Everlasting: Visions
-1-
He was advancing through the woods, searching for it...hunting it. Kira had no reason to have this knowledge, but she did. She was there. She watched him stalk silently through the trees seeking traces of its whereabouts in the daylight. She was hiding behind the trees, watching him. Following him without being seen. He would occasionally cut on a tree with his sharp hunting knife and sprinkle a white substance from a large can onto the ground. His brows were drawn together in that serious expression he wore when hunting demons.
Whatever he was tracking was dangerous, Kira felt this painfully deep within her. And it was going to kill him! She sensed it was going to happen. He ran a strong hand through his short, cropped hair, leaving it standing up. Kira tried to warn him but he didn't...couldn't...hear her, no matter how loud she shouted.
“Run!” she screamed, stepping out from behind a tree. “Please, get away now...leave it alone, you won't win!”
He continued with the search, only briefly glancing behind him as if listening, then he moved on.
No, Kira thought, the tears streaming down her face. A wild scream—unearthly but animal-like—ripped through the trees catching his attention immediately. He grinned and said something. Kira could only see his lips form words, unable to hear him.
It's going to kill him...he's going to die. The weight of this knowledge constricted her heart. Please don't let him die! Kira ran after him as he ducked into the forest from the path. She lost sight of him and sank to her knees in despair.
Whatever he was tracking was dangerous, Kira felt this painfully deep within her. And it was going to kill him! She sensed it was going to happen. He ran a strong hand through his short, cropped hair, leaving it standing up. Kira tried to warn him but he didn't...couldn't...hear her, no matter how loud she shouted.
“Run!” she screamed, stepping out from behind a tree. “Please, get away now...leave it alone, you won't win!”
He continued with the search, only briefly glancing behind him as if listening, then he moved on.
No, Kira thought, the tears streaming down her face. A wild scream—unearthly but animal-like—ripped through the trees catching his attention immediately. He grinned and said something. Kira could only see his lips form words, unable to hear him.
It's going to kill him...he's going to die. The weight of this knowledge constricted her heart. Please don't let him die! Kira ran after him as he ducked into the forest from the path. She lost sight of him and sank to her knees in despair.
-2-
Kira bolted awake where she'd fallen asleep outside, curled up uncomfortably on the front steps. A new summer's day had arrived bringing with it the heat and the assurance of humidity.
“What the hell was that?” she whispered to herself.
The feeling of fright and anxiety from the dream had left her shaken. Her heart was still thumping against her chest.
Kira shook her head at the strange dream which kept replaying itself in her mind. She thought about the young man in her dream, a few years older than her by the looks of him. As her mind obsessively reran the dream, the details became more and more hazy...until she was left with only a vague feeling of unease deep inside. She wondered where a dream like that had come from. Kira's eyes slid suspiciously to the still burnt grass, evidence in broad daylight that last night's battle between djinnee and gargoyle had indeed been real.
Her stomach growled menacingly. Maybe it was hunger talking, she thought, trying to chase away the uneasy feelings. Kira rose stiffly, stretched her tight muscles, and headed for the front door.
There was no sign of Ryan directly inside, nor in the living room, where the clock suddenly chimed 11:00. Kira stood alone in the silent foyer, the rich brown, polished wood floor and walls enclosing her in a strange sort of cocoon. She was hesitant to wander around the house by herself without an invitation, but hunger overcame good manners. She went in search of the kitchen.
Across the foyer from the living room was a more formal sitting area with an unused air about it. A hallway led toward the rear of the house. Kira instinctively moved soundlessly, so accustomed was she to making her way unnoticed through the night time darkness of the city streets. She felt awkward, as if she was sneaking around. Out of outright curiosity she glanced into each room she passed, feeling like an intruder but unable to help herself. She didn't allow her eyes to linger, but many strange and unusual items seemed to have found a place in each room.
After the formal room, a large library revealed book-lined walls; then a dining room and a closed door; then, finally, the kitchen opened up at the back of the large house. There were plenty of windows and a door that led outside, presumably. Solid, polished wood cabinets, what looked like an old wood burning stove, hardwood floors, and off white walls created a well-lit room in which to cook and eat.
Kira frowned. Appearances were deceiving apparently. There was only a square table and four chairs, all pushed tightly under the table top. The counters were bare of any appliances or decorations, or even a spice rack. The whole kitchen was undecorated...as if no one ever made use of the room. She cautiously opened a few of the wood cabinets and found a meager and odd assortment of packaged and canned foods. Several had expirations dating back several years.
A peek in the refrigerator revealed...nothing except a few bottles of beer and crusty containers of condiments. There was a jar of mayonnaise that was suspiciously green on the inside.
“Ewww!” Kira exclaimed under her breath. “Weird,” she said to herself. “I hope there's some of my sandwich left, otherwise I'll starve to death here.”
Upon exploring another hallway on the opposite side of the kitchen, Kira found herself back in the living room. Several closed doors had lined the walls but she hadn't been bold enough to try the knobs. Luckily, once back where she'd begun her tour--sort of--she discovered half of her sandwich, turned upside down on the side table from when the djinnee attacked. Kira nearly pounced on the precious food and sniffed the contents. She shrugged and reassembled the sandwich. She ate it slowly. Hopefully she wouldn't die of food poisoning.
Suddenly she called out, “Hello? Hey! Are you still here somewhere?”
“What the hell was that?” she whispered to herself.
The feeling of fright and anxiety from the dream had left her shaken. Her heart was still thumping against her chest.
Kira shook her head at the strange dream which kept replaying itself in her mind. She thought about the young man in her dream, a few years older than her by the looks of him. As her mind obsessively reran the dream, the details became more and more hazy...until she was left with only a vague feeling of unease deep inside. She wondered where a dream like that had come from. Kira's eyes slid suspiciously to the still burnt grass, evidence in broad daylight that last night's battle between djinnee and gargoyle had indeed been real.
Her stomach growled menacingly. Maybe it was hunger talking, she thought, trying to chase away the uneasy feelings. Kira rose stiffly, stretched her tight muscles, and headed for the front door.
There was no sign of Ryan directly inside, nor in the living room, where the clock suddenly chimed 11:00. Kira stood alone in the silent foyer, the rich brown, polished wood floor and walls enclosing her in a strange sort of cocoon. She was hesitant to wander around the house by herself without an invitation, but hunger overcame good manners. She went in search of the kitchen.
Across the foyer from the living room was a more formal sitting area with an unused air about it. A hallway led toward the rear of the house. Kira instinctively moved soundlessly, so accustomed was she to making her way unnoticed through the night time darkness of the city streets. She felt awkward, as if she was sneaking around. Out of outright curiosity she glanced into each room she passed, feeling like an intruder but unable to help herself. She didn't allow her eyes to linger, but many strange and unusual items seemed to have found a place in each room.
After the formal room, a large library revealed book-lined walls; then a dining room and a closed door; then, finally, the kitchen opened up at the back of the large house. There were plenty of windows and a door that led outside, presumably. Solid, polished wood cabinets, what looked like an old wood burning stove, hardwood floors, and off white walls created a well-lit room in which to cook and eat.
Kira frowned. Appearances were deceiving apparently. There was only a square table and four chairs, all pushed tightly under the table top. The counters were bare of any appliances or decorations, or even a spice rack. The whole kitchen was undecorated...as if no one ever made use of the room. She cautiously opened a few of the wood cabinets and found a meager and odd assortment of packaged and canned foods. Several had expirations dating back several years.
A peek in the refrigerator revealed...nothing except a few bottles of beer and crusty containers of condiments. There was a jar of mayonnaise that was suspiciously green on the inside.
“Ewww!” Kira exclaimed under her breath. “Weird,” she said to herself. “I hope there's some of my sandwich left, otherwise I'll starve to death here.”
Upon exploring another hallway on the opposite side of the kitchen, Kira found herself back in the living room. Several closed doors had lined the walls but she hadn't been bold enough to try the knobs. Luckily, once back where she'd begun her tour--sort of--she discovered half of her sandwich, turned upside down on the side table from when the djinnee attacked. Kira nearly pounced on the precious food and sniffed the contents. She shrugged and reassembled the sandwich. She ate it slowly. Hopefully she wouldn't die of food poisoning.
Suddenly she called out, “Hello? Hey! Are you still here somewhere?”
-3-
Her voice echoed in the silent house, and there was no answer. Where was Ryan? She thought of him and his appearance after the fight. She wasn't certain how injured he had been as there hadn't been any blood, despite the gashes on his...body? Kira didn't know what to think. She'd witnessed when Ryan had transformed from the stone gargoyle creature back into his human form. Did that mean he wasn't human, or that he went from one body to the other? Kira sat and tucked her feet up as she sat in the chair. She wrapped her arms around her knees. If he hadn't seemed mortally injured and there was no blood, then he couldn't have disappeared and died somewhere in the house, right?
Which brought up, again, the question of was Ryan human? Kira sighed. Seeing as she had nothing else to do, she decided to wait and see he appeared. It wasn't as if she had any place else to go at the moment. Kira rose and wandered aimlessly around the living room for a few moments. She examined a variety of objects halfheartedly.
The laying of a hand on her shoulder elicited a small scream. She whirled around in sudden terror, only to see Ryan standing before her. He was wearing a short-sleeved shirt, tie, and brown pants. His forearms had bandages wrapped around them, but otherwise he appeared in good health—certainly not dead. The scorch marks on his face from the lightning tendrils were gone.
“Crap! You scared the bejeezus out of me! ” Kira exclaimed, trying to still her racing heart. “Seriously, after last night, don't...,”
“I apologize,” Ryan commented, going to stand by the window. He stared out at the marred grass. “Did you sleep at all last night?”
“Some. I fell asleep outside on the steps until just a little while ago." She decided not to mention her strange dream. Besides, Kira didn't remember much of it, although the unease and anxiety were still lingering within her. "Did...did you sleep?” she asked hesitantly, wondering.
Ryan paused, deciding what to tell Kira. He turned toward the dark-haired girl.
Finally he replied, “I don't sleep. I have no need. Kira...,” he began then paused.
Kira blinked in surprise. She had a feeling she'd be doing that a great deal in the days and weeks ahead.
“Oh,” she said. “Do I need to sit down?” she asked, guessing this was going to be another revelation of sorts.
Ryan shrugged, so Kira remained standing.
“I'm not real, Kira...well, my physical body, I mean...it's not real as in not mortal, not human. You saw last night what I am; but even that form isn't my true form. I merely...make use of this body,” he tried to explain. “It's made up of high-tech rubber and a light, stone, one-piece skeleton.”
Kira stared. Then she sighed. “You're serious, aren't you?”
“I'm always serious,” Ryan answered. “Gargoyles have no emotions or feelings...for when the time comes that we do, we turn evil.”
Really, what could she say in response to that, Kira thought. Her best course of action from now on was simply to believe everything she saw and heard was real, to cast her doubts aside, to go...with the supernatural flow.
She merely said, “Um...okay then.”
“I need to head into work. I've mostly healed but my arms and chest will take longer, they might need some special work done on them, but I can hide the gashes. You make yourself at home, and...,”
“Whoa, hold on there!” Kira exclaimed. It seemed Ryan was trying to leave her behind. “I'm not staying here by myself...besides, I...well, I need clothes and... well, other things.”
“So you've decided to stay?”
Kira shrugged. She couldn't tell if Ryan was pleased or displeased, his voice was neutral.
“No place else to go really, and since you invited me,” she reminded him,”... but I'll find a job somewhere and pay you rent, pay my share of expenses.”
Ryan didn't agree or disagree. Instead he took out his wallet and slid out five $20 bills. “Here, you'll need money.”
“Oh no, I couldn't!” Kira physically recoiled ever so slightly. Taking money from him didn't seem right, not right at all. “I mean...”
“You have money then? With you?” Ryan asked, thinking of the satchel he had brought with her the other night.
“Well, no...there's not much money made from living on the streets...,” Kira began.
“Then you'll need money to buy clothes,” he reasoned. Ryan continued to hold out the cash and looked at her expectantly.
Finally Kira gingerly took the offered money. She repeated her vow. “I'll pay you back,” she promised, him and herself.
Since she had nothing else to wear but the light gray sweatpants and zippered jacket, tank top, and slip on shoes she was already wearing, Kira was basically ready to go. But Ryan didn't lead the way anywhere yet.
“There is something I'd like to know,” he said.
Kira swallowed and fidgeted a little. “Yes?”
“What happened?” Ryan asked.
Kira was about to play dumb, but she knew what he meant. What happened to her that caused her to end up on the streets where he found her being attacked by the orc.
“My parents...they were killed, murdered. There was a fire. I ran. I was scared, and I just ran. I ended up here...New Bellwich...and was caught stealing food. I guess I was acting a little crazy because I found myself a “guest” at Creedmoor Psychiatric Hospital after I was arrested.”
Ryan's eyes narrowed. Was that the whole story? “What were their names? Where did you live?” He was thinking it was possible to find out where this had all occurred and more about Kira to help her.
Kira shook her head and shrugged her shoulders. She wasn't refusing to tell him this time, not like when he first asked her name. She looked him directly in the eyes. “I honestly don't remember,” she said with a sigh.
Which brought up, again, the question of was Ryan human? Kira sighed. Seeing as she had nothing else to do, she decided to wait and see he appeared. It wasn't as if she had any place else to go at the moment. Kira rose and wandered aimlessly around the living room for a few moments. She examined a variety of objects halfheartedly.
The laying of a hand on her shoulder elicited a small scream. She whirled around in sudden terror, only to see Ryan standing before her. He was wearing a short-sleeved shirt, tie, and brown pants. His forearms had bandages wrapped around them, but otherwise he appeared in good health—certainly not dead. The scorch marks on his face from the lightning tendrils were gone.
“Crap! You scared the bejeezus out of me! ” Kira exclaimed, trying to still her racing heart. “Seriously, after last night, don't...,”
“I apologize,” Ryan commented, going to stand by the window. He stared out at the marred grass. “Did you sleep at all last night?”
“Some. I fell asleep outside on the steps until just a little while ago." She decided not to mention her strange dream. Besides, Kira didn't remember much of it, although the unease and anxiety were still lingering within her. "Did...did you sleep?” she asked hesitantly, wondering.
Ryan paused, deciding what to tell Kira. He turned toward the dark-haired girl.
Finally he replied, “I don't sleep. I have no need. Kira...,” he began then paused.
Kira blinked in surprise. She had a feeling she'd be doing that a great deal in the days and weeks ahead.
“Oh,” she said. “Do I need to sit down?” she asked, guessing this was going to be another revelation of sorts.
Ryan shrugged, so Kira remained standing.
“I'm not real, Kira...well, my physical body, I mean...it's not real as in not mortal, not human. You saw last night what I am; but even that form isn't my true form. I merely...make use of this body,” he tried to explain. “It's made up of high-tech rubber and a light, stone, one-piece skeleton.”
