by Eden Crowne
“Spiders?” The singer said way too cheerfully, I thought, given the situation. “I can do spiders.”
Kicking at the dark masses of whatever Savan had called forth, stabbing at them with one blade, he used the other to sketch a shape that glowed in the air, bright and hot. Within its center, other symbols writhed and turned. Shouting words that made my ears burn, the singer sent the image hurtling to the ground. The earth trembled and a black hole opened at Savan's feet. A dark form erupted out of the ground. It was a split second before I realized it wasn't only one dark form. Thousands of hairy spiders massed together, each the size of a man's fist, swarmed up and over Savan in a black, wriggling wave. Flailing wildly, he screamed, the rising note of hysteria unmistakable in his voice. At our feet, the spiders engulfed the darkness, or whatever it was since all I could see was blackness, red eyes, and claws. Unfortunately, the spiders then came for us as well.
“Oh sod it!” was all the singer had time to say. The knives disappeared and he grabbed my arm. Half carrying, half pulling me, we ran from the crawling horde towards the water. “Canal,” he said. “Spiders don't swim! By the way, has anyone told you tonight that you look absolutely stunning in that dress?”
“What? Dress?” I panted breathlessly. “No. No one.”
“Swish, swish, swish when you move, those beads. Yummy. I was watching you in the club. gorgeous girl. You should always wear beads. But not too many!”
He gave me a sly wink. We were being chased by an army of man- and probably girl-eating spiders, and the lead singer of the Albert Einstein's was hitting on me! What the hell? Then I remembered my theory. Soul slut. Oh God, it was true. Supernatural guys – and crazy as it seemed, Albert Pantera must be supernatural – saw me as easy cause I gave up my soul without a second thought. How mortifying.
Our direction vis-a-vis the canal took us towards Julian.
“Help, help, help!” I shouted, because it's a known fact shouting things several times makes them happen faster.
Julian, unfortunately, seemed to have his hands full throttling one of the hairy goblins. Looking up he saw us, and then, what followed. Giving a sort of yelp, he let go of the goblin and ran. The goblin was slower on the uptake. Looking over my shoulder, I saw it disappear beneath the wriggling mass of arachnids.
“You called them,” I panted at my companion. “Can't you send them back?”
“They might not have finished their job of eating that awful man just yet.”
“We don't want him eaten!” I shrieked.
“We don't want him eaten, damn it!” echoed Julian, running beside us.
“Oh, sorry, my mistake. You draw them off Jules, there's a good man.”
Julian shot him a murderous look.
Gripping my arm even tighter, he veered to one side, dragging me with him in an arc around the swarming mass. For the moment, the spiders seemed content to chase the moving target directly in front of them: Julian.
Letting go of me, the knives shot back out into the singer's grip. He swept them up and around, chanting another mantra of powerful words. As though a part of some ritual dance, he spun the knives in an intricate pattern round and round, in and out, leaving a burning trail of flame floating in their wake. The fire writhed and turned like a living thing. Finally, lowering the knives he said, “Cover your ears.”
I did as he said.
Taking a deep breath, the singer crossed the blades and shouted just one word, one terrible, terrifying word that threw my heart into my mouth. An explosion with the force of a sonic boom shot forward carrying with it a flaming firestorm that swept up the swarm. Standing unsteadily at the singer's back, I was not prepared for what happened next. The backlash from the spell as it rocketed off threw me in the opposite direction. I shot backward as though from a catapult, my arms and feet flying out from under. Just before I smashed into the concrete, two arms caught me up. My feet were set back on the ground.
“That was a close one.” The singer gave me an engaging smile that made his eyes crinkle at the corners.
“How did you do that? Catch me, I mean.”
He brushed at the dirt clinging to my beautiful Betsey Johnson dress. “Slipstreaming, we call it. Sort of moving between time. Very handy thing.”
I guess so.
There was an awful smell of burning and my ears were ringing. Albert of the Albert Einsteins seemed to have halted the scrambling advance of the spiders with a sonic flaming wall of magic. A few yards away Julian stood up, a little unsteadily. He was smoking around the edges.
