by S. J. West
I hear Helena sigh in contentment.
I wrench my hand out of hers ending the connection between us as quickly as possible.
“I couldn't let you disrupt his memory before seeing my birth,” she tells me. “I felt you needed to know the whole story. Now you see why I said we're like sisters.”
“No, I don't see that at all,” I tell her. “I suppose the black orb was you.”
“I was formed out of the darkest parts of Lucifer's soul,” Helena tells me, sounding proud about the fact. “He shared his hatred for humanity with me, and I will be forever grateful for that gift.”
Helena narrows her eyes at me and looks confused about something.
“Though, I don't understand why you can't see the connection between us, Anna.”
“We were made in completely different ways,” I tell her, not seeing how she could be confused by the distinction of our births.
Helena considers my words for a few seconds before she begins to laugh at me.
“Oh my,” she says, “no one has told you? Not even your all-knowing God?”
“Told me what?” I ask, not seeing what it is she finds so amusing.
Helena begins to laugh even harder.
“You'll have to ask someone else to tell you the truth of your origins, Anna. I don't think I can without laughing all the way through it.”
“I don't understand what you're talking about,” I tell her, which only seems to amuse Helena even more.
She waves a hand at me with a limp wrist like she's shooing me away from her.
“Go ask your precious God. I'm sure He can tell you more than I can anyway. But, truly, thank you for the laugh. It's been a long time since I was so tickled by something.”
“Not before you tell me who has Lucas and Millie,” I tell her. “I did what you wanted. Now it's your turn.”
“Oh, that's right,” Helena says, pulling herself together enough to answer my question. “Mammon and Baal took them. They learned what you did to poor Belphagor and Botis and decided they needed to take the same measures Levi has to ensure their own safety. I saw no reason not to help them. I'm running dangerously low on archangels to do my bidding since you learned of your powers. They have no desire to harm your loved one, Anna. They simply want to make a similar deal with you as Belphagor, without the killing of course. I believe they intend to give you their seals of their own free will and return Lucas and Millie to you afterwards, at least that's what they told me. Whether or not you can trust them to keep their word is completely up to you. If I were you, I would go speak with one of them and arrange the trade as quickly as possible.”
“Why are you telling me to do it quickly?” I ask, suspicious of her motives.
“The sooner you have all the seals, the sooner we can finally be together, Anna. Do I really have to spell everything out for you?”
“Where is Lucifer?” I ask her, wanting to take him with me before I leave.
“I'm not quite finished with him yet,” Helena tells me. “When I am, I will let him go. But, I think you have some things to take care of first, Anna.”
I feel an urgency to leave and tell Malcolm what I've learned, but I hate leaving Lucifer to Helena’s mercy, not that she has any. I don't see a way to take him with me though. I don't even know where she has him hidden. There's really only one thing within my power to control, getting Lucas and Millie back safely. The sooner we make a deal with Baal and Mammon, the better.
“If you don't return Lucifer to me,” I tell her, “I will come back and get him myself.”
Helena simply smiles, and I know she's counting on me to keep to my promise.
Chapter 6
When I return home, I immediately tell the others what I learned about the abduction of Lucas and Millie. I don't bother to tell them about viewing Lucifer's memory while I was in Hell because...well... they lived through it. They were there that day, and I don't see any point in opening up an ancient wound. I will tell Malcolm about what happened there later, but now simply isn’t the right time. We have more pressing matters to attend to.
I need to get Lucas and Millie back as quickly as possible. I have no way of knowing what Baal or Mammon will do to them. Also, the fact that both of the princes are working with Helena troubles me greatly. The two of them asking her for help doesn’t bother me as much as knowing she gave it to them. Helena doesn't strike me as someone who does things that don't benefit her in more ways than one. She might need to keep as many archangels as she can, like she said, or she might be scheming towards something else. It is that ‘something else’ she might want that worries me most.
“You and I should to go Alto and find Baal,” Malcolm tells me. “Brutus and Kyna are still there preparing for their wedding. If we’re lucky, they’ll know where he’s at.”
