by SJ Davis
A glimmer of surprise flashed in the demon’s eyes. “But I’m here to take you with me,” he insisted, as though he didn’t understand River’s argument or what it really meant.
“I guess we all have our little problems today, don’t we?”
***
The door hung off the hinges of his home and two more windows were broken, by the time River walked up the front path. He wasn’t at all surprised, so he didn’t spare them more than a glance before heading inside to the comfort of what had once been a nice home. In a nice street, with nice neighbours, River had once been happy here.
Until the creatures arrived and people began flooding out of the town, to escape the dangerous beings that had walked into their world. Most of the town was empty and even the homeless people had taken off. It was a ghost town now, with creatures, opportunist thieves and criminals of the worst order littering the streets.
“Good evening, River.”
He let out a groan and glanced into the corner of his patio, as he ascended the three front steps. “Hello, Tameron. Are you still trying the same old sneaky tricks?” he asked, ignoring the vampire who had been stalking him for three weeks now. Unlike the demon from the garage, Tameron took no for an answer, even if he did eventually return to try again.
“Well, you know me well by now, River.” His voice came through with humour and a smile. “I’m not a man to give up easily,” he claimed.
River chuckled and entered the house to find his way to the sofa, where he switched on the lamp. Tameron moved into the corner of the room, relaxing in an armchair that he’d moved from the fireplace. This was the first time they’d met inside this house, but River wasn’t worried. The vampire was someone who kept his distance and promised to only intervene when necessary.
There was still no clear indication of what he wanted, however, and that rubbed River up the wrong way. “Fine. Well, do you mind if I get some sleep? It’s been a long day.” He sighed and grabbed the blanket from the back of the sofa, as he sat down and pulled the cover over him. “If you have anything interesting to say, can you do it now?”
Tameron laughed a loud, bellowing laugh as he rose to his feet and crossed to where River sat on the sofa. When he sat next to him, the cold of the vampire’s skin made him shiver. “Sleep first and we will talk later,” he promised, pulling a cushion onto his lap as though River should feel comfortable enough to use it as a pillow.
“Think again, fang boy. Go back to your armchair,” he demanded, only just holding back a yawn that made his chin tremble.
“Relax, sweetheart,” he said, reaching up to brush his fingers through River’s hair.
It felt comforting and so intimate that he closed his eyes. He hadn’t felt a touch like that since Brendan and the ache of longing for a mate, for companionship and comfort, returned. This world had become something he barely recognised and it was exhausting to put up a protective front all the time.
Sleep, River.
The voice inside his head was unwelcome, but he was too tired and weak from a long day to fight the growing need it created in him to do as he was told. River closed his eyes and lay his head on the cushion. “I’ll deal with you in the morning,” he decided.
CHAPTER 2
Morning came with a jostling shake to his shoulders.
I have to go, River. Know you are safe and I will visit you again soon, Tameron’s voice promised, inside his dreams.
River couldn’t help but wonder why he’d bothered shaking him if he was going to leave him to sleep. It was so annoying. He pulled the blanket over his shoulder and tried to return to his dreams of how the world had been before it went to Hell in a hand basket, but it was no good.
Barely a few minutes later, he popped his eyes open reluctantly. “Bloody vampires,” he cursed, longing for the days when he didn’t know they existed.
How simple life had been, before the thin door between their worlds collided and created chaos for everyone. Sure, he understood that the creatures didn’t want to be here any more than he wanted to be a werewolf, but life was unfair and he figured one of them must know how to get back to their own world. Unfortunately, the rift went one way. It released a shit load of creatures into Earth, while shutting them off from their own world.
River turned onto his back and stared at the ceiling, wondering what it was like to be in that situation. He’d thought being a werewolf in a world of humans was strange, but he’d always known how to take care of himself and how to keep his secret protected from even his own family.
But he’d never really wondered how it was possible in the first place. How did a werewolf end up in the human world, biting a kid? How did a werewolf end up on Earth, if they belonged to another world?
“I believe there has always been a small tear in our realities,” a voice claimed out loud.
River shot up into a seated position, shocked that someone had made it into his home without hearing them first. His olfactory senses and hearing were increasingly advanced, even for the few werewolves he’d bumped into since this new reality had crashed into their world. He should have been able to tell that someone was in his house.
“You again?” He frowned and glared at the demon-human that stood in his living room. “How did you get in here?”
The creature looked confused and pointed to the front door. “I believe it’s called a door. Which, in the current conversation, could be an appropriate answer to your thoughts,” he explained, his confusion morphing into a pleased look, as though he’d solved all of River’s problems.
“You read minds too?”
“Yes,” he answered shortly, keeping that self-satisfied grin on his bearded face. “Oh, my pleasure disturbs you? Shall I frown or remain blank?” he asked, faking both appearances as examples.
River had to fight a smile, because he’d never known that a demon could be so ridiculous and naïve. His only encounter with the creature had been that first meeting, over Brendan’s dead body, and a second meeting where he came to the rescue of a family of four, trying to escape the city at night. Three demons had swooped in on them, targeting the two kids under the age of ten.
