by Rach Elle
Awilda looked around and envisioned everything Zeff described. “I’ll bet it was beautiful in here; why do you keep it so hidden?”
“It was turned into a storage closet long before Cooper ever inherited the castle. She just never bothered to change it back, I guess.”
“I’d love to see it cleaned up,” Awilda looked upward. “At least so that light can actually shine on the stained glass ceiling.”
“Ah, yes, well that’s probably one reason why it hasn’t been turned back into the ballroom. Very few would want a giant devil watching over their ceremonies, I’d imagine.”
“Yeah,” Awilda laughed softly, “he is a little jarring.”
“Do you know the story?” Zeff asked.
Awilda shook her head.
“This ceiling is a depiction of The Ultimate War by Arav Dave.”
Awilda cringed a little at Arav’s name. The title of the literary piece sounded familiar too, but she had never sat down to read it.
Zeff continued. “Over in the corner you see a group of angels prepared to fight for Heaven. In the opposite corner you see a group of gargoyles prepared to fight for hell. And in the center is the infamous moment where David the First, a gargoyle, dropped to his knees and prayed for the strength to deny the devil and start a revolution to save the human race from massacre. In this stained glass God is granting David the power to do so. It’s in the center since it’s the focal point of the story.”
“It’s beautiful,” Awilda breathed.
“Aye, but this is my favorite part of the legend.” He pointed to the last gargoyle in the group that stood in the corner. That gargoyle was also on bended knee, praying. “That’s Aaron; he was the second gargoyle to pray for strength so he doesn’t get top billing. But you know what? It was Aaron’s transformation and feat of strength that truly started the revolution; but no one acknowledges that.”
“Why?”
Zeff shrugged, “The story is about David the First, not Aaron the Second. There’s even a point in the legend where the devil is about to drag David into hell and Aaron sacrifices his life to save David’s and destroy the devil’s power. David the First may be of the blessed bloodline but his bloodline wouldn’t even exist if it weren’t for Aaron; and yet he is reduced to a mere handful of sentences.” Zeff’s voice was suddenly small and saddened. “He made the ultimate sacrifice, only to be forgotten.”
“That’s so sad,” Awilda whispered.
Zeff inhaled quickly as if snapping back to attention. “Yeah, I suppose it is. Very few would agree with me but I do believe Aaron is the real hero of our story.” His eyes wandered across the expanse of the ceiling and downward toward all of the random objects that surrounded them; landing on one in particular. He looked back at Awilda and smiled coyly, “But let’s not dwell on such a low note, yeah?” He reached to his left and opened an old record player that had been caked in dust. He looked in to see the current record ready for play and he turned it on, placing the needle onto the vinyl. A song from the sixties began to sway. “This will do,” Zeff closed the distance between he and Awilda and held out his hand. She hesitated, “I’m not a good dancer.”
“Bullocks, we’ve danced before, remember?” He smiled.
Awilda sighed before finally conceding. She took his hand and he pressed her into him. His hand rested on her lower back as they swayed back and forth, every now and then turning together to the music. He parted their bodies and twirled her before pulling her into his chest again. She giggled at his lead. “You’re a really good dancer,” she said.
Without missing a beat Zeff shrugged, “I took lessons as a boy. My mum always wanted me to make a name for myself. I actually lived in America for a bit. It was well after my first shift, but before the… um…” He pointed to his scar. “Anyway, I was at a diner having some nosh and some bloke asked if I’d ever been interested in acting. I took him up on his offer and went to an audition for a movie. I almost made it as the lead if you can believe it.”
“Really?”
“Really; I just about had the role until Gene Kelly showed up.” Awilda pulled back slightly and looked to him with shock. He shrugged again, “I was never the type to sing in the rain anyway.”
Awilda laughed, “You’re joking!”
“I rarely joke.”
Awilda stopped dancing, forcing Zeff to stop too. “Sing it then,” she said. When he looked at her confused she pressed further. “Singing in the Rain is a musical; so if you’re telling the truth then you must be able to sing. Come on,” she smiled, “let’s hear it.”
