by Mary Ting
Swords pointed at us when I peered up, my chest still flat on the ground. Painful groans filled my ears, and I struggled to stand. Samyaza helped Uriel up and then my friends while Jonah assisted me.
I dusted soil off my clothes and hair. As I spat out dirt, I grimaced picturing Malum’s father’s bald head and the wrinkles covering his reptilian face.
“What happened?” Jonah asked no one in particular.
Before anyone of us could answer, Sin exploded from the ground. His body flickered in and out of existence.
“Look what’s happening to me,” Sin hollered, turning his bulging eyes on me. “You. You did this to me. Vampire blood. How dare you not tell me?”
“You’re crazy. I don’t have vampire blood. You deserve what’s happening to you. I hope you rot in hell,” I fired back.
Sin grabbed at himself, clawing as if his cloak was on fire. Bellowing in pain, he began to incinerate. At last, his body exploded like a bomb. Black ashes floated with the light breeze.
“Is he gone? Is he dead?” Daniel slid beside me, concern filling his eyes when they met mine.
The wound on his cheek started to heal.
“No. That body is dead for him, but he’ll be back in some other form. Now, vampire blood, Keira?” Uriel gave me a sideways glance. “Unless your mother has vampire blood, I don’t know what to tell you. She didn’t tell me. Unless she didn’t know. Or … your father has vampire blood.”
I took several steps away from him, not wanting to deal with the question. “I don’t know anything. I don’t even know who my real parents are. They both died when I was a baby, and that is all I know. We’re wasting time. Let’s get out of here.”
Samyaza must have agreed with me because he strode faster down the path without saying a word. After a mile in silence, and just as the moon appeared, we arrived.
“Here. It’s a short drop.” Samyaza jumped.
We followed suit.
The humid air vanished, replaced by a perfect temperature.
So strange.
“It’s cooler here, no? Or am I imagining it?” Daniel extended his arms and walked around the perimeter of the depression in the earth.
The crater was only about twenty-four feet wide.
“What is this thing?” Suri sat on a wooden stool sticking out from the ground about three feet tall.
There were seven of them. I took a seat, so did Daniel and Kai.
“They’re seats for the visitors and tourists. To rest and cool down when it’s hot, or warm up when it’s cold. The temperature in here rises and falls opposite as the temperature above.” Samyaza lowered himself to one of the seats and relaxed his shoulders.
“What do we do now?” Uriel took a seat next to Samyaza.
“We wait until the veil opens. You’ll be able to see the other side.”
Jonah took the last stool, then stood a minute later. “Blood. Uriel’s blood. They need archangel blood. Hurry.”
“Shit. I forgot. Uriel, do your thing,” Samyaza glanced at the temperature gauge attached on the rocky wall. “Hurry. It’s almost seventy-seven degrees.”
“No.” I stood up, recalling what had happened to Uriel in the tunnel. “He can’t. He already gave three drops to Sin … to the demon. I’ll have to do it.”
I recalled the witch saying my blood would come in handy. She’d prepared well for our trip indeed. Had she known Sin would be around? Was that the reason the witch stayed away and gave us the task?
Samyaza scowled, his nostrils flaring. “You did what?”
“He had no choice. Sin wouldn’t let my friends go,” I said.
Samyaza smacked his head and then jabbed Uriel’s shoulder. “You could have died in there. It could have taken your life. He could have had the strength to kill you once you were weakened. All of you.”
Kai scratched his head. “I thought archangels can’t die.”
“The chances are slim, but Sin is the King of Darkness,” Jonah said. “He could have sucked up Uriel’s angelic light, his life source.”
“Oh,” we all said in accord.
I was shocked by this revelation. Uriel had protected Nephilim even when he knew he would be in danger.
“Well, this is different. Uriel, hurry up and do your protection thing, and Keira, give us your blood.” Samyaza smacked his hands as if that would speed things up. “I can’t give my blood or I would. I’m a watcher, not an archangel.”
