True Fate

by Varadeaux, Shayna

  "Umm, my car broke down a little ways that way.” She said pointing and twirling a red curl with the other finger. “Do you think you could help me? Please?” she asked batting her eyes and leaning a little closer to him.

  Catching site of Darragh in the store she saw him nod meaning he had control of the cameras.

  "Sure honey, the names Drake. And you are?” he replied pushing his hand in Avery's direction and stepping even closer.

  The other guy got out of the vehicle and came out to see what was going on while Avery was shaking hands.

  Eric snuck up behind the new guy before Avery could even acknowledge him and slashed at his neck without warning. Seeing Avery with drake had left him with little patience.

  Drake leapt and rolled out of Avery’s reach as she drew her own sword. She swore and gave chase as he quickly ran away.

  Watching the body of the unsuspecting hunter sizzle to a molten orange hissing and popping Eric was mesmerized. After ten seconds it turned to a burnt lump then with a crunch crumpled as ash flew in the air swirling around him making him cough.

  Avery tackled Drake and he struggled arms flailing wildly, he panicked at her quick overpowering and punched her square in the jaw. She rolled on top of him and got further advantage pressing her knees into his clavicle and shoulders locking his arms in place with her feet. In a swift move she lifted her weight and was on her feet hauling him along with her and running them into a tree.

  Eric searched frantically for Avery once he snapped out of his daze. It really had been awhile since he'd sent anyone back to his world that way.

  Finally finding her he could hear the whiny pleading of the hunter.

  Avery’s eyes were furious and she was seething with rage, Drake groaned when she pressed harder while she had him smashed face first against a tree with her dagger dug in his throat a sliver of blood trickled down his neck where the tip dug in.

  "Who sent you?” she asked digging her knee deeper into his spine slamming him harder to the hard bark of the tree. Drake clenched his teeth and coughed, blood spattering it.

  Eric came around to look him in the eye, "You may as well tell us. You're out of this game for a while and we won't say anything about where we got the info.” He said twirling the knife from his own belt in his hand. Drake growled then reluctantly relaxed his body. Avery took the knife out from his throat and blood dripped faster from the small slit she'd made.

  "I can't tell you.” Drake spoke softly, hands raised. "But I can tell you that you can't trust anyone. And I mean anyone, there are snakes everywhere. If that girl is who we all think she is, we all need her. I’m bound by an oath to help the one I’m working for. I very literally can't give you any information that would directly be useful.” The hunter said quickly.

  Staring at Drake, Eric weighed his words, "He's telling the truth about his oath.” Avery said. "Also he's right about not trusting anyone.” she added.

  Eric clenched his jaw and Avery removed her knee completely from Drake’s back when he quickly spun and slashed a dagger at Eric. Time stood still as Avery looked on in horror as Drale ran ahead touching a tree until it glowed and disappeared inside.

  Eric looked up at a shocked and seemingly frozen Avery, "A little help.” he said gritting his teeth.

  She dropped to the ground next to him and raised her hand into the air it glowed a bright blue. A bubble appeared around them and a concentrated Darragh walked into the privacy he'd created.

  "I took care of the clerk and the cameras. The passersby are another issue Avery. What were you thinking?" he scolded her.

  But she didn’t care who saw, this was her best friend and so much more.

  Her hands shook as the cool water gathered to Avery surrounding her raised palm and hovering there. She brought both hands in front of her and molded the water into a ball and placed both hands around it and closing her emerald eyes. A burst of orange cleansed the water of its impurities and she directed it to Eric's wound while she ripped his shirt. Once the wound was washed she put her hand to his face and sent a jolt through him, gritting her teeth as she transferred some of his pain to herself.

  Trying desperately to calm herself Avery worked on the jagged six inch rip in his skin across his shoulder and clavicle. Her blue light shone in the night and sweat dotted her brow as his wound started to close up.

  Darragh kept watch around them making sure the bubble was still intact. Eric's eyes fluttered as Avery's light dimmed and she removed her hand panting as she lowered herself to the damp grass. A thick pink puckered patch of skin was where the gaping wound had just been. She smiled as tears blurred her vision and Eric looked up at her hazily.

  "I had no idea you were a healer. That was amazing. Thank you." he said sitting up slowly.

  "Yeah, a lot of things have changed.” she replied wiping the tears that stung her eyes.

  "We need to go. Now.” was all Darragh said, and with that the bubble dissipated and they went back to the car and headed towards their destination. The silence in the car was too thick to break. What could be said, that was close.

  ###

  Eric was pacing the floor, it was ten thirty and still neither Nia nor Aaron had fallen asleep. His patience was wearing thin and his jaw was clenched when Avery interrupted his brooding throwing a pillow at him. He took out an ear bud and shot her a look to kill.

  "Look, pacing a hole in this lovely carpet is not going to make the girl sleep. Can't you just contact her or something.” Avery said clearly annoyed but he just glared at her. He had already told Avery that he didn't want to bother Nia and her 'Guardian'.

