by Diana Estell
Dagon fine tuned the image of the Glynn house in his head and listened for any feedback. If he could just adjust the frequency of thought …
“Dagon? Did you hear what I said? Why are you smiling like that?”
“Yes, I heard you. Why not wear a smile, or would you rather me frown like this?” Dagon gave her his best exaggerated comical frown.
“No, I don’t mean that I want you to frown and especially not like that. It didn’t look like you heard me.”
“Trust me, I did. Now, to answer your question; in many ways, I’m fully human …”
“Except when it comes to listening.”
“To put it plainly, I am all man, and then some. This you will understand when the time is right.” Dagon winked several times for emphasis. This should let her know that physically, I’m all here. He could tell by her bashful yet alluring expression that she understood, and he continued.
“I can sleep though I do not need to. I don’t get tired or need to rest. At one point, I thought that humans died every night only to rise again every morning.”
“Really?”
“Yes, I really did.”
“Oh, Dagon. That’s … like reversed vampires.”
“I guess it is … I never thought of that.” Dagon became somber at the similarity of Savila to vampires. He quickly pushed on, eager to avoid any reminders. “Okay, so I don’t have to sleep, I don’t have to use the bathroom, I ...”
“You don’t have to use the bathroom?” She raised one eyebrow.
“Nope.”
“I wish I didn’t have to. The lines for the women’s bathrooms are always so long. Guys have it easier. Do you know how people use the bathroom?”
Dagon laughed while nodding in affirmation.
“I’m sorry.”
“Don’t apologize. How else are we going to get to know each other?” He paused between question and response to listen for a moment to the Glynns, who remained silent.
“Yes, I guess you’re right.”
“I can see through anything, but I purposefully blocked your house the first time I saw you, for your privacy.” Dagon touched his ear. “My hearing is virtually limitless, and I can read minds.”
Mary seemed unsettled, and he calmed her.
“When I placed you in my heart, I made a vow that I would not read your mind. I placed you in my heart because Savila is evil, and I wanted to protect you and myself. Unfortunately, I made a pact with her that I wish I hadn’t. But decisions made for good or for evil all have consequences. I knew that I would be made human to use my title. Savila is trying to seal it to humanity’s suffering,” Dagon closed his eyes and sighed.
As he continued his reflections, he eventually mentioned she was his bonded mate. He fell in love with her then and would find her. Shockingly, she learned of humanity’s doom. A first death, and then an eternal second death of their souls.
The kitchen chair Mary sat in, screeched back as she shot up. What in the … what are you …” Wildly, her eyes looked everywhere, but at Dagon. Then, her eyes narrowed at Dagon, her hands balled into fists and with more force than her petite figure would indicate, she smacked the table, causing the coffee mugs to shake, and left the room.
Dagon found her on the couch. She didn’t acknowledge him sitting next to her, but she didn’t reject him either. “I am not without power, for my title is influential, and Savila wants it for herself. I don’t know how to say this without … well … just saying it.” Dagon hung his head, sighed, and raised his head. “I wish I could make this something it’s not, but the cold fact is: The sealing of my title will be set with blood.”
“Dagon … what are you talking about?”
“I know, baby. I never planned on telling you so much so soon, but I think that I need to. Let me continue, luv.
“When Andrana and her mate’s minds opened, and they chose evil, they became traitors to the Golden Land. This cursed all of humanity and thus bound all humanity by blood. The bridge that you saw was not exactly metaphor, for truly, no traitors can cross back into the Golden Land …”
“Then … we are all doomed to the second death? Me … my sister?”
“Mary, like I said, my title is powerful. When Savila invested me, I had bequeathed to me one rather large ruby. At some point in time the ruby was cleaved into two pieces. One is the Stone of Kings and the other is the Stone of Power. In 1415, the seal of my title over humanity’s suffering began.” Dagon did not dwell on this. “The Stone of Power is in Mark’s possession, bequeathed through his family, the Bennetts. The only way to break our bond to Savila is for Mark to deliver the Stone of Power before his death, and after this the Stone of Kings will come … and then …”
“The Bennetts? They live one street over from me. I can’t even think … I feel sick.”
“You know them?”
“I’m not literally sick. It’s just … this stuff is hard to grasp. My mind is spinning, that’s all.”
“Mary, you are my bonded mate, and you will co-rule with me. Right now, I am bound and so are you, along with all of humanity. We can do more for humanity on a throne than off it, but I must keep our title intact to do this.”
“So, after Mark brings Savila the Stone of Power, the Stone of Kings comes to Savila, then we co-rule?” Between her fingers, Mary twisted a loose thread on the couch.
“After the Stone of Power and the Stone of Kings come into Savila’s possession, then yes.”
“Then how can we help humanity?”
“Baby, you are the woman on the bridge, the hope for all humanity. There are things I can’t tell you yet. This is to keep you safe.”
“What about you? I don’t want to be safe if it’s without you.”
Dagon held her, and she leaned against his chest.
“You don’t think I’m crazy?” said Dagon.
“No, I don’t. You could read my mind if you wanted to?”
Dagon would never tire of looking at her, but he was glad to be on a relatively easy question once again.
