by KD Bond
Stepping back, Kat looked at her sleeping angel and ran a hand over his cheek. It was crazy, but she felt as though she was going to miss him once she left. Kat barely knew this sensational man. Yet she felt an emptiness began to fester in the pit of her stomach.
Kat brushed off the warm and fuzzies and walked over to the window. She silently pried open the glass doors leading out onto the balcony. Gently closing the door behind her, Kat used her energy to release her translucent wings. Throwing one final look over her shoulder, Kat hopped the rail and took off down the side of the building.
∞∞∞
A frigid breeze across his cheek woke Luke. Rolling onto his back, he laid an arm across his eyes, trying to focus. Did I leave a window open? Fluttering his eyes, Luke groaned, sitting up slightly on his forearms. Gazing out the window, he was greeted by the bright yellows of the morning sun. Which was puzzling, considering he always remembered to draw the drapes at night. With windows like his, it was a necessity, especially on the weekends. So why the fu...? Oh right.
Luke sat up so fast his head spun. He patted the space, where his mystery women had laid beside him. Luke threw the covers from over his body. Once up, Luke started to look around the condo for his redhead.
Luke didn’t see her, so he decided to walk over to his master bathroom, past the kitchen. Opening the door, hopeful, Luke took a peek inside — nothing, which was somewhat disheartening.
Realizing, she must have left; Luke walked back over to the door but noticed it was locked. Which was strange, considering without a key it wouldn’t lock from the outside. Luke pulled at his chin as a light breeze tickled his feet. Distractedly, he moved his gaze over to the slight crack in the balcony’s glass door.
With renewed hope, Luke strutted over to the patio to take a look outside. Unfortunately, the vixen wasn’t lounged out there either. So, Luke abandoned his search. He shut the door tightly and drew the blinds with the remote he kept holstered up on the wall.
Jaded, he walked back over to his bed and plopped down. Luke rested his elbows on his knees while he ran his hands through his tousled hair. Seriously, what had he expected from a woman like her? That she’d stay and wait for him to make breakfast, as they got to know each other. Deep down, Luke knew it was supposed to be one night, but he hoped she’d at least stay until morning. Then maybe he could have…. Could have what? Persuade her to stay so they could explore the connection they seemed to share. Stumble over his words, as he tried to convince her that it could be more than sex? Shaking his head, Luke groaned, he was a hopeless romantic.
Straightening his back, Luke shifted his neck from side to side. He tried to work out the kinks in his shoulders when Luke noticed a letter written on the notepad by his nightstand. Moving the pen aside, he read aloud.
That was fun, hope I get to play with you again sometime
Xoxo.
Optimism returned until he saw she hadn’t left a number. No address, no meet here, no nothing. The note was just a subtle way for her to say goodbye. She had no intentions of seeing him again. A fact solidified, once Luke realized the temptress never revealed her name.
Chapter Twelve
Sia reached out a hand and pulled a pillow over her head, trying and failing to block the bright light shining through her window. Damn her head was throbbing, but that’s what you get when you go on an all-night binge. Drinking as she did was not a good idea, especially in her line of work. She was a Phantom Knight, for crying out loud. Add to that her strength, speed, and ability to conjure up fire, getting smashed could have serious consequences—for her and everyone around her.
Sia let out a groan as she rolled over on her bed, feeling for her phone. Seriously where was that light coming from? She pulled the pillow from her face, squinting at the window. Was it the sun? Really? How many hours did she sleep?
Shit. Sia bolted up, regretting it immediately as her head swam and her stomach lurched. Not deterred, she stumbled out of bed in search of her phone. Sia found it on the floor by her discarded clothes. Putting in her unlock code, she pulled up her messages and groaned again when she saw her boss, Sky, in the lineup.
"Lucky, lucky. Kat reported in and right on time... Let’s not make this a habit, Sia. I count on you to keep her in line."
She scrolled down some more to read the next message from Sky: "Meeting tonight with all my Knights in the North. Make sure you’re there—your twin too."
