The Wind-up Forest

by L. J. LaBarthe

  “He is,” Angelique agreed, “but are you sure you’re not latching onto him since you realized that Mike’s off-limits?”

  The question hung there between them, and when Angelique began to wonder if Baxter would answer her, there was the sound of rustling feathers, and Raphael was there. Angelique welcomed his arrival. Her concerns about Baxter were growing, and to judge from Riley’s expression, his were as well.

  Riley scrambled to his feet. “Raph, hi. I need to talk to you, if that’s okay? Now?”

  Raphael smiled and nodded. “Of course, Riley.”

  “In private,” Riley added. “Over here.” He moved away from the rest of the squad, and Raphael followed him. Angelique watched them for a moment. Riley’s expression was one of earnest concern as Raphael listened and nodded, occasionally asking a question. She turned back to Baxter.

  “Answer my question, Sugarcube.”

  “Don’t call me that.” Baxter scowled. “What, I can’t find Liam attractive now?”

  “Of course you damn well can,” Angelique retorted. “I just find the timing of this insta-attraction suspect.”

  Baxter huffed. “Well, you shouldn’t.”

  “Angelique has a point,” Lily said. “Bax, it was only yesterday that you admitted you want to die because you’re so lonely. You said you were crushing on Michael and admitted it wasn’t the best choice. And now, suddenly, fresh meat, so to speak, and you’re practically humping Liam’s leg.”

  “Lovely,” Danny said, wrinkling his nose in distaste.

  “You know what I mean.”

  Baxter glared. “Sorry I’m not normal like the rest of you. Because you’re all so damn normal, aren’t you, a woman who lived as a wolf for two years and married her pack mate because he wanted to present a normal family to his friends, and Angelique, who never sticks around for more than a quick fuck, yeah, real good examples of being normal. And Riley! Riley who’s terrified of his own shadow and will never get laid again, but oh, he’s suffering from tinnitus or whatever and he’s shy. So I think Liam’s gorgeous, and now you’re all coming down on me? Fuck you. Fuck all of you.”

  “Baxter,” Lily began, but she trailed off as he got to his feet.

  “No, I don’t want to hear it. You all said your bit last night. I’m done listening to you all judge me and tell me what to do. You can all go to hell.”

  “Been there,” Lily said drily, “didn’t like it much, came back.”

  “Very funny.” Baxter crossed his arms over his chest defensively.

  “Baxter.” It was Raphael. His voice was gentle, soothing, his dark eyes full of compassion. “Baxter, if it’s all right, I’d like to talk to you. More importantly, I’d like to listen to you. Why don’t we take a walk down to the creek at the back of the property here?” Raphael held out an arm, his dark skin a stark contrast to the white shirt, sleeves rolled up, that he wore.

  Baxter seemed on the verge of an outburst, but to Angelique’s surprise, he deflated and nodded. “You’ll really listen to me?”

  “I promise,” Raphael said, his rich voice full of compassion.

  “Okay.” Baxter walked away from the squad, head down, moving toward the rear of the yard.

  Raphael gave Angelique and her pack a quick glance. “Be easy on him,” he said. “I’ll do what I can, but he needs support, not judgment.” He was gone, jogging to catch up with Baxter, before anyone could say anything.

  “Baxter is a damn ass,” Angelique growled.

  Lily shook her head. “He’s a good guy, most of the time. I feel like we broke him with the intervention last night.”

  Riley joined them, sitting down between Angelique and Danny. “We didn’t. He was already broken. Now, Raphael will fix him.” He smiled a shy smile. “I don’t know how, really, but Raph seems confident that he can. I trust him.”

  “God, I hope so,” Danny said. “I swear, when he started trash-talking my wife, I was ready to punch him.”

  “You old softie,” Lily said, leaning into Danny’s side. “Thank you.”

  “You’re welcome.” Danny kissed her forehead. “He was wrong, you know. I married you because I love you.”

  “I know.” Lily shot him a fond smile. “That’s why I said yes.”

  “No more emotion.” Angelique held up a hand. “I swear, I’m going to vomit if this keeps up. Last night was enough. You know what we should do? Train. Weapons training. Let’s get the guns and go shoot cans.”

