by K J Carr
I was thinking that threatening him might work better than asking, but after listening for a few minutes, I couldn’t tell if he had heard or not. Of course, I could have this whole telepathy thing wrong and he wouldn’t be able to hear me even if I was standing in front of him.
Which way? Which way?
“Eenie, Meenie, Miney, Mo!” I pointed down a hallway that was only about thirty degrees to the right of the one I was on. “Guess that is the winner!” I stumbled and then straightened, looking down. There was a small indentation in the floor, with a hole in the wall near it. A pair of gleaming yellow eyes blinked inside the hole.
I knelt on the floor to look in. The eyes disappeared. “Hey!” I tried to keep my voice soft and encouraging.
“Hey, little one! Can you understand me?” I waited.
The eyes came back and blinked again.
“Come out here. I won’t hurt you.” I cajoled, hoping it wouldn’t try to take a bite out of me.
A little head moved out, looking almost cat-like, except the face wasn’t as flat as a cat’s, but elongated more like a dog. I wiggled my fingers encouragingly and backed away, and it slowly moved out a little more, its body slender, until it stood up on its hind legs like a person. I could barely see it, but I noticed that there were small horns on the top of its head as well as hoofs on the hind feet. And its body was covered in a striped fur.
“I am Nica. Human.” I pointed at myself. “You are?”
T’Koran. The low-pitched voice sounded in my mind. For some reason, I wasn’t expecting that – neither the fact it talked to me mentally nor that its voice would be so low, given how small the being was. It barely reached my knees!
“T’Koran. May I ask what you are?” I sat back on my feet and looked at him. Her? I couldn’t tell if the being was male or female, but given the tiny shorts it was wearing, I was guessing male.
I am a Chlarm daemon. He stood and watched me, looking like he would bolt back into the hole if I made the wrong move.
“Chlarm daemon? What are those? Please, I am new to all of this.” I slowly waved my arm around the area, even though we were right now in a hallway in the middle of nowhere.
We are considered the lowest of low of the daemons. T’Koran’s voice was bitter in my mind. We hide in the tunnels, keeping out of the way of the larger ones.
“Oh.” I thought for a minute. “But that means you know how to get everywhere around here, doesn’t it?”
T’Koran watched me a moment before nodding once.
“Well, I think that is very valuable information, myself. It is probably more valuable than other things that the larger daemons can do. What would you trade for such information?”
I had to be careful. I know that negotiations with supernatural beings were not like those with humans. You can’t leave things open to interpretation. I didn’t want to give away my soul or anything. Isn’t that what daemons wanted? I would have to get information about them from Malak the next time I saw him.
T’Koran thought for a moment. I would like to go with you. He looked up into my face.
“With me? Back to my home?” I frowned, wondering if this was a good idea. “Is that all?”
The Chlarm daemon nodded, pushing his hands into what I assumed was his back pockets.
“Why do you want to go there?” I really was curious, as well as being cautious.
Because here they just step on us and kick us. We eat scraps and must forage for water and food all the time. This is not a good life. The little daemon looked at the ground and then tilted its head and looked back up at me. You are not a human anymore. I can help you with your other skills because I can see them being born within you.
Other skills? Being born within me? I wasn’t sure what he meant. I didn’t even know what to think about that ‘not human’ comment.
Please, Nica. I will help you get out of here. You will take me with you. I will help you outside of here. T’Koran didn’t beg per se, but I could see that he was close to it. I looked him over carefully.
“How well do you get along with the Tennin?” I had to know before subjecting him to this.
They are like the larger daemons with us. If you protect me, though, they will not hurt me. I don’t think. T’Koran paused. I will not hurt you either.
I thought about that. No, I didn’t think he meant to hurt me and I know I wouldn’t hurt him. He had so far done nothing wrong.
“Okay, if you do not hurt any of the humans, unless in self-defense, particularly those which are my family, and you do not hurt the Tennin that, again, do not hurt you, I will take you with me. And you will show me the way out.”
