Acca

by Christina Bauer

  “Well, Lucifer made a coin that would allow the holder to open the Gates of Hell.”

  “Like a ghoul portal?” asks Lincoln.

  “A ghoul portal only allows people to enter single file. In battle situations, you can really only get one warrior in with each ghoul. No, what Lucifer’s coin would create is a massive gateway that would allow whole armies to troop through.”

  I pinch the bridge of my nose. “And why would he do that, pray tell?” It’s like the guy sat around brainstorming stupid shit to create. What’s next? A magic plunger that sucks us all into outer space?

  “This was at the beginning of time. Hell was still called the Garden of Eden then. We thought that when human kind was ready, we could lead them out of the Garden in a great parade of achievement. Hence Lucifer’s coin.”

  I smack my lips. “Oops.”

  Dad finishes taking off his golden armor. Now he stands in a brown leather tunic with matching pants. It’s a pretty badass look, actually. “Yes, that didn’t turn out as planned. The coin remained. It was still around after we…” His eyes get that sad, glassy look that always happens when Dad talks about Lucifer. The two of them used to be great friends.

  I steal up to his side and speak in a soothing voice. “You were saying something, Dad?”

  “Yes. The coin was still around after we placed Lucifer in prison. The archangel Aquila was put in charge of hiding it. Turns out, she placed it in what is today Nova Scotia.”

  “Let me guess,” says Lincoln. “At the Wheeler Institute?”

  “Precisely,” replies Dad. “She also named a protector to watch over the coin, but she lost touch with that person. As you know, protectors are immortal, yet not immune from injury.”

  I picture poor Cryptan. “No, they can certainly be hurt like anyone else.”

  “I understand that this coin can open a gateway,” says Lincoln. “But is it really more powerful than igni? Myla’s abilities placed Armageddon in Hell. He shouldn’t be able to escape.”

  I shoot Lincoln a thumbs-up. “Huzzah.”

  “Unfortunately, the coin was made before igni came into being. That means its magic isn’t subject to igni energy. Armageddon can still be released.”

  Unfortunately, my father has the whole “been alive since the dawn of time” thing going for him. If he says that Lucifer’s coin trumps my igni, then it’s the truth. It’s just super depressing.

  I force myself to take in a few calming breaths. “Let me get this straight. Lucifer’s coin can release Armageddon from Hell. For sures.”

  “I’m afraid so.” Dad’s face is all droopy and sympathetic. “The coin is incredibly powerful. In fact, that’s why we had to hide it in the first place. Even we archangels couldn’t destroy the thing. So yes, the coin is probably the only way Armageddon could escape from Hell.”

  I’m not sure I like the use of the word “probably” in that sentence, but I have bigger things to worry about right now. “How does Aldred fit into all this?”

  “I can answer that,” says Lincoln. “The place where the Wheeler Institute is located has been Acca demon patrol territory for centuries. Aldred’s people have had plenty of time to learn about Lucifer’s coin and its protector. They must have a good idea where the coin is hidden.”

  “So if they’re looking for the coin, why send the codex there, too?”

  “My guess?” Lincoln scratches his neck. “Having his patrols search around for an archangel artifact is one thing. It’s not illegal. But hiding a thrax codex? Now that’s a big deal. Aldred could go to jail. Demon patrols are switched out every eight hours or so. This patrol is probably Aldred’s most trusted group of warriors. By having this one disappear, he could have his best team look for the coin while hiding the codex. It’s not a bad plan, really.”

  I raise my pointer finger. “For the record, this whole situation sucks.”

  “It gets worse,” says Dad.

  My mouth falls open. “There’s more than the Hell-opening coin?”

  “According to Aquila, the coin also requires a long incantation in order to start working.”

  “That’s good, right?” A little bubble of hope swells in my chest. “It means that even if they find the coin, they can’t use it.”

  “Not exactly. Aquila left the incantation with the coin’s protector. If what Lincoln says is true and Acca knows this territory so well—”

  “It’s true,” says Lincoln.

  “Then, Acca may have already found the incantation. If so, they know how to activate the coin, too.”

  Aaaaaaaand the bubble bursts.

