by P. S. Power
"Naturally. Well, I had a short duty with Keeley, and did a great job there. Plus, it still works for the same reason, a way to get a line on Xenses. What do you say Zack? Are you willing to work with me? It won't be fun most of the time, and I'll beat you when you get things wrong, or sometimes right, but on the good side, I don't care if you bang Keeley's mom at all." She smiled about it and held out her right hand to shake. "Deal?"
Zack froze, knowing that you didn't agree to anything like that with a Greater Demon and feeling her energy already trying to press across his skin.
"No. I mean, the mentoring is fine and I can do that, but no deal." He hoped he got it close to correct at least. He still felt like him, but waited to see what she said.
"Darn. Well, I guess I'll have to actually do the work the old fashioned way." Whatever that was, he didn't know, but he was starting to run down a bit energy wise, and the others were actually hanging around, chatting.
Keeley nudged his arm.
"Like I showed you, earlier?" It was a whisper, but everyone heard it anyway and looked at him. Hard.
It took him a moment to get that she meant making himself feel awake and full of energy. It still took him a few seconds to really start on it, but he felt normal again and slightly hyper by the time that Gregor and Tarsus were headed out, making their own Nodes outside the front door, and leaving in different directions.
Then Finias turned to him, his old face looking a bit upset. That was a choice though, he understood, so was being done on purpose. Probably to make an impression on Keeley, rather than just him.
The man let out a large breath of air.
"So much for hiding this. It's going to change things for you, and I'd hoped to spare you the trouble. I guess that wasn't the best plan ever, but it was a workable one, before you started at the Nexus. What do you plan to do now?"
Zack didn't really know. After all, every single person in the room that evening had clearly just assumed that he was going to die in a very short period of time and really, that seemed pretty darned likely, didn't it?
"The best plan I've heard so far is running away, but I have to get through this war thing first. I promised to get people there and then return them, and won't go back on that. Besides, if it works, Keeley has to pay me for it. I guess I should... I don't know, come and learn stuff here, when I can? I have no clue about any of this at all. Not really. Everything I've heard about Greater Demons has basically been bad and now it seems like I'm one of those bad things." It would have sounded sad, but he made it come out merely blank. Not peaceful, since that was the wrong emotion for it. "Do I tell everyone back home? Am I supposed to hide it? If Xenses is after me, then all that would do is make it so that regular people might be in the line of fire, right? Lenore... God, she won't want to be my girlfriend now, will she? But lying... I can't do that and MH is out of commission as far as I can tell." There was gibbering and moaning from the back of his skull, but it was nearly silent now.
Finias shook his head, looking grandfatherly and like he knew what the right thing to do was.
"If you don't have to let people know, then-" He stopped when Darla cleared her throat, disagreeing.
"Tell them. Everyone. You haven't been hiding it well anyway, and coming out to them honestly will prevent you from making a mistake later. You really need to learn to lie soon, but until then, it's better for you to just be direct. And armed." She smiled about it, and glared a bit at Finias, who made a face at her, then demurred.
"As your mentor says then. Well, if nothing else it should help you in moving on if you choose to run later. Few things will cut ties faster than admitting that you're everyone's biggest nightmare." That, apparently, was going to be his last word on the subject for the night, and while he said goodbye politely enough, touching Zack's hand instead of shaking it, he left himself shortly after that.
Keeley walked the man to the door however and gestured for Zack to watch what he was doing. It was different than what he did himself, making thousands of little bubbles in space, rather than one hole to walk through. He got the real point. The energy for it was coming from within the man.
She didn't comment on it until he was gone however and moving away.
"He's slow compared to you, on the line. But you should be able to do that. I guess if you're out, you can just have food brought in. I'll be by tomorrow or the next day, to visit."
Darla shook her head.
"No. Not that you don't have some things to teach him, but I have a specific plan and don't need you trying to take control right off the bat. Besides, we don't have time for fifty years of him acting like a baby. That means that he has to bargain with you for lessons. We need to cover that first too, since you make bargains like a hippie." She grinned, a little viciously. "Like... peace and love will win the day, man. I'll trade those beads and your good regard for all this gold..." It was a good impression of a stereotype at least, Zack thought.
She went on, her voice smoother.
"No, he's mine, and that means hands off for now. That does mean that I'll be over most days for the foreseeable future, except when I can't be. I have a business to run after all. Right now, I need for you to go and practice making openings onto the In-roads. Then we need to work on your strength and speed. I don't think you're weak, like Keeley. Not at all. It's just that you've let yourself starve for too long. So buy food, and see to eating it. You probably can't eat too much, even if what you do, inroads wise, is fairly low energy for you. I'll be at your place at six this evening?"
Zack made a face.
"I've kind of already said that I'd stay at work until at least seven. That means getting home later than that. I don't want to break my word." He waited for one of them to ridicule him for that, but Darla just agreed.
"Eight then. Be ready to work. Practice all the things that Keeley showed you, when you can. The hardest thing to learn at the beginning is to actually use what you know, and that takes raw repetition for most people."
