Forgotten Memories

by Candis Vargo

  “How do we find out which one it is?” I managed to ask even though I was now officially scared shitless.

  “That’s the riddle isn’t it,” Gram had a small smile playing on her face, “As for the Demons; that is all that I can tell you. If you think about it hard enough, the answer will come.”

  “Well what kind of-” I began.

  “As for the Fallen Angel,” Gram must have known that would shut me up. “That is an even trickier subject.”

  Gram leaned forward on her desk, placing her elbow on top of it and resting her head in her hand.

  “Getting him back,” she continued, “Will be a lot harder than it would be to get, let’s say, you Karma. If you were the one sent to Satan’s Mouth, it would be much easier to retrieve you. You were born as a Demoted Angel, you didn’t get a say. Instead, God chose your soul to be born into the body of a Demoted.

  “Chace, on the other hand, he is a Fallen Angel. He was one of the first created in Heaven, and he was kicked out. Whatever he did to piss off his God, he was sent to wander the earth for eternity. Since he was kicked out of his Heaven, he is technically where he belongs.

  “If a Fallen Angel dies, that is where they soul goes unless his God wanted him back. But no one knows what his God wanted. There are a lot of obstacles you will need to go through to be able to get his soul returned, but it can be done.

  “You will need your Guardian to lead you to the line between what is Holy and what is Unholy. Once she shows you the way, your powers combined with Ems will be more than enough to open the portal.”

  “Okay, slow down. What Guard-”

  “Whatever you do, do not go into the portal; wait for one to come out. And do not cross the line into the Unholy. If you do, all will be lost. Remember what I said, the price you pay is going to be a hell of a lot tougher than you could imagine.” Gram continued as though I never said anything at all.

  I waited a few moments to be sure she was done talking so I wouldn’t get cut off. I looked over at Em and saw her writing away in the notebook, I’m glad she thought of taking notes on this.

  When I finally felt Gram was done talking, I spoke up.

  “Okay, now what are you talking about? What Guardian? And I don’t even know what my powers are yet. I thought it was strength, but it obviously isn’t or I would have kicked that Demon’s ass back to Hell no matter what Chace said to me,” I was finally able to finish what I had wanted to say

  “They never told you, did they? No, I suppose they wouldn’t have,” Gram said looking at me sympathetically for the first time.

  “Who and what?” I was sure I looked as confused as I had felt.

  “The Coven my dear…the Coven.”

  “What,” Em and I said in sync.

  “Your Mother came to see me within the year before she died. She would visit at least once a year after I left the Coven,” Gram leaned back into her chair and looked at the ceiling as though she was watching it unfold before her eyes. “She saw my reaction during a reading and she knew something was going to happen. I didn’t have the heart to tell her exactly what or when, but we prepared for it the best we could.

  “Sometimes,” Gram continued, “you can stop those situations, but I knew she wouldn’t stop seeing him. There was no stopping it.”

  My heart sank at the thought that my mother’s death could have been stopped.

  Gram sat up and looked me in the eyes. I swore I could feel her narrowing in on my very soul.

  “Your Andalusian,” she said, “they are the most loyal breed of horses. I’m sure you’ve found that out by now. We knew she would be perfect for you, as being a normal pet; she would have still been loyal. But making her your Guardian, she would be loyal and more determined than ever to keep you safe and guide you on your path.”

  Images flooded my head. Images of Molly staying by my side when Chace was trying to fight the Demon; the way she always liked Chace and led me to him a few times. It all made sense to me now.

  “How do you make an animal a Guardian?” Em asked, clearly as dumbfounded as I was.

  “It requires a high level of magic, nothing too tough that you wouldn’t be able to do Emily. With the right knowledge and the right spells, you would be able to make guardians too. As you may have noticed Karma, your Andalusian does not age as the normal horse would. She is not immortal, but as long as you are alive, she will be alive too.”

  “What do we need to do to open the portal?” I asked Gram, I didn’t want to think about losing Molly. “Once Molly takes us there, what do we need to do?”

  “Ah yes,” Gram sighed, “I will give you the spell Emily. And as for you Karma, you need to realize your powers before the next Blood Moon. If my predictions are correct, which they normally are; it will be in three nights.”

  Three nights. Three nights seemed like it would take three years if it meant me being able to get Chace back. It also seemed like it would take three minutes when it came to me trying to find out what my full powers were.

  “How do I find my powers?” I asked Gram as I leaned my head to the side.

  “That my dear, you need to ask your Andalusian. Molly, as you call her. However I do have something for you.”

  Gram scrambled through a pile of dusty books until she came to the one she was looking for. When she opened it I watched as she pulled out an envelope that was just as dusty as the book. Gram held it in her hands for a few moments like it was recalling memories. Finally, she held it out to me.

  “What is this?” I asked as I took the envelope and examined it. On the front of the envelope read ‘My Sweet Karma.’ I immediately recognized the handwriting. It was my mothers. Tears immediately filled my eyes. it seemed like they were doing that a lot lately.

  “She left that for you. You were not to receive it until you were ready. Those were her rules, not mine. She would be proud,” Gram said before she walked out of the room.

