“Ivy?” Alice whispers.
“I need a drink.”
“I’ll get you some water,” Jack offers.
“No. I need a real drink.” I jump off of the bed and swipe the bottle of Jäger from the bedside table. I twist the cap off and pause. “Am I allowed to drink? Will it be a determining factor in my transformation?”
They start laughing at me in hysterics. Jack adds, “Yes, Ivy. You can drink. But soon, its effects won't be the same.”
That’s really going to suck. I don’t care at this point.
“Bottoms up,” I muse before chugging the dark liquid. Its robust spice of Anise numbs my gums and burns icicles down my throat. Its icy slow descent into my stomach creeps through my body, and my extremities fall slack in an instant. I place the bottle back down on the nightstand and toss the cap beside it.
Jack brakes the tension in the room, “How would you guys like to stay here with us until Ivy’s transformation?”
Alice touches my arm with tenderness, “Ivy? Would that be ok with you?”
“Yeah. I think it would actually make me feel better.”
“Hell, yeah!” Eric cheers.
“So, who exactly is Beleth?” I prompt them.
“Before the fall, he was a Seraphim of Light—a guardian of the Throne in Paradise. Now, he's one of five Dukes to the King of Sheol,” Alice states.
“Sheol?” I echo.
“Hell,” Eric answers.
“Oh.” I’m not even fully transformed yet, and I have a Duke of Hell after me. “What does he want with me? How does he even know about me?”
Jack sighs. “Trey. You had a class with him. He must have recognized your essence as angelic and notified Beleth of an undeveloped angel. We noticed Beleth’s legion has been converging on Red Meadow within the last few months. I got a hold of one of the lowers and made him talk. All he could tell me was they were sent to capture you and bring you to Beleth.” He pauses in reflection. “I hadn’t met you yet. I had only known of you from Eric and Alice. When you came to the race that first night…”
Eric fields Jack’s open hanging confession, “We shouldn’t have brought you there. We didn’t know Trey was after you. He’s a lower demon. We usually don’t pay him any attention. He feeds off of people’s misery with his touch. After you had left, I overheard him planning to go after you. The night Jack took you to the concert out of town… it was so you wouldn’t be around when Trey planned to make his move that night. But, we think someone had been watching you and tailed you to the concert. That’s why you were attacked.”
“But you guys left me with him at the party!” I'm livid with their logic.
“We aren’t supposed to interfere with your life. You’re supposed to make your own decisions. That’s why Jack asked if you wanted to go for a ride instead of telling you that you had to go for your own safety. It had to be your decision. And there were others at the Green House watching you. They obviously didn't do a good job of it, but we tried not to leave you alone with him,” Alice defends.
“This is insane,” I huff.
“Why don’t you get some rest, honey? It’s been a big day. Whatever you need, we’re here for you.” Alice hugs me and kisses my cheek.
“Yeah. Ok.”
Jack acknowledges our friends, “You can stay down the hall. Do you need to go get some stuff from home?”
I walk to the French doors leading out to the balcony. I need some air. I open the doors, filling my lungs with the cool night air.
Alice speaks from behind me, “Yeah. Do you need anything, Ivy?” I shake my head.
Eric appears on the other side of me, peeking over to his girlfriend with a mischievous glint in his countenance, “You know… It would be faster if we flew.” His eyebrows wiggle to sway her decision.
I smile at her with reassurance, “It’s fine. Jack showed me his wings…and I’m curious to see what yours look like—What mine may look like?”
Without a word, they step up onto the terrace wall together. Eric takes his shirt off and tucks it into the back pocket of his jeans. Alice looks over her shoulder with a gracious smile as Eric looks at her with adoration. Their eyes begin to illuminate in unison with white blinding light. There's a synchronized crunch as their wings split the skin of their shoulder blades. The abrupt flourish of their wings makes it hard to process what I'm seeing. The brilliance in their eyes diminish. They're exquisite! The feathers of their wings are as deep of a purple as a ripe eggplant. At a closer look, they glisten a prism of deep purples, dark blues, and black.