He nodded, and then tried to copy what he'd seen Finias doing, using energy from within to open a Node. To force one into being. He did the whole thing at once, and then focused on moving directly into his own living room. It wasn't fast, taking about two minutes, but it did let him get there directly, which was quicker than any other way would have been. The only problem then was that he was starving again. It hadn't felt hard, but it clearly took a lot more energy than using a point that already existed.
He went to the kitchen and started making something to eat, trying to do what he'd been told, but also leave a bit for Troy. After all, they shared the food and he was having a lot of it. It was pushing six, Pacific time, when he was done eating. He had most of the dishes done by the time that his roommate got back, and Bey was nowhere in sight.
Judy either, but then, she was planning to go and stay in Portland, to hide from the people with cameras.
Troy smiled and looked at the remaining mess, but didn't complain. The kitchen looked great after all. Clean and totally refinished already. The cabinets looked like wood and the floor like real stone. The countertops too. The new stove and fridge were silver colored, like steel and all the cooking ware was fresh and shiny.
"Late snack?"
Zack smiled and shook his head. "Fourth meal. Say, um, we need to talk about some stuff. I have to tell everyone, but I wanted you to know first."
The guy blew air out hard and looked away.
"I guess I know what this is about."
That was news to Zack, and he had to wonder how he'd known? Had someone told him already?
Chapter sixteen
"You do?" He tried to make himself not feel shocked by the admission, and after a bit it happened, though now that he noticed it he could feel the disruption that the magical energy was making in space, leaving a hole that caused everything to sort of orient toward him.
Troy pulled one of the new kitchen chairs around. They were real wood and had a classical feeling to them, his purple silk
shirt being slightly wrinkled from a night of hard work at the club. His hours had gotten longer since his promotion and longer still ever since the lockdown, because he was basically doing Edom's job too. After all, there were Vampires that worked there, and Humans, and only one of that second kind knew that the other existed. It wasn't a horrible choice, since his roommate could be out and about day or night. Most of the younger Vampires had problems that way. Even Edom had admitted that he struggled a bit around noon.
"Sure, all the changes here, hot actresses coming to stay. I'm cramping your style and you want me to find someplace else. I hear you. How much time do I get?" It was said as if Troy's name wasn't the one on the rental agreement.
"Oh! No, that's not it at all. I am going to buy this place, but your name will be on it too. Co-owner, so you don't have to worry about that kind of thing. It's just... I found something out tonight, and you know, kind of need to share."
That got a sense of relief from his best friend, and then a strange look.
"Is it that you like men? I don't see it for myself, but you know, that's cool, if you do. As long as you don't want me, even though I'm clearly awesome. If so... Well, that's not happening, but I understand." He grinned about it, clearly getting that it wasn't the actual case.
It normally would have been time for MH to come and tease him, but nothing happened at all. So there was a real problem there.
"Also not that. Any other guesses? I think you get one more?" That was the rule, right? Three?
Troy actually stood up and put his hands behind his back, pacing for a bit, as if it were an actually game or something. Zack just waited, wondering if he had time for a donut run before work.
"You're sleeping with your boss?"
"Nope. Not yet at least." He sighed and tried to think of the best way of doing it, then realized that out of everyone he knew, Troy was the one that might just not really get it, or care. "It turns out that I'm a Greater Demon. People have been saying that, but I thought, you know, that I was Human. Apparently not so much. I didn't know, until a few hours ago, but when people find out, they're probably going to freak, hence telling you first."
That got a nod and after a bit Troy sat down.
"I... Have heard some shit, then. Soul stealing and taking slaves? Total bad asses too, which... Are you sure? That doesn't sound like you much at all."
"No doubt, still, it seems to be the case. That, or I'm being pranked on a level that is completely beyond reason. It will mean some changes, I guess. For one, we need a lot more food. I mean... Like way, way more. I'm thinking of getting deliveries in or something. Also, everyone hates us, or at least will be afraid, so most of my relationships are about to go away, I guess. Still, the part where we're all soul stealing jerks seems to be optional, so I'm going to avoid that one. Are you okay with all this? I could leave. I might have to, since it seems like some Demon guy is coming to rape me or something. My real dad."
Troy blinked.
"What? Rape you?"
"Again. I guess, when I was little... I told you about being kidnapped? That was him. Also, in case we're ever playing truth or dare, don't ask about me being a rapist or a cannibal, because that's apparently in there too. Gross, I know, but some kind of magic was used or something. That or force. I don't know how you turn a little kid into a rapist, but Keeley said that wasn't the worst of it." He grimaced, then waited for the judgment to come.
"Well... got it. Damn, that's messed up. I'm here, if you need to talk, you know that, right?"
"Thanks. Well, that's it. Other than that The Technician, Darla, is going to be around in the evenings and maybe other times. She was at the Christmas Party? The blonde?"
That got a grin that said Troy really didn't understand what a Greater Demon was at all. But he didn't suggest anything bad, just looking like he had... plans.
Then, almost as if the conversation had been about dish washing duties, he went to the living room and started playing videogames. They were borrowed ones, but for the new system that he'd gotten for Christmas.