  I thought coming here would ease my mind. It did to some extent, but it also made me more confused than ever. Gram gave me answers I needed, but also riddles that I didn’t. I hoped that whatever was in this envelope held some more answers for me. I was thankful that my mother prepared for me before her death. But at the same time I hated it.

  Chapter 17

  On the way home that night, Em and I decided we would wait until morning to inform others about the Prince of Hell. We figured we would tell them I found a lead on the internet; after all, you could find anything on it these days. All you had to do was Google someone’s name and you could find out information on them. I was just ready to get this over with so I could have a chance to read the letter. I hoped it held everything I needed.

  I sat in the living room waiting for everyone to show up to hear what I had to say. Roland and Lord Matthias arrived together, they were the first ones. I haven’t talked to Roland since the night Chace disappeared, so I figured this would be the prime opportunity.

  “Hey, can I talk to you for a minute?” I asked as I walked up to him and Lord Matthias.

  “Yeah,” Roland said. He seemed overly excited that I was going to actually talk to him again. We made our way into the kitchen, hoping nobody would hear.

  “I’m sorry about everything…everything that happened. I didn’t mean for Chace and I, it just happened,” I said.

  “It’s okay Karma. If you need anything, let me know. Not just to talk, but if you need help trying to find out what happened to him,” he scratched his head like he did when he was uncomfortable, “I’ll help you. I have always loved you Karma. I know this really isn’t the time or place for it, but I needed to tell you. I have always loved you and I still do. Even if we can’t be together and if you don’t love me. I’ll help you with anything. I have wanted nothing but the best for you, if you believe that is Chace, then I will help you.”

  I was taken aback, “If you loved me then why did everything always seem like business with you? You always kept your distance. I don’t understand.”

  �
��Karma, you were to marry me before you were born. I knew you would need a life and the ability to make your own choice. I wanted you to try and experience a life of a normal girl before we would have the union. What kind of man would I be if I kept you from living your life? I had hoped that eventually you would come to love me on your own. I understand though. But that doesn’t stop my love for you. I will help you any way I can Karma.”

  “Thanks Roland,” I said as I leaned in for a short, friendly hug. “You are a good man.” I didn’t know what else to say. I guess I should have given him a little more credit. I now held a new level of respect for Roland.

  We walked back into the living room and saw that everyone showed up and had already taken a seat. Roland sat down by Lord Matthias as I walked over to Father who began to speak.

  “Thank you all for coming on short notice. Karma has found some more information on this Demon and felt that we needed to know. Karma,” he motioned for me to take over.

  I filled them in on everything Em and I found out, well, almost everything. I decided not to tell them about Molly being my Guardian and how Gram saw Mother’s death coming. I didn’t mention Em’s Grandmother at all.

  I told them how I wanted to know more about the Dagger that was used about Chace, because his disappearance was unnatural. I said that I went on my own and discovered some information on the internet. Once I mentioned Princes of Hell, everyone gasped.

  I continued to talk about how two stood out from the other five, as they would have the most means and the best personality fit for using the Dagger. I went over what I could remember of Gram telling Em and I last night, although I waited to mention there was a chance to get Chace back.

  I thought people were shocked when they first found out there was even a chance of this thing being a Demon, but it was nothing compared to their reactions of it being a Prince of Hell.

  When I finished speaking, I hoped someone would say something about it. No one said anything. They all sat in their seats, stone faced and silent. After a few moments, Father finally broke the silence.

  “I think we all know what we need to do,” he said. “We finally have a good, solid lead. We just need to figure out which one it is, and what it wants. We are closer today, than we were yesterday. Every second counts.”

  “Maybe,” one of the Fallen spoke up, “we should be trying to figure out what either one of the Princes could achieve from using the Dagger, not what it wants.”

  “What do you mean?” Roland asked.

  “Well, the souls go straight to the Mouth of Satan, so it has to be looking for some reward. Why else would a Prince of Hell be sending souls to his king?” The Fallen spoke again; I think her name might have been Anastasia.

  “But the Dagger isn’t the only part of this, why set us against each other?” Father asked her.

  “It makes sense,” I said. “When one of The Fallen dies, it’s supposed to be up to God where they go. Maybe this Demon realized that during the war and is now using the Dagger. Everyone automatically assumes because we’re Demoted and Fallen Angels, we automatically go to hell, but that’s not the case. It is up to our God. This Demon wants our souls in Hell. We need to find out the reason behind it, before we find out who it is.”

  “We will go and try to figure something out,” Anastasia said as she stood up.

  The two other Fallen who were with her, followed her out. Lord Matthias walked over to talk to my father, as Roland came back over to talk to me. I began to get frustrated because I wanted to go see Molly. Gram said she could possibly help me find out my powers, so I wanted to test that theory but I needed to open my letter.

  “I need a minute alone with you,” Roland said.

  “Okay,” I followed him out the back door.

  “You said with the Fallen, their body and their souls are the same. What do you mean?” Roland asked curiously.

  “They were never born, they are original Angels, so their body is their soul and their soul is their body.” I couldn’t think of any other way to explain it.

