The Balance

by C. L. Nelson

  Did my father send someone to kill Charlie? He is the only one besides Destiny and Karma that knew that Charlie didn’t die yesterday. While the Ladies of the Waiting are neutral, they are allowed to fix problems that threaten the Balance, though they usually fix things in a nonviolent manner that certainly wouldn’t involve a vampire. My father has to be behind this attack.

  I run into Charlie’s bedroom and it is a mess. There are clothes thrown around everywhere. She isn’t anywhere in the apartment. Was she abducted or did she flee after whatever happened in the other room? Either way, I will be able to find her. She is mine…I mean my responsibility and I will get her back.

  I close my eyes to concentrate on locating Charlie. I feel the now familiar call of her soul and start to pinpoint her location. She is far away from here. I can feel the call coming from south of Florida, somewhere in the Bahamas.

  How did she get there so fast? The blood in the kitchen and the dead vampire are a couple of hours old at most. Maybe she was abducted by a hybrid with the ability to travel that fast, but if my father sent them why didn’t they take her to him? Surely, my father is not in the Bahamas. He hates the beach.

  Just as I am about to pinpoint her exact location, the call is cut off. I can no longer feel her soul. I stop breathing for a few seconds. That’s not possible. Even if she died, I would still be able to feel her soul, and if her soul was brought to the Waiting, I would be able to sense her there too. I have to find her before the Ladies of the Waiting find out. As the future King of the Reapers, I have to prove I am able to handle problems like this.

  I astralocate down to the Bahamas to the island of New Providence. It is the most populated island and I felt Charlie’s soul near here before the call cut off. I will ask around to see if anyone has seen a woman matching her description.

  I should have looked for a picture in her apartment before I left. Oh, wait! I can see if I can find her social media page and with any luck, it won’t be private, and I can access a picture to show around to people.

  I take out my phone and type her name and location into a search bar on the social media website. Jackpot! I found her. Her page is set to private, but her profile picture is accessible.

  She looks beautiful in this picture. She isn’t looking at the camera as if someone took the picture when she wasn’t paying attention. She is laughing at something and her joy is lighting up her face. I wonder who took this picture. Was it her boyfriend? I am suddenly overcome with nausea and my head hurts.

  Am I jealous?

  I shut my screen off so I can’t see the picture anymore and concentrate on my mission. She is my job and nothing more. After I fix this mess, I will be free of her and won’t ever see her again.

  I start to walk through busy tourist locations that are, even at this hour, still populated with people who are enjoying the nightlife. I show her picture to people. I walk around for two hours, astralocating to cover more ground, and I feel like I have covered the entire island, but no one has seen her.

  I close my eyes to try to sense her soul. Still nothing. I give in, this is more important than my pride. I need help. I can’t find her on my own.

  I call my brother Dashiel first. Dashiel is the second-born son of my father. He works as a guard for the Ladies of the Waiting because he was too volatile to collect souls. He just didn’t have the patience for the job. He is also a mixed martial arts fighter in the Provisional for fun in his spare time, and he never passes up a good bar fight. He can help me look for her, and he will be helpful if I need someone to fight with me.

  In fact, Dashiel taught all of us how to fight. He forced my brothers, sister, and me to train in hand-to-hand combat, as well as how to fight with weapons. He said that if the Balance is ever tipped too far in one direction that we will need to know how to fight.

  I dialed his number and listened to the phone ring. He didn’t answer. I hung up without leaving a message. A second later, my phone rang. It’s Dashiel calling me back.

  “What’s going on, Dashiel?”

  He laughed. “Oh, you know, just mopping the floor with some asshole at a bar. What are you up to?”

  “I am in the Bahamas and I need your help,” I said. “The reason I missed this week’s dinner is because I had a pickup that wasn’t dead when I went to collect her,” I tell him, running a hand through my hair. “And now I can’t find her. Her soul has been cut off from me and I can’t sense her.”

