by S. M. Bowles
Once inside he told me to watch my step and guided me to the far end of the building where a crumbling staircase was standing that lead down to what I imagined would be the building's basement. He helped me navigate the first few steps and when we got to the bottom Colin had us duck under the stairwell. He pried open a doorway that to my eyes was completely indiscernible and motioned me through. After closing the door behind us we were swallowed up by the darkness for a few seconds then suddenly a doorway into a brightly lit elevator slid open.
"Going down," Colin chuckled and pushed the lowest button on the controls.
Ares sat on his haunches and patiently waited until the elevator stopped. By then my trepidation was at its height and I couldn't bring myself to follow Colin and Ares after they stepped out of the elevator.
"We need to hurry. Daemon is waiting for you," Colin insisted. "There isn't much time before we all need to rest."
There was only one way to turn once I was out of the elevator and when I looked in that direction I was taken aback by all that I could see. It looked warm and inviting, like the inside of someone's well-kept home. The only things missing were walls and windows.
Colin smiled as I took it all in, "It is someone's home...actually a lot of someones."
We started walking again and after a few yards I noticed someone moving towards us. He came slowly at first but then suddenly and without warning he was directly in front of me.
"Emily," he crushed me to his chest. "I can't believe it's you!" he pulled back and carefully studied me.
He was breathtaking and I felt myself smiling and blushing against his intense scrutiny.
"When Colin told me he bumped into someone in a club I never imagined it would be you!" Then Daemon looked confused, "You don't remember me, do you?" his voice full of disappointment.
I shook my head, "No. I'm sorry."
I wanted to tell him why and to explain to him that we may very well have met before but since then something...
He took my chin and it felt like he was examining my innermost thoughts somehow. "Artur," he mumbled, "I'm sure of it," he looked at Colin.
Colin shrugged and nodded, "I don’t know who Artur is but someone’s done something."
"Do you have it?"
Colin handed Daemon the charm and after Daemon did a quick inspection he sent him away. "Well, I guess we had better start at the beginning. Here," he handed the necklace back to me. "Let's sit somewhere and talk. Damn, I wish there was more time!"
Daemon led me towards the back wall and around one or two of the support beams to where a living area was neatly arranged. He asked the two people who were using the makeshift room if they would excuse us and once they were gone Daemon had me take a seat on one of the ottomans. He drew a second up close and sat across from me while Ares made himself at home and stretched out on a shaggy carpet artfully placed in front of a tremendous shelf of books.
I was still holding the charm, nervously running my fingers back and forth over its smooth surface.
Daemon took my hands in his momentarily stopping them. He smiled, "I don't know how you know Artur or why he's done this to you but you saved my life and I would do anything to repay you so I think we had better try and find out."
I wasn't sure how to respond.
Daemon must have realized that I needed more convincing, "When you were 16 years old," his voice took on an eager, earnest tone and I was mesmerized by the sound of it, "you...you did something for me that saved my life. I gave you that charm to remember me by but it was also meant as a promise to help you if you ever needed me and as a token of the bond we shared."
Images were flashing in my mind, like reflections in a pond but the water was too choppy for me to make any sense of them.
"There's a way that I can show you the truth and help you remember if you'd like."
I shook my head, "How?"
"You're afraid. I understand but Emily, something happened to you. Something...something someone seems willing to kill you for. Colin saw you at a club two nights ago. You were wearing this," Daemon stroked the charm. "He wanted to know who you were and how you knew me. So Colin followed you from the club to your hotel to see what he could learn. He told me that a woman went to your room and shortly afterwards a man. He said there was a brief scuffle and that the man escaped with you over his shoulder and that the woman chased after you."
"No!" I adamantly stated. "None of that happened. I was visiting my brother. We spent the weekend together and I went home."
"If it was a simple as that then why did you come back?"
"I...I..."
Daemon looked down at the charm and my eyes followed his.
"Please," he said. "You are in some kind of trouble. You need help and I am offering it. It's the right thing to do, helping someone in need...it is always the right thing to do. You did it for me and now I must do it for you."
"Oh," I felt my lips trembling. His voice, his words, they sounded so familiar they wrenched my heart. Though I was reluctant to admit it, I knew he was right. I sniffled and nodded.
"Good. There isn't much time so I need you to trust me. Close your eyes, and try to relax. Whatever you do, don't panic."
I took a deep breath. He released my hands and gently took my face in his fingertips. Then I felt the pressure of his forehead as he rested it against mine.
"Ssh," Daemon whispered, "it feels strange, I know but it will only be for a moment."
It did feel strange but there was something comforting in his touch and I willing let go of all the chaos that seemed to be swirling around in my head. My memories slowly unraveled one after the other, not just the ones that were connected with Daemon, but my entire lifetime of memories. I felt him flinch at one point when Penny became a part of them but other than that Daemon was utterly quiet and still.
When it was over he pulled back and we just sat there staring across at one another in total disbelief. After a few minutes he leaned over and kissed my forehead.
"I'm so sorry," he said. "Everything that's happened to you...it's all my..." Daemon sighed. "I take it you haven't heard from Avery since any of this happened."
