The Lion And I

(1) Part 1: The Lion - A Mother’s Sacrifice

Six Months Earlier

Obsidian

"Obsidian! Obsidian!" My mother's screams rent the air frantically. "Obsidian!"

I jerked awake, my mother’s screams still haunting the recesses of my mind from the nightmare, while my hand automatically reaching for Rose, my sister, as my heart went into my throat. She was still asleep in the bed beside me and some of the tension bled out of me. The time on the clock sitting on the bedside table behind Rose read one thirty in the morning.

I furrowed my brows. It was only one thirty in the morning. Our mother wouldn’t be back until after three. As I was about to settle back down, that’s when I heard her. “Obsidian!” Mother’s frantic filled voice carried in the house and I was instantly in motion. The nightmare had been real.

Her screams hadn't woken Rose up, but that wasn't concerning. Rose slept like the dead even though she was a human.

Throwing off the blankets, I took off running towards the front of the house where my mother's screams had come from. The instant I rounded the corner into the front room, I smelled her blood.

"Mother?" It took me a second to find her. She had slid down the door and was sitting in a pool of her own blood at the threshold. "Mother!" I went running over to her and saw the stab wounds in her abdomen. Panic and fear instantly coursed through my veins. I knew, even as I tried to press my hands against her wounds to staunch the flow, her wounds were too severe. She wouldn't survive this. She was only a mortal.

I wanted to know what happened. I wanted to demand answers from her so I could go and kill the bastards responsible for this. But that wouldn't change this terrible outcome. It wouldn't change anything.

"No!" I cried, shaking my head. "No. No. No!" I yelled when her gentle hands rested on my head and brought me to her bosom.

When she'd taken the new shift at work, I'd been opposed to it because of the hours. I wasn't naive. I knew where we lived was a bad part of town. Her hours then had been bad, getting off at ten to ride the bus and then walk a couple blocks home was scary. I used to meet her at the bus stop when she got off at ten to walk her home, to make sure she made it back safely.

I'd told her the extra dollar that came with the new, and later shift wasn't worth the risk. I would have carried Rose, like I always had, and taken care of her and met mother at the bus to walk her home, but she wouldn't hear of it anymore. She was worried something would happen, that we would get jumped and something terrible would happen to Rose. She agreed to carry pepper spray, but that hadn't done anything tonight.

Crime was always high here in our neighborhood. Hell! There had been several break in attempts at our house over the years, even before Rose was born. Windows had been broken by large rocks and fists. It happened often enough mother invested in iron bars across the windows to make sure no one could get in. One guy had even shot several holes through the door. Regardless of what happened, or who tried to break in, I had always been there. I had always been able to protect my mother and my sister. Our house, over time, had become almost taboo. Everyone avoided it because the criminals had been scared away by a demonesque child who had eyes like fire. There had never been any formal reports made, no one had ever been killed--just roughed up--but word got around on the street nonetheless that our house was haunted and protected by a demon.

"Shh, Obsidian, shh," my mother cooed, rocking me softly. "It will be alright. Everything will be alright."

"No! It won't!" I sobbed.

"It's better this way," she whispered.

"How!? How is this better?" I wailed, pulling just far enough away to glare into her eyes, those pre-teen hormones raged unchecked through my system. I was angry at her for even saying that. I was furious I hadn't fought harder to make sure she was safe. I wanted to kill the bastard who sentenced my mother to death over meager money and a five-dollar purse.

"Obsidian, baby," she breathed, her cool hands brushing down my face. "I cannot protect you here." Her eyes were filled with sadness and I knew what she meant. I was a demon after all. Dante--the demon who sired me--had at least explained that part to my mother: about how all demons were hunted and killed by other immortals. He was hoping I would be able to escape that fate, but he wasn't convinced I would. "It's time."

"No!" I didn't want this to be the end! Not now! I wasn't ready for this! I wasn't ready to say goodbye!

"You know where it is." She continued on so calmly.

