Mark of Orion

by S L Richardson

  The Prince moved his hands and cupped her face. He brushed his thumb over her bruised lips and the cleft in her chin. She shivered at his touch. He engulfed her with his sinister presence, overwhelming her with his power.

  "I'll take your life now, but it's your soul I want." She sought to pull away, horror frozen on her face, but his grasp only tightened.

  "If you want her life spared, you will release your soul to me. If you do not, I will take her back to Hell with me and do with her what I will. The last thing you'll see before I choke the life out of you will be her disappearing into the portal. All because of you." Anne closed her eyes, body quaking in defeat.

  Meira's wails of anguish increased behind them.

  "Give me your answer, Anne."

  She opened her eyes, her face pale and clammy, yet the words didn't come. Her doll-like eyes stared back at him. He gave her a hard shake, snapping her head.

  "Now, before I change my mind!"

  "Yes." She sobbed, sagging under the weight of her looming sacrifice.

  His arm dropped around her waist. He drew the knife out of the sheath. Panic seized Anne, but he thrust the knife up under her rib cage. Her lifeblood oozed over his hand as he deepened the blade into her heart. A depraved thrill shot through him as the life in her eyes began to fade.

  The Prince flung his head back and howled into the night sky. Her warm blood spurted down his arm and flowed over his stomach, soaking through his tunic. Her blood mingled with his tainted skin. The disguise disintegrated. A new, pure Fallen form emerged in front of the dying nun. Thick, ribbed horns erupted from the sides of his head. Spiked claws extended from his nails, penetrating the nun's waist. His scorching black armor burned her dying flesh. The pungent smell drove him into a frenzy.

  "Come to me!" He beckoned the ancient soul.

  He laid her down and covered her body with his own. As the fire spread, his mouth crushed hers in a macabre kiss.

  He willed the soul with his evil essence to free itself from the flesh and come into him. A renewed fire entered his mouth but didn't burn. It spread like a light, a sensation awakening his every fiber. It consumed him, entwining in every part of his body as the damned and ancient collided and melded into one. A feral cry erupted until the metamorphosis ended and a new entity awakened.

  Perfect.

  Powerful.

  Invincible.

  The Earth and Heavens would be his to rule. A war would rage like no other, and nothing stood in his way. Not the Celestial Hosts, or God Himself.

  He rose from the nun's ashes, swirling as they drifted away. He towered in his armor, glowing with an evil radiance. His massive wings of black translucent feathers were more like shavings of metal. Touching them, he reveled in their deadly beauty.

  We are one.

  Tortured cries penetrated his ears. He whipped around, insulted by her tirade. Time had grown short, but he had one last desire. Striding to Meira, he grabbed her by the neck. Long claws cut into her as he hauled her up, leaving her feet dangling.

  "This is your God's doing! Outnumbered, we fought your kind, but He drove us out of Heaven like we were nothing, meaningless. He left us to survive underground among the fire, lava, and rock. And for what? Because we wouldn't serve his newest creation. No more! It's our turn to rule and decimate man!"

  "You'll never win." Meira gasped against his closing grasp. "You aren't a god and never will be!"

  The Prince presented his knife, still dripping with the nun's blood.

  "But I did win. A simple lie to the nun, and I got what I wanted: her soul. Perfect, is it not?" His hollow voice taunted her as he returned the blade into its sheath. "You should have taken my offer."

  He plunged a spiked claw into her chest. Her eyes widened at the sudden intrusion, her sharp scream assaulting his ears as he yanked out her heart. The Prince's eyes rolled back as he relished Meira's silver blood spraying over him, emptying her essence, killing her.

  He flung her broken body to the ground, a heap of white feathers and armor, her silver blood pooled around her.

  The Prince turned to the Fallen, whose crazed excitement glowed in their eyes.

  "Come, we must leave now. The archangels will be here soon. They'll have heard Meira's death cry."

  The Prince tossed her heart, which splattered as it landed in her glistening life blood.

  The Prince reclaimed control of his current form. He must return to Hell in his old, molten armor. No one could discover his transformation. He would preserve that for later when he began his war.

