Snowscape Trilogy Page 10

  Book 1 - Part II

  Ambrosia

  Chapter 14

  I awoke to a piercing pain in my head and the thoughts of fleeing in the forefront of my mind. Confusion was top most in my thoughts as the darkness swirled around me and I caught a strong whiff of sulphur. Suddenly I felt the memories of the gas station and fire-eyed attendant come jarring back towards me and I realized that I had somehow been caught by demons. Great.

  I tried my best to resume the sleep like state I had just awoken from, but could clearly not relax back to the point where I would be able to reach Nathanial for help. I tried to use my newfound power to read the others in the room with me, but all I got back was blackness and fire and the taste of metal. I suspected demons were above my influence and stopped trying, reassessing my current predicament. Violet had told me I was immortal. Didn’t that mean I couldn’t die? The reassurances of that thought was the motivation I needed to calm down a bit and take stock of my situation. I peeked my eyes open a touch and could see blue fire eye starring back at me.

  “You can stop pretending, Ambrosia. I know you’re awake.” I squinted my eyes open and could just make out the setting sun in my periphery behind the busy, grey backdrop of the Manhattan skyline

  “I knew I didn’t like this city,” I managed to mumble out and I slowly sat up. Across from me a brown haired demon smirked either at my witty remark or about the fact that he had just captured a smart-mouthed treasure. He was dressed in the most amazing Armani suit and had on perfectly shined Edward Green Dover shoes. Looking around and judging from the suite and the glasses he was wearing, I had fallen in with another rich demon type. Again I though to myself, ‘great’.

  “Would you care for a glass of water? A cocktail? Something to eat?” He asked politely, nodding towards the gentleman standing by the door. “Frank can get you anything you desire.”

  I looked over to Frank, who looked just as dapper in his grey suite and black-rimmed glasses. “No thanks. Unless an invitation to leave is acceptable?”

  He laughed at me wholeheartedly. “I would that I could, Miss Ross, but I went to great pains and a lot of clout to procure you at just the right time. I don’t think I can offer your freedom just yet. Perhaps tomorrow…”

  “Tomorrow…?” I looked out again toward the setting sun. “What day is this?” I asked frantically trying to calm my rising panic.

  His smiled widened and I could see the inner demon begin to come out and play. He was enjoying my discomfort and my current realization. “Why, today is the last day of your 25th year, of course.” He grasped my hand strongly in his, “And may I be the first to wish you a happy 26th Birthday Miss Ross.

  Chapter 15

  The realization dawned on me that this was the exact last spot I wanted to be when I came into my full power. Although I didn’t know exactly what that meant for me and the human race, despite their lack of forthrightness I trusted Sam and Nathan enough to know that they were not interested in anything other than my well being at this point in time. This demon had an altogether different plan.

  He stood up and offered his hand to me. Not knowing my options, I took it and followed him to the edge of the floor to ceiling window. “Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Robert Cossack, CEO and entrepreneur.”

  “Is that your real name?”

  He laughed wholeheartedly at me again. At least someone found the situation amusing. “Is your name really Amy?”

  “Yes.”

  His laughed turned into a devilish smirk. “They have not told you much, have they Miss Ross? I’ve heard that your protectors have been keeping their secrets close to their… hearts.” As he hesitated he looked at me as though heart had a different connotation. “But, alas, no my name is not really Robert Cossack. I am known as Nicor among those of a different plane. And I am honored to make the acquaintance of the master of the snowscape at such a time, as she is to turn 26 years.”

  “Well, it has been a pleasure meeting you as well…” I was at a loss as how to proceed. Every fiber of my being was screaming to get out, but the opportunity had not arisen giving me a chance of escape. I was a lot of things, and despite recent revelations being as they were, I had never considered myself fool hearty. I looked again to the door and Nicor pulled me closer, trailing his hand down the side of my face, my cheek and around my waist, pulling me tight against him. I stiffened in silent protest, but did not allow my discomfort to show on my face.

  “Do not think to run dream weaver. You will not escape me, and when midnight dawns I will be the mate you choose.”

