“Oh, crap!” Jack tries to double back, but the crowd around us has already formed.
“Uh, Jack?” I start.
“I got this, Lettie, don’t you worry. I just owe this here nice fellow a bit of cash—nothing I can’t hand—” Before Jack can finish his sentence the man tosses him across the room like a ragdoll. I feel my eyebrows shoot up.
A tap on my shoulder momentarily distracts me. “Can I buy you a drink?” A stranger asks. I shake my head and return my attention to Jack.
“What’s going on?” I ask the would-be drink guy because he still lingers.
“The smaller guy owes the larger one.”
“How much?” I ask.
The guy shrugs and I shake my head in frustration. This large man continues to toss Jack around. I don’t want Jack to get hurt (if he even can, I suppose) but more so this isn’t what we’re here for. I wait patiently for Jack to call out the code word so I can stop this nonsense, only he doesn’t. When I finally have enough of this waste of time, I step in.
“Excuse me, sir.” I walk right up and tap the man pummeling Jack on the shoulder. The crowd grows silent as he turns around and looks down towards me and gives me a once over.
“What do you want?” He asks, his fist pausing in mid-air above Jack’s head.
“How much?” I ask.
“How much what?” He seems confused.
“How much does he owe you?”
“Oh. Three grand.” He pulls his fist high again.
“If I pay it, will you stop?”
He considers this. “Can I hit him once more first?”
I glance down at Jack who nods. “Sure.” I reply. “I’ll meet you at the bar when the two of you are done. I need a drink.”
As I make my way over to the bar I can hear the sound of knuckles as they grate against flesh one final time. It sounds solid and I don’t envy Jack.
The bartender places my beer in front of me as my phone goes off in my pocket. I fish it out to see a text from Shay.
All good?
I let him know all is well. As I return my phone to its pocket the large man and Jack approach.
“How do I know you’re not gonna stiff me like this guy?” The man asks.
I slap a grand in cash on the table in front of him. It’s not something I usually carry, but with everything going on lately I grabbed it so I wouldn’t leave a paper trail of credit card transactions behind me. “I have more. Consider that you’re down payment.”
“Where’s the rest?” The man asks.
“In my bank account, like any other normal person.” I throw back. “I can cut you a check, or we can meet tomorrow and I’ll give you the balance in cash.”
“What are you, some rich bitch?” The guy sneers. “And where’d you find this guy?”
Jack shakes his head slowly. “I’d be a little nicer to her, if I were you.”
“Ha—what’s she going to do?”
“Jack, I can see why you stiffed this guy. He’s a prick.” I reclaim my money off the table. “I rescind my offer.”
A large hand clamps on top of mine. I eye Jack to see him shake his head. “You don’t want to do that, man. I’m telling you.”
It takes a lot of self-control to keep my abilities in check. The skin to skin contact causes me to look into this guy’s memories without even meaning to. And this guy is a grade-A douchebag.
Jack must see the change in me, because he sighs loudly. “Gefilte fish.” He half-mumbles.
“Yeah?” I ask just to be sure.
“May as well.” Jack says.
I smile nicely to the large man next to me. “Sir, please release my hand and my cash. I won’t ask nicely again.”
“You tell me why I should? Why I shouldn’t take your cash and you home right now?”
My smile grows darker. “Have it your way, asshole.”
Dude goes to say something, but before he can I ensure he’s quite paralyzed. Jack gives him a sad look. “Told ya.”
It seems counterproductive to make a scene, despite Jack’s okay. Instead I wage internal warfare on this giant oaf. Inside his mind, I place the two of us deep in Abyssus. I know that we’re still at the bar, but he doesn’t.
“What the hell?” He asks.
“Precisely where we are. What do you think?” I ask him.
“How did—what are you?”
“I’m your worst nightmare.” I whisper close to him. “Tried to do it the nice way, tried to pay you—but no. You didn’t want to play nice. Now we do things the mean way.”
He shudders. This large man trembles before me. It feels kind of awesome, no matter how many times I’ve done it before.
