Mystique's Journey

by Daniel A. Jones

  “You seem to be having trouble contacting Daemon, so I will resort to other means of determining who I can trust with Mystique’s safety,” Shektee explained as she stepped closer to Bruce.

  “Mystique would not like me killing you, so I won’t, but you must pay for your failure,” Shektee stated just before she grabbed Bruce by the neck and dragged him out of his chair. Bruce was too surprised by the violence of the attack to defend himself. Shektee brought him up to her eye level. She allowed her eyes to shift back to their natural state of pure black. Bruce tried to be courageous but was defenseless against Shektee’s kiss.

  Shektee drained just a small amount of Bruce’s life energy and all of his memories before dropping him back into his chair. He’d been afraid, but didn’t give in to his fear. He was an exceptional human, she now understood why Mystique was interested in him. Bruce would regain consciousness in an hour or so.

  Seven minutes later, Shektee heard the sound of men running. There were at least eight of them, plus two coming down ropes outside. She calmly opened the door to allow them easy access to the room. She did not want to fight, at least not until she had no choice. Daemon had instructed her to only kill bad people and he might consider guards good people. There would be time for hunting later once Mystique was safe. Mystique owed her that much at least, and Daemon would understand she deserved to be compensated for her efforts.

  A small ball rolled into the room. Shektee watched it, wondering why they would do that. The ball exploded in a flash of blinding light and ear-piercing noise. Shektee was temporarily blinded by the flash and the noise hurt her ears, but didn’t disorientate her the way it would have a human. The men charged into the room immediately after the stun grenade went off. They were in light body armor with full helms hiding their identity. Shektee held her anger in check and allowed them to grab her. They recognized her as Mystique and two of them started carrying her out of the room. Two more led the way with two covering the rear. The two outside had bounced off the armored windows, which amused Shektee slightly. The last two stayed in the room to secure it or something; she wasn’t sure, and she didn’t care.

  The two guards carrying her were not being gentle. They were holding her by her arms and had lifted her just enough so she could barely touch the floor. Instead of going to the elevator, they went for the stairwell. The two in front took the stairs two at a time to extend their lead so they were a floor below while the rear guard waited to be a floor above. The group moved in a professional organized manor, which impressed Shektee.

  Within minutes of entering the room, the group had Shektee in a large vehicle, which was flying away. None of the men had talked to Shektee. She could hear sirens moving closer to the school as they flew away. The man seated behind the pilot had a wire connected to the side of his head and appeared to be sleeping. As Shektee watched, the man seemed to wake up. He reached up and unplugged the wire before turning his chair to address Mystique.

  “You had us worried. Were you being held at the school all this time?” Major Castleman asked, watching Shektee’s reaction to the questions. He had a gut feeling something was wrong, but he didn’t know what.

  “Where are you taking me?” Shektee replied, ignoring his question.

  Major Castleman thought for a second before playing a hunch. “Who are you? Mystique would have answered my question or asked about Angelica. She would have assumed we were going to the embassy,” Major Castleman explained as he pulled his pistol, never taking his eyes off Shektee.

  Shektee was wondering if any of them would be smart enough to realize she was an imposter. She had purposely given clues that she wasn’t Mystique and only this man had picked up on them. “Please protect me; don’t let him hurt me,” Shektee pleaded to the guards as she smiled at Castleman. All of the men in the transport, including the pilot, turned their weapons on Major Castleman.

  Castleman had a lot of experience in combat situations and knew when to surrender. He slowly and carefully lowered his pistol to the deck, allowing one of the guards to pick it up. None of the men relaxed. They knew their commander was lethal, even without his pistol. Shektee looked at the pilot and asked if he would be so kind as to pick up a friend of hers. The pilot was more than willing to do whatever Shektee requested. She gave him a general description of where they were going before turning back to Major Castleman.

  “You seem like an intelligent human, so I’ll allow you to keep your free will. You will do as I instruct and you and your men will not be harmed. Do you understand?” Shektee asked. She was not sure how long she could control the group or how far she could push them. She was normally only able to affect a single human, but that was through the dimensional barrier. The fact that the men were predisposed to guarding Mystique was helping. She truly hoped she wouldn’t have to kill them all. Daemon would get upset once he found out.

  “Yes, what do you want?” Major Castleman asked suspiciously.

  “I want you to put me in contact with Daemon,” Shektee instructed. She had the copilot switch places with her so she could direct the pilot where to go. Major Castleman turned back to his control panel and jacked in. While connected to the communication equipment, he would be able to talk freely with the embassy to let them know what was happening.

  Ambassador Quinn was monitoring the operation so he’d known immediately that something was wrong when the transport changed course. The report from Major Castleman confirmed his suspicion that the girl they had picked up was a decoy. The ambassador knew from the recording of Daemon and Angelica’s conversation that Mystique had summoned help. He wanted to test the theory before putting the woman in contact with Daemon.

  “Daemon wants to know who’s calling,” Major Castleman said over the speaker in the crew compartment. Shektee looked back and noticed he had the wire again plugged into his head. She decided she really needed to learn more about human technology or magic or whatever they were calling it now.

