by Wilson, Maer
Jones – I wondered if I was supposed to call him “Dhavenbahtek” in that form, but decided it didn't matter – opened a small portal. One of the fairies flew through it. He would wait until Michael arrived and signal us to come through. Weapons drawn, we waited.
Chapter 38
It was only a few minutes before the fairy who had flown through the portal returned to say that Michael and several Light Ones had arrived. Jones enlarged the portal, and the fairies flew through first. Jones looked at us, the only humans in the party and told us to stay close. He stepped through, and the others followed. Thulu, Reo and I were in the middle.
I was getting used to the taste and smell of light and got the same sensations as before, but this time it passed much quicker. Maybe I was acclimating to portal travel.
My foot landed on concrete. I looked around as I moved away from the portal, gun held in both hands and pointed to the floor. To my right was a concrete loading bay. A few stairs on one side of the bay led up to it, with a ramp on the other. The building was large and empty of equipment or furnishings. At least as far as I could see in the dim light. Several Light Ones were approaching from the far end, where I could see the small pulsating light of another portal. The rest of our party had stepped through our portal and spread out around us. It was much lighter at our end, and we could see each other clearly.
Jones stepped forward. “Michael.”
“Dhavenbahtek – and his friends.” His voice was a deep rumble. Michael was in the lead with two others flanking him. Both of the other angels had silvery gray wings and hair. Michael's faceted blue on blue eyes took us all in calmly. Even the fairies didn't seem to faze him, and he nodded politely at all of us, ignoring the drawn weapons.
Michael was quite simply gorgeous. Golden where Gabriel had been white. Even his skin had a gold tone to it. His deep blue eyes didn't seem as hard as Gabriel's had, though.
A voice whispered in my ear, “That's the nice angel, La Fi, and I'm already gone, so don't yell at me.” Parker hadn't even materialized. Just the whisper.
Reo must have caught it too because he gave a soft snort. I spared him a quick look before returning my attention to the beings in front of me.
“We would prefer that you listen carefully, Michael. What we have to say is very important.”
Michael narrowed those blue eyes of his and nodded.
“I am listening. Speak.”
“Gabriel has done things that you certainly would not approve. He has arbitrarily murdered humans to force my humans to cooperate with him.”
His humans?
“Light Ones do not arbitrarily murder. Killing is for your kind.”
He probably considered the invasion of the daemon world war, but I would count it as murder. Jones apparently decided to let it pass. He pointed to me, Thulu and Reo. “He killed members of their family.”
“These are the ones who can find the relics?”
Jones nodded while Michael looked at the three of us. He focused on me.
“You have agreed to turn over the relics to us.” It was not a question.
“Gabriel murdered some of her family to try to break her contract with me,” Jones spoke before I could open my mouth. Michael seemed to want to skip over that part, but we knew he needed to focus on what was unacceptable behavior for a Light One, according to their own rules.
Michael was frowning now. His guards remained impassive. “Light Ones do not murder. Maybe Gabriel has declared war on this family.”
“You call it what you want. He killed three members of my family.” I'd had enough. His denial irritated me. I stepped within a few feet of Michael and peered up at him, determined not to show fear.
Sloane stepped forward. “Actually he killed seven of her family, but the elves were able to save three and return them to their bodies. There were four deaths.”
Four? Oh, yeah, he must be counting Lynda-Jean.
Michael looked at Sloane as Aurelia and Belus moved to stand next to their friend. “The elves saw this killing?”
The three elves shook their heads.
“We saw the aftermath immediately after it happened,” Sloane said. “There was no doubt the damage had been done by a powerful being.”
Aela flew forward. Michael didn't really move, but his body seemed to draw away from the arrow pointed at him. The guards moved in closer to him.
“I saw the entire thing. It was Gabriel. He used a wind spell to pick up the family and hurl them into a wall. He broke the neck of another by twisting her head. Gabriel forced La Fi to make a promise that would break her contract with Dhavenbahtek. This is not how we do business, Michael. Amends must be made.” Aela dropped her bow to her side. “You know fairies do not lie, Michael. I speak truth.”
Michael's frown had deepened. He was clearly disturbed by what Aela had said, and his guards seemed uneasy. I was gaining even more respect for Aela. Michael's reaction to her certainly gave credibility to her warrior status.
Ceil flew forward. “Well, pixies sometimes do lie,” she gave an apologetic shrug, “but I was there and also saw Gabriel do these things.”
Michael thought for a long moment. “Very well, I accept that Gabriel has killed the humans of which you speak.”
Well, thank you, your highness.
He looked around at our group. “However, there is no evidence that Gabriel was wrong to do so. Our people are in danger. We are having a difficult time finding enough positive energy to sustain us. Some of us are sick. Some have died. Many of us need so much more than in the past. We must find a new supply. This planet is rich in people. We can help them. It is what you call a win-win situation.”
Thulu shook his head. “Sorry, but we don't want your kind of help. Your people would destroy my people trying to keep them happy.”
Michael was familiar enough with Earth and should know that was true. “Your people are weak-willed and do not always make good choices, but we will try to not be any more disruptive than needed to ensure our healthy continuation.”
