Death Waltz

by A. M. Hargrove

  The disappearances were still mounting and it seemed the activity on Xanthus had settled down. That could only mean one thing. The Dark Creatures were responsible for the latest disappearance.

  Liasare shuddered as she asked, “Where do you think they’re taking them?”

  “We don’t know. That’s the problem.”

  “Maybe I can help. Maybe I can recognize their essence.”

  Jurek asked, “How?”

  “By my memory.”

  Marik asked, “But can you stand it?”

  Liasare closed her eyes for a minute and then said, “I can now. I don’t think it would’ve been possible before, but it is now.”

  The team leaders decided that five of them, Liasare included, would do a search over the area beginning tonight for the location of where the Dark Creatures might be nesting.

  About an hour after breakfast, Jurek called for everyone to meet in the main room. Then he asked for five volunteers for a training session. He was looking for the strongest of fighters that wouldn’t mind taking a good beating if they lost. Four men, along with Talos, volunteered.

  When they were assembled, he had them form a circle around him and said, “What we’re going to do is fight and fight hard. I want you to give me your most effective moves and do not under any circumstances, hold anything back. The rules of engagement are you cannot use any power unless it is to prevent you from getting injured and you cannot use it on your opponent. Clear?”

  They all nodded.

  Then Talos asked, “Are we fighting you, my lord?”

  “No. You are fighting your queen.” Jurek locked eyes with Liasare and she could only laugh.

  Leave it to him to come up with a solution such as this, she thought. She swaggered into the center of the circle.

  “Hello boys. Ready to get your asses kicked and handed back to you on a platter?” Then she ran a finger down one of the boy’s cheeks. He turned cherry pink.

  Talos laughed. “You bet we’re ready, my lady, but I’m not sure about the ass kicking part.”

  “Then let’s get a move on, shall we?” She nodded to Jurek, who stepped out of the circle and walked next to Tak.

  Tak rubbed his chin thoughtfully. “Do you think she can take all five?” he asked Jurek.

  “I’m not sure. I know she can take three. Five ... could be tough. We’ll see.”

  “You’re a bloody bastard, you know?”

  “Yeah. But she needs to be ready and yesterday she let that pansy ass win. Those little girls need to be taught a lesson too.”

  Tak wondered whether Jurek had a valid point or not. “Are you being an ass?”

  “I’m always an ass. But take a good hard look at them. They’re too over confident. Every damn one of them. They look like fucking peacocks out there. Who trained them anyway?”

  “I did,” Tak said acerbically.

  “You need to tear them down and build them back up.”

  “Maybe if you were around a bit more ...” his voice trailed off.

  “Tak, if you haven’t noticed, I have been a bit busy.”

  Right then, Liasare picked one of them up and threw him across the circle, into another opponent.

  “Nice move,” Tak said.

  “Just wait. How much you wanna bet she picks two of them up at once?”

  Minutes later, Liasare did exactly that. She grabbed each of them by the fronts of their shirts and lifted them off their feet and threw them into their teammates, causing them all to tumble, like bowling pins. But she didn’t stop. She went straight into the melee and disabled each of them until they all cried off. When she stepped away from the five men, she dusted her pants legs off, and then her hands and announced she was finished.

  After bowing to her opponents and thanking them for a worthy fight, she said, “I think I’m ready for some hydration along with some lunch. You hungry?”

  Tak shrugged and said, “It never surprises me that you want food. Let’s go.” The three of them walked to the dining area as the Vesturions trailed behind. They were amazed that Liasare could fight like that. Everyone was talking at once so Liasare didn’t even bother to answer. There were too many questions anyway.

  She fielded a few and mainly said her power increased over the last months and that was that. She went to shower afterward because she wanted to see Jaylen. When she was ready, she went to tell Jurek she was leaving.

  “Oh, no. Hell no. You’re not going alone.”

  “I’m going to use my power to get there.”

  “I don’t care. You’re not going unescorted.”

  “Fine. Then who will take me?”

  “I will.”

