by Lawna Mackie
“This female has already brought trouble here. This is why we do not want foreigners coming here. If we bend our laws at all, Enchantment will become corrupted with further evil forces. Do you disagree?” Madget fidgeted a faint note of fear in her voice.
Kerrigan thought for a few moments. “No, I do not disagree. However, not all foreigners will be bearers of dark magic. I don’t think we can bury our heads in the sand expecting such visits to never happen. We should be proactive and prepare for them. We need to make new laws concerning how visitors will be screened and treated when they arrive on Enchantment. The gargoyles need to be made aware of this fact. Visits can and probably will happen. We can learn many new things from different species and hopefully prepare ourselves in the event of an attack.”
He hoped his words had helped them make the right decision. Despite the silence, he knew the Counselors were mentally speaking to one another.
“What you are suggesting is a very big change in all we do. Further discussion and research will need to be done. But besides this, we still need to decide the fate of this Meeka and her companion. I believe we should send her back the way she came. Todd could cocoon her and send her back up,” Madget said.
Kerrigan felt the air leave his lungs. If they decided to send her back the way she arrived, she could die. “Once again, I repeat what I said previously. I am not about to take the chance with a human life at stake. We do not know if she would live through the process.”
Madget slammed her hand down on the table. “Enforcer, this is not your decision to make. If we the Council decide it is to be, then it will be. One life is not worth the many lives here in Enchantment. She has already brought trouble, and we will not stand for much more. Do not forget your place, Kerrigan.”
“Perhaps, Madget, it is you who should not forget.” Kerrigan straightened, “You entrust me to protect this world, and I have done so. To send her back, to risk her death, may do more harm than good. What if she knows a secret way of entry in to our world? What if she were to share this with others? It is best, I believe, to watch her, to study her skills, her magic if, indeed, she holds these abilities, and we shall go from there.” He froze at the realization he’d never send Meeka back if there were any chance of her dying. The thought settled like an icy lump in his throat. It just wasn’t an option, and he didn’t care what the Counselors decided. He needed another solution, and soon.
Thalius and Madget were conferring about something.
“I think we need to consider what Kerrigan has suggested. Perhaps we can learn from these visitors. We certainly shouldn’t make any rush decisions.” Thalius’s voice oozed from him.
Madget glared back at Thalius and spoke to Kerrigan. “She may stay temporarily while we consider how to send her back. Stay with her at all times and continue to study her.”
Kerrigan had one last question, which was actually more of a statement. “I’ll inform Todd he is to resume his regular duties without delay, as per the good wishes of the Council.”
“Todd is not back in our good books, but he is free to go about his life as normal. Leave us now, before I change my mind.”
* * * *
Meeka felt totally exhilarated. She embraced the training and absorbed everything Stryker taught her, but he was pushing her in an uncertain direction.
Stryker stood facing her, his eyes intense. He grabbed her by the shoulders as he spoke. “Okay, I know you can do this. Remember I’m not a good guy here. I’m the bad guy, and you need to stop me. Don’t worry about hurting me. Believe me, I’ve trained with Kerrigan. Nobody is more powerful than him, so don’t worry about hurting me. Remember I’m the bad, evil guy.
And I’m going to hurt you or kill you. Better yet, what if I hurt something or somebody you care about. If you don’t fight, I’ll kill your special interest. Fight me!
“Yes! You have to stop me, or I’m going to hurt Catz. I’m going to make her scream in pain, kill her. Think of the being that attacked you. Imagine what it would do to Catz, to Threeo or Paddy.” His voice dropped. “To Kerrigan. What would you do if you were the only one who could save them? Do it, Meeka. It’s up to you.”
Slowly, his words reached deep inside.
What would I do if I was the only one left?
She thought back to the evil being that had tried to abduct her. It was sickening and repulsive. Meeka could feel her temperature rising. The little ball of fire grew in the pit of her stomach, demanding release. Her vision became blurry as she focused on the memories of the evil being. The flames were growing, spreading through her body, consuming all her thoughts until she was beyond seeing.
