The Lyris

by Lola St. Vil

  “This isn’t about me and Bianca; this about you always putting your life in danger for stupid reasons.”

  “You didn’t hear me out.”

  “What possible reason could you have for going into a battle with no damn powers?”

  “I dropped my necklace.”

  “Oh, well, you’re right; that’s a good reason. You put your life on the line for jewelry. Awesome,” I spit bitterly.

  “It was the cross my mother gave me.”

  “Your mother wanted you to be safe; just like I do.”

  “My mother wanted me to be happy. And I’m not. I haven’t been happy since…”

  “Since what?” I ask.

  “Never mind,” she mumbles.

  “You were gonna say you haven’t been happy since we met,” I accuse.

  “That’s not what I was gonna say.”

  “Yes, it was.”

  “So, what, now you have the Sage’s power? You can tell what I’m thinking?” She asks, irate.

  “I don’t have the Sage’s power to read minds. But I swear to Omnis, I wish I did because I have no idea why you do half the things you do.”

  “Well, we have something in common because I can’t understand some of the things I do either. Like, why I’m watching you and Bianca kiss and play house. Or why I haven’t lost it completely and said to hell with you and this mission.”

  “Is that what you want?”

  “Is that what I said?” She snaps.

  “You know damn well you’re wrong for going out there and you’re trying to turn it around on me. But this isn’t about me. It’s about you always giving me more to deal with than I need!” When she speaks, her tone is unyielding and harsh. Her hands are folded across her chest and she is turning beet red with anger. “Listen, Guardian, I can run naked through the House of Fire, throw myself inside a Soul Chaser or dance naked in front of a Fire Swan if I want to. Why? Because nothing I do will compare to the crap I’ve had to deal with since I met you!” She marches up to me, hands on her hips, lips white with fury and eyes practically glowing ‘purple’ rage.

  “SO WHAT IF YOU HAVE TO RESCUE ME ONCE IN AWHILE? MARCUS JASON CANE, YOU BETTER JUST SUCK IT UP AND DEAL! BECAUSE THAT’S EXACTLY WHAT I HAVE HAD TO DO!”

  I nod slowly, and sit down at the edge of an empty cot; in the background, the war outside rages on. I put my head in my hands and massage my temples to ward off the migraine that I didn’t know Angels could get. I remain silent.

  “Okay, well…say something,” she says.

  Her tone has softened but not completely. She’s reserving her anger until I argue back. But no argument comes from me; that worries her.

  When I speak, it’s in a low whisper. My voice is too soft for a Guardian; let alone a First Guardian. It’s filled with uncertainty, doubt and fear. It’s a voice I can only reveal to the girl next to me. But even then, I’m too vulnerable to look her in the eye.

  “Emmy, I’m not worried about the days I have to rescue you. I’m worried about the one day I can’t…”

  CHAPTER ELEVEN:

  ANYTHING YOU SAY

  Since the team and I are in the middle of a strategy meeting and can’t be in the front lines, Wolf sends a soldier to update us on the battle every half hour. The only person that comes into the command center more often than that soldier is Ty. He comes about every two minutes asking if he can go back to the front lines.

  The team agrees with each other on most, if not all, matters having to do with the war. But on the personal front, we aren’t on the same page at all. The Twins are friends just enough so their powers aren’t affected. Rio is still pissed at Miku and Jay for hooking up.

  Miku, on the other hand, is too busy trying to act indifferent to Jay’s rejection to really care that Rio is mad at her. Jay’s has been trying to stay out of Miku’s way so that Rio will stop being mad but it’s not really working.

  Emmy, fresh from telling me off, isn’t really sure she’s done being mad yet. I can tell by the way she bites her nails. As for me and Rio, well, I try to stay official with him. I don’t want to let my feelings get in the way. Sometimes though, I can’t help it.

  Ironically enough, Rage and Ameana are the only ones really getting along. That is, if they can avoid Wolf, who is having a seriously hard time with the sight of the two of them together. I know we can’t go on this way. We’re going to have to fix things but now is certainly not the time. Our first priority is ending this war and going after the Shoma.

