Redemption of Blood

by Michel Prince

  * * * *

  PFC James Schmitt

  “So, you miss me now?” Lars teased as he helped me settled onto the granite counter of the healing table.

  The cold slab was easy to clean and kept the body rigid. Right now I’d prefer softness.

  “Is Dilana as stubborn?”

  “Yes, but she also can back her shit up.” Lars dabbed a cold cloth on my cheek, and then I felt a solid cold steel object under my eye. “I know you haven’t been trying to sleep with KK.”

  “At least one person in the damn house does.”

  “Most do, it's just the newbies who don’t even know who’s who that are confused.”

  I could smell witch hazel. Unlike humans who distill the herb, we tended to turn it into a paste with a bit of peppermint to reduce the swelling. A delicate hand surprised me as a new voice spoke.

  “Have you ever tried yarrow? I’ve found it helps with clotting.”

  “I don’t think that’s an issue, Esther.”

  “Think or know?” she asked as she finished applying the paste under my eyes. With my rapid healing in combination with the pure intensity of the herbs I could feel the swelling reduce.

  Lars pressed harder under my right eye then a warm burn from the scalpel cutting into my swollen cheek sent a shock of pain across my face and down my spine. I screamed out and felt the weight of Lars on my shoulder.

  “Ready to sit up again?” Lars whispered. “Or am I gonna need to get a tampon from your purse?”

  “I hate you.”

  When I sat up a clot of blood escaped my cheekbone followed by a warm trickle down my cheek. Moments later light flickered and I was no longer in darkness, but everything was hazy.

  “Ready for the next one?”

  “No,” I growled.

  “We could give him something for the pain,” Esther offered.

  “Now…after you’ve mangled my face you offer.”

  “Most men can take the drainage.”

  A nut shot from the new girl. Great.

  “I’m good. Just don’t hold me down this time.”

  “You sure?” Lars asked. “I don’t want you swinging on Esther.”

  “Bring Berlin in here. Maybe I’ll get bonus points from KK.”

  “Not funny,” Esther said. “Don’t worry, little miss is gonna break a nail soon.”

  “It’s not her nail KK wants broken,” I sighed as Lars looked for the sweet spot to cut on my left cheek. “Let’s do this.”

  “You sure?” Esther asked as the freshly cleaned blade glistened from an overhead light.

  “No,” I pouted. “But do it. Now.”

  Another slice, drain, and pressure followed by surgical glue because I’d need only a few hours to heal, especially with the herbs knitting my flesh together. Lars and Esther checked my ribs while Zarmina pulled together items from the green house.

  “Now what?” Lars walked me up to my room.

  “Now, I’m going to shower and heal myself the only way I know.”

  “Alcohol and pussy?”

  “Yes, I tend to not need to be glued back together after either of those.”

  “Then you aren’t doing them right.”

  Chapter 8

  Her Royal Holiness, Princess LaDressa, Daughter of Lucifer the IV

  FROM the kitchen glass opening I watched as a vehicle pulled into the circular flatness between our homes. Strange? The only car…as my mother called it, that I’d seen was Pivane’s. This one had two colors and a symbol on the side. Police. Protect and serve. Strange words. I suppose I protect and serve my coven so they may want to talk to me. Two men got out of the vehicle. One was wearing a dark outfit with weapons on its belt; the other was in what I’ve learned were normal clothes for humans.

  They walked up the stone to the second home and were greeted by Nemesio. She was not wearing her customary attire. Instead, she wore a T-shirt and jeans. She held tight to her arms and nodded to the men before allowing them entry to the home.

  “Mother,” I called as I braced myself on the water basin. “Mother.”

  Looking behind me, I noticed she hadn’t arrived yet. Where could she be? There was one thing I'd learned from my time on this plane—we were not to become involved with humans. That was for the bantlings after they’d matured. And were there bantlings in that home? I did not even know.

