The Shadow Minds Journal, #1

by Kia Carrington-Russell

  “Not guilty,” I said. “Let me assure you that when I was last with Luke, he was very much alive and happy,” I said with a suggestive smile. Gabe’s knuckles turned white as he focused on the screen that began to descend the wall. A projector from the corner of the room blasted through the room with evidence and footage of Luke and I at the club. We were getting acquainted as he whispered sweet things into my ear and I smiled. Haymen’s hand on my lower back seemed to heat and press further into me. I hesitated to steal a glance at him. He was not at all impressed by the video. I was his property to an extent but not when it came to dealing with our sexual frustration. I was doing what all Guardians did. I tried to step out of his hold but his hand firmed on the back of my hip. A low growl that wasn’t human came from him in warning. I focused on the screen until the surveillance was done trying not to think much on the imposing hand at my hip from the boss who was ready to have me convicted for his own gain. The film ended as I led Luke out of the club.

  “He was found dead the next day,” the old man said.

  “Well he was very much alive with me that night and left around three in the morning,” I said. “He certainly exhausted me after all of the late-night movies we watched together,” I toyed deliberately. Whispers circulated around the room. I could feel the rage flowing from Gabe even if his facial expressions said otherwise. I wanted to poke him just to see if he would snap. He dared threaten Lassie yesterday but, in this court, if I could make him lose it, he would only shame himself. And that was exactly what I wanted him to do. I wouldn’t allow anyone who threatened me go unpunished. “And before he left there were certainly no complaints,” I added speaking directly to Gabe. It was loud enough so everyone would have heard. His dark green eyes found mine and I made sure not to look away. The intensity in that gaze hitched my breath but I refused to back down. I wondered how old he actually was, looking at him now, I could see death dancing in his eyes. A very forceful darkness from a white winged angel. That certainly grabbed my attention. I just had to wind him up a little bit more and maybe I would see that venomous side of him that would jeopardize his case.

  “Vivian,” the older woman on the right said. “You do realize that these are serious allegations.” I smiled through my eyes at Gabe before turning my attention to her.

  “Correct. I am answering them honestly. Just because I was last with him and slept with him– repetitively and for hours on end,” I added hoping to wind Gabe up more. “That doesn’t mean I murdered him. I didn’t have the slightest energy to lift a coffee cup let alone murder once he was done with me,” I said pointedly towards Gabe. Before Gabe lashed out with a remark, the pretty blonde on the panel stepped in.

  “You were the last one seen with him. You baited him and then murdered him. Like all of your kind do!” I was surprised she wasn’t spitting venom. Jackpot. Gabe might have not yet cracked but this little angel did. The room was silent as she thought about her words. The two elders looked at her with distaste. Looks like I got under this one’s skin.

  She blushed in embarrassment and I clicked my tongue.

  “Ah, racist,” I said in a tone that I knew would grate against her anger further. “Because I’m a Guardian? Because I can call upon Demons? You know your kind created this treaty and yet you don’t seem so faithful to it,” I said.

  “Enough,” the old male said irritated with the bickering. He threw an effective look at the younger angel. She sat back into her chair keeping her pretty mouth shut. Haymen so far had been quiet. I only questioned as to when he would step in and start manipulating this into the direction he wanted it to go.

  The older angel began skimming through files that also projected on the screen.

  “You’ve been within the employment of Mr. Davolch now for a little over twelve months it states here. One of his regional Guardian’s in the city of Shabeah.” She stopped on a page and looked to Haymen with a scornful expression. “Haymen,” she said now not so formal. “It is within our treaty that you announce the demons which your Guardians are contracted to. This one only has four entered.” I let my face show nothing. I only knew of three. Only three demons had come through so far and I still waited for the rest to awaken.

  “Siren, a form of water demon; Succubus, both poison and sexual.” I noticed the look that Gabe gave me and I arched a suggestive eyebrow. He looked away as soon as our gaze met. “Cat demon, rather rare considering how little they produce offspring. Foreseer and sixth sense.” She stopped on the final one and looked up at Haymen. She then read it again. Her eyes then dropped to me. “Reported as of yesterday, Hellhound.”