Kira stared. Then she sighed. “You're serious, aren't you?”
“I'm always serious,” Ryan answered. “Gargoyles have no emotions or feelings...for when the time comes that we do, we turn evil.”
Really, what could she say in response to that, Kira thought. Her best course of action from now on was simply to believe everything she saw and heard was real, to cast her doubts aside, to go...with the supernatural flow.
She merely said, “Um...okay then.”
“I need to head into work. I've mostly healed but my arms and chest will take longer, they might need some special work done on them, but I can hide the gashes. You make yourself at home, and...,”
“Whoa, hold on there!” Kira exclaimed. It seemed Ryan was trying to leave her behind. “I'm not staying here by myself...besides, I...well, I need clothes and... well, other things.”
“So you've decided to stay?”
Kira shrugged. She couldn't tell if Ryan was pleased or displeased, his voice was neutral.
“No place else to go really, and since you invited me,” she reminded him,”... but I'll find a job somewhere and pay you rent, pay my share of expenses.”
Ryan didn't agree or disagree. Instead he took out his wallet and slid out five $20 bills. “Here, you'll need money.”
“Oh no, I couldn't!” Kira physically recoiled ever so slightly. Taking money from him didn't seem right, not right at all. “I mean...”
“You have money then? With you?” Ryan asked, thinking of the satchel he had brought with her the other night.
“Well, no...there's not much money made from living on the streets...,” Kira began.
“Then you'll need money to buy clothes,” he reasoned. Ryan continued to hold out the cash and looked at her expectantly.
Finally Kira gingerly took the offered money. She repeated her vow. “I'll pay you back,” she promised, him and herself.
Since she had nothing else to wear but the light gray sweatpants and zippered jacket, tank top, and slip on shoes she was already wearing, Kira was basically ready to go. But Ryan didn't lead the way anywhere yet.
“There is something I'd like to know,” he said.
Kira swallowed and fidgeted a little. “Yes?”
“What happened?” Ryan asked.
Kira was about to play dumb, but she knew what he meant. What happened to her that caused her to end up on the streets where he found her being attacked by the orc.
“My parents...they were killed, murdered. There was a fire. I ran. I was scared, and I just ran. I ended up here...New Bellwich...and was caught stealing food. I guess I was acting a little crazy because I found myself a “guest” at Creedmoor Psychiatric Hospital after I was arrested.”
Ryan's eyes narrowed. Was that the whole story? “What were their names? Where did you live?” He was thinking it was possible to find out where this had all occurred and more about Kira to help her.
Kira shook her head and shrugged her shoulders. She wasn't refusing to tell him this time, not like when he first asked her name. She looked him directly in the eyes. “I honestly don't remember,” she said with a sigh.
-4-
Kira found herself standing alone on the sidewalk of New Bellwich's shopping district...or rather the edge of the shops where the older shops and thrift stores dominated. She watched as Ryan's black Chevy Impala...a 1967, he'd informed her...purred and growled down the busy street. The sound vibrated through her. Feelings of power, excitement, and even a little bit of evil danced through her mind. The mid-day sun glinted off the shiny, blackness of the car. Kira realized she had a death grip on the metal pole of the ornate street lamp, one of many that lined this older section of the street.
The dark-haired girl glanced up...Constance Street, the sign read. She'd successfully kept track of the direction of the road, Landry Road...located in none other than Landry Pointe...as they had departed Ryan's estate. After that Kira had completely lost her sense of direction when they hit the city proper.
Further east down Constance Street the buildings grew taller and more ornately designed, although still not the modern skyscrapers of downtown; but at this end the buildings were smaller, a bit more faded, and less imposing. She focused on the speck that was now the Impala and got her bearings to the west. Ryan had given her directions via streetcar to meet him at the precinct station where he worked.
Suddenly Kira felt exposed, standing out in the daylight alone. As if all the pedestrians and drivers of the passing cars were staring at her.
There's the girl who escaped from the loony bin.
Watch out! She's crazy!
Quick! Call the cops!...
...all flashed through her mind as if she could actually hear them. Kira's instinct was to flee and hide. The last six months of being locked up, then on the streets suddenly rushed back at her. She felt as if she didn't belong, as if she weren't a part of the normal world any longer.
The clanging of a passing streetcar startled Kira into letting out a small shriek. Then people did stare.
Get a grip, she mentally scolded herself, still with the hold of death on the lamp post. You can do this, it's only shopping! she thought to herself. Release the post and walk calmly toward the store. Kira inhaled deeply as she pushed open the door to the first thrift shop that was blessedly mostly empty.
The dark-haired girl glanced up...Constance Street, the sign read. She'd successfully kept track of the direction of the road, Landry Road...located in none other than Landry Pointe...as they had departed Ryan's estate. After that Kira had completely lost her sense of direction when they hit the city proper.
Further east down Constance Street the buildings grew taller and more ornately designed, although still not the modern skyscrapers of downtown; but at this end the buildings were smaller, a bit more faded, and less imposing. She focused on the speck that was now the Impala and got her bearings to the west. Ryan had given her directions via streetcar to meet him at the precinct station where he worked.
Suddenly Kira felt exposed, standing out in the daylight alone. As if all the pedestrians and drivers of the passing cars were staring at her.
There's the girl who escaped from the loony bin.
Watch out! She's crazy!
Quick! Call the cops!...
...all flashed through her mind as if she could actually hear them. Kira's instinct was to flee and hide. The last six months of being locked up, then on the streets suddenly rushed back at her. She felt as if she didn't belong, as if she weren't a part of the normal world any longer.
The clanging of a passing streetcar startled Kira into letting out a small shriek. Then people did stare.
Get a grip, she mentally scolded herself, still with the hold of death on the lamp post. You can do this, it's only shopping! she thought to herself. Release the post and walk calmly toward the store. Kira inhaled deeply as she pushed open the door to the first thrift shop that was blessedly mostly empty.
-5-
Ryan had parked his car in his customary out of the way spot at the 6th precinct for the New Bellwich Police Department station. The 6th precinct covered and protected the Upper Garden District and the Warehouse and Arts District of the city.
He'd donned a light nylon jacket to hide the bandages wrapped around his forearms. It would have been easy enough to explain them claiming some sort of injury, but then he'd be required to continue with the deception long enough for the injuries to “heal” as if he were mortal. But with Ryan's quick sealing rubber flesh assisted by celestine spirit magick and a small amount of physical work, the gashes and burns would mend in a day or so.
Detective Laurent bypassed the reception area and slipped in through a side door to the main room. He nodded to his fellow detectives and the uniformed officers on duty. Ryan was regarded as an exceptional and tough cop; although an extremely private person in general. In all his incarnations, he had learned over the centuries to as act human as possible. However, it still took effort to fake the emotional part. He was successful up to a point, but was still somewhat awkward socially and in personal relationships. But his protectiveness of others, his dedication to fighting crime and upholding the law, and his odd and quirky attempts at being kind and polite to others had earned him respect and acceptance for who he was.
Only two others in the precinct knew Ryan was a gargoyle. They, too, were of the Secret World living in mortal society.
“Morning, Laurent,” Captain Macaby nodded as the older man walked past on the way to his office.
“Captain,” Ryan replied, sitting down at his file-laden desk.
The Captain paused for a moment.
“Thought you were taking the day off,” Macaby remarked.
Ryan opened a file on his desk. “Just some paperwork to finish up, Sir, then I'm leaving.”
“Make sure you do, Laurent,” the Captain warned good-naturedly. “Taking a day off now and then is healthy, I keep telling you.”
Ryan nodded, then remembered to smile briefly. “Yes, Sir, you do.”
As the Captain moved away, Ryan glanced around the large main room where the detectives and officers worked. He purposely had his desk with his back facing one wall. He had a view of the whole room, but no one was able to approach him from behind. He logged on to his computer and began typing.
Ryan searched official police data banks and pubic search engines but could find no specific report of a young woman resembling Kira's description who had been reported missing after the murder of her parents. He did find and print information on several house fires that involved murder occurring approximately six months ago; but there were several located across the country. Who knew how far Kira had traveled.
Still it was something to start with, to help her remember.
He'd donned a light nylon jacket to hide the bandages wrapped around his forearms. It would have been easy enough to explain them claiming some sort of injury, but then he'd be required to continue with the deception long enough for the injuries to “heal” as if he were mortal. But with Ryan's quick sealing rubber flesh assisted by celestine spirit magick and a small amount of physical work, the gashes and burns would mend in a day or so.
Detective Laurent bypassed the reception area and slipped in through a side door to the main room. He nodded to his fellow detectives and the uniformed officers on duty. Ryan was regarded as an exceptional and tough cop; although an extremely private person in general. In all his incarnations, he had learned over the centuries to as act human as possible. However, it still took effort to fake the emotional part. He was successful up to a point, but was still somewhat awkward socially and in personal relationships. But his protectiveness of others, his dedication to fighting crime and upholding the law, and his odd and quirky attempts at being kind and polite to others had earned him respect and acceptance for who he was.
Only two others in the precinct knew Ryan was a gargoyle. They, too, were of the Secret World living in mortal society.
“Morning, Laurent,” Captain Macaby nodded as the older man walked past on the way to his office.
“Captain,” Ryan replied, sitting down at his file-laden desk.
The Captain paused for a moment.
“Thought you were taking the day off,” Macaby remarked.
Ryan opened a file on his desk. “Just some paperwork to finish up, Sir, then I'm leaving.”
“Make sure you do, Laurent,” the Captain warned good-naturedly. “Taking a day off now and then is healthy, I keep telling you.”
Ryan nodded, then remembered to smile briefly. “Yes, Sir, you do.”
As the Captain moved away, Ryan glanced around the large main room where the detectives and officers worked. He purposely had his desk with his back facing one wall. He had a view of the whole room, but no one was able to approach him from behind. He logged on to his computer and began typing.
Ryan searched official police data banks and pubic search engines but could find no specific report of a young woman resembling Kira's description who had been reported missing after the murder of her parents. He did find and print information on several house fires that involved murder occurring approximately six months ago; but there were several located across the country. Who knew how far Kira had traveled.
Still it was something to start with, to help her remember.
-6-
Several hours later, Kira emerged from a large discount store with the last of her purchases. She'd amassed a decent collection of used clothes, shoes, and outerwear from the thrift stores; then had to give in and buy the rest of her necessary items new. She also lugged a plastic shopping bag of cheap groceries to keep herself from starving at Ryan's.
She squinted up into the bright blue sky and inhaled deeply to relax, nearly sighing in pleasure at the light and warmth of the sun after being indoors the past few hours. Kira was feeling uncomfortable again around so many people. It was time to ditch the crowds and find the police station.
Following the directions Ryan had given her, Kira walked several more blocks east down Constance Street. She entered the more upscale area. Standing away from the other passengers, Kira waited for and then climbed aboard the streetcar heading south, toward the river, on Lafayette Blvd. She moved as far to the end as was possible where there was an empty spot on the bench. Lafayette Blvd was a busy street, a main street full of activity, and she watched with interest the downtown district of New Bellwich pass by.
As the streetcar turned west onto Convention Center Blvd, the electric car came to stop to allow more riders to board. A man sat down across from Kira on the mahogany bench, and she soon found herself staring at him. She shifted her eyes quickly when he flicked his own to her face. He didn't look “right” to her, but none of the other passengers seemed bothered.
What the hell? Kira suddenly thought.
She froze physically but her mind was racing. She would have sworn on her life—but perhaps not her sanity—that his face briefly transformed into a blunt, short shape, with a u-shaped snout, as if a transparent alligator's head had been placed over his own. The reptile head was there and gone in an flash, and Kira wasn't even certain what she had seen.
Except she was.
She'd seen an alligator head on the man across from her. The same as she'd seen black, feathered wings on Ryan's back in the Reverie, that Secret World all around the Real World. Kira tried to resist but couldn't help herself. She glanced again at the man, but reluctantly. At once it seemed as if a dark green, scaly reptile was grinning at her. Large, sharp teeth showed white against the inside of the mouth.
Then there was only the man's head again, but still grinning at her. He winked at Kira, but not sexually. It was as if he knew what she'd seen. He put a finger conspiratorially to his lips, then bent his head toward his folded newspaper.
Kira wrenched her gaze away quickly in confusion, embarrassment creeping red up her pale cheeks. The hot wind blew on her skin and didn't help to cool her down.
When her stop arrived, Kira nearly bolted from the streetcar bench by the back exit, packages bumping against her legs and the side of the electric vehicle. She hurried across the street to the 6th precinct station's parking lot. She didn't intend to hide, but Ryan's black Impala was parked near a set of bushes. Kira sat on the curb on the passenger side. The car's long hood shielded her from view, while the bushes concealed her on the other side. Finally she felt safe and could relax...a little.
Go with the supernatural flow, she reminded herself. Assume that was real, whatever it was.
She could always describe to Ryan what she'd witnessed, see if he had any explanation. That idea held more appeal than the one where she was still insane.
She squinted up into the bright blue sky and inhaled deeply to relax, nearly sighing in pleasure at the light and warmth of the sun after being indoors the past few hours. Kira was feeling uncomfortable again around so many people. It was time to ditch the crowds and find the police station.
Following the directions Ryan had given her, Kira walked several more blocks east down Constance Street. She entered the more upscale area. Standing away from the other passengers, Kira waited for and then climbed aboard the streetcar heading south, toward the river, on Lafayette Blvd. She moved as far to the end as was possible where there was an empty spot on the bench. Lafayette Blvd was a busy street, a main street full of activity, and she watched with interest the downtown district of New Bellwich pass by.
As the streetcar turned west onto Convention Center Blvd, the electric car came to stop to allow more riders to board. A man sat down across from Kira on the mahogany bench, and she soon found herself staring at him. She shifted her eyes quickly when he flicked his own to her face. He didn't look “right” to her, but none of the other passengers seemed bothered.
What the hell? Kira suddenly thought.
She froze physically but her mind was racing. She would have sworn on her life—but perhaps not her sanity—that his face briefly transformed into a blunt, short shape, with a u-shaped snout, as if a transparent alligator's head had been placed over his own. The reptile head was there and gone in an flash, and Kira wasn't even certain what she had seen.
Except she was.
She'd seen an alligator head on the man across from her. The same as she'd seen black, feathered wings on Ryan's back in the Reverie, that Secret World all around the Real World. Kira tried to resist but couldn't help herself. She glanced again at the man, but reluctantly. At once it seemed as if a dark green, scaly reptile was grinning at her. Large, sharp teeth showed white against the inside of the mouth.
Then there was only the man's head again, but still grinning at her. He winked at Kira, but not sexually. It was as if he knew what she'd seen. He put a finger conspiratorially to his lips, then bent his head toward his folded newspaper.
Kira wrenched her gaze away quickly in confusion, embarrassment creeping red up her pale cheeks. The hot wind blew on her skin and didn't help to cool her down.
