The awakening hc-1

by Stuart Meczes

  “Yes. And I’m really sorry again Del.”

  Still typing with one hand, he clapped my shoulder with the other. “Don’t worry about it. You were right to find out what’s goin’ on. This is a big deal.” He looked up, face suddenly drawn. “The Sorrow is the stuff of nightmares. I hope to heck that Faru isn’t right about it headin’ here.”

  The elevator stopped and we both rushed through the doors the instant they opened. Luckily the entrance hall was still deserted. Delagio slipped behind a curtained area to the left of the stairs.

  I strolled as casually as I could through the Feasting Hall. A few waiters were milling about, collecting the last bits of cutlery from the table. None of them paid me any attention.

  I smiled at the agents as I passed between them back into the library. Through sheer luck, Gabriella was busy consoling Midnight, so didn’t notice me slip right up to Rachel — who was leaning against a bookcase, sipping something purple from a champagne flute. I whispered Delagio’s instructions to her. She nodded and shoved her glass into my hand. Within seconds she’d disappeared from the room.

  I let out a long sigh of relief. Staring into the glass, I eyed the purple liquid. A large bubble swelled in the centre and burst, releasing an aroma that gave me a head rush.

  Maybe not.

  I set the glass down on a bookshelf and joined Gabriella, who was sitting on a sofa, arm wrapped around Midnight’s colossal shoulders. The giant looked miserable, which had the effect of making me feel terrible. I decided to take a bit of a chance. “Midnight, Sophia is asking for you,” I said. He jerked his head up. “Really, where is she? Is she okay?” “She’s fine. I took her up to her room.” He stood up and patted me on the arm with a bear paw. “Thanks.”

  When he had gone, I took his position on the sofa. A passing waitress lowered her tray and Gabriella picked off two flutes of Champagne, handing one to me. I wanted so badly to tell her what I’d find out, but I couldn’t. I knew she’d be furious for me going behind her back. Not to mention spying on a private meeting between every leader of the HASEA. After being a Guardian for a little over three hours. “Is Midnight okay?” I asked instead, gesturing the glass in the general direction he’d gone in. “He will be. He was just a little bit gutted that she asked for you. He feels like it’s his job to protect her.” “Why?”

  Gabriella took a large sip of Champagne and sighed. “Sophia’s mother was a hardcore drug addict. She used to sell her body to feed the habit. One of those clients happened to be an Incubus — that’s how Sophia was conceived. Incubi don’t stick around to raise their offspring, so it was down to the mother. Her only reason for keeping Sophia in the first place was so that she could claim benefits. That poor girl lived the first six years of her life in squalor. She was barely ever fed.” Gabriella rubbed a finger on the side of the glass, as if removing a smudge. “Her Awakening happened as the result of her own mother kicking her down a flight of stairs.”

  My stomach lurched. “That’s awful!”

  “We didn’t bother with an infiltration; just marched in and rescued her from that cess pit.” Gabriella’s eyes flashed with anger. “That woman was a vile creature. When we brought Sophia in, she was covered in bruises and barely more than a skeleton with skin. It’s a miracle that she turned out so sweet. Most of it was down to Midnight. He joined the Warren soon afterwards and became an instant father to Sophia. Helped her forget everything and become a normal person.” Gabriella laughed. “Well as normal as a half-Witch, half-Chosen Guardian of Earth can be.”

  “So what happened to the mother?” I asked.

  “Midnight happened.”

  A second later, Faru appeared in the library, followed by several other Sages, including Asmund and Etorre. He scanned the room, white eyes shimmering in the firelight. His eyebrows knitted together in a deep frown. I took in a deep breath as he doddered towards us.

  Here we go.

  I took a quick glance at the window and almost burst out laughing. Delagio and Rachel were sitting in a wooden gazebo swathed in fairy lights, as the rain beat down around them.

  Kissing.

  In fact, kissing probably wasn’t the right word for it. They were attached to one another as if their separation meant the end of all life. Gabriella followed my gaze and committed to the laugh I hadn’t managed. “Honestly, it’s any excuse for those two,” she chuckled.

