Taken

by Bolton, Karice

  “Are you teasing me?” I pouted.

  Athen grinned and pulled back. His green eyes narrowed. “Possibly.”

  “You’ve got to knock it off. I’m not sure I can handle anything else in my fragile little state.”

  “Is that so?” he whispered, as his fingers found the top button of my shirt.

  Who was I kidding? I could never get enough of him no matter what form I was in.

  Athen traced his finger up my neck, cupping my chin in his palm, leaving me inches from him.

  “You are quite spectacular,” Athen replied. His green eyes were hungry with anticipation and desire.

  “You are —” I stopped myself. I couldn’t wait any longer. I placed my lips on his, allowing the stress of the day to dissipate, drowning my fears and exhaustion in his embrace as I pushed him against the pillows.

  He closed his eyes briefly and his breathing hitched.

  “Surprise,” I whispered, as I allowed my lips to explore areas beyond his lips.

  His arms wrapped around my body and scooped me to the side of him.

  I couldn’t stop giggling as he pretended to pin me down, but then a wave of exhaustion hit me followed by a vision.

  “Sweetie, are you okay?” Athen asked.

  I’d never had a thought invade my mind during a moment like this. It made no sense.

  I shook my head. “A vision. I just had a vision.”

  “Now?” he asked perplexed.

  “It’s never happened like this. It felt forced. Not natural. That doesn’t even make any sense, I know.”

  “You’re still in your mortal state. How could you get any visions?”

  My mouth dropped open in shock as I moved away not understanding what was happening. He’s right! I didn’t even think about that. I was so used to getting visions I was more concerned with why I got one now, completely forgetting I shouldn’t be getting any at all in this state.

  “You think someone might have placed the images?” he asked, scanning my expression for clues.

  “I…I don’t know,” I mumbled, shaking my head. “But I don’t think we can ignore it, regardless.”

  “What did you see?”

  “I’m worried they’re targeting Arie,” I muttered, not wanting to look in his eyes. “But there’s something missing still. I don’t know what it is.”

  “We need to face it head on. We’ll face it all together — no matter what it is.” Athen brought me into his chest, and I nestled as close as my body would allow me. “Let’s get you changed.”

  “Hopefully it’s nothing.” I sighed and let out a breath as he released me from his embrace.

  I laid back and closed my eyes, waiting to be freed from this mortal world I didn’t belong in. Athen leaned over me, clasping my hands into his. Slowly clearing my mind, I allowed myself to connect with the world I inhabited. The soft beat of my heart grew stronger as I focused on the energy surrounding me. With every second that passed, my inner strength grew, but my body’s reaction grew weak as I still maintained a presence in both worlds.

  My mind began spinning with images from my immortal state, pushing out the dulled images of my mortal existence. The lightheadedness began invading my system, inviting a wave of nausea to begin growing in the pit of my stomach. I saw flashes of who I had been over the centuries, activities I had participated in as a white demon confused with what I had most recently seen as a mortal. My flesh began feeling as if it were on fire. Athen’s touch even burned. I withdrew my hands from his.

  All of my senses were being ignited one by one. My touch felt electrical, and my hearing was no longer strained. I could smell the wood smoke from our fire. I was becoming my white demon self, but I was afraid to open my eyes. That was the most painful process out of everything. The light from the room was already penetrating through my eyelids signaling that it would be a rough transition.

  “Slow your breathing.” Athen’s whisper sounded like a shout, but I still attempted to steady my breaths. I wanted to see him so badly, but I was afraid to open my eyes.

  “Can you turn off the lights?” I whispered.

  I felt his movement as he glided across the bedroom. He flipped the light off, but I still had light infiltrating my lids. I would have to be brave. The sooner I opened my eyes, the quicker the adjustment could begin. The mattress moved, and I realized Athen had climbed into the bed next to me, waiting.

  “Here goes nothing,” I murmured, sliding my hand to Athen’s, feeling the spark of pain as our flesh touched.

