Forgotten Blood

by S S Bazinet

  Rolphe glanced over at Michael and Raphael, and then at Arel. “I don’t think I can do this alone. One of us has to remove the blade while another stops the hemorrhage that will kill William almost instantly otherwise.”

  William let out a gasping laugh. “I always knew I’d be the one taking the fall, but I thought I’d live to talk about it.”

  Raphael had been standing in the shadows. He stepped closer to Arel. “I’m sorry, but neither Michael nor I can help very much. This is a karmic problem the three of you have to work out. We can only assist you in balancing your power.”

  “Karmic?” Rolphe asked. “Do I know this soul named Col?”

  “You can question all that later,” Raphael said. “For now, work with William and Arel.”

  Rolphe nodded, dropped his shields and gave Arel a sheepish smile. “Sorry, I don’t know what came over me.”

  Arel came forward immediately and pushed Rolphe aside. His face was lined with disapproval. “Every time I try to trust you, Rolphe—”

  Michael cut in. “Arel, please.”

  “Michael, I left the room for two minutes and Rolphe—”

  “Hey,” William panted. “Injured man here, or did you forget?”

  Arel’s face flushed red, but he still gave Rolphe a final stern look before he turned to William. “Rolphe’s plan is ridiculous. The only way to save you is to get Col to remove his weapon. And after what I learned from Michael, I think I’ll be able to do just that.”

  William responded in a hoarse whisper. “You have no idea what you’re dealing with.”

  “Let me worry about that,” Arel insisted.

  “Where’s Annabel?” William asked.

  “I’m here,” Annabel said in a teary voice.

  * * * * *

  When William called out her name, Annabel slowly got to her feet. Ever since William’s return from his visit to Col, his condition was so unstable, she didn’t know how to control her panic. She could only sit in a chair and pray, afraid to move a muscle for fear William would slip away from her.

  She continued to pray as she approached his bed. Somehow she had to hide her feelings. William needed someone who projected strength and confidence. That’s why she’d let Arel take over. When she reached out for William’s hand, she bit her lip, trying not to cry openly.

  “I’ll be fine,” William wheezed.

  Annabel knew he was trying to be there for her, even when he was barely able to draw breath. His strength and courage were two of the reasons why she’d given up her wings. She couldn’t have asked for a more gallant human being to love.

  In return, William did what he could to open his heart to her. The confirmed bachelor had even asked her to marry him. But they hadn’t had much time to enjoy their love for each other. Now, they were in the midst of another crisis.

  Annabel resented that fact, but how could she fight it. For an ex-angel, life on Earth could be a constant challenge. She hadn’t been prepared for uncertainty, much less the threat of losing William.

  Sitting close, clinging to him, she knew she had to appreciate whatever time she had with him. She had to think about what they shared in that moment. She might not get another chance if Arel failed to help.

  * * * * *

  On his way out of William’s room, Arel paused in the doorway to look back at Annabel and William. The couple had been struggling, trying to find a way to a happier relationship. But now, as they silently communed with one another, the couple’s energetic exchange was beautiful.

  Normally, Arel wasn’t interested in observing people’s auras. They could be very unpleasant. This time, he was fascinated by what he saw. Soft, pleasing colors passed between Annabel and William.

  His attention was drawn to Annabel in particular. From the way her aura changed, Arel knew that she was letting go of her fear. As she did, the dark muddied aspects of her aura were giving way to a beautiful, radiant pink. It was a color that made him think of Elise and how much he missed her.

  Stepping out into the hall, Arel allowed himself a brief moment to revel in the happiness they shared. His smile was interrupted when he remembered something important. He’d turned off the ringer on his phone before the meeting he’d attended earlier. He’d never turned it back on.

  He retrieved his phone from his pocket and had to swallow hard. He’d missed several of Elise’s calls at a time when she needed his support. He was quick to call her back. He had to tell her he hadn’t meant to be so neglectful, especially now when she thought she was pregnant. When she picked up, he blurted out his regret. “Elise, forgive me. I didn’t know you called.”