  “The mate? What are you talking about?” I asked, trying to pull away from him. The scent of Sulphur, mixed with cologne gagged me to the core and my mind whirled in questions and a sudden heart pounding fear. He smirked again and in the distance I hear the beep of an elevator arrive. Nicor looked to Frank and with a silent command he left the room hurriedly, undoubtedly to meet his newest guest.

  Nicor sighed and let go of my waist as soon as the door had closed behind Frank. I had no doubt it was double bolted and I would not be able to escape anyway. He motioned me to sit at a dinning room table and chairs that had been set up within the confines of his spacious office. I had not noticed them before and I had the briefest second to wonder if they had been there before this moment. As he held out his right hand I noticed he wore a simple gold band, much like the one my mother had left to me. I took note of its warm glare briefly before sitting down in the chair he had politely pulled out. The wood was warm against the back of my legs. At least this demon wasn’t trying to smoother me in the woods, I thought to myself as he sat opposite me and held up the coffee pot that was present on the table. I nodded when he offered it to me. The least I could do was to be civil back and maybe now I would finally get some information.

  “Would you like cream? Sugar?”

  “I would like some answers.” I answered tersely back and reached for the milk myself.

  Nicor nodded and asked, “So your… friends? They have not informed you that you must choose a mate tonight.”

  I frowned and dropped my spoon on the table. Looking toward Robert I gauged what little I knew of demons and my gut told me that this was a truthful statement. “No. Neither Nathaniel or Samandiriel thought it necessary to tell me of such a thing.”

  “That is unfortunate. It seems their rivalry for you affections has had some unforeseen consequences. As it does not seem to matter anymore allow me to explain.” There was a knock on the door. “Excuse me or one moment.” Nicor opened the door to his office and motioned Frank to enter. I saw the lesser demon whisper something into Nicor’s ear, which had pleased him greatly. “Excellent, excellent, please bring him in. Good news, my dear,” he said to me. “We have a guest that I know would not have wanted to miss our betrothal!”.

  My heart skipped a beat as I caught the familiar haunting scent of sulphur and marjoram in the air. I could feel Samandiriel just behind the door and as it opened up to reveal his tattered and bloody body, I lost all sense of decorum. My soul screamed, tearing my heart into two and I ran to him, all of my lost memories turbulently falling into place. Inches apart only to be caught by Nicor, demon of water, standing between my love and me.

  Chapter 16

  From his unearthly vantage, Nathaniel watched Samandiriel fall as a broken doll into the office of the most powerful demon that now roamed the earth. Long ago Nathanial had held that title alone, but he had given it all up in an effort to become even more dominant. The realm of humans was on the verge of becoming chaotic again. God met Lucifer on the mount and put forth a plan for a master of human dreams to be born; an occurrence that had only even happened once before and his name was a closely guarded secret of the king of kings. He had gone insane with the power and as such God had decided that this time it should be a woman. The master of what the angels lovingly refer to as the snowscape would have the ultimate power and would be able to curb evil, and cultivate lies. Her true power would be that of bo
th heaven and hell, but in order to be incorruptible, God would require not only for the girl to give herself willingly, but Satan must also give a child back as protector. Samandiriel, knowing nothing of the plot and the schemes of heaven and hell, fell in love with a simple human girl. Her soul was his and as he promised his back, God took forth both of them to his gates and gave them the choice. Angels were never meant to love humans. She would forget him forever and go on with her life, or be reborn in the future, to become this master of dreams. She had held out hope that her love would be strong. That she would remember him in time despite, God’s will. Thus is the way of love and she had been able to slip a little provision for such into the agreement.

  Nathaniel saw this all from his small kingdom on earth and eagerly offered Lucifer the protection of this girl. He knew, the love between angel and human would not die, but he would be able to use it against them both. Two millennia later, he watched his plan unfurl, and as the memory of Samandiriel entered Ambrosia’s soul, Nathaniel wept for her. And for his own heart, for he had given it to her as well.

