Broken Wings: Genesis

by A. J. Rand

  The dream stalker’s look passed from gloating to surprise and then onto determination. He didn’t want to let me get away. He went to take a step toward me, but the light flared into intense heat, pushing him back from the edge of the chasm. It also burned away the webbing that held me.

  For obvious reasons, that was both good and bad. It also set free the web to fall with me into the chasm below. The women were no longer in the dreamscape. I was grateful for that, at least. On the other hand, I was plunging rapidly into the empty darkness.

  A trumpet sounded across the space, echoing off the chasm walls. With its sound, the webbing burst into flame, and the heat of the violet intensified even more. I could see the ground beneath me now, coming up fast from the black emptiness. The webbing to my right, looking like a fireball hurtling toward the earth, connected first, and then the one to my left. Both left huge, gaping holes in the ground. Smoke curled up from those holes, spreading out to cover the ground and air. It burned my eyes and nose, but it also made me sleepy. Just before I hit the ground, the unconscious darkness of sleep settled over me and I knew no more.

  My fingers were entwined with those of someone else when I opened my eyes to the more familiar darkness of my bedroom. It was just starting to get light outside, and a darker gray, not quite black, filtered past the edges of my blinds. Ke was sitting next to me on the bed, his eyes closed in concentration, his grip on my hands gentle, but firm. He must have sensed my awakening, because his eyes opened to stare down into mine.

  I lost myself in his eyes for the space of time that it took me to come to full awareness. Without forcing it, I pulled back on my hands and I could tell that he was reluctant to let go, but he did. Pushing myself up into a sitting position to face him, I finally looked away. He looked a lot better cleaned up than I had expected he would. I wasn’t going to deny the attraction, but I also wasn’t giving into it. Right now, I had to admit that I was way out of my depth and I certainly didn’t need any added complications.

  “Thanks.” It was all that I could say. I knew he had just saved my ass again.

  He nodded without speaking.

  I was on uncertain footing here. For most of the day, I had spent my time riding around, thinking through everything that was happening, everything that had been said. The problem was that I couldn’t find any real holes in the laid out scenario.

  Oh, there were some pieces missing, I’m sure of it. And I was just as sure they were big pieces. With the surrealism and danger of the world that had become my life, I was used to not always getting the answers I needed, no matter how much frustration it caused. The one thing I had learned to rely on above all else was my gut instinct. My gut might be doing handsprings and cartwheels, but it was also telling me that what Ke was saying had a strong sense of truth at its base.

  But my truth stood out above his. If I had to buy into the possibility that I was some angel incarnate, I was still going to hold on to my selfishness. After all, how many times could a person be expected to sacrifice themselves for the greater good? Maybe as an angel I hadn’t had a choice, but as a human I did. That had to count for something, right? Was my wanting to live such a bad thing? I didn’t think so. So why did I feel so crappy about it?

  Ke cupped his hand to my jaw, tilting my head up to look at him. I flinched at his touch, but this time it was because of pain. I reached up with my own hand to check out my jaw, pushing it, moving it. The good news was that it wasn’t broken. The bad news was that I’m pretty sure there was going to be a sweet little bruise there after a bit.

  “I want to help you with this guy.” Ke’s voice was harsh with anger, but his offer was sincere.

  I shook my head, moving to get up from the bed.

  “I have another way I’m going to try next. Besides, you have already been a big help.” I turned back to look at him after I crawled off the bed. “What are you doing in here, anyway?”

  Ke moved to the edge of the bed. “There is someone here I wanted you to meet.”

  There it went, the emotionless mask slipping back into place. “Who?”

  He wouldn’t look at me. “Another of the Grigori.”

  I threw my arms up in the air. “Why not? Bring him on. It’s looking like old home week.”

  “She.”

  “What?”

  “It’s a she, not a he.”

  I shrugged. “Fine. Whatever. Lead the way.”

