Revelations: The Last War

by Lauretta Hignett

  Alex eyed me carefully. “So what are we waiting out here for?”

  “I’m just feeling self-conscious,” I replied, pointing at my belly.

  Alex peered through the trees. “Well, if it makes you feel any better, your best friend Dale is currently wrapped around his boyfriend, and I think I see a diamond on his wedding-ring finger.”

  “What?”

  I pushed open the gate and waddled quickly through the trees.

  The staff bar was packed with people. It looked like every off-duty staff member was here, as well as a hefty amount of guests, too. They were scattered all over the place, partying in the pool, dancing on the dancefloor, their bodies covered in fluffy white foam, laughing and singing at the top of their lungs. The DJ booth was occupied by Metatron, who had giant headphones squished down on his white afro. Old-school gangsta rap beats were booming out of the speakers, and he nodded in time to the music, occasionally scratching the records.

  I scanned the area until I found Dale and Zel, embracing on the dance floor. I rushed over, my eyes fixed on his left hand.

  Alex hadn’t been joking.

  “Dale!” I picked up his hand and examined the sparkly diamond on his ring finger. “What the actual fuck is this?”

  Dale was ecstatic. “Zel proposed! We’re getting married. Isn’t that great!”

  My eyes felt like they were going to bug out of my head. “Oh, my God!” It was all I could manage. “It’s… it’s...”

  “Amazing, isn’t it?” Clover appeared from behind us, draping a hand over our shoulders. “I can’t believe my little baby is getting married!”

  I was absolutely gobsmacked. Dale, for his part, was glowing with pride. “It just happened this morning,” he said, flashing his ring. The diamond was the size of a chicken’s egg. “Zel said he knew as soon as he saw me that he wanted to marry me. He was going to propose while we were on holiday, but he thought it would be more fitting to propose in the exact spot where we met.”

  “He proposed in reception?” Clover squealed.

  Dale nodded, grinning from ear to ear. “I was just getting off my shift. I couldn’t say yes fast enough.” Suddenly, his focus drifted away, his eyes dreamy and dazed-looking.

  I followed his gaze to where Zel was standing, on the other side of the pool. Zel, in human-sized proportions and mostly naked, as usual, looked like he was glowing with pride.

  I was gobsmacked. Truly speechless. With a bit of effort, I pulled myself together and gave Dale a kiss on the cheek. “Congratulations, Dale,” I told him sincerely. “I’m truly happy for you. Now, excuse me, I’m going to give my regards to your fiance.”

  I swung my bump around and headed towards the other side of the pool. Zel grinned when he saw me approach.

  “Did you hear, young Chalice?” he boomed. “My lover and I are to be wed!”

  I kept a happy smile on my face while I hissed at him. “What the hell are you playing at, Zel?” I asked, through clenched teeth. “Do I have to remind you that you’re a demon?”

  Zel shrugged, unperturbed. “I thought you knew that demons weren’t the bad guys?” He cocked his head. “Actually, some are bad,” he conceded. “Only the rogue ones. And I’m technically not a rogue, because I haven’t lost my mind.”

  “Yes, you have lost your mind!” I spat out. “You’re a supernatural entity. Dale is one-hundred-percent human.”

  “Yes,” Zel sighed. “That’s what I love about him. And that’s what makes us demons, Eve,” he added. “We love humans, exactly the way they are.”

  “And do I have to remind you that the end of the world is coming?” I pointed a thumb at my belly.

  Zel raised one eyebrow. “What better way than to go out with a bang? Honestly, Eve, it’s not like you to be so negative. I’m not being negative. The glass is always half full, from my perspective. And you’re being very Chalice-half-empty.”

  “Haha,” I deadpanned. “Seriously, Zel, have you thought about this?”

  Zel swung around and locked eyes with me. He even bent double, so we were looking directly into each other’s faces.

