by Nathan Parks
Chapter Twenty-Six
The buzz of the tattoo needle was the first sound Eve heard when she walked in. For some reason that buzz always put her at ease, and she relaxed. She just stopped and looked around. This was real. She could see it, feel it, and know it.
She walked around the counter and took a look at the appointment log. She had planned on going back to her place, but then thought otherwise and stopped in at The Broken Tear. She didn’t really want to be alone right now; and, at the same time, she also wanted to be somewhere with which she was familiar.
“Hey, Eve, there is a note for you over by the phone. Some guy stopped by and said his name was Kadar.”
“Kadar?” It sounded familiar. “Did he say anything else?” she asked as she found the envelope with her name on it and ran her finger underneath the flap to open it up.
“Said something about knowing you from Alfonso’s.”
“Oh . . . kinda tall, darker skin?”
“Yep, that would be him.”
Eve wondered what he wanted as she pulled out a single sheet of paper.
“I know you don’t really know me, but I think we have a lot more in common then what we knew the first time we met. We need to talk. Do you know if you have wings or not? Kadar.”
Eve caught her breath. What in the world was this? Is everyone wrapped up in this warped horror story? Did he mean . . . or was it just a coincidence? Below it had a phone number, and that was it.
She put it down and placed her elbows on the counter, her face in her hands. This was too much. She needed some sanity.
“Jackie, you’ve still not heard from Megan?” she asked.
Jackie didn’t look up from the design she was working, but shook her head. “No, in fact, I even tried to give her a call, but nothing.”
“I need to run home for a moment, but on the way there I am going to stop in at Megan’s. I don’t like that we can’t get a hold of her. She wasn’t having a really good night last night.” Then to herself she smirked, “Like any of us did.”
“Are you going to be back today, or do I need to go ahead and handle your appointments still?”
“I think I am going to have to take a few days off. Handle what you can, and I will call you, ok?”
Jackie stopped what she was doing and put down the gun. She wiped down the work she just completed and walked over to her friend.
“What’s going on, Eve? You all right? What can I do?”
“No, I am not all right; but, honestly, Jackie, I don’t know what you can do. I don’t even know what I am going to do. I just need some time to figure some things out, and then I will be back. I promise.”
“Ok, don’t leave me in the dark. We haven’t been friends for this long for nothing. You know that.”
“Yeah, I know. Thanks.”
Eve grabbed the note off the counter and headed out the door. She couldn’t stay any longer. She felt crowded and started really becoming worried about her other friend. Megan better be at her apartment.
She stepped out of The Broken Tear and became lost in her thoughts and the sound of her feet hitting the sidewalk. She had to reach down deep inside of her, and there she started feeling something she had never discovered before. It was as if she was finding an untapped well of strength that she had never known was there. What was this? She felt a sensation start moving from that spot deep inside her, spreading outward like a spider web. She felt a charge spring through her veins, and a ringing began in her ears.
What she didn’t realize was that this was a warning, an inward security system of sorts, and Kadar watched as she began to react to it. He watched as she walked away from The Broken Tear and then stopped about a block away as if someone was talking to her from out of the thin air. She paused, looked around, and then shook one of her hands as though it had gone to sleep and she was trying to wake it up. He grinned, knowing what she was going through. He remembered when he had first experienced the changing, a type of “coming of age” for a Nephelium where strengths and powers began to come out from the core of their being and embed themselves into the foundation of their existence. There was never a specific age when it would happen other than it usually happened in a Nephelium’s twenties.
Kadar didn’t have much time to dwell on what he was watching, though. His attention was quickly drawn to three street bikes that had just turned around the corner and were heading in his direction. His own internal warning system was now starting to go crazy. He recognized the colors on the bikes as being of Adremalech’s bike squad. Usually, they were mostly Familiars, a bike gang that had most likely sworn their allegiance to the clan; but there would be at least one Fallen among them. What were they doing here?
Kadar’s eyes moved from Eve to the bikers. Were they going to make a hit on her; and if so, why? Adremalech didn’t have any reason yet to take her out. In fact, Kadar thought Adremalech would want her for the same reason everyone else wanted her.
He looked about for a moment to see if there was something he could do to distract them from Eve. He had to make sure he could get her out of the way without her feeling threatened. The traffic was stopped for a light, so Eve was actually moving toward them faster than they were moving toward her. If he crossed the street and met up with her, he could probably get to her about the same time as the bikers did. They wouldn’t cause a big scene in broad daylight; that wasn’t the clan’s M.O.
Kadar took a step toward the street to make his way through traffic, but didn’t get far before a strong hand grabbed his arm. Instinctively he twisted toward the thumb, breaking the grip, and in an instant turned his hand against the other individual, taking the person’s wrist in his hand and twisting it in a submission hold. He spun quickly around and brought himself face to face with his would-be opponent.
