Well, that would explain things. Sure, I’ll take the credit for this. Why not? I perched on the steps and listened as they talked.
Killian moved around to the prisoner’s face and peered into the eyes with a new zeal. He was going to get to the bottom of this little mystery. After a moment, he gave Sean the thumbs up and motioned for me to join them.
“Mica, come over here and see if you can get inside his head,” he ordered. He was on the verge of a breakthrough and he was about as excited as Killian ever got.
“Ewww! Why?”
“I want to know if he’s got thoughts rolling around in there or if the brain is simply keeping his body alive.”
“Okaaaay…” I was not comfortable with this idea. Balin had kept his marbles, such as they were…and I didn’t feel like being possessed again. ”I don’t like this idea. Sean, anchor me?”
“I’ve got you. Just do a drive-by and come back.”
A drive-by was our slang for a quick look around and then out again, in other words, no in-depth snooping or parking.
The demon blinked his yellow eyes and stared straight ahead. I took a deep breath and looked deeply into his eyes. Unlike the multidimensional irises of the Primani, his yellow irises were a flat shade of pus yellow. I peered beyond them to gather some insight into his mind. After a few minutes, I pulled back and blinked to moisten my eyes.
“Well?”
I thought carefully before answering. Nibbling on my fingernail, I said, “Hmm. I’m a little puzzled. There’s not much there. Mostly his mind is blank, but I caught a few simple pieces of information. There’s nothing complicated, probably just what he needs to survive. I saw a place…maybe where he lives. I also saw the face of another demon and then I saw our house. That’s all I found. Everything else seems to be wiped clean.”
All three of us turned to consider our prisoner.
His eyes faced forward and he wiggled his hands in their bonds. I waved a hand in front of his eyes but he didn’t flinch.
Killian asked, “You didn’t see Sgaine Dutre?” Disappointment colored his tone. He had to be frustrated with the news but didn’t show it.
“No, sorry. But look, here’s a thought. If I was Dr. Frankenstein, I’d want to test out my zombies before I made too many of them. I think this one was programmed to come here as a test. You know, come here, check it out, and then return to his home.”
Sean finished my thought, “But he wasn’t sophisticated enough to escape capture.” He considered the prisoner again and asked Killian, “Do you think he’s got a tracer?”
“Good question. Let’s check.”
He and Sean focused their attention and used their own psychic powers to check him for physical or magical tracers. A tracer would allow his Dr. Frankenstein to follow him right to us.
After a minute or so, Killian dismissed him. “He’s clean.”
“So what do we do with him now? Do you think he can find his way back home? We could try to follow him or put our own tracer on him.”
Grinning broadly at me, Sean said, “That is an excellent idea, love.”
A few hours later, our demon zombie was tricked out with a tiny little tracer bug that Killian implanted in his back. With any luck, he would find his way home and we would track him down.
If we could get him to leave…
I stifled a laugh as the guys shoed him off the porch--again. They smiled reassuringly at him and firmly pointed him towards the yard. He was confused and stood on the steps looking back at the porch. He turned around and came back to the door again. This time, he just stood in front of it with a blank expression on his face.
Sighing heavily, Sean took him by the sleeve and led him back down the steps and stopped him in the middle of the driveway. He turned around and sprinted back to the porch. The zombie stood there for a minute and then turned his head towards the porch again. His face was puzzled this time. I had to go inside to keep from laughing out loud. Grumbling with annoyance, Killian put him in the car and drove him to the end of the dirt road.
It was like dumping a puppy.
The tiny bell above the door tinkled when I walked into Zen. Dani’s mother was hanging some crystal pendants on a cut tree branch for display. Turning to greet her customer, she smiled warmly when she saw it was me and hurried over to hug me.
“Mica! It’s been so long since you’ve come by. I thought you had moved on. It’s so nice to see you!”