Double shit. How was she going to pull that off? They hadn’t spoken in years, even though Kat lived only two floors up from her apartment. Sia wondered if Kat knew she lived so close. Probably not. Lately, Kat was so wrapped up in her self-destructive behavior; she didn’t recognize other things going on around her. But it didn’t matter, not really. Sia had to stay close to her sister. She couldn’t lose Kat.
Her sister was the only one who mattered. They laughed together, cried together, fought in the same war together. They shared a bond that went beyond blood. Sia wished she could go back to the day of that mission—the day she had betrayed Kat’s trust. But that was not one of the powers Sia had. And there was no point in dwelling on the past.
What she needed was a shower, some clean clothes, and a plan to get her sister to this meeting tonight. At least two out of three she could handle.
Sia walked into the bathroom to turn on the shower. Before the steam overtook the mirror, she took a good look at herself. Sia looked horrible, with bags under her eyes and her hair a mess. Without even thinking, she brought her fist back and smashed it into the mirror. Glass shattered everywhere, and blood from her knuckles dropped onto the floor.
Your mother would be so disappointed, her shattered reflection in the foggy glass seemed to whisper to her.
Sia pulled herself away from her distorted reflection and stepped into the shower to wash her misery away, her knuckles stinging from the hot water. The pain of the water combined with the soothing sight of the red water going down the drain calmed her. When she emerged from the shower, she taped up her hand and got dressed, sweeping up the broken glass once she had shoes on. The Knight would buy another mirror when she had the time. Or when Sia felt like she could look at herself again.
Sia went to the kitchen and started a pot of coffee. Feeling a little better about her near meltdown, she decided it was time to pull herself together and get her day started before tonight’s meeting. She also needed the time to figure out how the hell she was going to pull Kat to this damn meeting.
Chapter Thirteen
Kat laid in bed, staring at the ceiling, thinking about Luke. She knew it was time to get ready for the night, but Kat couldn’t get the human off her mind. It’s been a long time since someone got under her skin. Even longer since someone’s touched her as if Kat was wanted above all others, treasured.
Kat wanted to see him again. She should’ve left her number on that damn paper. Maybe Kat could’ve tried to get to know him outside of the bedroom. The young mortal was so timid. That was until Kat touched him just right, kissed him in the right places. There was just something about him. If only she had more time. However, more time with him couldn’t happen.
It was too dangerous for him, not just for her. It wasn’t unheard of for phantom creatures to get romantically involved with humans. The notion only caused complications. Problems Kat didn’t need. If one were a warrior like herself, an enemy would do everything in their power to exploit that weakness. Kat had made too many enemies over the centuries. And they’d give their left nut to capture and torture someone the Knight cared about.
Wait; what? I’ve cared about? That couldn’t be right. Kat couldn’t possibly care about a human stranger. Kat didn’t even know him. So why did she care about what one of her enemies would do to him? Kat knew his touch, the intriguing faces he made when he came, the two laugh lines in his eyes that crinkle when he smiles. She knew Luke was intelligent and took direction like a good boy, but care? Ha, the harpy didn’t care about anyone or anything.
Kat most de
finitely didn’t care about this meeting her boss texted about a few hours ago. There wasn’t a need for her to respond to such utter blaspheme. Kat wasn’t going. Not even if they paid her; though, technically she would get paid. There was just no plausible reason for her to be there. It would be the same old tune. How’s hunting? Great. Kill anything? Yep. Are you still my bitch? Damn straight.
The whole ordeal would be pointless. She’d much rather spend the beginning of her night watching her geek pleasure her with that talented tongue of his. Kat shivered just thinking about it. Unfortunately, Luke wasn’t hers, and he never would be.
Kat continued to lounge while staring at the ceiling of her loft as her mind wandered. She distantly heard a vibration in the air. She shook herself out of her daydream and went in search of the sound. The wave turned out to be her cell phone, which was still in the back pocket of her jeans. What commands did her majesty have now? Hmmm, interesting turns out it wasn’t Maleficent.
