The Lost Soul (25 page)

Eventually, a long low howl filled the cavern, the echo bouncing off of each wall before a massive winged beast appeared from a large tunnel about halfway down. It hopped down, swooping to the ground where its spindly arms reached out and pulled the corpse out onto the damp cold ground beneath its feet. Suddenly, another creature appeared from another tunnel, then another and another, until there were at least ten of them.

Jack didn't want to watch but he just couldn't help it. His eyes were glued to the horror that unfolded beneath him.

"Jack?" asked a voice from above him.

"Hm?" he murmured.

A soft hand touched him and shook his shoulder gently, "Jack? Wake up," said Zalea.

"Zalea?" he cried, rubbing the tears from his cheeks, where he'd been sobbing in his sleep.

"We should go," she said, not wanting to mention both she and Eric had heard.

Standing up, he stretched his arms and legs and tried to put the terrifying scene out of his mind, but it wasn't easy. When a person is ripped apart like that, right in front of your eyes, it's not something that can easily be forgotten. No wonder he had blocked out his entire past from his consciousness.

"Okay," he whispered, "let's move," he added, his words a little shaky.

After they walked a few paces, Jack's shoulders hunched forward and his cries began. Zalea took him in her arms and stroked his back until the sobs began to slow and his breathing returned to a normal speed.

"There, there," she said, "It's okay. It's over."

But he knew it was far from over.

"Zalea, Eric. I think I need to tell you the truth about what's in these caves..."

CHAPTER FORTY-SIX

When she finally came to, the look of pure shock, followed by utter relief and love, on Mrs Dickson's face said it all. It had taken some doing but eventually the women of Powell River began to show some understanding towards their unusual friends and neighbours.

But they still didn't know everything. They didn't know the truth about Calliope or the other Nephilim creatures. Gabriel was keeping the worst until last.

Before he continued, Moira released the binding spell so the women could stand and stretch their legs. Apologising profusely as she did so.

But not all understood. There were two women in particular who felt strongly repulsed by what they'd learned. One was a religious lady, Ms Hathermere, who believed all supernatural beings were spawns of the devil, brandishing a bible she'd taken out of her handbag.

"Oh nonsense, Teresa and put that book away. If you want to brandish anybody with that thing, keep it for this Calliope woman. We've known these people for years. These folk are good people. Perhaps a little too secretive, but they're good people. They've never done anything to harm any of us. So put it away," said Mrs Dickson, holding on to her daughter's hand tightly.

"This ain't God's work, I tell you. This is the devil's work."

"I'm with Teresa," said another woman who sat with a floral scarf tied around her head and her hands holding on to her own copy of the bible, "Clearly, you're evil doers. You, your wings and your terrifying spells and so on. I'm in no mind to believe you," she hollered, standing and going over to Ms Hathermere.

Before they could utter another word, Michael stepped out from the back of the hall where he had been standing quietly watching the proceedings. Walking slowly towards them, all went quiet as his warm aura filled the room and the women turned in wonder at the handsome stranger.

"I am Michael," he said, "and I assure you that these people have nothing to do with the devil. These are good, honest people, just like you Teresa and you, Phoebe. The only difference is they have somewhat different capabilities than you do. Teresa, I know you are a fine seamstress and can produce a dress so beautiful in a single day. Phoebe, you do wonders to that garden of yours that, to some, would seem to have been created by an angel. Now tell me ladies, how does that differ from what these fine folk are capable of? Jemima, Jo, Chris and the other vampires have super human speed and strength and will live for many years to come. Lilly, Rose, Gabriel, Wyatt and some others can change into animals. December, Moira and the other witches can cast spells. But it matters not because you are all God's children. You must remember that," he said, very gently taking each woman's hand and squeezing ever so slightly.

Teresa and Phoebe both blushed and immediately sat down. "Please carry on, Gabriel," said Phoebe quietly, placing the bible back in her floral handbag.