When her stop arrived, Kira nearly bolted from the streetcar bench by the back exit, packages bumping against her legs and the side of the electric vehicle. She hurried across the street to the 6th precinct station's parking lot. She didn't intend to hide, but Ryan's black Impala was parked near a set of bushes. Kira sat on the curb on the passenger side. The car's long hood shielded her from view, while the bushes concealed her on the other side. Finally she felt safe and could relax...a little.
Go with the supernatural flow, she reminded herself. Assume that was real, whatever it was.
She could always describe to Ryan what she'd witnessed, see if he had any explanation. That idea held more appeal than the one where she was still insane.
-7-
“Yes, the works,” Ryan spoke quietly and cryptically into his cell phone. “Kira Laurent”...I'll get a picture to you soon for the license..., a temp will do for now.”
Ryan nodded as he listened. “Rush it if you can. Yeah, home address. Thanks.”
He pressed the End button and slipped the cell back in his jacket pocket. Then he stood to leave.
Ryan felt it prudent to impart his news at this time, in order to avoid as many questions as possible. He poked his head around the corner of the Captain's office door. He saw Captain Macaby working at his desk.
“Leaving now, Captain,” Ryan said.
“Laurent, how you can still be wearing that jacket? It's not that cold in here...fact, it's a bit too warm, if you ask me,” Macaby replied as an answer.
It was well-known that Detective Laurent never seem to be bothered by temperature—hot or cold.
Ryan shrugged. “You know me, Captain. Anyway, I wanted to let you know...I've got a relative staying with me...for awhile.”
The Captain raised his eyebrows. “Yeah?”
“Yes, Sir.”
“Huh. And this relative would be...?” Macaby inquired conversationally.
It was rare that Laurent spoke of his family beyond his uncle who had lived in New Bellwich prior to Ryan arriving shortly after the other man's death.
“My brother's kid, his daughter. He and his wife were killed recently.”
Ryan had a family tree he'd created but normally gave minimal details.
“Ryan, man, I'm sorry to hear that...,” the Captain began, his face showing real concern for one of his men. He stood and crossed the room.
Ryan nodded and interrupted. “Appreciate it, Sir. The girl, her name's Kira, she's a young adult but isn't ready to be on her own right now.”
“Of course not. Listen, if there's anything I...we...can do,” Macaby put a hand on his detective's shoulder briefly.
“I think we're good for now...but I'll keep that in mind,” Ryan answered, affecting a solemn expression.
“Well, bring Kira by soon and introduce her around,” the Captain suggested, following Ryan as the detective moved away from the office door in an attempt to end the conversation quickly.
“I'll do that, Sir,” he agreed and raised his hand in a brief wave.
* * * *
Once outside the two-story building several blocks north of the Riverfront, Ryan scanned the parking lot for Kira. He'd suggested she wait by his car if he wasn't outside by 3:30. Glancing at his watch, he saw it was now that time. As he approached his car, Ryan caught a familiar scent...he inhaled a little deeper to be certain.
“Kira,” he called out softly. “Where are you?”
A head popped up, and Kira stared at Ryan over the hood of the Impala. She didn't even ask how he'd known she was there.
As they climbed into the car, Kira tossed her bags of clothes into the backseat but placed the sack of food next to her.
“Oh,” Ryan said, as realization dawned on him. “I had the doctor bring in your food last night. I don't eat,” he explained.
“Seriously?” Kira asked in surprise. She stared at him from across the seat.
She had to get over this surprise reaction to...well everything new that she learned. “I guess that makes sense," she reasoned. "If you're not...if your body isn't real...," she trailed off.
Knowing the man next to her wasn't a real human, his life-like body just a shell of some sort, was a little creepy in a way. Then again, with Ryan not being a human, it didn't seem as weird for her to stay with him. The young woman living with the older man business had been one of the issues she'd grappled with in her mind as she was deciding whether to remain at his house. However, she wondered how he was going to explain her to other people.
The engine purred to life as Ryan turned the key in the ignition. He backed out of the parking spot slowly.
“I apologize. You will need to eat...I didn't think about that.”
“Well, yeah, I prefer to,” Kira said, coming back to the present from her thoughts.
She watched the car enter the flow of traffic on the street.
Ryan nodded. He was silent for a few minutes. Then, “Your doctor spoke to me earlier, he wants to see you today, make sure you're healing.”
Her recent experiences with doctors left Kira feeling nervous—or perhaps paranoid was a more accurate description—about this idea, but Ryan didn't sound as if he was pushing the visit on her. On the other hand, she felt she owed it to Ryan and to thank this doctor for taking care of her after the orc attack.
Kira swallowed her fear. Or at least pushed it deeper inside of her where the pounding of her heart was reduced to sudden flutters instead. “Sure, I guess that would be alright,” she agreed, with a half nod and a shrug.
Ryan glanced over as he cautiously made the turn northward toward the clinic. “His name is Nathaniel Allen. He's very good...and very kind. You don't have to worry, Kira.”
She nodded and tried to smile. She failed.
Ryan nodded as he listened. “Rush it if you can. Yeah, home address. Thanks.”
He pressed the End button and slipped the cell back in his jacket pocket. Then he stood to leave.
Ryan felt it prudent to impart his news at this time, in order to avoid as many questions as possible. He poked his head around the corner of the Captain's office door. He saw Captain Macaby working at his desk.
“Leaving now, Captain,” Ryan said.
“Laurent, how you can still be wearing that jacket? It's not that cold in here...fact, it's a bit too warm, if you ask me,” Macaby replied as an answer.
It was well-known that Detective Laurent never seem to be bothered by temperature—hot or cold.
Ryan shrugged. “You know me, Captain. Anyway, I wanted to let you know...I've got a relative staying with me...for awhile.”
The Captain raised his eyebrows. “Yeah?”
“Yes, Sir.”
“Huh. And this relative would be...?” Macaby inquired conversationally.
It was rare that Laurent spoke of his family beyond his uncle who had lived in New Bellwich prior to Ryan arriving shortly after the other man's death.
“My brother's kid, his daughter. He and his wife were killed recently.”
Ryan had a family tree he'd created but normally gave minimal details.
“Ryan, man, I'm sorry to hear that...,” the Captain began, his face showing real concern for one of his men. He stood and crossed the room.
Ryan nodded and interrupted. “Appreciate it, Sir. The girl, her name's Kira, she's a young adult but isn't ready to be on her own right now.”
“Of course not. Listen, if there's anything I...we...can do,” Macaby put a hand on his detective's shoulder briefly.
“I think we're good for now...but I'll keep that in mind,” Ryan answered, affecting a solemn expression.
“Well, bring Kira by soon and introduce her around,” the Captain suggested, following Ryan as the detective moved away from the office door in an attempt to end the conversation quickly.
“I'll do that, Sir,” he agreed and raised his hand in a brief wave.
* * * *
Once outside the two-story building several blocks north of the Riverfront, Ryan scanned the parking lot for Kira. He'd suggested she wait by his car if he wasn't outside by 3:30. Glancing at his watch, he saw it was now that time. As he approached his car, Ryan caught a familiar scent...he inhaled a little deeper to be certain.
“Kira,” he called out softly. “Where are you?”
A head popped up, and Kira stared at Ryan over the hood of the Impala. She didn't even ask how he'd known she was there.
As they climbed into the car, Kira tossed her bags of clothes into the backseat but placed the sack of food next to her.
“Oh,” Ryan said, as realization dawned on him. “I had the doctor bring in your food last night. I don't eat,” he explained.
“Seriously?” Kira asked in surprise. She stared at him from across the seat.
She had to get over this surprise reaction to...well everything new that she learned. “I guess that makes sense," she reasoned. "If you're not...if your body isn't real...," she trailed off.
Knowing the man next to her wasn't a real human, his life-like body just a shell of some sort, was a little creepy in a way. Then again, with Ryan not being a human, it didn't seem as weird for her to stay with him. The young woman living with the older man business had been one of the issues she'd grappled with in her mind as she was deciding whether to remain at his house. However, she wondered how he was going to explain her to other people.
The engine purred to life as Ryan turned the key in the ignition. He backed out of the parking spot slowly.
“I apologize. You will need to eat...I didn't think about that.”
“Well, yeah, I prefer to,” Kira said, coming back to the present from her thoughts.
She watched the car enter the flow of traffic on the street.
Ryan nodded. He was silent for a few minutes. Then, “Your doctor spoke to me earlier, he wants to see you today, make sure you're healing.”
Her recent experiences with doctors left Kira feeling nervous—or perhaps paranoid was a more accurate description—about this idea, but Ryan didn't sound as if he was pushing the visit on her. On the other hand, she felt she owed it to Ryan and to thank this doctor for taking care of her after the orc attack.
Kira swallowed her fear. Or at least pushed it deeper inside of her where the pounding of her heart was reduced to sudden flutters instead. “Sure, I guess that would be alright,” she agreed, with a half nod and a shrug.
Ryan glanced over as he cautiously made the turn northward toward the clinic. “His name is Nathaniel Allen. He's very good...and very kind. You don't have to worry, Kira.”
She nodded and tried to smile. She failed.
-8-
Kira felt awkward in her sweats and t-shirt—even if they were new and somewhat trendy—as she walked toward the well-maintained, historic building. The clinic, all white with ornate metal railings, turned out to be a converted, two-story mansion located the pricier northwestern section of the Central Business/Uptown District. Once surrounded by open lands, the city had built itself around the house over the centuries; but the building itself was still flanked by trees, grassy areas left to nature's own devices, and a circular blacktop driveway with a parking lot to one side.
“The clinic closes early on Wednesdays,” Ryan said as he led Kira along the driveway. “Dr. Allen suggested we stop by today.”
Kira gathered her long, dark hair into a ponytail and secured it with a holder. She couldn't resist gazing around in awe. “It's beautiful here,” she said softly.
There were summer wildflowers, domestic flowers, and plants growing everywhere along the drive and among the trees. No landscaper could have planned a more soothing and inviting area...everything seemed to grow lushly and perfectly in exactly the right spot.
Ryan climbed the few steps and opened the door. He ushered Kira in.
”It is indeed beautiful,” he agreed, although it voice held no emotion.
Kira found her self gawking embarrassingly at the interior, again amazed at the feeling of being soothed, relaxed, and at peace. She had the ridiculous urge to twirl in a circle with her arms outstretched. Yeah, like that was going to happen!
The clinic was refreshing with greens, white, and splashes of subtle, natural colors. She noticed a photograph of a man about Ryan's age...although it was hard to tell exactly...with short, white-blond hair. He was very handsome. Kira felt even more self-conscious now if this was the doctor who had taken care of her at Ryan's house and would be examining her today. The caption under the picture read, 'Dr. Nathanial Allen'.
She heard her name and turned. Ryan was saying, “Kira, this is...,”
Her brown eyes opened wide and her mouth fell open. “Oh!” Kira exclaimed. She couldn't stop staring.
The towering man smiling at her was unbelievably handsome, but also...beautiful. His long, platinum blond hair and fair skin seemed to glow. His cobalt blue eyes sparkled...literally...and power and strength emanated from him in waves, seeming to flow directly into Kira. She noticed his pointed ears, but only in that they complimented his angular facial features. He was what Kira had always known as the fictional representation of an elf.
The doctor...elf?...continued to smile, and he winked at Kira.
“I do believe she sees the real me,” Na'ethal said to Ryan.
Ryan nodded. “Kira!”' He snapped his fingers in front of her. “What are you seeing?”
“Huh?” Kira pulled herself out of her rude behavior. She hesitated, licking her dry lips. She finally replied, “An elf? But that's im...”
”Please don't say 'impossible',” Ryan advised. “Not after everything else so far.”
The doctor nodded. “Kira, I'm Na'ethal Aleanitryn.”
He held out his hand. “Also known as Dr. Allen to my mortal patients. You may call me whichever you prefer.”
In amazement Kira shook hands with the elf doctor. A real elf! she thought.
“Um, hello...nice to meet you...Dr. Alea...Na'...,” Kira stumbled embarrassingly over the strange names that were at the same time musical and flowing. “Um, Dr. Allen,” she said, finally settling on the name she could actually pronounce.
She wished she could have said his elf name, or that's what Kira assumed the longer name was. It sounded so lovely just to hear him speak it. Even the doctor's voice was musical and light with a hint of an accent she couldn't place.
A middle-aged but pretty nurse came out from a hallway. She smiled kindly at Kira, then turned to the doctor. Kira wondered what...who, rather, the nurse saw.
“We're ready, Dr. Allen,” the nurse announced.
Nearly two hours later, after Kira had been subjected to a physical exam, blood work, x-rays, a CT scan, an EKG test, a bone scan, and a vision test, she was all tested out and hoped fervently to remain healthy and well for the rest of her life. The nurse had departed after the physical exam, and Ryan had stayed with her during the other tests—out of the way and silent. Now they both sat in comfortable chairs in the doctor's office—yet another peaceful room, Kira observed—while Dr. Allen...Na'ethal, she thought as she practiced his name silently—sat at his desk. An open file, Kira's newly opened medical file, lay in front of him.
“Are you really a doctor?” Kira blurted out. “I mean, medical school and everything?”
Na'ethal nodded. “I am indeed a “real” doctor,” he assured her. “In fact, I've been a healer and doctor many times over...after a certain point, I am required to move on and start over. Being immortal has its drawbacks...and one of them is not aging when others around you do. That fact becomes obvious after a certain point.”
Kira could only reply, “I see.”
Because slowly she was beginning to grasp the concept of what she'd stumbled into—those who were immortal, those who...never died? Immortals, the everlasting...they lived forever. That is a really long time, she thought in amazement, her brain barely beginning to grasp the implications of such a life. She began to wonder what living forever would be like, then realized Dr. Allen was speaking to her.
“...has told me about the...encounter with the djinnee last night, as well as your introduction into the Secret World.”
Kira merely nodded, not sure how one carried on a conversation about the supernatural and immortals with an elf doctor and a gargoyle in human form.
“I'll keep it all a secret, believe me,” she assured them both.
The very last thing Kira wanted in this world was to be committed back to Creedmoor by someone out there in...the Real World...if she talked about what she had learned. No one would believe her anyway.
“Well then, “ Na'ethal went on, glancing down at the file in front of him. “I have you down as Kira, but no last name...,” he trailed off expectantly.
Kira shrugged and darted her eyes toward Ryan. She had no answer. Ryan sat facing the doctor, and she found herself looking at his rugged profile and spiky hair. What all had he told Dr. Allen about her?
“If it's acceptable to Kira,” Ryan replied evenly, “let's use Laurent for now.”
He finally looked over at Kira. “I told my Captain that my niece had come to live with me after her parents, my brother and his wife, were killed.”
Ryan returned his attention back to the doctor, remembering their conversation when he'd first brought Kira, injured and possibly dying, back to his house. The niece explanation solved the problem of a single police officer having a young woman live with him; but there was still the inevitable time when the monster within Ryan would emerge once and for all, evil and likely to kill even those with whom he was familiar.
