Guardian of the Sacred Fire

Earth & Wind

Asherah woke me by jumping in my bed. Adrian moaned to one side of me and Midael moved closer to me.  Months had passed since Midael and I were attacked via dream. Nothing new had happened since then.  Asherah and I were learning how to protect ourselves magically and physically.  Come to find out I’m pretty gifted with the sword.  I had went from Permaz training me to Midael.  Can’t beat the once general of God’s army.

            “Happy Birthday Anna!” Asherah said and threw a pillow at me.

            “Too early baby, go back to bed.” I said groggily.

            “It’s noon. I don’t want to know what you did all night, but it’s time to wake up.  The three of you.” She started jumping on the end of my bed.  It was like all the others in the mansion.  An over sized king so her jumping didn’t come close to our feet.  I picked up the pillow she threw at me and threw it back.  She giggled and jumped off the bed.  I sat up in time to be shot with a water gun.  Both men we suddenly sitting up shooting back with their own water guns.  We had learned pretty early to sleep with them.  It was one of Asherah’s ways of waking you up.  We also learned to sleep in clothes just in case she decided to come in.

            I climbed over the sheets and went to the end of the bed. I opened the hope chest and pulled out a super soaker.  “It is on like donkey kong.” I said and fired.  She squealed and ran out of the room.  See, I’m still a kid at heart.

            “She’s needs a play day.” I said.  “She is having to grow up too fast and she is still just a child.” I said.

            “What do you have in mind?” Adrian asked.

            “Two words.  Laser. Tag.” I said with a smile.  “It’s not painful like paintballs and it’s fun.  We don’t use the top floor for anything, so if I could get some things like black lights and laser tag equipments, I think she would have a blast.  And I just bet you don’t have any of that.” I said secretly hoping for a trip to the states.

            “We don’t but I can send someone to get them.” Midael said.  “And no you’re not going.”

            “But it’s my birthday.” I said and climbed back on the bed and crawled up to him with a pouty look on my face.  I laid kisses on his chest and neck.

            “Nice try, but no.” He said and held up the green plastic gun to my face. He squeezed the trigger with a smile and I was shot in the face with a stream of water.  I sat on his lap and grabbed the super soaker and pointed it at him.

            “Now that’s not fair.” He said and held his hands up.

            “Nothing is fair in love and war.” I said and shot him.

We had a mini water fight on the bed and by the time we were done the guns had no more water.  I seemed to get away the least we.  Both men needed towels and my bed was soaked.

            “We can get the supplies by tomorrow and since it is the American Independence Day we will have fireworks. Everyone needs a day off.” Midael said.

            I just nodded and went to my dresser and grabbed a pair of short and a tank top with underwear.  I never knew where my dirty clothes went; they just showed up clean at the end of the week.  I never saw any workers here.

            “Midael who comes and cleans every week and why don’t I see them?” I asked.

            “Oriel has a couple of his people come, and if they wanted you to see them you would see them.” He said and slipped on jeans.  I noticed since he started sleeping with me he started wearing every day clothes instead of suits.

            “Let’s go swimming Anna.” Adrian said.  “I like the pond since it isn’t salty.”

            “How about not.” I said and looked at him.  “We can swim anywhere else but there.” I was remembering the dream.

            “What’s wrong?” He asked.

            I realized I never told him my dream. Only Midael knew as I knew his dream.

            A knock came to my door and Beast entered.  “We have visitors.” He said winded.

            Midael left the room first at a jog and Adrian and I followed behind.  A woman was talking Bernael in the parlor.  She had wheat colored hair and honey colored eyes.  She was a little taller than me and very petite. The man standing behind her was at least 5’9” which made him a little short for a man.  He had short cropped black hair and brown eyes. He had a face that I wouldn’t find special in a crowd.  I noticed he carried a cane with him.

            “This must be Vesta. My Elders have told me about you.” She said and came up to me and kissed my cheek.  She had a Scottish accent and was trying to hide it.

            “I am. May I ask who you are?” I said.

            “I am Rhea of the Earth, this is Furlac my Sentinel.” She said and motioned to him. He just nodded at me.

            Asherah came running up and hid behind Beast.  He patted her head and smiled.

            “And who is that?” Rhea asked.

            “I am Asherah.” she said meekly.

            “I didn’t think children were Guardians.” Rhea said with annoyance on her voice.

