The Celestial Rose BoxSet

by Annalee Adams

  “Now, my sweet, how long have you worked for me?”

  “Not long, Ms. Lilith.”

  “And do you enjoy your job?”

  “Oh yes, Ms. Lilith.”

  “And what about your new body, it is quite something, isn’t it?” I asked.

  “It is. Thank you, Ms. Lilith.” I smiled and nodded.

  The other guard rushed in with the chalice in his right hand, shaking as he passed it over to me, bowing in the process. “Thank you, now be gone.” I yelled. The guard by my feet jumped.

  “Oh!” I giggled. “Look at me shouting again. I do get carried away.” I clapped.

  “That’s okay, Ms. Lilith.”

  “Of course it is. Would you like to make my day even more perfect?” I asked, grinning like a Cheshire cat.

  It smiled. “Yes, without a doubt, Ms. Lilith. How can I help?”

  “Oh my, you’re just going to love this.” I exclaimed, leaning forward. “Hold this, please,” I said, passing over the chalice. “No, a little higher, just below your neck.” It moved the chalice to the perfect position just below its throat. “Wonderful. Now doesn’t it feel marvellous on your skin? It's so cool and sumptuous. It’s made from pure silver, you know.”

  “That is wonderful, Ms. Lilith.”

  “Hold it still. Hmm, you need a name. What would you like to be called?”

  “Err, I was called Chase in my human form.”

  “Fabulous, then you shall be known as Chase the chalice bearer.” I grinned from ear to ear. “It’s a very prestigious job, Chase.” I said grinning.

  “Thank you for the honour, Ms. Lilith.”

  “Of course, Chase, now hold still.” I said as I got down from my throne and knelt in front of him. “Are you ready?”

  “Yes, Ms. Lilith, but ready for what?”

  I withdrew the dagger from my garter belt and sliced his neck from ear to ear. Perfect! Warm, gooey blood trickled down from his new smile and into the chalice he held.

  “Oh hold it still, Chase, keep it still.” I demanded. Giggling, I clapped my hands. Even when he was dying he still held the chalice as still as could be. “Don’t drop any, Chase. Keep it still.” I wondered how long it could hold it. Oh my, there he goes. His body wobbled and wavered. Drops of blood flowed down his chest and onto the ground before me. “Ooo, rich bloody goodness,” I said, placing my hands in it.

  “Guard!” I yelled. The other guard ran over. “Take the chalice before Chase drops it.” He did as he was told. Chase's body turned limp, eyes flickered, and his head of carrot hair slumped to the side. I clapped, flicking blood everywhere. “Marvellous... wonderful.” I exclaimed. “Move Chase to the workshop.” I demanded. He was certainly deserving of rebirth. What a guy! The other guard picked up Chase's bloody body and trudged over to the workshop for rebirthing. When Chase had gone he had kindly left a pool of blood beside me. “Jesus! Let’s play!” I demanded. Jesus yapped, squirming down my body and bathing in the blood beside me. Lying down, I joined him. “Mmm, it’s so squishy!” With my arms and legs moving side to side I laughed. “Weeeeee! Look Jesus, I’m a blood angel!” Raucous laughter filled the air. Jesus and I laid eye to eye, covered in the warm, wet squishy stuff. Jesus licked my face and snuggled in to my bosom. “Oh my, what a wonderful day!” I exclaimed.

  CHAPTER 64: Gabriel

  Apparently, this is Los Angeles, the city of angels. It was laughable really, they wouldn’t know an angel if one picked them up and flew them right out of there. My skinsuit shuddered. “It’s freezing out here, what’s with the dramatic temperature drop? Bloody winter! Why did they have to create weather patterns? It’s not like anyone actually liked the cold did they?”

  The street lights flickered as a bright, yellow cab hurtled past, missing me by a few inches. “Hey, I’m walking here!” Sodding taxis. I’d never get used to the way their drivers act like they owned the road. Who wanted to walk on the pavement anyway? I shuddered. Crowds gave me the creeps. It wasn't like you could see a demon walking up ready to shimmy your soul when there was a load of mortals clamming up the sidewalk. So yeah, thanks Mr. taxi driver, but I’m safer walking down the middle of the road.