She heard nothing except for the evil thoughts and felt only the invisible groping hands. Her stomach rebelled at the horrifying thoughts now invading her mind.
“Concentrate, Meeka. You can do this,” Stryker said, shaking her by the shoulders. “I’m the bad guy who’s gonna get you.”
Meeka hit her breaking point.
She funneled her fury and drew it from the core of her being. Her fists opened, and with them came unleashed power. With a thrust of her arm, a large ball of fire hit Stryker square in the chest, sending him flying through the air.
* * * *
Stryker landed hard, shocked by the level of force with which the tiny female struck. Stryker had fought a lot of people and beings, but never had he encountered such strength. The wind had been knocked out of him. He stood, gasping for air, but realized she was stalking toward him. She was unrecognizable—a walking fire heading right toward him.
Shit! I asked for it! How far will she go? What will she do next?
Stryker wasn’t sure, but he prepared himself for the attack by raising his shield and drawing his sword.
She was almost on top of him when she stopped.
Stryker couldn’t believe what happened next. He was paralyzed. Not one muscle was responding to his brain. He had no control, but Meeka did. She was inside his head. Stryker could feel her blazing fury. He was a puppet doing her bidding. First, he dropped his sword, then his other hand opened and the shield landed on the ground.
Fear was not a feeling Stryker was familiar with, but the acrid taste of it lay heavy upon his tongue. He called upon his gargoyle form, screaming it from every facet of his mind. But she was there, inside his head, stomping his thoughts until there was nothing left in his mind. He stared blankly, waiting for her to finish him, to strike the death blow.
Fury lashed at Meeka, an unstoppable tempest of emotion, of heat. Flames roared around her, devouring the fear. Thoughts of the monster’s revolting touch fueled her hatred with each passing second. If she didn’t stop, he would kill Kerrigan; kill the one who meant the most to her. No, she would save them all…it would fall to her.
Through the haze of rage in her head, a masculine voice yelled her name, the faint command at odds with what she knew she had to do. A feline roar filled her ears, but she pushed it aside. Kerrigan needed her. Focusing on her emotions, on her desire to help him, she could feel the power building.
A heavy weight settled on her, wrapping her in strong arms, rocking her. A deep voice called to her. “Meeka. Stop. This is not real. This is Stryker. You must stop!”
Tremors wracked her limbs, and she was helpless to stop them. The flames stopped, and Stryker lay unmoving on the ground. The haze left her vision, but the strange roaring in her ears grew.
Kerrigan shouted from somewhere in the distance. Blackness clouded her head, taking her away from the scene as she crumpled to the sand. Kerrigan crouched down and held her in his arms. “Come on, baby, stay with me. I know you’re tired, but stay conscious. Warriors don’t black out. Stay with me.”
Meeka fought with all her might not to give way to the blackness. “Take some deep breaths,” Kerrigan encouraged. “That’s it, precious. Your color’s returning to normal.”
The blackness receded, leaving Meeka extremely thirsty again. Pushing weakly at Kerrigan’s embrace, she struggled to sit up. “
Catz, are you okay? Did I hurt you?”
“I’m fine, Meeka. Just a bit singed. You didn’t hurt me,” Catz responded.
A few feet away, Meeka saw Stryker still lying on the ground. Her hand flew to her mouth and a sob escaped. “What have I done?” She pushed herself out of Kerrigan’s lap and crawled to Stryker’s side.
Please let him be okay. How could I have done this?
With her hand on his shoulder, Meeka gently whispered. “Stryker, I’m so very sorry. Please don’t die.” The whispers were now sobs of grief. “Please wake up.”
Anguish and regret tore through her body.
Stryker moved, struggling to get up. A cry of relief rose from her throat. “Stryker, you’re alive! I’m so sorry. Can you ever forgive me?” Meeka pleaded.
Kerrigan stood overhead and bent down to help his friend up. “What the hell happened?” Kerrigan demanded. “Why didn’t you transform to get away?”