Turning into a werewolf to protect humans wasn’t ideal and had terrified the family, until they realised he was protecting them. He’d managed to fight the demons off long enough for the family to get into their car and drive out of town. River hadn’t had much of a fondness for demons since then.
“I am sorry for that,” the demon said, taking a step forward with a faint smile. “My brethren are struggling to find their way in this new world. The world we live in does not have humans and they are such easy prey. I believe you may have shown them that it is not always the case,” he claimed, with a hint of approval and pride that startled him.
Staring up at this demon, who had killed his potential boyfriend and possibly others since then, River didn’t understand. “You make no sense. Why are you here?” he asked, instead of voicing his thoughts. It probably wouldn’t matter anyway, since this demon claimed he could read his mind.
“To protect you.”
The words sounded so simple, but they didn’t make sense either. What did he need to be protected from?
“I am Vanos,” he continued, in introduction. “And, I must correct you. I am not a demon, but a Griffin. I have taken a form as close to a human as possible, to ease your mind and assist your senses,” he explained, smiling faintly as though that thought should comfort him. “Which makes me an anomaly to my brethren, as you have noticed.”
Taking a deep, levelling breath, River raked both hands through his hair, trying to assimilate that information with what he already knew about those creatures. It didn’t amount to much; a combination of animals in one human form, none of which this Vanos guy currently resembled. “A what?” he asked, hoping for more information.
“May I sit?” Vanos asked, gesturing to
the sofa.
Since River sat smack dab in the middle, he shuffled over and pulled his blanket tighter around him. “If you must,” he muttered, not sure if he really wanted that or not.
Vanos didn’t second guess him, but didn’t push his luck either. He sat as far away from River as the sofa would allow and faced him, hands on his lap, so they were in clear view. River had a feeling he did that on purpose.
“My brethren are untamed, unruly Griffins, with no ability or desire to disguise their true form as you and I can,” he began, in explanation. “I am something different, more akin to the historic protectors that we are portrayed as. A higher intelligence has given me the gift of control over my appearance and gifts. A control that warrants more authority than the warriors that came through with me.” He sighed heavily and shook his head. “You could call me their commander, but that would be inaccurate now. Since we came through the rift between worlds, my brethren feel that this is their world to lead. I beg to differ.”
Nodding in acceptance of that explanation, River tried to figure out a reply. Vanos put him on edge in a way he couldn’t describe, except to admit that it unnerved him the way this Griffin didn’t register on any of his senses the way any other creature would. “Okay, so what has any of this to do with me?” he wondered, glimpsing in Vanos’ direction for a reply.
“You are the key to saving this world,” he said, that creepy lilt of a smile returning. “You are like me, River. Stronger and more powerful than the others of your kind. Together, we can bring these lost creatures under control and return peace to the world.” He sounded so hopeful and genuine that River was angry with himself.
None of his alarm bells were ringing and that made him want to trust Vanos. But then he remembered how silent they were on both times the Griffin had approached him. That wasn’t normal or comforting.
“Wow. That’s heavy.” He took a breath, tried to calm down, then realised that it wasn’t going to happen. Not until he knew what he was really dealing with. He tossed the blanket aside and rose to his feet. “I need a drink.”
“A drink?” Vanos frowned and looked around the room, as though a beer would materialise out of nowhere. “Oh, perhaps we can toast together?” he suggested, just as River took a step towards his side counter.
Stopping in his track, at those ridiculous words, he looked back at Vanos and frowned. “It’s not for a toast, dipshit.” He shook his head and crouched in front of the cabinet, to reach into the hidden drawer at the base. As soon as it popped open, he grabbed the bottle of whiskey he’d stashed there and unscrewed the cap. He took a long swig, then stood and faced Vanos again. But the hope in the Griffin’s eyes was so naïve and didn’t match the fury he’d seen there just six weeks ago. It was so disconcerting that he took another drink. “Jesus...what did I ever do to deserve this?”
***
After three hours of non-stop talking, River still didn’t grasp the concept of Griffins or their powers. The only thing that stuck in his head was the difference between Vanos and his minions: one was good, considerate and intelligent while the others were mindless beasts, killing for sport.
That was all he needed to know.
“So you’ve been stalking me?” River asked, upon listening to Vanos’ latest confession. “Wait...not only stalking me, but killing anyone that I come into physical contact with?” he said, rephrasing his question.
“Yes.” Vanos blinked innocently and a smile wobbled onto his lips. “Was that wrong? Any who covet you are a danger. You belong only to your mate, so when I smell desire in any man you encounter, he must be eliminated from the equation,” he explained, as though it were a simple matter to understand. But all that rang through was that Vanos wanted him isolated, alone and...
“So you want me to be celibate too?” he raged, turning on him to await his answer. And it better be forth coming, because he was already on the verge of smashing the bottle into Vanos’ head and running.
River wanted nothing to do with crazy psychopaths.
