by S. L. Gavyn
“If Jared asks, you haven’t seen me,” I said as I ran past.
Now where to? I could go to Jared’s office. No, that’s a bad idea. I ran to the only other room I’ve been in back here. Just like the last times Luke was in there playing Xbox.
“Quick, you gotta hide me,” I said as I ran in the room.
He looked alarmed. “Is someone after you?”
“Yeah, Jared. Come on, help me out?”
“Uh, you could hide in the closet I guess.” He pointed to a door on the other side of the room. “Why’s he after you? Well, other than the obvious.”
“It’s a game. He has five minutes.”
“Ah. Good luck.”
I looked into the closet. The obvious place would be to huddle in the back, but on the odd chance that Jared did look in the closet, I wanted to be as indistinguishable as possible so I backed up a couple of steps, ran forward, and pushed myself up on the bar then I swung one leg over to the shelf on top. It was dusty but I would be unseen to the average observer. I reached out, grabbed the hook conveniently placed on the inside of the door, and pulled it shut.
“You haven’t seen me,” I said before I closed it all the way.
I huddled into the back of the shelf and pulled out my cell phone. He had three minutes left. Now, all I had to do is wait and hope no one ratted me out. I could hear Luke playing his game and nothing else. I watched my cell, and counted down the minutes.
Finally, I had thirty seconds left. I was going to rub it in his face when I saw...
“Hello, Caru. Having fun?”
Well, crap. Jared had opened the door, and was standing there looking straight at me with a huge smile on his face. I couldn’t help thinking he had been fucking with me.
“Would you like me to join you in there?” He asked.
“It would be easier for me to leave if you would move out of the way.”
He stepped out of the way, and I jumped down from the shelf. I looked around, and Luke was gone.
“He ratted me out, didn’t he?”
“No, Caru. He didn’t have to tell me where you were. I knew the moment you left the main club, and I just followed you. I had hoped you would decide to hide in my office, but then I would have had to call off the rest of the show.”
“I’m smarter than that. Talking about shows. Don’t you have one to get back to?”
He moved closer to me. “I have a few minutes. My boss is very lenient.”
“I’m sure he is. After all, your band is the reason the club’s so successful.”
He just smiled then leaned closer and kissed me. I couldn’t help but kiss him back and then he was rubbing my back with one hand and had the other fisted in my hair, and I could only think about being naked with him like this. Oh, dear merciful Gods. He was killing me slowly. One minute he was making me so mad I could barely stand it, and the next he was making me so hot I could barely stand it. Hot and cold, hot and cold. I felt like I was going through menopause. I pulled back and broke the kiss. I couldn’t take anymore. I was ready to go to his office and let him call off the show, but I know I would be regretting it tomorrow.
He was smiling at me.
“Ah, my Caru. You’re driving me mad. Are you sure we can’t continue this in my office?”
“Absolutely not.”
He sighed. “That’s what I thought. Let me get you back before I finish the show.”
We went back to VIP, and Jared joined his band for the rest of the show. I alternately watched them and scanned the club just in case our killer tried to pick up another victim. When the show was over, Jared came to collect me, and we left for his place. I didn’t waste any time when we got there. I went straight to my room and locked the door behind me. After the couple of kisses he gave me at the club and my body’s reaction to them, being alone with him at his house is the last thing I need.
Fifteen
“Get the mushroom, Luke, before it falls into the lava. Now you missed it, and Bowser’s going to kill you.”
We were in the rec room playing Wii. I had managed to convince Luke to play Mario, and he actually seemed to enjoy it. The only problem was that he insisted on maintaining at least six feet between us. I’m wondering if Jared warned him to keep his distance or if he just didn’t want to be near me, for some other reason.
“I would be big if you hadn’t thrown me into that hole.”
“Stop using my head for a trampoline, and you won’t bounce into holes.”
“This game is stupid. What is the point anyway? You do the same stuff over and over.”
“No, you don’t. Each world has its own theme that’s different. You’re just mad because you don’t have the highest score.”
“No, I’m mad because I’m being killed by turtles, and little mushroom shaped guys that are less than half my size. If this were real life, I could kick those things into next week.”
“If this became your real life, you would need antipsychotic medication.”
He looked at me and smiled. “What makes you think I’m not already on some?”
“I’ve taken it. They make you drowsy. You don’t look drowsy to me.”
He laughed. “You, on antipsychotic meds. I can see that.”
“Hey, no cracking jokes at my expense. I’m the joke cracker around here.”
“Sorry, Ave. How dare I?”
“I’ll forgive you this time, but future indiscretion will be severely punished.”
“A woman after my own heart. I always like women who can dole out a good punishment,” the Goth looking band member said as he entered the room followed by who I assume is his brother. They look too much alike not to be.
“Well, sorry. Because dominatrix is not in my job description,” I replied.
“Oh, and what would be your job? Groupie?” Goth boy asked.
“Only if Hell freezes over. Which one are you? Sam or Hash?”
