by Kim Petersen
She reached for her bag and drew out a pen. She placed the pen on top of the folder then pushed it closer to him. ‘Can you please sign the divorce papers?’ her eyes pleaded.
He took the folder and slowly opened it. His eyes trailed over a bunch of typed words with bright little stick-it arrows indicating where his signature should fall. He glanced back at her, noticing the slight quiver of her hands as she knuckled them together.
‘Why did you bring them yourself? You could have sent someone else or mailed them?’ he said.
She gulped visibly. ‘There are many things I would have done differently. Marrying you and raising the children are not on that list,’ she sighed, and her eyes glistened. ‘It is what came after that I regret; what happened with Ace … it’s my fault,’ she choked.
Her eyes dropped to her knotted hands. ‘I want to do things differently now; I want to reach out to our son and I want to do things the right way,’ she whispered.
He strained against the tears that threatened to overwhelm him. ‘For what it’s worth, I’m sorry, Lilly,’ he said.
‘I’m sorry too.’ She reached out and patted his hand briskly. It was the final scrap of affection to symbolise their time together, and it was enough to topple the tears from Glen’s eyes as he signed the papers with blurred vision.
He was unable to meet her eyes as his colossal fingers pushed the folder towards her. ‘I hope you will be happy with him,’ he grunted.
Her smile was thin. ‘Thank you,’ she uttered.
She replaced the folder in her bag and made moves to leave. They walked the stretch of hallway in silence, then she turned to him as she reached the door. ‘Hey, were you really eating plate?’ she asked.
He rubbed a hand over the top of his hair. ‘Yeah,’ he grinned sheepishly.
‘I guess some things do change. Since when did you become a plate eater?’ she laughed.
‘Since my omelette and plate decided to unite in a special way,’ he chuckled. His eyes grew serious. ‘You should go to Millie now. She needs you; you can be there for her in a way she won’t allow me.’
She gave a look of alarm. ‘What’s happened?’ she said.
His lips creased together and his eyes darkened. ‘Ace happened,’ he said painfully.
‘Can we stop for something to eat, uncle Ace?’ Arella piped over the radio.
Madison cringed and tried to focus her attention on the lights of the oncoming traffic. The widespread beams of the passing headlights caught her eye and she relaxed; she had always enjoyed night driving and she appreciated the trip back north in the comfort of the van. If only she were alone with Ace, it might have even become a romantic trip back home.
Ace shot Arella a grin. ‘Sure, Rella, we’ll pull over soon okay?’ he said.
‘I have to pee too,’ she said.
Madison suppressed a sigh. Who knew she didn’t like children? Certainly not she. She had always assumed she liked the little ankle biters, however she had taken an instant dislike to this one. She reached for her bag and blindly dug through its contents. ‘Ah, here it is,’ she exclaimed, shoving a lollypop towards Arella. ‘I got this for you.’
Arella took the lollypop guardedly. ‘Thanks,’ she muttered. She turned back to Ace. ‘I want real food,’ she whined.
‘It is real food,’ Madison snapped.
Ace scowled and threw her a dirty look.
Madison sighed and turned her attention back to the window. She couldn’t wait for this part to be over. Then she and Ace would be free to frolic and play as Apepsis intended, and together they would accumulate enough influence to effectively reincarnate the serpent god on earth. That was when her black magic skills would come in handy. The thought of eradicating enough angel descendants and using her magic for a much higher purpose excited her beyond belief. After all, she had been training for that moment her whole life, and waiting for someone like Ace for just as long.
She took comfort in knowing her time would soon arrive. Her eyes found the dark spidery figures of the trees looming on the side of the road. The Australian bush was ingrained in her upbringing, as she was raised by parents that had embraced and used the land effectively. From the moment she was born, her parents had instilled their shadowy beliefs in their only child, and raised her within the sacred grounds of a coven where they had taught her the folklore of their tradition. Practising hexes and using the tools of the craft had come naturally. Since she could remember, she was fascinated with the supernatural tales her mother whispered in her ear at night; especially those that wove around their serpent god, Apepsis. It was on her 16th birthday she had chosen her fate when she agreed to pledge her life-force to the serpent god in sacrificial ceremony.