“Yes, but I choose not to out of love for you. I saw that Andrana and her mate could not read each other’s minds, and I wanted us to have a normal relationship. Being able to read minds is not normal.”
“Reading minds is normal for you.”
“It is, but it is not normal for a human relationship, and whatever I can do to have a normal relationship with you is what I want to do. Remember how I told you all decisions have consequences?”
“Yes.”
“Well, they do, and this is why I did not find you sooner. The choice not to read your mind is a constant one, but the minds of those people connected with you are blocked to me without my choice.”
“How could you have known which voice would be mine?”
“Now that’s a good question. I knew that my heart would know your voice.”
“I believe that our hearts have been prepared for each other.”
Dagon swept a stray strand of her hair, curling it between his fingers, pausing just above her ear. “You told me how you had been dreaming of me since you were seven.”
“Yes. Every night you were in my dreams, always there waiting for me and protecting me.”
Dagon leaned in close, his fingers smoothing the strand of hair behind her ear. “Every night?”
Mary nodded.
“Our hearts have been prepared for each other. Incredible.” Dagon placed both of his hands on the sides of her face, drew her closer, and kissed her.
She wrapped her arms around his neck, and he took in the scent of gardenia on her skin, letting it consume him for a moment longer than necessary.
With her arms around his neck, she leaned back. Her sapphire eyes brightly sparkled from the beam of sunshine her upturned crescent shaped lips created. “You really have been protecting me. The supernatural is becoming less super and more natural.”
“Do you think me acquiring human ways will be less super and more natural?”
“Yes, I think
that for both of us.” Mary raised an eyebrow. “Now, where were we? I know, right here.” With her hands behind his neck, she guided his mouth to hers.
Dagon whispered in her ear. “I have been looking for you for a very long time, and we found each other. I will always be with you.”
“I know,” Mary whispered back. Letting go of his neck, she scooted down, and lay her head against his chest. “How did you make that creep at the dance club leave?”
“In the same way that I showed you the images of my history, by placing a finger on your temple. I can also do this without physical contact. I can make someone feel pain if I choose to. After he left, I was happy you had asked about me.”
Dagon told Mary that when she lit a cigarette at the same time he did, he felt a connection. Dagon found out Mary began smoking at a young age to try to fit in. This he understood all too well.
“I noticed you check the doors and windows many times. Why?”
Mary abruptly got off the couch, her back to Dagon. “Oh … well, I do live alone, so that’s normal.” She squirmed a little while turning to face Dagon. “So, tell me more about your veils.”
“How about I show you instead?” Off the couch, Dagon pulled on a veil and poofed out.
“Dagon, where are you?”
“I haven't gone anywhere, I’m right here.”
“Where?”
“Here.” He took off his veil and grabbed Mary’s waist from behind playfully, causing her to jump. “You know, being invisible isn’t what it’s cracked up to be. I would much rather be visible, especially with you.”
He smelled her hair and rested his face into the crook of her neck. “I love you.” His words were muffled. Mary turned and kissed him.
Dagon, who had never had affection shown to him, kissed her tenderly. Her body felt accepting. Long minutes passed as they softly kissed. Dagon pulled away, forcing himself into self-control.
“So ... you said that you never had a girlfriend before?” said Mary, as she gave him several quick pecks on the cheek.
“No, I never have.”
“Then, where did you learn to kiss like that? Is there an angelic kissing school?”
He laughed. “No, there is no such school. If there were, would I have received high marks?”
“Definitely. You kiss amazing.”
His spirits perked up a little then crashed. “I have never had a relationship of any kind, not even a friend. My relationship skills are not good, I’m afraid.”
Tears welled up along Mary’s lower eyelids. “That’s okay, honey; we can learn together.” Mary wiped a tear on her sleeve. “Do you cry?”
“Seraphs do not have tears, so I do not have that ability.” She must know more about relationships than I do. Though anything together was good for him.
“Does the coat spontaneously transform into a dragon or do you control it?”
“The coat? The coat does not change by itself. I have to change it. I do this by thinking it, as I do with my veils. Mary, I would never let you see that, for I would not want that image of me in your mind. I’m not a dragon, more like ... a pilot.”
“I am not afraid of your coat. I find it comforting.”
“You do? Why?”
“I think it’s because it’s something only you can have ... it’s protective.”
Dagon didn't know how to react to this incredible revelation, so he switched the topic.
“You have the most beautiful eyes. I knew that I would recognize them; they are of unmatched beauty. They give me courage.”
“You see, your coat gives me protection, and my eyes give you courage. It’s the same thing.”
Dagon may have changed the subject, but Mary filled in unspoken gaps. Their minds were connected somehow. Dagon knew how he wanted to react now. He just hoped she would say yes. Wringing his hands and taking a few deep breaths, he said. “Will you be my girlfriend?”
“Yes, I will be your girlfriend!” Mary’s face lit up and she wrapped her arms around his waist, laying her head against his chest.
Time froze and flew by all at once. The morning drifted by as did lunch. Strange to her, though not strange to him, he filled his new-bought bucket and started to scrub.
