“Do you not absorb powers? I thought you told me once that when one vamp is destroyed, the one who kills it receives its powers.”
“Yeah, we do Nate, but it’s not normal to absorb it so fast; it takes time. We still aren’t sure of what powers we got from the fight a few years ago,” Alexander tries to explain. “I wonder if it’s your ability to extract memories that allows you to absorb so fast.”
“Maybe. So anyways, I did use it during the fight. The reason you didn’t see the glow is cause it happened when pressing my hands to the bodies of the Cerberus. It cooked them like a crisp piece of bacon in the microwave. Their bodies absorbed all the UV rays, so none was leaked into the area around me.”
“Wow! You are really ending up with some kick ass powers, hun.”
“I’d say! This is pretty cool!”
“I sensed you had something up your sleeve. Care to share with us?” Ebony requests while looking at Alexander, knowing he already knows.
Alexander’s power to enter others thoughts, and interject his own, allow him to communicate with others when no one else is aware. This always keeps him in the loop.
“You know—I think I want to go over it with Elijah first, if you don’t mind.”
“That’s your right Nate, and sounds like a good idea. He can decipher if the information you received is true,” Matilda comforts with a calm understanding.
We continue to talk about our powers for a little, and the others retreat back to their rooms. It’s almost time for Nik’s bottle, so I grab one from the newly installed mini fridge in my scrapbooking nook and place it in the electric warmer. Nathanial grabs a diaper and the wipes, ready to change Nik when he wakes. After everything that happened tonight, life just seems to fall back into place. I know that Nathanial and Nik are meant for me; we’re meant to be a family. A hundred plus years, and I’ve found happiness; I found the meaning to my existence.
Chapter 23
Michael’s Adventures
I fly back to the cliff where Claudia and I spent precious time together, and stand on the edge, looking down to the city lights where the humans reside. As they hustle and bustle from day to day, they are unaware that angels and demons live among them. How vulnerable they are. I wished at one point that I was one of them, but now I would never change a thing.
The harsh winter is calm and merciful tonight, departing the clouds, allowing countless dazzling stars to shine brightly upon Mother Nature. A white blanket of snow that settled for a long winter’s nap is slowly melting away. The memories of our happy times together rush through me. I need to hold onto them. It’s the only thing holding me together, the only thing keeping me from falling apart.
When I sensed Davin’s warning I urgently left the supernatural school. Davin and the others were heading out to somewhere beyond the realms of Nubilus City, a place called Paradisus. Knowing Claudia is protected by Austin and Davin isn’t good enough. I promised I’d always keep her safe and no matter what I was doing, I’d be there for her. Claudia was and will always be my first priority, even though Katherine would disagree. Katherine is unaware that I visit Claudia. I only justify my actions by thinking she has never given me a direct order to stay away.
I wonder why they are venturing out there. It hasn’t been occupied by angels for as long as I can remember. With a twirl of my wings I prepare to take flight, when suddenly Davin’s warning intensifies.
When I reach the destination, I place myself on top of a hill. Careful not to be seen, I glance from side to side and as far as I can see, not seeing anything unusual; I wonder where they are. Turning to the only location I haven’t checked, behind me, what I find is horrifying.
The massive circular cut of the land is definitely performed by an angel; I can’t see anything but a black hole. Without wasting any time, I soar inside carefully and place myself where I assume my friends once stood. A gush of air rushes over me. It feels heavy and stinks of soil, but I can still smell the lavender aroma that lingers from Claudia. I can feel their presence, but am unsure of how many there are.
“Lucien.” With my sword lit and raised by my side, it produces just enough light, and I cautiously proceed along the dark wall. I keep trying to reach Davin in his mind, but for some reason, I can’t get through; it is like this place has some kind of energy that will not allow me to reach him. The venators’ steps are so light, swift and graceful that it is not possible to trace their footprints or listen for their steps.