After a moment Zeff rolled his eyes playfully and pulled her back into him. He picked up the steps again and began singing the title song to the American movie.
Awilda couldn’t believe the beautiful, melodious voice coming from the man’s mouth. She swooned a little as he twirled then dipped her. Their bodies met again and she looked up into his icy blue eyes, past the scar. “You are full of surprises,” she smiled.
Zeff lowered his lips to her ear, “You have no idea.”
Awilda blushed a little then rested her head on his shoulder, giving into his slow lead. The record reached its end and the music stopped; but they continued to dance as Zeff softly hummed in her ear.
Junior stood in the dark corridor just before the entrance to the grand ballroom. He watched with gritted teeth and burning eyes Awilda and Zeff dancing. His fists were clenched so tightly he wouldn’t be surprised if he broke his own fingers. He couldn’t stand seeing Zeff’s arms wrapped around Awilda’s small frame, but he knew not to make a scene; that would only infuriate her. Besides, there wasn’t any way she would ever feel something for him; not after what he’d done. Zeff had every right to love her; even if he loved her first.
Junior took a deep breath and cleared his throat. Instantly Zeff and Awilda broke their contact and turned to see him emerge from the shadows. He could tell his eyes were still bright red, but he couldn’t will them to return to blue. Still, he kept every other sign of rage hidden. He figured that would just have to do for now.
“Cooper wants to see everyone in the dining hall.” He said sternly.
Zeff nodded, “We’re on our way then.”
Junior turned to leave the way he came when Zeff called to him, “There’s a door over here mate.” Junior begrudgingly stopped and waited for them to appear out of the corner of his eye. When Zeff reached the secret door and opened it he sharply turned and followed them into the castle.
13
Sunders sat in his dimly lit office with his head resting on his desk; his pounding headache finally beginning to recede. His eyelids were heavy and his stomach was empty. His hunger had waged war with his fatigue and apparently it was a battle to the death. He couldn’t sleep because his stomach wouldn’t stop growling but he couldn’t eat because he was too tired to get up and grab a bite. He scowled; thanks to those kids stealing his evidence this would most likely be the most eventful part of his day.
A fast paced knocking sounded and his door was quickly flung open, jolting him in his seat and bringing his headache back to full swing. He latched onto his skull and wished his fingers had the strength of a vice. He stood up to tower over his intruder and yell at them to leave when they opened their mouth first.
“Hi, Mr. Harper; I’m Rula, but everyone just calls me Rue. It’s so nice to meet you!”
Sunders cringed at the annoyingly perky and loud American voice that moved closer and closer to him. Finally he looked up to see a woman holding her hand out for a shake. He paused for a moment and blinked his good eye twice to clear his vision enough to see her through the little light provided by his table lamp. She was tall and toned with lean muscles and a wee waste line. Her hair was brown and braided to the side and her eyes were bright green. She wore a tight, black pencil skirt and an equally tight pink sweater with a neckline low enough to make him want to see more. Wow, he breathed; she was bonnie. He shook her hand, “Nice to meet you.”
Her soft pink
lips parted in a smile, “I’m so excited to be a part of your team!” She beamed. Her high-pitched, overly enthusiastic voice drilled into his brain like a power tool. He winced with every word. “I’ve heard so much about you and I can’t wait to learn everything!” Wow, Sunders breathed; she was annoying. He sat back down and held up his hands as if trying to calm an angry tiger. Rue’s obnoxious energetic voice took the hint and she trailed off in the middle of a sentence.
“Hold on,” Sunders began, softly for his own sake, “What do you mean you’re a part of my team?”
Rue’s forehead creased with confusion, “Didn’t anybody tell you?”
“Tell me what?”
“That I was coming. I thought you signed off on it.”
Sunders rubbed his face with his hands, trying to force his hangover to retreat just for a moment so he could process what this woman was saying.
“Mr. Harper?” Rue asked, concerned. “Did you know I was coming?”
Sunders audibly groaned. “Just pretend like I don’t know anything and tell me who you are and why you’re here.”