  Then again, if he had hit me I doubted it would have even caused a graze. I knew I was shaded and all, looked and acted like a human being, but I was far from the sodding confines of their skinsuits. Seriously, I would never understand why she loved them so damned much. And another thing, why was I even bothering? Why did I agree to go hunting for that Dark One? It wasn't like it ever did me any favours. It was what the yanks would call a yellow belly, would have wet itself flying if I’d have pushed it any harder. I laughed. Seriously, though, it squealed so much I nearly wet myself laughing. My lips creased. Humans and their bladders, what was that all about? It was like their body controlled them, and not the other way around. Thinking about it, though, if I find that thing, I’d find her, and she was what it was all about.

  They were bound to be in Enoch. It was the obvious hidey hole she’d have taken them to. Lilith had better not have hurt her. I didn't care that she was her sister, she could sodding take a step back and leave her alone. It was a pain that I had to find the scummy vampire. I know, they weren't called vampires, they were tougher than that. Hmm. If only I didn’t have to go through Joey Luchazey first. I couldn't stand the guy. Pissy angel. That’s what it’d call me when I did find it. Should say him, really. Eve always said I should choose my words carefully. If only she knew, if only she remembered. Instead, she was hooked up with the dark side. All those years and Michael had to go screw it all up. Adam and I had the whole thing planned out. We were going to banish the Almighty, lock him in the eternal cavern, and then she could come back, come home, and come back to me.

  I should have told her, I know I should have, but there was never the right time. Although when she held me, right outside that mansion, I thought she remembered. Her eyes lit up, her sparkle glazed over me, warming me with her light, pulling me closer. But still, she saw me as her childhood friend. She'd forgot the promise we had made to one another. She had forgotten me.

  I could cry, but have you ever seen an angel weep? No, exactly, that’d be tragic. If we all started crying, then what hope would there be? But then, I had eternity to remind her of our promise. What did he have? He’d be lucky if he survived the day, let alone the week. I just had to count my chickens and kiss ass till she was back on my side of the world. I’ve waited this long, what was another day?

  What was with all the human emotion, anyway? It was a tough one, being one with humanity. Did they even realise they walked alongside an angel? Shouldn’t they know? Shouldn't I let them see? If only they knew the truth as they busied themselves skipping traffic, hollering at taxis, and making a measly wage at the local supermarket. Those were the mortals she treasured so much, those were what we were going to lead. She was going to leave Adam's side, start out on her own, and walk the Earth with me. We’d have taken over and changed humanity for the better. All they needed was a little heavenly guidance, and with me by her side, well, we’d have had it all. Then bloody God had to show up and screw up all our plans. She went into hiding, living life after life. All while I kept Adam on the task of murdering his own father. But that didn’t play out so well, though, did it. The sod was still out there, and Eve, well, she didn’t even know what she was to me.

  I’d really hoped she would have remembered by now. But instead, when she entered the library from within, she recalled countless mortal lives, the death and devastation of her broken heart as her mother died again and again. It was cruel, but I had to do it. I had to make sure she had a tragic event to bring about her true self again. I needed her to remember. It didn’t take much, just a little meddling on my part. But it worked, she remembered. Well, not quite. There was one life she led where she really did remember, all the pain and tragedy had come rushing back. It was too much for her, she couldn’t live in the shell of a human being any longer. And as the blood flowed freely from
her wrists, she held me tight, promised me an eternity together in Elysium. I rushed to meet her there, to pick her up from the crystal floors, but it was too late. She was already gone. Adam had sent her straight back to be born again. He said God was too close, that she didn’t have a chance, and that was that. That was the last time she remembered me. It was the last time I saw the sparkle in her eyes, the last time I held her tight as her mortal body withered and died.