  It wasn’t that I didn’t like people or being around them. I was just more of the loner type. Okay, maybe that meant I really wasn’t fond of people or being around them. But I think it takes it to another level when an unwanted houseguest starts inviting all of his friends over for a party. It may not be to that extreme yet, but if you let one in––

  Ke led the way out into the living room. The smell of cooking bacon and eggs filled the air. Chaz was in the kitchen making breakfast for everyone. The corner of my mouth twitched, an ironic thought slipping into my mind. I wondered what Father David would say to my presenting him with a grocery bill to feed a host of Grigori. After all, they were angels, right? That made them part of his group.

  An older woman, I’d guess mid to late fifties watched Chaz do his thing. There was a lot of gray to her hair, but I would’ve guessed she was once a brunette. Some of the darker color still showed in her short, curly, stylishly cut hair. She was dressed in long beige shorts, and over-sized t-shirt with a Native American theme printed on the front, and bright green flip-flops. My overall impression was far from angelic.

  Chaz noticed me and smiled. The Grigori woman looked up, examining me with her gray-green eyes. She had that eccentric aunt feel to her. The kind that looks you over, smiles and then moves in to pinch your cheeks. I must have passed her scrutiny, because she smiled and started to come around the counter. If she pinched my cheeks, I was going to deck her, angel or not.

  “Ke, you were correct.” Her eyes danced with excitement. “You have found her.” She stopped short of actually touching me, but I still felt tense.

  “Sariel, this is Yeshua Star.” Ke stepped up with a nod of his head. “Yeshua, this is Sariel of the Grigori.”

  She gave him a look of mock exasperation, batting her hand to swat at him. “Pshaw––there’s no need for formalities. You’ve been on your own for too long, Ke. It’ll probably do you some good to be locked in that body for a bit. Maybe it will help you to remember a little about humanity and how to not take yourself so seriously.”

  Ke frowned. “But this is serious.”

  “Yes, it is, dear.” She patted him absently. “But if the Grigori had always had your kind of defeatist attitude, there wouldn’t be much left of anything any more, would there?”

  I tried to keep my mouth from twitching. This woman made me want to smile. I was prepared to be irritated with her based on the effect Ke seemed to have on me. It hadn’t dawned on me I might actually like her. I was obviously going to withhold judgment, but if nothing else, she irritated Ke, which made her an amusing distraction at the very least. I guess angels came in as many diverse personalities as humans and immortals did.

  When Sariel turned back to look at me, I noticed the same type of raised markings on her neck that Ke had on his. She saw where my attention was focused and put a hand up to her neck to touch the mark.

  “I tilted my head. “What are those?”

  Sarah looked at Ke. “It’s our signature––all angels have them. When we inhabit a human form, it is the part of us that is still connected, yet not, to the web.”

  “Sort of like an energy signature?” I frowned, trying to understand.

  “Yes.” Sariel nodded. “It’s as though our energy reaches outside of the human body to maintain connection. The longer we remain in human form the less pronounced it becomes, but it never goes away completely. It can also help us to identify others of our kind in a human host.”

  “And when you leave the body?”

  “The mark fades away.” She shrugged. “Some of your ancient texts
call it angelic script. It is the unique identifier for each angel. Even the Fallen Ones have them.”

  That was good to know.

  “Sarah came here to see if she could help you to remember how to use the energy. “Ke interjected.

  I could feel my irritation level start to rise.

  “She is the best teacher to the humans of all the Grigori,” he added hastily, hoping it would make a difference.

  It didn’t. “I never said I wanted to remember. In fact, I could’ve sworn I specifically mentioned not wanting to remember.”

  Ke and Sariel exchanged looks. There was some serious concern being swapped back and forth between them.

  “What?” I demanded, crossing my arms.

  “Yeshua––” Ke tried to start, but couldn’t seem to find the words.

  “If you choose not to help in our struggle, that is your choice.” Sariel held up a hand to stop Ke from interrupting. “No. It is her right. She has the choice available to her.”

