The Highway West Andrew 198
Chapter Six: The Highway West
She was a princess, Queen of the Highway
Sign on the road said: "Take us to Madre"
No one could save her, save the blind tiger
He was a monster, black dressed in leather
She was a princess, Queen of the Highway
Jim Morrison, Queen of the Highway
Xanadu five miles ahead was painted in large white letters on the old faded green highway sign. The sizzling sun sauntered across the sky beating down upon the black asphalt. Through the baking mirages on the horizon, a small building rested near a fork in the highway. As Elijah peered at it, the building seemed to grow in his mind like a cancer.
The bright light startled Marguerite. Hysterical, Marguerite clutched onto Cassie's wrist and jerked her arm backwards. "What the Hell did you do? How did you get into my mind?" she barked.
Caliban pried Marguerite's fingers from Cassie's wrist. "I don't know! We're supposed to be in Avalon! We weren't supposed to link together like that!" Cassie cried.
Frightened, the vampire growled as Caliban stepped between them. "Marguerite, think! The sun is not hurting you!" Elijah screamed.
Meekly, Ruthie put her hand on Marguerite's shoulder. It was like dropping a block of ice on a flaming skillet. "He's right! Ya look normal ta me."
Ignoring them, Marguerite concentrated her mystical blood through her hands, molding her fingers into claws. Catching sight of Cassie's tears through her scarlet eyes, Marguerite struggled to control her fear. Attempting to halt the instincts of the blood, she glanced at the sun. As a child, Marguerite loved to play in the sun; as a vampire, she missed the sun more than anything. "I don't understand. I should be dead," the vampire muttered.
"Yes, fascinating."
"We must be in the Southwest of the United States," Elijah stated, trying to change the subject.
"I thought you were in the woods all of your life?" Cassie asked sarcastically.
"Yes and during that time I was studying," Elijah replied.
"Cassie, I think it would be wise to use your Fairy Eyes, yes?" Caliban suggested.
The fairy nodded, nervous. Changing her perception was a three edged sword. The last time, she peered into the future, into the darkness. She survived only because the void released her. She did not feed its hunger. Morgana murdered Merlin, the Dreamlord of Humanity, creating the void. Behind the hunger, Cassie sensed a cunning intellect. The void freed her, gave her the vision, only to fulfill its purpose: to create the new Dreamlord. "We're not in the Southwest. We're in the Dreamweb."
Rubbing his chin, Caliban smiled slightly, which had the side effect of twisting Ruthie's stomach. "Yes. That would explain why Mrs. Sanchez is still with us."
"What do ya mean Dreamweb?" Ruthie asked.
"It's kind of hard to explain."
"Please try, honey."
"I'm not sure if I can. I don't really understand it myself," Cassie admitted.
"What do ya know?" Ruthie asked.
"The world we live in is connected to many others. That black void that we crossed used to be the world of the fairies, but Morgana le Faye changed that."
"Morgana le Faye? Do you mean the half sister of Arthur?" Elijah asked.
"Yeah, I think so. Anyways, she was fighting Merlin the Dreamlord and needed power. Before the fairies realized it, she sucked everything dry. Our world died. We escaped to Earth, only to be enslaved by Morgana. Eventually, we discovered Avalon, our new homeland. Along the way, we entered into Xanadu," explained the Fae.
"What's a Dreamlord?" asked the vampire.
"Dreamlords are the guardians of the Dreamweb. Their job is to inspire humans to greatness. Sort of a cosmic coach."
"I don't know who has the job now, but they suck!" Marguerite replied.
"Merlin was the last. He died before he could appoint a successor."
"Maybe, we're supposed to find a new dreamlord?" Ruthie suggested.
Apprehensive, Cassie watched the dust settle on her bare feet. Caliban lifted her chin, forcing her to look him in the eyes. "Something is wrong, yes? Something you don't want to tell us?
"Back in the Viper Room. When I looked into the void. I saw something."
"What, honey? It can't be that bad."
"I saw. I saw us. The future."
Intrigued, Caliban motioned her to continue. "There were twelve. Ruthie looked like an angel without the wings. Caliban had a stump instead of a hand. My friend Barker was hanging out with us. And then Marguerite. . ."
"What happened to me? I can take it." asked the vampire.
Cassie swallowed, her mouth as dry as the desert around her. "You were. . ."
"I was what?
"You were pregnant."
"Pregnant? How? Who?"
"I don't know the how. I'd assume the normal way."
"I didn't know vampires could bare children," said Ruthie.
"Most don't. Vampires are just like humans only our blood is like a parasite. It keeps us alive, but feeds off us. That's why we drink blood. We have to feed its cravings. I can eat, drink, do almost anything a human can do except go out in sunlight," the vampire explained.
"It would seem to me that your blood has an allergic reaction to sunlight, yes?" said the Fallen.
"Or it could be a certain part of the light spectrum that composes sunlight," suggested the Chiyanbara.
"Who's the father?" Marguerite asked.
"Elijah."
Marguerite shot Kincaid with a look of suspicion, who simply shrugged his shoulders with his hands stretched in the air. "What? I hardly know her."
Cassie giggled uncomfortably. "Well, you get to know her real well."
"I would never. . ."
"So I'm not good enough for you, is that it?" asked the vampire.
"Ah, no. I. . .I. . .I," stuttered Elijah.
"Give the man a chance to breathe, yes?" Caliban suggested.
"So what happens to him?" Marguerite asked, indicating Elijah.
"He wasn't there."
"What?" asked Kincaid, curious.
"You weren't there."
"I must have been elsewhere."
"No."
"I'm dead in the future?"
"I think so. When I asked what happened to you, Marguerite just about cried."
"Then I hope I die with honor," Elijah said, trying to feel brave.
"We're five miles away from Xanadu according to that sign," Caliban stated, attempting to change the subject.
"Get to the bottom line," Marguerite barked.
Nervous, Cassie twirled a lock of hair around her finger. "The fairies believe that the High Lord created the universe with Xanadu as the center."
"Are we are in heaven?" Ruthie asked.
"No, I don't think so. According to the fairy lore, heaven is outside the universe. We are at the focal point for the universe."
"And it looks like New Mexico?" Marguerite asked sarcastically.
Cassie shrugged her shoulders. "It appears different to each person."
"So the question remains, why are we here?" Caliban asked.
Cassie bit her lip. "Someone brought us here. It might have been the void."
"So what do we do?" Ruthie asked.
"We could try to leave. I could try for Avalon again," Cassie suggested.
"No. I want to know what is going on. Everyone else seems to know about us except us," Caliban said.
"Yes. Let us discover all that we can," Elijah agreed. Now that he had knowledge of his death, he was determined to make his life count.
"It does seem as though the Lord's hand has brought us together in this place for this time," Ruthie said.
