Her feet curled beneath her body, her arms enveloped her knees to aid, in protecting her from the external world. Or rather, the memories she continued to relive whether she’d open or close her eyes it didn’t matter.
The members of her clan’s unmoving bodies on the ground, their faces blank of any expression than her parents disappearing and her brother... Now, her oldest friends. She didn’t know what to do and the worst part was; she couldn’t think. Her head felt messy like an unkept bedroom.
“How am I going to face them now?” she whispered, into the darkness of the room. It was her open windows, that allow the light of the artificial moon to permeate the chamber. Her damp face glistened, shadowing her upturned brows above her damp long black lashes.
She recalled their words when she was a girl, just after their parents were slaughtered and her brother had disappeared. “Demon or not. We’re family and we’ll always protect each other no matter what.”
Those words had come back. Words she had thought he had forgotten. When she was young Gothalia had the ill fortune of catching the attention of two Peacekeepers, but these Peacekeepers weren’t good. They’d abused the laws on a regular basis, but no one spoke about it. They’d claimed they’d abide by those laws when questioned but everyone knew they lied. She’d seen it firsthand, then ran once they noticed her.
Being small, she was quick. Sadly, she knew she had no option but to run. She wasn’t equipped to fight men let alone ones that were trained as soldiers. She ran through the Ember Market, sprinting through the crowd and over stalls or under them where necessary. They had pursued her, and she climbed one of the older buildings on the corner of the street and into an open window.
No one was inside but she kept low to be safe, once they’d disappeared, she climbed out and dropped onto the street. However, that was her biggest mistake. Without hearing them approach, one had grabbed her the throat and slammed her against the wall. “What did you see you little twerp.” Gothalia didn’t say anything, she glared at the man even as he threatened her with a knife.
“Monster.” she spat, glaring at the man.
“I’m not the one who’s cursed,” he replied, with a dangerous smile.
The other man glanced over his shoulder, scanning the surroundings, “Stop. Someone will see and she’s of the Valdis clan. They’ll hunt us down and murder us if we harm her. It’s bad enough you have her pinned by the throat.”
When he mentioned the Peacekeeper’s grip, did she acknowledge how tightly he’d held her then. At the time, she didn’t care she just took in his face, every detail and every word spoken. It’d be another memory burnt into her mind, one that could never be forgotten but one that’d drive her future.
“Let that demon clan come, I’ll take them all on.” When he’d uttered those words, Maximus and Anton fought the Peacekeepers not without struggle. It was by chance they had won. They may have been a few years older than her and a little more advanced in their training. After the fight ceased, Maximus had extended his hand, after she’d lost feeling in her legs and slid to the ground weakened by the assault, “There you are. Let’s go before Lord L’Eiron and Lady Anaphora find out we’ve snuck out.”
Gothalia recalled that Peacekeepers words, “I’m not the one who’s cursed.”
“But I’m a demon. You should be scared of me not helping me.” Gothalia replied, glancing away from Maximus. She didn’t want him to notice the tears she’d readily shed. It was embarrassing enough she had to be saved. If she was as terrible as they said she was, surely, she wouldn’t need his help, but she did, and she was grateful.
Maximus and Anton shared a confused look, “What are you talking about?” he questioned, his tenor weighed in confusing before fading, replaced by pure joy when he smiled, “Demon or not. We’re family and we’ll always protect each other no matter what. Now, let’s go before we get in trouble and don’t get dessert tonight.”
6
NOEL-LEN IGNORED EVERYONE AROUND HIM.
Men within arm’s reach mostly wanted to dance with her even, as he understood their hesitation.
He felt strange, almost protective towards her. Oddly, he never understood why but he knew one thing, it wasn’t normal.
Within moments, he brushed it off, hoping it was the alcohol that played with his instincts. Soon enough, the night ended, and everyone was kicked out.
“They’re rude.” the woman remarked, judging the nearest bouncers disapprovingly. Quickly they closed the club to her disdain, watching security escort the lingering few to where Noel-Len stood. She turned to him, “That was nice. Don’t be a stranger,” she hinted with a wink.