  “Eve,” he said, his voice low and serious, “I’ve thought of nothing else since I walked in here and saw his face. You don’t understand-” His voice broke for a second, and he closed his eyes before going on. “Dale gives me courage,” he said, eyes glowing. “In my heart, I’m a coward. I ran from Hell because I couldn’t handle it anymore. I thought we were doomed. I only came here out of a sense of duty for your lover. Then I met Dale, and suddenly, my heart is so full that there’s no room for cowardice anymore.” Zel smiled, and a light shone from his eyes. “He makes me feel like a hero. And I can help in this fight. With him by my side-”

  “He is not going to be anywhere near your side in any kind of battle!”

  “Figure of speech,” he said dismissively. “As long as I have the love of one good man…”

  He left the words hanging while we stared at each other. He was so sincere. It streamed from every pore on his body. He loved Dale. Maybe, that was enough.

  “Well,” I muttered. “Fine. I guess. When you put it like that…”

  He held my hand in a firm grip, and I was shocked to see tears in his eyes. “I never had hope for the future. But now, I have hope. Because with him in my life, by my side, I know that we will win.”

  I studied him carefully for a minute. “I hope you’re right,” I said. “And for what it’s worth, I’m happy for you, Zel. But-” I held a finger in his face. “- If you ever hurt him, I will come after you with a flaming sword, so help me God.”

  “I would rather plunge the blade into my own chest than hurt my Dale,” he replied solemnly.

  “Okay then.” I held out my hand.

  “Okay.” Zel shook it firmly.

  Alex moved to join us. “Congratulations, Demon of Rome,” he shook Zel’s hand firmly. “So, I take it that this little gathering is your engagement party?”

  Zel nodded. “It was Met’s idea. He was first on the scene when I proposed.”

  I snickered. “That man has a radar for potential fun.”

  “In a matter of seconds, he’d gotten the word out to everyone that our engagement party was happening, by the pool, right now,” Zel said. “I’m not sure why he chose to make it a foam party,” he said, his brow furrowing.

  “Who knows why Met does anything?” I wondered aloud.

  Alex grinned. “Malach is going to have a fit.”

  “We’re about to witness it,” I said, “because here he comes.”

  I felt the atmosphere change before I saw him. Nate, who was following him, would be proud of my efforts in taking notice of the energy levels in the area. I swear I could almost feel the waves adjust themselves to flow around his aura.

  And what an aura it was! Malach was overwhelmingly powerful, even shrunk to human-size and without his enormous pewter-silver wings. He was still tall, incredibly muscular, and his skin shone like polished teak in the sunshine. To blend in with the crowd at the pool party, Malach wore shorts, but I was used to him being bare-chested. He had a scowl on his face that made me shiver.

  “Uh oh,” Zel said brightly. “Looks like someone’s in a grump!”

  Alex chuckled. “I guess we better go and start this meeting.”

  “We’re having it here?”

  “Considering Nimue has just cleared that picnic table on the other side of the pool, I guess we are,” Alex replied in a resigned tone.

  I glanced over and saw that Nimue had indeed bagsed a table in a prime position by the pool, and was currently placing two margarita jugs in the center of the table. She met my eye and smiled, gesturing for us to join her.

  I walked over. “Nice bikini, Nimue,” I told her.

  “Oh, this old thing?”

  “Prada, if I’m not mistaken.” Met came up from behind her, giving her a hug. “Vintage. Nineteen sixty-eight.”

  “You’ve always had an eye for fashion, Met. You would have made a wonder
ful demon.”

  “Ah, we’re all the same stock, my little jalapeno,” he pinched her cheek. “I don’t know why I have to keep reminding everyone of that.”

  Nimue just giggled. I sank gratefully into the chair that Alex held out for me and settled in. Malach and Nate joined us.

  Malach’s mood hadn’t improved. “Why are we having a summit in this location,” he growled, his voice raising goosebumps on my flesh. “We are on the verge of war. Can none of you take that seriously?”

  “My bad!” Met raised his hand. “Our friend got engaged this morning, and a party was necessary.”

  Malach pursed his bee-stung lips. “It was required instantly? In this location? And who-” He squeezed his eyes shut for a second and held up his hand. “You know what, never mind. We have important things to discuss.”

  Zel sunk into a chair next to Nate and nodded. “Go ahead, Archangel. I’ve warded this table. None can hear.”