  Storming across the yard, I threw open the door to see Nemesio offering refreshments to the men.

  “What is the meaning of this?” I barked.

  “I’m sorry,” she said as she turned off the water spigot. “This is my neighbor LaDressa.”

  “Hello, I’m Detective DeTello. I know seeing police in your driveway can be disturbing. We’re just here to help in the locating of Damarion Juarez.”

  “My Damarion.” I balked with my hand to my chest.

  “Yours? I thought he was involved with Kiriana Kladshon?”

  “Lies, he and I have been—”

  “My brother Damarion wasn’t exactly a gentleman when it comes to affairs of the heart.” Nemesio passed a glass to Detective DeTello and gave me a look that suggested I silence myself. “These officers are trying to help me locate him.”

  “We know his location. I do not understand your involvement—”

  “LaDressa.” Nemesio’s tone was harsh. “He wasn’t there. I must not have told you.”

  “Where did you think he was?” the man asked after setting down his drink.

  “We thought he might have gone to visit friends in Bowling Green,” Nemesio stated. “I’m sure that’s what she’s thinking about.”

  “He’s been missing for months?” the man asked, and his face contorted in such a way.

  With a waving my hand, I incapacitated the two men. Strange how easy the humans can be controlled, as if frozen in time and oblivious to the world around them. With a harsh glare at Nemesio, I sucked in my breath to try to temper my anger.

  “Why are humans in our home?”

  “It’s not my fault, Yahweh.” Nemesio’s sweet human façade disappeared. “They showed up before you came to Earth. I didn’t know what to do. Luckily I had been outside when they arrived and could bring them to the home with no bantlings at the time. Since then I’ve kept this home empty.”

  “Why are they in search of Damarion? How do they even know of his existence?”

  “He worked locally. His employer was looking for him.”

  “Have the human authorities learned anything of use?”

  “They had only just arrived.” Nemesio curled around the one with weapons and sniffed him. “Might I indulge? It might make them look harder.”

  I groaned. The last thing I needed was a Deumos killing a human in some sort of sexual torture act. Nemesio’s hand stroked the outside of the man’s pants.

  “He’s already slightly stiff, maybe he finds me attractive.” Her brow arched. “Or both of us. Have you ever wanted to play?”

  “Could they be of use to us?” I queried.

  “What would I know?” She sighed and backed away from the man.

  I placed my hands on the counter between us and scowled.

  “Nemesio, do not insult me by playing the fool.”

  A smile worked its way across her lips.

  “They could put pressure on the Frozen. Maybe even locate their compound. Before Damarion died he spoke of finding the Frozen in the city. He scolded Pivane for never noticing them before.”

  “The Frozen have dwelled in this village for decades without detection, but you think these humans will now be able to find them?”

  “They’ve never committed a murder of a human. In these human’s eyes, Damarion was human. That is an offense that in some cases causes an equal and swift reaction.”

  “Killing Kiriana, without blood coming to my hands?”

  “Yes.”

  Somehow that didn’t seem as satisfying to me.

  “Your Holine
ss, although you have taken them out of the conversation the world still turns and humans tend to be ruled by the ticking of a clock.”

  I released my hold on the men and the normally clothed one continued his last line of thought. He spoke to me.

  “How long did it take you to notice he wasn’t visiting friends?”

  “I’m not sure; I had been out of town when he came up missing.” A very human response I felt. Maybe I should mix more with the humans to fit in better.

  “How long had the two of you been an item?”

  “Not long enough, sadly.”

  “Well, we did see him at a truck stop a few days before he disappeared.” He turned toward Nemesio. “Is that a place he went frequently?”

  “Not that I was aware of, but he might have been helping another neighbor of ours.”

  “Who’s that?”

  “Pivane Whitewater. His car tends to break down a lot.”

  “You guys have a nice little cul-de-sac here. Do you think your other neighbors are around?”

  “They all work odd hours.”

