by S Lawrence
I jump when the door swings open to a different guard, and his face is grim.
"He wants me to bring you to him." Is that sympathy I hear tingeing his voice?
This is it then. I can't help thinking of all the things I wish I had made time for. I was always too busy trying to get out of my neighborhood, pushing to be something, earning more and more money to help daddy. I don't regret it, but I regret what is being stolen from me. There was never time for love, children, or family, other than Aislin. We have talked so many times about trips and meeting someone but never did anything. Hell, it took a gift from her dead mother to make her go, and I only followed her. She had asked me to go with her, but I was too busy trying to land a part in a ballet to get my name out there, more publicity to garner greater interest in the dance studio. If I am honest, I no longer find joy in dancing; I no longer love it. Tears fill my eyes as I realize I've never even lived. I’ve always been focused, driven to succeed. How many times has daddy told me to go live? He had seen too many die young - life isn't for work, it's for a living. I never had, and now my chance is gone.
We pause outside the door, and the guard looks at me one last time before knocking. I can tell he doesn't want to, but maybe he is just as much a prisoner as I am. The door cracks and Arias peers out at us. Later I will realize what is splattered on him but at this moment I feel cold and shaky as reach grabs my hand and pulls me in the office slamming the door on the guard.
The coppery scent hits my nose first, and I think back to all the crime shows Aislin and I have binged… Blood. Arias is looking at me with a sweet smile, one that is in total contradiction with the wild look in his eyes. He is standing in front of me blocking my view, but he can't block the sounds. I blink, and my head tilts slightly as I try to figure out what I'm hearing. There’s a wet sound, and then I hear a squeak like I've heard late at night in the alleys at home -- a rat. My head jerks back, and I look at him waiting. I feel hot as sweat begins to run down my temple.
"I promised I would take care of you, that no one would hurt you. Well, John has something he would like to say to you." He steps aside, holding his arm out. My gaze travels the length and lands on the guard that shoved me. I puke all over the floor, gasping for breath and my ears ringing. I flinch as this madman rubs my back, murmuring, trying to comfort me. His arm comes around my shoulders, and he moves me forward, even as I resist, dragging my feet, trying to pull away. He pushes me right in front of the poor man.
"John…," menace fills his tone, and the man starts sobbing silently. "Oh yes, I forgot. You may speak."
"I'm so sorry. Please, God, I'm so sorry. Sorry I touched you. Sorry I suggested I would do more." He is breathing so fast, chest heaving, eyes filled with terror and pain.
Movement catches my eye and I can't stop my eyes as they look down. Shiny black eyes look up at me from the bloody cage and I scream, stumbling backward trying to get away. I trip over Arias' chair and fall to the ground. Crawling to the far wall and pushing into it, I cover my face as I pull my knees up.
"Emma, you understand now, right? I will never let anyone hurt you. I'm not certain John here is truly apologetic though."
My eyes fly to the guard's face, understanding in his eyes. He knows he isn't leaving this room, we both do. Arias moves behind him. My head shakes, and my hand reaches out to stop him, but he just smiles, slitting the man's throat. I hear my heartbeat in my ears as his lips are moving, but I can't hear him. Black spots appear in my vision, and then darkness takes me.
I wake in my bed, dressed in a beautiful gown. He brought me here. I curl in on myself and squeeze my eyes tightly. Fabric moves against fabric to my left. He is sitting on my bed. I refuse to open my eyes. I want to because all I see with them closed is the horror in that office.
"I know you're awake. I'm sorry you had to see that, but you had to understand that I will do anything to keep you safe. Now you understand how much you mean to me. We will be happy, you'll see. I'll leave you for now, but I'll be back soon. We can have drinks here in our room." His fingertips slide down my arm, and I clench my jaw to keep from sobbing.
25
JASON
I look around at my friends. They all know now. Hellhound. Experiment. Only my darkest secret remains hidden from these people I call family, one that I plan to keep even though they have surprised me with their reactions to my revelations.