  Sodding mortality. It was a curse she created, and one she’s had to live with. I get why she made them, she didn’t want Lilith to be alone. Her father banished Lilith to a life of loneliness in the confines of this wasteland. And look what they’ve done with it! Turned it into a sodding mess. I was surprised they had lasted so long, the amount of conflict between them. No wonder the darkness thrived there. Lilith must really enjoy pushing their buttons. It wasn't like they needed much of a push, was it? They’d already mined the planet of all its natural minerals. Heck, even the ozone layer we put in place was disintegrating. It was never enough for them. That was why she wanted to take over. That was why they needed one ultimate ruler; to get them out of the crapoly mess they had gotten themselves into.

  Seriously, though, if those sodding car horns don’t shut up I’ll blast them down to Hell right bloody now! Who had thought it was a good idea to invent the ability to press the damn things? The whole shitty world best shut up right now or I’d be unleashing my own voice and they wouldn’t want to be hearing that, would they? Where the sodding heck is Café Remardo? I was beyond fed up of the city of angels. “You!” I shouted at a group of youths.

  “Err, yeah, what?” One of the youths yelled as he stepped to the edge of the sidewalk.

  “Come here.”

  “No fucking way, man, you’re gonna get yourself killed.” He yelled, and I laughed in response. “Man, you’re one screw loose of a mental institute.”

  I walked over the parting cars as the boy stood there amongst the crowd of humans, mingling in with society. Placing my hand on his shoulder, I looked down, staring him in the eye.

  “Nice suit, man. Where’d you get that from? The thrift store?”

  “No but thank you. Now... where can I locate Café Remardo?”

  “Café what now?”

  “Remardo. Did you hear me?” I am surprised he could hear anything with all the metal in his ear.

  “Yes, I heard you man. I ain’t got any idea where it is, though.”

  “Well, where can I find out?”

  “Oi yo,” another kid with a skateboard shouted. “Denny, come on mate.” He waved.

  “Sorry, man, go ask a cop or something.” He said as he picked up his skateboard and rolled off to meet his friends.

  A cop? What does a cop look like here? I remembered Michael describing these people wearing different uniforms for vocational reasons. Yet, I could not recall a cop.

  A lady in a black dress and thick fur coat stopped to stare at me. Holding her briefcase, she motioned me over. “Excuse me,” she said, “you need to step onto the sidewalk. You’ll get ran over.”

  “Why thank you, miss. Do you know where I can locate a cop?”

  “Back at the police station, four blocks over. But if you keep walking in the middle of the road like that, I am sure one will find you.” She said, smiling.

  I smiled back. She seemed reasonable.

  “My names Ruth, what’s yours?”

  “Gabriel.”

  “Well, Gabriel, do you fancy a warm coffee?”

  “That would be lovely, Ruth, thank you.” I said, shuddering.

  “Okay, let’s get you on to the sidewalk, then, shall we?” She urged, holding her hand out towards me. I walked over, took her hand, and smiled. The warmth of her bodily circulation eased me, while the aroma of her vanilla perfume washed over me. She was a delight on the eye. Eve had perfected their female form in an enticing manner, arousing the animalistic tendencies of my own male, mortal body. Urges rushed down as she led me through the crowds of mortality and over to a quaint little coffee shop called ‘La Beau’. Why there was a French café in the middle of Los Angeles was anyone’s guess.

  “So, Gabriel, what do you do for a living?”

  “Well, Ruth, I’m a hunter of sorts. I am currently looking for someone in a place called Café Remardo. Have you heard of it?”

  “No. A hunter you say? What do you hunt?”

  “Nasty things.” I smirked.

  “Not people, I hope!” She laughed.

  “Only the mean ones.” I laughed as she edged back in her seat, clasping her hands against her waist. “What do you do, Ruth?”

  “I’m a psychologist.”

  “What does one of those do then?”

  “I read people’s minds,” she said, smiling.

  “Oh, so you’re a Seer?” I asked. She laughed.

  “No, I mean...” She chuckled. “I can tell what a person thinks and feels by the way they act and how they respond.”

  “So, you’re not a Seer?”

  “No.”

  “Hmm, that’s a shame. I could have done with one.” I continued to smile. “So what do you see in me then?”

  “Well, you’re afraid of people.” She said. I laughed.

  “Not quite.”

  “Then what are you afraid of?”