  “Oh fuck, does our asshole father know? He is going to be pissed when he finds out. Can I be there? Please oh please say yes,” he joked.

  “He already knows. I think he is up to something and is trying to cover his ass. I believe he sent a vampire to kill the woman.” I described the scene I found in Charlie’s apartment.

  “Oh, man. This is some serious shit. I will be there shortly. I am already in the Provisional, so it won’t take long. Just let me clean up here. Send me your coordinates and I will be there in less than ten minutes.” He hung up.

  I feel like no one says goodbye anymore.

  While I am waiting for Dashiel, I call my other brother Rhett. He is the third born son of my father and is definitely the quiet one of our family. He must have received most of his genetics from his mother who was kind and gentle. He is also our resident tech guru, so hopefully, he will be able to help me locate Charlie.

  Rhett answered on the first ring, most likely because he always has his tech close by. “What are you doing in the Bahamas, Kian?” he asked, already knowing my exact location.

  “I am working.” I rehashed my situation to him and got him up to speed. I tell him all about Charlie and what has happened since I met her. “I need you to help me find her. Do what you do best and track down any lead you can find.”

  “I’m on it. Just text me all the information you have on her and I will go from there. We’ll find her. I will call you as soon as I have a lead,” he said and hung up.

  See no one says goodbye anymore. I text Rhett all of the information I have on Charlie, including her social media account, but I am sure he would have found that anyway.

  Dashiel arrived a few minutes later and he wasn’t alone. He has brought the twins with him.

  “I figured we could use all the help we can get, even if it is in the form of these two knuckleheads,” he said with one arm around Jarrett’s neck and the other one messing up his hair. “And, I like that look you got going on there, very sparkly. It’s so you,” he said with a grin, referring to the irksome glitter that refuses to wash off.

  Jarrett pulls away from our taller brother. I am 6’2” and Dashiel is easily a couple of inches taller than me, making him about a half a foot taller than Jarrett. “You’re an asshole. Don’t mess up my hair because you are mad you don’t look as good as me,” he said as he goes to stand by Emilia.

  Dashiel has the misfortune of looking almost exactly like a younger version of our father. That doesn’t mean he is unattractive, but who would want to look like the person they hate the most. Dashiel shaves his head completely bald and has a beard. I think that is his way of altering his appearance enough to not want to punch his mirror every time he sees his reflection.

  “And thanks for the invite, Kian,” Jarrett said sarcastically.

  I didn’t invite the twins because they are not responsible. Even now, Emilia has already wandered away toward the ocean. I don’t have the time or energy to wrangle these two while I am looking for Charlie.

  Also, I don’t want Jarrett anywhere near Charlie. He will definitely try to make a pass at her, and she probably won’t be able to resist his charm like most females. Not that I care personally, but this is a job, not a social mixer.

  “I am texting you all a picture of Charlie for you to show to people who may have seen her,” I said as I hit send on the group text message.

  “Wow, Kian, I can see why you waited so long to involve us,” Dashiel said, wagging his eyebrows at me.

  “Leave Kian alone, Dash. You know he doesn’t
date outside of our species when he dates at all,” Emilia said before getting distracted again.

  Jarrett puts his arm around her shoulder, so she doesn’t wander off yet. “Yeah, and he is usually too involved with work to even notice when the female reapers try to get his attention.”

  “Enough. Let’s get to work,” I said, shutting down any further conversation.

  We made a plan to head out in different directions to cover more ground. They are to contact me if they find any leads. We set off on our own to search for Charlie.

  About an hour into our search, I get a call from Rhett. “What have you found, Rhett?” I asked him as soon as I answered the phone.

  “Bow down before my greatness for I know exactly where she is,” he said proudly. “Or at least where she was heading about five hours ago. It’s the best lead I could find, but she might still be there.”

  “Explain to me what you found,” I tell him as I try to contain my excitement over possibly finding Charlie soon.