Impressed, he watched her walk away with the men she arrived with and saw a woman in a bright blue cocktail dress meet up with her.
Then, they vanished.
Noel-Len scanned the club or what was left of it and couldn’t find Michael or Caprice but did notice the Police patrolling the streets, slowing deliberately scanning the area outside the club. Noel-Len rolled his eyes and walked away.
He hoped his friends went home or were on their way home, so he could ditch the place without talking to anyone. Home sounded like a better idea he, thought as he crossed the street to move to the closest taxi rank when URdiver failed.
Then, he conceded to the sight of Caprice struggling to carry a drunk Michael down the road. He shook his head at Michael. Making her do all the work isn’t help your case, he thought.
Michael flirted with Caprice and a group of girls who asked if Caprice was okay. Noel-Len caught up with them; slowly, aware they were probably in some deep conversation and he wouldn’t get home until late or at all, his biggest fear of the night. He wasn’t supposed to stay out so late anyway.
“Caprice?” Hearing Noel-Len’s voice, she peeked at him, from over Michael’s arm, draped around her delicate shoulders. He recalled seeing his mother wear a singlet from time to time when she wasn’t in her uniforms; her shoulders weren’t as fragile.
So, it surprised him a little to see Caprice struggle.
“Noel-Len!” Caprice beamed. “Can you help? He’s bloody heavy!”
“Sure.” Without hesitation, Noel-Len wrapped Michael’s arm around his shoulders and followed after Caprice who rubbed her shoulders in return. “You okay?”
“I’m fine. That jerk doesn’t realise how heavy he is.”
“Caprice baby. I’m not heavy. I’m above average.” Noel-Len rolled his eyes, and Caprice started yelling at his ridiculous comment.
“You’re as heavy as an elephant.” She finally exaggerated.
“It’s all muscle, Dul.” Michael drawled, this time it was Caprice who rolled her eyes. Noel-Len in turn gave him a funny look, he knew his friend had more than roughly ten percent body fat simply because he enjoyed eating.
“Whatever,” Caprice grumbled as she walked ahead of them. “I parked further down.”
“Why so far away?” Noel-Len asked, as his eyes watched Michael. Noel-Len wasn’t too sure if the man was going to throw up on him or not and if he did. Michael was going to get an earful the next day.
“There was nowhere else to park.” After another ten minutes, they arrived at Caprice’s car a black BMW. Something Noel-Len was surprised she could afford. The car lit up, and Noel-Len propped Michael in the back while Noel-Len sat in the front. Caprice hopped into the driver’s seat and handed him a bottle of water. “Here.”
Gratefully, Noel-Len took the drink in hand and drank the water. He knew he’d have to go to work in the next couple of hours. With the task of completing several rigorous workout and training sessions that same morning. Something he hoped would keep him awake for the rest of the day.
The drive to Michael’s house wasn’t as quiet as they expected. Caprice pulled over for a breathalyser test moments later, and Noel-Len’s prediction was right, he knew that the police would line the roads outside Mitchell street, making sure no one was driving under the influence. Luckily, she was cleared, and Noel-Len couldn
’t help but mention, “Told you.”
“Shut up,” Caprice muttered. “But I’m glad I listened to you.”
Noel-Len smiled at those words. The drive to Michael’s house was filled with a comfortable silence and an occasional conversation. During these discussions, Caprice spoke about how she had work in the morning and Noel-Len attentively listened. “It sucks. I wish I could call in sick.”
“Don’t we all,” Noel-Len spoke.
This caught Caprice’s attention, “Do you have work in the morning?”
“In the next two hours and I have to be punctual,” Noel-Len said, Caprice glanced at him.
“I thought you were a cop?”
“Most of the time,” Noel-Len said. “It’s my other job I have to get to in the morning.”
“What job is that?”
“Defence.” Caprice became quiet.
“My dad’s Defence. He’s in the Navy. A Boatswain mate,” Caprice spoke. “It’s the reason why my mother and I came over here. Also, do you think drinking was a good idea.”
