by K J Carr
She looked back at me. “Jennica, this place is like home to you. You know how to get out of here. Just like you knew how to get in. You are safe here. You always will be safe here.”
Yeah. Right. “I just want to go home.”
A look of concern crossed her face. “Go home, Jennica. Just know that you can always come here and be safe. And if you need to talk to me, please come here. I will find you.”
I nodded. I didn’t expect that I would have a need to talk to a crazy butterfly lady whose wings sparkled anytime in the near future. “What do I need to do? And where is my friend, T’Koran?”
She smiled, her form slowly fading. “Your little daemon friend is with you, you just cannot feel him. Only seconds have passed for him. Find your loves and then step.” With that, she disappeared.
Find my loves? I searched and found one small light near my center, which I cupped my hands around. There were more off to my right, a small cluster. Not wanting to step on them, I turned slightly away and stepped.
And then I felt solid ground.
Chapter 22
You did it, Nica! T’Koran’s voice was jubilant. He jumped down and disappeared into the tall grass. I stared after him. That was strange. It was almost as if TK hadn’t realized we had stopped for a while in the Void to talk with El.
I looked around. I was in a park that wasn’t that far from Luther’s. After getting myself re-oriented as to which way to go, I set off towards the diner.
El was weird. I wasn’t sure what to think about her, but then so much had happened to me in the last few weeks, I wasn’t sure if I could continue thinking like I have been. Nor could I go back to just being human, even if I wanted to.
I was afraid the Tennins would try to destroy all daemons, but as T’Koran has shown me, there were good daemons as well. There may even be good high daemons. Just like there are good and bad humans.
And other beings – shifters and such. I wondered briefly if dragons and unicorns also existed. That would be so cool!
Coming to the edge of the park, I stopped on the sidewalk and looked around, taking a deep breath. I had just coasted through life, not stretching myself, not doing anything miraculous. I think now it was time to change that. I could have almost forever to do that. Not everyone is getting that chance. I could right wrongs – like Achilah – while making sure that others are not impacted, like T’Koran, even if they were the same basic type.
I grinned widely. I was my own freaking superhero! I laughed out loud.
A couple walking towards me quickly crossed the street, watching me warily as they made sure there was distance between us.
I shook my head. Okay, maybe right now I am just a crazy human. I glanced down. My clothes were a bit grungy. I sniffed towards my shoulder. And I smelled a tad ripe. Perhaps I should go home first before heading towards Luther’s?
As I turned in the other direction, my car pulled up next to me. Malak suddenly appeared in front of me.
“Nica.”
He looked worn and worried. His shoulders drooped slightly. I thought that if I could see his wings, they would be lackluster and perhaps molting.
“Malak.” My grin came back. I started to step towards him to hug him and then stopped, wrapping my arms around me tightly. “Ummm, I would hug you, but I smell. Quite a bit.”
Malak studied me and then a small smile touched his lips. He stepped to me and hugged me tightly, his head tucked into my neck. “Nica.” He mumbled.
Startled, I put my arms around him tentatively. He felt good, like home. I hugged him tighter. Even though we haven’t known each other long, he was a friend. A good friend. He could be family.
I rubbed his back, holding him for as long as we both needed.
He lifted his head. “We weren’t sure what had happened.” His dark eyes studied me intently.
I sighed. “Achilah. He took me again. And he had learned from the last time he had me, so it was harder to get away.”
A hand came up and lightly stroked my cheek before he stepped away. I actually was surprised I missed his warmth near me.
“He needs to die.” Malak’s voice was cold. But I had to admit, I agreed with him.
“He does. Just…” I hesitated. “We just need to be sure he is the one behind all the killings. We cannot become him by killing indiscriminately.”
“He is evil.” Malak spit out.
I shook my head. “No, not necessarily. Like there are good humans and bad humans – and I suspect, Tennin – I believe there are good daemons and bad ones. Achilah appears to be one of the bad variety.” I wasn’t going to back down on this. I wasn’t going to judge even him without giving him a chance to defend himself.
Malak noticed my stubbornness. “Let’s get you home and clean. Then we need to see Kaitie and Marcus. They have missed you as well.”
I knew he was changing the subject and didn’t believe me, but I let him do so because I so needed a shower. That, right now, was more important. Besides, I would have time to convince him. Lots and lots of time.
I turned away from Luther’s, momentarily feeling a little guilty, and got into the car.
“T’Koran!” The Chlarm daemon scampered out of the trees and leapt into the car.