“Desmond and I will go to Virga to find Mammon,” Jered tells us.
“Ok, we'll meet the two of you back here when we know something,” Malcolm replies.
Malcolm takes hold of one of my hands and phases us directly to Alto.
From my studies with Empress Catherine, I know Alto floats above the Brazilian capital city of Rio de Janeiro. It's the only cloud city with indoor beaches surrounding its perimeter. Since the water fades into the vast openness of the horizon, it gives the illusion of floating on an infinite ocean. The dwellings within the city are built out of a polymer that mimics the look of an old-fashioned material called stucco. Each building is a pale, pastel color, giving Alto a calm and tranquil feel. Tropical vegetation, such as palm trees, ferns, birds of paradise and hibiscus, grace the garden rooftops of every home adding to the effect of living on a beautiful, isolated island where everyone is safe from the dangers of the real world.
I don't have a chance to view the city in person when we first arrive. Malcolm phases us directly to the throne room in the palace. There we find Bianca Rossi feverishly shouting orders to the servants in the room who are helping her decorate the space for the wedding.
The throne room itself is quite striking in its simplicity. The room is circular with a cathedral ceiling. It cylindrical wall is comprised of alternating sand colored stones and blocks of glass. The focal point in the room is the section of wall that is all glass and faces out towards the pseudo-ocean surrounding the city. It perpetuates an illusion that those who sit on the thrones are the rulers of a vast empire.
Although the room itself is a masterpiece in splendor, the woman who holds the title of Empress of Alto is just as lovely as the city she controls.
Bianca Rossi's beauty was well known and envied by many of the younger female royals of the other cloud cities. Her raven black tresses and perfect olive skin were traits genetically engineered to be present. It wasn't uncommon for couples in the lower caste of cloud cities to seek out the assistance of a fertility specialist who could help them design a child more perfect than random chance could produce from their union. Unfortunately, such endeavors were usually hit or miss. The genetic material for the child was always taken directly from the parents, just like any naturally born child's genetic code would be. The engineers would simply try to make sure the best qualities of both parents were expressed and the undesirable ones left dormant. They tinkered with the genetic code each parent possessed in order to increase the chances of a child perfect in form and mind to be born. Supplementing genetic material was strictly forbidden by all of the cloud cities. The use of synthetic DNA to code for a perfect nose or blue eyes when both parents had brown was against the law. Most of the royal families considered such practices heresy and forbade their scientists from attempting to play God in such an extreme way.
When Bianca was born, her parents immediately placed her on the list of possible wives for the young prince of Alto. Their gamble of genetically engineering a daughter ended up paying off. Bianca’s beauty and sharp wit allowed them to climb the social ladder of Alto society rather quickly. When she came of age, Bianca was introduced to Rafael Rossi. He was completely smitten by the
raven-haired beauty when they met. At the tender age of sixteen, she was married to Rafael, and within two years, Bianca was crowned Empress of Alto. It was everything her parents could have dreamed for her and more.
Tragically, for Bianca, she actually fell in love with her husband.
Rafael was well known for his sexual prowess with other women before and after his marriage. Due to his penchant for bringing women home anytime he wanted, Bianca chose to move her chambers to the opposite side of the palace from the emperor. Bianca was twenty now, but she held the grace and poise of someone surpassing such a young age.
Bianca noticed our presence almost at once.
“Anna!” she says, seeing me first before her gaze slid to Malcolm. With a gracious smile, she approaches us. Her billowy light-blue dress captures the air, making it look like she is walking against a gentle breeze. “I didn’t think I would see you until the ceremony tomorrow.” Bianca leans into me and kisses me on a cheek in greeting. “It’s been too many years since we saw one another, Anna. If Catherine hadn’t been so strict about you staying in Cirrus, I would have invited you here to stay with me. I'm so glad I get to have a chance to speak with you before the wedding. I wanted to tell you how grateful I am for what you did to rescue Kyna. I heard it was a spectacular fight between you and Lorcan. I'm just sorry I missed seeing him embarrass himself.”
