by Tanya Simon
“I love you, Lily.” He took her face in his hands. “May God bless and forgive you.”
“May God Bless and save you, my love. I love you and I wish I had not made a deal. But, I did and I must honor it.” She raised her hand and a jar of mentholatum appeared in it. “Here.” She tossed him the jar. “You’ll need this; it smells up there.”
They had just started up the stairs when Felicity and Mary Kate walked in, with their weapons drawn, Sam had left the door standing open, in his haste to get to Lily.
“We had a visit from Nergal.” Lily was relieved to see them both alive. But it could mean they had lost Ryan.
“We’ll start down here.” Felicity picked up a chair and sat it upright.
“I’ll get dinner going; and I’ll do the dining room.”
“Okay.” Felicity wrestled the couch to an upright position.
Everyone sighed with relief when Ryan walked in. He just shook his head.
“This is just petty, Cain!” Ryan yelled.
He noticed they were all smiling.
“What?” Ryan put his bag down.
“There’s blood all over the guest room. You were the only one missing. We’re just relieved you’re okay.” Mary Kate explained as she continued down the hall to the kitchen.
“I’ll clean up the guest room.” He pushed Sam and Lily up the stairs, he followed them.
By dinnertime they had everything cleaned. All the broken and shredded stuff they placed in the dumpster at the end of the alley; and Felicity had worked a charm which banished the smell. She lit white candles made of anise, cinnamon, and clove and placed them in the outer corners of the room. She lit black candles made of clove, peppermint, and pine and placed them at the door into the house and in front of each window. She lit orange candles made of ginger, tangerine, musk, and patchouli on the table. Then she placed onyx and snowflake obsidian above the front and back door frames. Moonstone, jet, and green jasper went under each pillow. In an empowered bowl, she tumbled garnet, fluorite, emerald, amber, beryl, and rubies; and she sat it on the table. She placed a centerpiece of rosemary on the table. Mary Kate arranged the food and they all sat down.
“Ryan, will you say the blessing, please?” Mary Kate bowed her head and the others followed suit.
“Father God, please bless this food we are about to receive for the nourishment of our bodies, for Christ’s sake. Lord, please bless each and every person sitting here, the aerie, and around the world, who will fight to end the evil Cain has wrought. Protect and guide them, Father God. Aid them in their battle, shine your countenance upon their faces and give them peace. It is in your Son’s most holy name I ask these blessings. Amen.”
“Amen.” Everyone around the table said in unison. They ate in relative silence, each lost in their own personal thoughts. The only sound was the tinkling of silver on china, the rustling of napkins, and the occasional sigh. The candles sparkled off the glassware and china, their scent mingling with the potted rosemary. When they had finished, they cleared the table and spread a clean white linen sheet across it. Lily waved her hand over it and a map of the aerie appeared. Mary Kate whistled.
“The place is huge. And all this time it has been there undiscovered. It’s amazing.”
“They have been building it for 300 years. It houses the largest and most powerful coven of the Roodmasi. There are hundreds living inside. Most of the children have never even been outside of the compound.” Lily leaned in and blew over the map, hundreds of glowing red dots scurried around the map.
“Wow. How do they stay hidden?” Felicity asked.
“There’s a spell. You can only see it if you know its there.” Lily pointed to a large cluster of dots. “They are having evening prayers.” She pointed at another grouping. “Those are the kitchens, laundry, and delivery areas.” She pointed to an area where there were small groupings. “Those are the family chambers. Over here are the magical supply and public ritual room areas. Also, on this floor are the servant’s quarters and medical supply.” She pointed at another small grouping of rooms. “This is medical. Over here are the prisoner cells. Here is Malcolm’s playroom. He’s Raevanne’s personal henchman; his quarters are behind his room.” She pointed to a staircase. “Up here is Raevanne’s office and her private ritual room.” She looked at Ryan. “These are Mystery’s office and ritual room.” She pointed at another staircase on the other side of the aerie. The library is up here and it covers the entire floor on this side. Over to this side and up a heavily guarded staircase are Cain and Raevanne’s chamber, Mystery’s chamber, the nurseries, and Mystery’s maid Juliet’s chamber.” She pointed at another staircase leading down. “Down these stairs are the dungeons, where lawbreakers are left to die slow painful deaths, and somewhere behind them is Serafina’s labs and chamber. She was Raevanne’s assistant, very secretive and manipulative. She found her way into Samael’s bed and is his current consort. She reeks of power, because she hoards it, like it was gold. If she is in attendance, I believe her only concern will be to protect the infant.” Lily stopped to give everyone time to take everything in.
“One question.” Mary Kate held up two tiny fingers. “Who is Samael?”
“Samael is a devil and head of all iniquitous beings. He is the first incubus and we are of equal power. We have always hated each other. He is politically minded and now is one of Satan’s favorites. He is here to attend the Ascension, he and Cain have been friends for as long as Cain has existed in his current form, so we have to add him to the mix.”
“Outside the aerie what are we looking at?” Sam studied the map and the red dots outside of the aerie.
