Legions

by Karice Bolton

  I turned on my bedside lamp to see absolutely nothing, and I didn’t care any longer. In fact, I was almost certain it was in my head - all of it. I was probably just in that half-dream, half-reality state that can make me so foggy sometimes. Doing a fabulous job of convincing myself of that, I flipped the light back off and fell back under the covers. Tomorrow was important and playing mind games all night wasn’t going to be helpful. Feeling my body drift into the brilliant haze of someplace in between here and there, the figure continued to look on. I wasn’t alone.

  Chapter 11

  The comforter embraced me with a warmth that surrounded me entirely, as the sunlight radiated into my bedroom. I knew any more sleep was pointless; so I got out of bed and began my morning full of anticipation, sprinkled with a little bit of fear. Our plan was to meet up with Athen at the Starbucks he seemed to frequent every afternoon. I hoped the sight of me wouldn’t make him spring into action again and flee out the door without his latte or me. Arie and Cyril told me I’d be able to recognize the signs that he was ready, and I hoped they came in full force because being around Athen often made me unable to recognize that I was about to walk into a wall, let alone look for a sign that I don’t even know exists yet. I pulled out the red wool sweater with the white piping that I was wearing on the day he was taken, in part, hoping that would spur some recognition on his end.

  The sunlight sparkled into the bathroom where I was taking my bath. I knew today was possibly the day that I’d get to see Athen again, but I couldn’t help but be nervous in addition to the excitement that was building. We’ll be able to find out more concretely what the state of everything was in the next few meetings. It was such a peculiar experience. I almost felt as if I was stalking my prey, but I knew this was what they had to do time and time again for me, until that fateful night in Whistler. I simply hoped that this would be the only occurrence we would need, unlike their many failed attempts over the years.

  I leaned back in the tub and tried to gain a bit of serenity before my nerves took over at the prospect of seeing Athen again. I listened intently to Bach’s Air on a G String as the soap bubbles began to dissipate in the tub, reminding me I needed to start my day and hopefully become that much closer to getting Athen back. He seemed receptive, and now that may be lost.

  We were on our way to the one and only Starbucks in town that I hadn’t yet frequented because it was Athen’s turf. This was the Starbucks that I wasn’t allowed into because Athen had been there so many times before, and apparently, he was often not alone. She had been in there with him many times before. Unfortunately, I was able to sense that from the moment I stepped foot on this island. One of my so-called wonderful abilities, which is to be able to sense another’s presence, to feel their energy really, lately only seemed to lead me into trouble. Now, it felt like a curse.

  I’d rather have driven off of the ferry and right by this Starbucks not knowing he was in there and especially not in there with the serpent. It told me what I didn’t want to ever think possible. Athen wasn’t mine any longer. Hopefully he wasn’t truly hers either, but only time would tell. The serpent, with her raven colored hair and her smile made of stone, seemed to have gotten to Athen immediately. Having her connect with him so quickly after his demise created a bit of conundrum for our family.

  I wondered what all had taken place between them. The images of her fingers wrapping though his and whispering into his ear were hopefully the worst of the things that occurred. I was so creeped out at the thought, I made myself dismiss the images from my nightmares immediately. At this point, I didn’t know if it was my jealousy disrupting my ability to foresee certain events or if these things were actually happening.

  My stomach was in knots at the prospect of seeing Athen again, and possibly assessing the damage I may have caused by my previous mishap of running into him at the library. I did my best to focus on my abilities and dismiss the negativity that I was sure the dark demons kept planting inside of me. I was strong and was getting stronger by the day, but they still had the ability to grab hold of my weaknesses.

  “So is everyone ready for their latte today? I think I’m having the Cinnamon Dulce latte,” I tried to sound perky and get my mind off the impending encounter that was imminent, “I don’t know why they take away their holiday drinks so fast. I really like Pumpkin Spice and Gingerbread, and I bet they would sell well at least through February.”

