Gods and Mortals: Fourteen Free Urban Fantasy & Paranormal Novels Featuring Thor, Loki, Greek Gods, Native American Spirits, Vampires, Werewolves, & More (265 page)

“Thank you. I can’t wait to be out of this towel.”

Kara took the clothes and went to change in a small room with a round door and no ceiling. Red light flooded from above, and a smell of moist soil filled the air. She pulled on some undergarments, a cami, blue jeans and a grey hooded sweater and walked back to join the others. She smiled as she watched David with the Archangel Raphael, putting on his best moves: the winks, the famous smile, the cocking of the eyebrow
.
Kara felt a little jealous.

“I’m back,” announced Kara, “but I’ll need some shoes.” She wiggled her toes.

“Here…” David handed her a pair of running shoes.

Raphael clasped her hands in front of her and cleared her throat. “The Archangel Gabriel is expecting you both back at Operations shortly. There are lots of jobs for the two of you.”

Her eyes shifted to David and didn’t move again. “And please,
try
to be nice, David.”

David pursed his lips. “I will, if he will.”

The Archangel sighed loudly and shook her beautiful black hair. She looked at Kara. “Please try and talk some
sense
into this one? It’s not helping his case to be insubordinate to the Legion commander.”

“He’s a putz,” said David.

“But he’s also three times your size,” said Kara. She pushed her feet into her new shoes.

Raphael placed her hands on her hips. “Gabriel is a bit intense at times, but he is your superior. Come now. He is waiting. I will accompany you back to the elevators.”

Her long, white linen dress swished behind her. “Oh, I almost forgot,” said Raphael as she turned around. “He has also informed me that the two of you will be summoned to the Council of Ministers.”

David jogged to catch up to her. “The Council of Ministers? Are you sure?”

“Yes,” answered Raphael and kept walking.

Kara ran next to David. “Why do you look so worried?” She studied his face. “And angry? What’s going on, David? You’re making me nervous! What’s this council?”

David turned to look at her. “It’s where all the big decisions are made in Horizon.”

“And this is bad?”

David’s face was grim. “It is when you’re
summoned
.”

A
fter Kara
and David left the Miracles Division, they went back to Operations. They could only wait until the Council of Ministers decided to summon them. Gabriel handed them piles of new job files instead, never mentioning the demon’s Mark. It was as though it had never happened.

Their first assignment: Mr. John Yong, 1240 Peel Street, sidewalk, 1:24 pm. Suffocates due to a severe allergic reaction to cherry gum. And while David was on the lookout for demons from the shadows of a building, Kara sneaked behind Mr. Yong as he popped in his gum and gave him the Heimlich maneuver of his life. The gum came rocketing out of his mouth and landed in some woman’s hair. Too shocked and confused to speak, Mr. Yong’s bulging eyes were a good enough sign that he was alive and that the job was done.

Moving on, they then tackled: Mrs. Rose Roy, at 359 Messier Street Apt. # 34, 6:12pm, who fries her brain by using the convection oven to dry her new perm. Impersonating students selling the local newspaper, Kara and David were able to sneak into the retirement home, go up the third floor, and talk Mrs. Roy out of using the oven to dry her hair.

During all this time on the job, David gave Kara the silent treatment. Kara stuck to small talk and work-related conversations. She hated him one day, and was totally into him the next. She hated herself for being so
sensitive
, so typically
female
.

At times she wanted to give up and leave him to hate her and to ask for a new Petty Officer. But Kara was determined to prove her innocence to David and to the rest of the Legion.

Kara and David hopped out of the elevator back to Level Two when they had completed their rescue missions. Gabriel greeted them with a scowl.

“Files!” he barked. He took the job files from David and waited for the oracle to roll over and take them away. Kara watched the Archangel as his dark eyes darted from David to her and back again. The look in his eyes was fierce, and it frightened her.

“It is time,” said Gabriel, his perfect face showing no emotion.

“Time for what, Big G?” David flashed a set of pearly whites.

Gabriel fixed his eyes onto Kara. She shook as she felt a tickle inside her, moving from the top of her head to her toes. Then her forehead got really cold, as when you eat ice cream really fast and get brain freeze. She looked at Gabriel. He wasn’t blinking, as if he were in a trance. Somehow, she could feel a part of him inside her, searching her core. And for a long moment, he didn’t speak. He turned his attention back to David as he spoke.

“The Archangel Uriel is ready for you. The council will see you now.” And with that, Gabriel turned and left Kara and David to contemplate their fate.

“Why was he staring at me like
that?
” she shuddered. “I feel a little violated. It was like he was trying to see through me—a bit freakish.”

David flipped the collar from his leather jacket. “I don’t know, but we better get going.”

Kara searched David’s face. “So what is the Council of Ministers going to do?”

David turned around and started to walk back to the elevator.

Kara ran to catch up. “Do you know why we have to go?”

“It’s a
council
. And we’re going because we have to,” said David, back to his usual avoiding-Kara game.