Marguerite grunted slightly, wiping sweat from her eyes. "Let's just get the Hell out of Dodge before my sun block wears off."
"Where do we go?" Cassie asked.
"There!' Elijah said as he pointed at the building in the distance.
"Sounds good," Cassie agreed.
"That actually sounds like a plan, which worries me," said the vampire.
Ruthie looked at the others. She worried that they were walking into the lion's mouth. While she had her faith to protect her, a part of Ruthie worried that it would not be enough. Although she felt the Lord's hand touch her when the lightning slew her enemies, Ruthie wondered if she was worthy of the grace. What if God did not want her to travel to Xanadu? What if by traveling with the others, Ruthie endangered her soul? Ruthie glanced over to Marguerite. Despite the fact that she was a vampire, Marguerite had shown more love than most mortals Ruthie knew. Marguerite was with God in her heart, even if her brain would not admit it.
"I think I can teleport us over there," Cassie said.
"No. We were meant to walk."
"Why do you say that?" Caliban asked.
"I can. . .feel it," Elijah answered.
Marguerite shrugged. "Let's just get out from under the sun."
Side by side, the Five walked down the highway that twisted like a snake. The small building flickered as though it faded in and out of reality. Elijah mentally soaked the scenery into his brain: the tumbleweeds, the cacti, and the vultures circling overhead. He pondered Cassie's words. If the future she experienced was real, then he would soon form a relationship with the vampire. Previously, he had not considered starting a relationship with a woman so soon. He knew nothing of their ways. And together, they would conceive a child.
The sheer vastness of the open land soothed the vampire. Trapped in the sunless lands, Marguerite had forgotten the pleasure of walking the open road in daylight. If the Goth fairy was right, then she was going to have Kincaid's baby! She never imagined herself as a mother, even when mortal. She would have to love Kincaid. Love him more than her life. Most vampires didn't survive childbirth. Fueled by the blood, the fetus becomes part vampire, part human craving blood and flesh. Could she fight destiny?
Ruthie's mind wandered back to the Old Testament. She recalled Moses leading the Exodus out of Egypt, and wondered if the Five would lead others to the promised land. Part of her hoped and feared to become a hero. Would she become an angel? She had felt the hand of God. Would she know his plans, his voice? Or would she become a false prophet?
Caliban cursed the light. In the darkness, he was safe and could pretend to be human. Trapped on the open road, he was the monster. The monster who could never win the love of a Goth fairy named Cassie.
The desert sparked memories of the Whistling Dude for Cassie. Her heart skipped a beat thinking of that song of the heart. The song of love. Why was Barker with the others in the future? He said that he was more than she knew. What was he?
Near the building, the Five discovered a figure walking towards them. The glare from the rising sun gave the man a slight halo. As the distance between them shortened, they could see that he was a man in his late thirties with long brown hair and a beard. He wore jeans, a black t-shirt, and a pair of old cowboy boots. He stopped a few feet short of the Five. Marguerite thought he looked familiar but couldn't quite place him. His sad green eyes had the look of lost innocence..
"Hi," the man said softly.
Holding his arms open in a gesture of friendship, Elijah greeted the stranger. "Hello. My name is Elijah Kincaid, this is Caliban, Cassie Byron, Ruthie Jones, and Marguerite Sanchez."
"My name is Jim."
"Do you know where we are?" Ruthie asked.
"The Highway West."
"Do I know you?" Marguerite asked.
"Can any of us really know another?"
"Perhaps it would be wise to scan him, yes?" Caliban whispered to Cassie.
Cassie nodded and opened her Fairy Eyes. Jim was not a man, but a force of nature. A spiritual cog in a cosmic machine geared down to communicate with them. A living manifestation of the Dreamweb.
"Who are you?" the Fae asked the dream.
"You might call me the spirit of the age."
"What are you doing here?" Caliban asked.
"I don't know. Trying to find myself, I guess."
"That's all any of us can do," Ruthie tried to soothe Jim.
Marguerite knotted her eyebrows as she tried to remember where she had seen this man. She imagined what he looked like without the beard. She had seen pictures of this man. Somehow he was important to her.
"Morrison!" Marguerite exclaimed.
Elijah drew Ascalon and looked for the wicked werewolf. "Where! Where!" he cried.
"No. Not that Morrison. . .Jim Morrison," Marguerite explained.
"You know you're right. He looks older, but it has to be him," Cassie agreed.
Irritated, Elijah kept Ascalon in his hand, ready for an attack. "I do not know this Jim Morrison."
"Jim Morrison, you know the Doors," Cassie explained.
"I do not see any doors," Elijah stated.
"It was a rock band, in the late sixties, yes?" Caliban added.
"Jim was the lead singer until he died of a drug overdose."
"Then, what is he doing here?" Elijah asked.
"He's part of the Dreamweb," Cassie answered.
"Are you a ghost?" Ruthie asked.
"No. . .I'm Jim."
"Like that answered anything," Cassie snapped.
"Maybe it did, yes? Correct me if I am wrong, but did you not say that each person perceives Xanadu differently?" Caliban asked.
"Yeah," Cassie answered.
"Then what we see is a metaphor of some kind, yes?"
"Then all we have to do is figure out what all of this means," Elijah added.
"All I remember is that they sang 'The End,'" Cassie said.
"'The End!" That's it! Don't you see, this is the song. We're in the desert on the Highway West," Marguerite replied, excited.
"The Apocalypse!" Ruthie cried.
"What's she babbling about?" Cassie asked.
Afraid, Ruthie brushed a lock of hair from her eyes. "The Book of Revelations in the Bible speaks of the end times. The time when Christ will rise again and the world will end. Maybe this is a warning from God."
Marguerite sighed. "I don't know how you rescued us from MacDuff's prison, but I already told you I don't believe in God."
"Ya don't believe in God, but you believe in demons, vampires, and werewolves. Which is better?"
Elijah sighed, angry. "Now is not the time for this."
Defiantly, Marguerite placed her hands on her hips. "Something tells me we better get on the ball or we're going to be in a shit load of trouble."
Caliban coughed. It reminded Marguerite of a cement truck. "I may have an answer if you care to listen."
Cassie rolled her eyes in disgust. "We don't have time for twenty questions."
"Jim Morrison represents us," Caliban declared.
"What?" Ruthie exclaimed.
"Think about it. We're not seeing the Jim Morrison that we always see in pictures or album covers. We're seeing the Jim Morrison that died. The Jim Morrison that gave up and killed himself."
"He died of a drug overdose," Marguerite replied.
"It's the same thing, yes? How many times do you think Jim Morrison took drugs over his lifetime? He knew he would die."
"Okay, so what's your point?" Marguerite asked.