"You made me memorize it." The map to my salvation. To a place I could run to and hide in order to stay alive.

"You will take Rose," she commanded sternly.

"I wouldn't leave her," I stated just as fiercely.

"You shouldn't stay," she whispered, her hand closing over mine where it pressed uselessly against her abdomen. "You should go."

"I'm staying with you." There was no argument in my voice. I wouldn't let her die alone. My mother had sacrificed so much for me and my sister, I couldn't just abandon her now.

"They are coming." Her voice broke.

"Who? The men who hurt you?"

She shook her head. "The Council. They know you’re here. I was distracted," her sobs shook her frail frame. Tendrils of her brown hair fell into her face and eyes. The rest of it was piled high on her head in a tight bun. "I got word from our friend that they found out about you somehow. He warned me and I took off work early to come back, to tell you. To save you."

What? "How?"

"I don't know Obsidian," she whispered brokenly. "I don't know when they are coming, but you need to leave. You need to get as far away from here as you can, as quickly as you can." She commanded, her grip on my face strong. Fierce. The terrified look in her eyes nearly mirrored my own. But not for my own skin. I was more afraid for Rose, because if she was caught with me...

"You will take her!" My mother said sternly. "You will not leave her behind. You cannot do that to her!"

I wanted to argue, but there was no fight in me. Not when it came to my mother. I loved and respected her. "Okay."

"You will take her through the back and you will stick to the alleyways. Shift, so that no one will stop or interfere with you. Carry her on your back so you can fight if needed. And so, you can fly if necessary."

I had gone out and flown on my own before, but I'd never taken anyone with me. I didn't know if I would be strong enough to fly with Rose on my back, but I wouldn't tell my mother this.

"Pack a bag with a change of clothes, food and water," she continued on urgently. "I had a bad gut feeling when I got off the bus," she panted, wincing when she lifted her hand up to her collar where she reached down into her bra and pulled out her debit card. "Run by the bank on your way out and pull out as much money as you can. There isn't much, but it should be enough to get you into Canada."

She closed my hands around the card like a final gift, or maybe offering.

I hated this! "Let me get you to the hospital--

"No. You need to go."

"Just let me call--

"It's too late for me, Obsidian," she said one last time and I saw her gaze starting to get that far off look. "Tell Rose I love her. And when she's old enough, tell her about tonight. I love you, my boy. My precious baby boy." Taking my hands, she pulled me in one last time. Her arms wrapped around me. Her lips pressed against my cheek. I heard her take her final breath as I whispered back, I love you too.

I knew when her soul left her body. I heard her heart take its last beat. Felt her body go slack. I stayed there, holding her for several minutes as I cried, wishing this was all just a bad dream. It took some time before I could muster the strength to get up. I found a back pack. I filled it with as much non-perishable foods as I could. I grabbed a few changes of clothes and then headed into the room where my younger sister slept, blissfully unaware of what just transpired.

I took the time to take a quick shower, to wash away the blood before I woke her. I knew mother would have hated it if I didn't take precautions to shield my sister from the tragedy that befell our mother. All the while I numbed myself to the pain of losing her. She, and Rose, were all I had. I mean, for the first four years, we only had each other.

As much as I wanted to break down and cry, I knew there was no time for that. I had to get Rose and run. Mother was right, we didn't know how much time there was till the council came. It could be minutes, hours, possibly even days. Though, I doubted it would take that long. From what I understood, the Immortal Council didn't like or trust demons and would do anything to wipe them off the face of the earth.

"Rose," I woke up my sister. She was so small, thin and frail for a ten-year-old. Most people thought she was malnourished. However, she tended to eat us out of house and home.

"Go away Obby," she complained, pushing my hands away.

"Rose!" The urgency in my tone snapped her awake. She sat up straight and looked in my eyes. Sleep still clouded her gaze though she knew I was serious and meant business. "What is it, Obby? Did something happen? Where's mother?" She looked around, searching for the danger. She caught sight of the clock and the time. "She should be home any minute, right?"

