by Laura Hawks
“Answer the question of how you know the stone is in more than one piece. Please.”
She stood ramrod still though she was a bowl of jelly inside, nervous and worried of what his reply would be or even if he would answer.
“Honestly, I did not know the stone was in more than one piece. I felt the demon and his lust for power. Believe me, he is the last one you would want as keeper of that gem. He is only after the power it will enable him with and has no concern of who he may hurt in the process. That means you too. I assumed something was amiss when he got the stone and nothing had happened.”
“That makes sense.” Clarissa thought about his explanation. It certainly was logical enough. In all fairness she answered one of his questions.
“Psychometry is the official name for the power that allowed me to gain the knowledge of the traps he set, though most would call it premonitions. However, I also see past and future events as well when I hold or touch a person or object.” She used her telekinesis to clean up the mess she made and then held it in the air around her. The guardian appea red to be the center of the universe with the planets orbiting about them only it was pieces of food and bits of broken plate suspended instead. “Garbage?”
Mel waved a hand and all the pieces vanished.
“Garbage. Now eat please. If you want me to teach you, I will need you at full strength and fully rested. I will warn you, training with me will not be easy.”
Clarissa gathered another plate and concentrated on the food laden table. “What do you get out of this? Helping me, teaching me I mean.”
“I get to keep a demon from having one of the most powerful tools known to our kind, how much more noble do I need to be?” He sat down at the table across from her.
She tilted head and could not resist looking at him. “You do not need to teach me nobility.”
“I know.” He took a sip from the goblet in front of him, watching as she ate. Mel wondered what it was about her that drew him. She was beautiful but he had been around beautiful women before. Azamel cocked his head slightly, his gaze still unreadable. She had a fiery spirit and determination that was like a magnet to him. The way she lifted her chin, her passionate resolve to protect those near her, she intrigued yet scared him. She concerned him but still enticed him to help her, to be around her.
“Let’s just say I don’t like to see an innocent harmed.”
His face was shadowed and blank as if he were trying to figure out something as he surveyed her. She in turn watched him questioningly. He admitted he was a demon and yet she found herself drawn to him. A creature she should have not and in fact, does not have any reason to trust, yet something about him compelled her to want to confide in him, believe in him. She had to remember that her visions were never one hundred percent accurate due to interpretation. The perception of them together could be completely off base and she would end up dead at his feet regardless of what she saw in her mind’s eye. However, she knew he wanted the stone. She nibbled at a strawberry while she continued to think. If the custodian knew the ultimate goal of his was the gem, she can maybe blind-side him when it came down to the final moment between them. Maybe if he got to know her, he would show some true compassion to all that he had been pretending and let her hide the powerful object safely away again.
Becoming resolved, she decided to try a little kindness. Her mother always told her, “You attract the bees more with honey than with vinegar.” Maybe her mother had a valid point. “Nice place. Lived here long?”
Mel smiled at her obvious ploy at changing the topic.
“Longer than you will know, love. Is there anything you need? I can have your things brought here if you desire.”
He focused on his drink so as not to look at her, all vulnerable and still looking defiant as if she dared him to abuse her in any way. She had spirit and it drew him to her like a moth to a flame. He thought back on how her lips felt under his and he had to close his eyes for a moment to banish the image and the feelings that stirred within him. But that only made the memory more vibrant. Once he opened his pale blue orbs, he could not seem to focus beyond her lips and the way her teeth nibbled on the ripe fruit in her hand.
“If all your answers are going to be so vague, should I continue asking questions?” She took another bite of strawberry, her lips molded around the red juicy fruit before she bit down on it. “Are you not eating? Or does your fare consist of only what you drink?”
Azamel gave a tiny shake of his head to clear the image from his mind. “Believe me, love, pray you never find out what I eat.” He rolled the stem of the goblet in his hands. “You seem to have ignored one of my questions. If you don’t need anything from home and would rather prefer to walk around naked, who am I to complain?” He gave her a charming smile and a slow, hot once over.
His look sent shivers down to her toes and made her stomach clench with desire. “A room with a hot shower would be nice. I think I can handle my own change of clothes without running around your abode naked despite how exciting that would be for you.” She put a bit more food on her plate, picked at the chicken with her fingers before putting them in her mouth, slightly sucking on them. “You said you would train me. Should we begin after my shower?”
He felt his throat constrict gazing at her. What she was doing to the food was cruel and enticing his body to respond in a way he had no desire for it to. Needing the space, he stood up and shoved the chair back harshly. “Finish your meal while I see to the room. We can start after you are settled.” He stalked down the corridor, his hands in his pockets while trying to stop the slight tremble they seemed insistent on doing.
She jumped slightly at the scrape of chair and her eyes followed him as he stormed off wondering what she said or did to upset him this time. And she did it without even trying. Scooping up one more spoonful that she polished it off quickly, Clarissa made her way once again to the hearth. The fire sent warmth to her chilled bones but the heat did not seep in. It was probably because the chill was not caused by anything exterior. In her mind’s eye she saw her home on fire, stared as it burned to the ground, along with it all the memories and dreams, happy and otherwise that she had. She realized right then how scared and solitary she was. Clarissa pretended it did not matter, that she did not care and her obligations and responsibilities were all that concerned her now. But in truth, she missed her family and her friends terribly. She felt alone and hated it.
