Hexers: Reign of Lilith

Hissing Isn't Just A Hexer Thing (Chapter 2)

Creatures that reached seven feet tall and were embodied by opaque shadows gathered around the flower shop. Their figures inhuman and willowy, their voices deep and harsh on the ears. They spoke in an old tongue made up of rounded vowels and crisp continents, barking out orders to one another as they prepared to rush the building.  Two climbed up the fire escape, peering through the large window, and watched one of their targets with hungry eyes. The sound of nails scratching glass could be heard as their claws raked the window, testing its strength. 

Astrid being ever the night owl, had yet to fall asleep. At three in the morning, she was still studying her mother's heavily encrypted work. The spells in the ancient grimoire protected by heavily casted guards that were too old for the woman to decrypt. The scratching sound pricked her ears, and with a blink of an eye, she was in the living room. 

Eyes darting to the large window that looked over the storefront, Astrid commanded the hanging plants to grow in length and create a barrier across the glass. The vines and roots of the plants began to seal the window, however it would only save them so much time. 

“Marishka,” she hissed.

 Papers started getting put into place, packing themselves in her awaiting emergency bags. Astrid probably wouldn’t have time to bring it all, but the most important items would be ready for pick up as soon as they bolted. 

 Marishka bolted up mumbling a 'huh' as she looked up just in time to see the last of the vines cover the window and artifacts flying around the room. Normally she was a pain in the ass to wake up but in tense situations, she could be up in a second. 

“They’re here?”  She tried to blink past the groggy state that was sleep-induced, stumbling to the kitchen to grab her things. 

“Yeah, I’m calling my brother,” Astrid said quickly, her phone already ringing, “follow me.”

She grabbed a large purse, which held everything that carried sensitive information, and led Marishka into her bedroom. They entered the walk-in closet, which was beside a modest size bed,  and went all the way to the back. Behind her clothes was an old door, one that looked as if it hadn’t opened in years. 

“This happen often?” Marishka laughed, though it held no real amusement. She had the few valuable she brought with her clutched to her chest, fear showing in her frame.

“No, I usually don't bring attention to myself,” Astrid's eyes dragged down the girl’s nervous frame before she swung the door open. She hadn’t had to flee since Brazil and that was eleven years ago. Though, in her early years of life, she was always on the move. 

“Stay close… who knows how old this stairwell is,” Astrid cringed, “there’s probably a shitton of roaches.” She could gag at just the thought of roaches, no matter how long she’d been on this Earth, they would never grow less disgusting. 

“I’m sorry,” Marishka blurted, knowing this was her fault. She had to bring her problems with her, and now this woman had to flee her home because of her. 

“I’m so sorry,” she repeated, flinching as she saw a roach scurry across the wall. Normally she would have shrieked and begged for Akhen to get it but she was feeling too shitty to even scream a little.

Astrid gave the young girl a rueful smile, shaking her head, “Someone who wasn’t in trouble themselves...wouldn’t have to worry about drawing too  much attention.” 

She lead the descent down the narrow stairwell. Its old steps creaking and startling the beetles and spiders from their reting space. With each step the smell of sour water permeated the air. Had they been human, they would've been at risk of asbestos poisoning. To guard herself from the putrid smell, Astrid held her breath for as long as she could, her eyes feeling as though they were going to burst from their sockets by the time she reached the bottom. 

Marishka was suffering from her own breathing problems, having swallowed her screams illicted by the scurrying of insects. Her throat was hoarse and her chest heaving, as she tried to calm herself. The foot of the steps were blocked by a thick layer of vines, which Astrid promptly moved. The plants had purified the air around them, allowing fresh oxygen to waft over them. 

 A lone motorcycle sat was revealed, sitting cleanly in the two car garage. This however displeased the older woman, a swear being pulled from her lips in frustration. 

“Claude took my SUV… he better be home,” she growled, “not answering his damn phone, f*****g punk.” Her attempt to dial her brother had failed, but that couldn't stop them from getting on the move. 

“Were stuck? It doesn’t fit two people?” Marishka wondered in a panicked state. 