  “What did you say the name of the Dagger was?”

  “The Soul Dagger, why?” I was beginning to wonder where this conversation was going.

  “Just for a little research of my own. I’ll come back tomorrow to check on you, see if you need anything.”

  Roland left before I could even ask him what kind of research he wanted to do. I wondered if he didn’t believe a thing I said, if he thought I had made all of it up. I told the truth about everything, so I didn’t see why he would even need to do any research at all.

  It’s funny how life works out sometimes. Sometimes the things you believe you know turn out to be the truth. Other times they turn out to be a complete lie.

  After talking to Roland I transported myself into my room, anxious to finally read the letter. It felt like I had it for weeks waiting to open it. After I locked my door I went over sat on my bed with the letter in my hands. I sat there for a few moments running my fingers across the worn edges, fighting back my tears.

  I didn’t understand why my mother would need to leave me a letter. Then again, she made Molly my guardian. I thought about leaving it as it was and never reading it. I knew if I did that it would be like having a brownie and never eating it, it just wasn’t plausible.

  I flipped the envelope over and ran my finger underneath the seal to open it. I didn’t know what I expected it to say. Maybe ‘Your powers are…’ or ‘How to get rid of the Demon’, either way, it was wishful thinking. That would be too easy.

  Pulling the letter out of the envelope I began to unfold it. I held it gently as though it was a priceless gem because to me, it was. After unfolding it I began to read my mother’s perfectly scrawled handwriting. It was dated two weeks before she died.

  My sweet Karmalita. I hope the day won’t come where you need this. Though I know all too well it will. I think I need to begin by explaining a few things to you. I love your father, as I hope you know. I never intended for anything to happen between Adrian and I. It was one of moments that just happened. I know it sounds horrible but I hope you will hold no judgment. Let me begin by explaining Adrian to you.

  I was relieved that I was finally going to get some information about Adrian, who apparently my mother was cheating on my father with. A part of me didn’t know if I would be able to handle what this letter held. The larger part of me was curious, so I read on.

  Your father and I were at our weakest moments as a couple. He was more determined than ever that you marry Roland before you turned nineteen. I, however, didn’t agree with that. I knew there was something special about you and you would be able to lead our race without the help of the Vamps. Your father did not believe that. He always saw the alliance as the perfect way to bring peace to the races, as well as strengthen. He never believed me when I told him there was something special about you, that you could do it all on your own. He told me I was losing my mind. That I put too much faith in Gram. I assume you have met her or you wouldn’t be reading this right now.

  Because I have never wanted this union, your father and I would fight all the time. It got to the point where we argued about little things. It was both of our faults. One couldn’t state their opinion without the other getting angry.

  When I wasn’t taking care of you, Karma, I would send my time away. I began to visit Gram during the day while you were at school. One day when I went there, that’s when I met him. Some would say it was fate, I don’t know if I would call it that, but it happened. I can’t go back and change it.

  We began to see each other more often and I fell in love. I didn’t know it was possible to love two people at the same time, but it is. The song ‘Torn between two Lovers’ brought on a whole new meaning to me. I knew Adrian was a Fallen Angel, and my lord he was beautiful. I know it’s wrong of me, but it was something I couldn’t control. I am sorry if it hurt you knowing this, but I hope it brings a little piece of mind to you since I assume you already found out.


  Now on to the next matter, as I had already mentioned I always could tell there was something special about you. I never knew what, so that’s when I consulted Gram. She didn’t know what your exact powers were going to be, but she too saw you with the ability to lead the Pixies on your own. No matter what you may be going through at this point in your life, I know you can do it. I will never know how old you are or what you look like reading this. But I know with all of my heart that you have grown into a beautiful, strong woman.

  Even though my heart was sinking, I smiled. I was like my mother in more ways than I knew. It was nice to see that she had so much faith in me all those years ago. I just wished she was here to see me now.

  Gram told me I would need to do a few things to prepare you for whatever may happen. I did as she said and we began shopping for an animal to become your Guardian. I told your father it was just an early birthday present, even though your birthday was months away. Surprisingly, we didn’t argue about it. I brought home the foal, or Molly as you call her. Gram did a few of her spells and cast on Molly to give her the soul of a Guardian. I felt proud when I saw the instant connection the two of you had. I knew she would be perfect for you. I hope the two of you are still just as close today as you were when I bought her.

  Getting Molly isn’t the only thing Gram asked me to do. She suggested I get something special for you and have it charmed. I thought of something you might like and would be able to wear without it drawing too much attention. When you find it I hope you like it. I will tell you where I hid it in a minute. Right now I need to tell you what it is charmed with.

  We were trying to think of something that would help strengthen your powers, whatever they end up being. But since we didn’t know exactly what they are going to be we had to think of something else. It is charmed with the power of strength and confidence. I know it may not sound like much, but it will. It is designed to help you through rough times. It won’t actually enhance your magic in any way, but it will give you the confidence you need to do so. We hope the strength will strengthen your ability to do your magic. Whatever magic you end up being able to do, it will be all you. This charm will simply enhance your ability to do such magic and help you carry faith through rough times.