  “No. I want a girls’ visit and with you hanging around, that’s unlikely to happen.”

  He growled at her. “You promised you wouldn’t do this.”

  “And you’re being unreasonable.”

  After a short stand-off, Jurek called out for Marik. When he appeared, he was given step-by-step instructions of what he was and was not to do. Liasare glared at both men as the orders were conveyed. When Jurek finished, Liasare stepped up to him and said so only he could hear, “I hope this satisfies you. We both know that I am fully capable of taking down Marik or any man who accompanies me. You are making me feel incompetent and it is not appreciated.” She took one step back, turned, and walked away from him with a quick step.

  When they arrived at Jaylen’s, Liasare turned to Marik and said, “I don’t know what Jurek told you but you are to stay out of my business here. I’m more inclined to find things out without you hanging around.”

  Marik, who towered above Liasare, had the same build as Jurek, though he didn’t come close to Jurek’s stunning appearance. His stern features would give anyone reason to pause and think about approaching him, even a Xanthian for that matter. Marik rubbed his forehead as though he was trying to come up with a solution to his problem.

  “My lady, I’m supposed to stick to you like glue. Those were my orders. Now what will you have me do?”

  “Pretend your glue is out of date and doesn’t work.”

  Marik’s mouth dropped open. “But, he’ll hand me my ass.”

  “Better him than me.”

  “But ...”

  Liasare stepped into his zone of comfort and stuck her face up to his.

  “Marik, there will be no buts on this. Am I clear?”

  “Yes, my lady.”

  “I’m going inside. If something should arise where my presence is needed, please call out for me. Otherwise, remain here and be silent. I plan to enjoy myself.”

  Marik nodded, as he gritted his teeth. Liasare could hear them click together as she entered Jaylen’s place. She chuckled to herself. In reality, she didn’t like doing what she did, but if she were going to delve into Jaylen’s activities, she needed to be alone with her.

  The place was eerily quiet.

  “Jaylen? Is anyone here?”

  Jaylen ran a house of ill repute, so to speak. It was strange not to see any activity. Liasare wandered to the next room and then the next and they were all vacant. She took the stairway up to the second level, and entered the bedrooms. All were empty, save the last one, where she found Jaylen, bloody and unconscious.

  Calling out to Marik, he flashed inside and she told him to inspect the rest of the house again. She began to heal Jaylen. By the looks of her, someone had roughed her up and had done a damn good job of it. Her face was swollen and purple, one eye nearly closed from the bruising.

  Laying her hands on Jaylen, the healing process began. A short while later, Jaylen eyes flickered open. She gasped when she saw who sat with her.

  “Wh-what are you doing here?”

  “Saving your ass, that’s what.”

  “I-I thought I was dead.”

  “Not quite. Stay still. I’m not finished.”

  Marik returned and couldn’t find a thing. The place was empty.

  “We need to get her to headquarters.”

  “I
’ll do it. Can she handle it?”

  “I think so. Let’s go.”

  When they returned, Jurek was furious at Liasare. He stomped around like an enraged bull, daring anyone to speak to him.

  When dinnertime drew near, and he was still acting the fool, she’d had enough and finally exploded.

  “Meet me in our private quarters. Now!”

  They both flashed there and even before they took their physical forms, they were arguing.

  “You knew there was danger!” he insisted.

  “How many times do I have to reiterate this? Nothing happened to me! If you keep acting like this, you need to go back to Praestan.”

  He was on her in a blaze of light. But for the first time since she could remember, she shoved him off with all her might. He flew across the room, slammed into the wall, and crumpled into a heap. But he came back at her in a streak. And she sidestepped him again.

  “Stop it! You’re not using sex this time. Every single time we argue, you turn it into a sexcapade, pushing me into a wall, and it’s not happening now. You are wrong about this afternoon. You’re acting like a two-year-old. Admit it. And if you don’t, then we are going to have one hell of a long and bumpy road ahead of us.”

  Jurek staggered backwards with the force of her words. “Liasare.” His voice was hoarse and jammed in his throat.

