Ariel Rising

by A. J. Sparber

  “Let’s get this show on the road,” I say, as we take our seats inside the transport.

  Ten minutes into our journey, the transport slows to a stop and moves sideways off the main network.

  “Why did we stop?” Ella asks.

  “We are exiting the transport level. The rest of our journey will be by air,” Tal answers.

  “Oh,” she says, as the transport slowly rises toward the surface.

  “Did you and Davin fly to Genobli?” Ella asks me.

  “We did.”

  “Wow. Had I known, I would have changed my plans so Tal and I could have gone with you. This is so freaking awesome!”

  The transport rises through a shaft and hovers in the sunlit Olympian sky. Then we shoot forward—accelerating and climbing steadily through wispy white clouds.

  “How is this thing flying?” Ella asks. “There are no wings, no rotors, and I don’t hear an engine.”

  “Plasma field,” Tal says. “A fusion reactor turns the surrounding Essence into plasma. Groups of cells, which cover the craft’s surface, selectively respond to pilot input—becoming positively charged and emitting a beam, which pushes against the plasma, generating thrust.”

  Ella looks intrigued. “Fascinating,” she says. “Will I be able to study about this at Warrior College, sweetie?”

  “Absolutely.” Tal answers.

  “Epic.” She pauses, deep in thought. “Since the propulsion system uses the Essence, rather than air, can we fly above the atmosphere?”

  “We have transports specifically designed for that purpose,” Tal says. “This model, however, is not outfitted for space travel. Maximum safe altitude is approximately eighty-thousand feet.”

  “How fast are we going?”

  Tal glances at the control cluster. “Mach 3.5, which would be…” He pauses for a moment, and then continues, “a little over twenty-five hundred miles per hour.”

  “Amazing,” Ella says, with a hint of awe in her voice.

  We’re in the air for perhaps an hour when I feel the transport begin to descend. An island, tucked inside a ribbon of white sand, and surrounded by vivid blue water, looms below.

  As we get closer, a stately white house comes into view. It’s nestled in a small clearing, several hundred yards from the beach. A second building, U-shaped, with a large central courtyard, sits right on the beach. The walls are light beige, and the roof blue. The surf is no more than a hundred yards away.

  The transport slows to a hover and Davin eases us down, landing behind the beach house. “Welcome to Carina,” he says.

  I look at Ella, who’s grinning from ear to ear. “I think we just landed on Paradise, sweetie,” she says.

  The transport’s doors open and we get out. Snow white sand comes right up to the house, which is landscaped to look like an oasis. Breathtakingly beautiful flowers and tropical-looking trees are perfectly placed amidst masterfully built stone paths and walls.

  “This is so beautiful, Davin.” I reach up and give him a quick kiss.

  Carina seems like the kind of place human billionaires might go to for some rest and relaxation—for an obscene price, of course.

  “Is the weather always like this?” I ask.

  It’s very warm, but not stifling, and it’s just humid enough to let us know we’re near the sea. It feels perfect.

  “We are near the equator, so the temperature is consistently warm throughout the year. Let’s go inside and get settled,” he says, as he and Tal gather up our luggage.

  “Are the caretakers here?” I ask.

  “No,” Davin replies. “I gave them several days off.”

  “Good thinking,” Ella says with a big smile.

  We follow the guys inside the house.

  The décor and layout are typically Olympian. But unlike urban homes, the beach house is above ground, which gives it a different dynamic—especially when you consider the glass wall along the back that looks out onto the sea.

  Davin gives us a quick tour. In addition to the main room, the house has a large kitchen—with automated food and beverage systems—and a study, equipped with all manner of infotainment equipment.

  Two large bedrooms, with full baths and private beach access, flank the main room. The showers are large and programmable, like the one in Davin’s Portal City house—but the outer walls are completely transparent, making it feel as if you’re on the beach.

  Ella looks perplexed as she eyes the clear walls. “Um, can you see in from the outside?”

  Tal chuckles. “No one can see inside.”

