Alukah

by Leslie Swartz

  “Apologies, Your Majesty. I should have disposed of the rebels’ bodies. I let my emotions get the best of me. It will not happen again.”

  “It’s fine, Duchess.”

  “Again, I apologize, my Queen. I have failed. I could not deliver the man who calls himself King to you. I can not get through the tunnel of ultraviolet light.”

  Gabriel stepped forward, rolling her eyes as she walked toward the canyon. “I can.” She got to the entrance, pulled her sunglasses down over her eyes, and stepped inside. Along the eighty-mile high cliffs were hundreds of spotlights filling the narrow passage with so much UV light, Gabriel’s skin was beginning to darken. “Death by tanning bed.” She went back to the group. “Hope you guys don’t mind walking over broken glass.” She held her hands in front of her and closed her eyes. After a few seconds, the lights shattered, raining down glass so loudly, the vampires had to cover their ears. Finally, it was dark.

  Phindi held back a smile as she looked to her Queen for approval.

  “If you find the hostage before I do, bring him to me alive.”

  “Yes, Your Majesty.”

  Allydia nodded, stepping aside to make way for what was left of her army to begin their assault. Gabriel stood behind her, in no mood to get trampled.

  “For the Queen!” Phindi shouted, raising her assegai.

  “For the Queen!” the rest cheered. They flew through the canyon, all but ignoring the cuts they got on their legs as they moved through the two feet of glass.

  Gabriel stood next to Allydia and folded her arms. “I feel like they could have just thrown rocks at them and accomplished the same thing without dragging me all the way here.”

  The Queen arched an eyebrow.

  “Your boy’s in a cell. Take the stairs on the right when you first get inside.”

  She looked at her with a puzzled expression.

  “I can hear his thoughts. He’s scared. And dehydrated. You should hurry.”

  She spun on her heel and bolted into the canyon. Gabriel tilted her head as she heard something familiar. “Is that? No way.” She chuckled as she, too, slowly made her way into the canyon.

  On the other end of the passageway was a large courtyard now flooded with battling vampires. The faithful sliced, shot and hacked their way through a force triple their size, slaughtering the lot of them while taking massive casualties of their own. Allydia barreled through, ripping out the throats of any hood-wearer in her path. She reached the massive door flanked by two Roman columns built into the side of the mountain. Without hesitation, she stormed inside, locating the staircase Gabriel had described and making a beeline for it. Not far behind, Gabriel entered the building, having snuck past the fighting vampires who seemed to have no interest in what she was doing there.

  Downstairs, Navid clung to life by his fingernails, lying on the floor, his lips chapped, and his breathing shallow. Judas had removed his gag to attempt to feed him, but he wouldn’t accept food. He didn’t want to risk being poisoned or fed vampire blood. As he felt himself slip away, he began to regret that decision.

  “Navid!” Allydia gasped, rushing to open the cell door.

  “A-All,” He couldn’t form the words. His throat was too dry.

  “It’s all right,” she told him, breaking the shackles from his wrists and ankles. “You’ll be all right.” But, as she was about to help him to his feet to leave, six rebel vampires slammed the cell door shut with Allydia and Navid still inside. They cackled as they gloated in their apparent victory.

  “Not so big and bad are you now, Your Majesty,” one mocked.

  “When your friends outside are dealt with, we’ll be back,” another threatened. “Maybe show you what you’re missing, being with that human lightning rod of yours instead of your own kind.”

  “I think you’ve forgotten to whom you’re speaking,” she said.

  “We know exactly who you are, bitch, and we’ll be back for you.” He grabbed his genitals and stuck his tongue out while the others laughed.

  She knelt down and whispered in her grandson’s ear, “Close your eyes. I don’t want you to see me this way.”

