by Dora Blume
“Do you have any questions that you’d like to ask?” Sloane steepled her hands on the table in front of her.
Amy came back down to Earth and realized that Sloane had spoken to her, “What?”
“You seem a bit lost. Do you have any questions?” Sloane waited.
“I don’t know, I never knew this existed, it’s so mind-boggling.” She swallowed hard and stared at the book in front of her wide eyed. She pulled at the locket on her neck pulling it back and forth across the chain.
Sloane watched Amy’s expression as she thought about everything. She could tell that Amy was distressed. “Why don’t you go take a break. Go find Erik, he’ll be able to help get your mind off everything. He’s good at that.” Sloane watched Amy. She bit her lip and looked back to the open book.
“Yeah, I could use a break.” She stood, moving to one side to push the chair in. She left.
Sloane liked having a moment alone. She sat there scanning the books and realized she was attempting to do the impossible. She needed help. She needed to see the future. She was annoyed with her power. She looked at the walls of books and felt lost. She thought there might be an answer for her here but as she continued to read she felt despondent. She walked along the shelves, brushing her hand against the books as she read the titles looking for an answer. One book stood out to her. Lessons from the Shikari, she’d never heard of this before, but it struck her, so she pulled it from the shelf. Sitting down, she scanned over the contents. As she read, she realized she’d missed learning some important things. She’d been taught about being a hunter her entire life but knew she’d missed many of the lessons you learned as an adolescent. The teachings in this book were for those who were older, ready for the information. She paged through it, looking for a clue as to why she couldn’t tap into her power. She found a tonic for strengthening one’s power. She shrugged her shoulders and thought it couldn’t hurt to try. She was feeling desperate and weak. Walking to the large mahogany desk Bryant insisted on having for the library, she took a piece of paper from the printer which looked so out of place here, and wrote down the necessary ingredients for a power boost.
Chapter 6
Amy wandered around the house trying to figure out where Erik went. She’d seen most of the house, but she had no idea where Bryant’s office would be. After opening five doors that weren’t Bryant’s office she stopped in a living room and shook her head. Sloane left all this behind to share a two-bedroom apartment with her, it was unbelievable. Their apartment was maybe nine-hundred square feet total which was the equivalent of a room or two here. Finally, after giving up she went back to the kitchen hoping there was more coffee. She needed a caffeine boost. She found the coffee pot with a fresh brew made. Erik stepped out of the basement.
“Oh, downstairs I didn’t make it downstairs,” she said after seeing him.
“And you shouldn’t,” he said as he punched in the code for the door.
“Oh, sorry I was looking everywhere for you. This house is huge.” She sat down to drink her coffee. She wrapped both hands around the mug.
“Oh, yeah I guess it is.” He grabbed a cup of coffee and went to join her.
“So, did you get all your reading done?” he wasn’t really interested, he hated reading.
“Ah, no I was staring into space trying to wrap my brain around it all when Sloane kicked me out.” She took another drink. “I still don’t know how to handle all of this, yesterday we were two normal girls going to a club. Today I find out my best friend has powers, is in some underground society that fights demons, and oh yeah, demons exist. I think I might be freaking out.” Her words ran together as she spoke.
“Yeah, it’s a lot to take in I guess. We grew up knowing,” He stopped to take a sip of his coffee. “I can’t imagine just finding all this out now. You’ll be fine though, I mean you came back, today didn’t you?” His eyes met hers.
“I did, but I’ve been having second thoughts since I started reading about the oath.” She shook her head. “I should have just stayed home.” Amy sighed, she knew she wouldn’t take back coming here. She dropped her head into her hands and sighed heavily.
“You know we’re the good guys, right?” Erik looked at her. He moved a shaky hand to rub her back.
Amy lifted her head. “Yeah, I get that. Demons are obviously bad, but I just think I would rather not know about them.” She slumped over in her chair and took a long drink of her coffee. “It’s moments like this I wish I smoked.”
“You want one?” His voice brightened.