  “That’s good to know, sweetie,” she says, obviously relieved.

  I notice a staircase in the corner of the main room. “What’s downstairs?”

  “Six guest bedrooms,” Davin answers.

  “Do you have a lot of guests?” I ask.

  Tal snickers, and Davin shoots him a warning glance. “Not really.”

  “I see. So this is not your little angel den of iniquity?”

  “Angels are never iniquitous, at least by human standards,” Davin states with a crooked grin.

  “Hmm,” I tease. “Not a single wild party?”

  Tal sputters, unable to keep a straight face. “I can honestly say that there has not been a single wild party here.”

  Ella rolls her eyes. “Dude, we need to work on that sense of humor. Timing is everything and you’re really not supposed to laugh. Ya know?”

  Tal pouts.

  By nature, Angels are not licentious. Our brains are simply not wired that way. We have an enlightened sense of decency, as Thalia likes to say.

  “I’m not concerned with your past, Davin. All that matters is our future.”

  Davin looks relieved. “Thank you.”

  “Well,” Ella says, “is anyone up for a swim?”

  “I’m in,” Tal says.

  Davin looks at me and I nod.

  “We’ll change clothes and meet you in the courtyard,” Tal says, as he and Ella walk out of the room.

  “Sounds like a plan,” I say.

  I stand in front of the bathroom mirror, appraising my new bikini. It’s definitely skimpier than any swimsuit I’ve ever worn, but not to the point of being indecent. I make a few adjustments and confirm that my vital parts are securely covered, before wrapping my bottom half in a matching sarong.

  I like the look. Of course I do. Ella picked it out.

  “Wow,” Davin says, as I walk out into the bedroom. “You look amazing.”

  “Thanks. You look pretty good, yourself.”

  He’s wearing black board shorts that hug his hips like they were made just for him.

  “The house is spectacular, Davin, especially considering how old it is. How often do you have to fix it up?”

  “Every forty years or so,” he says. “Materials keep getting more durable, so the remodels are getting less frequent.”

  “Still, it’s one of the inconveniences of immortality, eh?”

  “Yes,” he replies with a grin.

  “I wonder what Rome would look like today if Romans were immortal?” I muse.

  “I love the way you think.”

  “When it doesn’t give you a headache?”

  “You never give me headaches. Well, I wouldn’t actually call them headaches. They are more like twinges. Yes, twinges. Little ones.”

  I smile, as I punch his arm, playfully.

  We meet up with Tal and Ella in the courtyard garden. Ella is wearing a crimson sarong over a black bikini. She looks like a movie star. She is stunning.

  “Tal and I need to conference with Thalia. We won’t be long,” Davin says to me.

  “Perfect,” Ella says. “We need to catch up on a few things anyway.”

  The courtyard garden is full of lovely flowers, neatly trimmed shrubs, a large dining table, and several seating areas.

  “Am I dreaming? This is really happening, isn’t it?” I ask.

  Ella laughs out loud. “Either this is real, or I’m in your dream.” She
gives me an appraising glance. “You’re positively glowing, sweetie. I’ve never seen you so happy.”

  “I am beyond happy, Ella.”

  “Did you expect him to commit to you?”

  I shake my head. “It was a complete surprise.”

  “You know, he asked your mom if she would approve. It was kind of like in the old days when a gentleman asked for a lady’s hand.”

  “So Mom is really okay with this?”

  “Absolutely. After she told me about her talk with Davin, we cried. It was so sweet, Ari. Your mom has come to terms with the fact that what you are—what we are—changes everything. We’re not girls.”

  “I know. When I began to fall in love with Davin I was terrified by our age difference, so I asked Thalia for guidance. She told me that when an angel awakened, age became irrelevant.”

  “Right,” Ella says. “Thalia told me that by the time we awaken we’re emotionally and intellectually the same as any other angel, which is really good since there is a definite shortage of male angels our age.”

  I chuckle because all of the male angels I know are nearly one million years old.