  The room went silent and so did I. That was new.

  “Hellhounds have been extinct since the last war,” the old man began as he pulled the files from her to check it himself. There, on the screen in clear writing and image was a description of the Hellhound. “Explain yourself Haymen.” Formality was being lost the further this case went on which indicated they were all familiar with one another.

  Haymen dropped his hand from my waist and stepped forward. And now he would begin his show. “My Darling Vi is rather special. Most of my Guardians are aware of the demons that they are contracted to as soon as they wake. Vi it would appear isn’t aware until they come forth to her. My finest witch has been taking blood samples weekly to experiment and decipher her blood. And as of yesterday, she was able to identify only one other, being the Hellhound. Now obviously I can’t control what contracts are made and what demons come forth. Perhaps not so extinct after all,” he charmed them a smile. I knew very little about the Hellhounds but what I did know was that they were the shadows under Haymen’s control in the last war. They were ruthless and bloodthirsty and only he could control them. They were brought in from another world and so during the war they were the sole target to destroy for numerous angel units. The Hellhounds were the first crack to Haymen’s empire to fall. That was the war that eventuated into this treaty.

  Whispers began to spread and I noticed that Gabe stared at my chest as if trying to burn through my shirt and see my tattoos for what they were.

  “A Guardian can harvest up to seven demons, there are three not accounted for,” the older lady said.

  Haymen shrugged his shoulders. “Gretel,” he said using her name. “I cannot produce information I do not have. I don’t know what she harvests either. Not until they awaken within her. I can’t help the paranormal that occurs. That is why my Darling Vi is so special to me.” I realized that was the second time he said ‘Darling Vi’ and it was reoccurring because it was a threat.

  “Then perhaps we can easily manage this case by allowing me to slip into her mind,” the younger angel insisted. “I will confirm if she is innocent and actively help the record as to all seven of her demons.”

  “I’m sorry Buttercup but I’m not going to allow that,” he said readjusting the hem of his suit jacket as if uninterested in speaking with her particularly. “All of my Guardians have personal information that I cannot have compromised. And if you have done this to any of my own previously then it’s a direct insult to myself.” His eyes met hers with the rage of a storm. “If that were the case I would have to deal with it accordingly.”

  The older angel who was called Gretel intervened. I quietly enjoyed watching the younger one get nervous at Haymen’s threat. I wondered if the reason why he entertained this entire hearing was to be in a position where he could ask them questions. “Haymen, you do realize that with this case and accusation it might be the only way that you can prove her innocence. This is no small matter or charge. Unless you can prove otherwise, there is consequence to her actions and that will result in a public execution. The killing of our kind is not tolerated.”

  “Let’s round this up quickly then, shall we?” Haymen said clapping his hands together. “I know that Vi didn’t murder that angel because she was with me after he had left.”

  “That’s a lie!” Gabe spoke up.

  “Is it? I don’t like speaking ill
of your dead friend but she was quite unsatisfied after he left,” Haymen taunted. I charmed a smile. Although that was a lie, Haymen was doing the same as me. He was riling Gabe.

  With all restraint Gabe stood there like stone. “What your Guardian felt afterwards is irrelevant,” he hissed. “The fact is that she was the last one seen with him and there is no tracking, surveillance, or even contact made from him after he was coaxed to her bed. I have a strict mandatory call in every few hours from those who have been pardoned outside my city. Prior to entering Ravish Club was the last time my team had heard from him.”

  “Well you sound smothering to work for,” I said and looked over to Haymen who smiled. Menacing pride filled his eyes.

  “Opposed to your puppeteer of a boyfriend,” Gabe hissed.

  “Enough,” the older angel said silencing the room. Images of Luke’s body splashed across the screen. His wings had been ripped from his body, the bone broken into shards and were found in dumpsters. His body which was located elsewhere was swollen from an unnatural form of drowning. Crisp green poison had oozed from his face from when it had been slashed by three long talons. Bone was shattered and bled out from the muscle of his wings being torn off.