“There are nine of the Roodmasi Red Guard, elite forces, like Seals or Rangers, at the entry gate. Booby traps and magic guard the fence around the perimeter. Red Guard with hell hounds patrol the fence. The rear of the compound is almost impenetrable; it is against a steep mountain. The maze of tunnels leading to the base of the mountain inside the aerie and the entrance to the aerie are being guarded by nine of Baal’s Infernal Army. They will be his best troops because of how important it is for Cain to be unharmed. Once inside the aerie, there are patrols of two roaming at intermittent intervals. Cain owns a giant hellhound named Dante I’ve seen him snap a man’s spine in his jaws, but he seldom leaves Cain’s side. Oh! And everyone inside will feel our presence because we are not of like mind and allegiance.”
“So, we are screwed.” Felicity smiled a mischievous smile.
“Pretty much.” Lily smiled back.
“I say we enter from the rear, using our three magickals to guide us around the booby traps. We will only have to take out the nine guards to get inside. We evade or kill anyone we encounter inside who isn’t who we are looking for. After which we rig the tunnels to blow at a certain time.” Sam studied the map. “Everyone who isn’t magic goes in armed to the teeth. Felicity, I think you should still carry.”
“I will.” She looked at the map. “I think Sam’s right; explosives are our best shot.”
“I’ll rig the explosives and guard our exit point.” Mary Kate added. She realized everyone was staring at her. “I had a boyfriend who used to be a Navy Seal, and I think he is or has been a mercenary. He has a subscription to Mercenary Today magazine. I was trained in demolitions, while I was active duty. He believes in being prepared for defending yourself from an invasion at all times, so I made a trip to his house today. He gladly parted with more than enough C4 to blow those tunnels and everything in a mile radius, if we want to.” She opened up her pack and began to take things out. “He also gave me a mini-Uzi, AK47s, two Browning Hi-power semi-autos, a sawed off shotgun, a sniper’s rifle and…” She dug into the bag with a smile. “And four grenades.”
Felicity smiled. “Maybe we aren’t screwed.” She got her bag and came back to the table. “My turn.” She passed a small vial with water in it to everyone. “I bought about 20 of these vials of holy water, use them like grenades. Lily, be careful; it will burn you, I think.�
� Lily nodded. “I brought these.” She reached into the bag and brought out a few vials with red liquid in them. “Use them like grenades; they repel any unclean spirit, like Minion or Legion. I’ve made bags of herbs, oils, flowers, and crystals for everyone.” She passed them out and sat down.
“I have a cross for each of you.” Ryan handed them out. “If you don’t want to wear it, put it in your pocket, but keep it on you. “That’s all I’ve got, the rest is for me.” Everyone laughed as he sat down.
Everyone made their packs for the next night. Mary Kate passed out armament and ammo. When they were done, Mary Kate made coffee and brought out the cake she had baked. They ate while they talked about what they had done with their day. Each one shared a happy memory from childhood, except for Lily. She told them about what she’d enjoyed most about living with humans. The group ate, talked, and laughed together. Everyone was careful to avoid the topic of tomorrow. They finally picked a movie and decided “A Muppet Christmas Carol” was a perfect last movie. They watched and enjoyed the puppet antics and Sir Michael Caine’s performance. The room grew quiet as Mary Kate turned off the DVD player and television.
“Well, I think I am going to shower before bed.” Felicity stood. “Good night.” She walked from the room.
“I need to spend more time in prayer. I will see you in the morning.” Ryan stood and went upstairs.
“Mary Kate, do you need anything, more covers, before we go to bed?” Lily asked as she and Sam stood.
“No. I’m set.” Mary Kate stretched out on the couch.
“Good night.” Sam said.
“Night.” Mary Kate answered already falling asleep.
Once upstairs, Lily lit candles so the room glowed with candlelight. Sam locked the door. They both undressed. Coming together, they hugged and began to sway to music only they could hear. Sam kissed Lily lightly, picked her up, and laid her on the bed. He lay beside her and she turned to him. She looked him in the eyes and their gazes held. Lily gasped as Sam pulled her close and filled her. They moved slowly, drawing each movement out. Making each touch linger. He thrust into her slowly, steadily, and she met each thrust. Candlelight danced over their bodies as their passion built. Finally they reached the pinnacle. Never breaking eye contact, they melted into each other and time ceased to matter.
When they woke up the next morning, Mary Kate was in the shower singing Sheena Easton’s “Morning Train” at the top of her lungs. When she opened the door, they could hear her heading downstairs; and soon the heavenly smell of coffee filled the house. Sam and Lily showered together. They each washed the other slowly, thoroughly, their sighs of pleasure echoing into the steam. They made love again and washed each other again. By the time they got out, the water had gone cold. They dried each other off, slowly and thoroughly, memorizing each nook, and they finally dressed. Lily smiled at Sam as he whistled at her butt.
Downstairs, Ryan was helping Felicity pack rations for their journey. Mary Kate called everyone to breakfast. She’d gone all out, chocolate chip waffles, Denver omelets, sausage, bacon, and ham. She had made pineapple orange juice from scratch and had hot maple syrup and chocolate sauce for the waffles. Ryan prayed and everyone dug in.