Mel made sure her suite was comfortable and ready. He sauntered back to the hall, knowing that his servant, Shara could have done what he just did but he needed the space to clear his head. As he entered the room, the executioner saw the guardian in front of the mantle. She looked lost and forlorn and it tugged at a heart that he had thought dead for a millennia. What was it about her that made his body respond in ways he never thought possible? He stood and watched her a moment longer then cleared his throat so she would know he was there.
“Your room is ready, if you will follow me?”
Clarissa looked up, her eyes riddled with sadness she gave one nod and moved to follow him.
Azamel looked away quickly so as not be affected by the grief in her eyes. He moved down the hall and approached a large, intricately carved door. The door magically opened silently as they approached, revealing a spacious, opulent room. A fire in the hearth warmed the interior as candlelight provided a soft, welcoming glow. Again Mel cleared his throat and stepped to the side making way for Clarissa to enter the chamber.
“There is an in-suite bathroom where, I am sure, you will find everything you need.”
He felt a bit awkward and started to turn away before he stopped himself. “I, er, will be waiting for you in the great hall when you are ready.”
Clarissa nodded once then spoke, her voice soft, haunted. “I won’t be long. Thank you.”
She unslung her backpack and undid her ponytail, letting her hair cascade about her shoulders. She spun to him, the glow behind her giving her an almost angelic halo.
“Mel? Can you tell where Xon is? How do you plan to entice him to come to us?”
Azamel took a step back towards the room. “You freshen up and we can brainstorm when you are finished.”
He inclined his head and turned towards the great hall as he shut the door behind him, leaning against it for a brief moment to steady his suddenly erratic breathing.
Once he had shut the door, Clarissa took her clothes off, padded to the bathroom and turned the water on. Stepping inside, she let the water cascade over her body in rivets that coursed its way over her feminine curves. Sighing at the release of tension in her muscles as the water softly pelted her, she tilted her head back washing and rinsing her hair and loved the fact she no longer smelled like the jungle. She knew she was in there for a while but the heat and the pressure relieved her of a multitude of sweat, smells, worries, concerns and overall tension.
Finally she shut the water off and stepped out. She immediately found a couple of towels. She wrapped her hair up in one and dried herself off with the other. Flashing on a fresh pair of black skin tight jeans and a mid-rift t-shirt, she combed her hair out and made her way back into the room. She felt a hundred percent better, refreshed, until shock set in when she noticed that her backpack was opened and the contents scattered about the bed.
The guardian’s heart raced as panic set in. Mel betrayed her after all! Furious and with determination, Clarissa ran to the great hall, only to stop just outside of it as she heard a conversation and wanted to listen in. A woman with a melodious voice spoke and she wondered if that was Shara whom he had mentioned earlier.
“My Lord?” Shara stood to the side of Mel with her head down she waited respectfully for him to acknowledge her. He had been acting strangely since he brought the were-wolf here. The female’s presence seemed to upset and agitate him and Shara would not allow her boss to be hurt in any way. He would never know this but she cared for him deeply and mistrusted anyone who attempted to get near to him.
Hearing Shara’s soft voice, he looked up to see her standing as still as a statue by him. “What is it Shara? I told you I don’t want to see anybody today. I told you I do not wish to be disturbed.”
“I know, my Lord, but I have something to show you and I fear it cannot wait. I. I do not trust the were-wolf you brought here and I wanted to make sure she is not here to harm you. I searched her bag and-”
Mel spun on her. “You what?” his voice traveled down the halls, permeated throughout his home with his anger.
Shara jumped as his rage exploded. She quickly produced the dagger and thrust it towards him. “I found this!” her voice quivered. “It was in her bag and it is not of human make. I fear she is here to assassinate you! I- I- I was only trying to protect you.”
The executioner quickly glanced at the dagger then stared into the fire, his hands clenched at his sides, trying not to strangle her. After several moments, he spoke in a very low, dangerous voice. “You will return that to her immediately or so help me, Shara, your centuries of service will turn into an eternity of hell and misery in my dungeon.”
Clarissa stood silently in the back, hidden in the shadows as she watched all that transpired. She was turning out to be a horrible guardian to have lost both halves of the powerful relic. Then she heard him order Shara to return it to her and she sighed softly, letting out a breath she had not realized she was holding.
Stepping forward, she held out her hand. “I will take it now.”
Shara quickly moved and placed it in her open palm before she darted just as fast out of the room and left the two of them alone. Clarissa looked at Azamel, watched him closely before she spoke, “I know you know what this is. You could have kept it. Why?”
Mel shrugged noncommittally. “It was not mine to take. You are a guest in my home and I will not violate your privacy.” He growled as he glowered at Shara’s retreating form. “Nor will I allow it to be violated by anybody!”
