Circles

By Jae Holt

Choices have consequences. And in the battle between two factions of a race of beings called the First Children, mankind's choices are not always judged equally.
The Fallen, caretakers of the Lower Realm, want out – to return to their rightful home. Their Upper Realm brethren, the Guardians, want to keep them right where they are. The Human Realm is the battlefield, and the souls are the prizes.

But there is a way for the Fallen to escape. They must wait for the Child of Light to be born into the Human Realm and follow the Straight Way that will lead to mankind's destruction. Some of the Fallen are done waiting, and one is determined to hurry their homecoming along.

Caisey is the Child of Light, a secret even she doesn't know. She leads a quiet college life, until she is kidnapped and forced to make a decision that will either save or destroy her world. But who gets to decide if her choice is right or wrong?

Solus is a powerful demon bent on revenge, torn between his lost humanity and the dark power within him. Tasked with finding the Child of Light, he must choose between his thirst for violence and his desire to free his soul. Failure means oblivion, success means the promise of revenge – or does it?

Together this unlikely pair must escape the Lower Realm through a series of circles, each filled with a different set of horrors, where they discover that their choices carry one hell of a consequence...

• Language: English
• Publisher: Jae Holt
• Release date: Mar 14, 2014
• ISBN: 9781311639851

Jae Holt

I am a writer of contemporary fantasy stories filled with adventure that takes place in our everyday world, where readers discover the extraordinary in an otherwise ordinary life.My own world is filled with memories of sandy beaches and clear blue water crested with foamy white, overlaid with the emerald-green forests and majestic peaks draped in their own white cloaks that now surround me. The days are filled with favorite books and favorite shows. The sounds of family mix with rural whispers, and the occasional commotion of trying to scare deer from our fruit trees.I traveled the world through the books and stories that complemented the people I have come across. Through both, I learned of the power in community, the strength in culture, and the flexibility in family ties.I grew up thinking my life was uneventful. But it turns out it was quite eventful indeed. The many friends, family, and acquaintances I have met enriched my world and influenced who I am today. And the best way I can think of to thank everyone who has entered my life is to write.And so, I write. What stories would you like me to tell?

Book preview

Circles

Jae Holt

This is a work of fiction. All names, characters, places, and events are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

Copyright © 2012 Jae Holt

Cover illustration © 2012 by Laura Henion

Cover Design by Lake Joy Design

Smashwords Edition

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

Thank you for downloading this ebook. This book remains the copyrighted property ofthe author, and may not be redistributed to others for commercial or non-commercial purposes. If you enjoyed this book, please encourage your friends to download their own copy from their favorite authorized retailer. Thank you for your support.

Acknowledgements

I am indebted to a great many people who have helped me through the creation of this book. First and foremost, I would like to thank my son, who patiently waited for me to finish a sentence, a paragraph, or a page before properly sending him off to bed. I would also like to thank my husband for allowing me to interrupt his sleep while trying to sneak to bed after a late night of writing.

I would also like to acknowledge a few others who helped make this novel a reality. I thank the peers of my critique group who helped identify my issues with verb tense and point of view, the latter of which still plagues me. I thank my friend Alice who read my first draft and filled my self-confidence with praise. I thank Erika and Chris for their tireless reading – I mean editing. I thank Roger Haller for mentoring me. I thank Laura Henion for her gorgeous cover art, and I thank the ladies, and gent, at the shop for being the soft nudges of encouragement.

For any of you who would like a glimpse into what has shaped our contemporary vision of Hell, challenge yourself with Dante Alighieri’s Inferno.

Prologue

Caisey stood alone in a clearing surrounded by a tall stand of pines. The absence of stars pulled the darkness closer. A cool wind whispered through the trees. Suddenly the long, piercing howl of a wolf broke the quiet night. The wind shuddered and fell silent in response. Frightened, she crouched down and listened. Once again the sullen cry carried over the trees.

She broke out in a sweat, knowing without understanding that the wolf was looking for her. Menacing shadows reached for her from the trees. She had no idea where she was or where to go, and so spun around wildly searching for someone or something to help her. As she frantically looked about for a place to escape, an ominous voice echoed inside her mind.

I have found you, the cold and lifeless voice reverberated in her head.