"I am not sure yet. You're the great Morrison expert. What was he like early in his career?" Caliban asked the vampire.
"He wanted to be a poet. He went to the film school at U.C.L.A. No one understood his films. So he joined with Ray Manzarek and formed a band. He wanted to expand his mind so he experimented with drugs and got addicted. That's when things started to go down hill.".
"I think I am starting to understand. Nietzsche believed that to become a hero one had to balance the Apollonian and the Dionysian sides of our natures," Elijah told them.
"Huh," Marguerite grunted.
"The Apollonian stems from the Greek god Apollo, the god of the sun, light, music, and reason. It is the part of us that uses logic to understand the world. It is the part of us that is rational. The Dionysian comes from the Greek god Dionysus, the god of theater, wine, and parties. It is the part of us that feels passion, love, horror, and worship. Only through a balance, can one become a hero."
"It does fit, but what made you think of it?" asked the Fallen.
"Bucky," Elijah admitted.
"Bucky?" Ruthie said with disgust.
"When we first met, he spoke of us become heroes."
Smiling, Cassie snapped her fingers, celebrating her epiphany. "I think I get what he is saying. Jim tried to become a hero, but he couldn't or wouldn't balance the two parts of himself and so failed."
The vampire frowned. "At the end of his career, Morrison swung all the way to the Dionysian side. He became a legend even in L.A. for his life style."
"He is the perfect metaphor for us, yes?"
Interested, Marguerite knotted her eyebrows. "You said that before, but didn't back it up."
"I was speaking collectively, yes? Consider Jim the spirit of the age. All of us had big ideas of how things were going to change the world, but somehow our greed got in the way. We're all feeling a little old, but still beautiful. All of us are part genius and part idiot. We try to fight against the world, but it's like a clock trying to run backwards. We try to fight the system, then we become the system. The rebels become the rulers. Somehow we're supposed to break out of this circle."
"Fighting the machine," Elijah whispered, awed.
Marguerite turned to Elijah, surprised. "Where did you pick up that expression?"
"It's a long story. We don't have the time to go into it now," Elijah insisted.
"What do we do?" Ruthie asked.
"Replace me.".
Marguerite sighed. "How are we supposed to do that, Jim?" Marguerite replied.
"Have the courage to choose to become heroes."
"We have a choice?" Cassie asked.
"We always have a choice."
"How do we become heroes?" Cassie asked.
"You have the right question. You just need to find your answer."
Cassie growled, frustrated. "Can't someone give me a straight answer?"
Marguerite laughed. "Says the Goth chick who tells us our future."
"Good-bye."
"You're leaving?"
"Yes."
"Where ya going, sir?" Ruthie asked.
Jim pointed to the horizon. "That way."
"Good journey," said the Chiyanbara.
Jim nodded. "Thanks. Be seeing you. One of you anyway."
Cassie sighed. "What's that supposed to mean?"
Marguerite smirked. "Like he's gonna tell you."
"Perhaps we could continue, yes?" Caliban suggested.
Xanadu. It was a dream given form. It existed. It did not exist. It was ancient. It was timeless. It was fluid, changing, energy. It was solid, order, matter. They knew only that it was beautiful and holy and an aerie of great power.
"Shall we go in?" Elijah asked, fighting the awe.
"Do we have a choice?" Marguerite snapped.
The Chiyanbara pushed past the vampire and rushed towards the entrance. "I should be the one to enter first."
Ignoring the vampire's warnings, the Chiyanbara entered Xanadu.
The large vacant room surprised Elijah. Part of him had suspected that the building would be a sacred temple complete with warrior angels. Despite the heat of the desert, Elijah felt a chill as he entered Xanadu. It took several minutes before the awe dimmed so that he could examine the room objectively.
"It's a stinking library!" Marguerite cried.
Elijah glanced over at the vampire. "You were supposed to stay outside."
"Look here, Dudley Do Right, I go where I please and no one is going to stop me," she barked.
"It does not matter. There is no one here."
Curious, Elijah examined the room. Ancient books and tomes lined the endless row of shelves that circled a single tapestry hanging in the center of the room. Several worn leather couches scattered amid the maze of shelves.
"I think its safe," Marguerite informed the others.
Cautiously, Caliban lead Ruthie and Cassie into the library. Overwhelm, the fairy opened her Fairy Eyes. "There's someone here!"
A light feminine chuckle echoed around them. "I thought you'd never find us."
Startled, Elijah maneuvered Ascalon into a defensive parry position. Marguerite prepared her claws, flanking Kincaid. Caliban and Cassie circled protecting Ruthie.
Silently, the feline female waltzed into view, waving her long blonde hair as though she were a supermodel. She wore an angelic white dress and a blue ribbon that matched her shimmering eyes. "Don't be afraid. We've been expecting you."
Flanking the woman, a weary looking man dressed as though he escaped from an old black and white detective movie waved, smoking a cigar. Judging from his voice and slightly wrinkled features, the man appeared to be in his early forties. Scratching his salt and pepper beard, he gestured for the Five to sit. "Yea, come on in, take a load off."
"Who the Hell are you and why have we been brought here?" the vampire asked.
"Direct. Forceful. I like that Marguerite," the old man replied.
"How did you know my name?" she asked.
"I know a lot things. . .so does my companion," he informed him.
"My name is Delilah. I am hear to help you," said the woman in white.
"My name's Jack. Jack Covell. I'm the temporary caretaker of Xanadu," said the man in black.
"Are you the Old One?" Cassie asked.
"Not quite. You see the Old One needed a vacation and well he. . .didn't make it back. Had a bad case of demons."
"What happened to the Old One?" Caliban inquired.
Jack smiled, scratching his beard. "Sorry, not allowed to say."
"Why not?" Marguerite asked.
"Well, that would influence you unduly and that's against the rules. It's kind of like knowing the outcome of a horse race and then betting on it. So, sit down and we'll chat."
"I'd rather stand thanks," Cassie informed Jack.
Ruthie shook her head, then glared at the fairy. "Thank you."
"Not a problem. How about you guys?"
Uneasy, the others found chairs and sat facing the tapestry.
"Sir, may I ask a question?" Elijah asked politely.
Jack took a long puff of his cigar. "Feel free, son."
"What is the Five?"
"Good question! Good question! Living with Tagami all those years really paid off, eh? Well, take a squint at that big rug there."
Jack pointed to the tapestry of many colors and none. The threads swirled like a billion worms woven together. "Don't worry. When I first looked at it, I about dropped a load in my pants. If you look hard enough you can see into the past, present, and even the future. Each thread is one life."
"If each thread is a single life, then should not the tapestry be larger?"
