Michael
I stared up at Lily confused. Did I just hear her correctly? “So, you want me to do what?”
“Pressure my father to release Nathan.” She sat in the chair next to me. “I want him to be free. My father has tightened his leash again. Nathan can’t do anything freely anymore!” She looked at her hands, which she had been twisting nonstop since she asked to talk to me. “Ever since he saw Nathan kiss me, my father has been doing everything he can to keep him away.”
“Sounds like a father protecting his child.” Seems like she was just going through daddy-daughter problems, which was not my problem.
She shook her head. “No, my father had assigned Nathan to be my bodyguard. He was so, I don’t know, angry I think. Nathan hates my father and because of that, he never wanted to be near me. I tried to show him that I wasn’t like my father, but he didn’t respond so I gave up. He was helping me train one day and I hurt myself.” I leaned back on the couch, placing my elbow on the armrest, and rested my head in my hand. Of course she would go over how she fell in love with Nathan. Sometimes I wonder how I could stand this. “You see, Nathan only did what he was ordered. When I got hurt, he did something strange, he held me close and comforted me instead of ordering me back up. I didn’t understand at first, but a few weeks later, it became clear.” She started to smile at the memory. “I had wanted to go shopping, but my father refused to let me out. Nathan met me in the hallway and took my hand. Next thing I knew, we were standing in the middle of the square. He looked down at me, leaned close, and whispered into my ear saying that I should have fun, and then he kissed my cheek.” Cue the blushing and the fingers touching her cheek. “I realized then that he did care about me. Now, my father knows that we have grown close. Hell, he saw us kiss! As if my father couldn’t be any more of a jerk, he’s trying to take Nathan from me; giving him ridiculous missions and what not.”
Ok, now I couldn’t take it anymore. I had to stop her reminiscing before she went into a rant. “So, because you love him, you want to free him?”
She looked at me. Tears were threatening to show. “Yes. If scaring my father won’t do it, then…” She looked at her hands again. “Then I’m afraid that Nathan will never return to me, to us.” Then that tear slipped out and down her cheek.
As much as I don’t care about Nathan living or not, I guess I could humor myself and have him owe me one. “Yeah sure, why not?” I chuckled at her confused stare. Obviously, she wasn’t expecting me to agree so easily. Sometimes it was just too fun to mess with a human. “What? I can’t say no to a hottie like you.” She stiffened when I winked at her. Chuckling, I decided I wouldn’t push it. I like to flirt with the hot ones and to me she was no exception. As long as Nathan isn’t around, she’ll be fair game. I stood and walked toward the kitchen. Maybe her favorite tea would relax her. “Tea?”
“Oh, yes. English breakfast, please.”
She walked toward me, but stayed in the living room, resting her arms on the pass through counter while she played with a pen. When the water heating had started to simmer, she caught my attention with the unexpected question she asked. “Michael, do you know about the King?” I could only stare at her. That hasn’t been a topic of discussion with anyone around me for years. Actually, because of my history, I was forbidden to talk of the King. Guess my stare concerned her. “Oh, um, never mind. Just forget I asked.”
I rested my hip on the counter and crossed my arms. My smirk could not be hidden. “Why interested in him? He hasn’t been around for years.”
She looked at the water and pointed. “Um… Water?”
I looked. “Oh jek!” The water was about to boil over. Stubborn water, Nathan really needed to invest in one of those hot pot water heater things. Pulling the pot off the stove, I heard her laugh. Pouring the water into mugs, I added the tea and let it seep for a bit. “So, the King?”
She looked at me. “Right, well, I just wanted to know who he was. I was going through some books my father had and found one on him. Since Nathan isn’t around, I thought you could help me.”
“Why not your father?”
Lily frowned. “Because I don’t want his help.”
Rolling my eyes, I handed her a mug. “Why not Nathan?”
“Because he wouldn’t tell me.”
This brought her to me, perfect. “Well, the King’s reign ended about fifty years ago. Do you want to know about him or his reign? What?”
“Who was he? Where did he go? I read a few different stories and I want to know the truth.”
