Ebony Fight (The Guard Duet Book 2)

by Herzer, Natalie

  Her previous trips to the human realm during her time at the Academy had been quick in-and-out assignments that hadn’t allowed for her to study it closely. Now, back amongst the living, keeping an eye on the witch until it was time to report back gave her an excellent opportunity to find out more about this world.

  When the front door opened, Sli knew it would be Quinn coming home from school. A strange, hot feeling rushed through her. Her heart raced and her stomach felt queasy. It was all accompanied by an awkwardness she couldn’t pin point. With a slight frown, she concentrated on her body and tried to find logical reasons for the changes she discovered. Fear could trigger these symptoms, yet she was far from being scared of the deaf Ebony who she could easily beat in a fight given his lack of training. Sli stared at the mug in front of her. Was it possible that the food here, designed for pleasure and not mere sustenance, might not fully agree with her system? Yes, that had to be it. Satisfied with her reasoning, Sli forced herself to calm down.

  She looked up when Quinn walked into the kitchen with a smile. It did something to his ordinary face that made it look like it was lit from within. It also made her notice the sprinkle of freckles on his nose.

  “Hello,” she greeted.

  The smile flashed even wider, and did something funny to her belly.

  He dropped his backpack on the floor before slumping down on the chair next to hers. Leaning a bit to the side to rummage in his pocket, he soon extracted a well-worn notebook and pencil. After flipping through a couple of pages, he held it up in front of her face.

  Hello, was all it said.

  For some odd reason it made her want to smile.

  He flipped to the next page. Backgammon?

  Sli accepted with a nod, already getting up to grab the box off the kitchen counter. This was something she had come to enjoy - no matter what game they taught her, she cherished the simple comfort of logic it brought.

  “How was school?” She was curious to know why he went to a place meant for humans. What was there possibly to learn at such a place?

  Alright.

  “But what do you do there?”

  Learn stuff, or sit around and try not to fall asleep. Depends on the subject.

  “Subject?”

  You’ve got a certain schedule of classes. Math, Literature, Sciences, History…the likes.

  After a moment he added, Sports, too, like football and soccer.

  The Academy offered the basics on the first list as well, but the emphasis lay on a different form of physical education entirely. “No fight training?”

  Nope.

  Sli was stunned, but then decided that it made sense. After all, humans had no idea that they were the territory Hell and Heaven fought over.

  Quinn looked at her, waiting for her to say more. His watchfulness made her unusually aware of her face, and heat crept up her neck. She didn’t like the feeling and decided it was safer to concentrate on their game instead. She pointed to the board, signaling him that it was his turn.

  While they played, doors leading to the lounge on one side and to the patio on the other were open, allowing the excited chatter from the TV and the softer bits of conversation between Becca and Arthur to drift in.

  Sli had never met an oracle before and wasn’t quite sure what to make of the old man. He didn’t look like he had much of a fight left in him, yet something inside her warned her not to underestimate him despite his obvious frailty. She wondered how it worked. Did he see images, snippets of what is or could be? Or were there loud voices in his head that let him in on things that only they could know?

  A stronger breeze carried their voices to her, more distinguishable this time, and Sli’s ears perked up.

  “What do you make of the girl?” Becca asked. “She’s rather quiet. Makes me wonder what she’s been through.”

  Sli realized they were talking about her. She tensed. Could the oracle know? Fear, a sensation she had come to dislike very much, spread its greedy fingers and painfully massaged the back of her head.

  Unfortunately his answer was lost to her when Abby’s shout shook the entire house, “Becca!”

  When havoc erupted in the living room, Sli guessed that the wounded Ivory had finally woken from his slumber. Soothing whispers followed that were quickly drowned out by increasing shouts of displeasure.

  “Coming,” Becca yelled back as she flew past them.

  “Don’t touch me!”

  Quinn’s gaze met hers for a second, one of his brows lifted in enquiry.

  “The Ivory is awake,” she informed him before both of them got up to spy from the open doorway.

