The Empty World | The Empty World Sequence [complete | rewriting]

Eighteen

"No, but others told me he was here earlier. Dolly, Zulekha, and Mazaret were all introduced to his Human friend."

"I didn't know he had one, I mean a new one, but that sounds like he's put someone under protection." The three Mother had mentioned were all - Darkling for lack of a better term - who had governed their kind in other cities.

"The young lady. Anne. She's a writer." Mother gestured to the dark-haired girl who had Troy at her heel; that more than any spoken word said Shade had placed his protection over the Human. "There are two others that came with her, I think."

"Then why wouldn't he be here?" Morpheus wondered aloud.

Mother offered her arm.

Morpheus could have teleported with her, or given her a mirror to pass into, but that would have likely drawn more notice than any two people walking up the stairs together. He touched the space about her arm as they moved to the stairs.

From the second floor landing, Morpheus teleported them into his room. He changed out of his formal attire, with half a thought, as he approached the mirror, and as he focused the looking glass, with thoughts toward Shade, he formed loose sweater, kilt and boots about his body.

Shade was in a church. Morpheus could see pews, gold mosaic tiles, and a stylized crucifix. He appeared to be kneeling in prayer.

"Huh?"asked Mother.  She stood back and studied the picture. 

        Morpheus touched the glass with his fingertips, sensed the sounds from the other side, "Something about purpose...'Are there other things I still have to do...Will I know? Will you answer? It would be a simple thing to send an Angel to tell me my fate...'."

The light across Shade shifted. Candles lit within the church, and in the light a deeper shadow moved. "There's someone coming from those shadows!"

"My Lord! It's Lucifer!" Mother cried. 

"He said...it would take him to the end of the world to straighten that one out," Morpheus relayed.

"Interesting, but if Shade's now meant to bring back the one that claims to have planned him, well, that's not really our concern."

            "Unless 'Jewel of the East' does The Morningstar?" Morpheus asked,

            Mother seemed to be thinking it over. Morpheus knew they'd discussed this before. Prophesy was a tricky thing. Your knowledge of it could be the thing that brought it to be, which was why Sleep had commanded them to watch, but to watch closely, they'd come to live in the palace with the brood of Vampyres who already entangled with Night's Children.

The previous portions of Metro's vision seemed to have come indicated Shade - The Redjackets - Blade, or Angel surrendering - Athen - the move to LA - Beware! - Angel emprisoned - Faye's Jealousy - the missing Sefer Raziel - battle between Vampyres - whoever the Jewel was - and then nothing. Metro's sight had failed...or would fail.

"Did he just say?" Morpheus knew what was said, he'd felt the words, but he still disbelieved, even as he saw the blonde head rise from the pew. "Daniel's here? The Rabbit's in LA?"

"He's in the church?" But Mother could see him just as well.

"You...knew."

"He was staying at my house until last night...Murph, we have to go."

"You have a house?"

"Just come with me."