by Tanya Simon
Angelica Smithers picked up the last carton of eggs and prayed they were not broken. She had been to the three grocery stores, which remained open in the metro area. The world outside had gone crazy, but she was still mother to a five-year-old boy. And no Easter eggs would lead to explanations of why the Easter Bunny hadn’t come, which would lead to what had happened to the world, etc. She had to have the eggs; she had to make Easter as normal as she could for him. Angelica was determined her child’s world stayed as normal as possible. So, even though her feet ached and she was so tired she could hardly see straight, she would return with eggs. She would dye them tonight after Eric was asleep.
She smiled when all twelve eggs were whole and turned to place them in her basket. She noticed the couple in front of her arguing over who was going to pick up Cindi from ballet class. The argument was too heated for the topic and Angelica shook her head in disapproval. Out of nowhere, the man pulled a revolver from his overcoat and pointed it at the woman. The woman smiled at the man and dared him to pull the trigger. Angelica gaped at the evil smile on the man’s face.
“No! Don’t!” She whispered at the woman, she could see the woman’s death in the man’s eyes.
The man put the gun to the woman’s forehead.
“Gladly, my dear, gladly.” He pulled the trigger.
Angelica screamed as the woman’s blood and other thicker things splashed her face. The man turned his malevolent gaze on her and the terror on her face made him laugh maniacally. Her feet wouldn’t move as he lurched towards her. She screamed again and begged him not to shoot her.
“Please, I have a child, please. I won’t tell anyone, please! Please, I don’t want to die!”
The eggs slid out of her limp fingers and crashed on the floor, as her world went dark.
Sam looked at the stricken look on the woman’s face and closed his eyes, she had been young and pretty and the report from the uniforms had said she was a single mother. There was no reason for her death his tired mind could accept. The man who had ended her life and his wife’s could offer no answers to why this had happened. He didn’t know why he had done it; he did not seem to hear anyone from the place he was hiding in his mind.
As he pulled the bloodstained sheet back over the pretty face, he looked across the room and sighed. When he thought about it he knew why this was happening and so did the beautiful woman walking towards him. Sam was tired of the preliminaries, he wanted the big battle to come, and he craved the end of it all.
“Lily, how many more people are going to die, before he gets on with it?” He asked his partner when she put her hand on his shoulder.
“I know this is hard for you, my love.” She stroked his shoulders, wishing she could truly offer him comfort. “But like I said, it will get much worse before it’s over and we will just have to keep trying to survive.” She pulled him to his feet and wrapped her arms around him. “I love you, Sam.”
“I love you, Lily. I guess I am tired of all this waiting.”
“I know.”
Lily looked down at the bodies and wondered how much worse Satan would make it before he took the gloves off and all hell broke lose. She didn’t know how much longer Sam could keep fighting; she saw just a little bit more of him give up each day, and the real battle didn’t even begin until he was in Hell for eternity, If he didn’t have anything going in, he wouldn’t keep his sanity, and she couldn’t face it alone.
Raevanne brushed her hair in angry strokes. She had thought herself rid of her backstabbing assistant. Serafina had finagled her way into Samael’s bed and had become his consort. Raevanne had been sure Serafina would go the way of Samael’s other consorts. None of them lived for more than a couple of months, before he got bored and ate them. However, Serafina, the two-faced bitch, had lasted for four years and counting. And now Raevanne was to dine with her as an equal.
Raevanne threw her brush as rage bubbled over in her. She heard a muffled “oomph” and her husband walked in holding her brush and rubbing his tummy.
“Sorry. I do not want that cunt in my home.”
“I know, my love. Father wants Samael at the Ascension and wherever Samael goes Serafina follows. I would think you would be happy Samael finally found a companion.” Cain set the silver brush on the vanity and began to massage Raevanne shoulders.
“Hmmmmm…” she purred. “Feels good.” She let her head go forward. “I am glad for Samael and it will be good to see him. I just… I’ve hated Serafina since childhood and the feeling is mutual. She has always thought she should be Shivana. When we cleaned out her chamber and labs in the dungeons, we found proof she had tried to use magick against me.”
“Why didn’t you report it?”
“And give Serafina the satisfaction. She isn’t powerful enough to harm me. She is just a whorish annoyance.” Raevanne moaned as Cain hit a tense spot.
“She will be here for three short days. You will be busy preparing the aerie and the gifts for the Ascension. You will only be forced to bare her presence at meals, prayers, and the Ascension.” He kissed the top of her head and sat on the bed.
Raevanne went and sat next to him. She laid her head on his shoulder.
“I am here when you are ready to tell me what is troubling you, so very much.” She linked her fingers with his. “I know your last visit home unsettled you. I ask you two things before I let it go. One, remember I am your wife. Two, know I will always love you.” She turned his face to her, searching his eyes, and she kissed him tenderly.
“I love you, always. And when I can I will share everything with you.” He pushed her back on the bed. “Right now, I want to lose myself in you.” He lay down partially on top of her and kissed her. Raevanne let her suspicions go and gave herself over to the kiss.