"Yeah if it were a normal tapestry then of course it would be the size of Jupiter or the American national debt. This tapestry is magic. One of the few relics left over from the beginning. This is the stuff of dreams, kid. When ya concentrate on someone that thread appears in the scheme of events. For an example, I'm concentrating on you five. See how each of your lines reflect your lives? Each change in the pattern is a change in you. See how all five connect and become one line? You are the Five that become one. You are the five fingers that will serve as the hand."
"And what if we don't want to be the Five?" Marguerite asked.
"See the line that your five lines merge into. If I were to rip it from the tapestry, then all the other ones go to shit," Jack Covell explained.
"Which does not mean that the world will end," Delilah added.
"Quite true. The world won't end if you don't become the Five, but then I 'm pretty sure that you wouldn't approve of the shit hole it becomes either."
"How did we become the Five or the One Hand?" Caliban asked.
"While you are the Five, you're not the One Hand. Not yet anyway. You have to take the test," said Jack.
"How do we take this test?" Elijah asked.
"You pass through the portal in the tapestry and defeat yourself."
"Defeat ourselves? Why would we want to do that? What portal are you speaking of?" Caliban asked.
"When you are ready, the portal will appear from the tapestry. Once you enter the test you have to decide what is most important to you. Who are you?"
"Or what do you want?" Delilah added.
"I have a question," Ruthie interjected.
"Yea, Ruthie," said Delilah.
"Where is God in this? What is His will?"
"Is there even a God?" Cassie asked.
Jack smiled to Delilah, who sighed. "I can answer that question. In fact, I can give you absolute proof of God's existence or non-existence. Is this what you want?" Delilah asked.
"Yes."
"However, I think knowing would hurt ya. I'll make a deal with ya. I tell you why I should not tell you, then if you still want proof, I'll give it to you," Jack offered.
"Deal," Marguerite said. The others agreed.
"Ruthie Jones, do you try to do good because God has told you to? Or do you do good because that is best? It's a difficult question. You might say that there is no difference, but I disagree. When parents raise their kids, good deeds are rewarded. You know if a kid cleans his room he gets an extra hour of TV. Not because every time the child does good he will be rewarded, but because the behavior is desired. When kids grow up they're expected to know the good and do it. Giving you knowledge of God would keep you kid and no good parent wants their kid to remain a kid forever. God is like a mother who wants her kids to grow up strong and become doctors, or something else decent."
"If there is no God, then life has no meaning except that which we give it. Many people find their life's meaning in the work of God. If God don't exist, then these people's hopes are gone. Either way, you lose," Jack explained.
Ruthie looked over to Marguerite. Although proof would convert her, it would destroy that which God truly wanted; her faith. However, Ruthie had to admit that she wanted the answer for herself. For years she had defended God against every argument she had encountered. More than a few skeptics used logic to attempt to shred her faith. Proof would vindicate her, but did she want to bite into the forbidden fruit?
Cassie wanted the answer more than anything. All of her life she had wanted something larger than herself. She tried to find this feeling in churches, graveyards, and even horror novels, but failed. Jack offered an end to the journey. She could have what she had always wanted. But, did she want the answers given to her?
Elijah pondered Jack's words. They were logical and well planned. It was a test. A test of faith. A test to see if was worthy; if he was Chiyanbara.
Caliban glanced away from the others. If there was a God, and part of him hoped that there was not, then he was cast out of God's grace. The darkness provided a cover for his shame. Could a loving God forgive him? Was he not one of the Fallen, the cursed of God? Part of him hoped that a God did exist. Perhaps God could save him?
Marguerite scratched her head. When she was a child, Sister Agatha used to tell her wonderful stories about a man named Jesus. Marguerite used to lie awake at night and wonder. If there was a God, then how could He allow so much pain? If there was a God, He could not be good, at least not how Marguerite defined good. Would a loving good God allow her parents to die?
"So, what's it going to be? What do you want?" Delilah asked.
"No, thanks. I don't need proof," Ruthie said.
"Nor do I," Caliban added.
"I am a Chiyanbara warrior. We bring light to the shadows where no else treads. I am a candle. The rest does not matter," Elijah told them.
"You tell'em Dudley!" Marguerite agreed.
"Cassie? What do you want?" Delilah asked.
"I want to be whole. but I don't think this is the way."
"Was this a test?" Ruthie asked.
Jack chuckled. "Life is a test."
"Should you decide to take the test, the portal over there will take you to it. You have to decide what you really want," Delilah informed them.
"Why do we have to take this test? I thought you said we are the Five," Marguerite asked.
"This is not a test to see if you become the Five. That you already are. This test is to see if you want Xanadu," Delilah told them.
"What happens if we do not take this test?" Elijah questioned him.
Delilah smiled her secret smile to Jack. "We're. . .not allowed to say."
"Why are you not allowed to say?" Caliban asked.
"It's against the rules by which the test is given," Jack answered.
"It is time to decide. Do we become heroes or not?" Elijah asked.
Ruthie knew in her heart that they were destined to lead the children of God out of the New Egypt. She knew that Jesus had touched their hearts and it was only a matter of time before their minds came around. "Yes."
Cassie had always dreamed of such an adventure. She had always wanted a chance to become more than she was. She remembered the thrill she experienced when she first read The Hobbit. Now a wizard was offering her a way out of her hobbit hole, but did she have the courage to take it? "Thrill me, let's go storm the gate of Hell while we're at it."
Caliban looked away from the others ashamed. The ashes of regret blew softly. As time passed, he would lose more of his humanity until he became the enemy. Did he have the right to endanger his friends for his own salvation? "Yes. Yes. I am already becoming quite bored with the subject."
The vampire smirked. All she wanted to do was hop into her van and drive to Mexico like a bat out of Hell. Every time she trusted someone, they hurt her. She loved Agatha, and Agatha left her without a word. She gave all that she had to Brad, who decided to screw a cheerleader in his Firebird. Yet for a short time, she felt the love of another. Murphy told her that Sister Mary's was in danger. Despite the fact that Murphy was a cold blooded murderer, arrogant beyond belief, and a vampire, Marguerite knew he was not a liar. She actually liked the other members of the Five, even Dudley Do Right. If she did leave them, where did she have to go? Even a wanderer gets tired of the road. "Okay. . .let's do it and get it over with. But I'm am not having a baby!"
The Chiyanbara smiled. Tagami and Iron John had told him that he would find allies. Friends. A family. "Excellent! I knew you would do it."
Delilah snapped, creating a small aqua blue energy vortex that swirled within the confines of the tapestry. Xanadu seemed to filter the perceptions of the individual, Elijah thought. It was almost as though the portal had been there the entire time and they had chose not to look at it.
Jack waved, holding his cigar. "Good luck, kids. Don't piss on any electric fences."
"Will we need it?" Cassie asked.
"Yes," Delilah replied, smiling her secret smile.
