by Dianna Hardy
Chapter Ten
When awareness finally stirred within him, the first thing Karl felt was warmth – beautiful, wonderful warmth, flooding his being. Maybe I've swallowed the sun, he thought, then laughed at himself. Funny how you think strange things when you're on the brink of death...
Brink of death?
Memories he couldn't quite get at pressed at the corners of his mind. He groaned. A strong, Cockney dialect bounced off his ears, bringing him one step closer to reality.
“Wakey-wakey, rise and shine, my boy – welcome to your new life!”
He slowly opened his eyes – slowly, because he wasn't sure what scene was about to greet him. What in God's name...?
His thought ended right there, as he found himself ogling at a pair of enormous, white wings. Tracing them down from the ceiling, he discovered they belonged to a man who looked like an ageing rock star.
“Dead,” he muttered, his voice hoarse. “I'm fucking dead.”
“Nope, my son, you are not dead.”
He glanced gingerly around him. “Am I in a morgue?”
“Yeah, but not dead.”
“You sound like Alan Sugar.”
“I have been told that, yes.” The … angel …? folded his arms across his chest.
“Are you an—”
“Angel? Yes. You can call me Gwain.”
“You look like Roger Daltrey.”
“What, all angels need to look like prissy twenty-year olds?”
He had no answer for that, so he tried to get up instead. “Ugh … I ache.”
“Well, your soul was almost ripped from your body by a succubus – so technically, you should be dead. Thank the Lord, you're not entirely human.”
“I'm not? Succubus?” And every memory of the night's events hit him all at once. “Elena!” He scrambled off the table and stumbled.
The angel caught him by the arm. “Easy. You need to give yourself a minute here.”
“What happened to her? Is she all right?”
“Well, that depends on what you mean by all right. She's alive.”
“Thank God.”
“She's also so consumed by grief, and a blind rage, that it'll turn her into a full-blooded Shanka demon, unless we do something fast.”
Karl felt all the blood drain from his face. “How did this even happen?”
“I'll fill you in...” He paused.
“Go on then.”
“Yeah … er … you may want to put that sheet there around you.”
He stared down at his naked body. “Oh, right.” He grabbed the sheet Gwain was pointing at, and wrapped himself up as best he could.
“Okay … I need to give you access to the Akashic Records. Do you know what they are?”
“Elena mentioned them once, I think. Is it like The Bible, or something?”
“Ha! Yeah, if The Bible was actually the size of Mount Everest, and, you know, complete. The Akashic Records is the whole story, my boy. Everything that's ever happened, on Earth and in Heaven, is written in them. Now, this is gonna feel strange – just go with it.”
Karl nodded.
The angel – Gwain – came up close to him and cupped his face in his hands, a dreamlike expression taking over his face.
Okay, this is strange.
“Open your mouth,” he said.
Hesitantly, Karl obeyed.
Gwain closed his mouth over Karl's, sealing it completely, and exhaled.
Images flooded his mind, like a movie on fast forward, painful at first – wings, swords, blood, clouds, fields in bloom, men, women and children, animals – all the images told a story, but he couldn't catch what they were. So he closed his eyes and gave into what was happening. As soon as he did, a sensation like nothing he'd ever known caressed his body.
Gwain pressed up against him in a tight hold. The images sped up, and Karl relaxed into the angel's body as bliss took over his being. He moaned into his mouth. Floating, he was floating. And then all the stories began to make sense – he understood it all. Clarity took form in his brain and expanded to embody all of who he was.
My God!
And he meant it. His connection to God was astounding – he felt it. He knew his mission, his purpose in life. And he saw himself, as he truly was – he saw his wings. I have wings!
The images slowed down, and came to a close, the euphoria fading slightly.
Gwain pulled away. He looked at him, tenderly, compassionately, proudly.
Karl was lost for words, his breathing uneven, still reeling in the rapture that racked his body.
“Take your time,” Gwain said softly.
“I-I'm … there are memories that are … I'm an angel?”
“You're half-angel. The other half of you is very human. There are many humans with angel DNA in their bloodline, but yours … the angel within you has always been strong.”
“I've always healed quickly; I've never bruised.”
Gwain nodded. “You're not quite immortal I'm afraid, but your life expectancy has just increased by about five hundred years.”
“No way!”
“Yes way.”
He suddenly turned to look behind him. “Do I have wings?”
Gwain laughed. “You young ones always want the dessert before the main meal.”
“How old are you?”
“A little over ten thousand years.”
Karl whistled.
“Yeah, Roger Daltrey never looked so good … Right, if you're ready, we have to get going.”
“Elena...” As soon as Karl thought of her, everything that had happened made itself known to him. “Oh, no … I can't believe it...” His heart ached for her.
“Yeah, she's not in a good place.”
“How do we save her?”
“With your love for her … and with this.”
Gwain flashed the witching pen in front of his nose.
“How did you—”
“I went back to that rubble of a building right before coming here to get you.”
“You can hold the pen?”
“All angels can. That's how you've been able to hold it all this time.”
“Why can angels hold the pen?”
“Because, my boy, we're the ones that created it.”