He smiled at me and it only made him look scarier. He had more metal in his face than most skyscrapers.
“I’m Hash. That’s my brother Sam.” he pointed to the other guy who did a little wave.
“Avery Tywella,” I replied.
“Oh, we know who you are Avery. We know quite a bit about you actually. Don’t we, Luke?”
I looked over at Luke who was staring at the TV even though we paused the game.
“What does that mean?” I asked.
Luke ignored me and Hash just shrugged.
“Tywella, doesn’t that mean Witch in Welsh?” Hash asked.
“Yep. It’s my mother’s family name.”
He nodded. “What about dear old dad? Didn’t take his name?”
“I have never met my father so I wouldn’t know what name to take.”
“I see. Couldn’t you just ask mom who she was knocking boots with?”
“My mother was raped. She died in childbirth. So, if I ever do find my dad, I have a blade with his name on it.”
“That’s understandable. Our father was a real piece of work too.”
Sam didn’t say anything. He just watched us as we talked.
“Ugh, how did the conversation get on fathers? I’m sure I can think of a more pleasurable topic to speak with our house guest about,” Zach said as he walked in and took a seat on the couch next to me.
“Like what? You?” Hash replied.
“I happen to like that topic. Don’t you, Avery?” Zach said.
“I don’t really know anything about you other than the fact that you’re Fallen so I don’t know if you’re worth talking about or not,” I said.
He looked me in the eye. “Oh, trust me. I’m worth talking about. Best week of your life is what I could be.”
He reached his hand out toward my face and then he was gone. I mean, one moment he was mere inches away from me. The next, there was a blur, and he was nowhere to be seen. The only indication that he hadn’t just disappeared was the slight breeze that had passed through.
I looked toward Hash and he shrugge
d. “He was warned.”
“Warned about what? By who?”
They ignored me.
“Come on Ave. I want to kick Bowser’s ass. That guy’s got it coming,” Luke said.
I took that to mean I wouldn’t get any answers so I un-paused the game and we started again. There were extra controllers so I asked Hash and Sam if they wanted to play.
Luke, Hash and I were getting killed by a giant Bowser when Jared sat beside me on the couch. A few minutes later Zach joined us, and took a seat by Luke on the other couch.
“How the Hell did a witch make him as big as the empire state building? I think whoever created this game was tripping on shrooms,” Hash said.
“That would explain a few things,” I told him and we laughed at the idea of a group of Asians sitting around drinking shroom tea, and creating one of the best video games for kids ever invented.
“I thought peyote was a Native American thing?” Luke said.
“It’s called export/import. Look it up. They get peyote and we get a hundred flat screen TVs to watch the video game on,” I told him, and me and Hash laughed again.
“I highly doubt they went to so much trouble just to get some mushrooms that grow in cow dung, especially since cows are abundant in almost every country in the world,” Jared said.
“You never know. Snails are a delicacy, why not cow dung grown mushrooms,” I replied.
“Maybe I should go into business,” Hash said.
“Sure. Why don’t you run out and buy some cows? I can totally see you as a farmer,” I told him.
“Yeah, maybe not,” he replied.
Everyone laughed at that one.
Then there was a man standing in the middle of the room and everyone stopped laughing.
“Hello, brothers.” He said “brothers” like it was a curse word.
“Bart, what brings you here,” Jared said as he slid forward slightly.
His movement blocked my view of the Angel.
“’Tis Bartholomew to you, sinner. I am here on my Lord’s work. I shall bring justice to the Fallen Jael,” Bart said.
“Good. Now, what are you doing in our living room?”
“I have come to warn you from interfering, Jared. I know you would like to redeem yourself, and I do not want you trying to capture Jael to prove yourself. You are no longer one of us.”
“I have no intention of capturing him,” Jared said.
“Good. Then you will stay out of my way,” Bart replied then bent at the knees like he was about to jump. I pushed back against the couch so that I could watch the Angel from behind Jared.
When Bart saw me, he straightened back up and walked closer. Jared stood up, and moved between us.
“What is she doing here?” Bart asked.
Jared looked back at me then at Bart. “It looks like she’s sitting on the couch.”
“She will come with me.”
“That is not going to happen, Bart. You best be on your way. Don’t want to keep your Lord waiting.”
“She does not belong with Fallen. Come woman,” he said to me.
This guy really doesn’t know me.
“Like Jared said, that isn’t going to happen,” I replied.
“You will come with me now or I will notify my Lord of your presence here. The one he sends to retrieve you will not be as compassionate as I.”
“Wow, that’s hard to believe, but I think I’ll take my chances. Once Jael is killed, I will leave these Fallen.”
“You will return to your homeland?”
“Uh, sure. I’ll go home for a visit.”
It sure isn’t going to be Hell though if that’s where he’s thinking my homeland is.
“I am most positive it will be longer than a visit.”
I shrugged.
“Very well. Fallen.” He turned to face the men in the room. “Stay out of my way or I will be forced to smite thee.”
