The Broken Seal - Chapter 8

Back at the Annex, Sasha made a few phone calls while Eve and Jacob had another round with the mercenary.

« Okay, where were we ? Right. Sasha wanted to eat you, and I convinced her not to. Now talk or I might reconsider. »
« All right, all right ! I work for a security firm. A month ago, a man hired my boss to retrieve some black stones from caverns like the one you were in. He said they were his property and they were stolen. We went all over the world. England, Finland, China, countries I didn’t know the name of. Anyway. I was paid ten thousand dollars, all expenses included. So I signed up. That was quick and easy. Open up a hole somewhere, get in the cavern, take the black stone and get out without touching anything else. »
« Where did you hear the name Antinoos ? »
« On the way to our third job, my boss got a phone call. I was sitting next to him and I heard the guy on the other end say “Work faster, otherwise Antinoos won’t be happy, and you know what it means.” We had two jobs that week, instead of the one that was originally planned. »
« How many stones did you get ? »
« The one we got from you was number six. »
« And when are you supposed to get the last one ? »
« I don’t know. I usually get a twelve hours notice. »
« Your boss was carrying something, what was it ? »
« It’s like a small compass, but with some dark liquid instead of water. I didn’t want to know what it was. Joe took it out every time we were inside, and it pointed directly to the black stone. »

Sasha got closer when she heard the description.
« It could be Shaitan’s blood inside. Since the seal traps it in the underworld, maybe its blood can track the pieces. »
« Makes sense. »
« The dragons will be here tomorrow, we’ll hold the Assembly in the morning. »
« They can be here faster if we use the back door. »
« I’ve told them about it, but they insist on flying here. Distrust and secrecy… In the meantime, I need a meal and a nap. »

The mercenary recoiled. Sasha looked at him severely.

« Your time may yet come. But tonight I’ll settle for pizza. »

When he heard the word, Ezekiel jumped on his feet and took his phone out.

« What do you want ? I don’t share my double cheese and pepperoni ! »

Everyone placed their orders and started talking. Sasha wandered off and sat on the bottom stair. Jacob joined her there.

« You’re okay ? »
« I'm tired. I haven’t been awake this long for a while. »
« So you sleep a lot ?  »
« Decades, sometimes centuries at a time. »
« That’s a lot. »

She put her head on his shoulder and closed her eyes.

« We can spend the night at the ranch if you want. »
« Thanks, that’s nice. After pizza, I want a meal first. So much happened today it feels like I haven’t slept in weeks. »

And Jacob realized he had met her only twenty-four hours ago…

Later that night, they snuggled in his bed, just looking for comfort. Jacob laid awake for awhile, holding Sasha close, recalling the events of the past hours, wondering about the days ahead. They seem to be heading to war. He had battled fairy tales and fictionals, even a god, but he’d never seen war. He wasn’t afraid, really, but he didn’t want to die at all.

In her sleep, Sasha was back when the demons were still on earth, and not banished yet. She remembered a village she liked wandering in being burnt to the ground, the people she called friends lying around, drenched in blood, and her sadness at the sight. She remembered the taste of demon blood, pungent and caustic in her mouth. And the memories were breaking her heart.

Caught in the visions, she started to weep in her sleep. Her wails woke Jacob up and he had to shake her up to wake her. 

« It’s okay, it’s just a dream. »
« Unfortunately no. Six millennia, and I still recall everything like it happened yesterday. »

She dried her tears and turned to him.

« Make love with me. One more time. »

*****

Jacob kissed her softly on the lips. He wanted tenderness and Sasha wanted it too. They remained entwined, caressing and kissing each other, reveling in the affection that linked them.