by Indra Frost
It would be hard, years of hiding what I could do meant that the action was ingrained. Clara and Ralph knew most of what I could do. I think Clara suspected, but she hadn't asked about some of the other stuff. It was the men standing behind me that I was worried about. I didn't want them to see what I could do. It would bring up more questions that I didn't want to answer.
Ralph must have heard something in my voice because he looked to Clara, who had that same sad look on her face. His own face seemed to drop, before he gathered himself. Turning to face me once more, determination shining from his eyes.
“Then you better bring it Pipsqueak. Show me that it was worth it.” His voice was gruff, with what I thought might be tears.
I had to bite my lip to fight my own at the sound. He was like a father and a fun uncle mixed into one, and I was going to miss him dearly.
I nodded, stepping up to the ring and accepting the wraps one of Clara's people held out to me. Quickly and efficiently wrapping my hands, I stepped into the ring.
“Weapons?” Ralph asked.
I thought about it for a moment, but in the end, I wanted to test myself against him. With weapons I would have the advantage, he hadn’t been trained with them the way I had. His offer was my last chance at having the advantage.
“No, I want to fight you hand to hand.” He nodded, a proud look in his eyes.
“Then let’s do it, girly.”
We got into the ring and took our positions, stances ready, we waited to see who would make the first move.
With the twitch of his left eye, the fight was on.
And I was determined to win.
In the end, we were both lying on the ground, panting for breath. The smile on my face was so big my cheeks were getting sore. I didn’t end up using my abilities, neither of us did, but I won the fight anyway. It had taken all of my training to do it, but I had won.
“Where did you learn that last maneuver?” Ralph was just as winded as I was as we pushed ourselves to a sitting position.
“She learned it watching me.” Reed answered from where he was leaning against the ropes.
His chin was resting on his arms, almost looking bored, if it wasn’t for the tension I could see in his shoulders.
I nodded to acknowledge that it was the truth and Ralph looked the guys over once more.
“Well what do you know, they aren’t a bunch of paper pushers after all.” He was only teasing, but I laughed at the grumbling the guys released.
“Who are you to talk, old man?” I pushed him gently as we both got to our feet.
He sent a playful glare my way, before shoving me right back. “Who are you calling old?”
We ribbed each other a little more before stepping out of the ring. Ralph led me over to where the others were resting in one of the pits, Reed following along with us.
I knew he was trying to prolong the moment. I was doing the same. Despite everything that had happened between us, I finally had to accept that I still cared for them. Even if they wished otherwise.
“I’m going to miss you, girly.”
I looked at him in surprise, the words catching me off guard when they sounded so sincere.
I wasn’t sure what it said about me that I was caught off guard by the sentiment. The thought that someone could care for me at all wasn't exactly normal. It made me both hopeful and wary, but I wasn’t going to examine the feeling too hard.
“I’m going to miss you guys, too.” The words were forced out, I didn't like showing my emotions, but they were honest.
The smile on his face acknowledged what the words cost me. He knocked me with his shoulder, before looking towards the others.
“She isn’t always right, you know?” He was trying to be hopeful, but we both knew the truth.
“Yeah, she is.”
I turned to Reed as he stepped up beside me. He was watching me, his eyes fierce as they looked between me and Ralph. I think he was starting to suspect what was going to happen, but he wanted to be sure before he accused me of hiding anything this big. He could say and do what he wanted; I wasn't going to cave.
We reached the others and I saw them watching us as we approached. They stood as we stopped near the small staircase. Clara walked up to join us, and I watched her, biting my lip.
"Goodbye Clara." I turned toward her, for once not ignoring the urge to hug her.
She stiffened in surprise at first, but her arms came up to wrap around me, squeezing fiercely. For a moment I wasn't sure she was going to let go, but eventually we had to part. I wouldn't bring danger here, and she couldn't keep me safe from those that hunted me.
"I'll see you soon." Her voice shook a bit at the lie, but she was hoping just as much as I was that it would be true.
"Of course. You couldn't keep me away." I nodded.
Then I turned to head out the door, not looking back.
I knew that if I did, I wouldn't want to leave.
As soon as I walked out the door, all the pain that had been suppressed while we were inside seemed to slam into me at once. My vision went white as my legs collapsed out from under me. Big arms caught me, and it was all I could do not to scream and pass out.
I felt like I was burning from the inside out. Like acid was being poured through me where my blood and bones were supposed to be.
“What’s wrong with her?” I heard a male voice ask, then a murmured response that I didn’t hear.
After what could have been minutes, or hours, I finally came back to myself to find that Jesse was holding me in the back of the alley while Walker paced. Reed and Copeland talked while Blayze had his back to me as he faced the alley entrance.
The pain wasn’t gone, not even close, but it was manageable compared to what it had been. My cheeks flared with color as I realized what had happened. I should have been prepared for that, but I had forgotten about the brand.
After I was sure I could stand, I pushed at Jesse’s chest, not meeting his eyes. He set me on my feet, and I still couldn’t bring myself to look at him.
