by Robert Ross
“Yep,” said Kellan to the open air, “I totally agree, time to go!” The young Sentinel then turned and made his way back to the dock with as much speed and dignity as he could manage.
Chapter 12
Party with the Devil
Kellan woke with a start and sighed with relief as his hand grasped the Seal of Solomon’s cold metal. He felt his heart racing beneath it and took a deep breath. He sometimes longed for the days when a morning freakout was caused by dreams of diving in a pool with his iPhone forgotten in his pocket. Now he had ancient demonic binding relics to think about. Kellan preferred his iPhone which suddenly came to life beside his bed as if aware he was thinking about it.
Kellan reached over to his nightstand and lifted the vibrating device from where it lay plugged in and resting on his Saddleback leather valet. A quick glance at the screen displayed the smiling face of one James Clinton. Kellan swiped his finger along the phone, tapped the speaker icon, and dropped it on his chest.
“What?”
“Well, good afternoon to you too, douchey mac douche. Did I wake you? Did I spoil your beauty rest which, given your rather heinous visage, is most needed. It’s almost 12:30 pm!”
Kellan sighed. “Dude, I had a long night and didn’t get home till late.”
“Boo fucking hoo,” then there was silence for a moment, “where were you?”
“Chicago.”
“Really, I love Chicago. They have great pizza.”
Kellan winced. “They have shitty pizza; it’s really more of a casser—“
“Casserole. I know. And I don’t even like it. I just like pissing you off and making you go on a ‘New York pizza is better diatribe.’”
“Then why did you stop me.”
“No time to indulge your stupidity today. I’ve got a big presentation and just wanted to make sure you wore something decent to the party tonight.”
“Um,” said Kellan, mind racing.
“Don’t ‘um,’ me, bitch. You remember everything and as annoying as that is 99% of the time. This is the 1% where I find it useful.”
“Well, I remember everything that I pay enough attention to.”
James groaned. “Please say that you are screwing with me.”
“I’m screwing with you?” Kellan said voice rising at the end.
“You totally suck, Kel. The CDC party. Tonight. You and Shannon. Me and Naomi. Ring any bells?”
“No, dude. I’m telling you. I must have been ignoring you. It’s not my fault. You say too much stupid shit for me to keep all of it in my head. It could be dangerous.”
“Hardy frickin’ har. I’m forwarding the invitation that I sent you,” James paused, his voice rising, “three months ago. Tell me you got it, jackass.”
Kellan felt his phone pulse, switched to his e-mail and said, “I got it, jackass.”
“Good now make sure you wear something other than jeans and tell that freaky girlfriend of yours that they have metal detectors so,” another pause, “no knives.”
“She’s not here.”
James sighed then spoke very slowly and deliberately, like he was convincing a child, “Then tell her when she gets back.”
“No, I mean she’s not even in the country, dude.”
“What!”
“She’s back in Scotland. Something, uh, came up all of a sudden and she had to go. She’s with her folks there.”
“Great! That’s just great. Now Naomi is going to feel like a third wheel.”
Kellan laughed.
“What’s so funny?”
“I’m the third wheel idiot. You and she are the couple. I’m the third wheel!”
Kellan waited in silence as that sunk in then he heard a sigh from James, “Yeah, I guess you’re right about that.”
“Unless she thinks you and I are a couple,” whispered Kellan into the phone grinning.
“Oh shut up. First, as I mentioned, you are heinous. Second, as I also mentioned, your crazy girlfriend is always armed to the teeth.”
Kellan felt himself nod in agreement to that last point, then asked, “Why do I need to come at all? Let’s just get together when Shannon’s back.”
“No way. Naomi already thinks you don’t like her and I don’t need her getting pissed at me because she’s really pissed at you.”
“But—“
“No, you are coming.”
It was Kellan’s turn to sigh. “Fine.”
“Good. Be on time and look presentable.”
“Ok, Dad. I got it. Goodbye”
“Something other than jeans!”
“Good. Bye!”