“Listen, I’m sorry. It was a mistake.”
“I’ll bet you’re sorry now. But what about all the other times?”
“Other times?”
A projection of every evil thing he’s ever done surrounds us now. “The other times.”
Now he cries. “I’m sorry.”
“Do better.” I warn. “Do better from here on out, or I will find you and bring you back here. And next time there won’t be any leaving, are we clear?”
“Yes. We’re clear. I’m sorry.”
Just like that we’re back in the bar. My hand is released instantly and the large man stumbles back a few steps before staring at me wide-eyed and high-tailing it out of the place.
“What on earth did you do to the poor fellow?” Jack asks.
“Hopefully freaked him out sufficiently enough to turn over a new leaf.”
“Huh.” Jack grabs my beer and takes a swig.
“So what now?” I ask Jack.
“We wait to hear some dirt on your father.” Jack says.
“Oh. I can always poke around people’s heads while we’re waiting—to see if I can find out anything.” I clarify as Jack looks at me in shock.
“You, eh... you can do that?”
“If I choose, yeah.”
“Do me a favor—don’t look in mine.” Jack asks.
“Well, I didn’t want to until you said to.” He piques my curiosity now.
“Please. It’s nothing bad, just private is all.”
“I can respect that.” I agree. “I should focus anyway.”
The thrum of minds is almost overwhelming at first. I filter and search, but turn up nothing. Either no one here is involved with Elias, or nobody’s thinking about it.
My eyes open to find Jack staring at me. “Anything?” He asks.
“Nothing.” I tell him.
He frowns. “Onto the next stop then, I guess.”
We visit several more establishments with the same end result. Finally Jack exhausts his options—at least in our world, anyway.
“So what’s next?” I ask.
“Next we go somewhere that you won’t blend and we’re sure to meet resistance every step of the way.” Jack says as if it’ll be fun.
“Abyssus?”
“Aye.” Jack confirms. “Just got to find us a boat, then.”
I laugh. “Not really. Give me your hand. You may want to close your eyes.”
Jack takes my hand and releases it in shock when we’re in Abyssus not even a moment later. “Holy hell, woman. Next time warn me. Damn interdimensional jumping always gives me vertigo.”
“Sorry. It’s much faster, though.”
“Aye.” Jack studies me. “You really are quite powerful, aren’t ya?”
“More so than I ever imagined or desired,” My voice is full of sorrow. In ways, all I want—ever wanted—is a normal life... a dream that slips further and further from my grasp every moment.
“I know how that goes.” Jack confirms. “Me and you—we have to have a talk later. Probably with some whiskey. Lots to discuss.”
“Okay,” I agree—almost more curious now than earlier. It’s hard to not sneak a peek into Jack’s mind, but I don’t want to violate his trust... at least not without good reason.
“I suppose they all know you around these parts, even with the
outfit.”
“My reputation precedes me.” I say wryly.
“Fair enough.”
“Where are we going?” I ask.
Jack winks. “Follow me.”
We weave through parts of Abyssus unknown to me until now. The first place is not hidden like it was in our world, but lit up with bright lights and loud buzz of conversation over low music. The first thing I notice is that it’s cleaner than any other place we’ve been. The second thing I notice is the deafening silence that follows my entrance.
As every set of eyes in the place follows me, I hold up my hands in front of me. “I’m not here to bother anyone, geesh.” I state loudly.
A few patrons shrug and go back about their business. A few others glare at me suspiciously. A few even leave altogether. Whatever. Maybe I’ll see them at the next bar.
Jack and I each order a beer and take a seat at a high table nearby. Maybe it’s because they know me, but everyone’s mind buzzes.
I wonder if she knows yet?
What’s she doing here?
I should warn the others.
Is she here for me?
I like her new look. That one makes me blush.
You’re looking in the wrong place.
My eyes fly open to see a figure off a ways. The darkness in the corner of the room masks his identity, but that thought—that direct thought meant for me—comes from him. Somehow I know he meets my gaze even through the dim lights.
