Awakening (25 page)

“
Huh, so you are telling me that demons can actually be wiped out for good? Does that mean we could be wiped out from earth as well? I thought we would continually be reintroduced or something?”

“
No, you are right. Remember we are not black demons. We weren’t sent here to wreak havoc on the humans. We can’t get into heaven, at the moment anyway, because of actions our parents did. Also, we generally spend our time trying to intervene and make positive changes in the world with human interactions. That’s got to count for something right? It would take something so heinous for us to be banished. I don’t think it’s in us to even commit that kind of act.” Then why are you hanging out with serpentine eyes? I forced the question as quickly as it came from my mind. I hated this figment of my imagination who kept intruding leaving me with nothing but fear, self doubt, and jealousy.

The fear lifted from my soul as he spoke. The smile from earlier in the evening returned to my lips. I was going to be ok tonight.

“
I guess that means I can begin enjoying the tree hunt after all,” I was determined now to not let anything ruin my fun especially if I was on so called safe land. I began working my way through the Christmas trees yet again, “Alright, guys, let’s get to it. By the way, can we just move here? I think my nerves would really appreciate it.” I asked only half joking.

Cyril and Arie had gone off in one direction, and Athen was trailing behind me as I was fighting my way through the branches in the other. Once again, a sense of delight washed over me. I hoped I would be able to wrap my head around so many of these marvels that I was learning about. It seemed unattainable at the moment.

“
How about this one?” Athen’s voice brought me back to reality.

I stopped abruptly, turning only to get my boot stuck in the mud and down I went. Athen grabbed me before I completely face planted. Thankful that only my socks were covered in mud at this point, I tried to save face.

“
Wow, you certainly are predictable aren’t you?” Athen laughed at me with his wry grin.

“
Alright, let’s cut the chat. Which one are you spying?” I tried changing the subject as fast as I could. I was pretty sure being sexy didn’t include being a full-time klutz.

He helped me walk through the slippery areas holding my waist, whispering directions as we made it through the miniature forest. I suddenly connected with the chill in the air and was thankful for my goose-down jacket. Suddenly I saw the most perfect tree towering directly in front of me. It was trimmed just right and had to be at least 3 feet taller than Athen.

“
Oh Athen! That is the tree! It’s beautiful. We’ve got to get Cyril and the saw. It’s got to be this one.”

“
Well, it certainly gets you as excited as before. I was hoping so.” He gently pulled me towards him, lifting my head up as he began to softly kiss me. My entire body began to surge with the electricity that still came in full force. He lifted his lips from mine and stepped back.

“
So I should go find Cyril, right?” He grinned his glorious grin, which made me quiver to my knees. I grabbed him and brought him back to me. He was mine.

I reached around his neck, kissing him uncontrollably. He had ignited the spark yet again. There was nothing I wanted to do more than lay with him, feel his breath over every inch of me. His hands began running through my hair as his lips began running over my neck. My knees began trembling and, as if on cue, he caught me and laid me up against a fallen tree. I was hoping with all hope that this moment would be the one I was waiting for. I knew Cyril and Arie were around, but my hunch was that Arie had him on a goose chase. We had to have at least enough time for something. Athen’s breath quickened as he rested me up against the tree. I pulled at his shirt trying to unbutton it as quickly as I could, but he stopped me.

“
Just kiss me. It won’t be long, I promise. I guarantee you they aren’t very far away.”

“
Are you sure of that?” I asked unsure.

“
Yah, hollering distance. I swear.”

My body went limp in his arms. I began laughing hysterically because crying wasn’t very festive. I couldn’t stop.

“
Go ahead then. Let them know we found a tree.” I hissed at him, shaking my head. I couldn’t get the huge smile off my face, hoping at some point we would get to the next level.

“
We will. I promise.” He whispered back at me before yelling out to Arie and Cyril.

The branches started snapping, and for once I was relieved that I listened to Athen after all.

“
You certainly were right. That could have been embarrassing.” I said getting up, brushing myself off.

“
Cyril is armed and ready.” I heard Arie hollering through the tree.

“
Awesome! Because I found the perfect tree. Well, Athen found it, but I think there isn’t one finer around.”

*****

We all were snuggly in the car with the tree fastened down tightly on top with countless yards of twine. I snacked on another set of cookies I snagged from the office when we paid, while everyone buckled in and got situated.

“
So are we off to dinner?” Cyril asked as he adjusted the rearview mirror. Athen grabbed my hand. I looked over at him filling up with gratitude at his level of understanding.

“
Yah, sounds good to us. We need a beer for our troubles.” Athen responded as lightly as he could along with the much needed hand squeeze I got.

“
Thank you.” I mouthed to Athen.

“
That’s what I’m here for, sweetheart. I will always protect you.” I looked at him realizing his mouth was not moving. A chill went through my body. Did I actually hear his thought? An entire thought? Not just a word? I didn’t know what to make of it. I didn’t want to ask him in case I imagined it.

I was staring intently at Athen’s face apparently trying to read it for some sign when he winked at me, letting me know that it did just happen.

“
You heard correctly. You heard my thought.” Athen was looking for a reaction. I couldn’t give him that yet. I wasn’t sure what I was feeling, fear or excitement. It was all kind of running together at this point. Then I realized just how clearly he could hear my thoughts, all of them. My blood ran cold as I thought of his demise and serpent eyes. I wondered what he had pried from my mind so far.

“
Wow.” Was all that came out.

We drove to the pub in silence. I was staring out the window in awe wondering what was going to happen next with my abilities or lack of them, at this point.

“
When will I be able to help people?” I blurted out.

Cyril looked at me in the rearview mirror, and Arie turned around in her seat.

