Chaos Legion : Recognizing The Beast

by Jada Tarrant

  “I'm guessing the darkling is young,” Kyra said with his arms crossed and eyebrows raised. “I hope Maverick comes back soon with that coffee. Because i'm going to fall asleep pretty darn soon if he don't.”

  Understanding Kyra's pain, Drew nodded. His children must have kept him up all night. Otherwise, Sarson was slap happy. It took Drew nearly fifteen minutes to get him out of bed.

  “Yeah, I'd guess the person is near the age of initiation,” Drew said, remembering that his daughter was seventeen now. Kyra raised a brow, currently judging Drew's decision to jump to that conclusion. “Do you think it's your kid possibly? You've been acting strange lately,” Kyra said attentively. God damn, that man must be able to sense everything. Ignoring that, Drew sighed. “Possibly,” he said, defeated. Then Maverick walked in moments later, hearing what Kyra had just said. He turned himself near Drew and sat down next to him, daring to invade in his personal bubble.

  Instead, Maverick touched Drew slightly on the shoulder and felt how tense he was. It is his kid. At least that's what Maverick thought as he looked around. Drew's head was down, while the others were staring at him waiting for an answer. He figured Drew wouldn't answer with them around. Especially since he sensed how much Drew disliked Kyra, but somehow tolerated Sarson being around. The young man's motives nearly confused him.

  “Kyra, Sarson. You are dismissed,” Maverick said as he was still caressing Drew's shoulder. Kyra looked like he was about to protest, but he obediently held his tongue and left. Sarson had a confused but rather amused look on his face as he flickered his eyes to Drew for a second. He appeared interested in what was about to unfold, but let the door slam shut behind him.

  “Now tell me Hayes, did you sense a demon cry while you were here?” Now that was Maverick's one question to prove whether the child was his or not. Finally, Drew sat back in the chair and sighed. “Yes,” he said obediently, meeting the leader's gaze. The man appeared,moved.

  “Well then, you shouldn't have been so hidden about it,” Maverick laughed as he shot Drew a sharp look that put him on his toes. “I make special arrangements for family. Now is there anything else you've been hiding?” Maverick hoped not, but based on the troubled glint in Drew's eyes told him he did.

  “I only joined to save my daughter's life. RAD's after her,” Drew admitted, then bit his tongue. A lot of emotions collected on the leader's face when he mentioned RAD.

  “Well then, I guess I know who I'm sending. You and Sarson,” Maverick said, watching Drew become confused. “He needs to learn a lesson or two.” Then Drew became silent as he cackled. “You got today and tomorrow morning to pack. After that, I don't want to see you back here until your daughter's safe and sound.”

  With a nod, Drew smiled rather quickly. “Thank you,” he said before dipping out of the room.

  Sarson was quite surprised at the news as it spread through DCAG. Drew's daughter is the all powerful darkling that RAD, and now the Dark Court hungers for her powers at their hands. First things first though, by having to train her how to use these deadly powers. It sounded like a good start.

  Even though Drew was told to leave immediately, it seemed like Kyra had something to tell him. To be nice, he waited for him to say something.

  “Good luck,” Kyra said, looking Drew over. “Keep training, you'll need it.” Reminding him, Drew thought of how he'd have to deal with other death agents. Damn, I didn't think things through.

  Instead of letting panic take over, he dangled out some car keys and opened the door. Maverick loaned him his 03' Impala to take, as well as exchanging a few good words. He promised that if his daughter was bound to DC, that he'd at least introduce her. But that time wasn't anytime soon, for he had to concentrate on the task of training her If he remembered properly, training as a young one he was one big pain in the ass to his father. Now he'd get his payback, and Drew only had one trip to get ready for it.

  The sight of Nathan's Corvette in the morning he arrived. He hoped Nathan had followed his orders since he had never answered his phone. The man would be in shock once he opened the door.

  Knock, knock! Drew let Sarson go up to the door, because if Nathan saw him he had a feeling the door would be slammed in his face.

