Syndrome of Mortality

by Eden R. Souther

  Ravin bit his lip. ‘So where does that leave us?’ He leaned against the wall. ‘What are we supposed to do if we can’t cure her?’

  Loviel closed his eyes. They were words he didn’t even want to think. He knew it would not feel pleasant on his friend’s heart. Ravin, however, had asked for Loviel’s honest opinion, and the angel would not lie. ‘We make the last of her days as pleasant as possible. Then hold the happy memories at heart till time is but dust.’

  ‘I can’t just watch her die.’ Ravin barely cut off his message before his thoughts went on. Again. He was going to think, again. He’d already stabbed her in the back once, against his own will, but he’d still watched the light fade from her eyes.

  She’d gone limp in his arms. He couldn’t live through that again. Not after all of this.

  ‘When is Lian getting home?’ Ravin asked.

  Loviel shifted and looked at his watch. ‘In forty minutes or so, why?’

  ‘I have someone whose energy I want to scope.’ Ravin pushed himself off the wall and touched his phone. ‘And it’s always good to have a wingman. Pun intended.’

  A melodic chuckle escaped Loviel and he floated off of the couch. With a flick of his wrist, a jacket appeared over his shoulders. Any opportunity to save Michelle was a good one. If there was something more he could do, Loviel would help. He extended his beige dovewings through the two long holes of the jacket and stretched them out.

  “Where are we going?” he asked quietly, grabbing Michelle’s key ring from the keybowl.

  “We’re going to the mall.” Ravin gave a curt nod, then teleported himself from the room. In the span of a blink, he was inside the mall, in a zone designated for teleportation. It was just rude to materialize in front of someone as they were enjoying their night… or on top of them accidentally.

  Loviel appeared barely two seconds after Ravin did. He took a look around and pulled in his wings. The night crowd was out and about. A deep breath filled his lungs. Hopefully no one would try to cause trouble. After all, he was there with a demon. It wasn’t as if he were doing ‘that thing angels do’.

  Yes, some angels were known to be pretentious in their ‘slaying evil’ habits. Deplorable. Loviel could never quite understand their logic.

  Ravin slipped his arm in Loviel’s and pulled him closer. “Let’s go find the brilliant masseuse who helped Michelle out.” He pulled the angel along with him as he strode through the halls. Though her explanation of a sign that she couldn’t read had seemed vague. It proved to be quite the opposite when he saw the lettering he couldn’t recognize.

  He freed himself from Loviel and held the door open for him. “After you.”

  “Thank you, Ravin. That was very polite of you.” The angel was impressed. He slipped inside the shop. The decor was nice. It suited the function very well. “This is the place?”

  “According to Michelle it is.” Ravin shut the door behind him, “This guy is supposed to be super magical, beyond just being able to give the perfect massage and haircut.”

  “You are thinking he could do something to help her beyond what is on their board of prices?” Loviel inquired. “I don’t feel anything out of the ordinary here. The energies are subdued.”

  Ravin nodded. “Yeah, but I trust her, I know it’s probably a stretch, but I gotta try.”

  “Oh yes!” An excited voice chimed; the lingering scent of ocean spray drifted through the sandalwood. “It’s been aaaages since I had a lovely couple of such opposing forces in my parlor.” The beautiful man drifted over from behind the counter. “We have a special for couples. It’s a great way to relax and bond. Hello, I am Paul, by the way.”

  For the first time in a very long time, Ravin found himself utterly speechless. He could tell that this being wasn’t human, but something was disguising his true identity.

  Loviel watched the man curiously. He couldn’t help but smile at his pure excitement. His wings stretched. In honesty, he wouldn’t have minded some relaxation, but alas, they were on a mission.

  “Perhaps another time.” Loviel bowed his head in respect. “We are searching for someone who may be able to help our friend, Michelle.”

  “I think you boys already know how to help her.” The man blinked his brilliant tidepool eyes a few times. “So why come to me, if you already have what you need? It’s probably because she’s resting right now, isn’t it?”

