Balance of Forces

by Ali Vali

  “Henri, this is no time for games. Give me what I want,” Ora said. “And does the pain make you talk in riddles, Asra? If so, you won’t have to suffer much longer.”

  “Actually, the pain clears my mind.” She looked into Ora’s eyes and smiled. “My teacher said I’d never know death, but she couldn’t erase pain. The answer to what needs to be done, though, lies in the pain.”

  “More riddles?” Ora asked, slapping her.

  “The meaning of the proverb is that you should never claim victory until your enemy’s dead and the lifeless body passes you by. Don’t trust anything but your own eyes.”

  “What does that mean?” Ora demanded, holding her hand up to stop Henri.

  “It means I know Abez better than you ever will, no matter how many years he’s been your lapdog. It also means my body is neither lifeless nor dead, witch.” She struggled to her feet and raised her hand, stunning both of them into watching her. Ora noticed the katana flying toward her, but couldn’t reach it before Kendal grabbed it. Charlie had followed her directions and not tried to help as Ora and Henri used her as target practice. He’d waited to throw her weapon back when she was ready.

  Once she was able to stand upright, she took a deep breath and tried to bury the pain like Morgaine had taught her. Henri had snapped out of his stupor and screamed as he ran toward her, holding his sword above his head. She used the dagger she’d taken from her boot to parry. Ora had also armed herself again, but Kendal stood between them with her back against one of the porch’s pillars, fending them off.

  Moving made her feel like the wounds weren’t bleeding as much, so she came down with both hands, driving Henri and Ora’s sword points into the dirt. Pushing off from her support, she gained enough momentum to get her foot high enough to reach Henri’s throat, making him pitch forward. With his head so close, she grabbed it and twisted, snapping his neck. Not a death blow, but she only needed to disable him long enough to deal with Ora.

  “What of your choices now?” she asked Ora. “If Henri had ripped my heart out, all that stood between you and victory was Charlie. I love him, but he wasn’t ready for that.”

  “You’re telling me you planned this?” Ora asked, laughing.

  “I planned on Henri being Henri, and he didn’t disappoint me. He doesn’t only live to kill, but also to inflict as much torment as he can.” She moved forward and disarmed the inexperienced Ora.

  “I can give you power, or I can give you pain—your choice,” Ora said, backing up with her hands in front of her.

  “I choose peace of mind.”

  Ora laughed as she reached for the pouch tied to her waist. She released the inner monster and morphed into the grotesque being Kendal had seen so many times. Here was the source of so much misery. “I’ll never allow you peace as long as I live.”

  “There’s your answer, then,” she said, moving closer toward Ora.

  “What answer?”

  “That I need to kill you to know peace.”

  Ora held her fist up as if she was going to throw something at her, but Kendal held her ground. Ora backed up, murmuring softly as if reciting a spell. Kendal held her sword with the end pointed at the ground, keeping pace with Ora.

  “You’ve hidden yourself,” she said, showing no fear. “In all that time, I thought you had finally given the Elders what they wanted without me having to hunt you down.”

  “You thought I was dead by my own hand?” Ora brought her hands together and rubbed her palms in circles.

  “No, they knew you lived, but wherever you’d hidden was like a prison of your own making.”

  Her comment made Ora stop moving her hands and laugh. “Are you stupid? I wasn’t stuck anywhere. I was waiting for the right time to defeat those simpletons you serve. Their mistake was sending only you to face me.”

  “I got you here, didn’t I?” she asked, moving her sword so only the hilt pointed at Ora. “Or should I say, Henri got you here, because I’d be easy to beat since I’m weak and waste my time on mere mortals. Did he tell you that over and over again until it sounded like the truth?”

  “You gain nothing from all the compassion you shower on these simpletons, so it is a waste,” Henri said, making her turn around to see where he was. She looked at him standing nearby, leaning on their father’s sword. “Only the darkness contains the truth.”