"I can't answer your questions right now, Rose," I started softly, staring into her eyes, praying she would listen and not fight me. "I need you to put this back pack on. We are going on a little trip."

"Where's mother?" she asked again, suspiciously.

"She called and said we needed to leave."

Rose knew there was a contingency plan, a plan that would take us far away from here. However, that plan always included mother. "We can't leave without her."

"She said to run, Rose. We have no choice."

"We always have a choice!" she shouted at me.

"Rose!" my voice boomed, filling the room, my panic taking over for one split second. I saw the fear cloud her gaze and I forced myself to breathe as I calmed down. "You need to listen to me, please."

"Mother isn't coming back, is she?"

I willed myself to lie. I didn't want to break her heart. I shook my head.

Tears welled in Rose's eyes and she nodded. "Okay. What do I need to do?"

"Here, get dressed," I tossed her a change of clothes. "Then put this on. I'm going to do a quick perimeter check. Stay in here," I commanded her.

When she nodded, I turned and raced out of the room using my super human speed. I did a perimeter check of the house and halfway down the block. There were no obvious signs of danger. A handful of seconds later, I came back and thankfully found Rose putting on the back pack.

"Now, hop on my back," I told her. When she did, I told her to hold on tight. I would only use my superhuman speed until we were safely out of the city. I used the alleyways like mother ordered. I stopped by the bank to pull out money. And then, Rose and I were on our way north-west. I knew where there was a bus station that was open early.

After paying for our tickets, I sat with Rose waiting for our bus to come. I draped my arm around her and pulled her into my side.

"This doesn't feel right," she sniffled. Wiping her nose with the back of her sleeve.

"I know it doesn't," I whispered back, reaching down to lift her face up to mine. I wiped away the tears and hugged her a little tighter.

"Where we are going, is it safe?" I saw the desperate hope in her gaze. She knew where we came from wasn't. It was filled with murderers and thieves and criminals.

"I don't know," I answered honestly. "From what I've heard about it though, is that it is a safe place to go. Some place that will accept us for who we are."

"You mean, for who you are?"

She had always been bright and sharp. "Yes. For who I am." Mother and I had never hidden what I was from Rose. We always believed it was best to be honest with her from the beginning. That way when the time came to do this, it wasn't such a hard transition.

"What happened to mother?"

Rose had dropped her gaze once more. "Rose--

"Don't start with me! I know something happened," she snapped. "She wouldn't have ever told us to leave without her."

I felt the tears welling in my eyes, my throat thick with emotion. How could I tell her?

"Was it at least painless? She didn't suffer, did she?" In my silence, Rose came to her own conclusions.

"You shouldn't be asking such questions for a ten-year-old," I tried jesting, but it was empty. When her silence dragged on, I gave in. "She was in some pain, but not much. The adrenaline kept her from suffering through that at least."

"Were you with her?"

"Yes."

She nodded. "I'm glad she wasn't alone."

So was I.

"I'm sorry you had to do that. Alone." She looked up at me, tears once more streaming down her face. I didn't wipe them away this time. There would just be more.

"I wasn't alone."

Rose looked confused.

"Mother was there," I shrugged, feeling stupid somehow.

"She was always so strong."

Yes. She had always been strong. And kind. And forgiving. And loving. I could go on and on about her. To me, and Rose, she was the greatest woman alive.

Our bus came shortly after and we were on our way towards the border.

"Do we have passports?" Rose whispered, turning into me so only I could hear her.

Damn! We didn't. But that was okay. I was sure I could sneak us around. "I'm sure we can get off at the bus stop before crossing over the border and I can just sneak us over."

Rose rolled her eyes. "Great plan."

The dream seemed to cut in and out. There was some static. I tried shaking my head to clear it.

