Rebirth - The Beautiful Fallen (40 page)

             
Mama watched us for a moment, then limped away.  But I could still hear her muttering under her breath as she did.  Behind me, Zane waited until she was gone before he released his hold of me.  “I’m sorry.  I thought that perhaps she’d stay in bed.  It may be better if I go up shortly and lock the door to her room.” He admitted.

             
“Has it really gotten that bad this fast?” I heard myself ask as I stared at the doorway where she’d walked out.

             
“Unfortunately it has.  And it may only get worse.  It’s better if you just stay away from her for now.  I don’t think I need to tell you why.” Zane said.

             
I felt myself nod at his words.  He was probably right about that.  But it still kind of hurt.  Mama had always been so protective of me before.  Now, she very well might harm me in her coming dementia.

             
I would end up spending the next three hours down there with Zane.  Shortly after Mama had gone up to her room, he’d gone up and discreetly locked the door from the outside.  And afterwards, he’d tried to keep me company to distract me from her.  I had to admit that I really didn’t mind it either.  I’d always found that I liked Zane’s company anyways.  A few times, I thought about mentioning my dream to him.  But then, I thought that perhaps it would be better for me to wait until after I spoke to Saffron.  Surely he’d be the one to tell me for certain about whether or not I should listen to Kinsley Martell.  Maybe he could even offer me some insight as to why this Seraph had decided he wanted to help us now.  So I decided to wait on it for the time being.  It would probably be better if I did.

             
Saffron himself finally decided to return after those three hours had passed.  Of course, as soon as he did, he had decided that I would spend quality time with him only.  Zane didn’t argue it with him about it either.  Instead, he simply agreed, then excused himself and went back upstairs.  I didn’t doubt that he knew better than to get in Saffron’s way when it came to me.  But going back with Saffron to the parlor, I decided to tell him about the dream I’d had and my meeting with Kinsley Martell right away.  With just the two of us, I felt like it was now safe to do so.  Of course, it immediately perked his interest once I told him the whole story.

             
“So they’re finally deciding to step in.  It’s about time they went completely soft.” Saffron said as he sat back in the chair with me.  By then, the evening was coming in, and I could see the shadows growing longer outside in the dim light.

             
“You don’t think he’s trying to trick us, do you?” I asked him, keeping my eyes closed.

             
“No.  Kinsley’s not in a position to do so.  And he’s not the same as Judiel either.  If anything, he’s much higher.  I suppose all of the death and destruction has finally gotten to him.  But then again, he did have to go through that war as well.  I’m sure rescuing that lovely little lady of his back then affected him far deeper then he wants to admit.  He’s always been the type to feel pity.” Saffron replied.

             
“So he’s really one of the clan leaders?” I asked, cringing again as Mama screamed from her room upstairs.  She’d taken to doing that in the last hour off and on, and it was horrible.

             
“Yes.  He’s one of the three.  But it doesn’t surprise me too much because of what he represents that he would try to mediate in situations such as these.  Violets are typically the more peaceful types, although they will fight if they have to.” Saffron said.  I felt him tense slightly as we heard another scream.  “She’d better shut up before I go up there.  I have half a mind to snap her neck for that.”

             
“Couldn’t you just make it so that she’s not suffering?  She’s screaming because she’s in terrible pain and her mind is going crazy.” I told him.

             
“Not at all.  Suffering before death is a beautiful thing.” Saffron replied.

             
Of course he’d say that.  Saffron would always think that death was beautiful.  And the more suffering in it, the better.  Not to mention that he seemed to be growing tired of her presence already.  But it seemed like such a waste to me.  Mama had always been so loyal to him and me.  “So, why would you pick her to take care of me anyways if you’re just letting her die like this now?” I asked.

             
“She was just the best candidate for the job then.  She practiced the dark arts, and she was more than willing to save her own skin by any means necessary.  Besides, she kept on saying that she wanted a baby before she died.  So, I gave her one to take care of in her time left.” Saffron said.

             
I sighed, closing my eyes.  May as well change the subject.  I didn’t really like thinking about this now.  It made me sad to think that she was dying.  Too many people seemed to be dying all at once.  I found myself feeling a little more than grateful to think that Will wasn’t.  “So, where did you go today?  You were gone a long time.  I guess you still had things you wanted to do now that you’re out.” I said, dropping our previous conversation.  Hopefully he wouldn’t get too irritated now and go up there to do something about her with my showing an interest in him.

             
Saffron held me close again.  “Just taking care of a few small things.  But more importantly, I wanted to check on what Jade was up to.  I didn’t find him, but I did manage to find someone who might talk about what his recent actions have been.” he said quietly.

             
“Really?  So you’re that interested in knowing whether Chris is dead or alive?” I asked him.

             
“Not really.  It doesn’t matter that much to me if that boy lived or died.  I have two perfectly good Fallen male children here to serve any needs you may have.  Not to mention that I’m certain one will be beyond loyal to you now.  My concern is what Jade may be planning against me and my own.  I don’t doubt that he blames me and you for what happened there.  And here I thought that perhaps I could get back into good graces with him again.  But it won’t happen.  I’m sure of it.  Oh well.  There’s nothing more that can be done as of now.  I’ll simply have to use what I have left here.” Saffron replied.

             
“You’re probably right.” I agreed.  I couldn’t help but feel a bit sad as I thought of Chris.  So much for my chances there.  But I didn’t miss Saffron’s words either.  Two other male Fallen children that could serve any needs I had.  Like I would use Will and Zane like that.  I wouldn’t do that.

             
Or, at least, I hoped I wouldn’t.

             
“However,” Saffron suddenly said, “my source was quite adamant that Christoff is still alive.  He’s usually quite reliable too.  I actually am rather glad to hear it.  That chance is still there, and it also cuts the risk of Jade attacking you again more than in half.”