  “Well, I began looking into her background to see if maybe she had family in the area, but I struck out there. Then I began scouring her social media pages for clues about her life that may lead us to her. I was able to hack into her account, so I had access to her friend list, all of her pictures, and messages. And by the way, she is beautiful, Kian,” he said, getting distracted.

  I tell him to get back to the point, trying not to yell at him.

  “Anyway, she has one close friend, like really close. They do everything together. Almost all of her selfies include him.”

  My heart drops at the mention of this male friend. I pray he is homosexual while Rhett continues to talk.

  “I figured it’s a good chance she is either with him or told him where she is going. So, while I am looking through his call log, I see that he made a couple calls soon after the time you think that vampire was killed in her apartment. And low and behold, the icing on the cake, he got a text message not too long after, that gave him coordinates. Any guess as to where those coordinates will lead you?” he asked, sounding very pleased with himself.

  “Just tell me,” I said impatiently.

  “She is not too far from you. She is on a very small private island right off the coast of New Providence. I am sending you the coordinates now.”

  I hear a ding indicating that I received a text. I check the text before responding. “Thank you so much for your help, Rhett. I knew I could count on you. I will let you know what happens at next week’s dinner,” I said, confident that this will all be resolved by then.

  “No problem. Good luck, Kian, and please be careful,” he said and hung up the phone.

  I text the others to tell them that Rhett has found us a lead, sending them the coordinates. Dashiel sends back a short text confirming that he will be there shortly. Jarrett sent a bunch of emojis that I hope means he is meeting me there.

  Emilia texted back that she isn’t able to come with us because she had to get back to the Waiting to work.

  That’s probably for the best. I know she can handle herself, but I worry more about her than I do about my brothers.

  My body is humming with energy. I don’t know if I am anxious to get this over with or if I am excited by the prospect of seeing Charlie again. I am just going to chalk it up to the extreme change in my routine, but there is just something about her that I can’t shake.

  Chapter 10

  Charlie

  Finlay dropped me off on a deserted island. Okay, it isn’t exactly deserted. It has a small bungalow located in the center of the island with solar panels and air conditioning. The cool air in here is a relief. I wasn’t dressed for tropical weather when I left my apartment.

  Oh, and let’s not forget the freaking werewolf that is babysitting me. Or at least that is what Finlay warned me that he was. He just looks like a normal guy to me, well if that normal guy was a linebacker. The dude is jacked. He has to be about a foot taller than me with really broad shoulders, and muscular arms bigger than my thighs. And I am not a petite woman.

  Finlay said he would be back as soon as he could. He explained that he needed to see a witch about the spell that will keep the reapers from finding me. He told the werewolf, whose name is Jaxon, to stay here and keep me safe, so here I am, on an island with a werewolf.

  Mr. Grumpyface is pouting by himself in the corner because he is stuck here with me. The werewolf, who refuses to talk to me, is here to guard me and he isn’t happy about it. It has been an hour and he has done nothing but sit near the door and grumble to himself.

  I attempt to make conversation for the billionth time. “So, nice weather we are having here today,” I said as a lame attempt to get him to say anything.

  He just grunts.

  “Thanks, Jaxon, for keeping me safe while Finlay is out. I appreciate it.”

  He doesn’t look up. Is he even listening to me?

  “Well, I am just going to get naked and roll around on the floor.”

  He looked up, suddenly interested in what I’m saying.

  He remained silent for a minute. “Well, that would make this job more bearable,” he finally said, cracking a smile. “I support that decision, baby girl.” He gave me a thumbs up and a delightful pet name.

  I laughed. “Of course, that’s what catches your interest. Well, while I have your attention, can we have a conversation? It will make the time pass faster.”

  He took a deep breath and let it out. “Fine. What do you want to talk about?” he asked reluctantly while stretching his back.