  More than you know, I thought. The Sages reached us. Faru went to speak, but Asmund barged past and stabbed a finger at us. “Where is your Kinesist?” he demanded. Gabriella frowned and looked at Faru. “Why, what’s he done wrong?” “Please excuse Sage Asmund’s abruptness my dear. There is no need for alarm. I simply wish to ask him a question. That is all.”

  Gabriella unwittingly acted out the last part of the plan for me, whilst attempting to keep a straight face. “He’s out there Sage Faru, but you may want to give him a moment.”

  The leaders turned their heads to stare through the rain covered window. Sage Asmund cleared his throat and shifted uncomfortably on the spot.

  Ah,” said Sage Etorre simply.

  Faru pressed a finger to either temple. “I don’t see…oh, right.” A a glimmer of a smile appeared on his face. “I believe that he could use some privacy.”

  “Shall I tell him you want to speak to him when he comes in?” asked Gabriella.

  “No I don’t believe that shall be necessary. Although, perhaps you could suggest that they be a little more discreet with their rendezvous next time,” Faru suggested with a warm smile. He turned to the other Sages. “The hour is growing late; perhaps it is time we retired for the evening. Come, let us join the others and I shall have my Golems show you to your rooms.”

  “I think you’re right,” agreed Etorre. “Goodnight you two — don’t stay up too late,” he added with a wink.

  We stood up to salute the leaders, who returned the gesture. They exited the library, with Asmund muttering something under his breath about ‘unprofessional conduct.’

  Gabriella and I spent the next few hours talking and drinking. I fired dozens of questions at her. At first they were mainly to help distract my thoughts from what I’d overheard in the Temple, but after a while, I forgot everything and just enjoyed listening to her speak. She told me stories of her past missions — some dangerous, some downright hilarious. She explained how the base operated and how to conduct myself on a mission. Lastly, she taught me the rules of the treaty and explained that if I ever forgot I could find them at the back of the HASEA handbook — which reminded me of something I’d forgotten to ask, but decided to save until later. At one point I glanced out of the window and noticed that both Delagio and Rachel were gone. Neither of them had returned to the library. Looks like the plan worked out better than expected, I thought with an internal smile. Slowly the room started to empty of people, until we were the only two left — apart from the agents, who milled about, stoking the fire and talking quietly to each other.

  “So how does it feel to be a protector of Earth?” Gabriella asked, nestling herself into the crook of the sofa.

  “I’ll let you know after I protect something,” I said, draining the last dregs of yet another glass of champagne and setting it down on the side table. “You heard Sage Etorre, you’ve got me to protect,” she teased, poking a finger into my stomach. “I get the impression you don’t need much looking after.” Gabriella shook her head, sending hair spilling all over her face. She used a finger to hook it away before continuing.

  “Every girl wants someone to protect them. Sophia has Midnight, Rachel has Delagio, Scarlet has…” she stifled a giggle then hiccupped. “Wow, I think I’m a bit drunk. That’s strange; I’m normally fine with alcohol. Anyway what was I saying?”

  “You were saying that every girl needs someone to protect them.”

  “Right, and you Mr Eden, are my protection. I look after you, and you look after me.” She made an O shape with her index fingers and thumbs. “It’s a perfect circle.” Settling
back against the sofa corner, she closed her eyes. “So, do you agree?” she half mumbled.

  “Do I agree to what?”

  “Do you agree to protect me?”

  I looked at her curled up against the sofa, the shadows from the fire flickering on her soft skin. She looked so utterly angelic that my answer spilled from my lips before I had the chance to stop it.

  “I would die to protect you.”

  My skin crawled from the epic cheesiness of my line. Did you honestly just say that out loud?

  Gabriella opened her eyes and sat up slowly. She leaned forward and placed the softest kiss on the corner of my mouth. A tingling sensation reverberated all the way down my jaw. “That is the sweetest thing anyone has ever said to me.”

  I could feel my heartbeat accelerate as her face lingered close to mine. Then she slumped her head down onto my shoulder. “Oh no, the room is spinning. This isn’t good. I think I need to go to bed.”

