Asteria: Into the Fray

By Adrienne Enfinger

It's not every day that your suicide attempt is interrupted by a handsome archangel. But then, nothing remains ordinary for long on the day Asteria meets Micah for the first time.

Talking her down from the ledge, Micah reveals to Asteria that she is no ordinary young woman. She is the descendant of nephilim – part angel, part hum

• Language: English
• Publisher: Adrienne Enfinger
• Release date: Jan 29, 2018
• ISBN: 9780999719329

Book preview

Chapter 1

Asteria could feel the cool bricks under her naked feet, the rough surface not quite scratching her soles. It was refreshing, almost. Her toes curled over the edge of the wall. Her skirt swayed along with the breeze. The sun set behind her, painting the sky with long dark ribbons of deep reds and purples. She cast a resigned glance at the whirling city below before closing her eyes. The distant sounds of the city were muted, a car honking, the low hum of human voices and activity. Like a phoenix, she spread her arms out to her sides as if to take flight. The breeze caressed her skin and rustled her long hair. Taller than the average woman, her lean frame seemed to sway in the wind like an ancient willow. In-spite of the warm breeze, she felt a small chill run through her. In this moment, this most final of instances, she could finally be free.

All that burdened her tumbled to the distant ground below and splintered into tiny fragments. With a deep breath in, she lifted her foot. A thrill ran through her as she anticipated taking that final step off the towering structure. With her eyes closed, she envisioned sailing down, story after story in a final descent. A mixture of rapture and exoneration filled her entire being. This was to be her end.

My apologies, but is this going to take much longer? Asteria was jarred out of her deliberations by a dark voice laced with sarcasm, the words drowning in the English accent that delivered them.

She turned abruptly to face the culprit behind the uninvited voice. In her haste, she almost lost her footing and fell over the side. The stranger with fair, luminous skin and an easy smile casually grasped Asteria’s hand to steady her.

Wouldn’t want to botch your meticulously planned demise by having you stumble off the building, now would we? His blue eyes danced with amusement.

Asteria’s face burned bright with a mixture of shock and mortification as her mind brimmed with unanswered questions.

The dark stranger let out an exaggerated sigh, Who am I? What am I doing here? How did I know you were here?

He feigned a yawn as if the questions Asteria had yet to ask were too pedestrian to be of any interest to him. Fuming, Asteria snatched her hand from his as she stepped down from the ledge and onto the black rooftop. Unfazed by her obvious indignation, his eyes followed her as she moved away from him.

Oh, I’m sorry! he gestured, putting his hand to his chest, delivering a deliberately insincere apology. Did I interrupt something? Well then, by all means, please continue.

He waved his hand over the edge, motioning towards the city below then placed it under his chin and glanced towards the sky as if in deep contemplation.

Let’s see how this macabre little scene would have played out, shall we? Let us imagine for a moment that I hadn’t bothered to grace you with my presence on this fine evening. His eyes fell to Asteria.

Let’s not, Asteria sneered through gritted teeth.

The intruder continued as if Asteria hadn’t said anything. In my absence, you carry on with this regrettable plan of yours. You manage to muster up the courage to take that final leap into oblivion. For effect you could even shout some dramatic cliché like ‘Farewell cruel world!’ before taking the dive. His mouth curled in amusement at his own joke.

Are you through? Asteria’s dark eyes flashed at him, her face was flushed and her hands balled into fists.

Not quite, darling. Now let’s see, where was I? Ah, yes. After jumping to your death what had you hoped would happen next?

Silence. I had hoped for silence. A concept you are clearly not familiar with, Asteria snapped.

I’ll tell you what comes next, my dear. Your rather fetching vessel gets splattered upon the pavement below. I must say, I don’t envy the poor chap who gets tasked with cleaning up that grisly scene. Imagine all the people who’ll be traumatized by the sight of your fleshy bits scattered about the sidewalk. The girl who jumped will be the talk of the town, for a day. Alas, everything will return back to normal as it inevitably does. Soon enough, people won’t even notice the fading crimson stain on the sidewalk. The last reminder of the girl who once was.

