by Gary Starta
“So you must have known I wasn’t from this world right off?”
“I had a hunch, being a former detective. But I guess what really confirmed my suspicion was the way you saved Charlize.”
“That was quite a display, wasn’t it?”
“No. It wasn’t a display, Caitlin. It was you. Maybe not the ‘you’ you are familiar with. But it was you, not magic, that brought Charlize back to us. I have to believe that.”
I thought that it was ironic the way Carter referred to magic. Brahms had been so excited in the car. He said he initially became interested in eugenics because he said it gave him the possibility of creating a magical being through scientific means. For Brahms, magic existed, but it was explainable. It seemed Carter was trying to find a plausible explanation for my magic as well. It did seem logical. This world’s ecosystem was in tune with magic here because it was purer than mine. You could ride down a highway without clamping your nose with your fingers. Here, Briana told me, master gardeners are respected like priests. Their work strengthens nature, allowing the four elements to cleanse pollution, be it tangible or ethereal. Bad energy or what some might refer to as black magic is eventually eradicated through environmental cleansing. I recalled how the purple rain fell down shortly after Mollini killed Agent Diggs. It did seem as magic and science were unified in this reality.
“You know,” I said to Stanford, “you’re like comfort food.”
“I’m what…?”
“In my reality I was a good friend with your alternate. He was always there to comfort me in the worst of times. He even gave me his cat.”
“Then I’m glad I tantalize your palette.”
His statement made me think of the night we had become physical.
“Can we be good friends? I mean, is that possible after we nearly…? You know…”
Carter nodded. “Certainly, how about we become best friends?”
He took my hand when he looked into my eyes. I had returned his smile with my face, but not with my eyes. It wasn’t because I was confused about our relationship, however. I suddenly felt the weight of Charlize’s words on my shoulders. What if I really was the second coming of Isis?” I had to ask Carter if he believed this. Maybe there was a scientific reason. I had had paranormal abilities in my old reality. Did piecing together Charlize constitute goddess-hood? I really didn’t know if I had been responsible for resurrecting a human. In fact, even after Brahms’s explanations, I still didn’t know quite how to classify her. Her human DNA had been quite tweaked by Brahms, no doubt about it.
I asked Carter if I might have only been able to save Charlize because she was not a natural creation of this world. He scratched his chin and asked me if I thought what I did would be any less miraculous because of it.
“No. I suppose not.”
He gripped my hand tighter.
“You’re just afraid to acknowledge this change. I was in the same boat, you know. I didn’t plan on being turned. I didn’t know she was what she was. I became romantically involved with her, mostly out of compassion, she had been abused. She had failed to tell me she was a demon. For a long time, I lived in denial. But eventually, your mind comes to grips with it. From what I know your cat, Bastet, has seemed to walk the fine line between housecat and panther fairly well.”
“Yes,” I said with a tear in my eye. “But when will I? I can’t fathom how I am, or would ever become, such a being as a goddess. I have faults. I can’t come near chocolate without overindulging. I wear torn clothing around the house. I have a temper.” I also felt guilty about accepting a date with Grant while still considering Carter as a partner. Of course, I didn’t tell him that. He chose to focus on the ripped clothes admission.
“I guess wearing torn clothes isn’t so bad. You don’t do it in public do you?”
I laughed. “Only in front of Bast, I swear.”
“Well, that’s a relief,” he said.
“But, Stanford, thinking about what you said before, about Bast, I have to think there are times when even she needs comforting.”
“I think I have an idea.”
“What? You want Bast and me to join some paranormal outreach group?”
“Something better... Why don’t we form our own support group for those afflicted with unexpected change in their lives?”
“That’s a great idea. We can start tomorrow at Charlize’s next concert.”
“I wouldn’t miss it for the world,” Stanford said.
This world might not be so bad to be stuck in after all.
END
Gary Starta BIO
A former journalist, Gary Starta’s ever-present love for fiction prompted him to begin writing novels nearly a decade ago. Whether it is mystery, suspense or science fiction – Starta’s favorite – the author strives to interweave thrill, wonder and romance in all his stories.
Demon Inhibitions is mixed genre fiction with paranormal romance, mystery and urban fantasy. Investigate a parallel world with recently displaced FBI Agent Caitlin Diggs. Here, you’ll be immersed in a world part demon and part human, but always dangerous. Will Caitlin adapt to a new home, boyfriend and universe?
Find more about the author at his Face Book Page:
https://www.facebook.com/GaryStartaSciFiFanPage
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