  “All the elements involved in his death was that of what your demons have the ability to do,” Gabe gritted out and looked at me. “You seemed to have really enjoyed your night with him.” For once, I didn’t say anything. I wasn’t sentimental and I didn’t care for his feelings. But sometimes I knew when to remain silent. I had been set up. Not that my demons could have killed him this exact way but it did make it very easy to pin me for his murder after we spent his last moments alive together. Haymen’s hand found his way around my hip again.

  “I will have my Guardians find your killer out of good faith considering that it was within my city that your soldier was killed. Until then, and to assure you, that no one else is hurt during the time that we have a rampant demon who is targeting angels, I want a lockdown and agreement that no angels are permitted in my city until the matter is fully resolved,” Haymen said to the three on the podium.

  “Bullshit. You think that you are going to gain from this?” Gabe sneered. “There is no way you are taking her back under your protection and requesting for your city to go off the grid. That’s not how this works.”

  “I’m just trying to protect your soldiers who clearly can’t defend themselves against this rampant demon. Perhaps while I focus on my city you should focus on the training your own.” The tension in the room thickened and I could feel the power of the two pushing against one another with me in the middle. I was near choking on the hatred that I could taste was brewing for years.

  “Don’t think that you will slip out of this one, Haymen. All evidence leads to your little pet here,” Gabe said not even looking at me. His stance had changed, his full height and broad shoulders stretching to show all lean muscle. He was ready to fight. Haymen’s fingers began to dig into my hip, whether he realized it or not. Both of them were restraining themselves in the face of the court.

  Haymen disregarded Gabe and looked to the angels. “Of course, I understand you will need a certain leverage until I can produce the truthful killer. I permit for my Guardian in question to be detained but once I prove her innocence she will be released.”

  “You’re just buying time!” Gabe harshly shouted throughout the room. The camera flashed and Gabe shot a fierce look at the cameraman. He looked away and reined in his anger. He should’ve just killed me when he had the chance instead of going through all this justice and political bullshit. Despite his irritability, I thought he was smarter than that. He had to have a separate motive just like Haymen. I could feel that I was just the pawn to whatever game these two were playing and for the time being there wasn’t much I could do about it.

  “You do understand the magnitude of your suggestion Haymen? She isn’t just going to any detainment center, she will be going to Aztec,” Gretel said. “She will not be released unless you can find evidence of the real killer. If nothing is found within a week she will be publicly executed and the media will be informed,” she said pointedly to the cameraman. Which meant currently this case was not to be made public.

  “I object,” Gabe said stepping forward. “He is going to manipulate the truth to suit him when we already have the evidence we need now. If she is pardoned for this act, I will personally watch over her until a mistake is made and justice is sought through.”

  “You seem to have taken a liking to my Guardian, Gabe,” Haymen growled and it shook the room. Everyone waited until the aftermath stopped. Those on the podium weren’t as concerned over the power display. Wind began to howl through the room and I could almost see the flash of a storm in Gabe’s usual green eyes.

  “I am not letting you get away with another bullshit stunt,” he said. “You made a mistake the moment you allowed such a hideous creature to kill one of my own.” Somehow, I had almost become irrelevant in all of this argument despite standing in between them.

  “I ask you, the jury,” Haymen said in a manipulative tone. “Do you believe my Vi is guilty of such an act with such little evidence except for this angel who points his marshmallow fingers?”

  Gabe’s wings and chest expanded and the leash to his fury had snapped. All that kept him back was the hitting of the hammer on the front podium by the old man. He rolled over the information and looked to his other two angels. I had the sense they were talking telepathically. Blondie sat back unimpressed by the outcome. The older man proceeded. One thing I now noticed was their wings were tucked it in and almost hiding. I couldn’t see any of their colorings or tattoos that might’ve marked them as warriors like Gabe. If I weren’t about to be convicted of murder I might’ve been curious as to how their hierarchy and roles worked.