            “Well you had a choice.” I said and held out my hand to Asherah.  “She didn’t. She is family here.”

            “And what is your power?” Rhea said, this time the annoyance showed.

Nothing happened for a minute and I looked down at the child.  Her eyes were out of focus and suddenly I heard a scream.  I glanced back at Rhea and she was soaked.  I looked at the glass vase full of flowers on the table and it no longer had water in it.  I started laughing.

            “You brat!” Rhea screamed and lunged after her.  I put her behind me and pulled forth my fire. She stopped in mid motion a few inches in front of me.

            “You will not touch her.  You see we were in the middle of a water fight, and it seems that Asherah wants you to join.”

            “Who is in charge here?” Rhea said shrilly.

            “I am.” Midael said, just happening to be carrying my super soaker.

            “So I came here to be trained by the old general of God’s army and I get a bunch of children.” She said.

            “Actually, we’ve been training for months and you just happened to come on my birthday and we’re taking a day off.”

            “You can’t take a day off, Lucifel’s awakening is coming closer and closer, and you sit here playing with children’s toys!” She screamed.

            My anger flared then.  It must of looked like I spontaneously combusted because I was suddenly seeing the red of my flames.

            “You have not been here! You have no right to tell us what to do! You do not know what we have been through while you probably sat on your ass eating f*****g bagels!” I screamed back.  Her guardian moved lazily in front of her.  He showed me a secret smile.

            “Bah! Americans, always so vulgar.” Rhea said and started to look around as if nothing had happened.  “I want to be shown to my room now.” She said and started to walk up the stairs.

            “Give me any good reason not to put you in the basement.” I said.

            “Because you don’t control it here, he does.” She said pointing to Midael.

            “I’m going to let Anna decide on this one.” Midael said and c****d the super soaker.

            “Asherah, I’d run if I were you.” I said with a smile looking down at the girl.  She grinned up at me and ran out the door.  The men followed after her and left Adrian and I alone with the guests.

            “You must be a good f**k to get an ex general to give you word here.”

            “And what makes you think I’m f*****g him?” I asked.  I really did not like this woman at all.

            “Rhea, there is no need to be so mean. You started it.” Furlac said finally.

            “Show me to my room and I will leave you alone and in return I want to be left alone.”

            “Did I come at a bad time?” A woman with bright red hair and brilliant green eyes walked into the room.  Her skin was paler than my own.  She was followed by a man her height with the same red hair but his eyes were brown.  They were carrying suitcases.

            “No, not at all.” I said.  “Adrian, will you please show Rhea to the basement to where she will be staying and Furlac to one of the regular rooms please?” I asked and let my fire vanish.

            “You cannot be serious!” Rhea yelled.  “Wherever I go Furlac goes.” She said.

            “I think Furlac can decide for himself.” I said and went to the new guests.

            “Welcome to our island.” I said and she held out her hand.  She had a firm handshake but did not squeeze hard like men would usually do.

            “Vesta!” Rhea screamed.  “I will not be put in the basement!”

            “Then you will apologize to Asherah and I.”

            “I will not apologize to a child!”

            “Then to the basement you go.” I said and turned my back on her.  “Welcome, you must be Anemoi and Cedar of the Wind.” I said.

            “We are.” Anemoi said and smiled.  “I take it that Rhea has been a naughty girl.”

            “How did you know she was Rhea?” I asked.

            “Well she called you Vesta and you said Asherah and I.”

            “Well I’m a smart one.” I said sarcastically.  “I hope you don’t have a problem with children. Asherah is only ten years old.” I said.

            “Not at all, I’m the oldest of eleven children. I have a one year old baby brother.”

            “How old are you?” I asked.

            “A woman never tells her age.” Anemoi said.

            “To men.” I added.

            “Oh I like you.  I’m 19.”

            “I’m 23, my birthday happens to be today.” I said and led them up the stairs.  Rhea and Furlac had gone with Adrian.

            “Well happy birthday.” Cedar said.

            “Thank you.” I said.  “What’s your favorite color?” I asked.

            “Is that important?” Anemoi asked.

            “It is if you want to like your room.”

            “Purple.” Cedar said.  “Purple is her favorite color.”