She towed me to a cabinet so she could work while we talked. Her blond hair was done in little braids again and today she was draped in a heather purple shawl. Although she must be in her 40s, she never seemed to age and was still a pretty woman. She reminded me of an elf.
“I know I haven’t been by. I’ve been busy lately.”
“Lately?” she challenged with a knowing glance. “You are one mysterious young woman, my love.”
Squirming with guilt, I had to lie again. “Well, it’s not so mysterious to work and study. I’m taking an on-line class. Sean and I are--”
She cut me off with a wave of her hand. “Oh, please! Do you think I don’t know what you two are doing out there?” Her eyes were suddenly cold. “I’m not ignorant of the ways of the unseen.”
Unseen?
WTF?
“I’m not sure what you mean by that,” I delayed with more than a little steel in my voice. I didn’t like her tone.
She studied me for a heartbeat and turned away. I thought she’d dismissed me and was going to leave when she spoke again. “I’m sorry, sweetie. What you do is none of my business. I’m just worried about Dani and it’s making me snippy.” Her voice caught at the end.
“What’s wrong with Dani?”
Absently toying with a pale pink crystal, she said, “Do you know very much about this James person she’s seeing?”
“Some…not a lot. Is something wrong?”
She paused to collect her thoughts. “Dani isn’t…Dani when he’s around. She’s someone else who I don’t know and I don’t understand. He manipulates her into doing whatever he wants to do and she doesn’t see it. She smiles this weird empty smile and prattles on about love.” She crushed a bunch of dried flowers into powder and sighed as it drifted to the floor.
Not what I wanted to hear.
Carefully, I asked, “Do you ever hear him talking to her about anything unusual?”
She stilled and quickly glanced up at me. Her eyes were suspicious as they probed mine looking for deception. “What do you know of this?” Her whole body tensed and she seemed poised to reach out and strike me.
Hands out in a gesture of calm, I tried again. “From your reaction, I guess I’ve hit a nerve. Do you want to tell me what you’ve heard?”
She eyed me with something like fear then. Backing away, she busied herself with gathering up empty boxes and running them to the back room. She knew something and she sensed it was important and probably knew it was supernatural. But why would she be afraid to tell me?
Was she afraid of me?
When she came back into the room, she was calmer but still very pale.
I went to her and gave her a hug to show I was harmless. “Please tell me what’s going on. I’m on Dani’s side no matter what. If I can help, you know I will.”
“Come and have tea with me and we’ll talk.”
After the tea was brewed, we sat on the bright floor cushions and she unloaded. According to her mother, Dani had been entertaining James in her room every night. I knew this already so nodded without comment. Her mother had gradually noticed that James seemed to show up late and leave before dawn as if embarrassed to be there. She was outraged that her daughter might be just a booty-call to this man who seemed strangely in control of her. Dani laughed off her mother’s concerns at first, which was true to her bubbly sweet personality. Lately though, Dani coldly refuted her mother’s concerns and told her to stay out of her business. Her tone and her demeanor were not her own. She’d never been rude to her mother and was now acting more
than rudely. She was downright hostile. She was a stranger.
Even more disturbing, she’d overheard a strange conversation between James and Dani. She related it to me with tears in her eyes.
James’ soft voice was strangely compelling as he’d said, “Listen to me, Dani. You’re special. You don’t know it yet, but you will change the world.”
Dani had breathed in anticipation and asked, “What could I do to change the world?”
“You’ll see. You’ll see soon enough. Now lay back and be quiet. We have work to do.”
As she finished the story, she took a sip of her tea with a trembling hand. I reached out in sympathy and steadied her. She noticed immediately when my saol flowed into her body and her eyes went huge in their sockets. Sending orders to stay calm to her mind, I smiled reassuringly at her. She calmed down and stopped shaking.
“What did you do?” She was wary again as she rubbed at her hand.
“I’m just sending serenity vibes your way--nothing more than that.” I was getting better at lying to her. “Is there anything else about James?”
“He’s…I don’t know how to say this. He’s not…nice.”