Kellan smiled as he caught sight of James and Naomi snuggled close on the terrace balcony. James, he noted, looked his normal dashing self wearing an impeccably tailored navy suit and crisp purple dress shirt that perfectly offset his coffee colored skin. He caught sight of Kellan headed his way and smiled warmly as his friend joined them. Kellan gave James a friendly tap on the cheek. “What happened to the van dyke? You’re face is as smooth as your head now. I don’t like it.”
“But I do,” said Naomi with a smile.
Kellan returned it an leaned in to give her a kiss on the cheek. “Well, that’s what counts.” He took a step back still holding her hand and said, “You are a vision of loveliness, Naomi, and I hope this idiot knows what he has in you.” Her face lit up at the compliment. Naomi was an empirically beautiful woman. Tall and lean with wavy blonde hair that just brushed her shoulders. As James was so fond of pointing out when they first started dating, she looked very much like Zoey Deschanel from one of Kellan’s favorite Christmas movies, Elf. Today she was wearing a fitted red dress that Kellan felt sure James had a hand in selecting.
Kellen crossed to the railing and looked over the side. “Wow, I’ve never been up here before. The Capital City Club does a good job of keeping riffraff like me out. Pretty cool view. I thought the terrace was just for show, but I guess given the historicity of the building that wouldn’t make much sense.”
Kellan noticed them both staring at him blankly and continued. “This building? The building we are now standing in. Dedicated on December 16, 1911. Designed by—“
“Stop,” said James. Kellan smiled impishly as his friend looked him up and down. “What did I say?” Kellan opened his mouth to respond, but James looked first to Naomi and then back to Kellan, “I said, no jeans and what are you wearing, Kellan?”
“Uh, uh, uh,” said Kellan waving a finger, “That is not what you said.”
“What?” sputtered James starting to look panicky as Naomi narrowed her eyes at him, “No, baby, I absolutely told this idiot ‘no jeans.’”
“Actually, you said I should wear, and I quote, ‘something other than jeans.’”
James looked both relieved and triumphant opening both hands in Kellan’s direction, “And what did you do with that information?”
“I complied completely. I am also wearing this very nice shirt and these stylish yet affordable Clarks shoes. So I am, indeed, wearing something other than jeans.”
James began visibly vibrating and Kellan caught Naomi’s eye as she mouthed, “Well played—“
He grinned at her and James slumped in defeat.
“You didn’t even tuck in your shirt.”
Kellan brightened. “It’s designed to not be tucked in. Look, see the logo right here.” He pointed to the bright red triangle embroidered on the corner, below the last button. “The brand is called Untuckit and they are shirts tailored to be worn untucked. How cool is that!”
“I hate you,” said James in a dejected and resigned voice.
Kellan put a consoling hand on his friend’s shoulders just as the sound of shrieking tires drew their attention. All three looked over the balcony as the door opened on a gleaming, silver, Aston Martin Vanquish. A tall blonde man stepped out wearing an impeccably tailored tuxedo with blood red accents at tie, pocket square, and cummerbund. He deftly handed the keys to a startled attendant and swung around
the front of his car without breaking stride, then glanced up at Kellan, James, and Naomi as they stared down. He smiled, then disappeared into the main entrance below.
“Now that,” said James, “Is how one should dress.”
Kellan sniffed, “Yeah, I suppose. If you are into that sort of thing.”
Naomi smiled sweetly, “Kellan, a tall, handsome man, in a beautiful 300,000 dollar British roadster? Every woman in her right mind is into that sort of thing.”
James sidled up to her and kissed her cheek. “Baby, I thought you liked me being all green with my Tesla.”
Kellan snorted, “You’re green alright, but it has nothing to do with that battery operated mortgage payment you’re driving.”
James gave Kellan a withering glare but Naomi just spun around looping both hands behind his neck, went up on toes, and gave him a soft kiss. “No need to be green, Chocolate bear, I don’t have eyes for anyone but you.”
“Perhaps,” came a resonate voice from inside the room, “you should let me spin you around a bit before making any declarations of eternal love.”