“Sorry mate!” shouted the singer cheerfully. “Bet that smarts a bit. Walk it off!”
“Albert,” said Julian in a flat voice, “you are a bastard.”
The singer smiled more brightly. “That's the spirit! Oh, Julian? The tail of your coat's on fire.”
With a look of alarm, Julian began patting at the spark of fire that suddenly flared into flame. Albert let go of my hand, jogging over to help Julian put himself out while I pondered the fact Julian and Albert seemed to be on a first name basis. What the hell?
One of the warehouses stood sturdily a short distance away and I really needed something to lean on. I was not feeling very well at all. Limping over, I slumped against it, back bowed and bent with an exhaustion that made my bones ache. There was the sound of panting and it took me a moment to realize it was not my own ragged breath. Glancing up, I saw a pair of glowing red eyes. One of the clawed, dark beasts Savan had called forth. This one was clinging to the wall and it leaped for me, jaws gaping. Julian surged into its path at breathtaking speed. Taking the full impact of the creature in the chest, they smashed against the concrete wall, the darkness screaming like a banshee and Julian cursing just as loudly. Tumbling, punching and kicking at each other, Julian struggled to get his jagged knife into position.
“Aren't you going to help him?” I said desperately to the singer who strolled over, looking very relaxed and composed.
“He's a big boy.” He snapped his fingers. “Have it sorted in no time.”
Julian tumbled by grappling with the dark thing first in one direction, then the other.
“Are you sure?” I said doubtfully.
“Of course. You know, it's a guy thing, as you Americans say. Wouldn't want someone else taking the glory.”
He jerked me out of the way as the two pummeled each other. We had come full circle, standing now almost exactly on the spot the singer first appeared. The shoe I'd used to stab Savan lay on the ground, the heel hanging by a thread. I was trying to catch my breath, sagging next to the tall singer, when Savan popped up in front of us. I'd nearly forgotten him, the field of battle being a bit crowded. His face was swollen and disfigured with bite marks. Both eyebrows appeared to have been singed off along with several inches of his dark, curly hair. A carpet of dead insects covered the street in a six-foot radius around him. He brushed the remaining spiders from his shoulders with a shudder. Eyes black with rage, he raised his magic brush.
“Oh bugger.” The long knives shot back into Albert's hands from beneath his sleeves.
A shadow, formless yet somehow massive, blocked out the street and Savan with it. My former boyfriend went down flailing and kicking, obviously struggling.
“Blaze!” shouted the singer. “Bite him! Bite him hard! He's a bad man!”
There was a roar of sound and an unearthly howl.
Savan cried out in pain.
“There, everything in hand now.” The long knives disappeared back into his sleeves; they must be attached to some sort of hidden trigger. Looking down at me, he smiled. “Good God, darling, you smell fantastic.” He inhaled deeply and I remembered Julian doing the same thing the first time we met, whispering furiously to me in the noise of the techno club. “Like all the yummiest things you could ever wish for, plus fresh-baked cookies, all together in one pretty package. But that intoxicating melange of scents seems incomplete somehow. Have you lost something recently? Something significant?”
“My soul?” was
the answer I thought he might be looking for.
“Oh. Careless of you. How are you holding up?”
My legs were shaking and I wasn't sure if he meant spiritually, mentally or physically. “Not very well,” which I felt sincerely on every level. “Not very well at all.”
Leaning down, the rock singer swept me up off my feet and into his arms before I knew what was happening. “Poor thing. Bite him again Blaze, bite him hard for present and past transgressions against a lady, the bully. Blaze and I hate bullies.”
My ex-boyfriend screamed louder.
“What is that?” If there actually was a “that” there, because for the life of me, I couldn't see what was tearing at Savan.
“Shadow Hound. Mine, actually. Guard, Blaze, guard.”
Savan wheezed out a hoarse “Ooof'!” and stopped moving. He was on his stomach and the thing seemed to have knocked the wind out of him. The paint brush still floated a few feet in the air, as if awaiting its magical commands.
