Babylon (Eden Saga Book 2)

by Matthew C. Plourde

  Despite his suave exterior, he was slightly goofy in an endearing way. This was a guy she would have dated back in San Antonio before the quake. Or, rather, a guy she would have liked to date. She didn’t always hit the mark on her hunting trips online or at happy hour.

  “And people can navigate that?” she asked.

  He nodded. “Yeah, satellites are still up there so it’s just a matter of getting signal and accounting for the shift.”

  “Shift?”

  He cocked his head to the side and asked, “How much do you know of the quake?”

  “To be honest,” she said, “not much.”

  “Alright,” he said, “long story short, the Earth has shifted on its axis. That’s what caused the quake.”

  At least part of Koneh’s story was validated. This man also believed in the shifting pole idea.

  “So,” Shaun continued, “crustal displacement, magnetic upheaval, yadda yadda. Lots of bad geology and physics at work.”

  “Okay.”

  “So, if you know that the Earth has shifted x degrees along a certain path, then navigating with the satellite GPS still works,” he said. “It was good enough to lead me back here!”

  She shook her head. “Craziness. I didn’t know.”

  He eyed her and held his hand towards her. “Shaun Williams, and I’m a handshaker.”

  Alexandra accepted his hand and was immediately whisked to the rooftop in her dream. The throne room dissolved into the orange-black sky and a swirl of motion as the dreamland Shaun lunged towards her. She sliced open his chest with her sword and watched in horror as he dipped his fingers in his blood and passed them over his lips.

  Grinning, he said, “Gotta do better than that, dove.”

  He lunged towards her and knocked her sword free. He punched her ribs with his fists and each one felt like a hammer strike. She felt her ribs crack and explode within her chest and she fell to the ground spurting blood.

  Then, as quickly as it faded away, the throne room came back into focus and everyone was watching her. Shaun held his hand towards her and asked, “You okay?”

  She hesitantly accepted his help and stood. Her chest sore, she didn’t know how to reconcile her vision. Like with Benjamin, she had experienced a waking dream. Was Shaun really Iblis, as her dream suggested? Or, was she simply on the verge of insanity?

  “Sorry,” she said with one hand to her forehead and the other across her aching ribs. “I’m still a little woozy from my journey.”

  Shaun dragged a large pillow to her and said, “Sit. These are crazy comfortable.”

  She complied and rested her head on one of the wooden beams that supported the roof. The throne room spun less violently with each passing moment and she closed her eyes to help center herself. The pain subsided.

  “We can complete our introductions another time-“

  Alexandra waved her hand towards him and said, “I’m fine. Please, continue.”

  “What were we talking about?” Shaun asked.

  “The poles. Satellites,” she said between calming exhales.

  “Right,” Shaun said as he shared her pillow and removed his shoes. “Ahhhh. That’s much better. I don’t know how long I’ve been awake.”

  “So, which is busier?” she asked. “Pre-earthquake working world or post-apocalyptic wasteland?”

  He wiggled his toes in his worn black socks and said, “Not sure. Stressful in different ways, I suppose.”

  “I was a lawyer before all of this,” she said, “if you can believe it. Some days, I’m not sure I even believe it.”

  Shaun chuckled and rubbed the back of his neck. “I failed out of law school. Investments were more my speed. Not much to invest in these days, except people I suppose.”

  “Like Nebu?” she asked as she peered at the throne. “Wait. Where’d he go?”

  Shaun followed her gaze to the empty throne and shrugged. “He kinda does his own thing. Probably rummaging around the lower levels for food.”

  “Kir’s gone too,” Alexandra said. “Didn’t notice him leave either.”

  “For an angel of war, Kir has some quiet feet,” Shaun said. He turned to her and smiled. “Guess it’s just you and me.”

  She studied him for a few moments. Then she said, “That was a very nice thing you did for Nebu. Not many people I’ve met would try and save a newborn during those uncertain days.”

  “I like to think the opposite,” he said. “I just happened to be the lucky one. Nebu is quite special.”

