Avenging Cupids

Chapter 19: Banishment

“There are moments when even to the sober eye of reason, the world of our sad humanity may assume the semblance of Hell. ” 

― Edgar Allan Poe

Willow watched in slow motion as Alden seized the knife from the ground. In one swift motion, Alden had his arm snaked around Kasey’s neck in a chokehold. The knife that had backfired on Kasey was now pressed against his jugular vein.  

“NOOO!” Willow screeched. “Don’t hurt him Alden,” she choked.

“Willow, this is not your friend anymore,” Alden said through gritted teeth. “He is possessed.”

“Don’t hurt him,” she repeated in a quieter voice.

Elle finally managed to choke out words. “Wills, he just tried to kill you!”

“Tried,” Willow hissed. “But he didn’t.” She didn’t know why she was jumping to defend a potential murderer. She could barely contain the sobs and panic and confusion that welled up within her. Kasey was weeping vehemently but at least he wasn’t trying to break free of Alden’s death grip. That was a good sign. “He’s terrified. Can’t you both see that?”

“No babe,” Alden said defiantly. “Dark Cupids are manipulative. Aren’t they?” Alden slid the knife down painfully slow. The sharp blade bit into Kasey’s neck, leaving a long red slash parallel to his jugular vein. Droplets of crimson blood oozed from the gash, staining the cement. Willow’s stomach flopped nauseatingly.

“Please Alden,” she begged. “Don’t hurt him. Do it for me. Please. We can take him to my Mom. She was there when Nasrene was possessed wasn’t she? She would know what to do.”

Willow’s desperate pleas seemed to work its magic on him. As Alden withdrew the knife from Kasey’s neck, Elle clutched Willow closer against herself. She didn’t expect the anguish that boiled in Alden’s eyes. Feeling wretched, she realized that it was his weakness for her that gave him the strength to put the knife away.

“She’s right bro. Plus, we are making a scene.” Elle motioned towards the small mass of students that had gathered around them. The parking lot had cleared out for the most part but there were those who lingered behind for an extra cigarette or last-minute huddles about the party. Those students were now gaping at the four of them, their cigarettes smoldering away.

Alden yanked Kasey by his collar and threw him in the backseat violently. He jabbed a button on his remote control keys. A beep, then the hollow sounds of car locks ramming home. He pressed another button and the car started. Alden glared at Kasey warningly through the tinted windows and then jogged towards the dazed girls.

 “Snap out of it Ellie,” Alden scolded. “Have you even been protecting her just now?”

Elle wrenched her wide eyes from her brother’s car to glare at him. “Of course I have!” she snapped. “And I handled my duties with grace. Unlike you. There are no less than fifteen witnesses! As always, I have to clean up your mess.”

“I’m sorry Elle,” he said sadly. There seemed to be a double meaning to his apology. Alden waved his pointer finger in the air as if it were a wand. “Done,” he said flatly.

“What—What—“ Elle spluttered. She looked from Alden to the students who had begun to file away. “Y-You used a memory manipulation spell! You’re an angel?”

“Yes, I’m the missing Seraphim. But now is not the time. Can we talk about this after the exorcism?”

Elle’s chest rose and fell rapidly and she stared at her brother accusatorily.