  “I’ll take you up,” I offered. I stood up and lifted her into my arms, like I’d done with Sophia. Gabriella rolled her head against my chest and her right arm dangled at the side. The agents pulled the doors open for me. I had to wait for them to ask two Golems to move, whose solid backs were now blocking the way forward. Outside, I noticed that all of them had returned to their guard posts, heads bowed in their silent prayer.

  On the Balcony, Agent Green swept the silver curtain out of my way. “You are welcome to stay in your apartment this evening if you’d like Mr Eden. But if you’d prefer to return home, one of us would be happy to take you.”

  I thought about the way Dakin kept glaring at me. How he was one of the people supposedly protecting Mikey.

  “Thanks, I think I’d better go home and make sure everything is okay. But I’d like to check something in the library first if you don’t mind?”

  Agent Green nodded. “Not a problem at all Mr Eden. I’ll have someone bring a car around to the front shortly.”

  I made my way along the corridor, still carrying Gabriella, who was now deep asleep in my arms. When I reached her room, I gently lifted her hand and placed the thumb against the scanner. The latch clicked open and I stepped into her apartment. The lights flickered on.

  I placed her down onto the bed and undid the laces of her boots. Slipping them off, I set them next to the wardrobe. I filled a large glass with water and set it down on the table. Lifted the covers up and wrapped them around Gabriella. She moaned softly in her sleep and nudged them up to her chin. The aching feeling in my chest came back again. I brushed a stray strand of hair from her face.

  “Goodnight Ella,” I whispered and left the apartment.

  The mansion hummed with silence. I rubbed a bit of sleep from my eye as I trudged down the stairs. Agent Green was standing by the front entrance. The other agent was nowhere to be seen. I presumed she would be the one driving me home.

  I signed five minutes. The Agent nodded and said something into his wrist microphone.

  After a staring contest with the Golem, it stepped out of my way. Inside the library, the fire had been left to its own devices and was beginning to dwindle. Specks of black soot had been coughed out onto the surrounding hearth. The only lighting came from the candles that had been placed around the room earlier. I picked one up and carried it with me as I walked. I knew that what I was looking for had to be in this library — I just didn’t know where. I searched downstairs first, holding the flame close as I ran my fingers over the titles. There were novels by all of the top literary authors throughout the ages. Among others, I saw books by Lawrence, Austin, Nietzsche, Chekov and Dickens. I stopped at the last one and pulled out an old looking copy of Great Expectations. I flipped open the cover and my eyes bulged. It was a first edition.

  Now holding it like gold dust, I guided it back onto the shelf and checked a few others. Nearly all of them first editions. Some had even been signed by the authors themselves and dedicated to Mr Farris. I whistled under my breath. The collection must have been worth in the millions.

  I jogged up the stairs and onto the balcony above. The books on that level had far more relevance to the HASEA. Some were occult books on Demons and Witches. Others were local legends and folklores, handwritten in regional dialects. I scanned diaries of panicked people claiming to have seen creatures skulking around their villages. I pulled out giant tomes, squeezed shut with buckles to prevent the pages bursting free.

  I finally found what I was looking for in the far corner. I picked out the dog eared copy of the HASEA handbook. It had a similar mottled cover to mine, but I could tell it was a far more recent version. I pulled open its string and thumbed through a few pages. Sketches still sat underneath each heading, but they were copied. Photographs had been added, as well as large blocks of printed text. I screwed my nose up — it felt too clinical, mine had a much more nostalgic feel to it.

  But you might be able to tell me something mine can’t. I flipped to the section right before the missing part of my copy and turned the page.

  I froze.

  The sketch at the top of the page broke my dreams. They came rushing back to me in a torrent of images. The hideous mask. The eerie Graveyard. The derelict mansion. And that dark, suffocating fear.

  The sketch was of the creature from my nightmares.

  The one that had found me.

  The title at the top was thick, the words seeming to scream out at me from the page.

  The Sorrow.