  “I could go a round of shooting cans,” Danny agreed. “Until we can shoot real bad guys.”

  “Definitely,” Lily said.

  Riley smiled. “I’ll watch.”

  “Uh-uh, no way, soldier. You need to practice, too.” Angelique glared at him. “No excuses. C’mon, people, let’s get to work. Now!” She got to her feet and clapped her hands once. “Arm up. Get your gear and let’s get training like we’re the soldiers we say we are.”

  “Sir!” was the chorused reply from her three friends, and Angelique grinned.

  “All the guns,” she said. “Let’s cover everything.”

  They saluted her, and she turned and ran into the building, knowing that her squad was following her and that they would have her back, no matter what they might face in the future.

  Chapter Seven

  LILITH SAT in her favorite armchair in the study in the silver wing of the Castle of Black Ice. She held a cup of tea, but it had long gone cold. Her eyes were distant as she listened to the sounds of the world above Hell, the plane of existence called Earth.

  She was alone. Lucifer was discussing politics with Adramelek. Usually, Lilith didn’t mind being alone. However, there was something in the wind, a whisper in the air that filled her with dread. Something was coming, and everything was going to change. Lilith didn’t like change, and she particularly didn’t like change that would affect her directly. The whispers and sighs of Earth and all creation were full of foreboding and fear.

  “Ba’al,” Lilith murmured, shifting restlessly in her chair. “Come to me.”

  A few moments later, Lucifer’s seneschal was there before her. He bowed. “You called for me, my lady?”

  Lilith turned pale-green eyes on the demon. “Yes. I require Lucifer’s presence.”

  “His Majesty is rather busy at the present moment,” Ba’al said diplomatically.

  “I don’t care if he’s riding at the front of the Four Horsemen, leading the Apocalypse,” Lilith spat. She set down her teacup on the table beside her. “I have information, and I need to speak to him.” She glared at the demon. “And that annoyingly smug Archdemon, Adramelek.”

  Ba’al frowned and nodded. “I will relay your words to His Majesty, my lady. He will decide whether or not to come to you now.”

  Lilith huffed. “Fine. Do that. I can’t make you do anything else, I suppose.”

  Ba’al hissed. “No you cannot. Do not forget your place, Lilitu.”

  Lilith fixed him with a glare. “And do not forget yours, demon.”

  Ba’al bowed stiffly and vanished. Lilith looked up at the intricately decorated ceiling and scowled. “Stupid demon,” she muttered.

  Her pique at Ba’al was misplaced, she knew that. He had been convenient, that was all, the closest outlet for her annoyance. She needed to speak to Lucifer, because the whispers were growing louder, and her consort needed to know. The Morningstar was going to be affected by what was in the wind; of that she was certain.

  And what was it that was in the wind? The Holy Grail was missing, and no one on Earth knew where it was. Although, Lilith mused, someone on Earth probably did, but was keeping it a very well-guarded secret. Lilith didn’t like secrets. She hadn’t liked them when she’d been forced to wander around like a vapid little submissive mouse after Adam, when her name had been Lilitu. She hadn’t liked being told to lie on her back and take whatever Adam gave her, and she really had not liked being told that asking “Why?” was an offense punishable by exile and then imprisonment in Hell.

&nbs
p; Lucifer was twice, no, three times the male that Adam had ever been. Lucifer listened to her words, answered her questions, and gave her the knowledge she so craved. Lucifer had taught her pleasure and passion, vengeance and war. Lucifer had been everything to her.

  He still was.

  Lilith stood up and moved to the window, gazing out over the Sea of Frozen Souls. The endlessly undulating morass of silver liquid, so like mercury, moved with the agony of those souls who were trapped within it. She watched them as they battered their hands ineffectually against the sea that held them fast. She smiled as she watched, imagining that one of them was Adam, another was Eve, and yet another was God Himself.

  “I take it there’s an emergency?”

  Lilith spun, her bright auburn hair a curtain behind her. “Lucifer.”

  “You called?” Lucifer smirked at her.

  Damn, he was handsome. Lilith couldn’t help herself. She rushed across the room and threw herself into his arms, feeling his strength as he hugged her. Wings wound around her, a protective seal of white, and Lilith buried her face in Lucifer’s shoulder and held him as tight as she could.