  Nathan opened the door slowly, eyeing Sarson weirdly. “Are you the darkling they sent?” he asked. “Yes,” Sarson said and looked back at the vehicle. “There's two of us.” Confused, Nathan peered out at the Impala.'Holy Crap!' his thoughts screamed. Then he ran up to the car, pulling Drew out of it.

  “I did what you asked and I swear that I never left home except for school,” Nathan pleaded. “But I didn't notice the guy well enough that screwed her underneath my roof.” Hearing that remark, Drew pushed him away as he darted into the house.

  Looking around frantically, his eyes found her curled up in a blanket asleep. There was a laptop next to her playing a movie, and he guessed the noise kept her calm. Just for the moment, he stroked her hair lightly as he took in how beautiful she had become.

  As if to break his reunion, Sarson entered the bedroom. “This the girl?” he asked and Drew nodded, kissing her forehead. “We'll wait until she wakes up,” Drew said, continuing to pet her hair. He swore something felt different, and Nathan's babbling probably had the message hidden in it.

  “Nathan!” Drew yelled and he rushed to the room. Jada didn't even stir surprisingly, which meant she was probably really tired. “What?” Nathan asked, crossing his arms. “Tell me more about this male,” Drew said discreetly, giving him a cold stare. It seemed to make him shiver. “I though he was Neph. Then Doom Crew told me it was a death angel,” Nathan said, looking down at her. “She knows his name, but won't spill.”

  Considering his thought for a second, something told hime he had a lot of catching up to do. But from how tense her body was in slumber, he'd allow her to sleep a little longer. She must've really been stressed.

  Skeptical, Nathan looked at Drew's friend and back at him. “Who are you?” Sarson grinned and extended his hand. “Sarson,” he said as Nathan shook his hand out of courtesy. He was stiff with his nerves as most men didn't do that unless they wanted something.

  “Well, is there anything else we're supposed to do?” Sarson asked. Nathan flinched, smiling rather cryptically. “Meet Dave at Stag's,” he said, looking at the front door. “Would be best to do it now while she's asleep.”

  Drew gave a look to Sarson that told him to stay put. The man frowned as he exited. “I'll be back soon,” Drew said and left.

  According to GPS, Stag's was a bar not too far away as he drove.Good, because he didn't want to spend hours pitching ideas back and forth with an angel that could kill him. Instead, he drove his focus into finding the connection between them and RAD. He was sure the man would say something.

  The moment he pulled in, a bunch of people's heads snapped back to look at his license plate. Milwaukee was indented on them, as it signified that he was from Wisconsin. Only one thing that made him a tad nervous were the mischievous looks he got from the females. The fact that they were eying him for so long made him hard. But before he would go nuts, he walked in.

  “I'm looking for Dave,” Drew said to the bartender, who eyed him all funny. His patience began to fade faster with his attitude. “I was sent from the Dark Court.” Hearing that, everyone's attention shifted to him as his eyes lit up.

  “He's in the back room,” the bartender said as he pointed at a door and smiled. “Good luck.”

  Everything in Drew's body sparked with alarm as he approached, but once he opened the door the man looked to be a little over twenty. Chill, relaxed, and sleeping. That's what Drew wish he could do easily. With those thoughts, a soft chuckle came from his lips.

  “Come. Sit,” the man said, maneuvering him to sit down. So he did, only to have the man's eyelids fly open. His intense stare could only mean one thing, that the man knew what was on his mind. “I see that the Dark Court has agreed to help, and I thank you.” Then his eyes shifted to the cei
ling and back, focusing on something behind. It seemed like something was bothering him.

  “Is there anything I should be concerned of?” Drew asked as the man rubbed his own hand. Dave had just went from calm, cool, and collected to a nervous wreck. Jada's demon was probably the reason. “A few things as far as I know,” Dave said as he put a finger to his lip to think. “Her demon has quite matured a bit even though it's just surfaced, and it's quite a feisty one.” With that, Drew's eyes widened in shock. He was hoping that she didn't hit the sex craze stage yet, but it seemed like she might have. “Restraining her is quite hard some times, but she has some control.” His eyes kept looking over him. “But not a lot.” Well, some was better than none.

