Shadow Light (Beautiful Beings #3)

by Kailin Gow

  “Dr. Kingsley didn’t always keep us abreast of all the goings-on in San Francisco,” John said. “He was a very independent man who liked to deal with situations on his own whenever he could. It saddens me greatly to hear that we’ve lost him.”

  “With what you’ve told us, we conclude that he knew he was open for an attack. So, yes,” Gordon went on. “He probably made the arrangements that would bring you two together. Whatever he lacked in fighting skills, he made up for in foresight.”

  “I wish I’d known,” Markus said. “It would have been a pleasure for me to go to America to help the good doctor, but I’ve just recently acquired my gatekeeper status. A relative of mine went on to other things, and I took up for him.”

  “That’s why he didn’t recognize you when you found him in the chapel,” Gordon explained.

  “Then why didn’t either of you come to help Dr. Kingsley?” I said to Gordon and John.

  Shaking his head with regret, Gordon glanced at John before answering. “Scheduling demon slayers isn’t as easy as it appears. We work everywhere, though we’re more often found in the eastern hemisphere. Africa, Asia and mostly Europe.”

  “We were supposed to see him seven months ago,” John said. “We try to all meet up at least a few times a year. We catch up on what’s going wrong and what’s going right, but he was a no show at the last meeting. He didn’t travel much and coming out to Europe wasn’t really something that tickled his fancy much.”

  I looked to Brax. He’d mentioned a trip his uncle had taken to Italy. Why hadn’t he met with these gatekeepers?”

  “Maybe he knew it was already too late and he preferred staying close at hand,” I suggested, while my mind sought other answers.

  They shrugged. “Maybe.”

  “So this all leads to me becoming a gatekeeper?” I said.

  Gordon nodded. “We believe that just may be the case, but there’s something more. It’s easy to see there’s something more to you… something special about you.”

  John beamed as his eyes caught mine. “I always felt Ida’s family had been touched by an angel. Her brother often had an aura around him and her younger sister carried something divine in her. Ida herself never showed any angelic signs, but she apparently managed to pass the valuable genes on to you all the same.”

  “In addition to becoming a gatekeeper, you think I may have angelic powers as well.” It was all a little too much, and this new information just seemed to bring about a whole new batch of questions.

  The jet lag, lack of sleep and anxiety ridden day was finally catching up on me. I felt exhausted by it all, but was reluctant to mention it. There was so much to do. My brain was in a fog and I wanted a moment to put everything aside. Then again, I wanted to ensure I gave it all plenty of time to sink in

  “If I’m so blessed with these angelic powers, if this Ida you keep speaking of gave me her angelic genes, why is it that, after years of finding and fighting demons with barely any effort at all, I now find myself almost blind to them. I can’t see them anymore.”

  “At all?” John said with a touch of concern.

  “I was attacked recently and I never saw him. He was right in front of me, inches from my nose and I never, ever saw him. So what’s going on?

  Chapter 12

  Portals

  “Portals have been found in numerous areas of the world. While many were predictable and foreseen, others were a complete surprise.” John led us to a portal he’d been guarding for months.

  As we strolled through the Italian countryside, it was hard to believe a portal to Hades existed in such a beautiful setting. When he turned down a dirt lane that cut through a vineyard, I couldn’t help but be transported by the beauty of the area. Hills rolled away on either side of us and flowers bloomed in every direction. The home at the end of the lane was as grand as any home I’d seen in San Francisco, but with a flavor and style all its own.

  “I love it here,” I whispered to Asher. “Isn’t there something so…”

  “Romantic.”

  “And quaint and charming and… I don’t know, relaxed, slow, unhurried. It’s as if stress doesn’t exist here at all.”

  “Well, with all this wine, I can see why.”

  The vines on either side of us were heavy with purple grapes that beckoned to be stomped.

  “Do you think we’ll be able to extend our stay?” I asked him, hoping for a break from the darkness that so constantly filled our lives.

  “Are you bailing out on us?”

  I smiled and looked at him. “There’ve been times in my life when I’d wished I could just chuck all this demon slaying aside and live my life like any other girl. This, right now, right here, happens to be one of them.”

  John led us to the back of the Tuscany style villa and walked up to a ground well.

  “This, my friends, is Porta del Valpolicella.” John looked at us with a grin. “We like to give them names that will help us associate them with their locations.”

  “How long has it been here?” Moore asked. He ran his fingers along the edge of the heavy stones that lined the portal.

  “Perhaps you shouldn’t get so close, Moore,” I said.

  He looked at me, accusing at first, then with a softened gaze of understanding.

  “It is well guarded, I assure you,” John said. “Though it never hurts to be cautious.”

  “So how is it that you guard this? You’ve been away from here and running around with us all day. Couldn’t it have slipped open during your absence?” Brax looked at John with skepticism.

  “Guarding a portal isn’t a matter of perpetually standing at the gate. It is a matter of maintaining order, and I’ll show you how that order is maintained.” John pulled a small glass vial from his coat pocket. “Holy Water.”

  “I should have known,” Asher said under his breath. “Holy Water… it’s the answer to everything.”

