by Brian Rella
“Yeah,” Frank said. “It’ll be fun.”
David beamed.
“Let’s head back to the Temple, boys,” Maza said.
“But why?” Frank asked surprised. “It’s still early.”
“You have lessons this morning, don’t you?” she said.
“Ohhh, I hate lessons,” Frank whined.
“Watchers don’t whine,” David said smartly, grinning at his older brother.
“Oh yeah?” Frank said and lunged at his brother, getting him in a headlock, and rubbed his knuckles playfully on his brothers head.
“Hey, knock it off!” his brother said, pushing him off and they all laughed.
Frank released him and they headed back to the Temple.
27
TAREK
October 20, 2015
Chicago, Illinois
The last parishioner had left the church half an hour ago and Tarek had been alone in his pew since. He focused his acute intuition on finding the girl, but had no success thus far.
“The Church will be closing in a few minutes, sir,” a gray-haired woman from behind a half-closed door called to him. Her voice echoed off the high ceiling.
“Thank you, sister, I’ll be going shortly,” Tarek said, nodding to her. The woman closed the door and Tarek glanced at his watch.
It was after seven. There had been no word from Brennan and he had been unable to locate her on his own. Perhaps she is no longer in the area, or even the city. Maybe I should have stayed where I was.
He closed his eyes and focused intently on the girl, letting his mind drift with his feelings, searching her out. His breathing was rhythmic and the only sound in his ears until he heard a beat.
Bu-bump.
It was soft at first, subtle, but unmistakable, and as he concentrated on the sound, it grew louder in his head. His mind went dark and he was surrounded by nothingness.
Bu-bump… Bu-bump… Bu-Bump.
The beating grew louder and filled his head. A shape emerged from the darkness. Swirling clouds of violet filled his mind like a maelstrom, surrounding him, gusting, and choking him. He felt the presence of a malevolent force and the image of a blond girl popped into his mind. Something was by her side, something large and ominous. Dread seized him. Something was wrapping around the girl - vines or branches or –
Veins.
The image sharpened and Tarek saw it clearly. A purple heart of pure darkness and horror and it had the girl in its grasp.
Jessie.
She was walking and as she strode she transformed from a girl into a woman. Long dirty blond hair, blue-green eyes, walking down a street – but where? He could see her walking with purpose. She was going somewhere, but where was she?
His eyes flew open as she passed a sign. The Four Seasons Hotel, Chicago.
“She’s here,” he said. “She’s just a couple of blocks away.”
Tarek jumped to his feet and dashed for the door. He ran around the block and saw the sign that she had just passed.
People walked on the sidewalk and he stretched to look over their heads, trying to catch a glimpse of her.
A blond head of hair bobbed up above people on the sidewalk about thirty yards to his left. He quickly moved in her direction and watched her walk into a restaurant in the middle of the block.
Jessie; I found you. Now I must find out what you are after…
28
JESSIE
October 20, 2015
Chicago, Illinois
Jessie was famished as the hostess greeted her.
“Hello, Ms. Hailey,” the woman said, her nose twitching as she spoke. “We have a table ready for you in a nice quiet corner. Right this way.”
A shiver up Jessie’s spine gave her pause. She stood still unsure of what she was sensing.
The woman’s lips went flat. “Perhaps you are no longer hungry?” she asked. “Is there something else I can help you with?” The woman stood, patiently awaiting her response.
Another friend, Jessie. Go and eat, the ominous voice said to her.
Jessie regained her composure and smiled. “Please, lead the way,” she said.
The woman’s nose twitched again as she turned and led her back past the bar. The dim lights twinkled off the bottles of liquor and wine. Jessie’s eyes moved to the bartender, who smiled and nodded to her.
Another friend? She wasn’t sure. She followed the woman to a table in the back. The woman removed a reserved sign from the table and motioned for Jessie to sit. A waitress walked over with a menu and a glass of water for her. She nodded to the hostess.
“If you need anything at all, Ms. Hailey, please don’t hesitate,” the hostess said. She nodded and left.
“Something to drink?” the waitress asked.
“Just water for now,” she said.
“I will be back momentarily,” the waitress said, turned, and walked back around the bar and out of sight.
Jessie scanned the room. It was crowded with several patrons sitting at the bar, talking noisily. They were mostly men in business suits sipping brown liquor in tumbler glasses. All the staff wore black jackets and white shirts and moved rapidly in and out of the bar room.
The smell of steak fat made her mouth water and her stomach grumble. A bus boy came over and dropped some bread and olive oil on the table. She ripped off a piece and chewed it greedily.
When the waitress returned, Jessie ordered a cowboy-cut NY Strip, rare, which she had never heard of, but the waitress had strongly recommended. Her food arrived shortly after.
She ate everything on her plate and polished off a glass of red wine, which she had never had before either. She loved it, the alcohol making her a bit dizzy in a pleasant way. She ordered another glass and relaxed back into her chair, sipping the wine slowly.