  I took a quick glance around. It was true, no one was paying any attention to us. The others were either dancing, or swimming in the pool. I could see Clover and Dale over by the foam machine, blowing handfuls of bubbles at each other and laughing in delight. Zel probably didn’t need to ward anything. Everyone was too drunk to notice us anyway.

  “Proceed, Malach,” Nimue said with a wave of her hand, her voice dismissive.

  He shot her a glare. She smiled back. There was a frisson between them. Even I felt the zing across the table.

  “Heaven is divided,” Malach began. “The Realm is split in two. All the angelic creatures have been forced to choose sides in the coming war, and most have chosen.”

  “What have they chosen?” Alex asked.

  “Vane has recruited all of the Percuitait. They are now fully committed to destroying the Chalice so that the Great Plan will continue.”

  “Oh, great.”

  “Just under half of the Katadonis will stand with Vane and the Percuitait. They will fight against us…”

  “Hang on - “ I held up a finger. “This last great war… this is going to be about... me?”

  Everyone stared at me blankly.

  “Of course,” Nimue said brightly. “The Percuitait truly believe that killing you will stop the apocalypse.”

  “It will,” I said emphatically. “Can we just acknowledge that for a second? I just want to make sure you guys are wrapping your heads around this concept. If I live, and I give birth, the world is most likely going to end. Forget saving just one life,” I said, jabbing a finger into my chest. “Or even two.” I pointed my finger at my belly. “Literally everyone will die. Can you tell me again why you’re bothering?” I wasn’t suicidal, and God knows I wanted my baby to live… but this…

  They all laughed happily. Met even rubbed my head. “Don’t be silly, Eve.”

  “We’ve all decided,” Alex squeezed my hand. “It was decided the second I met you.”

  Nimue smiled serenely at me. “I will meet my grandchild, and hold him in my arms. Even if it does mean the destruction of the Mortal Realm. I will cuddle and kiss that little baby, as the world is scorched and ravaged around us.”

  “That’s a bit dark, Nimue,” I managed.

  “The child may be of my blood,” Malach rumbled. “And even if not, I will see that you are protected. We should never need to murder to protect life. The cost is too great.”

  “But… but-”

  Nate rescued me. “It’s not just about you, Eve,” he said, his eyes warm. “Or your baby. It’s about the path that angels and demons have chosen. The time has come to find out exactly where we stand.”

  “This has been brewing for centuries,” Alex added. “We’ve been guessing what God wants since the Fall, and we have taken sides according to what we think is right. Whatever happens, once the line is drawn and the battle begins, these creatures are committing to a side. Malach is right,” he nodded towards the Archangel. It’s coming down to one question. Would God want us to murder an innocent child, to save billions of lives?”

  I stared at him. “You guys seem pretty sure of this. But I’m still not sure I am. Not that it makes any difference,” I muttered. “I tell you what,” I rubbed my belly, feeling the warmth within me. “If I wasn’t pregnant, and if I didn’t want this baby so badly, I would have sacrificed myself ages ago.”

  Nimue laughed. “The benefits of hindsight. And no, you wouldn’t have. You’re a fighter, Eve. You are a survivor.”

  “You’re far more than that,” Alex added. “You never, ever gave up. You’ve gone from victim, to survivor, to hero.”

  I grimaced at him. “No, I’m not.”

  “You saved your aunt.”

  “She wouldn’t have needed saving if it weren’t for me.”

  “This conversation is pointless, Eve,” Alex said firmly. “It’s already decided.”

  “We chose this side millennia ago,” Zel added. “Before you were even a twinkle in your ancestor's eyes.”

  I glanced around the table. Every pair of eyes on me were so confident, so committed. Even Malach’s glowing, amber eyes were fixed on me.

  I exhaled loudly. “Fine,” I muttered. “Just so we’re clear, I’m not happy about being the lynchpin of human existence.”

  Malach cleared his throat. “Shall I continue?”

  I gave him the thumbs up.

  He squared his shoulders and frowned. “So, the Percuitait will stand with Vane, as will half of the Katadonis. Most of the Seraphim have aligned themselves with Vane also.”

  “But they are so useless they can be disregarded,” Nimue drawled. “Nerdy little things. All they do is take notes. They’re not worth a damn in a fight.”