  “I’m serious. You bully me, Jurek. And I’m done. You have to quit thinking of yourself the way you do. I have a vested interest in this and you’re trying to usurp my role here.”

  “What?” He was numb with her accusations. Had he really been doing that? In his efforts to protect her, had he been bullying her? Had he used sex as a weapon? Thinking back, he had to admit he did.

  “Jesus, Liasare. I’m sorry. I ... I wasn’t doing those things intentionally.”

  “Yes, you were. Or you wouldn’t have done them.”

  “I suppose you would see it that way. And I can’t blame you for that.” He dropped his ass down in the nearest chair because suddenly he was extremely exhausted. His head hung down as he thought about all his actions toward his mate and he was ashamed of his behavior.

  He lifted his head and saw her standing before him; saw the magnificence in her and wondered what he had done to deserve such a wondrous thing. He knew it wasn’t the goodness in him, because he didn’t really think there was any. Most of the things he had done in his life had been self-serving. It was humiliating to think of what he could have done versus what he actually did. And now, he had been blessed beyond measure, and he goes and says these terrible things again. Is he even capable of becoming the mate Liasare needs or should have, he asked himself?

  “Have you ever asked yourself if ...” he shook his head. “No of course you haven’t. You’re a bright angel in the universe. The brightest there ever was, I think. And I don’t know why I’m the one who you were sent to. I honestly don’t, because I keep hurting you and doing things to make you feel horrible. Please accept my most sincere apology. I truly am sorry, Liasare.”

  Liasare dropped to her knees in front of him and put her hands on his arms. “I know why I was sent to you.”

  “Care to fill me in?”

  “Because we’re soul mates and there is no other for either of us. We share each other, Alaric. And we’ve both made mistakes along the way, but that’s how we learn to grow stronger together.”

  “Seems like I’m quite the slow learner.”

  “Keep in mind that we’re a team.”

  “Yeah. I need to do better with that.”

  “Maybe we can be co-bosses?”

  “I just can’t deal with the fact that he wants you. You know? It’s a hot knife to my chest and I can’t dispel that feeling. Every time you’re away from me, it’s going to be like that. And it’s hard for me to give up my protective stance. I’m trying. And I’ll keep trying.”

  Liasare wanted to reassure him she would be fine. In the end, she knew she would. But she didn’t know what the middle would entail. It scared the hell out of her, too. She took his head and held it to her chest, feeling the thick silky strands of his hair trailing between her fingers. Blue lights danced off the shiny locks, for his hair brushed the tops of his shoulders now. Her fingers pressed into the firm bone of his skull, gently massaging the muscles that lay above it. They were silent as they held each other, lost in their own thoughts.

  When Jurek finally spoke, he said, “Your heart has a magical beat to it and I’ve always found it calms me. Have I ever told you that?”

  “No.”

  “It does. Hearing it now makes me want to lay with you.”

  “Then let’s”

  “No accusations of using sex, then?”

  She chuckled a little. “None.”

  A second later, they were lying in each other’s arms, in their large bed. Jurek’s head was on Liasare’s chest, above her heart, listening to its cadence.

  “I need you to keep me centered,” he told her.

  “Hmm. I thought I was the one who needed you for that.”

  Jurek raised himself to his elbow and leaned his head on his hand. “Haven’t you figured that out yet? We’re so much alike in that neither one of us had that growing up. I think that’s why we find ourselves clinging to each other during these times.”

  Jurek felt Liasare stiffen at his words.

  “What is it, love?”

  “I don’t ever want Justus feeling deprived of love and affection the way I was. Oh, God, I would die if he did.”

  “We would never let that happen.”

  “What if Abaddon takes him?”

  Her ashen-colored skin frightened Jurek, because that same thought had crossed his mind.

  “That’s why he will not be allowed to leave Praestan until this is resolved.”

  “Oh, we have to get January’s children out of there. Let’s go talk to Jaylen. To see if she can tell us anything yet.”