             
“The chance for what?” I said, looking back at him.

             
Saffron smiled at me.  “What else?  I want you to completely reel Christoff in.  I know he’s been infatuated with you, and I know that he’s had you at least once.  So all that needs to be done now is to make sure his heart will never look to anyone else.” he explained.

             
“Okay, so just why are you so set on this?  It doesn’t make any sense.  He’s Jade’s son, the one you didn’t even want to be born in the first place.  But you’ve been working hard on putting us together since the day I was born.  Is this all some kind of revenge plan for you against Jade?  Because if it is, I don’t want any part of it.  I’m not using Chris like that.” I told him.

             
“Not really.  Christoff is simply the best suited for you.  I know that eventually, you will have to choose consorts.  No female Shadow Wing ever goes into a long life without them to help protect her.  You are simply not born to fight on the level that they are.  And I know that I cannot always be around at a moment’s notice.  So I’m going for the next best option.  And that would be putting you with their so called prince.  And if that doesn’t work out, we still have the other two oldest to fall back on.” Saffron explained.

             
“So basically, that’s why you’re keeping Zane and Will.  And you’re hoping to get Chris back eventually.  You just want me to be protected and served.” I said.  I couldn’t help but think that it was all a little more than sickening.  I didn’t want a consort.  I wanted one person that I could love and who would love me in return.

             
“You could say that.  However, I’m stepping in now as well because of what I’ve seen happen.  Those two others are interested in you, but they tend to be too unstable to keep you completely safe.  My best bet in all of this lies with Christoff, if he indeed still lives.  And if that is unable to happen, then I have another plan in order.  But for now, we’ll stay with the original.” Saffron said.

             
Well, I had to admit that he had some points in all of that.  But I also knew how I felt in my heart about all of it.  And I knew exactly how I felt about Chris now.  Being in this situation, not even knowing for sure if he was still alive, had definitely opened my eye to how my heart felt.  It didn’t matter about anything else in this.  What mattered to me was that I had fallen deeply in love with Chris.  Somehow, someway, I’d managed to fall in love with that stubborn, withdrawn Shadow Wing.  Oh the irony of fate….

             
My thoughts were interrupted though by the sound of the door opening.  I looked up and followed Saffron’s gaze to see Will peeking in.  “Hey, I hate to interrupt, but I think you might want to come out here.  We’ve got a visitor.” he said.  He didn’t look too happy as he said it either.

             
Saffron looked at him for a moment, frowning slightly.  Then he made us get up.  “I had a feeling that he might show up here.  Come along Ariana.” he ordered.

             
The two of us followed Will outside to the wrap around porch.  I immediately felt the temperature drop as we stepped out there.  Looking ahead of us, I could see Zane sitting on the bottom step of the long stairs near us.  And he wasn’t alone.  Astaroth stood near him.  He was the same as before, clothed in black with piercing red eyes and skin as pale as the moon.  As soon as Saffron saw him, he nodded towards at Will.  “Keep her close to you.  He’s mine to handle.” he ordered quietly.

             
“Got it.” Will agreed, reaching over and pulling me close against him by my waist.  I didn’t fight it.  Instead, I turned into his arms and watched.  I definitely didn’t want Astaroth anywhere close to me again.  Not after the last time.  But I was also worried about Zane now.  Looking at him there, I couldn’t help but wonder why he wasn’t fighting back.  That didn’t seem right…

             
“Well, this is a surprise.  I didn’t think you’d show up here again this soon.” Saffron said as he walked to the top of the stairs.

             
“You expected me to stand by after what’s happened?  After all, it did involve my own.” Astaroth told him.  His voice remained deep and penetrating, and chilled me to the core.

             
“You know, curiosity has always been your biggest vice Astaroth.  You must realize that by now.  Did you really think that I wouldn’t be able to stop that fiasco?” Saffron said.

             
“You would do better not to speak down to a superior.  After all, the master did just let you back out.  And I don’t appreciate your threats when you get in the way of what I do with my own.” Astaroth warned him.

             
“I’m well aware of that.  But you also know that I mean every threat I make.  You’ve learned that in the past.  So tell me, to what do I owe this sudden visit?  Are you that sore with me from interfering before?” Saffron asked.

             
For a moment, Astaroth was quiet.  But we watched him touch Zane’s head.  “I had considered paying you back for that.  However, then I heard about the recent incident with the one called Judiel and these children.  Not to mention that the one they call Christoff may have been killed.  So I decided to look into it myself.  And it seems that it may have been correct.” he said.

             
“Ah, I see.  Well, I suppose this would be only natural, considering that you’ve wanted to keep this one on the mortal plane for as long as possible.  After all, he’s been strong enough to stand up to you and for himself since his creation.” Saffron said.

             
Astaroth narrowed his eyes at him, not moving his hand from Zane’s head.  For the first time, I noticed that Zane’s eyes looked blank.  So that was why he wasn’t fighting back.  Astaroth had managed to bring him under his complete control.  “And that would be all it is.  I haven’t spent all of this time cultivating this one only to see him killed because of recklessness.  Loyalty to the damned is wasted on those who cannot take care of themselves.  And there should be no loyalty of the heart for those who are not strong enough to withstand their own heritage.” he said, glancing back up at me.

             
Saffron growled slightly in his throat.  And as we watched, shadows suddenly shot out from under him.  One flew up with lightning speed between Astaroth and Zane, coming to a sharp point that stopped just short of Astaroth’s left eye.  But Astaroth himself didn’t even flinch.  Instead, he looked back at Saffron with narrowed red eyes.  “A violent temper rising once again?  You’re predictable now.” He said, sounding like it was in complete distaste.