by Shane Morgan
“Calissa, that’s scary,” she muttered, sounding really concerned. “Maybe you should see a doctor.”
I wobbled my head and wiped my face with the palm of my hand. “No. I’ll be fine. What I really need right now is to go out and have fun.”
“Fine,” she replied on a sigh. “I’ll meet you in half an hour.”
“K.”
Ending the call, I went into the bathroom and set the phone on the towel rack, then hauled off my gym clothes and the bodysuit.
A sweet fragrant on my skin surprised me. Oddly, I didn’t smell like overnight sweat, and I didn’t feel clammy.
“What…” I held the back of my hand up to my nose and sniffed. To my dismay, hot spring, flowers, and lavender popped into my head, followed by a tension headache, causing me to squint and massage my temples.
After inhaling and exhaling deeply, I turned on the shower and stepped under the cool water, washing away the weird vibes.
I wrapped a towel around my body minutes later and stepped up to the sink. When I cleared the fog and stared into the mirror, a pale-faced creature appeared suddenly, making me jump back. I pressed my eyes shut and opened them again. The creature had vanished, only my tired reflection gazed back.
“What the hell. Am I going insane?”
Trying to relax, I rolled my shoulders back and grabbed the moisturizer to massage my dull face.
But just as I leaned closer to the mirror to apply eye cream, my brown eyes flashed red in an instant, scaring me so much that I dropped the container. My heart began to lash rapidly behind my ribcage.
“The hell!” I blinked and peered into the mirror again. My irises looked normal. No red balls gazing back. “Okay. Get it together, Cal.”
Grabbing my phone, I went to my bedroom to finish getting ready. I brushed out my curls and styled my hair into a bun, did my makeup, then slithered on a blue, flowy knee-length dress with thin straps and black heels, completing the look with silver jewelry, and vowed to keep my shit together and have fun tonight.
Shari picked me up in an Uber, looking sexy as always in a black cocktail dress, which hugged her curves perfectly. Her wavy hair dangled over her shoulders, long and slender legs on display like mine. We were both wearing red lipstick.
The Uber car arrived at Club Tease several minutes later. It was the hippest club downtown, packed on the weekends, and it was our getaway spot whenever Shari and I needed to let loose and have a good time.
I couldn’t count the number of men that glanced our way with desirous expressions as we waltzed into the club and headed over to the bar.
Before we even got the chance to order drinks, a man sitting at the bar called out, “Cosmos for the ladies.”
He flashed a confident and crooked grin, then bumped elbows with the other guy on his left.
Shari snorted. “Actually, two shots of vodka, please.”
That was our starters.
The man’s smile switched to that of amazement. “Well, all right now.”
When the bartender handed over our shots, Shari and I cheered before throwing the liquor back. It stung as it slid down my throat. We both gasped and giggled with each other.
“So, uh, what are you ladies up to tonight?” he tried again, rubbing his chin with his thumb.
Shari rolled her eyes and told him straight up, “I already have a man.”
He flicked to me and raised a brow, still interested.
I wagged a finger. “Not tonight. It’s girl’s night.”
Taking my best friend by the hand, I hauled her from the bar and into the dancing crowd. Then we grooved to the banging beats of Lil Baby’s Woah, rapping along to parts of the song.
That one shot already had me loosening up. I was laughing and having a good time, letting go of all the craziness in my head. Hopefully, by the end of the night, it’d all be forgotten.
As the music transitioned into another, a warm sensation started to build and float across my skin. The hair at the back of my neck stood up like static, and I felt compelled to search my surroundings.
Piercing through the swaying bodies, my gaze locked with a set of steel-grey eyes that seemed to be watching only me.
The man with shoulder-length dark hair and dressed in full black attire lingered by the bar, not a drink in hand or having a conversation with anyone. His attractive features looked focused. Dangerous. A mysterious aura drawing me in like a magnet.
The music started to fade along with everyone in the club. It was strange. I had this sense of familiarity. Like I’d seen him before. Been held in his arms. Had his protection.
I scowled when he wrinkled his thick brows as if surprised by something, causing me to slow my dancing.
Shari touched my arm. Everything flowed back into place, reminding me where I was. I caught my breath and looked at her.
“You okay?” she shouted over the music, no longer dancing.
“Um...” I spun to find the man at the bar. But he was gone.
“Cal?” Shari drew my attention again. She splayed a hand. “What’s up?”
I achieved a partial smile and yelled back, “I’m fine. Everything’s fine.”
Worry blanketed her face. “Are you sure? You seem off all of a sudden.” She gestured to the exit. “Look, maybe we should leave. After what happened, maybe you shouldn’t be drinking.”
I sucked my teeth then playfully bumped her arm. “Shari, come on. Don’t kill the vibe. I’m fine, really.”
Her shoulders relaxed. “All right. If you say so.”
“Let’s get drinks,” I suggested, towing her back to the bar.
Things settled again once I’d had two martinis. We returned to the dancefloor and enjoyed ourselves a bit more then left the club.
Shari insisted we stopped by the lounge for a late-night bite before they closed. She loved Mediterranean food, and this place had the best in Brighton.
Kyle waved when he saw me enter with my friend.