“Bianca,” I say, not wanting to waste any more time with pleasantries, “do you know where Rafael is? We need to see him right away.”
Bianca wasn’t a fool. I could tell by the way her eyes narrowed on me that she knew something was very wrong in my world.
“What has he done now?” she asks in exasperation. “Did he bed one of your lady servants and impregnate her?”
From the way she asked her question, it seemed like such a thing might happen quite often where her husband was concerned.
“No. He has something of ours that we need for him to return,” I tell her, not having the time or inclination to explain what was really going on. “Please, Bianca, can you tell us where he is?”
Bianca looks troubled as she says, “You know, he did stress that I needed to make sure you and Overlord Devereaux are at the wedding tomorrow. He was quite adamant about it actually, which I thought was strange but didn't think to question at the time. If he took something from you, I would wager he’s waiting until this palace is full of people to negotiate its return. It’s his way I’m afraid. He's a complete coward when it comes to confronting people.”
My heart sinks at the thought of having to wait a whole day before I can make a deal with Baal. I feel on the verge of losing my mind from worry over Lucas and Millie. I was barely able to keep control of my emotions and this delay certainly isn't helping matters.
“Then you don't know where he is?” Malcolm asks Bianca, just to confirm.
Bianca shrugs. “I'm sorry. I have no idea. When he disappears like this, I have no way of contacting him. I wish I could be of more help to you both.”
“Malcolm!”
We turn to see Brutus and Kyna walking towards us.
“What's wrong?” Brutus asks, looking from me to Malcolm.
Apparently, from the look of concern on Brutus' face, we aren't hiding our worry very well.
Malcolm jerks his head to the side, silently telling Brutus that they need to speak in private.
As soon as the men walk away, Kyna begins to tell me all about the wedding preparations. I try to listen to what she says but my thoughts are consumed with worry and guilt. I feel like Lucas and Millie's kidnapping is completely my fault. Rationally, I know I had no control over what happened. Yet, if I hadn't killed Belphagor, would Baal and Mammon have taken such drastic measures? From what Helena told me, it was only my betrayal of Belphagor that propelled them to abduct my loved ones. They felt like they needed the extra insurance to help safeguard their own survival.
By the time Malcolm and Brutus are through talking, I feel an urgent need to leave Alto. Our friends are about to celebrate one of the happiest times in their lives. I don't want to put a damper on their wedding. Even though I know each of them would understand my feelings, I still don't want to ruin what is supposed to be a joyous occasion for them both.
Brutus immediately takes me into his arms when he and Malcolm return to us.
“Don't you worry,” he whispers to me. “We'll make this right.”
I was already on the verge of crying and Brutus' sweet words of reassurance almost push me past my self-control.
I find the strength to nod my head to let him know I heard his words of encouragement. If I try to make a verbal response, I know I'll end up crying, and that's the last thing I want to do in front of Kyna and Bianca.
Brutus pulls away from me and says, “I'll keep my eyes and ears open here. If I find out anything, I'll let you know.”
“Thanks.” I'm able to say while still maintaining my composure.
“We'll see you all tomorrow at the wedding,” Malcolm tells them as he takes hold of one of my hands. “Let us know if you need anything.”
Malcolm phases us out of Alto, but he doesn't take us directly back home. Instead, he takes us to the little ramshackle cottage by the ocean. We haven't returned here since our horse race and subsequent afternoon together.
“I didn't think you wanted to go home just yet,” he says, bringing me into his arms.
I let the wall I built to hold in my anger and anguish crumble as Malcolm holds me. I cry and beat at his chest, letting out my agony and frustration. Finally, when I'm spent of energy, I simply lean against my husband and weep.
