Alukah

by Leslie Swartz

  She touched his cheek and kissed him softly. “Safe.” Her phone buzzed in her back pocket. She took it out to see a text from Hartley. “I have to go.” She kissed him again and headed for the door. “I’ll be back before you go to bed.”

  “See you then,” he said as she closed the door behind her.

  Yo, B, he heard in his head.

  Gabriel, he replied. You okay?

  Relatively. Is your girl with you?

  She just left, why?

  We’re coming over.

  Who’s we?

  You’ll see.

  “We’re getting reports of rebel attacks all over Europe,” Hartley said as she bowed her head and followed Allydia up to the throne room, walking through the path cleared by the crowd of vampires that danced in the main floor of the club. “Fires in the hotels in Barcelona and Prague. The nightclubs in Hamburg and Zurich. The brothel in Amsterdam is gone. Governors are reporting mass casualties. Numbers are still coming in, but--”

  “How can this be?” she barked as they entered the room. Hartley closed the door and knelt before her. “There are plans for things like this. Contingencies. Every Governor is well-armed with stockpiles of weapons to distribute to their people. Every one of my children is well trained in self-defense. How are the rebels doing this?”

  “They’re attacking in the day, Your Majesty.”

  “They’re what?”

  “The day. They’re cloaking themselves, risking death to butcher us in our sleep. No one is safe, my Queen. Not even under the sun.”

  “They’re mad.”

  “They’re organized. Someone is leading them. There are rumors of someone calling himself ‘King’. I have people looking into it, but it seems that this person is ordering simultaneous attacks that are being carried out by those loyal to him. There are more traitors than we thought, Your Majesty. A lot more.”

  She paced the floor, arms crossed, her brow furrowed in thought and rage. “Call the Governors. All of them. Bring them here for an emergency conference. Offer assistance to whoever needs it and find me this ‘King’.”

  “Yes, Your Majesty. I do have one piece of good news. We found the girl, Hattie’s Sired. We have her downstairs.”

  “Show me.”

  They went back down the staircase to the main floor and opened the door to the lower level. They followed the steps down to a dimly lit room with damp, stone floors and cage-lined walls housing an army’s-worth of various weapons. On the far side of the room sat a refrigerator with a stockpile of blood bags and opposite that was a cell. She could see the girl inside, huddled in a corner, and trembling.

  Hartley handed Allydia a phone that was not her own, but that of the Queen’s former assistant. “This is how we found her. My guys took this off Hattie in Scotland. The girl’s was the only number that was ever called. Wasn’t hard to trace.”

  “Thank you, Hartley. That will be all.”

  “Yes, Your Majesty.” She bowed and hurried off to begin making calls.

  “Your name is Michelle, yes?” she asked as she walked to the fridge, took a blood bag from it, and tossed it into the cell. The girl scrambled to get it open as fast as she could and guzzled the contents. Allydia tossed her another.

  “Yes,” the girl confirmed. “Michelle Iha.”

  “Do you know who I am?”

  She nodded as she downed the contents of the second bag.

  “I had your maker killed. It pained me, but it was necessary to maintain order. There’s a faction of our kind that would see me removed. I can’t allow any sign of weakness, do you understand?”

  Again, she nodded, clearly frightened.

  “There’s an uprising I have to attend to, so for now, you’ll remain here. When things have settled, I’ll consider what to do with you more permanently.” She spun on her heel and left the girl alone in the dungeon. Michelle leaned against the wall, crying into its cool stone. Hattie was gone and she was alone.

  Chapter 6

  Wyatt exited the bathroom to find Gabriel and Lucifer standing in his living room. “Oh, good,” he said. “You’re alive.”

  “I’m not the only one,” Lucifer smirked, gesturing toward the kitchen. There, eating a piece of leftover pizza straight from the fridge, was Will. He turned to look at his father, dropped his food, and rushed toward him, throwing his arms around him in a tight embrace.

  “I’m so sorry, Dad,” the boy cried. “I’m so, so sorry.”