  “The rest of the Host will not do anything. They believe that the apocalypse is part of the grand plan,” Malach went on. “They fully accept that Hell will erupt, and Earth will be destroyed, and they wish to do nothing to stop it. They are under the impression that some humans will survive, and it will be easier to focus our efforts on a smaller population. So they believe that the apocalypse is part of God’s plan.”

  “It’s not an insane theory,” Nate considered. “Not that I believe it has any substance. But considering that tortured souls are attracted to negative energy, it stands to reason that they’ll kill all the bad people.”

  “And most of the good people too, if only by accident,” Nimue snapped. “Don't forget, those idiots are completely disregarding the fact that the tortured souls aren’t going to disappear. They’ll stay on Earth, and we’ll be desperately trying to round up and help them.”

  “You won’t be able to fight either.” I said softly.

  “Of course I will,” she replied, her voice icy.

  I stared at her frankly. “Nimue, where were you yesterday?”

  She frowned. “I was in Hell.”

  “Why?”

  “Because a few souls had escaped,” she muttered, seeing where I was going with this. “Because Hell is at breaking point, and every single demon has their hands full holding in the souls.”

  “Which means there can’t be any demons spared to help us in the battle.”

  It was a rhetorical question.

  “Excuse me, daughter-in-law,” Nimue drawled. “Why do you think I’m here? The other demons even had a vote on it. We can’t spare any others to come and help in the fight, but I’m here because I’m the best fighter there is.”

  I believed her. I’d never seen her in action before, but she had that same lethal grace to her movements that Alex did.

  My gaze slid to Malach. The sour look had disappeared from his face; his eyes were glazed, as if he were remembering something. I felt a rush of passion zing across the picnic table, so tangible that I could have touched it.

  Nimue felt it too, and they locked eyes.

  No one else seemed to notice. Nate, in particular, was staring glumly into his margarita glass. “So this is it. This is all we’ve got to help us in the fight,” he waved his hand around the table. “Just two demons, a C
ambion, a Nephilim, and one archangel.”

  “Two archangels!” Met sounded affronted. “I can swing a flaming sword as well as the next person. Although I’ll have to check my schedule…” he trailed off vaguely, staring into the distance. “I think I’ve got something on that day.”

  Nate ignored him. “Just us, against an army of Percuitait, Seraphim, and Katadonis.”

  “And another archangel,” Malach said darkly. “Uriel has aligned himself with the Percuitait.”

  Nimue hissed. “That son of a bitch. He was always fanatical. He should have joined the Percuitait on Earth.”

  “He’s not the most powerful archangel, but he still wields a mighty sword,” Alex rumbled beside me.

  “Sorry to pile more bad news on top of everything,” Zel announced. “But it gets worse.” He waited until he had our full attention. “My spies tell me that Vane has been recruiting not just supernatural entities.”

  “Humans?” I gasped. “The Sanctum Domeni?”

  “They’re finished,” Alex squeezed my hand. “The Church has shut down anything that’s not a charitable function. Godric is dead. They don’t exist anymore.”

  “They don’t exist,” Zel agreed, “But they weren’t the only fanatical bunch of humans out there.”

  I felt the cold clench of fear in my gut. I’d just gotten rid of the nightmares of Godric, filled to the brim with angelic power. “Vane is not sharing his essence anymore, is he?”

  “He never did,” Zel reminded me. “It was his brothers that did that. They are still wisps. I also have it on good authority that they are all reunited. Loera and Ailo are attached to Vane now, and Ailo is not much of a wisp since we burnt him. So we don’t have to worry about them popping up to surprise us anymore.” Zel frowned deeply. “The bad news is that combined, they’re a lot more powerful. Vane is potentially a little more powerful than a greater demon or an archangel with his siblings attached.”

  I squeezed my eyes shut. “Is that all your bad news? Vane is a supercharged power-filled Angel of Death?”

  “What? Oh. No,” he clarified. “What I was going to say was that Vane has recruited an army of humans, from across a lot of different denominations. He’s been revealing himself, showing some magic, so to speak. He’s got them all convinced that he’s a messenger from God.”