“Wow,” I breathe so low I don’t think they can hear me. Jack envelopes his strong arms around my center and rests his chin on my shoulder. With one flap of our friend's wings, they’re in the air. They float above us with the slow beating of their wings, creating a strong breeze blowing my hair away from my face with wild fervor.
“We’ll be back as soon as we can. Don’t wait up!” Alice calls to me. I watch them fly into the night sky like falcons until their silhouettes disappear.
I hide within the confines of my bed for the next three days with my thoughts constantly turning like revolving gears of a clock. I can’t avoid my classes any longer. It’s Friday, and I need to at least show up.
Time flies by, sitting in the auditorium of my Music History class. My professor’s words are nothing but a low hum of murmurs in the background, and my surroundings are suffocated by darkness at the edges of my vision. My body's twitching with nerves as I lean back in my seat with my knee bouncing energetically as my fingers rub my pen to a rapid beat, making a constant tapping on the notebook in front of me. Before I know it, bodies are shuffling and pushing to get out of the back doors of the auditorium. Realizing class is over, I glide out of my chair, sweeping up my books and slinging my backpack over my shoulder.
Welcoming the warm sun on my face, I wander the quad towards my Biology class. A hand grabs my shoulder from behind, shocking me with a bite of static I've come to associate with Trey’s touch.
“Ivy.” I spin around to see Trey and take a step back on instinct.
“Stay away from me, Trey,” I sneer, squinting my eyes.
“Look. I’m really sorry about what happened. I have no excuses. I know you’re pissed, but…” He pulls a small manila envelope from his back pocket and holds it out to me. “I wanted to give you this.”
I eye the package without reaching for it, “What’s that?”
“It’s your cut from the race.”
“Oh.” I take the package from him and stuff it into my back pocket.
“Ivy—”
“Don’t, Trey.”
“Come on, Ivy. Don’t be like that. I made a mistake.”
“So did I,” I counter as I walk backward to ensure he doesn’t follow me. After a few steps, I turn and jog towards my next class. The Biology building is on the other side of campus. Once I start jogging, I pick up my pace and begin to feel liberated from an invisible cage I didn’t know I was trapped in. A heavy weight lifts from my shoulders, clearing my mind, and I decide to take things as they come.
There’s nothing I can do but keep going. Live my life the way I want before I can’t anymore. Forget Biology. Let’s have some fun.
I don’t know what comes over me. Maybe I'm fed up with being told what's expected of me. I skip my class and find my car in the parking lot. I sit in the driver’s seat and feel the bulge of the package Trey gave me. I lean over and tug it from my back pocket, the weight of it in my hands giving me pause. How much is in here? Folding the prongs back, I lift the fold to peek inside. Whoa! That’s a lot of money. I reseal the envelope and throw it into the passenger seat, pull my phone out of the console, and scroll through my contacts. Trey. Once I find his name, I send him a text message.
Me: Make it up 2 me?
I wait for the ping of a new text message, nervous and anxious to take the plunge.
Trey: Anything.
Jack's really going to hate this. I don’t care. I wa
nt to have some fun, and I’m tired of running from who I am. I want to lay all this to rest. Trey's going down, and he’s going to tell me where Beleth has the missing angel sent to protect me. I won't be responsible for an angel’s death.
Me: Put all my winnings n the pot 2nite. I want 2 race.
His answer is almost instant.
Trey: Done.
Trey: C U 2nite, Ivy.
I start my car, grinning at the freedom I'm giving myself. I drive to my house to prepare myself for the race. I need to avoid Jack tonight. I need a good excuse. Unlocking the door to my house, I'm relieved it's empty. Throwing my backpack on my bed, I turn around to search my room. Where the hell did I put it? Oh, yeah! I stand on my tiptoes and reach into the chaos at the top of my closet. My fingers touch a cold silver box. I swipe it forward off of the shelf and catch it against my chest. I open the box to find a small pipe, cigarette papers, a small clear bag of weed and let out a pleased sigh.