"Helloooooo," Kat bellowed into the receiver.
"Hey, Kat, its Sia," her dear sister answered in greeting.
"So, it would seem." Why her twin felt the need to announce herself when Kat had caller id she had no idea.
"Hey, listen you get the text from Sky?"
"Of course, Gru sent it to all her minions," Kat retorted sarcastically.
"So.."
"So, what?"
"You’re gonna go, right?"
"Ahhhhhh," the hell no, was as silent as the G in lasagna.
"Look, Kat, please, you gotta start coming to these meetings, they help."
"Ahhhhhh," Kat didn’t think so.
"Seriously there are some sick fucks out here crossing territories. If we don’t share our intel, we might miss something. We can’t afford to miss something, Kat, that could cost a life."
Goddess above, Kat hated when people spoke logically. Mostly when she wanted to be an evil, petty bitch, it wouldn’t be her if Kat played by the rules. Who would Sky yell at if she didn’t have Kat to fuck shit up on occasion?
"Look I get it okay," Kat gritted through her teeth, "I’m just not much of a team player you know that."
"Yeah, I do; most of us aren’t. We work alone, and it’s better that way, for everyone. Harpies aren’t known to play well with others. But if you could pull your shit together for one hour tonight, I’d owe you."
Ah-ha, it all made sense now. So, it was Sia’s job to get her to the meeting. Sky knew her and knew her well. Kat should have known Sky would pull out the big guns to get her to this meeting. With all her faults, Kat still couldn’t turn down her sister when she begged. Even though they still had their issues, she would always love the bitch.
"Fine, I’ll be there 10 O' clock sharp," Kat yawned.
"9."
"Huh?"
"The meetings at 9."
"Oh shit, well I’ll be there at 9."
"I’ll come to get you at 8." Sia hung up.
Kat held the phone away from her ear and glared. Damn, where was the faith?
∞∞∞
Kat just finished waking up from a nap and taking a shower when she heard a knock on the door. She used her essence to put out a feeler and not surprisingly enough, it was her sister. The Knight was punctual as always; arriving at her doorstep at 7:59. Kat walked to the entrance, towel drying her hair. She turned the security system off, flipping the locks open. Paranormals could blow through the security system with ease, but the extra security was required if they stayed on Earth. Sky thought the precaution couldn’t hurt. Kat thought it was dumb, but what did she know. She was just a mindless servant.
Kat pushed the door open wide and walked away to finish getting ready.
"I thought you’d be taking your time." Her sister said at her back, coming in and closing the door.
"Yeah well, we all know how I like to make an entrance."
Kat could practically feel her sister roll her eyes. Strolling over to her walk-in closet, Kat started to strap on her weapons. She couldn’t wait until this meeting was over. Kat was in a piss, poor mood, and the harpy needed to kill something. It was hard enough to contain her power when she wasn’t a bundle of emotions. Having her mind all over the place was a sure-fire way to get herself killed. Hunting would hopefully clear it.
Kat finished securing her daggers, then started to get dressed. Donning her traditional battle attire, she strapped on blades, a sword, and her favorite silver forties, Hansel and Gretel. Taking a quick look in her floor-length mirror, Kat essence her image. The green long-sleeved skin-tight top concealed most of her blades famously. And the gray cargo pants allowed even more hidden compartments for her weapons. Kat topped off the ensemble with thigh holsters were in the perfect position for easy retrieval. Mission complete, Kat was ready to go.
Walking out her closet, Kat pause at the sight of her twin. The harpy was sitting on the edge of Kat’s queen-sized upholstered bed staring down at her hands nervously. The female was uncharacteristically quiet. Nor was Sia making eye contact. Even though Kat knew her sister sensed her presence. Kat remained silent until annoyance overrode patience.
"What’s up?" Crossing her arms in front of her chest, Kat waited.
"Mom called."
Kat tried to contain her aggravation before she responded. "Oh," was all she was able to muster once she collected her shock.
