The Lyris

  “The patterns on Angela’s hands are fading,” Ameana says on high alert.

  Angela studies her hands and, sure enough, the complex pattern begins to fade from her finger tips. Her rage and sorrow are affecting her soul. And if she doesn’t calm down, she’s going to lose the Sib.

  “Angela, what happened?” I ask.

  She shakes her head and looks down. She’s too shaken up to talk so the girls fill us in.

  “Bianca came by to congratulate her on the baby. She hugged Angela and accidently passed on a few memories in the process. The first one was some little boys playing, the other was a soul diving contest and the last one was of Uri and another girl… in bed,” Miku says gently.

  We look at her and see silver tears coming from her eyes. That’s bad. Only pregnant Angels can cry. But that’s normally right during the Handover. But the fact that she’s able to cry right now, means something is going terribly wrong with her pregnancy.

  “Angela, you have to stop crying,” I urge her.

  “How could he do this to me?” She asks no one in particular.

  “How could Uri even kiss another girl if you had his Rah? It’s not possible,” Jay says.

  “There’s a mixture on the black market, it’s called Trickk. You get something that belongs to your spouse: a hair, finger nails, anything. You place it into the mixture and person you’re cheating with drinks it. Trickk then ‘fools’ your Rah into thinking it’s with the spouse,” Angela explains.

  “I’ve never heard of it,” Rio replies.

  “The Council banned it. But if you want it bad enough, like Uri, I guess you find a way,” she says bitterly as she start to sob again.

  “Okay, I know this is hard for you, Angela, but you need to stay focused. You need to stop letting the rage eat away at your soul,” Rio warns her.

  “I loved him and I thought he loved me. How could he do it? I hate him. I hate him, so much,” she wails.

  “Angela, guys are much weaker than us. We are the strong ones. And that’s what you need to be right now; strong,” Ameana tells her.

  “I don’t ever want to see him again,” she cries into Miku’s chest.

  Miku strokes her hair and signals to us to look at Angela’s hand. We look and, sure enough, the pattern in her palm is disappearing. Once the pattern just above her wrist disappears, the Sib will be gone.

  “Don’t think about Uri. Think about your beautiful baby who can’t wait to meet you,” Ameana says.

  “It just keeps playing over and over in my mind,” Angela says.

  “You have to forgive him. Or, at least, let some of the anger go,” Rio informs her.

  “Just think about how much you love him,” Jay suggests.

  It was the wrong suggestion. The thought of even saying she loved Uri out loud causes Angela to lose it all over again.

  “Love him? I hate him. I wish that Omnis would douse him and his Quo bitch in gasoline and set them on fire!”

  That did it. The pattern disappears completely from both of Angela’s arms.

  Angela looks at her hands realizing what has just happened, and she freaks out.

  “No, no, no, no, no, no…” She begs Omins.

  The pattern does not return.

  “Please, I’m sorry. I won’t say anything bad again. Please,” she lies down on the ground and begs Omnis once again to return her child.

  Miku places her hand on her mouth. She can’t believe Angela’s baby is gone. The guys can’t face the broken woman on the floor. Ameana covers her up with her jacket.

  Suddenly, Angela remembers that in some rare cases, the father’s soul is strong enough to take over. She gets up and flies over to the hideout to see if the Sib latched on to Uri’s soul.

  She doesn’t even bother explaining it to him. She just pulls up his shirt sleeves and studies it.

  There are no patterns. She looks again and again. There is nothing. Their baby is dead.

  Angela was so distraught she needed a mixture to help her calm down. The mixture doesn’t work on pregnant women. But since she’s no longer pregnant, it helped her relax. The Twins then took her back to her makeshift room to recharge.

  Shorty afterwards, Bianca appears in the entrance of the hideout, looking frantic.

  “Is it true what I heard? Did your wife miscarry?” Bianca says beside herself.

  “You should know, you gave her the memory!” Uri spits.

  “Why would you do that, Bianca?” I ask.