After breakfast, Felicity went off to find a quiet corner to meditate. Ryan and Mary Kate went off to pray. Sam checked the charmed map to make sure security was the same and hadn’t already increased for the Ascension. Lily sat and watched everyone else. She knew they had to be scared, but they didn’t show it.
Mary Kate made ham sandwiches and corn chowder for lunch. They ate in silence. Ryan and Lily did the dishes, and Mary Kate checked her weapons. Felicity centered herself one last time. Sam gathered the map. They put on their jackets and grabbed their bags. As a precaution to make sure at least one car got to the aerie intact, Ryan, Sam and Lily got in Ryan’s SUV and Felicity and Mary Kate got in Mary Kate’s SUV. They waved at each other and drove away.
The drive took them three hours. The sun was beginning to set as they climbed out of the van. All of them, except Lily, stretched their muscles in preparation of the hike ahead. They grabbed their bags and put them on. Mary Kate and Sam covered the vans with pine branches and Felicity erased the tracks from the vehicle. Ryan gathered them together and they held hands and prayed. Resignedly, they turned and started up the steep, steep mountain.
Mystery sensed Ryan and the others coming up the mountain and knew their time was growing short. Cain would come for Jeremiah tonight, to take him away to prepare for the Ascension. She had to do something to slow Cain down. If she confronted him and lost, she wouldn’t be around to help Ryan get Jeremiah out. Frustrated Mystery began to pace her chamber.
“There is a way to slow Cain, maybe to stop him.”
Mystery spun around to find her mother in the door. Raevanne stalked into the room and sighed when Mystery backed away from her.
“I would never harm you!” Raevanne shouted as she stopped walking. “I love you. Together we can keep Jeremiah alive until Ryan can save him.”
“I don’t believe you!” Mystery shouted back.
“You heard my part of the conversation last night. I know it was you in the hall. Remember, I was against harming him.” Raevanne took a step toward her daughter, smiling when she didn’t move away.
“What can we do?” Mystery asked her mother.
“I know a caim which will make it impossible for anything infernal to touch him.” She reached for Mystery and took her by the arms. “It will include us, my child. You will not be able to hold him or touch him once the caim is said.” She rubbed her daughter’s arms. “Only Ryan, Sam, Felicity, or Mary Kate will be able to touch him until the caim is said in reverse.”
“Show me.” Mystery whispered.
“I will, my child, I will.” Raevanne said as she pulled her daughter in for a hug.
Mystery gazed down lovingly at her son, his tiny thumb was stuck in his perfect little rosebud mouth as he slept. Mystery’s heart burst with love. She would allow nothing to harm him. Yet, if she said the caim her mother had taught her, she wouldn’t be able to hold him. She knew her powers had increased since coming to the aerie; maybe they were strong enough to stop her father. Mystery shook her head; she couldn’t take that chance. With a strangled cry of anguish she scooped the sleeping child into her arms and held him tight. Slowly, she lowered him onto the pallet she had made inside the circle she’d drawn on his chamber floor. She lit the five candles around its rim, and kneeling outside the circle she threw her arms out, raised her face upward, and closing her eyes.
“The encircling of the Holy Apostles
The encircling of the Gentle Martyrs
The encircling of the Nine Angels
About this child kind, about this child helping.
The encircling of Gentle Brigit
The encircling of Pure Mary
The encircling of Gabriel the Warrior
About this child shielding, about this child helping.
The encircling of The God of The Elements”
Mystery’s sweat soaked body writhed in pain as her son began to wail. She forced thoughts of comfort out of her mind and continued the caim.
“The encircling of Christ’s loving.” Pain shot through her at the mention of God’s son, but she forced herself to continue.
“The encircling of the Holy Spirit.” Demon kind howled in pain as she invoked the Holy Trinity. The walls and floors began to vibrate until she was sure they would both perish. “About this child cherish, about this child kind!”
Mystery collapsed and lay on the cool floor weeping. When she was able, she reached for her son. Her heart broke when an invisible barrier repelled her. Closing her eyes, she turned to leave.
Lurking in the darkness, all of the night creatures watched in uninterested silence, as the small party struggled against the wind. Their clothing protected and hid their features. One of the bundled figures fondled a rosary and prayed silently and fervently. Another rubbed an anxious finger o
ver the crucifix around its neck, praying for strength to endure. The third figure pulled its cloak tight and repeated a mantra in its head. The next figure cussed into the wind, repeatedly wiping its face as the wind slapped spittle from its words against it. The last figure stepped, surely, silently through the night, listening for any sign of danger.
The little band slowed as the wind picked up, making walking on the thin mountain ledge even more perilous. The ones who knew they would die this night tried to focus on something else. Feeling the fear of the mortals with her, one reached out to the one closest to her in comfort. The first fought down his fear and picked up the pace. The last laughed and the wind blew off her hood; and her hair, white in the light of the waxing moon, danced wildly about her pale, beautiful face. She froze and listened to the night around her. She moved up to the one in the lead.