  Chapter 17

  “Samandiriel!” I cried out and went to catch him as he fell. Nicor’s strong arms caught me around my waist and I fell against him, sobs racking my body. The memories of eons ago flooded into my body and I recalled, sitting against him, nestled by the brook outside my family farm. He picked an entire tiny bouquet of clovers for me once, knowing they were my favorite; simple and pleasantly adorning. Frank and the other demon hoisted him up by his arms and I could see him smiling weakly out to me under the beaten and bloody mess they had made of his face. Our eyes locked and I hoped that he could see the lost love that was now present in them. He was about to speak, but the larger demon punched him once in the chest and as I heard the crush of bone, I screamed in return.

  Nicor led me back forcefully to the bed I had awoken in and gently pushed me down despite my protest. “Ambrosia. Stop fighting or I will have my men take him back outside and continue. I wanted to explain how things would be working this evening, and I thought having your Samandiriel here would make things a little… more concise. Now your two protectors have regretfully not explained how this evening will work, so I shall instead.” I sat with trepidation; ready to move the instant he gave me a chance. The demon opened a rolled document that had been lying on his desk that looked yellow and faded with time. “This is a directive direct from Lucifer himself. Because of her former human nature, which she willing gave up for this cause, God has allowed this one discretion in the agreement between heaven and hell. On the day of the dream master’s 26th birthday prior to her power coming into its full potential Ambrosia Ross will have one opportunity to take a mate. If the sun arises without a proper marriage ceremony, the master of the snowscape must remain pure until the moment of her death, or lest all power of heaven and hell will be….blah blah blah, end of the world, ect.” He paused and looked as me. “Well you get the rest.”`

  His words sucked the air out of me as I fell back against the bedding. One night. I had one final night to be human before the power I had agreed to harness would overtake my ability to choose. One night to choose a mate or to be forever alone. The sun glinted off of the gold ring on Nicor’s finger and without looking I could feel its match on my own. My mother’s ring. I could hear the blood dripping coldly to the floor from Samandiriel’s bruised and beaten body. I could smell iron in the air, mixed with sulphur and I closed my eyes in steady determination. The wedding rings had been ours. Before the choice God had laid down before us. Before I learned that angel and human could not mingle. Samandiriel and I we were wed. If not just in body, then in soul as well. How Nicor had come to have Sam’s ring I could only guess, but mine had found it’s way back to me via my mother and father. The 21st century parents I had never known, but would be eternally grateful to for this moment of clarity. With a sign of resignation, I steeled my nerve and tilted my head so I could see him.

  Despite the blood and the pain, I had seen him smile at me. That perfect, beautiful smile that had once made the sun rise in the morning and was my moon on a cloudless night. His blond curls were matted with blood and I could see the edges of his torn wings peaking out from behind his torso. His piercing blue flaming eyes starred at me and I could see the willingness of hope lie within them. The audacity of the situation punched me to the core and I started laughing; a deep belly laugh bordering on the edge of hysteria. How had I ever forgotten my angel? My husband?

  Nicor raised one eyebrow in question but did not relent on the grip he had as he pulled me up against his hard, cold body. “What, pray tell, is so amusing Miss Ross?”

  Ignoring him I smiled as hopefully as I could muster to Samandiriel and briefly glanced at the ring adorning Nicor’s middle finger on the hand that now gripped my arm. He answered me with the faintest of nods.

  “I will mate you, Nicor. But first you will release Samandiriel.”

  “No.” he answered simply, his pretext of niceties falling away. “I will release him as the first rays of sunrise hit the horizon. Until them, he is my insurance policy against you running away.”

  “Fine. But your men will stop beating him this instant. Clean his wounds and a change his cloths.

  His laugh echoed out suddenly. “And here I had thought there would be hours of bargaining. Of course, Miss Ross. I would not think to present him at our wedding such as he is.” With a flick of his hand, the two demons dropped Sam to the floor. His body hitting the hard wood, made me jump and catch my breath. It took every once of strength not to run to his side, but I knew the cards I now had in my hand. Memories now returned, and I recalled that I was a player in the political world of demons and angels and yes, of gods.