"Now that you know the truth about who we are, I must tell you the most frightening truth of all. The truth about Calliope. This is no ordinary woman. In fact she she is no woman at all. The fact of the matter is she is..." Gabriel cleared his throat, "she is a Nephilim."

One woman raised her hand and Gabriel nodded, "But what is this... Nephilim?" she asked innocently.

"Well, you could liken them to devilish creatures. Many, many years ago..." and Gabriel went on to tell the ladies of Powell River all about the Nephilim and all they knew about Calliope.

Tears flowed as they realised what they were up against but all of them were willing to do everything in their power to get their men back and return their town to the place it once was.

#

They'd been trapped for hours, watching in silence as Calliope danced with many different men, feasted on more raw meat before drinking what looked like blood and watched as the men fought each other with swords. But not once were any of them harmed.

"I don't get it," said Jo, standing up from the ground where she had sat for so long, stretching her legs, "all this time, and she hasn't done anything nasty. I thought the Nephilim were evil beasts?"

"They most definitely are," said Zoltan, "She has imprisoned us. She's got all the men in this town under a ridiculous spell and...."

"And what, Zoltan? Other than the poor man who was killed by the truck, she hasn't actually harmed anyone. Don't you think it's a little strange? And all she seems to want to do with these guys is dance, watch them play fight, oh, and occasionally kiss them on their cheeks. Okay I admit that's a bit weird but she's hardly the beast we figured her to be. There's something strange going on, if you ask me."

"Maybe she's a diversion," suggested Carmelo who had said very little since they'd been trapped up there.

"That sounds more like it," answered Zoltan, folding his arms over his chest.

"She's gone to an awful lot of work for a diversion," muttered Walter.

As they spoke, neither of them noticed the music had halted and all was quiet.

"Erm guys...." said Zoltan suddenly as the rest of them turned to look down below. "She's gone..."

All of the men were laying on the floor, apparently asleep, and Calliope was nowhere to be seen.

Carmelo listened intently. The humming had also gone. He held out his arms to discover the invisible force field had disappeared. They were free.

"I don't like this," whispered Jo, "There's something not right here."

The four of them walked to the edge of the upper level and jumped down with complete ease. Only Zoltan landed with a thud.

"You okay?" asked Carmelo to his friend who nodded.

Suddenly, they were surrounded. The men of Powell River didn't look so happy about their descent. They stared in silence, hovering back and forth like a group of zombies about to pounce.

Suddenly, that's exactly what they did, and they all seemed to possess an unnatural strength, picking up the vampires and werewolf and throwing them hard against the wall, causing the pyramid to shake with the force.

Carmelo was back on his feet. He threw himself on the nearest column and climbed up. The men might have superhuman strength but they weren't able to climb.

"Climb!" he shouted to the others as they all glanced over before following suit.

Stuck atop the columns in the pyramid, the men of Powell River surrounded them from below, looking up and grunting like rabid animals, rocking back and forth.

"What do we do?" shouted Jo as she gripped with all her strength to the round pillar in the centre of the room, flames dancing at her feet.

CHAPTER FORTY-SEVEN

Eric sobbed quietly while Zalea gripped his hand and tears fell down her own face as Jack explained what had happened to the poor young girl trapped in her cage just metres away from him. She wasn't the first to die and be ravaged by the beasts, he told them. Months went by and they dropped one by one, each corpse disappearing in a matter of minutes as they were devoured beneath him.

His voice hoarse from whispering and crying, Jack could barely utter another word. They were doomed. It was just a matter of time before they were caught.

As they sat on the cold damp cave floor, Jack rested his head back and closed his eyes. A familiar aching sensation filled the back of his head. The throbbing increased every second. Letting out a low groan, he gripped his head in his hands.

"December?" he managed to whisper.

Zalea's eyes opened wide and she held onto Eric's hand, waiting, hoping December had found a way out.

