Dark Rain: Book 1 of The Aetherium Saga

by Jilly MacKenzie

  ‘So you see? You already are one of us,’ he added.

  ‘Only half...’ she pouted sadly, ‘I was never meant to born a human… All my life I’ve never fitted in with my world. I’ve resented it even. I have never liked people, and only ever feel truly myself when alone. Or with you.’

  ‘Anubis…’ he moaned, leaning his head against hers, trying to console her yearning heart.

  ‘I want to be with you, for as long as you live... which is how long exactly?’ she wondered. His jaw tensed, and he looked her deeply in the eyes.

  ‘My kind can live in their Anuna bodies for eternity, unless we take fatal damage to them. Then, we can die. Just as your kind can.’

  ‘Immortal...’ her throat closed as the crushing weight of her own mortality gripped her tightly.

  ‘Every living being is immortal. We are all energy. Our aetherial lifeforce; our souls, they all go to the same place when we die. Aetherium. The cosmic fabric. And from there, the possibilities are endless. All energy is recycled, reused, and reborn.’

  Anubis was suddenly surprised at her own realisation. Reborn?

  ‘Could Leo’s soul be somewhere. Reborn?’ she whispered.

  ‘Yes.’

  ‘I hope I come back as an Anuna. Like you,’ she lamented. Marduk sat up and grasped her firmly, trying to comfort her. He had been hiding his own frustrations about this very topic too. He also wanted what she wanted. For Anubis to be an Anuna like him, to accompany him through his eternal life.

  ‘The only thing I held dear in this world, was taken from me. Four years ago. The day I stopped being a mother, was the day I denounced my humanity. And now you... must I watch my own mortality take me away from you? When I’ve finally found happiness? When we are finally together?’ she implored angrily.

  They felt each other’s pain, and held one another close, as if attempting to ward off the forces of fate. To Marduk’s knowledge, which was vast, he knew of no way to make Anubis one his kind. A full blooded Anuna. It cannot be done... Curse the cosmos, it cannot be done.

  The universe has a cruel sense of humour, Anubis thought bitterly. And the two star-crossed lovers grieved the unfairness of their interspecific union, and their eventual parting.

  In the dim light of Axel’s room, Cat stretched out beneath his large relaxed arm, and gave it a tiny lick to wake him up. His broad chest vibrated with a chuckle behind her and he moved his arm, allowing her to stand.

  Last night was the first night they’d ever spent together, completely alone, in their own room. And they made full use of the situation. The horrors of Axel’s pre-Drakestoke life had been easy to see on his bare skin. And Cat had brushed her small hands, and lips, over the various injection sites, and scalpel scars.

  She had been apprehensive about how he would handle her, knowing what he is, and the nagging residual fear from his attack on her previously. But Axels tender love for Cat was clear that night, and he was every bit a gentleman, and ever her loyal protector. Though he does whimper and growl in his sleep, she giggled to herself. She gazed happily out of the large glass window of their room, watching the noon sun glistening on the river Thames. She noted the time on wall clock. 2:45pm. We slept in.

  Axel prowled up behind her, and wrapped his large arms around her tiny frame.

  ‘Shall we join the others?’ he proposed sleepily, kissing the top of her messy blonde head.

  ‘If they’re even awake too!’ she giggled, turning around and snuggling into his warm embrace. She felt more complete than she had ever felt before. They were together again, and that was all that mattered to her in the world.

  ***

  The group were already seated at a table when Finn finally arrived at the hotel bar and lounge. He had a restless night, and had overslept. His mild hangover repelled any enthusiasm he wanted to feel for the day ahead. Upon approaching the table, he noticed, to his amusement, that others were in worse shape than he was. But where’s Lenore?

  Axel was tucking into a hot breakfast wrap, eyes closed in relieved enjoyment, with Cat curled up sleepily beside him. Wyatt was sat back, head bowed, as he massaged his forehead with back of his fingers.

  The others seemed almost as despondent, with Jenny lounging motionless, her brown eyes half-mast, and her dark hair in a messy ponytail. Emile and Johnny held steaming cups of coffee, taking whiffs of the aromatic liquid, desperately trying to wake themselves up. The only ones which seemed somewhat unaffected from the clutched of last night, were Anubis and Marduk, who were seated comfortably together, watching over the others in subtle amusement. They seem completely recovered from their pagan shenanigans last night, he mused as he smiled at the statuesque couple, and seated himself down nearby.