  Wyatt’s eyes met Gabriels, hope and confusion filling them as he all but begged her in his mind for this to be true. She nodded, giving him a reassuring smile. Tears streamed down his face as he hugged him, cradling the back of his head as he kissed his temple. He took his son’s face in his hands and looked him over, shock giving way to curiosity.

  “How?”

  “You’re welcome,” Lucifer chimed.

  “You did this?”

  “Of course. What are brothers for if not taking an excursion to the afterlife to rescue one’s offspring from centuries of solitary torture? Now, if you’ll excuse me, I haven’t eaten since yesterday and I’m positively famished. Sister, will you be joining me?”

  “Yeah, let’s give these two some time to catch up.” She waved her hand to get Wyatt’s attention. I know you want to tell him about Sinclair, but Michelle should. I’ll call her.

  Okay, he agreed.

  The two left, leaving father and son alone to talk. Wyatt still couldn’t believe it. He didn’t want to take his eyes off of Will for a second for fear that he would disappear.

  “Are you okay?” he asked, his voice shaking. “How do you feel?”

  “Guilty,” Will told him, tears spilling down his cheeks. “Sad. Disgusted with myself. I am so sorry, Dad. I don’t know how to even start making things right. Is there a way? Because I’ll do anything. Tell me how to fix it and I will because I don’t--” he paused, stifling a sob. “I don’t want you to hate me.”

  “Hey, I could never hate you, do you hear me?” He held his son’s gaze, making sure he understood. “Grandpa was an accident. I know that. And, I can’t die, so kill me again, kill me ten more times. I’ll always come back and I’ll always forgive you. I’m sorry. What Barachiel did to you,” He sniffed and wiped away a tear. “I’m sorry.”

  “He was right, though. I’m a hazard. I threatened Lucifer with lightning twice in the first ten minutes I was back and he was the one that saved me.”

  “To be fair, I threaten Lucifer with lightning on a pretty regular basis. I wouldn’t worry too much about it. He usually deserves it.”

  They both laughed.

  “But, Michelle didn’t,” Will said, his features falling in despair. “I got mad that she told Gabriel I was losing it. I was upset that she was sent there to spy on me and I--” He covered his mouth as fresh tears poured down his cheeks. He took his hand away, trying to control his breathing as he spoke. “I just wanted her to leave me alone. I didn’t mean to.”

  “Hey, hey, it’s okay. Michelle’s okay.”

  “What?” he whimpered. “I didn’t kill her? I checked. She didn’t have a pulse.”

  “Well, she did die, but she came right back…as a vampire.”

  Will’s eyes were like saucers as he sat on a barstool at the island. “How is she?”

  “I don’t know. All right, I think.”

  “I need to see her. Where is she?”

  “Relax, Gabriel’s calling her now.”

  She set the phone back on the table as the waiter placed a plate in front of her. “Thank you,” she said as he walked off. She took a bite of lasagna and tapped her fork against the plate, her eyes glued to the dark screen on her cellphone.

  “What’s got you in a mood now, Gabriel?” Lucifer asked, taking a sip of water.

  “She’s not answering.”

  “Who isn’t?”

  “Doesn’t matter. Listen, I know I’m kind of dickish, but I’m really glad you’re not dead.”

  “Well, thank you. I’m touch
ed.”

  “For real, yesterday was a rolling dumpster fire and I’m really happy you survived it.”

  “What happened?”

  “Camael killed Cain, like, for good.”

  “Wrath was here? I’m sorry I missed him. We had some good times in the old days. So, Camael’s back in Heaven, then? I can’t imagine him making it out of that alive.”

  “Yeah, he went back.”

  “And that displeases you?”

  “Obvs.”

  “You were close?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Well, then, I’m sorry. You will see him again, though. And, silver lining, the pebble in my shoe that was Cain, son of Adam, is finally no more. That’s a good thing.”

  “I guess.”

  “And that was what I advised you to put off? Telling our fly-off-the-handle brother to do his duty?”

  “Yep.”

  “Is it terrible that I’m glad you didn’t listen to me?”

  “Maybe a little, but I understand. Cain needed to be put down.”

