by KD Bond
After a few more bouts of laughter, he gave Justin a general synopsis of his night.
“And then I woke up and she was gone. All she left was a note, but no number.”
“Damn, that sucks. But hey, you can’t expect much from a one-night stand Luke.”
“Yeah, yeah,” he ran a hand down his face with a sigh, “I know it’s just……”
“You like her?” Justin finished for him.
“Is that crazy? We hardly talked. I’m just going off how she made me feel. And I don’t know which head is leading those feelings if you know what I mean.”
“Yeah, I get it. Good sexual chemistry can be intense. But if she didn’t leave a way to notify her, there’s a good chance she just wanted the night. Most women aren’t the ones to pull the disappearing act, though,” Justin responded, puzzled.
As Justin spoke, Luke knew it was the truth. The feelings he experienced last night were one-sided. Luke may have thought they had a fantastic night that warranted another night or two or forever, but that didn’t mean she felt the same. Which clearly, she didn’t since he was alone without even a name. Hell, maybe the sex was just that mind-blowing it sparked imaginary emotions.
“Yeah, I know you’re right.”
“At least you got to blow off some steam. You’ve been tense; lately. You needed to loosen up and have fun. I worry about you, man.”
“I’m good. Just been in a rut lately, don’t let my mood worry you. I’m fine.” Luke wasn’t fine.
“Whatever, you’re my friend. So, I can worry if I want, shut the hell up.”
Luke laughed again. Justin was always to overprotective.
“So, you wanna link up later for dinner tonight, watch a game?” Justin asked after Luke forgot to respond.
“Yeah sounds good.” Wasn’t like he was doing anything else.
“Great! One more question, though?”
“Yeah?” Luke asked as he rested the phone between his cheek and his shoulder while flicking through channels.
“Does the carpet match the drapes?”
Luke spat out his laughter, doubling over so suddenly he dropped his phone. His friend had no filter. Collecting himself, he sobered up enough to pick the phone from the floor.
Clearing his throat, Luke answered. “I wouldn’t know,” he paused for dramatic effect, “it was all hardwood floors.”
“WHAT!!! SERIOUSLY……. LUKE!!”
He hung up.
Still laughing, Luke tossed his phone to the side. His mind once again went to last night — the touch of her skin. The feel of her body against his, the feeling of her mouth on him while Luke was up against the door. The woman was not of this world. Not in his world anyway.
Maybe he wasn’t putting himself out there as he should. Luke had always been the reserved type; perhaps it was time to change that. Lucas Mason was tired of being alone. Luke wanted more nights like last night. A big family was what he craved, as well as making love to the women of his dreams for the rest of his life. However, that was not going to happen if he didn’t put himself out there. Maybe the previous night was his new beginning.
Chapter Fifteen
Kat utterly despised the Phantom Realm. Most paranormal creatures of her world thought they didn’t need the luxuries humans experienced on Earth. And as she looked around, their lack of architecture was reflected in their world. Most phantoms were simple creatures, with limited needs. One wouldn’t see a Starbucks on every corner; no Wal-Mart run at 3:00 am, no nothing. Just a whole bunch of fields and trees. Sounds delightful, doesn’t it?
Regardless of the deficiency in style, the two worlds did carry certain similarities. For instance, the Phantom world contained their continents of a sort; however, instead of Africa, North America, etcetera, there were species domains. Harpies stayed on harpy’s land; demons stayed in demon’s territory, witches with witches, and so on. Less conflict happened in their realm if one remained with their kind. Now and then, however, creatures of varied species paths would cross. Rarely ever would a creature stumble onto someone else’s region by accident. They weren’t naive. If one was caught wandering around in another’s territory without permission, then be prepared to sign the death warrant. So, they generally kept to their quarters unless they were on neutral territory.
There were places where they could all gathered peacefully, like the humans United Kingdoms. Most of that open land consisted of bars or clubs. They could all integrate or pass information amongst each other if needed. Most of the shops belonged to the witches. They used their magic to make a pretty substantial fortune in their world. So, if one needed something, Outlands was where anyone would want to be.