  Elise said something too, but he didn’t hear her words, he heard the quiver in her voice. He held the phone tight against his ear. “Is something wrong?”

  Elise’s message was short and to the point. She wasn’t pregnant after all. Arel took a gasping breath and slumped against the wall. He was relieved, at least that avenue was closed to Col. Sadness was also creeping in. William was right about him. He would have loved a child of his own. But he couldn’t think about his feelings, not now.

  When he resumed his conversation, he knew he’d let Elise down. He was supposed to be the person who was there for her. Instead, he was on another continent, getting ready to take on a fiend who existed in another dimension of reality. “I know it’s not enough, but I’m truly sorry, Elise.”

  Elise didn’t let him say anything more. She made an excuse, saying Freddie was at the door, begging to go out. She quickly ended the call. Arel pocketed his phone, hoping to sort out how to go forward. What could he do to make things right with Elise?

  Another thought was even more pressing. Maybe he’d been fooling himself when he married Elise. She wanted a normal life. But he didn’t feel normal, not with Michael’s blood in his veins. When he asked Elise to marry him, he’d ignored that fact, as if it didn’t exist. He’d never shared anything about his past with her.

  Elise had no idea about what he and William were involved in. If he was honest with himself, he knew he’d been afraid of what she’d think, especially after observing Annabel. The ex-angel was constantly upset with William.

  How would Elise react to a full disclosure? She might not want to have any part of him if she knew what he was really about. Still, it was only fair that he tell her the truth before they had any more thoughts about having a family.

  He made a pact with himself. He’d explain everything to Elise as soon as possible. However, before that happened, there was another matter that needed tending. He had to deal with Col.

  Twelve

  WITH WILLIAM’S PRECARIOUS condition pressing for a resolution, Arel didn’t dare put off his task any longer. It was time to visit Col. After he was comfortable in his bed, he let himself drift into a meditative state. He’d had so much practice with astral travel, it was easy to slip out of his body. While he hovered over his physical form, he was buoyed up by Michael’s presence. The angel shared his thoughts telepathically.

  “Clear your mind of any judgments about Col. Focus on William and the bond that you share.”

  Arel hesitated. “William and I have had many lifetimes together. In some lives, we’ve been at each other’s throats. Even in this lifetime, our relationship has been less than ideal.”

  “Forget about all that and imagine how it would be if you two were simply happy in each other’s company. The perfect scenario will automatically present itself.”

  Michael was right. As soon as Arel trusted the bond he had with William, he found himself in the garden he’d recently visited. Two young men were walking down a path. Both of them appeared to be young, probably university age.

  “Michael, I’m seeing something that never happened.”

  “That doesn’t matter. Just notice what’s taking place.”

  Arel went back to watching the two men. “These two guys remind me of William and me, but there’s something about them that doesn’t ring true. They look too happy to be the people William
and I were as students.”

  “Why is that so hard for you to accept?”

  “Check out the man who’s supposed to be me. Look at his face. Instead of being thin and depressed, it’s filled out and rosy-cheeked. And what about this would-be William? His gait is so relaxed, and he’s actually laughing. Where’s the stiff, guarded scowl William liked to wear as a young man?”

  “You’re seeing versions of yourselves who aren’t burdened with any of the emotional baggage that make up a personality.”

  “If we’re discussing emotional baggage, William and I must have had a couple of tons between us. I lived in a state of panic most of the time. People, the world, everything frightened me. William was my opposite. He was a real charmer, but only on his own terms. His superior, almost dangerous attitude kept people in their place. Nobody messed with William.”

  “Yes, you each had a very difficult childhood that left its mark.”

  “I wish we hadn’t fought so much, that we could have been better friends. But we each made so many wrong decisions, decisions that resulted in nothing but more conflict between us.”