“Lettie?” Jack asks when I rise.
“C’mon.” I instruct, seeing no need to leave him behind.
I sit down across from the stranger, still unable to see his features. Jack tugs the other chair closer to me and joins us.
“You heard me.” A voice says gruffly.
“You intended for me to.” I throw back.
“This isn’t the place to talk.”
I glance to Jack. “Then take us somewhere we can.” Jack says.
The head nods in the shadow. “Follow me.”
It takes a few dark alleyways before Captain Mysterio here decides to pull us into yet another shady doorway and up a set of stairs. Once inside we graciously decline his drink invitation while I struggle to embrace the mundane pleasantries and not demand information like, now. It’s hard and my patience dwindles.
The stranger removes his jacket and settles in a chair at the table, motioning for us to follow suit. He retains his hat, a black fedora, and I realize that he looks as though he steps out of another era—particularly the 1920’s...except for his 1950’s Grease inspired jeans and t-shirt ensemble.
“You’re a hard woman to get a handle on, Lettie.” The stranger says. Jack mumbles something incoherent.
“Maybe I prefer my handles untouched.” I throw back. “Tell me, why are we here?”
“We’re here because you’re in need of a lot of information.” The man says.
“So...do you have a name, or...?” Jack jumps in. I can tell he’s wary.
“You two can call me Jeb.” The stranger says.
“Okay, Jeb, why do you want to help us?” Jack asks suspiciously.
I wait for his answer, too.
“That’s simple. Helping you helps me. The enemy of my enemy and all.” He smirks. “Are you certain you wouldn’t like some tea or something?”
“We’re sure.” I say. “So what is it that you think I need to know?”
Jeb studies Jack for a moment before he begins. “There’s a lot. I guess I should start with the most pertinent.” He sighs. “Lettie, there are those close to you that put you in jeopardy. Ones that will—that have—hurt you, and will again if need be. It’s not that they want to, but they’ve been given no choice.”
“Well, that’s a pure load of crap.” Jack says and begins to stand, but my hand on his arm stops him.
“What do you mean “have hurt me?”” I ask as the cogs in my brain turn and the rage inside me festers a little harder.
“Hold on, there are other important things you need to know as well,” Jeb continues. “I don’t want you to get hung up on one detail.”
I give him a level look. I’m tired, bitchy—and getting more annoyed by the second. “Please, just spit it out.”
Jeb sighs. “I should’ve known you’d be stubborn as all get out. You realize you’re going to have to come back now, after you calm down? Damn waste of time.”
“Jeb!” My frustration grows.
“Fine, fine.” He relents. “You know who was behind the poisoning, sure, but do you know who did the deed? Who betrayed you?” I shake my head no. “Know it wasn’t their choice. Elias threatened everything they hold dear.”
I know that feeling, but it doesn’t change anything. “Who?” I demand.
“Jocelyn.” Jeb finally says the name and my heart falls. “Elias used her family against her.”
Jocelyn... my friend... an innocent mortal who I manage to drag into one supernatural mishap after another. Someone I trust—or trusted. Someone I thought would never betray me.
I can hear Jeb and Jack chatter on, but I don’t pay attention to their words. I try to rationalize this new information in my brain. Jocelyn is the reason my baby is gone...but her involvement wasn’t only under duress, it never would’ve happened at all if I’d left her out of all of this to begin with. Still... Jocelyn is the reason my baby is gone.
A hand snaps in front of my face. “Lettie?” Jack asks. I blink hard and try to focus.
“Yeah.” I manage.
“Did you hear any of that?” Jack asks.
I shake my head no. “I checked out after the Jocelyn thing.” I admit freely.
Jack frowns. “We should go for now. Get you home. You’ve done enough for today.”
“Come back tomorrow—or when you’re ready.” Jeb says. “I’ve always got more news for you.” He gives Jack a funny look again as we rise. “And Lettie” I pause. “Right now, question everything.”