Malcolm is silent through it all and simply lets me act out my emotions. It's exactly what I need him to do for me, and he seems to know that. I don't want him to tell me everything will be all right because the simple fact of the matter is we don't know that. Nothing is certain except that Lucas and Millie are in danger. I can't seem to get rid of the bad feeling I have in the pit of my stomach that things will not work out for the better this time. Something bad is going to happen, and I'm not sure if I'm strong enough to survive it.
“What can I do for you?” Malcolm asks me, holding me close.
I shake my head. “Just help me get them back.”
“You know I will, Anna. We'll do whatever it takes. Please don't think that you have to go through this all alone. We need each other now more than ever.”
A part of my heart wants to accept what Malcolm just said, but something inside it holds me back from believing it fully. A voice from out of the darkness whispers that Malcolm will never forgive me if our son is harmed because of something I did. It laughs at the thought of me begging for his forgiveness and being turned away by him because he can't stand to look at me. It also knows that I would never be able to forgive myself if an innocent life was lost because I was unable to control my temper. I allowed the darkness to take control of me for a while and enjoyed what I did to Belphagor. The darkness knows now that it simply has to wait patiently. I'll let my guard down again one day, and it will be there to take advantage of my weakness. It isn’t through with me yet.
“Come on,” Malcolm says, kissing me on the forehead. “Let's see if Jered and Desmond were able to find anything out.”
“You know as well as I do that they didn't find Mammon,” I say, knowing that if Baal is hiding from us Mammon will be too. It was just basic logic.
“I know,” Malcolm says in resignation. “But we at least need to tell them that we couldn't find Baal.”
Malcolm phases us back to the sitting room where we find Jered and Desmond waiting for us.
“We weren't able to find Baal,” Malcolm tells them. “Were you able to find out anything in Virga that might help?”
Jered reaches behind his left ear and pulls off a neural memo.
“Mammon left this for you with one of the women in his harem,” Jered tells me as he hands it over.
“He has a harem?” I ask, not even knowing what to say about such a thing.
“Apparently,” Jered says, looking somewhat embarrassed that he even had to use the word in front of me. “It's a message for you.”
I take the neural memo and place it behind my right ear.
A holographic image of Callum Ellis appears. Callum was handsome, young and always cock sure of himself. He was tall, well over six feet, with light brown skin and eyes to match. His hair was short, almost making him appear bald.
From what I understood, Callum was a daredevil of sorts, always looking for the next challenge and constantly risking his life, to his poor father's annoyance. Emperor Edgar Ellis was nearing his 85th birthday and many thought his son's reckless behavior was his way of accelerating his father's demise. Everyone knew Callum was eager to ascend to the throne of Virga, but Edgar wasn't so sure his son was mature enough to accept the responsibility. Most assumed Edgar was simply holding on for as long as he could, hoping his son would rise to the maturity level of a great leader. Unfortunately, Edgar would never get to realize his greatest dream for his son. For all intent purposes, Callum Ellis was dead now and in his place stood a Prince of Hell.
“Greetings, Anna,” Mammon says in his new form as the prince of Virga. “By now you realize Baal and I have your son and maid. Sorry about that, but we didn't feel like we could come to you without having something to hold over your head to make sure you behaved. Belphagor was the first of us to suggest we make a deal with you and hand over the seals that we have so you would spare our lives. Too bad that didn't work out better. You could have gotten what you wanted, and we would have gone on to live out our lives in the human forms we've chosen. Anyway, this is your chance to make things right. Tomorrow at the wedding, Baal will meet with you so he can give you his seal of his own free will. After that, Lucas will be returned to you. Once you've recovered from absorbing Baal's seal, I will meet with you in a location and at a time of my choosing to give you my seal. Then, I'll make sure the maid makes it back home safe and sound. Hope this deal sounds good to you because that's pretty much the way things have to be if you ever want to see your loved ones alive again.” Mammon's eyes narrow like he's looking straight at me. “If, at any time, we feel like our lives are being threatened, we will kill Lucas and the maid. Don't try to pull any funny business, Anna. Just do as you're told and you'll get everything you want.”