  Lincoln scrubs his hand down his face. “So the Acca demon patrol that disappeared is hiding the codex and searching for the coin. And since they didn’t reappear, I’m guessing that they’re probably still looking.”

  That little insight takes a huge load off my shoulders. “Good point, babe! Otherwise, Armageddon would be running around trying to kill us already.”

  “Unless he’s lying in wait,” says Lincoln.

  Bad point, babe.

  “That’s unlikely,” explains Dad. “If that portal had opened, we would know it. All the after-realms would quake from the release of that much primal power.”

  A realization hits me. “Wait a second.” I snap my fingers. “We have a total ace in the hole here. Does Aquila know where the protector or the coin is?”

  Dad huffs out a breath. “Not exactly.”

  I set my fist on my hip. “What do you mean, not exactly?”

  “How much do you know about Aquila?”

  “She’s my great-grandmother,” offers Lincoln.

  “She’s Walker’s grandmother or something too, right?”

  “That she is,” says Dad. And the way he says those words, it’s clear that marrying both a ghoul and a thrax prince aren’t the weirdest things Aquila has done. A sinking sensation moves through my stomach.

  Please don’t let Aquila be a flake.

  “So,” I try my best to sound casual. “How many times did Aquila marry mortals anyway?”

  Dad shakes his head. “I’ve lost count. And Aquila doesn’t remember clearly, either.” He gives Lincoln a sympathetic look. “I’m sorry if this comes as a shock, but Aquila is a rather free spirit.”

  In Dad-speak, that means she’s a total flake. Crap.

  I straighten my spine. Maybe there’s something we can salvage here. “Perhaps Aquila can help in another way. Lincoln and I were doing some planning for a mission to Earth. The Wheeler Institute has a summer camp going now, yes?”

  “That they do,” says Dad.

  “Great. So we were thinking…Maybe Lincoln could pose as a teacher, and I could go as a student. That way, we could infiltrate the school and look around. Could Aquila help us with that?”

  “No, yet I have some contacts who might.” Dad taps his cheek, which is his move when he’s contemplating doing something non-archangel-y. “You’ll need to enter the school separately, however. I can get Lincoln in tonight.”

  On reflex, I curl my upper lip at the idea. “Really? We should go in together.”

  “Not a chance.” Dad folds his arms over his chest. “Don’t take this the wrong way, but the two of you are so in love it’s obvious you’re a couple. You don’t want to risk blowing your cover before the mission has even started.”

  I’m all out of toddler-class responses, so I simply nod. “All right. You convinced me.”

  “What about the rest of the after-realms?” asks Lincoln. “Aldred has gotten approval from my father to place both Myla and me in prison. Everyone will wonder where we are.”

  Dad’s face lights up with a million-watt smile. “I’m granting you sanctuary.”

  “You can do that?”

  “Sure. Where do you think humans got the idea? Heaven has always offered sanctuary to those being persecuted.” Dad bobs his head, thinking. “Only, you’re supposed to spend the time in seclusion and quiet meditation. I’ll pretend you’re staying here in the clubhous
e.” His eyes narrow. “There’s a catch, though.”

  Of course, there’s a catch.

  “What is it?” I ask.

  “No contact with the outside world. If you go down to the Wheeler Institute, you can’t reach out to Walker, your mother, or anyone else. Officially, you’re staying here with me and meditating. End of story. Can you do that?”

  I’ve spent most of my youth sneaking around on my mother, so this is no biggie to me. “Sure, that won’t be a problem.”

  Lincoln does that chin-nod thing that guys do. “Same here.”

  My brain tries to process all this news so fast, my head starts to hurt. “Before we go any further, let me get this straight. Acca has stolen the Rixa Codex. It’s probably hidden away at the Wheeler Institute, where there’s a handy-dandy Acca patrol to guard it while they’re also looking for Lucifer’s coin. And, oh by the way, if they find said coin, Armageddon will be freed from Hell so he can kill me, Lincoln, and our families.”

  “That’s close,” says Lincoln. “But you forgot the part about how Armageddon probably won’t stop with just murdering us. Once he’s free, he’ll go on a rampage and wage war across the after-realms.”