I stared at Michael in amazement. Not all of us were weak-willed. For instance, my will was strengthening by the second. And it wanted no part of these cold, arrogant, creatures.
“We need to go somewhere, and this is the best place for us at this time,” he continued. “What amends do you seek for the deaths?”
Jones's answer was firm, “The golden pitcher and scroll must be returned to me. They are my property.”
Michael shook his head. “That is impossible. You would close the portal, and we need it opened.”
“Well, we need it closed. Your people are too dangerous to us. Gabriel has created havoc on our world already and not just to my family,” I said.
“How is this?” Michael asked.
“He opened the portals to the other worlds!”
Michael looked at me blankly. I sighed in exasperation. “Do any of the rest of you even have a clue what's he's doing?”
Michael looked startled. “Gabriel opened the portals? Dhavenbahtek had done this in case we opened our portal completely.” He turned to Jones, who shook his head. “That makes no sense. We need people to be happy, not the chaos that is going on now. Gabriel knows this. There is no reason for him to want turmoil.”
There was a pause. We needed to give Michael the bad news, but even I was reluctant to just spit it out. Jones let Michael think for a few moments before continuing quietly, but firmly. I studied the two similar races, side by side. Michael and Jones made a striking picture. I quickly brought my attention back to the conversation.
“There is a reason, Michael. I think Gabriel's chemistry changed a very long time ago. He no longer feeds on positive energy. Gabriel needs negative energy. I believe this explains the changes eons ago, when he invaded our world. I think he blamed us for his change somehow. And I believe deep down you know this to be true.”
Michael was clearly stunned and stared at Jones in shock for long moments. He shook his head in denial. His guards were e
qually shocked. Michael slumped a bit and nodded slowly. It was obvious he was in emotional pain, but he seemed to be getting over his denial. “I guess I have always known –”
I was breathing a sigh of relief, but before he could continue, he was interrupted.
A sudden light and a flurry of wings announced the presence of someone else. He stepped through another portal that had materialized beside ours. We turned as Gabriel moved forward. He was followed by two more Light Ones before he closed the portal behind him. Each of his two followers carried a wooden box. Gabriel looked around at our group. He ignored the rest and focused on me.
“It is time for you to honor your promise and bring the other relics to me. I know you have them.”
I'm not sure why Jones did what he did next. Suddenly I was in his mind, sharing his thoughts. Time seemed to stop. Whether he intended to share, I may never know, but I felt his rage, his pain. I knew he had originally decided to protect humans simply to thwart Gabriel's desire to use us. I knew a lot of other things that went by too fast for me to grasp at the time.
What happened over the next few minutes seemed to take forever. Jones’s sense of time was very different from mine and, through him, I felt fractions of seconds. He carefully unsheathed each claw one by one. Each had its own deathly glow, and I didn’t think it was due to the poison coating them. His eyes blazed with his hatred of Gabriel, and his massive wings spread wide. He flew up into the air and was met there by Gabriel in a crash of bodies, wings and metal. Gabriel had materialized a sword and a large shield, and Jones’s outstretched claws skittered off the metal in a loud screeching sound.
Gabriel used the shield to slam the daemon back. Jones lost control for a brief second, but he quickly recovered and materialized a breastplate. Loose feathers danced in the wind caused by their buffeting wings. Again and again they came together, equally matched, deadly claws against shield and sword – neither getting an advantage for very long. Their speed was blindingly fast. Jones veered from another inevitable crash, and they tore past each other. Turning as soon as he was past Gabriel, Jones reached out with one arm and hooked Gabriel around the neck, drawing his head back. In one mighty swipe, Jones sunk the claws of his other hand into Gabriel's eyes. Gabriel barely got his shield raised halfway to his face before he disintegrated into sparkling dust. Sword and shield clattered to the floor.
No one moved as Jones settled back to the floor. Those images would be forever burned into my mind. Jones turned toward me, his expression unfathomable. I could no longer see what he was thinking, and again I wondered if he'd intended to let me see.
A flurry on either side of Jones caught my attention. The other daemons attacked the two Light Ones who had come through the portal with Gabriel, catching the boxes before they smashed on the concrete. As far as fights went, the whole thing was over in minutes. The only things left of Gabriel and his escort were the sword, the shield and the glittering dust floating to the floor.
We were in control of all of the relics, and Gabriel was dead. That sounded good to me.
Suddenly, I was grabbed from behind. Looking up, way up, I couldn't make out his face because Michael held me tightly with one arm. All I saw was the underside of his chin and his golden hair as it flowed down his shoulders. The sharp point of a dagger was poised at my throat in his other hand
“Cease immediately.” His two guards had started to move forward, but stopped when fairies surrounded each of them.
I felt the flutter of small wings over my head and assumed that other fairies were also focused on Michael.
“Back away. I can kill her before you kill me. Or at the same time, if you prefer,” said Michael.
I didn't doubt that at all. The point was at my throat, and I felt it every time I breathed or swallowed.
I saw Jones give a slow nod. The fairies over my head came into view as they backed off. I was happy to see they didn't move all that far, though. I could feel Michael's heart beating in his chest. I didn't know whether it was fast or slow for a Light One, but it seemed pretty steady.
