“That’s comforting,” I laughed.
“Isn’t it though?” Arie chimed in. “What can we do?”
“Well, Noah’s inside. I know he’s eager to see you guys.” Her eyes sparkling with hope. “I was too, truth be told.”
Following her inside the house was like going through a museum. The inside of her home was nothing near old-fashioned. She had several small sculptures displayed in the entry hall and living room.
“Wow. Those are beautiful.” I was in awe. I had to stop so I could properly admire the curvature of the nearest piece. A mother was holding her child while vines wrapped around them. It was so very intricate.
“Thank you!” Amanda exclaimed. “It’s a hobby that turned into my career. I’m glad you like.”
“I love would be a better term.” I turned around, waiting for Athen to catch up in his gazing. “I can’t believe how beautiful these are.”
“Your plan is working incredibly!” Noah’s voice exploded down the hall with enthusiasm.
“Noah!” Arie squealed, and ran over to hug him.
“That’s a greeting I like,” he said. His smile warmed up the entire room.
“Thank you so much for coming.” I hugged him, feeling the tension in his body begin to ease.
I stepped back, letting Athen move in.
“Nice to see you, man. How are you doing?” Athen grasped Noah’s hand and pulled him for a quick hug.
“I’m thankful I can be a part of this to help distract myself, to be honest.” Noah’s lips tightened. “Come into the kitchen. I’ve got everything laid out.”
“Yeah, not a problem, man,” Cyril said.
“I’m gonna slip out and go to one of the barns to see how everything is coming together,” Amanda told us, and she went back out through the front door.
We sat around the huge pine kitchen table that could easily fit twelve. I watched Noah shuffle through some of the papers he had laid out. He looked weaker than when we last saw him. My heart ached for him. Knowing there was no way for him to connect with his soulmate, ever again, created a deep sadness. Looking over at Cyril and Arie, I fully understood why she put him through what she did to save him. Being without Arie for a few days, and dealing with the anger of being tricked, was a lot less devastating of a consequence than what could have happened.
Noah looked up at me, our eyes connecting. There was darkness under his eyes. Even though he was an attractive guy, the stress overrode that.
“So by all estimates, if we are able to turn even a quarter of these guys, we’ll be in good shape. Not only that, we can start using them almost immediately, to help turn the others,” Noah said.
“What kind of numbers are we talking?” Cyril asked.
“If we go with the conservative estimate, I say we can get up to a thousand at just this one camp. With these camps all around the globe, I think we are looking at tens of thousand converts. Azazel and his Legions won’t know what hit them. The numbers they were counting on will be gone. Remember, I’m being conservative. If we’re lucky we’ll be able to turn even more.”
The excitement escalated throughout every part of my body. Looking over at Athen, I knew he thought the same thing. With these numbers on our side, the war could be over a lot faster than Azazel ever could predict. Once he’s built his army, he never would guess we would attempt to reclaim his recruits. It’s far too risky a move, but it’ll obviously pay off for us.
“Nice work on convincing everyone on this, Ana,” Noah’s voice was full of appreciation. “It sticks to our values.”
“I didn’t really do much. You guys did all the communicating. I’m just thankful we could get so many on our side,” I told Noah. “Thank you for believing in it. It’s you guys who are making it work,” I told him, grasping his hand across the table.
“Have you guys been out to meet any of the prospective white demons?” Noah’s grin was from ear to ear.
“Nope! We came in here first,” Arie’s voice was full of excitement. “I’m actually kind of nervous about it.” Her eyes widened as she spoke.
I noticed a chalkboard behind Arie with all sorts of aprons hanging from it, and a to-do list, which listed ‘Get Bad Guys’. I smiled to myself, wishing it was that easy.
“I think it’s Ana they are hoping for most, so I wouldn’t be too concerned,” Noah teased.
“Thanks!” I chuckled, winking at him.
“That’s what I’m here for,” Noah replied, looking over at Athen.
“I think everyone would be excited to show what all they’ve got set up,” Noah pointed towards the window. “It’s pretty impressive.”
Arie hopped up from the wooden chair and pulled Cyril up.
“I think it’s time we go check things out,” she told Cyril.
“Sounds good. We’ll be back shortly,” Cyril’s face look strained. “I hope I’m ready for what we’re about to see.”
“It won’t be that bad,” Noah said.
Arie and Cyril took off down the hallway to the front door. I heard the soft click-click of the door, as they left the house. I knew Athen and I needed to go out there too, but I wanted to hang back and visit with Noah.
“Are you doing okay?” I asked him. “By the look of it, I’d say no.”
Athen slid to the seat next to me to offer support.
“We truly appreciate everything you’ve been doing for us and the movement,” Athen offered, “but it looks like it’s really taking a toll, man.”
Noah stared at the table and papers he had spread out everywhere. He didn’t say anything.
“We aren’t trying to stick our nose where it doesn’t belong. Believe me, I know how tough it is losing your soulmate,” I tried a different technique.
“Yeah, but you knew you were getting him back, eventually,” Noah’s voice was charged. “I don’t have that luxury. I’m alone, Ana - completely alone. This project? It’s all I’ve got!”
