by Ford, Lizzy
“What exactly do you want?” she demanded.
“To talk.”
“We talked. I’m done.”
“Look, Kaylee, it’s potentially a matter of life and death. What if I said it could be your life in danger?”
“Are you threatening me?”
“No, Kaylee.” Nathan rested his hands on her arms. “I’m –”
“Don’t,” she warned. Alarm bells were going off in her mind.
He dropped his hands without stepping away. “There’s someone who goes by the name of Shadowman. He’s an associate of Mike’s.”
Shadowman. Kaylee didn’t move, didn’t speak. She was barely able to breathe. How did this stranger know about a creature from her dreams?
“I need to know Mike’s involvement with him,” Nathan continued at her silence.
“I don’t know anything about Shadowman,” she managed.
“Mike probably didn’t tell you. Kaylee, I need to know where Mike is.” Nathan touched her again.
Kaylee sidled away. Uneasiness turned into fear. She’d hallucinated the other night when she saw Shadowman at the mental health center. Was Nathan nothing more than a dream?
“Call Linda to make an appointment,” she whispered. “I’m not talking to you anymore.”
She turned to leave, wanting to escape Nathan.
“Kaylee, please.” Nathan’s voice was soft. “I’m sorry if I’m scaring you. It’s important. We need to talk.”
“Stop, Nathan.”
“Everything okay, ma’am?” an unfamiliar voice called.
She faced the pair of uniformed police officers climbing out of their cruiser at the end of the row of cars.
At least I know he’s not a hallucination.
“We’re good,” Nathan replied.
She glanced at him. He was moving away.
Kaylee couldn’t remember the last time she felt this way, outside of when she awoke from a nightmare. He shouldn’t know about the Shadowman. He was after Mike. She didn’t know why, but she had a feeling he was going to show up tomorrow morning at her office again, if he didn’t find Mike tonight.
Which he wouldn’t. If she couldn’t locate the attorney, no one could.
“You sure, ma’am?” The police officers were drawing near.
“He followed me to my car and wouldn’t let me leave,” she replied.
“Kaylee …” Nathan sighed. “I’m leaving.”
“You want us to make sure he does?” the officer still addressed her.
She hesitated then nodded.
“Sir, please come with us.” One reached for his weapon while the other approached.
Kaylee braced herself, uncertain how the determined Nathan would react. He raised his hands and moved forward voluntarily, stopping in front of her.
“All right. I’m coming,” Nathan said to the police.
He glanced at Kaylee. She was surprised to see his apologetic smile was genuine.
“Sorry for scaring you, Kaylee. If Mike wants to know about Shadowman, you know where to find me.” He winked, not intimidated by the idea of going to jail.
He acts like he owns the world.
Kaylee watched him walk down the aisle with the cops. By the time they reached the cruiser, they were laughing at a joke he made and let him get into the back on his own.
Had she ever met someone as confident, handsome or enigmatic as this man? How did he seem able to charm anyone but her?
She didn’t move for a long moment then roused herself and got into her car.
Nathan knew about Shadowman. The way he was talking, so did Mike. How was Shadowman tied to Mike?
Where was Mike?
If Mike wants to know about Shadowman, you know where to find me.
“This is crazy,” she muttered. Kaylee put her car in gear and drove home to her apartment.
Shadowman was waiting for her. His oppressive presence greeted her when she got out of her car. She paused, chewing her lip, and leaned against it. She knew where the police had taken Nathan, to the station closest to her work. She had made many, many trips there to interview police and accused alike.
If she decided to talk to Nathan, she knew where to find him. In the meantime, she was going to hunt down Mike. She hadn’t wanted to call his family. The one time she’d done it, he flipped out, probably because she called his wife by his mistress’s name.
Kaylee looked around her cozy living area then tossed her purse and jacked on the couch.
“Are you here?” she whispered.
No one answered. Nothing blocked her balcony, and no faceless man appeared.