“Right…but why? This has something to do with the demon’s Mark, hasn’t it?”

David kept staring at his boots as he pattered onward. “I’m sure it’s because of the Mark. You don’t just get summoned to the high council for tea.”

“I knew it! Everyone thinks I’m a traitor!” Kara could feel herself starting to shake. “I’m starting to
flip
out
here…what are they going to do to me?”

“I don’t know.”

“Is this like a trial? Am I going to be able to defend myself?”

“I don’t know.”

“Great. I feel so much better.”

The ride up to Level Six, the Council of Ministers, was a silent one. Kara glanced angrily at David. He looked as though he was frightened, too. He stared at the floor with his arms crossed over his chest.

A large brown monkey operated the elevator. Its orange eyes darted back and forth from Kara to David. It adjusted its purple bowtie around its neck, mumbling to itself. After a moment, the monkey picked at its tail and popped things Kara couldn’t see into its mouth. It checked its fingernails, and then scratched its bottom.

“You’re disgusting, you know that?” Kara made a face.

The monkey lifted its chin. “You’re just saying that because you can’t have some.”

“I don’t want some, that’s the point. It’s gross.”

The monkey smacked its lips. “You don’t know what you’re missing!”

When Kara turned away from the monkey and looked at David his brows were scrunched, and he was staring at the floor again…
so
not him. She missed the old David…the new one hated her guts.

“What happens to traitors in the Legion?” she asked.

David stared at the floor. “They’re thrown out, banished forever … never to return. They’re left to serve their demon masters.”

Kara clasped her trembling hands behind her back.

“Level Six! Council of Ministers,” called the monkey at the control panel.

The elevator jolted to a stop. Kara stared straight ahead as the doors slid open. Blinding white light came flooding in, and she had to shut her eyes. Gradually she adjusted to the light and could see. She stepped to the door and peeked out. She looked down. Tiny puffs of clouds spread out sporadically above a vast plane of greens and beige, divided into rectangles. Dark blue curves wiggled through the landscape and out of sight. Miniscule cities were surrounded by monopoly-game houses that disappeared over the horizon.

The bottom of the elevator rested on a soft white cloud, the size of a small car. They were floating in the air. Kara started to feel unsteady and grabbed the sides to support herself. She felt
really
dizzy. In the distance, mountains hovered in the air, kept up by some sort of magic.

“You okay? You look like you’re about to be sick,” David said, as he rested a hand on her shoulder. She winced, totally unprepared for him to touch her so suddenly. She tingled at his touch.

Kara nodded, keeping her eyes straight ahead on the bright blue sky.

“Don’t worry, we’re not going to
fall
. We’re just waiting for the sky-car.”

Kara frowned and turned to look at David, not sure she heard him correctly. “The what?”

“The sky-car.” David pointed out towards the sky.

Kara followed his gaze. Something white and small floated their way. It maneuvered easily in the open air at great speed. Kara could hear the soft
tat tat ta
sound of a motor getting louder and louder, until finally the sky-car lingered at their door. It was an oval-shaped cloud, the size of a normal car, with four upholstered blue seats in two rows in the middle. A metal T steering gear stood at the front. Puffs of white clouds shot out from the back, like balls from an automatic tennis ball launcher.

“So, how does this thing—what the…?” Kara noticed the driver.

“Sky-car 2555, at
your
service!” the driver said.

A large white and black bird was perched on the steering gear. On the top of its head rested a red cap with the numbers 2555 stitched across it in gold letters.

The bird puffed out its chest and opened its beak. “Step right up, step right up! Sirs and madams!” He spoke perfect English. He pulled out his left wing and bent it at the elbow, flapping it, gesturing for them to come aboard.

David jumped down easily with a loud
thump
. He turned and gave Kara his hand. “You won’t fall. Just don’t look down if you’re scared.”

“I’m not scared!” Kara forced herself to look only at the sky-car. “I’m just not used to getting into flying cars, that’s all.” She grasped the door’s frame. “I don’t remember seeing it in the job description.”

“Let’s go, Miss,” said the bird, “I have other appointments…”

“Okay, okay!” said Kara. “So what if I fall … I’ll just reappear in an elevator, right?” she whispered to herself. She took David’s hand and jumped into the sky-car. She was relieved to land on solid footing.

“The name’s Sam,” said the bird. He jumped up and twirled around in the air, landing with his back facing them. With his feet clasped tightly around the steering bar, he swung upside down and extended his right wing in greeting.

“Pleasure to meet ya,” he blinked several times.

David shook his wing. “I’m David, and this is Kara,” he said to the upside down bird.

“Okay then! Now that we’re all acquainted…” Sam flapped his wings, swung his body back upright on the steering gear, straightened himself, and said formally, “Please take a seat! Take a seat!”

Kara and David sat down together. “There are actually seat belts on this thing? Why?”