  ‘Where’s Lenore?’ Finn addressed the group, concern creeping into his mind. She was very drunk when I left her last night, is she alright?

  Wyatt jabbed a thumb behind him, without looking up from his pained state.

  ‘Over there with some dude. Been chatting for ages now,’ he groaned.

  ‘We’ve only been here ten minutes,’ Axel chuckled between bites of his wrap, ‘Such a baby.’

  ‘Owww,’ Wyatt whined, batting his hand in Axel’s direction, ‘Don’t talk so loud... my head...’

  There were stifled snorts about the group, and Finn peered over to the far end of the room, spotting Lenore seated opposite a stranger in the corner nook.

  They looked deep in conversation, and Lenore looked well considering her condition hours earlier. Finn fought back the rising pang of jealousy he felt as he watched them. She was looking at her companion with such awestruck interest, that it made Finn’s fists instinctively clench in frustration. Who is he?

  Their conversation appeared to be coming to a close, and Lenore stood. Yet, it wasn’t until her companion got to his feet that her expression shifted slightly, from one of delighted interest, to one of shocked concern. The man had a prominent hump on his back, between his shoulder blades and nape of his neck. He was tall, and stood straight with ease, but his hump forced his neck to be angled forward slightly, giving his head a permanent slouch. Finn was in shock, a physical deformity! I’ve never seen one before.

  Two darkly dressed men rose from a nearby table and stood either side of the hunchback. A guard escort? Who on Earth is this guy?

  Axel noticed Finn’s intense stare and looked in the direction of his interest. Lenore was approaching them with her mysterious hunchback, tailed by two armed guards. Finn and Axel looked on in bewilderment, and Lenore smiled widely when she saw them staring.

  ‘Everyone?’ She began, drawing the entire group’s attention to her. ‘This is Deacon Raynes, Administrator of ECIT, and my mentor.’ She gestured to the tall man beside her, and everybody’s gaze shifted onto him, eyeing him with polite greeting, and poorly disguised wonder.

  ‘He will be joining me tomorrow, when we represent ECIT on Nibiru,’ Lenore added.

  ‘It’s good to meet you all,’ Deacon began softly, ‘You’ve all proven yourselves to be loyal friends to Lenore.’ Finn fought the urge to narrow his eyes at the stranger, just how much does this guy know about any of us? There was a short silence, and everybody was collectively thankful when Wyatt suddenly sprang into action and offered out his hand in greeting.

  ‘Wyatt Nolan, Chief Commander of The Saboteurs,’ he announced with a confident grin.

  ‘Pleased to make your acquaintance, Commander. I’ve heard of your prowess in the pilot’s seat,’ Deacon grinned, accepting Wyatt’s hand in a firm shake.

  ‘I’m sure you have, sir,’ Wyatt replied with a tooth smile, his arrogance making Deacon grin further.

  Lenore rolled her eyes, ‘Wyatt will also be joining us at the gathering on Nibiru,’ she explained to Deacon.

  ‘Sure am,’ Wyatt beamed, ‘Can’t be letting you stargazer lot have all the fun, can we?’

  ‘Of course not, Commander,’ Deacon laughed and nodded in acknowledgment. Wyatt subtly nudged Axel, who also rose to his feet.

>   ‘This is Axel,’ Wyatt introduced. ‘He heads our new splice liberation campaign, and leads our new unit of rehabilitated splices. He will be representing them at the gathering.’ Deacon raised his eyebrows in understanding.

  ‘A noble campaign indeed,’ declared Deacon, shaking Axels hand in warm greeting. ‘The abuses suffered by those like you, are a great wrong in this world. I wish the best in your cause, and offer any ECIT assistant you may require.’

  ‘Thank you, sir’ Axel nodded gratefully.

  ‘There is one more person here I would very much like you to meet, Deacon,’ Lenore began with a sly smile, and Deacon looked around at the group expectantly. Then his gaze stopped on a figure he had only briefly passed his eyes over before, but now recognised the tell-tale signs of an otherworldly being.

  Unnaturally black and gold hair, with features so impossibly perfect that the IGS would be kicking themselves. And icy eyes which evoked a gaze of the deepest intelligence and knowledge. Deacon was looking into the eyes of an Anuna. In one swift movement, Deacon quickly fell to one knee in the Anunnaki kneel, just before Lenore had voiced a confirmation of his assumption.