“You've had a rough night. What was Julian thinking? Throwing you against the likes of that creature,” he indicated the fallen Soul Eater. “Blaze,” he called out to what I assumed was the shadow whatever. “Don't you think the poor girl has had a rough time tonight? Julian is very bad to have forced her to fight.”
There was a terrifying howl in response. The paintbrush appeared to float over, then fell as if dropped at the singer's feet. One of my arms was trailing and I felt a warm, wet something press into my palm followed by the unmistakable lapping of a tongue. I nearly jumped out of my skin.
“It's all right. Just my dog Blaze, full of sympathy.”
I stared, unable to make out anything.
“Here, kiss me and you'll be able to see him.”
Even in the dark shadows of the warehouse he must have sensed the look on my face.
“No, honestly. Unless you trust me, you won't be able to see him. Part of the magic, my magic.” He gave me a very flirty smile as he drew out the words “my magic” into something very sexy.
I stared at him, “Are you in disguise as well?”
He laughed loudly, “That is rather close to the truth, though I really am the lead singer of the Albert Einsteins. Just trust me.” Turning his head to mine, he kissed me very expertly on the lips.
His mouth tasted rich, warm and sweet. Like kissing a chocolate truffle. A Godiva truffle. An exquisitely good Godiva truffle, I reflected as the kiss lengthened. If this was the result of being a soul-lost slut, it wasn't so bad...
Breaking off, he said, “Now look, can you see?”
I didn't seem to be able to see much of anything beyond his eyes at that moment. They were blue. A beautiful shade of blue that shone brightly even in the half light of this shadowed stretch of concrete.
“Here, let's try one more time.”
And before I could protest, he kissed me again, softly, slowly, and I began to forget why it was we were doing this. His kiss was different from Savan's, maybe because I knew about Savan now that his glamour spell had worn off.
“Mmmm, lovely,” he sighed. “I rather hope you can't see him yet.”
Looking down, I jumped, well, as much as you can while clasped tightly in a man's arms. A massive shape shimmered into clarity. It was some sort of a huge, wolf-like creature. If wolves had long prehensile tails, forked tongues and stood as tall as a pony. The tail curled around Albert's waist and the thing looked adoringly at the singer, panting mightily.
“This is your dog?”
“Yes, it is.” His voice took on a playful tone. “Who's a good, puppy? Eating up the nasty man, weren't you?”
Thinking it was a command, the beast turned back to Savan, grabbing a leg. Savan screamed in protest. I guess he could see him as well, even without the kissing.
“No, no, you don't have to eat him yet. Uncle Julian has questions for the bad man, that's a gooood puppy.”
The beast dropped Savan's leg and made little bouncing moves for all the world like he was in doggy bliss.
“Look, Blaze. Our new friend can see you now. Dance for her.”
Wagging his long sinuous tail so hard it shook his hindquarters, the dog began to jump and spin. He really did look like he was dancing. I should have been afraid, but he was acting so silly and dog-like, I started to laugh.
“Good dog,” said the lead singer of the Albert Einsteins. “Can you really see him clearly? Perhaps I should...”
I put my hand up between us. “I can see him fine.”
Julian came over, wiping his knife on a strip of cloth.
“You took your time, Albie,” he gasped out. He was breathing heavily, sweat running down his face.
“Better late than never.”
“You can put her down now.”
“No, I don't think I can. You're feeling very weak, aren't you? Poor thing.” He held me tighter and honestly, it felt very comforting.
A look passed over Julian's features that I couldn't read. “Alexandra is very resilient.”
“No,” I protested, “I don't think I am. Everything hurts.” It did, too, especially the back of my head where it connected with the metal security gate.
“See?” said Albert.
I put my head on his shoulder and Julian frowned.
“Better tie the scoundrel up, Julian; there's a good lad. Blaze has got him under control for you.”
“Why didn't you call the hound sooner?”
“Left him back at the hotel, didn't I? Never said I was wanted in my capacity as demon slayer. Strictly paparazzi pretty boy mode. Took a few minutes to get him from there to here.”