As an Assassin, rarely was he caught off guard and rarely would he be surprised; but this, evidently, was a rare moment. He knew that an amateur would not be able to detect any surprise, but this person could tell and smiled a relishing smile.
“She is not one of us, so let the clans do what they must to her,” the intruder stated. “It will be better in the end.”
Kadar let go of the individual’s wrist and looked back in the direction of where Eve was walking and watched as the squad passed her. They hadn’t even been after her. Why was he so jumpy?
“What are you doing here?” Kadar asked the individual.
“Marduk is calling the Family together, and I wanted to know what your plans were.”
“I don’t know yet,” Kadar responded. “Right now I am certain that if the clans notice a swarming of our kind, they will question it; and then they will know that Marduk has escaped the abyss. Are we ready to stand as a clan?”
“I don’t know. I know that I am not. There are too many warring factions within our own clan. We would never be able to stand united right now, even with his return; and you know that I made my choice a long time ago. No matter what, you know where my allegiance lies.”
“What about her?” Kadar motioned his head in the direction of where Eve had now vanished around a corner. “Is she not part of us? You said she isn’t; but we all are from the same origin, and she can’t help her bloodline.”
“True, nor can I.”
“You are right, and what if those who have accepted you as one of their own discovered who you really are, or more like what you are not? Would they accept you, or would they kill you?”
A dark look crossed the other’s face, and he fell silent for a moment. The lineage of the Fallen wrestled with the lineage of mankind within him. He hated himself and what he was; but just like Eve, he could not change from where he had come.
“Why are we even discussing this? You know that Marduk is not ready for her or her for us.”
“Not yet, but soon; and if we don’t bring her in soon, then I predict that Arioch will. Then we can kiss our future as a restored clan good-bye.”
“So what are you going to do, then?”
Kadar crossed his arms and stood watching the people walking past him. He contemplated it all and how it all ebbed and flowed in a rhythm that created this symphony they knew as life. They knew no differently. True, some had more insight than others; and there were so many that believed they had the true key. Yet, in reality, none of it was a true fit. It was as if they were using a key that had been copied too many times--it almost worked, but didn’t fully unlock the door.
“Well, my clan brother, if you don’t think Marduk can bring the Family back together, then whom would you follow? There is no way any lone figure will be able to stand against the onslaught that is starting to ripple.”
“Are you offering an alternative?”
“I offered a question.”
“True, but a question that is loaded; and, you see, that is the very reason we are not ready to come back as a clan. We have been Outcasts for too long, having to do what is necessary to survive; and none of us trusts anyone.”
“True,” Kadar whispered. “So true. But if she would trust me, then so much would change.”
“Who? Eve?”
“Yes.”
The other chewed on that thought for a moment. Slowly a picture began to form in his mind.
“Wow, the pawn on which the complete board is closing in, and she doesn’t even know it.”
“So you understand what I am suggesting?”
“I understand that that young lady has no idea that the fate of mankind could very well rest upon her shoulders, and every faction that is involved has zeroed in on her.”
“You are right, and that is why we need to protect her.”
“Protect her, or make her believe it is for her protection as you bring her into your plan instead of allowing her to fall into the demise of another?”
Kadar turned and looked into the eyes of his companion. “You act as if I am doing something wrong and deceptive, but am I not just bringing her back to those of us who are like her? Does the Alliance, or even Arioch, really have any claim to her? If you believed they did, then you would have never suggested to me that a Jerusalem Breed was still alive; and I would have never been at the café the night I met her.”
“I don’t know what I believe, Kadar. Isn’t that evident with my very existence? It seems that I am only a walking contradiction. If the Alliance ever discovered my truth . . . you asked earlier what would happen. I believe a lot of people I care about would be crushed; and, yes, I figure Leah would kill me.”
“And yet you still live this double or, even at times, maybe a triple life?”
“Well, maybe Paul wrote it best in the Scriptures when he said there are two of me; and they are both battling for dominance.”
“True. He would have made a good Nephelium.”
Kadar slapped the other on his back. “I don’t believe I am going to be at the meeting with Marduk, and I have a hunch that there won’t be too many of us there. The lines are being drawn; and you, my friend, will have to decide soon where you stand, no matter what struggles you may have inside.”
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Kadar’s companion nodded his head and stood there as Kadar turned and walked away. He had an appointment to create. While watching the Assassin head down the street, his cell phone rang. Looking down to see what caller ID would tell him, just one name appeared: “Leah.” He pushed “Talk” on the phone and answered.
“Hey, Leah, what’s up?”
“I need you and the others to get together immediately. There are some really big things that are taking place right now, and we have got to be ahead of the wave that is about to start crashing down.”
“I will be there as soon as I can. Don’t start without me.”
“Wouldn’t think of it!” she said with sincerity.
He closed the phone and leaned against the wall behind him. Why now? He had for so long been able to stand against the force within him that demanded to be reckoned with. He had been able to embrace his humanity with such fervor and strength that there were even times he forgot what he really was. Now, it seemed it all was betraying him.
