LOVE IS SHORT; FORGETTING SO LONG_ Chapter Twelve_ THE GIRL WITH SILVER EYES

 

"We are the miracle of force and matter transforming itself into dream and will. Think of it, son: the Life Force experimenting with forms. 

You for one. Me for another. The Universe sang itself alive. We are two of the notes." 

- Amaia

Henderson morphed from Hell-Child to brooding demon woman.

Lucas sensed another presence in the office. The Book or the Girl with Silver Eyes?

No matter.

Lucas thought: 

'We who now breathe air will join the vast layers of those who breathed air once. We arise from dirt and dwindle to dust ... and the might of the universe is arrayed against us.

But if the worth of a soul is measured by its enemies, then how precious is one human soul that must contend against such odds?' 

Henderson's newly formed bat-wings quivered as she fluidly walked to Donovan's desk.

She gently touched the silver frame which housed the photograph of his wife when young.

It smoldered and began to glow red.

"Love is so short. Lured by the illusion of the youthful war hero, she ignored the warnings of her high-born parents."

Henderson tapped the metal, and it became foul-smelling slag.

"Only to realize she had married beneath her status when you, General, arrested her elite relatives and friends for breaking those senseless prohibition laws."

"I-I was US Attorney General. I had to."

"You have to eat, breathe, and sleep, General. All else is choice. Your wife never forgave you that choice. "

"She has never shared your bed since. Are you so foolish to think a cursed Book will restore that love? Lust, yes. But love, no."

As Donovan seemed to try to press himself into the very plaster of the wall, Henderson left smoking hoof prints in the carpet as she walked to the photograph of Donovan and Father Duffy,

"Your beloved friend and mentor, Father Duffy, has gone on to the Gateless Realm. Do you truly believe a Book of the Damned could wrench a soul from Paradise? And if it could, would a saint thank you for doing so?"

"I-I need his counsel."

Lucas murmured, "You have the memory of it. Damn you, General, for sending my only friend to her death for pipe dreams!"

Henderson's demon-slanted eyes flicked to Lucas. and she sighed, 

"We are born alone. We live alone. We die alone. Only through our friendship can we create the illusion that we are not alone."

Her lower lip trembled along with her bat wings. "If you are, indeed, my friend, Lucas, find me. Free me. End me."

And with that, she was gone.

Lucas brooded. Had she left of her own accord? 

Or had the Book, angered by her truths to Donovan, wrenched her back for punishment?

No matter. Lucas had had only one friend. 

He would find out and do his damnedest, pun intended, to do just what she had asked of him.