“So, your dad’s Aussie?” Noel-Len asked, considering the first part of her sentence and not the second part. He was fearful, when he went to work, they’d either send him home or fire him on the spot. Regardless, he had no one to blame but him.
“Yeah, mum’s English. We need to stay in the country for a while to get our citizenship but her being married to Dad kind of aids in speeding up the process. I guess. So, what about you and your parents?” Caprice said and oddly regretted those words almost instantly.
Noel-Len fell silent. Unsure how to answer. Before he could stop himself, he said, “My mum and dad aren’t together.”
“I’m sorry to hear that,” Caprice reminded recalling that day and Noel-Len’s face when she’d seen him. Reflection instilled the taciturnity within the car while Michael fell asleep in the back.
She knew why his parents were together. Better yet, she wasn’t too sure why she asked such a question. There was a genuine sadness in her voice, one that Noel-Len was surprised to catch. As she attempted to change the topic, the car passed building’s that were still under construction, “It’s taking a while for them to rebuild most of the city, isn’t it?”
“It’s only been a few years.” Noel-Len reminded. His mind flickered to images of his mother’s last actions. Caprice sensed the change in the atmosphere of the car but didn’t say anything. With his tone, forcefully lighter Noel-Len uttered, “I think Michael likes you.”
Caprice giggled, but it was an uncomfortable giggle. It was something that he noticed his mother would do when her friends would state other men were interested in her when she wasn’t interested in them. Honestly, that made Noel-Len almost sad something he knew he never wanted to tell his mother but now he knew he no longer has that opportunity. Noel-Len caught onto Caprice’s tone but kept his eyes on the road ahead. “Yeah, I’m sure he does. He was hitting on me when you were dancing.”
“And you don’t like him?” Noel-Len asked, unsure why he even bothered to ask.
That question surprised Caprice.
However, she kept her eyes on the road then calmly proclaimed without glancing at Noel-Len, “It’s not that. I just got out of a relationship.” Refusing to comment on the length of time. He’d caught the remission in her voice, but never dared to ponder the reason.
Instead, he replied, “I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be. I’m better off without him. What about you got a special lady?” she asked, with a teasing smile as she pulled up alongside Michael’s driveway. Realising what she said, Caprice added, “That is, I mean if you’re straight.”
Noel-Len chuckled loudly enough it woke Michael, “I’m straight. Always have been and no there’s no special lady.” Hearing muttering behind them, Michael grumbled about throwing up.
“Oh no, you don’t. Not in my car!” Caprice growled, rashly climbing out of her chair to open the car door behind Noel-Len’s seat.
Noel-Len climbed out of the car and rubbed the back of his neck, a little concerned. He didn’t know how to act or rather what to do, he had never seen this angry side of her before.
She reached over to help Michael out of the car and, Noel-Len stopped her. He had a weird feeling Michael may get a little disorientated and forget who she was for an instant. “Let me,” he offered and moved around Caprice. “Michael, mate. You’re home. Get out.”
To Noel-Len’s unfortunate and rapidly growing irritation, Michael hadn’t heard him.
As easily, Michael didn’t need to speak or look at him for Noel-Len to feel alarmed. It was an uneasy gape that swept Michael’s face and Noel-Len questioned his motive to go near him, “I feel sick.” he answered his clouded eyes coasted to Noel-Le staged in a shade of glossy pink, before roaming over an unsuspecting Caprice. “Hey, beautiful.” Disbelief, confusion and concern creased her features.
“Michael!” Noel-Len wailed, his face twisted into spite and frustration. “Get out of the car before I drag you out by your feet!”
“Alright. Alright.” Michael grumbled, recalling Noel-Len’s strength during one of their wrestling matches. Michael wiggled out of the car, then Noel-Len caught him before he could topple over face first into the pavement.
Michael searched his pants for his house keys, unaware of his phone falling onto the ground, until it was too late and cursed. “My phone.”
“Are you going to be alright?” Caprice asked, picking up his phone and handing it to him, carefully eyeing him. Noel-Len watched Michael as closely as Caprice did but nothing else pondered mind, grateful he wasn’t so drunk.