"Yeah,” Sia replied. To her credit, the twin seemed equally perplexed, “she wanted to know if you were going to the meeting tonight."
"Huh."
"Yeah."
"Andddd you saiddd?" Kat waved her sister on with her hands.
"That I didn’t know. That she should call you if she wanted to know."
Ding, ding, ding. The harpy was earning Kat’s loyalty points back.
"Okay." Kat shrugged, nonchalantly.
"She’s going to be there, you know."
"I would assume so."
Sia recoiled back and finally looked at her.
"You know. And you’re still going?"
Kat was really starting to get pissed. "I told you I’d go didn’t I. No worries sis,” she shrugged her shoulders “I trust she’ll pretend I’m not there. Mother always does."
With a relieved sigh, Sia whispered under her breath, "thank you, Goddess."
"Let’s go. We don’t want to keep the Queen of darkness waiting." Kat grabbed her black leather jacket from the back of her barstool. This should be a fucking blast in a glass.
Chapter Fourteen
Luke went for a run to clear his mind from the previous night. After he showered and dressed, Luke set out to make himself breakfast. Luke didn’t have plans for the weekend, so he set himself up to stay in. Grocery shopping was done the day before, so the fridge was stocked. And so was his bar.
It wasn’t often Luke had plans with anyone other than his empty condo. Staying home wasn’t anything new to him. Luke’s parents, along with his only sibling, died a few years ago, leaving him with no family ties. They moved around throughout his entire childhood, so any distant relatives were long forgotten. Despite the familiarity of being in the company of himself, Luke felt even more isolated. Last night showed him just how lonely he’d become.
Luke went to the kitchen to pull out the ingredients for waffles and set his coffee pot. Milling around the room, Luke became lost in his thoughts. He’d been alone for many years — day after day of the same routine. Being by himself was what Luke was used to. All he had was his work, and until recently, he was okay with that. Last night showed him how much Luke missed the company of a woman. The guy had given up on the notion of ever finding someone to fall for. Sure, he had a crush on Casey, but she in no way made Luke feel the way his red-head made him feel last night. If only there were a way to find her. Maybe he should go back to the club to see if she would return. It was worth a shot. Hell, what did he have to lose?
A loud popping noise, signaling his waffles were done, drew Luke from his thoughts. He pulled out his waffles, gathering the necessary utensils.
Luke poured himself a cup of coffee and went over to his glass dining room table, with black trim.
Luke grabbed the morning paper he placed in the center of the table and began to read as he sipped his coffee. Flipping it open Luke read the headline. Serial killer captured or killed was in bold on the front page. It seemed the murderer, praying on young college girls, was MIA these past few days. There was a rapid decrease in killings on campus lately. Hopefully, he or she was dead. Luke couldn’t believe the monsters that were out in the world. So many young college kids would never get the chance to fulfill their dreams — what a shame.
Finishing the headlines, Luke completed his breakfast and began to clear the table and clean the dishes. He looked towards the messy bed that still hadn’t been made, which was foolish. Not like keeping it, unkempt would change anything.
Putting an end to last night’s festivities, Luke went over to tidy up. After making sure everything was as it were, he went over to his seating area. Luke grabbed the remote and figured he’d watch TV to try to get his redhead off his mind.
Luke settled in on his black suede padded couch when his phone went off in his back pocket. Retrieving his phone, Luke answered without looking at the caller id.
“Hello?”
“It’s 1 O’ clock in the damn afternoon. I’ve been calling you all morning!”
Luke had to pull the phone away from his ear; his friend was yelling so loud.
“Justin? Hey, sorry I just felt it vibrate. What’s up?”
“What’s up?! Are you fucking serious? You go home with that dark angel last night then go M.I.A for hours. And you have the nerve to ask me what’s up.”
All he could do was laugh. Nothing like this had ever happened to him before. So calling Justin to talk about it never crossed his mind.
“What are we, two gossiping school girls?” Luke chuckled.
“Damn right, I just bought come gingersnaps a few days ago. Stop stalling and spill.”