The boisterous electronic bell buzzed in the school hallway like an air raid signal. The familiar stench of cigarette smoke, hair spray, and perfume covered the school like a wet blanket. A legion of high school students swarmed around the Five ignoring them as if they did not exist. Thrust into the middle of the students, Elijah nearly fainted. Ruthie, sensing his fear, grasped his hand. "What's going on here? We're like ghosts!" she proclaimed.
Delilah clapped as though the Five were circus animals performing for her benefit. "You are like ghosts in this time, no one can see you or touch you. You have to mentally assert control within this reality. Oh, Marguerite as long as you stay in ghost mode the sun can't hurt you."
"Why are you here?" Marguerite asked.
Delilah opened her arms and spun in a semi-circle. "I am your Guide."
"Where are we?" Elijah asked.
"I believe that one of you already know," Delilah answered.
Nervous, Cassie glanced down at her feet. "We're at Bullard High."
"How do you know?"
"I go to high school here," explained the fairy.
"Or to be more exact, you went to this high school almost one year ago," Delilah added.
"You mean we're in the past?" Cassie asked.
"Only from your limited point of view."
"This test does not seem all that difficult, yes?" Caliban interjected.
"Oh, it gets better," Delilah notified him.
"All of them seem to be gathering in that central building over there," Elijah pointed out.
The vampire squinted at the building. "It looks like there's going to be a rally today."
"Rally? No!" Cassie whispered, mortified.
"What's wrong?" Caliban asked.
Blinking, to fight the tears, Cassie panicked. "I can't tell you right now. I have to check on something!"
"Honey, wait for us. We can help," suggested Ruthie.
Running down the hall, Cassie looked back to her friends. "No. . .please stay here! I have to do this alone."
Changing into fairy form, Cassie darted down the hall. Turning the corner, Cassie frantically burst through a wall into the women's restroom. The others followed her, but stopped outside the door.
It was exactly as she remembered it. The restroom still looked as though it had been out of order for seven years and smelled worse. The mirrors were dirty and cracked. Even from her location she could still see the writing on the stall walls; If you want to climb Mount Cassie call 875-6621. Confused, it took Cassie a few seconds to notice the girl that she used to be. Five feet in front of Cassie stood a past reflection of her soul. Looking at herself, Cassie smiled. Back then, her mother used to buy her expensive ankle length dresses from Macy's. Although her hair had been long, Cassie had not yet dyed it black. Her natural brown hair matched the summer colors of her dress.
"It all begins with so much hope," Delilah sighed.
"What are you doing here?" Cassie asked.
"I am your guide. But now you do not need one. You know what will happen. I am here to ask you a simple question. What you want?"
"You know?" Cassie whispered.
"I know that the Drama Club voted you for Homecoming Queen in your junior year of high school and that one of your friends, Rice I believe, fixed the election. As soon as your past-self walks out on stage she's going to be booed worse than Nixon in '73."
Cassie's lip trembled. "Do I have to watch it again?"
"No. It never has to happen, if that is your choice."
"What do you mean?"
"You can stop yourself before you go out on that stage."
"Then it never will have happened?"
"If you wish. . ."
"If I wish? If I wish? You can't imagine what it was like? You're blonde, beautiful, and every man's fantasy. I'm fat, slow, and the girl that stayed home on prom night. When I got nominated to be the Homecoming Queen, I felt liked for the first time in my life. Oh, Dad and Mom loved me. . .I guess, but they never liked me. When they all laughed at me. . .they hurt me! It was like I was nothing! Nothing! I was the joke of the school for weeks. Football players would pass me in the halls and shout, 'Hail Mount Cassie, the Queen.' I almost killed myself!" "You can end the pain. That is what you want," Delilah whispered.
"Yes," Cassie muttered.
Cassie walked over to her former self and reached for her. Instead of passing through her like a ghost, Cassie broke through the barrier and revealed her presence. The younger Cassie turned and dropped her jaw with surprise. "What's the Hell?" the younger Cassie cried.
Cassie wiped the snot from her nose. "Look at me! I'm you. Don't go to the rally. Trust me!"
"No. They like me. They nominated me for Homecoming Queen. I don't know what drugs I took to cause you, but I'm staying straight."
Frantic, Cassie slapped her younger double. "No. They don't. Rice fixed the election. No one voted for us. I am you. I know things. You love Steve. You masturbate to his picture every night. You hate Dad."
The younger Cassie backed herself into one of the stalls. "No. It can't be."
"If you go out there, they're going to hurt you like you've never been hurt before. I know they did it to me."
"How did you get here? What did you do to your hair?" the younger Cassie asked.
"I can't tell you that," the older Cassie answered.
"Will I always be alone?"
Cassie twirled her hair. "No. One day you'll have good friends."
"What about Steve?" the younger Cassie asked.
"You'll never have Steve."
"Never?" the younger Cassie muttered as she cried.
"Never. . ."
"Should we go in there to see what is happening?" Elijah asked the others.
"It wouldn't be appropriate for us to go in there, yes? Ruthie and Marguerite might have a better chance to help her," Caliban suggested.
The vampire blocked the entrance. "She said she wanted to do this alone."
Elijah opened his mouth to respond, but Cassie exited the restroom before he could reply. "Are you okay, honey?" Ruthie asked.
Cassie looked back towards the restroom. "Yeah. . .for the first time in a long time."
"You pass the test?" Marguerite asked.
"I think so," Cassie answered.
"Did she?" Caliban asked Delilah.
Delilah shrugged her shoulders. "I am not allow to say until we reach Xanadu.
On que, the portal opened. Delilah entered it as through she were in a strip club. "Time for the next test."
Caliban grated his fangs. "There is something about her that reminds me of a politician, yes?"
"It's not as though we have much choice," Marguerite snapped.
One by one the Five walked into the portal.
Bright neon lights flickered illuminating the night. The synthetic stench of carbon and decay assailed their noses. High-rise skyscrapers dominated the landscape as though they were mountains in the distance. Cars raced through the Five like a cattle stampede. On instinct, they dodged to the sidewalk where Delilah was waiting amused.
Irritated, Elijah waved a finger towards her. "Where are we?"
She laughed. It was a cat's purr. "You forget. . .I'm not supposed to tell."
Coldly, Caliban surveyed the environment. "We are in the business district of L.A."
"You've been here?" Cassie asked.
"Many times. . .my family owns that building."
Elijah Kincaid looked over at the building. Although not quite the size of Tagami Towers, it looked every bit as impressive. A gigantic sign hung over the main doors with giant gold letters that read Ernest Enterprises.
Cassie's eyes bulged. "You didn't say you were that rich."
"I told you enough. There was no need to stress it."
"We are almost a year into the past," Delilah informed them.