“As Gabriel said, it is time for you to bring the relics here. Now.”
So much for having convinced him of anything.
“Michael, you can call this off.” Aurelia's voice was soft and sweet. “You are the leader now. I have known you for a very long time, and you are not evil. Please, let the human go and find another place to feed. One that will be mutually beneficial, as you have in the past. The elves will help you. We will find out why your needs are increasing and help reverse it, if at all possible.”
There was a long pause. More Light Ones arrived and spread out around Michael. I felt Michael tense up. His voice was rock hard, each word distinct. “You just killed my brother. I will follow his final wishes and open the portal.”
The Light Ones seemed to take the news of Gabriel's death in stride. There was no outcry or display of emotion, as I would have expected.
Michael's guards moved to either side of the room, accompanied by their fairy escort. I guessed they were telling the rest what had happened. Again, there wasn't the reaction similar news would have gotten from humans. Instead the Light Ones simply looked to Michael for their instructions. It was eerie and pointed out their differences to humans more than anything else had.
When he continued to remain silent, they simply waited. I thought that was even creepier, but was glad there wasn't going to be more killing – yet. I was afraid it would be my side the next time, since we'd quickly become outnumbered, even with more fairies appearing and spreading out.
I realized Michael had never been on our side, not even for those few brief seconds. My heart sank. I felt betrayed and resentful. The glimmer of hope that he was a “good” Light One died.
It was at that moment that I knew I was going to be dead very shortly. Even knowing everything I knew about the dead, I wasn't ready to die yet. I doubted Jones would be able to kill Michael before he killed me, even with his astonishing speed. I was sure Michael, unlike Gabriel, was keeping a very close watch on Jones.
“Bring the rest of the relics to this place now,” Michael said.
Recognizing the consequences if they did, I knew there was no way we could let Michael open that portal. If it was a choice between me or the portal, there really was no choice. With my heart pounding, more afraid than I'd ever been in my life, I looked for Thulu. When our eyes met, I said one word: “No.”
Michael shook me slightly. I felt the sharp point slide into my skin with a bite of pain. Michael immediately pulled it out, and a warm wetness trickled down my throat. I tried to appear calm and determined, but damn that hurt. I felt tears blur my eyes, and I looked down to hide them. When I was sure I could appear calm, I looked back up defiantly.
Thulu had reacted when Michael shook me, but Belus had laid a hand on his arm. I was glad to see Thulu stayed where I could easily find him. He had tears in his own eyes and made no effort to hide them. He looked more afraid than I'd ever seen him. Yet, he was ready to attack and stood poised lightly on the balls of his feet.
I found Reo next to him. Reo was furious, an expression I'd never seen on his handsome face.
Jones's expression was unreadable, as were most of the non-humans present. He'd positioned himself to Thulu's other side.
Some of my dead family and friends had appeared, probably in reaction to my fear. Even though she was dead, Nana Fae would be tuned in to me. Maybe even more so.
Nana Fae, Mama Deb and Evan were on one side of the group. Parker hovered in mid-air. Jane, Emily and Devon had also shown up. They all had varying expressions of shock, anger and fear. Their fear scared me most of all. I looked down to hide the emotions I knew were plain to see.
Jones finally spoke. “Michael, I would regret this human's death, but I cannot allow you to open the portal. We have all the relics. You have nothing, but one insignificant human.”
Gee thanks, Jones.
“She made a promise to Gabriel. That is binding.”
I wanted to speak, but was afraid I'd be cut again. My wonderful Thulu did it for me, understanding what I would have said.
“She had no intentions of ever giving you the relics. They aren't her property. She only made a false promise, in order to save our family. That can't be binding.”
“Bring the relics,” was Michael's only response. The other Light Ones were still waiting.
Jones sighed with resignation, his wings rustling. “Very well, Michael, but I will close the portal and banish every Light One on Earth back to your world. Know this, now. You should take the help the elves have offered. Perhaps they can even heal your people so you only need small amounts of energy, as you did in the past.”
There was a reaction from some of the other Light Ones at this, but Michael made no answer. Jones shrugged and transformed back into his human form. He stepped into our portal, followed by Aurelia, Belus and Aela. The rest of us remained in our frozen tableau as we waited.
I honestly couldn't see a way out of this for me. I could only hope that Jones had some sort of rescue plan, but I doubted it. My body was tense, ready to fight or fly as soon as I was released. I wasn't sure which one it would choose, since it seemed to be separate from my brain at that moment.
As fast as Jones was, I had no doubt that Michael could kill me. I wondered why he needed the dagger. Actually, I wondered a lot of things, with my out-of-control brain careening all over the place.
Did insanity run in Michael and Gabriel's family? It seemed insane to me, anyway. His refusal to cooperate was going to get me killed, and he would still lose.
What was taking Jones so long? Had he and the others simply left us there? I discarded that thought. One thing I caught in Jones's mind was that his concern for humans was genuine. Go figure. It didn't mesh with his casual killing, but it was real.
I regretted my lie to Gabriel, but had no idea what I could have done differently to save my family. I looked at them, living and dead, then ducked my head as tears formed.