I smiled and nodded and led them to the second floor.  Most of the rooms were taken now.  I counted in my head how many people were here.  Bernael, Permaz, Oriel, Midael, Adrian, Asherah, Bethor, Beast, Rhea, Furlac, and now Anemoi and Cedar, and not to mention me. Twelve people were staying here.  It’s the most I’ve ever seen under one roof.  There were fourteen rooms all together, thirteen were now taken.  If anyone else showed up I guess I was willing to give up my room.  But who would I be willing to bunk with?  Adrian or Midael? I didn’t want to have to choose, that’s why I kept my room.  If it really comes down to it I’d share with Asherah since Bethor had his own room.

            “You have your own bathroom.  Do you bunk together or separate?” I asked.

            “Together preferably. But could an extra bed be put in our room?” Anemoi asked.

            “We can have one here by tomorrow.” I said.  I didn’t ask why, it was none of my business. But Cedar answered for me.

            “She’s my sister, if you were wondering.  I’m not truly her Sentinel, but mom wouldn’t let her leave without someone to watch her.”

            “What about your Elders?” I asked.

            “Midael not tell you?” Anemoi said.  “We were attacked a few days back.  Only Cedar and I survived.  The one that was supposed to be my Sentinel betrayed us. He sold his soul for power.”

            “I’m sorry to hear that.” I said.  “To warn you, we have a phantom here, He goes by Azrael.  While he was among the living he was a vampire.”

            “What happened?” Cedar asked.

            “I killed him.” I answered.  They quit asking questions as I came to their room. I opened the door and let them in.  “Everything you need is in here.  Breakfast is at 8 in the morning, lunch at one o’clock dinner at seven o’ clock. Today and tomorrow we are resting.  My idea for Asherah.  But come Tuesday morning we begin training again.  We train hard, but we have fun. There is a physical training arena in the back.  The library is on the first floor all the way down the hall.  We made a meditation or prayer room on the other end that is barely went to.”

            “Thanks.” Anemoi said and put her luggage on the bed.

            I nodded and closed the door behind me.  I went down the hall and came to an open door.  Rhea was pleading with Adrian not to go to the basement.  I noticed she was using a womanly move and had her arms under her breasts, flaunting them if you will.  She was much larger than me in the breast department but she was petite.  Either she was blessed or they were fake.

            “You don’t have to apologize to me, but apologize to Asherah.” I said.

            “Fine.” She said.

            “Anna, are you coming to play?” Asherah came as if I called her.

            “Rhea has something to tell you.” I said and held my hand out to her.

            “I’m sorry.” Rhea said through gritted teeth.

            “It’s okay. I understand that some people in this world are just a bitch.”

            “Ha!” I laughed and clasped my hand over my mouth, not meaning to laugh.  Rhea just narrowed her eyes at me.

            “So she gets away with calling me a b***h?”

            “Well you were being a bitch.” Adrian answered for me.

            “We should just leave Furlac.” Rhea said and turned to her Sentinel.

            “And where are we going to go? They can protect us.  Or did you forget holding onto Marbas as he died?” Furlac said.

            “What are you saying Furlac?” Adrian said.

            “Vesta’s Elders are the only ones left.  We found Asherah’s Elders as well in their stronghold.  Each with a look of terror on their face.”

            I heard a sob beside me.  She ran out of the room and I didn’t follow.

            “What does it mean?” I asked.

            “Lucifel is rising early. We all had the dream of three years, but the signs are there, I give it until the end of the year.” Rhea said.

            “Shit.” I said and walked out of the room.  I ran down the stairs and ran into Midael.

            “What’s wrong?” He asked.

            I explained everything to him.  His smile had vanished and he just stared into my eyes.  His silver eyes had always amazed me, but now they showed fear.

            “The night we were attacked, we were supposed to die.” He said.  “They will attack again, especially since the others have arrived.  Prepare for battle at any moment.” He said and left me.  He moved down the hall quicker than I had ever seen him move.

            I walked up to my room and sat on the lounge chair.  It was red to match the room.  I felt a touch on my cheek and I looked up.  Azrael was floating there.

            “Why haven’t you passed on?” I asked.

            “I don’t know.” He answered.  His voice was like a whisper and an echo at the same time.

            “I wish I could hold you right now.” I said quietly.

            “Your wish is my command.” He said and became a little more solid.  He sat next to me and put his arm around me.  I leaned against him and he seemed to become more solid.