  “Maybe I’ll knock on some doors,” the detective suggested, and I bristled in fear. “Something wrong with that suggestion?”

  “It’s your job, isn’t it?” My voice cracked when I spoke. “As long as you can bring him back to us alive.”

  “I did speak with Kiriana recently,” he said, pulling out a notepad. Nemesio and I both perked up. “She suggested Damarion might have killed himself.”

  “Lies,” I growled. “He may have in the past, but not now, not when we were so close to—”

  “He has a history of depression,” Nemesio interjected. “But that was when he was young. There was nothing in his demeanor to suggest he was suicidal now.”

  “Uh-huh.” He placed a notepad into his coat.

  “Wait.” Reaching my hand out, I pleaded, “You know more than you're saying, don't you? You know where Kiriana resides?”

  “Not exactly. She has two residences it appears. We found her at an apartment in town, but her husband and her indicated they had a home elsewhere.”

  “He could be there,” I suggested. “If she were married and having an affair.”

  “She said DJ’s affection wasn’t returned. I didn’t get the feeling she was lying.” He looked at a timepiece on his wrist. “Wow, we were just coming to give Nemi an update. It was nice meeting you, LaDressa.”

  “You’re giving up?”

  “Not yet. This town’s pretty small. I tend to throw myself into any case I get.”

  “How many cases do you have?” I asked.

  “Two. I’m just trying to make sure they aren’t related.” He pulled out a card and passed it to me. “Call me when your neighbor…Mr. Whitewater shows up again. I have a few questions for him.”

  * * * *

  Kiriana Kladshon George

  By nightfall I returned to the garden and our tree. Something about seeing it thrive gave me hope. Walking into the greenhouse I was surrounded by an orange glow. Stepping farther out, I could see the moon was shining brightly through the glass. It was barely above the horizon and it was huge. I had never seen anything like it; I felt like I could reach out and touch it. It was the most beautiful shade of orange I’d ever seen.

  “It’s beautiful, isn’t it?” Lars’ faint Swedish accent caught me off guard.

  “Yes. I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything so magnificent. It’s like it’s right on the other side of the glass.”

  “A harvest moon. You lived in the city, right?”

  “Yes. All my life.”

  “It’s orange because of the dust from the harvest. All the farmers tilling their field.” Mesmerized, I couldn’t move. “Isn’t it funny how shaking something up can make a beautiful thing. It’s a shame not everyone can see it, but I guess that’s what makes it special. That only a chosen few are allowed to gaze upon it.”

  Lars was all about double meanings. I’d noticed that. He was a very deep philosopher wrapped in a big hunk of man.

  “So you’re saying my child will be a blessing even if it’s only for a few people.”

  “I was talking about the moon.”

  “Right. The moon.”

  “Too bad it’s going to rise and go back to its normal self. Maybe it does this to remind us of its greatness.”

  “Now I believe you’re talking about the moon.”

  “Speaking of which…”

  “Yes, I’m a slut, and yes, I had sex before I was sealed,” I snipped.

  “Please,” Lars scoffed. “Like you’re the only one. I take it that was Mina talking.”

  “No.” I finally turned and looked at him. “It’s me, Lars. I know you’re about three hundred. Are you losing your mind?”

  “Smart-ass.”

  “It’s a gift,” I laughed and found the nearest bench to look at the moon. “Is Schmitty okay?”

  “I’m sure he’s had worse over the years.” Lars sighed and sat next to me.

  “I can’t believe Nye went after him.”

  “He rarely spoke to anyone in the house before he met you. Now he has an Other. He’s learning. Be patient with him.”

  “I’m not used to being with any one person either, but I don’t question my choice.”

  “What makes you think Nye questions your marriage?”

  “He questions me, that’s all that matters.”

  I knitted my fingers together and leaned my forearms on my knees.

  “So, I can have a baby, Mina can’t?” Lars asked after a few moments of silence.

  “Why do you ask?” I growled.