I roll a thick joint and lick the edge to seal it before placing the tip to my lips. I light it without hesitation, inhaling as much as my lungs can hold. Holding my breath and waiting for the burn of my lungs, I pick up my phone to text Jack. I release a dense cloud of smoke as my fingers float over the screen.
Me: Hey. I’ve got a lot of research 2 do 4 class. I’ll be @ the library. It’s probably going 2 take all night. Don’t wait up.
Jack: Do u want me 2 come help?
Me: No. U would only b distracting me.
Jack: Ok. Let me know if u need anything.
Me: Sure. Thanks.
Well, that was easier than I thought. Now, let’s try to see if I can sway Trey to make this worth my while.
Me: Hey. Let’s make 2nite interesting.
Trey: What do u have n mind?
Me: Willow Creek connects 2 the highway. I’m tired of this shit only lasting a few seconds. I want a real challenge. Willow Creek 2 the highway, down 2 exit Randolph Turnaround and back 2 Willow Creek. It’s a full loop and about 6 mi round trip.
Trey: Let me make the arrangements.
Here we go, I think before texting him again.
Me: And I want 2 make a deal with u.
Trey: What do u got?
Me: If I win… u take me 2 Beleth.
Trey: No.
Me: Y not? Isn’t that what u want?
Trey: No. We’ll talk soon. Just b ready.
I don’t want anyone running their mouths about seeing me at the race. Although my car's unique to the area, I imagine I can hide who's driving. I take a note from Trey and adorn myself with a black hoodie to hide my hair, and a black baseball cap to hide my face. I wait until one o'clock in the morning to head out to Willow Creek. I’m not nervous or even excited, only calm with determination.
Willow Creek is crowded more than usual. Just means there’ll be a bigger pot. Trey should appreciate that. I adjust my hat lower on my face and make sure my hair's hidden under my hood before I pull up to the starting line to park my Evo.
Trey jumps into my passenger seat. “Are you sure you know what you’re doing?”
“Yeah.” I hand him the envelope of cash he gave me earlier.
“Alright. Let’s do this.”
Trey leaves to gather the bets going around. Someone hands him a bullhorn, and he pushes the button a few times to get everyone’s attention. A yellow Honda S2K creeps up beside me, the driver concealed by its dark tinted windows. I probably know their car better than they do since it’s the same model I wrecked my junior year of high school.
We prep our tires in the bleach while Trey yells into the horn, “Everybody, listen up! We’re gonna do things a little different tonight. The drivers are going out to Garner Highway to take the turnaround at Randolph and end back here. We have two new drivers tonight who are new to the area. Place your wagers now or lose out on an epic pot. Good luck!” A curse comes from Trey’s lips before he releases the button on the bullhorn.
My passenger door swings open, and Jack’s huge mass plops into the bucket seat beside me. “What the hell are you doing, Ivy?” he growls.
Shit.
I avoid eye contact with him and stare straight ahead. “Having some fun,” I deadpan.
“After everything we told you, I thought you would be smart enough to avoid Trey.”
“About that. Trey may be a demon, but he doesn’t scare me. And if he has the angel that was supposed to work with Alice and Eric, or knows something about it, I’m going to make him tell me. I don’t want to be responsible for the death of an angel. I wouldn’t be able to live with myself. I’m going to play nice and get on Trey’s good side. Let him think all is forgiven. He’ll trust me. I’ll make him think I need his help transitioning and find out where he’s keeping the angel. I can’t just sit around and do nothing.”
“I can’t let you do that, Ivy. Trey's dangerous. Let us take care of this. We’ll find the missing warrior. This isn't your fault.”
“I don’t care! I have to get him out of there. You can’t stop me. Now, get out!” I grip the steering wheel and refuse to look at him. Jack’s anger is palpable as it radiates off of him with an intensity I feel in my core. He exits the car with the swiftness of a hummingbird's wings and slams the door behind him, making me flinch. I don’t see where he goes, and I don’t care.
Trey stands between my Evo and the competing S2K as I rev my engine. He points to me, and I dip my head without taking my eyes from his. He points to the Honda while I shifted into first. Keeping my foot on the clutch, I rev up my engine again. Trey’s arms go up.