Jeb’s eyes bore into me and in our minds he repeats it again. Question everything.
Jack leads me out and I zap us home while I still can.
It’s numbing... to know that those closest to me can be so easily coerced into doing harm to me... to mine. Still, I can only blame Jocelyn to a point. Furthermore, she doesn’t even remember anything now because I wiped her memory clean.
So where does that leave me?
“Lettie? You sure you want to go home yet, love?” Jack asks through my thoughts.
I nod. “I need some rest.” I half-lie. I need a bath and some time to think.
“Okay, then. You’ll come by in the morning? Can I walk you home at least?” Jack offers.
“No, I’ll be fine. I’ll just poof over.” And ignore any possibilities of people lingering outside. “I’ll be by early. Do you have a time preference?”
“No ma’am. My kind, well, we don’t sleep much.”
I grin. “Night, Jack.” With a poof I leave his front yard.
Alone it’s even harder to contain the extent of the rage that burns deep inside me. I turn on the water to the tub as hot as it will go when it hits me. There’s one thing within me that quells that rage. It overcomes and subdues it. It overcomes and subdues everything.
Despair.
I disrobe where I stand and climb into the too hot water. When I begin to sob, it’s not from the physical pain.
This ache inside overcomes. It steals my breath. It paralyzes me and leaves me gulping at the air around me with no apparent relief in sight.
When it’s over I’m weak. Light-headed. I want to give up. I want to scream. I want to cry, but all my tears are gone now.
I manage to turn off the water and lie back. If there’s a right thing to do here I wish I knew. This whole thing is so messed up, I’m not sure if typical rules of right and wrong even apply anymore.
I can’t trust my feelings.
I can’t trust my friends.
I couldn’t trust my fiancé.
What the hell is left?
Sunlight beams through my window early the next morning. It’s mildly annoying, yet not what wakes me. There are voices yelling outside that sound familiar. It takes my still half-asleep brain a moment to place them. Once I do, I fly out of my bed, through my apartment, and down the steps to the sidewalk.
Gabe stands abnormally close to Jack. Jack doesn’t back down—even a little—as he sizes Gabe up. Gabe has a few inches and pounds on Jack, but Jack has a deadly essence about him that screams ‘Danger, Will Robinson’ to anyone with half a brain... something Gabe is apparently lacking this day.
“What the hell is going on?” I bite the words out at a semi-normal decibel so as not to draw any more attention than they already have.
“I was getting worried about ya, so I swung by, love.” Jack drawls, his accent thicker than usual, I suspect due to the tension. “This arsehole practically tackles me the moment I knock on yer door.”
“He seems dangerous and unfamiliar.” Gabe grunts out.
“Well, he’s not.” I march up to Jack, grab his hand, and give him a good tug. “He’s harmless—and he’s my friend—so back off.” I begin to storm towards the door with Jack in tow when another thought strikes me. “Furthermore, I don’t need a freaking bodyguard. Hanging around here is creepy, Gabe. This is the last time I’m going to tell you to leave before I make you. Are we clear?”
“Ouch.” Jack adds for effect. “You heard the lady.”
The look Gabe gives me is a mixture of pain and desire.
Suddenly it dawns on me that I’m outside in tiny yoga shorts and an almost see through (it’s old and comfortable, sue me) white tank top. I’m also dragging Jack inside. This must be very entertaining to the neighbors. I drop Jack’s hand and cross my arms over my chest. “You, go away.” I say to Gabe. “I’ll be inside.” I tell Jack.
Suddenly I’m very tired and very in need of coffee.
Upstairs the former brews to help the latter while I don more appropriate attire. To his credit Jack seems as uncomfortable by it as I am which I try not to think too hard about.
I throw on jean shorts, a bra, and a better tank when my phone pings. It’s Shay.
Morning, Sunshine!
Hey
Don’t forget to get that USB ready for Max.
Shit. Okay, I’ll get it to you by tomorrow night, the latest.
Soul Decisions Page 8