  “No kidding,” she said. “Was he always able to run circles around anyone in a conversation?”

  “No, no,” Shaun said. “He did his share of squealing and blabbering when he was an infant. Plus, lots of screaming when he was hungry, which seemed like all the time.”

  “And you raised him alone?”

  Shaun nodded. “Crash course in fatherhood, I guess. In an end of the world scenario. With no supplies. And demons hunting us.”

  Alexandra recalled the hushed conversations between Erzulie and Koneh – how women and infants were taken to an unknown, but likely grisly, fate. The demons were searching for a newborn. All of that information came from before Brasilia and meshed together into a coherent whole. Was Nebu right? Did Koneh and Erzulie really trick her in some monumental way?

  “It wasn’t all bad, though,” he said. “I mean, I never wanted kids but caring for Nebu has been the most amazing experience of my life. Now, I cannot imagine life without him.” After a long pause, he asked, “Did you have any kids before the quake, Alexandra?”

  She shook her head. “Career single.”

  “I know what you mean,” he said. “Work was life. Now, I wonder if I wasn’t just hiding from the world behind my seventy hour weeks and insane travel schedule. I feel I missed something important in life.”

  “Me too,” she said, re-examining her conversation mate. Like Nebu, she felt connected to Shaun through their past shared experiences. She certainly had more in common with them than she did with Koneh and Erzulie.

  “Regrets,” he said. “Regrets haunt me these days.”

  “Is that why you took Nebu to Eden?” she asked.

  He shrugged, seemingly uncertain of his own memories. “I had a vision which repeated for many days. A vision of silver gates and humanity saved. And it all rested on Nebu’s small shoulders. He looked into my eyes after I awoke drenched in sweat one night and just stared at me. I can’t describe it, but it was like he knew my visions and his comforting face gave me strength to seek the truth. Somehow, someway, those same visions led me to the bottom of the world, to Eden. He opened the gates and the rest is history, I guess.”

  Though it was the same story she’d heard from others in town, a distant alarm sounded in her mind. The story wasn’t quite right. Mostly because she shared a similar memory and neither Nebu nor Shaun were anywhere near Eden in that memory. Her recollections told her that she was the one to open Eden.

  No, the alarm must have sounded from a different cause. There was something off with his sincerity or he was leaving something out. She wasn’t sure where that feeling originated, but it was easy to ignore. Why would he hide anything? He was a hero and she shouldn’t question his story. Everyone knew it to be true.

  “That’s amazing,” she said.

  He shook his head and stared through the dark windows. “I never thought I’d be doing this in my thirties.”

  Alexandra chuckled. “I remember thinking that exact same thing months ago.”

  Their eyes met and she quickly turned away, attempting to hide her attraction to him. She had finally met a man who wasn’t trying to use her or harbored misplaced feelings because she saved his life. Instead, she immediately connected with him and she hoped he felt the same way.

  Desperate to talk about something else, she said, “So, did you name Nebu? It’s an interesting name.”

  He cleared his throat and said, “Yeah, well, sorta.”

  Turning back to face him, she asked,
“Sorta?”

  “Well, I just called him Johnny while it was just the two of us.” After an inquisitive look from Alexandra, he said, “New York quarterback. Johnny Goodspeed?”

  She nodded. “Ah yes. I think we sacked him four times with a pick the last time we played.”

  “Ouch,” he said. “A Dallas fan? And here I was just starting to like you.”

  She smiled and her heart fluttered. “I’ll make you a deal. You don’t hold it against me and I’ll do the same for you.”

  “Deal,” he said.

  “So… Nebu?”

  “Right. So, when we got to Rome the priests and bishops had a different idea. While they were bickering over the name of their Savior, the child spoke. He claimed he was Nebu’feran, of the tribe of Jacob, and that has been his name ever since.”

  “And you shortened it?” she guessed.

  Shaun nodded. “Yup. My contribution to our new society. Just imagine how much longer audiences would run if we had to address him with his full name. Think of how much more irreplaceable paper we’d need to use. If he declares me a saint, I hope it’s for that and not the silly Eden thing.”

