Avenger

by Su Halfwerk

  Help is on the way. Do not despair, Celestine said. He could never understand human cruelties, because right then Barney swatted Pru out of his way and jammed a thick thumb in the gash on Luke’s cheek. Agony sparked in his ward’s head, and with it Celestine had to resist the temptation to take off some of the load. The room wavered and shook, almost blinked out of sight. Only fear for Pru’s wellbeing tethered Luke to consciousness.

  Give me whatever power you have. I can’t let anything happen to her, Luke said, gritting his teeth in pain.

  I am prohibited from serving as the spirit within.

  What’s the use of sustaining my dead body if anything were to happen to her?

  “As you can see,” Barney said to Pru as he grabbed her arm and pulled her close to him, “I have no qualms harming this piece of shit. Killing him will make my day. So, unless you want him dead, you better do what we ask of you.”

  I do not understand. Your body is not dead, Celestine said.

  I died the night I was shot. I’m only alive because Lidwien was inside me. One of you is always in.

  Pru gulped, the sound audible in the filthy room, the only interruption were Luke’s grunts as he struggled to free himself.

  “What do you want?” Pru asked Barney, her gaze, though, was on Luke.

  You are alive because you made the decision to become a spirit hunter in time before death claimed you. Lidwien and Naiten joined forces and exerted all their powers to mend your broken neck, Celestine said in bewilderment. We cannot resurrect a dead body, you know that.

  “Nothing you can’t give,” Barney said to Pru. A glimmer flickered through his lifeless eyes as he added, “Mack will explain everything.”

  Pru snatched her arm free and went to Luke. She cradled his face and kissed him on the lips. “Is that why you kept pushing me away? You thought you were dead?” she whispered.

  “Very touching,” Barney said, advancing.

  Luke lowered his head. “Yes.” He looked up, at Pru. “Wait! You can hear Celestine?”

  She nodded and sealed his lips with another kiss. “I won’t let anything happen to you.” Her lips twitched as she placed something in his right hand.

  Barney made another go for her arm but she anticipated his approach. Pushing against Luke’s knees, she whispered, “Sorry, darling” when he winced. She then lifted both legs and kicked Barney in the face. It only made him stumble a little, his face turning red with anger.

  “You bitch.” In retaliation, Barney slapped her across the face hard enough to twirl her until she crashed to the ground, short-winded.

  “No!” Luke’s mounting panic was scraping hitched breaths out of him. He sweated as he jerked in his binds again and again to free himself. The movement had relocated the chain, now its links were abrading his cuts, splitting blood vessels. His pain transmuted into an erupting pit of cold rage. It consumed and buried him in an immobilizing chill. He ceased all movement and glowered at Barney.

  Barney said, “Now I know how to break you.” He snatched one of Pru’s hands and dragged her on the floor and out of the room.

  Celestine heard every thought of Luke’s as they rushed through his head.

  I’m Pru’s damnation. She’s as good as dead. He barked a short hysterical laugh then went still. This certainty was breaking him.

  Do not give up, Celestine whispered. He got no response. Luke was sinking fast in a shock of despair, one induced by weakness, blood loss, and helplessness. The future awaiting his Destined One in these criminals’ hands was begrimed. The wrath trapped in Luke’s heart was impossible to dismiss.

  She is not dead. To help her, you will need to use the key, Celestine said.

  Luke didn’t respond. Instead, his heartbeat rate spiked, cuts oozed precious blood.

  Valuable seconds ticked by. Luke, lost in his shock, grew weaker. Lidwien’s return could take long and he might return alone, without help.

  Celestine had watched his wards struggle with their emotions and failures, managing to do the right thing every time, even by taking wrong shortcuts. It was time for him to take a leaf out of his hunters’ book and act. Pru was important for Luke, his better half, his Destined One. Without her, Luke would be an empty shell.

  Shunning Laymour rules, Celestine focused on Luke, and used his life force to become one with him, augmenting him from his healthy being. He took away the pain, and sustained his ward’s life. The combination of bleeding injuries and the speed with which Luke’s heart was beating would lead to one ending if Celestine didn’t act as the spirit within. He had no experience in being one, all he knew was that Luke shouldn’t die.