Then he was gone.
“Well, he was a bundle of joy. Are all Angels as fun to be around as him?” I asked.
“No, some are worse,” Jared replied.
“What are you going to do about her?” Hash asked.
“What can I do?” Jared said.
“If she is truly Caryad, then you need to finish it or get her out of here,” Zach said.
What the Hell does Caryad mean? Finish what? It is apparent the Angel knew I was part Demon. He wouldn’t have cared if a Human was here as long as none of the men were hurting them.
“Bart said he would allow her to stay until Jael is killed. He’s not going to go back on his word,” Jared said.
“No, that would be a sin,” Luke added.
Jared huffed. “God forbid.”
Sixteen
Several hours later I found myself once again sitting in the VIP section at Halo. Jared had dropped me off before the show, and then once again went to talk to Greg. What does the manager of the club need to talk to the lead singer of the band about? Other than telling him to keep up the good work and bring in more money I can’t think of anything they would have to talk about.
“Here you go. I can’t believe you can drink that stuff,” Ryan said as he sat a glass of Ambrosia in front of me.
“This?” I took a sip. “It’s good. Almost fruity but closer to what you would think flowers taste like, but don’t.”
He shivered. “If you say so. Jared offered me a taste once, and it tasted more like jet fuel to me. Burned all the way down, and didn’t stop once it hit my stomach. Tried taking Tums, and it did nothing. It’s a good thing I was off that night because I was out like a light about thirty minutes later.”
He was messing with me. Had to be. I could barely taste the alcohol in this drink and afterward I usually feel giddier than anything.
“I guess you’re just a lightweight. I could probably drink half a dozen of these and just be tipsy.”
He looked like he might gag. “So, how did the game of hide and seek play out last night.”
“He found me.”
“Where’d you hide?”
“The game room with Luke.”
His eyes got wide. “Luke let you stay in the same room as him?”
“Uh, yeah. Why?”
“He has this total ‘no woman in the same vicinity’ thing?”
“Why?”
Ryan shrugged. “I don’t know. I just know he doesn’t get near women. I’ve had to guard him before so that he wasn’t touched by any females after a show.”
“That’s weird. Now that you mention it he does like to keep his distance.”
“Maybe he’s cool with you because he knows your Jared’s woman.”
“I am most certainly not Jared’s woman.”
“If you say so. I say if you’re kissing on him, and sitting in VIP watching his show, and going home with him after the show, you are his woman.”
“Whatever. I don’t need to prove myself to you.”
The band started and Ryan went back to guarding the entrance. I have got to find this Fallen so I can get away from here. I touched base with Cop earlier in the day, and he didn’t have any new information. No one had called the precinct about Amber or Jael even though there were over a dozen posters up in the club. I really don’t want to wait for him to take another victim, but I don’t have any way to find this guy with the information I have.
Temmy came and talked with me on her break then Jared visited during the band’s break. He offered another game of chase, and I told him to stuff it. The last thing I need is him cornering me somewhere, and not being able to control myself. I’m pretty sure I would regret sleeping with him. Eventually.
When the band had started up again I walked over to the VIP bar, and ordered another Ambrosia. I was bored out of my mind so I decided I would drink to pass the time. Not the best idea, but not the worst either. After I got my drink, I walked over to the barrier between VIP and the rest of the club. There were so many people moving on the dance floor you couldn’t tell one from the other.
I looked over at the bar to see Temmy flirting with a customer. She never stopped, and probably never would. I started to look back toward the band when I saw Saundra kissing some guy by the front entrance. I knew it was her by the bright red streaks in her hair and the extremely slutty outfit. They broke apart, and she immediately started rubbing herself against the guy she was with. What a hoochie. I looked at the guy...OMG! It’s Jael. He looked at me and winked then started walking with Saundra toward the entrance.
“Oh my Gods. It’s Jael!” I told Ryan as I jumped the barrier.
“Avery, stop!” I heard Ryan yelling at me, but it was too late I was already halfway through the table area. I pulled out my cell and called Kansas.
“My perp is leaving Halo right now. I’m in pursuit.”
“We’re close by. Meet you there,” Kansas said before hanging up.
I heard the music stop, and then I ran into Jared as I neared the front entrance. I mean, literally, I bounced off his chest and almost fell on my ass.
“Get out of the way. Jael just left the bar with Saundra.”
“You will not go out there. He’s using her to get to you.”
“Jared. I will have you arrested for interfering in a police investigation if you do not get out of my way now.”
“Sorry, Caru. That’s not going to work.”
“What are you going to let him do? Just get away with killing my friend? We have to go after him, now.”
He sighed. “We go after him together, but you do not leave my side. Understand?”
“Yeah, let’s go.”
We went out through the front and Hash and Zach followed us. There were several people out on the sidewalk either trying to get in or just hanging around waiting for rides and such. I didn’t see Jael anywhere. Then I saw Saundra staggering down the road to the right, but she looked to be alone. I ran up to her.