Chapter 12
"Let go!"
I tried to pull free but Nick's creepy friend chuckled, his grip almost bruising my arm. It didn't seem to bother him at all that I didn't want him touching me. He completely ignored my demands, turning me to face him as he looked directly into my eyes.
"Such a vibrant little lady. Definitely exotic, don't you think, Nick?"
I yanked again, but he held me. A step behind me, I heard the door thunk closed. "Let her go, Luke."
"No way. I know you can see that on her, which means any one of us could. I need to shut her down."
Nick walked closer and gently rested his hand on Luke's arm. "You think tormenting her is going to do any good?"
Standing so close to Luke, our eyes locked. I could see the yellow ring around his pupils fading to green closer to the edge. The color was at odds with the shade of his skin, like it wasn't natural. Like it was poisonous.
"I'll make you a deal," Luke said softly.
"No deals," Nick interrupted. He pushed us farther from the door, around the edge of the building. I stumbled along in Luke's grip. "Don't try that bullshit," Nick warned. "Not with her."
"And you actually call this dick a friend?" I asked Nick.
"Yeah." He never took his gaze from Luke. "She's already figured it out. Just let her calm down."
Luke smiled. "You scared, little girl?"
"I'm working on being pissed."
I wished I could pull the life out of this arrogant bastard like Nick had with the gunman. I wished I could force him to release me. I wished I could do something – anything – to get this asshole's hands off of me.
A tendril of metallic twists began to seep from his fingers where he gripped my arm. Luke gasped and stepped back, releasing me quickly. Without hesitation, Nick grabbed the substance, catching it in his hand like a butterfly before slapping it back to Luke's chest. When the jerk sighed in relief, Nick chuckled.
"Stop terrorizing her. I told you she's already figured it out. Next time I won't stop it."
"How can she pull aether?" Luke hissed.
Nick smiled. "And make the arts live? Sound familiar?"
Behind me, a third voice joined the conversation. "So she's really a Muse?" It was Sam. "She's not one of theirs?"
"Nope." Nick lifted an eyebrow. "She's what Michael's looking for, and I haven't exactly given her the whole intro to weirdness speech."
"What the fuck are you people talking about?" I demanded, turning to face them all.
Nick sighed. "Where'd you park, Luke? We shouldn't talk about this here."
"I'm not going anywhere with that asshole." I glared at Luke then turned and started walking back home.
I didn't give them a chance to talk me out of it. I wanted nothing to do with him. Sam and Nick had been ok, but Luke? Something told every fiber in my body to get far away from that psychopath – even if that meant Nick, too. If he couldn't understand that letting his friend grab me wasn't cool, then I needed to seriously rethink my crush on Death. Stretching my legs with each step, I hurried without breaking into a run.
Behind me, I could hear the men talking amongst themselves, the debate hushed but intense. I couldn't help but be curious, yet I wasn't willing to risk being around that creep. Hopefully, Nick would understand. If not, was he any better than my ex?
All I'd ever wanted was to pass my classes, make good grades, and get a decent paying job when I graduated. I wasn't asking for much, just a normal life like everyone else took for granted. I'd even give up the idea of some great romantic love story if I had to. I didn't want to, but other guys would come along. My dream was to have a little stability in my life, and nothing about this entire situation was stable.
It also wasn't impossible. I'd seen enough to know there was more out there than what most people took for granted, but I'd also seen enough to know when to make a hasty exit. Looking down the barrel of a gun had that effect.
I made it almost a block, ignoring the random droplets still falling, and had just started to relax when Luke stepped in front of me. My feet nearly skidded on the sidewalk as I stopped and immediately began backing up. I'd just left him back by campus, but he'd walked out of nothing. Nothing! I tried to breathe but my throat was closing and my heart was pounding way too fast. It was like someone had just changed all the rules of reality and I was suffering the consequences. I took another step back, searching frantically for a way out – and collided with something solid.