~*~
“I've got her!” Amy shouted, almost choking on her second coffee. She ran into the living room, only to see Pueblo and Mary sleeping on the sofa, their heads touching. It caught her unawares, and for a moment her stomach lurched and she felt sick, then she pushed the feeling to the back of her mind and kicked Pueblo in the shin.
“What?!” He jumped up and Mary fell onto the couch.
“I've been working my arse off in the kitchen while you two have been sleeping.”
Mary yawned. “And that was the best sleep I've had in months.”
Amy scowled. “Well, I've found Elena.”
That caught Mary's attention. She was suddenly standing up and striding towards the kitchen, with Amy and her annoying attachment not far behind.
Amy glowered at Pueblo. “Did you sleep well too?”
He gave her a lopsided smile. “Yes, I did, thank you – Mary's got a comfy head.”
“Where?” asked Mary, bringing them both back to the reason why they were all here. “Where is she?”
“Here.” Amy pointed to the glowing red spot on the map. “Hyde Park – right in the middle, where these three paths make a triangle.”
Just then, there was a knock on the door.
They all stopped.
“Amy? Did you do that spell to shield us from Etienne?” whispered Mary.
Amy nodded.
“You guys stay here, I'll go get it.”
Mary disappeared. Five seconds later they heard her scream.
Running full speed out of the kitchen, and ready to attack, Amy froze mid-stride and Pueblo ploughed into her from behind.
“I don't believe it,” she whispered.
Karl was standing there wearing a whit
e sheet around his waist, with some bloke that looked like he'd had one too many spliffs in his day. From the looks of things, Mary had thrown herself upon him and wasn't about to let go.
“It's you!” she cried out. “It's really you!”
Karl hugged her back. “Yes, it is. Good to see you, Mary.”
She finally peeled herself off him, smiling and crying at the same time. “You're so much less dead than the last time we saw you.”
“I feel less dead too,” he smiled back, then he made his way towards Amy.
“You're Amy, aren't you?”
She nodded. To her surprise, he took her into an embrace. She heard Pueblo let out a small, possessive growl.
“Thank you for helping Elena,” said Karl.
Guilt washed over her. Of course she wanted to help Elena, but her part in this had been anything but saintly. She was still warring with her own feelings towards Etienne. She started to shake her head, but Karl interrupted her.
“I know. I know this has been hard for you. Thank you.”
Unexpected tears sprang to her eyes. She nodded, and looked at him gratefully.
“Everyone, this is Gwain. He's going to help us get Elena back.”
“Wait.” said Mary, “How are you even here?”
“I know I owe you all an explanation, but I'm not sure we've got time … and I'm not sure how ready I am to talk about it, if I'm honest—”
“He's an angel,” cut in Pueblo, disdain audible in his voice. “They both are.”
Amy and Mary both gawped at Karl in shock.
“Or, we could talk about it now,” Karl retorted.
“It's all right, Dessec,” said Gwain, his coarse, Cockney accent bouncing off the walls. “We've got no war with you – we're here for Elena. We know you are too.”
Pueblo nodded, and, thankfully, left it at that, but he didn't look all too happy.
“Angel?” asked Mary.
“Wait,” cut in Amy. “Mary, I don't think we do have any time for this. Karl, I've found Elena.”
Amy led them all into the kitchen and pointed to the location on the map once more.
Gwain muttered something incoherent under his breath, and looked at them, grimly. “That's a hotspot – a place of convergence. Portals can be opened by using hotspots. She's going to travel to the Shanka's shadow world.”
“There are no portals to the Shanka world,” said Pueblo. “Lokoli made sure of it – they do not live in a dimension, only in shadows.”
“I've got a feeling that may not matter to the most powerful witch in existence.”
Karl ran a hand through his hair.
“Yes, my friends,” continued Gwain, “Elena is going to create her own portal to the Shanka world, by ripping a hole in reality.”
Pueblo looked more than a little alarmed. “She can't do that! That's what they want – they will seep through the rip and fill the Earth with darkness. Even demon tribes will be destroyed, if they have anything to do with it. Why would she do that?”
“Because the only other way to get to their world is through sleep.”
Understanding fell across Pueblo's face. “As a young succubus, she will not be able to sleep for weeks, perhaps months now, until she is fully fed.”
“And she doesn't want to wait that long.”
“Wait...” Amy was trying to take this all in. “So, if she can't travel to their world to kill them, she'll bring them to our world to kill them?”
“I don't think that's her intention, Amy. I believe she wants to enter their world to kill them, and close the portal behind her.”
Karl's face went pale.
“The problem arises if something goes wrong and the portal remains open. If the Shanka go through it, they'll become corporeal on Earth.”
Pueblo cursed. “The Shanka are never supposed to become corporeal on Earth. They will shower death upon us all.”
“We need to get there fast. Amy, is it possible for both you and Pueblo to join your energies and teleport Mary there, as well as yourselves?”
“I think so.”
“Good. Karl and I will make our own way.”
“You gonna fly?” asked Mary.
Gwain grinned. “Of course.”
“Wait,” said Amy. She gestured at Pueblo and Karl, then muttered, “Ornata.”