A few minutes later the van slowed and pulled up in a dirt lot beside a highway diner. Madison threw open the door and climbed out with an air of relief. She fumbled to light a cigarette, glad to put a little distance between herself and Arella.
Ace came up beside her. ‘I’ll take her in and meet you inside,’ he said, leaning to plant a kiss on her lips. ‘C’mon Rella.’ He grasped Arella’s hand and they made for the diner.
‘What do you want to eat?’ he smiled down at her.
‘French fries and a chocolate shake!’ Arella giggled as she skipped along next to him.
Ace chuckled. ‘French fries hey? You know they’re actually not French; they originated in Belgium,’ he said.
‘Yes, I did know that!’ she laughed. ‘Did you know that eating chocolate was once considered a sin?’
Ace laughed. ‘It was during the 16th and 17th centuries,’ he said.
Their conversation drifted out of Madison’s earshot and she eyed them cagily until they disappeared through the diner door. She didn’t trust the little squirt. Firstly, she resented the attention Ace lavished on her. And secondly, we bundled her into a van and away from her mother and not once has she been afraid. It just didn’t make sense.
She stamped out the cigarette, and smoothing the tight sweater over her fleshy hips, sashayed towards the diner. Whatever the kid’s game was, she could play too.
Madison slid along the padded bench of the booth facing them. Their laughter paused as they both looked at her. She pushed aside her escalating grudge and forced a smile when Ace said he had ordered her a burger. She thanked him and looked at Arella. ‘So, Arella, how long do you think it will take your mother to come for you?’ she said sweetly.
Arella’s eyes widened. ‘She won’t take long. I will meet her in the Golden World,’ she said, taking a long slurp of her shake.
‘Where is the Golden World?’ Madison frowned.
Arella shrugged and munched on her hotdog. ‘It’s a special place for angels – not for bad witches,’ she said.
Madison gasped. ‘I’m not a bad witch, who told you that?’ she shot Ace an accusing glance.
Ace chuckled. ‘Don’t look at me; she’s a smart little cookie,’ he winked. He turned to Arella. ‘Madi is not a bad witch, Rella. She’s my special friend and she helps me.’
‘I know … she helps you do bad things,’ she said.
Madison tossed her frizzy locks. ‘You’re rather a shit, aren’t you sweetie?’ she hissed.
Arella gasped. ‘That’s a naughty word,’ she said, covering her mouth with her hand. She blinked at Ace. ‘I told you she’s a bad witch!’
‘I told you she’s a bad witch,’ Madison mimicked. She leaned across the table. ‘Bitch. There’s another bad word.’
Arella’s eyes almost popped from her head as she turned to Ace.
‘Enough!’ Ace barked, glaring at Madison. ‘Hurry up and eat; I’m going to the bathroom. Be ready to go when I get back.’
Madison smirked. She watched Arella in silence as they ate alone for a few minutes. Annoying little brat, she brooded. Her thoughts turned to her visit at the gallery earlier that day, and her mood suddenly shifted. She hadn’t left the gallery empty handed as Millie had assumed. She had in her possession a significant ingredient to a crucially imp
ortant spell. Her eyes gleamed under the fluorescent lights of the diner as elation surged through her with an exquisite shiver. She had concocted a plan of her own when she had picked up the van from her girlfriend’s house after her gallery visit. She smiled as she watched Ace walk briskly towards them. He had no idea that they would be expecting another visitor in a few days; a visitor whose presence would play a pivotal part in gaining momentum in the spell she intended to cast.
She threw the napkin to the table and slid from the booth. ‘Hurry up!’ she snapped at Arella. She started for Ace, careful to use the full swing of her hips as she met him between rows of empty tables. ‘We’re ready, baby,’ she cooed.
‘Good,’ he grunted. His eyes glinted and his mood had darkened considerably.
‘What’s wrong?’ she asked.
‘There is a cop in the bathroom and he was checking me out. Take Arella to the van before he comes out.’
