The Stelter City Saga: Ultranatural Read online

  “It does not make your butt look big.” Ace comforted with a laugh.

  “You’re not even looking!”

  “I’m not gunna stare at your butt, DH!” Ace stated as he turned around to gaze at the door. “You look fine. Come on, we’re running late. You were supposed to be at the alter ten minutes ago.”

  “No I wasn’t,” DH objected following Ace through the slightly less crowded hallway. “Look, people are still decorating and- hey, is that Rose’s Koenigsegg?”

  Ace held onto DH’s tall shoulders and hurried him away from the window. With Ace forcing the groom to a half-sprint, they made it through the flowery halls and descended the stairs. In no time at all, they had emerged through the heavy stain glass doors and into the chapel. Instantly the mumble of a congregation rang through their ears. Some even began laughing at the sight of the groom and his best man sprinting toward the alter.

  “Crap, they weren’t supposed to let people in until I got here were they?” DH asked as they sprinted. It was another one of the traditions that the groom stand at the alter as the guests enter the chapel.

  “Rose, doesn’t have to know.” Ace replied.

  Their footsteps blended with the rumble of spectators and echoed off the endlessly high mahogany ceiling. Blue and gold ribbons clumped together to form elegant flowery clusters that looped with more ribbons to the pews in front of them. Sunlight bled through the enormous stained glass windows that lined the chapel walls. Each one was so unique and colorful, but none of them surpassed the overwhelming magnitude of the grand organ above their heads.

  Like everything Krome, it too was fare and silver. Each individual pipe seemed to be frosted over with diamonds making them glitter without sunlight. They stood there like a choir of angels. Every single one of them was magnificent, even down to the smallest pipe. With the biggest pipes in the center they seemed to shape an upside-down V and spanned the entire width of the chapel's front.

  Ace bounded up the steps to where the priest awaited them in his robes. He seemed like such a kind man and smiled at the pair with a twinkle in his glossy pale eyes. “Hello,” he said shaking DH’s hand with his own wrinkly ones. “You must be the lucky groom.” When he spoke his voice sounded old with age and vibrant with excitement all at the same time.

  “I am.” DH confirmed, “And this is my best man.”

  Ace smiled and shook the priest’s hand, “How do you do?”

  “Oh fine, fine,” the dove haired priest replied licking his dry mouth. “Fine indeed. I suppose you forgot you were to stand up here as your guests entered?” he guessed.

  DH laughed nervously and tugged on his silver bow tie. “Haa… don’t tell my wife.” Wife. Even that word seemed to tingle his tongue.

  Just then the organ began to pipe out its wedding anthems. DH glanced over at Ace with an expression that read what now?!!

  “Stand over there.” Said the priest after catching DH’s face. “Don’t worry; you’re not the first groom with a case of the jitters. I’ve done plenty of these weddings in my old age.”

  DH took his spot to the left of the priest and Ace stood several paces beside them. At first they exchanged several confused and uncomfortable glances, but soon grew easy with the idea that no one was even looking their way.

  More guests continued to flow through the large front doors and flood the pews until they were nearly packed. Their conversations grew louder until the soft piping of the organ was barely audible. Yet people continued to enter.

  Ace stood there quietly, his eyes combing through the silver sea of faces. There were some people he recognized. Malachi Sarzanouski, one of Rose’s competitors in last years Gobble Race sat almost right in front of him. His face was showered with a few more piercings since the last time he saw him, but his faded expression was still the same.

  A couple rows in front of Malachi were a set of chairs. Each one of them reserved for the four High Krome members. Of course they would get the front seats, but they wouldn’t be entering until just before the bride walked in.

  Time ticked on, and Ace let out a yawn without meaning to, but just as he raised his hand to stifle it, he caught sight of a startlingly familiar pair of faces. On the other side of the isle and seated close to the front were DH’s mother and grandmother. Instantly he opened his mouth to alert the groom, but DH already knew.

