by Robert Ross
She smiled and he noted its genuine warmth as it clearly touched her eyes, “I see at least some of the tales told of you to be true. Yes, there is another name by which I am also know, my young Sentinel, but I think you already know that, don’t you.”
“Carmilla,” answered Kellan immediately affecting a more formal bow and spreading out his arms in a flourish. “Mother of all Vampires, if I recall my lore correctly.”
“Your recollection is correct even if that title is both undeserved and unwanted. I prefer Mircalla.”
“Mircalla then,” said Kellan with a smile.
She continued, “To my right is General Seramai, our warrior, and stalwart protector.”
The man stepped forward and extended his hand. Kellan reached out and Seramai grasped him by the wrist then the two men locked eyes. “Sentinel,” said Seramai by way of acknowledgement then released Kellan’s wrist and stepped back. He was the tallest among the assembled inhumans and the most well muscled. He had a beautifully masculine face with a strong chiseled jaw and an unruly mane of sandy brown hair that flowed to his shoulders where it met what looked like bronze and gold inlays. His leather chest plate was likewise adorned with two golden rams heads on either side, facing each other, as if to attack. The chest plate gave way to similarly adorned leather greaves and boots. Seramai crossed his arms a wry smile playing across his face. “Like what you see?” he said to Kellan who felt himself flush.
“Enough Sera,” said Mircalla, “We have important matters to discuss and no time for your endless flirtations.” The general seemed unconvinced and gave Kellan a wink but Mircalla moved on.
“Ah’Anon, you know. He is the saucer that cools the cup of our passions and my most trusted advisor.”
“You are too kind, Mircalla. I merely serve with what talents I have.”
She smiled at him warmly and Kellan thought he caught an unspoken understanding pass between them.
“I believe you also know the next member of our Council.”
Kellan grinned. “I sure do. Permission to hug?”
Without a word the woman standing beside Seramai dashed forward covering the space between her and Kellan in an eye blink. He opened his arms and felt her fill them, hugging him tightly. Suddenly warmth filled him and he was awash with sexual arousal. Kellan pushed back as he fought for control. “Lamia! My favorite demon, tone it down girlfriend. You are getting me all hot and bothered.”
“Sorry,” she said looking embarrassed and kissed Kellan chastely on the cheek as he felt the warmth fade. “Am I still your favorite demon,” she asked giving Kali a pointed glance.
Kellan laughed, “Always and forever, Amy. After all, you never forget the first demon who tries to seduce you, then crush the life out of you in snake form, then seduce you again.”
“Fair point,” she said still smiling.
“How are the kids,” asked Kellan.
She broke his gaze and looked down for a moment before answering. “Kellan, that was almost 750 years ago and they were not immortals.”
Kellan felt stricken and pulled her back into his embrace whispering in her ear, “Oh, Amy, I’m so sorry. For me it has been but a year. I’m so so sorry.” He felt her sigh within his arms and push back, eyes glistening.
“It is alright, Kellan. They all had long and full lives filled with love, marriage, children, and grandchildren. My offspring are legion and I keep my eyes on them.”
Kellan nodded as Mircalla gestured to her left. “This is Ariel who—“
“Greetings Kellan Thorne. I am not as enthused by this meeting as my fellows,” she said interrupting Mircalla. “I have been warned of you and will be watching intently.”
“Huh,” said Kellan. “Let me guess. You are an angel.”
“Archangel.”
“What’s the difference? Angel? Archangel. What’s in a title?”
“Much.”
“I dunno,” intoned Kellan, “Seems pretty,” he paused for affect, “prideful to me.” He saw the Archangel tense, eyes narrowing at Kellan, her face becoming a mask of anger.
“Uh oh,” said Kali as Lamia jabbed Kellan in the ribs.
“Ow, what? She started it. I bet Michael’s been whispering in her ear. He’s such a dick.”
“Michael,” the angel roared, “Is one of the finest among us. He,”
“Is not here,” interrupted Kellan. “Why is he not here, but you are. Why is he not a member of your Council?”