  Abby was speaking softly, her voice trying to calm as she waved a hand toward Becca who had stepped back from the couch. “This is Becca. She’s a friend of ours. Remember, Lillian saved her?”

  Dave’s face was red as he tried to get up and fight but his friends held him down. “I don’t care.”

  From the shocked faces around the room, Sli gathered that this kind of display was very unusual for the Ivory. It fit what she knew of him so far; so far he’d always been calm and quiet.

  “Hey!” Sam stepped in and put his face in Dave’s. “Stop being an ignorant ass.”

  “I don’t want this demon to touch me.”

  “Well, too late for that. You were dying with your guts in your hands. This demon saved your sorry ass when no one else could, so show her some freaking respect and gratitude.”

  “Sarah trusted…”

  Sam interrupted him, “Yes, Sarah trusted a demon and died at his hands, but you can’t keep blaming all of them.”

  “That’s rich coming from you. Don’t bullshit me, Sam.” He looked around, his eyes searching, probably for the other Ivory called Wes. “What kept you going the last years? Revenge, nothing else.”

  Sam shook his head. “No, Dave. Maybe that was the case for you, and if so, then I’m sorry I didn’t realize it. I…I just wanted to keep us alive. That’s all.”

  “Right.”

  Sam got up, running a frustrated hand through his hair.

  Obviously attempting to offer the group some privacy, Linda and Ed silently got up and joined Quinn and Sli in the kitchen.

  Shaking his head, Wes cut in, “I don’t understand this sudden change of yours, man. We talked about this the day Abby knocked on our door. I thought we were on the same page here.” Wes looked at Sam who nodded in support.

  Dave slumped back against the couch, utterly exhausted. The little energy he’d recuperated was now drained. The hand with which he rubbed his face shook with fatigue. “I know. We were. It’s been years…” His voice was thick with emotion. “I thought I could do it…but then…when that girl showed up…it all just came back.”

  Sam nodded in understanding, but there was something challenging in his eyes. “Sarah died because she wanted to help the kid. She felt that it was possible. So, how about…we do this for Sarah?”

  Silence filled the house for seconds that felt like they stretched into eternity. Not a creek, not a whisper, total silence where everyone seemed to hold their breath waiting for the answer.

  “Okay.” The voice was soft and sounded worn out after fighting the ghosts of the past.

  Relief rushed through the people like a palpable wave as if everyone remembered to breathe at the same time. It seemed odd to her. They weren’t the ones concerned after all.

  Dave looked at his leader. “So, how bad is it?” he asked, pointing at his stomach.

  Becca stepped forward as if suddenly appearing out of a cloak of shadows. With a soft hint of a smile, she encouraged, “Have a look.”

  After carefully undressing the bandage, Dave sucked in breath at the sight and then looked up at the witch. His eyes were wide. “It’s healing.”

  Sli had to admit that the cuts that had torn his stomach looked definitely less frightening now that they had scabbed nicely. The witch had done good work.

  Becca explained, “I managed stop the bleeding and patched y
ou up as well as I could. Lucky for you, your Ivory healing finally kicked in while you were sleeping. Which reminds me. You must be starving. You’ve slept for almost two days straight. It was difficult to even get enough fluids into you.”

  “Don’t worry, I’ll heat up the soup,” Linda suddenly shouted out from behind Sli.

  Becca smiled at that. “Linda and I prepared some for you earlier. I’ll get you a bowl.”

  “I could eat a cow to be honest.”

  “Bet you could, but your stomach wouldn’t appreciate it. Believe me. Let’s take it slow. Soup today, cow tomorrow. Deal?”

  The Ivory smiled. “Deal.”

  When Becca was about to leave, he called out, “Hey…”

  Turning, the witch waited for what he wanted to say.

  His eyes held regret, worry and apology at the same time. “Thank you.”

  “You’re welcome.”

  Becca went into the kitchen only to find that Linda had everything under control. Be it her weapons or a household, it seemed that nothing slipped past that woman. The pot of soup was on the stove and a tray with a bowl and spoon was set on the table.