That impressed her. He could take full advantage of her within his own realm. She knew he could just remove anything from her, keep it and she would be lost to it or die trying to get it back. Instead, he really did have honor and she was suddenly willing to trust him. She approached him, the dagger gripped tightly in her hand. Clarissa stood before him and held the dagger so he could see it better.
“It has part of the stone in it as you already now know. It’s how I know the stone is in danger and by whom. It let me see what traps Xon set through my psychrometry.” She looked up at him innocently, hopeful that he would understand what she had done for him just now.
Mel bent over the weapon slightly and examined the dagger. His eyes absorbed every carving, every dip and curve in the intricately cut metal. The stone seemed alive, pulsed with energy, called to him. He straightened and held out a hand. “May I?”
Her heart lurched again, questioned his motive, questioned if she was doing the right thing. But despite the inner turmoil and hesitancy, the custodian placed it in his palm. She stepped back, waited to see what he would do.
‘Gods.’ She silently prayed. ‘Let me be doing the right thing in trusting him. Please Mel, do not betray me. I could not bear it.’
Despite his actions with Shara, a part of her was still scared he would misplace her belief in him. She watched, prepared to fight to get take the relic back if necessary. Her stance slightly anticipated for fast movement as she gnawed slightly at the inside of her bottom lip, nervous that he would keep the dagger and yet scared that he would not. If he returned it then she was correct in her credence of his sincerity.
As Azamel grasped the dagger, he closed his eyes and ran his hand over every carving, like a lover’s caress. He reached out with his powers, tried to sense the energy within. Not being the guardian and the stone not being whole, he could not access any of the abilities and found it frustrating. The metal felt alive under his touch, yet nothing else came through. He opened his blue orbs, gave it another look of scrutiny and he handed it back to her handle first. “Thank you.”
Clarissa took the dagger from him, sheathed it quickly then wrapped it up. She stuck it in the backpack which she had dragged with her to complain about being violated and her property stolen. She looked up at him, her eyes soft, searching. He was nothing like she expected. What she had come to anticipate from others who even knew about the stone, much less touched a part of it. She tucked a still damp curl behind her ear as she stood back up to meet him eye to eye.
“I know what you were trying to do. Read the dagger I mean. Did you see anything? See him?”
“Nothing, then again, I am not surprised. I am not guardian of the gem. I didn’t really expect it to work. I might be able to help you though.”
“Do you think my psychometry came from being guardian? The psychometry really kicked in after my family,” her voice cracked slightly and she paused to swallow past the lump before she continued in a strong voice, “When the responsibility fell to me.”
Mel cocked his head slightly, her pain reached out to him. He fought the urge to comfort her and focused on the business at hand. “Probably yes. Your powers are strong but you need guidance. Right now, we have no time to thoroughly train you. I have a suggestion though and it may just work.” He gave her a serious look. “It will not be pleasant for you.”
She frowned. “Not crazy about the not pleasant part. What are you suggesting and how unpleasant?”
“You have to try to read the stone. I will boost your powers by adding some of mine but since your powers are new and virtually untapped it may be painful for you. It may be very painful.”
Clarissa thought about it and moved away slightly, starring into the fire. She had tried erudition a couple of times already. What it showed her was indistinct. What came out clearly though was first the premonition of Azamel’s kiss and then the reminder of it. Maybe if her powers were more focused she could get past that point of his lips on hers and do the job she was meant to do, protect the Gem of Power. After several quiet, h
eavily spaced moments, she pulled out the knife unwrapping it. “Let’s do this then.”
He gently pulled her towards the couch and sat next to her. “Try to perceive what the stone has to relate.”
Clarissa took a deep breath, closed her eyes and concentrated on calling up the power she would need for her visions. At first nothing happened then her eyes glossed over under the closed lids and she started to convulse. She slipped into the realm of her premonitions. They were still slightly unclear. She envisioned lush brush that Xon clomped over or moved aside. The shrubs were too heavily thick to see clearly where he was or her powers were just not strong enough to see past them and get a better reading. Was he still near the cave where the other half had been buried? Did he sense that the stone bearing dagger had been there? Was he even now searching for it?
Mel watched the guardian go into a trance, the dagger rested lightly in her palms. He moved his hands under hers, his palms placed on the backs of her hands. She gave a very slight start as his skin touched hers but she did not move away. He closed his eyes and let his force flow into her, his extremities warming hers. She jerked slightly from the intrusion but soon settled. Gradually Mel increased the power he sent into her body.
Clarissa felt the jolt of electricity pierce her being. With his abilities boosting hers, she was able to have the vision of Xon clear. She saw him now, not from his eyes but from the area. The stone was in a pouch he wore around his bulging neck. His eyes yellow gleamed trying to pick up the sense of the other half of the gem needed to make it work. Xon took it out and held it for a few moments, used it as a dousing rod trying to discern the other half’s current location but it only took him to the places Mel and her had been.
The paths where they argued and managed his traps, which by the way, he seemed none too pleased with that they were dismantled. The relic guided Xon to the lake where they cleaned up a bit and she saw Mel naked. To the area that still held the knee imprints of her collapsing in pain from the stone being taken into another’s grasp. Xon was frustrated the guardian could feel it but Xon’s bellow of rage confirmed it.
