Corin & Angelique (After the Fall of Night) (32 page)

“First, I create a case. Then—and I hate to own up to it—I use my powers to
manipulate my way around the system,” Jordon admitted. “I’ve even gone so far as to shape-shift into one of my higher-ups, and while assuming his form, specifically requested ‘Jordon Black’ for the case I needed to be assigned to.”

“I’m surprised it hasn’t caught up with you.”

“Things always turned out to my advantage. I’m now presumed by my peers to be one of the top dog’s favorites. It makes for good job security.”

“You’re diabolical.”

“Hey, I only do what’s necessary. And I’m not hurting anyone…except the bad guys.” Jordon was feeling comfortable with Corin.

“Tell me more about the charm you’re after. What power does it have?”

“It’s one half of two parts. Boldor is in possession of the Heart of the Clyth—the center stone—giving him the power of concealment. But I don’t think he’s aware that it’s actually one of two pieces. When joined with its counterpart, the Body, they form a charm of unimaginable power—the Clyth. This is information the Order of the Clythguard strives to conceal. Very few from this world are privy to the information.”

“
And you’re telling me?”

“
I’m breaking a sacred code, but I want you to understand the vital importance of getting the Heart back. Over the years, Earthly immortals have been brought into the society—friends and spouses—but they are not members of the Order. However, several have proved themselves loyal and trustworthy. Like them, I believe you can be trusted.”

“I told you, I’m no saint.”

“You’re different, Corin. There’s something about you, about how all of this is playing out.”

“Fate.”

“I don’t know about that.”

“What makes you think Boldor doesn’t know about the Body?”
Corin asked.

“He was connected with another member or the Order who claimed she kept
that information from him. Besides, if he knew it existed, I believe he would have made an attempt to steal it by now. Especially since he’s endowed with the power of the Heart and can’t be detected.”

“You’re probably right.”

“The Order has always kept the charms separated for added security. When both halves are joined, the Clyth endows its wearer with the power to steal the life force of mortals and immortals alike. For a human, this would mean immortality, but for an immortal, much more—a step beyond immortality—the creation of a god. If it happened to fall into the wrong hands, it could mean the ruin of many worlds.” Jordon went on to tell Corin about the dark angel who created the charm and the evil warlord, Gaun. “Upon the fall of Gaun, the Order of the Clythguard—a special league of nightwalkers—was instituted for the purpose of guarding the charm. Their job is to ensure that it never fall into such destructive hands again, and for the good of all kind, they must never fail. That’s why the charm was sent through the Passage of Dimensions and hidden away in another world…this world, where the inhabitants know nothing of its existence. But cold and ruthless seekers followed, Indith immortals willing to go to any length to acquire the Clyth’s formidable power. These are the worst of my kind, seeking the stature of a god, caring nothing of the vast number of casualties or of the many worlds that could be lost. But of all the immortals to come after the charm, not one from the Eleventh Dimension has ever succeeded in their mission. Yet, Boldor, an Earth-born nightwalker, even with his ignorance of the enormity of what he’s acquired, has somehow managed to steal the Heart. He’s certainly had luck on his side.”

“Why not simply destroy the charm?”
Corin suggested.

“I wish it were that easy
. But only a dark angel, such as the one who created it, can destroy the Clyth. And these days they’re not so easy to find. The Endokyre Dimension—a sort of fiery underworld where they once existed—was destroyed,” Jordon explained. “What few dark angels still exist are now scattered between many worlds. We have searched, but there’s little chance of ever locating one. Besides, in my experience, when dealing with the dark ones, nothing is ever easily resolved.”

“Regardless, you mustn’t give up trying—for the sake of your world.”

“And yours,” Jordon added. “In bringing the relic here, endeavoring to save ourselves, we’ve selfishly implicated Earth in our plight.”

“What’s done is done. We must ban together. And now, I am one more soldier
in the fight. From this night forth, we are allies.”

“That’s a union I am pleased to accept.”

“Good. Now, you’ll have to excuse me.” Corin rose to his feet. “I have some things to attend to.”

“The girl…Angelique?” Jordon knew what had transpired. “She’s with you
below?”

Corin tossed him a warning glare.
“That doesn’t concern you.”

“
No, it doesn’t. Sorry. It’s none of my business.”

“Till tomorrow evening, then.” Corin left.

Jordon went back to his room, hoping the wolves might move on soon. Lying in bed, thoughts of his home world weighed heavily on his heart and mind. With an urge to go back, if only for a few minutes, he pulled the Shalym Disc free from his side, and placed it on his palm. The disc melted into his skin, the top still visible, similar to a coin pressed in a book. Outstretching his hand, he turned his palm outward as if halting someone’s passage and said,
Ta marof beegha
, “take me home” in the ancient language of his ancestors. And with those words a wormhole appeared providing him passage home.

* * * *

Boldor barged in on Fulner who lay sleeping on a cot in a back room at the funeral home. Startled, the director scrambled to his feet.

“It’s nearly morning.” Fulner glanced at a clock hanging on the wall. “What
are you doing here at this hour?”

“I need shelter for the day. A casket and a room without windows will do.
Two things I believe you can supply.”

“
You’ve come to the right place. Dealing with the dead and laying folks to rest is what I do best.”

Boldor
cast a blank stare, not humored in the least.

“I also have several jobs for you,” Boldor got straight down to business. “The
tasks must be done right away.”

“What might these jobs entail?”

