He suddenly felt weak. Stumbling, he pulled the tendrils back and quickly regained his composure. Standing in the middle of the sidewalk, one of the images he’d seen stood out above the rest.
“Perhaps if it would work better if I were freshly fed,” he mused aloud.
Picking up the image again, he quickly located its source in a room above one of the overflowing saloons. McCoy’s was a smoky bar filled with raucous laughter and an even rougher crowd. He weaved his way through the closely packed bodies until he reached a set of stairs leading to the second floor. Taking them two at a time, he found himself in a long hallway lined with doors on either side. He closed the gap to the third door on the left with preternatural speed. Rapping gently on the door, he waited patiently for a response.
The door opened a crack. “Can I help you?”
A wizened face stared at him with suspicious eyes.
“Possibly, but the more important question is, can I help you?” he asked, catching the elderly man’s eyes.
“With what?” he replied, his voice coming out slowly as he succumbed to Niccolo’s stare.
“With your pain,” he said, watching as his eyes dilate and, lose focus. “You prayed for the pain from your arthritis to end. Good news… I’ve come to answer the call.”
* * * *
Niccolo looked out the window of the room to make sure the streets had emptied as the hour grew late. Satisfied, he tucked the lifeless body of the late Martin Wilson under his arm and dropped out over the sill. He soared up in the air and out to the woods surrounding the town until he found a suitable place to dispose of the remains of his meal.
Once the grave was filled, he returned to the task at hand. He pushed with all his might and his mind reached further than he’d ever attempted before. A barrage of thoughts and emotions bombarded him. He scanned them with an alacrity only an immortal could achieve. Seconds ticked by, but still there was no sign of him.
He was about to give up and find a new place to transmit from when he pay dirt. A memory of Pavlo’s smiling face came into sharp focus. Drawing the rest of his energy in, he centered it on that one mind. He sorted through the young woman’s mind until he found something to identify her location.
“Texarkana?” Niccolo said as he took to the air. “That’s only about two hundred and fifty miles away. I should be there in a few hours.”
When he arrived, the night was spent. He barely had time to secure accommodations before the sun rose. He reserved a room and left strict instructions not to be disturbed. Stripping the blanket from the bed, he carried into the closet, pulled the door shut and wrapped himself tightly in the coarse wool fabric. He continued to search even as the sun pushed him into slumber. Pavlo was no longer in the area.
He arose at sunset and emerged from the closet. Padding to the window, he leaned with both hands on the sill as he surveyed the city sprawling out below. He closed his eyes and reached out with his mind again. He couldn’t pick up Pavlo’s essence, but he did find another cluster of people who had seen him.
The charismatic demon was heading south. Niccolo followed. He felt like he was gaining on him, but not quick enough.
Nights turned into weeks and still he had yet to actually feel the man himself, only ghosts in the eyes of the people he passed.
He woke one evening in Juarez Mexico. He had sent out his probing fingers to their farthest reach so many times, it had almost become a diurnal habit. Sorting through the usual barrage of memories, he was shocked when his mind touched upon a familiar presence.
Niccolo, is that you, old friend? Pavlo’s voice rang clear in his thoughts.
“It is indeed. Come let’s sit as old friends and reminisce. We have much to discuss,” Niccolo offered in his most enticing voice.
You are persistent. I simply must grant you that. I thought you consumed by the flames sparked by our last sit down.
“And yet, here I am. Standing here with open arms, hoping you will be inclined to fill them.”
I fail to remember forgiveness being one of your stronger suits.
“People change,” he said with a laugh.
Wait, don’t close your thoughts off to me yet. I just caught a glimpse of the most amazing image. Was it a memory or merely an unfulfilled fantasy?
Niccolo cringed as Kanati came to the forefront of his thoughts.
Ah, then your pursuit is not really about vengeance, but rather protection. Still playing the Sheppard, are we? Protecting your flock?
“Leave them be,” he growled. “This is between you and me.”
Tell me something, little Nicky. Which of your beasts are you feed the most these days?
Niccolo wondered briefly what he was talking about, then remembered the conversation they shared when he saved the life of the ghost named Terri. There are two beasts warring within in me, each fighting to control my hand. One is everything I was: evil, mean, sadistic and…vengeful. The other, well it is everything I want to be: compassionate, wise, and all that I still find good in the humanity from which we must sustain ourselves.
“Why don’t you come find out?” he growled.
Now why would I do that? I think we both learned just how equally we are matched during our last conflict. I have no desire to relive that uncertainty. No, I have something much more entertaining in mind.
Niccolo stiffened, still trying to pinpoint the exact location of his nemesis.
I propose a contest. Winner takes all, if you will. You think you can best me? Think that the path of the righteous will give you the upper hand? Then I challenge you to a race. You know the destination. If I find him before you, he is mine. If you reach him first, you have but to wait for me to arrive to have another attempt at my throat.
“If I arrive before you, what’s to keep you from turning tale and heading for the hills again?”
Pride.
And with that, his head was filled with silence. Pavlo was no longer within the reach of his mind. The race had begun.
