered by thoughts of her. Now, I would be able to spend more time with her, take her away to foreign places as I had promised.

  I pictured her standing at the foot of the staircase, looking down at me with a huge smile spread over her face. I hurried under the arch of the foyer. I could already see the grand staircase. My heart was throbbing as I raced forward, sensing her perfume through the air that brushed across my face. All I had longed for was my dear Sophia; every waking moment had been Hell in that hotel room. I had been a fool to have taken the job and abandoned my beloved, to let her fend for herself without me. I regretted it deeply, watching her cry when I left her side. I regretted the many nights I had spent without her in my arms, and felt jealousy for those that were rewarded with her precious presence. She was a constant delight of the heart, a continuous sparkle of eternal life. Why had I left? Why had I listened to countless others?

  All I wanted was to be with Sophia, to spend my entire waking life with her, moment by moment in her divine presence. A single kiss wasn’t enough; a single embrace and the clinging scent of her perfume wasn’t enough.

  I decided I would not leave again. I would abandon my duties and simply be with her. I could no longer be kept away. Ramiel would have to accept my decision.

  I closed my eyes recalling Ramiel’s words. “This is a good offer for you, Nathan. Make Sophia proud of you,” Ramiel had casually remarked to me.

  “Please, Nathan,” Sophia said desperately on the phone, trying to hold back the tears. “Forget this. Please, come back. You don’t have to do anything. We already have everything we need, right here.”

  “But Sophia, I want to give you everything without the help of any other; I want to be the one to make you happy.”

  “You have. Can’t you see all I want, is you? Please, come back. I’m so alone without you.”

  I quickly realized my error. I had been selfish when all she wanted was to be with me. Nothing else mattered, not the money, only happiness.

  But still, I had left that evening. Ramiel had handed me the plane ticket. I felt almost willed to take it, to use it.

  It almost felt like Ramiel was trying to get rid of me, but it was ridiculous to think such a cruel thing. Ramiel had taken care of me after my accident many years back. He had brought Sophia and me together. He had given us this gorgeous place to live, and had been like a father to both of us.

  In fact, my whole life had almost been a fantasy and a dream. I had a gorgeous wife, a beautiful place to live throughout my aging years, a prospering business and an intelligent and handsome son who could help run it.

  I couldn’t complain, but I’d been foolish to leave her behind. Yet, I couldn’t help but wonder about Ramiel’s intentions. It always seemed that he was the force drawing us apart. I didn’t want to believe that.

  “I don’t want to leave Sophia alone,” I pleaded on my last night at the Cathedral.

  “She’ll love it. You’ll make her proud. She thinks it’s a good idea,” Ramiel had insisted, pushing me on my way out. Ramiel didn’t know Sophia as well as he thought he did. I knew that much.

  I’d said my good-byes and had taken the plane that evening to New York. I’d been in my hotel room late that night. As I lay on the bed, I’d held out a picture of Sophia, remembering the day it had been taken. It was a family picture.

  I had an arm around Sophia. Little Seth, who was six at the time, sat by his mother’s knee. He looked mature even as a child. I had always found it odd that a child so young had such adult expressions.

  In another picture, I held him, but he seemed to be fighting my embrace. I’d never thought much about it then, perhaps excusing the fact that most children hated their parents hugging and kissing them. Understandable. But now it troubled me, because I didn’t have a good relationship with my son. This picture proved it.

  I looked at a recent picture of us both, Seth standing alongside me outside the Cathedral. Seth had his arms crossed as he gave the camera a minuscule frown. He was dressed in an Armani black suit and a red tie. I stood beside Seth, with a hand resting on his shoulder.

  Sinister looking lad, clever and threatening, were my first thoughts regarding the expression on his face.

  I placed the picture back into the wallet, but kept Sophia’s on the coffee table next to the bed. I lay back with the picture against the lamp, facing the bed, turning sideways to admire it. Then, finally, I closed my eyes.

  Now, I was home once again. From my memories she materialized, even as I had seen her in my feverish mind. I froze and glanced up, but only a shadowy image beckoned me from the foot of the grand staircase.