If only she really knew. “Ok, he was killed or imprisoned. Either way, he’s gone. His reign of terror ended and the humans didn’t have to deal with a power hungry deo.” I took a sip of my tea. “I think you know how Cross Communications came around?” She shook her head. I sighed. “Your father is holding back on you. The Hunters were originally formed to stop the King. Some deo joined with these early Hunters and that caused the eventual down fall of him. Ultimately, Hunters decided to control the dangerous creatures fighting beside them and became the Hunters of today. However, back on track, the story goes that one deo survived the original attack on his village by the King to become the one to end him.”
“Ok, but do you know where the King is?”
My grin couldn’t be held back. “Perhaps so. But, I do know that he is alive; imprisoned by the very deo who captured him.”
Her eyes widened. “He… He still lives.”
“Yep. Don’t know why though. I’m positive that the King would either want his rule or death, not something in between.” I stared at my drink remembering the past. That was a painful truth to admit.
Staring into her tea, I heard something strange in her voice. Worry or fear maybe? “If he’s still alive, then that means he could return.”
My chuckling caused her to look at me. “He could return, but if he hasn’t done anything in the past fifty years, there must be a reason. Maybe he’s trapped in a dungeon? Or walking around like you and me trapped by a spell?” I paused. The temptation to tell her the truth of the King was growing; part of it anyway. I grinned wider. Sometimes, temptation was too strong. “Personally, I think that he’s closer than we all would like to think. That he is walking this earth planning how to free himself from the one who watches him. That he is being controlled under a spell, preventing him from reaching his full strength. That the madness he had during his reign was locked away and slowly creeping back into his mind. Still, that the guardian, the one in control of him, is protecting him from Cross. For all we know, he could be standing outside as we speak, listening to our every word.”
Lily shook her head, giggling slightly. “You think he could be standing outside? On the balcony five floors up? I think you’re trying to scare me.”
Shrugging, I took a drink of my tea. “I very well could be. So, about busting Nathan out?”
Kyla
Scanning the surrounding area, I could tell Michael and Lily were in Nathan’s apartment below. Nathan wasn’t even close to here. Strange, if he and Michael were the only two deo here, shouldn’t he stay? Or was Michael the ruler of this territory? Michael did seem to assert his authority the other day, but Nathan had this strong air around him. They didn’t seem to cooperate well enough to both the leaders, so which one is it? Sensing his presence, I looked down. Nathan had returned to his apartment. The presence of another yellow glow was what hinted his appearance. To put it simply, I have this strange ability to see where deo are. It’s still weird to me. My eyes turn yellow then any deo within the area light up with a yellow glow with humans being white. As long as they are within my sight range, in or out of a building, I can see them. By the looks of Nathan’s reaction to Michael being in his apartment, something was about to happen. Blinking to clear my vision, I stepped toward the edge of the building and looked down. His balcony was only two stories down. Not a bad jump. Stepping off the ledge, I landed hard enough to make a sound. Quickly, I straightened myself just before the door opened. Michael was the one glaring me down and the next instant, that arrogant grin of his was plastered to his face. “Well, well, decided to drop by?” Pushing him aside, I made my way in. Nathan seemed slightly depressed and Lily looked both excited and confused. Raising my eyebrow, I stared at Nathan who turned his head away. Feeling Michael standing behind me, I turned to lean on the counter. His eyes were on Lily. “So, tonight then?” Lily nodded. He then looked at me grinning. “See ya later sweetheart.”
Just before he shadowstepped, he winked at me. That time, I couldn’t hide the growl from my chest. I mentally kicked myself because Nathan had heard and was now glaring at me. “Don’t like him?”
Shrugging, I decided against my better judgment to continue with the Michael topic. “Why was he here anyway?”
Nathan’s jaw tightened when Lily answered. “He’s helping me with something I’m working on.” She smiled at Nathan.
When I looked at him, he seemed tense. Before I realized what I was doing, I was standing in front of him with his eyes glaring down at me. “What’s with you? You are not supposed to be this weak, depressed deo. It’s not you.”
That glare quickly turned into a frown. “Who are you to ask?”
Again, with the mental kick. He had asked the million-dollar question. I slipped and said something I shouldn’t have. Smart me. “I thought you were strong? Was I wrong?”