  “Due to current information we have at hand and the seriousness of the prosecution we will allow both parties to do private investigations. Haymen, as agreed if you can curate us enough evidence of the rightful murderer then she is free to leave Aztec, if still alive,” he added. “Haymen, you are not pardoned to have exclusive rights to your city in this matter. We deny your request. If enough evidence is found to support that Vivian Lair is not the murderer, Gabe Christain has the right to have one of his officers or he can personally follow your Guardian’s actions for thirty days after being released from Aztec.”

  “That last sentiment is ridiculous and I do not adhere,” Haymen snarled.

  “The other option is, Mr. Davolch,” Gretel announced. “Is that we finalize this matter now and with no further evidence she will be locked away in Aztec for the rest of her lifespan. We respect you Mr. Davolch, but this crime is too serious to overlook.”

  “And what is your reasoning behind this decision?”

  Blondie spoke up. “Justice and reassurance. Despite Shabeah being known to be a city for demons, on behalf of the treaty we must know that things aren’t being overlooked. The death of an Angel has drawn our attention to the possibility of an imbalance and perhaps too much demon influence. What better way to assure the commitment on your part to the treaty than to have one of your personal Guardian’s followed, who by registration is your leading law enforcement. We wouldn’t want to worry or follow you for such reasons, Mr. Davolch. And that of course is out of respect, which is why we will follow your law enforcement instead.”

  “You can start following one of them now if you will,” Haymen seethed. “I don’t know why you care to specifically hinder my Guardian here who already has been effected by such accusations.” I was surprised that he was actually entertaining them. If he wanted he could burn down this entire room with the click of his fingers. And yet he listened, something I saw Haymen do very little of.

  “Justice, Mr. Davolch. If she makes it out of Aztec and you are able to prove her innocence then we need to guarantee she is not covering up evidence or intel. This is a serious matter and I am sure you can understand that we would treat a suspect similar if it were on
e of your own kind that was attacked.” Wrong. He would’ve killed them by now. I looked over at Gabe in question. Why didn’t he kill me? What was he after to draw out this painful political shit show?

  There were so many things I wanted to say and to be able to speak for myself. Possibly even sky kick blondie here in the face but the moment Haymen spoke up I knew my word was irrelevant. He was silent for a moment, thinking and manipulating the outcome to his benefit as always. His grip loosened on my hip and he finally let go. I felt almost relieved as the tension he emitted dropped off me.

  “Then I should make her quarters more accommodating for you, Mr. Christain,” Haymen said with an underlying suggestion. Before Gabe could respond, the hammer was brought down and my sentence was final. I grimaced at Haymen. He laced his icy fingers around my hand and kissed the back of it. “Two days,” is all he said and then blackness swirled in the spot he once stood. Poof. Just like that my almighty savior and boss vanished, sentencing me to the most brutal prison. Two days my ass. I would go insane in that time and there wasn’t a thing I could do to go against Haymen’s word.

  I was jarred by Gabe who grabbed my arm and began to drag me out.

  “Listen here Angel Boy,” I said trying to grab my arm out of his strong bruising grip. “I might be going along with this whole thing but that still doesn’t give you the right to touch me as you please.” He pretended not to hear me as we walked towards the now open doors.

  His brooding expression only focused outdoors. I smiled and placed my foot out in front of his. This time he tripped. He caught on to one of the chairs as he brought me down with him. I was ready to hit the ground face first. It would’ve been worth it. He regained his composure with me still in his grasp.

  Click. The photographer had taken the cheeky photo. I laughed hysterically as he grabbed the man’s camera and crushed it in one hand. Well I guess none of this would be sprawling on headlines after all. Within seconds, he chained my hands and feet together. I didn’t even see where they came from. Maybe this little angel had a few teleportation tricks up his sleeve. Tape went over my mouth within seconds as he threw me over his shoulder and walked out. I could’ve fought him until the very end but I knew I had to adhere to Haymen’s words. Didn’t stop me from laughing at the pissed off angel who dragged me out of the courts.