Soulless: The Story of Shayan (Prequel to The Soul Quest Trilogy) Read online

  The results to my interview proved to be quite enlightening. Not only were the subjects less fearful, in every case the subject admitted to wanting the injection. They wanted to be immortally powerful. With this new piece of information it didn’t take me long to realize what was missing in the equation in my failed attempts. Those who died never wanted the change. They thought I was a monster and wanted nothing to do with my way of life. They died in protest. Well, good riddance!

  Acknowledging this realization I decided to move forward in my experiment. I would allow my progeny to feed on the souls of humans and observe the outcome. I quickly learned that with each soul they consumed they become closer to what I am.

  “I could create an army of Daevas to join my ranks. This is remarkable!” I delighted in this new revelation.

  Five years later…

  My experiment has come full circle. Not only have I discovered how to infect humans with my DNA I have most recently discovered that the infection’s cycle will eventually reach a phase of completion. This completed cycle’s product is a being that is one – hundred percent biologically identical to me. What I mean to say is that the infected subject will morph into a Daeva after several years of repeated consumption of human souls.

  “Congratulations, my pets! You are a success! My experiment has come full circle with Clara’s final conversion into a Daeva.” I smiled at my progeny one last smile before I truly finalized my project. I was met with smiles and Clara was showered with hugs and peppered with kisses of admiration. “Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end.” I said gravely. The faces surrounding me sobered in confusion. “You see, I only wanted to see if I could convert humans into Daevas. Now that I know it is possible I no longer need your assistance. I’m afraid you are nothing but a burden to me now. It really is quite a pity, especially since Clara has evolved into such loveliness.” I spared one last glance at the dark haired beauty with icy blue eyes. “Unfortunately, my dear, you remind me too much of the one and only woman I have ever truly loved… and lost.” Before they could give my last words much thought I swiftly obliterated them and consumed the thousands of souls they had all devoured under my guidance. I grew decades stronger in minutes.

  Chapter Twelve

  Shyam Donovan

  Time: 1987

  Place: Manhattan, New York

  Avna

  “Good nature will always supply the absence of beauty; but beauty cannot supply the absence of good nature.”

  ~Joseph Addison

  I stood on the balcony of my suite at the Waldolf Astoria and gazed out into the twinkling midnight sky. This is the time of day I truly cherish the most. I enjoy reminiscing into the past and reflecting on how much my life has changed for the better. For so many years I felt abandoned and unloved. Even the satisfaction of the wealth and power I’ve achieved could not compete with the overwhelming feelings of loneliness… until the day I met my mate, Avna.

  She was born in Pittsburg in the early nineteen - sixties. Her mother died when she was only four years old. Her father was a drunk and completely negligent father. Avna had to raise herself for his lack of interest. Still, she may have managed to survive had she not hit puberty and blossomed quite so well. By the time she was twelve she was already well endowed with enormous breasts and a shapely figure. Her father, who never acknowledged her, finally noticed her in a very wrong way. It was bad enough that he repeatedly raped her himself, soon after he realized his daughter’s voluptuous body could be a meal ticket. He pimped’ her out to every low life who extended an open wallet. She ran away when she was sixteen after she slit her father’s throat and left him for dead. She settled in New York City where she took to prostitution to support herself.

  At any rate, her career as a prostitute didn’t last long. One particularly cool evening in December of 1985, about one year after she arrived in New York, she met a very handsome and wealthy man, none other than yours truly. She was barely seventeen, tall and lean with fiery – red hair and playful, plotting eyes. A feeling came over me that I had not felt in a very long time, not since Anastazja. Yes, for the first time in a long while I found I was capable of feeling something for a woman that was more than lust or spite.

  “What is a beauty like your self doing in this… uhm, business?” I had asked hesitantly.

  Initially she flushed with embarrassment at my question but quickly righted herself. I was not judging her and when she looked more deeply into my eyes she must have gained some sense of this fact. She did not see disgust, only curiosity.

  “Trying to survive…” she answered honestly.

  “Hmmm…” I considered what she had said for a long moment. “What if someone offered you a more suitable… or uhm, fitting line of work to ensure your survival? Would you be interested?” I had asked very carefully.

  “Hell yes!” Avna replied quickly.

  I had to smile at her enthusiasm.

  “Very well, do you trust me?” I probed further.

  “…as much as I trust anyone.” she shrugged.

  Once again I found myself laughing at her candor. It felt good to laugh again so I gestured toward my sleek, black Mercedes Limousine parked along the side walk. My chauffeur opened the door to the vehicle as I raised an eyebrow at Avna.

  “Shall we?” I dared.

  That was the night I met Avna and my life had changed forever. She had saved me. So, I offered her a new life, an eternal life filled with eternal beauty, money, power and prestige. I admitted to her that there would be some challenges along the way, but suspected she had been through worse. She agreed to the change after carefully considering everything she had gone through in her human life. She decided she couldn’t sink much further down into life’s cesspool.

  True to my word, the first few years of the transition were difficult for her. Being an Aengel had been no picnic. Avna was hideously ugly and, inconveniently, she found her self falling in love with me during this less than appealing phase. I can still recall the night she admitted her feelings for me. I tried to be as honest and gentle as possible.