  He nodded and squeezed his eyes shut as she stood, sauntering to the door, never taking her eyes off the vulgar traitor. With one powerful kick, she knocked the door off its hinges and into the men standing behind it. In a blur, she plunged her hand into their chests, pulling their hearts from their bodies as they fell, the dumb looks of shock on their faces with them now for eternity. She used one of their cloaks to wipe the blood from her skin before turning back to the cell. Seeing them up close, she noticed the small palm leaves embroidered on the deep green fabric. It would have been beautiful had it not been worn by such treasonous sycophants. She helped Navid up, putting his arm around her shoulder as he stood. He opened his eyes to see the mutilated corpses on the ground and was so grateful to be free, it didn’t occur to him to be frightened of the long-lost relative that had saved him.

  In the makeshift throne room at the center of the building, Gabriel couldn’t help but laugh. “Judas? Oh, my Christmas. It’s been forever.”

  “And, who might you be?” he asked sitting in the stone seat perched on a small platform a few steps above the rest of the floor.

  “It’s me, Gabriel. It’s okay that you don’t recognize me, new body and everything.”

  “Messenger?” He stood from his seat and stepped down to meet her. “It has been some time. What are you doing here?”

  “Not sure, to be honest with you. I try to stay out of politics. It’s not my place to interfere in this kind of stuff, you know? Besides, Dia could’ve handled this on her own. All I did was turn off a light, which I maintain could have been done without me. But, you pissed me off, so, here I am.”

  “You misunderstand my motives, Angel. I don’t seek power for myself. I want to destroy the vampiric race once and for all. It’s what I was meant to do, to live long enough to make amends for what I did.”

  “No, I get it. Still dumb as shit.”

  “How have I offended thee? I have no quarrel with you.”

  “No, you want no quarrel with me, but you fell ass backwards into one. I would have stayed out of it, but you put my brother in danger. That was unwise.”

  “Your brother?” He stepped back, stroking his beard as he came to the realization. “The Lightning Wielder? He’s an angel?”

  “Obvs. What did you think he was?”

  He shrugged. “Wizard.Warlock. Street magician. So, the Queen’s taken up with an angel. Amazing. If I may ask, which angel is he?”

  “The best one,” Allydia said, entering the room, nearly carrying an exhausted Navid with her.

  Gabriel hurried to them, helping Navid sit on the floor before taking a bottle of water from her bag and opening it, holding it to his lips. She placed her other hand on his back, healing the cuts that covered his torso. After a few sips of water, he took the bottle from her and looked her over, eyes wide with wonder. She took her hand away as he looked down at himself and back at her.

  “Gabriel,” she introduced herself. “Messenger of God, archangel, yappaby shmappaby. We should get you on the plane into some air conditioning. I have snacks. Chips, cupcakes, cookies.” They stood and she began leading him away. “We’ll get you some real food when we land. Some steak, maybe?” He looked back at Allydia with concern. “She’s coming. This’ll just take her like, a second.”

  When they were gone, Allydia rushed Judas, gripping his throat and throwing him down into his throne. He didn’t fight back. Instead, he laughed.

  “It’s too late, Your Majesty. By now, they’re dead, all of them. I have won.”

  She fumed, her whole body trembling with rage. “I should have forced your maker to kill you when you slaughtered that village.”

  He scoffed. “I killed my maker before I butchered that village. I was tricked into becoming one of you. I wanted him to pay for what he did to me.”

  “I took pity on you. When I found you alon
e in that inn, I showed you mercy.”

  “You shouldn’t have.”

  She screamed, pounding her fist into his chest, breaking his ribs. She tore open his shirt and clawed at his flesh, peeling back the skin and muscle and prying open his chest. She reached into the cavity and plucked out his heart, holding it before him.

  He smiled and in a voice barely audible even to her, he gurgled, “I am redeemed.”

  Outside, Gabriel cleared a path, waving her hand at the mess of glass in the canyon and leading Navid through. Phindi and a handful of faithful were all that remained of the vampires, the rest broken and battered in lifeless heaps on the blood-soaked sand.

  “Messenger,” Allydia called as she exited the building. Gabriel turned, stopping as the Queen approached her, her soldiers at her heels. Stern and stoic, Allydia gave her command. “Burn it all.” Gabriel nodded and the group exited the canyon, stepping around the bodies that peppered the landscape. When they were clear, Gabriel flicked her wrist, igniting the corpses within and without. Navid’s eyes grew wide as he watched the flames over his shoulder, the stench of the smoke wafting through the night air turning his stomach.

