Snow Rises

by L. A. Long

  Bast grabs the man and throws him against the wall. He points to him. “Stay.”

  I turn around and look into Dashonda’s eyes. She’s pure. Never did anything wrong to anyone. Ever. She’s terrified. Blinking so fast thinking that will either help or explain. It won’t. I put my hands on her shoulders. “It’s okay. You’ve been working so hard. You haven’t eaten. You haven’t been checking your blood sugar levels.”

  She breathes faster and tries to push her glasses up.

  I grab her glasses quickly. “And your prescription is what …” I study them. “More than five years old?”

  She nods.

  I shake my head. “Makes you see all sorts of smudges that aren’t they, don’t they?”

  Syn walks over to us. “That’s good, Cassandra. Good thinking.”

  “You thought you saw someone in trouble out in the alley.” Syn touches her arm. “You did. That’s just like you, isn’t it?”

  Dashonda nods and starts to calm down a bit.

  “And then you tried to help those men,” I say, reminding her of a different version of events. One that will make much more sense to her than a measuring contest between heaven and hell.

  Dashonda nods again. “They just looked hungry.” Then she looks past us to Makus and Bast.

  Makus winks and waves at her. “How are you doing, sweetheart? Wouldn’t you like to come with us? We only bite if asked.”

  Ren steps in front of Dashonda blocking her view of the reaper and warlock. “What was your job?”

  Makus and Bast look at each other and grin.

  They want her soul. I say to myself knowing Ren and Syn will read my mind.

  Ren glances at me. “You can read what was on his arm?”

  I shrug. “Can’t you?”

  Ren shakes his head.

  I look at Syn who also shakes his head.

  “How is that possible?”

  “Because you’re part of us, Caz,” Bast reminds. “You’re ours.”

  I would definitely like to know which raffle they all won me in so I can burn the place to the ground.

  Makus cackles.

  Ren and Syn share yet another troubling look to which they refuse to verbalize.

  Makus only laughs harder. “Poor Team Reapgel. Always at the back of the line for everything.”

  I turn around to face them. “You can’t have her. She’s not yours.”

  “But you are.” Makus runs his hands through his very short, dark hair and rubs his hands together. “I do love a challenge, Caz. Tell me what you’ll give us in return for her soul.” His blue eyes hold so much mischief I’m surprised they aren’t bulging out.

  Makus puts his hand over his mouth to suppress his giggle. “The things you think about me, Caz.”

  Syn steps forward. “Don’t talk to her like that.”

  Bast puts his hand over his heart. “The poor lovesick reaper.” He makes a gesture with his fingers over his face like he’s simulating tears. “So sad.”

  Ren shakes his head. “Cassandra is not promising you anything. She’s telling you what is not going to happen.”

  Makus stares at Ren and twists his fingers in the air. Ren drops to his knees in agony.

  I jump back. “What are you doing?”

  Syn immediately stands in front of Dashonda and whispers something. She closes her eyes and starts to pray. He looks at me. “She can’t see what we all are. If she does, she’ll be taken.”

  I look at Makus. “How can you hurt an angel? How is that possible?”

  “Oh, Caz,” Makus’ eyes narrow at me. “You need to remember how powerful I am and especially what I can do to you.”

  “It’s okay, Ren,” Syn says. “Dashonda has her eyes closed.”

  Ren immediately stands up. Makus smiles and shakes his arms out like he’s preparing for what’s to come. Ren snaps his fingers, and Makus disappears.

  Bast shakes his head. “Naughty angel. You know that will only piss Makus off.”

  I look around. “Where’d he go?”

  Ren wipes his hands off. “Back to hell where he belongs.” He walks over to Dashonda. He whispers something to her and she opens her eyes. In just the briefest of seconds, Ren’s angel wings appear.

  Dashonda smiles broader than I think I’ve ever seen anyone smile. She nods, and Ren walks her out of the alley.

  Bast makes an attempt to step in front of them, but I anticipate it and block his view while Ren and Dashonda leave.