“Maybe, give me a minute.” She watched the steam glide up from the mug and tried to keep it together. She found focusing on one thing at a time helped calm her.
“Okay, well how about I show you some good things we do besides killing demons. We’ve been around a long time and have helped humanity. I could show you.” His eyes were bright.
“I could go for that, as long as it’s not like the reading you just gave me. That was pretty intense.”
“No this will be better, I promise.” He looked into her eyes and smiled.
She couldn’t help but smile back, “Okay.”
“Come with me,” he got up from the table and grabbed his leather coat from the chair.
“Are we leaving?” Amy looked concerned. She didn’t want to leave Sloane but at the same time she knew Sloane would be busy for a while.
“Yes, but only for a little while. I promise Sloane won’t miss us.” Erik held the door open for Amy.
“Okay.” She followed Erik out to his car.
“Wow, nice car.” She paused in front of a sleek black Audi AW12. The windows were tinted dark and the silver emblems stood out against the black.
“Thanks here get in.” He opened the door for her and she slid onto the leather seats. She rubbed her hand next to her leg and felt the soft leather. Now this was a car.
“Have a thing for leather?” she asked.
He smirked at her rubbing the seat. He wished her hand were rubbing something else then stopped that thought before it went any further. Amy was Sloane’s friend, but she was hot in that lean sporty way. Today she wore short shorts and a plain white t-shirt. Both hugged her nicely. “Yeah, I like the feel of it, you might want to buckle up.” He returned his focus to the car, started the engine, and put it into gear.
“Why?” Amy asked. Erik hit the gas, and she went flying against the seat. “Yep, seatbelt, a good plan.” She worked furiously to get the belt from its hold; it didn’t want to give since he hit the accelerator so fast. When it did, she clicked it in place and let out a relieved sigh.
“Scared?” Erik raised a brow. “Don’t worry, I’ll keep you safe,” he said as he flew down the street going at speeds over the limit.
“Aren’t you worried about getting a ticket?” She gripped the leather seats next to her. Her eyes were wide, and muscles taut as she held on.
“Nah, they don’t bug me. It helps when the cop comes to the window, I can read his thoughts and tell him all the immoral acts he’s done. After a few of those they stopped pulling me over.” He smirked then dropped it in gear before accelerating.
“Wait, you can read people’s minds?” Her mouth hung open as she stared at him.
“Yep,” Erik said confidently.
“Have you been reading my thoughts?” Amy turned toward Erik, eyes wide.
“No, I don’t do that to people around me. It tends to keep people from hanging out with me. I figured you know about Sloane, so you might as well know about me too.” He shrugged as he took a corner and Amy slid into the window. “Sorry about that.”
“Yeah, I would like to not have a bruise on my arm when we’re done, if you can manage that.” She rubbed her arm and glared at Erik.
“I suppose I can slow down.” It was a true test of how much he liked her that he even considered slowing. He ran his eyes over her again and bit the side of his lip.
“Thanks, so whose minds do you read if not those around you?” Amy
turned toward Erik.
“I listen to see if there are any demons and what they are planning; it makes them easy to track when I can hear their thoughts.” He glanced over at her, gauging her reaction.
“So, are those the only thoughts you listen to?” She began sliding her locket back and forth on its chain as she stared at him.
“Well no, not exactly,” he hesitated, he wasn’t sure where she was going with this.
“I was just wondering, you know if you wanted to, you could hear anyone’s thoughts, right?” She bit her lip thinking.
“Yes, if I wanted to,” he gave her a sly glance. “Why? What did you have in mind?” He watched as she bit her lip again and wanted to bite her lip as well. He watched her mouth then raked her body with slow admiration before reluctantly turning his focus back on the road.
“I don’t know I just think it would be kind of cool to know what people thought about me, that’s all,” she shrugged. “Wait, maybe I don’t want to know.” She grimaced.
“Oh, do you have some guy you like, and you want to know if he likes you too?” His sarcasm was evident.
“No,” she blushed.
“Oh sure, so are we swinging by to see for sure? I could tell you in a minute, so you can get over him and move onto better prospects.” The corner of his mouth lifted, and he raised his eyebrows three times quickly.