  She nodded, not taking her eyes off him, but she heard Ora moving quickly behind her. “You’re right, brother,” she said, waiting until the last second. When she turned around, Ora had jumped the last five feet between them, howling with her mouth open as if she planned to use her fangs once she landed on her.

  Kendal turned toward Henri again, raising her blade and wanting to see his face when he lost what was most important to him. She felt Ora’s breath on the top of her head before the screams stopped. Her aim was true and she held the sword steady as it split Ora’s heart down the middle.

  Unlike any of Kendal’s other kills, Ora exploded, forming a cloud of red dust that caught fire and burned as it fell to the ground. Very little of Ora’s essence remained, and it swirled in the wind, scattering away from Kendal like a small swarm of mosquitoes. Ora’s remains seemed to be trying to cling to whatever life was left in her.

  *

  “Let me go, or I’ll kill her,” Henri said, holding an unconscious Piper in front of him. To make his threat real he pressed his teeth to her throat. If Kendal rushed him, she’d never make it in time before he ripped into Piper’s carotid artery.

  “Not this time, Henri. This ends here and now.”

  “Have you learned nothing about me?” he asked, not lifting his mouth far from Piper’s neck. “I don’t grow attached to the weak, pathetic creatures like you do. Their only job is to worship me and give willingly all I need to exist.”

  “If you remember, you asked me to face you and fight. Let her go so you can prove how much better and stronger you are than I am.”

  “You won’t kill me because your love for this girl is stronger than your hatred of me,” he said, raising his head completely but not releasing Piper. “It may piss you off that I’m your brother, but I’m still Abez.” He held up their father’s sword so she could see the blade and the writing that must have been copied numerous times when he’d had it repaired. “Knowing that, can you bring yourself to kill me if I let her go? What would our honorable father say if he were here?”

  “He was honorable, yet you killed him. That you’re capable of such an act must have killed his spirit before his heart stopped beating. Nonetheless, considering the type of man he was, he would tell me that every man can hope for redemption, so you deserved your freedom and chance to make amends.” Kendal tossed the dagger away from her. “Release her and I won’t come after you.” She dropped the katana next, leaving herself unarmed. “You’re right, I can’t kill you.”

  “Fool, I’ll take her and bury you for being so fucking weak.” He opened his mouth wide, ready to bite down on Piper’s neck.

  “I didn’t say you deserved to live, brother,” she said, stopping him. “Someone else deserves the kill more, and he’s anxious to claim that prize.” Henri squinted, but it was too late. He’d forgotten Charlie, the man he’d dismissed as insignificant, the man he’d laughed at. “I only wanted to see your expression before you have to face all the innocents you’ve killed. I hope they show you as much mercy as you gave them.”

  Henri tried to turn around, but Charlie stabbed him hard enough from behind to pierce his heart. Henri disappeared in a black cloud of smoke that dispersed quickly. He was finally dead, and wherever Angelina, Tomas, and Charlie’s family were, enjoying the afterlife, they had peace.

  “Thank you,” Charlie said after dropping his sword and catching Piper before she fell to the ground. “And forgive me if you had any feelings for him.”

  “My brother ceased to exist the moment Ora sank her fangs into him, so you’ve nothing to apologize for. You put the beast out of his misery.”

&
nbsp; Piper moaned as she started to become more alert, but she quieted down as if she recognized her touch when Charlie placed her in Kendal’s arms. “Sleep now, my little one, you’re safe.” She triggered a pressure point at the base of Piper’s neck that eased her back into stillness. “Remember everything I’ve told you,” she said, and kissed Piper’s forehead.

  “I’ll put her inside,” Charlie offered.

  “You need to take her home.” She held Piper closer to her and inhaled the scent of her perfume. “Take care, and I want you to be happy,” she said, kissing Piper’s lips this time.

  “Are you sure?”

  “Charlie, you know that’s the right thing. Piper deserves someone who can make her happy and fill her life with love and joy.” She was too weak to stand with Piper in her arms, so she released her to Charlie. “Have one of the staff take her home, clean her up, and leave no trace of us behind.”