“Nice?”
Growling in frustration, she stood up. “Oh, that sounds so stupid! Nice. That’s not what I want to say.” Looking at me carefully, she added, “Maybe you’ll understand more than I give you credit for.”
“Okaaaay…” What was she talking about? Maybe she’s lost her mind?
“I sense things, okay? There, now you know. I’m a little bit psychic.” She seemed embarrassed as if this was an unpleasant affliction like herpes.
“Go on. What are you sensing that’s got you so upset? Seriously, I’m not going to laugh at you. Trust me, I’ll understand.”
Finally deciding I was sincere, she said, “He’s his own twin.”
“Come again?”
“When I met him I knew he was divided or torn into two images of himself. I sensed good and…evil. Now…I only sense evil.” She shuddered delicately and pulled her shawl more tightly around her shoulders.
It was my turn to shiver. It was uncanny how much she knew without even knowing anything about him. My mind was running in circles. James was Primani. He’d been good when we met. Primani were warriors, yes. They could be arrogant, crude, and obnoxious.
But they were essentially good at their cores.
They were soldier angels and got their powers from God’s own archangels. Primani were ruthless demon killers, but they were spiritually good beings with human survival at the heart of their existence. James had been acting mysteriously for over a year and we’d been watching him. Even though he’d gradually hardened into something less righteous, less good, he hadn’t led us to anything concrete yet. We had nothing to charge him with. He’d been too clever. James was creepy, sneaky, and a complete dick, but was he evil? That seemed impossible.
How would that happen?
“Mica? Mica? What are you thinking?”
Shaking my head to clear it, I said, “I’m thinking about James. I’m not convinced he’s evil. It doesn’t make sense to me. Do you have any other ideas?”
She snapped as only a mother could. “Damn it! He’s touching my daughter with his filthy evil hands and whispering lies like the devil himself into her brainwashed little ears! He tells her she’s special. He loves her. He wants her. But where is he? He sneaks into the house in the middle of the night. He leaves before the sun comes up so no one sees him. What kind of love is that?” She threw herself to her feet and paced angrily.
“He’s using her. But for what, I don’t know. And every day, my baby grows cold and the light dims in her beautiful stormy eyes.” Exhausted by the force of her anger, she started to cry.
I wrapped an arm around her and tried to soothe her misery. Dani was clearly in trouble. I had a niggling suspicion that was freaking me out. I needed to get to Sean now. I couldn’t share my theory with Dani’s mom. It would destroy her.
If I was right, it was about to destroy Dani.
“I have to go. I need to see someone about this.” I held her away from me and gave her a little shake. When she looked up at me with tear-soaked eyes, my heart squeezed painfully. Her pain was palpable, and I felt it all the way to my toes.
“Promise me you won’t confront James? He’s dangerous and I think he’d hurt you. I’ll come back as soon as I can and tell you what we’ve found out.”
She nodded miserably and squeezed me hard enough to crack a rib. “I would tell you to be careful too, but I think you have all the protection you need.” Her fingers brushed the rune on my hand and she smiled wistfully.
I slammed the door in my rush to get inside the house. Domino broke into a fit of barking at the interruption and I heard boots crossing heavily across the wooden floor. Killian. Perfect. I needed to talk to all of them.
“Yes, I had to slam the door. Yes, I think I’m the only one who lives here. And yes, I’m gloating because I can totally read your mind.” I threw this at him on my way into the living room. After peeling off my gloves and tossing them onto the coffee table, I finally turned around to match his mocking smile.
“Touché.” He bowed elegantly to the floor.
“Where’s everyone? I want to call a family meeting.”
He pressed his lips together and considered my request and my mood. He said, “You’re vibrating. I can feel you from here. What’s got your anger up?”
“Is there anything you don’t know about me?”
Smiling lazily, he said, “No, not really. Though there are times I tune you out just to keep my sanity. You’re a little intense.”