  “Yes Avna, I am aware of your feelings.” I had smiled at her. “I am quite fond of you as well, but surely you can not expect me to hold any kind of physical desire for you in your present form.” I added apologetically. “Be patient, the human women I… uhm, amuse myself with now are merely pre – dining entertainment.” I had chuckled in an attempt at diffusing the awkwardness of the situation. I could see in her eyes that my words hurt her instead, so I took her hands into my own and spoke very solemnly, “I swear to you, Avna, once you have completed the transition I can assure you I will have no trouble summoning those types of feelings for you. As you were extraordinarily beautiful in your human form, I have no doubt that you will be outlandishly beautiful as a Daeva. When that day arrives you will have my undying loyalty and devotion. Never again will I amuse myself with another woman. My heart will be yours and yours alone.” I had vowed… and I meant every word.

  That was two years ago. Avna voraciously consumed souls, completed the transition and became a Daeva in between the short time span. Just I imagined she would, Avna has blossomed into a beauty that no other woman could ever dare to compete with. Her loveliness is overwhelming, a perfect match for her intelligence and bravery. I haven’t so much as looked at another woman to this day. Even when I’ve compelled them into bidding my will I have remained faithful.

  Avna and I make a good team but our lives are very busy. It’s hard work to blend into the human world and maintain the type of lifestyle we appreciate without raising alarms to the humans. I’ve done this for far longer than Avna. I’ve manipulated, compelled and consumed thousands of souls over several millennia. I am more powerful than any Daeva could dream to be because I am the first Daeva to ever exist.

  Now, I just want to enjoy the life I’ve worked so hard to build. This is how Avna and I came up with the idea to create two more Daevas. They would not be our children, they would be workers. They
would carry out the tasks set forth by me, allowing our needs to be maintained discretely while Avna and I enjoy a retirement from the monotony.

  Since I’ve succeeded in earning Avna’s love and loyalty we have set out to take over the human and Spirit World. Rest assured, our quest to conquer human kind will begin with a bang!

  Chapter Thirteen

  Shyam Donovan

  Time: 2001

  Place: Manhattan, New York

  Nine Eleven

  “Today, we gather to be reassured that God hears the lamenting and bitter weeping of Mother America because so many of her children are no more. Let us now seek that assurance in prayer for the healing of our grief stricken hearts, for the souls and sacred memory of those who have been lost. Let us also pray for divine wisdom as our leaders consider the necessary actions for national security, wisdom of the grace of God that as we act, we not become the evil we deplore.”

  ~Rev. Nathan Baxter, Dean of Washington National Cathedral

  Avna’s most recent Aengel was scowling at her reflection in the mirror. I didn’t see what the big deal was. It’s not like she was all that hot – to – trot in her human form. Of course, now she was about as appealing as road kill. Her hair looked stringy, bleached and brittle and her eyes took on a dull, flat, grey hue of sorts. Her skin was so pale it made a corpse look healthy. My love noticed the girl frowning at herself in the large mirror in the foyer of the hotel suite and found amusement in the situation. She must be remembering what it had been like on those long and restless days as an Aengel. I continued to observe her interaction with the girl. Avna can be quite colorful and her flare for theatrics helps me pass the time as I wait for the call from those annoying, incompetent humans. It seems if I ever want anything done correctly I must do it myself.

  "Don't fret my sweet. It won't last forever.” Avna cooed in her most patronizing tone.

  Yes, my mate was laying it on thick, rubbing dirt into the wound. Avna’s beauty must seem incomprehensible to this horrifically infected beastess. How I love the way her porcelain skin glows against her dazzling, onyx eyes and flaming red curls. Now her girl, Etheline was glaring at her. Yes, this type of comedy is a welcome distraction.

  "See!" Avna gestured toward herself in the mirror. "No worries." she bragged.

  Etheline growled and pouted in response to Avna’s flamboyant insensitivity.

  As Avna continued to degrade the poor girl’s self esteem I was prompted to wonder about what had befallen upon my boy, Lefu.

  "Has Shyam received confirmation from the humans yet?" I over heard Etheline mumble.

  This inquiry pulled me back into my incessant worrying caused by the inconveniencing humans I rallied to work for me. Avna seemed to notice my worry and simultaneous scanning of the hotel suite. It’s as if this remarkable woman can read my mind.

  "Where is Lefu?" she asked suddenly. Like me, she realized she hadn't seen him in awhile.

  Etheline quickly confirmed that he was out hunting for our dinner, a few drunks toiling in the alley behind the hotel.

  "Good. I'm in need of some refreshment. They will have to do for now." Avna approved.

  As I awaited confirmation from the humans I paced back and forth in front of the bar, brandy in hand. The idiots are making me very nervous, and I don’t like to be nervous. Tomorrow would be a day of reckoning if all goes as planned. You see, I have very skillfully planned out the slow and consistent demise of humanity. Tomorrow I will launch a series of suicide attacks by Al-Qaeda against the United States. The so – called terrorists are to hijack four airplanes and intentionally crash two of the planes into the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center. The latter two planes are scheduled to target Washington, D.C. Of course, the humans weren’t too keen on the suicide bit but they were powerless against my compulsion. It’s a done deal! The aftermath will be entirely devastating to the humans and all empowering to me and my mate and Aengels. Can you imagine the strength I will gain from devouring so many lost souls?