He took a dramatic bow as if he were an actor at a curtain call. Finished with his performance, he rose back to a standing position and cast a mischievous glance in Asteria’s direction. A wry smile covered his face. He stood there as if expecting an applause.

Questions reeled around in Asteria’s head. Who is this man? What is he doing here? What am I doing here? With the questions came a torrent of emotion. Shame about what she had been considering. Embarrassment. A rush of blood warmed her cheeks at the thought of this man being there to see her at her moment of weakness. Desperation. How did I let it come to this? She remembered the terrible loneliness that had led her to the ledge. Painfully aware of the stranger’s watchful gaze, she directed the flood of emotions at him.

What the hell? Who are you? The words came out loud and hurried like a dog barking at an intruder. She grimaced, angry at herself for not being able to come up with a more coherent sentence.

"Ah, so you’re beautiful and articulate, I see. He smiled sardonically. Allow me to introduce myself, my name is Micah, and I’m your guardian angel…Of sorts, he rolled his eyes and shrugged his shoulders in a nonchalant fashion. Oh, and you’re welcome, by the way. For saving your life," he tilted his head and raised an eyebrow. His dark, close-cut hair shone in the rays of the setting sun.

Terrific! So, you’re insane. She threw her hands up in exasperation.

Said the girl about to throw herself off a building, Micah interjected.

Asteria glared back at him. The warmth from her cheeks spread throughout her body, reaching a fever pitch.

"Let me get this straight, you interrupted this macabre little scene, as you call it, to mock me? If you find me so distasteful, why not let me jump?"

"You’ll have to forgive me, love. In my haste to thwart your plan, I fear I’ve misrepresented myself. For I find absolutely nothing distasteful about you." Micah stepped closer and in a graceful motion took Asteria’s hand and placed a light kiss on top.

The warmth that spread through Asteria this time wasn’t the warmth of anger, but rather a magnetic spark that shot straight through her, shocking her senses.

"Nice to meet you, Micah. Angel or not, if you could kindly get lost, it’d be greatly appreciated."

She turned her back on him and crossed her arms, trying to ignore the erratic heartbeat his unexpected touch had caused.

Did you consider for a second that I don’t want to be saved…Micah? Asteria twirled back around to face him. Her voice trailed off as she discovered that Micah was nowhere to be found and that she was alone, once more, on the rooftop.

Chapter 2

Dazed, she stared at the empty rooftop. She walked to the edge and looked over. Icy tendrils gripped her chest as the realization of what could have happened made it hard for her to breathe. Tears blurred her vision, making the city below look like a smeared watercolor painting.

What am I doing here? her voice broke. She looked to the sky as if to implore an answer but received no reply.

Asteria retrieved her shoes and began the short walk to the apartment she once called home. But that apartment hadn’t felt like home to her for quite some time.

The brief interaction with Micah and the realization of how desperate she’d become opened her eyes for the first time in months. She felt as if she’d been jarred awake from a long sleep. She’d been living in a fog the last few months, one that became more dense and toxic with each passing day.

I need to go home. She thought of her uncle’s house. The one place she truly called home. As she walked down the concrete sidewalks of New Orleans, she yearned for the gravel roads of Folsom.

Back at the apartment, too exhausted to reflect on what could have happened on that rooftop, Asteria crawled into bed and pulled the blankets over her head. She hugged her arms tight around her chest and closed her eyes. The dull ache in her chest that drummed with each beat of her heart gradually lessened as she let the darkness swallow her. As she drifted, she hoped for a better tomorrow.

Tomorrow. It holds everything and nothing.

section break

Asteria was surrounded by darkness. A large figure ran across her path, too fast to make out. It was freezing, her lungs burned with each panicked breath, which froze in the air as she exhaled. She was wearing a long, white nightgown and her feet were bare. Her dark hair fell loosely over her shoulders. Frozen twigs and leaves bit into her feet. She folded her arms in front of her and looked around, her voice unsteady.

