The Impact (Book II)

Zach

The first place I tried was the bar. Mostly because I wanted a drink but also to think of a plan. I couldn't ask the bartender outright where Tavor's stronghold was located without appearing suspicious.

As I was mulling things over, I became aware of someone sitting directly beside me. Demons usually kept a respectable amount of distance between each other, so it struck me as odd this demon would sit so close when other barstools were available. Out of my periphery, I examined her.

Her curly hair was dyed green, the shade closer to seaweed than the leaves of a tree, and cut shoulder length. She was wearing a grubby pair of jeans, a long sleeved shirt a couple sizes too big, and a pair of sneakers. When she turned her head to stare at me, a large pair of golden eyes looked at me. Her eyes were set in a face that closely resembled my face.

And someone else's.

My eyes flicked back to the front and I mouthed, "Holy shit."

"Just a beer." Her voice still had that educated lilt to it, even if her appearance was wilder.

I took a large gulp from my beer and pushed the empty bottle away. Then, I shot her a dirty look. Slurring, I growled, "Why you gotta sit so close? Can't ya see there are other stools or are ya blind?"

She seemed momentarily taken aback. Please understand, I prayed. Then, her eyes hardened and she slid off her stool.

"You don't own the space, sentina. I can sit wherever I want to."

Several dozen pairs of eyes landed on us.

I hopped off the stool and stumbled into her. "You wanna take this outside, bitch?"

Mockingly, she bowed to me. "After you."

I stomped out of the bard with her behind me. Turning down a deserted street, I whirled on her. "Long time no see."

She smiled shyly, "I wasn't certain it was you at first, Me-"

"Corvus." I cut her off. "And you are?"

"O-oh! I'm Luca."

"Listen, I'd love to stay and chat, but I'm actually in the middle of something." Pulling her closer to me, I whispered in her ear, "Go to Dock 3. Go down a stairway and keep straight until you come across a concrete wall. Tell them Corvus sent you and they will let you in."

I stepped back from her. She looked a little confused but nodded anyway. "Okay. I'll see you soon then?"

"Yeah."

She began to briskly walk down the street, heading west toward the docks. I watched her until she disappeared around a corner. With a sigh, I leaned against the cold brick side of a building and stared up at the ebony sky.

I had been wondering where Orlene had been hiding and how she was keeping away from the guards. I would have to ask her about it once I went back to the base.

[You should focus on your little mission. How are you going to find the stronghold, let alone get in?] Rayi asked.

I shrugged.

She sighed loudly. [Think about it, girl. You can't just go up to soldiers and ask, even under the guise of joining their ranks. They'll ask for proof of your identity. So...if you can't ask maybe you can just fly? Hm? Did that genius idea ever pop into that little brain of yours?]

"Oh. Yeah. That would work." I mumbled, annoyed by her condescending tone.

My body began to contort. Bones broke and reshaped themselves, growing smaller and hollow. Feathers replaced flesh and my mouth and nose fused into a hard black beak. Soon, I was fully shifted and hopped in place a couple of times, adjusting to the change and shaking the pain out of my body. Spreading my wings, I flew up onto a lamppost and cocked my head.