That included Kira.
But Ryan would explain to her about gargoyles and what she must watch for, if she were even still around when the horrification came upon him.
“Riain,” the doctor began warningly.
“Na'ethal,” Ryan said calmly.
Kira thought she'd heard Dr. Allen say RAYahN during that small but odd exchange between them, but she must have misunderstood. Then she made the decision for herself.
“Well...I guess that would be alright. I mean, I need a last name, I suppose. But I don't know your...,”
“We can discuss my brother, your “parents” later,” Ryan interrupted.
Kira nodded.
“Very well, then,” Na'ethal said. “Kira Laurent. Age?”
“Um...,” Kira had to think. “Twenty-three, I think.”
Again Na'ethal was silent but thoughtful as he scribbled in the chart.
“You have healed amazingly well, do you realize that?” he asked suddenly.
Having developed the x-rays himself and saved the computer images of the other tests and scans, Na'ethal had witnessed miraculous healing compared to what his initial examination of Kira had showed. Granted he hadn't been able to see her bones that night, but as an elf and a long time doctor, he knew when someone was severely injured.
“Yes, amazingly well...and quickly, too...almost unbelievably quickly,” he emphasized. “And despite being a bit too thin, you're in excellent physical health so far, even your vision is perfect. I do still need to run the blood work, however...”
“What exactly are you saying...or implying?” Ryan asked, narrowing his eyes slightly.
“Merely making an observation. Tell me, Kira, have you always healed so rapidly?”
Kira was getting a little freaked out, Dr. Allen was making her feel...well, abnormal. Weird. Like something was wrong with her.
“I don't know...I mean, I don't remember,” she stumbled over her words.
“Na'ethal, she lost her parents six months ago and doesn't remember too much about her personal life,” Ryan explained for her.
“Interesting. Ah well, then won't have any medical history. We'll start from scratch then,” he said soothingly.
“I'm sorry!” Kira blurted out suddenly, feeling guilty for some reason.
“Nonsense, child!” Na'ethal exclaimed.
His beautiful elven face lit up even more, and Kira felt a wave of...love?...awe? flow through her. She calmed down.
“It's fine. You're healthy, you're healing superbly, and I'm sure your blood tests will all come back normal.” Na'ethal closed the file folder. “Take it easy the next few days until you feel absolutely no tenderness at all. Doctor's orders. And eat, eat as much good food as you want.”
“The clinic closes early on Wednesdays,” Ryan said as he led Kira along the driveway. “Dr. Allen suggested we stop by today.”
Kira gathered her long, dark hair into a ponytail and secured it with a holder. She couldn't resist gazing around in awe. “It's beautiful here,” she said softly.
There were summer wildflowers, domestic flowers, and plants growing everywhere along the drive and among the trees. No landscaper could have planned a more soothing and inviting area...everything seemed to grow lushly and perfectly in exactly the right spot.
Ryan climbed the few steps and opened the door. He ushered Kira in.
”It is indeed beautiful,” he agreed, although it voice held no emotion.
Kira found her self gawking embarrassingly at the interior, again amazed at the feeling of being soothed, relaxed, and at peace. She had the ridiculous urge to twirl in a circle with her arms outstretched. Yeah, like that was going to happen!
The clinic was refreshing with greens, white, and splashes of subtle, natural colors. She noticed a photograph of a man about Ryan's age...although it was hard to tell exactly...with short, white-blond hair. He was very handsome. Kira felt even more self-conscious now if this was the doctor who had taken care of her at Ryan's house and would be examining her today. The caption under the picture read, 'Dr. Nathanial Allen'.
She heard her name and turned. Ryan was saying, “Kira, this is...,”
Her brown eyes opened wide and her mouth fell open. “Oh!” Kira exclaimed. She couldn't stop staring.
The towering man smiling at her was unbelievably handsome, but also...beautiful. His long, platinum blond hair and fair skin seemed to glow. His cobalt blue eyes sparkled...literally...and power and strength emanated from him in waves, seeming to flow directly into Kira. She noticed his pointed ears, but only in that they complimented his angular facial features. He was what Kira had always known as the fictional representation of an elf.
The doctor...elf?...continued to smile, and he winked at Kira.
“I do believe she sees the real me,” Na'ethal said to Ryan.
Ryan nodded. “Kira!”' He snapped his fingers in front of her. “What are you seeing?”
“Huh?” Kira pulled herself out of her rude behavior. She hesitated, licking her dry lips. She finally replied, “An elf? But that's im...”
”Please don't say 'impossible',” Ryan advised. “Not after everything else so far.”
The doctor nodded. “Kira, I'm Na'ethal Aleanitryn.”
He held out his hand. “Also known as Dr. Allen to my mortal patients. You may call me whichever you prefer.”
In amazement Kira shook hands with the elf doctor. A real elf! she thought.
“Um, hello...nice to meet you...Dr. Alea...Na'...,” Kira stumbled embarrassingly over the strange names that were at the same time musical and flowing. “Um, Dr. Allen,” she said, finally settling on the name she could actually pronounce.
She wished she could have said his elf name, or that's what Kira assumed the longer name was. It sounded so lovely just to hear him speak it. Even the doctor's voice was musical and light with a hint of an accent she couldn't place.
A middle-aged but pretty nurse came out from a hallway. She smiled kindly at Kira, then turned to the doctor. Kira wondered what...who, rather, the nurse saw.
“We're ready, Dr. Allen,” the nurse announced.
Nearly two hours later, after Kira had been subjected to a physical exam, blood work, x-rays, a CT scan, an EKG test, a bone scan, and a vision test, she was all tested out and hoped fervently to remain healthy and well for the rest of her life. The nurse had departed after the physical exam, and Ryan had stayed with her during the other tests—out of the way and silent. Now they both sat in comfortable chairs in the doctor's office—yet another peaceful room, Kira observed—while Dr. Allen...Na'ethal, she thought as she practiced his name silently—sat at his desk. An open file, Kira's newly opened medical file, lay in front of him.
“Are you really a doctor?” Kira blurted out. “I mean, medical school and everything?”
Na'ethal nodded. “I am indeed a “real” doctor,” he assured her. “In fact, I've been a healer and doctor many times over...after a certain point, I am required to move on and start over. Being immortal has its drawbacks...and one of them is not aging when others around you do. That fact becomes obvious after a certain point.”
Kira could only reply, “I see.”
Because slowly she was beginning to grasp the concept of what she'd stumbled into—those who were immortal, those who...never died? Immortals, the everlasting...they lived forever. That is a really long time, she thought in amazement, her brain barely beginning to grasp the implications of such a life. She began to wonder what living forever would be like, then realized Dr. Allen was speaking to her.
“...has told me about the...encounter with the djinnee last night, as well as your introduction into the Secret World.”
Kira merely nodded, not sure how one carried on a conversation about the supernatural and immortals with an elf doctor and a gargoyle in human form.
“I'll keep it all a secret, believe me,” she assured them both.
The very last thing Kira wanted in this world was to be committed back to Creedmoor by someone out there in...the Real World...if she talked about what she had learned. No one would believe her anyway.
“Well then, “ Na'ethal went on, glancing down at the file in front of him. “I have you down as Kira, but no last name...,” he trailed off expectantly.
Kira shrugged and darted her eyes toward Ryan. She had no answer. Ryan sat facing the doctor, and she found herself looking at his rugged profile and spiky hair. What all had he told Dr. Allen about her?
“If it's acceptable to Kira,” Ryan replied evenly, “let's use Laurent for now.”
He finally looked over at Kira. “I told my Captain that my niece had come to live with me after her parents, my brother and his wife, were killed.”
Ryan returned his attention back to the doctor, remembering their conversation when he'd first brought Kira, injured and possibly dying, back to his house. The niece explanation solved the problem of a single police officer having a young woman live with him; but there was still the inevitable time when the monster within Ryan would emerge once and for all, evil and likely to kill even those with whom he was familiar.
That included Kira.
But Ryan would explain to her about gargoyles and what she must watch for, if she were even still around when the horrification came upon him.
“Riain,” the doctor began warningly.
“Na'ethal,” Ryan said calmly.
Kira thought she'd heard Dr. Allen say RAYahN during that small but odd exchange between them, but she must have misunderstood. Then she made the decision for herself.
“Well...I guess that would be alright. I mean, I need a last name, I suppose. But I don't know your...,”
“We can discuss my brother, your “parents” later,” Ryan interrupted.
Kira nodded.
“Very well, then,” Na'ethal said. “Kira Laurent. Age?”
“Um...,” Kira had to think. “Twenty-three, I think.”
Again Na'ethal was silent but thoughtful as he scribbled in the chart.
“You have healed amazingly well, do you realize that?” he asked suddenly.
Having developed the x-rays himself and saved the computer images of the other tests and scans, Na'ethal had witnessed miraculous healing compared to what his initial examination of Kira had showed. Granted he hadn't been able to see her bones that night, but as an elf and a long time doctor, he knew when someone was severely injured.
“Yes, amazingly well...and quickly, too...almost unbelievably quickly,” he emphasized. “And despite being a bit too thin, you're in excellent physical health so far, even your vision is perfect. I do still need to run the blood work, however...”
“What exactly are you saying...or implying?” Ryan asked, narrowing his eyes slightly.
“Merely making an observation. Tell me, Kira, have you always healed so rapidly?”
Kira was getting a little freaked out, Dr. Allen was making her feel...well, abnormal. Weird. Like something was wrong with her.
“I don't know...I mean, I don't remember,” she stumbled over her words.
“Na'ethal, she lost her parents six months ago and doesn't remember too much about her personal life,” Ryan explained for her.
“Interesting. Ah well, then won't have any medical history. We'll start from scratch then,” he said soothingly.
“I'm sorry!” Kira blurted out suddenly, feeling guilty for some reason.
“Nonsense, child!” Na'ethal exclaimed.
His beautiful elven face lit up even more, and Kira felt a wave of...love?...awe? flow through her. She calmed down.
“It's fine. You're healthy, you're healing superbly, and I'm sure your blood tests will all come back normal.” Na'ethal closed the file folder. “Take it easy the next few days until you feel absolutely no tenderness at all. Doctor's orders. And eat, eat as much good food as you want.”
-9-
Driving home...they hadn't left the clinic until nearly 6:00...Kira sat in the Impala with her legs crisscrossed on the seat. A container with a half-eaten salad generous with meat and cheese rested beside her. Kira stared out the window, having watched as the busy city gave way to residential neighborhoods to the west, then to the more secluded outskirts. The sunset flooded the sky with muted colors, splashing purples, oranges, and pinks inside the black car.
“If I may ask,” Ryan said quietly, “exactly what were the reasons you were committed to Creedmoor? Surely, amnesia and your parents' deaths aren't reason enough.”
Kira was quiet for a few seconds, first of all because Ryan had interrupted her thoughts of nothingness that she'd allowed to flow into her mind; and second, because she wasn't sure how much to tell him. How much of the real truth. But didn't she owe him that much, after all he'd done for her up until now?
“Well, I didn't really tell you everything...before,” she admitted, wondering if he'd get angry. Or whatever gargoyles did since they didn't feel emotions. “And I didn't exactly tell the police or the doctors about my parents' deaths. I felt crazy, after what I saw. I thought I'd be blamed. I babbled on about some crazy sounding events, and no one could make sense of it.”
“Will you tell me everything now?”
As the colors of the sunset began to fade into the dark blue of early evening, and the car's headlights splashed onto the asphalt of the road, Kira told her story for the first time.
“If I may ask,” Ryan said quietly, “exactly what were the reasons you were committed to Creedmoor? Surely, amnesia and your parents' deaths aren't reason enough.”
Kira was quiet for a few seconds, first of all because Ryan had interrupted her thoughts of nothingness that she'd allowed to flow into her mind; and second, because she wasn't sure how much to tell him. How much of the real truth. But didn't she owe him that much, after all he'd done for her up until now?
“Well, I didn't really tell you everything...before,” she admitted, wondering if he'd get angry. Or whatever gargoyles did since they didn't feel emotions. “And I didn't exactly tell the police or the doctors about my parents' deaths. I felt crazy, after what I saw. I thought I'd be blamed. I babbled on about some crazy sounding events, and no one could make sense of it.”
“Will you tell me everything now?”
As the colors of the sunset began to fade into the dark blue of early evening, and the car's headlights splashed onto the asphalt of the road, Kira told her story for the first time.
-10-
Staring out the window, Kira focused on the coming night.
“Something...not human killed my parents that night...at least I assume they were my parents. What happened to them is getting hazy in my mind,” Kira admitted, “so I'm beginning to doubt what I'm remembering. It almost doesn't seem real anymore. I do remember vaguely about moving prior to their deaths, but not where. It seems like the house was new for us.”
Ryan remained silent but Kira could tell he was listening. The were nearing the turn-off for the road for Ryan's house, and the sky was growing darker. Kira could see the first twinkles of the brightest stars out here where the city lights couldn't reach.
“They...what attacked us...were horrible looking, but they are a blur. I remember seeing red and wings and twisted faces with horns. That would have sounded insane six months ago, but now...,” she paused. “Anyway, I screamed and ran as fast as I could. I didn't wait around to introduce myself, you know,” Kira tried to joke.
“No, of course you wouldn't. That would mean your death. You did right to run,” Ryan commented. “The attackers quite possibly were demons.”
*Obviously he really didn't have a sense of humor, Kira thought briefly.
“Yeah. So I felt this huge blast of heat behind me, and I turned while running. I fell, tripped over something. Everything seemed to be on fire, the house was in flames reaching high into the sky. I think I did lose my mind for a bit, because I don't even remember making it here...to New Bellwich,” she clarified. “But I did. Everything is like a dream, surreal and bizarre, nothing makes sense.”
“And the police?” Ryan inquired.
“Um, I was trying to steal food, I was starving. I think that's when I started ranting about monsters and fire and running away; but still I didn't mention my parents. Like I said, I guess I thought they would blame me. From what I overheard at the police station, they ran checks...missing persons, fingerprints...,” Kira paused, not sure what else had been done. “But they couldn't figure out who I was or where I'd come from.”
Ryan said, “So you didn't tell them your real name.”
Kira shrugged and stretched her legs out on the floor. “Kira is the only name I remembered, even though it didn't sound familiar. I mean it doesn't sound like the name I was called, only...it does feel “right”. That's strange, isn't it? I mean, either it's my name or it isn't. How can it be both?”
Ryan shook his head as he eased the Impala into the converted building that served as the detached garage. “Then you were committed to the psych hospital for five months? And escaped...with the help of an angel?”
“About that whole angel thing...I mean, that's not a certainty, you know,” Kira said hesitantly.
“Don't be too hasty to dismiss that, it's possible you were saved by an angel,” Ryan assured her.
Then he said, “That's enough for now. Come on, let's go inside. You need to sleep."
