The Lyris

by Lola St. Vil

  “Oh, and your suit is in your room. It’s muted silver with a jade tie to match the bouquet Bianca will carry.”

  “I’m gonna go find Miku,” Emmy says as she walks away.

  “No, don’t go,” I reply, reaching out to stop her.

  “You have to get ready,” she says giving me her best fake smile.

  “Maybe it was wrong to bring you back here.”

  “No, Marcus, I want to be here. I know its crazy but I don’t really think I can stay away.”

  “This will be over soon,” I assure her.

  “Wait; Emmy, you’re not okay with this?” Tony asks.

  I roll my eyes and Emmy shrugs.

  “The story is that you two have been over for awhile. I thought that was strange since I helped you get a ring. But then I heard you have a new boyfriend and everything. I thought maybe the ring scared you away. Hey, it’s okay to be afraid of commitment. I mean, Tonya keeps trying to tie me down. That why it never works with us,” Tony confides in us.

  “Um... Lucas and I broke up,” she explains.

  “Oh, well, I have a potion that makes serpents come out of his eyes or a powder that can cause him excruciating pain every time he crosses your mind. It’s yours if you want it; half off. You know, because you’re family.”

  “Thanks, but I’m okay,” Emmy replies.

  Tony looks at each of us and a light bulb goes off in his head.

  “You two are still in love!” He shouts.

  I pull him aside and threaten to dismember him if he doesn’t lower his voice.

  “I’m so glad - I love you two together. You know, Marcus, she’s your softer, caring side,” Tony replies.

  “I thought you liked Bianca?” Emmy asks.

  “Well, yeah, she’s high class and elegant. But you saved my life. And we all know you two belong together,” Tony informs her.

  “Maybe, but for now, we need to make this happen,” I reply.

  “Okay, so your team is just going to act like you two aren’t together?” Tony asks.

  “Until we can figure a way out of it,” I tell him.

  “Okay, but you two might want to work on the ‘longing glances;’ I mean even a Demon can pick up on that,” Tony tells us.

  Emmy and I look at each other. He’s right. Not only that, I don’t look like a guy who’s about to get married. I look like someone who’s been sentenced to death.

  “Marcus, may I see you, please?” Dalce orders from the Foundation entrance a few yards away. I walk over to him and he takes me inside his headquarters. Standing there is Bianca and her cousin, Eta. Bianca had not yet gotten into her wedding dress. She’s wearing dark slacks and an expensive looking blouse. Honestly, she is very striking.

  “What is it?” I ask.

  Dalce brings out a single earth-colored parchment and places it at the center of the table. The words are hand written in a gold font. The text on the page moves in swirls that form the Foundations’ initials. Dalce places his hand on the paper and instantly the words come together to form our agreement.

  “Once you two have the Exchange, the contract will go from words on paper to carvings in stone. Each member of the army has been instructed to wait for their Rush.”

  “Rush?” I ask.

  “It’s a symbol that will carve itself into their skin. In this case, the Foundations’ initials will appear on each member of the army. That is when they will march on the Sage.”

  “Where is the army now?” I ask.

  “Near by. They are waiting for the Rush. It’ll only appear after the Exchange. So, if you run out on my daughter again, things will be very difficult for you,” he warns me.

  “Father, you can’t blame Marcus. He was worried about the human,” Bianca says in my defense.

  That catches me off guard.

  “Never the less, we had to do a lot of damage control. If our people don’t believe that you and Bianca are really united, they will side with the Sage. This marriage is worth more than just a piece of paper. This has to look like the real thing.”

  “I’m already supposed to have sex with her, how much more real can we get?” I ask bitterly.

  “Come now Marcus, my daughter is gorgeous. You could do a lot worse, like the scrawny human back there.”

  “Uncle…” Eta says quietly.

  “My niece loves the human. She thinks you and her are meant to be together. My niece is a romantic - that is why she will never rule,” Dalce says.

  Eta puts her head down. Dalce addresses me with a cocky smile.