  “That’s true, but the power of love finally won out.”

  “I never think of love as a power.”

  “But it’s the most powerful force in creation. It’s the glue that holds creation together. Take you and William. Yes, you spent lifetimes fighting each other, and yet, you are friends again.”

  Arel smiled. “Correction, we’re brothers. Even if William thinks our ceremony was childish, he’s proved repeatedly that he cares about me.”

  “Yes, but William is better at coming to your aid than letting you help him. That’s why he barely survived his encounter with Col.”

  “I couldn’t believe it when he went off by himself like that.”

  “Col used William’s attitude to overwhelm and dominate him.”

  “How?”

  “Col convinced William that he couldn’t depend on anyone, that he was no better off than he’d been as a helpless, abandoned child in a past life.”

  “I wish I could have been there for him.”

  “You can be there for him now. When you encounter Col, hold your thoughts about William in the light.”

  “What light?”

  Michael pointed to Arel’s chest. “You know exactly what light. Remember how you tried to give William the sun?”

  Arel reflected on an unhappy memory. When he was first finding out about his abilities, he hadn’t known how powerful he could be. During the blood brother ceremony, he’d wanted to give William an extra gift and things went terribly wrong. “Yes, what an idiot I was. I almost killed him with an overdose of my energy.”

  Michael smiled. “I got a little singed myself when I tried to help.”

  Arel thought about William’s damaged heart and how he was so close to his last breath. “Don’t let me falter again, Michael, please.”

  “You’re not alone. You’ve never been alone, but as I’ve always told you, you have to want my help.”

  “I may be a slow learner, but that’s behind me. Guide my every step during this mission.”

  Michael moved a little closer. “Close your eyes. Think about William and how you want him to feel.”

  Arel smiled as he got a visual of himself wrapping William’s cold body in a blanket of warmth. He wanted to let William know he wasn’t on his own. As brothers, Arel considered them bonded forever.

  Michael whispered his next instructions. “Let your heart do what it was made to do. Let your light illuminate the darkness, that place where William feels so helpless.”

  Michael’s suggestion seemed to trigger something in Arel. He instantly felt his form expand. When he looked down at himself, he realized he was a glowing being who was made up of light. He spoke the first words that came to him. “Michael, I think I know what it feels like to be you.”

  “Good, now let’s go visit Col.”

  * * * * *

  Annabel held William’s hand anxiously. For long minutes neither spoke. William’s other hand was gripping the bedclothes. He was barely breathing. Each inhalation seemed to cause the pain to worsen. Finally, Annabel knew she needed to hear William’s voice one more time. “Please, William, is the pain getting better or worse?”

  William heaved out a few words. “Hanging in there.”

  “Arel’s been gone for a while. Hopefully, with Michael there to guide him, he’ll do something to help.”

  “Or get himself killed.”

  “No, I refuse to believe that. He cares about you as much as I do. I believe in him. You have to believe in him too.”

  William’s teeth were clinched, but he nodded.

  Annabel glanced up at Raphael. The angel was standing a couple of feet from the bed. His face was serene and immobile. Yet his blue eyes were alive with kindness when he looked back at her.

  “Your faith in Arel is warranted,” he whispered with a smile.

  Raphael’s assurance gave her fresh hope, and she sent out a silent message to Arel. “I’m grateful for what you’re doing!”

  She’d barely let the message fly into the ethers when William gasped much more forcefully than before.

  Annabel squeezed his hand. She couldn’t lose him. He was everything to her. “William, tell me you’re not getting worse!”

  William took another ragged breath. “Something’s happening.”

  Annabel covered her mouth. Had Arel failed? Would Col stab him too? She needed answers. “William, what’s going on?”

  “I feel a little warmer,” William gasped. “Not quite so cold as before. And there’s more light.”