I put out my hand to shake on it, realizing that it was way bigger than T’Koran could grasp. He, though, quickly grasped my index finger and shook it briskly.
Deal, Nica. Let us get out of here.
Indeed, let us go.
Chapter 11
The only problem with using T’Koran as a guide is that he mainly knew the way through the tunnels via the tiny side passages that ran adjacent to the larger ones that I would have rather used. Sometimes we could walk down the larger tunnels, but more often than not, we had to take the smaller ones. While in the Chlarm tunnels, I had to constantly stop to unhook my clothes from the sharp rocks and edges where they got caught. Sometimes I could crawl on my knees, others I had to drop to my belly and wiggle. It was a very slow and exhausting trip.
I had obviously been put deep inside whatever this place was called. We had been traveling for what had to be hours before we had reached what T’Koran called a transport room.
“What is a transport room?” I stood and looked around, attempting to wipe the dust from my face and clothes. The room was round, with several doorways. There were markings on the floor in the middle. The ceiling was high here and there was light. I stretched out my back, reaching high, my face towards the light.
This is one way to travel between places or worlds or dimensions. T’Koran squatted down near me.
“How do they do that? Can you do this?” I looked down at him, frustrated.
You have this ability, Nica. I can see it in you. Just think of where you want to go. Then step between the markings and you will go there. If you are holding me, I will go with you.
Sounded simple enough. Except, I’m not sure if I quite believed him. I have never done anything unusual like this before. At least, not before meeting Malak. I chuckled, my thoughts diverting from the current task.
Nica. T’Koran’s urgency pulled me back on task.
“Sorry, little guy. I am so tired that I am losing focus.” I picked him up and walked to the center of the markings. It felt different here. Like there was energy passing through and around me, making my skin itch and my head ache. This had to be done quickly before I had no more of my own energy to use.
Taking a deep breath, I thought about home. At the same time, we heard someone running fast towards us. Darn! We had been lucky in that we hadn’t seen too many others up until now, and those we did see, T’Koran had redirected us away, going through other passageways. It looked like our luck just ran out.
A large gray man-shaped creature burst into the room, growling at us.
Hurry, Nica. He won’t be able to follow us by himself! T’Koran’s voice was frantic.
“There’s no place like home. There’s no place like home.” I thought, centering on the marks, clutching the little daemon.
The gray beast leapt towards us at the same time as I felt a gut-wrenching feeling. I watched as he disappeared from view.
∞∞∞
Or we disappeared, since the next thing I knew I was outside my house. I staggered, dropping poor T’Koran, who scurried into the bushes near my front door. I went to my knees and dry heaved since there was nothing left to lose in my stomach.
Someone touched my shoulder and I flipped over, crab-walking away from them, the fear causing my throat to close.
“Nica!” Malak’s voice was a welcome s
ound.
I jumped up and into his arms, hugging him tightly. “Oh, God, I am so glad to see you!”
He hugged me back, holding me tight for a moment. His head was tucked into that space between my shoulder and my neck and I could feel him shaking. I slid my hands up his back towards the tops of his shoulder, wondering for a moment why I couldn’t feel where his wings would be.
“Where were you?” His voice was muffled, his lips moving on my skin.
I shook my head exhaustedly. “Not here. Let’s go inside.”
He nodded and stepped back. He stared at me a moment longer, before tucking me under his arm and walking towards my front door. I needed his touch. I needed anyone’s familiar touch except a daemon’s. It seemed like it had been months since I had seen anyone.
He opened my door and pushed me inside, but I stopped, holding onto the frame.
“One moment. Please don’t freak out on me.” I looked at him, worried.
“What?”
“Don’t freak out.”
Malak just looked at me and sighed. “What did you do now, Nica?”
“Promise me, please.”
I must have looked pitiful because he finally just nodded.
“T’Koran, come inside, please,” I called softly.