            “How are you doing this?” I asked.

            “I can’t fully come back; I don’t have a body to return to. But your power gives me being. There is a way but you would never forgive me.”

            “Then don’t do it.” I said and got up.  I went to the window and he followed me.  I saw Asherah and Bethor at the shoreline.  I turned and went to join them.

            Asherah was screaming out at the ocean.  The waves had become choppy and the tide was coming in early.  I knew it was her doing.  Bethor just stood there with his arms crossed.  No show of emotion played across his face.  I put my hand on the girl’s shoulder.  She turned at me with tear streaked cheeks.  She wrapped her arms around me and cried.  My throat felt tight.  I had come very close to the child and I hated to see her that way.

            “We must kill them.  Kill them all.” She said.

            “We will.” I answered and held her close.  We eventually ended up in the sand watching the sun set.

            “I’m sorry your birthday is ruined.” Asherah said.

            “It’s not. I got to spend time with my favorite person.” I said.

She smiled.  “I’m not your favorite.”

            “Who says? I’d like to know, I’d beat ‘em up.”

            “But Adrian and Midael-.”

            “I love them yes, but they aren’t my favorite.  I love you, but in a different way.”

            “A motherly love?” she asked.

            “You can say that.” I said.  “You will understand when you get older.”

            “I don’t think I’m going to get older. I was raised to fight demons, and we’re fighting the devil. I don’t think I will live pass that.” She said and brought her knees to her chest.

            “You think that too?”

            “I have dreams about it.” She said and drew circles in the sand.

            “Me too.” I said.

            “You’re my best friend Anna. You’re my only friend.  You don’t treat me like a child like the others do.”

            “You’re not a regular child. Name one that can change the tides?” I said.

            “I wish I was normal.” She said.

            “I miss my old life at times.  But being normal isn’t the greatest thing in the world.” I said.

            “Anna, Asherah, dinner is ready if you want to eat.” Bethor called.

            We both got up and dusted off our butts.  “I’ll talk to the others about treating you like a child.” I told her.

            “Don’t worry about it.  I’m ten years old, even when and if I turn 20, they’ll still see me as the ten year old girl standing in front of you now.”

            I just nodded.  In a way she was right.  My cousins whom I changed diapers I still see them as little kids even though they are getting up in age.  It was how humans were I guess.

            Everyone ate in silence.  The table had gone from a simple dinner table when I first arrived to a long one like you would see in castles.  Asherah had taken her usual place next to me on my right and on my left was Adrian.  Midael always sat at the head of the table.  He looked as though he was deep in thought.  He had his hands clasped together and wasn’t touching his food.  He glanced around the table, his eyes settling on each of the Guardians for a minute and then he would look down at his plate.

            “Anemoi, I was told today that you did not have a Sentinel.” He said.

            “My brother protects me for the time being.” She said after swallowing a mouthful of food.

            “A true Sentinel will gain you power.  I understand the bond between your brother and you. With your Elders dead I have no choice but to protect you.  You may have a choice between Permaz, Bernael, and Oriel.” He said and motioned to the three.

            “What about you?” Anemoi asked.

            “I am bound to Anna.” He said.

            “But how is that? She has a Sentinel already.” Rhea said.

            “That is none of your concern.” He snapped.

            “How about the one you call Beast?” Anemoi asked looking at my best friend.

            “I am not as strong as them.” Beast admitted.

            “Not metaphysically.” I said.  “But physically you are.”  He smiled meekly at me.

            “I don’t see why not.” Midael said.

            “You do know; in order for the bond to be complete you have to have sex.” Rhea said.

            “I know.” Anemoi blushed to almost a shade that matched her hair.  I noticed Beast blushed too.

            “Would you allow it Anna?” Anemoi asked.

            “Why are you asking me?” I said and almost choked on my food.

            “I just thought-.” She didn’t finish the sentence.

            “Oh no, no, no, no.” I said.  “He’s my friend. That’s all.”  It was my turn to blush.

            “Sorry.” She said quietly.

            “No apology necessary.” I said with a smile.

            “Beast? Would you like to be Anemoi’s Sentinel?” I asked.

            He nodded without a word.  We continued our dinner quietly.  I noticed Beast and Anemoi stealing glances at each other.  I felt like I was back in high school over again.