  If he went to her and found them together in a physical way he wasn't certain he could keep himself under control. Having felt something strange for her the night that he first sensed her.

  It had been over a year ago when he heard her speak the prophecy from her own lips and she had been given the 'sight', she had no clue she possessed. That was when the soul stone appeared under his pillow. He knew then he was to be her Protector. At the time he was happy to get any assignment but when he saw her he knew this was different.

  The second time he had slipped out of his body and was catapulted into her dreamscape. In the beginning she dreamed fairly normal dreams and he would make sure she was safe from afar. Having no clue who she was or her future, but he knew right away that she was from his world. He had no intention of developing feelings for her but she was special and beautiful. Still he had no clue why he harbored any feelings towards her at all.

  He thought he had felt frustration before, but this was a whole other level! He had no desire to feel the jealousy he was feeling, he didn't have any intention of anything happening with this girl anyways.

  "That carpet isn't the only thing you're wearing out!” Avery sighed. "I’m trying to relax here.” she said gesturing to the chaise she was laying on.

  It had been awhile and she had about enough of his ridiculous brooding over this girl none of them really knew. He would be forbidden from any contact with her anyway if she was who Lilith said she was.

  Avery wanted to talk to Eric alone so bad but Darragh was right there constantly. It would have to wait until they had reason to be alone although she trusted Darragh more than she did anyone else at this point but Eric trusted no one.

  The home they had found vacant was fully furnished and turned out to be the summer home of a wealthy banker or something like that. They were able to glean the info they needed from the talky locals and it helped to have compulsion at their disposal as well.

  Eric went to his room and shut the door when he felt a tug from inside him and laid down quickly.

  "Nia...” he whispered closing his eyes.

  Sure enough there she was in all her dark haired beauty. Eyes a beautiful honey color, the perfect amber with green and he thought she was just stunning with her smoky eyes. She opened her mouth but nothing came out, then she started to fade.

  "Damn," Eric whispered shaking himself from sleep. He sat
up clearing his mind and grabbed his jacket as his stomach rumbled and he guessed this body was going to need sustenance. Quickly he decided to hit the diner across from where they were staying he hadn’t had a human meal in ages.

  Not bothering to tell Darragh or Avery where he'd be as he slipped out into the cold night air. The open twenty four hours sign flickered a hot pink glow steadily as he walked at a steady pace across the street. He opened the door and the smell of greasy burgers and bacon were predominant. He missed that, he thought smiling.

  A waitress named Gladys, according to her nametag, asked him how many and he wanted to laugh, as if it weren't obvious he was there alone. She showed him to a table by the front window for two and left a menu he assumed had looked the same since at least the nineties.

  Gladys returned to the table with silverware and asked in a gravelly voice, "What can I get you to drink honey?"

  Her unnatural blond curls looked like they'd seen better days, she was at least in her mid to upper sixties.

  "Root beer is fine.” he answered with a smile. She returned his smile with one of her own crinkling up her eyes then she disappeared and came back a couple minutes later with his drink and a straw. "You ready to order sweetie?” she asked with a grin.

  Her pupils looked a bit cloudy like the beginning of cataracts and her orangish lipstick did nothing for her pale complexion. Eric was pretty sure she should have already retired. Looking through the menu he ordered a bacon cheeseburger, fries and onion rings.

  "I'll get that out to you as fast as I can, hon.” she said disappearing into the back.

  He thought about Nia again, damn his mind's persistence. She obviously wasn't sleeping but where was she and what was she doing? He sighed. ‘That is so not my business’ he thought to himself.

  A cowbell sounded as another patron entered the diner, he didn't even bother to look because he didn’t have to he felt her.

  "Mind if I sit here.” he looked up at a smiling Avery. She had her hair down and makeup on with her crimson locks free of their ponytail, waved to perfection. He had only seen her lately straight laced in her black guardian wear. But the red dress she now wore with a denim jacket over it threw him for a loop.

  He swallowed hard, "Sure.", he heard himself saying before his brain could catch up.

  Avery removed her jacket and he stared at her tattooed shoulders while she sat and stared at him with her emerald green eyes sparkling. Wearing a shy smile she had both hands on the table fidgeting.

  "Thanks for letting me join you. I'm starving.” she said trying to break the ice and trying desperately not to let on how weak he made her feel.

  Gladys came out of nowhere setting his food on the table, "So I suppose you'll be joining this handsome young man tonight Miss?” she asked.

  "Looks like it.", Avery answered cheerily.

  "Well do you know what you want?” Gladys continued.

  "Same as him, thanks.” she replied with a smile.

  "Okay hon, I'll be out as soon as I can. What can I get you to drink?” Gladys asked.

  "Root beer would be fabulous.” Avery said without looking at the drink selection.