  “I’m so sorry, Uri. It’s my powers. Sometimes, when I make contact with people, some of their memories stay with me. Then later on, that memory accidently gets transferred to other people. I’m deeply, deeply sorry. I didn’t even know I had transferred anything at all.”

  “Well, you did and now our baby…” Uri is too upset to finish.

  “Uri, if I could, I would do anything to take this hurt away from you. I’m so sorry,” she says as her eyes fill with tears.

  “I’m gonna go look in on her,” Uri says as he heads out the door. Bianca catches up to him. She then looks deeply into his eyes and address him with a sweet tone.

  “Oh, that poor girl, she must be on the edge. Right now, I’d imagine any little thing could set her off. Well, it’s a good thing my power didn’t do any more damage. It could have been much worse. Sometimes, with my powers, I can dig so deeply into someone’s past, it completely demolishes their future.”

  Uri nods slowly. I could swear there was a hint of fear in his eyes.

  “I should go,” Uri replies with a shaky voice.

  “Okay ,but you be sure to tell Angela how sorry I am. And that she’s never too far from my mind. ”

  Uri hurries away as if something wicked is chasing him.

  The next morning, Ameana tells me that Rage has once again struck out with finding the healer.

  To make matters worse, Emmy’s doctor tells she is showing no sign of improvement. I go to check on Emmy for an hour or so. I then force myself to go back to the battlefield and join Wolf and the others. On my way to the front lines, Eta approaches me looking very upset.

  “I know you want the trial, Eta, but now is not—”

  “—there’s not gonna be a trial,” she corrects me.

  “Why?” I reply.

  “Uri ran off with Angela. He left this behind,” she says handing me a slip of paper.

  “I was mistaken about Dalce. I’m sorry…”

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN:

  THOMAS CASE IS DEAD

  The news about Uri and Angela fleeing spread quickly throughout the camp. Everyone wanted to know the name of the Quo girl Uri slept with. Some of them blamed her for ruining Uri and Angela’s marriage, while others blamed Uri for using a Quo for his own enjoyment, and then throwing her over when he was done.

  The fact that no one knew who the mystery Quo girl was didn’t stop everyone from speculating. Some thought the Quo girl was Bianca and that she passed on the memory out of spite because she was still in love with Uri. A few suspected the Quo was Eta, since she had been seen around the camp with Uri. From there, the theories got more and more absurd.

  Some were supportive of Uri, given what he has just lost, while others want to skin him alive for cheating. What’s more, now that the mixture called Trickk is known to everyone and not just a few people, couples argue over whether their mates had ever used it.

  The gossip didn’t really hold my attention, at first. But as the chatter grows more and more, Quo and Angel start to turn on each other.

  “The Angels claim they had never heard of us Quo, but they knew us well enough to carry on affairs with our kind,” a Quo woman says to friend as they use their powers to airlift water to the infirmary.

  “You’re right. Uri knew we existed; who’s to say the Guardians didn’t?”

  “And they only acknowledge us because they need our help,” a soldier chimes in.

  When they see that I’m within ear shot, they stop talking and walk away.

  “This is bad,?
?? Miku says standing behind me.

  “I know. We only need to one more major attack to reduce the Believers and Demons to nothing. But that won’t happen if the Quo start doubting our intentions,” I reply.

  “That’s exactly what I was thinking,” Bianca says as she walks up to us.

  “You shouldn’t be this close to the battle,” I remind her.

  “I’m here because you need my help. If my people keep thinking the way they are, they will pull out of this war just as we’re about to claim victory,” Bianca adds.

  “So, what do you suggest?” I ask.

  “I think that we should remind them that Quo and Angels are on the same side. And that we won’t let some girl’s bad judgment ruin the solidarity between our people. If only I had gotten a look at her face in the memory…”

  “Why are you blaming the girl? What about Uri?” Miku says, disgusted.

  “Males lack self control. We don’t. She should never have cheated with him, or should have done a better job of hiding it,” Bianca counters.

