He rapped his knuckles on the wooden barrier and glanced down at Lian.
Lian smiled and gave him a thumbs up. It felt good to be doing something.
A moment later, the door swung open and Sin was standing in the entryway. Her coal eyes appraised the situation before easing into a smile. “Well aren’t you two just the happiest faces I’ve seen in days.” She had seldom seen the Fallen Angel in such a mood. “How may I help you, my dears?”
“We’re going to need your magical expertise.” Zier offered over a piece of paper to Sin. On it was a list of every single ingredient that they would need. “We’re going to start the ceremony. Michelle is in critical condition.” From that, he knew she would have enough information. “We are going to be performing it in the usual place. You know how to get in. I have to attend to her, so I can’t get everything on my own.”
Interest sparked in the demoness’ dark eyes. She rubbed her hands together and her tail twitched with glee. Now this was an occasion, indeed. Sure, it was sad the spunky human girl was on death’s doorstep, but there was a bigger fish to fry.
And that bigger fish was the return of one of the world's oldest and most powerful beings. Sin had never gotten the chance to meet Fenriel in person back in the day, but she had heard oh-so-many stories. Her interest in the Dark Angel had brought Zier and her close as friends.
Sin looked over the list. None of the items were cheap or easy to acquire, but that didn’t bother her a tad. Being the Queen of Sin itself had its perks. “This seems simple enough. Oh, this is just so exciting. I can see why you are simply bursting at the seams.”
A grin spread across Zier’s face. “I have spent countless years creating safe spaces, where the so-called higher beings can’t bother her. I’m ready to show her this new world.” Excited energy radiated off of him in waves. With delight in his eyes, he looked back down at Lian. “You’ll get to meet her too.”
“I’m excited.” Lian smiled.
“Who knows about this plan of ours?” Sin interjected. “If the angels get even a whiff of it, you know there will be trouble.”
“We didn’t tell Loviel.” Lian nibbled her lip. “Actually, we’ve only told you. And I messaged Kaz and Marius to get ready so they could help.”
Zier nodded. “The two boys would be useful,” he acknowledged. It sounded as though he was trying to convince himself more than Sin. “I’m going to bring Lian somewhere safe. Then you can join us when you have everything that we are going to need. We can begin when you arrive.”
Sin saluted and winked. “I’ll go grab my boys then. See you by tonight. It is the night of the full moon. What a coincidence.”
Zier bobbed his head, then picked up Lian. “See you soon.” Once she was safely in his arms, he teleported them both to a place that Lian had never seen.
It was an open-air villa. Thick pillars supported a high-beamed ceiling. The first floor was all but completely empty, save for a set of stairs that led to the next level. From her location, it was impossible to tell how tall the structure was. There were also some chairs and tables, but there was no lighting. The floor sunk a half step down towards the middle. In the very center of it was what looked like a fire pit.
The building was surrounded on all sides by greenery: ancient trees ringed the property. The largest of them stood in the cardinal directions, like tall, silent, sentries. Bells hung from their limbs, gently ringing their tunes as the wind rustled the leaves. There were mountains beyond the forest. Clouds poured over the sides and cascaded down into the valley below. There were stones strewn about. The pattern seemed random at first. Upon further inspection, Lian realized each one had symbols carved into them, and had been laid out in a specific pattern.
In the distance, the sound of a babbling brook rolled through and mingled with the tinkling of the bells, forming a sweet, calming melody. Water dripped down from the leaves, creating an adding their percussive beats to the symphony.
“Welcome to home sweet home number seven.” Zier set Lian down on her feet once again. His bare feet padded inaudibly over the wooden floor.
Lian took in a deep breath as she took in the wonderful scenery. “This is beautiful, Zier.” She walked around and looked about. There was so much to take in, she didn’t even know where to start. What she did know, was they were soon going to be releasing Fenriel. Soon, Michelle was going to be okay. She would be happy and probably a bit relieved she wouldn’t have to make the final decision herself. Everyone would win.