            “Well I’m going to bed.” I said and scooted my chair back.  I got up and picked up my plate and glass.  I was always used to back home and I took the plate to the kitchen myself.  I had made the others do it too.  Why do we get to sit around and not do chores while Oriel’s people clean up after everything we do?  I didn’t think it was right.  Oriel appreciated it.  Bernael on the other hand never really did like me much.  I wondered how he felt at being shot down for a lesser being to be a Sentinel.  He was probably pissed.  I knew Oriel and Permaz wouldn’t care.  They loved what they did by training us and didn’t want to get too involved with anyone.

            I walked into the kitchen and saw something fly over my head.  The dishes were doing themselves.  I knew they weren’t doing themselves, that the faeries only were to be seen if they wanted to be seen.  I went to the kitchen and asked out loud, “Do you mind if I wash my own plate?”

            The plate that was being washed was put back in the water and the sponge was in mid air for me to grasp.  I didn’t want to hurt anything I couldn’t see so I let it drop it in my hand.  “Thank you.” I said and smiled.  I washed my own dishes and put them up.  I dried my hands off on a towel that was handed to me.

            “You’re an odd one.” Something tiny said in my ear.  “Most Guardians are mean.  You’re nothing like Ariella was.”

            “I take that as a compliment. I’m getting sick of being compared to her.”  I said quietly.  I felt a weight on my shoulder and I looked down at a golden Barbie-sized faerie sitting there.  “What’s your name?” I asked.

            “Drop.” She said.

            To me it was an odd name.  She wore a dress that looked a little too big on her. She rose up in the air and fanned out beautiful golden glittering butterfly wings.  Her skin was gold like Oriel but her hair was silver. She had bright green eyes that reminded me of spring grass.  Her face was very smooth with a pointed chin.  The words that came to my mind were delicate and dainty.  “Nice to meet you Drop, I’m Anna.”

            “I know.” She said with a giggle.

            “It’s a great honor for Drop to show herself to you.” Oriel said coming into the kitchen.  “She is sometimes known as ‘The Great Mother’.”

            “Why is The Great Mother washing dishes?” I asked.

            “Because I like to.” She said and landed on Oriel’s shoulder.

            “I meant no offense.” I said.

            “None taken.” She said and suddenly vanished with a giggle.  The dishes started to wash themselves again.  Oriel came up to me and smiled.

            “You are sweet for a human.” He said and brushed a strand of hair out of my face.

            “I see no use to be mean unless it is needed.” I told him.  “My mother taught me that.”

            He nodded and laid a light kiss on my forehead.  It wasn’t meant as anything.  Just a nice gesture.  He walked around me and back into the dining hall.

            “He’s lonely.” Drop said while still invisible.  “He can’t change into our size anymore after siding with Ariella.  Humans won’t give him a second glance because how he looks.”

            “I would have.” I said and suddenly wished I didn’t.  Oriel was handsome yes, but I already had two men in my bed.  In my standards that was too many.  I walked out of the kitchen before another word could be said.  I could feel the blush on my face as I headed towards my room.  I saw Oriel on a daily basis; he taught me new spells and magic almost every day.  We skimmed through the stuff Ariella had left me with.  If I were to be reborn and haunt another young woman’s mind I wanted to give her as much knowledge as possible.  Compared to what I was being taught Ariella knew nothing.  I hated admitting it because I always thought of her as a strong woman, but in the long run she wasn’t.  She had died easily at the hands of a vampire.  I have technically died twice and still came back.  Once by the hands of Uriel then in a shared dream with Midael.

            I walked into my room and headed to the bathroom like I did every night.  It was my routine shower.  Sometimes Midael joined me, sometimes Adrian did.  Tonight I wanted to be alone.  It was my birthday right? I was allowed some things.  After brushing my teeth and other human bodily functions I got into the shower.  I turned on the hot water.  I liked it straight hot now.  When the men showered with me they turned some cold on, but for some reason it was just too damn cold for me.  I never complained though.

            I fondled the ruby amulet that I hardly ever took off. I knew Adrian only took his off when it was a medical emergency.  I sat down against a wall and drew my legs up and just let the water run over me.  I was really missing my mother.  I knew if I was back home I would have gotten a homemade birthday cake and a card.  I never wanted presents.  She always made the cards.  I had a collection of them since I was born that she had saved until I was responsible enough.  I had 22 cards up until a few months ago. They were lost to the fire now.  That sent a pang through my heart.  I wanted to know how she was doing at least.  I closed my eyes and let tears quietly fall.