  “Actually, I was okay with a human marriage but my advisor convinced me that I should ensure that things are official by marrying you two the Quo way. And thus, inserting an Exchange clause.”

  “I thought Bianca did that,” I reply.

  “I agree that it’s best to do a traditional Quo ceremony. But it was the advisor who pushed for the Exchange.”

  “Where is your advisor; I’d like to thank him,” I spit out bitterly.

  “Right here,” a voice says.

  I turn and find Julian in the corner, glaring at me.

  “Seriously?” I bark at him.

  “What? Are you shocked, because I’m shocked too. I didn’t think you would go through with this,” Julian says sounding disappointed.

  “You put thousands of lives on the line all so that Emmy would be mad about the Exchange and leave me.”

  “Yes.”

  “You really hate me that much, Julian? Seriously, what is your problem with me?”

  “You took my child to Difi and now she’s Lucy’s new target. You get her kidnapped, tortured and brutalized. Now, you stand there and ask me what my problem is with you?”

  “I didn’t take Emmy to Difi, she came on her own.”

  “She did that for you.”

  “ARGH!” I scram as smash the tables into pieces.

  “DO YOU KNOW HOW MUCH THIS EXCHANGE IS GOING TO HURT HER?” I shout.

  “I’m not hurting her. That’s you. You could have chosen not to go through with this,” Julian rants.

  “I can’t let my people die!”

  “And I can’t let my daughter stay in a relationship with you; you are a cancer to her. She’s too young to see it, but I will not let you ruin her life.”

  “If the Sage has his way, humans will suffer too. It’s not just the Angels,” I remind him.

  “I’ll protect her from him. Right now, the biggest threat to her is you.”

  “Well, your plan didn’t work because Emmy and I are still together,” I snap.

  “So, now you’ve turned my daughter into the other woman; you cold bastard. You said you love her,” Julian accuses.

  “I do love her, that’s why I’m not splitting her father in two with my bare hands right now.”

  “You can carry on with Emmy so long as the world doesn’t know about it. If you should be seen with the human doing anything inappropriate, if you should change your mind about marrying Bianca, after the Exchange, the contract states you will give up your soul. So please, Marcus, be smart and play the good little husband,” Dalce advises me.

  “So, there is no way I can get out of this?”

  “Well, if Bianca decides, for whatever reason, to give you your Rah back, it would be her making that choice. So, the contract would then be broken. Or if she dies.”

  “Should I worry that you’re going to kill me, Marcus?” She asks sincerely.

  I glare at her.

  “No, he’s an Angel. He wouldn’t kill someone with a soul; now would you Marcus?” I don’t reply. Dalce smiles at me.

  “You’re really going to subject Emmy to this?” Julian asks.

  I shake my head and walk towards the door. As I pass by Julian, I whisper to him.

  “You failed at loving Femi and now you’re failing at loving your own child…” He winces but doesn’t say a word as I storm out of the room.

  Once outside, I see Emmy with Miku. I want to tell her what her father has done but I’m to
o angry to do anything but shout; and what would it help?

  I run up to my room and change. It’s time for me to make vows I plan to somehow break; although right now, I don’t know how I can do that without suffering the consequences.

  An hour later, the entire city of Cree gathers to watch the wedding. There’s limited seating so many just stand and others watch from their balconies. Jay stands beside me as the best man.

  Bianca had Eta and a few other family members as her bridesmaids. Her father, Dalce is presiding over the vows. Much of the ceremony reminds me of a human wedding; once the bride comes down the aisle, the guests stand up.

  I make a conscious effort not to look for Emmy. I hope she’s missing this, somehow. But I know she’s watching somewhere. Only a few days ago I asked her to marry me. I had no idea it would turn out like this. Standing there, watching Bianca come down the aisle gracefully, I want nothing more than for it to be Emmy.

  We don’t even have to be getting married. I would settle for just sitting next to her watching her feed Mrs. Charlotte. Watching her love and care for something so intensely always gives me a window to her heart. She has the capacity for love and kindness not found in most Paras.