“
It won’t be long, sweetie.” Athen replied tentatively.” We will start small after you see some of what we do. Maybe next time we are up in Whistler?”

“
Ok. I was only wondering.”

“
No, I get it entirely.” He squeezed my hand as we pulled into the parking lot. As if on cue my stomach growled. I was thankful at the thought of a beer and a good old-fashioned cheeseburger.

We all got settled into the booth near the corner window, which was a nice view. The twinkling lights outside made the place even more festive and reminded me a bit of Whistler. I started to miss Whistler a little bit but was thankful to be here with my family.

I
woke up from a wonderful sleep; no visitors, no catastrophes. I hadn’t felt this rested in a long time. I looked at the end of my bed and saw Matilda snuggled in as usual, completely melting my heart. I looked around the room taking in how breathtaking the setting was. I understood why this location was chosen for a home. The sheer curtains let the intense sparkle from the sun reflecting off the Sound into my bedroom. It was an astounding sight with the fir trees towering over the house canopying the perfect tunnel to look out through. I left my window open for the breeze, not realizing how cold it would get in the room. The hovering fir trees out back were providing enough shade to make the breeze blowing into the room a bit icy, but the view was worth it. I took a deep breath in, feeling the fresh air fill every cell of my body. Now if I could only get enough courage to grab a robe and brave the cold air in my room. I wouldn’t be leaving the window open again. I was debating how best to shoot out of bed when the patio door opened, and Athen stood there proudly. Thank God!

“
Is my timing impeccable or what?” He asked his eyes twinkling with mischief.

“
Yeah, it’s pretty good. Have you been waiting?”

“
I went downstairs and made some coffee and was drinking it up here on the patio. I have a thermos waiting for you too. It was so relaxing you know, enjoying the view… Thanking the skies above for your return.” His eyes gleamed as I noticed that the chair was pulled up to the French doors. I knew he wasn’t referring to the view of the Puget Sound. I immediately blushed.

“
Wow, well thanks. I could use something to warm up. It didn’t occur to me how cold it could get.” I spoke as he went to the window to shut it on his way to the bed.

“
Well, hopefully this will warm you up. There is another pot brewing downstairs too. Since it’s Thanksgiving, we have to keep a pot on all morning to keep Arie going.”

“
Oh no! Is she down there? I don’t want to make her do all the work.” I almost jumped out of the bed until the blast of cold air hit me.

“
No, she hasn’t made it down there yet. Cyril went for a walk and said she was still sleeping. You’ve got some time.”

“
Phew. Thanks for this.” I said moving my mug up towards him. I took a few sips, thinking I would bring up the demon that is apparently dashing around the property.

“
Is that creature still out there?” I took Athen by surprise, but I generally got the most information when that happened so I didn’t mind.

“
No, not directly. I don’t think we should let our guard down, though. We are keeping our eyes out for sure. We will keep you safe. We will bring him down. Hopefully, he doesn’t have any minions though. If he does, we will have to take care of those too.”

“
Minions?” I asked blankly. “Doesn’t sound as romantic as Shakespeare’s reference.”

“
Yeah, no minions of the moon here. You are right about that one. Minions, in this instance, are juvenile demons that tend to an older more mature demon’s needs. Sometimes the more seasoned demon will send a minion or minions to test out the waters, a sort of judge for the battle kind of thing.”

“
Ah, great. Good to know.” I said shaking my head, “You know I think I’m set. I’m going to enjoy cooking the turkey today and put all this stuff out of my head.”

He reached over and kissed my forehead.

“
Good idea. Need a refill?”

I looked down to see my cup already empty.

“
Nah, not yet. It warmed me up enough to hop in the shower. I’ll grab some more downstairs.”

“
Sounds perfect. I’ll let Matilda out while you get ready.”

“
I could get used to this you know.” I said as he was ushering Matilda through the door.

“
Music to my ears.” He said, closing the door.

I climbed down the stairs thankful for my fuzzy, white cashmere sweater when the wonderful smell of sautéing onions in butter hit me. Arie must have somehow beaten me to the kitchen. I scurried that much faster down the hall only to be welcomed by a wonderful sight in the kitchen of Cyril, Athen, and Arie all in aprons working together preparing the bird. Athen grabbed an apron and dangled it for me.

“
Your turn. Come on. We’ve got a cutting board waiting for you.” Arie sounded so excited. It got me thrilled to chop celery.

“
After we get the bird in and then some of the sides started, we can start the decorating!” Arie exclaimed. I honestly thought I saw her lift off the ground with excitement.

“
So chop faster is what you are telling me.” I chipped in.

“
Yeah, basically.”

I was chopping the celery as fast as I could all the while enjoying the view out the window. The sun was out which isn’t as much of a novelty in the NW as some claim. The rays were bouncing off of the Sound, all the while the ferry was chugging off in the distance. It was like a painting.

“
It’s still kind of chilly down here isn’t it?” Cyril asked, reaching for the fire remote before any of us could answer.

“
That’s great. Thanks, Cyril.” I said relieved. I didn’t want to be the chicken who mentioned I was turning into an icicle.

The guys were slicing a variety of meats, cheeses, and veggies for what I was assuming were snacks while we decorated. There were all sorts of empty puff pastries that looked like they were waiting to be filled. Cyril went to the fridge to grab something, and I saw how many trays of food existed in there already.

“
Holy smokes! How did you get so many trays done so quickly?” I asked genuinely perplexed.

“
Oh, I started last night. I couldn’t sleep right away so I thought I would get a head start.” Arie piped up rather quickly. Everything about the holidays oozed happiness through her.

“
You were on watch duty the first part of the night, and then Athen was the second. Got it.” I said smiling. “It’s ok to tell me like it is, guys. Actually, it is preferred. I swear.”