Without looking at any of them, I started to walk away. I was too embarrassed, and I didn’t want to deal with the questions they would probably have for me.
I wasn't sure where I was going, my warehouse had been ruined. Even if all the blood and body bits were gone, I couldn't go back to the place that Lucy had been taken from. Not knowing what she had gone through because of me.
The guys followed me, and I was tempted to run. But that hadn’t worked out so well for me last time, so I didn’t bother. Besides, the pain had sapped most of the strength I had just gotten back.
“So, I guess we’re not going to talk about it then?” Walker said as he walked faster to catch up with me.
I ignored him, and continued walking, thinking about where I could stay, and hoping that he would either drop it, or they would leave me alone all together. Even though I was starting to think I didn’t want them to leave, I knew that they should. For both our sakes.
The thought of them leaving and being alone again made me think of Lucy. I didn't want to think that she was dead. If I didn't actually see her body, I knew I would be able to pretend until Selasi caught up with me. When he did, I'm sure he would take pleasure in bragging about how he did it. What he did to her.
The memories of my own torture at his hands rose in my mind and I had to stop myself from getting sick. I would never forgive myself for what I had caused. I may not have killed her, but I was the reason that she died. That wasn’t something I would be able to get over anytime soon.
I shivered at the feeling of impending doom. Selasi probably knew exactly where I was and was biding his time, making the anticipation work for him and putting me on edge.
I could both hear and feel the guys following me, but none of them said a word. At least not to me. But they were chatting up a storm amongst themselves.
I wasn't bitter about not being included. Not at all.
There was a brief lull in conversation, and I wondered
if they were planning their escape. I would if I were them. It was the safer option. They didn't sign up to deal with my baggage. Not the contract, and not Selasi. There wasn't a good reason for them to stick around.
"I think we should find somewhere to stop and grab a bite." Walker said.
I continued on, not thinking he had been talking to me until he said my name.
"What?" I turned to face him, finally paying attention.
I had to stop doing that, I hadn't let my guard down so much since I was a kid. Some attractive men showed up and I just forgot to watch for threats? Let them be the ones to watch my back? I didn't think so. I couldn't rely on others for something as serious as my life. Even if it was going to end soon.
"I asked if you knew a place we could stop and eat." Walker came up beside me.
I had to look up to see his face, his bronze hair gleaming in the fading light, his green eyes almost seemed to glow.
A few days had passed since Greg had gone to Hell, and that didn’t give us much time to put our plan into action. What little of a plan we had at this point. Then there was my own plan I needed to get started on. And soon.
"There's a couple of places down the street to the right." I pointed a finger in the direction I was talking about.
We were getting closer to the better part of town, and the house they were staying in if memory served. I’m not sure where they left their car, though.
"You should come with us." Copeland said and stepped up to my other side, his dark eyes searching my own.
I wasn't sure what the look was for, but I had a feeling they had been talking about me on the walk here. I cursed myself for not listening in, but for once the thought of someone talking about me didn't raise my hackles. I looked at Jesse as he listened to something Blayze was saying. His face was intent as he nodded, never doubting for a second that whatever these guys were telling him was true.
He wasn't an unintelligent man, quite the opposite, but he was socially awkward. I had seen him watch the others to pick up on their social queues, learning by watching them. If he could trust these men, then I would give them the benefit of the doubt. They wouldn't be able to do more harm than Selasi would once he caught up with me, anyway.
Even thinking of that demon and the fact that he could be anywhere made my heart race. I needed to focus on my breathing to calm my fears and make sure I didn’t make a fool of myself again.
I looked between Copeland and Walker, seeing Reed's eyes on me as well. I wouldn't be able to pay for food, but their company after so many years of being alone would be nice. I should leave, I argued with myself. Now that it had been confirmed the Demon lord was after me it would be safer for them if I did. But there was a strange longing in my chest, the feeling that if I let them slip through my fingers now, I would always regret it. So, despite my better judgement, I agreed to follow them to go get some food.
My stomach felt empty, even though I had eaten more than usual. I would just need to suck it up until I could go out scrounging for food later.
Demons couldn't get sick, and as a half-breed that particular trait had been passed down to me. Not that my other half would have been able to get sick, either. I still didn't like having to dig through the garbage for food. It was gross and embarrassing, though I didn't really know anything different.
I had been forced to fight for every morsel I could while I lived in hell. Nothing had come free, and sometimes you had to pretend the red flecks were seasoning as you swallowed your winnings whole.
I didn't put up much of a fight when they asked again, as none of the guys seemed like they were going to budge. Blayze had come closer while I was deep in thought, and I was surprised to see him walking beside me as Reed and Copeland talked further up the street. Finally, I consented with a nod.
"Yes!" Walker cheered before coming closer to me.
Blayze's shoulder rubbed against my own and I shivered at the feel. Warmth gathered in my chest and it was an unfamiliar feeling. Walker scooted closer on my other side until his arm was pressing against my own. I tried to scoot further away, but he just followed until I was pressed tighter between him and Blayze. There was plenty of room on the sidewalk, so there was no reason for them to be this close to me. Unless they were trying to make sure I couldn’t leave.