  Seeing Sam collapsed in a heap I turned towards Nicor. “May I check on him?” He backed up and motioned for me to go ahead. The demons loomed close as I kneeled down next to the fallen angel. His injuries that had looked severe when he had entered the room were now worse the closer I became to them. There was a deep gash on his temple and because his shirt was ripped I could see clearly that his ribs were broken. Handfuls of hair had been ripped out and his legs were twisted in an unsightly way. I placed my hand over his and as I reached to wipe the blood from his face, my wrist was grabbed from behind and Nicor pulled me to my feet.

  “See, he is alive. But do not think yourself to be more cunning than I. We must prepare for the ceremony my betrothed. Come. He will be taken care of by my men.” As Nicor pulled me out of the room, I could see Samandiriel wincing as Frank pulled him up by his shoulder. His eyes widened suddenly as he felt the warm gold band I had slipped into his palm. I smiled slightly to him, nodded and walked out the door into the waiting elevator

  Chapter 18

  Unsurprisingly, Nicor was prepared for the eventuality of our marriage. Despite already being on the topmost penthouse floor, we rode the gold and mirror adorned lift up two more flights until we reached a beautiful patio overlooking the majestic sprawl of New York skyline. In another time and place I would have loved to curl up with a warm cup of tea and a book on a rooftop like this. There was a complete bar, fireplace and an inlaid table with soft cushioned chairs. This was the perfect place for a dream wedding. And indeed the invitations had been sent early as there were at least a hundred blue-eyed demons starring at me as we entered. It was that moment I realized I was still wearing the old sweats and button down I had dug out of Violet’s hamper in Edgewood. Could that really have only been three days ago when all of this started? The silence that had followed my arrival turned into a hushed din of the wedding goers eagerly trying to look as me as we walked passed hurriedly.

  Nicor’s fingers dug themselves into my arm and any hopes of struggling were misplaced as he walked me through the crowd of people. As if sensing my thoughts he said, “I do not think your Samandiriel would appreciate missing the festivities because he was too injured to attend. Come you must change. I will not marry you with his scent on you such as it were.”

&n
bsp; “I just don’t like crowds.” I mumbled back.

  As we walked in past all manner of guest, and demons I could feel the warm evening air swirl about my face. Every fiber of my being screamed to run. To jump. Anything to get off of this roof. Nicor led me to a small bathroom on the opposite end of the rooftop deck and shoved me in before he walked through and locked the door behind himself.

  On a hook next to an outdoor sauna hung a simple blue summer dress. I had expected something grimmer or more traditional. “Are you going to watch me change?”

  “Yes.” He said simply, but stayed next to the door.

  I turned away from him and undresses as quickly as possible but taking careful measures to avoid him seeing anymore than necessary. He did not speak, but simple watched after me out of the corner of his eye. Had it been any human I would have feel degraded, but Nicor just made me feel as though I was a jewel he was appraising looking for flaws. For this small measure of non-human modesty I was grateful. This was a business arrangement to him. Nothing more.

  As I was washing my face off in the sink there was a knock on the door. “It is done, Sir”.

  “She has been dispatched?” Nicor answered, his eyes not leaving my body.

  “Yes, sir.”

  “Excellent. We did not want that little trollop ruining our big day. Although, I simply cannot wait to tell Samandiriel of the news. Listen to me,“ He stepped towards me and whispered in my ear “I’m as giddy as a school child. So many millennia old and a simple human custom is all it takes to make me feel as a toddler with a lolly. Perhaps I will get married again after you’re dispatched and your power has been siphoned out sufficiently and added to my own.” The look of disgust was clear upon my face. “You did not simply think we would begin a marriage of convenience, did you now? Of course, that is why your two suitors have been vying for your… prize. As your lawful mate they will own you. Biblical law. And as such, your power would be theirs. Now really Miss Ross you should study up on your bible now that you are reentering this game.“ I nodded, still at a loss for words. “Samandiriel may truly love you still. However he is a demon now, and as such he is subject to certain… proclivities. Nathaniel wants your power, for certain. I have known him a long time and he would give anything to make you his. He gave up his place as master of all earthen demons just to become your snowscape tutor.” He let his hand drift across my breast. “You are very beautiful, though. You soul holds a majesty not seen among ordinary humans. Maybe I will keep you around for a few thousand years first before dispatching you completely.”