It was true. Even when I worried Lilith had gotten to him, there was a sprinkle of hope that kept me going.
“You’re right. I can’t argue with that. There was a moment where I thought I had lost him to another,” I whispered, looking over at Athen, who nodded back at me. “But you’re right. Even with that, I knew he’d still be on earth. It was cruel of me to act as if I knew what you’re going though, but you still have to take care of yourself. I’m sure she would’ve wanted that.”
Athen caught Noah’s eyes and began. His voice was soft and full of kindness, “Vanessa was tricked, but she did it for you. She was tricked into believing her sacrifice would save you from being taken to the dark side. Do you think her sacrifice was intended for you to beat yourself up for the rest of your existence?”
“Existence?” Noah began. “That’s the problem. Think about how long we are in existence. Think about how long I’m looking at facing without her. Listen, guys. I’m sure I look like a truck ran over me, but I’m trying my best. The only thing that keeps me going is thinking we have a shot at destroying Azazel. That’s all that I have. Am I miserable? Yes, but I fully recognize there’s nothing I can do that will make it better. To honor her sacrifice, I’ve got to do my part to end Azazel. It’s as simple as that. But please don’t worry about me, because there’s nothing that can be done. The darkness that follows me every day seems to be here to stay. I’m just learning how to work with it,” his voice full of grief.
“Whatever we can do to help,” Athen placed his hand on my knee. “Don’t forget we’re here.”
“No, I know and I appreciate it. It’s just a process.” Noah shook his head, getting up from the table. “I’d go out there and see what’s up. It’ll energize you. I’m sure of it.” A slight smile came into view on Noah’s face, as he tried to change the subject.
I went over and pecked Noah on the cheek before Athen and I started down the hallway to see what waited for us outside. I heard a sniffle as we passed by one of the rooms I hadn’t really paid attention to on our way in.
Confused, I pulled Athen’s shirt to slow him down. I quietly slid open the wooden pocket door and what I saw took my breath away. A little girl in a rocking chair was in view. Her little body transferred no mortal energy. She swayed in the chair, staring down at her tattered teddy bear. I couldn’t see her eyes, but if she was in this group that, alone, told me everything I needed to know. The disgust began building, as I realized there were no limits on anything these dark demons were willing to do.
“Oh my God, Ana. I didn’t even see her,” he said, wrapping his fingers through mine.
“I know. She’s tiny and so young.” The girl’s hair was long, and it draped over her lowered face, disguising any distinguishing features about her. The dark mass looked as if it hadn’t been taken care of for quite some time.
“Do you think her parents are in this crowd?” Athen’s eyes were full of a tenderness I hadn’t seen before.
“I sure hope so. I’ll go get Arie to keep tabs on her. I don’t have a good feeling about this.” Athen squeezed my hand before letting go as I went to find Arie.
Looking back over my shoulder, I saw Athen making his way to the little girl who sat there spiritless. My heart ached knowing there might be nothing we could do for her or her parents.
Once outside, the smell of the burning logs led me to Arie, who was tending the fires to keep the overflow of our fellow white demons warm while they waited for further direction.
“Had no idea we’d get this type of turnout on such short notice!” I exclaimed to Arie.
“What else do any of us have to do?” she smirked. “Kind of what our mission has always been. We just never had to do anything of this magnitude before.”
“So true on so many levels… Hey, did you see the little girl come into the house? Any clue as to who she might belong to?” I asked.
She dropped the last log on the fire and turned to me.
“How little? And no, I didn’t.” Her face became ashen.
“I’m guessing like six or seven years old? Not sure,” I said.
Trying to keep my anger in check, I stared at the ground rather than any of the demons who were being marched to the buildings on the ground.
“Has she been turned?” Arie asked, punching me in the arm to look at her.
“I’m guessing so. Why else would she be here? I didn’t see her eyes, but I couldn’t feel her spirit. I didn’t know if I could handle it. I’m just hoping we can find her parents, and that we can turn them to our side. I can’t let her leave with them, if we can’t turn them.”
“I know.” She let out a big sigh. “They have no boundaries, do they? A child?” Anger crept into every word she spoke.
“I don’t know who to be more angry with, Azazel or her parents,” I said.
We were walking back towards the main house, where I last left Athen and the unknown child. The gravel pathway got more and more compact since we arrived here, with the hundreds of beings now roaming the compound. The wooden porch we approached was covered in our kind, chatting away. It reminded me of what a summer BBQ could be like, at another time, when we weren’t all faced with such harsh consequences.
“She’s in the media room,” I said, pointing and nodding in the direction of where I last left Athen and the little girl.
Turning into the room, the lights were all out, and this time, it was Athen sitting in the rocking chair. I scanned the room quickly, hoping she hadn’t disappeared. Catching Athen’s eyes, he looked over towards the couch. There she was under a white blanket, sleeping – looking almost angelic. Athen quietly moved out of the chair coming towards us.
Moving back out to the hall and closing the heavy, wooden pocket doors, we were all silent until we heard the tap of the door closing.
“Well?” Arie asked her brother.