She locked her door and crossed to her bedroom. Her apartment was too warm, the side effect of being stalked by a man that didn’t exist.
Kaylee flipped off her heels, grabbed her phone and began dialing.
“Hi, Mrs. Harrison?” she asked.
“Yes.”
“This is Kaylee, Mike’s assistant. I need to talk to him about something important. A case,” Kaylee lied smoothly.
Mrs. Harrison sniffled. “I’m afraid he’s left me.”
“Oh.” Shit. Like I didn’t see that coming. “I’m so sorry. This is terrible timing on my part, but do you know how to get a hold of him?”
“He’s not answering his cell. Maybe his fucking girlfriend knows.” Mike’s wife hung up.
Kaylee shook her head. Mike’s an idiot. She scrolled through her contacts to Mike’s mistress and dialed.
“Hello?”
“Hi, Ms. Ingram. This is Kaylee, Mike’s assistant. I’m trying to reach him to discuss an important issue.”
“I’m glad you called. He called Monday evening to say he was on his way over and didn’t show. I assumed he went back to his wife.”
“Thanks,” Kaylee said. “I’ll let you know if I hear from him.”
“Always a pleasure hearing from you, Kaylee.”
Kaylee hung up.
First Amira disappeared then Mike. Kaylee tossed her phone on the couch, not understanding the connection. It made no sense that Mike’s client would do either. Mike was the best defense attorney in the DC area, and Amira’s testimony – even if allowed – wasn’t enough to put anyone in jail.
Shadowman.
You’re keeping him here. What had Amira meant? Keeping who here?
Kaylee shook her head. She’d take a shower then call one of the other partners to see if they sent Mike away for some sort of high level case. It was possible he had left town on an important business trip.
Without his briefcase, notepad and phones.
The dread at the base of her belly made her think that something bad happened to him.
She continued making phone calls and finally gave up, not sure who else to try.
An hour later, Kaylee sat on the couch in pajamas, ignoring the television. Her cell phone was in her hand, in case either of Mike’s partners returned the messages she left.
Shadowman moved to block the balcony.
Kaylee sat up straight. A shadow like a black curtain was being drawn across her balcony windows. It moved to her living room windows as well.
She went to the patio doors and twisted the doorknob. It didn’t budge. Kaylee watched the shadow spread across the living room windows, headed towards the front door.
Inexplicable panic shot through her. She darted to the front door and unlocked it, then yanked.
The door stuck. Kaylee pulled again, rechecked the locks and tugged.
It didn’t move.
The shadow crept beneath her doorway, pooling like water at her feet. She stepped back.
“What are you doing, Shadowman?” she asked, struggling to keep her tone steady. “Why are you locking me in?”
No one answered. Kaylee took a deep breath. She checked all the windows in the apartment. They were all blacked out. She sat back down on the couch and reached for her phone.
It was dead.
Kaylee clutched it to her chest.
You know where to find me.
&nb
sp; Chapter Ten
The cell door closed behind Nathan. The two cops had processed him and thrown him into the drunk tank, where they claimed he’d remain for twenty-four hours then be freed.
“You really think he’ll turn out okay?” the police officer in front of him asked.
“Yeah, he will,” Nathan answered. He draped his hands through the bars of the cell. “He’ll need more boundaries than most. What’s going through is natural, though, so just keep an eye out and keep him focused on the positive.”
The officer considered then nodded. “Yeah, we can do that. Thanks, Nate.”
“Always here to help. Take care of the kid.”
“I will, thanks for the advice.”
The officer left, and Nathan faced the interior of his cell. He had long since grown accustomed to being approached by strangers for help. He could spot an incarnated angel in a crowd, and they could spot him, too. They were drawn to him, like Maggy said, even if he wasn’t entirely certain what about him was like a homing beacon.
The officer was a third gen with a first gen son experimenting with drugs. It happened sometimes, and Nathan hoped the kid’s spirit guide stepped up to help out.