  His brown eyes were locked to them as a small smile stayed across his lips. Ace glanced back at the pair. He remembered the first time he had met them. He remembered it so well, he could practically hear his grandmother’s Louisianan accent saying Have some of my chocolate peanut butter bars!

  Lynore, DH’s mother, sat beside his grandmother with that same lost look in her hazel eyes. As Ace studied her, he saw that she made several glances at her son. She smiled once, and DH smiled back, but then she would go right on staring at the organ.

  Finally the organ swayed into a familiar tune: Panchelbel’s Cannon. At this sound all the guests stood and turned toward the door. For a moment, nothing but the organ’s notes bounced off the ceiling. No one appeared through the door. Ace half expected the crowd to start jabbering again, but they retained their peace and waited for the parade of honor to lead up to the bride.

  First came a pair of flower girls. They were Aaron’s youngest twin cousins. Cherry and Rose had once baby sat them, but that was many years ago. They had all grown up so much since then. By now, they were almost eight years old, yet some how they managed to waltz down the isle reverently and sprinkle white rose petals along the carpet.

  Shortly after the girls lead the way, the four members of the High Krome followed. Throughout the crowd, hand signs flew into the air. There might have been a whoop or two, but overall, the crowd waited reverently.

  The man in the front of the line was a tall, late thirty year old brunet with a goatee as sharp as the gaze in his eyes. Ace figured he was the highest of the Krome simply by his swagger and the grimacing expression on his face. Even though all the High Krome were dressed in silver and white, there was something about his suit that seemed black as coal, or maybe it was just his ora. What ever it was, he stood out from the rest.

  He was followed by a tall, strong boned woman with wrinkles around her eyes though it was hard to judge her age because there was so much life in her bouncing yellow curls. She glanced up at DH with a smile and raised her hand slightly to wave at Ace. At first, Ace was startled for he was sure he had never met the woman in his life, and then he realized she was probably just a friendly lady.

  The next man seemed rather young and too tall to be in the High Krome. He had an elfish looking face along with a slightly up turned nose. There was a faiding bruise on his acne covered cheek, and his long sandy colored hair looked as if it hadn’t been washed in weeks. Right before he took his place beside the third chair, he glanced up at Ace with such a bored expression; he almost looked right through him.

  Aaron Kim finally brought up the rear. Of the four, he received the most praise from the audience. As he marched down the isle, he waved at a few familiar faces and blew a kiss to one of the younger kids in the crowd. The bleached strip in his hair had been died to a fiery red; probably in Rose’s honor. But aside from that, he looked the same. The tattooed tail of a dragon poked out from the bottom of his rolled up sleeves and the piercings remained on the right side of his face. As he rounded the isle to take his spot at the front, he planted a swift kiss on each of his cousin’s inky black hair and gestured for them to stand at the other side of the isle. When Aaron looked up, he winked at DH and smiled up at Ace before casting his gaze back to the door.

  Lee was next to walk in. Fortunately for Lee, it was easy to find a dress that fit the traditional standard. Once more she was wearing the platinum gown the twins had given her for Christmas. The thought of wearing that dress would have brought back horrible memories, yet it was still a gift from Cherry, and it was nice to have a piece of her at the wedding.

  Lee beamed when she saw Ace and a fai
nt rosy blush spread across her cheeks. Even though he had already seen her in that mermaid dress, she still looked amazing. Lee glanced down at the bouquet of yellow and violet flowers in her hands and tried not to trip over her sparkly pink heels. When she looked back up, she saw that DH was already gazing past her and eagerly anticipating the sight of his soon-to-be.

  Lee stood to the right of the priest and shot a glance at Ace. You look beautiful. He mouthed and again Lee flushed. She smiled back at him then turned her eyes toward the heavy glass doors.

  For a room filled with rowdy gang members and a bellowing organ, the chapel seemed strongly quiet. Everyone held their breath as they anticipated the sight of Rose in her gown. They waited, and waited until the anticipation was murder. The organ had finished piping out the first verses. Just as it began its last tune, the door cracked open.