            I could see her in my mind’s eye.  I could smell her perfume.  She had natural strawberry blonde hair and blue hazel eyes.  She came from an Irish heritage and we both had the pale skin tone.

            I saw her sitting on her couch watching television.  It was like I could really see her.  “Mama?” I called out.  I never called her Mom; it was always Mama for as long as I could remember.

            She looked around and her eyes went to a picture of me on a bookshelf.  It was my senior picture in high school.

            “Anna?” She said quietly.

The shower door open and I snapped my eyes open.  Oriel stood there with his hands over his eyes.

            “Anna please stop.” He said and turned around.  “It will just hurt her even more.”

            “What was I doing?” I asked and stood up.  I turned off the water and he blindly handed me a towel.

            “When emotions are high we can all do things we didn’t know we could.  You have just found out you can see great distances.  I don’t know if you will be able to do it again.” He said and looked at me when it was safe to look.

            “Do any of the others know what I just did?”

            “I don’t think so. It is a very subtle power.  Only I can do it.” He said.

            “Did you-?”

            “I saw a woman.  You have very strong feelings for her.”

            “She’s my mom.” I said.

            “You want to see her again?” He asked.

            “I would like to.  At least to tell her I’m ok, that I’m alive.”

            “But Midael is right; it will just cause her more pain when you have to leave again.”

            “She will understand.  If I tell her the truth, she will understand.” I said and looked at the ground.

            “Then let’s go.” He said.

            “What do you mean?” I asked.

            “Get dressed and I will show you.”

I got dressed as quick as possible.  I rushed to his room and he was next to a floor length mirror.  He was putting runes against it.  The surface of the mirror suddenly rippled like water.

            “Ready?” He asked.

            I nodded my head and he took my hand.

            “I’m going to hear about this when we get back.” He said and sighed.  He pulled us both through a mirror.  It was an odd sensation of floating for a brief second and then crashing to the ground.

            “What the hell?” I heard my mother yell. She came running into my old bedroom with a shot gun.  I lifted myself up and watched as she dropped the gun and her jaw drop.

            “Is it really you?” She asked quietly and came up to me.

            “Yes mama.” I said and hugged her.  She had never hugged me so tight I think.  She was a petite woman.  Always had been my entire life.  I took after my father on the weight but I was exactly my mom’s height.  I saw my step dad come into the room with his rifle pointed and he lowered it.  My step dad had been there for me since I was 17.  He took me in after I moved out of my father’s.  I had called him dad ever since.  You know that saying: “anyone can be a father but it takes a real man to be a dad”-yeah that was my step dad.  We went out into the living room and I saw a baby in a bassinet.

            “Is this my niece?” I asked.

            “Sure is. Her name is Elizabeth Rose. I’m babysitting for Kaleb and his wife.”

            I picked up the baby and she smiled up at me.  She had my brother’s green eyes.  I put her back down and looked at my mother.

            “Where have you been? We all thought-.” She couldn’t finish the sentence.

            “I want you to keep this a secret okay?” I asked and looked up at Oriel.  He nodded.  “The rest of the family can’t know that I’m alive.”

            “Why?” She asked.

            “You’re going to think I’m completely insane.” I muttered and took her hand.  We went out into her back yard that was surrounded by a security fence.  I brought my fire to engulf me and my mother’s jaw dropped.

            “I am the Guardian of the Sacred Fire, a warrior for God.  I was called forth to protect humanity from an evil that is awakening.” I said.  I didn’t want to scare her completely by saying it was the devil.  My mother wasn’t very religious but she did believe in God.

            “And him?” She asked and motioned toward Oriel.  My dad was eyeing him like he shouldn’t be trusted with Elizabeth cooing in his arms.

            “He protects me until it is time that I’m needed.” I said.  I suddenly noticed that Oriel’s skin was a human shade as was his hair.  He didn’t look like he was dripped in gold.  I drew back the fire into wherever it went.