After a while, I see bright lights that project out of the venators’ bows, so I make sure mine is not visible. I spot Claudia, Davin, Holly, Michelle, Gracie and Austin, but don’t recognize the others. Suddenly the venators halt and seem to become baffled as they come to a dead end.
“Great! Now what?” Michelle throws her hands up.
“Chill out and relax, Barbie,” Holly remarks.
Michelle scoffs and looks at Gracie for support and sympathy.
I attach myself to the top of the cave. Desperate to get Davin’s attention, with precision I drop a pebble right on top of his head.
“What the heck?” Davin looks up and spots me. Beaming a smile, he quickly looks down. His thoughts evident on his face, why didn’t Michael speak to me in my mind? Obviously ecstatic to see me and trying to find a creative way to communicate with me, he decides to sing. “Why aren’t you speaking in my mind? I’m sexy and I know it.”
Everyone stares at Davin and tries not to laugh out loud. Claudia isn’t able to hold it in and lets out soft giggles. Austin looks at him strangely and shivers with disgust. “I don’t think so.”
“I think so,” Gracie comments, giving Davin a luring smile.
“What is that for?” Holly snares.
Davin has to come up with a great excuse. He shrugs his shoulders. “I’m bored. There are no demons here; let’s go. Or, are there?” The last question for me.
“Shhhh…” a girl they call Elisse says. “Don’t you feel presences?” she whispers.
“Me, the sexy one,” Davin winks and chuckles.
Elisse smiles and shyly turns away. I can tell she’s thinking how funny and cute Davin is. I roll my eyes thinking, Here he goes again, and try to hold in my laughter.
“Alright, that’s enough. Look around,” Austin directs.
The rest of the venators ignore Davin and start to move away from the circle; it’s a perfect opportunity for Davin. He looks up and points to his head. Understanding, I shrug to let him know I don’t know why I can’t speak to him in his mind. Then Davin points to Claudia to let me know where she is.
Claudia turns on cue. “Why are you pointing at me?” She asks with worry on her face as she looks where he’s pointing, at her stomach, and I can tell she’s wondering if something is there.
I can see Davin wants to laugh, thinking how silly he looks at this moment. “Ummm…I was pointing to the wall and you got in my way.”
“Oh…sorry,” she says apologetically, and sees the dark shadow plastered to the wall from the corner of her eyes. I think she saw me freeze, too. Both our hearts start to thump faster, for different reasons. She needs to warn the others, but how can she without alarming the shadows too? I can see that Claudia is too frightened to look up and get a clean view to see how many there are. I guess she can almost feel countless shadows hovering over them as she imagines their creepy eyes watching, waiting for the right time to attack. I know her as well as I know myself; I know what she’s thinking and feeling. There’s no other way. She’s going to have to shout out loud.
“They’re up there,” Claudia finally bellows, pointing high above her.
They? I wonder. I’m alone…right? What I now realize is that I failed to notice the dark shadows looming nearby, blending in with the venator’s shadows that reflect from the light from their bows.
The venators hold their weapons in defense. The dark shadows drop right in the center, camouflaging with the dark floors. The shadows have no weapons except their yellow glowing, intimidating eyes,
when they decide to flash them. They are spine chilling enough to make one want to move away from them. Venators use their bows to shoot their silver flames, but it’s useless. Mystified, they continue with multiple blows, but nothing happens. Their flashes hit them dead on, but only bounce and scatter, leaving behind a mini silver firework.
The shadows’ swift, smooth movement is almost like a dance as they gracefully move from side to side, confusing the venators. Some move behind venators, forming perfect shadows of their body forms, fooling them to think it’s their own shadows, others pace up and down the inner walls. When the shadows seem to have had enough fun, they attack without warning. Charging forward and coiling up their legs, twisting and winding and then stopping at the waist: the venators never see it coming.
“What the heck!” Michelle groans.
“Not again. Stay still,” Austin directs.