Mom? Dad? She called out to her parents hoping they’d reply, though in her heart she knew they wouldn’t. They had died in a car crash when she was fourteen years old.

Her voice echoed. It was nearly pitch black. Only the smallest amount of light from the crescent moon offered some idea of what was before her. Tall, looming trees surrounded her, their branches reached out towards her like giant decrepit hands. Faint noises caused her to look around. She made vain attempts to determine the source of the noises, the rustling of leaves, the wind blowing, the image again.

The figure ran across her path once more. It was fast, almost a blur and shrouded in something that resembled an old, black, tattered sheet. The shroud masked the creature’s features and outline. Indistinct growling sounds surrounded her. She felt an excruciating pain in her abdomen, just below her ribcage. A gasp escaped her lips as she pressed her hand against her side. A warm fluid soaked her hand and oozed through her fingers.

Her hand was covered in blood. There was a slash in her nightgown and a deep gash in her skin. The crimson liquid gushed from the jagged, fleshy wound. The pain was throbbing in sync with her rapid heart rate. The soaked, sticky cloth of her gown clung to her skin.

Her head swam and the forest blurred as her eyes filled with tears. Asteria dropped to her knees. She placed her hand back over the pulsating wound and applied pressure. She looked around, her eyes were wide, searching and her breath was rapid. There was only the pale moon light, the grey, desolate forest and the rustling. That rustling, an indication she wasn’t alone. The hairs on the back of her neck tingled and she was deafened by the sound of blood pumping through her veins.

Who’s there? She tried to sound brave, but she wasn’t fooling anyone, least of all herself.

It was dark and cold. The frigid air bit at her skin. The ground was hard and unforgiving beneath her. There was no help to be found.

section break

Sunlight again. Asteria was startled awake by the same dream that had plagued her sleep for the last three months. Her hand pressed against her abdomen. She looked down and saw there was no blood. The shirt she wore to bed showed no signs of the injury she sustained in her dream. The glowing rays of the sun greeted her on this day as they had on so many days before. Shining through her curtains, warming her face, and blinding her eyes.

So, you wake to see another day, she grumbled, her voice raspy. She had a habit of speaking aloud to herself.

Today felt different somehow. She was on edge. Her muscles ached like they were stretched too tight, like one of those rubber band balls. She lay in bed and contemplated calling work and telling them she was sick. But she couldn’t do that, she had worked hard to be awarded an internship at the Department of Social Services in New Orleans. She had apprenticed there after class during her senior year of high school and after graduating a few weeks ago they offered her a full-time paid internship. This job was the reason she had been spending more time at her parents’ old apartment as opposed to an hour away with her Uncle Jethro. She hated the apartment, hated the feel of it, hated its emptiness. She should have enjoyed the freedom of being able to live a few days per week on her own, but she didn’t. It reminded her of the past and of the dead.

Today, more so than ever, she wanted to get out of that place of ghosts and shattered dreams. She couldn’t escape the eerie feeling that she wasn’t alone. Like someone, or something, was watching. Waiting.

Her mind was made up. She was going to talk with Kendra and tell her what’s been going on. Then after work today she was going home to Folsom. She was going to tell her Uncle Jethro how she’d been feeling lately and about the dark place she’d arrived at last night. He’d know what to do. He’d been through far darker times than she could even imagine.

Last night…her mind was brought back to Micah.

Was he even real? she muttered.

Her thoughts were interrupted by an impatient rat-a-tat-tat at the front door. She didn’t have to open the door to know who it was.

Took you long enough! I’ve been knocking for like five minutes! Kendra sauntered past as Asteria opened the door.

Well, you wouldn’t have to knock if you hadn’t lost your key, Asteria replied.

Oh, honey. That key is long gone. It’s buried somewhere deep within my room. You need to come to terms with that and get me another key to this place. As Kendra looked around the apartment, her lips curled into a smirk.