  Again, I wondered where everyone was. Had Seth forgotten me? No, I believed in Seth. Even though we had never been close, I trusted him. I only blamed myself for our emotional distance. Maybe if I’d spent more time with him when he was young, instead of allowing Ramiel to do so, things would be different. I should’ve rejected Ramiel’s offer to tutor Seth, and take up my responsibility as a father. But I didn’t blame Ramiel. I didn’t resent him either. I would make up for my failures as a father and a husband. I was determined to do this.

  I stepped closer. The shadowy figure was clearly visible, it was Seth. I waved, but he didn’t acknowledge me nor smile. He strolled the upstairs oval-shaped office and disappeared. Had he not seen me? Or did he want me to follow? I didn’t think much of it, for Seth had always been a strange child, quiet and withdrawn, closer to his mother than to me.

  Nevertheless, I slowly climbed the flight of stairs, edging carefully to the top, mere inches from the entrance of the oval-shaped office. Once at the top, I stood at the entrance looking inside, and spotted Ramiel at the other end of the room examining a picture frame by the desk. Seth was standing facing the mirrored glass windows of the office, looking out into the dance dome.

  I hesitated at first, then entered nervously, feeling the creepy uneasiness once again crawl up my neck. I was worried for Sophia. I wondered where she was, and why she wasn’t here now.

  I wanted to go in search of her, but I was rooted to the spot. I pressed my lips together and took another step forward. My mouth dropped.

  “Ramiel? What’s…going on? Is everything alright? Where’s everyone? Where is Sophia?”

  Ramiel slowly turned and greeted me with a smile, placing the frame back on the desk. For some reason, Ramiel’s smile made me uneasy. I couldn’t get rid of the feeling.

  “Ah, Nathan, what a delight! Welcome home! You must forgive the lack of company! The children… you know them…they’re out. They must have forgotten you were to arrive today. You did give us late notice,” Ramiel said taking a few steps towards me. There was something off about his smile. I sensed the B.S. in his tone, but I didn’t want to voice it. We had our moments where arguments became far more frequent, and I didn’t have the patience this evening for such a disagreement.

  “And Sophia—Where is she?” I asked. The vamps I could understand forgetting, but not my wife. I couldn’t picture it.

  “Sophia’s asleep in her bedroom. She must have dozed off waiting for you…” I seriously doubted his words and they disturbed me. Why was Sophia back in her bedroom? She wouldn’t willingly return to that place.

  I was concerned she would so easily fall simply asleep knowing I was to arrive. Something didn’t feel right; they didn’t seem right in that moment. All I wanted to do was see my wife and head to bed. I was tired of this lifestyle and tired of missing precious moments with my darling wife.

  Seth seemed different, his lips curved into a taught sneer, and he seemed almost to laugh at me. I felt my skin crawl.

  There was something disturbing about the both of them. Something had changed, something was different, and it frighte
ned me. Their eyes felt like invisible hands wrapping around my throat, trying to squeeze the last breath from me.

  “Her bedroom? But why, I don’t understand I thought…we’d agreed to…she would remain in the vaults at least until I returned?”

  Ramiel was silent as he shrugged his shoulders.

  I observed them. There was a deadly silence as Seth flashed me a dry smile. Ramiel broke the stillness between them. The gangly owner came closer, slowly encircling me. He was quite intimidating with his piercing eyes and ghostly locks of shoulder-length hair. It was mostly his grey eyes that ripped through my soul whenever I looked into them. They didn’t look like any normal eyes I had ever seen.

  “If you’re worried about her safety, she’s fine, Nathan. Everything has been taken care of; you can be sure of that,” Ramiel assured.

  “What do you mean? Is there something going on?” It was time to ask the obvious.

  There was a long pause, and no answer to my question. I wanted to escape to see Sophia. But I couldn’t move no matter how the door beckoned.

  “I’m tired, Ramiel. I shall go see her…it’s been a long trip and I’d like to head to bed, if you don’t mind.” I said my words slowly falling into a whisper as I moved towards the door. I wanted to get out of there. Something was telling me I should.

  Before I made it to the doorway, Seth came to block me. I gazed at him, perplexed, as he flashed me the exact same clever smile he had given the camera in the picture in my wallet.

  “So soon, Father? I thought that we could talk. After all, it is not often that you and I…well… have we ever?” He grinned.