Page 18 of Heart Shaped Wreckage (standalone)

LANDON

We stepped out into a meadow covered with wildflowers. A small pond sat on the side with the largest cattails I had ever seen. It would have been beautiful if I weren’t so scared; I was about to pee my pants as I stared at my love in pain.

Heath fell to the ground. He was bleeding, and I wasn’t sure what to do.

I mean, he had golden blood – what the fuck was golden blood?

I took the clothes that I had stuffed in my bag and started ripping strips.

It wasn’t a deep wound, but it was doing something unnatural to him.

I wished I understood what it was or what to do to help him.

I wish I understood anything.

I tied the strips of torn fabric around his muscular torso and pressed them tightly against his wound. It was all I could do. I had never been a very good potion maker, and I…

I had never been a very good potion maker…

I knew that. How did I know that?

Something had triggered a change within me, revealing a glimpse of who I was. How and why? I didn’t have time to worry about it right now.

“I’ll be back.” I ran to the pond and grabbed a large lily leaf and cupped it so it could hold some water. I carefully brought it back and held it to Heath’s mouth. “Drink.”

He did, and then he lay down on the ground.

“Do you know what’s happening? Are you ok?”

“I’m… weak. I’ve never felt so weak. He must have grazed me with the blade. Its power is… It destroys that which is unnatural to it.”

“Meaning you?”

“Possibly.” He sighed. “Yes. After I lost my wings, we became an anathema to them. God turned us into the complete opposite of his angelic horde – his children – and we became shadows of them. A yin and yang, if you will.”

“What can I do?” I sniffled.

“I don’t know. I don’t even know if anyone knows.

They have left us alone for so long that…

I’m not the demon that he made me out to be, you know?

I have tried to just… live my life as well as I can.

The years were cruel, and then with time, I learned how to live…

with humanity. All I’ve ever wanted is… to live. ”

“He said you wore the human. What did he mean?” I soothed his brow.

“After more years than I can count, our bodies… without the full essence of God began to… deteriorate and fade. Not all of us fled into Hell with Lucifer. There were those of us who made a home on… on Earth and did our best to survive. When my body gave out, my spirit wandered. Soon, the smartest of us learned that we could inhabit a human body and extend our lives for many years. Heath was dying, and I… I slipped inside him. His body is not mine, but now it is. Do you understand?”

“So, it’s possession, but… he was dying.”

“I would never want to take… to take someone’s life from them. Heath greeted me with open arms. He has since gone on into eternity, and his body now belongs to me.”

“You just wanted to live?”

“Do you think… me a monster? I must repulse you.” He was struggling so hard to talk.

“I can’t wait to sleep in your arms again, you stupid idiot.

But to do that, I think we have to figure something out.

You may see yourself as a monster, but I see you as my savior.

You have never given me any reason to fear you or hate you.

You are you, and I am me. You are not evil and scary – well, maybe a little scary.

I mean, you truly like alpha wolfed out there.

But it was also kind of hot. The way you stood up for me. ”

Heath took a deep breath, and his eyes closed. He fell asleep. He had been hurting. It was easy to see.

“That has to hurt?” Someone whined.

I turned to look behind me, and a tan dog lay in the grass. “I blend in perfectly here. I was worried you’d never see me, so I thought it best to let you know I’m here.”

“Another talking animal? If only Dandelion could meet you all.”

“And who is Dandelion?”

“Dandy is my crow and… I have a crow? I have a crow!” I tried to let my memories flow, but all I could see was a black crow and nothing else. I just knew he was mine. A familiar. My familiar.

“Ah, a memory from a lost past.” The dog licked itself. “I’m Gula, and I’ve been waiting for you. The sword pierced his skin. Poor thing. Once, he walked among us as a deity when he was much younger. But he has always been old, hasn’t he? His kind were at the birth of everything. Poor thing.”

“He’s leaking golden blood. I tried to bind it as best I could.” I sat down and pulled my legs up in an embrace.

“Oh, that won’t matter. His ichor is attached to the soul, not the human body he wears. No blood flows through him since his possession has taken complete hold. If only he were human, he might survive. It won’t be long now. It’s a shame, I actually always liked him. He gave great scratches.”

“What can I do?”