  “She deserves better than that from you.” Charlie cradled Piper, his injured hand still bleeding.

  “No, Charlie.” She propped herself against the lattice that wrapped the bottom of the porch. “She deserves better than me.”

  Chapter Twenty-four

  “No!” Piper screamed as she sat straight up in her bed. The blinds were open, and it took her a minute to figure out she was in her own home, safe from any danger. Her shoes sat neatly by the bed, and she was in her pajamas. She felt well rested, so she’d obviously slept, making her question her overwhelming urge to cry.

  “Hey, you’re awake,” Hill said from the doorway. She had a cup of coffee in one hand and a folded section of the paper in the other. “I was just coming to get you up. Want something for breakfast?”

  “Why are you here?” She rubbed her face, trying to focus on why her heart was racing.

  Hill sat in the chair by the window and stretched her legs. “I kept calling and you didn’t answer, so I came over to see if you were all right. You know, Piper, I realize this is a gated community, but you really shouldn’t leave your door unlocked if you sleep like the dead.”

  She had no memory of the previous night except coming home after she’d dressed and left Kendal’s room. Why couldn’t she remember? It wasn’t like she’d gone out drinking or taken something that fogged her mind. “I must’ve been out for the night.”

  “You sure you’re okay? You look a little dazed.” Hill moved to the bed and sat on the edge, her fingers coming away wet when she touched Piper’s cheek.

  “I’m fine, just still tired, I guess.” She reached for the cup Hill had placed on the nightstand, but it fell from her hand when she looked at the small glass sitting next to it. Someone had put the daffodil Kendal had given her in water and left it next to the bed for her to see. She could’ve forgotten putting it there, but the vase it sat in wasn’t hers.

  She suddenly remembered the strange woman standing behind Kendal and running her through with an old-looking sword.

  “Are you Piper Marmande?” The question came through the intercom from a voice she didn’t recognize.

  “Can I help you?” Piper looked through the peephole to see who’d gotten past the security gate without being announced.

  “I have news of your friend Kendal Richoux. May I come in?”

  He kept his head bowed, his fingers long and pale as they rested on the button of the intercom. She was about to unlock the door when she remembered what Kendal had told her about letting anyone in. “Can you tell me from out there? I’m not dressed to answer the door.”

  “Miss Marmande, your friend’s in trouble and needs you. But I’ll understand if you don’t want to help, and I’m sure she’ll understand that you don’t want to be involved.” His hand dropped and the man turned to go.

  “Wait!” Piper opened the door and stood just inside it. “Please don’t go.”

  “You must invite me in, Miss Marmande.”

  Piper had found herself at Oakgrove to see Kendal’s murder. Charlie had kept her safe, and she was now convinced Kendal had sacrificed her life to save her.

  “Piper, come on. You’re scaring me.”

  “We have to go.” She fought with the blankets and Hill to get off the bed. “We have to go now.”

  “Okay, honey, we’ll go. You just need to tell me where and I’ll take you.”

  “Kendal…Kendal needs me.” Being trapped on the bed frustrated her, and her tears were making it harder to escape. “Oh, God, Hill, I think she’s dead. I saw so much blood, so much.”

  “Piper, you have to calm down and breathe. What about blood? Whose was it?”

  “Kendal’s. This man came here and this woman stabbed her.”

  “You aren’t making a whole lot of sense, and I’m sure Kendal’s fine. You just had a bad dream.” Hill helped Piper out of the bed, and she ran to her closet to throw something on.

  She was despondent on the drive out of the city, and Hill couldn’t get her to snap out of her stupor. She made Hill press the buzzer, hoping to find Kendal in a good mood. The intercom was silent though the gate opened.

  Her dread doubled when she saw Charlie standing on the porch. He looked more relaxed, as if someone had lifted a weight from his shoulders. “Welcome back.”

  “Can you get Kendal for us? Piper really needs to see her,” Hill said as she helped Piper from the car.

  “He can’t,” Piper whispered. “I’m right, aren’t I?”