He flashed his fangs. I definitely struck a nerve. “Who I am is none of your business.”
Placing my hands on my hips, I glared at him. “Am I right? The strong deo you were is gone? You are nothing but a weak, pathetic piece of meat. The Nathan I know wouldn’t roll over for anyone.”
“And how would you know me?”
Jek, again with my mouth. I need to learn to control my tongue. Oh well, time to deal with this now instead of later. “Because I know my brother and he isn’t this pathetic.”
Both Lily and Nathan looked at me confused. He looked me up and down then snarled. “My sister is long dead.”
The pain was rolling off him. I could feel the heartbreak suffocating him. He didn’t know what had happened to me that night. The King’s Army had attacked our village. Most of us were killed and I had almost died. Nathan was trying to protect us, then there was pain shooting through my body. The spear that had run me through blurred what happened next. However, I remember Nathan yelling, then my instincts took over. When I woke, I was somewhere unfamiliar with people hovering over me tending to my injuries. Imagine my surprise when I realized that I had shadowstepped to safety. I looked into his eyes. “Not dead, lost and found. They didn’t kill me. Almost, but didn’t.”
His hands were on my throat before I could take my next breath. Through his growl, his words were pained. “Then show me you’re her. Let yourself out and show me your true nature.”
He wanted me to transform into the demon? Here? Now? I flashed my fangs. “Not here.” I glanced at Lily, hoping he would understand.
His grip tightened and I felt the shadows consume us. A chill went down my spine as we moved through the dark. I hated not being in control of shadowstepping. When my vision focused, Nathan had taken us to a field. The smell was what caught my attention, lavender, one of the few things that can calm a deo from frenzy. Why did he bring me here? “Show me.” His fangs were showing and his claws had sharpened. Nathan wasn’t joking.
Grabbing his arm, I pushed him off. “You’re joking? You honestly don’t believe me? I am Kyla! Your sister.”
Clenching his fists, I saw his skin turn black. He was reaching his limit. Not good, his anger was beginning to get the best of him. “I know my sister. I know who she is.” The black was creeping its way up his neck. Nathan’s eyes were red. I took a step back. Then I noticed his tail, it was black, long, and slender with a barb at the end. Focusing on him again, I realized how far along he was. He was all black, muscles stronger, claws sharp and deadly, red eyes focused on me, horns were growing and curving back over his head, a black demon standing in front of me. Nathan voice even reflected his true self, deep and gravelly. “Release yourself.”
Flashing my own fangs, I let myself go. Best to try to gain his trust somehow. My skin turned black, claws sharpened, eyes red, almost the same as him, except more streamline and feminine. A female deo wasn’t all rough and bulky strength; we were slim and beautiful with our strength hidden under a dark beauty. Humans would describe most deo’s true form as succubus or incubus. It’s not far from the truth. We lure in our prey with that deadly attraction. Though, most of us are seductive, there are the few who’s form reflects their monstrous intentions perfectly. The snarl from me was a little unexpected, yet I welcomed it. My true form always loved to run; it was dangerous and stubborn. Foolish deo who would willingly let themselves loose without control were certain to see blood. My brother and I, I can only pray that he has more control now than he did then.
When his fist connected with my jaw, I was caught off guard and thrown across the field. As I got up, Nathan was already above me. Seeing his shadow was my only warning. Looking up, the black wings that had stretched from his back blocked out the sun. He was stronger than I remember, even my jaw still agreed. Before he was able to slam into me, I managed to jump to the side and stayed in a crouch. I was deadly and quick yes, but he was pure strength and could become reckless. “Nathan! Believe me!”
He charged me again, this time I saw the pain in his eyes. “Then where have you been?” His claws were ready for the attack.
I jumped, landing behind him. “I must have shadowstepped away from our home. I remember being hurt, then somewhere else. People were tending my injuries and they helped me recover. I did return to our home, but it was gone. I searched for you, yet you were gone. Years, decades went by as I searched. When I heard of a deo here, I decided to look. I watched and waited and I saw you.” I looked down. The look he gave me when he turned was painful. “I didn’t know how you had changed, or how you would react when you saw me. I was scared.”