  “Thanks, Linda.”

  The woman shrugged her shoulders. “It’s nothing. We can’t have you catering for us all day, can we?”

  Arthur joined them and put his hands on Becca’s shoulders in a fatherly gesture. “Seeing as the boy’s out of the woods and will be mothered by three beautiful young ladies,” he winked at Linda, “I think it’s time for me to go home. Besides, even though I love your armchair, I miss my bed.”

  Becca smiled, knowing that the last comment was a tease more than anything else. “Let me walk you to the jetty.”

  Once outside, she noticed the fresh air. It was alive with the sweet scents of fall, yet still mild, and her dress danced in the slight breeze. With a soft smile on her face, she looked around her backyard and took pride in what she saw. Red azaleas, purple Mexican bush sage and, her favorite, the baby pink camellia. The flowers she’d planted greeted her now with happy faces. It looked like a child had run through the garden with a brush in hand, leaving big, fat dollops and drips of paint here and there. It was beautiful.

  As they stepped off the patio, Becca said, “We were interrupted earlier. I’m still curious to hear your thoughts regarding Sli.”

  He shrugged before he started in that gravelly voice of his, “To be honest, I can’t tell you much about her. There’s not a lot at the surface, she’s so used to closing herself up. And you know I don’t like to go around and poke deeper. It’s not fair.”

  “I know.”

  “Besides, being an oracle isn’t exactly a science either. The future isn’t crystal clear, nor set in stone. Our future is determined by choices. Some important, others infinitely small and seemingly unimportant, and yet all of them have an impact. All I can see, if I see anything at all, are snippets of possible outcomes.”

  Interesting, Becca thought. They’d never really talked about how his powers worked. “Can you see your future?”

  A hint of sadness touched his voice, “No, I cannot.”

  Becca could have kicked herself. Of course he couldn’t! Otherwise he would have saved his family before they were slaughtered. Argh, she wanted to slap herself silly for bringing up his past like that.

  Swiftly changing the subject, he lifted a finger like a professor would. “However…as for the girl. We both know that life at the Academy is hard. Students are held on a tight leash and slowly turned into weapons. Breaking out of that hold isn’t easy. I think what she needs the most now is kindness. Not pity, but good old-fashioned kindness.” He looked at her as they walked side by side, a big smile on his face. “Difficult rope to balance, but I’m sure you’ll manage.”

  Becca snorted at that and made Arthur laugh.

  “Now, now, girl. I mean it. Look at Stone. He comes from the same background and look how he has turned out. Just show her…the good things. Show her yourself and maybe it will be enough.” Something odd shadowed his eyes, but was gone before she could even be sure she’d seen it. Arthur nodded, more to himself than anything else. “Sometimes all you can do is give a nudge in the right direction, but in the end everyone has to walk their path on their own.”

  Was it the oracle at work?

  There was a stretch of silence as they reached the jetty and Becca absorbed his words. Arthur was already climbing into his narrow boat when she suddenly asked, “Am I crazy to trust them?”

  His eager grin would have been enough of an answer. “Totally off your rocker, but that’s what makes you so incredible. You don’t judge people by their past and are ready to give them a second chance, no questions ask. That’s why you deserve one too.”

  “Huh? What do you mean?”

  Arthur lifted his arms wide with a shrug. “I have no clue.”

  Becca stared at him, dropping her arms at her side. “Thanks. Seriously, sometimes you don’t make sense.”

  “Yip, until I do.”

  Becca shook her head at him while he pushed off the jetty. Deciding the oracle had confused her enough for now, she asked her friend, “Do you need anything? Should I come by soon?”

  “I don’t need anything, sweetheart, but I’d never say no to fine-looking company. You know me.” That she did, and loved him for it. “Also, I want to hear about the crush the girl’s developing on our Quinn.”

  Now it was Becca’s turn to grin. “You think she is? I was wondering about that.”