Zack felt pretty good about things so far. True, his buddy might melt down later, or get scared, but so far, so good. It hadn't even taken long, just about twenty minutes all told. That meant he had plenty of time for more food, and started walking, taking his normal shortcuts toward the Michaels, which was only about four blocks from the Sunshine Bakery, which had always seemed like a good place to go to him, with its happy blue sign, and pleasant scents. He hadn't had a lot of need for that kind of thing before, since it would cost money. That reminded him to stop and get some from an ATM, taking out as much cash as he was allowed in a convenience store.
The glass display case was about half filled, but it was early in the day and there were things cooling still. The place smelled like a thousand different things, but it was the apple fritters that caught his attention first. He used to love those as a kid.
The lady that came out of the back stopped when she saw him, her face frozen for a few seconds, and then she squealed and ran around the corner.
"Mr. Hartley!" Erin Soars smiled at him and then drew him into a big hug that threatened to crack his ribs, at least metaphorically. "Ginny! Come quick, Mr. Hartley is here!"
Ginny, who was dark skinned compared to Erin's light European complexion, walked out wiping her hands on a rag that was tucked into the side of her apron waist. They both were clearly the bakers for the place.
"Call me Zack." He didn't get to say more, since Ginny took a turn hugging him then. They were partners, as in, together, Erin and Ginny, as well as running a business together.
Erin stood back and smiled, but let that fade after a bit.
"I guess that you've come to collect? I owe you a life." She swallowed, but Ginny didn't gasp or anything, just stepping forward, in front of her lover.
"Rebecca needs her mother. Take me instead. I'll... do whatever you want." It sounded very brave, if a little frightened.
Calming himself and trying to remember to be happy, but just a little, so he wouldn't smile like a predatory freak, Zack got his wallet out and pulled a twenty. They were just donuts and it looked like that would get three dozen plus taxes.
Yes, he knew what the women were offering, and in a way it was kind of tempting. They were both in their late thirties or early forties, and neither was exactly a fox, but they were nice and a bit of sex would have been kind of fun, except for the part where they wouldn't want it, and it would be done only as an obligation, because he'd helped rescue Erin's daughter once.
"I'd like to start with a dozen apple fritters, please, and then two dozen assorted?" He held the bill out between his thumb and index finger, making himself look at least hopeful that they'd take his money. It took a confused and hesitant minute, but Ginny did it.
Zack focused and then tried to be both honest and charming about the whole thing.
He spoke to Erin, who was still just standing there, gaping at him.
"I don't take people as slaves. I help little kids that need it and that doesn't cost anything. If you want to vacation in Bermuda, or the Trolleikein lands, then we'll bargain for it. I don't want to be a jerk about it, but if we're going to be friends, we can't have this kind of thing hanging over us. When I get you both into bed, it will be because you want to be there." He smiled, realizing what he'd just said. It was what he believed, but wasn't a sure thing at all. When he did it. That had to seem like crazy talk.
That got Ginny to make a face at him, which he realized was about that remark, though she didn't say no, even if she was probably thinking that he was the wrong gender for her totally. That was fair enough, so he just winked back, copying Keeley's standard move.
Erin sighed.
"So you aren't a Greater Demon? There have been a lot of rumors, I guess we should know better than to listen to that kind of thing, shouldn't we? You saved my daughter though, and... well, Node travel isn't free. Not for anyone."
Zack looked at her for a few seconds and then nodded.
"Right. Except that I paid for that one. After a fashion. That's all. Also... and I don't want Ginny to drop those donuts... so, you know, get ready for it?" He paused and let her set the thing down on the glass top counter, about halfway full. It was the second of the light pink boxes, the first assorted one. Lots of jellies in the mix, which was good. He liked those too. When she nodded at him, looking a bit glum for some reason, he went on. "I actually am a Greater Demon. To be fair, I just found out, a few hours ago, and really didn't know before that, so please don't think I was trying to lie to you. That changes nothing about me though, knowing that. You don't owe me anything, except quality baked goods, since I'm paying for them." He almost said deal, to be cute, but didn't, since he didn't know how that worked at all.
Both women froze, but after a moment, Ginny started to fill the box again, going very carefully.
"Thank you, then. I... Well... How are you doing? That's got to be a shock, finding something like that out." She actually sounded like she meant it too, for all that it was a bit hesitant.
"Yeah, it is. On top of it all I get to be hated now too. But, at least I know that I need to eat more, so there's that. I hope that we can still be friends? Not that we were hanging out, but you know, I'm really not a horrible person, I don't think."
Neither of them volunteered anything after that, but Erin did take his money at least, and didn't make him act all awkward about it.
"Does Lisa know?"
"Nope. I really just found out, less than seven hours ago. I'm probably going to be out of a job soon, aren't I? Well, at least I have some savings. Anyway, thanks for being so nice about this. I'll see you later? If I'm still welcome, I mean?" It was a point. No one sane would try to kick him out, but they might not want him around, if he offered to stay away.
Erin actually looked at Ginny and then shook her head, "you're always welcome here. No matter what." She was shaking gently, afraid for real now, but Zack nodded and touched her hand, focusing on trying to understand what she meant. Like he had with the telepaths in the Ettarian lands.