  Finally, he let her go and she pouted and stepped back. “Sorry,” she said.

  Lucifer waved an index finger at her. “No, dear Lilitu, do not apologize for embracing me. I enjoy it far too much for you to feel badly for giving in to the desire to do so.”

  She beamed at him. “Thank you.”

  “Although”—he winked at her—“I do not imagine you wish to hug our good friend Adramelek, do you?”

  Lilith shook her head. “No, not really. No offense, Adramelek.”

  “None taken, Lilitu.” Adramelek was grinning. “I’m not really that into the touchy-feely stuff.”

  Lilith rolled her eyes at him, and he laughed. “You’re a pain, Adry.”

  “Takes one to know one, little girl,” he teased, and she laughed in spite of herself.

  “You’re insufferable. Come in, both of you, and sit down. I must tell you what I’m hearing from Earth. It isn’t good at all,” she added, as she led the two Fallen Ones to the comfortable armchairs by the window.

  “Considering how agitated your words made Ba’al, I imagined the worst,” Lucifer said drily.

  “I’ll apologize to him directly.” Lilith sat down. “I didn’t mean to take it out on him; he was just the first to be near me as I heard the whispers of the planet.”

  “He’ll understand,” Lucifer reassured her as he also sat down. “So what have you heard?”

  Adramelek sat as well, looking on with interest.

  Lilith took a deep breath. “The Holy Grail is missing.”

  Lucifer blinked. He opened his mouth to say something, only no words came. He closed his mouth and turned to Adramelek.

  Adramelek was staring at her as if she had sprouted a second head. Lilith glared at them both.

  “I know what I heard,” she insisted.

  Lucifer shook his head and rubbed his face with one hand. “Who has taken it?”

  “No one knows.” Lilith regarded the two of them. “The planet whispers to me, the places where my children died, slain by the heroes of the old world—Herakles, Jason, Cuchulain—curse them all! My children’s souls still speak to me, and they tell me the Grail is missing. The Archangels are searching for it, the dryads have advised them, and the shifters are involved.” She turned her head to fix Adramelek with an unblinking gaze. “You and your guild are to help.”

  “Me?” Adramelek was astonished. “Why me?”

  “That’s the prophecy, and you know how prophecy is,” Lilith said. “You can’t avoid it.”

  Adramelek spluttered. “I don’t want to be helping find a cup!”

  “It is not just a cup,” Lucifer said. “It is three items—a plate, a bowl, and a cup.”

  “All right, I don’t want to be involved in finding mystical crockery.” Adramelek threw up his hands. “Who made the prophecy?”

  “It was spoken by the dryad queen in Georgia, near Tbilisi,” Lilith said. “But it’s been whispered of by the stones at the Giant’s Dance of Stonehenge, the Giant’s Causeway in Ireland, in the trees and the wind. I hear it all. The Archangels don’t listen to the planet, they listen to the people, but I, Lilith, listen to the lands and seas, and I hear everything.”

  Adramelek sighed. “Great. I suppose I need to get the rest of the Glass Knives together and go hunt down an Archangel and offer our services.”

  Lilith nodded. “I’m afraid so.”

  “Just fabulous.” Adramelek scowled. “What else?”

  Lilith shook her head. “That is all I know. I’m sorry it’s not more.”

  Lucifer smiled. “It’s a start,” he said. “And we can discover more as we go.” He regarded her curiously. “Tell me, Lilitu, do your sisters know about this?”

  Lilith nodded. “Everyone knows about this now. Word travels fast.”

  “We do love to gossip, don’t we?” Adramelek said with a wry grin.

  “It fills the long hours of eternity,” Lucifer said with a chuckle. “All right. Lilitu, would you do something for me?”

  Lilith quirked an eyebrow at him.

  “Would you go and talk to Agrat bat Mahlat and see what she knows?”

  Lilith smiled at that. “I would be happy to, Morningstar.”

  “Thank you, lovely.” Lucifer inclined his head to her. “Where are your other two sisters?”

  “I don’t know. I think Eisheth is with the stars. Naamah could be there as well. I haven’t kept track of them,” Lilith said.