“Oh!” Rula began loudly, “My name is Rula Jones…”
Sunders held up his hand to cut her off. With his eyes squeezed shut from the pain he whispered, “Quietly.”
“Okay,” Rue drew out the word, “my name is Rula Jones. I’ve been a Protector for about five years and I just transferred to the Finder division. I was told I was going to be a part of your team.” She waited for Sunders to say something. After a moment of silence she whispered, “That’s why I’m here.”
Sunders took in every word she said. It took him about four times as long but he finally processed their meaning. He slowly stood, raised his eyes to meet hers and smiled, “Excuse me for a moment.” His long legs carried him swiftly to the door and he left his office.
Bill was looking over the report of last night’s events as recalled by the Protectors when Sunders barged into his office. He looked up, perturbed by the tall Scotsman.
“Sonny, since when did you forget to knock?”
“My apologies.”
“Well I can’t be fagged right now; come back in a bit, yeah?”
“Who is that woman Bill?” Sunders walked over to Bill’s desk.
“Hmm? Oh, you mean Rula Jones; she is the new recruit I was telling you about.”
“You told me I was getting an extra man on my team. Not Mary Poppins in a tight skirt.”
“I’m just as surprised as you are. I, too, had assumed she would be a man. But in hindsight I realize I was merely told you were getting a new recruit named Jones. And she is; Rula Jones.” When Sunders pinched the bridge of his nose in frustration Bill softened his voice. “Look, Sonny, I’m sorry I didn’t press for specifics earlier. The notice I received of her pending arrival didn’t specify the gender. I had just never fathomed a woman being a part of the Protector division. But she comes highly recommended and despite the fitting of her clothing she may prove herself an asset to your team. Give her some busy work if you don’t want to bother training her right now. I’m easy; but she’s under your supervision whether you like it or not. Now, where are you on that redundancy we talked about?”
Sunders exhaled in surrender. “Actually, I think I’ve come up with a much more fitting solution.”
Bill observed the disheveled Scotsman in front of him for a moment. “Do what you think is best; it’s your team.”
Sunders turned to leave the office. “Oh, and Sonny,” Bill called after him. “Let’s keep that tight skirt comment to ourselves, shall we? The last thing you need is a sexual harassment suit.”
Sunders exited Bill’s office and entered his own only to find it empty. Where did she go? He headed down the hall, peering into adjacent rooms along the way until he reached Roderick’s office. He came to a sudden halt at the sight of Rue leaning over a map of the States. His eyes narrowed as he watched Roderick paying more attention to the top half of her sweater – or what lay just beneath – than the information she was telling him. He pushed open the door further and made a show of his entrance. Both Roderick and Rue looked up to see him.
“Hey Sonny,” Roderick stood nervously. “Rue was just helping me out with that issue in the states I was telling you about.”
“I see,” Sunders crooked his brow. He turned to Rue. She was still bent over the map, flashing her cleavage and causing him to blush. “Forgive me for my manners earlier. I’d like to introduce you to the rest of the team, if you don’t mind.”
“Of course not!” Rue straightened her posture and nodded to Roderick as she left the office.
“Just head down the hall and I’ll be there in a minute,” Sunders told her. He watched her walk away; her skirt hugging her backside and accentuating the sway of her hips. He forced himself to snap back to attention.
“Whenever you want to loan her to me, I won’t object.” Roderick smiled.
Sunders narrowed his eyes, “Get your head out your trousers, Rod.”
14
Cooper stood at the head of the dining table. Her eyes slowly drifted across the sea of faces that sat in chairs facing her; taking a silent roll call. Alvin and Mason sat to her left. Next to them was Zeff then Awilda. Across from Awilda Junior sat upright with squared shoulders; as if he had a knot between his shoulder blades that needed to be worked out. Next to him sat Elizabeth, Kingsley and finally Bawli. Awilda’s friend Dr. Crispin was still bedridden. He was in too much pain to crawl out of bed, let alone walk downstairs and across the castle for a meeting. She reached the last chair to see it was empty. She crinkled her nose, “Where’s the Limrid?”