“Peace,” said Mircalla before Ariel could respond. “There will be time for that later. Now I need both of you to stand down. We are allies in this endeavor. Behave like it.”
“She started it,” mumbled Kellan.
Mircalla let out an exasperated breath, “Sentinel of Order, please. Behave in a way commensurate with your station.” Ariel smirked, but the vampire rounded on her, “And you, do not provoke him. Your relationship with Michael is well known. Do not try to deny it Ariel, we all know of it. I will thank you to leave Michael’s prejudices toward our ally, Kellan, where they belong, with Michael.”
“That was entertaining,” said the man to Ariel’s left and stepped forward before Mircalla spoke. “I am Samael and anyone who pisses off Michael the way you do, is just fine in my book.” Kellan accepted the extended hand and Samael pulled him forward giving the Sentinel three quick slaps on the back before releasing him.
“Samael,” began Kellan, “As in the Angel of—“
“Death. Yes. That is me.
“Wow, you really aren’t anything like I expected.”
“I get that a lot,” said the angel. “I suspect it is the hair and, well, the complete lack of being a skeleton with a scythe.”
“You actually look a bit like Raphael.”
Samael smiled broadly, “Do you think so? Why thank you, Kellan Thorne, that is quite nice of you to say.”
Kellan shrugged. “I think it’s the shape of the face, but Raphael would never wear his hair that long.”
Samael laughed, “He has little choice in that matter. We remain as made, Sentinel. My hair is long and white even as his is short and brown. Any alterations we might make are undone and we revert to our original state with each dawn.”
Kellan glanced at Amy questioningly. “The fallen have more freedom.” She said matter of factly.
“Indeed you do, sister,” said Samael without the slightest hint of envy or reproach.
“Finally,” broke in Mircalla, “There is Dragluin.”
“The Dragluin, I presume,” said Kellan slowly, “I mean why not, given the rest of your pedigrees.”
“Pedigree?” said Dragluin in a thickly accented voice whose origin Kellan couldn’t place. “Are you sure that is the word you meant to choose.”
“Uh, no, I mean, I didn’t intend any insult. It’s just that—“
Kellan paused as he saw everyone but Ariel trying to suppress laughter then looked back to Dragluin whose massive full beard concealed his expression so completely that the Sentinel could not be sure what lay beneath.
“You are messing with me?” Kellan finally said with a nervous laugh. “Great, the father of werwolves is giving me shit for referring to his pedigree. Nicely done.”
Dragluin inclined his head. “It is a pleasure to meet you Kellan. You do not know this, but I am in your debt.”
Kellan cocked his head, “Really, I love it when people are in my debt, but, uh, why exactly?”
“Sargon.”
“Oh,” said Kellan, “I’m guessing you didn’t like him much, since I kind of killed him and all. Well, technically a friend of mine killed him, but I almost killed him.”
Dragluin barked a short laugh. “No, I didn’t like him. I loathed him. I am glad he is dead. Thank you, Sentinel of Order.”
“Ah, sure thing, don’t mention it,”
Mircalla clapped her hands drawing all eyes to her. “Very good. Time grows short and we have much to discuss and do. Seramai, if you please?”
As if in answer, the genera
l drew in a deep breath and Kellan felt power gathering. It was unlike anything he’d experienced. It was not the calming, Ordered power he commanded nor the raw untempered Chaotic energies he grappled with after Asmodeus’s death. It was primal and seemed somehow more natural than either Order or Chaos. Before he could explore it further, Seramai swept out his hands, the power vanished, and before them formed a massive wooden table with ten accompanying chairs. Mircalla sat at one end, gestured for Kellan to take the other, while the eight other members settled themselves to either side.
The Countess slid back the hood of her cloak in a fluid motion and her dark eyes swept along the table, momentarily locking with each of those assembled. Kellan felt himself leaning forward as she placed both hands on the table and said, “Let us begin.”