David put his belt on. “Trust me…buckle up.” He raised his eyebrows. Kara clipped her seat belt together and pulled it tight.

“Now should I be scared?”

Sam flapped his wings excitedly. He adjusted his hat.

“Ready?”

David nodded. “We’re good to go.”

Sam used all his weight to push the accelerator.

“Hang on to your
butts
!” The motor kicked into life, and the sky-car rocketed towards the floating mountains.

“HOLY CRRRAAAAPP!!!”

Kara’s head was pinned to the headrest, as though she was on a circus ride. The wind whistled in her ears, and she squinted her eyes into slits. The sky-car flew across the sky. Soon, the mountains came more in focus and Kara realized that she had been mistaken. What she had believed to be huge mountains were in fact parts of a massive city, floating on individual clouds.

When they reached the floating city, Kara felt a cool spring breeze. Sky-cars flew in and out of buildings and disappeared between the clouds, picking up and dropping off guardian angels and oracles. The huge city sparkled in the sun like massive pieces of jewelry. The sky-car swayed and hovered over a large concrete landing zone, then dropped and settled onto a platform.

“You okay? You look green.” David grinned and combed his hair with his fingers.

“Peachy,” grunted Kara, as she swayed on the spot.

Sam the bird swung around and around on the steering gear. “Don’t forget to tip your driver!”

He beat his black wings, hopped to an upright position, and held out a tin can in front of him.

“We have to leave a tip? Are you serious?”

“Oh, yeah…I almost forgot.” David ripped a button from his shirt. He dropped it in the can.

“Buttons are tips?”

David flattened the front of his shirt. “Tips can be anything…just as long as you give them something.”

Sam shook the can, delighted. “Smell ya later!”

The sky-car lifted up, hovered for a moment, and raced off.

“And I thought the monkeys were the ones on crack!” Kara stared after the flying car until it was just a grey speck in the vast blue sky.

There was a sudden
click
, and a door at the far end of the platform opened. An oracle appeared and maneuvered his giant crystal towards them.

“Ah! Here you are at last.” He crumpled the front of his robe in his excitement.

“Quickly now…the two of you should know that you are going to be questioned about the demon’s Mark situation…the council is waiting…this way please.” The oracle steered his crystal around and made his way towards the door at the end of the platform.

David sighed and followed the oracle.

Kara jogged over to his side. “So...what do you think is going to happen to me?” asked Kara as she studied David’s face.

David looked into Kara’s eyes as he walked. “I’m…I’m not sure exactly. But I know it has to do with the demon’s Mark. A spy in the Legion … is some serious stuff.”

Kara felt the anger rising inside her. “But I’m
not
a spy!” she hissed between her teeth. “I haven’t done anything wrong.”

David turned away from Kara slowly. “That’s for
them
to decide. You’ll have to convince them, not me. I’m not on the council.”

“Right. I forgot. You
hate
me.”

David grabbed Kara by the elbow and pulled her around to face him. “You
betrayed
me!” he growled, trying to stay calm.

“
I
betrayed
you
?” Kara narrowed her eyes. “You won’t even believe me when I’m telling you the truth! You pretend I don’t exist!”

“The truth is that you’re
Marked
!” said David.

Kara made fists with her hands. “It’s not my fault! I didn’t know I was Marked! How many times do I have to tell you?”

“You
played
with my emotions,” said David, recovering his composure. “You used me.” His voice was almost a whisper.

“What…?” Bewildered, Kara just stared at David, not believing she had just heard what came out of his mouth.

“Ahem…am I
interrupting
something? Are you in
control
of your feelings?” The oracle tapped his foot on the glass sphere.

David straightened up. “Yes, oracle.”

The oracle glared at the two of them for half a second. Then his face broke into a smile. “Was that convincing enough? I used to think…if I were born mortal…I’d be a swell actor.”

“It was great.”

“Yeah, you were really convincing.” Kara put on a fake smile. She was still shocked by David’s words.

“Well, I’ve watched myself perform this very act hundreds of times—oh, dear.” The oracle screwed up his face. “I can’t remember what I’m supposed to say next? My mind is blank. Are we on our way to an exhibition?”

“No, you’re taking us to the High Council,” said David.

The oracle’s eyes widened. “Right, that hasn’t happened yet. So mixed up, so mixed up. Well then, let’s get going. The council won’t wait for you.” He tossed his beard over his shoulder, spun around, and rolled away, mumbling to himself.

David was silent as Kara followed him and the oracle through the grey metal door at the end of the platform. Her mind was numb and her body fluttered with the words he just said. They moved through a great hall with colorful carpets and portraits of oracles, Gas, and important looking Archangels hanging high on the walls. Haunted eyes stared back at them. They passed many doors with golden signs nailed above them, stenciled in black letters. Kara stopped to read: Council Officer # 78-ORC. She peeked through the open door and spotted an oracle sitting on his crystal ball before a long wooden desk, going through some papers. They darted along to the end of the hall, where they met two massive brass doors.