The Porter

by Ashley Dotson

  “That would be great,” I sighed.

  “Your Orrin was right when he told you that running and defense was the best weapon against daemons. It is never a good idea to engage a Vagabond or Vile unless there is no other choice. There is always a cleanup process involved. The whole thing is messy. And some are Vagabonds are surprisingly powerful, beyond anything you could begin to comprehend. Now I know I’m not a daemon, but I am a pretty good fighter.”

  I tried not to roll my eyes, but I couldn’t help it. Since my birthright arrived, sometimes it seemed like humans thought and moved in slow motion. But I wasn’t brought up to be rude. So I listened.

  “Just because I’m retired now doesn’t mean I’m still not a daemonologist. We’re not without our own inherent skills, you know.”

  “Really?” I was intrigued. If he had skills that meant my father had even more secrets he was keeping from me.

  “Just get ready and I’ll show you.” He raised his hands in a fighting stance. I shifted my weight back instinctively and prepared for what was to come. I didn’t want to hurt Mr. Reese, but he was asking for it.

  When he attacked me, it was with some kind of martial arts. He didn’t just use his hands, but his legs, and his whole body. He moved faster than I expected. He was stronger than I expected. I refused to hit him, but it didn’t take me long to realize he didn’t have that same problem.

  “Oooow!” I winced as his leg came in contact with my side. I failed to block his kick. My daemon awoke digging his claws into my gut, pushing me toward the violence we both craved.

  The palm of his hand connected with my rib cage and I went flying sideways into the grass. I sat up quickly, surprised and pissed. I could feel my control slipping and my daemon ready to pounce. My hands were glowing. The tips of the grass were smoldering. I wasn’t far gone enough to remember the dry conditions, so I pulled it back inside me and stood up as the flames died. The area around us was blackened and smoking.

  “Don’t let the fire do your dirty-work. You’re stronger than you think. You’re going to let a simple human take you down?” Mr. Reese was waiting for me to strike back, and I planned on doing just that.

  “I don’t think you’re simple. I think there’s a lot you haven’t told me- and my Dad as well!”

  “You have no idea. Even though you are more powerful than us, it’s still our job to protect you, teach you, and help you when you need it. And right now, you need to learn to defend yourself.”

  “That’s what Orrin and I always worked on- only that! Defense and only defense.And look where it got me. I spent this entire year working on how to protect myself and it wasn’t enough. Lillith still killed Orrin and he knew so much more than I did. I defeated her, yeah, but I don’t know how I even did it. I would rather learn how to kill a daemon.”

  “No.” he chided, “I won’t teach you that. Not now.” Mr. Reese hadn’t moved from his defensive stance, so I didn’t either. I figured it was a lesson too. He was going to try and catch me off guard. “Orrin got carried away. He thought he was protecting you. He knew you were both in trouble and he lost sight of what was most important- control.”

  “Now you sound just like him,” I said as I blocked his attack.

  “How do you think I knocked you down, Layla?”

  “I don’t know,” I couldn’t hide my embarrassment. “You’re faster than I thought you’d be.”

  “No. That’s not it,” he held his stance, unmoving, but smiled, “in a confrontation, it’s not about size, weapons, strength, or powers. You have to use two things- your brain and your control. You are stronger, faster, and more powerful than me…”

  “You’re right. If I really wanted to take you down, I could.” I interrupted.

  “Then do it.” He chuckled, “I appreciate you not torching me. But in many battles it comes down to this,” he raised his fists, “your ability to protect yourself when your powers are not enough.”

  Not enough? When would my powers not be enough?

  I thought back to the first time Lillith appeared in my home in Providence. I was alone and overwhelmed. She caught the fireball I threw at her and laughed at me. My powers didn’t compete with hers-yet. I was hotheaded, and angry that she had come in to my house uninvited. Then there was also Orrin. As strong as he was, he was no match for Lillith once his daemon overtook him.

  I finally said. “I can’t promise I won’t hurt you.”

  “Deal.” He said before knocking me on my back for the second time that day.