  Alexandra giggled and leaned into him. “You and Nebu,” she said. “Well, this is the first time I’ve been comfortable in quite a while.”

  “From what Nebu tells me, you do seem to be cut from the same cloth,” he said. “Of course, I had a hand in shaping Nebu’s cloth. I think the church is a little jealous of my relationship with their Messiah. And I know they despise me for ensuring English was his first language.”

  Alexandra yawned and stretched her arms.

  “I’m boring you, I knew it,” Shaun said.

  “No, no. I’ve just been through so much. Sleep has been on short supply until now.”

  “Well, you should get some rest then.”

  They stood and shared an awkward moment of silence.

  On an impulse, she hugged him and sparks exploded inside of her heart. His strong arms encircled her and she imagined how it would feel without the pesky clothing between them.

  Without looking at him again, she turned towards the door.

  “Rest well, dove,” he said just as she was about to close the door behind her.

  Dove? The dream! Shaun’s cruel face flashed in her mind for a brief moment. He ordered Erzulie to seize her and then broke her ribs with his powerful fists.

  Without responding, she left the throne room and shook her head. No, he wasn’t the enemy, she told herself. Nebu and Shaun were her friends, and could easily become her new family. Her dreams were just that – immaterial and inconsequential.

  With a new spring in her step and flutter in her heart, she bounced down the steps to her room. She may have just found her home and it was ripe with new possibilities.

  Chapter 24

  With the rain only an annoying drizzle the next morning, Alexandra decided to visit Benjamin and tell him what was going on. After speaking with him and hearing about the death of one of his fellow prisoners due to the conditions, she immediately made for the tower. Though it had only been a few days since she asked for Benjamin’s freedom, she was now in a better position to make demands. She couldn’t leave her friend to suffer any longer.

  She passed the charcoal kiln and waved to the attendants. Everyone knew Alexandra Contreras and her trip home was sluggish as people stopped her to ask for blessings or thank her for her miracles.

  After climbing the steps two at a time, she reached the top floor.

  Walter greeted her. “Hi Alex,” he said.

  Closed doors and Walter on the top floor meant one thing.

  “He’s in a meeting?” she asked.

  Walter nodded. “A ship will be landing tomorrow. Hundreds of people, food, lumber, metals. They want to join us.”

  “A ship? From where?”

  He shrugged. “Wish I knew. Their leader is in with Nebu now, discussing logistics. I’m sure he’d want you in there.”

  Alexandra pushed the door open as discreetly as she could and slipped into the throne room. This time, Erah, the female angel, was on guard and she met Alexandra near the entrance.

  “Good afternoon, Alexandra,” Erah said in hushed tones as not to disturb the conversation taking place near the throne. Nebu, Shaun and Padre Hernon were talking with a short, thin black man.

  “Erah.” Alexandra nodded towards the angel.

  Nebu noticed her entrance and waved her forward. “Ah, Alexandra. Please join us.”

  She approached and all eyes watched her.

  “This is Baruti, from South Africa,” Shaun said. “Baruti, meet Saint Alexandra. I’m sure you’ve heard the stories of her miracles.”

  Baruti bowed his head and said, “Many honors to meet you.”

  “We were just discussing Baruti’s people and where they can settle,” Nebu said. “Over three hundred survived the journey by water, and they will dock tomorrow.”

  “Do you need my help with anything?” Alexandra asked.

  Nebu nodded. “There are many sick and injured on the boats. If you could meet them as they land and offer what aid you are able to, I would be most thankful.”

  “As would I,” Baruti said.

  She nodded and melded into the background as the men discussed the terrain and likely spots to lay down housing, tents and supplies.

  Erah made her way to Alexandra’s side and whispered, “Nebu tells us you have traveled with the fallen angel, Erzulie. Is this accurate?”