  They approached the shadows from which they had appeared. The Prince raised his hand, signaling the portal. It crackled with electric sparks as it spread, Hell's blackness beckoning them. Heat from his world blasted the cold night air. The Fallen entered first, swallowed up by the pitch-dark abyss. The Prince took a final glance behind him. The night sky opened up with white lights, like shooting stars, as warrior angels rained down.

  He smiled, vindication surged through him when the angels discovered Meira. The Prince laughed at their worthless cries as he walked inside the portal. He shifted and faced his nemesis, who flew through the twilight aimed for the entrance. The electric web had almost closed when the champion angel with blue-tipped wings reached it. His sword lifted high; a war cry hurled from his lips.

  "You're too late, Michael, but we'll meet again." The portal sizzled closed before Michael could strike his faceless enemy.

  Heat engulfed the Prince.

  He welcomed it.

  No one could stop him now.

  Not the other princes.

  Not even Lucifer.

  Soon he would reign over it all.

  And his kingdom would have no end.

  Chapter One

  Olivia

  2:58

  Tick-tick

  Olivia glanced at the black-rimmed clock above the classroom whiteboard. The second hand moved like a minute hand. She slumped against the slatted plastic chair, bashing her knee under the small wooden desk. Instead of kicking the desk, she cursed the cramped seating. Her friend, Alisha sat in the front row. Shiny ebony curls bunched between her fingers as she rested her head on her cocked arm. Olivia smirked, knowing she wasn't the only person ready for the class to end.

  Last class of the day before holiday recess began.

  Hallelujah.

  The glossy page of her thick textbook with minuscule words and dated pictures annoyed her. The page's corner creased over the same historical figure whose condescending face lorded from one of many posters tacked on dreary beige walls. Ms. Thomas paced the speckled tile and droned on about studying Napoleon after the break. But Olivia couldn't concentrate on her monotone voice. She liked school, even history, but a break from the routine sounded glorious. She twirled her purple pen between her fingers, chancing another glimpse at the time.

  2:59.

  The incessant ticking grew louder in her head. She sighed, knowing her internal clock ticked for more than school. Christmas loomed on the horizon. The most hated day of her life. Her holiday remembrances weren't like idyllic TV shows of a sleepy family opening presents wrapped in festive paper and bows. The shouts of glee for a treasured gift or powdered-donut-covered fingers reaching under the fragrant pine tree for the last hidden package.

  No.

  Sharp twisting pain and an endless void of sadness haunted her memories. A cherub little girl dressed in pink jammies adorned with snowflakes, watched her dad walk out the door. Gone. Never to come back. Skipped out on the happiest day of the year.

  Jerk.

  She set the pen on the scratched desktop. Worn pages fluttered as she closed the textbook with a thump. Her hand sought the unzipped gray backpack sagging against the desk's metal leg. She froze as her name punched a hole through her troubled memories.

  Uh oh.

  "Olivia? Did you hear the question?" Ms. Thomas quipped, resting her hands on her hips.

  RING... RING.

  3:00.

  Saved
by the bell.

  "Miss Drake, stay after class, please."

  Maybe not.

  At once, books slammed closed and chairs banged against desks as students scrambled out of their seats. Excited voices, mixed with a few raised eyebrows, scurried by her, funneling out the exit. Olivia shoved her textbook into her overstuffed backpack and hefted it onto her shoulder. She slipped on a friendly face and approached her teacher's tidy desk, crammed in the corner.

  "Yes?" Olivia asked.

  Ms. Thomas waited with her thin arms folded, a bony hip jutting out. Her critical eyes narrowed behind tortoise-shell glasses; her lips pinched together in a sour expression. Olivia tilted her face, returning her stare.

  Ms. Thomas cocked her head. "I've noticed you've developed a habit of checking the time and not paying attention. Something going on you'd care to share?"

  Yes... your class makes my ears bleed.

  Can't repeat that.

  Olivia readjusted her heavy load, clearing her throat.

  "There's no problem. I work at Cuppa Joe's, and my shift starts right after school. My boss wants me to beat the rush, so I get antsy sometimes."

