Before he could force his body into movement, Celeste and Meredith stepped forward to lead the ceremony. Their sweet voices, full of sadness and regret, filled the night. Matteo’s gaze locked on to Jenda’s peaceful face and the blood tears rained from his cobalt eyes. He knew the women spoke of the many deaths and the hardship of losing loved ones. At every funeral ritual, the leaders spoke of the goddess and of eternity never truly belonging to any being. The words were unimportant to him. He could not seek solace in such things.
He let the sound of their voices lull him into a deep trance as he continued his unwavering concentration on the face of his beloved. It wasn’t until the progression started that he realized the service was nearly over. The teary-eyed participants moved in a slow uniform manner. Each of them paused beside Anya and then Jenda to say final goodbyes. Matteo stood and marched in a mechanical fashion to where his bloodless bride waited.
His vision coated with a red, watery haze and he grappled for the ability to remain standing as he stared longingly at Jenda. Hands patted his shoulder, arms embraced him, and mouths whispered kind words. He remained oblivious of it all. The numbness of his grief muted the color and activity from everything around him. Matteo was lost in the world beyond the living and the immortal.
At last, the people faded back into the castle and the sky grew lighter. In a short time, the sun would rise and carry Anya to the other side. The time had come to place Jenda on the pyre. Matteo waved away Patrick’s offer of help and lifted her tiny, limp body into his arms. She felt as fragile as blown glass in his heavy grip as he carried her to the massive pile of black wood, laced with elegant flowers and long white tapered candles.
Once again, Matteo thought of the old woman in the ancient church from the night of his rebirth as a vampire. He placed Jenda gently onto the small alcove created in the pyre for her body. The thin cotton cloth stretched between heavy wooden anchors barely sagged with the weight of her body. He leaned in, kissed her breathless lips, and smoothed a stray curl away from her cheek. Meredith used her magic to light the candles surrounding Jenda. The girl shined with beauty despite the shroud of her death.
Even Imre wept as Matteo said his final goodbye. “My heart, my love. To hold you, even for this short time, has been my honor. If I could, I would commit myself to the flames at your side, but I must remain behind. I must ensure your death was never in vain. Perhaps our souls will find each other again. Until that time, I will wait for you my Baobhan Sith.”
Matteo stepped back to allow Celeste and Meredith to ignite the pyre. As the flame began to lick their way up the dark wood, they turned an array of blues, greens, oranges, and reds. Transfixed by his fears and memories, Matteo stood close enough that the heat pressed against his skin. His mournful cries wracked his body and ripped at the hearts of those who stood witness.
Just as the first greedy fingers touched Jenda’s resting place, a strange thing happened. Jenda’s image flickered. Matteo stared hard, trying to force himself to see more clearly. He waited, the fire began to singe the edges of the ivory satin gown and curl the delicate flowers in her hair. The flicker came again. Matteo attempted to dive into the small inferno to snatch Jenda’s body before the fire engulfed her.
Patrick and Imre grabbed him and struggled to haul him backward. They feared he had succumbed to the madness of his grief and was intent on joining Jenda in her death. Matteo screamed with fury and protested as he fought to free himself. “She’s alive. Damn it, can’t you see? She is alive.”
18
Abraxos ranted, “There is no difference between what I wish to do and what you, as guardians, do every day. Less in fact. I want to observe what is happening in the mortal world and the demon world. God may be all-knowing, but we are not. If a horde of demons intends on ripping through the continuums and drinking my blood, I want to be prepared. More importantly, I want Michael to be prepared.”
While Abraxos looked like a human man, his favorite way to walk around in the seventh realm, Jaoel remained in the transitional silver state and her expression could not be gauged. “Abraxos, you can’t talk of such things. We cannot interfere with this. We watch because we are guardians; you are a messenger who doesn’t need to watch. The Lord will protect us. Michael will guard us. What will be, will be. God does not make mistakes. We must honor the law of free will. If you see something you do not like, I’m afraid you may intervene.”
“Free will has its purpose but the Lord has become arrogant in his belief in his creations. If he does not make mistakes, then explain to me why Hitler, the A-bomb, Lilith, the demons, vampires, AIDS, cancer, and all the other deceitful things have come to be. He makes mistakes often.” Abraxos strutted around the chamber full of mirrors that allowed the guardians to watch over special humans.
Jaoel’s voice remained small and quiet. The sadness in her words almost took away the sting. “You sin, Abraxos. An angel who sins is cast away. You know this and yet you still fight against our ways. If the Lord has made a mistake, it has been to allow you to continue in this manner.”
Before he could respond, Abraxos heard the rustle of wings. He turned to discover Michael standing in the doorway. The archangel had always been partial to the human depiction of him and neither of the other angels was surprised to see him sporting wavy locks, enormous white wings, and a sword belted to his gold tunic.
Angels often wandered around the realms in physical forms rather than their pure state. Some, like Jaoel, chose not to but most enjoyed the game of dress up. The array of strange creatures and hybrids that traveled the angelic circles never seemed to surprise Abraxos though some seemed confused by his choice to appear human. To them, it seemed an odd choice for an angel.