  “It’s all so remarkable, and I really need to spend more time shooting the breeze with Thalia, because there are several thousand questions remaining on my list of things to ask her.”

  “Do you know if she’s ever been bound?” Ella asks.

  “She was. Her Promise renounced Paradise. According to Davin, it was just before the rebels escaped through the portal. She was devastated.”

  “That’s so sad.”

  “It is. But Davin says she’s had a very active social life. She’s just too busy to commit.”

  “I guess when you have all the time in the universe, you can afford to take things slowly.”

  “Very true,” I say. “So, do your new abilities scare you at all?”

  She looks up at the clear sky, pondering my question. “No. They thrill me, actually. I’ve always had a thirst for knowledge—and this reformatted brain of mine is like a sponge. I’m not scared. I’m positively elated. How about you?”

  “It’s a little bit complicated sometimes.”

  “Complicated?”

  “Thalia said you can sense what people are thinking. You can’t read my mind. Can you?”

  She snickers. “Of course not. But I can sense feelings. Depending on the situation, I can tell if someone is hurting, happy, scared, or sincere. I can tell that you feel a little uneasy about something. But I don’t know what it is.”

  I hem and haw for a moment, unsure of how to put my fear into words. “I’m afraid of what I can do. Killing Lander was too easy.” I shudder as a vision of Lander’s lifeless face enters my mind.

  “He was evil, Ari. You were my avenging angel.” She puts a hand on my shoulder. “What’s happened to your mom, you, and me—there is no precedent. We’re enigmas—but we are what we are for a reason. And I have a feeling we’re close to discovering the reason. How exciting is that?”

  “It’s exciting, but it’s also a little frustrating. Sometimes I feel like I’m a science project for Thalia. And when I healed you—”

  “I know. They can do all the tests they want. I understand that our powers are genetically-based. But what you did to me was a miracle.”

  I nod slowly. “I’m inclined to agree.”

  “It’s going to be an adventure, sweetie.”

  “That it will,” I mutter.

  Ella’s expression grows somber. “My only regret is that my mom won’t be able to share it with me.”

  “I know, Ella. I know.”

  She sits up straight and smiles. “Enough serious talk. Have you set a date for the binding celebration?”

  “Not yet. It’s traditional to wait a year, so we have a little wiggle room to get used to each other.”

  “Wiggle room, my buns. You two are destined to be together, sweetie. We may as well start ordering the flowers as soon as we get back to Portal City.”

  “I know,” I say, smiling. “So, what can you sense about your relationship with Tal?”

  “Do you think I would be willing to share a bed with him, on this island, if I wasn’t sure he loved me?”

  “Well, he’s really hot, Ella,” I say, trying to suppress a grin.

  “I have my principles,” she says in mock indignation.

  “I know you do. And so does Tal.”

  “I was thinking of testing his resolve, but I have a feeling he would never waiver. He’s so noble and honorable,” she says with a little sigh.

  “Do you love him?”

  “I do. Sometimes I can’t believe how much. It’s as if he’s imprinted on my brain, on my heart, and on my soul.”

  “And he knows this?”

  “No. But he will tonight.”

  “Good girl.”

  “So, was it worth the wait?” she asks.

  “What?”

  “Your commitment night, silly.”

  I feel a flush of heat, as I remember last night. Ella notices my reaction and smiles.

  “You know I’d never kiss and tell.”

  “Well, we’re talking about more than kisses. Right?”

  “My lips are sealed.”

  “You’re expression says it all, sweetie. Really, I am so happy for you.”

  “Thanks, Ella. Maybe you and Tal will be next.”

  Ella seems to ponder my statement. “Perhaps.”

  We hear footsteps approaching and turn to see the guys standing with their arms folded.

  “We didn’t want to interrupt your conversation, but I thought you wanted to swim,” Tal says.

  “Sorry,” Ella replies. “Ari and I were just doing a little catching up, sweetie. Girl stuff. Let’s go.”

  We remove our sarongs, and the four of us jog toward the sea. The sand is warm and feels wonderful between my toes.