  John glared at him and went on. “The maintenance of a closed portal is much easier than the closing of one that has already been allowed to open.” He pulled out the cork of his vial and sprinkled several droplets along the perimeter of the ground well just beneath the stones. The moistened soil rippled and waved a few seconds before stopping. “Only a few drops are needed every day.”

  “That’s it?” Moore grumbled. “You sprinkle a few drops of water and your work is done?”

  “Not quite,” John said, his eyes narrowed in annoyance. “There are a series of prayers and blessings that must accompany each benediction.”

  “Like what?” I asked.

  John took on a solemn expression and raised his hands to the heavens. “By the powers of up above, and with the greatness of thee my Lord, I bless this area and ask for divine protection against the forces of darkness.” The spots of soil that’d been moistened with Holy Water bubbled up, steamed and smoked. “Let your power reign on all that is good and let it prevail over evil.” Once the prayer was over, the soil quickly cooled and returned to its normal appearance.

  “Sounds simple enough,” Asher said with a shrug.

  “There are a series of these prayers and blessings to memorize and they must be said in proper order.”

  “How many do we have to memorize?” I asked.

  “Seventeen.”

  “I practically have a photographic memory,” Brax said. “Jot them all down and we’re done here.”

  “Not so fast, my good man,” John said with a sound clap on Brax’s back. “There is also the matter of the tone in which you speak these words. You must convey conviction and belief. To utter them with bland indifference will get you nowhere.”

  John held up the Book of Angels he’d brought with him. “This book is indispensable. If you cannot memorize it, learn as much of it as you can and keep it close to you.” He flipped through the pages and stopped to read a few lines. “Veritas diaboli manet in aeternum. Libera te tutemet ex inferis. Ad maiorem Dei gloriam”

  “What is he saying?” I leaned closer to
Asher and asked.

  “I don’t know. He’s saying them too fast. I’m able to read and decipher a good amount of Latin, but I’ve never really heard it spoken aloud much.”

  With his finger still poised over his last spoken words, John looked at us all. “It is a simple enough task if your conviction is strong. A few moments of your day, every day, and the deed is done.”

  “But we believe the portal we’re dealing with is already open.”

  “That will be a greater task, but the overall process is the same; more Holy Water, more prayers, more conviction. If the four of you band together, and work as one, you’ll have a greater chance of success.”

  We looked at each other, realizing just how much we’d have to depend on one another if this was to work. Moore and Brax gazed at each other with heavy scrutiny and they both looked at Asher with doubt.

  “That won’t do,” John chastised. “That won’t do at all. You must trust one another, rely on one another and stay strong together. Don’t forget that.”

  Chapter 13

  Respite

  As I woke up the next morning, my nostrils were assailed with the scent of wild flowers, steaming coffee and baked treats. It was a splendid morning and I wanted a moment to stroll my surroundings before everyone rose.

  We’d found several small rooms to rent at a house nearby and had planned on spending another day with Gordon, John and Markus. We had spent a few days with the Shadow Light slayers learning as much as we could about portals and demon slaying. These men held so many years of experience, there was still so much to learn, but time was ticking by, and we did not have the luxury to of leisure. I don’t know if it was the immensity of the task that awaited us at home that had them stalling, or if it was a true desire to learn as much as they could, but I sensed a reluctance to leave Italy in everyone, especially me.

  Outside the scent of wild flowers was accompanied by the song of birds early in their hunt for their first meal. A small wrought iron table was surrounded by four delicate chairs and set atop the table was a bright blue ceramic coffee pot with four brightly colored mugs.

  Reveling in the peaceful moment, I poured myself a cup of coffee and savored it. My body and soul filled with pure contentment.

  “When was the last time you relaxed and enjoyed the moment like this?”

  His voice was ragged with sleep, but I recognized Moore’s deep and sensual voice.

  “I don’t want to sound melodramatic in saying never, but… never.”

  “A pity.”

  “I’m becoming painfully aware of that.”

  “We could extend our stay.”

  “If the situation in San Francisco wasn’t so urgent, I’d agree, but…”

  He came up behind me and wrapped his arms around my waist. “I could wake up to this every morning,” he said.

  “One day,” I idly promised. Perhaps a life of leisure and luxury simply weren’t in my cards. I was destined to fight to keep the world peaceful and free of demons. “My turn will come one day.”

  “Care to stroll through the gardens with me?”

  I glanced over my shoulder at him and was shocked to see him standing there with only his jeans on. My eyes immediately narrowed with desire and strolling the garden was the last thing I wanted to do, but I turned around in his arms and smiled. “I’d love to.”

  He turned and slipped into a blue t-shirt then and took my hands. Modest, but filled with fragrance and color, the garden was a veritable Eden. Tightly packed with a variety of flowers, not an inch of soil was allowed to go to weeds or grass and little went towards a pathway. Moore and I could just barely walk side by side.

  All the more reason to walk snuggled up in his arm.

  “What do you plan on telling your parents?” he asked after a moment’s silence.