  “Have you ever seen the shadows as they move in the corner of your eye?” I asked. She shook her head. “Have you ever felt followed, even when there is no-one there to follow you?” She nodded. “Would you ever feel vulnerable if anyone came across at you,” I said, leaning across the table towards her, “came in close to you?” I lifted her chin. “Whispered in your ear?” She breathed out as her skin sweated in response. “But then you look, you turn, and no-one is there?” I asked, sitting back in my chair.

  She sat herself upright. “Erm, so,” she said, coughing, “you’re afraid of the dark?”

  I smiled. “If only you knew, Ruth, if only you knew.”

  CHAPTER 65: Taylor

  Darkness shaded the horizon as we stepped outside our sunshine home and into the murderous clutches of nature’s carnivorous teeth. What would a night like tonight bring? Was there something hiding in the forest, ready to lash out and eat us whole? It sounded like a nightmarish fairy tale, one of the Grimm kinds that my mother told me to make sure I never ventured into the woods alone at night.

  “Are you ready, Eve?”

  “As ready as I’ll ever be.”

  “It’ll be okay, just keep to the light and stay away from the shadows. We have to run quick, though, okay?”

  “Yes, but this isn’t the best outfit to be climbing mountains in!”

  She laughed. It was true, though; a Grecian goddess dress and vine sandals. I could see it was going to be hard work. What I would have given for my jeans and a t-shirt.

  Misky scuttled up into my mother’s breast pocket as we lifted the heavy backpacks onto our backs and geared up, ready to leave.

  Leaving the make shift home, Mother took one last look behind her. “I’ll miss this place,” she said, smiling. I smiled, placed my hand in hers, and we ran out of the confines of our protective barrier. Darkness swept over us, creeping and crawling beneath your skin. The air was thick with fright as tiny creatures ran for cover, hiding in every nook and cranny available in the mountain side.

  Standing before the mountain was similar to Jack standing before the beanstalk. It was an awe-inspiring shade of black, crystallised and shimmering in the waning sun. Sunset fell to an end as we started to climb. It wasn’t easy at first, but as soon as I hitched up the dress and tied it around my bottom, I was limber and ready to go.

  It wasn’t as frightful as I’d expected. It was actually quite pleasant once my body eased into the climb. The blackened lava crystals were unique to this world, something I’d never seen before. The crystals shimmered through the night sky as the two suns diminished their rays and settled in for the night.

  “Eve, pick up your speed, they’ll be coming.”
She said. Shit. For a brief moment I’d forgotten about the monsters. But looking down across the land, the forest seemed silent. How could something so evil live in a place like this? Had the darkness amassed and corrupt this environment too? Perhaps it had followed Mother in when she was banished. Could it be?

  “What are they?” I asked, huffing and puffing as we climbed faster.

  “You don’t want to know.”

  “Is it the darkness? Did it follow you here?”

  “No, not at all. These monsters are just the top of the food chain here.”

  “Has there ever been any humans living on this planet?” I asked, wondering if any of my creations had found a way through.

  She shook her head. “If there had been, then they wouldn’t have survived very long.”

  “But how did you survive?”

  “The light guided me, it kept me safe and enabled me to build the home I lived in for all of these years.”

  “Didn’t you ever search and try and get home?”

  “Of course I did. I thought about you and the twins every day. It was almost unbearable living here without you, knowing he had you in his clutches.”

  “If it wasn’t for Adam, I doubt I’d still be alive now.” I said.

  “Yes, your brother has been the saviour I had hoped he would be. It’s just a shame your sister couldn’t follow suit.”

  “Lilith. Well, Lilith is clearly disturbed.” I said, “but after being alone for so long, and being away from your family with only the darkness to keep you company, it’s bound to take its toll.” Mother nodded. “I don’t think she wanted to hurt me, though. She saved me from falling into the acid, after all.” She did, didn’t she? My sister had saved me. That must mean there was still good in her somewhere. Adam said he could still feel her laughter, her anguish. Perhaps he was right, perhaps she could be reached. “Do you think we can save her?”

  “I hope so, Eve. I truly do. I would love nothing better than to see my family reunited.”

  “What, even with father?”