  I opened my eyes to a darkened room, but what I saw was blazing white light in every direction I looked. I squinted my eyes shut as the tears began flooding my cheek.

  I’ve got this.

  I opened my eyes once more, allowing the water to trickle from my eyes as I attempted to allow the adjustment to take shape. My senses were on overload and every movement I made, created a pain that was hard to handle. All I could do was hope for sleep. I turned my head toward Athen.

  “You’re doing amazing,” he replied.

  I nodded and felt the rush of images suffocate my mind as I attempted to gain a center of reality. My head was pounding so I closed my eyes, waiting for sleep to come.

  ***

  “We’re one step closer to understanding this,” Athen said.

  I had made it down the hall, and Athen was in the kitchen with Cyril, undoubtedly talking about our next plan of attack.

  “Hey, guys,” I replied, disappointed in the lack of volume my voice held.

  “You’re up!” Athen hopped up from his chair and ran toward me.

  “I am, barely…but I am.”

  “Glad to have you back up,” Cyril hollered. “It’s been a bore with only Athen to talk to.”

  “So Arie’s not up yet?” I asked. “Did the process go okay for her?”

  “She’s doing just fine, Ana,” Cyril smiled. “I think she’ll probably be up soon too.”

  “I hope so. I hope none of us ever have to go through the Awakening process, but I can say if anyone does they certainly have my sympathies.” I rubbed my temple. “I’ve heard it’s ten times as bad this.”

  “I think it depends on how long the white demon has been away as a mortal,” Arie piped up from down the hall.

  “That makes sense I guess,” I replied, turning around. “How are you feeling?”

  “About as good as you, but I think I’ll be ready to go soon.”

  I gave her a quick hug, and we both made our way to crash on the kitchen chairs.

  “What’s your thought on everything?” She turned to Cyril who was grinning at her. The love those two shared was so sweet to see. I glanced at Athen and he nodded, thinking the same thing. We were all very lucky.

  “We should probably go in there tonight,” Cyril replied. “If you guys are up for it.”

  I nodded and glanced at Arie. “I think we will be.”

  “Did Arie tell you anything yet?”

  Cyril shook his head.

  “Well that makes two of you,” I said laughing.

  Athen set down water for us all and had a seat.

  “So you know how you felt some sort of movement under the town?” I asked Athen.

  “Yeah?” he asked.

  “There’s a huge tunnel system that they’ve got going. The tunnels start in the basement of the hospital and from what I could tell they are going in all directions. I happened to pick correctly and went down the tunnel that led to a bunch of dark demons chanting. They saw me and I took off, but not before I spotted the layout. From what I can tell the Jikininki never came while Arie and I were there, which means that they aren’t always there nightly. It certainly would work to our favor if they didn’t show up when we go in, but I don’t think we should count them out as a possibility. They’ll be more of a nuisance than anything, but I have a feeling we might not be able to afford a nuisance in this situation.”

  “Couldn’t agree more,” Cyril replied, nervously glancing at Athen.

&nbs
p; “What?” I asked.

  “Athen mentioned the vision you had about Arie,” Cyril began.

  “Yeah?” I asked.

  “What vision?” Arie piped in.

  “I don’t think she should go in with us tonight.” Cyril looked at Arie and then at me.

  “Whoa. That would leave us one down.” I sighed. “Three of us going in would be pretty tight, but I completely understand.”

  “That’s a pretty big risk to take,” Arie objected. “And what are you talking about?”

  “I had a vision that you might be in harm’s way, but what was odd about it was that I was in the mortal state still.”

  “You had a vision in your mortal state?” Arie questioned.

  I nodded.

  “I completely respect what you’re saying, Cy,” Arie replied, as she grabbed his hand. “But I won’t stand on the outside while you all are in there. Just knowing that I need to be extra cautious is good enough. Besides, what if they planted that image so I was left here and they came for me while you guys are at the hospital?”