  “You can riffle through memories, how were they supposed to hide it?” Miku asks, clearly annoyed.

  “Well, I guess you’re right. There really is no escaping your past. But, then again, looking at your red laced wings, I guess you know better than anyone.” Miku glares at her. Bianca turns her attention back to me.

  “So, later tonight, we can stand together in front of everyone and make the announcement. Agreed?”

  “Yeah,” I reply reluctantly.

  Bianca smiles and walks away.

  “You really think Bianca used her powers on Angela by accident?” Miku asks.

  “I don’t know, Pretty. I admit it’s really convenient. But I’ve asked around and people with Bianca’s powers can sometimes pass on a memory without meaning to.”

  “Think what you want, but that girl is evil on stick,” she mocks.

  “She’s definitely…strong willed.”

  “Are you really gonna make that stupid speech with her?”

  “Pretty, like it or not, she’s right. The Quo feel like we may not be on the same side. We’re so close to wining this thing…if I have to stand up and play ‘nice’ with Bianca, then…that’s what I have to do.”

  “Where is the limit with you, Marcus?”

  Before I can answer her, an argument breaks out a few yards away from us. A group of Quo versus a group of Angels. They are hurling accusations at each other, each side claiming the other is untrustworthy.

  The Quo accuse the Angels of using them, like Uri used the mystery girl. Meanwhile, the Angels accuse the Quo of plotting to break Angel families apart. Miku and I try to stop them from bickering, but both sides are too angry to hear us out.

  In the midst if the chaos, the rest of my team shows up, along with Winter. I’m eager to see if she has an update but I can’t leave the crowd right now because someone has just thrown a power ball. The team joins in and tries to stop them from fighting but, as this point, some of them have already gotten hurt.

  “This is crazy; calm down!” Rio shouts.

  “Of course you would side with them, you’re one of them. Angels can’t be trusted. Look what they did to that poor Quo girl,” someone shouts from the crowd.

  “Yeah, they used her up and then went back to their Angel family. We won’t be used and thrown away any longer!”

  All the Quo in the crowd cheer.

  “Whoever the Quo girl is, she’s a damn home wrecker and we Angels won’t stand for it!” The Angels in the crowd cheer and the madness escalates, once again.

  “Why are we risking our lives for the winged ones?” A Quo asks.

  “We never needed your help!” A pissed off Traveler angel replies.

  “Death to the Quo!”

  “Death to the winged ones!”

  I can’t make out who is shouting what. It’s a free for all.

  “Uri probably killed the Quo girl to shut her up!” Someone roars from the crowd.

  “We should have killed her, she’s a disease,” An Angel shouts back.

  “Uri seduced her!” A Quo woman suggests.

  “She’s a whore!” An Angel counters.

  “She’s a victim!” A Quo replies.

  “Everyone, stay calm,” Miku pleads.

  “No, we want to see the Quo girl and make sure she’s okay!” A Quo soldier says.

  “We don’t have her,” An Angel shouts.

  “Liar!”

  “I won’t be disrespected by a damn Quo!” An Angel vows.

  “Screw you. Where’s the girl?” A Quo woman asks.

  “The Angels killed her!” A Quo near by responds.

  “She was a whore!” The Angels counter once again.

  “Victim” The Quo insist.

  “Whore!”

  “Victim!”

  “Whore!”

  The two sides go back and fourth for several rounds. Suddenly the chaos is interrupted by a piercing whistling sound that cuts through the crowd. It so sharp and painful, it causes everyone to put there hands on their ears.

  Mercifully, a few seconds later, the sound stops. We look over at where the noise came from and find Winter standing a few yards away. I guess she is more than a neutralizer. Her power is very effective. Each one falls silent and looks at her. Out of everyone, Rio looks the most concerned by what she’s about to say.

  “The Quo girl who had the affair with Uri is not dead. She’s not a victim and she’s not a whore. She is standing right here. And she doesn’t owe any of you an explanation.” Winter turns on her heel and walks away.