Uriel plucked out one of his feathers and tossed it in the air, where it spun around us.
“What’s it doing?” Suri pointed at it.
“My feather works like your throwing stars. It will protect the barrier while we enter the realm. I wouldn’t want to see Sin’s demons joining us. Keira, it’s your turn.”
His tone turned softer when he spoke to me. I wished he would stop being nice. It was harder to be mad at him. Using my sword, I made a quick slice across my palm and then stood. Hissing from the pain, I released my blood in front of me.
“Is it seventy-seven degrees yet?” Jonah’s eyes fixed on the gauge.
“Nope. Waiting. Maybe we need more blood?” Samyaza rubbed the nape of his neck.
“Be patient. These things take time. It’s testing Keira’s blood to ensure it’s an archangel’s.”
Silence.
Waiting.
“Why seventy-seven?” Daniel whispered.
Jonah released a breath. He seemed as startled by a voice disturbing the quiet as I was. “Seventy-seven is an angelic number. It means you are on the right path. In this case, we are waiting for the portal to open.”
Daniel lowered, elbows on his thighs, to face Jonah. “We were told that sometimes humans see holy numbers through dreams, on digital clocks, or other random places. Numbers like 77, 1111, 222. It means that an angel is speaking to you. Is that true?”
“Yes,” Jonah said. “Seeing an angel is like seeing a ghost. Therefore, it’s the safest way angels communicate with humans without giving them a heart attack. The numbers are like a nudge or a reminder to the question the human might have. And each number means different things. It’s difficult to explain.”
“I see … so that’s why the portal can only open when it’s seventy-seven degrees.”
Though Daniel sounded sure, there was a hint of confusion.
Then …
The ground shook, lasting for a few seconds.
I held my breath.
Nothing happened.
Silence.
Then my blood rose from the ground. Tiny pearl droplets formed and multiplied, spinning around us. I gasped.
I’d thought when a portal opened, I would see a glimpse of what was on the other side. Or a thin mist would clear itself as the new world materialized.
How wrong I was.
The ground that covered this special area dropped, and I plummeted, screaming.
Chapter 11
Welcome Lotus
Liana
Balen never went to meet with his sisters. In fact, he took a nap. A nice, long nap with Paymon. I left to go shopping, to buy something to wear to welcome my aunt and for the nightclub afterward.
After I changed into my new black dress—spaghetti straps, form-fitting, with a neckline that dipped low on the back—I went to the party dining room at the end of the west wing. The entire wing had been built just for guests and parties.
The double doors were wide open, and instrumental music filled the air. No amount of serene music would calm my anxiety about seeing Auntie Lotus.
I couldn’t recall how many years ago I had seen her last. I had been little, less than seven. Would she be cruel and twisted like Dom? Or would she be cool and steady, but ready to stab you in the back like Malum? I hoped she was like Paymon—kind and loving.
“Good evening.” I’d arrived late so I could sit last, away from everyone. But nobody was seated.
They were standing in groups, each holding a wine glass. Paymon and Balen mingled by themselves. Dom, Malum, and the three w
itches stood near the dining table.
“Liana. I was just about to call you.” Malum frowned and kissed my cheek. “Lotus will be here any minute. Say your greetings to everyone else.”
I said my fake hellos to the witches and then to Dom.
Dom wrapped his arms around me, his body touching mine uncomfortably. He ran a finger lightly down the exposed, V-shaped swath of skin on my back. An eerie shiver rippled through me when his lips touched my ear.
“You look stunning,” he whispered. “It’s too bad I’m your uncle. But demons will be demons. You’re welcome to my bed anytime. Malum doesn’t need to know.”
“Too bad you’re my uncle,” I teased, pulling away. But I really meant it. I hated that he was my uncle.
You touch me and you’re dead. Uncle or not, I’ll put a dagger through your heart.
Then I rushed to Paymon and Balen, my heart thumping faster.
“You look lovely.” Paymon stepped in front of me, blocking the others from seeing me. “I don’t like the way Dom keeps looking at you.”