A man walked into the bar area. Jessie could feel him looking at her out of the corner of his eyes.
He was tall with long, wavy salt-and-pepper hair. His chiseled chin and emerald eyes made him look Middle Eastern or maybe Latin American. Jessie couldn’t be certain. He wore a black motorcycle jacket and jeans. He was handsome in a rugged, bad boy way and looked out of place next to the businessmen sitting at the bar.
Jessie stared at him as he stepped to the bar and spoke to the bartender, ordering a drink. The bartender brought over a glass of clear liquid and the man sipped it while Jessie stared.
She felt her King’s presence move within her.
He is not a friend, princess.
29
TAREK
October 20, 2015
Chicago, Illinois
Tarek sipped his water at the end of the bar. The woman he had spotted on the street sat twenty yards to his left with a glass of wine. It had to be Jessie. She looked exactly like the woman in his vision.
If it was her, he needed to know for certain if she had been seduced by the Fallen. The entity from Tarek’s vision embraced her, but her intentions were unclear. Are you his yet, Jessie? Or is there still time for you to see the being for what it is?
He sipped his water again, and felt her stare on him. There is only one way to find out. I have to speak to her. I have to know if she can be saved or if I must destroy her.
Tarek turned and looked right at Jessie. He sipped his water one last time, placed it on the bar, and walked to her table. Her eyes met his.
“Hello, Jessie, may I sit?”
30
JESSIE
October 20, 2015
Chicago, Illinois
Jessie’s breath caught as the man stood at her table and asked to sit down. A faint cornflower-blue glow surrounded the man. She raised her eyebrows as a feeling of foreboding rose within her.
Why does he glow like that?
Do not panic, princess. He is here to harm you, but I will protect you. He is a Watcher and he will use you to get to me.
My King. Help me. Protect me, please.
Always, princess.
“I just want to talk,” he said.
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“Who are you?” she asked.
“My name is Tarek,” he said.
“How do you know my name?”
“Please, may I sit?”
The hostess walked over flanked by two men in suits. Anger flared behind her eyes. “Ms. Hailey, is this man bothering you?” she asked.
Jessie looked into the man called Tarek’s eyes. There was something intense and knowing behind his eyes. Something that frightened her, but made her curious at the same time.
Have no fear, princess. Let him sit. Hear what he has to say. I am here.
But I am afraid, Nalsuu.
I am here with you. I will protect you.
She was torn between the voice in her head that promised to protect her, and her own instincts that told her to run from this man; to get out of there as fast as she could. He had her trapped in the back corner of this restaurant with no escape. Nalsuu promised to protect her and she believed him, wanting to obey the dark voice in her head telling her to sit and listen. But also saw herself telling the hostess this man was bothering her, and using the interference to flee.
Then the reason to stay popped into her mind and she relaxed.
You have power, princess. You can always call Arraziel to help.
A confidence filled her. A knowing that she had power and that she was no longer a victim gave her courage. Her eyes narrowed and her back straightened in the chair. A short, crooked smile curled up the side of her cheek.
“No,” she said. “He’s not bothering me.”
The hostess glanced from Jessie to the man and back to Jessie again. “Very well,” she muttered and walked away, the men in suits following her.
“Sit,” Jessie said.
Tarek sat across from her and laid his hands on the table, gazing into her eyes.
“Thank you, Jessie. You made the right decision,” he said, smiling.
“Just tell me what you have to say, Tarek. Who are you and what do you want from me?”
“As you wish,” Tarek said, staring into her irises. Jessie could feel the intensity of his stare and returned it. I am not afraid of you.
“I know you possess the Arraziel book and have conjured him to avenge those that harmed you. I know you have been in contact with an insidious being not of this realm. The darkness of this being has touched you, and may call itself your ally and protector. But please, Jessie, this is a lie and a grave mistake, one which I also made. But with the help of people who saw the good in me, I was able reverse course, and I want to help you do the same. Please, let me help you. I am a Watcher of this realm and world, and can save you from the path of damnation this creature leads you down.”
Jessie could hear the laughter of her King in her head. It filled her mind and she fought back the urge to join it. It is he who lies, princess. The Watchers are not protectors. They are usurpers. This man lies to you just like all men have lied and tried to hurt you. Didn’t your father promise to take care of you? And where is he? And Steve, what about Steve? How was he going to help you? They lie to you, princess!
Nalsuu was right. All the men in her life had disappointed her or worse, hurt her. Her father had died and left her. All the men her mother brought home had treated her like crap. Tarek was just another man in a long line of men that abused women. He wanted to manipulate her and try to force her to do what he wanted.
No more, she thought.
No more, my princess.
“Oh. And what mistake am I making?”
“I sense you are at a crossroads, Jessie. Or perhaps you have already made your choice and started down the dark road this being has offered you. I can tell you this road leads to pain and damnation, for I was once on this same road, but was fortunate enough to have been turned back.