∞∞∞
Feeling like a new person after a long, hot shower and a change of clothes, Malak and I headed back towards Luther’s. T’Koran decided to stay at the house, exhausted after he had a little bath and had eaten. I was almost envious of him, snoring under the blankets on my bed when I left.
I was tired, but I had to see my family.
Malak had called them while I was in the shower, so they were waiting outside of the diner.
Almost as soon as I got out of the car, I felt arms around me. Marcus was holding me, tears running down his face. Kaitie was tucked around to my other side as well. I could now not only feel them but see them in my mind. I didn’t question it though since it just felt right.
I looked over Kaitie’s shoulder and saw Malak. He looked as if he really wanted to join us and I made a little wave to invite him in. He came over and I smiled.
“Malak.” I invited him into the group hug, but he shook his head and turned to enter the diner.
“Where have you been, Nica?” Marcus’s voice was rough. “Why did you leave us like that?”
I looked at him, not sure what he meant.
“You have been gone over a week. You left Kaitie’s house and we didn’t know where you were. No one could find you.” His voice was soft.
“Oh.” I thought about that. I had forgotten that TK had mentioned how long I had been gone. It hadn’t seemed important then. But it was. I looked up at Marcus. “We can talk, Marcus – we will talk, but right now? I really need some of your bacon. And coffee. I think today I really need coffee.”
While neither Marcus nor Kaitie wanted to leave my side, they did step out of the way, so I could be greeted by Millie and Teresa, as well as others who worked at Luther’s, when we stepped into the diner. I was flustered. I didn’t expect this kind of greeting, but then, I also hadn’t known how long I had been gone with no word.
“We are family, Nica.” Kaitie’s words were soft. I glanced at her. She had changed. There was not only a sadness to her but a determination. She was fighting literally for her life and yet here she was, worried about me. I just had to grab her and hug her tight again.
“Kaitie, we are.” I kissed her cheek. “Tell me how you are.”
She directed me towards my booth, where Malak was already sitting, mugs of coffee on the table, one much larger than the others.
Millie grinned at me. “I got you a special Nica-sized mug. I figured you might need it.” She moved away towards the kitchen, her steps spritely.
I slid onto the seat, the huge mug in front of me. I cradled it with both hands and inhaled. “So good.” I moaned.
Malak, across from me, shifted in his seat and then grinned at me. Marcus and Kaitie sat down, Marcus taking the seat with
Malak because he wanted to watch my face. He did that a lot when he was uncertain as to what I was truly feeling.
Teresa dropped four plates on the table. “No placing orders, no waiting today, Nica. Extra bacon as well. Welcome home.” She smiled, her eyes a tad wet with tears.
“Thank you, Teresa. It is good to be home with family.” I included her in my smile. She turned around, a tear falling down her cheek.
“Mmmmm…bacon!” I looked at the plate and dug in.
After eating, Marcus headed into the kitchen, making me promise to not leave without telling him.
“I need to get to the hospital.” Kaitie softly said, standing. She stopped and knelt on the seat to give me another hug and a kiss. “I put this last session off until I knew what had happened to you.”
“She really needs to go now, though,” Torry spoke behind her. Looking at him, I could see he was concerned for her.
“Okay. Take care of my sister.” It wasn’t a threat per se, but still, Torry’s eyes widened.
“Of course, Nica.” Kaitie and Torry left, his arm around her shoulders.
“Huh.” I watched them leave and get into his car.
“Nica, we need to know what happened.” Malak’s voice was quiet, but it pulled me away from what was happening outside.
“We?” I looked around.
“We.” The voice was different, more authoritative. There were three men crowding around the end of the table. Two were similar heights, but different builds. One had white blond hair and very pale blue eyes. He wore his hair neatly styled, without a hair out of place. Designer jeans and a tailored button-down shirt hugged his lean frame. The other was darker, his hair longer, his eyes a stormy dark gray. He had wide shoulders, his body bursting with muscles. He wore a scruffy T-shirt, jeans with rips in them that looked to have been there because they were old and well-worn, not because they cost a mint. His hair was a long, curly, untamed mess.
The third man was huge. Enoch, the general. He towered over all of them. Today, his reddish gold hair was braided neatly back, the sides pulled tightly. He wore a full beard, which was a little redder than his hair, and his eyes were a bright blue. He was built exactly what I thought a Viking would look like if he appeared in front of me in today’s casual wear. His dark gray slacks were pressed, and his pale green sweater hugged him perfectly. It was as if it wouldn’t dare have pillage or a thread out of place.