  “Are there any dangerous creatures lurking under the water that we should be concerned about?” I ask.

  “There are predators. But they will not bother us. The energy we emit repels them,” Davin replies.

  “Does that go for Sages, too?” Ella asks.

  “Yes,” Tal answers. “But you might have to worry about me.”

  He lunges at her, but she’s too fast.

  “You have to catch me first, sweetie,” Ella squeals, as she bolts into the water like a hellfire missile.

  She must be training hard.

  “I’ve never seen Tal so relaxed,” Davin comments. “Ella has made some improvements.”

  He smiles and I can tell he’s happy for his friend.

  We frolic in the water like children until the need for food beckons us to shore.

  After lunch, we linger outside and talk, sipping coffee laced with a delicious Olympian liqueur. I look out across the sea. It’s so beautiful. The sun is behind us now, and I can make out a land mass in the distance.

  “Is that the mainland, Davin?” I ask, as I point toward the horizon.

  “Yes. Do you see the peninsula in the center?”

  “Uh-huh. Is it a city?”

  “It’s a resort called Corbal. Nice restaurants. Very fancy. Would you like to have dinner there?”

  “Yes!” Ella and I answer simultaneously.

  “What do you think, Tal?” Davin asks.

  Tal shrugs. “If the girls really want to…”

  “Then it’s agreed,” I proclaim. “Dinner tonight in Corbal. Do we need reservations?”

  “No, that won’t be necessary,” Davin says.

  “I’m so glad Ella and I bought new dresses.”

  “And I’m glad you picked the sexier one,” Davin adds with a grin.

  “Davin, what am I going to do with you?” I ask.

  His brow arches, and he gives me a devilish glare. “Do you need suggestions?”

  “Ooh,” Ella says. “That is so totally hot.”

  “ELLA!”

  “Sorry.”

  Chapter 24

  It’s getting dark as we
near the lights of Corbal. We could be approaching any small airport on Earth. But as we get closer to the ground there’s no doubt we’re on Olympus. No buildings are visible, but there are several large patios dotted with tables—near the beach. On one of the patios, several couples are dancing. Torches shoot flickering flames into the sky.

  It looks exotic. Mysterious. Inviting.

  “Wow. This is different,” Ella says. “Where’s the restaurant? And isn’t there supposed to be a hotel?”

  “The buildings are below the surface. In nice weather, people eat on the terraces,” Tal answers.

  “Oh.” Ella gazes down at the ground. “Cool. I see people dancing. They’re doing the Rumba. Right?”

  “I think so,” I say.

  “Do you think Thalia can teach us to dance in time for your celebration?”

  “I’m sure she can.”

  “Davin and I can help,” Tal says.

  “You know the Rumba?” Ella asks him.

  He nods. “And also the Foxtrot, the Tango, and the Waltz.”

  “Dancing is a social convention,” Davin says. “At most celebrations, dancing is usually restricted to the Waltz. It’s not difficult to learn.”

  “Private dance lessons could be very romantic,” Ella says, as she leans over and gives Tal a kiss.

  As Davin approaches the ground, I can make out a large, well-lit clearing. A dozen or so vehicles are parked there. The transport touches down smoothly, and Davin powers it down.

  We get out and the guys lead us along a torch-lit path toward the shore. They look like GQ models. Davin is in white linen slacks and a black button-down shirt. Tal’s slacks are black and his shirt is a lovely shade of blue. Ella and I wear cocktail dresses—hers coral and mine black. We are a chic-looking foursome.

  Davin takes my hand. “You look radiant. Happy. Content.”

  “I am all those things tonight, and more,” I purr. “But it’s all because of you, and you know what?”

  “Hmm?”

  “I think we’re rubbing off on Tal and Ella. Do you sense that they are falling in love?”

  “Something is definitely making Tal very happy. He keeps telling me how beautiful and brilliant she is. How she makes his heart flutter. I think there is a high probability that love may be involved.”