My body ached at the thought of fighting right now and so I shook it from my mind. What I needed was sleep and I closed my eyes. It didn’t take long for me to drift off into oblivion.
Disposition
Lucas
The tips of my fingers tapped restlessly against the wooden table top as I waited for my brothers. I adjusted the tie to my suit and crossed my legs over each other. Mena’s voice rang over the intercom and a wild kick hit my stomach. “They’re here, Mr Cross.”
“Send them in.”
The door opened and in stepped War, followed by Famine and Conquest. Not referring to them by their human names was a custom I was forced to get used to.
War dropped his large frame into the chair at the end of the table opposite me, and Famine and Conquest took up their own chairs on either side of him. War adjusted his blond hair that was pulled back into a low ponytail at the base of his neck. Famine watched in envy. I smiled as the light above him was perfectly reflected in his bald head.
“Something must be wrong, brother,” War said, entwining his fingers and resting his thick elbows on the table.
“What makes you say that?”
“You never invite us here of your own accord.”
I chuckled. “Yeah, well, some things are bigger than my distaste for you three.”
“It has to be pretty big,” Conquest added.
I stared at them for a little while, trying to figure out a way to put this. In order for this to happen, I needed to have the three of them on board. “I want to fast track the apocalypse to the end of next week.”
War, Conquest, and Famine laughed in unison, as if I was the crazy one.
Conquest was the first one to speak. “Impossible. There’s no way we could gain the Council’s approval for another fast track and end the world in only eleven days.”
“What if I told you that it’s very possible?”
“It’s not.” Famine yawned and rubbed the stubble on his chin. “We’ve managed to bring it almost nine hundred years before schedule. Six months is close enough. The Underworld Council isn’t going to budge.”
“Who says we need the Council’s approval?”
Conquest and Famine stiffened in fear, but War seemed intrigued. I knew if I could get War to do what I want, Conquest and Famine would follow.
“We need the Council’s approval, Death. That’s the only law.”
“Screw the law!” I shouted. A loud slapping noise ensued as I slammed my hands down on the table. “We are the Horsemen. Without us, there will never be an apocalypse. The Council needs us. We don’t need them.”
Famine scoffed and pushed his chair back, placing his feet on the table. He shifted in his seat, adjusting his black suit jacket. “We end the world and then what? We have to go back to the Underworld and deal with the Council. They’ll kill us. They can replace us easily, it’s not like we’re one of a kind.”
I smiled at Famine. He had such a simple mind. “We won’t go back to the Underworld. We’ll destroy Earth and then rebuild it the way we want. We’ll make it our own.”
Conquest and Famine opened their mouths to contest me, but War raised a thick, callused hand and they shut their mouths.
“What’s this about, Lucas?”
I was taken aback by the use of my normal name. The sinister gleam in his eye told me he was up to something, like he knew something I didn’t.
“I want more power. That’s what this is about.”
War leaned forward in his chair. “It’s about her, isn’t it?”
I glowered at him. How’d he know? Was I that much of an open book? No, I couldn’t be. I’ve given nothing away about her. Hate, strong and fierce, crept up my chest.
“I don’t know who you’re referring to,” I lied.
A wry smile tugged at War’s lips. “You’re not the only one with a witch, Death. And you’re sure as hell not the only one keeping a close eye on her.” His tone turned sad and mocking, like I was a child. He stuck his bottom lip out. “Does it hurt you to see Violet?”
I clenched my jaw tightly and played through their game. “Again, I don’t know who you’re referring to. I’ve had plenty of women.”
Recognition flashed through Famine’s eyes and he turned his devious smile on me. “Oh, we’re talking about her? I wouldn’t mind breaking off a piece for myself, actually.”
My jaw began to ache at the pressure I was forcing on it and keeping my feet planted on this side of the room became difficult. I wanted to tear all of their hearts from their chests and I probably would have if I didn’t need them.
I unclenched my jaw. “Violet isn’t on Earth. I saw to that myself.”
“You know how angels operate. She’ll be back within a week or so,” Conquest said. “And maybe I’ll get to her first.” The look in Conquest’s eye wasn’t one of lust, but one of hate. The last time Violet and Conquest met, her blade went through his forearm. He was still nursing a bruised pride. The thought made a smile tug at the corners of my mouth and I bit my lip to hide it.
“You guys can fight over her all you want.” The words left a bad taste in my mouth. “But I have bigger issues that need my attention. You’re either with me or against me. You won’t have to live under the Council’s rule. We’re stronger than them. I’ll give you until tomorrow night to think about it.”
“It’s kind of a big deal. I’m going to need more time than that,” Famine said, standing up and straightening his suit. He narrowed his green eyes at me, but I wasn’t afraid of him.
“Tomorrow night is more than enough time. We’ll get back to you, brother,” Shade announced. He stood up from his chair and disappeared in a black haze of smoke. The other two followed. When I was sure they weren’t coming back, I hit my intercom button.
“Mena? Send Eva to the meeting room, now.”
“Right away, sir.”
A few minutes later, Eva entered the room. She clasped her hand over her mouth and coughed. “Jesus, open some windows in here. It smells like demons have died.”