“Paymon, I can take care of myself.”
He leaned closer. “You don’t know Dom.”
I poked his chest. “You don’t know me.”
Paymon caressed my cheek. “Yes I do. You’re my angel.”
“Then what am I?” Balen lowered his eyelashes, playing the perfect jealous lover.
“You’re a fool. That’s what you are.”
Awan’s tone—cold and sharp—stabbed at my heart. It must be triple the pain for Balen to hear such hateful words from his sister. But he showed no emotion. Perhaps he was used to it and didn’t care.
“You think I’m a fool because I didn’t show up to your little ritual party to send the angels to get your stupid, damned book. See, you didn’t need me after all.”
Balen’s head whipped to the left with the force of Awan’s blow. I flinched, my fist clenched to hit Awan anywhere I could reach. How dare she humiliate him in front of everyone?
The room went silent. I dared not look at Awan’s sisters. Did they care how he was treated? When they said nothing, I thought not.
Balen’s face reddened in anger, but he quickly schooled it to a neutral expression.
“Don’t you ever call it a damned book. You have no respect for who you are. This quest is important to our kind. If we don’t act now, we will be lost forever. Is that what you want?”
Balen squared back his shoulders and raised his chin. “I belong to no kind. I was born a witch. I had no choice, thanks to you. So excuse me if I don’t give a fuck.”
“You will regret your words. That book can give you the spells to save lives. It can show you so many possibilities you never dreamed of. One day, you’ll need our book, and when that day comes, I won’t allow it.”
She sauntered back.
Balen dropped his chin low as if he had been slapped again. I felt sorry for him.
Paymon’s lips twisted, and the rage darkening his eyes made him look more demon than human.
“I don’t need this bullshit. Let’s get out of here.” Balen tugged Paymon but stopped when they reached the door.
“Lotus.” Paymon released Balen and wrapped his arms around my aunt.
She wore loose, comfortable black pants and a plain white blouse. With light makeup and dark hair falling straight to her waist, she was simply gorgeous. I loved that she didn’t dress up like she was going to a ball as the witches did for every dinner.
“Oh, Paymon. It’s been so long. I’ve missed you.” She embraced him, a genuine squeeze, and kissed him on the cheek. Then she greeted Balen. She released him and went straight to Dom.
“My beautiful, lovely sister.” Dom swung her around once and let go, smiling with admiration.
“Malum. So good to see you.” She extended her arm.
“It’s been too long, sis. You look fantastic. You haven’t aged a bit.” He chuckled and kissed her cheek.
“Lotus.” Dom linked their arms and guided her to the side. “This is Awan, Corian, and Giselle. The three witches I spoke to you about.”
“Ah, yes. I’ve heard so much about you all.” Lotus shook their hands.
“And we’ve heard so much about you from Dom.” Awan scrutinized Lotus from head to toe.
Perhaps she didn’t like her attire.
“Thank you.” Lotus bobbed her head once and turned my way. “You must be Liana. You were a tiny thing when I left but now look at you. I wouldn’t be able to tell who you were if I spotted you on the street. The pictures I’ve seen don’t do you justice. Look at you. And look at that dress.”
I was surprised by her friendly tone and how much attention she paid me. I didn’t know what to do, so I gave her a hug.
“Well, now that Lotus is here, let’s eat.” Dom stopped one of the maids and asked her to bring dinner.
I wanted to sit next to Paymon, but Lotus pulled a chair next to mine. I grabbed a glass of red wine from the table and took a sip to buy time. An awkward silence filled the room until Dom spoke.
“How was your flight?”
“It was fine. Trinity Order’s plane is fabulous. As long as I schedule the flight ahead of time and as long as no one else is scheduled for that date, I get to book it. Pretty cool. It’s like I have my own plane.”
Awan placed the glass down after taking a gulp. “Does TO know you’re here with your brothers?”