"I won't let them hurt you, little dove." The words were soft, his breath light against the side of my neck as his hands rested gently on my arms. Nick leaned closer, his lips brushing my hair. "And I'd prefer it if you didn't pull my life out."
"That's…" I turned to him, realizing he meant the smoke. "That's what that is?"
"Yeah." He pushed a wisp of hair away from my face, his dark eyes intent. "May I walk you home? You left the car behind, and it's only sprinkling now."
"Bring her to our place," Luke said.
Nick lifted an eyebrow. "Or that. Your choice, but I did promise to answer questions."
"What are you?" I lifted my chin, daring him to evade it.
"Nick Voland, college student, also known as the Grim Reaper or the Angel of Death, a misnomer –" Luke's laugh made his lip quirk, but he went on, "Or Death, as you've dubbed me. I have many names, but Nick works for now."
"Did I do the same thing you did?" I looked over my shoulder at Luke.
Nick shook his head. "No. You did something much more impressive. I promise, Luci – er, Luke – will be a gentleman." He looked over my head. "If he doesn't, I will pull half the aether from his body and let you take the other half."
"Dick," Luke replied, his tone amused instead of offended.
Nick just ignored him. "Let us walk you home. It's not safe out here, not anymore. Too many people are watching us."
"I'll cook," Luke offered, moving a step closer. "I'm not always an asshole, just most of the time. Come over, we'll talk, and I'll cook to make up for earlier?"
"Is this some kind of trick?"
Luke rolled his eyes. "If it was, do you think I'd tell you? I make an amazing chicken parmesan, though."
"It's his turn to cook," Nick explained. "Your choice, dove. Just don't walk home alone."
"Why not?" I stepped away from Nick, well aware that his charm and good looks lured me in. I wasn't sure I wanted to be anywhere near Luke, not even with my eternal protector at my side, and I couldn't understand why I'd been fine walking to class but suddenly in danger heading home.
"I'd rather explain that inside."
Luke sighed. "We're not the only freaks in this town, and we think the others are looking for something. That something just happens to be you."
"And how do I know y'all are the good guys?"
Luke laughed. "We aren't. We're just the ones on your side." When he realized I wasn't amused, the smile vanished and he shoved a hand through his close-cropped hair. "Our place is warded for it, which makes it safer than yours. You already know you can fuck me up, so you've got the advantage. The truth is, we need your help." He smiled, this time honestly. "May I please cook you dinner?"
"Where's Sam?" My mind was whirling, trying to keep up, but I wanted to know more. Curiosity may have killed the cat, but I couldn't stop the questions.
Luke shrugged. "He's taking the car home."
"More like he didn't want to piss her off," Nick muttered.
"Or that." Luke tilted his head. "You've already been over once and lived through it."
I chewed on my lip, debating. "How'd y'all beat me here?"
Nick offered his hand. "I'd be happy to show you."
"Show me and I'll accept the invitation to dinner." I lay my hand on his, daring him to refuse.
His fingers closed on mine and he stepped back, pulling me just off my feet. It was like slipping underwater. The world changed just like it had the night before, but this time I could clearly feel the edge of the barrier on my skin. Unlike the inside of my room, out here, colors became more intense but buildings turned to shades of grey. Before I could adjust to it, cloth brushed my wrist and I realized the hand I was holding now belonged to Death.
"This is what the corridor looks like when you're outside," he said, drawing my eyes to the hood. His skin was again the color of moonlight and the black robe covered him completely, but he smiled with Nick's mouth. "Space works differently here, and I don't want to lose you. I need to be closer."
When I nodded, he stepped toward me, wrapping his arm around my waist without releasing my hand. The other carefully clasped my shoulder. Then he stepped back, pulling me with him. For a moment, it felt as if the ground vanished. It was like dropping onto a chair that was lower than expected and, for that brief second, my body was convinced it would never stop.
Then we did.
