The Black Reaper's Shadow

4. Absolving

Chapter 4

     I bolted upright in a cold sweat. My eyes shifted rapidly over the room. No enemies. No corpses. No blood.

     I let out the breath I'd been holding and relaxed with my face in my hands. The nightmares never went away no matter how much I changed or how much time passed. I swung my legs out of bed and a wave of dizziness slammed my head the moment I tried to stand. I fell back onto the bed and sat on my knees on the cool wood floor. That was unexpected, but completely inevitable. My edge was off.

     Pulling myself to my feet, I used the wall as a stabilizer on my way to the hall. My foot crossed the threshold and I tensed when I found a knife at my throat and Hei staring at me coldly from beside the doorway. The glowing blue ring appeared in my eyes as I glared at him, "I'm not amused."

     He grinned with amusement and put the knife away, "I know, but I wanted to see if your insticts were intact."

     I exhaled, a twinge of exhaustion on my breath, and I hadn't even made it across the apartment, "Glad your little test proved my vulnerability. Where's July?"

     Hei pointed over his shoulder, "Eating breakfast. Want some?"

     "Actually, I think I would appreciate it if you..."

     I didn't finish as my knees buckled and I fell, Hei catching me securely in his arms. He picked me up carefully and started carrying me toward the kitchen, "If you were having a difficult time standing, you could've just said so."

     My aggravation at being so weak wasn't making me feel any better as Hei set me down gently at the table and placed a plate of eggs, toast, and bacon in front of me, "Dig in, Kiddo."

     July was already sitting contently in front of his empty plate and was staring at me expectantly, "Eat, Marie."

     I took a bite of my food just to satisfy him and turned my eyes to Hei, "I still would like to go to the observatory today to ask some questions. I need to speak with Stargazer before I make a plan to contact Kono."

     He nodded, "Very well, but I'll be joining you since July will have to stay here. He's too easily recognized and I don't want them to catch both of you together. We'll also be taking the wheel chair I have in my closet. You're obvious not well enough to go walking around the city."

     Before I could protest, he cut me off, "No buts about it, Marie. As long as you are in my care, you will listen to me without question. I don't want you getting hurt while under my watch. Understood?"

     I was quiet for a very long moment before answering softly, "I understand."

     He looked out the doorway of the kitchen and smiled warmly as he left the room. I heard him speaking with Yin, "Be careful and don't let your guard down. I want you both back in one piece."

     She laughed lightly, "We'll be fine. Diane is meeting me at the market. She'll get us home safely."

     I heard the door open as Hei said his goodbyes and finished with, "Don't forget that tonight's family night. Tell Diane to bring Cain along since we have guests. It'll be good for the kid to be around dolls further along."

     Yin sounded content with that, "Alright, only if you call Jared and tell him to bring Takashi. Cain never likes coming over without Takashi here. He's like a big brother of sorts."