Lotus straightened the white linen napkin on her lap and leaned back. “Yes. I have to give them my destination. When you’re a member of TO your life is an open book. You can’t hide anything.” She laughed softly.
“Do they know witches are staying in this house?” Giselle asked.
Giselle wasn’t sitting next to Malum like usual. Unlike before, the three sisters sat together on one side.
“Yes.” Lotus sat taller. “Dom has asked me to speak on behalf of the witches and I have.”
“What did you say?” Corian asked.
Lotus kept silent while the cooks brought out the plates of rice, salad, and soup. Today’s seafood dishes: scallops, shrimps, clams, and crab.
“I have asked to set a meeting with the three of you.” Lotus scooped white rice onto her plate.
Giselle stirred her spoon inside the soup bowl placed in front of her. “What did they say?”
Lotus paused, staring at the salad. “They said they would think about it.”
Awan hissed. Not only did her fork clank on her plate, but the crystal chandelier also shuddered above.
“Awan?” Dom warned. “They didn’t say no.”
“Dom, I can’t bring them in if they lose their temper. This will make me look bad.”
Awan stiffened, and the chandelier stopped quaking. “Sorry. Sometimes it happens when I get excited.”
“Bullshit.” Balen coughed.
Awan giggled. A disgusting, fake giggle.
“Balen is so funny. He’s the clown of our family, just like Paymon is in yours.”
Lotus did not like this comment. She raised her fork with a scowl.
“Anyway.” Dom frowned at Awan and raised his glass. “Thank you, Lotus, for gracing us with your presence. I’m looking forward to catching up and seeing what our future holds.”
Glasses clinked. Eating resumed.
“Oh, sis?” Balen shelled a shrimp and shoved it in his mouth, his voice oddly sweet. “Where are the archangels you locked up? And what will you do with the spell book when Uriel retrieves it?”
Oh shit. Why did Balen push Awan?
“How long are you staying, Lotus?” Awan curled her fingers into fists, ignoring Balen’s question.
Lotus flashed a glance at Balen, and then back to Awan.
What was Lotus thinking?
“It depends on how long my family needs me. It’s been way too long. I especially want to get to know Liana better. I bear some guilt for not being here for her. A girl needs a mother, or at least an aunt.”
I wanted to tell her that her own brother had killed my
mother, my human family. That I didn’t have the life I deserved. Everything had been taken from me, and I had no choice.
If I lived a normal life, I wouldn’t have to deal with the supernatural world, and I wouldn’t have to deal with all the bullshit, lies, and demonic politics.
“That’s sweet of you, but I’ve managed just fine. But I would love to get to know you too.” I made sure to use my charm.
“Good. Starting tomorrow. Let’s go shopping, just the two of us. Sound good?”
“I would love that.” I offered a wide grin.
After dinner, I excused myself to go to work. Paymon and Balen left the table to come with me.
Chapter 12
Family Chat
Malum
Lotus had matured. The way she carried herself like an elder was hard to get used to. She had once been shy and reserved around supernatural beings, but no longer.
I supposed being a member of TO had raised her confidence and encouraged her to break out of her shell. Whatever the reason, it was nice to see her speak back to the witches and hold her own.
After dinner, Liana went to manage the Dungeon, one of our nightclubs. Paymon and Balen went with her. The witches went to their wing, while the three of us stayed behind in the family room to chat.
One of these days, Liana might get tired of managing the nightclub. She had never complained about it, but I did wonder if she wanted to go to college and get a degree as humans did.
I supposed she would have brought it to my attention if that was the case. I didn’t know what was best for her anymore.
“You must be proud of Liana. I can tell she’s confident and knows what she wants.” Lotus leaned back into the black leather sofa and crossed her legs. “Has she turned out as you hoped? What I meant was, does she hold powers you thought she would possess?”
I swirled a glass tumbler filled with rum. “I believe so. I haven’t tested her full potential, but maybe you can.”
“Maybe. I can try if she lets me. I’ll need to build her trust first, and that may take some time.”