He growled. “Fear should not hold you back.” Gritting my teeth, I knew he was right. His shadow appeared in front of me then his hand was on my cheek. “But I’m glad you’re alive, Ijs.” He called me Ijs. For the first time in years I was called by that name. Nathan started to call me that after a hunt together. I can’t cry in this form but I could feel the unshed tears collecting behind my eyes. Nathan pulled me into a hug. “Don’t scare me like that again.” His voice was softer, gentler. Wrapping my arms around him, I returned to my normal self. My tears flowed freely now. As Nathan returned to normal, I felt a connection from our past. I remembered us as children running through the village, realizing who we were, even our hunts and training. Those were the good days. All of it taken when the King’s Army attacked our little village hidden in the mountains. Peace was gone, the world revealed to the naive, the cruelty of another deo’s greed destroyed the lives of the little children Nathan and I were.
Scanning the surrounding area, I could tell Michael and Lily were in Nathan’s apartment below. Nathan wasn’t even close to here. Strange, if he and Michael were the only two deo here, shouldn’t he stay? Or was Michael the ruler of this territory? Michael did seem to assert his authority the other day, but Nathan had this strong air around him. They didn’t seem to cooperate well enough to both the leaders, so which one is it? Sensing his presence, I looked down. Nathan had returned to his apartment. The presence of another yellow glow was what hinted his appearance. To put it simply, I have this strange ability to see where deo are. It’s still weird to me. My eyes turn yellow then any deo within the area light up with a yellow glow with humans being white. As long as they are within my sight range, in or out of a building, I can see them. By the looks of Nathan’s reaction to Michael being in his apartment, something was about to happen. Blinking to clear my vision, I stepped toward the edge of the building and looked down. His balcony was only two stories down. Not a bad jump. Stepping off the ledge, I landed hard enough to make a sound. Quickly, I straightened myself just before the door opened. Michael was the one glaring me down and the next instant, that arrogant grin of his was plastered to his face. “Well, well, decided to drop by?” Pushing him aside, I made my way in. Nathan seemed slightly depressed and Lily looked both excited and confused. Raising my eyebrow, I stared at Nathan who turned his head away. Feeling Michael standing behind me, I turned to lean on the counter. His eyes were on Lily. “So, tonight then?” Lily nodded. He then looked at me grinning. “See ya later sweetheart.”
Just before he shadowstepped, he winked at me. That time, I couldn’t hide the growl from my chest. I mentally kicked myself because Nathan had heard and was now glaring at me. “Don’t like him?”
Shrugging, I decided against my better judgment to continue with the Michael topic. “Why was he here anyway?”
Nathan’s jaw tightened when Lily answered. “He’s helping me with something I’m working on.” She smiled at Nathan.
When I looked at him, he seemed tense. Before I realized what I was doing, I was standing in front of him with his eyes glaring down at me. “What’s with you? You are not supposed to be this weak, depressed deo. It’s not you.”
That glare quickly turned into a frown. “Who are you to ask?”
Again, with the mental kick. He had asked the million-dollar question. I slipped and said something I shouldn’t have. Smart me. “I thought you were strong? Was I wrong?”
He flashed his fangs. I definitely struck a nerve. “Who I am is none of your business.”
Placing my hands on my hips, I glared at him. “Am I right? The strong deo you were is gone? You are nothing but a weak, pathetic piece of meat. The Nathan I know wouldn’t roll over for anyone.”
“And how would you know me?”
Jek, again with my mouth. I need to learn to control my tongue. Oh well, time to deal with this now instead of later. “Because I know my brother and he isn’t this pathetic.”
Both Lily and Nathan looked at me confused. He looked me up and down then snarled. “My sister is long dead.”
The pain was rolling off him. I could feel the heartbreak suffocating him. He didn’t know what had happened to me that night. The King’s Army had attacked our village. Most of us were killed and I had almost died. Nathan was trying to protect us, then there was pain shooting through my body. The spear that had run me through blurred what happened next. However, I remember Nathan yelling, then my instincts took over. When I woke, I was somewhere unfamiliar with people hovering over me tending to my injuries. Imagine my surprise when I realized that I had shadowstepped to safety. I looked into his eyes. “Not dead, lost and found. They didn’t kill me. Almost, but didn’t.”