  Arthur shrugged as his boat drifted away. “In my time blushing was always a good sign.”

  Becca smiled. A picture of the future was forming in her mind, and warmth spread like a comfy blanket at the possibilities. “It would be good for them to discover something as amazing as love.”

  “Sounds like the voice of experience to me.” Becca blushed and Arthur laughed hoarsely, the sound ringing clear and bright on the glittering water. “Those rosy cheeks suit you, girl. Good to know I’m not that out-dated.”

  After a wink and wave Arthur started the little motor. The puttering sound of the boat his only companion now, he quickly disappeared from view.

  TWENTY

  Abby was relieved to see that Dave was well on his way to getting better and seemed to act his usual self again. It was lovely to watch everyone gather together, enjoying the quiet part of life and each other’s company. It warmed her heart that even Sli was becoming more comfortable with doing things that didn’t serve a specific purpose. The girl looked relaxed as she sat cross-legged on the floor, playing another round of backgammon with Quinn. That was life, she thought with a smile.

  However, Abby was also glad when she finally got a minute for herself as she made herself a cup of coffee and stole onto the patio. Since Megan’s attack she hadn’t been able to just think properly for even a minute.

  So much had happened.

  Abby breathed in New Orleans’ mild evening breeze and her heart sighed. Three years ago she’d been an ordinary girl, happy in her small home town outside of Chicago. The only thing she’d worried about back then was how she would survive being apart from her high school sweetheart as they prepared to head off to different colleges - until she’d found out that he was cheating on her, that is. When the angels turned her life upside down, it could not have been at a better time. She was ready to kick some ass, and after their first battles she’d quickly resigned herself to the fact that she would probably never find love again.

  Love was a shrewd thing though, and seemed to have different plans for her entirely. It crept up from behind, and instead of tapping you on the shoulder it reached inside to squeeze your heart in a tight grip. It left you reeling with shock until you finally relaxed and realized that your heart was safe in its embrace.

  She had reached that safe place and it opened up to an endless field of blossoming hopes and dreams - only to have them trampled by the man she loved. Anger at how Sam had treated her flooded again, its energy vibrating through tired bones.

>   Yes, she was an Ivory and her average life expectancy rivaled that of a koi, but she knew now that it didn’t bar the chance at a fulfilled life. Love was out there, within reach, and she would fight for it. Determined to give Sam a not-so-pretty piece of her mind, Abby turned to head back inside. Before she could reach the slider, her feet suddenly stopped her in her tracks. Voices she hadn’t noticed before finally registered.

  Her heart skipped a beat when Sam spoke. “What the hell is going on, Wes?”

  “Funny enough I was about to ask you the exact same thing.” Wes sounded angry.

  She suddenly became aware of the sound of her own breathing.

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  “Abby.”

  She started, fearing she’d been discovered, but then Sam replied, “What about her?”

  Abby winced at his blank tone of voice.

  “It’s as clear as day that you went and fucked it up.”

  “That’s none of your business.”

  Wes laughed without a trace of humor in it. “On the contrary. I know Abby’s supposed to be part of Lillian’s Guard, but you can’t deny that things have changed during the last few weeks. She belongs to us and makes us…whole again. I love her like a sister and I won’t stand back when some prick hurts her - even if he’s my best friend.”

  Abby clamped a hand over her mouth to hide her gasp, and a smile curled her lips. Ever since she’d met the guys, she had felt a particular friendship towards Wes. Filled with teases and nudges and pokes, it was a balm for her soul on weary days. However, like so many others she too had underestimated him, and at first had simply seen him as the clown of the group. Now she knew that the jokes and the cocky way he walked through life was his manner of honoring it.

  “Prick?” Sam didn’t sound too pleased.

  “Yes. You most definitely are one if you let the best thing that has ever happened to you walk away. And you’re a freaking dumbass if you push her to do so.”

  Deafening silence greeted her as her blood rushed in her ears. Abby almost stumbled, realizing she’d leaned forward in anticipation of a response.