I was incredulous. “I’m intense? Look who’s talking! Geez.”
A shadow clouded his face and his smile faded. Turning towards a window, he said seriously, “Sean is snooping on the feds and Dec is snooping on Dani. Guess we’re all in the spook business now. The CIA’s got nothing on us.”
“And what about James? Any news on him? I have a theory you’re not going to like.”
“Shoot,” he ordered.
“Okay, I think he’s turned evil. I think he’s working with Dagin and working against us...like a double agent. And I think he’s trying to get Dani pregnant.” I blurted this out and left it in a pile at Killian’s booted feet.
There, the ball’s in his court.
I was hoping he’d laugh at me and tell me this wasn’t possible. I didn’t want this to be true. Time slowed to a crawl while he thought about my theory. I could hear the hands on the clock moving and my own heartbeat racing in my chest. I knew better than to prod him. He was doing what he did best. I’d just have to be patient. My eyes rested on his tense shoulders, and I rolled my own to release the tension. After all these years, he hadn’t changed at all. He was still tall and bulky with muscle. If anything, he’d gotten leaner and harder. Even relaxed, every muscle was defined and beautiful. His hair was still military short. Unlike Sean and Dec, he never let it grow out to curl around his ears. The proud set of his head showed the confidence that comes from knowing your blood runs with a power so ancient that there are no others who share it. He had a right to that pride. Once he’d told me he’d earned his ego. I agreed; though I’d never admit that to him.
His head might explode.
With three strides, he was back at my side. I managed a squeak of protest before he dragged me over to the couch and sat me down. He pushed too hard and I bounced up again.
“Hey! Stop manhandling me! I have ears. Do you think you could learn to use your words?”
His mouth opened in surprise and he blinked a couple of times. Breaking into a rare smile, he apologized. “I didn’t realize it, but you’re right. I’m sorry, babe. I get wrapped up in my head and it’s just easier to move you myself…saves time.”
“Saves time? Wow, you’re a caveman! You just take what you want. I just love that about you.” I said the words flippantly, but they unlocked a poignant image that stunned us both.
L
ike a photograph inside my head, I saw him with an arm draped around me as we watched the tide come in on a rocky shore. My head rested against his shoulder. We were naked.
He sucked in his breath with a sharp hiss.
Just like that, the image was gone, almost as if it didn’t happen. The image was gone but the lingering feeling of loving him settled around me like a fine mist. I felt the weight of it against my skin and inside my heart. But my brain denied all such ideas. I searched for some memory that supported my feelings but nothing appeared. I remembered Killian helping me train, helping me grieve, and helping me heal. Nothing in his actions had been romantic. I had no memories of us as lovers…and yet…there was something between us that I couldn’t see now.
He cleared his throat and prompted, “James?” He stood just out of reach and eyed me like I was dangerous.
I was suddenly acutely aware of the heat and scent of him and stepped back even further. Flushing, I started to ask him about this feeling but stopped. He looked coolly at me now as if daring me to give voice to my thoughts. I could push the issue, but I wasn’t sure what I would get from it.
What did I want to get from it?
The rational part of my brain said I needed to know what was happening so I could deal with it and put it behind me. The irrational part of my brain, aka my heart, shied away because it knew there was only pain to be found. For once I was siding with my irrational nature--now wasn’t the time for this conversation. I was more concerned with Dani than my own screwed up memories.
With a businesslike attitude, I pushed these thoughts out of my head. I’d play along with Killian for now. I said, “James. Okay, tell me I’m wrong. Please.”
“I wish I could, but I’d be lying to you. It’s probably worse than you think too.” His expression was grave as he spoke. “We have a word for Primani who slip into darkness...who choose evil over good and who use their powers to do harm.”
“You’re freaking me out a little now. What happened to James?”
“He’s fallen.” Choking on the word, he cleared his throat.
Surprised by the word, I asked, “As in fallen angels?”
The Lost Soul Trilogy (Primani Book 5) Page 58