His hands were on my throat before I could take my next breath. Through his growl, his words were pained. “Then show me you’re her. Let yourself out and show me your true nature.”
He wanted me to transform into the demon? Here? Now? I flashed my fangs. “Not here.” I glanced at Lily, hoping he would understand.
His grip tightened and I felt the shadows consume us. A chill went down my spine as we moved through the dark. I hated not being in control of shadowstepping. When my vision focused, Nathan had taken us to a field. The smell was what caught my attention, lavender, one of the few things that can calm a deo from frenzy. Why did he bring me here? “Show me.” His fangs were showing and his claws had sharpened. Nathan wasn’t joking.
Grabbing his arm, I pushed him off. “You’re joking? You honestly don’t believe me? I am Kyla! Your sister.”
Clenching his fists, I saw his skin turn black. He was reaching his limit. Not good, his anger was beginning to get the best of him. “I know my sister. I know who she is.” The black was creeping its way up his neck. Nathan’s eyes were red. I took a step back. Then I noticed his tail, it was black, long, and slender with a barb at the end. Focusing on him again, I realized how far along he was. He was all black, muscles stronger, claws sharp and deadly, red eyes focused on me, horns were growing and curving back over his head, a black demon standing in front of me. Nathan voice even reflected his true self, deep and gravelly. “Release yourself.”
Flashing my own fangs, I let myself go. Best to try to gain his trust somehow. My skin turned black, claws sharpened, eyes red, almost the same as him, except more streamline and feminine. A female deo wasn’t all rough and bulky strength; we were slim and beautiful with our strength hidden under a dark beauty. Humans would describe most deo’s true form as succubus or incubus. It’s not far from the truth. We lure in our prey with that deadly attraction. Though, most of us are seductive, there are the few who’s form reflects their monstrous intentions perfectly. The snarl from me was a little unexpected, yet I welcomed it. My true form always loved to run; it was dangerous and stubborn. Foolish deo who would willingly let themselves loose without control were certain to see blood. My brother and I, I can only pray that he has more control now than he did then.
When his fist connected with my jaw, I was caught off guard and thrown across the field. As I got up, Nathan was already above me. Seeing his shadow was my only warning. Looking up, the black wings that had stretched from his back blocked out the sun. He was stronger than I remember, even my jaw still agreed. Before he was able to slam into me, I managed to jump to the side and stayed in a crouch. I was deadly and quick yes, but he was pure strength and could become reckless. “Nathan! Believe me!”
He charged me again, this time I saw the pain in his eyes. “Then where have you been?” His claws were ready for the attack.
I jumped, landing behind him. “I must have shadowstepped away from our home. I remember being hurt, then somewhere else. People were tending my injuries and they helped me recover. I did return to our home, but it was gone. I searched for you, yet you were gone. Years, decades went by as I searched. When I heard of a deo here, I decided to look. I watched and waited and I saw you.” I looked down. The look he gave me when he turned was painful. “I didn’t know how you had changed, or how you would react when you saw me. I was scared.”
He growled. “Fear should not hold you back.” Gritting my teeth, I knew he was right. His shadow appeared in front of me then his hand was on my cheek. “But I’m glad you’re alive, Ijs.” He called me Ijs. For the first time in years I was called by that name. Nathan started to call me that after a hunt together. I can’t cry in this form but I could feel the unshed tears collecting behind my eyes. Nathan pulled me into a hug. “Don’t scare me like that again.” His voice was softer, gentler. Wrapping my arms around him, I returned to my normal self. My tears flowed freely now. As Nathan returned to normal, I felt a connection from our past. I remembered us as children running through the village, realizing who we were, even our hunts and training. Those were the good days. All of it taken when the King’s Army attacked our little village hidden in the mountains. Peace was gone, the world revealed to the naive, the cruelty of another deo’s greed destroyed the lives of the little children Nathan and I were.
No comments:
Post a Comment