Jeans and a T-shirt covered each of them, replacing the loin cloth and the sheet.
“Thanks!” smiled Karl.
“I'm uncomfortable,” complained Pueblo.
“Okay, let's go!” Gwain grabbed Karl. “We need to make a detour. We'll meet you guys there.”
“Where we going?”
Gwain's face tightened. “A portal to the shadow world has never been created before. I need to find out how to close it, in case she can't.”
“Gwain, I can't lose her.”
“Let's not think about that, stud. Let's go.” And they went out the door.
“Hmmm,” said Mary, “I'm kinda disappointed I didn't see them fly.”
Amy shrugged. “Your window's too small for them to fit through. Pueblo?”
“I'm ready. Are you feeling strong enough to teleport again?”
“Never better. Will we all need to strip for this?” she asked sarcastically.
He laughed. “No, there should be enough power in both of us to carry our clothes as well as our bodies.”
“Well, thank God for that,” said Mary. “Guys, what are we actually going to do once we get there?”
“Try and talk Elena out of creating the portal.”
“And, what if we're too late and demons are running around everywhere?”
“We fight,” said Pueblo. “We'll have no choice. Can you fight?”
“Er, I do kick-boxing – does that count?”
“We'll watch your back.”
They all joined hands. Amy felt Pueblo's power seeping into her palm, and she let her own flow into his. With their other hands, they offered their energy to Mary. She took it whether she realised it or not. Her eyes widened. “Holy sh—”
And then they were hurtling through space.
~*~
Elena paced up and down the hotspot, trying to find the exact centre of those currents of energy. All hotspots nestled where three or more ley lines crossed. Today, the magnetic fields in the atmosphere seemed weaker than usual. She needed more of a surge, more power. She wasn't performing a circle-casting, for God's sake, she was about to punch a hole through to another world, and she couldn't wait – couldn't wait to see its inhabitants suffer and die. She knew how it would end – oh yes. This wasn't a careless mission. She wasn't being reckless. She didn't want the Earth overrun with Shanka demons. Once she created the portal, she would close it before any demons escaped. The only way to close it was with her own blood. Not much blood, just one drop, falling anywhere within the triangle would do it, coupled with the words from the spell she'd memorised. Through her blood, the portal would also claim her and she would be sucked through it as it closed. And that was the whole idea – she wanted into their world, and this was the quickest way to get there. She was going to annihilate the Shanka on their own turf, and she was going to go down with them. It was the only acceptable redemption, really, for what she did to … him.
Grief fell on her hard and fast. She called on her anger instead and let it overtake any other emotion. Grief had no place in the heart of a Shanka demon. Especially not one that was going to kill them all.
She looked at the horizon and guessed it was about half past six in the morning – the sun would be rising soon. The park was already open – it opened at five – but was relatively empty. Most who came across her hurried away in the opposite direction. A young couple, obviously very much in love, thought she was pavement entertainment, and tossed her a pound coin. She had to force herself to focus on the reason why she was here, so she wouldn't shred them to pieces.
A familiar sensation crept up her spine.
It's here! I've found it!
Sh
e wasted no time. She stood at the centre of the hotspot and power surged through her; she barely had to call on it at all. She raised her right hand.
“Gladium meum.”
A dagger materialised in her palm, and she closed her hand around the cool metal.
“Aperite ostium meum sanguinem, ad tenebris umbram saeculi!”
Under her feet, the Earth seemed to tremble just a little.
She brought the blade down to her wrist and slashed it once, a small, clean cut. A second later, red seeped through the slice in her demon skin, looking like a welcome flood on dry, arid plains. She let her arm hang, and waited for the needed drop to hit the ground.
“No!” came a scream from behind her.
She turned and saw Amy, Mary, and a dark-skinned guy she'd never seen before. The cry came from Mary. Amy ran towards her. Elena didn't think, but sent her flying backwards with a wave of her hand. She landed on the guy, who grunted at her weight, but didn't fall – didn't even stumble – which had Elena wondering if he was human.
“Karl's alive!”
She froze.
It wasn't possible! She could feel him inside her – the glow she'd stolen from him – his soul. He couldn't be alive. There'd been no pulse.
“Karl's alive!” cried Mary, again. “He's on his way now.”
Logic fought instinct within Elena, but the hope had already flared in her heart, confusing all her senses. If he was alive...
Too late, she felt the drop of blood tickle her skin as its small weight left the end of her finger. “No,” she whispered, but the little droplet followed gravity's command, not hers. It hit the ground.
A blast of light, so bright it hurt her eyes, threw her on her backside. Amy, Mary and the man, rushed to her side. The four of them stared into the space, a few feet above the ground, where the portal appeared. It did, in fact, look like a huge rip in the sky. The rip itself was a dark purple, like a bruise; the colour of the air surrounding it, a cobalt blue, all of it crackling and rippling, like lightning upon waves. It would have been a morbid beauty had none of them known what it actually meant.
Reality came crashing down upon Elena, and with it the realisation of the only possible outcome. “What have I done? Mary … is Karl really...?” She couldn't even say the word.
Mary nodded.