Kellan watched as Naomi looked up at the newcomer and saw her quick intake of breath. The man smiled broadly and extended his hand. “Doctor Wilder, it is such a pleasure to meet you. I am a student of your work on pandemics. Truly groundbreaking approach to containment.” She accepted his hand as if in a daze and the man bent forward placing a soft kiss there.
James took a half step in front of Naomi and said in an icy tone, “And you are?”
The man replied with warmth and clapped James on the shoulder before again extending his hand, “Mr. Clinton, I am equally pleased to make your acquaintance. Your work at IBM is nothing short of groundbreaking in its own right.” He laughed softly, “I cannot even imagine what might be produced by you and Doctor Wilder entwining such remarkable double helixes.”
Naomi blushed at this last remark and James looked oddly uncomfortable, giving a quick glance to Kellan, as if something the man said disturbed him.
“Well,” said Kellan, “You certainly have us at a disadvantage, Mr. —“
“Milton. John Milton, and I doubt I have you at a disadvantage, Kellan,” he gave a good natured laugh and leaned in to whisper at Kellan’s ear, “at least not yet.” Milton then gave a half spin, leaned back against the terrace and rested his arms to either side. “Now doctor,” he began when a rogue breeze disturbed one of the two blond locks that arched above his forehead causing him to absently run fingers though hair, “You simply must explain how you get past the ethical challenges associated with ebola containment.”
James again stepped between them and locked eyes with Milton who smiled back amiably. “Yes?” he said.
“Look,” began James, “I don’t want to be rude and I really do appreciate your tux, your car, and that you have a striking resemblance to David Bowie, but we are not really interested in —“
Milton lifted a hand, tapping his softly angled chin and resting it in the cleft, then interrupted, “James, you want to get us drinks, don’t you? You do.” That last was not a question and James seemed to wobble back slightly, his eyes losing focus.
“Hey,” James said brightly, “Why don’t I get us a round of drinks?”
“Capital idea!” agreed Milton and waved a hand as James headed into the throng and towards the bar. He turned to Kellan and winked.
The Sentinel stared into John Milton’s pale blue eyes and looked inward to embrace his power but Milton reached out and grabbed him by the wrist, all joviality gone from his voice. “Don’t do that, Kellan. It would spoil the fun. You wouldn’t want to spoil an enjoyable evening would you? Especially with your friends so near.” The threat implied by Milton’s accentuation of the word was unmistakable and Kellan swallowed hard, but did not embrace the power.
“That’s a good man,” said Milton, light hearted smile returning, “Now, we were talking about Ebola. Doctor, please, enlighten me. As I mentioned. I have such a keen interest in ethics and ethical dilemmas.”
Naomi laughed and placed her hand softly on Milton’s chest, fingers brushing the deep red of his pocket square. She lifted it out and pressed it to her cheek.
“Oh, it’s so soft,” she said holding it out to James, “I’d just love to be wrapped head to toe in this.”
He took it, regarding the cloth with a flat expression as he rubbed it between his fingers, “Yeah, soft. Listen, Naomi, don’t you think—“
“James,” said Milton, voice rising to a lilt as he swirled a glass that held nothing but half melted cubes, “I think we might need more drinks.”
“Oh, I’ll get them,” offered Naomi brightly and darted away before anyone could speak but was followed by John Milton’s gaze.
“What the fuck do you think you are doing,” growled James, rounding on the other man, “And just who the hell do you think you are?” James drew close so the two were but a hair’s breath apart. “That is my girl you are messing with, asshole, and I don’t appreciate it.”
“Well,” said Milton, with a laugh, as he looked over to Kellan, “Look at the big balls on James. What was it you asked me? I really wasn’t paying attention. I was too busy looking at Naomi’s ass. She is just smokin’ hot in that red dress and I do love red.” He smiled again.
James leaned in and grabbed Milton’s left arm. “I said. Who. The fuck. Do you think you are?”
“Ah, yes,” replied Milton with a shrug that, while seeming nonchalant, rocked James back several steps, “Who am I?” Milton’s face grew shadowed and his lips drew to a line. “Why, James, I am a man of wealth and taste.”
Lyrics instantly filled Kellan’s mind and his eyes widened. “Oh…Shit,” said the Sentinel in dismay and he reached inward for his power even as he saw a distorted energy bubble snap around them slowing all that lay beyond it.