  There’s almost an audible ping as Lincoln’s words flip the “Armageddon freak out” switch in my father’s brain.

  “Never!” Dad raises his fist. “I’ll build an army before that happens. In fact, I’ll muster my troops today.” My father’s eyes glow blue. This is not an act, either. Dad will really herd his troops around. Plus, after what I saw at the gates? Those angelic warriors will do whatever Dad wants and fast.

  “Whoa, whoa, whoa.” I raise my hands palms forward in a very clear “calm the hell down” gesture. “Armageddon’s not free yet. And if he is getting out of Hell, it’s only because Aldred made a deal with him: the coin in exchange for the throne of Antrum. Armageddon gets revenge by killing me, Lincoln, and our families…While Aldred gets the throne. After that, the King of Hell goes back to where he came from. That’s really the worst-case scenario here.” Which is a total lie. It’s not the worst-case scenario by far. Even so, I don’t need Dad freaking out. Normally, my father’s lie-detector ability would catch my falsehood fiesta, but I’m banking that he’s off his game right now.

  Lincoln arches his brows. He’s not at all sure about the direction I’m going. “Myla…”

  I shoot Lincoln a look that says “give me a chance” and speak super-slowly. “Don’t you think it’s best if we focus on the Wheeler Institute, rather than starting a major war?”

  Lincoln pauses for a moment before giving me the barest of nods. “Absolutely.” And with that, my guy and I are working the same angle. Awesome.

  Dad and I still aren’t aligned, though. A manic gleam dances in his eyes, which is honestly creeping me out a little.

  “So,” says my father. “You’re both certain that the throne is the only thing that Aldred wants? What if the Earl of Acca has other plans as well, like taking over all the after-realms with Armageddon at his side?”

  I fix Dad with my best and most serious look. “Dad, I’m absolutely, positively, and one hundred percent certain that the only thing Aldred gives a single crap about is the throne of Antrum.” Which is true. Sort-of.

  Here’s what I don’t say. Yes, Aldred would be happy with the throne of Antrum. But Armageddon? No, no, a thousand times, no. The King of Hell wants more than the chance to kill Lincoln, me, and our families. In fact, Armageddon’s been pretty consistent that he’d like to take over all the after-realms, starting with Purgatory. Yet after being imprisoned by the King of Hell for twenty years, Dad has a tendency to go off the deep-end when it comes to this topic. It’s best if I help my father focus on the little disasters here. You know, like us getting murdered in our sleep by the King of Hell.

  Dad’s chest keeps heaving in breaths. “Well, if you’re certain that’s the main threat.”

  “We’re positive.” Lincoln is all Mr. Regal again, and my father visibly calms. Once more, my guy works the prince vibe like a pro.

  “Forget war,” I say. “What we need is your help with getting into the Wheeler Institute.”

  My father shakes out his shoulders. I can almost see his thinking-brain start to work again. “You shall have my full support, children.”

  “Thanks, Dad.”

  Lincoln rubs his palms in a gesture that says “let’s get back to it.” “So, did you find out anything else about the Wheeler Institute?”

  “I did. It seems to be a secluded, cult-like operation. A high school for girls only. The locals also say the place is haunted.”

  Haunted? That’s new. “So, what’s really going on in there?” I ask. “Are they having class, preparing the students for virgin sacrifice or what?”

  “I’m afraid I don’t know that yet. That was all the intelligence I could gather on short notice.”

  “Really?” I ask. “You’re an archangel.”

  Dad sets his hands on his hips. “About that. We need to talk.”

  Now, I haven’t known my father for very long, but I know a lecture when I hear one coming. “What did I do?”

  “It’s not what you did,” says my father. “It’s what you know. Going to school in Purgatory under the ghouls. They didn’t exactly explain how things work with angels and humans.”

  “You can say that again.” Unless it involved bowing, scraping, or preparing worm soufflé, the ghoul teachers in my high school had a very limited lesson span.

  “On Earth, the Almighty severely limits what I can see or do when it relates to humans. I can’t witness much of what goes on, and I definitely cannot interfere with anything that would limit a human’s free will. Even showing up in my archangel form would change things immensely. Imagine if mortals all knew we existed for certain?”