Sure, she was a bit apprehensive. The last time Fenriel was going to be released, lives were at stake. Lian was going to be used as a puppet for the Dark Angel’s control, and Kazun was going to be sacrificed. This time, it was different. There was nothing to be scared of besides the strain of being linked with a super powerful being. She took in a deep, stabilizing breath.
“Okay,” she said as she faced her guardian and gave him a nod. “So, what now?”
Chapter 29
“I’m so thankful you boys decided to help me out today,” Sin purred as she strolled through downtown Seneal. She was wearing her favorite pair of large designer sunglasses and high heels that made her feel like she was floating down the walkway. The demon looked and felt like a goddess.
She turned around to face her charges and walked backwards. “Now, boys, you have to promise me you’ll be at your bestest behavior.” She sent a lusty wink at Marius, if only to get him flustered. It was fun seeing men squirm with their own desires. That was one of her absolute specialties.
“Do you think you can manage?” She flipped her hair as she turned around, whip-like tail swaying lazily with every graceful step. Her rich skin seemed to sparkle in the sunlight.
Marius gaped for a moment, then closed his mouth again. He lifted his head up high and made a concerted effort to not look over at Sin. “Yes ma’am,” he answered as a blush spread across his face. “I promise to be on my very best behavior.” As a knight-to-be, he could do nothing less.
From beside him, Kaz let out a quiet laugh. He was glad that for the moment, Sin hadn’t had her attention on him. She was intimidating, to say the least. He knew that she wasn’t really interested in them. Ravin had told him that Sin had a boyfriend… of a sort. She was happily in a relationship, right?
“Good boy. And you, Kazzy?” She tossed a look back at him.
Kaz nodded his head. “Of course.” He gave a smile. “I’m always on my best behavior. Ravin taught me some manners when he had the chance.”
“Oh you poor child,” Sin sighed with dismay. In the distance, a building was coming into view. She and the owners weren’t on the best terms, but she knew they would listen to reason. They seemed to always be in her way. It was no matter. She looked up at the sign and shook her head. What a dull name: “The Hot Spot.” It must have been Bicep’s idea.
Then again, Sin was convinced neither of them had a real brain, and if they did, it was lodged so far down their pants, it was suffocating.
This, however, was great news. Sin knew just how to deal with those types. And if they didn’t like her methods, then she’d just have to use force.
Kazun looked up at the club and shoved his hands in his pockets. “Why are we coming here?” he asked Sin in a quiet voice. Ravin had told him about coming here before at Sin’s behest, and to say that it didn’t go well was an understatement. If it hadn’t been for Zier, then Ravin, Michelle, and Marius might not still be alive. Jo would have been fine. The vampires had only wanted to ransom her.
All the color had drained from Marius’ sun-kissed skin. “We’re not allowed to come back here.” He cringed back half a step. “I didn’t really like this place when we came here the first time, anyway.”
“You have good taste, dear.” Sin walked up to the door and it opened with a thought. She made sure to slam it nice and loud to make sure those rats came running. It was the middle of the day, and the establishment was closed—but Sin waited for no one, not even the hands of a clock. Plus, they we
re on a strict schedule, with more stops ahead of them.
She tapped her toe on the ground, impatient for her little friends to pull their asses out of their coffins—or whatever it was that these types of vampires did for sleeping arrangements. She looked at her wrist, as if there was a watch and muttered, “Three… two… one.”
As she reached ‘one’, the larger of the two vampires stormed out with his fangs bared. When his eyes landed on Sin, they flashed red. “You.” He let out a low hiss. “What are you doing here, demon?”
“Now, boys.” Sin turned to Kaz and Marius. “Please take note. The methods I am about to use will only work if you’re up a few strength classes. Do not try this at home.” She smirked and her eyes lit up like stoked embers.
Once again, she faced Creed. “I will make this short for your small brain.” She made sure to only use one syllable words. There was no need to get complicated and confuse the poor thing. “You have a thing I want. You will give it to me.”