He did not even think to ask her permission, he just took over. He started in Mary’s master bathroom, which looked like it had not been scrubbed in years. Dagon saw a cd player on the vanity and numerous cassettes. There weren’t too many music groups he liked in her collection. Dagon planned on expanding her music repertoire one day. The prospect unnerved him. Mary seemed to like him just as he was, but how could he explain there’s more to him?
He didn't dwell on this. He chose a cd and selected a song. He cranked it up and jumped right into cleaning. Mary walked into a scene like no other, for Dagon acted like he was playing the guitar with the toilet brush. Mary busted up laughing. Dagon winked as he reached over and stopped the player.
“I like rock music, baby.”
“I do, too. I have some on my playlist.” Mary’s excited voice dialed down to a whisper. “Are you cleaning?”
“Is that all right? It’s just … well … I guess you might as well know. I am what you would call a neat freak.”
“Well, I guess I’m not.”
Dagon kissed Mary while she stared at his white t-shirt, which said “Rock On, Live On” in black letters.
“It's hard to explain, but since our hearts are connected, this seems right,” said Mary.
“Being connected doesn't mean we’re the same. Differences are spicy.’”
With this said, the song began. While a cool guitar lick played, Dagon cleaned the toilet.
“Just wait for the part when the singing kicks in. You have to feel it.” Then in one rock and roll moment, he spun the brush around three times, cleaning the bowl. “Queens need gloves.” He rested the toilet brush inside the bowl then picked up the rubber gloves and placed them onto her hands as if they were made of silk and not rubber.
Dagon watched as Mary bent over to clean the tub, and he found himself cleaning the same section of the toilet over and over again. He shook his head to the timing of the lyrics and forced his gaze away from her twitching behind.
Several songs later, the cleaning duo finished with the master bathroom. Mary bee-bopped to the next song.
He asked Mary if she had one of those sucking machines, motioning to the carpet.
“The vacuum? It’s in the hall closet.”
With the music blaring, Dagon vacuumed while Mary dusted. Whatever wasn’t bolted down got cleaned. Dagon caught Mary looking at his backside.
“Take that, you, diabolical sticky webs.” Dagon sucked all the cobwebs up for good.
“If anyone told me that I was going to have a boyfriend, I would have thought they were crazy. If they told me I would have a boyfriend like you, I would have had them locked up by men in white coats.”
“Am I that strange?”
“Not strange, just uniquely Dagon.”
Eventually, the whole house shone. With a sense of accomplishment, Dagon noticed the lovely ivory curtains and the deep brown couch.
Satisfied, he told Mary that he would make dinner and teach her how to make hamburgers. He wanted to try out his new knife set. Leaning over the counter, Mary watched as Dagon mixed all the ingredients and formed patties. Dagon unsheathed one of the knives used for chopping, like a sword. Showing off, he spun the knife several times with his right hand. Next, he spun the knife in the air behind his back, and he caught it with his other hand. He sliced and then chopped an onion with precision.
“Where did you learn all of that?” asked Mary in amazement.
“In Japan.” said Dagon, as he flipped the burgers. “I was there in 1805 in Osaka, known as the national kitchen. I stayed for several weeks, intensely studying. No one saw me. The heart of a Samurai beats in these knives, baby.”
After Dagon placed a few more condiments on the table, he looked up and saw Mary analyzing his coat.
“It’s okay, Mary, you can examine it.”
“I can’t even pick it up … is it made of lead?”
Dagon laughed, but not at her. “I’m sorry, luv, it’s just that I never thought my coat was heavy.” He picked it up with one hand to show her that it was light to him. “Maybe it’s the silver scales.”
“Those are scales? They’re beautiful.”
Dagon was baffled by this. What do you say to someone who keeps surprising you? “Why? Are you serious? Really?”
“Yes, it is beautiful.”
Dagon enjoyed having dinner with Mary.
After cleaning the dishes, Dagon suggested going back on the couch and Mary agreed.
“I never found your song list,” Dagon asked.
“I got one on my phone. I’ll show you.”
Mary came back with her cell phone. “See, I touch my music app, and I can listen to my music.” Mary swiped her finger through the list and played snippets.
“That’s unbelievable. How can songs fit on something so small?”
“I’m not sure how it does.” Mary stared down at her phone. “Dagon, why didn’t I see you in Oak Park sooner? Did you see me?”
“I didn’t see you either. I guess the only explanation is that it just wasn’t time yet.”
“Why were you gone for two weeks or two seconds?”
Dagon could tell that this was important to her, very important. “Mary, you know how I told you that I am bound to Savila?”
“Yes.”
“After we went dancing at your friend’s house, Savila summoned my mind, and I had to … do some things, and I did not have the freedom to be with you.”
“What things? And why didn’t you have the freedom to see me?”
Dagon didn’t say anything.
She let it go at that. “Honey, are you all right?”
“Mary, I’m not used to affection. I witnessed horrible sickness and death during the black plague, and a lot of people died.”
“After all you’ve told me, that I understand.”
She lay her head on his chest. His heart beat fast.
“Your heart is soothing, like a lullaby.”
“I don’t know about that, it’s racing.”
“Well, either way, it’s soothing.”