  I couldn’t help the smile that spread across my lips. She was right and Cyril knew it too.

  “My sister’s got a point,” Athen replied, his lips pressed together in a firm line. He didn’t like it anymore than Cyril.

  Cyril started shaking his head, but not before Arie popped up and sat on his lap.

  “I’ll be fine. We’ll all be fine. As a team,” she insisted. “Where I come from evil doesn’t win.” She winked at Cyril and nuzzled into him. She knew how to get her way.

  “All right,” Cyril replied, but there wasn’t even a trace of a smile on his lips. Instead, worry framed his brow and his eyes carried a burden that was impossible to ignore.

  “We’ll be extra vigilant, Cy,” I replied, grabbing a piece of paper. “And you know you won’t be able to keep her out of there.”

  “That I do,” Cyril replied, a hint of a grin began to surface.

  “Okay, so here’s the plan from what I was able to see,” I said, sketching what my mini reconnaissance mission provided.

  “I think if we go in as one group and head to the tunnels that are under the city, we can take out anyone who is under there before we head to the protected area.” I pointed to the tunnel that I didn’t go down.

  “I wonder if there’s a way to enter that tunnel system from the city,” Athen replied. “That might really put us at an advantage.”

  “Definitely something they wouldn’t be expecting,” Cyril seconded.

  “There’s gotta be. Why else would it be going there?” I nodded in agreement.

  “Let’s plan on trying to get in from a town entrance then. Now all we have to do is find it.” Athen said, placing his hand on my shoulder.

  I laughed nervously, realizing just how close we were to getting involved with the other side tonight. The dark demons would stop at nothing once they figured out we had infiltrated their system.

  “We better get on that,” I replied, shaking off my fatigue as best I could.

  Chapter 7

  It was early evening and already completely dark. The town’s Christmas lights twinkled in every direction I looked and hope filled me to the brim. We could take down these demons and this town could finally be at peace… though they didn’t even know they were at war.

  Athen and Cyril were scouting the end closest to the town center while Arie and I were at the end with the small shops.

  “You did not just do that?” Arie couldn’t stop laughing.

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” I picked up my shoe that fell off and tapped the dirt gently out of it, doing my best not to laugh. How I could trip on a curb that I knew was there. I’d never be able to understand how I could fight with the best of them, but my day-to-day coordination was atrocious.

  “Should we try looking near the park?” Arie asked, trying to regain her composure. She pointed to the dark, vacant space at the end of the street.

  “Might as well. So far we’ve struck out in the stores we’ve investigated.”

  We walked down the sidewalk until it ended and then jogged over to the park. There were only a couple of lamp posts edging the property, near the benches, and then a few in the middle where a covered picnic area was located.

  “Did you feel that?” I asked, wiping at my forehead.

  “It’s starting to snow,” Arie replied completely giddy.

  “It hasn’t snowed this entire time, and then it decides to as we are about to go underground,” I huffed.

  “Well, hopefully it will be snowing when we come back out as well. That is if we can even find the place to enter.”

  I turned to look toward the lights and took in a deep breath. Even if it was only for a few moments, I wanted to enjoy the beauty of the first snowfall. The snowflakes were dancing gloriously with the wind, and I suddenly wanted to be back home sitting by the Christmas tree.

  “It’s hard to always do the right thing,” I joked, but sounded more like I was whining. I held my hands out and caught a few snowflakes before we started walking through the park once more.

  “I wonder if the guys have found anything yet,” Arie mused.

  “What is that?” I asked, walking toward the shrubbery. “It looks like there’s something behind there going into the hill.”

  “That’s peculiar,” she whispered.

  “Yeah, it is.”

  I shoved the perfectly trimmed Laurel bushes aside to expose a cement slab propped on the hill.

  “Bingo.” I couldn’t help but smile.

  “Found it,” I channeled to Athen.

  “You did?” he channeled back.

  “Pretty sure,” I replied back. I could feel his smile even though he was blocks away.

  “On our way.”