“Yeah, she was turned,” Athen said grimly. “It seems like her parents are both here, but in typical fashion, they don’t recognize each other, let alone their daughter. I managed to grab this from her pocket,” he said, grabbing a torn and crumpled photograph.
“She remembers them even though she’s been turned?” I asked hopeful. “We can maybe reunite them if we can turn her parents.” My voice was as hushed as I could make it, but that softness only magnified the shakiness I felt with every breath.
Athen reached out and hugged me tightly, my face burying into his chest. Taking a deep breath in, I did my best to inhale his purity. I knew what I was hoping for was a fifty-fifty chance either way. Athen’s arms were wrapped around me, creating a much-needed reprieve from the realities we would soon be facing. This little girl was only the beginning.
“I’ll go in and stay with her, while you guys attend to everything,” Arie’s voice filled with the hope I desperately needed to hear.
Athen’s grasp released me, signaling it was time to focus on the tasks at hand and not get sucked into the emotion of everything. It was so difficult always shutting everything off and focusing on the larger picture that was looming. Arie spun around and went back into the media room, while Athen and I headed outside for the search. The chill in the air hit my cheeks, reminding me how close to fall we were and how very soon the battle would begin.
The large weathered barn was glowing, where many of the minions had been taken. It was hard to believe minions would fall for some story like that. I’d like to think I wouldn’t.
“Hey, Athen!” A man’s voice came hollering through the air.
Stopping and turning around, I saw one of our own running up to us in a sprint. His sweater sleeves were pushed up as if he was getting ready to get into the action. I didn’t recognize him, but that didn’t mean anything with all the visitors from around the world that were arriving.
“What’s up?” Athen spun around to greet the guy. Athen slid his hand into mine. It seemed like with every minute that went by, our need to be so close to one another was getting stronger. It was like our souls sensed this danger that was looming, and subconsciously we didn’t want to miss a second together.
“We’re getting ready to try to change some of the pretty hardcore ones. Thought you might want to come take a look?” His green eyes were radiating with excitement. As the sun almost drifted completely away, the green glow became more evident from everyone’s eyes.
“Sure, man. Thanks. We’re actually headed over that way looking for some individuals. What’s your name, by the way?” Athen asked, extending his hand.
“Aaron, Aaron Padgett. From Boston, most recently, anyway,” he said, with the familiar warmth in his eyes. Turning to me, he paused before he began again, “It’s really nice to get to meet you in person, Ana.”
A wave of embarrassment rushed through me. The self-consciousness that had managed to evaporate over the last several months suddenly surfaced. I enjoyed working behind the scenes and felt foolish for this recognition.
“Oh, thanks, you too,” I replied, trying to push the feelings down. “I really appreciate everything you’ve done for us - along with the others. I know it’s risky, but…”
“It’s a risk we’re all willing to take, Ana. We wouldn’t have had it any other way.” Sensing my uneasiness, he changed the subject. “Alright, let’s get going then before we miss it. So you said you were looking for someone?”
“Yeah, two people actually. Possibly spouses in the other life before they were destroyed,” Athen’s voice was filled with a coldness I had come to recognize when he was discussing the newly-turned.
It was tough to swallow that so many mortals would turn their back on humanity. He reached in his pocket and handed the wrinkled photo to Aaron.
“Recognize either of them?” Athen questioned.
“Honestly, it’s kind of hard to tell. Once their eyes get turned to that dark death stare, it’s hard to tell them apart. I’d tell you that they do look familiar, but I feel like there’s a whole barn full with that look,” he said shaking his head.
We kept walking towards the area of the land that had a large clearing and a ma
keshift wooden shelter. It had a definite lean, which made me want to stay on the outside of the building.
We had about reached the entrance when Aaron stopped abruptly, and I crashed into him, as I was staring out into the field.
“Sorry.” Aaron apologized. “I do recognize that woman. She’s one of the ones we have in here. I’m not sure you’re gonna want to see her. She doesn’t look much like that picture – cheeks sunken in, eyes bugging out. Not a real attractive look,” he said grinning, flinging the door open. “Like my women with some meat on them or at least a soul.”
“Your women?” A lady’s voice sang out from the barn. “I’d like to hear about this,” her voice teased, as she stepped outside, hugging Aaron.
“This is my wife Sammie,” he said, squeezing her back.
“Sounds like quite the interesting conversation,” she said, shaking my hand. “You’re Ana, aren’t you?” her voice was filled with excitement.
Nodding, I let Athen take over.
“We were talking about this individual,” he said smiling, flashing the picture at her. “Aaron was just letting us know this wasn’t his type of woman.”
“Oh, she’s a wretched one,” Sammie replied.
“How so?” I asked. “What makes one more wretched than another in this situation?”
Sammie looked a little uneasy as she started twisting the bottom of her shirt. Looking back up at me, her face kind of wrinkled in dread.
“She’s the most eager to destroy you,” Sammie spit out. “A lot of these creatures are only following the flow. It seems like they aren’t really thinking about anything one way or the other. This gal, though, she’s got some really bad energy flowing through her. She’s even tried to fight the other demons.”
“What about the guy? Have you seen him? It’s her spouse.” Athen showed her the picture again.
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