“No, it fits two… I’m just gonna have to keep the demons away, the whole ride there,” Astrid huffed. She put her bag in the side compartment and held a hand out for Marishka’s. Being the multi-tasking queen she was, she slipped an ear pod in her ear. 

“Hopefully he calls back, and can meet us halfway…” she gritted, not knowing if she had the energy to keep the demons off of them. As if on cue, her earpiece lit up, and with a tap of the finger, she answered the phone.  

“Shit.” Marishka cursed as she grabbed a hold of her hand, sliding on the back of the seat. 

“Can you meet me halfway?” Astrid immediately greeted. She rolled her eyes at whatever response she got, before replying snappier in return.

“You took my car, and it’s an emergency,” she explained. A long sigh escaped her lips, as she tapped her foot impatiently. 

“I was being careful,” she started, before hissing in annoyance, “ I’ll explain when you meet me halfway.” And with that, she hung up the phone. Her long leg swung over the motorcycle, climbing on in front of the girl. 

“You think you can handle a spell?” Astrid asked as she started up the bike. The sleek vehicle growled to life as its headlight flooded the room.

“Uh, yeah. Yeah I can try. “ She sat up straighter, eager to make herself useful having felt a little guilty after overhearing the conversation. 

“It’s a simple spell,” Astrid explained as the garage door slowly rolled open. The raspy voices of the demons grew louder as they grew closer, the girls were on borrowed time. 

“It causes the lights around us to shine brighter...much brighter, and will diminish the demon’s power slightly,” she continued. She turned her head, her golden eyes focusing on Marishka’s green ones. 

“Inlustret lumine,” the Hexer said carefully, “but you have to want it to happen… words are simply words until you give them meaning.” Done with her quick lesson, the motorcycle gave one last roar as a warning, before speeding off.  

“Say it with intent, right?” She grinned, already knowing what to do with the words. Yelping when the car sped off, she clamped her arms around Astrid's waist, pulling herself flush against the woman. She hated motorcycles.

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A few minutes earlier 

Claude hated whoever had woken him up from his dreamless sleep. He checked his phone and was surprised to see it was his sister who had called. They hadn’t talked in months, not because they weren’t on good terms, but because the distance was “safer”. Her idea, not his. 

He was tempted to just go back to sleep, but something gnawed at his conscience, and forced him out of the large tempurpedic bed. He pulled on sweats and Muscle-T, the sounds of him moving waking up his bed buddy. She opened her mouth to say something, but he shushed her as he dialed Astrid.

“Why do I need to meet you halfway?” He grumbled sleepily, already irritated by the rude greeting. He pierced his lips at her response, cursing himself when he realized he had forgotten to return the car. She always walked places or took her motorcycle, so it wasn’t a priority for him. The fact that she was using her beloved bike at this time of night, set him on edge. 

“Why, what happened?… I promised to keep my distance if you promised to be careful,” he scolded. He was now shaking the female in his bed awake and shooing her out of his room. He ignored her nakedness, forgetting about how he had enjoyed it a couple of hours ago, and focused on Astrid. 

He growled in frustration when she hung up on him, and quickly got some shoes on. 

“If this is because she got another prick for a boyfriend….” He thought to himself, too ticked off to even finish the threat. In less than five minutes, his houseguest was gone, and he was speeding down the highway of Upstate New York. Claude looked out for his sister, as he sat parked at a brightly lit gas station, his leg shaking in anticipation. 

-------

The lights of the motorcycle blended with the glow of every street light they passed. Anyone watching the power grid would've though it'd gone mad, seeing how each home, car, and lamp illuminated as they passed. While the spell was simple, it was draining and required a lot of focus. To say Astrid was impressed would be an understatement. Marishka held the woman tight, counting each second she had to endure the draining effects of the spell. Her body ached and her stomach churned as she chanted the words given to her, making them her new mantra. Each time the spell spilled from her lips she said it with more and more intent, amazed by her ability to keep the monsters at bay. 

 After several minutes they quickly turned into the gas station, the smell of burnt rubber following them, battling with the rancid scent of the demons which followed close behind.