Concerned, Caliban faced Delilah. "A year? You're certain, yes?"
Ignoring the closeness of the monster's face, Delilah continued. "I am quite certain. Does this date have any meaning for you?"
Striding towards the building, Caliban passed through several cars. Puzzled, the others followed. "We must reach the top floor."
"As you wish," Delilah said.
Each step was a glacial stab of memory. The hunter returned to the paper jungle. Doeish workers scattered as Gary Ernest prowled his domain searching for a sign of weakness. Satisfied with his appearance to the natives, the lion returned to his den. Cackling, Gary Ernest circled his antique oak desk that had once belonged to John Adams.
Delilah and the Five followed silently. Intrigued, Cassie watched Gary. Genetically, Gary had won the lottery. His muscular body frame would have shamed a body builder. His elfish beauty, inherited from his mother, was akin to an unattainable movie star. Combined, Gary possessed a legendary charisma possessed by a lucky few. "This is Gary Ernest. I'm running late for dinner. Could you delay my reservations by a half an hour? Thanks."
Awed, Cassie poked Caliban. "You never said you were that handsome!"
"Only on the outside."
Delilah smiled her secret smile. "It doesn't have to be this way."
"What?" Caliban asked.
Delilah snapped her fingers rearranging time and space to suit her demands. The bright street lights startled them. It took a few seconds for them to adjust to the sudden change. They were across the street from Ernest Enterprises next to the parking garage. "All you have to do is wait and then you can stop yourself. If that is what you want?"
"You can stop yourself from being one of the Fallen!" Cassie exclaimed.
"I am confused," Elijah said.
Caliban scowled. "In the past, I was not the man that I am today. Because of a hideous crime, I was turned into this."
"What did ya do?" Ruthie asked.
"I murdered someone."
"Was some punk trying to mug you?" Marguerite asked him.
"No. . .it was a bum. Just a bum. All he wanted was a little money."
"Look who's coming," Delilah told the others.
Caliban recognized him instantly. The bum wore clothing that had been scrounged at a discount store and looked as though it had barely escaped the seventies. His thin malnourished body reminded them of pictures from a Nazi concentration camp. His white hair and beard looked as though it had not been combed in a week. It was the man that he had killed, and would kill.
"All you have to do is scare the bum away. That shouldn't be too hard for you, pretty boy," Delilah informed Caliban.
"What will happen if I do?" Caliban asked.
"He will live a few more days before he runs out of food," Delilah answered.
"What will happen to me?" Caliban questioned her.
"You will stay the way you were. Get married to an actress and have three kids, two dogs, and an ulcer."
"Will I ever learn?" Caliban interrogated Delilah.
"I can't believe you're hesitating!" Marguerite snapped.
"You don't understand," Caliban tried to defend himself.
"I understand. You killed someone because he was a bum and now you have a chance to save him and you're debating it!" Marguerite barked.
"Let me explain," Caliban pleaded.
"Let him speak," Elijah told her.
"Who the fuck do you think you are?" Marguerite asked Elijah.
"A man who has questions," Elijah answered.
"You have until your sorry past-self walks out of the building," Marguerite warned him.
"When I changed, I realized what I had been. I had to become a monster so that I would stop acting like one. The majority of my money has been donated to charity. This last month, a thousand mouths were fed, maybe more. If I stop this, I'll be the man I used to be. I'll ruin good people's lives and make more homeless people. If I stop the bum, I have to stop my past-self as well."
Gary Ernest strutted out of Ernest Enterprises and began to walk across the street. "It's not right," Marguerite told him.
"It is how the Lord wants it," Ruthie told them.
"The Lord wants this old bum to die? Ha! Great God you have there," Marguerite sneered.
"We have to believe that there is a plan. Because of this man's death, Caliban reforms and does His will. Do we have the right to stop this?" Ruthie asked.
"I thought this was our chance to change things?" Cassie answered Ruthie with a question.
"How are we to know?" Ruthie asked.
"I'm going to stop him if you don't," Marguerite told Caliban.
"What do you think?" Caliban asked the others.
"Do it! We can find you and make you better when we get back. And then we. . .you and I could. . ." Cassie told him.
"Is that the way to decide the fate of a man?" Caliban interrupted.
"No. . .but. . .I. . .love you," Cassie cried.
"You love me. . .not that man," Caliban told her softly.
"It would stop the pain," Cassie pleaded.
"I would rather have the pain than nothing."
Ruthie gently placed her hand on Marguerite's shoulder. "We don't have the right to interfere with the Lord's plan."
"What if all of this is the Lord's plan? What if we're supposed to stop this?" Marguerite asked.
Ruthie looked Marguerite in the eyes. "I don't know."
The Chiyanbara watched as the threads of history began to connect. "It is your choice."
"What do you think, Elijah?" Caliban asked.
"A man is the sum of his experiences. Few other men could have changed as you have. We need your strength."
"I can't believe this," Marguerite snarled.
"Do you know what it is like being one of the Fallen? Imagine yourself as a walking statue, living stone. That is what I am, yes. I can no longer feel anything. Oh I can sense it when something touches me, but I can no longer feel it. Yes, my flesh has lost the ability to feel pleasure. Only during the greatest stress can my body fell pain at all. Night after night I have endured this un-life, yet I know that I am more alive now than I have ever been. Let it be."
"No. You think you have the market cornered on feeling pain? When I first became a vampire, I was thrilled. My first thought was no one can push me around anymore. I was wrong. Every night I live with a hunger to feed like you wouldn't believe. It's worse than starvation or being a druggie. Every night I have to feed off the living. I hear the voices calling me all around us. If I had a chance to stop it, I would. Now you're asking me to let you kill this bum, just so you'll stop being an asshole! I don't think so."
The vampire turned her back to others and dashed towards the bum. "Listen to me. This is my choice and I will have to live with it. It is already done!" Caliban yelled.
Ignoring Caliban, Marguerite attempted to push the bum. She focused her will to enter this reality. Her hands passed through the bum unnoticed. "I'm afraid that Caliban has to be the first to effect this time. So sorry. Did I forget to mention that?" said Delilah.
"You know you did!" Marguerite grunted.
"It is my choice and my responsibility. I'll be the one to live with it," Caliban informed her.
Sensing the end of the test, the portal opened. "Just be careful." the vampire warned, "Or you might not live long with it."
"Perhaps," Caliban agreed.
Ignoring the Fallen, the vampire entered the portal. Caliban followed silent. Cassie and Ruthie glanced at each other with a questioning look and then braved the portal. Curious, Elijah watched as Delilah pursued the others with a look that he recognized. It was the same look Elijah once wore when he entered the Viper Room.