            My mother gasped and dropped to her knees.  I went to her and got to my knees as well.  “Before you were born I had a dream.  I dreamt of a great angel. I can still remember what he looks like.  He had long black hair and eyes like the silver moon.”  She said quietly.  I glanced up at Oriel.  “He said that I would have a daughter that was going to save mankind.  I thought it was just a dream, I didn’t think much about it.  I remember there was fire, lots of fire.  It was more of a nightmare.  So much death and decay.  I saw a woman shrouded in a blue fire fighting a man.  Is that woman you?” she said and looked into my eyes.

            I nodded.  “Yes mama, that woman is me.” I said and held out my hand.  I called the blue fire into my palm. It wouldn’t last long. It always used so much energy to call the Sacred Fire.

            “We have to go Anna.” Oriel said quietly.

            I helped my mother to her feet and she hugged me again.  “Will I get to see you again?” She asked.

            “I don’t know.” I answered truthfully.

            She nodded and started to cry.  I hated it when my mother cried.  It always made me cry.  “I knew you weren’t dead.” She whispered.  “My baby girl is too strong for that.”

            I laughed through the tears.  “Remember you can’t tell anyone.” I said as we went back inside.

            “I won’t.” She said.  I went to my dad and hugged him as well.

            “Be safe.” He told me.  That was his way of saying “I love you.”  We had the kind of relationship we didn’t have to say it.  We both knew we loved each other.  He looked at Oriel.

            “You her boyfriend?” He asked.

            “No sir.” He answered.  “Like she said, I protect her.”

            “How far are you willing to go for her?” my dad asked.

            “It is my duty to protect her, and that means my life is forfeit if need be.”

            “What does that mean?” My mom asked.

            “It means he’s willing to die for me.” I answered and looked at Oriel’s now brown eyes.  He looked back at me.  There was some feelings there.

            “We have to go now.” He said quietly and we headed back to my old bedroom.  The surface was rippling still as I hugged my mom one last time.

            “I love you Anna.  Until you have children you can’t comprehend that love.” She said.

            “I love you too mama.” I said.

Oriel took my hand and stepped through the mirror.  The same feeling of floating and then falling and we were back in Oriel’s room on the island.

            Midael was sitting in a chair waiting for us.  His hands were in fists and he stood up once we landed on the floor.  Oriel caught me from falling this time.

            “You both have endangered us all!” He yelled.

            “It wasn’t fair keeping Anna from her mother like that.” Oriel said.

            “It was the safest thing!” Midael said and went to the now golden man.

            “I’m glad he did it.” I said.

            “At what cost Anna?” Midael said and stared down at me.  I had never seen such anger in his eyes.  I had grown to love the man and my feeling didn’t change now that he was beyond pissed.

            “Training at dawn.” He said and walked out of the room.

            I didn’t argue with him.  I couldn’t.  But I didn’t understand how a short trip to see my mom had endangered us.  In my own way I was mad.  I looked up at Oriel who still held on to me like I would fall.

            “I don’t have the words to tell you how thankful I am.” I said.

            “You’re welcome.” He said and slowly released me.

I went back to my room and I was alone.  I usually had someone come into my room, be it Asherah, Adrian, Beast, or Midael.  Tonight I had no one.  I suddenly wanted someone there.

            I left my room and went to the kitchen.  A bottle of whiskey was sitting on the table with a note in front of it.

            “You’ll want it.” Was all it said.  I opened the bottle and took a swig and sputtered at the burn.  I took another swig and the burn wasn’t as bad.

            I had drank over half the bottle and was completely numb to the burn when I left the kitchen.  I held on to the wall for support as the world around me wanted to move.  You know you’re drunk when the walls move by themselves.  My whole body was numb.  My uncle had once told me, “You know you’re drunk when you can’t feel your nose.”  Well what is it when you can’t feel your entire body?  Slammed.  I walked into the parlor and went to the always burning fire.  Bernael had sat in a chair and didn’t move.  He was watching me I know but he didn’t make a move towards me.  I tried to sit down but more fell on my ass than anything.  I took another swig and stared at the fire.  It wasn’t hot to me.  I reached my hand out to it and felt nothing.

            “Berneel, why don’ it hurr?” my speech was slurred.

            “Because you are fire, the fire reacts to how you want it to.”

            “What if I want it to hurt?” I asked and suddenly the fire got hot.  “Ow.” I said and backed up a little.

            “There you go.” He answered.

            I lied down and stared up at the ceiling.  I glanced over at the clock and I think it read past midnight. I wasn’t too sure.