Nathan glanced at his cell partner, who was passed out on one of the two metal, cot-like beds in the cell. It wasn’t his first trip to prison; it probably wouldn’t be his last. He’d learned to be patient when it came to how strangely things worked out.
“Hey … are you…” the voice drifted off.
Nathan sat down on the empty cot and gazed at the speaker, a first gen in the cell next door.
“Yeah,” he answered. “What happened to your clothes?”
The man in the neighboring cell wore a towel around his waist and nothing else. His aura glowed white and sparkly. He was in his twenties with dark hair and eyes.
“I, um, was real happy and slightly drunk and decided to worship my body in the middle of the street,” the man said, face turning pink. “You know that’s not allowed?”
Nathan laughed.
“Human bodies are so beautiful. It’s a shame.”
“I agree with you completely when it comes to women,” Nathan said. “I don’t want to see man-junk everywhere.”
“I guess I don’t care. I think everyone is beautiful.”
“Damn first gens. Always too damn happy.”
The man smiled. “Anyway … since we have time, I was wondering. Um, my mama died two years ago.”
“You want to say hi?” Nathan asked.
The first gen nodded.
Another of his skills: the ability to act as a medium and connect those on this side with those from the Other Side.
“It’s faster if I’m touching you,” Nathan said. He rose and crossed to the bars dividing his cell from the first gen’s then knelt beside them.
“Faster?” The first gen mirrored his movement. “We’ll probably be here for a while, at least until tomorrow.” His brow furrowed. “Why are you here, Nathan?”
“Long story. Won’t be here long, though.” Nathan stretched through the bars to take the first gen’s hand. “I need a few minutes of quiet.”
The man nodded.
Nathan closed his eyes and focused on the energy from the first gen and tapping into that of the Other Side. He silently summoned the man’s mother and waited until he felt the familiar pulse of energy in the air that told him she’d crossed over to visit.
Opening his eyes, he was able to see her faintly. Smiling, the elderly woman had silver hair and a stooped frame.
“She’s here,” Nathan said.
“I miss being able to see everyone like I could when I was an angel,” the first gen said with a sigh. “Does she look happy?”
“Dead people are always happy,” Nathan answered. “They don’t have to deal with this shit.” He motioned to the cement cell.
“That’s good. She can hear me?”
He nodded.
The first gen looked around, his gaze settling on some random point.
“I miss you, Mama. Thank you for taking good care of me. I know that we all have our expiration dates, but I’m sorry yours was so painful.”
Nathan glanced at the ghost, who would be able to speak to him. She was smiling, and tears sparkled in her eyes. The voice that spoke into his mind was soft, ethereal.
“She says she loves you and is proud of you,” he said aloud for the first gen to hear. “And to keep your clothes on.”
The first gen laughed. “I will, Mama, thank you.”
The ghost faded, returning to the Other Side. Nathan released the first gen’s hand and sat on his bed. The first gen’s aura sparkled with cheerfulness.
“I’m taking a nap. Can we talk later?” the first gen asked.
“Sure.”
Nathan watched him lay down then did so himself. He appreciated the uninterrupted time to think and to dwell on all he’d learned since arriving Monday. Folding his hands behind his head, he stretched out his legs and relaxed.
A fallen guardian, a vigilante group of rogue spirit guides, a gateway to Hell.
They were entering a new era, one that caught him off guard. Adaptable and open to anything new, he was also overly aware that this era would push him out of his comfort zone. He worked well alone and preferred to be independent in every aspect of his life. Likewise, it was going to be hard to balance or counter 3G if the members of the spirit guide corps remained isolated. 3G was willing to kill guides, and the Satanists like Eddy were growing bolder with the arrival of Shadowman.
Things were about to change completely, and he was intrigued by what was to come. Was this why his thoughts kept returning to Kaylee? Because she was different? A challenge?