  “Daemon would know who is calling. You have not made the connection and are trying to learn my name. You should have asked instead of trying to deceive me,” Shektee replied, looking at the man slumped over in his chair.

  “You give me a kiss,” Shektee said, pointing at the nearest guard. The guard eagerly moved up to kneel next to Shektee and give her a kiss. Shektee took a small portion of the man’s life energy, causing him to collapse unconscious. Major Castleman instantly checked the readout of the man’s vital signs to verify he was still alive. His pulse and breathing were shallow and weak but he was alive.

  “That man paid for your attempt at deception and for the information, so I will tell you my name. You may call me Shektee,” Shektee stated, turning back to look where they were. They were getting close to the building she’d left Mystique on.

  Ambassador Quinn watched the events unfold in the tactical command center of the embassy. The audio and video pickups in the transport allowed him to see and hear everything that was going on. Shektee was the name of the creature Daemon believed Mystique had summoned. He instructed the woman at the communications control panel to link the phone on the jet to the transport. He also instructed her that he would be joining the conversation. The woman started making the proper connections and in seconds all three were in contact.

  “Daemon, a woman by the name of Shektee has commandeered a transport full of guards and has asked to speak with you,” Ambassador Quinn stated initiating the conversation.

  “Bleen, did she kill anybody?” Daemon replied, praying the answer was no.

  “I have only killed two humans and they met the requirements you gave me. The others are simply injured and will heal within a few hours,” Shektee informed him. “Daemon, Mystique is injured and needs Angelica’s assistance. We are picking her up now. I’ve taken control of the guards, except for their commander, who came for her.”

  Daemon let out a sigh of relief. He’d feared Shektee was killing every human she came in contact with. The fact that she’d shown restraint amazed hi
m a little. Angelica was listening to the conversation and was even more amazed than Daemon. “Good. We’re all working together here, so don’t take control of anyone else please,” Daemon instructed.

  “Yes, Daemon,” Shektee replied but everyone heard the yes master she meant.

  “We are hovering over a factory in the warehouse district. Once we pick up Mystique, we should be back at the embassy in twelve minutes,” Major Castleman interjected.

  “Men, I need you to do what your commander tells you to do,” Shektee said to the guards as she stopped projecting any influence on them. Most would continue to do as she asked, but a few were already wondering why they’d sided with her against their commander. It was Castleman’s turn to sigh in relief. He understood she could take control again at any time, but it was a show of cooperation on her part.

  “All right. It sounds like the crisis is about over. In an hour or so, everyone will be safely here at the embassy. I’d like to speak with everyone once Angelica has had a chance to tend to the injured, if she would,” Ambassador Quinn informed everyone. Angelica had Daemon reassure the ambassador that she would be happy to heal anyone who needed it.

  ***

  Angelica had only had to treat Mystique when she arrived. The guard was sleeping and Shektee assured her that he would be fine once he woke up. Angelica hadn’t trusted her so she’d check on the man, but found that Shektee had been correct and so she was able to focus on Mystique. The embassy had a small infirmary for minor injuries and the doctor on staff had set up an IV drip for Mystique to replace the fluids she’d lost and flush the drugs out of her system. Shektee had refused to leave her side and watched everyone who came near her until Daemon and Angelica arrived.

  Shektee had stepped away when Angelica entered the room. She knew that Angelica didn’t like her and wanted to keep as much distance between them as possible. Daemon followed Angelica into the room. Both went straight to Mystique’s bedside to see for themselves that she was all right. Angelica told Daemon she would be able to heal Mystique without his assistance and asked that he take Shektee into another room. Daemon started to protest, but decided against it; instead he turned toward the door and motioned for Shektee to lead him out.

  “Thank you for saving her. I know she summoned you and she owes you a debt. Can you tell me what you’re going to want as payment?” Daemon remembered how Shektee had collected on the debt owed her last time and prayed it wouldn’t be that again. He hadn’t mentioned it to Angelica but he knew she was thinking about it also. Whatever Shektee demanded, the ancient would make sure Mystique paid or he would collect an even greater amount.

  “I haven’t taken the time to think about payment. The debt owed is Mystique’s. I would not expect you or Angelica to share in the debt,” Shektee told Daemon, thinking he was worried she would demand something from him or Angelica.

  “I know, but with all she has been through I was thinking I could take her place in repaying you,” Daemon suggested apprehensively. The idea of anyone taking the place of another in a debt of this kind when the nature of the payment due had not even been decided amazed Shektee. Daemon was definitely a unique person, or so Shektee thought.

  “You’re my true master here. I could not ask you for payment. It is within your right to step in and deny me the right to ask Mystique for payment.” Shektee knew she was risking losing her recompense, but she hadn’t done that much and she’d been able to take two souls so she really wasn’t due anything. The chance to gain favor with Daemon and maybe even the ancient was well worth the risk.

  “No. The old guy said if we asked for your help, we would have to pay you for it,” Daemon replied, a little disappointed. He would like nothing more than to tell Shektee to forget the debt, but he knew that would cause even bigger problems in the future.

