Savage Redemption: A Dark Urban Guardians Fantasy

by Anni Antoni

  “Your father had an import-export business and acquired antiques from all over the world for wealthy clients. He was an astute businessman, one of the best,” Mr. Ryan explained. “Would you like a drink? You look a little pale.”

  Kat nodded. “Thank you, I would. Can I have coffee?” she whispered.

  “And you?” Mr. Ryan asked, turning to me.

  “Thanks, I'm fine,” I replied, more concerned about Kat’s growing pallor than anything else.

  He walked out to get coffee and Kat looked up, her eyes wide open in astonishment. “Joe, I can't believe it. I'm rich.” She gave a little chuckle. “I never thought I’d ever be rich. Gran only withdrew enough for us to survive. She was always economizing, and I thought we were poor.”

  Then she sighed, and tears welled in her eyes. “Dear Gran, I bet she was saving this for me. If only I'd known. Gran could have had a better life. I could have made sure she had all her favorite movies to watch, and chocolates every day, for starters.”

  “Your grandmother wanted you to have this, and so did your parents, Kat. It's yours, given to you with love. Enjoy it, as they would have wanted.” I stood behind her and put my hand on her shoulder.

  Mr. Ryan came back in with coffee for Kat.

  “I’ll leave you to enjoy your coffee,” he said. “Mr. Kaleb, will be here soon. Ask him about your mother. He knows far more than I do.”

  I heard Kat’s nervous intake of breath at the news, but she managed to thank Mr. Ryan.

  At the door, he leaned in with a final word. “Before you go, I'll need your signature, to transfer the funds to you. Don't forget.” He smiled at Kat like a benevolent uncle.

  “I wonder who this Mr. Kaleb is.” Kat frowned. “Whoever he is, I hope he can tell me something about my mother at last. I have so few memories of her, you know.”

  As Kat finished her coffee, Mr. Ryan popped his head in the doorway again.

  “Come into the other office,” he said. “Mr. Kaleb has arrived and is keen to meet you. Follow me.” He led us to an adjoining room.

  The smell of demon was strong, and I held on to Kat's hand in case I had to flash her away from danger. If there was any danger, Mr. Ryan was unaware of it, I gathered by tapping into his thoughts.

  As we walked into the room, my eyes locked on a tall, dark-haired man standing with his back to us. A large black cat inspected us over his shoulder, eyes glowing red. Its eyes slid over me and fastened on Kat, and, in the instant before the man turned around, I saw it smile.

  The man turned to face us and smiled in a pleasant, disarming way, but no matter how innocuous he seemed, I knew he was part demon. My nostrils picked up his human scent as well.

  The cat repositioned itself on the man’s shoulder, so it faced us, its eyes narrowed to slits. No doubting it, we were in the company of a mature Cambion and his devilish familiar. Puzzled, I wondered why a Cambion had wanted to see Kat. Did he, as we were informed, have information about her mother, or was this some kind of trick? I stood facing him, on full alert, ready for anything.

  Chapter 29.

  Kat Meets a Cambion

  The door clicked shut, and I shivered, because the room suddenly turned chilly. A man with a large black cat on his shoulder turned to face us, smiling as he put his hand up to steady the cat.

  “Good morning, folks.” His silken voice floated seductively on the air. “I’m Kaleb.”

  Although his movements were slow and sensuous, he gave the impression of a coiled snake ready to strike at any moment. The air surrounding him throbbed, alive with a dangerous energy, and his eyes shone with a cunning intelligence.

  The man was fascinating to gaze upon, and I was both repelled and enticed.

  Joe clutched my hand tighter and moved slightly in front of me as though aware of danger from this person. He found his voice before I did.

  Joe grunted. “Call me Joe, Cambion. This is Kat. I’m her Guardian.”

  My eyes opened wide. This attractive man was a Cambion? In appearance he was normal, not at all how I imagined a demon.

  “A Guardian, eh?” Kaleb eased himself into an armchair. The cat hissed, and Kaleb laughed. “Please excuse Haben, he doesn’t like you, I’m afraid.” He trailed elegant fingers down the cat’s spine. “On the other hand,” he turned to me, “Haben wholeheartedly approves of you, Kat.”