  The crowd falls silent. It takes a few minutes but, eventually, everyone goes back to their duties.

  I look through the crowd and find the team. Just as Rio runs off after Winter, I get a text from Ameana. I quickly catch up to Rio.

  “I have to talk to Winter., The crowd isn’t done with her,” he yells to me.

  “Rage found the healer, but he needs our help,” I reply.

  Rio looks torn.

  “You can talk to her when we get back,” I promise him.

  He pauses for a brief moment then takes to the air with the rest of us.

  We meet Rage in the parking lot of a dive bar. He tells us his ex-girlfriend, Elle, is being held captive.

  “Who’s holding her?” I ask.

  “This lower level Demon loser who call himself ‘The Boss,’” Rage replies.

  “Why?” Miku asks.

  “She lost a major bet and she couldn’t pay.”

  “She sounds charming,” Ameana quips.

  Rage wisely decides not to get into it with Ameana and to stick with the topic at hand.

  “The Boss has her on a contract. The only way she can leave is for him to let her go of his own free will.”

  “What happens if we rescue her?” Jay asks.

  “She dies. Her life is linked to the contract. If it’s broken…”

  “Yeah, I know all about contracts like that,” I reply bitterly.

  “What do you want to do, Guardian?” Rage asks.

  “Let’s go in and see if we can’t work something out with the Boss,” I say as head inside.

  The bar is far bigger than at first I thought. There’s a makeshift boxing ring where Pawns are beating the hell out of each other while Demons look on and cheer. Judging from the excitement, there’s a lot of money riding on the fight.

  Over at the bar, a fat Demon with red eyes, and a scar across his face, studies us. He speaks to the waitress behind the bar and she comes over to us.

  “The Boss doesn’t allow Angels on the premises,” she informs us.

  “What about Guardians?” I shout loud enough for the whole bar to hear.

  It works, all of the patrons rush out the door, fearing for their lives. The only being left aside from the Boss, and his guards, is a figure in the corner. She’s chained to the floor by the Samson string around her neck. She has long black hair, Goth make up and red lips. She looks small and vulnerable but somethin
g in her eyes tells me think it would be a mistake to underestimate her.

  As soon as Elle spots Rage, all her attention goes to him. Ameana glares at Rage’s former girlfriend in a way only a current girlfriend can.

  “We’re here for the healer,” I demand.

  “She’s mine. I bought her,” The Boss says, never once taking his eyes off his TV above the bar.

  “We’d like to buy her back,” Rio says.

  “She’s not for sale.”

  “Name your price,” Miku adds.

  “I hate repeating myself, Redd.”

  “It’s Miku. If Redd were here, you wouldn’t have a tongue to speak with,” she says pointedly.

  That’s when he finally looks at us.

  “She’s important to us; we need her to heal a human,” Rio says carefully.

  “I don’t care what you need her for,” he counters.

  “I’m trying not to kill you. It would be great if you helped me with that,” I warn him.

  “Killing me is the same as killing her. The contract is written that way. You want her, you would have to give me what I want.”

  “What do you want?” Ameana asks.

  “Nothing. My dog and I are happy. Aren’t we?” He asks Elle.

  She doesn’t answer, she just focuses on Rage.

  “We’ll pay whatever you want for her,” Rage replies.

  “Go away. I have more than enough money,” he gloats.

  “Who are you so angry with?” Rio asks.

  “What?” The Boss replies, confused.

  “You are wishing for someone’s death. I can read the violence in your wave. If it’s another Demon, we can take care of them for you,” Rio replies.

  “You make an interesting point. There is someone I would like you to take care of for me. I’ve been looking for him but have had no luck finding him.”

  “What did this Demon do that you want him dead?” Jay asks.

  “He stole from me. I ordered five hundred vials of weeping oil and he switched it with baby oil. He walked away with fifty thousand coats. That’s a lot of money. I want him to pay. You find him, kill him and bring his body here. Then I will release the healer to you.”