The next day Raevanne and Mystery scurried about the aerie making sure everything was perfect. Raevanne placed black orchids on the antique dresser in the room Samael and Serafina would be staying in. She lit purple candles inscribed with Samael’s sigil. She smoothed the black silk sheets and comforters and placed a tiny vial of human blood on each pillow. She stood back and admired her work, walked out and shut the door behind her. Next, she went downstairs to the kitchens to check on the menu for the Shivana’s table for the night.
“Remember Alan, Samael prefers his meat raw, with the garlic and basil seasoned blood sauce on the side. Serafina, will only eat meat carved from the thighs of a virgin, lightly grilled on each side, she will only drink human blood.”
“Yes, Shivana.” The partly balding chef took notes. “Shivana, will you dine on the meat our guests will partake of or will you prefer your usual hearts and livers in Cajun blood gravy?”
“I will eat what my husband, daughter, and Prince Samael will dine on.”
“Yes, my Shivana.”
Raevanne hurried out to check the Shivana’s dining room.
Mystery checked on the sleeping girl who would be tonight’s gift. The girl wouldn’t be sacrificed, but hung in a ritual room for Samael’s pleasure. She instructed the maid to awaken and prepare the girl at eleven. Malcolm would transport her and have her ready by midnight. She waved at her Father as she hurried upstairs to bathe and dress for the night.
After her milk bath, Juliet smeared scented crème all over Mystery’s satiny skin until it gleamed in the candlelight. She beamed with pride at her mistress’ beauty as she helped her into a purple robe. Mystery swept her hair up into a French twist. She checked herself in the mirror and went out to wait in the hall for her parents.
Raevanne decided to leave her long, wavy curls down, she put on her purple robe and smiled when Cain came from the bathroom and whistled.
“Thank you.”
“I will be escorting the two most beautiful women on this plane or any other. I am a lucky man.” He kissed Raevanne breathless. He too put on his purple robe. Cain grabbed Raevanne’s hand and opened the chamber door. They both beamed with pride when they saw Mystery. “You look exquisitely beautiful, my d
arling daughter.” Cain smiled as he took her hand and kissed her forehead.
They headed down to the public ritual room, where they would greet their guests. Raevanne waved a hand and the room glowed with candlelight. Mystery waved her hand and the Hell Hounds latest music filled the air. Cain said a magickal welcoming so their guests could come forth.
The air above the inverted pentagram on the floor vibrated. Slowly, the shapes of a robed man and woman took form. The tall man had curly, blond hair, which hung halfway down his back. His amber brown eyes twinkled with merriment. His build was muscular but not too muscular and it was covered in a rich, velvety, cranberry red robe. Mystery sniffed the air, he smelled of cinnamon and musk. He smiled at her and her toes curled with lust. He turned to take the hand of the voluptuous woman standing beside him; she flipped straight waist length russet brown hair over her shoulders. Her eyes were a smug, self-satisfied grey. She was covered in an orange velvet robe. She smelled of patchouli and clove. She turned and looked at Mystery with disdain. Mystery smiled at her, the way she would a mildly amusing squirrel or rat. The woman blushed and quickly looked away.
“Raevanne, you are always a vision. It has been too long, my friend!” He stepped forward, letting go of the woman’s hand so he could hug her.
“Yes, it has been too long.” She touched his face. “It is always a joy.”
“Cain.” He bowed his head.
“Oh stop that!” Cain embraced his lifelong friend. He turned to Mystery and motioned her to him. He put his arm around her. “This is my daughter, Mystery.”
Mystery went to shake his hand and he kissed her cheek and hugged her. She almost moaned aloud at the pleasure.
“Behave, Samael.” Raevanne scolded. “Mystery, Samael is an incubus, in fact he commands all iniquitous beings. He answers to Lord Belial.”
“We’ve met Mother, before I came to live at the aerie.” Cain coughed. “He was a visitor to my home a few times.”
“Oh.” Raevanne swallowed a smile. “I had forgotten.”
“Oh! Where are my manners? Mystery this is my consort, Serafina. She was Roodmasi until I stole her away.” He smiled at the woman.
“I have heard much about you, Serafina.” Mystery nodded at her.
“Princess.” Serafina did a quick bow. “Raevanne.” She turned a beaming smile on Cain. “Cain.” She bowed her head.
“Serafina.” Cain and Raevanne said in unison. Cain took Raevanne’s hand and ignored Serafina. “Shall we?” He ushered them from the room.
“Raevanne the aerie looks magnificent.” Samael’s face was lit with pleasure as they walked through the aerie to the Shivana’s dining room.
“Thank you. We are almost ready for Saturday night.”
“Yes. Can you believe, my friends, only three nights until the Master’s reign begins?” Samael could not contain his joy at the thought.
“At last.” Cain smiled.
“Natas Sevil!” Raevanne said as they turned into the dining room. A black linen cloth covered the handmade oval ebony table. Purple crystal plates and silver goblets shone in the light of dozens of green candles. A centerpiece of dragonroot, irises, jasmine, and rhododendrons combined smells to be intoxicating. Each man seated his women.