“I know what I must do to save him,” Niccolo sighed as he launched himself into the air.
He flew faster than he’d ever flown before, surprising even himself with the speed he achieved. He prayed it would be fast enough.
Chapter Twenty-Six
“Kanati! Wake up, friend; it is time to go.” Acabo called from the doorway, his voice dripping with excitement.
“Have you lost your mind? The sun isn't even up yet.” Kanati yawned, covering his eyes with his forearm. His eyes suddenly flew open. “Go Where?”
“We’re going on a hunting excursion,” he said, poking his head through the bedroom door. “Heading out to the Sans Bois mountains. Rumor has it there are several caves for us to explore and the whole area is overflowing with game.”
“There’s game here,” he said, still bewildered.
“Not like this,” he said with a snort. “Besides, you’ve been cooped up in here long enough. It’s time you two rejoin the living.”
“We’ve been trying,” Selu interjected.
“It’s been months since your Aunt’s funeral and we’ve hardly seen any trace of either of you. Quite frankly, we’re worried.”
“I can’t leave her for that long,” he insisted. “It will take days to reach the mountains.”
“You won’t be gone for more than five days at the most,” he said with a shrug.
“That’s too long,” he replied, shaking his head.
“Kanati,” she whispered, placing her hand on his chest. “Maybe he’s right. A good hunting trip might help you…help us move on.”
He stared into her eyes, not wanting to go, but not wanting to disappoint her. “If you really want me to,” he finally said.
“I do,” she said with a nod. “I’ll spend my time with the other women. I’m sure they will keep my mind occupied while you’re away.”
“It’s settled then,” he said with a heavy sigh.
“The false dawn is upon us. Dustu is waiting for us out front.” He fidgeted no
isily outside the bedroom door.
“Fine, just let me wake up a little first.” Kanati drew himself from under the furs.
“Acabo, you can wait outside with Dustu,” Selu said playfully, placing a restraining had on his forearm. “At least let me give a proper farewell before you drag him off to parts unknown.”
“Close the door behind you,” Kanati added, staring down at the love of his life.
He barely waited for his friend to comply before he leaned in, kissing her softly. She gripped his hair and returned the kiss with a fervor that was contagious. Letting his hands roam over her body, he was still amazed at how soft and smooth her skin felt beneath his fingertips. His lips moved to her cheek, her ear, her neck, and down to her chest. He gently pulled one of her nipples into his mouth and rolled it lightly between his teeth. Her nails dug into his shoulders and coursed down his back.
“Take me… take me, now,” she whispered.
Raising his head, he stared into her eyes and couldn’t help but smile. “Not yet.”
“But you have to go soon,” she sighed through pouty lips.
“Let…them…wait,” he said, punctuating each word with a kiss to her breast.
Kissing a trail along her chest and abdomen, he slid his face into position between her thighs. He maintained eye contact as he blew gently along the length of her folds. She inhaled sharply, causing him to smile. Turning slightly, he began to administer soft bites along the inside of her thigh until his nose brushed against her swollen mound. He let his tongue explore just within the folds before sinking it in as far as he could manage. A moan of pleasure let him know she approved. Sliding a hand around her leg, he rubbed the area he’d seen her massage so many times before while he continued to pleasure her with his mouth. She shuddered beneath his touch. Her hands went to either side of his head, pulling his hair, urging him on.
“By Ocasta,” she murmured. “That feels amazing.”
Raising his head to meet her eye, he said, “You taste amazing.”
She giggled throatily as she pressed the back of his head, begging for him to continue. He moved his free arm under his chest in response, using his fingers to probe her insides as he continued to lick along the surface. He could feel her trembling grow in intensity and sped up his rhythm. Her body convulsed and he felt three quick clinches of the muscles around his fingers The world was suddenly muted as her legs slammed shut on either side of his head, causing them both to laugh heartily.
“Now, I’ll take you,” he said, pushing himself to his knees.
“No,” she replied, shaking her head. “Not yet.”
Kanati cocked his head to one side and then smiled. “Ah, would you like me to do that again?”
Selu worried her bottom lip before responding. “As tempting as that is, I had something else in mind.”
She sat up, drawing her knees beneath her before kissing him full on the mouth. Her hands reached for his manhood and gently stroked it as her tongue sought out his. He loved the feel of her slender fingers working their way along the length of his shaft. Closing his eyes, he savored the sensation of her lips on his skin as she moved to his neck and began alternating between light nibbles and firm kisses. His desire flared even more if that was possible. Reaching down between them, his fingers sought comfort amid her moist vagina.
“Don’t,” she said, looking into his eyes. “I want this to be about you.”
“I can’t help myself. I love to give you pleasure.”
“And I you, so just sit back and enjoy this,” she said before kissing him on the chest.
Her head continued south until she pulled him into her mouth. He let out a guttural groan of delight and grabbed a handful of her hair. Bliss flooded his body as she pleasured him. Her mouth, her tongue, even her teeth lightly grazing him, pushed him to levels of delight he knew only she could give him. It was almost more than he could stand.
He gently pulled her hair until she raised his face to his. Kissing her deeply, he silently thanked the Gods for bringing her into his life.