  I felt Joe stiffen, and he gripped my hand tighter. “Haben, that’s a demon’s name.”

  “Yes, I believe so, but it suits him, don’t you think?” Kaleb chuckled, while the cat regarded us intently through half-closed eyes.

  Joe grunted once more.

  “Oh, come now. Relax! Loosen up! I may be a Cambion, but I mean no harm – well for today at least.” He chuckled softly, and the sound of it seemed to float around the room. “In fact, old man Ryan led me to believe I could help Kat with information about her mother.”

  I took a step forward, and Joe came with me as though glued to my side. The questions burst from my lips.

  “What can you tell me about my mother? Did you know her?”

  Kaleb smoothed his hair and leaned back in his armchair. The cat curled into a ball on his lap, as though knowing he'd be there for a while.

  “Let me see now.” He stroked his chin. “Spur was the name? Miriam Spur?”

  Eager to hear more, I nodded.

  “Miriam Spur yes, I didn’t know her personally – a bit before my time. A beautiful woman, I’ve been told, and a beautiful nature. She’s on the Community Center database where Cambions leave messages for loved ones from their former lives, who come looking for them. I researched her before coming here. As I’m head of our community, it’s my job to inform you about her, according to her wishes.”

  Confused thoughts rushed around my head, colliding with each other. But above everything else was the word Cambion.

  “Was mom a Cambion?” Nausea threatened to overwhelm me. My legs weakened, and I held on to a nearby armchair.

  “Yes, she was, and she wanted you to know everything, in case you faced the Change.” His eyes wandered over me in an appraising manner. “Looks like you might be close to it.”

  I shook my head. “No! It can’t be true, my mom a Cambion? How did it happen?” Horrified, I sat down hard in the chair I had used to steady myself, and Joe moved to stand behind me.

  Kaleb chuckled. “The usual way, no doubt. She had a close demon ancestor. When the Change came, she decided to use human energy to survive, otherwise she could have died. Her partner was completely supportive, the records show.”

  So, my father supported her decision. It didn’t surprise me -- he would have supported whatever was best for her. What went through their minds at the time of her Change, I wondered. Soon I would face it, and I had no idea what decision I would make. I didn’t even want to think about it. Helplessly I looked up at Joe.

  It will be okay, pet. We’ll get through this. Don’t worry. He used mindspeak to communicate. As I tapped into his mind, his strong love surrounded me like a soft, supportive cloud. I wasn’t alone. Soothed, I reached up to hold his hand.

  The Cambion watched our interaction with what looked like intense interest before continuing.

  “As you may be aware, when Cambions face the Change, they either resist taking human energy or give in and take it to survive. Many die resisting the Change. Those that resist and survive revert to being human, but only about fifty per cent make it. The change is unpleasant, even brutal. I know, I've been through it.”

  Hearing a real Cambion talk, brought the deadly reality of what I faced home. Small shivers raced through my body as I listened to Kaleb.

  He laughed. “I resisted with a fierce determination, and prepared for death, but when I was near death, unconscious, my brother decided to bring in a human donor. So, I became a Cambion after all.”

  He paused and seemed lost in his own memories for a moment. A sad smile crossed his face as he stroked the cat and shifted in his seat.

  My eyes were glued
to him, horror and attraction fighting in my breast as I listened. He looked up and our eyes met for an instant. Strong emotions of guilt emanated from him as my mind searched his.

  “Oh, it's not so bad once you get used to it, Kat,” he said softly, as if aware of my warring emotions. “Most Cambions take energy from those who resisted and survived. Such people often willingly donate energy. Then there are the rogues, who love to kill humans, savoring the last drop of their energy. Luckily, such Cambions are rare, and shunned by our community.”

  “What happens if you don’t take energy after becoming a Cambion?” I whispered.

  “If we don't take human energy, we gradually turn into a demon, and demons, as you probably know, can't exist on Earth. We either die, or go to the Underworld, not a pleasant place to live, from all I hear.” He laughed again, his sensuous fingers massaging the cat's head. A loud purr erupted from the beast.