The cobblestone road twisted down the hill with perfect precision away from the rising full moon. Glancing around, Elijah Kincaid noticed several large ancient marble ruins, several hills close together, and several large aqueducts. This reality was different than the other two. The smell was cleaner; different. He had read of this place many times. "We are in ancient Rome."
"Oh, and how do you know that?" Cassie asked sarcastically.
"There are several large marble ruins, aqueducts, wooden buildings, villages on hills, and that sign over there that says 'Welcome to Rome.'"
"What sign?" Marguerite asked.
"I was practicing sarcasm."
"Keep practicing," Marguerite replied.
Delilah rolled her eyes and sighed. "Actually, the year is what you would know as 1245 AD."
"I am assuming that each of us is to face a test with our past. None of us were alive then, yes?" Caliban asked, looking towards Marguerite.
"None of you were alive at this moment in history, but this effects one of you just the same."
"I fail to see how," Elijah said, confused.
"Look and learn," Delilah suggested.
The Five looked down the cobblestone road that twisted like a snake to see two figures on horses wildly riding towards them. Five men, knights Elijah assumed from their armor, on horses chased them. The full moon illuminated the sky as though it were early morning.
As the two riders progressed closer it became apparent that they were not Italian. One of them wore a long black cloak that hid his features. The other rider wore silk robes that Elijah guessed were Asian or possibly Arabic. As her features became clear, Elijah knew that he had seen this dark woman once before. She had stood before the great pyramids with Tagami. And if she were here, then her companion could only be one man.
The cloaked rider raised his katana, preparing a defense. It was Tagami, but not the old man Elijah remembered. A young, vital Tagami Yomoto charged the night, attempting to elude the knights.
"I can't believe it!" Cassie muttered, awed.
"What?" Marguerite asked, focusing on the riders.
"That woman. The one that looks like a genie. I've seen her before."
"Where, honey?" Ruthie asked.
Nervous, Cassie swallowed her spit. "In the future."
Drawing his magical sword, Elijah prepared for battle. As the two riders passed their location, Elijah entered the timeline and stood before the charging knights. The sudden appearance of Elijah forced the knights to halt their chase. From their colors and style of armor, Elijah knew the knights were attired from the House of Essex in England. One of the knights, Elijah recognized. MacDuff!
"Who are you stranger?" MacDuff asked in old Italian.
Elijah was glad that Tagami insisted that he learn all of the Romance languages. "I am Elijah Kincaid, the Chiyanbara."
"Step aside!" MacDuff bellowed.
"Make me!" Elijah challenged.
The knights dismounted and drew their weapons. As MacDuff gave the signal to attack, Marguerite, Ruthie, Caliban, and Cassie entered the timeline. Surprised, MacDuff held out his hand to stop the advance of his troops. Intrigued and frightened, MacDuff examined his enemy.
The warrior with the glowing broadsword appeared to be Scottish, but the manner in which he held his weapon suggested that he had been trained by an Oriental Master. The dark skinned vampire appeared to be a Spaniard, but he had never seen such clothing on earth. The monster had to be from Hell. His mother had warned him about such creatures that seek souls. The woman with blond hair seemed extremely weak. Although her face was pretty, she needed to gain weight. The beautiful plump girl interested him. From her eyes, MacDuff guessed that she was one of the Fae. Something was strange. That much MacDuff knew. "We do not wish to fight. We only want the two riders."
"What do you want with them?" Elijah asked.
"They have stolen a baby," MacDuff answered.
"A baby? Whose baby did they steal?" Kincaid questioned him, curious.
"That will be enough!" a voice shouted in old Italian.
Surprised, everyone turned towards the voice. Tagami Yomoto, the man who would become the Chiyanbara Master, proudly advanced towards them. Despite Elijah losing his cloak, it was clear that Tagami wore the same uniform. He waved his glorious katana in a defensive arc.
"Return the boy, Yomoto, and we will let you live," MacDuff offered Tagami.
Yomoto shook his head solemnly. "The boy is safe. That is all that you need to know."
"What're they saying?" Cassie whispered to Caliban.
"I do not know. They're speaking in Italian. . .I think," Caliban answered.
"It's like watching a foreign film without the subtitles," Ruthie complained.
"Elijah will let us know when there is trouble. We have to trust him," said the vampire.
"I am afraid that is not good enough, Yomoto. Tell me now or my knights shall kill you and your demons."
"I tell you again, the boy is out of our hands. Neither of us will see him for a long time."
"Come now. Even with your demons, my vampire knights will take you now that you have stopped running. Surrender the baby or my Thane shall deal with you personally."
"Are you afraid to speak his name?"
"No more then you are."
"You can not win this, old friend," Yomoto insisted.
MacDuff scratched his beard. "Is that so? Perhaps you do not understand the situation."
"No. I understand it all too well. I know your Thane thinks that you are a pawn, but you plan to become more."
"Sensei, what is going on? How did you get here?" Elijah asked.
MacDuff' eyes narrowed as he plotted the possibilities. "Sensei?" MacDuff muttered.
Tagami threw Elijah an angry look. "I do not know you," he said flatly.
MacDuff raised an eyebrow. By denying the information, Yomoto confirmed his suspicions. "Elijah, you must have traveled through Xanadu, did you not?"
"Yes, I did," Elijah answered, earnestly.
"It matters not then, does it Sensei?" MacDuff asked Tagami sarcastically.
Yomoto sighed grimly. "You are observant. I had hoped to avoid this."
"That is why we could not sense the baby. You sent him into the future or the past."
"What baby?' Elijah asked, confused.
"This is getting good," Delilah informed the others.
"What are they talking about?" Marguerite asked, irritated
"Oh, Kincaid's childhood and cabbages and kings."
"Then you have lost everything," MacDuff proclaimed.
"No. Not yet, Finneas."
"My Thane will be happy to find their son grown. And I am certain that you have trained him well, Yomoto."
"Will one of you tell me what is going on?" Elijah asked.
"We're going to meet your parents, boy. Touching how Tagami allowed you to keep your clan name," MacDuff answered.
"That would be bad for both of us, old friend."
"And why is that?" MacDuff asked.
"Because I know what you want most in the world. I was there at your test. I was there when you failed. The only way you can get what you want is to allow Elijah to follow his destiny."
"How do I know that I can trust you?" MacDuff asked.
"We are enemies. You know me better than anyone else. You know that I do not lie. Neither of us do."
MacDuff looked over to his knights, who waited for the conflict eagerly. As soon as he reported his failure to Thane Kincaid, these knights would hang him by his feet and feast upon his bowels. "But I have other obligations."
Tagami stepped past Elijah, preparing for a kill strike. "That is true."