  Chapter 5

  Auras and Ink

  I snuck out that night and every night that week. I had to see him. Orrin- Heath, I didn’t care what his name was. He was mine and I had to know he was safe. I had no idea where his house was, but as I slipped soundlessly out the window I made my way out of the Reese’s small neighborhood to the main road into town.

  It was past midnight.

  Dark.

  The only things that went bump in the night were the livestock. I was that scary creature that lurked the streets that night. It wasn’t the darkness that bothered me, it was the solitude. I was alone in a wide open expanse of land where anyone or anything could be watching me. I walked, not knowing exactly where I was going. Once I found my way, I could move there quickly, but I had to feel for our soul tie. I would let that familiar pull from the center of my chest guide me to where my love was sleeping.

  The familiar cadence of the locusts hiding in the trees brought me comfort. The stars were out along with a half-moon to light the sky. The countryside seemed lively even in sleep. It wasn’t as hot as it had been while I trained with Mr. Reese in the field outside of town. The moonlight was a balm on the sun-scorched Texas landscape.

  I walked and walked toward the edge of town fighting the urge to fly. The road came to a fork- one was paved, veering off toward the highway that made its way back to San Angelo and decent civilized society, but I followed the other which quickly turned into a wide flat dirt road, flanked by pasture rimmed with barbed wire fences and cows standing motionless and unconcerned with my presence.

  There was a house at the end of the road. I could feel him. My insides churned and my heart beat faster. I made my way, surer it was Heath’s house with every step. The tall oaks closed in on the road, their branches like fingers encircling me in their grasp. I went around to the back of the old farm house. His window at the back of the house was unadorned with curtains or blinds illuminating his room with moonlight. He slept peacefully, the broad planes of his chest bare. His skin was so unbelievably tan. He was almost a stranger, but my heart could see through the lie. I knew him. This was Orrin- my love, my soul mate. I could almost hear flow of thoughts that swam in his dreams. I could feel the beat of his heart matching the thump of my own.

  I would forever be his and I wanted him to forever be mine. I just hoped that’s what he still wanted. He began to stir and I ducked low to the window sill.

  Every time I had seen him he was lost in Daisy, the same way he had been lost in me. I knew what that kind of love felt like- it was all consuming and desperate. Orrin felt that way about me. But this new person- Heath, didn’t have those feelings for me. It was Daisy that filled his dreams.

  “Layla?”He whispered my name, but it was a question? I ducked down thinking he could see me, but he was still sleeping. My heart leapt into my throat. I knew it was crazy, but I crawled through the window laid down beside him on his bed just like he had done so many nights while we were in Providence. I would be gone in the morning and he would have the familiar sensation of being held the whole night through.

  ***

  As the week wore on I watched him. I never tried to engage him while he was on his own. I wanted him to be comfortable with my presence. There never seemed to be a moment where he was without Daisy- except when we slept together at night, and he wasn’t ready to know about that.

  So it had become my routine- school, training with Mr. Reese, dinner and homework, and then to bed. Once D
aisy and Mr. Reese were sleeping I would slip away and run to Orrin’s window.

  I began to formulate a plan. If Heath was only alone at night, then that was the time I would always be with him. I continued to be the new strange charity case that his girlfriend kept around. I would stay silent and bide my time for the moment his forgotten memories to emerge.

  It was Friday, and I was waiting for Daisy’s softball practice to finish. As I sat in the small metal stands overlooking the high school track, I enjoyed the sizzle of the sun as it burned my skin to a golden brown. The sun’s fire was a comfort to me and my daemon, which was growing stronger every day. The longer I was away from Heath, the more impatient and demanding it became. It was maddening, irritating, and wickedly exciting.

  Heath was running on the track, his muscles glistening with sweat, his shirt was plastered to his skin- he was breathtaking.

  “You two got something going on?” said a loud sharp voice out of nowhere.