Recognizing the look on Kendra’s face Asteria interjected before Kendra could get a word in. Oh no you don’t! Don’t even start on this place! Trying to find something in your room is like embarking on an archeological dig!

At least I have stuff at my place. Kendra gestured towards the living room.

Aside from some of her clothes and personal items scattered about, the living room had only a tattered blue couch, two side tables, a coffee table and a television placed atop an old entertainment center. Would it kill you to get some new furniture?

Hey, Uncle Jethro gave me that entertainment center, it’s a family heirloom! Asteria smiled.

Uh, I think you mean to say your conspiracy theorist Uncle Jethro pulled that rickety old thing out of the trash, fixed it up, and dragged its sorry ass over here.

I’ll be ready in a sec. Asteria wandered back to her bedroom to finish getting dressed as Kendra walked into the kitchen.

Got any coffee? Kendra shouted to Asteria.

I’m sorry, how long have you known me? Asteria shouted from the bedroom.

Kendra opened the refrigerator, rolled her eyes and gave an exaggerated sigh as she examined its contents. In the refrigerator stood a quart of milk that expired two days ago, a container of take-out from one of the local Cajun restaurants and some condiments.

Well, now you’re going to have to buy me some coffee at Yaya’s, Kendra replied.

Kendra walked back into the living room. Her eyes fell to some of the personal artifacts Asteria had in the room.

In the corner stood a large parched houseplant whose days were clearly numbered. Its leaves hung low, the soil was dry and cracked like one would think of when picturing the desert soil.

Um, I’m pretty sure Fred is dead, Kendra said, flicking the limp leaf of the plant.

His death is on your hands, you should have known better than to get me a plant, Asteria chided from the other room.

It was an apartment warming gift, you know, to brighten this place up a bit, Kendra replied.

Kendra’s gaze fell to one of the side tables where there was a picture of a beaming Asteria alongside her parents when she was seven years old. They were all bundled up for cold weather. Snow covered the ground and a lopsided snowman stood next to them. Asteria looked like her mother: a tall, beautiful woman with dark almond shaped eyes, long dark hair, and fair skin. Her dad was a large man who looked like he played football in high school. His hair was dirty blond and curly, his friendly green eyes could put anyone at ease.

Kendra picked the picture up and ran her hand across it, wiping off the layer of dust that had collected on it. Looking at the picture made Kendra’s heart feel like it weighed ten pounds. It hung low in her chest as she gazed upon the images of people that were no longer alive. Asteria’s parents had been like a second family to Kendra. Blinking away the moisture that had formed in her eyes she put the picture down and looked at the one next to it.

It was one of Asteria’s Uncle Jethro. He stood next to a lake and proudly held up a large bass. His disorderly strawberry blond hair had silver streaks in it and his light green eyes were wild, yet his smile was warm.

A chill made Kendra shiver. She looked around the living room that she had been in a thousand times before and felt a twinge of something she couldn’t quite put her finger on. She didn’t know what it was, but she knew she wanted to hurry up and leave.

Are you almost done? We’ve gotta leave now if we’re going to have time to get coffee! Kendra pressed.

A frown came to Kendra’s face as Asteria walked back into the living room.

Girl, did you get any sleep at all?

Is it that obvious? Asteria grimaced.

Only to someone with amazing powers of observation such as myself, Kendra joked. Come on, honey. The coffee is on me. Looks like you need some even more than I do. Kendra wrapped an arm around her friend and hugged her close.

Kendra knew that Asteria had been struggling with something lately. She had known Asteria her whole life. She knew when her friend was hurting. Kendra felt more like a sister to Asteria than just a friend. Aside from her uncle, Asteria didn’t have any living family.

Everyone else in Asteria’s family had died tragically. And they died young.

Chapter 3

As they were leaving the apartment they ran into Asteria’s neighbor, Mrs. Campbell. She was a small, round woman with short hair that was dyed an unappealing maroon.