  ‘Marduk,’ she stated with pride, gesturing the amused, seated Anuna.

  ‘Silimma hemeen, Bel Amar-utuk. Ngae erimmen-zu,’ Deacon proclaimed from his kneeling position, and Marduk was astonished by the perfect Sumerian being uttered by the human before him.

  ‘You know our ways,’ Marduk acknowledged appreciatively, as he rose and strode across to Deacon. ‘But it is not necessary. Rise, friend.’ Deacon stood, and was momentarily daunted by the closeness of the Anuna prince. And, a full head below Marduk’s great height, he was unable to hide his wonderment as he looked upon a living and breathing specimen of his lifelong passion. And not only any specimen. Marduk. A higher Anuna, of the royal bloodline of Anu. King of Babylon. Ra of Egypt. Lucifer of Biblical interpretation. There were so many questions that he wanted to ask Marduk, but his thoughts were interrupted when Marduk held out a hand.

  Deacon attempted to compose himself, and accepted his hand in a firm one-shake greeting. The group emitted muffled chuckles at the awkward exchange.

  ‘Any friend of Lenore’s, is a friend of mine,’ Marduk began, ‘I will be glad to have you at the Eden Summit with us.’

  ‘E-Eden?... th... thank you,’ Deacon croaked out and swallowed down his tension. He stared at his hand as Marduk returned to his seat. I just touched a god.

  Lenore checked her OBdevice, ‘We should all be heading back to Lundy now,’ she announced. ‘We’ve got a meeting for the ages to attend.’ And everybody grumbled in unison at the thought of moving from their comfortable seats.

  ‘And for those of us who aren’t invited, Beatrice’s cooking would do just fine,’ Finn proclaimed with a grin, at which Johnny, Jenny, Emile, and Cat all verbally agreed with enthusiasm.

  Chapter 41

  Sky At Night

  ‘Ow’s yer cabbages?’ Beatrice asked breathlessly, as she reached the halfway wall by Jenny’s Cove.

  Cormoran chuckled loudly, ‘Growing well, ma’am,’ he replied, unmoving from his crouched position, tenderly measuring the dark green, crimped leaves of a Lundy cabbage.

  He headed a team of Conservators which work to maintain places of historical, archaeological, and ecological importance. The team were always a good laugh, and trustworthy, and have regularly been visiting Lundy since Victoria, Johnny, and Jenny were mere toddlers. Beatrice had struck up a fast friendship with the teams lead Ecologist, Cormoran Hills. And she always took it upon herself, as caretaker of Lundy, to offer him and his team refreshments while they were out working.

  Cormoran rose to his feet, and his physique matched his Cornish namesake. He was a giant of a man. Bearded, and broad, like a grizzly bear turned human. And it was his company which Beatrice enjoyed the most, and she actively sought it out while her children were occupied.

  ‘You don’t need to worry yourself with me, ma’am,’ Cormoran insisted, taking the replenished flask of hot tea she offered, ‘Despite my age, I’m hardy as a moor pony.’

  Beatrice laughed, ‘And I believe it!’ Cormoran suddenly narrowed his eyes at the sky behind Beatrice, ‘Looks like yer family are back,’ he observed, opening his flask. Beatrice turned to see two skycrafts hovering in the sky above the Overlook Mansion, slowly descending.

  ‘I must be going then,’ she stated apologetically.

  ‘No problem at all,’ he shook his head, understandingly, ‘Thanks for the tea,’ he grinned holding up his flask.

  ‘Let me know if you need anythin’ else,’ she smiled and turned to leave.

  ‘Beatrice,’ he called softly, and she turned to face him.

  ‘Whatever I happen to know, or see, or hear on Lundy, stays on Lundy,’ he assured with seriousness, ‘You know that right?’

  ‘Of course,’ she nodded, ‘Thank you for your discretion, Cormoran.’

  ‘If you’re ever in need of help, you can count on me and my team.’

  She suddenly felt the overwhelming urge to divulge everything to him. The aliens. The end of the world. The horrors of the IGS. Splices. Their abuses. The institutions. All of it. And she had not realised just how much she had been bottling up within her, but she resisted, and warmly thanked Cormoran once more, before hurrying back to the mansion.

  The group emerged from the landed skycraft, and Jenny came forward to greet her.

  ‘With Cormoran, mother?’ she mused with a smile, and Beatrice swatted her softly with a frown.