  “Like a dog in the street.” He raised his glass and took another sip.

  “Like you would ever kill a dog.”

  “No, I wouldn’t, but you know who I would kill, over and over again, no matter the consequences had our brother not stepped in?”

  She rolled her eyes and sighed. “Cain.”

  “Cain. Cheers with me, sister.” He picked up his glass again. “To Camael, always good for a laugh and the one and only Wrath of the Almighty.”

  She lifted her glass and clinked it to his, her enthusiasm lacking.

  “Come, now. You know he’s happy where he is.”

  “I know. I’m not worried about him, I just miss him.” She took another bite as Lucifer cut into his eggplant Parmesan.

  “It would seem, then, that we are both grieving the loss of someone we cared for. Perhaps we should form a support group. We could call it, ‘Angels with Angst’. I’m sure we could recruit Barachiel to join. He’s always distraught over one thing or another.”

  She snickered and took a sip of soda. “I am sorry about Mariana. She didn’t deserve that.”

  “Yes, well, she too is in a better place. I know because I looked for her while I was in Purgatory and didn’t find her.”

  “That’s good, I guess.”

  “Yes. It’s a dreadful place, that. I don’t recommend taking an excursion there if you can avoid it.”

  “I’ll keep that in mind.”

  “I’ve never felt something so empty. So completely devoid of--”

  “Dude, I got it,” she said, pointing to her temple.

  “Ah, of course.” He took a bite and studied her face. “What are you worried about then, if not Camael’s well-being?”

  She checked her phone. Still no text back. “Nothing.”

  He gave her a knowing squint and put his fork down.

  “Fine. It’s Will’s girlfriend. She’s not texting me back. She’s a new vampire and I’m worried she’s gone off and gotten herself killed.”

  “A vampire? Well, the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, does it?”

  “She wasn’t a vampire before he died.”

  “Well, that’ll be a fun surprise, won’t it?” he chuckled.

  “Man, I hope Will’s okay. I really don’t want to have to send you to kill him again.”

  “You…you knew I was listening?”

  “Of course I did.”

  He sat back and tilted his head. “So that Wyatt wouldn’t blame you?”

  She shrugged.

  “How very manipulative of you. I’m impressed.”

  “I don’t think B would see it that way, so shh.”

  “Your secret’s safe with me.”

  “I told him about the party. He wasn’t even mad. I forget sometimes how forgiving he is.”

  “Oh, I never do. You should have seen him after the Battle of Bravellir. He was sent to save King Herald, but the man all but begged to be allowed to die, thereby ensuring his legacy as a great warrior king, so I granted his wish. Barachiel was furious, but instead of giving me a lecture, he offered me a primitive form of jenever and sat with me while I complained. I was feeling particularly lonesome and--”

  “I know all this.”

  “Then, how can you forget?”

  “Because, man, I’m wrapped up in my own stupid shit a lot of the time. This human stuff is harder than it looks.”

  “Mm.”

  They finished their meals and Gabriel slid a credit card into the check presenter as the waiter scurried over to collect it. “Was everything to your liking?” the man asked.

  “It was great,” she told him.

  “Yes, lovely, thank you,” Lucifer said. The waiter nodded and walked off. “Tell me, sister. Do you think I’d be a good human?”

  “No.”

  “You don’t need to think about it a little?”

  “Dude, do I have to remind you of the people in the church that time?”

  “Do I have to remind you of the people in the theater that time?” he retorted.

  “I didn’t say I was good at being human. Shit, I might be more fucked up than you.”

  He raised an eyebrow and smirked.

  She giggled. “Yeah, maybe not.”

  “Wendy!” Gabriel squealed, seeing her girlfriend sitting at the island as she and Lucifer entered the apartment. She darted over and kissed her repeatedly on the lips and cheeks. “I missed you so much. How was your trip?”

  “Good. Hey, Lucifer. No bartender tonight?”

  He glared at her.

  “There’s a lot to catch you up on.”

  “The bartender is no more, I’m afraid. Caught in Cain’s revenge fantasy. Well, it’s late. I’m off to bed.” Lucifer headed down the hall. “See you in the morning.”