Eva sat in the chair next to me. “Your brothers were here, weren’t they?”
“Yep.”
“Ugh. I am so sick and tired of them. I’d be a happy woman if I never have to see or smell them for the rest of my days.”
I chuckled. “I agree with you.”
Eva crossed her arms. “Why’d you bring me up here, Lucas?”
“I need a favor. It doesn’t require too much on your part…”
She arched an odd, well-shaped eyebrow at me. “There you go again, acting like I have a damn choice. What do you want?”
“I want you to look for Violet every day. My brothers… I can’t let them have her.”
“That means I have to touch you every day, and god knows my stomach isn’t as strong as it used to be.”
I felt my stern expression melt into a smile. “It’s only twice a day. I’m sure your stomach can handle that.”
Her dark, chestnut eyes focused in on me. “This girl is really something special, huh?”
I smiled. “She was, but now she’s a distraction I can’t afford. I want to keep her safe, but my demon side wants her dead. She’s my only weakness.”
“Do you realize how deranged you sound?”
I exhaled, beginning to grow impatient.
“Fine. I’ll look for her every day. Once in the morning and once in the evening, but if War comes after me because I helped you find her before he did, I’m outta here.”
“Deal.”
Eva leaned forward in her chair, extending her soft, papery hands to me. “Do you want to try and locate her now?”
Without a word, I placed my hands in hers and she closed her eyes. “You’re selfish, you know.”
“I know.” I was selfish. I was ready to end the lives of seven billion people to end my haunting memories, to keep Violet away from my brothers and away from me. A part of me hoped that if we ever met again in an after-afterlife she’d see it as a romantic gesture instead
of a psychopathic one.
Renewed
Violet
I stood in front of my mirror. I hadn’t left my house in a few days and I had a bazillion missed calls on my cell phone. Soon, I’d probably have a bunch of Obss angels at my door demanding me to sign up for a mission. Luckily for them, I felt good today. The swelling had completely gone down and the bruising was fading. Being an angel meant I healed quicker than humans. I let my hair down and it covered the slight bruising on my neck. Once I put makeup on over the top, they became barely noticeable.
At the headquarters, people stared at me and the half-star that was sewn into the fabric of my uniform. Every time someone’s gaze fell onto my ranking, it hurt my pride and I wanted to punch them.
Soon, Jenga fell into step beside me wearing her usual office get-up—long black formal pants with matching pumps and a nice white, silk shirt.
“Oh, you’re alive.”
I felt a smile tug at my lips. “I know. It sucks, doesn’t it?”
She shrugged her narrow shoulders. “Did you think about what I said?” Not really.
“Yeah and I still think you’re crazy,” I said, bending the truth a little. I mean, I thought she was crazy, but I didn’t really think about what she said over the past few days. I spent most of that time sleeping, reading, and then re-reading Romeo and Juliet. Depressing stuff.
“Come with me,” she demanded, turning on her heel.
“Jenga, I’m behind on my missions—”
She grabbed me by the wrist and dragged me along. Her grip was so hard that my wrist began to ache. People watched curiously as she pulled me through the office and into an empty room, slamming the door behind her.
“Jenga—” She raised her hand and silenced me. Her green irises flared with determination as she launched into a huge speech.
“Do you want to know what I’ve been doing the past few days?”
“Not really.” I shrugged.
“I’ve been working with Govlonsky.” I cringed. “Yeah, that’s right. They reassigned me to the gross, hairy Russian that spits into a bucket all of the time. Do I deserve that because you fucked up?”
I opened my mouth to speak.
“No,” she interrupted. “No, I don’t. You need to make this right for the both of us. You are a kick-ass angel, better than most. I know you can kill one of the Horsemen, hell, you could probably take two, so don’t mope around here collecting your Tracker missions like it’s something you deserve. You are a hell of a lot better than that and you know it.”
I didn’t know what to say. Jenga was pissed. Her cheeks were flushed, her fists clenched into balls at her side. I’d never seen her so worked up. Then again, I would be too if I had to be in the same room as Govlonsky. But… some things were just meant to be endured. God knows I’d forced myself through plenty of unsavory situations. I stepped past Jenga and turned around. “I’m sorry,” I said. “I’m sorry that you have to deal with Govlonsky, but I can’t help you right now. Maybe when I get my rank up I can request to have you back as my assistant, but until then, you’re just going to have to put up with it.”
I exited the room and made my way to the missions’ office. It wasn’t exactly an office. It was more of a hole in the wall that we lined up in front of. I was kind of excited to kill demons this morning, but that discussion had taken it out of me. I saw it this way; if I had taken her up on her offer to be friends, it would’ve been my obligation to help her out. But since we’re not friends, I didn’t really have to. That sounded right, but why didn’t it feel right?
“Violet Ashton,” I said to the receptionist with the pretty golden ringlets. She handed me a small glass mission tablet and I read the instructions.
Demon: Tracker.
Number: 3.
Location: Outskirts of Concave City—Logansville.