  "I appreciate your work ethic, but your employer should understand education comes first." Ms. Thomas's glare didn't waver. Olivia ran an uneasy hand through her long dark-blond hair, stopping to tuck a strand behind her ear. Her finger grazed over three small pierced earrings in her right lobe. She twisted the dainty silver dragonfly before her hand fell.

  "I'll pass that along." Olivia shifted her feet. "Can I go now? I don't want to be late."

  Ms. Thomas exhaled, puffing out her cheeks. Her lean form folded into the black office chair, springs squeaking as she leaned back. "Yes, you may leave. But I hope you come back ready to pay attention in class... not the clock. You're a good student, but next time I catch you daydreaming, you'll be very late for work."

  Olivia nodded and turned before she got caught rolling her eyes. Ms. Thomas's stare in the middle of her back gave it a weird itchy sensation. She hurried out, ready to put the curious episode behind her. The bustle in the corridor was a welcome reprieve from her teacher's misguided scrutiny.

  Alisha materialized beside her and bumped her hip. She greeted Olivia with a white, toothy smile. Her tawny brown eyes sparkled against her rich dark skin.

  "What was that all about? Are you busted or what?"

  "No, I'm not busted, but thanks for the positive thoughts." Olivia grinned and hip bumped her back. "Essentially, she told me to quit daydreaming. But it was weird... like she was digging for something more."

  "Phish... That's nothing. Doesn't she know having history last period is the worst?" They both chuckled as they walked down the emptying hallway. Fluorescent lights cast a dull glow over the litter-strewn concrete floors. The walls congested with rows of beat-up lockers. But it didn't dampen the air of excitement for holiday recess. Lingering students laughed and waved to passing friends making their way for the double doors to the student parking area.

  Alisha glanced over before skirting around a hulking glass trophy case. "Girl, I miss you on the soccer team. How's your knee feeling? Please tell me our star d-back will be at spring training."

  "Probably not. It still hurts and aches after work. The doctor said no soccer or running to help it heal. If it doesn't, surgery could be next, and I don't want that. Besides, senior year is flying by, and I have decisions to make about college."

  "Like what?"

  "Like, should I go now or stay home for a year? I could save more money... help my mom out with expenses." She shook her head. "It's complicated."

  "Hmm, sounds to me you're thinking more about your mom than your future. You can't worry about her forever. Besides, college will be so much fun. I, for one, am so over this place." Alisha smirked, batting her hand at the school.

  "Me too." They stopped at Olivia's locker. The pack slipped off, landing with a thud. "I know what you're saying. It's exactly what my mom says, too, but it's easier said than done. I'll decide by the end of the break."

  "Good! Maybe we can be roommates."

  Whether Olivia was ready for that wild ride, she didn't know, but it gave her heart a warm squeeze.

  "And I miss playing soccer... bad... and the girls, too." A lump stuck in her throat as she turned the combination lock. Alisha surprised her with a big hug. Her clean linen scent wafted around Olivia.

  "Let's get together during the time off and hang out." Alisha gave her an extra squeeze.

  "I'd like that. Come by Joe's. Coffee's on me." She stepped away, pleased she had a fun night out in her future.

  "Won't say no to that." Alisha's elbow nudged her. "Hey, look, it's your fine neighbor." She leaned in and whispered, "I'll come over late one night and we'll go peek in his window."

  "Stop... that's wrong on so many levels." Olivia bit her bottom lip, stifling her laughter while she piled books in her unadorned locker.

  "Not from where I stand. Hey, see you later." Alisha flashed a wicked grin as her long strides gobbled up the hallway.

  "Bye." Olivia turned and saw Zach. Butterflies fluttered as she picked up her lightened pack. His shirt pulled tight over his tapered back when he opened his locker. He kept his dark brown hair cropped close on the sides, but longer on top, with a tousled look. He twisted and caught her eye before she could turn away. Bright emerald eyes pinned her as a grin tugged at his mouth's corners. She cringed inside but held his playful gaze even as a heat crept up her neck.

  Busted.