  Avna and Lefu were boasting in laughter about some antic targeted at Ethleline when my cell phone finally rang. This was it. I continued to pace back and forth in front of the bar as I mentally confirmed what was being said. It was my job to manipulate the humans. It had been all too easy for me to set up the disastrous event planned for September eleventh. By tomorrow’s end I will possess infinitely more power and more control than any one human could ever dream to realize. I will rule the world at last.

  I snapped my cell phone closed.

  "We are ready." I uttered these words alone and my accomplices grinned at me in conspiratorial malice.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Hala

  Year: 2015

  Place: Arcadia

  Halloween

  A gypsy fire is on the hearth,

  Sign of the carnival of mirth;

  Through the dun fields and from the glade

  Flash merry folk in masquerade,

  For this is Hallowe'en!

  ~Author Unknown

  “…and so the soulless story of Shayan comes full circle my young ones. Do you have any questions?” I closed the sad story.

  “Do the human Oracles have any idea about what happened to Shyam and Avna’s Aengels?” little Tracy inquired, always true to her Seeker nature.

  “Ah yes, that is an excellent question my dear one. Why don’t you ask them yourself?” I smiled.

  Tracy and her peer’s instant confusion is both humorous and gratifying. I am delighted to realize that they still have no idea about the surprise I’ve planned for them. Before I can begin to explain I am already able to make out Brayan’s centaur form rounding the forest’s peak. Laith and Meena are piled on his strong equine back as Liv flanks him in her eagle form. I simply gesture toward the sky and my flabbergasted young Guardians whooped and hollered and danced with jubilant joy.

  The ground shuddered as Brayan’s hooves touched the earth and stampeded through the soil and autumn leaves. Laith sprang off of Brayan’s back and assisted Meena’s dismount. Liv’s hovering eagle form began to glow and soon she morphed back into her human form. The children surrounded them in seconds, hugging and congratulating them.

  “Happy birthday!” they all shouted.

  All Hallows Eve marks yet another passing year for the birth of my dearest children Oracles.

  “How does it feel to turn seventeen?” I smiled over all of the excitement.

  Realizing their excitement, the children opened a gap for me to approach the human Oracles.

  “…like being sixteen.” Liv giggled in return.

  Youth is such a luxury and gift.

  “Will you tell us what you’re up to now, Liv?” Tracy fired, full of excitement.

  “Yes, please tell us. Please, please, please…” the other children echoed and cheered.

  “OK, well what is it exactly that you would like to know?” Liv laughed, overwhelmed by the anxious faces surrounding her and her companions.

  “Where are Lefu and Etheline?” a small voice volunteered from the back of the crowd.

  This question sobered the group and they immediately gathered in a semi – circle and dotted the lawn surrounding the human Oracles.

  “The new Daevas are in Scottland.” Liv explained.

  “Scottland? Why Scottland?” Tracy pressed.

  “They’re in Scottland because they learned of the existence of an ancient, supposed mythical creature that resides within the Loch Ness of the Scottish Highlands.” Meena informed them.

  “Yes, if this creature truly exists it will be very bad for us and human kind if the Daevas should trick and capture him.” Liv added.

  “Why?” Tracy wondered.

  “…because the creature has awesome powers, powers that exceed our own. If the Daevas should sway the beast to their side, they would gain an overwhelming and all empowering advantage. The Daevas could finally take the control they so desperately want.” Liv clarified.

  “Let’s go get them! We’ll help
you find them and capture them before they find the monster!” they all ranted.

  “Whoa! Now, let’s wait just a minute here.” Brayan warned seriously. “Daevas are very dangerous and we have no idea what this creature is capable of. We need to bide our time and do our home work.”

  “My companion, Brayan is right. An encounter with a Daeva could be fatal. The Spirits who pursue and apprehend Daevas must be highly trained and conditioned in combat. Only members of The Guardians of Souls can go after Daevas. Besides, we know nothing of the monster. We must learn as much as we possibly can if we are to be well prepared before we launch an attack.” Laith emphasized Brayan’s words.

  “That’s right. You must promise me that you will never try to go after a Daeva, my young ones. You must leave the work of The Guardians of Souls to the trained professional within its ranks.” I said firmly. Realizing the enormity of the situation, the young Guardians agreed to my plea. “So,” I decided to change the subject. “What do you lovely children have planned for your birthday on this All Hallows Eve?” I prompted and Liv quickly assisted my effort.

  “Another enchanting Halloween Dance in Gaea’s meadow, of course.” she smiled and her companions joined her.

  “Happy Halloween!” I breathed.

  Books and Writing by Amy Maurer Jones

  Soul Quest, Book One, The Soul Quest Trilogy

  © 2010

  The Guardians of Souls, Book Two, The Soul Quest Trilogy

  © 2011

  Soulless; The Story of Shayan, Prequel, The Soul Quest Trilogy