  “You could start a letter writing campaign in all of your spare time.” Arie suggested.

  “In between getting my soul mate back and fighting off demons of the world? Yeah, I guess I could stick it in somewhere.” I said laughing.

  “For a girl who didn’t even celebrate the holidays, it’s nice to see such an attachment to even the most commercial of traditions.” Cyril said purely amused.

  “Love does crazy things, I guess.” I realized just the thought of getting Athen back had put me into my old spirits, and I was so relieved about that. I was beginning to think I’d lost my ability to care or be happy.

  We were about a block away from the Starbucks that Athen visited every afternoon like clockwork, when I saw a line of cars in front of us. The traffic was completely stopped.

  “What’s going on? Can you see anything?” I asked trying to stretch my neck as far to the right as I could.

  “I can’t see a thing.” Cyril muttered. “Maybe we should park on the street over here and walk to the Starbucks.”

  Glancing quickly at the tree lined streets, my happiness was interrupted by the sirens that began coming up directly behind us, and I immediately got concerned. I hoped that everything was okay.

  “You know Athen will be there tomorrow. I don’t want to get in the way of anything that involves sirens.” I told Cyril and Arie, genuinely concerned.

  My heart began to beat uncontrollably, and then my hands got clammy as they did in the library. I tried my hardest to concentrate on what I was feeling inside when I realized it was my worst fear.

  “It’s Athen. Something is wrong with Athen.” I screamed letting myself out of the car and running towards the scene over a block away.

  I heard Arie getting out of the car hollering for me to stop and she was right. I knew she was right but I kept running. I didn’t listen to her. The scene was like a magnet pulling only me over. I had to see what was going on. I ran as fast as I possibly could without bringing attention to myself. As I got closer, I saw the ambulance already leaving that was on the scene, and a police car arriving near an intersection. From what I could tell by the people congregating, something happened in the vicinity of the crosswalk. I tried to push myself through the crowds, worrying more with every step that Athen was the one hit, wounded in the crosswalk.

  “Miss, we need you to stay back.” I heard the officer telling me.

  “I was supposed to meet someone at the Starbucks, and they aren’t there. Can you tell me what’s going on?”

  “There was some guy who was trying to save a little girl from getting hit in the crosswalk, but instead he got nailed. None of the witnesses really can figure out how or why the little girl was out there, or how he got there so quickly to push her aside. Her parents are over there. Undeniably shaken.” The officer said, pointing to a family who looked like they now understood that every day was truly a gift.

  The color was draining from my face. My eyelids were becoming so heavy. My arms felt as if they were pinned to my sides. The flashing lights bringing on a headache like no other, challenging me to stay focused. I knew it was Athen. He was trying to save a little girl’s life. I tried to get the words out, but my lips could barely move, and no sound was coming out. They knew we were coming and planted that poor girl out there. The demons knew he still has good in him. His natural instinct would be to save her.

  “I’m sorry Miss, what? Are you okay?” He asked as he was guiding traffic around the blocked lane.

  “No, yeah, I’m fine. It sounds horrible. Is the guy okay?”

  �
�Well, that’s the really odd part. He hasn’t a scratch on him, but they are going to take him over to Victoria General, just in case.”

  “Really?” Was all I was able to get out before the wave of nausea came flooding over me.

  Arie came bounding up behind me.

  “Is that the friend you were looking for?” I heard the officer asking me as he summed up Arie, which was always a hard thing not to do with her effortless beauty.

  “Uh, yeah. That’s her alright.” I said, relieved for the timing of everything.

  “Thanks for the info, Officer. Sorry to bother you.”

  Arie and I headed over to the Starbucks to regroup with Cyril. It seemed that our plans were not necessarily in sync with someone else’s around here. It was now our goal to figure out who that could be.

  “So that throws a wrench in things doesn’t it?” I stated as I claimed chairs for us all. Cyril went to stand in line and order for us since it seemed like we would be here for a while trying to figure things out.