  Bast looks me over. “Hello, beautiful. Something you want from me?” He rubs his arms, and the symbols that were there disappear. He puts his arms out. “Cause I’m all yours. You can take me right here in the alley if you want. Do anything to me. Do everything to me.”

  Syn rolls his eyes. “Please.”

  Bast laughs but points to the man he’d thrown to the wall. “What about him? Caz, did you see into him?”

  Syn’s expression drops. “Cassandra, why don’t we go and make sure Dashonda is fine.”

  “She’s with the angel.” Bast puts his hand over his mouth in a mock gesture. “Do you mean she isn’t safe with him? What do you think he’s going to do to her? Nothing inappropriate I hope.”

  Syn puts his hands on his hips. “You truly are demented.”

  Bast backs up and bows. “Thank you. I appreciate that. I do try.” Again he points to the man. “Just read him, Caz.”

  Syn quickly steps in front of me blocking my view of the man. “Please, Cassandra. Don’t.”

  “Why? What will I see?”

  Bast grins. “Tell her, reaper. What will Caz see if she looks into him?”

  I look at Syn. “Tell me.”

  He shakes his head but doesn’t say anything.

  “Poor, reaper,” Bast says. “Can’t do much without your boss, can you?”

  Syn glares at the warlock. “I’m surprised you didn’t follow your boss back to hell. I didn’t realize your leash was that long.”

  Bast’s face reddens, and he tightens his fists. Bast and Syn are about the same height, but Bast has at least fifty pounds of muscle on the lean reaper. “Keep that up, reaper. Maybe you can reap your own soul. I’ll comfort Caz as she steps over your obviously inadequate body.”

  Ren reappears. “Dashonda is safe.” He reaches his arm out to me. “Shall we go?”

  Makus returns chewing something. He’s wearing a red suit.

  “Look closer, Caz.”

  I do and realize his suit is actually blood red. I cringe. “Yuck.”

  Makus raises his eyebrow. “Not my fault I was forced back to hell, but they’re always happy to see me.”

  I step back. “Who’s they? And what are you chewing on?”

  He shrugs. “Stopped for a snack, and the ‘they’ is Lucifer.”

  “You saw that foul thing?” Ren steps back like he would get infected just standing too close to the demon. “He’s an abomination.”

  Makus blows a bubble of something like gum. “He’s better now that he’s no longer pure angel. Those creatures are hideous. The fallen are much more interesting. Plus they have good cupcake recipes.” He wipes down his suit. “I think it suits me, doesn’t it? Get it, Caz. Suits me?”

  I roll my eyes.

  “Team Reapgel can’t count,” Bast says.

  Makus looks between them. “What’s the problem? We did one job. Now you’ve done one job. Caz is ours again.”

  Ren steps between us. “You can’t have her.”

  Makus looks at the man crouching at the wall staring at us. “Did she see what he is?”

  “She was about to, but Team Limpdick’s lackey stopped her.”

  Makus immediately stares at Syn. “Why’d you stop Caz from reading that man, sad reaper?” He moves closer to him. “Afraid of what she’ll see or afraid of what she’ll do.”

  I close my eyes. “Honestly.” I move around all of them and lean closer to the crouched man. “So beyond tired of being talked about like I’m not fucking here.” I look into the man’s ey
es. They’re bloodshot like he’s been on drugs his whole life. His gaze darts back and forth between all of us. I look into his eyes. I see his heart and his soul.

  I jump up quickly and turn around to face Ren and Syn. “Do you know what he’s going to do in a few hours?”

  The angel and reaper look down at the ground.

  “Hello?” I’ve never been one to take silence as an answer. I don’t think. Anyway, I’m not now.

  Ren shakes his head. “I’m sorry, Cassandra. It’s not our place.”

  I stare at them. I truly try to understand them. “This is why, isn’t it? This is why I always go back to them?”

  Makus and Bast stand up straighter and grin such a sickening and ego fueled expression it makes me want to kick them.

  “Promise?” Makus asks.

  “But you don’t have to.” Ren pleads with me. “You can make a different choice.”

  I look back at the man. “You know what he’s going to do. How can you not stop him?”