  “Kind of early for the prematurity,” Drew added, only to get a wry smile out of him. “But I think I can work around it. Will take time.” Dave nodded as his face lit up. “I was hoping for that,” he said and reached over the table. Drew took his hand and shook it lightly, feeling the angel's power making his hand numb. God, have to be careful. RAD took over his mind and he wanted to ask his question badly. The man laughed. “Can't read your thoughts well, darkling. Spit it on out now.”

  Considering how nice the man was, he decided he would speak. “How come both Doom Crew and RAD are ran by angels?” Drew asked as he clenched his jaw shut.

  The leader seemed stirred by the question as a serious expression overcame his face. Dave shut his eyes as he leaned back, taking in a sigh. “Used to work together long ago,” he said. From that, Drew figured that he had a long story to tell.

  “I'd say about twenty some odd years ago the angel and I were sent down here to keep watch on the demons and angels.” He lifted a brow, letting Drew see how stressed the subject made him. “Main reason being the fact that angels rather fallen ones were selling their blood to make money. These drugs they make are rather powerful, especially anglstrimine.”

  Drew cocked his head, remembering where he had heard that word come from. DCAG made a joke that if anyone betrayed them they'd use their blood to make anglstrimine. Now Dave's answer would either make it true or gladly put it to shame.

  Then Dave frowned as his eyes glinted with a hint of sadness. “The drug is made of two substances, angelic morphine and purified darkling blood.”

  After hearing that, Drew had become silent as he felt like rolling himself into a ball. The subject was making him rather uncomfortable, but it didn't seem like he was done yet.

  “Angels can't feel like humans and demons can. The drug allows a temporary feeling that ignites the best sensation an angel can ever get. A bunch of our angel's have fallen due to the drug's effects, because too much can turn us into a demon.” The man's lids fell shut as he took another breath. “It is a horrible thing to look at both heaven's and hell's most powerful creature combined into one. Very inhumane.” Then he let his eyes lock onto Drew. “Main reason why I feel so sorry for your race, since it has gotten very small.”

  All of his words sent warmth to Drew's heart, but another question pondered at his brain. Why are DC and RAD separated then?Dave appeared ready to answer his question before it left his lips.

  “Most of RAD is plagued by it. Only two, the leaders, haven't used the drug. Ben and Morris.” Then Drew crossed his eyes since he was confused. “Ben gave the leadership position to Morris to free roam Earth as a ghost. And the arch angel doesn't like it one bit.” Then Drew met his gaze. “I'm the only one allegedly following the rules anymore.”

  Everything made sense as Dave fell silent. Drew didn't think bad blood would run deep just because of a drug. The only clues that didn't match were about Ben. What the hell is he doing in RAD then?

  CHAPTER 20

  JUNE 9TH, 2014

  WHEELERBURG, OHIO

  ~Drew~

  Getting quite frustrated, Drew had just about had it with her demon talking to him. Taunting, teasing, and wanting to play.He bit his lip as he tried to restrain himself, and his daughter just blinked it all away. Well, at least she seemed to have more control than what Dave had described. What did he mean then?

  “What's next?” she asked as she was swinging her legs off the kitchen counter. The demon was singing to her and the stress had eased a fraction on her face. He only assumed that they worked together pretty well. But once he heard Jada voice her question again, he looked up attentively. Her eyes were possessively black, and the smile she gave was slightly seductive. In part to ignoring what she wanted, Drew focused on the calendar behind her. Dave was only giving him two months to train her. Not perfect training, but a good hold on her beast and a introduction to a wide range of powers she'd learn. It should be enough time.

  “First some lunch,” Drew said, meeting her gaze again. The expression changed from seductress to very mild curiosity. Jada's back. “And while you're eating I need some coffee.” Her mouth ticked up as she slid off the counter, and he had grabbed her by the hips to prevent her fall. The demon was humming, 'that's more like it. Get him attached to us.'

  With that, he frowned. Her demon wanted nothing more than for him to be it's fuck buddy. Well, that wasn't going to happen. Drew had promised himself he wouldn't feed to her desires. He's her father, and now it's time to start acting like it.