Michael stared from Abraxos to Jaoel and back again. “What seems to be the issue here and why is my name being brought into it?”
Unruffled by the appearance of the archangel, Abraxos launched into another tirade. “I was just explaining to the guardian that I wanted the use of three peili. With both girls moving out of the earthly realm and their cohorts lost in grief, I thought it would be in our best interest to keep an eye on what is going on. I don’t seem to have enough faith in the humans and vampires to satisfy her definition of need.”
The guardian nearly whimpered out her defense. “Michael, you of all angels should understand. We pledge to never interfere with the choices made. Abraxos may act in haste if allowed to use the peili to watch the players in this particular issue. The Lord will care for us.”
Michael pondered their words for a moment before turning abruptly on his heels. He cast his judgment over his should as if nothing concerned him. “Give him the peili. If he breaks the rules, then he knows what his punishment will be.”
Jaoel conceded but not without hurt feelings. The looking glasses were small and old, even in a messenger angel’s perspective. Abraxos did not complain for fear that the guardian would retake her stand and not allow him to remove the peili from the chamber if he did. Instead, he nodded curtly and fled to the outer realms where he could observe in peace.
Hunkered over the reflective surface, he tried not to admire the clean lines of his image. Jaoel’s remark about sin had hit home. The archangels paraded around looking like paintings from the Renaissance and it was rumored that a few of them had tampered with the humans’ fate in order to ensure their favorite renditions became well known. He, on the other hand, didn’t want to risk the ire of God any further by playing into the sin of vanity. Even if it was an ever-growing presence in the realm, Jaoel didn’t like it.
He cast the first disk in full light and tuned it to Jenda’s essence. Her drifting soul came into view as it swirled slowly through the vortex on to its destination. The next he put inside a shadowed din, not light nor dark. He called forth the image of the Coven and Clan. Despite his dislike of the group, he understood that the fate of heavens rested in the steps they took next. The final disk, he tuned to darkness. Soborgne’s dark eyes flashed into view just as Abraxos
felt the presence of another.
“So it is true?” The benevolent voice did not show any hint of anger, to the angel’s relief.
“My Lord, I am sorry. I meant no harm. I wanted only to watch.” Abraxos’s words faltered when he gained the nerve to look into the face of his maker.
He had chosen to appear as human, a rarity for the King of Heaven. His long white hair and beard trailed down over white robes. The irony was not lost on Abraxos. “Have you forgotten that I can see into your heart?”
The messenger angel filled with shame at the same time he cursed Michael for having betrayed him to God. “I have not.”
The radiance of his true form could never quite be hidden and the clear blue eyes shined too brightly as he issued his command. “Abraxos, out of all my angels, you remind me the most of my Lucifer. He was independent, as you are. He questioned my purpose and my actions, as you do. He challenged me as you will one day. Since you are so interested in what will become of these vampires and humans, I have a job for you. You know of the transcendent in waiting?”
“Yes.” Abraxos knew the girl well and he knew her purpose in the realm. She was a rarity known to many of the angels. Tortured in life and in death, she had been waiting for many human years to transcend to heaven or descend to Lucifer’s realm.
“You will escort her on her final journey and help her through the change. Since Jaoel played a part in this little plan,” he waved his arm toward the three-mirrored disk, “she can join you.”
Jaoel appeared with another angel at her side, neither looked pleased. Abraxos recognized the other angel with an inner groan. “Eiael, how are you?”
The dominion angel only gave him a curt nod before turning to the Lord. “We are ready.” With a grim look cast toward Abraxos, she added, “I will ensure you are informed of the success of our mission as soon as I return.”
“That is why I have asked you to join in on this particular transcending. Do not disappoint me.” The three angels disappeared into the vortex. Each not fully understanding what was to come.
19
Jenda’s eyes opened onto an unfamiliar world. The piercing blue sky above her held no clouds to shadow the peaceful scenery that spread for miles beyond her vision. The grass was a thick and luscious green that tapered down to a shore of brilliant white sand and shale. The deep blue of a large body of water softly lapped at the edge, creating a soothing melody. In the distance, she could see the bleak outline of a stone bridge spanning across the water.
Somewhere near the middle of the crossing, the world seemed to end. A thick fog rolled up to place an opaque curtain in front of what resided on the other side. Jenda stared hard at the obstruction, trying to decipher if she could make out anything on the other side. Each time she saw a glimmer, the fog would roll and shift to block her view. Fingers of ice slipped up her spine causing her to cringe against the ominous feeling.
She studied the bridge, convinced she did not want to know what horrors it might lead to. However, she did want to figure out where she was and how she had gotten there. The possibility that she was somewhere on one of the seven planes of the astral world scared her. She was not sure how she could have gotten there. The last thing she remembered was leaving Matteo to sleep while she walked through Budapest Park.
The fear swept through her mind. She could be in danger if she somehow was pulled on to the astral plane while away from the protection of the castle and her friends. If her body was lying open and exposed on the grounds of Vajdahunyad, anyone, including the Roma, could find and destroy her. The panic crawled up her skin like a thousand tiny spiders.