  We pour over the maps and find the best points to strike the Sage’s Believers and Demons. Just as the meeting is about to end, someone pops in on a Port.

  “War or no war, that is no reason for this lack of glam,” she says.

  We all turn to see the official Para party girl, Arden. As usual, she looks like a sexy Judy Jetson meets Lady Gaga. Her body hugging, skin-tight jumpsuit emphasizes her perfect curves. Her rose red lips are highlighted with sparkling gloss.

  “Yo son, that’s my girl, right there!” Jay exclaims, running to give her a hug.

  She jumps off the Port and embraces him.

  “I’ve been without chocolate for too long. I’m having withdrawal pains. Can you help me?” She flirts.

  “C’mon now girl, you know how I get down,” he replies, looking her over. They both laugh and hug each other again.

  “Moody, it’s been too long. I’m starting to take it personally,” she says to Rio.

  “Hi, Arden,” he says, suddenly shy.

  She pulls him towards her and plants a big, quick kiss on his lips. She then turns her attention to the other twin.

  “Merry melody of death, how are you?” She asks Miku.

  “Ya know, killing them softly,” Miku says with pride and a sweet smile.

  “The last I heard, you turned ‘Redd’ and killed tons of people.” The smile fades from Miku’s face. She still carries a lot of guilt from when she turned evil.

  That’s why she hasn’t been unable to get rid of the red colored feathers on the tips of her wings. The only way for her wings to go back to being all white is for her to forgive herself.

  “Don’t feel bad, the whole time you were killing people, both your hair and your outfit—stellar. And the red wing tips, so hot. Promise.”

  Miku smiles despite herself. Arden looks over at Ameana, then down at her stylish black, high leather boots.

  “Manolo?” She asks.

  “Naturally.”

  “Nice.”

  They smile at each other like they are in some secret club. She turns her attention to Rage.

  “So, it’s true? You and the second in command, huh?” She asks him.

  Rage shifts his weight uncomfortably.

  “I know everyone is giving you heat for it, Ameana, but yeah, I can understand why.”

  “Really?” The Twins ask in unison.

  “Yeah, well, Demons have big—wing span.”

  Every guy in the room wishes they were not hearing this conversation. Angel and Demon alike, we really don’t want to be here.

  Arden turns to me and Emmy.

  “Human. Rough road, huh?”

  “Keeps getting rougher every day,” Emmy says almost to herself.

  “Now, you’re a free agent. You can get another guy… or three,” she offers.

  Emmy smiles politely but turns her down.

  “C’mon, I know a Traveler whose 6’2, hot, and loves to go—“

  “—Arden.” Rio warns her.

  “What?” She replies innocently.

  Emmy starts blushing, as do all the girls in the room.

  “I was gonna say Soul diving,” she lies.

  Then she whispers to Emmy.

  “He can dive for hours…”

  “What did you want, Arden?” I asks.

  “For starters, how about a hug for your favorite Para? Just because I don’t carry dead bodies to Difi like Rahell, doesn’t mean I don’t need any love,” she says dramatically.

  I know the
only way to get to the bottom of why she’s here is to play along. I go over and embrace her. She holds on tightly and inhales my scent.

  “Argh, why do heroes always smell so damn good? Guess that’s why we can never get together: You’re always taken,” she teases.

  “It’s really my loss, Arden,” I reply sheepishly.

  “That it is,” she says with a killer grin.

  “How can we help you?” I ask.

  “My stupid sister, Rahell, is insisting I come help you guys since she’s still recuperating. So, I’m here.”

  “You’re gonna go out in the field?” Emmy asks.

  “With these heels? No.”

  “Then how are you supposed to help?” Miku asks.

  “I don’t know. Does anyone need a make over?”

  “Maybe later. Right now, we could use your help in the infirmary,” I reply, shaking my head.

  “Sick people…I don’t know. Is there blood, because this is couture,” she says as she whirls around to give us a view from all sides.

  “Wow…” Someone says as they walk in.