“Something...not human killed my parents that night...at least I assume they were my parents. What happened to them is getting hazy in my mind,” Kira admitted, “so I'm beginning to doubt what I'm remembering. It almost doesn't seem real anymore. I do remember vaguely about moving prior to their deaths, but not where. It seems like the house was new for us.”
Ryan remained silent but Kira could tell he was listening. The were nearing the turn-off for the road for Ryan's house, and the sky was growing darker. Kira could see the first twinkles of the brightest stars out here where the city lights couldn't reach.
“They...what attacked us...were horrible looking, but they are a blur. I remember seeing red and wings and twisted faces with horns. That would have sounded insane six months ago, but now...,” she paused. “Anyway, I screamed and ran as fast as I could. I didn't wait around to introduce myself, you know,” Kira tried to joke.
“No, of course you wouldn't. That would mean your death. You did right to run,” Ryan commented. “The attackers quite possibly were demons.”
*Obviously he really didn't have a sense of humor, Kira thought briefly.
“Yeah. So I felt this huge blast of heat behind me, and I turned while running. I fell, tripped over something. Everything seemed to be on fire, the house was in flames reaching high into the sky. I think I did lose my mind for a bit, because I don't even remember making it here...to New Bellwich,” she clarified. “But I did. Everything is like a dream, surreal and bizarre, nothing makes sense.”
“And the police?” Ryan inquired.
“Um, I was trying to steal food, I was starving. I think that's when I started ranting about monsters and fire and running away; but still I didn't mention my parents. Like I said, I guess I thought they would blame me. From what I overheard at the police station, they ran checks...missing persons, fingerprints...,” Kira paused, not sure what else had been done. “But they couldn't figure out who I was or where I'd come from.”
Ryan said, “So you didn't tell them your real name.”
Kira shrugged and stretched her legs out on the floor. “Kira is the only name I remembered, even though it didn't sound familiar. I mean it doesn't sound like the name I was called, only...it does feel “right”. That's strange, isn't it? I mean, either it's my name or it isn't. How can it be both?”
Ryan shook his head as he eased the Impala into the converted building that served as the detached garage. “Then you were committed to the psych hospital for five months? And escaped...with the help of an angel?”
“About that whole angel thing...I mean, that's not a certainty, you know,” Kira said hesitantly.
“Don't be too hasty to dismiss that, it's possible you were saved by an angel,” Ryan assured her.
Then he said, “That's enough for now. Come on, let's go inside. You need to sleep."
-11-
He was running toward her, unaware she was there. Running...running away or being chased, Kira couldn't tell. Feet pounding through the otherwise silent woods. The pounding and sharp inhalations and exhalations of his breath were the only sounds she could hear.
Although barely dusk, it was too dark in the trees to see much beyond him running for his very life. But he wasn't going to make it, even though he was armed. She knew that for a fact.
Kira had no idea where she was, but it wasn't the same place as before. She risked a glance around her, momentarily taking her eyes off him. Behind her, at the crossroads of where she stood, a road sign leaned dangerously close to toppling over.
She looked back. He was dirty and bloody, rivulets of red running down his face. He shot once behind him before something in the darkness leaped. He went sprawling on the dirt trail, the gun flying from his hand. He rolled over onto his back, punching and kicking at only that which he was seeing.
Kira screamed, no sound coming from her mouth. In fact there were now no sounds at all. The utter silence made his death that much more horrible. The silence only intensified the deep scratches that appeared on his body, ripping his clothes and shredding his skin to ribbons. His blood spurted out, splashing the trees that were suddenly illuminated by moonlight. His intestines were yanked out and glistened under the moonlight. The coppery stench of blood wafted through the air.
Then he was dragged away into the underbrush, leaving Kira the lone witness to his death.
* * * * *
The bayou behind the estate was filled with the nocturnal sounds of grasshoppers, frogs, and gentle splashings under the bright, waning moon—with each passing night the moon grew more crescent shaped. But the clear, starry sky allowed the moon's light to bathe the land with a glow. Some of this glow streamed into Kira's bedroom window, where she lay tossing and turning in her bed. Her hair was disheveled as she flipped violently over onto her stomach. Her scream, which was stifled by the pillow, woke her up in the middle of the night.
The dark-haired girl sat up abruptly, pushing herself up on her hands. She was panting and crying, thinking he's dead, oh my god, he's dead without even knowing who “he” was. But her earlier dream resurfaced in her mind, both had showed her the same person.
Kira sat up straight in her bed and shoved the sheet off her in agitation. She was damp with sweat. She ran a hand over her face and pushed her hair back.
She vividly recalled the young man in her dream—the dream was not fading as dreams are supposed to do, but pulsated over and over in her mind. Kira was afraid and sick-feeling. She heaved once and barely made it into the bathroom to throw up, so horrible and realistic had been the sight and smell of the blood and intestines...of his death.
Climbing back into bed, Kira drew her legs up against her chest. She wrapped her arms around them, buried her head against her knees, and sat listening to the night insects sing outside in the warm night. Her body shook with fear and distress for the death she'd witnessed, even if it had only been a dream.
Although barely dusk, it was too dark in the trees to see much beyond him running for his very life. But he wasn't going to make it, even though he was armed. She knew that for a fact.
Kira had no idea where she was, but it wasn't the same place as before. She risked a glance around her, momentarily taking her eyes off him. Behind her, at the crossroads of where she stood, a road sign leaned dangerously close to toppling over.
She looked back. He was dirty and bloody, rivulets of red running down his face. He shot once behind him before something in the darkness leaped. He went sprawling on the dirt trail, the gun flying from his hand. He rolled over onto his back, punching and kicking at only that which he was seeing.
Kira screamed, no sound coming from her mouth. In fact there were now no sounds at all. The utter silence made his death that much more horrible. The silence only intensified the deep scratches that appeared on his body, ripping his clothes and shredding his skin to ribbons. His blood spurted out, splashing the trees that were suddenly illuminated by moonlight. His intestines were yanked out and glistened under the moonlight. The coppery stench of blood wafted through the air.
Then he was dragged away into the underbrush, leaving Kira the lone witness to his death.
* * * * *
The bayou behind the estate was filled with the nocturnal sounds of grasshoppers, frogs, and gentle splashings under the bright, waning moon—with each passing night the moon grew more crescent shaped. But the clear, starry sky allowed the moon's light to bathe the land with a glow. Some of this glow streamed into Kira's bedroom window, where she lay tossing and turning in her bed. Her hair was disheveled as she flipped violently over onto her stomach. Her scream, which was stifled by the pillow, woke her up in the middle of the night.
The dark-haired girl sat up abruptly, pushing herself up on her hands. She was panting and crying, thinking he's dead, oh my god, he's dead without even knowing who “he” was. But her earlier dream resurfaced in her mind, both had showed her the same person.
Kira sat up straight in her bed and shoved the sheet off her in agitation. She was damp with sweat. She ran a hand over her face and pushed her hair back.
She vividly recalled the young man in her dream—the dream was not fading as dreams are supposed to do, but pulsated over and over in her mind. Kira was afraid and sick-feeling. She heaved once and barely made it into the bathroom to throw up, so horrible and realistic had been the sight and smell of the blood and intestines...of his death.
Climbing back into bed, Kira drew her legs up against her chest. She wrapped her arms around them, buried her head against her knees, and sat listening to the night insects sing outside in the warm night. Her body shook with fear and distress for the death she'd witnessed, even if it had only been a dream.
-12-
When Thursday morning came, Kira woke with her back against the wall, and her head still resting on her knees. She was shocked to see the time was nearly 11:30. She'd fallen asleep after all, when she had been certain she wouldn't sleep anymore that night. But her dream still haunted her, although the details had thankfully blurred somewhat.
Still, she remembered enough.
Kira decided to shower and take a walk around Ryan's estate to clear her mind. Some vague inner voice told her that fresh air and sunshine would do her good. She wore knee length, cotton shorts, a tank top with a light colored, long sleeved shirt, and tennis shoes, and took snacks and a bottle of water with her. Kira prowled around for several hours being careful to always keep in mind where she was in relation to the house. Having peeked into the garage to find the Impala missing, she assumed Ryan had left for work and so took her time walking. She had been grateful to be alone. She found herself paying more and more attention to her surroundings and less to the lingering memories of her dream.
Upon her return to the large, white house, Kira had barely placed a foot on the steps of the back porch when the kitchen door opened.
“Oh!” Kira exclaimed in surprise, dropping her foot back to the grass.
Ryan stood framed by the doorway, dressed in similar clothes to what he'd worn to work yesterday. His arms were bare of bandages and the gash marks from his fight. He had finished healing and repairing his body overnight.
“You're back,” he said. “Did you enjoy your walk?”
“I...yeah, I did,” Kira answered, mounting the steps and squeezing past Ryan through the door way. “I didn't realize you had so much land. I sort of followed the stone wall until there was a gate, then I found that a fence ran all the way to the bayou. You have a dock,” she announced.
“I do,” Ryan said. “I'd suggest you not go too near the water by yourself until you've learned the ways of the bayou, though. You don't want to be eaten by a gator.”
Kira stood awkwardly in the plain kitchen. She noticed several brown paper grocery bags and boxes on the table.
“I won't, I didn't,” she assured him. “And I really don't,” she added, visions of death by alligator flashing through her mind. “It doesn't look very friendly really. So, what's with the boxes and bags?” she asked curiously.
“Ah, food...for you,” Ryan said. “From now on I will give you the money, and you can buy what you want or need. Put everything where you would like, you'll be the only one using the kitchen.”
* * * * *
At first she felt uncomfortable with moving about the kitchen as if it were her own, but Kira found that the cleaning and organizing were relaxing. The afternoon passed quickly until she went to place the bottle of ketchup in the refrigerator door. Like the blood, she thought. So much blood. Kira shuddered. The canted street sign flashed into her mind.
Athens Road, it had read.
“I wonder....,” Kira murmured aloud.
She went in search of Ryan. She found him in the living room on one of the couches, typing on a laptop on the low table in front of him. Perfect, she thought.
“I don't suppose you could look something up for me?” she asked cautiously, unsure if Ryan was working on something important.
He glanced up at her. “On the computer?” he asked.
Kira nodded.
“I have a better idea,” Ryan said.
Kira watched curiously. Ryan shut the lid to the laptop, unplugged the cord from the wall and the computer. He dropped it into a bag. He then lay a slim, new cell phone on top of the computer. She didn't know what to do at first when he handed her everything, including the bag.
“Why don't you do it yourself...the laptop is ready to go and the house is set up for wireless, so you can use the computer anywhere.”
“I...what's all this?” she asked. “I mean...I can't...,” Kira trailed off.
Ryan thought for a moment. Perhaps Kira had forgotten more than just her parents.
“Well, this one is a cell phone,” he answered, “ to make phone calls. I want you to be able to reach me.”
Kira stared at Ryan as if he'd just told her the sky was blue. “I know what a cell phone is,” she announced, resisting the urge to add, 'duh'. “But it's all too much. A computer and a phone...I can't...,” she protested again.
Ryan had an counter proposal ready. He understood now that Kira didn't like to have things simply given to her. “Well, you can borrow them. Give them back when you get your own. How about that?”
Kira was silent for a moment. She bit her bottom lip. She'd love to have both, something as normal as a laptop and a cell phone after all she'd been through.
“I suppose that would be alright,” Kira agreed reluctantly, although she felt awkward. She gently took both from Ryan. “Thank you.”
“Good. I have this for you, too,” Ryan said, placing the business-sized envelope on top of everything. “It was delivered after I arrived home, while you were out walking. What's inside is technically illegal, and as an officer of the law I should not be in possession of such items. However, as an immortal, they are a necessity in my existence—as well as for most other of the eldritch. And for you they are now necessary as well. Keep them safe, Kira.”
* * * * *
Upstairs in her room, with her new identity spread out on the bed before her, Kira stared in amazement at the documents. She'd read Ryan's note explaining they would need a picture of her soon for a real driver's license, and that more documents would be forthcoming; but for now she had a license that appeared to almost resemble her and placed her as living at Ryan's house, a social security card, and a birth certificate with names of “parents” and a birth place she didn't know.
“So very illegal,” she whispered to herself, as if someone would overhear her.
Leaving the documents for now, Kira finally powered up the laptop. She was surprised to find that it really did connect with the Internet via a wireless system. At least Ryan was all for modern technology, she thought. Kira wondered if all immortals moved so easily with the times.
Then she began searching for the road she'd seen in her dreams, not really believing she'd find it. But her dream now haunted her again. Kira was feeling more and more anxious, as if she were running out of time. But out of time for what?
“Oh crap,” Kira said softly.
The road sign she'd seen appeared on the computer screen as part of a map of New Bellwich.
“Damn, it really does exist.”
Did she dare?
Still, she remembered enough.
Kira decided to shower and take a walk around Ryan's estate to clear her mind. Some vague inner voice told her that fresh air and sunshine would do her good. She wore knee length, cotton shorts, a tank top with a light colored, long sleeved shirt, and tennis shoes, and took snacks and a bottle of water with her. Kira prowled around for several hours being careful to always keep in mind where she was in relation to the house. Having peeked into the garage to find the Impala missing, she assumed Ryan had left for work and so took her time walking. She had been grateful to be alone. She found herself paying more and more attention to her surroundings and less to the lingering memories of her dream.
Upon her return to the large, white house, Kira had barely placed a foot on the steps of the back porch when the kitchen door opened.
“Oh!” Kira exclaimed in surprise, dropping her foot back to the grass.
Ryan stood framed by the doorway, dressed in similar clothes to what he'd worn to work yesterday. His arms were bare of bandages and the gash marks from his fight. He had finished healing and repairing his body overnight.
“You're back,” he said. “Did you enjoy your walk?”
“I...yeah, I did,” Kira answered, mounting the steps and squeezing past Ryan through the door way. “I didn't realize you had so much land. I sort of followed the stone wall until there was a gate, then I found that a fence ran all the way to the bayou. You have a dock,” she announced.
“I do,” Ryan said. “I'd suggest you not go too near the water by yourself until you've learned the ways of the bayou, though. You don't want to be eaten by a gator.”
Kira stood awkwardly in the plain kitchen. She noticed several brown paper grocery bags and boxes on the table.
“I won't, I didn't,” she assured him. “And I really don't,” she added, visions of death by alligator flashing through her mind. “It doesn't look very friendly really. So, what's with the boxes and bags?” she asked curiously.
“Ah, food...for you,” Ryan said. “From now on I will give you the money, and you can buy what you want or need. Put everything where you would like, you'll be the only one using the kitchen.”
* * * * *
At first she felt uncomfortable with moving about the kitchen as if it were her own, but Kira found that the cleaning and organizing were relaxing. The afternoon passed quickly until she went to place the bottle of ketchup in the refrigerator door. Like the blood, she thought. So much blood. Kira shuddered. The canted street sign flashed into her mind.