My excuse to get out of a date with him turned out to not be a lie, after all, considering I ended up going out with Shari.
Predictably, she clutched my hand and pulled me over to the bar when I gestured for us to sit at a table.
“Hey,” Kyle greeted after pouring drinks for a couple. He ambled over, eyes never leaving me. “Late night fun?”
“Something like that,” I replied with a smile.
Shari waved. “Sup. Is the kitchen still open?”
He nodded and handed us menus. “Can I get you anything to drink in the meantime?”
“Think I’ve had enough alcohol tonight,” I muttered. “Water, please.”
Shari asked for a soda, and we ordered fries and Mediterranean wraps after receiving our drinks.
She hummed with each bite, delighting in the flavors. “Gosh, this is so freaking good.”
“Yeah, we’re pretty awesome.” I flashed a cocky grin.
She smirked at my remark and washed down her food with the soda. “Not you, the chef.”
I eyeballed her. “Hey. I’m just a proud employee.”
Kyle checked on us after a minute or two. “How’s everything?”
“Great,” Shari and I answered in sync.
He steadied his piercing gaze on me.
I turned a tad uneasy and dropped my eyes to my plate.
“So, uh, are you still thinking about it, Calissa?” he asked.
My body warmed at the recollection that he’d asked me out. I could feel Shari watching me with curiosity.
Lifting my gaze to meet Kyle’s, I deliberated. I hadn’t been on a date, much less entertained the idea of a relationship in so long. Perhaps it was time to give it another shot with someone as sweet as this man.
I freed the tightness in my throat, then said, “Maybe next weekend?”
Satisfaction brightened his face. Kyle bit the corner of his bottom lip, winked, then muttered, “Sure thing. Keep Friday night cleared for me, yeah?”
“Cool,” I murmured, smiling.
&nbs
p; He walked away for us to finish eating in peace.
Shari nudged my arm. “You little liar. You told me you weren’t feeling him.”
I traced the rim of my glass while speaking. “I just figured why not. The last guy I dated was nearly two years ago. And that was hardly a relationship, considering I held reservations while he was all in with me.”
She frowned. “You always seemed to give only a little but held a lot back. Why don’t you ever open up to the guys you date?”
I lowered my eyes from her, picking at my napkin.
“I’m not sure. Maybe it’s because...” I paused and let out a long exhale. “I don’t have a lot to offer. I mean, I don’t know who I am, Shari.”
She reached for my hand, giving it a tender squeeze. “You’re Calissa Stewart. The smartest, kindest, strongest, most beautiful woman I know. You have a lot to offer, hun, especially love.” A sly smile appeared as she looked down the bar at Kyle, talking to the couple. “Maybe he’ll be the guy to open your heart.”
I snorted. “Let’s just get through the first date, then we’ll see.”
It was past one when we left the lounge at closing and took an Uber to Shari’s apartment. She asked me to spend the night since Hakeem was still at his friend’s place playing poker. That usually went really late.
I didn’t mind. I missed sleepovers, and there was still a prickly feeling following me as if I was being watched everywhere.
We changed into tights and t-shirts, then plopped down on her couch to watch something on Netflix.
“So, I still can’t believe you went home from the gym last night and slept all the way to this evening,” she muttered while flipping through movies.
“Hm.” I toyed with the hem of the shirt in deep thought.
“That’s crazy. You sure you’re not sick or something? I still think you should see a doctor.” Shari settled on a movie, paused it, and looked over with her forehead crumpled.
“No, I’m all right. Hanging out makes me feel even better.”
She blew a razor-sharp breath and refocused on the TV. “This one’s right up your alley.”
I squinted at her as I asked, “How so?”
“It’s fantasy,” she remarked, pressing play on the remote.
Fantasy. Mythical creatures.
A kingdom out of this world.
An onslaught of emotions crashed over me.
My head started to pound.
I eased out on the couch and hunched over as a metallic taste rose in my mouth.
“You okay?” Shari asked, pausing the movie again.
I shrugged it off and contrived a smile. “Yeah, been getting these weird feelings. Probably the heat.”
She leaned her head to one side, studying me. “Geez, Calissa. You’re seriously starting to worry me.”
“Don’t be dramatic,” I joked. “I’m fine.” I patted her knee and stood. “I’m getting water. You want anything?”
“I’m good.” She gathered her legs under her butt on the couch and waited for me.
I walked into the kitchen. Someone knocked on the door just as I opened the fridge.
“Did you order something?” I asked, scowling.
“Nope.” Shari popped up from the couch and came over. “It’s probably Trudy from down the hall. Her cat sneaks in my window sometimes.”
“It’s late, though,” I muttered.
She shrugged, and without calling out for the person to declare their identity, she opened the door.
An unfamiliar face grinned at us. The woman had pixie-cut black hair slicked over neatly, and dressed in an all-black pantsuit. She kept her hands behind her back.
“Hello, Calissa,” she said in a brash tone. That voice sounded familiar.
“Who are you?” Shari questioned, suspicion in her tone. “How do you know my friend?”
A nasty look formed on the woman’s pale face. “How annoying.” In one quick move, she slipped a hand from behind her and plunged a knife into Shari’s stomach.
