The Lovers

By Shalisha Bynoe

Andras and Keturah are immortals who once commanded the eighth order of the heavens. Their fall from the firmament was linked to their defiance of the gods and their hedonistic appetites. As they were cast down to earth, the cursed couple forfeited their wings and did their best to adopt the ways of mortals. However, Keturah didnt feel a sense of longing and chose to abandon Andras for a human lover. In anger, Andras murdered Keturah but refused to accept the finality of their fate. He reincarnates every generation by stealing the souls of mortals in hopes that she will withdraw her decision. However, with each rejection, bloodshed and chaos follow. The Lovers is a story that delves into the samsara wheel of love, misery, and death.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Jul 12, 2018
• ISBN: 9781984535788

Shalisha Bynoe

Shalisha Bynoe is a woman with a vibrant but challenged past. Her rise over adversity is rooted in her grace and incessant need to connect with others, along with embracing interdependence and diversity. Her adeptness and creativity enable her to tell stories that explore the nuances that enable the triumphs and tribulations of life. Bynoe continues to master numerous aspects of entertainment and artistry as a writer, actress, producer, and filmmaker. She currently lives in Atlanta with her three sons.

Book preview

Copyright © 2018 by Shalisha Bynoe.

Library of Congress Control Number:   2018907237

ISBN:                 Hardcover               978-1-9845-3580-1

                           Softcover                  978-1-9845-3579-5

                           eBook                        978-1-9845-3578-8

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

Rev. date: 07, 11, 2018

Xlibris

1-888-795-4274

www.Xlibris.com

710044

To my four angels of both heaven and earth.

FAD

E IN:

INT. KNIGHT’S THEATER, STAGE - NIGHT

Spotlights blaze below the center of the stage. It focuses on strands of hair that float away from a face soiled in blood. The face belongs to KETRURAH AVNERO, 25, Latina, short, and curvy, with a flowing white dress. Her eyes close slightly.

ANDRAS, 30s, Caucasian, tall, with cold brown eyes, leans next to Keturah.

KETURAH’S VISION - PAST LIFE IN THE FOREST

The sun winks in and out of thick and towering trees. Keturah wears a white kimono that flows with the wind. She clutches a warm red apple in the palm of her hand and grins.

MAN, 20s, Caucasian, and athletic, places the apple to his lips. He bites it on the opposite side. Blood leaks from the surface of its skin.

VISION ENDS.

INT. KNIGHT’S THEATER, SEATING AREA - NIGHT

AZAZEL, 20s, Caucasian, of average height and medium build, wipes blood from the crack of his lips and rises slowly to his feet.

He moves past corpses that are slumped over in the aisles and chairs. Their faces remain frozen in expressions of horror.

INT. KNIGHT’S THEATER, STAGE - NIGHT

Andras dips his knees in blood. Keturah turns to see Andras through a crimson vision. She screams and slaps him wildly.

Andras holds Keturah to his chest and cradles her.

ANDRAS

Shh, lover. Slow your heart.

KETURAH

Let me go!

Azazel mounts the stage and lifts an antique violin from the ground. He plays a fast and frightening tune.

Andras tightens his grip on Keturah and places his lips gently to her ear.

ANDRAS

Never. My love was meant to crush you.

Azazel moves the bow back and forth on the violin.

Keturah struggles in Andras’s arms.

KETURAH

Help! Someone help me!

Azazel lifts his sight away from the violin.

AZAZEL

Your history is soiled in blood.

Azazel’s hands make an abrupt stop.

ANDRAS

Dragging others to an unfortunate end.

Andras stares coldly into Keturah’s eyes.

ANDRAS (CONT’D)

Can’t you hear the symphony for the damned? There is no hand or throat that will open to help you.

Azazel moves closer to Keturah.

ANDRAS AND AZAZEL

It’s time for you to accept.

Keturah opens her mouth and lets out a howl of horror.

KETURAH

No!

INT. OPHANIEL’S LAIR - NIGHT

The room is small with the hues of midnight painted on the walls.

OPHANIEL, 30s, African American, tall, and masculine, hauls himself down into a chair.

RAGUEL, 20s, African American, short, and stocky, stands next to his desk.

The door slides open, and Andras enters. As he moves closer to Ophaniel, Raguel stands in the way.

Ophaniel points to the side of his desk.

Andras snatches a suitcase off the floor and exits the area.

EXT. STREETS - NIGHT

Cars move smoothly past the thin sidewalks. Dark shadows slide up and down the windows of department stores. Andras sets his hands into the pockets of his vintage trench coat.

ANDRAS (V.O.)

For most, time is a gift.

Andras drifts aimlessly through the streets. His coat flaps freely from his body. A trail of black and gold feathers glide down to the pavement.

ANDRAS (V.O.)

Giving its resolve with every breath.

WOMAN, 60s, short and frail, stares at the ground with a confused expression.

ANDRAS (V.O.)

But what if the end were far from our reach? Then time would be a curse indeed.

INT. HOSPITAL, PATIENT’S ROOM - NIGHT

The room is dimly lit with a smooth and sterile floor.

Andras stares at PATIENT, 30s, African American, slender, with thinning hair. The Patient glances over at Andras. A weak grin spreads across his face.

Andras places himself in a seat and retrieves a black book from his coat.

ANDRAS

Apologies. There was a slight delay in the transit system.

PATIENT

I knew you’d come.

Andras leans into his chair.

ANDRAS

Is there anything that you wish to disclose?

The Patient coughs and sputters up saliva.

FLASHBACK BEGINS.

FLASHBACK - PATIENT ON THE RACETRACK

The sun glistens brightly. The Patient cups his hand over his head.

PATIENT (V.O.)

I took everything and gave it to your associate. The wire transfer should be cleared by tomorrow morning.

The Patient allows his head to drop. The sound of a whistle SCREECHES through the air. The Patient dashes on the track.

FLASHBACK ENDS.

INT. HOSPITAL, PATIENT’S ROOM - NIGHT

Andras arches his eyebrow.

ANDRAS

What of your family?

The Patient bangs his hand on the rail of the bed.

PATIENT

She sold the house and pawned all my metals. The bitch . . .

The Patient coughs and stifles his words.

PATIENT (CONT’D)

I gave everything I could. But she just didn’t care no more.

Andras clicks on the top of the pen.

ANDRAS

That’s what they do. They use you till you’re nothing.

The Patient sobs.