Oh, Kendra. Well just look at you. What brings you to our part of the woods? Mrs. Campbell’s shrill voice cut through the air.

As you know, my friend Asteria brings me to this unfortunate part of the woods, Belinda. Kendra rolled her eyes, her annoyance apparent.

Yes, well, I wish I could say it’s nice to see you, but I don’t think I’ll ever get over how you broke my poor Jeffrey’s heart. I always told him that dating someone outside of his race would never work out… Belinda Campbell shook her head.

Oh no, honey. The reason Jeffrey and I didn’t work out is because your son is a dick. Not because I’m black. Kendra smiled a bright toothy smile in the face of the confused woman.

What did you say? Belinda huffed.

She said Jeffery is a dick, Mrs. Campbell. Now if you’ll excuse us we really must be going, Asteria interjected.

She seemed like such a nice lady when she was our teacher in fifth grade, Kendra mused.

No, she didn’t. She’s always been hateful, Asteria replied.

So, where were you last night? Kendra gave Asteria a sideways glance as they walked to Yaya’s coffee shop.

Uh, I got tied up with something…sorry. Asteria’s voice faltered. She shrugged and gave an apologetic glance in Kendra’s direction. She inwardly cringed at the reminder of last night, just wanting to forget it ever happened.

Well, the movie sucked anyway. You didn’t miss anything. Kendra entwined her arm with Asteria’s as they walked together down the sidewalk.

Shorter than Asteria, Kendra had a curvaceous figure that boys usually went wild over. Her dark skin shone radiantly and she wore her jet-black hair in flowing spiral curls that hung loosely around her shoulders. Her full lips and large, round brown eyes completed the picture of one of the loveliest people Asteria had ever known. Kendra had secured a summer internship in the same building as Asteria, only it was one floor down working for a company that provided summer programs for disadvantaged youth. Kendra hoped to become a school teacher.

Bright and energetic, Kendra placed her head playfully on Asteria’s shoulder as they trotted towards Yaya’s.

So, I had one of my dreams last night, Kendra gave Asteria a telling glance as they waited in line for their overpriced lattes.

Really? Your Kado Espesyal provides us with another glimpse of the future! Asteria replied using her best circus ringmaster impression. It’s been a while since you’ve had one of those dreams.

Ever since they were kids Kendra would have dreams that were remarkably similar to events that had yet to take place.

Kendra’s grandmother, who was descended from a long line of Louisiana Creole ancestors, referred to Kendra’s ability as her ‘Kado Espesyal’ - Creole for her ‘special gift’.

Tell me this prophetic dream had visions of us lounging on the beach with wealth beyond compare.

Sadly, no, Kendra replied with a grimace.

Asteria clenched her fist and thrust it toward her chest, as if plunging a dagger into her heart with feigned disappointment.

Okay, dream crusher, well let’s have it then. What did you dream about? Asteria injected a hint of playful dread into her voice pretending that she didn’t want to hear the details.

You were there, only you were different. You were a warrior or something, fighting alongside a disturbingly sexy, dark-haired guy. I was there too. There was fire everywhere and these powerful forces that we had to overcome, Kendra shrugged. I didn’t say it made any sense.

No offense, hot guy or not, I think I like my version better, Asteria smiled.

Kendra had long since given up on trying to figure out what her dreams meant. Even when she could decipher them, the events still took place regardless of anything she or anyone else did to change them.

Ugh! Maybe one of those forces we have to overcome is this impossibly long line, Asteria grimaced while looking at the dozen or so people ahead of them in line.

The similarities between Micah and Kendra’s description of the attractive dark-haired man in her dream were not lost on Asteria. Once again, she found herself thinking of Micah. She needed to tell Kendra what happened last night and how she’d been feeling lately. She had also neglected to tell Kendra about her own dreams that she’d been having recently. It was when those dreams began, three-months-ago, that Asteria began to feel the deep loneliness that had brought her to that ledge last night.

At last! Kendra took