  It’s Ty.

  He enters the command center and the sight of Arden renders him nearly speechless. His eyes are wide with preteen desire and wishful thinking. Judging from his reaction, no one else is in the room but him and Arden. The team and I exchange a look of bemusement.

  “Ty, this is Arden, she’s a Para,” I say slowly, trying to give him time to recover.

  “Arden, this is Ty.”

  “Well, aren’t you a cup of cute…” Arden says.

  She extends her hand. Ty manages to get out from under the shock of Arden’s appeal and shake her hand. Knowing Arden, she is enjoying the effect that she’s having on Ty.

  “You’re so…wow,” he says, unable to take his eyes off her curves.

  “Yeah, I kind of am,” Arden replies.

  “Ty, what did you need?” I ask.

  “Wow…” He says again not hearing me at all.

  “Ty wants to be on the battle field. I’ve been trying to convince him to stay and help at the infirmary but he won’t.”

  “No, I have to be on the front lines. I’m just that kind of man,” he says to Arden as he lowers the register of his voice.

  “In addition to power balls, Ty can disappear,” I say hoping he takes the hint and disappears back to the infirmary.

  No such luck.

  He speaks again in his fake ‘manly’ voice. It’s all we can do not to laugh.

  “It’s a shame you didn’t come earlier, Arden. I just shaved my ’tash.” That stalemate is too much for Miku. She starts to giggle; the team stops her from breaking down completely.

  “I like your new look. Clean shaven is kind of hot,” Arden replies.

  Ty is so excited he loses his ‘man’ voice and squeaks his reply.

  “Really?”

  Omnis, help this crazy little boy…

  “Ty, it’s too bad you’re going to the front line, I’m helping out in the infirmary. It would be nice to have someone walk me through everything,” Arden says.

  “You know, the most important part of war is keeping the soldiers in the fight. So, I think I’ll keep working in the infirmary. You know, help them get better. And that way I could show you around.”

  “That sounds great, Ty; thanks,” Arden says sweetly.

  “But, Ty, the team needs you on the front lines,” Jay says faking urgency.

  “Yeah, man, how can we win this without you?” Rio says playing along.

  “If you’re not out there protecting us, I won’t feel safe,” Miku teases.

  Ty walks up to Miku and strokes her cheeks lovingly.

  “Be strong,” Ty says, talking like a bad actor in a Telenovela.

  “I’ll try,” Miku says as if the love of her life were leaving her.

  He extends his hand out to Arden. She takes it and smiles at me. I mouth a ‘thank you’ to her.

  She was able to do in three minutes what I could not do all day: get Ty to agree to stay out of harm’s way.

  “You know, since the ‘Marcus and Bianca’ thing, it’s fairly common for Angels and Quo to be together,” Ty points out as they exit.

  We couldn’t hold it anymore. As soon as they go, we all started laughing. Even Rage had a smile on his face. The best part is that I can finally relax now that that kid is out of immediate danger.

  A Demon has just nearly ripped Miku’s arm clean off her body. She cries out in immense agony. Rio flies down to the ground where his sister lays bleeding out. The rest of us fly down to her, Rio assures us he can heal her and tells us to go back to the battle.

  I take to the sky, find the Demon that hurt Pretty and reflect his fear back to him. I didn’t know Demons could make tears but apparently, they can. He cried like a newborn and begged for death. I gave it to him, but I made sure it was slow.

  I head back to the ground where Miku is still not fully healed yet. Wolf flies down and informs me that Dalce wants to see me. I order Rio to keep me informed about Miku’s condition. Then, I head to the command center to meet Dalce.

  “What is it?” I ask him, once we’re face to face.

  “I thought you might like to meet the source who feeds us the information we need about the Sage,” he says.

  “Yeah, where is he?” I ask.

  “He? Um…sexist much?” A voice replies.

  I turn and find a girl standing in the corner. She is about Miku’s height, with light blue spiky hair and combat boots.

  “Marcus, this is Winter.”

  “Hi, sorry about that,” I reply as I shake her hand.