  He lifted his chin at her. Olivia returned with a hesitant smile, but it felt more like a grimace. Horrified, she spun away before her rising flush embarrassed her even more. She hurried down the hallway, hoping to blend in with the stragglers and disguise her hasty retreat. She mentally gave herself a palm-smack, irritated by how flustered she got whenever she saw him. Playing sports made her comfortable with guys, but he knotted her up like the necklaces at the bottom of her jewelry box.

  Zach Paxton.

  Mr. Tall, Dark and Handsome graced Las Vegas with his presence when he’d moved here over the summer. He'd been all the rage when school started but kept the fawning girls at bay. Even worse, he lived at the end of her street, compelling her to glance over when she drove past. Once, he was washing his truck and waved for her to stop. But she panicked and zoomed home, pretending she hadn't seen him. She'd parked and banged her head on the seat rest for being so awkward.

  Coward.

  Olivia pushed the exit door and headed for her car. She squinted against the bright sunshine as the brisk breeze cooled her blushing face. The Vegas skyline came into view, jutting up from the desert valley. Massive steel hotels, with their dazzling designs, vied for their piece of the glamorous Las Vegas Strip. Homes stretched out from the Strip like a sea of terra cotta tiled roofs with a smattering of greenery, creeping up the base of the barren mountains enclosing the intimate valley.

  Even though she tried, Olivia couldn't understand why people came to gamble away their hard-earned cash. Mom once said it was because people dreamed of living outside their ordinary world, even if only for a weekend. She called Vegas the Adult Disneyland. Olivia shuddered at their foolishness, but the tourists' money provided for Mom's job at a glitzy casino's marquee show. She’d started after Dad left. How could a man do that... leave his family to make it on their own?

  So selfish...

  She spied her used SUV parked next to a new crossover. Years of harsh desert sun had faded the green paint, leaving it lackluster compared to the polished red car. She scoffed, pinning the new ride for an early Christmas gift. The hinges creaked when she opened the door, throwing her pack on the passenger's seat. She slid into the worn gray cloth seats, sighing in relief. As soon as the truck rumbled to life, music piped through the new car stereo she'd bought as a birthday present to herself. It wasn't the prettiest car on the road, but she loved that it was hers.

  Gunning it for work, she shoved thoughts of Zach and Christmas aside. Instead, she drum
med her thumbs on the steering wheel and belted out the tune blasting around her. Enjoying the music eased her tension until she drove past Joe's packed parking lot and saw her boss waiting by the back door.

  Cuppa Joe's large red script logo adorned the facade of a new strip mall facing the corner of a busy intersection. It had opened over the summer and soon built up a loyal clientele. High school kids hit the drive-thru before class yearning for morning caffeine and returned for their afternoon fix. Other customers brought their laptops or books, popped in their earphones, and settled in for uninterrupted time. Olivia adored coffee and needed a job, so she applied. She started on the first day of business and had loved it ever since.

  Unless her boss stood at the back door.

  She parked and snatched her gear from the back seat, racing for the door while tying the apron around her waist. She stopped, pushing her hair out of her face, and found Joe's hazel eyes squinting at her.

  "You're late.” Her boss's tall, lean frame blocked the doorway as he held a plastic trash bag. His shaggy chestnut hair hooked behind his ears, revealing small gold hoops piercing each lobe. Joe wore a coffee logo T-shirt and skinny jeans, looking much like a customer, except for the brown apron tied low on his hips. When he hefted the garbage into the pungent dumpster, it exposed a tribal tattoo winding around his bicep.

  "I know. I'm sorry. My teacher wanted me to stay after class." She pressed her lips tight, exhaling through her nose.

  His hands settled on his hips. "Why? Something happen at school?" As his eyebrows drew together, he examined her from head to toe.

  This tone of concern surprised her. Joe was a nice guy and didn't pry into her world, keeping most of their conversations about work. She liked that he respected her space. Why the change?

  "My teacher noticed how I kept checking the time. She wanted an explanation, so I said I had a tyrant boss who doesn't appreciate it when I'm late."

  "Why−" His jaw dropped.

  "I am just kidding." She nudged his arm. "Thought it was easier than explaining how bored I am in her class. By the way, she told me to pass along that my education is more important than my job."