I sat up straight and crossed my arms over my chest. Glancing around the diner, I didn’t see anyone appeared surprised that there were three large gentlemen standing over me right now. Definitely weird. I personally was about to run screaming. Malak put his hand on the table, reaching for me, but I ignored him.
“And you are?”
He sighed wearily and rubbed his face. He then pointed at the three men. “Inias.” That was the pale blond. “Ridwan.” And he was the beautiful mess. “They are Guardians or Hyrs-Tennin. They will be working with you if you Decide.”
I nodded to the other man. “General.” My eyes alighted on him. He nodded back.
“And this is about the decision?”
Enoch nodded once. “Typically, you would have a choice.”
“But for some reason, I do not.” I interrupted. “I know. I must decide yes. I have decided yes.”
“Must?” The tall pale one – Inias – repeated.
I thought about El but decided that I would keep that – and her – to myself at this time. I wasn’t sure about these men. I trusted Malak, but he was tied closely to these others. I would have to see.
I decided to go with the simple answer.
“Well, I guess I don’t have to, but daemons will hunt me just the same.”
Enoch rubbed a hand through his beard. “Indeed. And we also would like to know why they are so focused on you.”
I leaned forward and put my head in my hands, turning it to look up at them. “I am not sure.” I did have some thoughts about that, but I was tired and now that I had inhaled tons of food, I wanted to sleep for about a year.
I slid out of the booth, Malak following me. The three moved back to give us space.
I put out my hand towards Enoch. “I will transition.” My voice was quiet but resolute. “Please teach me how to fight these things. And help me learn how to use these powers as well.”
“Powers?” Enoch looked startled.
“According to my Chlarm daemon.” I frowned, wondering if having powers as a Transitioner was unusual. “T’Koran told me I could teleport, so I did. I know I can talk mentally with him. And I exorcised my brother by separating Achilah from his soul.”
That fact seemed to surprise everyone except Malak, who had been there when I had accomplished that feat.
Inias interjected. “T’Koran?”
I turned and looked at him. No emotion on his face. “My Chlarm daemon friend.”
A look of disgust flashed across his face. Okay, that so won’t do if you will be around me long. Before I could say anything, though, Malak touched my arm gently.
He looked at the other men, his eyebrows raised as if to say, “See what I have had to deal with?” “T’Koran actually has been very helpful and he is very loyal to Nica. I would never have thought it if I hadn’t experienced it, but it is true.”
Enoch shook his head in disbelief. And Ridwan laughed. His laugh was rich and deep and rolled out and around us all.
“Ridwan,” Inias stated firmly. The other man got himself under control, a chuckle or two still coming out.
“I think we will be learning as much as guiding this time, Inias. On another note, when has a Transitioner already had powers?” This man just went up in my estimation. I beamed at him in approval.
Enoch frowned. “None. None of them have started with powers.” I decided I wouldn’t squirm at the intent gaze he directed towards me. In fact, I stood taller.
He looked at the three men. “Well, let’s see what you three can do with her. Malak, you will help the Hyrs this time. I think they are going to need it.”
Inias turned towards me. “We will start training…”
I cut him off and headed out to my car, talking to him over my shoulder. “I am tired, and I am going home to sleep. We can start the training when I am awake and coherent. I don’t know what else you need from me right now. Yes, I will transition. Yes, I will become a Tennin. But no, I will not uphold blatant discrimination of anyone at any time. Tomorrow, boys.”
I waved goodbye to Marcus, who was peeking out of the kitchen and walked out the door of Luther’s.
Author’s Notes
I was thinking of adding a clever set of Author’s Notes here, but the truth is….I need your help.
Writing is something that has been with me for a long time. I have written stories as a teen that have never been seen by anyone else. I have written a short story that got an award at a New York State Literary contest, back when I was in high school. And then life got in the way.
I am back to writing. The stories have been swirling around in my head and have told me that now it is time to be put on paper. So I have started writing again.
One of things I am learning, though, is that it takes a tribe to write a book. Cover artists, editors, beta readers, readers… the list can become overwhelming. I need to build my tribe.
I am inviting you to become part of my tribe. Follow me on Amazon. If you would like to be a beta reader, send me a quick email at [email protected]. If you are trying to walk this adventure as well, contact me and we can do this together.
The plan is to build a Facebook page and a mailing list, but I first want to get Nica’s story out there. This book is only the beginning.
Please, come along for the ride!
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