  I am healing you. Find the lock and use the key, Celestine said.

  Luke remained fixed like a statue, his eyes never leaving the open door.

  Please, Luke. Help me help you.

  Luke didn’t react. Celestine was stuck, he wasn’t as powerful as the Domines. His power can either be used externally to mobilize Luke or internally to heal wounds and mend broken bones.

  Broken bones!

  Celestine exerted more control and focused all his existence on the bone jotting out of Luke’s shin, forcing it back to its place, inside.

  The shock of pain made Luke holler, which, as Celestine had planned, snapped him out of the haze. “What are you doing?”

  Fixing you. Now work on that lock, Celestine said. He closed the outer cut and sealed the bone into one piece.

  Luke glanced at the key in his hand and then at the padlock. He rocked himself and the chair sideways. The chair careened too much to the right, and if it fell on that side the padlock would be trapped under him. Luckily, Luke adjusted himself and wobbled to the left until he crashed to the ground with a loud thump. He moaned from the pressure on his damaged left wrist. Celestine shifted his attention to the new injury while Luke worked his right hand to disengage the padlock now dangling at a convenient angle by his side. After several failed attempts, he managed to insert the key into the padlock and turned it, his reward was a click. The bolt had released.

  Even as Luke twisted left and right to wiggle out of the chains, his body was healing, the dislocated kneecap was aligning itself again. The chains clinked on the ground as he freed himself from them and rose on shaky legs.

  Celestine healed him as much as he could even though his life force reserve was diminishing, a testament of his weaker being compared to the Domines.

  “Don’t take this the wrong way, but I don’t think you’re cut off for this spirit within business,” Luke said.

  You will need a weapon, Celestine said.

  Luke gathered the coil of chains by his feet and twisted it on his arm, leaving a portion to dangle free. “I guess this is better than nothing considering our barren surrounding.”

  What is the meaning of this? Lidwien demanded within Celestine’s mind.

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  “Celestine,” Luke called and received no reply. He’d expected as much. Long time ago, he’d figured Lidwien remained silent because he was busy watching out for him. It made sense that Celestine would fall silent now, the wounds were scabbing over already. He left his body in his guide’s hands and took his first step toward killing everyone. No one was allowed to harm Pru, even think of hurting her, and survive it.

  His first step brought him down to his knee. He rose—this time being more wary of his fragile state—stumbled to the wall, and leaned on it. He ached all over, loss of blood had left him weakened, his vision blurred, tilting the room. Upon reaching the door, he stepped into a tiled corridor lit by small light bulbs. Animal waste smells permeated the building, stronger now. Unsure of which direction to take, Luke listened at the first door on his right. Hearing nothing, he entered the room. The squarish space looked like a mini operating theater with a gurney in the middle and a tray of surgical tools beside it. Shelves stretched across the walls, holding syringes, bottles filled with liquids, cotton balls, and other medical supplies. Although someone had disinfected the room, it
reeked of an underlying stench.

  Luke tried the next door and froze upon opening it. Two manacles were hooked into rings in the ceiling, each ended with shackles around Carmen’s hands. The chains held her upright, her red-shot eyes were death glazed, and her distended tongue dangled between split and cut lips. A dislocated jaw, cuts, and bruises were Barney’s handiwork, whereas a bloody stain on what remained of her skirt proved Mack’s involvement.

  “Oh, Carmen!” He whispered. Now Luke understood why she hadn’t been to the hospital to convince Carla to keep Pru there, she was busy dying. Guilt consumed him and he slid down the wall, elbows on his knees, hands squeezing his head. Somehow, Barney must’ve seen him visit Carmen. That would be the only possible reason they would kill her after giving her an assignment. If they’d seen Luke leave her apartment, then he was the one who’d killed her.

  An urge to sneeze overtook him, and he leaned forward. Instead of a sneeze, though, he exhaled vapor that took Celestine’s familiar shape and solidity.