One of Savan's surviving goblin minions, sensing the tide of battle had turned against his master, galloped right past us, making for the street. It's odd, rocking gait covered a lot of distance with each stride.
Albert pointed with his chin after the fast retreating form. “Better deal with that first, Julian. Can't have a goblin running loose. It will make straight for the zoo, like they always do, and start eating all the monkeys.”
Julian glared at him, hands on his knees, trying to catch his breath. “Why can't you get it?”
He shifted me in his arms a little and raised one eyebrow. “Paparazzi pretty boy, remember?”
“Bite me, Albert.” Julian ran after the goblin.
While Julian was otherwise occupied, I lay quietly in the singer's strong arms feeling too tired to even ponder over the magical mayhem I had been a part of. Particularly how I ended up being comforted by the lead singer of the Albert Einsteins. How come the cute guy stuff decided to come rushing in all at once instead of spread out over months – or years? And did there always have to be weapons and blood involved with supernatural men? Couldn't I just meet a nice boy from the Science Club? Cute and slightly geeky. Braces and a buzz cut instead of blades. I sighed.
Albert seemed content with the silence and the hound kept an eye and several massive clawed paws on Savan.
Julian staggered back to find me still in Albert's embrace. He was carrying my little evening bag and handed it over.
“Found this,” he panted, taking deep breaths and pointing in the direction of the street. “Over there.”
I must have dropped it when Savan dragged me back by the hair. I hadn't even noticed.
“Thank you. My cell phone's inside.”
“Why were you kissing Albert?” His voice had a flinty edge.
“So his dog would manifest,” I said truthfully. “You know, part of his magic and all. Isn't the Shadow Hound cool?”
Julian turned towards Albert, “You bastard.” Then to me, “He could have made the hound manifest at any point.”
“But he said...”
“He lied.”
The singer's eyes twinkled and the dimples on his cheeks peeked out. He really was extraordinarily handsome. “Couldn't resist, could I? Just look at that mouth, who wouldn't want to kiss it? She not only smells heavenly, she tastes even better. A little bit of fairy magic right here on earth.” He g
ave me a wink. “And once she gets her powers...”
Julian's head snapped around. “Enough, Albert!” There was a sharp bite to his voice.
I wriggled, trying to squirm out of Albert's grasp. His words, like Julian's, didn't really make any sense. No surprise there. Supernatural men talked very oddly.
“Now, now, you're still in shock. Better let me hold you.”
I stopped wriggling, saying instead in my iciest voice, “Put me down.”
Standing somewhat unsteadily on my feet, the enormous dog bounced over and knocked me right back off them onto the ground. It stood over me and started to lick my face furiously.
“Ack,” was all I could manage to say.
Simultaneously, the singer pulled the hound off and Julian picked me up, dusting me off and making growly noises I hoped were not directed at me. I did not like Julian when he growled.
“See, Blaze thinks you are eminently kissable as well.”
“Ack,” I said again with feeling.
Julian pushed the animal away. “Get him off, Albert!” Pulling the Fudo cord from his waist, Julian began the process of binding Savan's arms and legs, saying, “Albie is Daemon, well, half Daemon.”
“The naughty half,” Albert laughed.
“Demon?” I asked. “Do we like demons?”
“Not demon. Daemon,” the singer said in his deep, lazy voice, so different from Julian's clipped style of speaking. “Amazing difference a vowel can make, isn't it? Nearly as diverse as demons, we Daemon. Run the spectrum of good and bad, like anybody else. Mostly good though.” He laughed again and the dog thing bounced up – a very short bounce given its size – licking him wetly on the cheek. “Down Blaze, there's a good puppy.” He wiped at his face with one sleeve. “Daemon's were always a link between humans and, hmm, how shall I put it? The other world. Yes, the other world, that sounds right. Watch out for you lot generally we do, like guardian angels. Got a mandate from heaven and everything.”
Julian gave the other man a withering stare muttering, “Mandate my ass.”
“Now Julian, don't be like that. From now on I declare myself this young woman's guardian angel. I like guarding you and your kissable mouth. Introduce us properly, Julian, where are your manners?”