Bursts of images, of small little blips of our journey came through. Rose smiling and laughing at a bad joke. Us enjoying a moment of sunshine and eating a PBandJ sandwich while the bus stopped at a gas station.

Then there was our final stop before I took her on my back and went into the great unknown...

Sudden, debilitating grief and regret took hold of me.

I was stuck in that damn trap! Blood oozing down my skin. So many little rivulets of blood moving down my body like dozens of tiny insects. I'd wanted to struggle, to move, but it only made it worse.

Though, the worst part of it all: I could hear her screams of agony, begging me to help her and I was helpless--no powerless--to do anything.

I shouldn't have taken us around the border patrol. Or, if I had, I should have done it closer to the facility where I wouldn't have been tempted to just go off on foot from there to find the demon stronghold. I should have gone back into town, found another bus to get us closer to our destination. But I hadn't listened to my gut.

And now...

"Obby!" her cries and pleas rent the air. They were heartbreaking. They cut deep, emotional wounds into my soul. "Obby where are you?" she yelled. "Help me please! Please! I don't want to die like this! Obby, I hurt! It hurts so bad! Obby... Obby...? Obby!"

***

I woke up with a start, sitting straight up in bed.

It had been a long time since I’d relived that nightmare, though I wasn’t surprised I was having it. Not after what happened only days ago.

My gaze moved down to look at Celeste as she slept peacefully with Sebastian in her arms. Constance and Lilliana were next to her, facing her in the large bed we were sharing. Gabriel was snuggled up behind Constance. All were fast asleep.

Or so I thought.

I slid out of bed, needing a moment to compose myself. Walking out of the room and into the common area of my apartment in the demon stronghold, I scrubbed my hands over my face, trying to dispel the remnants of that dream.

But for some reason, unease settled in my gut as if in warning.

“Obsidian?” Constance’s voice startled me. I spun around and stared at her silently. She had thrown on a thin silk robe to cover her nakedness.

“I didn’t mean to wake you,” I started gruffly, not appreciating the intrusion of my privacy. I turned my back to her, as if silently indicating she was dismissed. That she wasn’t welcomed in this moment. I needed just a few minutes alone.

I could feel those soul-piercing eyes of hers studying me and then that feeling was gone. My shoulders slumped as I believed she had gone back into the room. However, I was wrong.

Arms gently wrapped around me from behind and she pressed her cheek against my back. Her arms were holding me tightly.

I felt the crack in my chest first. It wasn’t subtle. I tried to fight the tears that stung my eyes but it was useless. They rolled down my cheeks unchecked. I didn’t understand why this was affecting me suddenly. Why these past emotions and memories were surfacing and rearing their ugly heads.

Constance didn’t press me to talk about what was wrong. All she did was hold me as I fell apart. I was thankful to her. Thankful not to be alone. Grateful it was her who saw me like this and not Celeste.

We all knew Celeste needed a rock, especially after everything she had been through. She didn’t need to feel or think I was on the verge of an emotional breakdown as well.

“Constance, I know you were wanting to tell Celeste the news about Victor,” I started after several long minutes of silence. My voice was still strained from the tears, but I didn’t care. I knew with her, I was safe. “I don’t think she’s ready to hear that he’s been brought back. I don’t think she’s strong enough for that information yet.”

I knew it was selfish to keep such information from her, but it wasn’t like I wouldn’t tell her about Victor soon. It had only been days since she believed he was dead. It had only been days since she had been rescued from his clutches and watched as his head had been severed from his shoulders. She deserved time to believe she was safe, that she would be safe from him.

She deserved time to heal.

I felt Constance tense at my request and knew she was thinking. I knew she didn’t agree with my request. “I understand your concern and why you don’t want to tell her right now about the man who abused her for her entire life. So I will give you some time. However, a word of caution. She has come from an abusive relationship where her father figure didn’t respect her and I presume, lied to her and manipulated her by manipulating her reality and truth. She may look at this as us withholding information and it may end up backfiring in a way none of us want.