  “Marcus, repeat after me,” Dalce calls out.

  I repeat what he says but I’m a thousand miles away. Thinking about the first time I laid eyes on Emmy. She was so mad at me for telling her what to do. No matter what I tried, I couldn’t get her to follow my orders.

  Sometimes, I would say things just to piss her off so that she’d get mad. She’s sexy when she’s mad. Her eyes light up, her nostrils flare, and she bites her lip to keep from cursing. Honestly, I have no idea what the vows I just spoke are; something about loving forever and being faithful and protective. Luckily that part is over quickly. Then I’m told to walk around Bianca, she does the same to me. That signifies we are each other’s world.

  Then Dalce says it’s time to kiss the bride.

  Damn it!

  I had completely forgotten about that.

  Please, Emmy, tell me you’re not seeing this…

  I lean in and give her a quick kiss. Then someone in the crowd boos and everyone chimes in.

  Bianca shrugs her shoulders. I lean in again, part her lips with mine and kiss her deeply. Her lips are soft. Her touch is warm.

  I miss Emmy.

  The crowd stands up and cheers. That’s when I feel some kind of powder falling on my shoulders. I turn and look. There’s a small stream of dust falling from the ceiling above. I lunge at Dalce; he falls to the ground just as gigantic rock comes crashing down where he once stood.

  Suddenly, the ground begins to shake, the rooms embedded in the side of the city start to crumble. The walls crack and the ceiling of earth above us begins to split. The crowd screams and runs for cover. The city of Cree is under attack.

  “Take everyone to the tunnel at the back,” I order the team.

  Days before we had planned an escape route, for use when we were under attack. While the tunnel is a great escape, some can’t get to it because of the massive earthquake being caused by the Sage’s army, determined to destroy Cree.

  The Twins and Jay rush over to help the others stop the entrance from opening, but there are cracks forming every second. It’s only a matter of time before the Sage’s army enters. I spot a small crowd of kids, too scared to move. I swoop in and grab them just as the earth beneath their feet gives way.

  I’m thankful when I spot Wolf and the rest of the Omari. They hold hands and form a barrier of light to protect the city. Over by what’s left of the tent, Bianca tends to her father while Emmy guides the kids towards the tunnel.

  Ameana tries to help a Quo woman who has injured her foot. Rage shouts at her to move as another piece of earth falls down on them. Ameana can’t get out of the way in time. Just before the rock falls on them, a soft breeze blows by them. Ameana and the Quo woman look up and find Jay smiling back at them. Rage rushes to check on his girl.

  I shout for Emmy to get inside the tunnel but she refuses until she gets all the kids to safety. I look across the tunnel and spot a family with two children. The mother is trapped between two boulders and can’t get free.

  The kids cry uncontrollably while the father uses his power to self-multiply to try and rescue his wife. But none of the multiples are strong enough to pull the woman out. I fly over to them and help them free the woman. Emmy is right behind me; she helps them get to the tunnel.

  As hard as the Angels and the members of the Foundation are trying, they can’t stop the cracks in the city from widening. The Sage will soon be inside.

  “Dalce, you have to call for the army, now!” I order.

  “If the contract isn’t fulfilled, the Rush will not appear.”

  “Damn it, Dalce, people are dying!” Ameana shouts.

  “He’s right. The army can’t do anything without the Rush; even if they wanted to. They are bound by the contract,” Eta yells as she helps Emmy with the kids.

  “You want to save them, take your wife and go. NOW!” Dalce orders me as he points the way to the only entrance that has yet to crack.

  I look around and the city is filled with cries for help, mangled bodies and bloody chaos. Without thinking, I grab Bianca, head for the exit and take off into the sky. I glance back and see Emmy watching us take off. Soon, she grows smaller and smaller in the distance. Until eventually, she disappears completely.