Great. Concave City. They couldn’t have given me a decent city like Port Burney or Los Hades. I ignored the warnings and tips on tracker demons that filled the next six slides and signed along the dotted line. I handed the tablet back to her and she gave me the forms for the teleportation chamber. When I got there, the receptionist signed my forms immediately and I didn’t have to wait longer than a second before Tom popped through the door.
“Violet, I haven’t seen you in a while. How are you?”
Ugh. I really wasn’t feeling very chatty today. “Good... thanks.”
We walked through the maze of corridors. More white greeted us as we entered the empty room. He closed the door behind us and I stood directly in the center of the room.
“Are we going?” I asked, confused because he hadn’t taken up his position.
“Yeah, but I thought we could have a chat first. What’s been happening with you?”
I studied him for a few seconds. He stuffed his hands in the pocket of his suit jacket and leaned against the far wall. His eyebrows were knitted together curiously and his eyes held a sympathetic kind of gleam.
Cautiously, I shrugged. “The usual.”
“A little birdie tells me it’s not ‘the usual.’”
I arched an eyebrow. If he already knew what I’d been through, why didn’t he ask me straight off the bat? “Feeling a little nosey today, Tom? Not enough people to teleport?” I brushed a speck of dust off my shoulder, trying hard to seem indifferent to his questioning. Truthfully, it hurt me every time I thought about it.
He smiled at me. “I just want to make sure a friend is okay. Are you?”
There’s that word again—friend. Either I’m a complete weirdo or people are throwing that word around too casually. Scratch that, it was obvious I was the complete weirdo. “Are you referring to my compulsion?”
He nodded.
“Yes, I was compelled, but I managed to remember it, so everything’s fine now.”
He glanced down to my half star. Ouch. There goes my pride again.
“I bet it hurt… remembering your compulsion?”
“What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger, right?” I sighed when his eyebrows knitted harder together. “Yes, it was horrible. I’m still trying to understand the purpose.”
“Well,” he began, taking his hands from his pockets and straightening his suit. “They believe subjecting your body to trauma will force your brain to remember the compulsion. When you’re about to die, your body fills with adrenaline and you’re capable of doing things you’ve never thought possible just to stay alive. The ACP, anti-compulsion procedure, uses that technique.”
“So you’re saying that they push you to the brink of death and hope your brain remembers?”
“Yep, something like that.”
“Barbarians. You’d think they’d come up with a pill or something instead by now.”
“Getting around witches’ magic is hard. We’ll get it eventually, though.”
“Yeah,” I scoffed. “And in the meantime they’ll keep subjecting angels to that horrible torture.”
Tom strolled over to me. Without another word or even offering me a travel pill, he took my hand and weightlessness and contentment filled me. Colors swirled and mashed before me as I was pulled into tiny particles and then put back together again. I loved being nothing. Strangely, it made me feel like I had purpose. The dull ache in my spine grew as it supported all of my weight. The beautiful hues disappeared and the painful white walls of my existence surrounded me. I let out a disappointed sigh.
“You really enjoy teleporting, don’t you?”
“Of course, don’t you?”
He shook his head. “It gets boring.”
“I could never get bored of the pretty colors…”
Tom smiled and ran his fingers through his pointy hair. “I know, because inside you’re a happy person. You don’t have to be so tortured all the time, you know.”
“What?”
“Live a little. Enjoy life. Lucas might be gone, but you’re not. To live without happiness is a tragedy you bring upon yourself. Only you can change how you see yourself and ho
w you feel inside.”
He was right. Every muscle, hair, and nerve ending in my body wanted to scream ‘you’re right’ at the top of my lungs, but I didn’t… because I was a stubborn asshole. “Well, Dr. Phil, thanks for the tip, but I, uh, I think I’m okay.”
Tom gave me a sad smile before he disappeared into nothing. I stood staring at the now empty space. To live without happiness is a tragedy you bring upon yourself. Did I have a choice to be happy? I felt like I didn’t. But… it is my fault I have nothing and no one to lean on. I chose not to decorate my apartment so it made me happy when I’m there. I chose to alienate myself from my peers. Maybe I did bring unhappiness down on myself.
I handed Gladys my forms and exited the teleportation chambers.
“Vi! You’re back!” Janet squealed as I stepped out of the waiting room. It seemed she’d been waiting for my arrival and she’d taken the liberty of assigning me a nickname. Oh goody.
“You’re really excited…” I said, glancing awkwardly at the angels passing by.
“Of course I am. It’s been a while since I saw you last.” She twirled her red hair around her finger. Her makeup wasn’t too extreme today. A subtle blue eye shadow framed her eyes. The eyeliner was laid on a bit thick and so were the fake lashes, but it was nothing compared to the yellow she was wearing last time. “What are you up to?”
“The usual… killing demons and stuff.”
“Awesome! Hey, I get off shift in an hour, did you want to hang out? We could see a movie or get drinks. You know, do what friends do.”
“Oh…” I felt really uncomfortable. “Sorry, I’m kind of in a hurry. Maybe next time?”
I stepped past her and headed for the location room as quickly as I could without it coming off as running away.
“Violet?”
Crap. I turned around to face her.
“I like it when you wear your hair down.”
I gave her a tight smile. “Thanks.” I think.