  Syn tries to reach for me, but I step back. “Cassandra, it’s not our job. Her soul is pure. It will remain pure. She’ll do many great things.”

  “Many great things? This piece of shit is going to break into her house tonight. He’s going to terrorize her. He’ll beat her. He’ll rape her. He’ll make her beg and plead for her life. And you’re all, ‘Peace, man, she’ll live through it. No problem.’”

  “We didn’t say ‘no problem,’” Ren says.

  “It won’t be easy to live with,” Syn says.

  “How would you know? You ever been raped and beaten?”

  Syn shakes his head. “Not exactly.”

  A thousands things rush through my mind. I see that sweet woman. Her pure soul. Everything she’s done for everyone else. She goes without to help those who could hurt her like he’s about to. “I can’t. I won’t.”

  Ren moves close to me. “You can.”

  I glance at Makus and Bast who study me with grins. “Yow know what he’s going to do, don’t you?”

  They both nod.

  Makus pushes Ren away and steps in front of me. “You can’t live with that.” He motions to Bast. “We know that. With us, you don’t have the rules that constrict these two. Tell us which side is better?”

  I shake my head. “I can’t let him hurt her.”

  “It’s not your choice, Cassandra,” Ren says.

  “But I can choose to do something.” I look Ren and Syn over. “You’ve just chosen to do nothing.”

  Syn puts his hand on my arm. “I’m sorry, Cassandra, but I won’t let you hurt him.”

  I glance at Makus and Bast. They both nod at me. In an instant, Makus twists his fingers around again, and both Syn and Ren disappear.

  “Where’d they go?”

  “Back to that cabin they hole up in.” Makus shakes. “Disturbing. Just the two of them. They’re probably all snuggly in front of the fireplace. Sipping brandy and lounging with their see through nighties.” He winks.

  I ignore his insinuations and look back at the man. “You get why I can’t allow him to hurt her, right?”

  Makus nods. “You do what you have to do, Caz. You don’t have to explain yourself to us. We have your back.”

  “Your front. Your sides,” Bast says. “Any part you wish to give us.”

  I close my eyes and put my hand over the man’s heart. I can see how many others he’s hurt. I also see the fear he’ll force on Dashonda. The pain and tears she’ll have to endure because of him. Oh, she’ll do great things, but why should she have to suffer?

  I also see into his future. He’ll never change. They’ll be others. A six year old girl. A homeless woman. He’ll beat the man who escaped before him to death in a few weeks. He has no remorse. No conscience. No future. No hope.

  I concentrate on him. I visualize his heart. It starts to beat faster. It’s like my hand wraps around his heart and squeezes until it beats so fast it gives out and stops. In a few seconds, he slumps over dead.

  I stand up and look at him. I see the futures of his victims. They all have one now. I don’t know if I have the right to do it, but I couldn’t allow him to hurt anyone. I don’t have shame or remorse. I look at Makus and Bast.

  Makus looks sweaty.

  “Why are you leaking like that?”

  He smiles. “Seeing you do that is super sexy.”

  “Did you take his soul?”

  Bast nods. “We’ve gotten a lot because of your compassion.”

  I frown. “That sounds weird. I know you could care less and are just using this to get to me, but … I couldn’t allow him to do those things.”

  “We know,” Bast says. He holds his hand out to me. “Shall we?”

  Before I can move, Ren and Syn immediately appear. I’m thrown backwards by the attacks that follow. I have no idea what’s happening. It’s all flashing lights and yells. The ground shakes as the four fight.

  I run out of the alley and keep running. I assume I’ll be stopped, but I’m not. I don’t know why or when or if I’ll ever stop running.

  Chapter 10

  I continue to run until it’s dark. I finally stop even though I’m not tired. It’s raining, and I have no idea where I am. Does it matter?

  I can’t run from heaven and hell. One or both groups will find me. I want to find a bathroom and stare at my own reflection, but that hasn’t worked out for me. I don’t want to meet one of their messengers again. I look across the street at a small square park that is surrounded by shops that have already closed.