Sharp, bright, and gorgeous, Kaylee didn’t seem like the kind who had someone thrown in prison just because she could. She hadn’t fallen for his lies and defended her boss, a man she clearly didn’t care for. If Nathan didn’t mention Shadowman, he suspected he’d never have gotten past her tough exterior.
Content he did, he wondered how long it’d take for her to come get him. There was no doubt she would. The pragmatic attorney had been spooked at the mention of Shadowman. How strong was Shadowman that he could manifest himself somehow beyond Mike for a complete stranger to see?
Her large, blue eyes, sharp tongue and shapely body had done more than draw his interest. He had the unusual urge to have his hands on her whenever they were around. He’d been turned on dealing with her. Women were always attracted to him, but rarely – if ever – did they fail to fall to his charm, when he used it on them the way he did Kaylee. Her defiance was more of a turn on than he expected.
I just broke up with someone. Do I really need this now? Though if it was someone like Kaylee … Maybe a fling until I leave DC for Arizona.
He tapped his fingers on the wall.
Eventually, his thoughts shifted from Kaylee to what danger she and Mike both might be in from Shadowman. He’d left Amira at the apartment under Randy’s watch while Maggy went out to try to find Mike.
Thus far, Mike was nowhere to be found, a sign that maybe Shadowman figured out they knew it was staying in the human realm. It might’ve convinced Mike somehow to leave the area. Guardian angels had the ability to be anywhere at anytime, even to be in multiple places at once. Nathan had to assume that Shadowman could as well.
It’ll be hard to kill Mike, if I can’t find him.
Nathan glanced occasionally at the clock on the wall outside the drunk tank cells.
The sooner they found Mike, the better. The only real lead they had to Mike’s whereabouts was his sexy protégé, who was putting up more of a challenge than Nathan expected.
This trip was turning out to be the best thing that happened to him in a long time.
Except he needed a cigar. The death sticks couldn’t kill him, but he was susceptible to nicotine addiction.
Nathan closed his eyes and slid into a meditative state, allowing his mind to connect to the Other Side. His breathing grew
steady and slow, his focus shifting from this world to the other. The self-induced trance always left him rejuvenated and refreshed.
“Nathan.” Kaylee’s soft voice drew him from his meditation, some time later.
Took long enough.
“Yeah?” Nathan asked without opening his eyes.
“About what we were discussing earlier.”
“You mean, before you had me thrown in jail?”
“I think we should talk.”
Something in her voice made him crack open one eye. He expected to see her dressed in her suit, not casually in jeans and t-shirt with a sweater buttoned just below her breasts. She wore sandals, and there were lumps in her ponytail, as if she’d gotten dressed in a hurry. She appeared calm, though he guessed the steely exterior was hiding a great deal of emotion, based on the colors of her aura.
Nathan closed his eyes, aware he had to beat her at their game.
“I’m good here,” he replied.
“They’ll let you out, if I ask them,” she said. “I thought you wanted to talk.”
“Get me out, and we will.”
“I want it to be on my terms.”
“I get out of here in eighteen hours, so I don’t need your help. You’ve got no leverage, honey. We do it my way or not at all.”
Silence.
Nathan didn’t need to see her aura to know her anger.
“I’ll press charges,” she said finally.
“You’re a defense attorney. These cops will pay me for whatever you claim I did to you.”
“I’m a woman. They’ll believe me.”
“I can’t wait to hear you explain what we were arguing over. Will be the first time Shadowman is called to testify,” Nathan countered.
“You’ve lied to me since we met. I want to know you’ll tell me what’s going on.”
Bothered by the fear in her voice, Nathan opened his eyes and rose, crossing to the bars of the cell. He leaned against them, gazing down at Kaylee. Her breathing grew faster. He almost smiled. She was scared and upset – yet determined. The odd tension between them crackled, and he was too aware of what it felt like to put his hands on her hips earlier.
“Something happened,” he stated.
As if also aware of the sexual tension between them, she shifted away from the bars to put space between them.