Tagami nodded sternly. MacDuff smiled, returning the nod. Confused, Elijah looked back to his friends hoping one of them understood what was happening to them. Finneas MacDuff spun violently around, catching his knights unaware. Mentally shattering the knights' will, the Scottish vampire gave Tagami Yomoto the opening he had been waiting for. Dazzled, Elijah, Caliban, and Marguerite charged into the fray.
The battle was short with the outcome never in doubt. MacDuff casually wiped a stain of blood from his kilt, studying Elijah and the others. "Then it is settled, Yomoto."
Furious, Elijah turned to MacDuff. "The game ends now, MacDuff!"
Attacking with Ascalon, Elijah would have decapitated the vampire if it had not been for MacDuff's unnaturally quick reflexes. "What are you doing?" Tagami yelled to the man who would be his student.
Confused, Caliban and Marguerite maneuvered around Tagami prepared to attacked MacDuff. Elijah cut them off with a wave of his arms. "He killed my Sensei. MacDuff is mine."
Caliban and Marguerite looked at each other shrugging their shoulders unsure of what to do. "It's your call, Dudley. Just be careful," said the vampire.
MacDuff stretched his arms open in a friendly gesture. "I don't wish to fight you, friend."
Elijah Kincaid laughed. Even as the sounds escaped his throat, it reminded him of the imp known as Bucky. "But I wish to kill you!"
The Chiyanbara attacked using a series of attacks and feints not yet invented in this timeline against the vampire. Only through his superior vampire reflexes was MacDuff able to keep his head. Feeling the bile in his mouth, Elijah Kincaid freed the dark instincts.
Kincaid attacked again with a faster, deadlier series of strikes. By changing the turn of a swing mid-strike, the Chiyanbara found an opening in MacDuff's defense. Like a cobra, Kincaid's blade sliced through the air clashing against the hilt of the vampire's Claymore. The sudden attack knocked the enormous weapon onto the ground.
The Chiyanbara pressed his advantage through a quick kick to the vampire's knee. MacDuff slid forward, catching himself with his hands. Looking up at the Chiyanbara, MacDuff discovered that Elijah stood over him executioner style, preparing for the final blow.
As Ascalon sliced the air, it clashed against another blade. Blindly, Elijah instantly counterattacked the blocker. Sensuous rage! He attacked and parried and counterattacked. The instinct and training had taken over. Elijah Kincaid died. Only the Chiyanbara and the enemy existed.
The enemy continued to block all of his strikes, but seemed to tire. As the Chiyanbara found an opening, a hand grasped his shoulder tightly, grunting wildly. He rolled back, holding Ascalon in an offensive arc. The hills had come alive with MacDuff's minions and the Chiyanbara vowed to stand alone; to hold the candle. Kill MacDuff! Kill MacDuff! Kill MacDuff!
He attacked them all. The last sensation he remembered was a pale, slimy hand slapping him upon on the head.
When he awoke, Marguerite was standing over him. Her face twisted with concern. "What happened?" Elijah asked with a groan.
"You went fuck-wild trying to kill MacDuff."
"MacDuff!" he cried.
Elijah moved to retrieve Ascalon, but Marguerite stopped him, placing her boot on his chest. "He's gone! Settle down!"
"I. . .am fine. Let me up. I have to warn him."
The vampire narrowed her eyes, suspiciously. "MacDuff and Tagami split about ten minutes ago."
"You let them go together?" Elijah cried.
"I had to. Tagami told us everything. It took a while for him to figure out we were speaking English. It was even harder for us to understand their English."
"Yes. The English language was different then. I remember Sensei warning me about that."
"Anyway, Tagami managed to get his message across. MacDuff has to live. At least until we get back to our time. Otherwise, there'll be Hell to pay."
"Does he not know?"
"That MacDuff kills him? Yeah, I think he does since you screamed it about twenty times," Marguerite answered grimly.
"Then why did he go with him?" Elijah asked.
"I don't know."
"I almost had him. I almost had him!"
"You beat him. Nothing can take that from you."
"Where are the others?" Elijah asked, concerned.
The vampire looked towards the trees. "They're trying to wash Caliban's trenchcoat at the aqueduct. You cut him pretty bad."
"What did I do?" Elijah asked.
Marguerite sighed. "You cut into his hand. Almost cut it clear off. He said it'd heal over soon. He just needed to wash it out. Cassie went to watch over him and Ruthie wanted to pray with them."
"Then he does not have a stump?"
"Nope. Not yet."
I did not mean to. . ."
Her eyes softened. "I know. I know. Delilah said that you couldn't get past the anger."
Delilah! That had to be the voice he had heard while attacking MacDuff. "Where is Delilah?"
"With the others."
"We should not leave them alone with her."
"You know something that I don't?"
"Just a feeling. Somehow I sense that Delilah wants us to fail. When I was attacking MacDuff, it was almost as though she wanted me to kill all of you. I heard her voice. I just didn't want to fight it."
"Then we're going to have to watch her."
Marguerite offered her hand to help Kincaid to his feet and he took it. As she pulled him up, Elijah was surprised by Marguerite's strength, even if she was a vampire. Cassie and Caliban emerged from the bushes on the other side of the road. "We found the portal over by the aqueduct," the fairy informed them.
"I trust that you are all right," Caliban said stiffly to Elijah.
"Yes. I hope you are the same," Elijah responded, earnestly.
"I am. One of the benefits and curses of my nature is that I can heal virtually any injury given time, yes?"
Ruthie pushed her way through the bushes, standing next to Caliban and Cassie. She gave Marguerite a questioning look. Marguerite nodded and Ruthie sighed. "Are you okay, honey? That's a huge bruise on your forehead!"
"I feel better. Although it does feel as though an elephant tap-danced on my head."
"Sorry. I did try to slap you lightly."
Elijah chuckled, though it hurt his head. "Lightly? I would be afraid to have you hit me hard."
"Delilah is waiting, yes?"
Elijah and Marguerite followed the others to the energy portal next to the aqueduct. The Five gathered around the portal while Delilah sat on a rock watching the aqueduct. Gently, Elijah put his hand on Caliban's shoulder. "Forgive me," he pleaded.
"There is nothing to forgive, yes?"
"Forgive him, Caliban. 1 John 1:8-9 'If we claim to be without sin we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness," Ruthie recited.
"Forgive me."
Caliban grabbed Elijah's hand, who tried not to shiver from the strange touch. "I forgive you," Caliban whispered.
"I knew I should have brought a camera!" Delilah interjected.
"No one asked you," Marguerite growled.
"Marguerite! Don't be rude!"
"Yeah! What's wrong with you?" Cassie asked, irritated.
Marguerite looked to Elijah for an answer. She could see on his face that he had none. "Nothing. Just tired."
"Then let's go through the portal, yes?"
"Thrill me," Cassie said.
As the Five walked through the portal, Delilah smiled. It was a smile of victory.