“You did good kid,” Astrid praised, looking back at the demons who paced at the edge of the light.  They were hissing and snarling at each other, speaking in the old tongue, and probably plotting. Marishka's energy immediately depleted with the praise and she slumped against the older woman, huffing as though she just ran a marathon. Astrid paid no attention to her, as the sound of a car door took precedents. 

Claude stormed towards the pair, running a hand through his thick curly locks, his chocolate eyes livid. The pair had some similarities; like they both were tall, with long legs, had sharp features, and sensual lips but it stopped there. Where Astrid was a cinnamon brown, he was olive-skinned. Where her hair was simply wavy, he had ringlets girls would die for. Where her eyes were an unnatural gold, his were a  perfectly normal chocolate.  

Marishka peeked out from behind Astrid and stopped huffing.

Matter of fact, she stopped breathing altogether. 

Marishka wasn’t completely left alone while growing up. Sometimes it felt like she had more social experience with boys than actual friends. Which was true, so she was fairly used to seeing attractive guys approach her. But it didn’t mean she was any less awkward when it actually happened. 

Especially when they were angry.

And really pulling it off.

Astrid prepared herself for an argument, already thinking up ways to shut Claude down. She had expected he’d be pissy, and that he’d blow up on her; what she did not expect was him freezing like a lovestruck fool. She knew the look all too well, and she didn’t have to glance back to figure out who he was gawking at. Astrid rolled her large gold eyes, and sighed, waiting for him to break out of his trance. 

Claude hadn’t seen the girl who was tucked up against his sister’s back, until she popped up. Suddenly it felt as though his feet became a part of the concrete, and he was cemented to the ground. His eyes couldn’t leave her emerald orbs, which carried flecks of brown in them. He’d never wanted a girl before, never felt the need to “woo” her, but suddenly he wanted to make this girl like him. Claude wanted to make this green-eyed stranger, lose the tired look on her face, and replace it with cheer.  It was corny, he knew it, but he couldn’t help what he was feeling. 

It wasn’t until the sound of a hissing demon was heard, that he snapped out of his daze, and was able to actually make it to the motorcycle. He tried to focus on Astrid, but he couldn’t help how his brown eyes would flick back to those green ones. It didn’t help that Astrid was watching him with a knowing expression that read, “You’re so lame/typical/stupid.” 

Marishka knew she was blushing all the way up to her hairline when he stared at her, and she couldn't help the geeky, sleepy, shy smile that found its way on her face. Her heart was beating so hard against her chest she was sure Astrid could feel it, and that's when she pulled her eyes away. This guy was Astrid’s brother, she couldn't be going all googly eyes on him after she had nearly gotten Astrid killed.  The hiss of the demons which she still referred to as shadows in her head, seemed to stump him out of it and she tensed up as he came closer. Trying to use her half-consciousness to her advantage, she struggled not to break out in a giggly grin whenever they locked eyes. 

“Queria levá-la pego em sua bagunça ? ”  Claude questioned in Portuguese, he glared at Astrid, voice full of acqusition. (Did you get her caught up in your mess?)

“Não, nós esbarramos e demônios estavam perseguindo ela.“ Astrid replied bitterly, flicking her hand in a dismissive manner. (No, we ran into each other, and demons were chasing her)

Marishka flinched at their tone, watching the exchange with narrowed eyes as she tried to decipher what they were saying. 

“Então você está pensando em ajudá-la, quando você tiver problemas para se proteger ?“ He asked, worry etched in his features. He thought they were in more danger being together, than if they were to  just going separate ways. (So you plan on helping her, when you have trouble protecting yourself?)

“Não me desrespeitar assim! “ She growled, before switching back to English, “ We’re helping her, now say hello to Marishka, and apologize for your rude behavior.” (Do not disrespect me like that!)

 Claude glared at his sister, hating when she treated him like a child.

“I’m Claude… sorry for being rude,” he grumbled, like a scolded child.  