  Her beauty was like nothing the world had ever witnessed. She was encased in an elegance of pure snow. As she drifted down the isle, she saw nothing but the man she loved and a diamond tear threatened to slide down her veiled cheek. A bundle of milky roses were held in her hands and the green of the stems seemed to be the only other color distorting her pure essence. Her gown was full of lace and fluffed out like a ball gown, and a river of clouds seemed to trail behind her, making her overall appearance seem heavenly.

  Her gown bound tightly around her waist showing off how slender and how fragile her curves were. As the material spread up her torso, it became sheerer until there was hardly any material to cover her collar. A glittering tiara held her veil in place atop of her crimson curls which cascaded down in perfect spirals. The sight of the bride was so overwhelming that no one in the audience had even summed up the magnitude until the last of the organ’s song faded and Rose was standing beside DH.

  The priest motioned for the gang to sit and with a ruffling silence, they obeyed.

  “Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today…” he began as DH grasped onto his fiancé’s small hand.

  This was it. They were about to be together for the rest of their lives. DH hardly heard a word the priest said. As his fingers were laced with hers, his mind kept on spinning back to the first time he realized he loved her. She was his first crush and the only woman he had ever wanted to be more than friends with. Even when he was a young boy watching her every day at school, he had crushed on her. There was something so intriguing about her red hair and the fact that she was a twin. But the one thing that made him fall for her was that when she smiled, her entire face lit up.

  Rose on the other hand had never felt anything with any man until just recently with DH. She never made the connection that all along, she had loved him too. Not until he turned out to be the one thing she needed more than a best friend. She never noticed that look in his eyes when he listened to her speak. Not until she realized she did it too. DH had always been more than a friend; it had just taken some time to realize how much more.

  Their love was like the stuff of fairy tales. Every cliche in every romantic song summed up their feelings. They had known each other for nearly twenty years and within those years, all their actions lead to this point. Now with this sealing, they were going to practice love until no breath could fill their lungs.

  Rose beamed up at him. Her pearly smile almost as bright as her dress. His large dark hand brushed back a strand of her flaming hair and wiped away a glistening tear of joy. When she smiled the corner of her cheeks dimpled. He wasn’t even sure if he was supposed to be touching her, yet his hand remained where it was cupping her face.

  “I do,” he heard her say. If it weren’t that the Krome tradition was for the woman to state her commitment first, DH might have missed his turn.

  The priest said something, but DH heard nothing. His eyes were lost in hers. Every piece of his internals was squirming around. His heart felt as if it was on fire. He didn’t know what to make of all the happenings around him. All he knew was that till the end of time he would love her and that every day he would work to make her show off that radiant smile.

  “I do.” DH stroked her cheek and traced his fingers along her jaw. “I love you.” He whispered.

  Rose slid her arms around his waist. She was trembling now and she had given up on hiding her tears. “I love you too.” She whispered back. “Forever.”

  Then she sealed that promise with a kiss knowing that she had never said anything more honest in her entire life.

  The whole crowd cheered. Their congratulations rang up through the high ceiling and bounced back into their ears. Aaron wiped away a tear before standing up and clapping. The flower girls showered the married couple with more rose pedals as the priest turned away to give them some privacy.

  Unable to stand not having her body pressed up to his, DH lifted his wife by the waist and cradled her against his chest. Her arms climbed up his back just as the crowd around them shouted even louder. She tasted salty from tears and her lipstick was bitter in his mouth, but for DH that was the world’s best kiss.

  He set her back down gently. “I love you.” He breathed, and that time they said it together. Together they giggled then their lips met once more.

  The audience was still clapping when Rose and DH finally broke apart. With their hands clasped tightly together, they made their way down the isle and out the doors. Everyone filed in behind them, squeezing through the large space. They all wanted to see the married couple drive off in their tagged car.

