Episode 15

My very skull felt like it would split open at the seams. Is this what one feels like to be ill? I heard voices nearby, and by the mixture of scents, I could not determine what exactly they were. It was impossible in nature. So many different aromas in one space. Perhaps they were hunters of sorts? Human hunters? That would explain the contrasting notes. There were three, maybe four of them talking in hushed tones, not daring to risk waking me.

I did not want to open my eyes until I thoroughly evaluated and determined the type of situation I was in. Admittedly, I have a nosey nature sometimes, and plotting humans are so adorable. Especially against me. Trying to be so quiet while so close. By the sounds of it, they had no inclination as to who or what I was. I attempted to reach out into their minds one by one, but I was too weak to reach in. Listening carefully as it is all I can do, I hear each voice clear as day with the slightest attention. Good. I still have the advantage. My great hearing is still present.

They must be successful in their exploits. I have never sensed so many creatures in one room before in all my time and all my lives. Even during creation, everything that was created was done so separately. Different bloodlines were made by different Lurchers, and we ancients did not create the Lurchers while together. I grew mine out of my love and affection. Unfortunately, they did inherit many not-so-savory traits, but they were made from love, nonetheless. Then, after our separation, I ran. I ran, I hid, I ruled through lifetime and lifetime. My siblings created theirs out of pure spite and to hunt me down like an animal. Creatures created to hunt down the beast of beasts.

There were the wars that came after a time. Each creature that was created had hate for one another. A time after that, they mixed with humans in an effort to expand in numbers and created creatures of their own. The hate they had for each other only grew. The hybrids then mated with the humans, further mixing the blood. They were careful to never cross the species. It was frowned upon and deemed dirty. Everything needed to be pure and true in the blood. They have continually hated each other, yet here in one room, I can hear only four voices, but I could feel over fifteen different signatures. Maybe twenty? No. That couldn't be right, could it? Perhaps I was losing my touch. Being asleep for an extended amount of time has adverse effects. Feeding would help me feel more like myself. Right now, I feel like a sack of rotten grain. Realizing I had lost myself in my head, I brought myself back out and started listening.

"Lark, first of all, what the world were you thinking?" It sounded like an elderly woman, possibly in her mid to late seventies. By the feel of her, she was a witch. I could sense her magic protections around. They had her energy signature, so there was no mistaking that they were hers. However, it felt like something of the sea was also within her. Not a sea dragon. Siren maybe? Being weak, I could not tell exactly what. A mixture? How long have I been asleep? The crone continued, breaking off my train of thought, "Not only was it unsafe, but you could've also lost your job!"

It seemed like she was about to continue her lecture but was interrupted by an absolutely scrumptious sound, "Granny! I love you, and I appreciate you. I know you are just trying to look out, but it's not the time for this. What the hell is passed out on your couch right now?! We were frozen completely solid. Whatever it was that was happening, it even made Ryn sick." He sounded utterly exasperated. Frustrated even. This was the man who had sent a tidal wave through me. I want to play with him. The sensations were unlike anything I had ever felt before, but they were, dare I say, heavenly. Like an addiction, I craved to feel it again. The chill and the heat. The waves and the lightning.

"Not to be rude, but if I may interject?" an angel. An uptight, stick-in-the-mud, always play-by-the-rules, goody little two-shoes angel. Of course, I would have such luck. A product of my brother's creations. A lot of the humans still revered the man. The Crusades were such a very dark time for all the living. All in the name of my capture. So many lives were lost in my pursuit, and for what? Absolutely naught. "Perhaps it is best if we shift focus to the matter at hand?" His voice was gentle but firm. Typical angel. Though I sense there were other things sprinkled into his blood as well. It was too messy. I would have to taste it to know for sure. I had to be losing my touch.

I heard the old woman let out a long, drawn-out sigh before she spoke again, "Okay, Khaleel." There was a long pause before she sighed and spoke once more, sounding a bit overcome, "What exactly are we dealing with here? What my boy here described is unlike anything I've come across. The effects..."

"I spoke with my nan, but she and I are not entirely sure. Hunches at best. Therefore, I've called Etheh and told him to inform David of the situation." I heard a slight falter in his voice and could smell a hint of fear released into his bloodstream. Wimp. It was not typical behavior for an angel to be so cowardly.

"God damnit, Khaleel!" it came out with a forceful boom that I honestly did not think the old woman had in her. There was a power there that she kept hidden, carefully tucked away. "Did you have to!?" she groaned. I could not help but keep the slight grin from forming. The sentiment could be shared. David was a Pureblood, and being one of Daddy Michael's perfect little baby boys, he was as self-righteous as they get. All-knowing pompous asses.

"I had no choice, Philomena! If everything you've said is true, it means the impossible. He has been awakened!" He bellowed. Fear was pumping more forcefully now. This Khaleel was starting to reek of it. It stunk up the room rather quickly.

Someone coughed and sputtered what sounded like some liquid out of their mouth, "But she's a she? Not he. You know she's a she, right? Didn't you say you weren't even sure what we were dealing with?!" It was the Fae girl. Her voice was like a choir of bells ringing in the distance. Now, the Fae were the fortunate accident and the tasty product of Angels mating with witches. They did not hold the same powers but were similar in their mannerisms and general good nature. Flavor too. Mmmmm...

The man exhaled heavily, and there was a long pause. He spoke again, lowering the tone of the conversation, shifting it back to a level of what would be considered regular conversation, not secrets. "It? The Beast. Night Trader. The Collector. Is that better for you? Look, I didn't want to believe what my grandmother told me. Do you think I like this? Do you think that I want David here as well? It's just as I said on the phone with you, Ryn. It's just speculation, but it fits. The shoe fits. It's wild as hell, but if what she said is correct and true, that means that this person, this... being? She is a woman now, but if the record is correct, she was a man in her prior life. She has lived many lives, more than you could imagine. Throughout her existence, she has been a man and a woman many, many times over, favoring neither more than the other."

If the record is correct? My head began to spin around inside my skull. How could I have been gone that long? So long as to where there is no solid proof or evidence of my previous existence?! That I am to be met with such skepticism! There was an uncomfortably long silence before Khaleel burst out, "You remember the God damn story, guys, don't look at me like I'm a nutball. You know they all had to come from somewhere."

Whoa, an angel cursing? I thought I had heard it all. There was another long pause. This one was even longer than the last as everyone in the house mulled over this new piece of information. A few times, I could hear someone shifting their weight. Someone else was tapping a table every few minutes. Another person was pacing back and forth, their steps strong and a bit heavy hitting on the flooring. This was a big man. Muscular too. Yummy.

Finally, the pacing and the tapping came to an end. A chair shifted, and that tasty voice began to speak, "So you're telling me this woman could be an Ancient. Like the Ancients from our bedtime stories, Ancient? Like the creators of all time and space. That's what you're telling me?! This is a joke. You're joking right now." It came out incredulously, but I could hear the hint of fear hiding there. I smiled again. There was just something about being feared, you know? A lot can be accomplished with it.