Serafina caught sight of the rhododendrons and looked up at Raevanne, who was making small talk with Samael. She turned and Mystery looked at the rhododendrons and back at Serafina. She smiled the same mildly amused smile and mouthed, “I love my Mother.”
Serafina tried to stare back at Mystery and finally she had to look away. Satisfied the message had been received Mystery sat back to enjoy the evening.
Everyone enjoyed dinner. When it was over a maid showed Samael and Serafina to their chamber. Cain went to take care of some business for his father. Raevanne and Mystery walked down the hall together.
“You put rhododendrons, in the centerpiece, do you know what they symbolize?” Raevanne looked at her daughter.
“Yes, they are a warning to others you should not be messed with or underestimated.”
“Why did you put them there? Samael means you no harm.”
“Because I wanted it perfectly clear to Serafina her minuscule power is of no consequence here. If she even upsets you, let alone tries to harm you, I will destroy her slowly, painfully, and I will make sure everyone, including Samael, forgets she ever existed.” She took her mother’s hand and stopped walking. “I love you. When I was a little girl growing up, I used to wish I had a real mother, one who loved me. When I found out about you more than anything, almost more than I wanted to be with Jeremiah, I wanted to be with you. You came to me one time and I knew you loved me, like a mother is supposed to. So now I stand for you. I will protect and avenge you. And I wanted Serafina to know she is less than the vermin skulking around the dungeons to me. It would cost me nothing and I wouldn’t even have to break a sweat to erase her.”
“I do love you, my angel. The years you were gone were agony for me. I wondered all the time if you were okay, if you were loved. I wondered if you remembered me. When I looked into your eyes, and saw the woman you had become looking out at me, I was so proud. And I was so scared, that woman wouldn’t back down from Cain, I was afraid I would lose you again.” She smiled. “You surprised me when you came home. And every day you make me prouder.” She touched Mystery’s cheek. “However, I will not be annoyed by Serafina’s presence and she could never hurt me. I realize how trivial she is when the Ascension is at hand. What all the Roodmasi have worked for will come to pass, so a stupid whore means nothing.” They started walking again and when they were upstairs Raevanne kissed Mystery on the cheek. “Thank you for your protection and your loyalty. Goodnight, my daughter.”
“Goodnight, Mother.” She kissed her back and went down the corridor to her chamber.
Once inside, she took her hair down and handed Juliet her robe.
“Your bath is ready, Princess, I mean Mystery.” The older woman smiled at Mystery, as she hung her robe in the closet.
“Thank you, Juliet. You may go for the night. Rest well.”
“Thank you, Mystery. You rest well, too. Goodnight Mystery.”
“Goodnight, Juliet.”
When the maid closed the door, Mystery went and climbed in the warm, peony-scented water. She cleansed away the negativity of her encounter with Serafina; she climbed out and rubbed her skin with a soothing lavender crème. She padded back into her bedroom, waved the candles out and settled into bed. Within minutes she was sound asleep.
Mystery moaned in her sleep and her legs fell open. She smiled and opened her eyes. Samael was sitting on the bed working her tender skin into a frenzy.
“This time you will see the body you know so well. You will see the passion in my eyes as I pleasure you.” He leaned over and kissed her, nibbling down her neck when she threw her head back as she came.
“Take me now, while I look into your eyes.” Mystery managed in a whisper, as she shifted so he was lying between her legs.
“As you wish.” He slowly pressed into her, looking in her eyes, smiling, when they glazed with pleasure. Mystery moaned into the darkness as he began to move within her.
The next morning, Mystery awoke alone in bed. She sat up and smiled when her body protested. She looked down at the bite marks and bruises, when she thought of how they got there she blushed. Mystery gingerly climbed out of bed and went to shower, humming “At Last” to herself.
Serafina paced furiously across the empty space of what had been her chamber. How dare the brat threaten her and then spend the night with Samael! Serafina fought a shiver when she remembered the power, which had leaked from Mystery’s slightly amused eyes. Okay, so, the brat had power, immeasurable power, if the rumors were to be believed. And after last night, Serafina was inclined to believe them. But she was Serafina, Royal Consort of Prince Samael. She dined nightly with the Infernal Court; she ate her damn breakfast with Satan for crying out loud. The insolent brat! With a bad tempered sneer, she
sat crossed legged on the cold rock floor of her former chamber and sat the bowl of water she had carried in on the floor in front of her.
“By the powers of three times three, make me see, make me see!” She moved her hand widdershins over the water. Slowly, the water stirred and began to show shadows. Serafina smiled as the images of Raevanne and Cain filled the surface of the water...
Cain kissed the back of Raevanne’s neck and chuckled when she shivered. She turned to tease him back and saw the lost look on his troubled handsome face.
“Please tell me what troubles you so, my love?” Raevanne cupped his face in her hands. “I can not bear to see you suffer.” She kissed him softly.