Kat took a step forward into the empty field where she landed after opening the portal. The harpy took in her surroundings. Kat couldn’t remember the last time she’d come back to “harpy town,” but this was home. For some inexplicable reason, this would always be home. The minute she stepped foot on the land, the tension, she hadn’t realized she was holding, eased off her shoulders. The Phantom Realm was a place they could be themselves. Somewhere she didn’t have to hide the best parts of who she was.
Letting her wings break free of her leather jacket, Kat breathed a sigh of relief. Containing her wings in mystical mist required focus and an unbelievable amount of power — one of the reasons why her colleagues didn’t understand why she lived in the human world. Hiding their wings was unnatural, and for younger, inexperience harpies it hurt like a son of a bitch. But for her, the sacrifice was minimal. It’s not like she went out much in the day anyway. Kat’s been on Earth for so long that containing her wings were becoming second nature. Something she didn’t want to look too closely at.
Taking a deep-seated breath, Kat kneeled as the breeze of the warm wind kissed her cheeks. Running her hands over the moist grass, she looked before her to the forest ahead. The open space and trees called to her spirt. Taking a moment, Kat closed her eyes and smiled as the pure air stilled. The wind calmed, and the forest creatures quieted as the sky ignited with lightning. No thunder, no sound, just the booming white light greeted her. Yes, she was at home.
Dusting off her hands, Kat righted herself and began walking across the field, surveying the area. Here one never knew who was going to jump out and try to kill a female. This, however, was their turf. And no one smart willingly pissed off Sky. She was the phantoms equivalent of the boggy man. One didn’t want to make an enemy out of Sky, which generally kept all the Knights safe in harpy territory. Outside their land, however, all bets were off. Keeping her eyes peeled, Kat moved forward towards the trees.
The air behind her became stagnant as another portal behind her solidified. Not looking back, Kat spoke.
"Nothing’s changed." The harpy remarked while still observing her environment.
"What did you expect,” Sia walked over, stopping an inch away, so they were shoulder to shoulder, “for Aladdin to come out and show you a whole new world?"
"Funny."
Silence descended upon them again as they started walking towards the direction of the compound, where the meeting was held. Portals could only be opened to them in specific locations of Phantom. Therefore their landing point left them with a little bit of distance. It was strategic for them to build their compound away from the gateways. It gave them enough of a warning for unwelcomed guest.
As they continued to walk, the sky settled down, and the subtle noise from the forest resumed. The silence amongst them, although uncommon, was comfortable. She’d forgotten how nice it was to be in the company of her sister. Her twin. They shared a unique bond, a connection that was almost impenetrable. Almost.
"So?"
"So?" Kat paused in tune with Sia’s halt and looked over to her sister.
"Wanna race?"
Sia threw her a cocky crooked smile and changed her stance to a runner’s position. Her fingers were twinkling in anticipation of a race.
Kat moved ahead of Sia shaking her head from side to side while
placing her hands on her hips.
Looking bored, Kat tilted her head to the side and replied, "tsk, tsk, tsk now why would I want to do...." She didn’t finish her sentence. Kat took off running at full speed, darting out in the direction of the compound.
"You little bitch!!!" Sia squealed behind her, with a tint of humor.
Kat chuckled, as she sprinted forward. The harpy ran full speed at a pace that equaled the of a commercial jet at maximum velocity.
Damn, she missed this. The joy of being able to run freely in an open forest. The ability to duck and dodge tree branches and boulders. To run free without the fear of being discovered by a human hunter or hiker. Kat spent so much time suppressing her abilities; she’d forgotten how freeing running was for her. The feeling of the soil beneath her feet, the rustle of the leaves as she blew by. The musical sound of the wind as Kat cut through its inviable silk. She missed it all.
Basking in the moment, Kat heard the soft crackle of branches behind her. Smiling, she let up on her speed slightly. Her twin was getting faster.
