Angels Among Us

by C. E. Barrett

  “How about you, Daffyd; what do you do?” Reznik suddenly switched interview subjects. Seren breathed an internal sigh of relief. Daffyd was momentarily taken aback by the question, but he rallied.

  “I'm a conductor/composer,” he said. “And sometimes musician but I don't play professionally very much anymore. When I do, it's usually my own pieces.”

  Seren stared at him in open astonishment. Had he said he was a lawyer, or a doctor, or a banker, she would have had no difficulty believing him. But this was utterly unexpected.

  “Are you well-known in your field?” asked Reznik.

  A short bark of laughter burst forth from Daffyd's throat. “Yes. You could say I'm well-known.” If you enjoy understatement.

  Reznik exchanged a glance with Seren. She spoke directly to the other woman. “Something tells me he's holding out on us. What do you think?”

  “I think he's more than well-known,” said Seren, remembering her impression yesterday that whatever it was he did, he did it well. Extreme fame would explain his haughty exterior; it would serve to keep him from being mobbed by fans. She was having a hard time imagining a conductor being swarmed by shrieking fans; in fact, she was hard pressed to think of any she had ever heard of in her own world. Zubin—or was it Zeren?—Mehta came to mind, but only because her mother had worked for his brother. Seren could never remember which was which.

  Daffyd looked modestly out into the yard, his smile secret and almost sly.

  “How famous are you, Daffyd?” Seren wanted to know. He turned toward her. If Reznik had pushed him on this, he would have sidestepped gracefully. Seren's asking was a different proposition. He wanted to be as honest as he could with her. Since he was already keeping a big secret, he wanted no others between them.

  “Extremely, Seren.” He looked up into her eyes. “This is going to sound boastful, but I'm probably one of the most recognizable men in my world. It makes life difficult sometimes. It's one of the big reasons I've never had children, never settled down.” He paused. His mouth felt suddenly dry. “Could I have a sip of that, please?” he asked Seren. She passed him her glass. He took a small drink and passed it back. “Thank you. As I was saying, my services are very much in demand and I travel most of the year. Every summer I take a month off which I usually spend in my houseboat on a quiet lake in the back of beyond.”

  “A houseboat? How unusual!” Seren exclaimed. It sounded delightful to her.

  “It is and I love it. I bought it twenty years ago, and I keep it in good repair. I have a wonderful caretaker who makes sure it's in perfect shape all year so I don't have any nasty surprises when my vacation starts.” I'd love to take you there, Seren. It's quiet, and it's remote, and beautiful. You'd love it, I'm sure.

  “Do you have anyone special in your life to share it with?” Reznik's question, coming on the heels of his thought, startled him. He looked at her sharply, wondering if she was reading his mind. She looked innocent enough.

  “No. As I said, life's been too hectic to find the right person. And it's not a place I would bring a casual fling.” He smiled wryly. “It's my haven from the world, a place for myself and my loved ones. My sister stays there sometimes, and Morgyn and Ria. It's too out of the way for my father's taste.”

  “Who are Morgyn and Ria,” asked Rapsim. He had been sitting so quietly, absorbing all the new information, the others had almost forgotten him.

  “Daffyd's niece and her daughter,” supplied Seren, and colored. “Sorry, Daffyd. It's your story.”

  “It's all right,” he reassured her. “As Seren said, they're my family.”

  The sun had set some time ago and the yard was in darkness. The sky might have been overcast, for no stars were visible, but there was no moonlight to show the edges of the clouds. Daffyd had turned on the outside light which he had discovered just before joining the others. They sat surrounded by its comforting glow.

  Seren yawned suddenly. “Sorry. I'm zapped. I think I've had too much wine and besides, the past two days have drained my reserves. I'm going to hit the hay.” She stood up. “Anyone want the last of this?” She offered her wine glass around.

  “I'll take it off your hands,” offered Reznik. Seren passed it to her with a smile.

  Daffyd rose to his feet. “If you don't mind, I'll come upstairs with you and raid the dresser for pajamas of some kind.”

  “Oh, I thought you could have the bed tonight,” Seren said.