  “Night!” Gabriel sat next to her girlfriend, holding her hand and kissing it.

  Wendy raised her eyebrows and pursed her lips. “What’d I miss?”

  Chapter 7

  Allydia used the key Wyatt had given her to enter his apartment and was horrified to find the Nephilim sitting casually on the sofa. She flew at him, baring her fangs and hissing. He jumped back in his seat as Wyatt stepped between them.

  “It’s okay,” he told her, gently holding her back by the shoulders.

  “It most certainly isn’t. He’s already killed you once. How is he even here? He should be rotting in the ground.”

  “Lucifer brought him back. I don’t know the details and I don’t care. What’s important is that he’s here.”

  She stared daggers at the boy, resisting the urge to lunge at him and tear his throat out with her teeth. “He’s an abomination.”

  “What does that make you?” Will retorted.

  “You have no idea what I am, the pain I will rain down on you if you so much as breathe on this man wrong.”

  “Relax,” Wyatt said. “Nothing’s gonna happen. We’ve been working on our meditation and--”

  “Meditation?” she mocked. “Have you lost your mind? That boy is a menace. I give it a week, two at most before he’s back to his monstrous ways.”

  “And, you’d know all about being a monster, wouldn’t you?” Will snapped.

  She glared at him. “I do what I do because I have to. I take no pleasure in hurting people. And, for the record, I haven’t killed a human in years. Can you say the same?”

  “Enough,” Wyatt interrupted.

  “She’s got a point,” Will conceded. “I don’t know how long it’ll be before I lose it again. Maybe I should stay with Aunt Gabriel for a while, just until we’re sure I’m okay.”

  “That’s hardly necessary.”

  “Let him go,” Allydia begged.

  “It’s not that far and if I get out of control, Gabriel can stop me.”

  Wyatt folded his arms and furrowed his brow.

  Will stood and patted his father’s shoulder. “I don’t want to hurt you, Dad.”

  Yo, B, he heard Gabri
el say in his mind.

  Yeah.

  Michelle’s not answering her phone. I called in a potential robbery to the house in Southport, but the cops said it’s empty. Something’s up.

  “Allydia,” he said, his tone accusatory as he met her gaze. “Do you know where Michelle is?”

  “Michelle?” Will worried. “Dad, what’s going on?”

  Allydia frowned. “Don’t ask me about this, Wyatt.”

  “Where?” he pressed.

  “This is my business.”

  He closed the space between them, towering over her. She’d never seen him look so determined. “Tell me.”

  “Fine.” She took a step back, feeling intimidated for the first time in centuries. “She’s in the basement of the club, locked in a cell until I decide what to do with her.”

  “You put her in a cage?!” Will barked.

  “She is not how you remember her.”

  “Let her go,” Wyatt demanded.

  “I can not. There are consequences to my actions. I have to consider--”

  “Then, I’ll get her myself.” He pushed past her, Will following his father to the door.

  “It is not your place,” Allydia stated.

  He turned back, looking furiously into her eyes, daring her with his words. “Stop me.”

  The men left, slamming the door behind them as the Queen composed herself, using her hand to fan her neck and chest. “Goddamn it, he’s sexy.”

  Wyatt stormed through the club, his son at his heels. Vampires that recognized him from the battle in Iraq cleared a path, the fear in their expressions causing others to follow suit. At the back of the room, he spotted the door leading to the basement and quickened his pace, paying no attention to the hushed murmuring of the crowd around him.

  “What are you doing here?” Hartley bleated, blocking his path.

  “Get out of my way, Hartley,” he commanded.

  She arched an eyebrow. “Excuse me?”

  “Step away from the lady,” a half-drunk vampire said, coming up next to them.

  Without altering his gaze, Wyatt shot a bolt of lightning into the man’s chest, sending him reeling into a group of bystanders. “I don’t want to hurt you, but you know I will.” The Queen’s assistant swallowed hard, pressing herself to the door behind her. Before she could decide whose punishment would be worse, his or her Queen’s, she saw Allydia making her way toward them.