She grabbed Arella’s arm roughly. ‘Come on!’ she said, ushering her towards the door.
‘Ouch! Uncle Ace?’ Arella moaned.
Ace gave her a gentle shove. ‘Go with Madi. I’ll be out in just a minute.’
Madison crammed Arella through the van door. ‘Stay here; I’ll be right back,’ she said, ignoring the girl’s protests.
She rushed back to the diner and peered through a grimy window. It was late and the restaurant was empty. From her viewpoint, she couldn’t even spy the old man that had been busily cleaning behind the counter earlier. He must be out back, she assumed. Scanning the room, her breath caught in her throat when she noticed a big black snake slivering between the diner tables and chairs. The snake was like nothing she had ever seen before; it had to be at least 10ft long and although its body was thick, it was the massive width of its head that struck her the most. She watched with growing anticipation as its elongated body flexed with each movement, giving its black scales a luminous effect as they glimmered under the bright diner lights. She grinned. Oh, he’s beautiful! she thought, totally mesmerised at his graceful mobility.
From the corner of her eye, Madison noticed another movement in the room. It was the policeman. Her body stiffened and she crouched down further as the uniformed man paused and cautiously peered around the empty diner. He must have sensed danger, as she noticed his hand lingering close to his belted pistol. He took one noiseless step towards the counter, searching for the man that worked the night shift. It was then she saw Ace speed towards the policeman. The man’s eyes widened as he made a yelping sound and grappled for his weapon while Ace leered high and arched over him menacingly. Madison gasped with excitement burning through her dark eyes as Ace cocked his head to one side for a moment. She noticed how strikingly blue his lidless eyes appeared against his black scales.
The man took the fleeting moment to grip the handle of his gun, and as he began to raise the pistol towards the hovering serpent, Ace opened his mouth to reveal an impressive display of white pointed fangs. He sprang into action and swooped down to capture the man’s head entirely between his strong jaws. The man’s body shuddered violently while his limbs flared and swung wildly in a desperate attempt to free himself. Madison noticed his legs kicking savagely as Ace manoeuvred his long sinuous form and easily began to lift his body from the floor. With one powerful thrust, the serpent lashed the man’s head and severed it from his body.
Madison’s pulse thundered through her body in a throbbing race, yet she was unable to tear her eyes from the gruesome scene. Blood spouted from the decapitated body like a scarlet fountain, and when her eyes rested on the man’s head that had come to pause not far from the window through which she gazed, she flung her hand up to her lips. She was so drawn to the head that she failed to notice Ace slinking to the far side of the restaurant. And as she watched the freshly amputated head, her heart almost stopped when she saw his eyes blink a few times and his pale lips quivering. She gasped as his wandering eyes finally settled on her briefly before glazing over in an expression of shock; as if the finality of his death had permanently marked his face.
She heard the thud of the diner door and slowly became aware of the heavy fall of footsteps as they neared her. She looked at Ace in confusion as he tugged at her arm and hauled her to her feet.
‘Let’s go,’ he grunted.
She allowed him to bundle her into the van while her thoughts still recalled the man’s decapitated head. An hour had passed before she was able to drag herself away from the grisly diner scene. She swallowed and shook her frizzy locks as she looked to him. It was dark but every now and then his silhouette ignited with the light of a passing truck. His chest was heaving under his jacket and he wore a calloused expression. Her nerves tingled with elation. It encircled every channel of her body until settling in her groin. She eyed him with lust and squirmed in her seat as she felt herself becoming moist. Her eyes trailed to Arella who was resting her sleeping head against Ace.
‘Hey lover,’ she said huskily. ‘We need to go off road for a few minutes.’
He glanced at her, and catching her expression, stopped the car. He didn’t need much convincing.
Millie didn’t bother to knock. She flung the door open and slammed it shut again with a kick of her heel. Her footsteps fell heavily on the old timber floorboards, and just as she expected, her father appeared clambering towards her as she skirted the kitchen doorway.
His green eyes were vivid. ‘Millie! What’s going on? Have you heard any word about Rella?’ he exclaimed.
‘Are you serious?’ her voice was like steel.