  “Thank you.” I tipped my head up with a bit of attitude. This was a Grigori I could get to like. She made me feel vindicated.

  “However––”

  Why was there always a catch?

  “––What you have done in binding Ke to his human host needs to be undone.”

  Oh yeah. That.

  The sound of Chaz setting out dishes on the table made me feel guilty. The kid might be there to help me out, but he didn’t need to act like my personal servant. He had been picking up a lot of domestic slack this week. I’d have to do something special to show my appreciation.

  “That,” Sariel smiled, “is why I am here. I’m pretty certain Ke doesn’t possess the social skills to get across to you the seriousness of our predicament.”

  “Now there’s an understatement.” I muttered under my breath. It gave me a small amount of satisfaction to see his face turn red with angry embarrassment.

  Sariel ignored me. “And from what your friend has been telling me of your temperament, you’d be too pig-headed to listen to him.”

  I raised a questioning eyebrow to Chaz. So much for doing something special for the little rat.

  “Stubborn.” He insisted with a trace of panic in his voice. “I said you were stubborn.”

  “He did.” Sariel acknowledged. “I figured out the pig-headed part on my own.”

  I shrugged, stepping around her to grab a cup of coffee. “And just what is it I need to understand?”

  My tone was flippant, but I was beyond irritated. Pig-headed. Chaz didn’t meet my eyes while he finished setting the rest of the table. It was probably a good thing. I was saving a special look meant for him alone.

  “We have another battle coming with the Fallen Ones.”

  “Which would be my problem, hmm, let’s see––wait, why was that again?” I gave her a mocking look and went back to fixing my coffee.

  Sariel sighed and shook her head at Ke. “You really didn’t start this out in a good way, did you?”

  Ke scowled and looked away. I smirked.

  “Because you, my dear, are human.”

  “Yeah, which means that I have the right to choose not to get involved.”

  “Which means,” Sariel sighed, that if the fabric of the web starts to unravel, you will be one of the first things to go. All physical matter will. The angels will survive it. Humanity and the world you live in will not.”

  I frowned and took a sip of coffee. Okay. That had my attention. But I was also sensing a dwindling number of options on my part, and I wasn’t like that at all.

  Chapter 14

  Chaz announced breakfast was ready. It gave me a few minutes to organize my thoughts while everyone shuffled around the table. I took my time filling my plate and took a bite of scrambled eggs. They were a little overdone, but I wasn’t much of a breakfast person anyway. I was using it primarily as a distraction for the moment.

  Neither Sariel nor Ke spoke. I would have rather that they did. The first one to break the silence in a situation like this usually lost the upper hand. Until a few minutes ago, I had thought that position was mine. Now I wasn’t certain. Sariel was good. I’ll give her that. She was waiting for me to jump in.

  The sigh I had been holding was released. Fine. I’d let her have top dog position until I could figure out how to regain control.

  “Okay, I’ll bite. Is it because I bound Ke to the human host that this whole unraveling business is going to start?”

  The two Grigori exchanged glances. Somehow, I was getting the feeling that they could communicate without speaking. Or maybe that comes when you have known another person for several millennia. Either way, I didn’t like being kept out of the loop.

  Sariel was the one who finally looked back to me, shaking her head. “No. By binding him to the host in the way you did, it only dissipated his link to the web. He has a modicum of free will now, but his connection to everything else isn’t at a level high enough to that kind of damage.”

  “All right, then how is this all supposed to go down?”

  “The pattern is repeating itself.” Ke shrugged.

  My patience was wearing thin. “How about explaining what that’s supposed to mean for those of us who don’t remember being around the last millennia or so ago that this happened?”

  Ke looked frustrated. “If you would let us help you to remember, we wouldn’t be wasting our time with––”

  “It’s my time to waste.” I snapped back.

  “Do you really think––?”

  Sariel grabbed Ke’s arm and squeezed. “Enough. We have time. The signs are just now starting to present themselves.”