Athens Road, it had read.
“I wonder....,” Kira murmured aloud.
She went in search of Ryan. She found him in the living room on one of the couches, typing on a laptop on the low table in front of him. Perfect, she thought.
“I don't suppose you could look something up for me?” she asked cautiously, unsure if Ryan was working on something important.
He glanced up at her. “On the computer?” he asked.
Kira nodded.
“I have a better idea,” Ryan said.
Kira watched curiously. Ryan shut the lid to the laptop, unplugged the cord from the wall and the computer. He dropped it into a bag. He then lay a slim, new cell phone on top of the computer. She didn't know what to do at first when he handed her everything, including the bag.
“Why don't you do it yourself...the laptop is ready to go and the house is set up for wireless, so you can use the computer anywhere.”
“I...what's all this?” she asked. “I mean...I can't...,” Kira trailed off.
Ryan thought for a moment. Perhaps Kira had forgotten more than just her parents.
“Well, this one is a cell phone,” he answered, “ to make phone calls. I want you to be able to reach me.”
Kira stared at Ryan as if he'd just told her the sky was blue. “I know what a cell phone is,” she announced, resisting the urge to add, 'duh'. “But it's all too much. A computer and a phone...I can't...,” she protested again.
Ryan had an counter proposal ready. He understood now that Kira didn't like to have things simply given to her. “Well, you can borrow them. Give them back when you get your own. How about that?”
Kira was silent for a moment. She bit her bottom lip. She'd love to have both, something as normal as a laptop and a cell phone after all she'd been through.
“I suppose that would be alright,” Kira agreed reluctantly, although she felt awkward. She gently took both from Ryan. “Thank you.”
“Good. I have this for you, too,” Ryan said, placing the business-sized envelope on top of everything. “It was delivered after I arrived home, while you were out walking. What's inside is technically illegal, and as an officer of the law I should not be in possession of such items. However, as an immortal, they are a necessity in my existence—as well as for most other of the eldritch. And for you they are now necessary as well. Keep them safe, Kira.”
* * * * *
Upstairs in her room, with her new identity spread out on the bed before her, Kira stared in amazement at the documents. She'd read Ryan's note explaining they would need a picture of her soon for a real driver's license, and that more documents would be forthcoming; but for now she had a license that appeared to almost resemble her and placed her as living at Ryan's house, a social security card, and a birth certificate with names of “parents” and a birth place she didn't know.
“So very illegal,” she whispered to herself, as if someone would overhear her.
Leaving the documents for now, Kira finally powered up the laptop. She was surprised to find that it really did connect with the Internet via a wireless system. At least Ryan was all for modern technology, she thought. Kira wondered if all immortals moved so easily with the times.
Then she began searching for the road she'd seen in her dreams, not really believing she'd find it. But her dream now haunted her again. Kira was feeling more and more anxious, as if she were running out of time. But out of time for what?
“Oh crap,” Kira said softly.
The road sign she'd seen appeared on the computer screen as part of a map of New Bellwich.
“Damn, it really does exist.”
Did she dare?
-13-
Using a map she'd printed in Ryan's office—he had directed her to the room upstairs when she'd asked about a printer—Kira followed the directions on the sheet of paper next to her on the car's seat. She was making her way along Landry Road, the two-lane rural road that ran east into New Bellwich. Kira felt bad about lying, but didn't think Ryan would have approved of her searching for this unknown road because of some horrible dream.
But it wasn't a choice anymore. Kira had felt compelled even though she was frankly scared out of her mind. This whole idea was insane. Back at the house she had merely brought up the subject of driving and getting around on her own, and Ryan had offered her the use of his other car, a 1960s Mustang. They had both wondered if Kira was familiar with driving, and, fortunately, it turned out that she did indeed know how to drive. Ryan had suggested she take the car out for a little while and get used to it on the back roads.
As she came to a crossroads that would head into the city, Kira signaled carefully despite there being no other traffic on the road and turned north. She maintained the suggested speed limit as she headed into another rural area. The tree line began to thicken and there were fewer side roads and private driveways, until Kira felt she was out in the middle of nowhere. It wasn't long before she actually found the road that bore the name in her dream. The sign was tilted in the same matter, but there was only a curved dirt road leading into the trees. Kira saw no area that resembled the spot she had stood in her dream.
She idled the car at the entrance. “You can still go back,” she whispered to herself. “This is crazy anyway. You'll more than likely get murdered or something out here alone.”
Kira sighed as she found herself cruising slowly up the dirt road and rounding the corner. She found herself at an old abandoned building—decayed, wooden, and falling apart—and more trees surrounding the bare section in front of the building. Weeds grew up through the dirt and pebbles. She parked facing a thick grove of trees.
Kira first peered around from inside the car, then hesitantly put one foot out onto the ground. Then the other foot followed. Finally she stood inside the open car door. All around her it was quiet—maybe too quiet, which was by itself was slightly creepy. She shut the car door and began to walk toward a path in the woods. She wouldn't go in—it was dusk already and the light would fade soon—but merely take a peek into the trees. Kira wanted to get back on the road before it became dark, or she'd never find her way back.
It was at that moment she heard a crashing through the trees up ahead on the path and pounding feet. Kira's heart skipped a beat and she froze where she stood. Her head told her to move her butt—screamed at her, in fact—but her body would not obey. Her brown eyes grew wide as he—the young man in her dreams—came charging out of the trees at full speed. Just as in her dream last night, he was dirty, bleeding from his forehead, and carrying a gun. His shirt was soaked with sweat, the muscles in his torso and arms rippling with his exertion. He twisted the upper half of his body in order to fire behind him several times. Kira wanted to scream for him to watch out, but she jerked at the sharp explosions of the firing gun. She remained frozen, in the middle of the path's exit.
But it wasn't a choice anymore. Kira had felt compelled even though she was frankly scared out of her mind. This whole idea was insane. Back at the house she had merely brought up the subject of driving and getting around on her own, and Ryan had offered her the use of his other car, a 1960s Mustang. They had both wondered if Kira was familiar with driving, and, fortunately, it turned out that she did indeed know how to drive. Ryan had suggested she take the car out for a little while and get used to it on the back roads.
As she came to a crossroads that would head into the city, Kira signaled carefully despite there being no other traffic on the road and turned north. She maintained the suggested speed limit as she headed into another rural area. The tree line began to thicken and there were fewer side roads and private driveways, until Kira felt she was out in the middle of nowhere. It wasn't long before she actually found the road that bore the name in her dream. The sign was tilted in the same matter, but there was only a curved dirt road leading into the trees. Kira saw no area that resembled the spot she had stood in her dream.
She idled the car at the entrance. “You can still go back,” she whispered to herself. “This is crazy anyway. You'll more than likely get murdered or something out here alone.”
Kira sighed as she found herself cruising slowly up the dirt road and rounding the corner. She found herself at an old abandoned building—decayed, wooden, and falling apart—and more trees surrounding the bare section in front of the building. Weeds grew up through the dirt and pebbles. She parked facing a thick grove of trees.
Kira first peered around from inside the car, then hesitantly put one foot out onto the ground. Then the other foot followed. Finally she stood inside the open car door. All around her it was quiet—maybe too quiet, which was by itself was slightly creepy. She shut the car door and began to walk toward a path in the woods. She wouldn't go in—it was dusk already and the light would fade soon—but merely take a peek into the trees. Kira wanted to get back on the road before it became dark, or she'd never find her way back.
It was at that moment she heard a crashing through the trees up ahead on the path and pounding feet. Kira's heart skipped a beat and she froze where she stood. Her head told her to move her butt—screamed at her, in fact—but her body would not obey. Her brown eyes grew wide as he—the young man in her dreams—came charging out of the trees at full speed. Just as in her dream last night, he was dirty, bleeding from his forehead, and carrying a gun. His shirt was soaked with sweat, the muscles in his torso and arms rippling with his exertion. He twisted the upper half of his body in order to fire behind him several times. Kira wanted to scream for him to watch out, but she jerked at the sharp explosions of the firing gun. She remained frozen, in the middle of the path's exit.
-14-
Cade almost skidded to a stop when he saw the girl with the dark hair standing at the entrance to the trees. What the hell?! For a split second—a second that could have gotten him wasted because he slowed down—he thought she was some sort of spirit or apparition. Then he picked up the pace again and charged toward her. If the stupid girl was real, she was going to be dead if he didn't get her out of the way. Christ, what was she doing here anyway?
As he barreled down upon her, Cade grabbed the young woman by the arm and yanked her after him out of the trees. He barely managed to keep her from falling and himself from going down with her.
“You don't want to be standing there, sweetheart!” he gasped through clenched teeth. “Not unless you want...”
Kira heard an unearthly sound from inside the trees as she was being abruptly dragged away. The unnatural scream threatened to shatter her eardrums. Without thinking she turned to look behind her to see a creature—gray fur, yellow eyes, horns growing down and out from where ears should be, and a human dog-like face filled with teeth—running on all fours. The monster reached the edge of the path and unexpectedly reared back on its hind legs. Now it resembled a human woman more than an animal. Kira stared in horror at the abnormally tall creature as it screamed again with rage. Razor-sharp claws shot out from the hand-like front paws.
“...that to be feasting on your guts! C'mon, run!”
Kira obeyed without hesitation. His voice was deep and authoritative, as if he knew what he was talking about.
Horrified but too scared to scream, Kira was hauled behind a huge, black truck she hadn't noticed when pulling in. The driver—her rescuer—had parked it in the shadows of a large tree. She felt herself being shoved down to her bare knees and hands in the dirt. Kira cursed her shorts as bits of gravel poked into her skin.
Although terrified, Kira couldn't resist peeking around the back tire of the truck certain she would see that...that thing charging after them. She couldn't help but notice heavy, black boots out of the corner of her eye. The guy from her dreams was standing next to her.
Kira saw the monster still charging after them until it came up short at the edge of the trees, as if repelled by an invisible wall. It roared and smashed furry, clawed paw-hands against the trees, leaving fresh scratch marks etched deep into the bark. One tree literally cracked and several branches were knocked off.
Kira gasped at the monster's strength.
Cade whooped and strode out casually from behind the truck where he'd been standing next to the girl on the ground.
“Ha! Yes!” he yelled triumphantly. “I trapped your ass, demon! Deal with it, bitch!”
He then ignored the massive demon now rampaging back and forth, until it broke away back into the trees in anger. Cade glanced down and saw a confused but cute young woman staring up at him. He smiled confidently, always good with the ladies. He held out a helping hand, while he gripped his gun in the other.
Kira reached up to take the offered hand. As she stood, she focused on the blood dripping down strong, chiseled features. She also saw green eyes, short, close cut hair, and the hint of tattoos showing from under t-shirt sleeves. She let him pull her to her feet and found herself still looking up at him.
“Who're you?” Cade asked, dropping her hand and reaching under the back of the truck. “Move aside, would you?”
Kira heard a latch click and some sort of compartment began to extend from inside the hard covered truck bed. She hopped to the side to avoid being hit in the hip.
“Um...Kira,” she replied, staring between the compartment and his profile, which was drawn in fierce concentration. The same intense expression as in her first dream. “Laurent,” she added.
He didn't seem scared to her, but excited. She noticed a thick, carved silver band on his right ring finger.
“Well, Kira Laurent, I'm Cade Jansen...and this wasn't the best time for you come up here, I have to be honest.”
Kira watched at he opened the top of the extended compartment, and her mouth fell open. It was full of a collection of weapons, some she'd never even seen before, and ammunition. Everything was all sort of jumbled together. He placed the gun in his hand inside the huge box.
“Tools of my trade, you might say,” he said vaguely as he noticed her staring. “Which I'm right in the middle of doing at the moment, so if you'll excuse me...,” Cade said, his mind on the dangerous task before him.
Kira suddenly grabbed him by the shoulders, reaching up...a move that surprised both of them...and stared Cade in the eyes.
Cade was too stunned for a moment to react. He merely stared back. For a second he thought she was going to kiss him...and although that would have been fun in other circumstances, it wasn't such a good idea right here and right now.
“It really is you,” Kira whispered.
Cade forgot the demon for a moment. “Uh...do I know you?” he asked.
Cade didn't think he could forget someone as cute as this Kira Laurent—although she was a little on the skinny side—, but he quickly tried to think of an excuse in case he'd had sex with her in the past.
Kira shook her head, realizing she had a death grip on Cade. She dropped her hands from his hard shoulders.
“No, I know you, I mean...,” Kira felt self-conscious now. What was she doing? He was going to think she was crazy!
“Tell me,” Cade demanded quietly. Something had passed between them when she had gripped his shoulders, and it jolted him. He'd seen...Cade blinked to rid himself of the horror that had flashed through his mind.
“In a dream...two...yesterday morning and last night. I saw...this place, well, the road sign. That's how I found it. And you, bloody and shooting, but...”
“But?” Cade asked, his eyebrows raised. This was sounding weird. Not that his whole life was anything but one big weird-fest.
“You died,” Kira said simply. “I...I guess I came to find you, but I don't know why I would dream something like that. Or about you.”
Kira suddenly felt silly. Obviously Cade had survived, he was standing right in front of her. She'd done nothing to save him. In face, he had saved her.
“I died, huh?” he said with a short laugh, showing even, white teeth. Cade glanced down at his obviously alive self. “Well, good thing you showed up to save me.”
Dying was all too real in his line of work, and the last thing Cade needed or wanted was someone to come rescue him. He preferred working alone for a reason: other people got in the way, and they got hurt. Plus he was in control when he worked by himself.
Cade abruptly moved past Kira to the cab of the truck.
Kira suddenly felt very foolish and embarrassed...and her defenses rose up to protect her.
“Well, whatever then...I'm sorry I even came,” she said, a spark of anger rising in her. “I'll leave you to your monster...,” Kira spat the word and spun around, intending to leave.
As he barreled down upon her, Cade grabbed the young woman by the arm and yanked her after him out of the trees. He barely managed to keep her from falling and himself from going down with her.
“You don't want to be standing there, sweetheart!” he gasped through clenched teeth. “Not unless you want...”
Kira heard an unearthly sound from inside the trees as she was being abruptly dragged away. The unnatural scream threatened to shatter her eardrums. Without thinking she turned to look behind her to see a creature—gray fur, yellow eyes, horns growing down and out from where ears should be, and a human dog-like face filled with teeth—running on all fours. The monster reached the edge of the path and unexpectedly reared back on its hind legs. Now it resembled a human woman more than an animal. Kira stared in horror at the abnormally tall creature as it screamed again with rage. Razor-sharp claws shot out from the hand-like front paws.
“...that to be feasting on your guts! C'mon, run!”
Kira obeyed without hesitation. His voice was deep and authoritative, as if he knew what he was talking about.