  “No, thank you. I'm very comfortable on the couch. Besides, if Devany wakes in the night, you'll be right there. I just want to get something to sleep in.”

  “Of course.” She turned to the others. “Rap, Rez, it was nice meeting you. See you tomorrow. Oh, you do know about the bedroom with the bunks?”

  “Yes, thanks. I even got a couple of them ready with fresh sheets,” said Rapsim. “After Daffyd went for his walk and you came out here, I checked out the house. I hope that doesn't bother you. I didn't stop to ask, since you seemed to need the time alone.”

  “It's fine, Rap. I was just wondering when you managed it.” Seren smiled. “Good night, all.” She opened the front door, and went inside. Daffyd followed, closing the door behind them. He trailed behind her as she labored up the stairs.

  “Would you like me to carry you up?” he asked, only half-joking. She made a short sound of amusement.

  “I can manage. I'm just suddenly so incredibly tired,” she yawned as she spoke. “Sorry.”

  “It's all right. I'm not easily offended.” Seren decided she liked the sound of his voice. It was very soothing to listen to. She wished she had a book she could ask him to read to her until she fell asleep, just to hear him speaking.

  When they reached the bedroom, both went searching through the dressers for sleepwear. Seren found a nightie that appealed to her, a long T-shirt style in soft cotton. Daffyd chose pajama bottoms, and draped them over his arm, preparatory to returning downstairs. As he walked across the room, he noticed a strange expression on Seren's face.

  “Seren? Is something wrong?” he asked her gently.

  “No. No, I just...” an embarrassed half-laugh came from her. “Never mind. I'm just going mad, that's all.”

  “You're not alone, if that's any consolation,” he told her. He felt his earlier distress reasserting itself. The physical labor had helped reduce it, but it had merely retired to a corner of his mind where it had been busily nibbling. Maybe he would go curl up on the couch and try to forget it all, or give in to a major bout of weeping, something he hadn't done in years. He thought of Seren's outbursts earlier; the hysterical laughter, and later, the equally hysterical sobbing, and how comforting it had been to hold her. Did he dare?

  He touched her shoulder tentatively. She looked up at him, her eyes wide and questioning. “I, uh...” he began, trailed off, then tried again. “I was wondering if it would be acceptable to hug you good night?”

  “I'd like that very much,” she smiled warmly and stepped toward him. This was a most welcome surprise! She wondered if she should kiss him again but decided that was pushing her luck. She would settle for this; the cozy, safe feeling in the circle of his arms with her own securely wrapped around him. It's too bad we can't sleep standing up like this. She rather liked the idea of sleeping in Daffyd's embrace, even fully clothed. However, she could imagine his reaction if she were to suggest it. He would probably bolt from the room and gallop down the stairs in a panic. She sighed.

  He felt the sigh, and wondered what it meant. He hoped it wasn't an indication of displeasure, that she was merely enduring this because she felt obliged. He thought of her smile just before she walked into this hug and the strength of her grip around his ribs. He decided to risk prolonging this a second or two. They stood together for a long moment, each drawing strength from the other. Finally, he pulled back. With his hands on her shoulders, and hers resting lightly on his arms, he gazed down into her eyes. Then he surprised them both by kissing her forehead.

  “Goodnight, Seren,” he
said, and released her. She just bobbed her head in response. When he was gone, and she was alone, she undressed, put on the nightie and flopped across the bed. I'm too old for this, she thought. Another part of her mind answered, Your problem is that it's been too long since you did the wild thing.

  It hasn't been that long, has it? She thought it over, and realized her last relationship had ended a year or more ago. It hadn't been a serious one, emotionally speaking, but at least it had provided her with an outlet for her sexual energy. Okay, you're right. It's been too long, and Daffyd gives me hot flashes. But you can't just tell somebody they make you hot and bothered. Besides, he's gay, remember?

  But he's so lovely to cuddle with. Wouldn't you like to....

  Stop right there!! This is not helping in the least!