Kali slammed her fist on the table causing it to jump despite its mass. She glared at Kellan, eyes glowing red. “As we have all told you over and over, the Micah you knew is not the same as the one we’ve encountered. We did try to to involve him and each envoy we sent was either killed or barely escaped with their life.”
Ah’Anon placed a calming hand on her arm, but she shook it free and stood up. “I will listen to no more of this drivel. It is pointless. We have merely traded a murderous Sentinel for a pathetic whelp incapable of seeing his Master for what he was. A dispassionate killer.”
Kellan felt his blood heat and rose, leaning forward with his hands braced on the table, knuckles white and eyes aflame. “Fuck you, Kali,” he growled. “Don’t let the door hit you in the scaly ass on your way out.” The demon lifted one clawed hand and red energy began to play along its length.
“Sit down,” came a soft and measured voice from the end of the table. The demon remained standing but didn’t release the gathered energy. “Kali? Do you wish me to ask a second time?”
Kellan didn’t think it was possible, but the demon actually seemed to pale. She let out a breath through clenched teeth and growled, “No, Countess, that will not be necessary. Forgive me.”
The Sentinel watched as Kali lowered herself into the chair silently and smiled. “That’s better,” he said and noticed both Lamia and Ah’Anon wince at his words.
“Kellan Thorne,” came the soft, almost lilting voice and he turned to Mircalla. “The Council of Havilah has existed for over two thousand years. Do you think our number is limited to these few before you?” The Countess didn’t wait for an answer. “It does not, Sentinel of Order. The Council as of this day, numbers nearly a thousand world wide. Now I ask you, could you stand against the combined might of one thousand inhumans dedicated to your death? Could you stand even against we who are assembled today?”
Kellan said nothing, but felt the chill as all eyes were upon him.
“Ahh, recognition dawns,” Mircalla intoned, “but not complete understanding. Allow me to to help my very young Sentinel. Why, do you think, would a legion of neigh immortal beings have suffered Micah Ben Judah to continue drawing breath when he so frequently spread death among our numbers?”
Kellan opened his mouth to object, but Mircalla cut him off with a voice so sharp it severed his words before he could form them, “No! Best you remain silent.” She smiled at him but it did not touch her eyes as her voice again took on the softness from before. “It was a rhetorical question, Kellan. I will provide you the answer that you could not possibly have provided yourself. We let your master live because it was in Creation’s interest that he do so. That is the only reason. Were it not so, I or those who headed this Council before me, would have focused the fullness of our power on him. But,” she held up a finger, “It is so, thus we sent emissaries and never raised a hand in anger despite his violence toward us. Kellan Thorne, you have toddled around as a child this last year, but we can no longer suffer you to be so. You must grow up and put away childish things. Micah Ben Judah was a killer. You must accept this for us to move on and we must move on for all of Creation lies in the balance.” She paused again her eyes locked on Kellan’s, then spoke so softly that the slightest breeze would have carried away her words, “Now, sit. Down.”
Kellan sat, glancing over as Lamia placed her hand on his and mouthed, “I’m sorry.”
Silence stretched over a long minute and Kellan finally broke it by inhaling deeply and said with a sigh, “Very well, I will listen with an open mind.”
Ah’Anon smiled and leaned back in his chair. “My young friend, no one ever said Micah was evil. What we’ve been endeavoring to explain for the past hour is that we are all shaped by our environ even as we are by our nature. Micah had a binary view of the world because both his training and power left him with no other perspective.” The vampire held up a hand in admonishment, “That does not excuse his behavior, but it does explain it. The Council is comparatively small and those not in its membership do act as their nature dictates. It is understandable why he would distrust this tiny minority that claimed to act in a manner so different from his expectations and experience. Couple that with the bifurcation of creative energy into Order and Chaos, and it would be difficult for anyone to see past their preconceptions. While it is not popular to say around this table, the fault does not entirely rest with Micah.”