  I nod slowly. Although I spend my days moving human souls around, I haven’t really thought about life on Earth beyond the Human Channel on Purgatory TV. For mortals, seeing my archangel father even once would change everything. “That makes sense.”

  “You and Lincoln are part human. The moment you step foot on Earth, I can do very little to help you.” His mouth thins to a worried line. “In fact, I’ve already broken a number of rules just by giving you sanctuary.”

  My eyes almost bug out of my head. “What do you mean?”

  “By thrax law, you and Lincoln should be in prison right now. Antrum is on Earth. You two are part human. I should not interfere with your laws. Technically, protecting you here oversteps my bounds.”

  The thought of getting my father in trouble makes me ill. “We can leave.”

  “And when you do, you’ll be tracked by everyone in the after-realms, including the Earl of Acca. If you’re going to investigate the Wheeler Institute, then everyone must think you’re somewhere else. Officially, you’re staying here and meditating.”

  “But we can contact you, right?” Even if I can’t reach out to Mom or Walker, I’d assumed that Dad would be part of this whole thing.

  “I’ll help you infiltrate the school. That’s as far as I can go, though. Please, Myla. I can’t emphasize this too severely. Offering you both sanctuary is pushing things far enough in terms meddling with human affairs. Once you go to the Wheeler Institute, no one can know where you really are. That means no messages, no contact with anyone until you leave Earth. Even me.” He shakes his head. “Especially me. Understand?”

  “You have my word,” says Lincoln.

  And I want to give my word, too, but the whole thing seems a little unfair. It’s all more arbitrary-sounding rules, and after growing up under the ghouls, I hate that crap. “What about the threat of Armageddon? Isn’t that enough to allow you to break some dumb rules?”

  “My relationship with the Almighty is…” Dad exhales a long breath. “Complex. Trust me when I say that officially, you must be here in sanctuary. And once you’re on Earth, you’re to contact no one.” A flicker of unease shows through in my father’s blue eyes. He’s taking a h
uge risk to help us.

  “Okay, you have my word.”

  “Thank you,” says Dad. “Now that’s agreed, how will the pair of you stay hidden on Earth? If that thrax demon patrol is still around, then they’ll be able to identify you.”

  Lincoln holds up his man-bag again. “We asked the Earl of Striga to make us amulets and other supplies. Once we’re kitted up, no one will recognize us. Even if my own mother walked into the Wheeler Institute, she wouldn’t see me for who I am.”

  “Excellent.” Dad starts pacing a line before the window, which means he’s going into General mode. “As I said, I don’t know precisely what’s happening at the Wheeler Institute. Even so, I like your ideas of masquerading as teacher and student. I can get you aliases in that vein. For example, Lincoln could use a role on the faculty that allows him to roam the grounds.”

  “Gym teacher?” I offer.

  “Perfect.” Dad looks to Lincoln. “Let’s see about getting you there tonight.” My father gestures to me. “Meanwhile, you’ll act as a new student. We’ll get you to school tomorrow morning.”

  “So, as a student, I just show up by myself at school?” Yes, this is a totally leading question, and yes, I know I’m pushing it here, but what can I say? I want more time with my daddy.

  My father grins. “I’ll be able to drop you off.”

  “That’s awesome, Dad. You’re the best.” And I really mean it.

  My father glances out the window. “It’s getting dark.” He looks to Lincoln. “One of my angels will transport you to Earth. That said, you must leave soon.”

  I edge closer to Lincoln. I haven’t been apart from him since we got betrothed. I don’t like the idea of separation, at all. “Can you give us a minute, Dad?”

  “Surely.” My father gestures to a door set into the far wall. “Knock when you’re ready.” With that, he marches away.

  I stand there for a minute, dumbfounded. Lincoln’s really leaving, and he’s doing it right now. We’ll be apart. And even if we’re able to stop Armageddon from leaving Hell, I still might be separated from Lincoln if we end up in jail. Of course, we’d appeal any prison sentence and all that. Even so, who knows how long that will take?