  Jaylen was awake, but said she didn’t remember a thing. Her physical injuries were healed, but her mind was reeling with the after shock of what happened.

  Jurek stepped next to her and asked if he could touch her thoughts with his. “Perhaps there is something that’s not surfacing due to the stress of what occurred.”

  After she agreed, Jurek began. The Dark Creatures came in the early morning hours, when the night was black as coal. They were led by one man, though Jurek could not see his face for he wore a hooded cloak. He wanted information, but the girls had none to give, so they took them except for Jaylen, whom they tortured and beat. Once he was satisfied she knew nothing, he left her behind for Liasare to find.

  Liasare knew Abaddon recognized her presence here on Earth. So did Jurek. Jaylen stared at the two of them, recalling the horrific images now from the night before. A scream tore from her lungs as she thrashed about on the bed.

  “Have you retrieved everything you need?” Liasare asked Jurek through telepathy.

  He slashed his head up and down one time as she told him to erase her memory of that disgusting night. After he did, Jaylen looked at the two of them, confusion wrinkling her brow.

  “What’s going on? What are you doing here?”

  “You’re at our headquarters. I came to visit you and your place was deserted. Everyone was gone. You were unconscious so we brought you here.”

  “The girls. Where are they?”

  “We’re not sure, but Jurek read your thoughts and it seems they were taken.” Liasare explained what happened, leaving out the bits about Jaylen’s beating. “You can’t go back there. It’s not safe any longer.”

  Jaylen trembled as she sat with her knees bent and her arms wrapped around them.

  “Jurek, I think she should go to Lare-Stell. At least Tommy is there and we won’t have to worry about anyone tracking her there.”

  He smiled and wondered why he hadn’t thought of that. Jaylen and Tommy were kind of sweet on each other and that would make one less person he’d have to worry about.

  �
��Excellent idea, love.”

  “Lare-Stell?” Jaylen asked.

  “It’s the home of Jurek’s business,” Liasare answered.

  “Oh. That’d be good. But I wanted to tell you that the disappearance of people has gotten out of control. Where ever they’re going, the numbers of them must be enough for a small city by now.”

  That is if they’re still alive, Liasare thought.

  “Anything else that you can share? Even if you think it’s unimportant, it might help us,” Liasare asked.

  “Not really. My business dropped off to almost nothing. Not even the Xanthians were coming around any more. They are afraid too, I believe.”

  “No rumors?”

  “No. Except to stay indoors after dark.”

  “What about Club Down?”

  “Bad news. Last I heard they were torturing their customers in the name of sex.”

  Liasare and Jurek looked at each other and Jurek asked, “You don’t mean BDSM do you?”

  “No. I mean pure torture. Some even die. I’ve heard they sacrifice their victims. Stay away from that place.”

  Jurek had Marik take Jaylen to Lare-Stell and after they were gone, they called a conference to discuss what she had told them.

  “Could it be human sacrifice?” someone asked.

  Jurek answered, “I don’t think so because non-humans have died.”

  “What about just sacrificial beings?” Liasare asked. “In the name of Abaddon?”

  Jurek blew out his breath. “At one point on Earth, satanic rituals included sacrificing animals and it was said that humans were also sacrificed too. But Abaddon never worked that way, to my knowledge. He wants his victims alive. So he can do the killing himself. No, I believe if killing is taking place, it’s not for him, it’s because he’s ordered it or wants to surround himself with the depravity of it. He thrives in that type of atmosphere.”

  “So, what’s our next step?” one of the Yarristers asked.

  Liasare stood up, tall and pensive. “I’m going to Club Down. I’ll take one other Praestani. The Guardians will remain here. It’s too dangerous to have them there. Ten other Praestani will travel with me, but in their energy form. Jurek, you will remain behind and I want Naroo here too. She has an uncanny ability to detect things so she can be on the hunt for Abaddon. And so will you. As soon as he’s located, you’ll call to me and I will meet him. If my bets are correct, he will go to Club Down to find me, once he knows I’m there. For all we know, he may already be there, waiting on me.”