“I can wait no more. I must have you,” he managed, gazing along her glistening body.
She smiled at him mischievously and turned away, dropping to all fours, offering herself to him. “Then take me.”
Grabbing her hips, he entered her from behind. He fell into a comfortable rhythm that she quickly matched. He leaned over her, cupping a breast in each hand as he kissed her back without breaking their stride.
“Pull my hair,” she sighed.
Removing one hand from her breasts, he wrapped her long jet-black locks around it and applied a steady pressure.
“Oh yeah!” she all but shouted. “Just like that.”
Suddenly, he felt her hips begin to gyrate faster, urging him to a quicker pace. He eagerly complied, enjoying the sound of their skin colliding with greater and greater force.
She froze around him and screamed out, lost in the throes of her orgasm. He pulled free of her as she collapsed to her chest in a trembling heap.
Turning to look at him over her shoulder, she asked, “Why did you stop?”
“I want to look at your face as I succumb to the little death.”
She rolled to her back and beckoned him to her with a single finger. Sliding his hips between her legs, he entered her in a single thrust. His movements were long and slow as he stared into her eyes, immersing himself in the love he saw reflected there. When his orgasm finally came, his vision narrowed and he wondered briefly if he might lose consciousness. Collapsing atop Selu, he pulled her into a tight embrace.
“I love you more than you will ever know,” he whispered into her ear.
“I imagine I’ve garnered a fairly good idea of how deep your love flows,” she giggled. “And I love you more than life itself.”
Thus, by the time they were finally on their way, it was under the staring eye of the rising sun. Spring had come once again to the Plains, carrying with it a warm breeze that was in direct contrast to the cold morning. The rustling of the leaves in the trees around them was almost hypnotic. It was a good day for a walk.
* * * *
Dusk was gaining on them quickly on the second day of travel when they reached the first real hillside. The hickory trees were so dense running up the side Kanati doubted whether or not they would be able to see very far even if they had sunlight to aide them.
They had just decided to make camp at the base of the hill when a rumbling from the clouds changed their minds. They quickly clambered further up the hill in search of a cave to protect them from the storm. The downpour came before they could find any shelter. Finally, after they were soaked to the bone, they found a large opening surrounded by rocks. The lightning gave it a foreboding appearance. As frightening as it might have looked at night, it was still better than being without shelter during a thunderstorm in the Indian Territory.
Twigs and broken branches littered the floor of the cave. Some animals must have used this place as shelter during the colder months of the last winter. Kanati was grateful to them as he gathered some of the wood and piled it as close to the opening of the cave as possible without getting it wet. Acabo brought out some flint from a leather pouch.
“Thank Shakura! It’s still dry.”
When the fire caught and began to grow, Kanati was startled to find they were not alone. The fire revealed a man perched on a rock at the back of the cave. As the light from the fire crawled across the floor, he took in his image from the feet up. He wore black knee-high riding boots. Tucked into those, was a pair of black pants that flared above the tops of his boots. The stranger had on a white shirt, open to the waist and cuffed at the wrist. A black traveler’s cloak was thrown back over one shoulder.
His face made its way into the farthest corners of Kanati’s mind. Long dark hair framed his too pale cheeks. The eyes—they almost glowed through the darkness with a deep, piercing, blue, the color changed with each second he looked into them. It was as if his eyes alone could swallow him whole.
They swirled and danced. The colors shifted from blue to near purple to a near green. The intensity of his stare captivated Kanati. He could think of nothing but what color the eyes would take on next.
The stranger closed his lids and the trance was broken. All three of the warriors drew their weapons with lightning speed. The man merely laughed, throwing his hands up to show them he was unarmed.
“You have nothing to fear from me.” His smile was almost as disarming as his eyes. “I, like you, only seek shelter from the storm.”
They put away their knives, eyeing him warily. Kanati wasn’t sure what to make of the stranger, but he decided to give him the benefit of the doubt. There was something familiar about him, but he couldn’t place where the feeling came from. Was it his face, his voice or…? Every time he almost grasped the answer, it flitted away as if pushed.
“You may share our fire, if you wish to dry your clothes,” he finally offered to break the silence.
“You are most kind. My clothes are dry, but I would love to share your company.” The stranger moved closer to the fire, but chose to make himself comfortable several paces from its edge.
“I’m Kanati, this is Dustu and Acabo.” He gestured to his comrades each in turn. “We came to hunt and explore the caves, though we had hoped to find them with the help of daylight.”
“My name is Niccolo Rasetti. I also came to explore the caves, but I prefer to do my exploring at night. It adds a certain beauty to the hunt.” The man grinned.
“You hunt at night as well? That doesn’t sound very safe. How do you know what you’re hunting?”
“Acabo, I think he refers to hunting for caves, not game,” Kanati assured him.
“Actually, I do everything by the glow of our lovely moon. Surely, you have heard of people who only roam at night,” Niccolo shot back with a hint of sarcasm.
“There are many creatures of the night in our legends, but most are more animal than human.” Acabo’s face contorted with distaste.
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