Caisey woke up in a panic, her body still thrashing about even as her foggy mind determined she was safely at home and in her bed. When she finally calmed down, she sat up in bed and looked at the ceiling. It was always the same dream, the only difference was she could feel the wolf getting closer each time.

It must be my brain freaking out about the calculus exam, she sighed. If I don’t pass that midterm I’ll have a heck of a time getting a high enough grade on the final.

She got up and walked to the kitchen to get a glass of water. Her bare feet returned her to the bedroom where she opened her window to the late October evening. From her seventh floor apartment she looked out at the scattered Halloween decorations in the windows and entryways of the buildings surrounding her complex.

The night was unusually warm but a slight breeze put a chill in the air. The full moon battled with the thick clouds in the Pacific Northwest sky as it struggled to cast its light upon the street below. She took a deep breath and closed the window. Something fluttered in as the window clicked shut. She stooped down and picked up a large black feather. In the light of the lamp, she marveled at the size and color. There was a hint of iridescence, as if tinted with oil.

How beautiful, she breathed.

Turning back to bed, she placed her discovery on her nightstand in front of a silver-framed photo, next to a broken handle of an ornate silver brush. Mom, Dad, look what I found, her smile said. Comforted by the photo, she turned off her lamp to go back to sleep.

Perched atop an adjacent building, a shadowy figure shimmered between moonlight and darkness. It had been searching for something, and now it had found it.

It leaned over the edge of the roof, looking into the window of Caisey’s bedroom. The shadow watched as the girl dreamed. It watched her frantically wake up. It watched her as she took a breath of fresh air, and then as she reached down to pick up a feather. The entire time it watched, it smiled, a wild dog baring its teeth and ready to strike.

With a satisfied grunt, it stretched out enormous black wings and beat them against the night sky, disappearing into the night.

Chapter 1

The soft sound of Andras’s footsteps mingled with the smell of burning candles as he strode purpose-fully through the audience hall. His platinum-blonde hair was pulled back in a low ponytail held by a silver clasp and draped over his shoulder. He had a habit of absently stroking his hair when he was deep in thought, or when he was nervous. It was a habit he was doing now. He abruptly swung his hair back and quickened his step.

The only light came from the multitude of tiny flames from the candles that lined the walkway and valiantly tried to reach the farthest corners of the room. What light did manage to hit the walls revealed the gothic contours of a vaulted ceiling that disappeared into darkness.

Portraits lined the shadowed hall. Andras spared glances at the images that appeared to dance to life in the candlelight. His eyes rested a little longer on a scene depicting thousands of the Creator’s First Children challenging the creation of the Seconds. He imagined himself among the multitude, demanding to know why He felt the need to create other Children. Were his Firsts not enough?

Then his eyes fell upon the portrait of the Casting Out. The Creator carved out a part of space and created the Lower Realm. Those Firsts who did not to accept kinship to the Seconds were cast from the Upper Realm, and placed in the Lower Realm to become the Fallen. It was a barren prison where the Fallen could not leave. They could no longer roam the universe or converse with their Creator.

The next frame told the story of one powerful Fallen, Lucifer, who molded the surroundings into a terraced pit with the lake and city of Dis at its center. No First had ever learned to create, and it was a monumental undertaking for him to transform the empty void into a primitive landscape. This feat earned him the right to become the first Great Lord of Dis. But no matter how the landscape looked, the Lower Realm was still a prison.

Andras’s bitter gaze fell to the floor. The dark granite he walked on mingled with the flickering shadows, as if the floor would open up and swallow him. The candles gathered at the other end of the hall and wrapped around a simple obsidian dais adorned with only a large, ornate throne. He came to a stop and bowed deeply to a figure standing upon the dais.

The figure towered over the throne as he leaned upon its high back. Dressed in a deep blue robe, his hood was pulled back to reveal a pale complexion set with dark red eyes and framed with long blue-white hair. He was Samil, the Great Lord of Dis—otherwise known as Satan by humankind.

Still bowing, Andras said, We have found her, my lord. I have dispatched Solus to observe her.

The Great Lord did not turn. He spoke softly, as if to himself, but his words echoed throughout the chamber.

A good choice, Samil murmured, contemplating a flicker of light. Should the Guardian, Altor, discover that we are watching her, things may get a little difficult. Your Avenger should be able to handle any problems that may arise.