  Avery couldn't bare the silence anymore as Eric stared out the window, "So are you just going to let your food get cold?” she asked.

  He turned towards her and picked up a fry and snapped off a bite and said.

  "Better?", while chewing it.

  Avery sighed, "What's your deal anyway. Why all the brooding and pacing over this girl? I mean I've known you since we were what, five and you have never acted like this. Not even with...”

  Abruptly he slammed his hands on the table cutting off Avery's sentence and causing her to flinch. "Look I don't mind eating with you and I don't mind talking to you but the subject of my banishment and the person responsible is off limits especially when it comes to.... 'Her'. Got it?” he hissed through clenched teeth.

  Avery put her hands up palms out as if in surrender, "Whoa, look I'm sorry. I won't make that mistake again I promise. Now are we good or should I go?" She asked gritting her teeth. No one, male or female spoke to her like that and walked away unscathed.

  But he relaxed and leaned back against the chair and let out a long breath. "Avery I'm sorry. I didn't mean to snap at you. I don't know what's up with me. Or why I even feel like this. It's pretty much driving me crazy.” he huffed putting his head in his hands.

  Gladys returned with impeccable timing as she walked up and set Avery's food in front of her haulting the venom she was about to lace her retort with.

  "Y'all enjoy now.” she said with a wink. They both snickered as she left them.

  "You have no idea how I worry, that's all. I know it's silly but I do.", Avery said looking at her plate unfisting her hands with her insides twisting.

  "I'll be okay Ave I always am, this is nothing compared to the crap I've been through. Just a drop in the bucket so to speak.” he said smiling. He chuckled again and shook his head.

  'Oh that smile', Avery thought smiling back at him. She was certain no one could pull of a shaved head so well. His crystal blue eyes shone with his laughter making her pause as he dug in finally eating and she followed suit trying not to let her thoughts run away from her.

  As long as she could remember he'd been a part of her life and she had been in love with him for most of it. She was always so scared to tell him. What if it ruined things between them? It's just one of those things where you would rather be a part of that someone's life than to not be part at all. Always seeming to barely miss out on being with him.

  When she had finally got up the nerve to tell him how she felt they were sixteen but he’d been snatched up by the royal blooded Sia. Once that was finally over and he had his heart ripped out Avery was there for him again, without question. Later on when she got up the nerve once more someone claimed him who she wouldn't dare oppose.

  She just about lost her mind when he was banished to the dream realm, it took every bit of self-control she had not to charge his captor and cut her head off though she'd considered it on more than one occasion and recently she thought he would never be able to be in bodily form again. Their current situation was a godsend to her.

  This was her first moments alone with him and they were already fighting.

  She sighed heavily, "Look, I really missed you and I have you physically here in front of me. I don't want to waste this time fighting.” she said hanging her head.

  "Avery, I know it's frustrating to see me frustrated if that makes sense. I'm really trying not to be. It's good to be here, with you almost like old times.” He said reaching for her hands and giving them a squeeze sending her heart into acrobatics. She just smiled and they ate and talked about nothing important and it was great.

  "Can I get you two love birds anything else?” Gladys chimed in clearing their dishes.

  "Oh... we aren't together.” Avery spat out in record speed causing Eric to laugh.

  "Humph, you could have fooled me, honey.” was Gladys' snarky response, she left the check and walked away with dishes in hand.

  "I got it." he said reaching for the check.

  Avery smiled at him not because she didn’t have to pay but because it made it feel like more of a date.

  She really is sweet he mused, Avery had been there for him his whole life and helped him through so much. He was grateful for her friendship and how great she had been to him. She seemed to calm him, somehow just being near him.

  "Ave, I have a question.” he said trying to find the right words.

  "What's up Rian?” he flinched at his name. It had been a long time since he'd heard it spoken. It was odd yet very comforting.

  "I have a king sized bed to myself do you think you'd mind sleeping in my room with me? We could make a pillow barrier, like when we were kids. I just... Being back here, in the physical I mean, is just strange to me, I feel so scattered.” He said looking at the ground bothered by the truth of it.

  Avery laughed, "Darragh is goin
g to wonder you know.” she smiled and he laughed.

  "Well we will just let him speculate then. I really am beyond caring what Lilith thinks. I am already bonded to Nia so she can’t take me off of this mission.” he said with a mischievous grin while holding the door open for Avery. They walked back to the house and he began to feel less uptight. It had to be Avery she really did affect him in a good way.

  “I hope you don’t think I’m being sneaky.” He told her bumping her shoulder with his.

  “Oh, no.” she said quickly, not that she would mind if he was trying to take advantage of her. “It’s fine really.” She said finally as they walked through the door.

  Darragh was sitting in front of the television when they entered the living room laughing.

  His raised eyebrow was a clear indicator his speculating had already begun. But then Avery spoke up, "I'm going to be rooming with Eric, if that's alright with you Darragh?” she smiled at him.