‘What do mean?’ he said.
Her fingers dug into the door frame. ‘I just spoke to the police. You told them they were headed south. Why?’
Their eyes locked and for a moment he was silent.
‘We both know he was in Queensland, and we both know that’s where he’s headed with her. Why did you tell the police he was going south?’ she said.
Glen nodded slowly. ‘I was wondering how long it would take for you to come here.’ He lowered his eyes and walked over to the table, gesturing for her to sit down.
‘What have you done? Where is she?’ she smouldered.
‘I don’t know where she is exactly, but we won’t get her back with the police, Millie. He’s too powerful … and the woman that accompanies him is almost as dangerous as him. We have to do this together; it’s the only way,’ he said.
Her mind whirled. What woman?
‘Millie, listen to me. I tried to tell you earlier but you wouldn’t listen. I had to lead the police the wrong way – at least for now,’ he said.
Her lips felt dry as she bit down. ‘It’s me he wants,’ she said gravely.
Glen nodded. ‘Yes, but he’s conflicted. I know there is still good in him. He won’t hurt her; I’m sure of it.’
Millie loosened her grip on the door frame and sank into a chair. Her face pale milk yet the fire that blazed in her eyes betrayed her rage. ‘I want to know everything you know about Ace, the woman and where exactly they’re going,’ she demanded. ‘I want to know everything you know about this Apepsis. Everything!’
He drew a heavy breath and rubbed at the spikes of his hair. ‘They are headed back north; he wanted us to know that. The serpent seeps through his mind and clogs his consciousness. Years I have struggled to contain his presence, sometimes with success … and other times I lost the inner battle. I owe my redemption to you; it was your grace that ultimately saw me banish Apepsis for good,’ he said.
Noticing his eyes glistening as he spoke, she reached out and covered his hand with her own. ‘Go on,’ she whispered.
‘It has taken me many years to overcome the darkness, but you helped me realise that there is only one true power that can create anything, and when requalified, that energy has the power to consume and recreate. What I’m telling you is; it is the same for Ace – the darkness in him can be recreated into light. He just needs our help.’
Millie paused in thought. ‘I’ll book us a flight to Queens
land. What of the woman?’ she said.
His eyes darkened with his scowl. ‘She’s a black witch, and she belongs to Apepsis,’ he said.
She gave a bitter laugh and rose to her feet. ‘Well, he can have her, but he’s claiming my family no longer.’ She walked to the doorway and paused to look at him. ‘Damon will be joining us; that is another subject we will discuss some day.’
‘Millie, I’m sorry for everything … I really am,’ he choked.
Her expression softened. ‘I know, dad. I know,’ she murmured.
She turned and made a swift exit. As the chill of the outside air blasted into her lungs, she felt a moment of gratitude. For the first time since she had discovered the secrets she had uncovered in that wooden box years before, she was finally able to release the resentment she had harboured for her father. He had found his peace, and she realised when they left this earth; the lies, the betrayal and the tension would become irrelevant. All that mattered now was getting her daughter back and saving her lost brother.
She drove the short distance home to make the arrangements for their trip north. Later she intended to seek divine guidance from Samantha. She knew she had to expand enough to reach the Golden World; for there she would contact her daughter.
The hospital corridors were quiet. Bella shuddered as she delved deeper into the building. The walls were washed with grey and appeared as dull and lifeless as the patients that occupied the beds. They could at least attempt to make it a happier atmosphere, she thought. She rounded the last corner that would bring her to her mother’s room, and clutched the yellow carnations tighter when she saw her. Her mother was lying as still as the dead, and for a moment Bella was unsure if life remained within her. As she moved closer, she sighed with relief when her mother’s eyes fluttered open.
‘Hi mum,’ she whispered, leaning over to kiss her forehead.
Rose smiled. ‘Hi Wonder-Bella,’ she murmured. She chuckled quietly. ‘I’ve been waiting for you.’
Bella busied herself with arranging the fresh flowers in a vase. ‘I’m sorry; I got held up at work. There were lots of swimming lessons tonight.’ She perched on the edge of the bed.