  “I have no idea.” Not that I hadn’t thought about it. It was a question that had haunted me since learning of John’s relation to me. “I don’t want them to think I accuse them of any wrong doing, or that I resent the situation. They’ve done so much for me and I’ve been lucky to have them. Though I do have to admit I wish they would have told me themselves.”

  “I’m sure they would have preferred that as well.”

  I nodded and stopped at a brightly colored bird feeder. Several small yellow birds weaved in and out, picking up a seed and flying off to eat it in the comfort of their tree branch.

  “Perhaps John will come with us to San Francisco and save you the trouble of having to find the words to tell your parents you know about them.”

  “Do you really think he’d come?”

  “I asked him last night and he said he’d consider it.”

  “But the portal? He said he had to be there every day to maintain its closure.”

  “He said Gordon could take on the task if need be. I think he really would like to come.”

  We heard footsteps behind us and turned to see John coming down the path, a red mug of coffee in his hands.

  “I thought I heard my name.”

  “I think it’s best we leave Italy today,” Moore said

  “Certainly. Gordon is already sitting with Asher, going over the many Latin blessings and prayers he needs to learn. By early afternoon you should be free to go.”

  “And you?” I asked. “Will you be free to come with us?”

  “I think it’s a journey I’ve put off long enough. Just think of the surprise on my brother’s face when he sees me walk through the door.”

  Though I was still nervous about that eventuality, I couldn’t help but grin. Dad sure would be surprised, not to mention Mom.

  Chapter 14

  The Fifth Shadow Light Slayer

  The flight back to San Francisco was a blend of tension, apprehension and anticipation. I barely had time to consider what would happen with the portal since all my thoughts were concentrated on how my parents would react to seeing John.

  I dreaded the devastation my mother would feel and could only hope she didn’t take it too harshly.

  Gazing at John who sat across the aisle with Brax, I also felt a wave of reassurance. Having such an experienced demon slayer with us would be an added bonus and would lighten our load.

  When the plane touched ground in California, we all got into our separate cars and cab, and headed home. The car ride with John was long and silent, and I wondered if he was as nervous about seeing his brother as I was about their meeting.

  “Here we are,” I said as the cab pulled up to my house.

  “Not bad,” John said as he looked at our home with an approving nod.

  I stepped out and grabbed my suitcase while John paid the fare and pulled out his small travel bag.

  “Should I go ahead and knock, or should you…?” he asked.

  “I think it’s best if I open the door and announce that I’ve brought a surprise… kind of to warn them that something is up.”

  My legs shook as I walked up to the front porch. I couldn’t remember ever being so nervous, not even in the worst of the battles I’d been involved in.

  “Mom,” I called out as I opened the door, hoping they’d be home. “Dad?”

  “We’re back here, honey,” Dad called from the veranda out back.

  “I brought a surprise back from Italy,” I announced.

  “Really.”

  I heard a shuffling of movement as I rounded the corner and saw my dad heading toward us. The moment his eyes caught John, his face and entire demeanor changed. He stiffened and clenched his fists. His gaze darted back and forth between us; pain and fear as he looked at me, then anger and resentment as he turned to John.

  “What’s going on?” Mom said as she came to join us. Her face went chalk white as she saw John.

  “What are you doing here?” Dad finally asked.

  “I got word that I was needed and came.”

  My mother looked at me, her eyes filled with questions.

  “Yes, Mom. I know. John told me all about it.”

  �
�Honey, I… I’m so…”

  I rushed to her and pulled her into my arms, wanting nothing more than to erase the look of sadness and pain from her eyes. “Don’t worry about it, Mom. I’m fine with it. Really I am.”

  “But…”

  “How could you do this?” Dad asked of John. “How could you so blatantly put your nose where it didn’t belong?”

  “She’s the one who came to me,” John said in defense.

  “For help, perhaps, but I strongly doubt she asked about your paternity.”

  “She is my daughter and if I desire to tell her…”

  “You haven’t been a father to her in years,” Mom accused. “You’ve never been a father to her.”

  John gazed at me and shrugged. “Perhaps this wasn’t such a good idea after all.”

  “Dad,” I said. “You're right, he didn’t have to tell me, but now I know and I’m happy I know. It makes me appreciate all the more the wonderful parents you’ve been to me. And, Mom, you're right, he’s never been a father to me and he’s not going to start now. I brought him over strictly to help with a matter at school. That’s all.”

  Silence fell over the room as we all looked at each other.

  “I know there’s no excuse for my absence all these years, but I’ve never stopped thinking of her,” John said. “And I have missed you, little brother.”

  Dad offered the first vague sign of a grin. “I guess that’s what happens when you have a higher calling.”

  “I was just about to put on a pot of tea,” Mom said. “Would you like some?”

  “That would be great.”

  The ice had been broken and the awkward moment had passed. Dad beamed with boyish enthusiasm and Mom took on the role of the perfect host. While Dad and John headed to the veranda out back, I joined Mom in the kitchen to help with the tea.

  She seemed distance and lost in her own thoughts while she filled the teapot. Saying nothing, I opened the pantry door and pulled out a few bags of tea.

  “We often thought of telling you,” she finally said.