I shook my head no.
"We'll find your brother Emily. I promise!" His eyes went far away for a moment, "Wow," he said while shaking his head.
I couldn't help smiling despite all my apprehension.
"Wow!" he said again.
I wasn't sure what to make of his expression there were so many emotions washing over his features. "Not what you expected, huh?"
"Not at all!" Daemon looked away and for a moment I thought he regretted learning everything that we had just shared.
"Haeven, huh? That's what you call it."
"Well, that is what it is, or was, and the spelling, of course, that was for you."
"And you lived there, ever since...with Penny...and Artur and Avery and Car...that bitch!" he cursed but quickly shook himself free of his anger. "I'm sorry."
"Don't be."
He smiled and turned his thoughts, "I don't remember ever seeing Herr...my father so happy. You must mean the world to him."
"He means the world to me," I reached out and took Daemon's hand, "as much as Penny still means to you."
"Saving them isn't going to be easy."
"I know."
"You and I...we'll never be able to do it alone. We're going to need some help."
"Yes, we will."
"Once we find Evan we'll have to search for Artur. I'm sorry we can't do anything tonight...I need to rest."
"I understand."
"Tomorrow, though..." Daemon's eyes went wide and he grinned with some secret knowledge. "I'll send some things for you and for Ares. Try and get some sleep if you can and when I wake we'll make our plans."
After Daemon left he sent someone with a few odds and ends to keep me and Ares comfortable throughout the day. We were shown around the common areas that were available for us to use and not long afterwards found ourselves alone in t
he vast emptiness of their unusual dwelling. Though I didn't know where Daemon and the others went when morning came there seemed to be other chambers set off from the main floor we were on. Everyone more or less just melted into the shadows and disappeared.
It was eerily quiet and I felt like a voyeuristic intruder once everyone was gone. I thought about having a look around but it seemed wrong to do it without a witness so I tempered my curiosity and lay down on one of the sofas. Ares stretched out on the floor beside me and together we slept for as long as we could.
We woke before anyone else and passed the time reading until Daemon finally returned to the living area at dusk. He offered to take Ares outside for me and said that he had sent someone for food and drinks for us both. "Have you been up long? I'm sorry there was no one to keep you company."
"For a few hours but it was fine. It gave me some time to think, actually."
"Good. Give me a few minutes and I'll be back to hear those thoughts!"
Daemon called to Ares and he readily went to him. I watched them head towards the elevator and shortly after they were gone someone approached me with a tray laden with a variety of dishes.
"Daemon wasn't sure what you would like to eat, so I got a little of everything," she put the tray on one of the ottomans and slid it closer to where I was sitting. "I'm Meredith, by the way," she held her hand out, "but everyone calls me Merry."
"Emily."
"I know," she nodded, "we all know who you are. Daemon has told us the story more than once," she smiled and blushed.
I liked her all at once. She had dark hair and darker eyes and was girlishly pretty with her wide, dimpled grin.
"Do you mind if I sit with you while you eat?"
"Not at all. I would enjoy the company."
Merry took a seat across from me while I began picking at the various offerings. "Daemon hasn't said anything yet but I know he is going to ask us if we would like to help you."
"Oh?" I was surprised that she was already aware or at least somewhat aware of why I was there.
She smiled, "Word travels fast in this type of environment," she waved her hand to indicate all our surroundings. "I know he would do anything for you and most of us would do anything for him."
Just then Daemon returned. Ares was several steps ahead of him and hurried up to Merry to introduce himself. She happily obliged his greeting and when Daemon finally made it to where we were sitting I noticed that he wasn't alone.
"Wyatt," the newcomer said and after a brief handshake he sat down beside Merry and took her hand in his. "So you're Emily," he shook his head, "the Emily?"
The way he said it surprised me and looked at Daemon unsure how to respond.
"The one," Daemon relieved me by answering on my behalf. "Is Colin back yet?"
"Right here," Ares darted away to meet him. "Yeah, I got the good stuff Buddy!" Colin had a tremendous bag of dog food slung over his shoulder and with his free hand gave Ares' head a hearty pat. "Be right back," Colin nodded to us as he walked past.
I heard the distinctive sound of kibbles hitting a bowl then a tap running and a few moments later Colin reappeared to join us and two more were approaching from the opposite direction.
"Hey Daemon," a lanky blonde came over and drew up a couple of chairs. He took one of the seats and the person he was with settled into the other.
Colin casually sat down on the arm of the couch next to me. Daemon eyed him but Colin just shrugged.
"Well, you all know who Emily is and why I've asked you to join us this evening. I will not judge anyone who is not willing..."
"Daemon!" someone shouted. It sounded as though it was coming from near the elevator.
He zipped away before he could finish what he had been saying. The others slowly rose and turned to face the direction he had run off in. Some strange awareness filled me and somehow I knew what was wrong.
"Avery," his image filled my mind.
I started walking towards the elevator and saw him spread out on the floor with Daemon hunched over him and two others that had apparently been the ones who had brought him there.
"Where did you find him?" Daemon asked.
"In a schoolyard downtown. We were looking for the brother like you asked and we were sure we would find him there but this is who we found instead."