  “Um, well I was hoping you might tell me more about hybrids since you are one. I know you guys aren’t supposed to talk about yourselves to humans, but I already know. Plus, I have been told that I may not even be human.” I tensed at the thought of not knowing what I am…who I am.

  He groaned. “I don’t know. It seems too risky. As of right now, I haven’t told you anything that will get me executed. Finlay has, but that’s not my problem.”

  I sighed. I really want to know about hybrids, so I can maybe figure out what I could be if I am more than human.

  Wait! I have an idea that may get him to answer my questions. “What if I sweeten the deal? If you answer my questions, I will take off one item of clothing per complete answer to my questions. The clothing only comes off when I am satisfied with the information you have given me. How’s that sound?” I asked while being thankful that I have several articles of clothing on.

  I am wearing a bra, underwear, socks, jeans, and a thin camisole under my regular shirt. That makes five items of clothes that I can lose before I am down to my undergarments, seven if I count my sneakers. I plan on being done with my questions before I get down to my underwear.

  He thought about it for a minute and then shrugged. “Alright, baby girl, I’m in. I’m bored anyway, but shoes don’t count,” he said as if he could read my mind.

  Damn it!

  “Ask away, little lady,” he prompted.

  “Okay, first question. How were the hybrids created? The term hybrid makes it sound like they are the offspring of two different species,” I asked, hoping that his answer will include information pertaining to other questions I might ask.

  He thought for a minute and then responded. “That is a loaded question, but the most straight forward answer that all hybrids are the offspring of either ethereals and humans or infernals and humans,” he said, telling me as little as possible for a complete answer.

  I narrowed my eyes and frowned at him for a moment and then laughed. “You are smarter than you look, wolf,” I said as I take off a sock and throw it at him. “If you just tell me all you know about infernals and ethereals without cheating, I will take off my remaining sock and my shirt,” I bargained with him.

  “Deal,” he said, as he smiles and rubs his hands together in anticipation. “Bear with me. This is going to be a long explanation,” he told me before beginning. “Once upon a time, the Creators created the four realms, the reapers, the Ladies of the Waiti
ng, and humans. The Creators also brought into existence the ethereals which are basically what humans would refer to as angels and the infernals which are similar to what humans would consider demons. Ethereals live in the Everlasting and infernals live in the Pit. I am hoping that you can infer that the Everlasting is like heaven, Shangri-La, nirvana, or whatever it is that you humans believe, and the Pit is like the human belief of hell. Your human stories have to come from somewhere. You aren’t that clever to make it up on your own,” he said as if he holds a great disgust for the human species.

  I nod to encourage him to go on. “The ethereals and the infernals used to be allowed out of their realms to walk amongst humans in the Provisional. Infernals and ethereals cannot create offspring with their own species, something about them being immortal. Well, one thing led to another and that’s how we ended up with the hybrids,” he smiled and took a breath before continuing.

  “The ethereals and infernals were also fucking each other, excuse my language, and the offspring of the two species were causing problems. Most referred to them as the abominations, but their parents called them darklings. They were dangerous from what I hear. Apparently, the abominations were the only things able to kill an ethereal or infernal. I have heard stories of the spawns ripping their way out of their mothers and toddlers throwing tantrums that left many dead,” he said and then grimaced. “The two species collectively decided that these abominations were not allowed to exist, so they all agreed to destroy them and to never allow copulation amongst the two species again. This agreement is what is referred to as the Covenant,” he said as I sat there completely captivated.

  He continued after taking a drink of water. “Things were alright after that, but some of them ruined it for the rest by pretending to be false gods and having the humans worship them. The Creators were unhappy about this after wars amongst humans developed from differing opinions about which god was the right god. The final straw was when that guy was nailed to a cross. After that, the ethereals were banished to the Everlasting and the infernals were banished to the Pit, no longer being allowed to leave their respective realms. The end.” Jaxon concluded his story about the two species and made a gesture telling me to remove some clothes.