The little daemon scampered up the steps and moved into the house on all fours. Reaching the living room door, he stopped and stood up, looking up at Malak, his body trembling.
“He promised he won’t hurt you.” I looked down at my little friend.
He did? T’Koran couldn’t take his eyes off Malak’s darkening expression.
“He did. Go find a place to get comfortable and I will find you something to eat and drink.”
The Chlarm moved quickly into the living room, hiding amongst the furniture.
“A daemon, Nica?” Malak’s voice was threatening.
I closed the door, locking it, before turning back to him, my expression tired. “That daemon saved my life, Malak. I was lost in some tunnels or hallways someplace and had no idea how to get back. I tried to call for you mentally, but obviously, that didn’t work for me.”
“I think I heard you, faintly,” Malak stated, surprised. “I just thought it was something my mind was making up because I couldn’t find you, though.”
“Interesting, but not useful.” I moved towards the kitchen since my throat was so dry. I filled a large glass and downed it before refilling it again. I got a bowl and filled it with some water, not sure how T’Koran would want to drink. Did he lap it up like a cat or drink from a glass? Shrugging, I moved back into the living room and place the bowl in an out-of-the-way corner.
“T’Koran! I have some water. I don’t know much about you, but I put it in a bowl. Is that okay?”
It is, Nica. I will come get some in a moment. I am hungry as well.
I could tell he was behind my television stand somehow. Well, it just seemed like that was where his voice was coming from.
“What would you like to eat?”
I generally have meat, when I can get it, or some vegetables, please.
“That I can do.” I turned and ran smack into Malak. He grabbed me, his face confused.
“You can speak with him?”
I smiled tiredly and moved around him. In my kitchen, I pulled out some lunch meat, some cheese slices and put some baby carrots, lettuce and cherry tomatoes on a plate.
“Yes, he speaks to me here.” I pointed at my head briefly. “His name is T’Koran and he is a Chlarm daemon.”
“We have seen his like around. They are not considered important in the daemon hierarchy. But we never have tried to talk with them.”
I picked up the plate and went back into the living room, placing it next to the bowl of water, which had been mostly emptied. Instead of going back into the kitchen to refill it again, I poured a little from my glass into the bowl and then moved to the couch to sit down.
“They may not be important to the higher daemons, but T’Koran is the reason I am not still there, wherever I had been imprisoned. He helped me through the passageways. He told me I could transport here when we got to a place that transported.”
“He did?” Malak was surprised now.
“He says he can see my skills being born, whatever that means.” I yawned. “Really, can we have this talk later, Malak? I am exhausted.” I closed my eyes.
“One moment, Nica, please. Can you tell me what happened?”
“I was kidnapped.” I opened my eyes, but everything was blurry. I rubbed them. “Some daemon called Achills or …” I paused.
“Achilah,” Malak growled out.
“Sounds about right.” I yawned wider, my hand covering my mouth.
“He has been successfully attacking Transitioners all over Earth. I don’t know how you got away, Nica, but you were very lucky.” He stopped and grinned at me. “I see that we are getting nothing more from you tonight. Let’s get you to bed. You look like you’re about to fall over. I will watch over you tonight.”
I mumbled something at him, but I was already half asleep, my eyes unable to open. He picked me up and started for my stairs, calling over his shoulder.
“T’Koran, I am taking her upstairs to her bedroom. You can come up when you are done eating. I will not hurt you as long as you don’t hurt her or any other humans.”
And that was the last I heard.
Chapter 12
I woke to the sounds of an argument downstairs, the smell of coffee and bacon, and the warmth of a small body on my toes.
Looking down, I saw T’Koran curled up at the end of my bed, looking very feline in manner.
“Morning, T’Koran.” I whispered.
He raised his head and yawned, a mouthful of sharp, gleaming teeth flashing me.
Morning, Nica. He put his head back down, snuggling into my comforter.