"Is he?" I fearfully asked as I gazed down at the trio.
Daemon looked up and gnashed open his wrist in reply. I couldn't see much more afterwards as they crowded around Avery's body. Time seemed to stretch itself out while I shifted from foot to foot and tried to get a glimpse of what was happening. Colin and the others soon joined us and one by one I examined their faces for some telltale sign of information. I knew they would know without seeing whether or not there was any hope for Avery.
"It's not working! Why isn't he healing?!"
My heart skipped a beat, "I know," I shoved my way through. I eased Avery's collar back and urged his shirt down around his waist. There was the unmistakable wound and Avery's blood was still seeping out of it. "You have to get the bullet out. He won't heal until you do," I looked up at Daemon my eyes full of hope but Merry was the one who came forward.
She placed her hands over Avery's abdomen and concentrated. She was utterly still and focused on the injury and I didn't dare breathe in case it would disrupt her. Once she had urged it close enough to the surface Merry plucked the bullet out and dropped it onto the floor where it whirled and danced around Daemon's feet. He stooped and carefully picked it up then deftly disabled it. A moment later I heard Avery gasp and his body convulsed once or twice before he managed to push himself to sitting. "Herrik?" he cried and I caught a glimpse of the astonished look on his face. He was pale, weak and worried but alert.
"It's Daemon, Avery...Daemon."
I saw a smile tremble across Avery's lips. "Jesus! It is you!" and he threw his arms around Daemon's shoulders and hugged him close.
I could see Avery's face and every second more color and vitality crept into his features then he finally managed to urge everyone away and to stand up. There were numerous cuts, scrapes and bruises peppered across his bare skin but they were all slowly disappearing and healing with a preternatural effervescence. He looked into Daemon's eyes then turned from Daemon to find me standing there in the crowd watching his fantastic recovery. I smiled nervously and shamefully.
"Emily!" he cried out and pushed through the crowd to where I was standing. "How..." he looked around and I distinctly saw him lock eyes with Colin.
"You!"
Colin threw his hands up defensively as he stumbled across the floor to where Avery was standing, "Just following orders," he looked at Daemon who quickly came to his defense.
"Enough!" Colin and Avery both balked at Daemon's command then Avery grudgingly recomposed himself and released Colin who breathed a tremendous sigh of relief.
I took Avery's hand and urgently asked him how he had gotten hurt, "What happened, Avery? Did you find Evan? Does Carah still have him?"
Avery seemed reluctant to answer and Daemon could sense that he had information to share but wasn't willing to do it publicly.
"Here, let's go somewhere we can talk. Emily, Colin...” Daemon turned to Wyatt, Merry and the others we had so recently been seated with in the living area, “you, too.”
The rest of the crowd dispersed with a great deal of murmuring.
"Emily, what are you doing here?" Avery asked under his breath. "How did Colin convince you to leave your home?"
"He didn't. I...I just came. I woke up and I felt like Evan was in trouble and that I had to go to the hotel. Colin was waiting when I got there and he had this...but," my voice fully expressed my confusion as I held the charm up for Avery to see.
"So Daemon lured you back and sent Colin to fetch you. How did he know...?”
"Colin said he saw me at the nightclub and when he told Daemon..."
"I told him to stay away from you! That you were not to be interfered with."
&nb
sp; "That's right! It was you! You were at the club, too."
"Of course I was, damn it! One objective, Emily and yet you do everything in your power to thwart my efforts!" he sounded angry but when I glanced up I could see a hint of smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. "Daemon," he shook his head, "how much does he know? Did you tell him about the compound, about Herrik?"
"He...we..."
"So everything."
I nodded, "Yes," I softly replied.
Avery sighed, "Well, maybe it's all for the best then."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"You'll find out soon enough," he assured me as we all made our way into the living area.
This time I sat in the middle of the sofa with Avery on my right and Daemon on my left. Rather than sitting on the arm like he had before Colin fetched a chair from the kitchen area and placed it well out of Avery's reach. Everyone looked expectant as their eyes shifted from Daemon to Avery wonderingly."
"I found Emily's brother. Obviously you were aware that he was missing and you may or may not know why," Avery was speaking to Daemon but spoke loud and clear indicating that we were all meant to hear.
Daemon nodded, "Emily told us that Carah has him."
"Had," Avery corrected. "He's in the compound now," Avery looked down at his hands.
"What?!" I cried.
"I found her, Carah. She was hiding out in an abandoned school. It was late and I had to rest so I knew I couldn't do anything right away. I learned the layout of the building in the short time I had then found a safe place to spend the day. She must have woken before I did because I saw her leaving just as I returned. She had Evan bound and blindfolded and she forced him into the trunk before I could stop her."
Avery looked at me, "I'm so sorry, Emily. He was still alive, though and he didn't look hurt. I had her! I had her for a moment but somehow Carah wrested one of our guns from wherever she had it hidden and before I realized what had happened I went down. I saw it though, I saw where she was going. She plans to give Evan to Freya with assurances that once you find out you will give your life for his."
Avery's voice trailed off and the room grew unpleasantly quiet.
