Snowscape Trilogy (13 page)

They wasted no time in getting them downtown
to the head office of CEO Robert Cossack, INC. A place neither one
was too eager to visit again after their last encounter.

Walking into the glass enclosed lobby,
Samandiriel ordered Violet to stay put. Violet hesitated a moment,
wanting to argue, but just then a security officer wearing grey
tinted eyeglasses walked up to them immediately upon entering. The
scent of sulphur was strong in the air as he spoke, “Samandiriel.
Nicor is expecting you. Your familiar must stay down here.” He
pointed towards the elevator bank just past the security desk.

Violet pursed her lips, but thought better of
it and walked back towards the busy New York Street. She hated that
word familiar. As if she were a common street animal. “You know
where I’ll be,” she said under her breath as she walked out.

Samandiriel watched her leave and closed his
eyes momentarily taking stock of the situation before following the
security guard. He looked outside through the streak free glass and
into the dying sunbeams. He could still feel their warmth upon his
wings and he wondered if this would be the last time he would feel
the sun again. Nicor must know that he would do anything to get
Ambrosia back and their history together left little love lost
between them. And he was powerful. Almost as powerful as Nathaniel
had been just after the fall. Violet looked back towards him in the
lobby and gave him a piercing look before nodding her head and
walking away. Sam understood immediately as Violet walked away,
mingling into the crowd. He did not know if he would see her again.
The look had said goodbye and I love you all in one single sweet
moment. ‘I love you too,’ he thought. Resigned to his fate and
eager to get to the challenge ahead of him, he walked into the
elevator and pressed the button for the penthouse.

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 25
^th
year, of course.” He grasped my hand strongly in
his, “And may I be the first to wish you a happy
26
^th
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 both
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
26
^th
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 21
^st
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.