  I run over and sit down on one of the benches. There’s a few lights, but this looks like one of those small towns which closes at dusk. I sit for the longest time. There are a few dog walkers out, but they’re too busy making sure their dogs do their business to notice me.

  I look down at my faded jeans, boots, and white t-shirt. Have I always been like this? I don’t dare give myself too much time to think. I’m afraid I’ll do something stupid or crazy or probably both.

  I stretch out and look in both directions. There’s no place to run. I know this. “Okay, Team Hellion. We have one more job before I’m flipped back to the angel and reaper.”

  I close my eyes and wait. I feel someone sit down next to me. I open my eyes to see Bast sitting beside me and Makus standing in front of me. The rain isn’t even touching him.

  “Show off.”

  He grins. “So tell me, soulless one, why did you have to exert so much energy running when you have the two of us for that?”

  Bast tries to put his hand on my knee, but I immediately shoo him away.

  “I said no touching. Not until I decide which side I’m on.”

  Makus touches his chest. “Oh, Caz, you know the longer you make us wait, the longer we’ll take.”

  I narrow my eyes at him. “I bet you always make and break that promise to me.”

  He grins and offers me his hand. “Such delicious courage you have with us. Shall we?”

  I stand up and ignore his hand.

  He throws me a pouty face.

  “No touching goes for me as well.”

  “Oh,” Bast says. “But you touched that reaper.”

  I quickly look at him.

  He nods and acts like he’s going to put my hair back behind my ears but doesn’t. “He gave you permission.”

  “Which we always do.” Makus leans closer. “That is a standing invitation. Always.” He opens his arms. “Go ahead. I dare you. Touch any part of me. Touch every part of me. Or touch only the parts you’ve dreamed about.” He thinks about what he just said. “That won’t work. We’d be here forever.”

  I look around. “Where’s the RV? Ren said you could just zap wherever you wanted to go.”

  Makus puts his hand out to me. “You’d have to touch me.”

  No, that would be too easy to do, but I fear the consequences of what he’ll require next. “So, how far is it?”

  “About a mile.”

  I look around. “Which direction?”
/>
  Bast points to my right so I start walking. I’m not sure if they’ll just zap there and wait for me, but in a second they are on either side of me.

  I squint as rain gets in my eyes. I glance at Makus who is dry as dust. “How can you do that?”

  Makus opens his jacket to me. “Feel free to cozy up to me. I’ll keep you dry.”

  “That’s okay.” I look over at Bast who is almost shivering. “Don’t have the same powers, do you?”

  “I do. I’m not allowed to use them in public.”

  “He does.”

  Makus laughs. “Sweet Caz. We could be walking in the middle of main street, and no one would see me unless I wished them to.”

  I look the demon over. “So, you’re invisible?”

  “To most.” He leans closer. “There are creatures amongst us who can see me. Even some humans have the gift.”

  I look at Bast. “But you’re not invisible?”

  Bast shakes his head. “It’s just up the street and turn left.”

  Makus leans close to me. “I’ll meet you there.” He disappears.

  I look at Bast and start running.

  I can barely keep up with the warlock who is super fast. I slip a few times but make it to the RV before I melt.

  I fall through the door, and Makus is waiting for us sipping a glass of what I’m hoping is wine. His feet are up on the table and his shirt is open to reveal lots of necklaces.

  “I didn’t take you for the jewelry type of guy.”

  Bast chants something, and he and I are dry again.

  Makus looks down at his necklaces. “These are various charms and spells. There are many creatures around here who would like to keep me.”

  “As a pet?”

  He motions for me to sit opposite him. “I’m one of Lucifer’s finest.” He glides his hand down his chest. “You should remember the skills I have.”

  I stare at him without even a hint of emotion.

  “Very good. You’re learning quickly.” He leans forward. “Don’t give me anything I can use later. Show no weakness.” He notices that I stare at his glass. “Want some?”

  “No, I just want some water. May I?” I motion to the kitchen.

  He snaps his fingers. “Get Caz some water.”

  In a second, Bast hands me a bottle of water