  “This is not your fault. You can not anticipate the extremity of evil,” Celestine said.

  Luke rubbed his irritated nose and winced at the pain. His nose was touched by Barney. “I should’ve been more careful.”

  “Carmen made her own choices that led to her end. We all make decisions at dire times to protect the people we care for.”

  Cold but true. A surge of power shot through Luke. He blinked. “I take it Lidwien is back inside?”

  “Yes.” Celestine’s outline wavered and shifted, something he did whenever he was distressed or planning to be evasive. “When you proceed to save Pru, remember that there are only the three of them.”

  Luke frowned. “That can’t be. Sully is always surrounded by at least four of his men.”

  “Pru’s skill is a very precious secret of his,” Celestine said gloomily. “He fears other drug lords might pilfer her from him and since you were chained and weak, they all thought it better to keep this secret between them. Barney and Sully themselves kidnapped Pru today.”

  “What’s Jason’s part in all this?”

  “I am not aware of Jason’s involvement. They did not mention him while they discussed you and Pru amongst themselves.”

  There was so much sadness in Celestine’s voice, it felt like hooks raking Luke’s skin. His guide wasn’t the emotional type, and from his experience so far with him, the only thing that might sadden Celestine was if Luke wasn’t doing his job or wouldn’t be able to do it. “I’m back to normal, right?” he asked.

  “Yes you are. I have been summoned to the Laymour and must depart now.”

  Luke frowned. “When will you be back?”

  “I will not. Someone else will give you guidance.”

  The clock was ticking, Luke had to find Pru, yet he couldn’t just let go of Celestine. A bad feeling had been burrowing in him, Celestine’s words were laden with resignation. “Stay with me until we’re out of here and we can talk this through.”

  “Time is ticking, indeed. You should go and save your Destined One with the aid of your guide and spirit within.” Celestine said. “I have had the opportunity of advising several spirit hunters over the centuries, and now I finally took a practical approach and helped one. Guiding you was not easy, nevertheless, it was an honor.”

  Luke raised a hand. “Wait a minute. Wait a goddam minute. You’re not leaving. If this is goodbye, I demand a proper one. Not like this.”

  At the sound of a distant scuffle followed by a scream, Luke snapped his attention to the door.

  It was Pru’s scream.

  Luke hobbled in the direction of the shriek, his heart pounding in his chest from physical and mental anguish. The corridor ended at a door left ajar, he peeked through the gab. It was dark outside but he made out silhouettes in the yard.

  There is only one possessed human outside, a female voice said.

  Luke pulled back in and held his breath. Who’s this? he asked.

  I apologize for not introducing myself appropriately, the woman said. I am Leema, your Spirit Guide.

  I already have one, Luke said.

  I returned with Lidwien to infuse my life force with his to heal you. Celestine has healed some of your injuries already, and so my life force is not needed anymore. Instead, Lidwien has assigned me to assume Celestine’s responsibilities.

  Luke frowned. His new spirit guide was a woman? He must sort out all his Laymour connections after saving Pru, for her life was in danger.

  He peeked outside again and allowed his eyes to adjust to the darkness. Barney, Sully, and Eloise were standing in the middle of a sandy yard with a high wall fencing it in. To one side, there were cages housing animals—mostly dogs and cats, but there were other animals as well.

  Pru’s arm was pinched in Barney’s big hands, it looked painful. Rage spiked in Luke.

  “Order it,” Eloise said and pointed at a monkey with her cigarette.

  “I won’t participate in your cheap schemes to use animals as drug mules,” Pru said.

  Sully flicked a knife open and scraped under his nails, Luke was glad the bite on his cheek looked raw. “It’s either that or we cut them open and stuff them as we usually do. Problem is, our contacts in customs have become pesky about the number of sick animals entering the country no matter how much we bribe them. To add insult to injury, some of those critters die during the journey from one place to another. Your skills will make it easier for all parties involved.”

  Pru shook her head. “Not doing it.”