At the other end of the table Tauggle slowly rose high enough for her to see him. She scowled at the sight of him. His long, white hair sat atop his pale skin. He looked to her with his black eyes and a coy smile on his stupid face. He levitated in a lounging position; on his side with his head resting in his hand and his other arm casually draped over his bent knee; like he was posing for a centerfold. “Go on,” his old world accent drifted across the table to her ears. She cringed.
“That’s the first line of business,” she pointed accusingly at Tauggle while looking directly at Awilda, who sat next to him quietly. “It is not to leave your side, understood? The last thing we need is a loose Limrid running around the city.”
Awilda nodded softly.
“You can relax, Lovely.” Tauggle chimed in. “By law I can’t leave her vicinity unless specifically ordered to. We might as well be joined at the hip.”
Cooper narrowed her eyes and looked to Awilda, “Is this true?”
Awilda shrugged, “He hasn’t been near me all day.”
“On the contrary,” Tauggle began, “just because you can’t see me, doesn’t mean I’m not there; see?” He vanished. Everyone looked around to see where he could have gone until his melodic voice spoke from the other end of the table, “I still see you.” He reappeared next to Cooper, who recoiled instantly. “Get away from me,” she scowled.
Tauggle frowned, “Is this always how you treat your house guests?”
“You’re not a guest; you’re a pest; one that I’d love to exterminate.”
“So, you were with me the whole time?” Awilda’s small voice cut in. “In the tower and the…”
“Forgotten ballroom? Oh yes,” Tauggle smiled devilishly and floated over toward Awilda and Zeff. He positioned himself between them and wrapped his arms around their shoulders, resting his head on hers. “I smell romance brewing,” he sang. Zeff shrugged him off and Tauggle focused in on Awilda. “So tell me, will you be having a destination wedding or will it be right here in the castle? I’m up for anything. But you will have to steer clear from any church – satanic minion, you know.” He pointed to himself. “Oh, and for your honeymoon try to avoid anywhere sunny; I don’t tan well.”
“Leave her alone,” Junior’s stern voice commanded attention. Everyone looked to him, including a blushing Awilda. He didn’t know what to say next. He just couldn’t
take anymore talk of Zeff having the one thing he couldn’t.
Tauggle looked at Junior in shock for only a second before revelation swept his features. “Ah, yes,” he began as he floated back to his position at the end of the table. “I’m afraid I’ve landed on a rather touchy subject. You were saying, Lovely?”
Cooper cringed at the Limrid’s nickname for her. She looked up to see him levitating in a seated, cross-legged fashion. She rolled her eyes. “As you already know you all will be staying with us for the time being, but I wanted to reiterate Zeff’s decree; no one is to leave this castle. We can’t risk any one of you being spotted and followed back here; this includes you too, Vin and Mason.”
Alvin and Mason looked up, stunned. “You can’t be serious,” Alvin groaned.
“Since you two decided to take it upon yourselves to not only get arrested but to enter a Finder’s flat you’re no doubt on the DAA’s watch list. Now this is only temporary. Once the DAA realizes that the trail has run cold and the Protectors give up their search then we can all go back to the way things were. Which by the way; did not include prophetic saviors and Limrids.”
“This isn’t fair Cooper,” Alvin whined.
“Get used to it. This property is plenty big for you two to find something to occupy yourselves with.”
Alvin pretended to think for a moment, “Not really.”
“Case closed, Vin.”
“I like a woman who takes charge,” Tauggle smirked.
Cooper winced. She looked to the Limrid as he stared at her. For a second she could have sworn she saw a few specks of gold in his black eyes. “Exactly how far does Awilda’s vicinity extend?”
Tauggle looked surprised she was speaking directly to him. “I beg your pardon?”
“You said you have to stay in Awilda’s vicinity. How far does that reach? A mile; two miles; the next room?”
Tauggle shrugged, “I can’t say; this is my first time being claimed. When I reach my limits I’ll know.”