  I looked left and right, thinking I was alone. The voice had come from above me. Three rows up was a small girl with long messy hair, pulled up on top of her head. She was drawing intently on her arm with a black permanent marker. In the curve of her forearm she had drawn and intricate mess of swirling vines with long thorns that curved down to her wrist. She was coloring in a dark black flower on the back of her hand.

  “Nice,” I said, gesturing to her work. I moved up a few rows to get a better look at what she was drawing. “I’m not with Heath, Daisy is.” I said trying to stop any gossip before it began.

  “Well that wasn’t what I asked. I know those two are together. They are like Siamese twins. But you two,” She jerked her head toward Heath. “ Something’s up. You’re different. There’s something you two share- something unique.”

  I tried to see her face, her eyes even. Her words made me think she was possessed. What did she know? What could she see? I didn’t think a vagabond would spend much time drawing fake tattoos on its victims, but I had to be sure. Her hazel eyes were like green and honey sunbursts, like the flower she drew on her hand. Her face kind, but there was an air of cynicism to her- she didn’t trust easily. She reminded me of Ross that way.

  It looked like she was trying to hide her beauty behind her clothes and demeanor. Everything about her screamed STAY AWAY FROM ME, but it didn’t take a genius to figure out that it was an act of teenage rebellion. She was careful, this girl was special, and she knew it.

  “I like ink too. Bet you can’t wash yours off though,” she said pointing to her own neck, “I’ve never seen ink sparkle like that. Where did you have it done?”

  I touched my neck in an attempt to cover my tattoo. I was astonished she could see it. No human had ever noticed it before. She could see the mark of my birthright, the symbol all daemons had. It was a unique calling card that branded me a daughter of Lillith for my entire existence. I had become so used to its presence, and the idea that no humans could actually see it. I didn’t give any thought anymore to trying to hide it from the world.

  It took me a moment to find my words, “I had it done back in Providence, where I lived before moving here.”

  “Did you get expelled or something?” she asked, still drawing the flower.

  “Something like that.” This girl was gonna think I was some kind of badass, and I guess I really was.

  “We all figured it had to be something really bad for your family to send you away to a tiny town like Balmorhea to live with a priest.” She laughed. “So spill. What did you really do? Everyone will just make up their own story.”

  “I’m sorry. Who are you?” I asked rudely.

  “Ava Ruiz,” she extended her hand, the normal gesture seemed a bit foreign to her, but I took it.

  “Layla Justus.” I replied.

  “I know. Everybody knows.”

  “Okay, then.” I rolled my eyes. This girl was an outsider in this town. She sat up in the stands watching the world pass by. Having been there myself I was sympathetic. I wanted figure out who or what she really was.

  “What makes you think Heath and I have something going on? I barely know him.” It was almost the truth.

  “I see you watching him all the time. I mean, all the girls watch him, he’s hot. But you do it differently. You watch him and your face is sad, like you miss him, like you have feelings for him.” She blew on the back of her hand and added, “You’re not very good at hiding it.”

  “Oh yeah?” I asked hoping I could keep her talking.

  “But don’t worry, Heath’s a complete tool. He doesn’t notice anything beyond the end of his nose. He’s simple, you know, single-minded.”

  “No I don’t know,” I said trying to hide my irritation with Ava who basically called my love stupid.

  “He has no aspirations. He’s completely content to stay in this tiny nothing of a town and farm the land like his dad does.”

  “What’s wrong with that, I mean, if it’s what he wants to do?”

  “Nothing. Except I don’t think anyone should settle for what they know is okay, until they’ve seen everything the world has to offer.” Ava put the cap back on her marker and scooted down a row closer to me. “Farming is fine, but don’t do it just because you don’t think you have any other options. And you don’t marry your high school sweetheart until you’ve seen who else is out there. And that is exactly what’s wrong with this town.”

  Marry who?

  “Balmorhea is limited?” I understood.

  Heath and Daisy…getting married.

  “Exactly!”