Aislin is pacing, unable to calm herself even slightly now. The sun is up, and she needs to be looking for Emma. I need to look for her, but I need a starting point.
"Just put a leash on him and walk with him." The words jerk me from my musings. Michael's voice is laced with humor, his gaze focused on me. I can't stop my eyes from rolling and suddenly feel like a teenage girl.
"Sorry, what did you say?" I let the hound’s growl rasp through my tone.
Aislin looks away to hide her grin, Kai's face clearly says he wants to make that happen, and Sean is choking on his drink, face red as he gasps for breath.
"I said you should change. We can leash you and lead you around town. I'm assuming your nose is better as a dog," Michael reiterates.
He's serious, I can see, and as my eyes drift over the others, I'm outraged that they are all considering it. "You are not putting a leash on me!" Fuck, it sounds ridiculous coming out of my mouth. Aislin's face falls, and she pulls in on herself. "Kukla, I would need a starting place. I would gladly track her to Hades’ feet if it meant getting her back. But, god dammit, we need to find where they brought her in at."
She has moved in front of me, and her hand comes out to cup my jaw, "I know you would," she tells me, sadness filling her voice. "Someone please take me to an internet cafe or library. Jason, you seriously need to upgrade your technology here."
"Sorry, I've been gone for fifty years, and Damia and Gregor apparently have no need." I shrug, moving away from the cliff's edge, where we had all gathered at dawn. "I will take you. Kai, can you and the boys," grumbles come from the boys at the nickname as I grin at them, "check around? I have felt eyes on us this morning." Sean and Michael automatically move, placing themselves around Aislin, much to Kai's chagrin. She grabs their hands, squeezing them tight, before moving to kiss Kai goodbye. They don't hear her whisper for him to keep them safe.
Moving to the car, I lean toward her, "They can take care of themselves."
"They shouldn't have to all the time," she replies quickly. Opening the door for her, I glance back to see all three deep in discussion. She is smiling at me as I slide in behind the wheel. "I know what that was by the way."
"And what pray tell was that, little sister?" I say sarcastically.
"You wanted to give them something to do, so they wouldn't come with us. So...?”
"So what?"
"Where are we really going?" she finally asks, curiosity getting the better of her.
I look out the windshield. Kai is looking our way. I look back at her, putting my finger on my lips and jerking my head his way, as I start to pull down the drive. She waves at him before blowing him a kiss. His eyes stay locked on us until we are out of sight, which for a dragon was quite a ways.
We have just turned on the main road to town when I notice a new gate at the end of the drive for the house across the bay from mine. Slowing, I look closely. The sign has an ancient symbol etched on it, one that seems familiar to me.
"What?" Aislin is leaning forward, looking around me.
"Nothing. Someone must have bought the property."
"Is that bad?" she asks, wondering why I am staring so intently.
"No. I just didn't know."
"Would Gregor have told you? I mean, you have been gone?"
Shaking my head, I pull away. "You're right, it's probably nothing." Her gaze stayed on me, and finally, I glanced at her smiling. "Really, I'm sure it is some rich asshole's weekend getaway now."
The symbol niggled the back of my brain as I drove -- two triangles, the tips together, with what looked like a sword through the
m. I recognize it, have seen it. Suddenly, a honking horn and Aislin's gasp jerk me out of my musings. Slamming on the brakes, I look at her. She is breathing hard. "Sorry." I realize I drove straight through a red light. I sit for a minute and let her catch her breath.
"I'm okay. Are you sure you're okay?" her eyebrows are drawn together as she leans slightly toward me.
"Yes, yes of course. I just was trying to remember the symbol on that gate. I've seen it; I just can't remember what it means."
"It'll come to you. If you're like me, it'll be in the middle of the night." She smiles, her eyes misting slightly at a memory, "I can't remember the number times I've scared the shit out of Em, yelling out a song title or actors name hours after we stopped talking about it."