Amy swatted his arm with the back of her hand. “Stop,” she giggled. “So, you’d lie so that I could move on to you is that it?” she smirked.
“Well no, not exactly,” he smiled again.
“Yeah well, never mind, I think I’ll take my chances and find out on my own.” She looked out the window at the passing street. It was funny how everything else goes on, despite the chaos going on for the Shikari. No one else knows this part of the world. She pondered for a moment before she looked back to Erik.
“So, where are we headed anyway?” She watched him and wondered for a moment what he looked like naked then looked down quickly. Erik was Sloane’s brother and off limits, but he looked so good in his black leather jacket she couldn’t help letting her mind drift to what he would look like without it.
“I thought we were going to your boyfriend’s house,” he teased.
“Can you be serious for a second?” She looked him in the eye and her eyes lingered.
“I figured you needed some cheering up and there are a few of us here in town that can give you the histories, the real stories better than any book ever could. I thought we’d have a chat with one of them.”
“Oh, I thought this was all about showing me the good you do.”
“Well yes, but who better to tell you than other Shikari, who live this life and fight these battles. We’ve helped a lot of people and our stories are the real history. Besides, he has a bar that I love, and I could use an afternoon drink.”
“Seriously, we’re going there so you can have a drink with your friend?” Amy rolled her eyes.
“Well no, you need to hear what we do from people who know it best. My dad and sister can tell you, but this guy is a much better storyteller than they’ll ever be.” He smiled.
“Really, well now I’m intrigued.” She watched Erik, his lip turned up slightly as he thought.
“Good, we’ll be there in a few.” Erik smiled at her. He wasn’t kidding Mike was a riot, and he loved spending time at the bar, especially when no one else was around. In the afternoon during the week the place would be dead, so they’d be free to talk about whatever without fear of anyone overhearing them.
They pulled up to The Hexagon and Erik shut off the car.
“This is the place?” Amy looked outside and cringed.
“Wait here, I’m going to run around back to see that he’s here. The bar doesn’t open till three, so he should be.” Erik got out of the car and went around the building. A few minutes later he was waving to her from the front door.
“Come on in, I swear Mike doesn’t leave this place.” He held the door for her and watched her walk a moment before following.
“Oh, I see Erik, you’re here to impress the lady,” Mike said from behind the bar.
“No, no she learned about Shikari, recently. I thought we could let her know about what we really do. Stuff that’s not in the books.” Erik took a seat at the bar and Amy followed.
“Oh, she knows about us ay? How did that occur, slip out when you were drinking?” Mike set a fresh case next to the bar and turned to greet his guests.
Erik rolled his eyes at his friend. “No, no she’s a friend of Sloane’s and if I haven’t slipped up yet, it’s probably not going to happen.”
“Yeah sure, I’m still keeping my bet. So, what’s your name love?”
“Amy.” She smiled at the handsome man in front of her. His dark curls fell on his forehead reaching slightly over his brows. His broad muscles were shown through the rolled-up sleeves on his black t-shirt. He had to be just over six feet tall. He projected masculinity with his broad frame. She thought she should be intimidated but his smile was kind and genuine.
Mike grabbed a towel from the bar. He turned and stretched his hand to greet his guest. “Nice to meet you love.” Amy shook Mike’s hand. “So, how do you know Sloane?” His gaze turned intense.
“We went to school together, well now we live together.” She hesitated.
“How do you know Sloane?” she couldn’t help but ask.
“Oh, Sloane and I go way back.” Mike winked at Amy.
“What does that mean?” Amy was confused.
“We were close friends once,” he was lost in a memory for a moment then looked back to Amy, “I’m what we call a tracker, I can find anyone demon or Shikari if I need to.” Mike reached his hand up to sweep his curls away from his face. His bicep flexed momentarily as he thought about Sloane.
“Oh,” she wanted to ask more about being close friends but could tell by the way he looked that she shouldn’t go into it.