I watched them, suddenly suspicious, but I didn’t feel threatened. It was an odd feeling for me; knowing that someone was trying to hold you some place, but not for nefarious reasons. I wasn’t sure how to take it. So, in true demon fashion, I was sassy.
"What are you doing?" My question had a bit more bite then intended, but Walker didn't look insulted, instead, he smiled.
"You looked cold, so I was trying to warm you up." His answer sounded sincere, but there was a touch of humor there, too.
Eyeing him, I looked at Blayze, who I was practically leaning against at this point. He was pretending not to notice as he walked on. I looked between them, not sure what to do. I could stop and then keep walking, or I could walk faster. Which would be better, and make me look less like a fool? I wasn’t sure.
Was this genuine kindness? Or was he just making it harder for me to leave?
I also wasn’t sure what Blayze was doing with these guys, I wouldn’t think a demon would fit in a group like this. The fact that Jesse was willing to take the hellhounds word indicated that he, at least, trusted him. Why a demon would be working with the bureau I didn’t know, but I wondered if his master knew about it.
He needed to be careful, or he was going to get himself killed.
I looked them over wondering what I had done to deserve this new brand of torture. The look, but don’t touch kind. Something inside me felt almost complete when I was with them. I didn’t know what it was, but the longer I was with them, the better it felt. I was going to soak up my time with them for as long as I could.
In the end the guys decided to pick up a pizza and take it home, getting way more than I thought it was possible for them to eat. The smell alone was making my stomach hurt for the gooey goodness.
“You should come with us.” Walker announced, turning to look at me and walking backwards.
I smiled at him but didn’t agree. All my anxiety and thoughts from before had made one thing clear. I couldn’t allow them to be hurt, and that meant not staying with them. Even though not more than a half an hour had passed since I had agreed to join them for a meal.
They had all the information I could give them, now it was up to them to make use of it. I would still do my best to bring an end to both Greg and Selasi, but I would be moving forward on my own from here.
“No, thank you, I should be heading home.” I ignored the fact that I didn’t have a place to stay anymore.
I would find somewhere, create a new place, but for now there was always the alley behind the gym. It wasn't safe, but I was known, and people were less likely to outright attack me there.
“You don’t have a home.”
“Jesse.” Walker hissed, hitting the oblivious man in the side with an elbow.
I laughed, which seemed to take everyone but Jesse off guard. They probably thought I had lost it. And maybe I had, but I would take Jesse’s bluntness over Selasi’s torture any day. I thought it was kind of endearing, actually.
“What?” I shrugged at them, “It’s not like he’s lying.”
Copeland looked at Reed and they had a silent conversation.
“That still doesn’t mean I’m coming with you.” I started to walk backwards myself, wanting to make my getaway while I could. “I would say ‘see you later’, but we both know that isn’t true.”
I waved, sending them a wink, enjoying the confused looks on their faces.
“What are you talking about you psycho?” Blayze took a step forward, coming after me.
I smiled and turned, intending to walk away. There was only a few days left until Greg got back and I had a lot to do. I needed to find a new place to stay, gather more supplies and clothing.
And I had a few days to track down and kill Selasi before Greg could come back and join forces with him.
Even if they didn’t get together, I would have to deal with both of them hunting me at the same time, and that was almost worse. At least if they were together, I could assume they would be fighting among themselves most of the time. It’s what demons did, after all. Violence was who we were, it was in our blood.
But Greg was an opportunist, and knowing what I did about the contract, he would want to make sure that it stayed in his hands. So, it was more likely that he would partner with Selasi to keep both his foothold here, and to make sure he stayed alive.
“Where are you going Alyth? You shouldn't be on your own.” Walker called out to me.
“It isn’t safe out here.” Reed agreed, I could imagine that he was nodding, though I didn’t look back to confirm.
“Of course it’s not-” I paused, looking around at the sudden anger I could feel in the air.
It wasn’t mine, and it didn’t feel like it belonged to the guys either.
“Come on, you agreed-” Blayze was beside me, reaching out to take my arm, but my focus wasn’t on him.
My magic flared, as I paused, searching. It came to the surface, resting just under my skin, ready for whatever I could sense was coming. But looking around I couldn’t seem to find the threat. The feeling of doom I was starting to associate with Selasi was pressing closer, making it harder to breathe.
He was coming, and I wasn’t ready.
“Alyth, are you listening to me?” I looked up at Blayze as he stepped in front of me, still talking, unaware of the threat.
“Blayze,” he seemed startled that I was using his name, but I couldn’t focus on that now, not when I could sense something big was coming. “Move, get the others and get out of here.”
“What? Alyth, what’s going on?” Reed asked coming closer, his eyes watchful as he looked around.
The others weren't far behind, looking out at our surroundings, but I’m not sure they could feel the threat. They may have been reacting to me, and I appreciated the extra set of eyes, but they needed to get out of here.