Then there was again silence, and Andras shuffled uncomfortably under his robe.

Is there anything else, my lord? he asked.

No, my General. All that is left is to wait patiently and see what path the Child of Light takes. Samil finally turned to face Andras. The eerie red tinge of his eyes shone clearly in the dim light. You will ensure we do not have another…accident this time, yes?

Andras bowed again, not liking to be reminded of his failure ten years ago.

Yes Great Lord. There should be no mishaps this time.

Samil waved his hand. Then take a rest my friend. You have worked tirelessly to locate the Child.

Andras bowed again and departed from the audience hall, leaving the Great Lord with his thoughts. Once the long walk brought him out of the hall and the doors were closed behind him, black wings materialized upon his back, anxious for the chance to fly. He continued down the corridor, the sound of his wings rustling as they stretched outward.

He made his way out through the large entry gates of the Great Lord’s castle and walked briskly across the courtyard toward the General’s Keep. As he entered the vast compound of buildings where the Generals of Dis made their homes, he slowed his pace. His wings wrapped around him as he continued up a wide marble stairway, deep in thought.

The stairs before him opened up onto a wide walkway. He stopped at the stone balcony to take in the familiar scenery. Perpetual twilight drenched the island city. The gray light shone weakly upon the rampart walls that grew out of the rocky tundra surrounding the city. In the mist, the flat land gave way to a lake that itself was encircled by a sheer cliff, which led up to one of the many terraces of the Lower Realm.

In the distance, Andras could see the silhouetted figures of three giants standing guard. Beyond that the scenery faded into mist. Looking up, there was nothing except the oppressive twilight. The sun was silent—keeping its promise of a bright new dawn forever out of reach.

He turned to the other side of the open walkway to contemplate the demon city. At its center stood the Great Lord’s castle. Surrounded by sparse stone apartments, it was a towering building flanked by two ragged spires that looked like broken wings reaching toward an unattainable Heaven. Large chains appeared to secure the castle firmly to the ground, as if the wings would suddenly take flight and escape. It emitted a soft and eerie glow, which was the source of the twilight. The castle was Lucifer’s greatest creation; the light was the lasting remnants of his power.

He looked up again, remembering the freedom of traveling the universe, moving from star to star, bending the very essence of space to traverse the galaxies without thought of time. Every so often, the Creator would provide just the right conditions for primitive life to form, allowing the Firsts to observe their evolution.

His wistful gaze was marred by a sudden clench of his jaw. Those life forms that he found so interesting were simple creatures. But then the Creator had to make something more, He had to create other Children. He wanted creatures that could think and create and discover. And so he made his Second Children.

Unlike His Firsts, the Seconds were bound to the planet that the Creator gave them. They could not fly freely about the universe, nor could they commune directly with the Creator. They were stupid animals, barely better than the organisms that evolved elsewhere. The Creator gave them the ability to think, but Seconds did not bother to utilize so great a gift. They lived on their little planet in ignorance, called themselves Humans, and pretended to know their place in the universe.

Andras balled his fists and beat down upon the balcony’s railing. Now, because of those stupid humans, he and thousands of others were locked away in the Lower Realm, unable to soar through the universe and be free. Samil was a fool just like Lucifer, sitting back and idly watching humanity prosper while the Fallen continued to suffer in confinement. He knew where the Child was. Andras gave him an opportunity to strike, and yet he would not take it!

Andras’s face broke into a wicked smile. His day would come when he would be residing in the castle. Samil’s reign would end, and he would be the next Great Lord. He had found the Child of Light—the one whose choice would determine the fate of Man. He would take the Child, sacrifice her at the next New Moon and Take her soul, bringing about the destruction of Mankind. With the Creator’s Second Children wiped out of existence, all of the Fallen will follow him to take back their rightful place in the Upper Realm.

With that goal in mind, he strode across the walkway into an adjacent tower and continued to his own quarters.

Chapter 2

Caisey Rowan put her head in her hands and stifled a frustrated groan so as not to disturb the other library patrons. She opened her eyes and stared at the jumble of letters and numbers that made up her calculus textbook. She closed her eyes again, clearing her mind, then opened them in hopes the mess on the page would suddenly make sense.

Nope. She absently grabbed her ponytail and wiggled it back and forth, brushing her black hair against her cheek. She furrowed her brows and glared at the gibberish before her.