“Uh, yeah, tried to,” Stryker sputtered, spitting sand out of his mouth. “Meeka, do you remember what you were doing to Stryker?” Kerrigan asked.
“I had convinced myself he was my enemy. I could feel the flames beginning to grow inside. The more I thought about the evil creature, the larger the flames got. They had to come out. Then Stryker went flying through the air,” Meeka explained.
“Oh, I’ve been on the receiving end of one of those throws.” Kerrigan teased, pressing a kiss to her temple.
“I couldn’t stop.” Meeka wiped at a stray tear. “He wasn’t dead; I wanted him dead. When he stood, I took his weapon and shield. Oh, God, Kerrigan, I couldn’t stop. I’m so sorry. He kept threatening to hurt—” She slapped a hand over her mouth, her eyes filled with horror as she glanced from Catz to Kerrigan and back.
Stryker took a deep breath and looked into Meeka’s eyes. “She had total control over my mind and body. I was her puppet on a string.”
This time, Catz jumped into the conversation. “Now you know why she will always be in danger. Meeka is a walking weapon. Why wouldn’t something evil want the type of power she has?”
* * * *
Fear gripped Kerrigan, forcing him to stand and turn away. How could he protect her when she could very well have enough power to defeat him?
“Hello? You guys are talking about me like I’m not even here.” Meeka waved a hand at them.
Swallowing his emotions and the pain in his heart, he turned to help her up from the bench.
“Meeka, you’re still shivering. Why don’t you go clean up and change back into your clothes. Catz will go with you.”
“Still ordering me around, I see.”
Kerrigan gave an exasperated sigh. “No, Meeka, I’m not trying to order you around. I just thought you might be more comfortable in your regular clothes.” He palmed her face, his thumb tracing over her cheekbone. “Go on, get changed. Please.”
“Is there any drinking water in there?” Meeka gave him a hopeful look. “You bet there is.”
Meeka walked away, speaking to him over her shoulder. “I hope there’s plenty of water. I’m thirsty.” Stifling a yawn, she continued with Catz at her side.
Stryker still sat on the bench. “Kerrigan, you don’t know what you have on your hands here. She’s a ticking time bomb.”
“Did she really stop you from changing into the gargoyle?”
“Yes, she did! There was nothing I could do to escape. I saw the look in her eyes, Kerrigan. She wasn’t the same person. She wanted me dead. If you and Catz hadn’t stopped her when you did, I believe she could have destroyed me. Then she would have hated herself forever. Regardless of her power, she’s got a tender heart.”
Kerrigan didn’t know how to respond. What was he going to do with her, and why was he the one chosen to protect her? By the sounds of it, she didn’t need protection, but he might. Could she control more than one person at a time? If she were back on Upper World, would she still have her powers?
How the hell am I going to deal with this?
Stryker finally stood up and slapped his friend on the back. “I have some suggestions, if you’d like to hear them.”
“Let ‘em fly. I need all the help I can get.”
“Well, first, I think she needs more practice. We still don’t know the extent of her strength. I was trying to funnel her hatred. Now, we know how that went, but can she use her powers when she’s not in a state of fury? And what else can she do? My biggest worry is she might actually be able to control more than one creature at a time. Not even the army of gargoyles would be able to stop her.”
“It’s my fear, as well. But I don’t know how to disarm her. What would happen if this evil force did get a hold of her? Could they possibly use her as a weapon of mass destruction to destroy Enchantment,” Kerrigan speculated.
“You know, I have to point out, only when I threatened Catz…and you…did she start to throw deadly flame balls. Perhaps you need to distance yourself from her.”
Kerrigan ground his teeth at the very idea, his mind racing with tangled ideas. “How am I supposed to accomplish such a task when she needs protection?”
“How about we place the majority of the gargoyles with her at all times. You, as well.” “Agreed.”
“I think we should train with her daily to explore her powers. The more control she has, the better. I hope. Are you okay to help assist again? I understand if you’re not willing to chance it. I will be there, and so will Catz. Her animal has the most influence over her actions. Meeka respects her above all others. The cat is an ace in our pockets.”