I rolled out of bed and sat up, looking out the window. It was windy, the trees slashing back and forth, leaves falling rapidly. It looked like a thunderstorm may be coming.
Listening, I tried to hear who was in my house besides Malak.
“…said anything about where she was at?” That voice was new. I wondered who that was.
“Not yet. She was so tired that she fell asleep practically from the moment she got home.” That was Malak.
“What do you know about the daemon?” Okay, I could hear the disgust in that man’s voice. T’Koran lifted his head and shivered, a worried look crossing his face.
“Don’t worry, little one. No one is going to hurt you.” I fiercely whispered to him. It was time for me to make an appearance. This needed to be stopped now.
Throwing on a robe, I stomped down the stairs, stopping at the bottom to glare at the two men standing in my living room. Malak had his hands around a mug of coffee. I walked over to him, took it out of his hands, and took a sip. Still hot. Yum. Taking a larger sip, I gave it back to him and turned to face the other man.
“I don’t know who you are or what you are doing in my house, but T’Koran is under my protection. No one will hurt him. If you don’t like it, just leave.” Yep, firm and resolute. I thought I had hidden the anger pretty well myself.
The man in front of me looked surprised for a moment. I studied him while he was sputtering. He was very tall, probably six and a half feet tall. His dark red hair was long and loose, reaching his very broad shoulders. His face was classically handsome, almost too perfect. His full lips were upturned into a slight smile, but that smile didn’t reach his bright blue eyes. He had an air of authority, but I wasn’t going to be pushed around on this subject.
“Nica, this is Enoch. Enoch is the Jyrd-Tennin I report to.” Malak put his hands on my shoulders, speaking in my ear from behind me.
“Hello, Enoch.” I continued to study him.
“Jennica.” His voice wasn’t as deep as Malak’s, and it had a slight accent I couldn’t quite place.
“Nica.” I insisted. I knew this was a man who you needed to stand up to right
away or he would just walk all over you.
He nodded in concession.
“Now, T’Koran is not a concern of yours.” I wasn’t going to let this go.
“Transitioners do not consort with daemons.” He frowned at me.
“I also don’t think Transitioners get kidnapped by evil daemons, left in a room with no exits, have to traverse a series of dark hallways, and then transport themselves home either. And yet, I have done all of that.” I retorted dryly. “T’Koran helped me with those hallways and told me how that transport worked. He knew I could use it, as well. If it wasn’t for him, I would either still be there or even dead.”
Enoch watched me for a moment. He was the king of poker faces. Nothing was being given away with this one.
“Why don’t you tell us what happened?”
I sighed. I so didn’t want to deal with this aristocratic jerk. Not today.
Glancing down at the floor, I noticed that T’Koran’s dishes needed refills. Ignoring Enoch for the moment, I picked up the dishes and went into the kitchen. As I passed Malak, I noticed the shock on his face. I shrugged.
He followed me into the kitchen. “Nica!”
“Stop hissing at me.“ I pulled out some more meat and veggies and arranged them on the plate. I then filled the bowl with cool water.
“You just don’t ignore Enoch.”
“Why ever not? He has been rude to me and my guests.” I stopped and stared at him.
“Because he is an Arch-Angel; a general, a…” Malak stuttered.
“Seriously, dude, he is rude and obnoxious and right now I don’t like him that much. I will be polite because he is your boss, but that is your boss. Not mine.” I picked up the dishes and went back into the living room.
“T’Koran! Breakfast!” I raised my voice so that the daemon could hear me from anywhere he might be hiding. I figured he would be able to sneak by these Tennin easy enough if he could sneak around the higher daemons.
I went back into the kitchen and noticed that there was still some coffee in the carafe. Good. I pulled out my favorite “Don’t fuck with me before I had my coffee” mug and filled it with the rich dark elixir. Hesitating a minute, I then decided that a splash or two of half-and-half was needed this morning for the calories. I carried the mug back into the living room.