“Jah, have I not given you my life? I may not have been of Rephaim’s descendants, but I still have freedom of choice. I have chosen You, so why does the beast raise its head now? What does it take to get rid of this? How do I let the Alliance know something that, up until now, I have done my best to avoid?”
His insides where in so much turmoil; it seemed that a python had traveled around his lungs, down around his stomach, returned to his throat, and now was squeezing in. He knew that he had to stand against this monster, but could he? He also knew that if he could tell Eve, that maybe it would help her see what she could do by aligning with the Alliance; but, at the same time, it would bring so many questions from those who had trusted him. On the other hand, there was Marduk and the clan. Was Kadar right in believing that Marduk would not rise again? Was Kadar planning on making sure that their leader did not return?
He pushed himself away from where he was leaning and headed off down the street in the opposite direction Kadar had taken. He knew this was it. Something had to give, but what, he didn’t know.
As he walked, he started feeling a burning inside of him. With each step he took, it burned more. He started sweating.
“No, not right now! No! Jah! I have chosen You! How can this happen to one of your children? Rescue me!”
He turned quickly into an alley to avoid any bystander’s stares. The burning had started deep within him and now was radiating outward to his extremities.
“NO!” he screamed out.
All those years of keeping the Nephelium side of him at bay, and now this! Marduk had returned, and his children were feeling the leader’s pull. He was doubled over as he felt the transformation taking place. What did he do now? How could he return to the Sanctum like this? The burning spread to his back, and the pain was almost unbearable as he fell to the ground. Two deep gashes split down his back on either side of his spine. Tears poured down his face as he could no longer deny it: he was Nephelium, and the clan was returning. He was on his hands and knees; and the dirt, filth, and grime of where he knelt was sticking to him. Suddenly, a whoosh that ended with a snap that seemed deafening to him, but, in reality, was not so loud, drowned out his sobs as wings unfurled behind him in full revelation.
“Oh, Jah, my God, my God, have You forsaken me? Are you not there to help those who chose You beyond what makes sense? Have I not served You? So why do You not rescue me in this time of need?”
He looked skyward past all the fire escapes, gutters, and electrical wires to the blue sky above. Through all the soul pain and physical agony, he mustered everything he had and shot straight upward!
*****
By the time Eve had arrived at the door that lead up to Megan’s apartment, the tingling and strange sensations in her body had stopped. She had convinced herself that it was just a reaction to all the stress, lack of sleep, and strange incidents that had been taking place over the last couple of days. She had also been able to bring her mind to some type of even keel concerning everything. Eve had purposefully blocked out a lot of things in order to just exist normally for now. Everything with which she had grown up was a “normal” life: no angels, demons, vampires, clans, or hybrids--just life.
Opening the door, Eve ran up the flight of wooden stairs that were in bad need of paint and support. Megan lived on the second floor and down the hall, the third door on the left. As Eve reached the landing, she noticed that it looked like Megan’s door was partially open. She had to blink twice; because if she didn’t know better, she would have thought there was a shadow of a man standing outside the door as if guarding it. Even after she blinked a couple of times, though, there was still a dark haze in the shape of a man standing beside the door. He had not noticed her yet, so she backed down the stairs until she was at eye level with the floor of the landing.
Suddenly, Eve started getting the same sensation she experienced outside The Broken Tea
r about 30 minutes before: a ringing within her ears and a surge of unusual strength beginning to flow outward to her extremities. She could hear voices coming from inside the apartment, letting her know that there were at least three people. “Shadow Man” as she thought of him was still standing by the door, almost acting impatient; and whoever was in the apartment was trashing the place.
“Arioch, just wants this to look like she lost it and most likely went off to kill herself,” a female voice spoke with irritation and authority. “Tear the place up like that, but not to the point that it looks like she was robbed.”
“Denora, did you bring the letter?”
“The suicide note?” the female voice, evidently Denora, questioned. “Yes. Just do what you need to do, and get this over with!”
Eve noticed that, along with all the new sensations that she was experiencing, she was able to start formulating very clearly a strategic plan for taking on the trio. It didn’t even hit her right at first that she shouldn’t even have been able to put something like this together, but there it was. It was as if she was able to see before her how it all would play out.
Just as she felt that she would jump forward, a dark, tall figure manifested before her about a foot to the side of “Shadow Man.” Without even a whisper, he had taken a dagger across the dark area that would constitute the throat area of the guard. Eve placed her hand over her mouth to hold in a gasp as the guard disintegrated, leaving the Assassin standing alone in the hallway. There was something very familiar about the Assassin. The lighting was not that good in the hallway, so she could not make out all the details, but she felt a drawing toward him. Why?
“Eve.” A voice shot through her thoughts. “I know what you are. Don’t be afraid.”