  The battle was over, but at what cost? Allydia was heartbroken, her entire life feeling like a waste.

  Phindi and her soldiers headed back to Egypt in disgrace, unable to make eye contact with their disappointed Queen.

  Chapter 24

  Hartley woke to the smell of smoke. She tried to turn the bedside lamp on, but it didn’t light. The power had been shut off. In the distance, screams echoed through the club, snapping her to attention. She jumped up, throwing her clothes on and smacking Oliver on the back. “Wake up!”

  “What?” He sat up, rubbing his eyes. “Is it still day?”

  “I don’t know, but there’s a fire. Get your sexy ass up. We have to go.”

  He quickly complied, getting into his clothes and following her out of the room, through the throne room, and into the VIP area. The smoke was thick, but even through the dark haze, Hartley could make out several hooded figures holding closed the door to the basement. “Hey!” she shouted down to them before opening fire, hitting each one in the head with UV bullets, their treasonous bodies falling with thuds to the floor. She leaped down over the railing while Oliver hurried down the steps. She rushed to the door, kicking the rebels out of her way and opening it up, getting punched in the face by the heat of billowing smoke. She fell back as Oliver met her, both horrified as a man on fire tumbled from the cellar door and fell, no more than a giant lump of smoldering charcoal.

  “The diplomats,” Oliver breathed, bolting back to the staircase and following it up to the third floor, Hartley close behind. But, as they reached the landing, they were stopped in their tracks by an all-consuming wall of fire.

  “Do you hear that?” Hartley shuddered.

  “What? I don’t hear anything.”

  “Exactly. The screaming stopped.” They exchanged terrified, knowing glances before turning to race down the steps. Halfway to the bottom, the staircase gave out, dropping them down in a pile of rubble. They clawed their way out and headed to the door, opening it just enough to see if sunlight would meet them should they exit. Light poured in and they slammed the door back. Hartley made a beeline for the dead rebels and tore two of their cloaks away. She raced back to the door and handed one to Oliver. They covered themselves and stumbled out onto the sidewalk, a firetruck already pulling up in front of them. They retreated to an alley and hid there, neither of them sure how to answer questions about how the fire started or who had shot the men whose bodies had not yet burned.

  “Are you all right?” Oliver asked, looking her over.

  “Yeah. You?”

  “Could be worse, I reckon.”

  She took her phone from her pocket and began dialing.

  “Who are you calling?”

  She held the phone to her ear and cleared her throat. “Everyone.”

  Navid slept across the aisle, an empty bag of cheese puffs still in his hand, while Allydia sulked.

  “I’m sorry about your people,” Gabriel said, sitting in front of her.

  “Are you?”

  “Well, I’m sorry you’re sad.”

  “That’s something, I suppose.”

  “I know this is a bad time, and I know you’re not thinking about it, but I’m also familiar with you, so it needs to be said.”

  She cast her a look of derision. “What?”

  “I don’t want to be a dick, but you know what I’ll do to you if you hurt my brother, right?”

  She leaned back and rolled her eyes. “It is your brother that inflicts pain.”

  She gave her a confused stare. “Did you forget who he is? Protector of Humanity. He might not care much about himself most of the time, but his kid? You mess with Will’s shit and all that Barachiel instinct comes flooding to the surface like a fucking dam broke.”

  “The boy is a menace.”

  “Wendy fixed him. He’s fine now.”

  She raised an eyebrow. “Really?”

  “Mm-hmm. I didn’t think it was possible, but that bitch has skills.” She looked over at Navid and back at her. “I mean, come on. Look what you just did for Navid. A hundred and eighty-two generations removed and you just met. Imagine if it had been Fatima, Naima, Sada, or Thaddea.”

  “You invoke the names of my daughters?”