“Do you still have the stones that you sought? The stones that allow you to seek?” She bent backward and licked at her hindquarters.

“Stop that. Tell me what I need to know.”

“If you could, you would, and you know it. Don’t judge me for who I am.” She whined.

I reached over and petted her head.

“You give good rubs, too. No wonder the two of you have become so close. I can feel your bond. Dogs always can.”

“I have the stones,” I held them out in my hand and showed her.

“Say the prophecy and try to understand what it is you must do next.” She sat up and placed a paw on my arm. “Hurry, there is not much time.”

‘Legion leader, once a friend,’ I recited.

“Yes. Think.” She lay back down and looked up at me with her brown eyes.

“That has to be that Aurelius angel asshole.” I nodded.

“Go on.”

‘Now a foe but closely kin.’ I thought about it for a second and petted her head. “Heath was once an angel with him and was cast to Earth during the fall. I had worked part of that out already. But now, I know more than I did.”

‘Seeking stones – swirling pool.’ I paused and sighed. “We did that. I hate sand.”

“Everyone hates sand. Imagine how it burns my paws,” she whined.

‘Blood makes everyone a fool.’ I looked over at Heath. “Huh… The only blood I’ve seen belongs to Heath. He got hurt trying to protect me.”

“Yes, he always was a kind being.”

‘To find what you seek – the blood must leak.’ And this seemed to be where we were in the stanzas, and it was freaking me out. “Well, I guess I can see that I have to seek help because Heath is bleeding. But it doesn’t say for what? How am I to understand what I have to find?”

“Keep going.”

‘Forms shift to and fro, a hollow shaft will heal. But by the end, you must lose to ever hope to win.’ I stood up and looked down at my sweet love.

I loved him. There was no denying it. “Heath shifted to his beast. That’s what he called it and then shifted back in front of me.

He really didn’t want to do that. It didn’t scare me, though. It’s just him.”

‘A last gasp and the choice is made – fate is done and it’s too late. A choice to make for a lost mate.’

“And…”

“I have no idea what that means. I’m lost after shifting forms.”

“You will understand it eventually. You heroes always do. Usually, you die once you completely understand it, but I’m rooting for you.”

“So, what do I have to do?” I begged – which was funny since I was talking to a dog.

“Think of it as a side quest. Something that you have to do alone. The only way to save him.”

“I’ll do whatever I have to. Just tell me. Isn’t that why you’re here?”

“Yes. You don’t have to be a bitch about it,” she yipped.

“Sorry, Gula. I didn’t mean to.”

“I know, child. When you’re as old as I am, you get a little snippy. The next line of your verse – what does it say?” she asked kindly.

“A… a hollow shift will heal? What does that mean? It’s way confusing.”

“Who caused Heath’s injuries?”

“That asshole angel, Aurelius. That’s what Heath called him anyway.” I had no idea what she was getting at. But I wished she’d just tell me. Heath was dying.

“He’s always been a… Well, asshole is a good word, I guess. These modern sayings confuse me.”

“You’re saying that I have to go back there?”

“Oh, he’s not there any longer. He’s somewhere else.”

“But what is a hollow shaft? What am I supposed to get from him, and what do I do with it?”

“You heal him.” Gula stood up and walked over to Heath. “I will take care of him, and you must go and get a feather from Aurelius’ wings. Understand now?”

“I have to pluck a feather from him?”

“Yes. And it should have some of his ichor on it. It can’t be a feather that he’s lost or molts on its own. It has to come directly from the source. Plucked from the bone, as they say.”

“Feathers aren’t really connected to a bone. They’re sprouted from a follicle sort of… I have to face him and pull it from his wing. If I fail?”

“Heath will be no more. Not even his essence would survive the blade of a Morningstar.”

“So… Ok… If I go and face an angel, I will probably die. If I don’t, Heath will. Got it. This is great news.” I stood up and held the stones up. They began to glow. “You’ll take care of him?”

“I will. Now, I think it’s time for you to face every human’s greatest fear.”

“What is that?” I stood there trying to find my courage.

“Why, death, dear. Good luck.” She curled up against Heath’s side and placed her face against his shoulder.

I let the stones glow, and a portal opened up.

I stepped through.

I had no choice.