“So, while I will give you some time to address this with her—because I would rather you tell her about Victor—know that I will draw the line at some point in the near future and take it upon myself to tell her the news. I don’t want his aliveness to come as a shock. She should learn about his survival from us and not from him.”

I hated that she was right. I nodded my understanding. “Thank you.”

“Don’t thank me yet.” She murmured, resting the side of her face against my back, her arms still holding onto me strongly. “The hard part is yet to come.”

Victor

I wasn’t sure exactly what was going on.

One minute, I’d had victory within my grasp. I’d injected the hell hound venom into Constance, knowing it would encapacitance her enough that she wouldn’t be able to fight me off. That she wouldn’t be able to save herself and her sister, Celeste.

All of my dreams, of my wildest wishes, had almost come true. With Constance, I could have killed the immortal half breeds, the demon half breeds, and brought everyone under my control. I could have been the king of the entire immortal world, and with Celeste and Constance’s children there to keep her complacent, I could have reigned for eons to come.

But somehow, I had been beheaded.

Somehow, she had gained the upper hand and it infuriated me beyond belief. Those no good Ericksons always seemed to have luck on their side, even when they didn’t deserve it.

I remember I had been floating in light for a time before being pulled into some kind of entrapment. My soul was stuffed into some kind of emblem along with others. It was uncomfortable. It had been very unpleasant because both my soul, and the other that had been stuffed into the small—I could only presume—talisman, had fought viciously for the space.

And then, not long after, another soul started to tear and rip apart our souls and forced them together. It. It had been an unbearably painful process, one that I wouldn’t have wished even upon my worst enemies, and that was saying a lot.

That pain had subsided a while ago and I was starting to realize my soul, and the other two that had been meshed with it, had been transferred into another body. While each piece of our souls adjusted to each other, I began to recognize the fractured pieces. One belonged to my accomplice, the fallen archangel Camael; while the other belonged to a dangerous acquaintance: Balthazar. The aged-old demon was mean, conniving and someone I didn’t want as an enemy. He, as far as I knew, was the only being who had ever been able to successfully kill an archangel and live to tell the tale. Not to mention, he also captured and enslaved another archangel for fun.

What was he doing with us?

Why had he stitched all of our souls together?

Unless…

Had he figured out how to make a hybrid immortal? The kind of immortal Constance Erickson had become?

If so, he had indeed evened out the playing field between the Phoenix and her enemies.

It was frustrating how the body we had been placed into wasn’t responding to my commands to wake up. Even though I was semi-conscious of what was going on around me. I could hear Balthazar and several others talking. Not that I could really focus on what they were saying, they were too far away.

Giving up on trying to wake up, I allowed myself to sleep. Perhaps what this new body needed was a healing sleep in order to wake up. And so, I gave into the need for rest. Instead of a dreamless sleep, however, I dreamt of her.

Celeste.

My bad luck charm.

She had brought nothing but frustration and failure. If I could go back in time and change the twin I chose, I would in an instant. Constance was by far the stronger and fiercer of them, even though in the womb she hadn’t presented as such. She was far more resilient. A better weapon.

Oh well, such is life.

However, as my mind once more focused on the endless hallways and the insolence of a daughter I had, I realized it wasn’t just a dream. I was sharing her dream world. A place where souls were at their most vulnerable.

Unfortunately, I knew I was too weak to do anything right now. If I made a move, she could easily escape. And not only that, she would be aware that I was alive. That I had been reborn. The element of surprise would be gone. Instead, I planted little seeds of doubt, of hatred, and of myself into her mind, knowing they would drive her insane. Knowing they would do the most damage while I grew stronger. Knowing they would weaken her defenses, so it would be easier to draw her into Oblivion when it came time.

In the meanwhile, I stayed as a silent spectator and gained insurmountable pleasure as I watched her run through the endless hallways in her dreams as she desperately searched for a way out. Unable to find one, unable to escape from me.