  “And imagine if, on top of all that maternal instinct, your sole purpose for existing was to protect people. To save them. It was who you were on your deepest level. If the tables were turned, how would you have reacted? What wouldn’t you sacrifice for your children?”

  She glanced over at her sleeping grandson and back at Gabriel. “He sacrificed nothing. He’s disgusted by me. Afraid.”

  “Bitch, he is broken in half. He came to me looking for answers. Me. Do you know how fucked up a person has to be to--”

  “I saw him struggling. I didn’t dare hope that his melancholy was for me.”

  “Girl, with the stalking. For real.”

  “So, the Nephilim is under control?”

  “Looks like. He did almost kill Lucifer first, though. It was hilarious. I mean, horrible and upsetting, but the look on Lucifer’s face when I couldn’t hold Will back,” She laughed. “Ah, I wish I’d gotten a picture.”

  “You’re sure he poses no threat to Wyatt?”

  She nodded.

  “Interesting.”

  Navid woke up coughing and Allydia went to sit next to him, handing him a water bottle and rubbing his back. He took a drink and looked up, his eyes fixed to Gabriel.

  “Uh, oh,” she said.

  “What?” Allydia asked.

  “He’s star-struck.”

  “You’re Gabriel?” he asked. “As in, Muhammed’s first revelation?”

  “Sort of.”

  “You met him?”

  “Yeah.”

  His jaw dropped.

  “Dude, get it together.”

  “I’m sorry, it’s just…you’re the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.”

  “She has a girlfriend,” Allydia discouraged.

  “I don’t mean like that. I mean, that too, but, well, you’re a bloody angel! A creature of divinity. Love and light and all that.”

  Gabriel crossed her arms and shook her head. “You need a nap.”

  He drew in a sharp breath as he suddenly felt ashamed of his lack of respect. “I’m so sorry.” He slid off his seat and onto his knees, putting his head down in reverence.

  “Oh, dude, no. No, don’t do that.”

  “I’m sorry, I don’t know what the appropriate thing to do is.”

  “Not that. Makes me wildly uncomfortable. I’m not God. Plus, I’m pretty much human right now, so.” She waved her hand dismissively and he got back in his seat.

  “You can understand his reaction, Messenger,” Allydia warned. “You will treat him with kindness.”

  Navid looked shocked. “Are you threatening an angel?�
��

  “She’s also sleeping with one,” Gabriel chimed.

  Allydia scowled.

  “What?”

  “You’re what?!” he gasped.

  “It’s not your concern,” she said, handing him a bag of chips. “You should eat something else.”

  “He was gonna find out,” Gabriel defended.

  He opened the bag. “That’s allowed?”

  “It’s not not allowed.”

  “My head is spinnin’.”

  “Eat,” Allydia instructed, “Then go back to sleep. We’ll be home in a few hours. You’ll stay with me until I’m sure no one’s left to harm you.” She went back to her seat across from Gabriel as Navid ate, staring at the two women in front of him in amazement. “So,” she said, turning her attention back to the angel. “Tell me about Lucifer’s face when he thought his life was in danger.”

  Navid choked. “Lucifer?!”

  Chapter 25

  The old witch hid in the trees, watching for the girl with the power of death. Days had passed and she was beginning to lose hope. Finally, as if by answered prayer, the child returned, her parents helping her across the monkey bars. She looked older somehow as if she’d aged a year. She’d have to act fast. If the girl aged into double digits, she’d be of no use to her. Her patience wearing thin and her stomach grumbling, she followed the family to their house, creeping behind the fence as they entered the backyard.

  Malik prepped the grill for the last barbecue of the season while Sinclair played in her sandbox and Valerie went inside to get the meat. Suddenly, the gate flew open and the croan burst through.

  “Baba Yaga!” Sinclair cried, pointing to the old woman.

  “Baba what?” Malik asked as he stepped in front of her. “The hell do you want?”

  “The child,” she hissed. “I need the child.”

  “Lady, you best--”

  She whacked him in the face with her cane made from an old broom handle, splitting his lip. She thumped him again, in the head and then in the stomach.