Focalor stood up and stretched, “Yep,” he began, “That is why we were both surprised and excited when Lamia told us of your first encounter. We knew her to be a thrall of Asmodeus,” The djinn paused, looking across the table at the Succubus, “Sorry, Amy, but you were.” She waved away his apology and he continued, “So, we weren’t quite sure what to think, but then when you destroyed Asmodeus, returned Amy’s children, and left her in peace, we began to hope.”
“Why didn’t you contact me before now,” asked Kellan.
“That was my decision,” answered Mircalla. “I wanted to be sure of your intentions before risking more lives. I was going to let you marinade for a century or so and see what kind of man you turned out to be, but circumstances being what they are, pressing matters forced my hand.”
“The Cabal,” said Kellan and the Council members all seemed to nod in unison, then Mircalla gestured to Samael who cleared his throat.
“I guess that is where I come in,” he began. “I am the newest member to Havilah and am only on the high-council because of having been recruited by the Cabal. They assumed, as the Angel of Death, that I held a measure of antipathy toward humanity so asked me to join them.”
Kellan smiled, “So you faked them out until you discovered what they were up to? Nice.”
Samael looked perplexed for a moment then gave Kellan an icy smile, “Oh no, my dear Sentinel, I did not, as you say, fake them out. I detest humanity and revel in their deaths. I would love to see you dead too, but alas, other priorities take precedence.” The angel said this so matter of factly that Kellan simply swallowed hard, but said nothing.
“Now where was I,” continued Samael, “Oh yes, detesting humans and the Cabal. You see, I had assumed their goals were to merely destroy human civilization, thus spreading death and destruction. They correctly surmised that I would appreciate such an endeavor and so I joined them.”
“Excuse me just a moment,” said Kellan.
“Hmm,” replied Samael, “You do look confused my young Sentinel, forgive me.”
“Uh, yeah, well I don’t mean to be insulting, really I don’t, but shouldn’t you be more of a demon. Detesting humanity, wanting to spread death and destruction, those all seem more demonic than angelic.”
“A point I have made on several occasions,” said Kali with Ariel nodding in reluctant agreement.
Samael sighed, “And as I have explained endlessly to both angels and demons alike, my delight in human deaths is not in conflict with my angelic charge. Rather it is in perfect consort. Must I fall from grace just because I enjoy my work. Ridiculous.”
“You skirt the edges of perdition, Samael. God should cast you down,” growled Ariel.
“Now, now, sister dear. Were you just suggesting what our Father should do? Careful. Sounds
like pride to me.”
Kellan could feel heat wafting from Ariel as the two angels stared at each other, but the tension was dispelled by Mircalla’s soft voice.
“Enough. Samael, please continue.”
He inclined his head, “Yes, well, unfortunately the Cabal did not, strictly speaking, have designs on humanity. I figured that out quickly once I noticed that there were both angels and demons working together and they were using Micah’s blood to cloak their activities from God so the Cabalic angels would not be cast down. After that it was really just a matter of—”
“Wait, just wait,” said Kellan, “Micahs’s blood? Where on earth would they have gotten that and how the hell would that cloak them from God.”
“Oh really, Countess, must I provide the child Sentinel a remediation? This is so tiresome. Just tell him what he must do and let us end this interminable meeting.”
Kellan ground his teeth as his anger rose, but Mircalla gave him a placating gesture. “Samael, we seek to ally ourselves with the Sentinel and such alliances are strongest when formed between equals who all have a complete command of the facts. You will provide the requested explanation and will do so with the respect Kellan is due. Am I understood?” This last was phrased as a question, but her tone made it anything but and Samael blanched just as Kali had done before. Not for the first time Kellan wondered at the command Mircalla Karnstein exerted over the assembly, himself included.
“Of course,” Samael replied, his manner differential, “Forgive me.”
“You are forgiven, sir,” said Kellan although he knew the angel’s response had been directed to Mircalla. Samael stared at him flatly for a long moment, then laughed, shattering the tension that had, again, sprung up between them.
“I think,” he began, “That I may actually end up liking you. That would be a first. I have never liked any human.”
“I’m not human,” said Kellan, “Just ask the autistic angel at Eden’s gate, he’ll tell ya.”