  She fluffed the pillows savagely, and tried to settle herself for the night. She firmly pushed Daffyd's image out the door and turned her mind to home and her children, wondering how they were, hoping to be home soon, herself. Daffyd refused to stay away, however, and kept turning up in unlikely places. She would be thinking of watching Mulan with Meggie, curled up on the couch, and when she turned her head, there was Daffyd on her other side. She drifted off to sleep, idly wondering if Daffyd would like to visit her world for a while. She thought her children would like him a lot.

  When he left Seren, Daffyd encountered Reznik and Rapsim just going into the third bedroom.

  “Daffyd!” said Reznik. “Just the man I wanted to see. I have a question for you.” He lifted polite eyebrows in reply. She continued, “I noticed that after your shower, you had clean clothes on. Don't tell me you were wandering around the streets of Montreal with a change of clothes.”

  He smiled. “No, I wasn't. These were in the closet in the master bedroom.”

  “Shoot! They sure fit you well for something you found! What are the chances?” Her surprise was evident on her face.

  “I have a theory about it that I'll share with you tomorrow,” he said. “I want to think it over a bit more first.”

  “Okay, tomorrow. If you find a way to get a change of outfits for me and Rap, too, let me know, eh?” She turned to go into the bedroom. Rapsim had already entered and was getting ready for bed.

  “Try checking the closets in your room,” said Daffyd. She stopped and looked at him curiously. Rapsim had heard the exchange and he lifted his eyes to Daffyd's. The little man turned wordlessly and opened one of the two small cupboards. A small step stool was tucked into a corner. Two rails with hangers, one above the other, held pants and shirts that might have been for a boy or a very small man. Rapsim's gaze took it all in. He closed the door and opened a dresser drawer. He looked inside at the small garments. Reznik peered over his shoulder.

  “Hey, Rap, that looks like it would fit you,” she said in surprise. He nodded.

  “Your turn, Rez,” he said, and stared at Daffyd, who was leaning on the doorframe.

  When the other dresser and closet revealed outfits made to order for her tall, slender figure, Reznik too, turned to Daffyd.

  “You knew this would be here,” she said, almost accusingly. “How?”

  “Because I didn't find these,” he plucked at his jeans and T-shirt, “Until Seren mentioned how much we needed a change of clothes. She said we needed milk, we found a cow. I said I wanted eggs, Seren found a henhouse.” He looked at them both. “This place is more peculiar than even you know, Rap. It's been giving ‘ask and ye shall receive’ a whole new meaning. So far, the only thing that hasn't turned up is bathing suits. Seren expressed a desire for them so we can go swimming but so far we haven't found any.”

  “You can always swim naked,” said Reznik. “We do. Of course, we Recruits tend to be a little less modest than most people.” She grinned at him. “Anyway....”

  “Thank you for sharing this, Daffyd,” said Rapsim. “Something more to puzzle over. Perhaps whoever or whatever brought us here is keeping an eye on us.” He shrugged. “Right now, I think I'd like to brush my teeth and go to bed.” His eyes sparkled. “I hope there are enough toothbrushes to go around,” he said, knowing the bathroom cabinet had been completely bare. “I'll just go check.” He trotted off to find out if Daffyd's theory held water.

  Reznik trailed behind. Daffyd paused at Devany's room to check on her. She had kicked off the covers, and he tucked them back in around her. Like Seren had, he brushed her hair out of her face and kissed her cheek.

  “Sleep well, Little One,” he said quietly, and straightened. He paused in the doorway and said to no one in particular, “Devany needs clothes, too.” As he went past the bathroom door, Reznik stuck her head out at him, and grinned.

  “Guess what?” she said.

  “Lots of toothbrushes?” he guessed.

  “Yup. One is even in Devany's size. I know it's very weird, Daffyd, but it's very cool.”

  He smiled and continued down the stairs. He walked through the house, turning off the lights. He looked out at the dark sky. “It's too bad there's no moon, tonight,” he murmured. “There's something comforting about moonlight.” He shut off the light on the porch. He went into the living room and put on the pajama pants he had brought downstairs. When he switched off the lamp by the couch, soft, silvery light fell through the window. He gazed out at the heavy clouds that were moving away from a quarter moon. He smiled, made up his bed and lay down.