"We are going to find her. I promise you." Her head bobs slightly, and she turns to stare out the window. I sigh. If we can't find some information at our next stop, I'm going to have to ask for help. The problem is the gods aren't GOD, they aren't omnipotent. If they were, then maybe they wouldn't have made all the 'mistakes' over the years. So many lives hurt or ruined by them. I slowly pull back out into traffic, the symbol forgotten for now.
I drive through the city, heading to the port. As we near, the sounds of jet engines can be heard overhead. A perfect place for Nestor. Aislin looks at me like I’m crazy when I pull up in front of a rundown old hotel. Man, if only she knew. Getting out, I move to open her door and help her out as she looks around.
"Come, Kukla, let me introduce you to an old friend." Grabbing her hand, I pull her inside the faded front door and pause as her eyes widen in awe. Inside, the hotel rivals those seen in movies. I have to practically pull her along with me as she stares at the opulence around us. Stopping at the desk, I ring the bell. Waiting, I lean back, resting my elbows on the marble counter and watch as she spins in a slow circle taking the grandeur all in. I chuckle at her wonder until I hear my name. Aislin stops as the deep voice continues to talk.
"It is really you, Jason? I thought you might arrive soon." We turn as the sound of footsteps finally reaches our ears.
"Nestor, my old friend. Let me introduce Aislin. Aislin, this is Nestor. He owns this hotel and has been my friend for a very long time."
"So nice to meet a friend of Jason's." Aislin’s smile crinkles the corners of her eyes as they roam over Nestor's face. I see the appreciation in her gaze. I don’t blame her, he looks exactly how an Egyptian leading man has been portrayed in the movies - dark wavy hair, tawny hooded eyes, and skin the color of her beloved coffee with heavy cream with a hawkish nose sitting in the center of his narrow face over a gleaming white smile.
"I was hoping to ask a favor, old friend," I start.
"Come, let us go to my office." He comes around the counter and takes Aislin's hand, placing it at the crook of his elbow, before moving out a small door to the right of the reception area. She asks about the hotel, and he tells her about the history of it. He opens the door, and we are suddenly transported to a desert-like oasis. His 'office' is really an atrium that resembles something out of ancient Egypt.
"Wow!" she whispers, but I can still hear the amazement in her voice, delight a close second. Nestor waves her to a divan with a feather fan turning lazily above. It's warm and dry in the room. She giggles and grins as she flings herself across the golden velvet like a goddess. Nestor is already half in love with her, if his softened gaze is anything to go by. I clear my throat.
"Yes. Yes, my friend. What brings you to my humble door today?" He waves at a chair for me to sit. He sits down on a pile of pillows and pours us each a cup of tea. His hand lingers on Aislin's for a moment too long, and I shake my head.
"I wouldn't try that, my old friend. She has a very protective dragon waiting at home for her."
His eyes widen as he jerks his hand back. "I see your mother or father told you tales of them."
"Yes, of course, but they didn't say they were here and that they came with them here," I say with conviction.
Aislin chuckles, "That's because they didn't. The Morrigan brought them to protect their Halfling children."
"Protect their children. What a novel idea." Bitterness fills Nestor’s voice and a hardness enters his expression. Aislin glances at me, and her regret and distress are clearly evident. I shake my head slightly. It'll do no good to dredge up the past for Nestor; it is something we all deal with.
"Ummm, so how do you know Jason?" Aislin asks, curious how they had become friends.
"He saved me. Helped me set up this place," he said quickly.
I don't like the look in her eyes, I'm no hero. "Nestor, we came today in hopes that you can help us. You sense travelers in need and I am hoping you might be able to point us in a direction."
"Who are you looking for?" Nestor questions.