“First, I need you to fetch my soil from the basement of a ranch house I was holed up in and bring it to me. You’ll find it beneath the bedding.” He walked over to a table and took a seat, gesturing for Fulner to do the same. “I’ll give you directions, but before you go, I want to go over my plan.” Boldor rubbed a button on his coat, glancing down as the insect trapped inside shifted position. “Sit.” He pulled his gaze back up, noticing the man was hesitating.

“I don’t know if I want to—” Fulner started to protest.

Boldor cocked his head with a fearsome glare. “You should sit, Director. I haven’t got time for this foolishness!”

Fulner didn’t waste another second finding his seat.

Disregarding the director’s momentary lapse in judgment, Boldor proceeded to go over his carefully laid-out plan. After instructing him on his duties, he picked out a very fine coffin and moved it to an adjoining storage room.

“Don’t disappoint me,” he warned Fulner as he left the room to depart on his first task of retrieving the soil from the ranch house.

Boldor climbed into the coffin and retreated within its sweet confines for rejuvenation. He needed his soil, especially at this critical time. It wasn’t necessary for survival, but lying upon native soil enriched a nightwalker, making him stronger—physically and mentally.

At this point in the game, he needed every
advantage he could muster. His new life depended on him making all the right moves. There was no room for mistakes. He knew the night to come would be perilous, but if all went according to plan, he would soon be living a new life with a new identity—Corin von Vadim, Master of von Vadim Estate.

Chapter Twenty-One

To Capture an Angel

“
You’ve messed with the wrong guy, Boldor.” Corin cursed the immortal in hatred.

The cunning nightwalker had
returned his pewter figurine to its rightful place atop the dresser in his basement. The fiend had no doubt slipped it back earlier when he’d attacked Tomes.

Boldor thrived on
the thrill of the game and would undoubtedly make his next play soon. However, with two immortals now keeping watch at the estate, Corin didn’t think the knave would dare to make another move here. It was now too risky an endeavor.

Corin’s thoughts turned to Tomes and a sigh
escaped him. He recalled visiting Louisa’s grave the night of her funeral where he’d attempted to see her attacker, but the image was clouded, or she hadn’t seen the killer.

Boldor was the
reason I couldn’t see your memories.

Corin now
realized that the nightwalker’s thoughts were already connected with Louisa, his chosen one, who was going through transformation in her grave. He had detected the faint presence of another being at the time, but finding no one around, he’d moved on.

It
was Louisa I sensed. In her grave.

Pushing the disturbing thoughts aside, Corin lit a single lantern and left it
burning atop a small table near the foot of the stairs. He climbed into the crypt and snuggled against Angelique, listening to the soothing rhythm of her heart, never wanting to let her go. Laying awhile in the silence, when dawn arrived, she awoke in his arms.

“How did you sleep?” he asked.

“It’s very comfortable. I didn’t wake once.” She attempting to climb out of the crypt, but he grabbed her arm and drew her back.

“
I’m not ready to let you go,” he whispered. “Regrets?” he felt the need to ask again.

“Never
.” Her slender, naked body pressed against his. “I’ve never slept so well. And I dreamed of us.”

“I hope it was a good dream.”

“Wonderful. I was immortal and we were together…very happy.” She repositioned to face him. “You could change me…make my dream come true.”

Corin scooted to a sitting position, agitated by her proposition.

“I’m not afraid, Corin.”

“No. It’s out of the question.”

“I thought you’d want us to be together.” The sound of her words told her disappointment. “I thought—”

“I will never love anyone else the way I love you, but you don’t realize what
you’d be giving up. Immortality comes at a great cost. Your soul would be forever lost.” He tried to make her understand, looking earnestly into her questioning eyes. “I will never ask that of you—take that from you.”

“You’re not asking, Corin, I’m giving myself freely. I’m choosing to make the
change. Not just for you, but for us.”

“You don’t understand the magnitude of what you’re asking.” He tried to
discourage her, she had no idea of the enormity of it all. “Love can blind you.”

“Maybe so, but what better reason is there for such a sacrifice, than for love—a
real love, devouring and passionate. Isn’t that what we have?”

“Yes. I’d never deny it. But to infect you with this virus…this curse! What if
you later regret your choice and find that love isn’t enough? I told you before, once the deed is done, there’s no turning back. And I couldn’t bear knowing you were living with eternal hatred of me.”

“That would never happen,” Angelique declared.

“You say that now, but you can’t tell the future, when you’re still walking this earth hundreds, possibly even thousands of years from now.”

“My love for you will never die. I’d never regret choosing to spend eternity
with you.” She ran her fingers through his wavy hair. “Love lifted me up and into your arms. This is where I belong, now and forever. Please don’t deny me this. You said you would give me anything I desired.”

“That’s not fair, Angelique. My fear isn’t just for the loss of your soul, but for
what lies beyond immortality. I don’t know what happens to us if we ever die. And yes, we can die by certain means. Please, just think on this awhile longer. Don’t be so rash in choosing such a cursed existence.”

“My feelings aren’t going to change, but it would be best if I settled a few
things beforehand.”

“It would kill Tomes if I made you immortal.” Corin knew she was thinking of
her brother. “You don’t know his aversion to it all…to me. But I promise you, my love, if and when the time is right, and you still want the change, I will give you immortality,” he gave her his word. “Right now, though, let’s just enjoy what we have.”

“I can do that. And I love how you just said ‘my love’.”

“That’s what you are to me—my love. Man, we certainly give an ironic depiction of the angel bedding down with the devil, don’t we?”