“I’ll be fine,” Michael grumbled. “Want to come inside?” His eyed Caprice and Noel-Len tensed at the look in Michael’s eyes. Don’t make me punch you, Noel-Len thought while Caprice yelled at him. Not appreciating the sexual innuendo. Her red painted lips snarled in spite and her blue eyes narrowed in fury.
“Geez, you don’t have to get so mad, but I know to stop when a woman says no,” Michael stated, staggering up the footpath and into his driveway.
Caprice crossed her arms and shifted her weight glaring at Michael’s back as he staggered up the stairs, searching for his keys. “Who does he think he is?” she questioned, under her breath and Noel-Len grinned at the comment, a little amused by her anger but still fearful nonetheless.
Before Michael made it to the door, both Caprice and Noel-Len had wagered if he’d find the keys or not. To Noel-Len’s surprise, he lost the bet and Caprice happily climbed back into the car, with a smile on her face readily acquiring Noel-Len’s five dollars. Proudly, declaring she knew Michael hadn’t changed that much.
Noel-Len couldn’t help but shaking his head and smile. He moved to the passenger door and opened it. “Just realised, I never asked.” Noel-Len stood with the car door open, aware of Caprice giving him a steady look, “Don’t mind dropping me home?”
With a smile she asked, “Now I’m a taxi?” Caprice laughed at the Noel-Len’s conflicted expression, “Get in.”
Caprice listened as Noel-Len told her where to go. Fifteen minutes later, Caprice pulled into Noel-Len’s driveway, allowing the hum of the engine to cease. “Thanks,” he said, unbuckling his seatbelt stirring to climb out.
“You’re welcome.” she mentioned before adding, “I’m surprised you didn’t go home with her.” Caprice pulled her attention from the house and to Noel-Len.
“I’m sorry?” Noel-Len asked, his head not as foggy from the alcohol as it once had been. His attention on Caprice. “Who?”
“That girl you were dancing with. She was gorgeous, and I was kind of jealous, but I’m surprised you didn’t make a move.” Caprice declared with a raised brow, unbuckling her seatbelt she closer to him.
“I knew what she was after. She wanted to get away from those bodyguards of hers,” he uttered with a casual shrug. Her words and actions confused him. When was he interested in her, a few years ago, she hadn’t paid him any mind. “And it was a dance she wanted. Nothing more.”
“You sure about that?” Caprice asked. Noel-Len nodded slowly, aware of her leaning closer to him. Frozen on the spot, Noel-Len didn’t move. “I mean do you know if a woman wants you?” she asked, her tone different. Seductive. Her soft hand grazed the side of his clean-shaven jawline. “Are you sure you’re straight?”
Uncomfortable, his muscles refused to respond. Though his dry lips and an erratic heart rate, he asked, “Caprice. What are you doing?”
“No. What are you doing?” she growled, her assertion firm in her voice. Her anger exploded, and frustration lined her features. “I’m coming onto you and what do you do? You ask: “what are you doing?” Isn’t it obvious? Surely, you’re not that stupid?” That comment definitely stripped him of any contentment he had once before. Did she have to say that of all things?
Immediately she apologised for the comment, Noel-Len’s hands gently gripped her shoulders and pushed her away, she didn’t stop him.
He knew if she had played her cards better, he would have accepted her invitation. “Don’t hate me for this but you need time,” he whispered.
“Time for what to get over my stupid ex?” she asked, her voice riddled with anger before she asked a little quieter. “Noel-Len, I might not see you again after tonight. So why not?”
“You don’t know if you’ll never see me again. Everyone knows everyone here.” Noel-Len reminded observing Caprice’s shocked reaction. “And, I have you on Umap. We can always catch up whenever you want. Not just that, what about Michael? I’m sure he likes you.”
“No, he doesn’t. He just wants to sleep with me.” Caprice grumbled, discouraged. Her pale blue eyes met his dark ones, and he saw it. A flicker of pain in her eyes and for some reason he knew that there was more to this than she was letting on. “I’m going to try again but this time ... let me.”
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