  * * * * *

  Arel felt his location shift. It didn’t take but the blink of an eye to be whisked away from the scene in the garden. His new location had the opposite feel. Instead of everything being bathed in a soft, nurturing luminescence, he was surrounded by darkness. But he wasn’t alone. He could feel a heavy, nauseating energy close to him. He knew it must be Col. Before he had a chance to respond, Michael spoke to him.

  “Don’t think about anything but the reason you’re here, Arel.”

  Michael’s reminder helped to refocus Arel’s attention on what mattered most. William might have lost his way with Col, but the true William, the one Arel saw in the vision he’d had with Aki, was an unlimited being of light, so was everyone in the group they were with. Something told him he had to remember that time, to connect with it again.

  When he let his mind open to that long ago experience, the feeling was euphoric. He was home, and there was no sense of being alone. Everyone was family. Love was the only thing that existed. At times, the group became a beautiful unsung song, musical tones that expressed who they were. If the song could have been conveyed in lyrics, they would have been simple. “We are one. We are one in the light.”

  When Arel remembered the song, he let its meaning anchor itself in his heart. The effect was immediate. His name and who he was faded. He felt so buoyant that his heart expanded even more. When it did, something wondrous happened. It was as if his bubble of bliss couldn’t be contained. With an explosive force, a golden light broke free of its boundaries. A radiant, glowing sphere claimed everything in its path.

  It was only the sound of someone screaming obscenities that brought Arel back to some sense of where he was, and who he was with. But the idea of Col and his ugly world was soon lost to his elevated state of wonder and delight. With a simple smile, he changed everything that surrounded him. Everything around him needed to reflect the joy he felt.

  * * * * *

  Col had been sitting in his cell, staring at some particularly large roaches. Brown hordes of the insects fought for a bit of space on the squalid, dirt floor. Their population numbered in the thousands and swarmed around Col’s bare feet. Feeling them on his skin, their tiny bristly legs sticking to him, he almost faltered. For a moment, he was ready to send them all back into oblivion. Yet he shrieked in outrage and delight.

  He’d purpo
sefully created his appalling environment. He’d made sure it came complete with everything he abhorred. It was for a good cause or an evil cause depending on how you looked at it. His intense loathing of the vermin and the antagonism it triggered was boosting his wrathful connection to William.

  “A little extra rage never hurt,” he hissed like one of the flying roaches that buzzed his ears. He started laughing at himself, at the wording, knowing it wasn’t the truth. “Extra rage does hurt, doesn’t it, William?”

  Enduring a few roaches was a small price to pay for the excitement Col felt. His energy had never been more destructive or carried so much power to inflict pain. Yet, he was careful to dole it out a little at a time. He didn’t want William to die too quickly.

  He was thoroughly enjoying the moment when a bright glow appeared a few feet away from where he sat. Its sudden presence nearly disrupted Col’s concentration. But he wouldn’t be put off guard easily. He jumped up, intending to correct the situation.

  “How wonderful! Another visitor to torment!”

  He was sure he could ensnare his newest guest just like he had when William showed up. All he had to do was use his paralyzing gaze again. It was Grade A, hellish stuff that few could match when it came to its cruel, malicious nature.

  He turned to direct his eyes towards the intruder. He planned to deliver a powerful wave of energy that would extinguish the annoying, glimmering presence. But any thoughts of control were cut short by a dazzling flash, an explosion of light.

  Col yowled in protest. But the wattage he was dealing with was off the charts. Within a few moments of trying to discover the source of the light, he was blinded.

  Flailing at the air in a panic, he couldn’t understand what was happening. His connection to William was lost. His deadly, dark cords of energy and his venomous weapon in William’s chest were dissolved before he had a chance to think. And even worse, a powerful presence had invaded his domain. He tried to regain control, but the only thing he could do was blister the air with ear piercing expletives. At least he intended them to be ear-piercing. He couldn’t understand why his swearing didn’t punish the walls like it usually did. His heinous cries were muffled as soon as they left his lips.