He laughed at her response, “Yeah, this is a lot to take in, I can tell you’re still having trouble by the look on your face. It’ll be okay, here what are ya drinking?”
“Nordeast,” Erik interjected.
“I wasn’t asking you, I was asking the lady.” He reached in the cooler and took out Erik’s beer, “Here, rough day?” He studied Erik.
“You could say that,” Erik took a long swig of the cold beer. It felt good going down.
“Apparently, what can I get you love?” He nodded in Amy’s direction surprising her out of her reverie. She had been staring at Erik as they spoke.
“Nothing, thanks.”
“Really? You wouldn’t insult my hospitality by not having a drink. You know it’s bad manners to refuse a drink from an Irishman.” He smiled at her.
“Irishman, you don’t look Irish?” She examined his caramel colored skin and narrowed her eyes.
“Irishman, please you grew up in Philly.” Erik took another long drink.
“What I don’t look Irish enough for you love?” He turned to Erik, “Philly’s pretty damn Irish.”
“No, it’s not that, sorry I didn’t mean to be rude.” Amy sputtered.
“Oh, he’s just messing with you.” Erik took another drink.
“Oh, so you’re not Irish? I’m confused.” She looked between the two men.
“I was raised by Irish parents, but no not technically. I was adopted. So, what about that drink?” He studied her.
“Oh, uh I guess I’ll take a Summer Shandy if you got it.” She didn’t usually drink this early in the day, but one couldn’t hurt.
Mike got her the beer. “At least the girl’s got good taste even if she’s just being polite. So, what story should I give ya? I got lots of em’ hmm.” He studied Erik carefully assessing his true intentions here. He’d been watching Amy the entire time he’d been in the bar.
“Something that makes us look good.” Erik winked at Mike.
“Every story I have to tell makes me look good, I can’t make any promises abou
t making you look good,” he smiled wide at Erik.
Erik glared at Mike, “yeah you know far too much about me. I might have to take care of that someday.” He swatted a fly from his beer and took another swig.
“Hey, we’re on even ground; it’s you that chooses not to use it.” Mike smirked then tapped his temple.
“Yeah, because I like to have friends, plus once you know something you can’t unknow it and some things you just don’t want to know, trust me.” He looked down and shook his head at the memories that flowed at that thought.
“Yeah, that’s probably true. Well since I’m the entertainment for the evening I will have to think of something amazing for our girl here.” He leaned down and rested his chin in his hand for a moment thinking.
“How about something real, Mike, she needs to hear something good but true?” Erik swallowed the last drink of his beer. “While you’re deep in thought, mind getting me another beer?”
“Yeah, sure, should I be worried about what you’re holding back?” He eyed Erik suspiciously.
“I’ll inform you as soon as you awe, Amy with an amazing story.” He jostled for a moment in his seat and his eyes met Amy’s. He wanted her to trust them and Mike would help gain her trust.
“I’m still here you know.” Amy narrowed his eyes at Erik, “Why do I feel like you are having a conversation without me.”
“Oh love, of course we know you’re here, right Erik?” He slapped Erik’s arm playfully. “How could we not? Now where do I begin? Ah yes, I’ll tell you one about Erik here, the one and only time he saved the day.” Mike smirked at Erik. He leaned forward and placed his arms on the bar.
“Wait, wait. You can’t tell her a story about me.” He glared at Mike, then looked down at the floor then slowly back up at Amy. She met his bright blue eyes and smiled. “I would also like to point out that I’ve saved the day more than once.” he said trying to regain his composure.
“Sure, sure, why shouldn’t I tell her one about you? You’re right here to correct any mistakes I make. Besides it’s a good one, remember that little girl? She was absolutely smitten with you after you saved her dad’s life.” He nodded in Erik’s direction, knowing that he would remember the story. He was sure it would help him win some points with Amy. He turned his head to the side to study the two again. Erik had leaned closer to Amy on his bar stool. He reached his hand up to tuck back a long blonde hair that had fallen out of her ponytail. She looked up at him through her long lashes and smiled when his hand brushed her face.