“No!” I screamed and grabbed my friend.
Blood gushed from the wound when the woman yanked the knife out.
I held Shari as she stumbled to the floor, then pulled her back from the door.
She groaned in agony while gripping her bleeding abdomen.
The woman entered. “We’re always in need of new souls. This one will be quite substantial since she’s close to you.”
“You monster!” I grunted through tears. “What did she do to deserve this?”
My breath hitched as gruesome red eyes glared down at me.
“We’ve waited long enough. You will come with me now.” I knew that voice. I knew that face. “My master is certain you are the key.”
She twisted and started to form a dark shadow in the air, long black nails looking as sinister as her face.
Shari gurgled and coughed up blood.
Tears pooled down my face.
I didn’t know what to do. What the hell was happening?
“Oh God…Somebody…”
I yelped as the window suddenly shattered, and a large winged creature flew into the living room. Another one right behind. I knew these beings.
The creature glanced down at Shari, bleeding out on the floor, then at me with regret in its grey eyes. Anger warped its features as it steered to the woman.
“Rahel,” he grunted.
Rahel. That name was familiar. His voice was recognizable.
She hissed in annoyance. “Damn it. Guess my decoy didn’t work.”
Quivering in panic, I looked up at the creature. He pulled out a silver spear and lunged over us to attack the woman. She chucked into the dark shadow just as he reached her.
The other creature lowered at my side and touched Shari’s head.
“We’re too late,” she muttered. Her voice, I recognized it as well. “I’m afraid we cannot help her.”
A kaleidoscope of images rushed through my mind.
Gargoyles. Demons.
Entering the Gargouille kingdom. Soaring through the sky with him.
Ezio. Obel. The scent of lavender. Sleeping while he kept watch close by.
I remember them. I remember everything!
“Sarayas,” fell from my lips in a pitiful sob. She gasped in surprise. “Please…help my friend.”
“You remember!” She straightened. “How?”
The other creature gazed down at me, face scrunched up in concern.
“Please,” I whimpered. “Help her!” I looked at Shari’s stomach. Her t-shirt was drenched, so was the rug beneath us. “She’s losing a lot of blood.” I cried, “Please!”
“Sarayas, take her to the hospital.”
That voice.
My body heated as emotions flooded me, among them a sense of trust.
Desperate, I glanced up at him and muttered through tears, “Lars.”
7
I scurried along with the nurses as they rushed Shari to the emergency room. Sarayas and Lars had left us outside the hospital. Covered in my best friend’s blood, I’d dashed into the entrance and screamed for help.
“Wait here,” one of the nurses told me, shutting the ER doors in my face.
Feeling powerless and utterly defeated, I collapsed on a chair in the waiting room. Another nurse came over shortly with a uniformed officer. He took my statement. I told him that a crazed woman appeared at Shari’s apartment, attacked her, and took off running. I left out the part where her eyes were fiery red and that she jumped into a black shadow. I also couldn’t explain gargoyles busting through the window.
As time went by, someone finally came to update me on my friend’s condition.
“Is Shari all right?” I blurted, shooting to my feet. “Is she…”
He lifted his hand as he spoke. “Calm down. We’ve stopped the bleeding. She’s stabilized right now.”
My racing heart settled a bit. “Thank God. Can I see her?”
“Soon. Have you notified your friend’s family?” he asked, crea
sing his forehead. That didn’t reassure me.
“Could things change?” I rasped out.
He exhaled. “Shari’s not completely out of the woods. We’re monitoring her.” He patted my shoulder. “Your friend’s going to make it. She’s a fighter. Call her family, okay?” He stepped away then.
The waterworks started again, childlike sobs coming out as I sat down to call Shari’s parents and Hakeem, explaining fully what had happened only after they showed up.
My phone call had sobered Hakeem. When he arrived and saw Shari’s blood on my clothes, he wailed in horror.
Thankfully, the doctor allowed us to see her soon after. Shari looked near lifeless in the hospital bed, unconscious with tubes in her mouth and arm.
Hakeem stood close to her parents. They comforted each other. I remained on her other side alone, staring down at her.
Guilt sprouted, and my eyes welled with tears again. This happened because of me. I should have stayed away from my best friend. Had I remembered…
Wait. Why didn’t I remember demons were targeting me?
Shivering in anger, I balled my hands into fists and marched out of the room, turning in the corridor.
The gargoyles did something to make me forget. Because of that, Shari got hurt.
Stepping outside, I searched the dark, glimpsing Sarayas hiding by a tree in the park across from the hospital. She waved me over.
I peered around to make sure no one was watching then jogged across the street.
Sarayas backed farther into the darkness as I approached, moving away from the lights.
A sudden wind swooshed around us. Lars landed next to her seconds after.
Furious, I chided through gritted teeth, “You made me forget, and that put my best friend in danger.”
“I’m sorry, Calissa. I never anticipated they would harm your friend to get to you. We were distracted by demons and led away from you.”
“It’s my fault,” Sarayas admitted, inching closer to me. “I wasn’t vigilant.”
“Is your friend alive?” Lars asked, studying my face.