  Only a few people didn’t prioritize being the first ones out. Three of the High Krome sat in their seats waiting for the crowd to die down. Aaron had to sprint down the isle to be one of the first guests out. After all, he hadn’t tagged Rose’s car for nothing. Ace and Lee remained standing on opposite sides of the alter both eyeing the quickly diminishing crowd. Sometime in all the ruckus the priest had disappeared through a door under the organ to sign the certificates.

  “What did you think?” Ace asked coming over to Lee’s side.

  “It was very moving,” she admitted taking his hand and together they slowly made their way to the doors. “Didn’t Rose look absolutely amazing?”

  Ace opened his mouth to agree, but instead someone spoke from behind him.

  “You’re that supernatural, aren’t you?” Though there was still a ruckus from the diminishing crowd, those words seemed to ring off the high ceiling.

  Ace whirled around. The remaining High Krome had come to their feet and Ace searched for the one who had spoken. It was the beady eyed member with the pointed goatee. “You’re the one who was on the news a wile back?” he asked. Even his voice sounded cold.

  Ace nodded and his eyes studied each face of the remaining Krome. “Yes,” he confirmed as the leader approached, “I don’t believe we’ve ever met.”

  “Dohnatello.” said the man extending a hand. They shook then Dohnatello gestured to the rest of the High members. “Alma-”

  “That’s me,” the woman said with a blinding smile.

  “Avery,” he continued with the elfish looking child, “You are already acquainted with Aaron?” he stated rather than asked.

  Again yes. The crowd continued to diminish as Dohnatello’s black eyes studied Ace from head to toe. “Well,” he continued when his gaze finally locked onto Ace’s. “It’s nice to finally meet another one of our own.”

  Ace stared at the man dumbfounded. “You’re a…?”

  “Supernatural,” the tall elfish looking one finished. “We both are.”

  “I’m a Natural.” Informed Alma. Surprisingly, for her looks Ace had imagined she spoke with an angelic gentle voice. Instead her words came out ragged and raspy, as if her throat were coated in ash.

  “Hasn’t it ever occurred to you that there are more of us?” asked Dohnatello his slim pierced brow arched, “Or are you simply that ignorant?”

  “Not at all,” Ace spat. “I know there are more of my kind. I just never saw reason in seeking them out.”

  “Until now,” Avery added.

  Ace glanced pas
t Dohnatello’s slick mane and locked eyes with the child. How could he have known? Ace never recalled speaking to this child in his life but it was as if he could read Ace’s mind. He still had a plump roundness to his cheeks which reminded Ace of his young friend Ditto. Yet, Ditto had never had a bad case of acne, and he never grew past five’ five”. Avery, however, neared the six feet range and even though the greasy sandy hair hung at his shoulders, the boy reeked of youth.

  “What’s your ability?” asked Ace though he had a solid conjecture. Who knew- besides his immediate friends- what things could possibly be on his mind?

  “I can’t read minds,” Avery said throwing off Ace’s assumption, “I know the things that make you feel. It comes in handy when sorting out the liars.” His deep brown eyes fell on Lee. “I can tell she makes you happy, along with the fact that your best friends just got married. But at the same time you’re confused and worried and you’re desperate for answers. Someone told you something?”

  “It was a letter.” Ace answered though the boy never asked a question. “My friend left me a letter before she passed. She answered several of my most secret questions wile leaving me just as clueless.”

  “That’s why you need to go to Heleow.” Dohnatello added.

  Ace narrowed his eyes. How could the leader of the High Krome; a man Ace had never even spoken to, know about Heleow?

  “I can help you with that.” Dohnatello explained. “Rose spoke to Aaron about helping you get there and Aaron came to me. I am more than willing to help you, Ace.”

  Ace found it very discomforting that the leader knew his name. That was one of the reasons he found it hard to trust this man’s offer. “What’s your ability?” Ace finally asked after nibbling on his lip for a wile.

  Dohnatello smirked, “I can control machinery. It’s perfect for ruling a gang of car thieves.”

  Ace nodded. He had never met anyone with that particular skill before. It seemed like an outward one, whereas intangibility, dark-portaling, foresight, and Avery’s empathy were much more internal.