“And what exactly is it that you want?” Creed snarled. His entire body was starting to tense as he spoke. The anger rolling off of him was palpable. “You’re lucky I don’t throw you and your sacks of meat out of here. They’re starting to stink up the place.” Disgust flickered in his gaze as it landed on the boys behind Sin.
“Please.” She smirked. “If you could have, you already would have, but you know the kind of power I possess. I know what you’re thinking. The stories? Could they possibly be true?” She leaned close to the vampire and whispered into his ear. “The truth is much, much worse.”
With a thought, she gently squeezed his internal organs. Not enough to do damage, but he would surely feel it. “I want the Moon-Fire pearl, and if you don’t have it, Vatali does.” She glanced around and her eyes landed on the stage. The boss was hiding behind the curtain. Did he honestly think she wouldn’t have noticed?
“I don’t have it,” Creed sneered. He was a little less volatile than the first time he had spoken. “So it seems you’re out of luck.” The vampire turned his intimidating gaze to the boys. On them, at least, it would actually have an effect.
Marius resisted the urge to hide behind Sin. He didn’t appreciate the attention. Creed had been ready to kill him last the time that he had come here. Neither one of the vampires was on his good side. He wouldn’t give Creed the satisfaction of being scared. Sin wouldn’t let anything happen to them.
Sin sighed. “Then Vatali must. I’m not leaving until I have it, even if that means you two penile-brained muscle-jockeys have to go out looking for it, and I’m on a tight schedule. So, if that means shredding apart your little collection while I wait, so be it. Pick your battles, big guy. After all, that is all you are good for.”
At once Creed’s face went pale. His eyes widened. “You wouldn’t,” he breathed in awe. “How could you even contemplate that?” The horror was clear in his expression. All of the threatening posturing had vanished. His eyes darted to where Vatali hid. “Just give it to her.”
A few moments later, Vatali strolled out from the back with a small leather bag in his hand. He walked up to Sin and handed it to her. “Should I just put it on your tab?”
“Oh, my boy, you know me so well.” She grinned and looked to make sure it was all in order. “It’s been real, and it’s been fun, but it hasn’t been real fun. See you next year.” With that, she winked and turned around. “Come on boys, next stop ahead.”
Marius turned robotically on his heel and stepped outside.
Kaz cast one last at glance the vampires. Creed had an expression that was a mix between horror and pure rage. Vatali, on the other hand, left no question of how he felt. The look on his face was positively livid. The human knew that it would be suicide to return to The Hot Spot, with or without Sin. No. He almost wondered if Sin brought him so that neither of them would ever come back.
Sin wrapped her arms around both the boy’s shoulders. In a step, they were somewhere completely different. Huge canyon walls loomed on either side of them. They stood on a bank of a huge river that rushed before them with white rapids.
The spot was older than Eartha itself. Due to its immense size and awe-inspiring proportions, it kept the name “Grand Canyon.” Sin took in a deep breath of the cool air as she looked around. It had to be around here, somewhere.
“Now boys, use your sharp eyes to help me.” She continued to glance about. “There should be a wall with petroglyphs on it. I always look in the wrong spot.”
Both of the boys scanned the rock face in opposite directions.
Marius narrowed his eyes and scrutinized every square foot of the stone before him. “What do they look like, exactly?” If Sin said there was something here, then there was. It didn’t matter if it all just looked like a jumble of rock strata. Per Sin, there were hidden markings.
Sin put her hands on the canyon wall and look up, squinting. “They are like pictures carved into the rock.” She could feel the resonant energy in the area, but it was like perfume. At one point, it had been concentrated, but millennia had passed and now it had spread out and diffused.
Kaz tilted his head and pointed. “Like that?” He didn’t sound sure of himself at all, but that was nothing new. “I could be wrong, but it kind of looks like writing?”
With a pop, Sin was standing behind Kazun. She grinned and messed with his hair. “Oh I knew I kept you around for more than your great ass.”