  Ravin’s jaw would have fallen open if his lips weren’t stuck together. What was this being? There had been no probing in his mind at all. He cast a glance to Loviel and arched an eyebrow to see if maybe the angel could get a better read on the man. Despite everything that he’d said, Paul hadn’t exerted a single ounce of energy to discover the information.

  “The information is not coming to mind,” Loviel said gently. “Would you tell us, if we did the massage?” In his mind, it made sense. The man had been excited by the idea. They could give him what he wanted with ease and a bit of time. No harm, no foul and it would help them with Michelle.

  “I might be more likely to drop some of the mystery, yes.” Paul winked.

  A blush covered Ravin’s face, from ear to ear, and up to his horns. “Are you kidding me?” He scrubbed his face with his hands. “The two of you have to be joking right now.” It seemed like the best option, but it sounded ridiculous.

  “I never joke about massages,” Paul asserted.

  “It cannot hurt to try, Ravin.” Lovel retracted his wings into his back and pulled off his jacket. “I am willing to do anything for Michelle.” He turned and looked into Ravin’s eyes, his honey gaze alight with determination.

  Ravin met Loviel’s stare and nodded. “Let’s do it.”

  Paul could barely hold back his squeal of delight. He gestured for the two of them to follow him. “Come on back, my dears. We’ll get you started in the relaxation process.”

  Left with no other option, Ravin followed Paul through the lavish hallway. They were directed to a room with two tables, it was decorated much like the other rooms he’d spied through the ajar doors. “So, I’m guessing we strip now?”

  “Of course you do,” Paul called from where he waited in the hall. “Lay on the table when you’re done, under the sheet. You also get to pick a delectable massage oil candle.”

  Loviel pulled off his shirt, then pants. Embarrassment about the body was not a thing in Heaven. Clothes were used to decorate the flesh, not hide it away. When he was fully undressed, he laid on the table as instructed.

  He glanced over at Ravin. “I don't mind—pick whichever scent you would like.”

  Ravin took a moment and sniffed at a few of the candles, and settled on one that was flowery, but rich and exotic. It wasn’t too sweet, either. He set that one down on the shelf and stripped out of his clothing. He wouldn’t let himself be shown up by anyone, especially not an angel.

  He couldn’t compare, but he wouldn’t let that shake his confidence. After he was done, he tucked himself under the sheet.

  Paul entered the room and lit the candle. “Look at the two of you, doing anything you can to help out a friend, someone who’s more than that, really.” He coated his hand in oils and lotions. He stood between the two beds and touched both of their backs. His hands skimmed like a cloud dancing across the sky. “A link, a girlfriend, someone that brings the two of you together. But that’s not the only thing that holds you together.”

  He cut off Ravin’s response with a precise press on a troublesome area.

  Ravin’s quiet groan filled the air. “What does that even mean?” he managed to ask through the fog of calm that had pervaded his mind. Out of the corner of his eye, he could see his companion gone completely limp in delight.

  “Have you heard of love at first sight?” A grin spread across Paul’s face. His eyes twinkled knowingly as his fingers worked their masterful dance.

  Confused, Ravin’s brows furrowed. “The concept hardly seems possible.” He fought the urge to prop himself up to get a proper look at the man.
“How could it be possible that you could look at someone and know that you love them? I don’t think I believe in that sort of thing.”

  “Oh, but it is very real,” Paul sighed. “Love at first sight is an amazing thing, It’s less mental, and more magical. The universe has a way of finding the right hearts that match.”

  “So, what you’re saying is that there is some cosmic force that forces couples to be together?” Ravin scrunched up his face.

  “No.” Paul paused to consider for a moment. “Not entirely. It’s not forcing by any means. The hearts call to one another, and it’s up to the owners to respond to that call. It’s a purely consent-based process. It is also not couples, though it often manifests that way. Why, I once knew a soul whose title was ‘of the six loves.’”

  Ravin discovered he was momentarily speechless once again. “So, what is the point of telling me about this? How does it help Michelle?”

  The smug smile on Paul’s face was clear in his melodic laughter. Instead of immediately answering, the man leaned over to Loviel’s ear. In a voice so soft, Ravin could barely hear, he whispered, “You’ve looked for the right answer, just not in the right place.”