  “How did my mother survive?” I asked, holding my breath, hardly daring to hear the answer.

  “Well her case was rather unique. Your father was only half human, I believe, and he donated his human energy to her whenever she needed it. It wasn’t always sufficient, but it kept her alive, while he always survived the energy transfer and recovered well. They weren't at the Center for long, because they worked out their own way of survival. Your mother tried to take as little from your father as possible, I believe, and she was often sick, the records show.”

  The words in my father's letter came back. Mom was often sick, he had written. At last I understood. How it must have hurt her to keep away from me, her own child. To keep me safe, she would have had to stay away, or risk taking my energy.

  The truth stabbed at my heart. It ached, over their tragic plight, followed by their needless deaths, but I was proud of them too. They faced enormous difficulties with courage, and with what must have been a deep, unshakable love.

  Suddenly I shivered violently, as my blood turned icy cold.

  “You're welcome to come to the Center any time, preferably after you've gone through the Change,” Kaleb said, his voice sounding far away.

  “Here, take my card. Get in touch whenever you like.” He took a card out of his jacket pocket and waved it in my direction. Joe left my side before I could get up, took the card and handed it to me.

  Kaleb leaned forward. “I can see your change is close. There is no need to die. Whatever you decide to do, be aware that a Cambion’s life can work.”

  But would it work with a super Cambion, like I faced becoming? At last my shivering stopped, but now sweat ran down my back and trickled down my forehead. I wiped my hand across my brow and focused on what Kaleb was saying. His voice sounded distant again.

  “I struggled to accept the life of a Cambion,” he said, and his feelings of guilt threatened to swamp me. “Now, I seldom take human energy donated at the Center, but instead, I take from those I help outside of our community, in payment for services. I think of myself as a fixer. I solve humans’ problems and make their troubles go away, for a small donation.”

  His eyes flashed red for an instant and he laughed softly. “I don’t take human life if I can avoid it, but sometimes I come close. Some humans are worse than any demon. They don't deserve life for what they do to others, and they tempt me to drain every drop of life in them.”

  He grinned, an evil look spreading across his face and his cat’s eyes flashed red. The cat grinned at Kaleb, turned his head and grinned at me, as if he understood every word. How was that possible?

  For a moment, breathing became difficult. Sweat bathed my body, and I wiped clammy hands on my dress. The sensation passed, and I drew deep breaths of pure, cool air.

  Joe’s face was level with mine. Momentarily puzzled, I realized he was kneeling in front of me.

  “Let me take you home, Kat, you don’t look well,” he said, concern etched on his features.

  I couldn’t speak. The red mist clouded my vision, and all I wanted, was to put my hands on Joe’s chest. His healing energy was all I needed. I craved it.

  “Yes, take her home, it’s time.” Kaleb was speaking to Joe. “Call me if you need me… for anything.

  “Thank you, Kaleb.” The two men, Cambion and Guardian, clasped hands, I noticed. That pleased me for some reason.

  Cradled in Joe’s embrace, his soothing, healing energy flowing through my body, we flashed home. Enveloped in bliss, safe and protected, I relaxed into oblivion.

  Chapter 30.

  Lock the Door and Leave

  As I flashed Kat home, her hand roamed inside my shirt onto my chest. It was hot and buzzed pleasantly against my skin. My healing energy flowed into her as though a tap had been turned on. Both stimulating and soporific, I could enjoy it forever. So that's how Cambions stole energy so easily, I thought, by mesmerizing their victims.

  We landed in my bedroom, and I sat cradling Kat for a few moments, to give her a good boost of healing, and because I was enjoying it. After I placed her on the bed, I could take time to heal.

  She was in a deep sleep as I lay her down, taking her boots off, and covering her with a soft blanket.

  Using mindspeak, I put in an urgent call to Dr. Frank. Now that the Change was fully upon Kat, I was afraid. We hadn’t discussed how she wanted to handle the Change, so I needed to make the decision.

  Frank arrived in an instant. “What's wrong Joe.”

  Taking in Kat sleeping on the bed and me pacing the floor, understanding dawned. “Oh, the Change has started. Right?”