“The Realm of the Second Death wants you, Jessie. This being is using you to awaken powerful dark forces, and once unleashed, the Fallen will devour this world and enslave all of us, including you.
“I had a vision and in this vision I saw the purple heart of darkness embrace you. Jessie, this creature is evil and wants you for selfish reasons. What it offers leads only to more pain, suffering, and eternal hell. But I can help. I have friends that have helped me and can help you too.”
Jessie shifted in her chair. Tarek’s sincerity was unmistakable. The smallest kernel of doubt found a resting place in her heart and she listened with intent to what he said. Her commitment to Nalsuu faltered. “And why should you want to help me?” she asked.
“I know you have had a difficult life. I know you’ve suffered. I once suffered too, and was seduced by the Fallen overlord, Amon-Gorloth. But you have a choice. You can turn back. You can find redemption.”
He lies, princess. He does not know you. Only I can protect you. And I will prove it to you. This man says he wants to help you, but as soon as he has you alone, he will try to hurt you. But he cannot hurt you. He does not know your power. But you will show him and he will know. I have warned you of his deceit and you will see I am the only one who can protect you.
Do not worry, my King. I am yours. But a struggle had begun within Jessie, and she felt herself being pulled apart.
“I sense it right now, Jessie. It speaks to you. But you don’t have to listen. There is another path,” Tarek said.
Jessie looked into Tarek’s eyes and saw kindness and compassion and sincerity. She believed he understood her pain, yet the draw of his offer was too small, too weak to affect her decision. She had made her choice and there was no going back. She had been kissed by her King and she was His. Forever.
The coils of her dark Lord enwrapped her soul and she knew there was only one way forward. The time to turn back had passed. She was on her chosen path. Her chosen path.
She chose. She was not coerced. Nalsuu had not forced her. She chose. No one had forced her to conjure Arraziel and take revenge. No one was forcing her to choose to listen to the voice in her head. No one was forcing her to do anything. I chose. I am not a victim. I have power. I am in control!
She decided, then, that she would kill this man. But first, maybe he could help her find Pasmet. A plan formed in her mind and she knew how she could find out what Tarek knew about Pasmet, and see if Nalsuu was truly her protector.
She dropped her eyes to the table, feigned a mask of pain and remorse, and gazed into Tarek’s eyes. “Yes,” she said. “So much pain…”
He reached out and touched her hand. She fought the urge to recoil from his touch. “Let me help you as others have helped me.”
The spark of doubt she felt moments before was extinguished, the internal struggle was abated, and her dark King had won. A tear rolled down her cheek. She had made her choice.
Together, princess. We will kill the usurper together.
Yes, my King.
Good, my princess. Good…
“Jessie, let me take you to people that can help you,” Tarek said. “Give me the Arraziel book and I will bring you to people that can help. We can leave tonight.”
“I…I… Okay. The book is not here,” she said. “I will take you to it. Come on, let’s go.”
31
TAREK
October 20, 2015
Chicago, Illinois
As Tarek spoke to her, he sensed the dark presence within her. He felt his words penetrate her mind and the idea of redemption loosen the grip of the deep-seated evil that had her in its grasp. For a moment, he thought the tides had turned and he was winning her over. He perceived the struggle within her. In that brief moment, he felt joy and relief for her. He had saved her from damnation and had given her the same opportunity that had been given to him.
His elation was short lived. Her seducer tightened its grip around her soul and her redemption slipped away. His hopes dashed, his victory over the dark force stolen.
It has her. She is lost. She serves the Fallen.
She spoke lies to him, her façade plain to see. She had chosen the road to damnation, and would not be turned back.
I faile
d, and there is only one thing for me to do.
He had to recover the Arraziel book, and either capture her…or destroy her.
They left the restaurant, Jessie a few steps ahead of him, leading the way. They walked back toward the Church where Tarek had his vision. Jessie turned left and into the Four Seasons hotel. She had been across the street from him the whole time he had been here.
This is it. When we get up to her room, I will take her.
32
FRANK
June 16, 1994
Hudson Highlands, New York
“Come on!” Frank shouted.
“Right behind you!” David yelled after him.
Frank leaped over a downed tree and landed like a feather on a puddle of water. The forest and mountains around the Temple of the Watchers provided a neverending playground—and training ground—for Frank and his brother. Their lessons done for the day, they played a game of tag in the lush woods surrounding the temple. Summer had arrived, and the heat of the day was rising. The boys took advantage of the afternoon warmth as they whipped through the trails of the forest.
A blast of energy rushed past Frank, crashing into an old, rotting maple, and sending it falling down in front of him.
Frank planted his left foot and launched himself through the air at the falling tree. He kicked out at the center of the trunk, smashing it to splinters, which rained down on the forest floor below.
“No magic!” he called behind him and heard his brother giggle from many feet away.