  Chapter 11

  There was still so much to do. Michelle didn’t know she had so much stuff until she spent hours trying to fit it all into boxes. Tomorrow was the big day. Moving. Her parents were going to show up at some point tonight. It would be nice to see them.

  She sighed. She wasn’t looking forward to it. With everything that remained unfinished, she barely had time to feel sad.

  Luckily, she had a team of movers to help get everything together. Lian stood at Michelle’s dresser, folding the clumps of clothes. She put each article carefully in the box, each item neat and tidy. Jo was helping organize books and knick-knacks into their appropriate receptacles.

  “I’m really going to miss you Mischa.” Jo put a old and worn action figure away. “You’ll have to call me every day.”

  “Me too!” Lian piped up from her corner, still carefully folding a pair of jeans. Her eyes were focused on getting each bit perfect.

  “Of course I will. You’ll have to tell me all about how classes are going.” Michelle bundled up her sheets into a ball and dumped them into a box. This won her a frown from Lian. Apparently her methods of packing were not ‘practical’. Michelle turned to her sister. “Are you going to introduce Mom and Dad to Beefy McCakes?”

  Lian let out a giggle. “Zier?”

  “Who else could I nickname Beefy McCakes?” Michelle grinned a bit. Lian’s guardian fallen angel was as ripped as ripped could be. Shredded even. He probably had an eight pack. Or twelve. Not only did he scare away malevolent demons and what not, he also kept douchebags at a distance. No one wanted to mess with the overly attractive being that was Zier.

  It made Michelle feel better about leaving her sister behind. At least she would be safe on her own. That was a strange thought to her, knowing that Lian didn’t need her like she had before. She would have Zier, Jo, and Kazun. That was three good pairs of eyes that Michelle trusted.

  “Michelle has a point.” Jo wiped away some dust from a book.

  “True,” Lian agreed. “If he wants to meet Mom and Dad, I wouldn’t mind introducing them.” She paused. “Where’s Ravin?”

  Michelle stuffed the top of the box down and pulled a line of clear tape over it, then another, and another until the top was piled with packing tape. She sat on the box. “I think he’s gathering his own things.”

  Lian delicately folded the top down on her cube. She sealed it with three precise lines of tape and wrote the contents on the top. “It’s pretty cool that he’s going with you.” A painting of pink appeared on her cheeks.

  Like a vampire, Michelle could notice her sister’s blush a mile away. She zeroed in on the soft embarrassment and leaned in closer. “What’s up, sissy?”

  More blushing. Oh this had to have been good.

  “W-well,” Lian stuttered, picking up the box of clothing and taking it to the pile near the door. “Since Ravin is moving out, Kazun has an extra room. So, we’ve been discussing me moving in over there.”

  A sly grin appeared on Michelle’s face. She and Jo exchanged impish looks.

  “I-I mean, in the long run it’s going to be cheaper than me being in this dorm by myself. And I will have more room, and the appliances are better.” Lian rattled off practical reasons for her to move into the half-empty apartment.

  This thrilled Michelle to no end.

  “When’s this happening?” the older sister pressed.

  Lian twiddled her thumbs. “I still have to talk to Mom and Dad about it.”

  Michelle knew her parents very well. They had an overly soft spot for Lian. They would sign on the dotted line at the word ‘go’. Well, they would, after being parents about it. They would, of course, play with her a bit, getting her all flushed and flustered. They were good at their parental duties of embarrassing their children.

  The door swung open, and the aforementioned Mr. Beefcy McCakes sauntered in. “Is there anything you need me to carry outside, right now?” Zier asked as he crossed over the floor to the girls.

  “There are few more boxes we need to pack,” Lian sighed sadly. “But these by the door are ready.”

  He leaned down and placed a kiss on the top of Lian’s head. “I know it’s hard, but just say the word and I can take you there whenever you want to go. It’s one of the many perks of keeping me around.”

  Lian wrapped her arms around her guardian. His offer made her feel all the better. He was kind and always willing to be helpful. Despite his power, Lian would describe him as gentle. At least to her he was, anyway.