Aww someone was practicing. It would seem living in the phantom world presented an unfair advantage. There was more space to run. And fewer humans to get in their way.
The memories brought Kat back to their childhood, racing to see who was the fastest. Harpies favorite hobby was running. For them, it was therapeutic. She couldn’t count how many times the two of them snuck out in the middle of the night to race. Kat always won. And today would be no different.
Sia was physically stronger. The advantage propelled her forward until she was once again at her side. Even with the head start, the twin managed to keep pace, which was impressive. But Kat was just getting started. Kat glanced over for a split second. One shouldn’t take their eyes off what was in front of them at the speed they were running. Kat gave her twin a sinister smile. A grin that showed her pointy little side teeth. Focused ahead, Kat channeled her gift to her legs. Arms back, head forward, she put on a burst of speed using her electrical pulse to push her forward. Kat shot off like a rocket vaguely hearing her sisters squawk of astonishment behind her. Eat, my dust, bitch.
After a few long strides, Kat burst through the end of the forest. The harpy finally pulling to an abrupt stop at the Knight’s compound. She stood still, breathing steadily as if she didn’t just run fifty miles in under ten minutes. Kat took in the structure before her as her sister came hurtling through the trees a few seconds later.
"Show off," Sia retorted, shaking a few fallen twigs of her arms and out of her hair.
Kat laughed.
"You let me catch up to you so that you could do that?"
"Didn’t want you to think I cheated," Kat scoffed.
"Humph," Sia stomped out, pushing past her to punch in the security code at the front gate.
Taking a step back, Kat took a moment to take in the magnanimous structure before her. The gate alone was a fortress. The titanium steel border ran circles around the compound. The structure was reinforced with a force field created by witches, which took a code to deactivate. A spell that cost them a pretty penny to cast. The damn thing also required the Knights to get the witches to renew their spell quarterly. Witches were extremely shrewd. They could’ve created a permanent protection spell, but where’s the money in that — reason number a thousand, to never trust a witch.
Walking behind Sia, Kat waited until she put her face into security feed and the gate opened. And there she was — headquarters, where all the Knights came to report to their master. The compound had steel-plated stone walls for reinforcement. It would take a bulldozer the size of Mount Everest to take the sucker down. If, by some chance, they got through the defense shield.
Coming up to yet another checkpoint, she waited for Sia to enter a different code that gives them access into the building. Sia put her ugly mug into the cameras feed, and the large brass double doors clicked, then crept open slowly.
Stepping over the threshold, Kat braced herself. Walking into the compound was always a taxing experience. The creepy castle reminded her of something out of the Amityville horror. One of the reasons she never showed. Not that she needed a motive.
As Kat fully entered the entranceway, she recoiled. The harpy nearly bumped into the double doors when they closed behind them. Wow, guess some things do change.
Looking frantically from side to side, Kat couldn’t believe her eyes. The inside looked more like a comfortable, welcoming home than Dracula’s tomb. A marble winding staircase greeted them, with a giant crystal chandelier as the centerpiece above the mahogany floors. A giant bookshelf was plastered on the wall. A wall that led to what must be the old prison sitting room. And along the newly painted walls were decorative portraits, as well as delightful home décor. Although the outside remained naturally untouched, the new renovations to the inside were a pleasant surprise.
When the hell did Sky find the time to pull this off? Kat walked in further, taking the changes in spades. She didn’t want her astonishment to show. The whole thing read family to her. A feeling Kat wasn’t familiar with anymore. But desperately wanted to experience again. It was kind of sweet. And Kat did not need Sky to know she thought the improvements were pretty amazing.
Kat kept walking until realizing she didn’t have a clue where she was going. Looking over, she noticed Sia stopped walking and arched her eyebrow in amusement. Trying to seem nonchalant Kat propped her hand on her hip.
"What’s up?"
"Ummm, the meeting hall is upstairs, on the fifth floor."
Kat’s jaw dropped, so much for acting unimpressed, "there are five floors? When the hell did that happen?"