  “Could you ask Agrat, please?” Lucifer asked.

  Lilith nodded. “All right. May I borrow one of your pigeons to send her a letter to arrange a meeting?”

  “Of course, Lilitu,” Lucifer said. “You know where I keep them.”

  She stood up and bobbed a curtsey to him. “Thank you, Morningstar.”

  “You are always welcome.” He smiled at her, a smile of such breathtaking beauty that Lilith’s heart gave a little flip-flop in her chest. She blushed in spite of herself and smiled shyly in return. Then, before she could embarrass herself with an outpouring of devotion, she rushed from the library and toward the birdhouses.

  “WHAT DO you think?” Lucifer turned to Adramelek as soon as Lilith had left the room.

  Adramelek was scowling. He knew he was. “I think this is annoying.”

  Lucifer laughed. “Aside from that. What do you think of the Grail being missing?”

  “Oh, that,” Adramelek said. “To be honest, my lord, I don’t see why we in Hell should care about the Grail. It’s Christ’s thing, a relic of him. It’s got nothing to do with us.”

  “Ah, on the contrary, old friend.” Lucifer steepled his fingers together. “The Grail is one of a few relics that still exists on the earthly plane that has everything to do with everyone.”

  Adramelek frowned. “I don’t understand.”

  “The Grail has power,” Lucifer said, his voice soft and reflective. “The moment that Christ touched it, the moment his blood filled it, it was imbued with power. The Grail is not just a cup, plate, and bowl. It has the power to heal the wounds of the earth, the illnesses that affect nature, and to soothe depression within the hearts and souls of mankind. It stops creatures from other realities invading this one, and prohibits unrestrained traffic between Heaven, Earth, and Hell. It also functions as the key to the door to Purgatory. If the Grail leaves Earth—the neutral reality—then the things it protects will start to break down. Subsequently, the lands of Earth will begin to grow sterile and plants grow ill. The world will be stricken by blights, and human misery will increase, leading to more suicides, murders, and the like. It keeps Hell stable, ensuring that our reality does not begin to crumble into a mess of demons, tormented souls, and Fallen Ones, with no order and with anyone able to come and go as they please.

  “You would lose your little slice of Hell, for instance, and we would be plagued by angelic visitors seeking to install thei
r own rule on us. We would also have visitors from Purgatory—the curious and the insane—and occultists from Earth. The same would happen to Heaven and to Purgatory. In short, it would be chaos. And not the sort of chaos that you and I enjoy, either. It would be messy, unending chaos, and not God, not I, and not the Archangels combined would be able to fix things. Once the Grail is gone, everything falls apart.”

  Adramelek frowned harder. “I don’t think we want that,” he said. “But, wait, how is it that I knew nothing of this before?”

  Lucifer smiled at him. “What would you have done if you had?”

  Adramelek thought about it. “I probably would have tried to destroy it. Or hide it in Hell.”

  “Exactly. And that would have broken the delicate balance. It was a foolish thing, entrusting such power to something so fragile, but God never listens to me.” Lucifer shrugged.

  “So, He decided to use the Grail for this purpose, as the world was growing rapidly and had reached a point that it needed a safeguard beyond God’s own power, beyond my power. Remember, He and I aren’t able to agree on much, and joining our powers to prevent chaos? It would not have lasted a day before one of us lost our temper at the other.” Lucifer shrugged again. “God and I are beyond old, Adramelek. Our anger is kept in check, for the most part, but if either of us should truly lose our tempers, then the Grail would maintain the balance between realities and the health of creation.”

  “Fucking hell,” Adramelek breathed. “So, it’s not just a safety switch for Earth, but it’s also a backup if you and God go postal.”

  “And a key to Purgatory. Yes.” Lucifer nodded.

  “You couldn’t have picked something a little more solid and heavier than some crockery?” Adramelek asked.

  Lucifer burst out laughing. “Perhaps. Perhaps we should have filled the Garden of Gethsemane with the power. But we were pressed for time, Adry, so we had to make a decision quickly, and Christ suggested the plate, bowl, and cup. As we knew they would be filled with his blood, caught by Joseph of Arimathea, they would be holy relics and therefore they would be protected.”