Death tugged at my arm again and the colors returned to normal as his robe vanished, leaving a dark-haired Nick in his place. I snatched my hand away and looked around. We stood on the lawn of a large, green, Victorian style home. I recognized it. This was their place. We'd crossed almost two blocks in a single step.
"How?"
"Willing to come inside?" Nick asked.
I pressed my clenched hand to my chest, trying to make sense of it all. If I said no, they could out-maneuver me just by stepping through the corridor. If I said yes, they could grab me and take me wherever they wanted. With a sinking heart, I realized I was completely at their mercy. That, or completely bonkers.
"I don't really have a choice, do I?"
Nick took a step closer and I retreated, keeping him out of my reach. He froze. "I thought you weren't scared of me."
"I'm a little bit freaked out, Nick. What did you expect?"
His face turned to stone. Smooth, beautiful stone, but devoid of all emotions. He nodded once. "I hoped you were ready. I'll take you home the normal way."
"And what way did you bring me here?"
Those dark eyes narrowed intently. "The fast way." He took a step toward the short white picket gate next to the road, pausing when I didn't follow. "Your home is only two blocks away."
"I know where it is!" I looked back at the house. "Why don't you just drag me in there if you want me so bad?"
Slowly, he turned back, frustration tensing his body. "Because you said you trusted me. You kept asking for this, and I actually hoped you could handle it."
"Is that why you saved me?"
Nick groaned and shoved one hand through his hair. The other was clenched into a fist as he closed the distance between us. I could almost see the power flickering in his dark eyes. "Yes and no. I can't explain it out here. That's like asking to be struck by lightning."
"Will you explain it in there?"
The anger vanished, dissipating as I watched. "I'd rather not."
"Why?"
"I shouldn't have interfered," he whispered. "I didn't tell them about it."
"Then why did you?"
"I didn't want to see you afraid." He pressed his lips together and met my eyes. "This, what you are doing right now? I intervened so this wouldn't happen. So you could have at least a bit of a normal life."
"Is that it?" I gestured to the yard around us. "All of this, and that's the best answer you have?"
"No." Something flickered across his face, but I couldn't read it before the smooth, calm mask returned, the one that reminded me of Death. "That's just the best answer I can give you now. I swear to you, Sia, we will not hurt you."
"But you could?"
He nodded. "We need your help, though."
A car drove by slowly, reminding me that we stood a few paces apart, braced as if fighting. I took a long, deep breath and made a foolish decision. I mean, since my life had already crossed the boundaries of weird, I might as well make it all or nothing. Besides, I really did like Nick, and I couldn't bring myself to actually believe he meant me any harm. Letting the air out, I felt my shoulders relax as I accepted the choice.
"Does he really make a decent chicken parmesan?"
Nick lifted his head and looked at me until the corner of his lip slid up. "Yeah. He really does. Would you care to come in?"
"Might as well, right? I mean, if y'all wanted to force me to do your bidding, I couldn't really stop you, so why fight it?" I turned for the steps, but Nick caught up easily.
"I have no intention of forcing you to do anything."
He pushed open the door, waiting for me to enter first, then guided me into the room on the right. Three leather sofas were placed around a massive flat screen TV. The gaming console lay on the floor before it, controllers dropped casually on the coffee table.
"Can I get you a drink?" he asked, gesturing to a chair.
"Something with sugar. Soda?"
He bowed his head and turned, leaving me alone. No sooner had my rump touched the leather than Sam appeared. He paused, looked me over, then took the seat across from me, leaning forward to rest his arms on his knees.
"Saw you tried to drain Luke." It was hard to take him seriously with the shock of magenta hair and the metal ring through his brow.
I shrugged. "He didn't let go when I asked."
"Told," Sam corrected. "You told him to let go." He looked me over again, his eyes seeming to trace my outline, as if he looked all around me but never quite at me. "Guess the rumors about redheads are true, huh? Spunky?"
"Something like that." I pointed at the lock hanging across his brow. "Tell me, is it working for you?"
He thrust out his lower lip as he nodded. "Yeah, sweetie, it is. Chicks love the hair, guys love the piercings."