  CHAPTER FIVE:

  FRIENDSHIP

  We make two quick stops: one for Bianca to change out of her wedding dress, and the other because she insisted she was starving and felt faint. We stopped at a diner where she had a burger and a shot glass of lemon juice. I don’t know how she can drink something so sour but it’s a Quo thing.

  Then, finally, we head to the place she reserved for us. I’m surprised she had time to reserve anything. Everything has happened so quickly. But then again, she had the wedding put together in a matter of hours so I shouldn’t be surprised. It turns out she not only made reservations, she made impressive ones. She has booked us into the Four Seasons in Bora Bora; a small island in the South Pacific.

  The high end resort is surrounded by the ocean and its gentle waves. The night air is still, aside from the occasional soft breeze that passes by us. The sky is full of stars; they dance and shimmer on surface of the ocean. This place is almost too perfect to be real.

  Emmy would love this…

  The staff take us to our bungalow, located directly above the water. We enter and find the bungalow has modern décor with an island touch. There are flowers on the end tables, a basket of fresh fruit, and schools of tropical fish are visible below the glass floor.

  Yeah, Emmy would really love this. Maybe I can take her here after the mission. Marcus, sheisn’t going to come here knowing you were here with Bianca.

  Bianca…

  I haven’t so much as looked at her. I’ve been off somewhere else and, given what we have to do, I need to stay focused. She looks at me with a strange expression I can’t read.

  “What?” I ask.

  “Oh, you see me now?” Bianca scolds.

  “Look, I have a lot on my mind. We were just under attack—”

  “—Don’t act like you were thinking about the attack. Your team texted you a half hour ago and told you they were able to stop the Sage’s army from entering, at least for now. What you were doing was thinking about her.”

  “Okay, yeah I was. She’s my fiancée. I love her and I am not gonna pretend like I don’t.”

  “Good, you shouldn’t,” she replies.

  “You’re actually agreeing with me?”

  “I’m not upset that she’s on your mind. But I do need you to be present. Your team needs you to be present. So, can you come back from ‘Emmy Land’?”

  I sigh and pace up and down the bungalow. The pacing upsets the fish; they swim away. Even they can sense the tension in the room.

  “Okay, you know what, I’ll just say it—I ha
ve no freaking idea how to do this,” I snap.

  “Marcus, is this your first time?” She replies.

  Is this girl serious?

  “No, I’m not talking about sex. I mean, I don’t how to make this happen when we both know we don’t even like each other.”

  “You don’t like me?” She asks sounding like a wounded little girl.

  Something about her tone causes a pain to shoot across my chest. She looks at me with these big beautiful puppy dog eyes and she looks like she’s about to cry.

  “No, it’s not that,” I say, scrambling for words.

  “I know you don’t love me. I didn’t know you didn’t like me.”

  “I do like you. I just mean, we don’t know each other,” I insist.

  “We can fix that,” she offers.

  “How?”

  “Let me Frame you.”

  “What is that?”

  “Framing is the ability to sort through someone’s past using their memories.”

  “I’m not sure…”

  “Marcus, it may help.”

  She signals for me to put my hand in hers. I do as she says. She tells me to close my eyes. I follow her instructions and suddenly a series of bright flashes appear - They only last seconds. I open my eyes and find Bianca on the other side of the room, crying. I rush over to her.

  “What’s wrong? What happened?” I ask.

  “I’m sorry, Marcus. I just, I’ve Framed a lot of people and I’ve never felt as much pain as I did when I saw you realized your mother killed you. You were so hurt. It wasn’t just pain from your injury, it was your heart; your mother broke your heart.” It’s like standing in the room with a stranger and finding yourself suddenly naked. I’m embarrassed, uneasy and have no idea what to do. I didn’t think she could dig that deeply into my mind. People tend to think the worst thing is that we Guardians died so young. But actually, the worst part isn’t that we died, but who killed us. It’s usually a loved one. That betrayal never really goes away.

  “Bianca, don’t cry, okay. Just, it happened a long time ago. Really, I’m over it,” I lie as I walk back to my corner of the room. She follows me and gently places her hand on my shoulder.