Sia smiled, "there have always been five floors, well six, we just never used them. Z and Sky thought it’d be nice to turn a few floors into rooms where Knights could crash off assignments. There’s an elevator right over here; we should get going." Sia pointed in the opposite direction down the hall.
"A fuckin elevator,” no point in hiding her wonder now.
Falling in step with her sister, Kat marched down the hall to their left. The duo halted in front of two stainless-steel elevators. She continued to look around as Sia pushed the button. Kat leaned against the wall, crossed arms, and waited. After a few heartbeats, the doors slid open, and the two of them stepped inside. Kat moved to the back and glared into the cameras plastered above, as Eminem’s "Monster" blared through the overhead speakers. Even the elevator music was a nice touch.
Sia pressed the button for the fifth floor and leaned back against the rail as she spoke. “Sky thought it’d be nice to have a touch of homeliness. That way more Knights would be inclined to stay at the compound, than in the cities they defend."
That drew Kat’s notice, "more Knights were staying in the city?"
"Yep."
"And Sky’s okay with that."
"Guess so, but she won’t admit that."
"Huh," interesting. It seems Kat missed more than she thought.
The elevator glided to a stop. The twins stepped out into a hallway, with the crème colored walls, that seemed to go on for miles. Maybe she’d take a tour after the meeting... Nope, no way. Kat instantly shook herself from the thought. She was here for the conference, and that was all — nothing more, nothing less.
Following in Sia’s footsteps, they continued down the hall. Kat noted prestigious paintings of the Knight’s leaders throughout the centuries. Both alive and fallen, at their prime. The best of the best, the crème d la crème. All beautifully, respected females, especially the one towards the end. The second before last portrait, the one that held her mother’s face. Kat bit back a sneer.
It felt like she was looking in the mirror — same hair, eyes, lips, nose, mouth. Kat was her mother’s daughter, if only by looks alone. There was no denying that they were almost identical, but that was where the similarities died. She was nothing like that female, never would be.
The harpy knew her mother would be here. Simply because the female was the last Knight leade
r before Sky. One of the few that lived to retire and have children. And the winch never let the twins forget it was an honor she took the time to have children. Like she did them a service for bringing them into a world they didn’t ask to be in. Kat could hear her voice so vividly. You should be honored to be the daughters of a deity, a legend. Because that’s what Kamila Thorne was, a legend. At least that’s how the other Knight’s treated her — everyone except Sky. Sky didn’t give a fuck about who her mother used to be. The Knights were hers now. And the last portrait remained was that of their infamous leader.
Sky let her authority show every time their mother tried to voice an opinion that didn’t match her own. The Knights were her bitches. And that’s why Kat followed her. Sky was the only one that could put her mother in her place. And Kat loved watching the conflicts unfold. Especially since Sky always won.
"C’mon, we’re already late. I can hear them talking," Sia pressed, grabbing her hand and pulling her forward.
Kat glanced down at her watch, 9:23. Yep, they were late, and Kat didn’t give a flying fuck. She looked at the closed doors before her and smiled. Sia opened their way in, and the notorious rebel walked into the conference room ready for whatever.
∞∞∞
The room immediately fell silent once the doors swung open, and the two of them walked through. All eyes went directly towards Kat as if they’d seen a ghost. She knew she was electric but damn. Did she accidentally use her powers? Because the looks on their faces were shocking. Kat wanted to laugh so bad. But she didn’t want to give them the satisfaction of knowing their reactions to seeing her gave her any effect.
So, she ignored the traveling eyes and sparred her boss a glance at the head of the conference table. Kat walked around the other side of its long wood frame, as far away from her mother. Who was already seated next to Sky and staring as well. She found an open seat on the other side of the table, thankfully right next to Sia.
The meeting table they sat at was enormous. The thing could fit fifty people comfortably, and most of the chairs were already filled. The one-seat Kat tried desperately, yet failed, to avoid was the one that housed her cocoon. Kamila leveled that dark green stare in her direction, never taking her eyes off Kat until she took a seat.