Sin touched the wall and felt the worn grooves of the ancient drawings. Immediately, she could feel the power they held. “This area used to be quite sacred. The ancient, ancient humans believed an angry spirit came down to punish them. Once the land healed, their shamans formed a shrine in the earth and sealed it with magic. At least, that’s what I’ve heard.”
Her eyes began to glow a bright orange. As they did, the markings responded. The rock began to move and tremble, rearranging itself to reveal a door that silently swung open. Inside was a dusty cave that was lit up by runes in the wall. In the very center of the room was a pile of reddish feathers. There were pieces of broken armor that appeared to be made of crystal. Sin perused the items, looking for something in particular.
Kazun stared around in awe. “Woah! This is amazing,” he breathed. “Who would have thought that something like this could have been hidden here?” There were so few places like this left in the world. There was still a lot of mystery, but this took the cake.
Marius tilted his head to the side. “Why are there angel feathers here?” He gestured at the fluffy pile. It looked sort of comfortable, but there had to be something more.
“Because in reality, this canyon is a crash site,” Sin explained as she pressed her fingers to the loosely packed earth floor, feeling for differences in the soil. At last she found what she was looking for. “It wasn’t a spirit who was mad at the people, it was an Angel who fell.”
Using both of her hands, Sin scooped away the soft dirt, exposing a small carved box. Satisfaction gleamed in her eyes. There had been a small chance it could have been lost to bandits or artifact gatherers, but the amount of energy required to unlock the seals was staggering. Only the owner of the cave or someone with a decent punch could get in. Luckily, Sin was both of those things.
She remembered the time she spent with the humans, pretending to be one of them. They had called her great things and revered her as the great creature she was. Unfortunately, that time had ended. At least she had been able to see the falling of the angel who created the canyon. It was a very rare phenomenon.
“Was it Zier?” Kaz didn’t know how many Fallen Angels there were in the world, but he couldn’t believe that there were a lot of them.
Sin shook her head. “No, he was Pompeii.” She wasn’t sure if these youngsters would understand that reference.
Marius cocked an eyebrow. “What’s Pompeii?”
“It’s not good.” All the color had drained from Kazun’s fawn-colored skin. “It was one of the cities that was buried entirely by the eruption of a
volcano known as Mt. Vesuvius back in what the people of pre-equilbrium called the “first” century. The event destroyed Pompeii, and covered it and the surrounding cities in ash. People were turned into reverse sculptures. In Pompeii alone, about 20,000 people died.” A shudder ran down his spine. If one angel falling could cause the Grand Canyon, then it made sense that if one fell near a populated area, then it could cause mass destruction.
Marius’s green eyes were huge. “You can’t be serious.” The boy tried furtively to rub away the goosebumps on his arms. Suddenly, their formerly angelic friend didn’t seem too friendly.
“They’re quite dramatic, aren’t they?” Sin mused as she floated the box to Kazun and gave him a look that said ‘don't open it’. She pulled the list out of her pocket and studied it. “I hope you boys haven’t tired of our little adventure yet.”
“I’m just trying to figure out what we’re doing,” Marius admitted. “I’m a little confused.”
“More than a little confused,” Kazun agreed. “Why are we getting all of these things? I mean, intimidating vampires, Fallen Angel… rooms?” He waved his hands around. “I don’t really know what’s going on.”
“Well, I can’t give you the full description, but just know one of the byproducts of the spell will be saving Michelle,” the demon explained, knowing that would be more than enough to settle their little minds.
That made Marius steel himself. “Then I’m going to do anything I can. Just point me in the right direction.” Michelle had saved the world. The least he could do was to help save her.
Kazun nodded his head. He knew not to press Sin; that would have been utterly pointless. Instead, he held the little box close, and did not dare open it. “Where to next?” Lian would be so excited to hear about his adventure, and even more so knowing that it would help her sister.
“Not my spell,” Sin admitted. “Well, I helped make it. Co-authored, really, but that’s not for here.” She poked the list. “There is one more big item I need. The rest we can pick up at Nika’s Naks Spell Shop.”
Syndrome of Mortality Page 26