  “Thank you,” he said, almost inaudibly, and was soon asleep.

  * * * *

  You're welcome, thought Mykal, although he knew the subject couldn't hear him. It was unusual for subjects to be this aware of his intervention; most assumed a series of coincidences was the cause. This man was not like many others. Mykal enjoyed this one more than most. He was very gratifying to work with. Everything was proceeding on schedule. The bonding between this male and the female was progressing slowly but it was progressing. Mykal was very pleased.

  * * * *

  Seren tossed and turned restlessly, caught in a series of unrelenting nightmares. Her face crumpled and smoothed and from time to time she whimpered in her sleep.

  She stood, helpless, held back by unseen hands gripping her arms. Darkness surrounded her, shrouding her captors in cloaks of utter black. A sourceless light illuminated a chair; a simple wooden kitchen type, standing alone. Somewhere near, Daffyd was also captive; held for what crime, she couldn't guess, but nothing here boded well for him.

  As she struggled for freedom, she saw him, bound and being led forcibly to the waiting seat. He was naked and helpless, bruised and beaten. She fought harder, called his name. His head lifted and he squinted into the darkness, trying to see her, but she was too deep in shadow. She saw the shape of her name on his lips, but no sound issued forth.

  He was pushed roughly into the chair and tied securely to it. Seren suddenly realized that beneath it was a stack of something she couldn't quite make out, but somehow knew was extremely flammable. Seated, he was turned away from her, only a quarter profile and his broad back visible to her. He looked weary and resigned, and had stopped resisting. Mocking laughter surrounded her; the raucous mindless noise of hateful crows.

  She screamed his name and his head turned toward her as someone threw a torch into the material underneath him. There were no visible flames, but she saw the heat shimmer distorting the shape of the chair legs. Daffyd writhed against his bonds. The heat rose higher. Seren saw the hair on his arm crisp and turn to ash. His back arched in agony and he cried out. His flesh began to run like tallow under his skin. She shrieked her horror and fear, and broke free. She ran toward him, knowing she couldn't stop this but wanting him to know she was there. She realized she had never told him how important he was to her, how very dear. Her eyes met his through the rising heat. Her lips moved. She felt herself saying, “I love you” to him. Incredibly, he smiled, his small, funny smile, and then he knew nothing but the torment of the fire. His beard, his hair, flared and were gone, his features melted and ran.

  Seren sat bolt uprig
ht in bed, a shriek barely held behind her clenched teeth. She trembled uncontrollably. Her nightie was soaked with sweat.

  “Holy shit!” she said aloud, somewhat shakily. “What the hell was that all about?” She fumbled for the lamp on the night table, turned it on and got out of bed. She found another nightgown and changed into it after wiping herself dry with a towel. She took a couple of deep breaths to calm her shattered nerves and quietly opened her bedroom door. She crept silently down the hall and edged down the stairs, keeping to the side of the treads to minimize any squeaks.

  Moonlight spilled into the living room and pooled on the floor. She walked across the room, carefully easing each foot to the floor before transferring her weight. She reached the couch and gazed down at the sleeping man. She crouched beside him and studied his features. She didn't want to wake him, but she had been so disturbed by the dream that she needed to reassure herself he was unharmed. He stirred in his sleep. She held her breath.

  An errant moonbeam touched him, highlighting the silver streaks in his beard. She smiled tenderly. He was such a delightful man to look at. She remembered the intensity of her emotions in the nightmare. A small thinking-frown creased her brow. I don't think I'm in love with you, she thought. And what good would it do me, if I were? But, oh, it wouldn't take much, would it? You're an amazing man, Daffyd ap Owen, and I like having you around.

  She leaned forward and pressed her cheek to his for a moment, then kissed the corner of his mouth lightly. A part of her, still suffering from the effects of the dream, wanted to stretch out beside him and put her arms around him. Instead, she kissed him once more, this time on the forehead. He moved again, and she froze in place. He sighed without waking. She smiled with relief and left as silently as she had come. She peeked in on Devany, who continued her sound slumber. Seren stroked the child's hair and went back to bed. It was a long time before she could allow herself to slide back into sleep.