  “Thank you.” She smiled up at him warmly.

  “You’re welcome.” Zier grinned. He gave her a gentle squeeze and released her. He then scooped up the boxes by the door and carried them out with ease.

  The girls watched him go. Michelle admired his strength in awe. “Damn. If I didn’t think you and Kaz would be so adorable together, I would definitely peg you with hot fries.”

  “Michelle!” Lian complained, covering her face with her hands. Spears of embarrassment stabbed into her. It would only get worse when her parents got there. While they had heard of both Kazun and Zier in passing, they didn’t know how close she was with both of them.

  The pestering would never stop. Especially after she asked to move in with the hockey player. Hopefully they didn’t pick on him too much. If they did, she feared he would black out.

  “I’m simply stating what everyone else has been thinking.” Michelle winked. “You’ve been thinking it, right Jo?”

  “I’m not at liberty to discuss such matters.” Jo wisely kept out of that particular conversation.

  Lian rolled her eyes. “He’s way too old for me. Plus, he’s married to my angel. So, even if I did like him that way, it’s not happening.”

  “Ravin’s too old for me, in theory, and that never stopped me.” Michelle stuck out her tongue.

  “That’s because I’m gorgeous,” Ravin drawled as he appeared beside Michelle. “Plus, I don’t technically know how old I am. That’s the lovely thing about losing one’s memories.” He planted a kiss on Michelle’s cheek. “Thanks for taking the wards down while we’re helping.”

  A grin appeared on Michelle’s face. Perfect timing. She gave her boyfriend a thumbs-up. “You’re welcome. I figure we have you, Lovie, and Zier all popping about. Not too many would mess with the three of you.” It was nice having their own personal bodyguards.

  “Did you get all of your stuff together?” she asked, knowing that he hadn’t had much time to pack. At least he had telekinetic abilities and his body was fit.

  Ravin nodded. “I did. I had a lot less than I thought.” He put an arm around her. “It’s convenient. As a result, everything about moving is easy. I might seem like a diva, but I’m not.” He paused and scratched at his facial hair. “Well, okay, most of the time I’m not.”


  “Right.” Michelle laughed and messed with his hair. She was glad it had gone simply for him. Then again, he had been the “leave at a moment’s notice” type not more than a year ago. Now that he didn’t have to worry about the now-ended bounty on Kazun, things had settled down.

  She sort of felt bad about asking him to pack up again, but he didn’t seem to mind. Actually, it was quite the opposite. Even if she hadn’t asked him to come with her, she had a feeling he would have anyway. He would have just shown up magically on her parent’s doorstep, looking like a stepped-on puppy.

  “Need me to grab some things? I know the other guys are stacking things up in the transport.” Ravin glanced down at her.

  Michelle leaned on him. The packing and bending over was taking its toll on her back. She didn’t want to say it out loud, due to worrying Lian, but she really wanted him to help pack up the rest of her things. Her dull blues looked into Ravin’s gaze.

  Nonchalantly, she shrugged her shoulders. “Help if you want. There are only a few more boxes to go.” She direly hoped he was listening in to her thoughts, because they were screaming ‘please help me’.

  “I can take care of it, if there are only a few more,” Ravin sighed dramatically. “Point me in the direction you need me to go and I shall do your bidding, my master.”

  A laugh escaped Michelle and she pointed him to her book shelf where Jo had gotten it half-way stripped. “I have that shelf, my bathroom stuff, and my collectables.” She sunk onto the bare form of her mattress. She would miss its sturdy frame. Many good nights were spent on this bed. None very actiony like most girls her age, but a few tender ones.

  Since they had been dating, Ravin had spent a few nights together with her. Though he had always been gone by morning, it was nice falling asleep beside his warmth. It soothed her aching body. He had a way of making her feel secure.

  “We can start with the shelf.” Ravin gave a curt nod. Jo got out of the way, then Ravin started floating the books into the boxes while he examined her collectables. “So what’s your room at your parent’s house like?” he asked as he tucked them to a different container.