  Erzulie. Alexandra hadn’t thought about her friend for several days. Was she still alive somewhere? Captured? Broken and bleeding her silvery angel blood? So much had happened since they parted ways in Brasilia. Was the fallen angel her friend or had she always planned to strip Alexandra’s soul from her body?

  “Yeah, that’s right,” Alexandra said.

  The angel hesitated and Alexandra studied her face, which resembled Erzulie’s in many ways. Long, angular features, dark hair and those ghostly eyes. Now that she thought about it, all the male angels were quite similar as well. Perhaps she couldn’t detect the variations since they were of a different race than she was. If race was even the correct term.

  “I knew Erzulie,” Erah said.

  “You did?” The familiar ember of friendship flared in her heart. Did she really doubt the bond they shared?

  Erah nodded. “I served under her command for many of your years. Until-“

  The word trailed into the shadowy recesses of the throne room as the angel left Erzulie’s punishment unspoken between them.

  “Is she well?” Erah asked.

  Alexandra narrowed her eyes and said, “I’m not sure. I haven’t seen her in months, actually.”

  “That is unfortunate,” Erah said. “I would like to have known her ultimate fate.”

  The sorrow from this angel’s countenance seemed real enough. Alexandra contemplated telling her about Erzulie’s soul, but she wasn’t sure she remembered things correctly anymore. Chances were, it was all just a trick to keep Alexandra close to Erzulie. She likely didn’t even perform that miracle.

  Instead, Alexandra said hollowly, “So would I.”

  Did she? Was Erzulie’s fate even important to her any longer, now that she knew the truth? Were Nebu’s words truth? They seemed logical enough.

  The meeting broke and Alexandra remained in the throne room.

  “Exciting times, won’t you agree?” Nebu said.

  Alexandra eyed Baruti as he departed. “You are sure we can trust outsiders?”

  Nebu nodded. “If we cannot, then we may as well throw ourselves into the oceans. Babylon from antiquity was a place of cooperation and achievement for humanity, and I hope we can emulate that here.”

  She grinned and turned to him. “Without the whole ‘defying God’ part, of course.”

  “Of course.”

  Shaun joined them after seeing Baruti out and said, “Looks like we’ll have some new neighbors.”

  “Have Marco take his rangers and
secure the area around the docks,” Nebu said to Shaun. “I don’t want any stray demons fouling up our first major immigration.”

  Shaun bowed his head and said, “I’ll go tell him immediately.” He left but not before flashing Alexandra a coy smile which sent her head into a dizzy spin.

  With Shaun gone, she was able to focus again. So, it was “Marco’s rangers”. She had guessed at that. What difference did it make? Marco was no longer her enemy. He now bordered on worshiping her.

  “Padre Hernon,” Nebu said.

  “Yes, My Lord?”

  “See that we have enough helpers and porters for the people arriving at the docks. I don’t want our new friends to walk back to their boats for load after load. Let’s make this a community effort and get everyone settled by nightfall.”

  “Right away,” Hernon said and he scurried from the room.

  After the padre was gone, Nebu narrowed his eyes and examined her.

  “What?” she asked.

  He pondered her body for a few more moments and then said, “As our resident saint, I think you need clothes befitting the part. I’m picturing a white robe. It would contrast nicely with your bronze skin.”

  Erah disappeared behind the throne and emerged with a white satin garment draped across her hands. A golden crown with twelve stars rested atop the robe.

  “My gift to you, for all you have done,” Nebu said. “You’ll also find a shawl in there as well, for those cold and rainy mornings. Go put it on.”

  “My Lord,” Alexandra said, “this is wonderful!”

  The soft fabric fell between her fingertips like rose petals. Just thinking about wearing the robe gave her goosebumps of anticipation.

  “You are welcome.”

  She turned to leave and then remembered why she was there. Pivoting back towards the throne, she said, “My Lord, I have a favor to ask of you.”

  Nebu reclined in his seat, seemingly content from the day’s events. “Name it.”

  Her face turned serious. “I was just at the hill and I saw Benjamin. One of his prison-mates died and I fear for his health in that place.”