Marishka's eyes had snapped away from the pair as their conversation grew tense. When they returned to English, she had tuned back in just in time to see Claude's embarrassed expression. Her mouth twitched in amusement and that same geeky blush came back. So cute, she thought to herself.

“Okay, can we focus now,” Astrid huffed, snapping her fingers, “I’m going to get snacks. You guys can stand here with love struck gazes. We’ll leave when the sun comes up.” 

Before either could answer, she marched into the convenience store, the words "Halfway" flashing above her.  Claude’s brows raised at his sister’s attitude before moving his curls from his eyes. 

“She’s usually not this grumpy… sometimes…” He said sheepishly. 

“Yeah... I think I’m partly to blame. Ya know, the shadows and stuff. Demons, oh god,” she groaned, rubbing at her strained eyes, tired limbs heavy as lead. 

“Hey, let’s just sit down and relax in my truck, so I can shed some light on this situation,” he smiled goofily, “no pun intended.”  

She laughed, looking up between her fingers. “ What a line.” 

Getting up from the cycle, she kicked the stand out and steadied it. “Away we go.”

He offered her his hand to help steady her, before leading them to the truck. Like the gentleman Astrid raised him to be, he opened the door for the green eyed vixen. Astrid was already coming out and hopped into the backseat herself, laying across the whole bench, and claiming the space as hers. 

“You can have any snacks you want, except the slim jims, touch those and your fingers will be gone,” she threatened, laying back and munching on a Jim. 

“Yeah…” Claude trailed, waiting for Marishka to jump in, so he could shut the door. 

“Why would I want fake beef jerky anyway,” Marishka rebutted, laughing softly as she slid into the front seat. “Thanks,” she smiled at him.

“No problemo,” He grinned slamming the door. He climbed into the driver's side, reclined  his seat, and looked back at his sister. 

“Yeah, she was tired,” he chuckled as he looked back at at Astrid's sleeping form, a slim jim hanging from her mouth.  

“I can understand the feeling,” Marishka smiled, rubbing at her eyes again. “So, I believe you were shedding light on the situation?”

“Right, well you shouldn’t feel guilty about the demons chasing my sister,” he began, his voice lowered to not wake his Astrid, “she’s been chased by them all of her life… she’s just good at hiding.” 

He bit his lip and gazed at his dozing sister, before returning his brown eyes to Marishka, “She can help you, she will help you. She’s very self-righteous and quite the terrorist in our little community.” 

He ran a hand through his hair sheepishly, “I’m making her sound like a bad person… she isn’t I-... she’s really strong and she’ll do anything to help you, we both will.” 

Marishka was speechless, looking up at him with wide eyes. Slowly, she bit her lip, green eyes crinkling up as she eventually smiled.

 “I..I don’t even know if thank you really covers it, and I promise I’ll repay you someday in a way that actually fits. But, thank you Claude,and uh,” she looked over to the sleeping form of Astrid,” thank you too grumpy, a lot. I owe you guys my life.”

“No problem… “ Claude shrugged, looking outside. He noticed the faint purpling of the sky, grinning. 

“Looks like the sun’ll be up soon, so we can really get a breather,” tapping the stearing wheel, he sheepishly looked over Marishka, “tell me about yourself.”  

She blinked, feeling put on the spot. 

“Oh, uh okay. “ 

She bit her lip, and hummed as she thought of relevant things to say.

“ I like alternative metal, drawing, the occasional comic book, and cats. I have one kitty name- AKHENATEN OH MY GOD!!” She grabbed her face, staring at her feet in shock. 

Claude’s nose scrunched in disgust at the mentioning of a cat, but he quickly rid his face of the expression. 

“Oh… well the sun is pretty much up, wanna go get him?” He said giddily, wanting in some way to do something more for this girl. 

“Yes! Please! Oh my god he’s gonna be pissed IF HE’S THERE!” She whimpered, leaning on the window and whining. “I live at 2356 Broadway St. It’s right down the street by the comic shop.”

“Gotcha,” Claude nodded, as he started up the car. His brows furrowed at her angst, before speeding off. A sleepy whine from Astrid was the only protest she gave.