  The candle slipped from my hands and snuffed out on the carpet. I cried out as I was plunged into darkness. Using my free hand to feel my way forward, I stumbled over stacks of books and bumped into tables as I frantically made my way back to the spiral staircase. I staggered down, using the same hand to stop myself from collapsing.

  Something heavy barged into me.

  Instinctively, I lashed out. My fist connected with something hard. The intruder stumbled backwards, hitting the wall.

  Whump. Something hit the floor. A crackle of blue electricity bloomed in front of me. The burst of light mixed with two red dots and exposed the outline of a Golem.

  “Wait, I’m a Guardian!” I shouted as it swung the crosier. The staff stopped inches from my neck. I could feel the hairs standing up on end.

  “What’s going on in here?” demanded a voice from the doorway. The main lights flickered on and Agent Green stared at me, wearing a look of utter confusion.

  “It’s fine,” I said, trying to keep my voice calm, even though all I wanted to do was scream until I had no air left in my lungs. “I hurt myself. I think the Golem thought there was an attack.”

  “Are you okay now Mr Eden?”

  “I’m fine. I just need a few more minutes.”

  I barged past the Agent before he could say anything else and sprinted through the hallway and up the stairs. I ran all the way to Gabriella’s room. With a shaking finger, I stabbed the doorbell repeatedly. Come on! Come on! Come on! The door swung open and a dishevelled looking Gabriella squinted out at me. “What is it? What’s wrong?” she asked. I pushed the door open and moved into the apartment. “The book,” I blurted, “the book you gave me. It had pages missing from the back.” She looked uncomfortable. “So?”

  I held up the copy in my hand. “This one doesn’t. I need you to tell me why this thing is in my dreams.” I opened the page and pointed to the sketch.

  All the colour drained from Gabriella’s face. “What?”

  “I’ve been dreaming about this thing for weeks! But I haven’t been able to remember them until now. Ella, why am I dreaming about The Sorrow?”

  Her legs buckled and she slid down the wall.

  “ No, no, no, please god no. Not you too.” She buried her face in her hands. “This can’t be happening.”

  Her reaction made my blood run cold. I tried to pull her face towards me, but she refused. My hand came away damp with her tears.

  “Gabriella talk to me,” I pleaded. “Why is The Sorrow in my dreams?”

  It was no use,
she had descended into convulsive sobs. Seeing her so upset made me feel like I was dying — her unhappiness was worse than any form of torture I could think of. Feeling useless, I could only rub her back while she wept. The normally pleasant charges had morphed into nasty little electric shocks, which made every part of my hand singe with pain. I didn’t stop comforting her. I stayed in the same position for several minutes — my own heart thumping away in my chest — before trying again.

  “Please tell me what’s going on. Why is it in my dreams?” I whispered into her ear.

  This time my words seemed to register. Gabriella lifted her head up and turned towards me. Her eyes were swollen and red. She swallowed hard before replying.

  “Because it’s tracking you.”

  23

  Fear wrapped around my throat, choking me. “W-what do you mean it’s tracking me?” I managed to croak.

  Gabriella stared up at me, her eyes bloodshot. “That’s how it tracks, using your dreams as a scent.” She took a few sharp breaths before continuing. “If you’re dreaming about it, then it’s trying to find you.”

  A lump rose in my throat, which wouldn’t go away, no matter how much I swallowed. “Oh god, in the last dream I had, it found me.”

  Gabriella pushed herself onto her feet and seized my arms. “We have to go and speak to Faru, he’ll know what to do next.” She was already at the door before she’d finished the sentence.

  “We can’t.”

  She whirled around. “What are you going on about? This is serious! We have to speak to him now.” I moved ahead of her and closed the door. “I already know what he’ll do next.” A deep frown appeared on her face. “And that is?” “He’s going to seal the Veil to stop The Sorrow reaching Earth. That’s why the other Sages were here. To vote on it.” Gabriella shook her head in bewilderment. “Alex, how could you possibly know that?” I took a deep breath. “Because I spied on their meeting.”

  Her voice was so shrill it hit my ears like a knife. “You did what?”