  Having that thought in mind, he got up and brewed some coffee while carefully watching her. She ate, but her eyes sought his the moment he looked at her. Then again, the demon's possessive eyes ticked up with a smile on her face. He felt lucky and concerned that he didn't know what was going on. His stomach rumbled at the thought, and once he raised the coffee to his lips the scent quelled his hunger. There was simply too much to do with her for now.

  Seeing the plate empty, Drew took it away and watched her eyes go blank. That's it, she's wondering what's next.

  “We're going to be practicing with that demon of yours. Is she here?” Drew asked. Then her gaze went black. “Yes,” it purred through her lips, as her eyes went back to normal. “What's the plan?” Now that was a question he was hoping she'd ask.

  “Well since your demon half gets along with you well I thought we'd practice some exercises,” he said as his gaze dropped to her wandering hand, wondering what she was doing. She was stroking her chest, distracting him. He huffed, taken aback by the gesture. “And get that out of it's system. I don't like it.”

  Right when he said that, her jaw dropped and she pounced. Feeling her breath so close to his mouth, he was about to lose it. Instead, he shut his eyes and moved his face away from her. The demon shifted in her face, showing his concerned daughter underneath.

  “I'm sorry,” she said, almost disruptively. “It only surfaces when it wants something.” Then he understood what Dave meant as she would cause problems for him. His powers must have been felt by her demon and it wanted it. No way, just no way.

  “Well, your demon needs to learn that my powers are not hers. Both of you are very inexperienced and need training before you can even think of taking me on,” Drew said with his arms crossed. The demon gave him a stubborn look. “We understand,” she said. “Now what kind of exercises are we doing?”

  Quickly, Drew flung a book into her hands. “Shifting. Each demon can shift but it varies by classes. If you look for second class. I'm there,” Drew said, watching her flip pages. 'Alpha wolf?' she hummed. “Very much so, and can shift into every class beneath it too. Darklings are in the top four classes, so yours will be one of those. There's only a handful of second class demons,” Drew said as Jada cocked an eyebrow. He had a feeling she had something smart to say.

  “Learn something new everyday,” she said as she slung herself back into the chair. “So you're going to teach me how to shift today?” He nodded, but she figured he had more to elaborate on. Drew shoved the book into his back pocket, and her demon was interested in that book as 'DCAG' was engraved on the cover. The only thing that made sense was that the first two letter represented Dark Court. The rest was still a mystery to her mind.

  “Basics today,” Drew said and got
up, looking her over. “Learning our demons animals traits is one of the most difficult things any demon has to learn. Main reason why the human race thinks all the shifters are gone is because our human halves have gained more control. Plus, shifters spend most of their life in the world around us, in the faerie half.”

  “Get up and face me. Concentrate with that demon of yours.” With that, she moved in front of him and tightly shut her eyes. Her demon hardly cared for the topic. 'I need motivation,' it said. Drew sighed, the damn thing was being stubborn.

  “Imagine a hoard of fallen angels surrounding you and you have no way out. Or something like it.” He licked his lips, unsure of what to do. The other idea he had was to fill her mind with illusions, but he didn't want to freak her out just yet. It appeared that his idea wasn't going the way he wanted. Option 2 it is.

  Right when he plunged into her mind there was hardly any resistance. Her demon didn't even seem to feel him in their head, reminding him how inexperienced they were. He made it look like he wasn't even there, and that she wasn't even home. She was in a dense forest alone for all she knew. So Drew fell back and watched her bemused expression. The demon panicked realizing that they weren't home supposedly, but in actual reality they were in the backyard. Time to spruce things up a bit.

  Drew took in a sigh, bringing the darklings he knew to life in the illusion. She turned, as Maverick, Kyra, and Sarson approached her.

  -

  Demon

  Two men appeared out of nowhere, along with a male darkling she hardly knew. The demon was convinced that she need to get him alone soon. They needed answers to what the hell had just happened. One second they were in the backyard, and now in a forest with a cold lake breeze. A good guess was that she was near the Great Lakes. Great, with no way to get home.

  “Heard you're the rogue darkling that's been causing trouble,” Kyra said, flicking his tongue. Sarson and Maverick cracked their knuckles, making her stumble back.