Three… Two… One.
His arms come down. I lift my left foot off of the clutch and force the accelerator to the floor in unison.
My car pitches forward with resilient power, and I'm forced to sink back into my seat. I watch my RPM’s and shift into second gear. The S2K swerves to my right to ride alongside me. The highway comes up fast in front of us. I push in the clutch and wrench the emergency brake up, drifting onto the empty highway, almost sideswiping my contender. Coming out of the ninety-degree turn, I release the emergency brake and bolt forward while straightening the steering wheel. The S2K is right beside me again, fighting to get ahead. I shift into third gear and wait to redline. I see yellow from the corner of my eye starting to pass me. Refusing to lose, I shift into fourth gear as the exit for the turnaround comes up faster than I expect.
It’s time to get dirty.
I feel a growl in my chest as I swerve into the Honda and scare it into letting me lead us down the off ramp.
I drop back down to second gear, keeping the clutch down, and I stomp the brake just before the turnaround. I pull the emergency brake again and drift sideways around the turn. Everything appears to go into slow motion, and I fantasize waving goodbye to the driver behind me, but I know I won’t have the time. I blow the driver a kiss in my mind and slam the emergency brake back into place as I flatten the accelerator to the floor. I surge forward and shift into third gear again. Headlights behind me start coming up fast. I redline third gear and shift into fourth gear. The headlights begin falling back slower than I want. I squeeze the steering wheel tighter, trying to keep myself from falling backward into my seat. The force of gravity from the horsepowers being exerted is similar to trying to bend iron. I glance at my rearview mirror to see I'm two seconds ahead of the other driver.
Willow Creek comes up ahead of me on my right. I slow down enough to counter steer into the drift, downshift into second gear, and pray the hordes of people will be smart enough to stay out of the way. I come out of the drift and release the clutch, shift back into third gear seconds later, and cross the finish line. Slamming on the foot brake and yanking the emergency brake back up again, I drift a hundred and eighty degrees to a screeching halt, showing off a bit for the crowd.
The crowd cheers with excitement. Trey has the most devious expression of enjoyment across his face. He saunters over to my window, and I roll it down. “Nice job, kiddo. Definitely worth my while,” he hands me an
even larger manila envelope than the one he gave me before.
“Thanks.”
“Listen, I know I’ve been an asshole. I’m hoping I can keep making it up to you.” He leans into my window.
“You can try. No promises it’ll work, demon,” I smart off.
Trey winces. “Can I take you somewhere fun tomorrow? I promise to explain everything I can. I hope you can believe how sorry I am, Ivy.”
“I have practice tomorrow.”
“Skip practice. I promise you won’t regret it.”
This is my chance. The girls are going to be pissed, but I can’t pass this up.
“Ok.”
“Awesome. I’ll text you where to meet me. See ya', Ivy.”
“Bye, Trey.” I light a cigarette and drive back to my house instead of Jack’s because I'm not in the mood to fight with him.
Chapter 10
Stay awake.
I fight against the drop of my eyelids on the drive home as fatigue from the day's events drain what energy I have remaining. My black hoodie adds to the heat of the night air, coating my body with a sheen of muggy sweat and contributing to my drowsiness. As I park in the driveway, I'm positive Alice and Eric are remaining at Jack's for the night as the house is pitch black with only the songs of the crickets penetrating the quiet neighborhood. Entering the dark house, I don't bother turning on any of the lights as I trudge to my room. I strip my clothes off and fall on my bed face first into my pillow. The cool air of the house glides over my bare back, attempting to cool my body down while the sweet song of the crickets outside of my window lulls me into a slumber.
A rustling of leaves stirs me awake. My hair is suffocating my face as I continue to sweat in overabundance. I flip over onto my back. The leaves swoosh again, but I'm awake enough to realize the sound isn't coming from outside. It's within my room. My eyes shoot open as I sit bolt straight, looking for ‘the darkness’ waiting to consume me. I gasp at the sight of an angel’s silhouette at the foot of my bed watching me.
The Helio Trilogy: Volumes 1-3 Page 13