  ‘Mrs B!’ Wyatt exclaimed with a grin as he jumped down from Diablo, ‘You’re a sight for sore eyes!’

  ‘And yer all a sorry sight entirely!’ Beatrice proclaimed, looking about at the bedraggled gang.

  ‘Go on in and freshen yourselves. I’ll have dinner ready soon.’

  ‘Yes ma’am!’ Wyatt beamed, along with a series of appreciative mutters and groans from the rest of the group as they made their way inside.

  Anubis approached her with a gentle smile, ‘Some of them will be staying here, while we...’

  ‘Go to another planet,’ Beatrice stated with a serious expression, but Anubis could not help but laugh at the absurdity of the statement, though it was every bit the truth. Which just made the whole situation everybody was currently in, all the more unbelievable.

  ‘Yes,’ Anubis laughed with exasperation, ‘I’ll be alright,’ she assured. Though Beatrice frowned with unsurety, and meet Marduk’s eyes.

  ‘You look after ‘er. On that planet of yours. You hear?’ Beatrice cautioned, and Marduk straightened to attention, and bowed his head in agreement.

  ‘With my life,’ he vowed with mild amusement, and Beatrice could not help but smile at the beautiful man.

  ‘Oh I do like ‘im,’ she praised in a whispered tone to Anubis, and grinning, they turned to join the others inside.

  ***

  Night fell upon Lundy, cloaking the island in a glittered curtain of stars. Emile and Johnny had taken such clear skies as an opportunity to check out the mansion rooftop, which was easily accessible by an iron spiral staircase. Emile was once again struck by mild nausea, but eating her fill of Beatrice’s dinner, and sitting down with Johnny beneath the night sky had eventually settled her.

  ‘Orion,’ Johnny pointed to the night sky, ‘See his belt?’

  Emile snorted, That’s an easy one,’ she jibed, then pointed to a cluster of stars above and to the left of Orion, ‘Taurus.’

  ‘You need something?’ Marduk mocked from behind them, making them jolt in fright, but they then relaxed when he began to chuckle.

  ‘At ease,’ Marduk laughed, ‘I was passing by below, and couldn’t help myself,’ he reassured, striding over to the railing on the far side of the roof terrace.

  ‘Another of your names I suppose?’ Anubis mused, emerging out onto the terrace, from the open access door. Marduk grinned sadly up at the constellation.

  ‘The origin of some of them, yes,’ he revealed, then looked
to the sky with subtle sadness.

  ‘That red giant there, Aldebaran in your tongue, and Isli-e in mine...’ he pointed to the bright red star within Taurus, ‘That is the star of my homeland. The planet that once birthed my kind, long ago, orbits that star. Now it lingers. A barren frozen rock. Awaiting its final destruction with Aldebaran’s last breath.’

  A tear rolled down Emile’s cheek as she gazed up at the red star, the emotion and grief of Marduk’s lament struck a cord in her sensitive heart. And she was faced with the overwhelming sensation that perhaps every star up there, held a planet with such woes as Nibiru.

  ‘My ancestors had brought about the death of Nibiru themselves,’ Marduk reassured, ‘Something which your kind almost did here with Earth. Yet, you did something even the Anunnaki did not. You changed.’

  The three humans looked upon Aldebaran, listening with heavy hearts as an ancient alien prince grieved over his long forgotten home.

  ‘Foreseeing the future damage to your planet, you threw away your pride, and your sense of entitlement to the land and its lifeforms. You adapted, and changed. And you simply... stopped. Something my kind still has trouble doing.’

  Johnny nodded thoughtfully, stroking Emile’s back to comfort her sadness for the untold struggles within the universe.

  Anubis leaned into Marduk, ‘Where’s Leo?’ she asked, and Marduk squeezed her close in understanding, directing her gaze to the far left with his finger, pointing out the constellation of Leo.

  ‘Urgula. The Great Lion,’ he announced.

  ‘That bright star in Leo,’ Johnny began, ‘Regulus, right?’

  ‘Correct,’ Marduk praised, ‘my Babylonian people called it Sharru. The King of stars.’

  ‘And Pisces?’ Anubis demanded, and Emile turned to Anubis in subtle surprise. Marduk pointed out the constellation of Pisces, far to their right, and Anubis felt a pang of heartbreak. We’re so far from each other...

  ‘You’re a Pisces too?’ Emile asked softly.

  Anubis nodded sullenly, ‘Yes.’