I decided to ignore that and change the subject. "You know what's going on?"
"Yeah. Do you?" Sam toyed with the metal in his tongue, thinking. "You religious?"
I couldn't help but look at the door, worried I'd already crossed some line that would anger Nick – or worse, his well-dressed blonde friend. "No. Should I be?"
He countered that easily. "What religion recognizes Death?"
"All of them." Didn't they?
"As a god?"
He had me there. "I don't know."
"The concept of the Grim Reaper isn't exactly from religion. It's more of a folk story." Sam twined the longer hair by his forehead around a finger as he talked. "It's also not just one person. We all do it, but Nick's a little different. That's what I was trying to explain in Drawing that day."
"Ok? How so?"
"Most of us can catch souls, but he can ease them out. He's good at it, too - and you saw him. No one sees him unless he wants them to. You can only look up through the veils, not down, and from Earth, everything is down."
"What?!" He'd just completely confused me with that one sentence. I recognized all the words, but the order and manner he used them in didn't make sense.
That's when Nick timed his entrance, acting as if he'd been a part of the conversation the entire time. "You just jumped ahead," he told Sam, passing him a cold beer. He handed me a bottle of Coke then claimed the next closest corner, opening his own beer. "When you slip into the corridor, you pass a veil. I think you felt it?"
"Like sliding under water?"
Nick smiled and nodded. "Yeah. The corridor is a gap between two veils, like the buffer area between the doors at most stores." He held up his hands parallel. "Like Wal-Mart. From outside to the corridor, from the corridor to inside the store. Two doors, two veils. Same idea."
"Uh huh."
He tried again. "Like the space between a set of nesting dolls? The smallest is inside, with the rest built up around it, but there's always a little gap of air. That gap is the corridor, and the veil is the outermost layer of each plane of existence, or world."
Now I was with him, but every answer made more questions. "What's on the other side of the corridor?"
"That's a somewhat complicated question." He gestured at my backpack. "Have paper in there?"
Once again, I pulled out my Calculus notes. A pen was clipped inside the metal spiral when I passed it over. Nick flipped to a blank page and began drawing a rough sketch. His hands were strong and callused like someone who used often used a pen or pencil, but not rough.
"There are five worlds that we know of, all in parallel dimensions," he began.
Sam snickered. "Dimensions sounds so science fiction, man."
Nick raised an eyebrow. "You want to explain string theory to someone with problems in calculus?"
"Nope." Sam sucked at his beer, waving his hand for Nick to continue.
He cradled the pen in his fingers lightly as he drew five circles in an upside down V, then turned the page and drew them again but in a more circular shape. Flipping back, he laid it on the table between us, gesturing with the pen as he spoke.
"So, they exist in the same time and space, but different layers so that, in theory, they should not be aware of the existence of the others."
"Ok?" Sounding like a bad movie so far.
"So, the universe is constantly expanding. Big Bang Theory and all that, right? So is the multiverse, but it’s moving away from the other dimensions, straining the bonds between them."
"Ok?" Still wasn't quite following.
"Here on Earth, you recognize only a few dimensions. Time, up and down, left and right, and forward and back. The thing you're missing is in and out. These universes aren't beside or around yours, they're inside or outside the reality you know."
"Uh huh..."
Nick sighed. "Ok, it's complicated. It also doesn't really matter." He flipped to the second page. "All you need to know is that the planes used to be connected all the way around like this in an unbroken circle, so that no matter where we were, we all had a dimension open on each side. But, as the universe expanded, a part of the link broke. Now, instead of a circle, it's more like a mountain with Earth on top." He flipped back to the first page and tapped the point of the V. "So from here, you can only go down. Technically, out. All the way to the right is our world." He tapped the last circle in the diagram. "To the left is our enemy's." Then the last circle on the other side.
"What is between those and Earth?" I asked.