  “Signs?” Chaz frowned. “Are we talking about the signs of the apocalypse, end-of-the-world-type of stuff?”

  “Yes.”

  “Like the trumpets blowing in the Book of Revelations?” Chaz was speaking to her, but he looked at me.

  “Yes.”

  Damn. The trumpets. Why hadn’t I made that connection? But they weren’t matching up with catastrophic world events, so they didn’t count, right? Ke was watching me, and Sariel was watching him watching me. I was trying to avoid looking at either of them.

  Sariel raised her eyebrows. ‘What am I missing here?”

  “The trumpets have begun to sound.” Ke said without taking his eyes from mine.

  Her eyes darted back and forth between us. “Explain.”

  “Every time Yeshua and I have come together in the dreamscape, the trumpets have sounded.”

  The color drained from the face of the female Grigori. “How many––?”

  “Three.” I think we were swapping rounds of confusion. It was my turn. “But there haven’t been any catastrophes or any other stuff matching the predictions of the Bible, except in the dreamscape.”

  Sariel closed her eyes. “It doesn’t always work like that. Tell me what happened each time the trumpets sounded.”

  I described each of the scenes that I had witnessed, and added the part about the meteor shower on the night of the coven initiation. Sariel listened without speaking, except to interrupt and clarify a detail here and there. When I was done, she sank back into her chair with a look of shock.

  “We have less time than I thought.”

  I set my fork down on my plate and looked at her with skepticism. “You really need to help me understand this, because I am way out of my league.”

  “The Crystal City is more than just a staging area between the physical and non-physical realms. It is a reflective tie-in to the entire web and all of the planes of existence. That includes the dreamscape.”

  “Okay.”

  “Have you ever heard the phrase as above, so below?”

  I nodded. “It’s a standard premise in most belief systems. That which happens in the heavens is mirrored on earth and vice versa.”

  “Yes. Well, that is most true where the Crystal City is concerned. The Crystal City was created as a solid state of awareness into the intricate patterns of the web. It is used
as a symbolic measuring stick for everything that happens everywhere––including in the dreamscape. The dreamscape, for all intent and purpose, is a manifestation layer for all connected consciousness.”

  “Translation?”

  She pointed to the bruises on my wrists, throat and chin. “The dreamscape is not physical, but things that happen in the world of dreams can be made manifest on the physical plane. The Crystal City is sort of an in-between state between the dreamscape and the physical, but it is not physical at the level where you could touch it without special assistance or abilities.”

  I shrugged. It made sense, in a bizarre kind of way.

  “Things happen on the physical plane in a very slow manner. Because the energy has solid form, it has a slower moving frequency. The dreamscape, having no actual solid form, moves at a higher frequency and things manifest more quickly.”

  “And the Crystal City?”

  “It varies, because it is both and neither at the same time.”

  “So what you’re saying,” I worked my way through the thought, “is the trumpets blowing on the dreamscape with the events happening there, could be signaling the start of the apocalypse?”

  “The events will eventually manifest in both the Crystal City and on the earth. Depending upon the magnitude of the event, they could happen now, or years from now. They may or may not occur in the same order that they did in the dreamscape, but they will happen. The chain of events has been initiated.”

  “But it’s not happening like it says in the Book of Revelations,” Chaz pointed out. “It’s all over the map as far as religions go.”

  Sariel raised her eyebrows. “Is it? The first trumpet blows in Yeshua’s dream and the meteor shower happens. According to Revelations, the first trumpet coincides with hail and fire that will burn up a third of the flora on earth. The second trumpet sounds and she sees Yggdrasil and the Urdh well spilling foul water that turns to blood and kills the World-Tree. A Norse religious comparison, but Revelations speaks of the seas turning to blood. The third trumpet sounds and she sees signs of the Qiyaamah, the Islamic apocalypse. Revelations tells of a great star, burning as a torch, falling to the earth. Humans tend to take their religious texts far too literally. It is a mixture of religious symbology, but the underlying pattern exists and is beginning to unfold.”