“I do not understand the meaning of that word.” Vanos shrugged and smiled, the repeated gesture finally breaking through River’s shock. This one wasn’t innocent or condescending. This was warm and full of a need to be praised, as though River’s opinion mattered above all else. “Though, I must confess, I have a lot to learn about your human world. I have only been in it for a short time.”
“Yet you understand stalking?” he questioned, just to make sure he was keeping up. But, again, Vanos appeared confused, so he waved it off and took another swig of his bottle. “Never mind. Why must everyone be eliminated, if they desire me? And none of that mate crap either. I’m allowed to have sex with people other than my true mate. It’s not exactly appealing, but it’s allowed,” he confessed, in case this Griffin guy didn’t already know that.
Werewolves were not bound to one being for their entire existence. They could curb the loneliness of the passing decades with other warm bodies, if they wanted to. But he wouldn’t deny that it was unappealing to him. Not that he was a normal werewolf, but he still felt even that small admittance was wrong somehow.
“Oh.” Vanos chuckled and smacked his knee. “I see. Well, I may only say that I have very strong instincts and they tell me to kill everyone in sight, who may look upon you with approval. There is nothing more than that.”
A flicker of green in his big eyes made River take a hesitant step back. This couldn’t be happening. Not now and not with him. But he wasn’t going to look too deeply at it, either. The sooner he got rid of Vanos, the better off they’d both be.
“Right. Because that makes total sense!” He shouted at him, feigning anger. In reality, his stomach flipped uncomfortably and his nostrils flared as they accepted a familiar scent into his senses, memorising and encasing it in his heart. “Okay, go back and tell me about this ‘fixing the world’ idea,” he asked, to distract himself.
It didn’t work.
Not when Vanos rose to his feet and took a step towards him.
River kept him at bay by taking another, longer, swig from the bottle. He couldn’t handle any of this and he didn’t want any of it. He wanted to go back to sleep and pretend the world had never changed. To wake up the night before his last date with Brendan and have the night end as he’d planned. With hot, naked bodies getting up close and personal.
“You smell different,” Vanos noticed, taking quick steps until they were chest to chest.
Before River could lift the bottle again, it was taken from him and thrown to the floor. It seemed Vanos was focused on what he smelled, even as River’s eyes closed in regret for letting the thought take shape. If he hadn’t thought it, this wouldn’t be happening.
“Your mate,” he whispered, leaning in close enough that his breath tickled the shell of River’s ear. “He is near. Your entire body hums for his touch...for his taste...” he continued, sniffing along his neck and across the front of his face to his other ear. His breath tickled every inch of skin it came into contact with, warming and comforting.
Just as reality sunk in, River opened his eyes to the inevitable words.
“Your mate...is here!”
CHAPTER 3
The unfairness of it all crashed into River, before he could sort out his thoughts. Before he could speak, Vanos turned and snarled at the doorway, as though someone had walked in.
“We must find your mate and have you unite,” he said, with a lasting bite. “It is the only way to keep you safe,” he muttered.
River woke from his stupor with a thud. “Hey!” he argued, reaching out to give Vanos a shove. He didn’t appreciate being talked about like that, as though he was some weak willed pup, who jumped anything in sight. “I am NOT having sex on your schedule,” he protested.
Vanos turned and his featured softened on seeing his anger. “Of course. I only think of your safety. If your mate is close, we must find
him. You can only save this world if you are whole, body, mind and spirit,” he explained.
The words frustrated him, but River wouldn’t deny it. He’d known since a few weeks after he’d been bitten that he’d have to mate at some point, with someone the fates had predestined for him. But he’d never imagined it would happen like this. In the midst of chaos, emptiness and desolation.
“Vanos, tell me something,” he asked, trying to change the subject. “Who is Tameron and why is he stalking me, too? Is he like you, trying to protect me?” he wondered, waiting for clarity to appear.
But his Griffin just frowned and shook his head vehemently. “Tameron has been here?” he asked, grabbing his biceps in strong hands that squeezed unconsciously. Thankfully he wasn’t the human weakling he’d once been anymore and he could handle it. “The vampire wishes to control humans and make them mindless slaves to his whims,” he explained, his eyes big and round with fear.
“So he’s not really interested in me at all?” River asked, ridiculously pleased with that information.
“Oh, he is.” Vanos nodded and pulled him close. The movement was so sudden that River didn’t have time to prepare a protest; he was drawn into Vanos’ arms and held tight as a chin propped on his hair. “You will be safe, River. You must be kept safe. We must find and unite you with your true mate. If Tameron claims you first–” He shuddered and suddenly began petting River’s hair, in a way that hadn’t been done since he was an inconsolable child.
It was surprisingly soothing and gentle.
River closed his eyes and allowed himself to be held. But as his senses opened to Vanos, this strangely innocent, childlike protector of his, they also opened up to the rank smell radiating from his own clothes. Wrinkling his nose, he backed away from the Griffin and sighed. “I have to shower. I forgot I don’t have a proper shower at the garage, so I need to get out of these disgusting clothes,” he admitted, backing away and ignoring the bottle that had smashed into his once pristine wooden floor.