            “Come on, let’s get you to bed.” Bernael said and got up.  He walked over to me and helped me to my feet.  “My goodness Anna, how much did you drink?” He asked as I stumbled.

            “It was full.” I said and showed him the almost empty bottle.

            “Damn woman.  Most human women can’t handle that much straight without puking.”

            “I’m an American from the south.  Most of us can hold our liquor.” I said.  At least that what I hope I said because he sighed and lifted me up in his arms.

            We were met at the stairs by Midael.

            “Hi honey.” I said.  I was usually a happy-funny drunk.  I was attempting to be funny now.  He just grimaced at me.  He took me from Bernael and thanked him.  We went up the stairs I just held on to Midael and the bottle of whiskey.

            He put me in my bed and I went to open the bottle for another drink.  Midael took it from me.  “I think you’ve had enough.” He said and put the bottle on my night stand.

            “I’ve only had enough when I pass out.” I said and went for the bottle again and that was the last thing I remembered.

            Sunlight and my pounding head woke me the next morning.  I had cotton mouth like a son of a b***h and got up and went to the bathroom.  I grabbed a glass that I usually kept in there and grabbed a bottle of Tylenol.  I took two and drank down a whole glass of water and then brushed my teeth.  I went back out and collapsed on my bed.  I turned my head and saw Midael sleeping in a chair with his feet propped up on the bed.  I watched his breathing to make sure he was truly asleep. It was deep and even.  What the hell did I do last night?  I saw the now empty bottle of whiskey on my night stand.  Did I finish it off?  I got up and sat in Midael’s lap.  He wrapped his arms around me and sighed.

            “Please tell me I wasn’t completely stupid last night.”

            “Do you want me to lie or tell the truth?” he asked.

            “Truth.” I answered.

            “You were a complete i***t.  But I got to learn some things about you that I never knew.”

            “Oh god no.” I said and hid my face against his neck.  “Like what?”

            “That you long to be a mother, you wished to finish school, and that you can’t cook worth a damn but you can bake.  A few more things but I’d like to keep those to myself.”

            “Please tell me.” I said.

            “What do I get in return?”

            “What do you want?” I asked.

            “Well since you’re too hung-over s*x is a no.” He said with a smile.  “How about you promise me not to go anywhere without me.”

            “I can’t promise you that.” I answered.

            “And why not?”

            “Well I don’t exactly want you seeing me go to the bathroom.”

            “You know what I mean Anna.” He said suddenly serious.

            “Fine. I promise.” I said.

            “You want Oriel to become one of your Sentinels.  Even though you can only have one.  I am not technically bound to you as a Sentinel Anna.  I protect you out of my will alone.” He said.  “You also think you are going to have to give up your life during the battle against Lucifel.  Why is that?”

            “How can you win against the devil?” I answered and moved off him.

            “So you’ve already given up? He said to me.

            “No, I will fight until the end, but I don’t see me living through it.” I answered.

            “And that is why you will be killed. You can’t go into war thinking like that Anna.  What were you thinking when we shared the dream?  You slaughtered those demons.  Don’t tell me you were thinking you were going to be killed.”

            “I don’t know what I was thinking, it just happened.” I answered.  “I was thrown into the situation and I didn’t know how to react. So I reacted how I was taught by my father.  Don’t let them take you down, take down as many as you can.”

            “Smart man.”

            “In war he was smart, as a father he was not.” I answered.

            “Why is that?”

            “I didn’t have the greatest childhoods.” I answered.

            “You want to talk about it?” He asked.

            “Not really.” I answered.  “But I know you will pester me until I tell you.” I watched him look at me.  His eyes studied my face.  “I didn’t go hungry or live under a bridge or things like that.  He never beat me. It was the words that hurt. Sometimes I wish I was beaten instead of some of the things he and my step mother told me.

            “Words are a powerful thing.” He said.

            “Telling it to you makes me feel stupid.  You’ve been through so many millennia that my life span is just a blink for you.”

            “No, it’s not stupid. At such a young age you shouldn’t be so jaded.”

            “I’m not jaded, not yet at least.” I said and got up. “I made a promise to myself that when I become a mother none of those words will ever leave my mouth.”   I went to my dresser and pulled out clothes.  I put them on quietly and went to the bathroom.  I brushed my teeth again; I could still taste the whiskey on my breath.  When I walked out Midael was gone.