Static Reflections: Book 1 of The Mortal Guard Series

Chapter 47 - Boris: Like We Used To

Chapter 47 - Boris: "Like We Used To"

The remaining animals were still sitting in the circle under the large chandelier in the foyer of Downing Manor, not yet fully recovered from the Black Cross' visit or Gerald and Molly's decision to have their memories altered.

"It's better this way," Boris told Tyler and Pierce. "It will keep my feelings toward my father out of the way when we're trying to get things done."

Pierce looked up from their shoes. "That was a lot."

Tyler gazed at Boris with a face of understanding. "Dude . . . I didn't see any of that coming but watching it was, like, wow. I'm wondering if that's what I looked like when I yelled at my gramps."

"It's ridiculous. This happens, and then he wants to show that he cares about us after not realizing we were never home or doing nefarious things behind his back? It's bullshit. But I'm done talking about that, for now. Pierce, what was all that with you turning into Leah? What was this plan?"

Pierce sighed. "Oh, well, I dunno. I was reading my book after you left and a little bit later we heard some noises from outside. Leah came out of her room and then told us she sensed a lot of vampires were nearby. She looked really freaked out."

"Oh, yeah, cause she woke me up after that," Tyler stated. "She got us and immediately knew that they were here for Pierce, which makes sense, I guess. She also warned us that they wouldn't leave without killing someone. That was fuckin' scary to hear."

"Yeah," Pierce shuddered. "Then she took me into her room and got this book and then used this spell to make me look like her. Then, she made herself invisible. We all met in the hallway as they came in, and she said the only way we could save Boris is if we played along, no matter who they killed."

Boris blinked. "What?"

Tyler shook his head. "We didn't get it, either. We think there was a plan behind her plan."

"I was wondering why you waited so long . . ." Boris said to Pierce.

"Well, Leah said she was leaving to get something, which I guess was all those girls that saved us."

"So . . . she was going to let those caretakers die anyway . . . Carlos and Marcel . . ."

Tyler swallowed. "It's really confusing. There's a lot going on. But she said it was to save you."

Boris sat back in the seat, slumping down. "So, no matter what, whether I'm possessed by Absalom or going to be saved by Leah, innocent animals have to die?"

Tyler placed a hand on his shoulder, squeezing gently. "I dunno how any of this works, but that's pretty fucked. At first, I was really freaked out. Now, I'm not even sure what to think about all of this. And how does Leah stay so calm with it all? She's so mysterious."

"Yeah . . ." Boris nodded. "I thought I knew her."

Pierce rubbed their knees. "At least the spell worked, and they couldn't tell it was me. When she told me I'd have to stay silent, I was really worried they'd call me out for it, which they did!"

"Why couldn't you speak?" asked Tyler.

"She said the spell only changes your appearance. I'd still have my voice."

"Well, if they've never heard her voice before . . . ."

"I didn't think about that," Pierce stated.

"Wait, if she can sense them, wouldn't they be able to sense her?" Tyler scratched his head.

"No, because she wasn't there," Boris pointed out. "They said they sensed a vampire there. Well, they were sensing Pierce right in the room."

"Magic is crazy . . . ." Tyler whispered.