I sat back down for a moment. I had wondered when we got to this place if sanctified ground would have an effect on me. I’m tied to Heaven so it shouldn’t, but even when I go into churches, I feel sorta funny. “What's the matter?” Cash said to me concerned. “I think it’s this house, I think the energy is too much for me. I need some air.” I said, standing again feeling not so dizzy this time. “I’ll come with you.” I didn't want to deal with talking anymore so I shook my head at his offer. “I want to be alone. There’s security watching the place, I’ll be fine.” I responded heading for the front door. Once I was outside in the cool night air, I felt better. The sound of the river guided me over to it though light was scarce, I could still see a foot in front of me. Darkness didn’t bother me either, it felt comforting in a way, drowning out all the noise light makes. There was a large rock sitting at the overhang before the river so I sat down feeling the coolness of it on m
“Where have you been?” He growled as he turned to face me. “I was outside, getting fresh air, like I said. You don’t need to send someone to watch me, I can take care of myself, Cash.” He didn’t understand the meaning of privacy, not one bit. “You weren’t feeling well earlier, so I told him to watch you just in case something happened.” He slightly snapped. “Thanks, but I’m fine now.” I responded as turned to head back up the stairs. “Fine or not, there is still a demon out there, Ayda, and if he becomes aware you are a walking beacon of energy to sustain him, you can be sure he will be after you, instead of me.” Cash almost blurted it out trying to warn me, or maybe he was trying to scare me, I wasn’t sure. “Remember Cash, I work for Heaven, and if he thinks my energy is tasty, then let him try. At least that way, someone will find him. Besides, we still don’t know yet if he can even possess me, or even if the kind of soul swapping, I do, is helpful to the little bugger.” I
Opening the door slightly, I took the phone with my good hand from Cash. He was turned away, which I appreciated. “You have some explaining to do Lucy!” I spoke into the phone with my best accent, closing the door. I heard the nervous laugh coming from Reggie. “Before you crucify me, first let me say, it was his idea, and he held my by the throat, with a valuable pot of gold.” Her words were rushed out, but she knew I wasn’t exactly mad for the sudden appearance of a missing Devil. “So, how’d you.. do it?” I asked. “I really didn’t, he did. I merely helped, a small bit.” She was skirting the details. “Do I even want to know?” I said, imaging all sorts of blood sacrifices and the debauchery of hundreds. “Uh, not really, let's just say he is borrowing someone’s coat. Kinda like a reverse possession, but not.” She sounded cheerful, but she was hiding something. “You don’t deal in black magic, so there's more to it than your voice is letting on.” I said in a low tone, sens
My body started to burn. I pleaded again for whomever it was, to stop. “I can’t..breath..who are..you?” I said in between breaths as he laid against my back, pressing the length of his body into me. “Emm..shhhh..soon..soon my little dove. Your lovely..wings..will be clipped..ahh..” He sat up behind me, keeping the rhythm of the flickering flames against the wall. I closed my eyes briefly, trying to focus, as he spread my legs further apart with his hands. Suddenly I realized something. His hands, what they felt like. They weren’t thick and callused, or strong, like Cash’s. They felt long, slender, like the hands of a piano player. Only two individuals came to mind when I felt those hands. “Michael..is it..why..what are you doing..to me..” I said, almost sure of it for just a moment, before thinking more and remembering Michael has shorter hair. The other one that came to mind was Lou, but his was the color of sunshine, or if straw could glow. “Emm..no..a guessing game..wont
“I’m serious Michael. How did you know about the dreams, how did you..get in my head?” I asked, not really wanting to, but I wasn’t keen on anyone entering my dreams without my permission. “Ayda, you're tied to Heaven, you're wearing a bracelet that is constructed from one of the holiest items that was never meant to be made. I’m sure you can figure that one out.” His words rolled around in my head. I looked away and nodded. I knew it was no different than when I entered Oblivion by accident. When I am living by the force of a soul of heaven, of course they would know if something nasty wanted to touch it. It didn’t seem like that demon was concerned with touching the soul, but more with touching me. “Well, now that you know, it’s best you rest love. I need to head back and recharge sorta speak. Lou will probably be in touch soon. I’ll let you relay to him what I said, and also...Witch..” I turned to see Michael turn towards Reggie with his last word. “Later, you and the Devil
“I don’t recall you ever asking me?” I said, feeling a bit peeved, that once again, Cash thinks he can just decide what I am going to do. He ignored me and walked over to the other side of the sofa and sat. “I didn’t ask because you going is as much as a benefit to you, as it is myself. If it’s the clothing choice that is making you hesitant, then I apologize. I went with what was trendy, and took into account where we were going.” He said casually as he looked out the window towards the river. I knew I’d be wearing more than what half the club was wearing, but it was still a bit out of my comfort zone. And, because he was right out it being beneficial to me, I dropped the bit of temper I had and decided to play along. “Fine. I’ll be ready in an hour or so.” I responded, not looking at him. I wouldn’t look at this like a date. This was a job. I needed to find out whatever Leif had to say and decide from there what we needed to do. I knew Cash felt the same way. Reggie follo
“Thank you.” Cash responded politely. “If you can wait just a moment, I will have someone escort you to the table your brother prefers.” The stranger responded. I had started to ignore them finally, looking around at all the Other’s that were coming and going. There were very few humans that frequented Chellos and I think it was because the building somewhat resembled a strip club full of Others, though it was much more than that. The club was run like a sexual fine arts gallery. The stage was massive, and because it was two floors, you could dance on the bottom floor to the Dj or visit one of the crazy themed areas on the second, each boasting their own taste of senseless debauchery. My favorite was the checkered floor room. It wasn’t basic black and white, but had bright checkered colors of the rainbow, with marshmallow seats and fluffy clouds that hung from the ceiling. A friend of Reggie and I worked there on the weekends and we’d come to see him in action. He was a dancer
I walked over to open one of the glass doors and the music’s bass caressed my ears. I could see down on the main floor tons of bodies bumping and grinding to the beat. Low smoky lights flickered around while servers navigated through the crowd. My eyes were drawn back to the second floor and I could see the Iron Velvet room directly across from us. I had visited a few rooms in the place but never that one. This angle gave me a better view then the marshmallow room. Instead of being directly by the wide stairs that led to the second floor, I was now where I could see all the rooms opposite us. The room was painted the same candy apple red as the hall ways we passed through and a large iron maiden towered against one of its walls. Swords crossed each other hanging here and there while chains hung an arm's length apart in several places. What caught my attention the most was not the large Victorian bed sized couch that sat in the middle of everything, it was the man lounging on it