  “It started a short while ago. One moment she was fine and then she was running a fever – so quick. What can I do?” Kat’s life was in danger and a helpless panic welled in my chest.

  “First thing to remember is don’t touch her.” Frank’s words almost took my breath away.

  “Are you serious? Frank… I must heal her.” I pushed the hair off my face and glared at him.

  Frank put a finger to his lips and walked over to Kat, making sure she was asleep. “Let’s discuss this on the rooftop patio.”

  We flashed to the rooftop and continued talking.

  “You mentioned healing – I’ve been researching, and I don't think it’s possible. She’ll want to take all your energy.”

  “But… that’s how I can heal her. The more she takes, the faster she’ll heal, surely. Without healing isn’t she more likely to die?”

  “The thing is Joe, she may drain you of energy too fast. And if you can't heal fast enough to replace your energy, you’ll die. Kat must fight this alone.” Frank’s expression looked grim.

  How could I leave Kat to go through everything alone? “Impossible, I must stay with her, I'm her mate, and Guardian, I can't just leave.” My voice rang in my ears, unusually shrill.

  “Are you mad? Haven’t you heard anything I’ve said?” The normally calm doctor grabbed my shoulder and shook it. “There’s one other thing I failed to mention. I think you may aid her transition to a Cambion by giving her healing.”

  I gulped and looked at Frank in stunned silence. Had I been aiding Kat’s downfall by attempting to heal her? “Don’t Cambions need human energy for that?”

  Frank was silent, and realization hit me hard -- he didn’t possess the knowledge to answer my question.

  “You have no idea, do you?” In desperation, I flung the question at him.

  Standing in front of me, his hand still resting on my shoulder, Frank hung his head and gave my shoulder a squeeze.

  “Joe,” Frank said, and light glinted off tears forming in his eyes. “I don't know how to advise you because I've never seen this happen, and there is nothing in my reference sources to guide me. All Kat’s human energy has probably been consumed by demon energy now. The demon in her will seek energy to survive and grow while it battles to overcome her Guardian energy.

  “Until this internal battle is over, she is a danger to humans and Guardians alike, therefore I think you should lock the door and leave her to fight this battle alone. On her own, she has a good
chance of beating this, and emerging as a full Guardian.

  “Or dying!” I shouted. The thought of losing Kat was unbearable – unthinkable. “I will not permit her to die. It is not an option.” I clenched my jaw and my fists as my resolve deepened.

  Frank raised his head and looked me in the eye. “Leave her alone Joe, for your sake and for hers. That's my best advice.”

  “I hear you Frank.” I met his gaze. “But you know I can’t do as you suggest. Kat’s beyond deciding already and If she can't make a decision, I'll have to do it for her.”

  Frank left, and I stood on the rooftop head bowed, fists clenched, my determination to save Kat building in strength.

  Suddenly Esau appeared. “Joe? I sensed you were upset. What's wrong?”

  “Kat’s begun the Change.” My statement dropped like a stone in the still air of the rooftop.

  “Have you consulted Dr. Frank?” Concern masked his features.

  “Frank's just left, after advising me to shut the door, lock Kat in by herself and see if she survives the Change. If she survives she’ll be pure Guardian, if not she'll die.”

  “Whoah! Heavy! I know you won’t do that. What are your other options?” asked Esau.

  “I can try to heal her faster than she drains my energy.”

  “And if you can't?” Esau looked deadly serious for once, realization of my life and death choices dawning on him.

  “If that happens, I'll die, and Kat becomes a Cambion.” The calm acceptance of what I had to do added to my resolve.

  Esau’s hands flew to his head. “Saints preserve us Joe. What a choice! But you can’t die… Can’t we all unite and try to heal Kat?”

  “I’ve thought of that, but we’re Guardians before anything else, created to serve humans. Besides, you all have mates. By attempting to heal Kat, you could put your mates in danger and become a danger to humans. Frank wasn’t sure of all the possible outcomes, but I won’t risk any of you being harmed by trying to help Kat.”

  Esau’s face paled as he listened. “Now I understand why Dr, Frank told you to lock her away.”