  “Very well. How about the four of us discuss it later? I can see you are concerned and it would do me no good to upset you by demanding what you consider an unfair amount. Hopefully we can come to an agreement that will keep you sister from demanding my death,” Shektee offered with a nod toward the infirmary room.

  “Thank you. That would be great. Now what do you know about the people who kidnapped Mystique?” Daemon asked, changing the subject.

  “The two captors I killed had been hired by a man they called the Irishman. He’s a member of a criminal organization and they were surprised he would contact them for a job. I can shapeshift into his form so you can see what he looks like if you wish,” Shektee offered.

  “Wait a minute. Is answering these questions and stuff adding to the debt?” Daemon asked.

  Shektee’s smile confirmed his worst fears. “Of course, anything I do here, even the act of waiting for payment, adds to the debt,” Shektee said with an evil grin of pure joy as Daemon sagged against the wall beside him. The realization of how fast the debt was adding up was almost too much for him.

  “Shektee, what did you do to him?” Angelica demanded from the doorway, anger flashing in her eyes.

  “I was simply teaching him a lesson in billing,” Shektee responded with the smile still on her face.

  “Daemon, you can relax. I am in your service, which means you owe me nothing for the services I provide you. My billable service to Mystique ended when you arrived because I stopped serving her and resumed my role as your servant,” Shektee explained.

  “So what do I owe you?” Mystique asked from behind Angelica. She would have preferred to step in front, but Angelica was purposefully making it impossible for her to get by.

  “I already told Daemon that I think it will be best for the four of us to sit down and discuss the debt later. I see no benefit in demanding a payment that would strain our relationship,” Shektee told Mystique as she stared at Angelica, making sure Angelica knew who she was really talking to.

  “Okay, but for now Ambassador Quinn wants to meet with us,” Angelica stated, reminding everyone of their appointment.

  “Angelica, Miss Swansong got hurt pretty badly when they kidnapped me. Do you think you could help her once we’re done with the ambassador?” Mystique asked a little more reluctantly than normal, causing Angelica and Daemon to exchanges glances of concern.

  “Sure. Why isn’t she here?” Angelica asked in response.

  “I’m not sure. She might be dead; her face was pretty badly damaged,” Mystique replied, the slight sound of shame creeping into her voice.

  “I’m sure she’s all right and I will make sure to fix her up good as new,” Angelica tried to reassure Mystique.

  “The men that first held her captive raped and drugged her. The drugs caused delusions and feelings of terror,” Shektee explained in response to Daemon’s quizzical look to Angelica. Angelica’s jaw dropped open at the blatant way Shektee described what had happened. Daemon felt his rage boil up and fought to control it. Mystique just started walking away toward the elevator.

  “How could you say such a thing?” Angelica demanded of Shektee as she hurried to catch up with Mystique.

  “You and Daemon clearly wanted to know what had happened. I simply told you,” Shektee replied confused about why they were upset.

  ***

  The meeting with Ambassador Quinn was held in the situation room instead of in his office. It would allow them access to more information and the meeting would be recorded without anyone’s knowledge except the ambassador and Major Castleman’s. The room had multiple control counsels lining the walls with a large table in the center. A high-tech holographic projector was mounted in the middle, allowing the creation of a three-dimensional image above the table. The current image was from the cameras inside the transport. Major Castleman was explaining what he believed had happened when Angelica and the rest arrived.

  Daemon walked in first and went straight to the table. He was fascinated by anything high-tech and wanted a closer look. Shektee and Mystique followed. They stepped to opposite sides of the door and looked around the room. Angelica brought up the rear. She went to stand next to
Daemon but was more interested in the two men than the image floating above the table. Daemon was about to say something but was cut off by Mystique.

  “Why are the three cameras and two microphones recording us?” she asked ambassador Quinn.

  “I told you that she’d notice,” Castleman commented.

  “I have to report to my superiors who you are and what you can do. It has become obvious to me that you are not telling the complete story and are capable of manipulating those around you. So I’ve decided to record our conversations for later review when I’m confident that I am free of manipulation,” Ambassador Quinn explained.

  “And the woman hiding behind this wall? She is some kind of magi and seeks to affect my mind and dominate my will. Daemon has forbidden me from killing, but if she continues to attack me, I will stop her,” Shektee stated calmly but leaving little doubt about her lethality.

  “Ambassador, I would suggest that Lady Donavan stops. I can only control so much of what Shektee does,” Daemon added, hoping Ambassador Quinn would understand how dangerous the situation was.

  Ambassador Quinn looked over to where Shektee was staring and instructed Lady Donavan to come in and join them. The lady was more than a little hesitant about entering any room holding Daemon, but she did as instructed. She hadn’t been able to penetrate Shektee’s mental defenses so she had no idea what she really was. Lady Donavan was the only person present who had proper training in the psionic disciplines. Ambassador Quinn would want her input to make his decisions.

  A door slid to the side and Lady Donavan stepped into the room. Shektee watched her with amusement as she sidestepped and went to stand near the ambassador. Ambassador Quinn realized that Angelica had positioned herself so Daemon was between herself and Shektee. Mystique seemed to be the only person in the room comfortable with Shektee. Ambassador Quinn had to admit he was feeling a little leery of Shektee for some unknown reason.