  “They’re on their way,” I told Arie. “I think this really is it.”

  “Are you ready for whatever is on the other side of that?”

  I shook my head. “But we have no choice. We can’t abandon the forgotten. It’s our duty to save the ones who can’t save themselves whether we’re ready or not.”

  “And are we ever really ready?” she laughed.

  “No. Not really.”

  “Nice work,” Cyril hollered from behind.

  “How’d you guys spot this?” Athen asked.

  “It was Ana,” Arie chimed in.

  “No surprise there,” Athen teased.

  “Hey,” Arie swatted her brother, and I couldn’t help but feel satisfied from my discovery. I might trip over my own two feet from time to time, but at least I was observant.

  His lips arched into the smile I adored, and I could tell my discovery made him proud.

  “It’s time.” I smiled at Athen, and he gave me a quick kiss on the top of my head.

  “That it is,” he replied. He looked back at Cyril. “Ready?”

  “As I’ll ever be.”

  Athen and Cyril went up to the concrete square and each took a corner, tossing the block to the side with one swing. I walked up to the entrance and saw the gentle glow of lanterns, but there were no demons in sight — at least no yet.

  I turned to look at Athen and nodded. I wanted to go in first. He touched my shoulder as I ducked into the tunnel. The tunnels walls were compacted soil with support beams in place every few feet, which is where the lanterns hung. A well-worn track was dug into the floor from the dark demons footprints. This tunnel was actively used, and I would be surprised if I didn’t run into a dark demon or two. My movements were muffled by the dirt walls that acted as insulation. But that also made it more difficult to detect if any others were hiding around any of the corners.

  Cyril and Athen slid the concrete door back over the opening and Arie followed behind me. My heart was beating quickly. Coming up on a fully functioning operation was always the hardest part. Seeing them before they saw us was crucial to success.

  I crept along the tunnel and slowed once I came upon the first T-section. Athen had caught up wi
th me and was by my side as I slid my body along the dirt wall. The tunnel wasn’t lit with any lanterns, and I didn’t feel the presence of any demons, but I couldn’t depend on that alone.

  I stepped toward the opening, readying myself for whatever I might find and was relieved to see absolutely nothing but a collapsed tunnel. Mounds of dirt with a few support beams sticking out proved to be an important reminder of what else could go wrong underground.

  “That’s not comforting,” Athen channeled.

  “No it’s not,” I replied back in our silent speech.

  I continued down the main tunnel with Athen next to me and Cyril and Arie behind us. A slight vibration could be felt coming down the tunnel but mostly silence remained. My pulse quickened to a pace that told me we were almost there. I could feel the wickedness in the air like it was something tangible and it was.

  A sour odor began surfacing, not unlike the one Arie and I stumbled upon. As a white demon, none of us should encounter the same watery eyes and dry cough that nagged us in our mortal persona.

  I looked over at Athen and he smirked, crinkling his nose in distaste, and I couldn’t help but chuckle internally as he tried to lighten the mood.

  We walked a few more steps, and chanting could be heard in the distance. The activity was alive and well. We all stopped and Cyril nodded his head at Arie. She was going to lag behind for a few minutes and jump in once needed. I’m sure Cyril was hoping she’d stay put, but neither of us ever waited on the sidelines.

  Athen and I slowly snaked our way through the tunnel with Cyril a few steps behind. As we approached the room that had I scouted out earlier, my adrenaline began pumping. This was it — our time to shine.

  I looked over at Athen and he mouthed, “I love you…be safe.”

  I smiled and mouthed, “Love you too,” before I inched along the wall leading into the opening.

  Everyone that I saw had their eyes closed as they were humming along to a song I didn’t recognize. There were flames in the center of the room that threw off so much heat it was almost unbearable. Through the flames, I spotted an outline of a dark demon, dressed in a black robe with arms raised to the ceiling. He had to be the leader of this ritual. It was only a matter of time before he felt our presence, if he didn’t already.