  Charlie nodded and tried to offer a warm smile. Kendal had left that morning, and it would be decades before she’d walk these grounds again, if ever. Oakgrove had been Kendal’s refuge for only a short period before it became the harbor for her greatest pain. Coming back had only proved that she was still suffering.

  Jacques had spent more time with Angelina, but Charlie suspected that Piper had reached deeper inside Kendal in the few weeks they’d known each other. Kendal had fallen in love, and once again Henri had stolen the beauty of her feelings from her. Charlie didn’t agree, but he understood her decision to walk away.

  “She’s gone, Miss Marmande. I’m sorry.”

  “Where is she?” Hill demanded.

  “If you have any questions pertaining to any business dealings, her assistant in the New York office will be available to help you. That’s all I can tell you. I’m sorry.”

  Piper leaned against the car and cried. “She gave me her word. She promised me,” she screamed at him.

  He couldn’t stand to see her suffer. He imagined that she felt the same pain that he had when he lost his family. “You were her main concern, Miss Marmande. She told me how special you were and how much she came to care about you. Perhaps you can use that as a stepping stone to find someone who can give you what Kendal could not.”

  Piper stared at him with eyes so dead, they didn’t appear to belong to her. “There’ll be no one else.”

  “You’re young, so don’t give up so easily,” he said, a hand on her shoulder.

  A slight smile tried to crack the corners of Piper’s lips but wasn’t quite successful. “I have a feeling you know all too well what I’m going through and that what I’m saying is true. As much as I fought it and didn’t want to like her, I ended up falling in love with her. A life without her will be empty.”

  “You are wise for one so young. Be well, Miss Marmande, and feel free to visit here as often as you like. You’ll always be welcome at Oakgrove.” She nodded and turned to head back to the car door. “If only a magic wizard could lift your spirits,” he said as he closed her door and bent down to the open window to smile and place his hand on her shoulder one last time.

  “What an odd thing to say,” Hill said, starting the car.

  Late that night, the clue hit Piper like a blow to the chest. She moved silently past Hill, who was sleeping on her sofa, and headed to her car.

  The bartender at Oz just continued to wipe her hands on the bar towel and stared at her after she asked to be taken upstairs. Not bothering with introductions, the bartender led her to the office door.

  “
Have a seat and Lenore will be with you shortly. Do you want anything to drink?”

  “What are all these books?” She stood at the railing and looked at the shelves.

  A beautiful brunette emerged from the stacks, holding out her hand and waiting for Piper to take it. “They’re our true history, child, and the tales of our greatest heroes and warriors. I’m Lenore and this collection is mine.”

  “It’s a rather odd spot to keep them, but you have an inordinate amount here.” She barely noticed that Lenore had yet to let go of her hand because she was so focused on her eyes. What were the odds that Kendal, Charlie, the bartender, and Lenore would share the same unique pale blue color with the yellow flecks surrounding the irises?

  “So I’ve heard, and from your presence I can tell Charlie has done his job well in guiding you here. What can I do for you?”

  “I want to know what happened to Kendal.”

  “Are you sure? Kendal’s story is a long one.” Lenore guided her to a set of comfortable reading chairs and poured her a cup of tea.

  “What can I tell you to make you believe how much I care about her? If she’s hurt or needs me, I want to go to her, and if she’s dead, I’ll have something to look forward to when I die.”

  “Piper, may I call you Piper?” She nodded. “I’ve known Kendal for a very long time. She’d want you to choose happiness, even if it meant you’d find it with someone else, someone like your friend Hill, perhaps. She tries to hide her feelings, but she loves you a great deal.”

  “If our heads chose our loves for us, the world would make more sense, I suppose, but they don’t. Our hearts make our choices, and we can only follow. Kendal’s the last person my head would have picked, but my heart cannot live without her, not anymore.”

  “You sound like a poet, child. I asked Kendal once what she feared most,” Lenore said, closing her eyes and smiling. “Her answer was not one thing but three. She told me she feared vampires, demons, and God. Can you guess why?”