“Great!” Davin hisses, observing me inching towards Claudia. I know he feels better knowing I’m not tangled up like the rest of them. “You brought your clingy friends,” Davin says to Austin. “Wherever you go, they seem to follow.”
Austin rolls his eyes, “They didn’t wrap enough of you—they missed your mouth.”
Everyone is held hostage, except for Claudia. The shadows seem harmless so far as the venators wait with anticipation and wonder how to get out of there. Claudia stumbles back in shock, unsure of what to do. She rests her hands against the wall. Suddenly, the walls start to rumble and shake. The whole ground shakes like an earthquake, then parts just before the walls close completely in. Unable to watch any longer I dart in and draw Claudia tightly into the safety of my arms
They stand in darkness, but my sword and Claudia’s bow provide just enough light to see a part of their surroundings. I can tell Claudia doesn’t know whether to trust me holding her, but she doesn’t want to find out. She desperately tries to release her bow and herself from my unyielding hold, pushing and shoving to no avail.
“Don’t move. I’m here to save you.” My tone is low, sounding nervous. She is unaware of our last encounter, but this time the situation is different. My heart feels like it’s pounding out of my chest, matching the rhythmic pattern of Claudia’s. I fight the overwhelming urge to hold her tenderly in my arms. This is the second time I’ve come to her rescue. It’s proving to be just as difficult and heartbreaking to touch her. Her proximity is overwhelming. My heart feels light and happy, and yet the pain of leaving her again is weighing heavily on me.
“Then why are you holding me hostage?” she asks. I can see that something about the sound of my voice gives her comfort. She recognizes it, but from when and where she hasn’t figured out yet.
“I’m not holding you hostage.”
“Hmmm…let’s see. You have your arms around me and won’t let me move…so I guess you have another definition of what a hostage is then?” She answers back with a sassy tone.
I smile and laugh to myself. I love her spunky side. “I guess you’re right. I’m no hero.”
Claudia can sense the sadness in my tone and decides to ease up. “Do I know you? Have we met?”
It’s a simple, question, but it leaves me in a state of confusion, rendering me speechless. I want to face her and tell her the truth. I have no choice but to lie. “No. Stop asking questions.”
Claudia is determined to see me, the man whose voice is giving her tingly pleasant chills. “Fine, if you’re here to save me then show your face. I won’t fight you then,” she demands, trying to be brave, needing to know why my voice is so familiar.
I know I shouldn’t, but I can’t resist her request. I want Claudia to see me, to remember me, though I know she can’t. My muscles start to relax, and I wonder if I will regret my decision. Just as I’m about to release her, a light appears. First it is dim, and then it grows brighter. The light finally forms a figure.
“You have something I want,” the stranger says calmly.
“What…my sword?” I snicker.
“Give her to me and I’ll set you free.”
“Callum, you’re an earth angel. Why do you need her?”
“Half breeds like her are the reason why there is division among the angels. There are angels looking for special kinds like her. Some want to wipe them off the face of the earth, but I want to help them.”
“The Twelve are handling it. Your help is not needed.”
“That is where you are wrong, and Katherine won’t listen.”
“I’ll listen. How can you help?”
“I can hide her until we’ve captured all the earth angels that have turned against us.”
“Why should I trust you? So far everything you`ve done has given me a reason to doubt you. And why go to such lengths to bring them here?”
“Ì didn`t release them—I followed them here. They lured you here because they want her. The shadows are harmless unless they take over the souls of humans, which you already know. No need to be afraid of them. Your friends are free; they are standing right above us now. You know you are underground, don`t you?”
“I know where I am. Don’t mock me. And you haven`t answered my question.”
“Uh...yes. I heard about you. Too bad—”
“That’s enough!” I shout. I don’t want to confuse Claudia, but then again, why should I stop him? It would give Claudia `something to think about.
“Not only are you disrespectful, you are rude. Now…don’t waste any more of my time. Give her to me.” Callum starts to draw closer.