"Myths and legends." Nick tried to hide it, but the smile slipped through. "Between you and us is Vesdar, home of satyrs and dragons. The world next to Earth on the left side has fairies and unicorns."
I nodded slowly. "So you want me to believe that myths are real?"
"Yep," Sam said.
Nick just held up a hand. "I'm not really done yet. So, because the worlds are parallel, but different, things tend to have some semblance of continuity. As an example, all of the worlds have a sentient bipedal species."
"Humans, fairies, and satyrs?" I fought the urge to roll my eyes.
"And demons and angels," Sam said. "All the worlds, not just the inner three."
It felt like cold ice trickled down my spine when I realized what he was saying. Their world and their enemy's had demons and angels. I looked from Sam to Nick then back to the page.
"That's why they're your enemy? Demons and angels?"
Nick nodded. "Now is when you ask the next question, Sienna."
I licked my lips slowly, moistening the suddenly dry skin. "I don't think I need to."
Sam sat up. "Gonna see how Luke's doing with supper."
"Yeah." Nick shot him an appreciative smile, waiting for his friend to leave before looking at me again. "Can you even say it?"
"You're a demon?" The words came out no more than a whisper, but Nick looked pleased.
He closed his eyes for a moment, then nodded. "How'd you figure that out?"
"Luke said y'all weren't the good guys. Your world is next to that of dragons, while the other is beside fairies. I don't know how this works, but it makes sense to me that the cross-dimensional evolution – or whatever you call it – would be progressive, not random." I paused, then decided I might as well be completely honest. "I've also never heard of angels with skin the color of moonlight. They're always supposed to be brilliant and radiant, not soothing and ethereal. And you kinda admitted it the other night."
"Moonlight?" Of all the things I'd said, that was what he clung to. Nick glanced at me quickly, then waved it away. "Well, Luke's not a demon, but he's moved to our side."
"A fallen angel?"
Nick chuckled. "There's not really anything to fall from. They call him a traitor, we call him a friend."
"So why does he freak me out?"
"I don't know." He sighed. "Usually, humans feel comfortable around angels and try to avoid us."
"What's the fight over?" If any of this was true, I doubted the fight would be about human virtue or souls.
Nick pointed at the notebook again. "Let's not jump ahead. So the worlds of demons and angels used to be connected. During that time, someone – and none of us can agree on who – figured out how to cross through the veils. The wars started, and we've never really found a way to stop them. When the connection between Angelis and Daemin broke, the only way for us to continue fighting was to take the long way around." He traced the entire V, from end to end.
"So instead of giving up, y'all went through so many other worlds?"
He shrugged. "It seemed like a good idea at the time. We found ways to make permanent gates since not all of us can cross easily. This let us transfer entire armies across the worlds, stepping from one plane to another, but it also let the natives wander through." He raised his eyes. "Hence the legends and myths you know."
"So, knights really hunted dragons?"
Nick nodded. "Yeah. There was a portal in Europe that led to Vesdar. Knights would ride across, try to kill a dragon, and bring what parts of it they could home." He chuckled. "In Vesdar, there are some interesting tales of human myths."
"And fairies?"
Nick looked quickly at the TV then back to the page. "Yeah. Um, same thing, basically. The inner worlds are a bit different from the outer." He rubbed at his face, thinking. "On Earth, you live fast and intensely, and you breed easily. The farther out you go, the more males there are per capita. On Vesdar, they live longer, usually pushing ten thousand years, but have few children. Maybe one or two in that entire time. In the last three thousand years, the population has stayed pretty stable."
"Ok?"
"Fairies, well, they're on the opposite side but similar in many ways. They call their world Tyrnigg. Unlike Vesdar, the women tend to rule, but there still aren't a lot of them. Like Vesdar, they have similar lifespans and reproductive rates. Granted, where satyrs are humorous and pranksters, the fae are malicious and temperamental."
"And you?" I watched his face, but Nick refused to look at me. "How long do demons live?"
His answer was soft. "Those of us from the outer worlds are immortal."