  “Because you aren’t the only one that had sex before you were sealed.”

  “Oh, so the world may be populated with little Lars and Schmittys?”

  “More Schmittys. The infant mortality rate was high when I was doing it.”

  “Don’t talk about that.”

  “Sorry. May I?” He held his hand toward my stomach.

  “No.” Leaning back, I saw the hurt on his face. “I want Nye to be the first man to touch my belly with kindness and love. Maybe I ask too much. It’s not like I told him first. Just go ahead.”

  “No, you’re right, he should be the first. Plus, right now you’re not getting any good punches or kicks that you know about.”

  “Right. Lars, did you have any children when you were alive?”

  “No.”

  “Why don’t you come to the sessions?”

  “I don’t need them. I healed myself years ago.”

  “But you could help with the others.”

  “How much do you share?” he asked.

  “I don’t know. Less than the others, but I didn’t kill myself.”

  “There are many ways to kill ourselves.”

  “I’m learning that. You wanna tell me how you did it?”

  “I’ve never told Mina. She’s the first one I want to tell.”

  I had to give him credit for that.

  “Do you regret it?”

  “Not since I met Mina. Not even before then. I told you, I healed myself and it’s not like I was terribly distraught.”

  “You saved someone, didn’t you?”

  “I thought Mina was the only one that could read minds.”

  “So she already knows.”

  “I don’t think about it. Even when asked it takes a lot to get me thinking about that day. Back to having a baby…”

  “Don’t ask me, I’m not the expert. It’s fading.”

  “Huh? Oh, I warned you the moon wouldn’t stay that way forever.”

  “It was nice while it lasted,” I said.

  Lars leaned back and crossed his arms over his broad chest.

  “I don’t want to talk in a group.”

  “What?”

  “I need to talk to someone, but not in a group.”

  “I was thinking of doing individual sessions to help those that aren’t o
pening up in the group. It’s hard being three hundred, isn’t it?”

  “It has its ups and downs.”

  “You wanted more from life, didn’t you?”

  “I didn’t think so. Mina’s been…” Lars dropped his head, shaking.

  “If you want to talk then you have to work past fear of upsetting me or anyone else for that matter.”

  “I can feel that Zarmina’s upset.”

  “She wants a baby.”

  “You know about things in the world today. I would like to have my own child, but I don’t know if I could have one without Zarmina being a part of it.”

  “She might want to have a say in it.”

  “Of course, but do you think Gabriel would allow another child beyond yours?”

  “I don’t know, Lars. We don’t live in a child-friendly environment. I’m not even sure that he wants this child here.”

  “I’ve given her everything she’s ever asked for, not that she ever really asked for anything but me.”

  “I can’t imagine the gift wrap on that one.”

  “That’s a good idea.” Heat shot off him and I had to smile.

  “Look, I’m really not doing too good right now. I really just want to go lie down.”

  “It’s a blessing, you know?”

  “Seeing the moon?” I joked, knowing Mr. Double Meaning was trying to be helpful. “We haven’t got two hundred years under our belt. We’re still feeling each other out and we hit something really big and really hard. I can’t do it without him. He’s the one you need to look at the moon with.”

  “I was never into moon gazing with men. I’m Swedish, not Roman.”

  * * * *

  PFC James Schmitt

  “What the hell happened to you?” the big bartender, who had to have been a lineman at some time in his life, asked when he finally noticed me at the edge of the bar.

  “Long story. Look, I really need to see Trish. Is she working anytime soon?” I didn’t have time for chit chat. I needed my escape. I needed my human soul to come back to me even if it was just for an hour.

  “Trisha probably won’t be back for a while. Her kid took a turn for the worse.”

  Kid? What kid? She never mentioned a kid. It was then I noticed that Don’s thumb was hitchin’ toward the donation jar filled to the brim.

  “The fish fry’s tomorrow, but I don’t think she’ll be coming by.”