Jenda spun in a slow circle. She searched for any sign of what had brought her to the peaceful place. Coming to a stop, she realized she was completely alone. She swallowed hard against the alarmed cry that rose up in her throat. Closing her eyes and breathing deeply, she tried to focus on returning to the real world. When she peeked beneath her lashes to see if she had moved, a strange woman stood before her. Jenda stumbled backward and gasped as the woman laughed.
“Who are you?” Jenda’s voice filled with fear and anger.
The sweet giggle faded but the wicked smile hung on the corners of the stranger’s mouth. Her long, blonde hair framed her face and enhanced her sky colored eyes as they sparkled with mischief. “Forgive my theatrics. I have waited for this moment for more years than you can imagine and simply walking up and saying hello seemed blasé.”
Having been scared and confronted by the woman and realizing that the stranger meant no wrong, Jenda gave up any semblance of propriety. She flopped down on the soft grass and stared up at the insane woman who wore a flowing blue dress and flowers in her hair. “Okay, this I got to hear. Why are you waiting for me?”
The woman’s face grew serious as she spoke and a hint of recognition formed in Jenda’s mind. When the stranger spoke, the connection was instant. “My name is Ashley and I am your grandmother. Your mother’s name was Felicity and we were just two of Belle’s many victims. When I died it was from terrible causes. I fell down a slippery slope of addiction and shame. God has given me a second chance.”
Barely giving Jenda time to process the shock of being approached by her grandmother’s spirit, Ashley continued. “This is the land of Nod, the halfway point between this world and the next. This is the place where God cast his children when they are exiled from Eden and where other’s wait for a chance to redeem the misdeeds they have committed. You are here because your life in the human world has ended and your next life begins with a choice.”
Jenda sunk into the tremors of shock and confusion as they flooded over her. Inside her mind, she struggled to comprehend what the words meant. When she found her voice she asked, “Are you saying I am dead?”
Ashley smiled the sad smile of encouragement often seen at funerals. “Your body is at rest in the human world. Your physical death was fast and brutal. You died in the arms of your vampire mate and he spends his day grieving your loss. Your soul is still very much alive and a small tether still exist between your earthly shell and what you are now. Dead souls move on, past the land of Nod. You are here because your destiny is still not fulfilled.”
Jenda stared opened mouthed at the young woman before her. The shock of being introduced to the spirit of her biological grandmother froze her in place. Ashley couldn’t have been older than her early thirties when she had passed but she still looked vibrant and beautiful. Her face softened as she offered Jenda her hand.
Jenda refused the contact. Instead, she asked questions that she truly did not want answered. “How did I die?”
Ashley shrugged off the refusal. “You gave your life to save the man you love. Augustine would have beheaded him had you not thrown yourself between them. Matteo lives by your selfless act and Augustine now stands in judgment for his merciless one. Your friends cut out his heart for you.”
Jenda gasped, “So Belle got her wish. Augustine is dead.”
Ashley nodded. “That one, she is as dark as a soul gets. She has fought against the call to the other side. She refuses to relinquish her hold on the earthly realm. She will have blood on her hands for all of eternity.”
Jenda’s sobs started halfway through her grandmother’s response. By the time the woman finished, Jenda had curled into the fetal position on the cool grass and grieved for herself. Somehow, she had thought there would be time. She had planned to find a way to check on her parents and Soborgne’s, to say goodbye, and to do so many things. She was promised eternity but, once again, a crazed vampire had taken her life away. She could not find the strength to speak or move.
Ashley, being single-mindedly dedicated, continued. “You have an opportunity, Jenda. God never leaves us without opportunities and free will to choose. Though you are the only hope humanity has, he has offered you the choice. You can leave Nod and move on to be with God. Inside his realm, he will offer you forgiveness for your sins. He will cleanse away the taint of the vampire curse and strip the tainted b
lood from your veins. He will love you because, in your heart, you love him.”
“If you choose to save humanity, you must also leave Nod. You must cross the bridge and enter into the demon’s domain. There, you will fight and you may or may not win. God offers the choice without prejudice and he will still grant you forgiveness if you shall succeed. His greatest gift and his most painful curse to his children has always been free will. You must make your decision quickly, for the angels await your answer.”
Jenda opened her eyes and swiped at her tears with the back of her hands. “Angels?”
Ashley backed away as she called out to the invisible ethereal beings, “Come out. Show yourselves. I know you are here, he told me you would be. Come now, if you want this girl to make a decision, come forth.”
Jenda found the woman’s tone strange and was quickly reminded of Belle’s strong personality. A creeping feeling crawled into her head that nothing would appear, and she wondered if somehow she had become the victim of another crazed supernatural being who happened to be able to walk in the other dimensions. After all she had been through, she no longer trusted anything nonhuman.
Just as she was sure of her disbelief, something happened. A shimmering silver patch appeared above Ashley’s right shoulder, another nearer to where Jenda sat on the ground, and a third hovered close to the water’s edge. They looked similar to strands of silver thread catching in the sunlight. Her grandmother laughed and stepped forward to offer Jenda her hand once more.
Jenda walked as close as she dared to the being nearest to her. “They certainly don’t look like angels.”
Requiem of Humanity Page 54