"No," he cried, "we're trapped in the caves. December... I hope you can help us. I know we're not far from the Nephilim and I... and I..." he stuttered, "I've remembered what they're capable of. They're vicious, evil creatures..." he sobbed and then stopped, listening carefully. "Yes, okay. I'll see what I can find out. Be careful, December and please... tell my family I love them..."

The headache began to fade away and Jack slowly turned his face to his friends.

"I'm going to have to leave you here," he whispered. "I need to go to them and find out as much as possible. I can only do that in raven form."

"No," cried Zalea, "it's too dangerous."

"He must, my dear. He must do this. It's the only way," added Eric quietly.

"Eric's right, Zalea. My family and friends believe the Nephilim are going to attempt something big tonight. There's a full moon and they've worked out this so-called vortex often opens during that time. They think they're going to try a mass escape. We can't let that happen. I can't let that happen. Which is why I need to go and try and find out what I can," he whispered. "I should be safe as a raven. You two need to tuck yourselves away in one of these smaller caves, hidden from view. I promise I will return. I won't leave you here."

Zalea stood up and rushed into his arms, quietly sobbing into his shoulder.

"Please, be careful, Jack. You're our only hope."

"I promise," he said before releasing her. He took off his clothes and handed them to her before she could no longer hear his breath. She could only hear the soft flapping of a bird's wings as it grew quieter and quieter.

"God be with you, my son," whispered Eric.

#

The smell intensified as Jack made his way through the tunnels until eventually he flew out into a large cavern. Not the one in which he had been trapped before, but one much smaller, although it did have several pillars that were crumbling to the ground.

Gliding to the very bottom of the cavern, Jack was careful to hide himself behind various rocks and broken pieces of the columns. Looking upwards expecting to see hanging cages, he was surprised to find it empty, yet there was a distinct smell of humans in the air. The stench of blood and sweat surrounded him.

Jumping upwards, he flapped his wings and began to fly all around, looking for the poor souls trapped in there. Spotting two tunnels, he chose one and followed it through. It led to an even smaller cave where about thirty people lay sleeping on the ground. All were shackled, chains around their ankles. Jack hovered above them until he found the man who had first given him bread and water. He was so thin and gaunt, his skin almost translucent. His hair, once thicker and darker, was greying and thin.

Before they were awoken by the sound of his wings, Jack slipped back into the large cave and then towards the other tunnel. If he'd been human, he would have wretched at the memory, flying into the familiar place he'd spent so many months. Sure enough, looking upward, there he saw hundreds of cages, each one containing a single person.

He shivered, knowing those beasts would be near. He chose a tunnel at the far end of the cavern and entered swiftly, careful not to make a noise. The sound of voices surprised him, making him jump, but he kept his nerve and continued on his path. He had to get something, anything, that would help those above to finally rid this world of these wretched creatures.

Gliding along, he quickly came to a standstill, landing on a ledge close to the sound of the voices. Peering inside the hidden tunnel, he spotted two of them. Not the huge frightening creatures he had expected, but two very different species: were they human? At least they looked somewhat human until they turned their backs on him and revealed scaly wings jutting from their shoulder blades. They were poring over what appeared to be a map.

Jack watched as they stood motionless for minutes before one suddenly turned to face the entrance. Jack ducked his head backwards and held his breath until he heard the creature shuffle away. Before hiding himself, Jack had noticed something strange about the creature's eyes. They were beady and feline-like.

Peering back around, he watched them as they ducked underneath a low entrance to yet another tunnel going off in the opposite direction. Following on silently behind, he glanced at the map beneath him. He recognised it instantly. He would never forget his homeland again.

The two creatures shuffled across the ground, barely able to walk until the narrow walkway gave way to a huge cave much like the one containing all those cages. This one, however, was empty except for several large white pillars in the centre, flames licking their bases, and about thirty large regal seats carved out of the rocks placed around them.

Several creatures were already seated.

Jack very carefully hid himself from view and waited as more and more arrived, slowly taking their appointed seats around the pillar.