"Her name is Emma, she is Aislin's best friend. She was taken by a group that calls themselves the Order. Bunch of fucking assholes that think if they catch a Halfling, or one of those created to help them, they can steal the power of the 'gods.' Fucking lunatics, the one that held Aislin was, well… Anyway, he's dead." I leave it at that, not wanting to bring her memories crashing through the wall she has created around them. "But now the same group has taken Emma. I'm assuming to, once again, draw us in. They flew in on a chartered plane, but we don't know where they landed or where they went from there."
"Of course I will help, my friend. My debt to you will never be paid. Where did they start their journey and when did they arrive here? A few days ago I felt distress from a traveler but not near here."
"The plane took off from outside Edinburgh four days ago. We are two days behind them. We arrived yesterday and went to my home. We are going to go to the headquarters for the shell company that funds the Order when we leave here." Aislin's eyes widen at that information. I feel safe in taking her to the building in the city center. "They aren't keeping Emma there, but maybe we will be lucky and find someone to follow to her,” I say with hope.
"I will begin my search for her. What does she look like, in case someone sends an image?" he asks for clarification.
Aislin jumps up and rushes to his side, her phone in her hand, and begins to show him photos of Emma. I need none, as her face dances through my mind - wild copper-red hair, button nose over lush rosy lips, a smattering of freckles, and the greenest eyes I had ever seen.
"HELLO! Jason?" Aislin's words and Nestor's laugh pull me out of my musing. I ignore the look they share.
"Sorry, I was thinking about how we can find the buildings they own here. Our earlier search only showed the main building." Total lie. I don't miss the look that passes between them.
"I asked you if you agreed with me. That they were probably holding her someplace like they held me?" her eyes clouded with pain as she was momentarily transported to that room.
"Maybe, not a large ship necessarily and certainly not the same type of man." I reach out and grip her hand. "Nestor, you have my number if you find anything."
"I'm sure we will find her in no time. There isn't anything that Jason can't track." He pulls her in for a quick hug and kisses her cheeks.
"It has been such a pleasure to meet you, Nestor. I hope we can spend more time together after we save Emma from these animals," Aislin tells him.
"Be careful, my friend, or you'll become one of her boys," I chuckle, bumping her shoulder gently.
"Hasn't hurt you none," she says with sass.
"No. No, it hasn't, Kukla."
"Nestor, can I use your computer? Jason has no internet at his house, and I need to check if we have any new information from a friend."
"Of course my dear, just through that door. Make yourself at home." He gestures to the brilliant blue door on our right.
"By the way," she says as she moves away, "this place is amazing - a real desert oasis."
Once the door closes, he turns to me with an incredulous look on his face, "Sister?"
"Yes, and I will protect her and the one she loves," I reply firmly.
/>
"Yes, Emma, beautiful woman. Is it for Aislin or for yourself that you search for her? I have never seen you with that besotted look on your face while you stood daydreaming… About her."
"Fuck you, Nestor." His laughter follows me as I stride to the front entrance.
I pace as I wait for her. I can tell Patrick and her friend haven't found any leads by her slumped shoulders and desperate look on her face. I force a smile on my face and pull her close when she gets near. "We will find her. Even if I have to let you lead me around on a leash." Her arms tighten on me, and I feel the warmth of her tears. "Come now, let's go look at this headquarters." Her head moves up and down slightly, and she sniffs before moving out of my embrace. When her eyes meet mine, there is a very determined look in them and her shoulders are back.
"Thank you." She squeezes my hand before turning slightly and waving at Nestor who stands at the counter with a curious look on his face. My hand falls to the small of her back as I usher her through the door. I raise my hand and flip Nestor off without looking back as I move through behind her. His booming laugh follows me to the car. "What did you do?"
Shrugging my shoulders, I ask, "Who, me?" before we both climb in. Her smile is dazzling.
Traffic is almost at a stand still, but we finally reach the city center. I decide we should park and walk to the building. We move through the crowd and find our way to the headquarters. Same as the Scottish one, it is housed in a very old building. I look around and realize the building would have been just outside the palace grounds in ancient times. Looking closer, I see one of the cornerstones is from that era.