James stared open mouthed as his friend whose eyes now blazed bright green, then turned to John Milton whose eyes did likewise, but with a brilliant red.
Milton threw his head back and laughed, then looked at Kellan. “Oh, this is too funny. Kellan, you didn’t tell poor James here. Naughty, naughty. And I thought he was your best friend. Aren’t you his best friend, James?”
Milton snapped his fingers in front of James who looked at him dully. “I asked, is Kellan your best friend?”
“Y-yeah,” James stammered, then his eyes became more focused and he answered again, more confidently, “Yes. Kellan is my best friend.”
“Excellent. Excellent!” said Milton putting his right arm around James’ shoulder, pulling him close, and turning him to face Kellan.
“I do love a good bromance.” Milton paused, looking up and to the left as if deep in thought, “Just one thing though,” then he tapped out a cadence with his left hand against James’ chest as he spoke. “Why. Do ya think. Your best friend. Would lie to you?” Kellan felt Milton’s eyes meet his for a moment, then he just shrugged, “Oh, well, I guess it’s a mystery.”
“Lucifer,” growled Kellan. “I don’t know what you want, but—“
“Want? From you?” Lucifer released James and leaned back against the railing, “Why I don’t want anything from you, baby Sentinel. I want to help you. I’m a helper. But let’s not argue amongst the children, shall we. Come by my place for a cuppa. We’ll chat.”
“I’m not going anywhere with you, Satan.”
Lucifer frowned, “Oh Kellan, is that supposed to hurt me. I’ve been called much worse by better people. Do you even know what that means? Wait, of course you do. You have that magic brain, but I bet James here doesn’t know so do educate him.”
Kellan set his jaw. “I’m not interested in playing word games.”
Lucifer narrowed his eyes and yelled, “Educate him!” His words became power that rippled through the air and buffeted them. Kellan rocked back and James fell to one knee almost toppling over if not for Lucifer reaching out to steady him.
Kellan spoke slowly without emotion, “Satan, from the Hebrew me
aning adversary. Shaitan, Arabic for astray or distant.”
“No, Kellan, try again. Numbers 22:22. Samuel 29:4. Psalms 109:6.” He closed the distance and held the Sentinel’s face in his hands looking deeply into Kellan’s glowing eyes. “Yes, there you go. Pull it all up and go for the oldest texts you have in there.” He released Kellan, spun round and winked at the now standing James. “Let me know when you are ready, I’ll wait here. But don’t take too long, I think Naomi is slowly making her way back with our drinks. Since you’ve been lying to James about who you are and he’s been lying to you about some things as well, I think it’s pretty even. But, little Naomi. She’s as pure and earnest as they come, so, if she makes it back to us before I’m done here, I think I’ll kill her to save her the misery of dealing with you both. How’s that for incentive!”
“Ha-Satan,” said Kellan in a low voice.
“Come again?”
“Ha-Satan, also from the Hebrew but a noun meaning the accuser.”
“Yes!” said Lucifer looking up at the sky, both arms upstreched. A moment later he lowered his hands and looked at Kellan, voice a whisper. “I am the accuser. But whom did I accuse and of what?”
Kellan wasn’t sure how to answer but made to speak when Lucifer smiled and waved a negating hand, “No, no, it was rhetorical. Perhaps we can discuss it another time. For now, please accept my invitation.” The smile faded and Lucifer locked eyes with Kellan. “Accept it very soon, Sentinel of Order, or there will be unfortunate consequences.”
As soon as the words faded, so did Lucifers dour expression. He brightened and grinned broadly at the two men, turning to James. Mr. Clinton, it truly has been a pleasure and I meant what I said about your work at IBM. I never lie. Don’t have to really. The truth is so much more powerful a tool. Anyway, I have great hopes that your work there will serve my needs. Keep it up. Must be off now, do pass along my regrets to beautiful Naomi.” With that Lucifer placed one hand on the railing and leaped over the side with both Kellan and James leaning over just in time to see him vanish into a glowing portal.