“Stop where you are,” I demand. I raise my sword, placing it across Claudia’s neck. “I’ll kill her, do you understand?”
Claudia gasps and panics, surprised by my sudden unfriendly gesture. She holds tightly to her bow, ready to use it. She is not going to die in my hands, to someone who must seem quite complicated.
Callum stopped. “Don’t be a fool.”
“You really want to take a chance?” I challenge, slightly piercing the blade against the nape of her neck. Claudia squirms as a drop of blood streams down. I need to show Callum I’m serious. Take the bait, I think as I fan my wings to open and curl them half way closed. “Release your hold on this place.”
I can tell Callum feels he has no choice. “You may escape this time, but others will find her and others like her. You should take my offer. It’s the only way.”
“There is always another way. Now…release it.”
Callum looks heavy in thought and creases his brow. “It’s released.”
I can feel a new wave of energy. Without a second to lose, I enclose Claudia completely in my wings and disappear. Once I get her to safety, I need to return to the supernatural school. I got the warning from Davin just as the fight was ending with the students and bloodsuckers, and left without a word. Now that I know everything is under control here, I need to make sure those I’ve been protecting are safe as well.
Chapter 24
The Morning After
Eight in the morning and everyone gathers in the schools dining hall for breakfast. Just like every other meal, Florence has gone overboard. The students are still pretty solemn, and Carlina’s seat remains empty. A single white rose rests in her spot as a show of respect. Russell and Siobhan join us. Russell is still pallid and suffering from obvious weakness. I think it’s good for everyone to see that the other two who were injured are doing well and recuperating. Siobhan and Caspian appear cozy next to one another, almost as if in their own little world. Matilda and I share a glance, knowing that our brother will soon realize the happiness that’s before him.
Elijah stands at the head of the table, his presence commanding attention. Everyone sets their utensils down and looks up at him for guidance. “I know that you are hurting, some physically, most mentally, and all of you emotionally. Today will be the hardest, as we question…why her: why Carlina? She did a wonderful job last night. You all did. Death is something that happens, and it’s unfortunate. We lost one of our own. I want you all to be proud of your accomplishments last ni
ght. This is the best way we can honor Carlina. She lost her life fighting for the cause; let it not be in vain. We made a great dent in the Cerberus last night. During your class today, you will discuss and go over the fight similar to a debriefing; this will help to get your feelings and concerns out.”
Skah, his wife, and Caspian will run the class in the auditorium after breakfast is cleared away. Elijah and Nathanial have work to do at the law offices today, while the rest of us do research on destroying some of the oldest vampires in the world. Eliza is staying to help out with the babies, but Luke had to return to school. His exams are coming up fast, and due to the fact that it’s his final year, he wants to ace his exams. I think he’s hoping to get an internship at the Smithsonian after graduation. He also has hopes of getting his doctoral degree, and then receiving a fellowship at the museum. It’s important that we support him. His background in history and knowledge will be a true asset to them. Washington is only about eight or nine hours from here, so it will be easy enough for us to visit. This means Nik will continue to be raised by Nathanial and me. I think this is one of the things Elijah and Nathanial are working on today. We have been talking about drawing up papers that give us full custody of Nik. With Luke away and us married now, it makes it easier for education, medical and life issues in general. Of course, we’ll always involve Luke in major decisions.
As the others begin to clear their plates, I shake myself out of my running thoughts and focus on the environment around me.
Back at the main house, Florence makes a call to the same vampires that have been helping Nathanial and Nik since this past fall. Tryphosia and Abzudah, of the Oolatec clan, are two of the wisest vampires our family knows. She’s hoping that they may have some information on how to destroy Cyrus and Drake, once and for all. After an hour on the phone, and several pages of notes, Florence places the cordless receiver back on the hook. Her timeless face appears distressed and anguished.
Everlasting Embrace (Embrace Series) Page 12