Stryker laughed. “What do you take me for? I’m not going to let some chick kick my ass. What would the gargoyles think? They saw how she totally knocked the crap out of me today. They have to know I’m not going to back down from a challenge. Besides, I don’t believe Meeka will come unglued again. She’s smart. I think she’ll learn to control the powers she has. She won’t confuse an innocent with evil again. She truly is remarkable, you know.”
Kerrigan felt the old pang of jealousy rear its head again. He wished he could have been there to see her training. “Don’t get any ideas.” His teeth snapped together, a clear, unspoken threat.
“You made your concerns loud and clear the first time, Kerrigan. So, just what is she to you, anyway?”
“Just don’t get any ideas, playboy. And what she means to me is none of your business.”
Stryker laughed at him. “You know the old saying. If you stand too close to the flames you’re gonna get burnt.”
Kerrigan glared back at him, and then turned to watch the gargoyles training in the distance. “There’s one more thing, Stryker. Assign a warrior or two to discreetly watch Thalius.”
“Now you’re talking! I don’t trust him one bit.”
“Neither do I. I want to know where he goes and what he’s doing.” Kerrigan turned to study the doorway Meeka had vanished through. Impatience and concern tangled like loose threads within him. If she didn’t show in a minute, he was going after her.
Stryker stretched his aching arms over his head. “Damn, the girl’s good. I haven’t felt this sore for a long time. Wait until she whoops your sorry ass, my friend.
Kerrigan smirked. “I’ll look forward to the day. Why don’t we meet at my house tomorrow at about this time for round two? At least if we’re in my house training, the gargoyles won’t have to see both our asses get kicked by a girl.”
Both laughed as Meeka and Catz appeared from the shower room.
Meeka had a haggard, drawn look. Dark circles under her eyes revealed her exhaustion more clearly than words ever could. Kerrigan knew she needed more sleep.
She approached Stryker. “I really just wanted to say how sorry I am one more time. I can’t describe how I feel about what I almost did to you.”
“Enough out of you.” Stryker took her by the shoulders and gave her firm shake. “Don’t forget who and what you are. Whether you believe it or not, you are destined to be a warrior. You sure in the hell fought like o
ne today. I wanted you to fight back. There is no room for pity here. I’ll expect you to train daily so you can improve on your skills. Like a newborn learning to walk, you must continue your training, and do not dwell on the negative.”
Meeka admired his teaching ability. She hung her head, ashamed of her behavior. Stryker was right—she needed to start behaving like a warrior, not a child in school. “You’re right.”
“I’m being straightforward. Lesson two will be tomorrow at the same time in Kerrigan’s training room. Get your rest, Meeka. I have no sympathy for beings who don’t take my time seriously.” He bowed to her and walked away to the showers.
Kerrigan grimaced at Stryker’s words, but perhaps being tough on her might be what she needed.
“Meeka, Stryker is right, you know. We are concerned about the powers you wield. It’s dangerous to yourself and all of us.” He draped an arm around her shoulders, his heart thudding at the contact. “I don’t mean to be unsympathetic, but I need to know you can protect yourself if I’m not with you. No matter what, Meeka, you’re stronger than you think, and we’re going to be there to see you through this.”
“No. I guess I don’t really know why they would want me.”
“Let me tell you why. If you could be manipulated in some way to follow instructions from the most evil of creatures, you would be a weapon capable of mass destruction,” Kerrigan explained. “I have no doubt there are those who would use you for their own gain, but trust me. I’ll never let them. I’d die first.” He pulled her tighter against him.
Her face lost all color, and a tear escaped from the corner of her eye, sliding down her cheek. “Kerrigan, I just want to go home. I don’t want to hurt anybody. Please, send me back to Earth.” Her lips quivered, and her voice broke as she placed her hands on his chest.
Her sadness was ripping his heart, and there wasn’t a damn thing he could do to help her. He ached to hold her in his arms and kiss her tears away, but he had to push her away. He knew he wouldn’t be able to stop the dragon inside him from claiming her next time.