  I knew what she was getting at. I could feel it since I had arrived. We never traveled much when I was younger. I always wanted to. I wanted to go on vacations with my dad, to visit weird relatives for the holidays, to send postcards to my friends back in Alexandria. What I didn’t know is my father was keeping me safe from forces I was destined to face later in life. He was trying to keep the daemons away for as long as possible. Keeping me invisible meant keeping me alive.

  I tried to get the conversation back to Heath, “To answer your question, no. Heath and I don’t have anything going on. He’s Daisy’s…boyfriend and I don’t know him that well, that’s all. He’s important to Daisy and I was hoping to get to know him a bit while I stay. That’s all.”

  Ava eyed me knowingly and whispered, “I don’t believe you.”

  I whispered back, “You can believe whatever you want.” I could feel my daemon rising to the challenge.

  She backed up, “Whoa, calm that inner-tiger, girl. I didn’t mean to upset you.”

  “I’m not upset,” I said, my smile a bit too wide, “Why do you think they’re getting married?”

  “Ha! I knew it. It’s your aura. It went from slightly pink when you were staring at Heath, and now it’s a deep blood red. I know what I’m talking about. It’s okay. I won’t tell anyone. No one believes me anyway.”

  “My aura?” I said incredulously.

  “Yeah. I see auras. I know it’s weird. I should probably stop telling people, maybe I’d have more friends, I quit trying to hide it in junior high and have been a freak ever since. So whatever.” Ava’s voice faded away revealing the wounds that can come from being an anomaly as a teen.

  “Auras?” I was still confused and a little amazed.

  “Yup. And I’m amazed at how quickly yours changes. You can get revved up and then cool down quickly. It’s like your aura is bipolar or something.” She giggled, “Oh wait- sorry! I didn’t mean that. I mean if you are bipolar, it’s cool…”

  “No,” I sighed, “Not bipolar, but I could totally be part of your freak club.” She gave me something, so I felt like I needed to give her something in return, “You’re right. I do get revved up easily. I guess you could say I have some anger issues.”

  She squinted her eyes at me, “No,” she shook her head, “it’s something more than that. I don’t mean to freak you out or anything.”

  Ava stopped short, thinking she might have overstepped her boundarie
s with the new girl, so I urged her on. I needed to know what it was that she saw, “No, please, tell me. You can’t throw something like that out there and not finish.”

  “Okay, it’s just, well I don’t know how it works, but I know this- last week Heath’s aura changed. I can remember it always being a peaceful blue or maybe changing a little like most people’s when they’re moody, but last week it changed, in a bad way.”

  She whispered as if this was some juicy bit of gossip or major secret. I wanted her to confide in me as much as she wanted to share.

  “What do you mean?” I wondered why Ava would be telling me something concerning Heath.

  “Heath has two warring colors surrounding him this week. It kind of coincided with the same time you rolled into town.”

  “Is that a bad thing? Maybe he’s just going though something.”

  “No. His aura is muddied now. No matter what color is trying to get though, there’s a heavy gray light surrounding him now.”

  “And grey is a bad thing?” I asked, trying to figure out what she was getting it.

  “Yeah. It means he’s guarding something. He’s got a secret that he doesn’t want anyone else to know. He’s worried about something unresolved.”

  “He is?” I asked her a bit too forcefully.

  “Uh, yeah.” Ava added cautiously. I needed to back off.

  “It’s the same grey cloudy color that’s surrounding you too.”

  I looked at my arms as if I could see this cloud sitting on my skin. But there was nothing. “So you think I’m hiding something too?”

  “Oh, I know you are!” She laughed, “But it’s okay. I don’t need to know you’re deepest darkest secrets or anything. I just wonder what you and Heath have in common, that’s all. I think Daisy is a sweet girl. She used to be my friend and I don’t think it’s cool if the two of you are playing her.”

  “It’s nothing like that…”

  “So there is something there. I was right! What is it then? You two got history?”

  “It’s not what you think,” I shook my head, “This doesn’t even matter!” I was getting upset. This girl meant nothing to me. Who did Ava Ruiz think she was anyway, trying to get into my business?