A perfectly manicured hand appeared on the offending page to block the source of her headache. She looked up and smiled wearily at the owner of the hand.

Alice, I hate math, Caisey whispered emphatically.

Alice Costa laughed quietly. I know, you’ve said so since elementary school. She moved her hand and sat in the chair next to her frazzled friend. Are you going to be here for a while?

Unfortunately, yes, Caisey replied, what’s up?

Her focus shifted from the book to her best friend. Alice was dressed in a cute black blouse with a dark grey knit cardigan that hugged the plump curves of her body. She wore a simple pair of black pants and black boots. Black was her favorite color, and Caisey thought she wore it very well.

I have the late shift tonight, Alice said. You want to go to Moonstone before I go to work?

The Moonstone was a café near the college and their favorite hangout after classes. It had a small bookstore next to it that was connected by a large archway in the middle. You could read the books you bought with a cup of tea or coffee served by staff dressed in a modern take on 19th century maids and butlers. Alice worked at the bookstore and liked to frequent the café before work. She recently developed an infatuation for a particular server who started last week.

Caisey smiled, You are just dying to introduce me to this hottie aren’t you?

Alice didn’t skip a beat. Trust me, you will so forget the calculus exam coming up once you lay eyes on this one. She tucked back her long brown hair behind her ear and gave her friend a knowing wink.

Caisey returned her attention to the textbook she wished would disappear and sighed. I would love a diversion, and I miss their coffee, she whispered. Give me another hour of pain. I’ll meet you there.

You got it, Alice replied as she got up from the chair. I’ll see you there.

After another forty minutes of unproductive studying, Caisey closed her book and packed up her bag. She exited the main library of the University of Washington campus and headed across the brick-paved open space, known as Red Square, toward University Way. The afternoon air was crisp, with a hint of rain. She zipped up her jacket and glanced at the sky, thinking she should have brought an umbrella.

A street performer played his guitar on the corner near Schmitz Hall, his case sprinkled with change. Caisey smiled, remembering get-togethers she and her parents would have with Alice and her parents. Alice’s mother would sing while her father strummed a tune, and Caisey’s dad would man the grill while her mom kept the plates and cups full. There was always music, and laughter. She reached into her jeans pocket and pulled out a dollar bill and added it to the money in the case. The performer gave her a thankful nod and a smile.

Continuing up The Ave, Caisey kept on reminiscing. Growing up, she and Alice were as inseparable as sisters. Memories flowed gently through her mind of adventures at the local park, weekend sleepovers, and long talks on the front porch.

While in middle school, a gas line explosion at Caisey’s home killed her parents. She moved in with her uncle, Alton, in a rural suburb outside of Redmond. Because she and Alice were close, her uncle suggested she switch schools so she would continue to see her friend, even though they no longer lived close together. Alice was a bright light during her darkest period in her young life, and she knew things would have been very different without her best friend.

She rounded a corner as her musings brought her to the café, and she saw Alice waving to her from a table near the window. It was two-thirty in the afternoon and most of the university’s day students were finished with their classes, so it wasn’t surprising that the place was crowded, although it seemed there was a large number of college girls there today. She entered the bustling café and took her seat across from her best friend.

Perfect timing, I ordered for you already, Alice smiled broadly.

That was quick! How did you know I wouldn’t still be stuck at the library? laughed Caisey.

Her friend gave that all-knowing wink, her dark brown eyes shining.

He-llo! Calculus? You hate calculus, remember? Besides, you said one hour and you are never late unless something important pops up. With a wave of her hand she added, And what could be more important than me?

Caisey returned the smile. Absolutely nothing, Alice!

A shadow passed over her and she felt a wave of anxiety wash through her. But just as quickly as the feeling came it left, leaving her slightly confused. The shadow spoke.

Here is your tall Americano and short Chai latte, said a voice next to her.

Caisey jumped a little in surprise as the server placed the drinks on the table.

She looked up to see a tall young man, maybe in his mid twenties. He had thick raven-black hair that formed a messy halo around his face and dark eyes. His body looked thin in his butler suit, but he had an air of athleticism, making him seem deceivingly fit.

What took her breath away were his eyes. They looked almost black and were shaped like almonds framed by thick black lashes.