  Arie grabbed the green plush chair by the window, and I grabbed the one next to her. I moved the little table close to me knowing I wouldn’t do a good job of balancing things right now without a flat surface to help. My nerves were toast.

  “Do you think he’s okay?” I finally uttered the words that I’d been wanting to ask since standing next to the officer.

  “Yeah, he’s fine. If he wasn’t, you wouldn’t be able to wander around and speak to me. It would render you about as useless as the day he was first taken away.”

  “Well, I guess I should find some comfort in that one. Not to get overly cocky, but it’s kind of matching my dream, huh?” I offered.

  Cyril was ordering our drinks and pastries when I felt another presence, one of us – but on the wrong side. Arie caught my gaze as I searched the coffeehouse for the answer. I saw a couple in the corner looking at real estate ads, and a group of students snacking and doing homework. Nothing out of the ordinary until the door opened.

  A woman with raven colored hair walked in with as much confidence as I’d expect from one of them. Her dark eyes and pale skin were such a startling contrast that I found myself taking a deep breath just to concentrate. She was the woman from my dreams. Everyone behind the counter waved at her as if she was a regular. With a sharp and sudden movement the creature turned her head to look over at us. She was beautiful, obviously a great façade. The demon was dressed in a dark grey wool coat and black faded jeans. She had an emerald colored scarf tied simply around her neck, and she looked very polished. When I looked in her eyes, I knew she recognized us immediately, and as if not to miss a beat she nodded at us and turned her attention to the workers behind the counter. There was a dark shadow following her. There was no rest with these beings around. I wanted to tear her apart. I wanted her to suffer like I was.

  “Is Athen alright?” They all asked at once.

  My heart plummeted to my toes, and I felt as if no air would go out or come in from my lungs. I thought someone literally punched me in the stomach. I braced the chair for support, but it gave me none. How could Athen be involved with someone like her. How could they get to him so quickly? Was this part of the plan or just a coincidence? I was beginning to believe there were no coincidences however. Arie reached over and grabbed my knee.

  “Yeah, surprisingly so. Typical Athen, wanted me to meet him over at the hospital with a Caramel Macchiato as if he didn’t just get hit by a car. Told me it was a tap at most.” Her drawl floated through the air alongside her laughter.

  My skin crawled at the thought of her mentioning his name. How dare she speak about Athen as if she actually knew him or loved him. I felt the anger brewing inside of me far more than I had before. I knew if I just looked in her eyes one more time I’d not be able to resist the temptation building inside of me. Cyril and Arie saw what was happening and quickly acted. Cyril grabbed my coffee, and Arie pulled me out of the chair so we could get to the car before I made a scene that would jeopardize everything and then some.

  We made it to the car without incident, but I was shaking intensely and was so nauseous that I needed to lay down in the backseat. The coolness of the leather helped calm my nerves immediately. It shocked me back into reality, which at this point I wasn’t really sure what that meant.

  “Let me guess, this hasn’t happened before.” I blurted out.

  “Not that I know of.” Arie began situating my hair so she could slide in next to me.

  “I think we need to do this sooner than later. Actually, I don’t think, I know.” I began letting the anger build into its normal productivity. My mind was zipping all over, playing as many scenarios as possible, weighing the different outcomes, and constantly pushing out the jealousy that was attempting to cast itself in all of my thoughts.

  “What if they…” My voice trailed off. There was no way I could utter the words.

  “They haven’t.”

  “We don’t know that.”

  “Yeah, we do. Don’t think like that. Athen never lost hope in you.”

  “Well, was there a demon always trying to get with me?”

  “That one time.”

  “Uh, yeah, but I was already with you guys, and you knew to expect it. This is completely different. Thanks for trying to make me feel better though.” I rolled my eyes.

  “We can tell it helped.” Cyril quipped.

  “Come on let’s go home and figure out a plan B.”