  “You think we want to go through this with you? We’ve tried on our own, believe me,” Eloise said. “While you were in a coma, we had one of our friends reside in you, except Mrs. Lancaster’s Chihuahua snarled and went mad when I brought it in to test your powers. It seems animals answer to your soul and not your body. Pity, really. Then there was the matter of awakening you.”

  So, they did try to possess Pru. Bastards!

  There were no weapons in anyone’s hand except for Sully’s knife, which didn’t necessarily mean the others weren’t carrying. He searched the vicinity for something he could use as a weapon and found none.

  Mack turned to Pru. “It’s either you order the monkey to swallow the pack or we go back to Luke, and I promise, you won’t like what Barney has in mind for him. Of course, I can convince you in my own way.”

  “You won’t kill me,” Pru said.

  Smart girl.

  “Whatever gave you the impression I’d kill you?” Mack asked. “But I can definitely take you.”

  Barney held both her arms behind her while Mack reached for her waist.

  The scouting for weapons was over. Luke stepped into the clearing and said, “Take your hands off her before I cut them.”

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Luke was here, and he was standing on his feet, unsupported. Pru was overjoyed. The swelling in his eyes was gone, his cheek was back to normal, and he moved with a slight limp.

  Eloise dropped the cigarette and cursed, while Sully narrowed his eyes. Barney, on the other hand, turned around and wrapped his thick forearm around Pru’s neck. The pressure was weighty enough to suffocate her. The chimpanzee screeched and darted around, it had a maniacal expression on its face.

  “Hiding behind a skirt, Barney? I knew you were a coward,” Luke said calmly, that hoarse undertone even more reassuring that he was almost back to his full strength. God, she loved his voice.

  When Barney growled, Sully patted him on the shoulder. “He’s baiting you.”

  They are also baiting you. Pru is too precious to kill. They will not harm her, a female voice said to Luke.

  This had to be someone like Celestine. Pru couldn’t make out a vapor like being but she was glad help was here.

  Mack, Sully, and Eloise know that. I doubt Barney would consider it? Luke said, and he did have a point. Barney seemed on edge despite his uninvolved appearance. She could almost smell fear mixed with his sweat. But Mack was dead, right? She glanced around. He
must be in someone then. Barney and Eloise had no aura color, she assumed it meant they weren’t possessed, but Sully had a grayish pallor.

  Barney only follows his brothers and mother’s instructions. Trust me, Luke, they will think twice before hurting Pru.

  Pru sighed. The spirit speaking to Luke had tranquility in her voice, a dead tranquility at that. Celestine had more warmth in him. Either way, the invisible woman had a good head on her shoulders.

  Just then, Eloise withdrew a gun from her handbag, ditched the bag and cigarettes, and pulled the trigger. Luke dodged the bullet and with the chain coiled on his wrist, he lashed out at Barney’s legs propelling him to the ground. Barney’s hold on Pru relaxed and she pulled away. Without wasting a second, she thrust her hand forward in a jab at Sully’s throat, but he was dodging the chain, so the blow landed on his face, ramming-in his nose. Sully stumbled, cradling his bleeding nose, but didn’t collapse.

  “Sonofabitch!” Eloise exclaimed and leveled her hands to fire again. Pru leapt and kicked her in the knee. Eloise staggered to the ground, landing with a thud, stirring dirt. She coughed and waved her hands to clear the air. Pru kicked the gun out of her hand, it landed out of their reach.

  Eloise narrowed her cold blue eyes, her anger intensifying. Pru—unwilling to give her a chance to rise to her feet—used one of Tía Adoria’s Hapkido moves and sprang at her, aiming a hard kick at her chin. Eloise skirted the hit and leaned backward.

  Another shot sounded. In her head, Pru heard Luke exclaim, Celestine!

  Pru swiveled around. Luke was on the ground, a red stain spreading on his chest.

  “No!” She dashed to him and plopped onto the ground by his side, cradling his head on her lap. Not Luke! “Darling, answer me.” Would he survive a bullet to the chest? How powerful were these beings helping him? Tears threatened to well out. She prayed.