Horrified but too scared to scream, Kira was hauled behind a huge, black truck she hadn't noticed when pulling in. The driver—her rescuer—had parked it in the shadows of a large tree. She felt herself being shoved down to her bare knees and hands in the dirt. Kira cursed her shorts as bits of gravel poked into her skin.
Although terrified, Kira couldn't resist peeking around the back tire of the truck certain she would see that...that thing charging after them. She couldn't help but notice heavy, black boots out of the corner of her eye. The guy from her dreams was standing next to her.
Kira saw the monster still charging after them until it came up short at the edge of the trees, as if repelled by an invisible wall. It roared and smashed furry, clawed paw-hands against the trees, leaving fresh scratch marks etched deep into the bark. One tree literally cracked and several branches were knocked off.
Kira gasped at the monster's strength.
Cade whooped and strode out casually from behind the truck where he'd been standing next to the girl on the ground.
“Ha! Yes!” he yelled triumphantly. “I trapped your ass, demon! Deal with it, bitch!”
He then ignored the massive demon now rampaging back and forth, until it broke away back into the trees in anger. Cade glanced down and saw a confused but cute young woman staring up at him. He smiled confidently, always good with the ladies. He held out a helping hand, while he gripped his gun in the other.
Kira reached up to take the offered hand. As she stood, she focused on the blood dripping down strong, chiseled features. She also saw green eyes, short, close cut hair, and the hint of tattoos showing from under t-shirt sleeves. She let him pull her to her feet and found herself still looking up at him.
“Who're you?” Cade asked, dropping her hand and reaching under the back of the truck. “Move aside, would you?”
Kira heard a latch click and some sort of compartment began to extend from inside the hard covered truck bed. She hopped to the side to avoid being hit in the hip.
“Um...Kira,” she replied, staring between the compartment and his profile, which was drawn in fierce concentration. The same intense expression as in her first dream. “Laurent,” she added.
He didn't seem scared to her, but excited. She noticed a thick, carved silver band on his right ring finger.
“Well, Kira Laurent, I'm Cade Jansen...and this wasn't the best time for you come up here, I have to be honest.”
Kira watched at he opened the top of the extended compartment, and her mouth fell open. It was full of a collection of weapons, some she'd never even seen before, and ammunition. Everything was all sort of jumbled together. He placed the gun in his hand inside the huge box.
“Tools of my trade, you might say,” he said vaguely as he noticed her staring. “Which I'm right in the middle of doing at the moment, so if you'll excuse me...,” Cade said, his mind on the dangerous task before him.
Kira suddenly grabbed him by the shoulders, reaching up...a move that surprised both of them...and stared Cade in the eyes.
Cade was too stunned for a moment to react. He merely stared back. For a second he thought she was going to kiss him...and although that would have been fun in other circumstances, it wasn't such a good idea right here and right now.
“It really is you,” Kira whispered.
Cade forgot the demon for a moment. “Uh...do I know you?” he asked.
Cade didn't think he could forget someone as cute as this Kira Laurent—although she was a little on the skinny side—, but he quickly tried to think of an excuse in case he'd had sex with her in the past.
Kira shook her head, realizing she had a death grip on Cade. She dropped her hands from his hard shoulders.
“No, I know you, I mean...,” Kira felt self-conscious now. What was she doing? He was going to think she was crazy!
“Tell me,” Cade demanded quietly. Something had passed between them when she had gripped his shoulders, and it jolted him. He'd seen...Cade blinked to rid himself of the horror that had flashed through his mind.
“In a dream...two...yesterday morning and last night. I saw...this place, well, the road sign. That's how I found it. And you, bloody and shooting, but...”
“But?” Cade asked, his eyebrows raised. This was sounding weird. Not that his whole life was anything but one big weird-fest.
“You died,” Kira said simply. “I...I guess I came to find you, but I don't know why I would dream something like that. Or about you.”
Kira suddenly felt silly. Obviously Cade had survived, he was standing right in front of her. She'd done nothing to save him. In face, he had saved her.
“I died, huh?” he said with a short laugh, showing even, white teeth. Cade glanced down at his obviously alive self. “Well, good thing you showed up to save me.”
Dying was all too real in his line of work, and the last thing Cade needed or wanted was someone to come rescue him. He preferred working alone for a reason: other people got in the way, and they got hurt. Plus he was in control when he worked by himself.
Cade abruptly moved past Kira to the cab of the truck.
Kira suddenly felt very foolish and embarrassed...and her defenses rose up to protect her.
“Well, whatever then...I'm sorry I even came,” she said, a spark of anger rising in her. “I'll leave you to your monster...,” Kira spat the word and spun around, intending to leave.
-15-
“Demon,” Cade said, his head inside the truck and his ass sticking out. He retrieved a folded piece of paper and shoved it in the back pocket of his dirty jeans.
“What?” Kira asked, still angry but curious, too.
Cade brushed past her and back to the weapons where he began to rummage around. He pulled out a sawed-off shotgun, shells, and a replacement pistol.
Kira had to follow to hear him.
“It's not a “monster” per se...it's a demon, Olisha...a Haitian demon to be exact. But the bitch got caught in that freaky dog-human form before the transformation finished and is, well, stuck. I think she's pissed. Those kids awhile back summoned her.”
Kira shook head. She had no idea what Cade was talking about. “Kids?”
“Don't you read the news?” he asked in disbelief. “It was all over.”
“I just arrived in town,” she lied.
Not to mention she hadn't had any chances to read newspapers in the past six months. The loony bin didn't exactly encourage its “guests” to keep up on current events, and living on the streets brought more pressing concerns than local news.
Cade sighed but paused. He didn't want to blow the girl off...the whole seeing-him-in-her-dream business was somewhat intriguing—and a little bit of a turn-on—, and she seemed nice enough. Not weird or anything. But he did have an angry demon to dispatch.
“Right, condensed version then...a bunch of wanna-be demon worshipers performed a incantation ritual out here in the woods using a sacrificed dog.”
Kira wrinkled her nose in disgust.
“And said demon dog is in my containment circle at the moment, but for how long it'll hold I'm not sure. She's a fairly powerful demon, Olisha is. The old girl is a favorite of voodoo and black magic practitioners.”
Cade proceeded to load the shotgun barrel with the shells as he continued.
“I read about the survivors three days ago, hauled ass out to New Bellwich, and talked to the kids who lived through the massacre. I found out they'd summoned this demon; but once she actually responded—which I think shocked the hell out of those stupid idiots—and began to inhabit and reform the dog's body, well a couple of the kids got scared. The started prayin' to the divine spirit of their choice...God, they said...and the demon's transformation froze. She killed most of the kids, but two escaped...with most of their body parts at any rate.”
“A demon,” Kira said in shock. Ryan had mentioned demons being unleashed into the Real World and the Secret World as part of...what did he call it? The Death Knell, she remembered. But he'd said the immortals were battling them, nothing about humans. Kira wondered if Cade was an immortal; although there was probably no polite way to ask.
“You believe?” Cade asked, waving his hand in front of Kira's face, which had gone slightly blank.
Cade started quickly back to work. He stripped off his t-shirt unselfconsciously and threw it in the weapons compartment. His chest, back, and upper arms sported several tattoos of strange-looking symbols and designs. There was blood on his chest, as well, which he wiped at ineffectively. He wore an amulet around his neck on a leather cord. The muscles necessary to do his job and live through each fight with a demon rippled in his upper body in the light of the setting sun. He wiped his blood smeared hand over his jeans a couple of times.
Kira nodded. “Yeah,” she said softly, wanting to tell him what Ryan had told her. “Yeah, I do believe.”
Then she asked, “How is she...the demon trapped in there?”
Kira gestured toward the trees.
She realized Cade had filled a small duffel bag with his weapons and a leather bound journal closed with a strap. He began walking back toward the path entrance. Kira wondered if he was going back in there. Without thinking, she followed. She watched his muscles flex under his sweat and dirt streaked skin.
“Containment circle...salt, symbols carved on the trees—I spent a good deal of yesterday walking around and drawing the circle closer and closer to trap the bitch. She really only becomes active at night,” he finished explaining.
Cade stopped at the entrance to the trees and knelt down. He pulled out a large wooden cross.
“Well, how do you...are you going to kill...?” Kira began.
Cade interrupted. “Can't kill a demon...not really. I'm going to blow away the physical form and send the demon essence straight back to Hell.”
The young demon hunter would have been surprised to learn that “Hell” was really the Netherworlds, home to demons; but neither he nor Kira were aware of this important fact at this point in time.
Kira was surprised when Cade glanced up at her with a grin. He winked. He seemed excited about this, not at all scared. Whereas the dark-haired girl was frightened. She felt her stomach drawn in on itself and her heart beat a little too fast. She watched Cade draw out the nasty looking gun: silver, shiny, and deadly. He also lay out the well-worn journal. Kira watched all this with a fascination that frightened her.
“You can leave, if you want. I'd advise it, actually,” Cade remarked, not sure if he really wanted the girl to leave or not—but knowing she probably should. “I usually work alone.”
Kira had seen a djinnee and a gargoyle battle to the death of the djinee, as well as having had an orc try to kill her.
“I'll stay,” she said, surprised at her response.
“Well, stay back a bit, then,” he said, impressed that she hadn't taken the chance to get away. “And take this, just in case.”
Kira found herself holding her first gun ever—the sawed-off shotgun full of shells.
“The shells are full of rock salt. It'll slow the demon but not kill her, in case she escapes...which, if that's the case, then we're dead anyway. But it'll make you feel better to at least shoot some demon ass before you die an agonizing death.”
Kira swallowed hard as she held the gun awkwardly.
Cade sighed.
“Here,” he offered, placing it in her hands the correct way and pumping the slide loader. “Don't point it at me. It's ready to shoot. It'll hurt like hell if you hit me with it, but luckily not kill me.”
Kira nodded.
“Just point, fire, pump that slider part there once, and fire again.”
With that Cade stepped over a thick line of salt on the ground and into the trees.
“What?” Kira asked, still angry but curious, too.
Cade brushed past her and back to the weapons where he began to rummage around. He pulled out a sawed-off shotgun, shells, and a replacement pistol.
Kira had to follow to hear him.
“It's not a “monster” per se...it's a demon, Olisha...a Haitian demon to be exact. But the bitch got caught in that freaky dog-human form before the transformation finished and is, well, stuck. I think she's pissed. Those kids awhile back summoned her.”
Kira shook head. She had no idea what Cade was talking about. “Kids?”
“Don't you read the news?” he asked in disbelief. “It was all over.”
“I just arrived in town,” she lied.
Not to mention she hadn't had any chances to read newspapers in the past six months. The loony bin didn't exactly encourage its “guests” to keep up on current events, and living on the streets brought more pressing concerns than local news.
Cade sighed but paused. He didn't want to blow the girl off...the whole seeing-him-in-her-dream business was somewhat intriguing—and a little bit of a turn-on—, and she seemed nice enough. Not weird or anything. But he did have an angry demon to dispatch.
“Right, condensed version then...a bunch of wanna-be demon worshipers performed a incantation ritual out here in the woods using a sacrificed dog.”
Kira wrinkled her nose in disgust.
“And said demon dog is in my containment circle at the moment, but for how long it'll hold I'm not sure. She's a fairly powerful demon, Olisha is. The old girl is a favorite of voodoo and black magic practitioners.”
Cade proceeded to load the shotgun barrel with the shells as he continued.
“I read about the survivors three days ago, hauled ass out to New Bellwich, and talked to the kids who lived through the massacre. I found out they'd summoned this demon; but once she actually responded—which I think shocked the hell out of those stupid idiots—and began to inhabit and reform the dog's body, well a couple of the kids got scared. The started prayin' to the divine spirit of their choice...God, they said...and the demon's transformation froze. She killed most of the kids, but two escaped...with most of their body parts at any rate.”
“A demon,” Kira said in shock. Ryan had mentioned demons being unleashed into the Real World and the Secret World as part of...what did he call it? The Death Knell, she remembered. But he'd said the immortals were battling them, nothing about humans. Kira wondered if Cade was an immortal; although there was probably no polite way to ask.
“You believe?” Cade asked, waving his hand in front of Kira's face, which had gone slightly blank.
Cade started quickly back to work. He stripped off his t-shirt unselfconsciously and threw it in the weapons compartment. His chest, back, and upper arms sported several tattoos of strange-looking symbols and designs. There was blood on his chest, as well, which he wiped at ineffectively. He wore an amulet around his neck on a leather cord. The muscles necessary to do his job and live through each fight with a demon rippled in his upper body in the light of the setting sun. He wiped his blood smeared hand over his jeans a couple of times.
Kira nodded. “Yeah,” she said softly, wanting to tell him what Ryan had told her. “Yeah, I do believe.”
Then she asked, “How is she...the demon trapped in there?”
Kira gestured toward the trees.
She realized Cade had filled a small duffel bag with his weapons and a leather bound journal closed with a strap. He began walking back toward the path entrance. Kira wondered if he was going back in there. Without thinking, she followed. She watched his muscles flex under his sweat and dirt streaked skin.
“Containment circle...salt, symbols carved on the trees—I spent a good deal of yesterday walking around and drawing the circle closer and closer to trap the bitch. She really only becomes active at night,” he finished explaining.
Cade stopped at the entrance to the trees and knelt down. He pulled out a large wooden cross.
“Well, how do you...are you going to kill...?” Kira began.
Cade interrupted. “Can't kill a demon...not really. I'm going to blow away the physical form and send the demon essence straight back to Hell.”
The young demon hunter would have been surprised to learn that “Hell” was really the Netherworlds, home to demons; but neither he nor Kira were aware of this important fact at this point in time.
Kira was surprised when Cade glanced up at her with a grin. He winked. He seemed excited about this, not at all scared. Whereas the dark-haired girl was frightened. She felt her stomach drawn in on itself and her heart beat a little too fast. She watched Cade draw out the nasty looking gun: silver, shiny, and deadly. He also lay out the well-worn journal. Kira watched all this with a fascination that frightened her.
“You can leave, if you want. I'd advise it, actually,” Cade remarked, not sure if he really wanted the girl to leave or not—but knowing she probably should. “I usually work alone.”
Kira had seen a djinnee and a gargoyle battle to the death of the djinee, as well as having had an orc try to kill her.
“I'll stay,” she said, surprised at her response.
“Well, stay back a bit, then,” he said, impressed that she hadn't taken the chance to get away. “And take this, just in case.”
Kira found herself holding her first gun ever—the sawed-off shotgun full of shells.
“The shells are full of rock salt. It'll slow the demon but not kill her, in case she escapes...which, if that's the case, then we're dead anyway. But it'll make you feel better to at least shoot some demon ass before you die an agonizing death.”
Kira swallowed hard as she held the gun awkwardly.
Cade sighed.
“Here,” he offered, placing it in her hands the correct way and pumping the slide loader. “Don't point it at me. It's ready to shoot. It'll hurt like hell if you hit me with it, but luckily not kill me.”
Kira nodded.