  ***

  None of us had appetites, but Arie took care of us and made sure we at least downed some soup while we devised our plan of attack. There was no longer the leisure of waiting until we were sure he was ready. The situation was now such that we had to get to him before they did, regardless of whether he recognized me or not. We had to ensure that he was on our side, and when it happened it happened. We had to protect him. This plan was going to make it excruciatingly painful for me. Everything about it was constantly playing with my emotions. It was as if I had to be alongside of him, and he knew nothing about me, could care less really. I had to hope for the best, that he would recognize me soon, and we could reunite. But after seeing her today I wasn’t so sure of myself or my situation.

  “So this thing… You think she’s part of the bigger picture? I’m guessing, yes.” I asked as I picked at my bread.

  “Without a doubt. Now, in addition to getting Athen back, we have to figure out a plan to communicate to everyone the latest snafu. I’m sure we won’t be the only ones this is going to happen to. I’m really curious to know what he has been feeling from her to make him research what he was at the library. Seeing her at the Starbucks might be the sole answer, but why he would be able to pick up on anything so soon is odd.” Arie was rinsing the soup pot as she spoke.

  “Do you know who she might be? Is she a major player?” Watching Cyril and Arie look at each other as they both began to fidget told me everything I needed to know.

  “Her name is Lilith. She’s truly the epitome of evil.” Arie took a deep breath in. “Her type’s been around longer than any of us. She’s part of the Lamiai. They have the ability to seduce men by luring them with their beauty. She knows what she’s got, and she knows how to use it, both with mankind and in the underworld. As you saw, she can encompass beauty in a blink of an eye. Her true form, though, leaves her with a serpent tail and fiery red hair. Unfortunately, when she’s in one of her other forms, no one can see it including us.”

  “I could feel it. That’s gotta count for something. Obviously Athen can feel it too, judging by his recent reading selection. So, what’s her goal?” I inquired. It seemed odd that all she would care about is seducing mankind and the underworld.

  “Her goal is to wreak havoc – create distractions. Throw her into the mix of any situation, and you’ve just added an unpleasant element. But you don’t need to be told that. You’ve seen it firsthand.”

  That last shot was like a nail gun aimed directly at my soul.

  “It seems so peculiar th
at someone with her clout would be involved in something to do with us.”

  “Well, our lineage is such that...” Arie stopped herself. Her green eyes looking as if they lost some of the usual glow I was used to seeing.

  “What? It takes one to know one? Or are we so super powerful it takes someone like her? Come on. I can’t take much more of this. Why don’t you just tell me everything all at once.” I was full of contention and spite, my eyes wouldn’t stop darting around the room, I was about to explode. I was tired of knowing half-truths. It seemed the last three months had been full of almosts and not quites, and I was tired of it. I needed to know what I was facing. What we were facing. What or who Athen was involved with. The last thought truly making me nauseous.

  “Actually, yes.” Cyril snarled.

  My heart started to pound - missing a beat between every three. I had never seen this side of Cyril. He was usually so laid back, and now he looked like he was about to come apart at the seams, possibly at me.

  “Our family is partly descended of Remiel, which makes us pretty damn important. How does that sound for pompous?” Cyril’s voice was getting louder by the second. “This isn’t just about you getting your dear Athen back, Ana. It never has been. Plainly, without us all as a unit we can’t defeat the demons, and we need to defeat them. They are preparing for something that the world isn’t ready for. We aren’t ready for. The last century has been them gearing up to defeat all things good- including us. The longer they keep us distracted, the better their odds. Do you get it, Ana? The world would change forever. We would be destroyed. They would control it, and all of humanity. It would be hell on earth.” He had calmed down now, realizing I’d have no way of knowing these things on my own. I understood his frustration. Athen and I had been causing quite a distraction for over half a century, if unwittingly, and we seem to be the least of the problems. Yet we seemed to certainly be defining the course of how it could possibly end.