  “No worries,” She says with a big smile.

  There’s something very carefree and easy going about her smile. Given that she’s a spy, I thought she’d be more…serious. Sinister.

  “Thank you for everything you’ve done. Your information has really helped us,” I tell her.

  “All good; where’s the Coy?” She asks Dalce.

  He goes over to the corner where the food supply is kept and tosses her a bottle of Coy. She takes the cap off with her teeth, and flings the bottle cap onto the floor. She then knocks back the entire bottle in one swallow.

  “Oh, Omnis, I’ve missed this. Do you know what Demons drink?” She asks us.

  “No.”

  “Kool Aid and Red Bull,” she says disapprovingly.

  “Why?”

  “Something about the sugar content. Anyway, it’s disgusting but I drink to play along.”

  “Do you have news for us?” Dalce asks her.

  “Yes and no. There is something coming but I don’t know what it is yet,” she replies.

  “What makes you think that?” Dalce asks her.

  “The Sage has been on edge ever since the Paras blasted nearly his entire army. But today, his mood has changed. His spirits are lifted, somehow. None of the Believers or Demons know why. He left the camp early this morning - he never leaves.”

  “Where did he go?” I ask.

  “Not sure. I couldn’t follow him without blowing my cover,” she says as she heads over to the supply area and drains another bottle of Coy.

  “You have to find out what the Sage is planning. We can’t let our guard down just because we’re winning,” I inform her.

  “Hey, you said you wanted to know about Miku; she’s healed, totally. But Ameana had her sit out of the battle for now,” Rio says as he enters.

  “Got it, you can get back to the field,” I reply.

  Rio doesn’t move. Instead he stands there studying Winter from head to toe.

  “I can’t read you,” Rio tells her.

  “Yeah, that happens,” she says casually.

  “No, it doesn’t. I can read almost everyone. What are you?” Rio says, dumbfounded.

  “Winter is a neutralizer,” Dalce explains.

  “I thought only Cravens could do that,” I reply.

  “Winter is the exception,” Dalce replies.

  “I can’t make out anyt
hing at all,” Rio says, almost to himself.

  “I told you, Rio, she’s a neutralizer. When she’s around, only your wings will work,” Dalce insists.

  “Sorry, I didn’t mean to stare, it’s just…aside from the Sage, I can read everyone,” Rio tell her.

  “It’s nice, right?” She asks.

  “What’s nice?” Rio replies.

  “Getting some time off from your powers.”

  “People would kill for my power,” he says defensively.

  “You’re one of the twins, right? You read what people are feeling?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Sounds exhausting. Who wants to know what everyone feels all the time?”

  “It’s helped this mission a great deal,” he says.

  “Has it helped you?” She asks.

  “What do you mean?”

  “I mean, I’m sure your girlfriend hates that you can tell what she’s thinking. I’m sure sometimes she wants to tell you to shut up, but she doesn’t want you to know she’s feeling that way,” Winter says.

  “Why would she tell me to shut up?”

  “I don’t know, you seem kind of like a know it all. And since you basically ‘know’ everything people feel, I’m guessing you can kind of suck to be around sometimes,” Winter turns to me to see if I agree.

  I tried not to nod but she picked up on what I meant.

  “See, your leader agrees,” she says to Rio.

  “My powers are a gift,” he spits.

  “Or a mislabeled curse,” she says, still very casual in tone.

  “A curse?” Rio says, clearly offended.

  “Wow, sensitive. Didn’t think you would be,” she says to herself.

  “I’m not sensitive and I’m not cursed. I think the curse is taking someone’s powers away, like you’re able to do.”

  “You only feel that way because you’re a Tic.”

  “What?! I’ve never done drugs in my life: as an Angel or a human,” he counters.

  “I’m not saying you’re addicted to drugs; you’re addicted to your powers. You’re like a ‘power Tic.’ You couldn’t last one day without using them.”

  “I don’t choose to use them, I just see what people feel,” he informs her.

  “Yeah, but look what happened when you can’t see their feelings, you get upset.”