“Just point, fire, pump that slider part there once, and fire again.”
With that Cade stepped over a thick line of salt on the ground and into the trees.
-17-
“Hey, demon bitch!” he suddenly yelled, his deep voice carrying through the woods. “Fresh human meat...come and get me!”
Kira gasped. She'd had no idea that Cade was going to use himself as bait. She jumped as a roar came from a short distance away. Then the trees rustled and cracked as the demon crashed through. Only the huge dog-woman hybrid came from the side instead of straight on, the direction Cade was facing. The demon surprised Cade and he swore. He tried to back up but tripped over a tree root. The demon loomed over Cade, its half muzzle filled with sharp, snapping teeth.
Kira screamed but remembered the shotgun. She brought it up using both hands and fired straight at the demon's face. She actually only hit the horrifying creature in the chest, but the impact was enough to stun the demon for a split second. Enough time for Cade to scramble to his feet backwards and cross the containment barrier.
Cade stared at Kira. Their eyes met.
He had almost died.
A vicious scream behind him jump-started Cade back into action. The demon was breaking through the containment circle, which was weakening under her power. He had to hurry. He dropped to his knees, his bare, tattooed back glistening with fresh sweat, dirt, and minor scratches. He nearly tore open the leather journal and began to read the exorcism.
Kira listened to the Latin words, not understanding but feeling their power. His voice was deep and commanding and loud. She'd re-cocked the shotgun and had it aimed at the struggling demon dog-human monstrosity. The trees began to shake and bend in a sudden, violent wind. Kira's hair whipped about her face.
The pages of the journal flapped but Cade held them down. Cade read, nearly shouting. The demon Olisha began to scream in agony as she was torn from the mutated canine body. Cade didn't pause in his reciting of the ancient exorcism.
“Shoot it again!” he yelled, then resumed reading.
The demon was half way between being banished and half way to breaking through the containment barrier.
Kira froze for a second.
“Damn it! Shoot!” Cade yelled in frustration and a little bit of fear.
Kira brought the sawed-off shotgun up higher and let off a shell full of salt. The demon screamed, was jerked backwards, but then lunged forward and broke through the invisible barrier.
Cade shouted the last line of the ancient text and dropped the journal. He yanked Kira down roughly to her stomach, covering her body with his. He attempted to get as much of her underneath him as possible so he would take the brunt of the attack; although he knew the demon would kill her as well. He reached for the shotgun, but it was too late...the demon was inches from them, snarling and snapping its teeth.
Kira screamed.
Cade ducked his head, ready to die but sorry as all hell Kira was going down with him. He felt a mass of fur drop heavily onto his back.
Kira gasped. She'd had no idea that Cade was going to use himself as bait. She jumped as a roar came from a short distance away. Then the trees rustled and cracked as the demon crashed through. Only the huge dog-woman hybrid came from the side instead of straight on, the direction Cade was facing. The demon surprised Cade and he swore. He tried to back up but tripped over a tree root. The demon loomed over Cade, its half muzzle filled with sharp, snapping teeth.
Kira screamed but remembered the shotgun. She brought it up using both hands and fired straight at the demon's face. She actually only hit the horrifying creature in the chest, but the impact was enough to stun the demon for a split second. Enough time for Cade to scramble to his feet backwards and cross the containment barrier.
Cade stared at Kira. Their eyes met.
He had almost died.
A vicious scream behind him jump-started Cade back into action. The demon was breaking through the containment circle, which was weakening under her power. He had to hurry. He dropped to his knees, his bare, tattooed back glistening with fresh sweat, dirt, and minor scratches. He nearly tore open the leather journal and began to read the exorcism.
Kira listened to the Latin words, not understanding but feeling their power. His voice was deep and commanding and loud. She'd re-cocked the shotgun and had it aimed at the struggling demon dog-human monstrosity. The trees began to shake and bend in a sudden, violent wind. Kira's hair whipped about her face.
The pages of the journal flapped but Cade held them down. Cade read, nearly shouting. The demon Olisha began to scream in agony as she was torn from the mutated canine body. Cade didn't pause in his reciting of the ancient exorcism.
“Shoot it again!” he yelled, then resumed reading.
The demon was half way between being banished and half way to breaking through the containment barrier.
Kira froze for a second.
“Damn it! Shoot!” Cade yelled in frustration and a little bit of fear.
Kira brought the sawed-off shotgun up higher and let off a shell full of salt. The demon screamed, was jerked backwards, but then lunged forward and broke through the invisible barrier.
Cade shouted the last line of the ancient text and dropped the journal. He yanked Kira down roughly to her stomach, covering her body with his. He attempted to get as much of her underneath him as possible so he would take the brunt of the attack; although he knew the demon would kill her as well. He reached for the shotgun, but it was too late...the demon was inches from them, snarling and snapping its teeth.
Kira screamed.
Cade ducked his head, ready to die but sorry as all hell Kira was going down with him. He felt a mass of fur drop heavily onto his back.
-16-
Then...nothing.
No ripping of his flesh with razor-like claws or teeth, no hot demon breath on his neck severing his spinal chord, no...nothing. The trees grew still and the wind silent. Cade lay with his arms and legs wrapped around Kira for a second longer before he realized the demon wasn't mutilating them and devouring their guts.
However, there seemed to be a very dead and very putrid dog on his back, judging from the smell and feel. Cade tensed his muscles and threw the carcass off with a grunt. The demon Olisha's inhabitance of the dead dog had not only changed the physical features of the creature, but had halted the decaying process as well. But now the dog's original rotting body had leaked all over Cade's bare back.
“This I didn't expect,” he said, twitching at the feel of the slime on his skin. Cade shuddered.
Kira climbed slowly to her feet, legs shaking and heart pounding. She was dirty but unhurt, except for scratches, although her ribs were slightly tender again. She watched Cade turn around trying to see his own back.
Kira grimaced. “Oh, that's disgusting,” she announced, feeling as if vomiting would be a good idea. But she tried to help out. “If you have a towel, I...I'll wipe the...it off.”
“I'd appreciate it,” Cade answered.
They headed for the truck.
Kira paused and glanced behind her. She frowned. “So, the demon went back to hell? I thought for sure we were dead.”
Somehow this thought wasn't as horrifying as it should have been, nor was the whole experience as traumatic as she would have imagined, which was very odd.
“Nah,” Cade replied as casually as he could, glad Kira was behind him and couldn't see his expression. “I had the banishment under control.”
“Hrmph.” Kira made a sound that said she was dubious. “Then why did you throw yourself on top of me?”
Cade shrugged as he reached into the passenger door for an old towel. “Would you rather be the one wearing decayed and slimy dog guts?” he asked, staring at her over his shoulder as he handed over the towel.
“No, of course not!” she started to protest while taking an initial swipe at the goop on Cade's back.
“Then don't complain. Lots of girls would have loved to be in your position.”
Kira scowled and wiped hard with the rough towel, standing back so the mess dripped between them on the dirt ground.
“Hey, don't take off my skin, sweetheart!” Cade protested, flinching.
Kira didn't like him calling her that. It sounded demeaning somehow. But she didn't say anything. Instead she handed the towel over abruptly.
“Here. You're clean enough.”
“Hey, thanks! You're a doll,” Cade said with false cheerfulness, hoping Kira didn't notice he was still shocked at what almost happened to them.
He yanked on a dark green t-shirt over his bare skin, the material stretching slightly over his arms and chest. He quickly stowed his shotgun and leather journal on the passenger seat of the high truck and covered them with the duffel bag. He would secure them in the hidden weapon's compartment later on down the road.
The slamming of the door made Kira jump. She glanced around realizing it was now full dark, the moon not as bright as previous nights and shadows falling all around them.
Cade moved to the other side of his black truck. “Well, it's been...not exactly fun—fighting demons never is—but at least she's back where she belongs. Thanks for your help,” he added. He realized that sounded like an afterthought and felt bad about that.
Kira watched with growing annoyance as it appeared Cade was just going to leave. And...hurt? Was she feeling hurt that he was leaving her? After what they'd been through, after what she'd seen, and her dream...she wanted to find out more about Cade and what he did.
Cade glanced over the hood of his truck to see Kira looking highly annoyed. She was staring at him.
“You should go, Kira. The demon's gone, but there's still other dangers out here,” he said seriously, all joking aside. “C'mon, follow me out to the road.”
Kira backed away a few paces, stupid tears filling her eyes. She hoped Cade couldn't see them in the dark. She just wanted to talk, dammit!
“I'll leave when I'm ready,” she said quietly but defiantly.
Cade swore to himself. He didn't want to leave her here, but he didn't want to get involved. In his line of 'work', he made it a point to never get emotionally involved, and that included making too close of friends. He shrugged.
“Suit yourself, sweetheart. The open road and another baddie is calling my name.”
Cade swung up into the cab and shut the door. He resisted looking down at Kira. He was afraid he might stay. Cade brought the truck roaring to life and backed up. Turning on his lights and starting to drive away slowly, he saw Kira in his side mirror. She was looking mighty angry by the look of her stance. His tail lights reflected on her in red. But she also looked so innocent standing there. Could he really leave her? She had no idea what was going on in the world.
Cade lifted his foot to press the brake.
Then he remembered the flash in his mind when she'd held him by the shoulders. Kira in his arms, someplace he didn't recognize, dead. It had shocked him at the time, but Cade had managed not to show his fear. Now the vision of Kira dead made him put his foot back on the accelerator.
“No,” he said to himself. “She's not going to die because of me, no one else is.”
His family's death six years ago and his helplessness at the time to fight the demons that attacked them had been traumatic enough. He wasn't now going to cause another innocent person to die. Cade hit the main road with one glance back into the darkness. Then he turned west and drove away.
Kira remained by herself until she saw Cade turn and his tail lights disappear. She ran a hand roughly over her wet eyes and set her face stoically. She climbed into the Mustang and locked the door.
“Ass,” she said to herself, thinking of Cade.
Then she reversed and drove away.
No ripping of his flesh with razor-like claws or teeth, no hot demon breath on his neck severing his spinal chord, no...nothing. The trees grew still and the wind silent. Cade lay with his arms and legs wrapped around Kira for a second longer before he realized the demon wasn't mutilating them and devouring their guts.
However, there seemed to be a very dead and very putrid dog on his back, judging from the smell and feel. Cade tensed his muscles and threw the carcass off with a grunt. The demon Olisha's inhabitance of the dead dog had not only changed the physical features of the creature, but had halted the decaying process as well. But now the dog's original rotting body had leaked all over Cade's bare back.
“This I didn't expect,” he said, twitching at the feel of the slime on his skin. Cade shuddered.
Kira climbed slowly to her feet, legs shaking and heart pounding. She was dirty but unhurt, except for scratches, although her ribs were slightly tender again. She watched Cade turn around trying to see his own back.
Kira grimaced. “Oh, that's disgusting,” she announced, feeling as if vomiting would be a good idea. But she tried to help out. “If you have a towel, I...I'll wipe the...it off.”
“I'd appreciate it,” Cade answered.
They headed for the truck.
Kira paused and glanced behind her. She frowned. “So, the demon went back to hell? I thought for sure we were dead.”
Somehow this thought wasn't as horrifying as it should have been, nor was the whole experience as traumatic as she would have imagined, which was very odd.
“Nah,” Cade replied as casually as he could, glad Kira was behind him and couldn't see his expression. “I had the banishment under control.”
“Hrmph.” Kira made a sound that said she was dubious. “Then why did you throw yourself on top of me?”
Cade shrugged as he reached into the passenger door for an old towel. “Would you rather be the one wearing decayed and slimy dog guts?” he asked, staring at her over his shoulder as he handed over the towel.
“No, of course not!” she started to protest while taking an initial swipe at the goop on Cade's back.
“Then don't complain. Lots of girls would have loved to be in your position.”
Kira scowled and wiped hard with the rough towel, standing back so the mess dripped between them on the dirt ground.
“Hey, don't take off my skin, sweetheart!” Cade protested, flinching.
Kira didn't like him calling her that. It sounded demeaning somehow. But she didn't say anything. Instead she handed the towel over abruptly.
“Here. You're clean enough.”
“Hey, thanks! You're a doll,” Cade said with false cheerfulness, hoping Kira didn't notice he was still shocked at what almost happened to them.
He yanked on a dark green t-shirt over his bare skin, the material stretching slightly over his arms and chest. He quickly stowed his shotgun and leather journal on the passenger seat of the high truck and covered them with the duffel bag. He would secure them in the hidden weapon's compartment later on down the road.
The slamming of the door made Kira jump. She glanced around realizing it was now full dark, the moon not as bright as previous nights and shadows falling all around them.
Cade moved to the other side of his black truck. “Well, it's been...not exactly fun—fighting demons never is—but at least she's back where she belongs. Thanks for your help,” he added. He realized that sounded like an afterthought and felt bad about that.
Kira watched with growing annoyance as it appeared Cade was just going to leave. And...hurt? Was she feeling hurt that he was leaving her? After what they'd been through, after what she'd seen, and her dream...she wanted to find out more about Cade and what he did.
Cade glanced over the hood of his truck to see Kira looking highly annoyed. She was staring at him.
“You should go, Kira. The demon's gone, but there's still other dangers out here,” he said seriously, all joking aside. “C'mon, follow me out to the road.”
Kira backed away a few paces, stupid tears filling her eyes. She hoped Cade couldn't see them in the dark. She just wanted to talk, dammit!
“I'll leave when I'm ready,” she said quietly but defiantly.
Cade swore to himself. He didn't want to leave her here, but he didn't want to get involved. In his line of 'work', he made it a point to never get emotionally involved, and that included making too close of friends. He shrugged.
“Suit yourself, sweetheart. The open road and another baddie is calling my name.”
Cade swung up into the cab and shut the door. He resisted looking down at Kira. He was afraid he might stay. Cade brought the truck roaring to life and backed up. Turning on his lights and starting to drive away slowly, he saw Kira in his side mirror. She was looking mighty angry by the look of her stance. His tail lights reflected on her in red. But she also looked so innocent standing there. Could he really leave her? She had no idea what was going on in the world.
Cade lifted his foot to press the brake.
Then he remembered the flash in his mind when she'd held him by the shoulders. Kira in his arms, someplace he didn't recognize, dead. It had shocked him at the time, but Cade had managed not to show his fear. Now the vision of Kira dead made him put his foot back on the accelerator.
“No,” he said to himself. “She's not going to die because of me, no one else is.”
His family's death six years ago and his helplessness at the time to fight the demons that attacked them had been traumatic enough. He wasn't now going to cause another innocent person to die. Cade hit the main road with one glance back into the darkness. Then he turned west and drove away.
Kira remained by herself until she saw Cade turn and his tail lights disappear. She ran a hand roughly over her wet eyes and set her face stoically. She climbed into the Mustang and locked the door.
“Ass,” she said to herself, thinking of Cade.
Then she reversed and drove away.