Eminence (Wattpad Edition)

Note 12 - An Uninvited Guest

When Emanon came to, she was on the bathroom floor, vomiting thick, dark blood into the toilet bowl. The pain radiated from her throat to her chest, her muscles burning from the strain. Each breath felt like it carved her lungs. She was dizzy, weak, unable to lift her head, and her memory, whatever had happened before this moment, gone.

She heard voices nearby. Warren and Jack's. Clear as day. The bathroom door must be open.

Their conversation overlapped and blurred. The intensity in their voices sent a ripple of anxiety through her, but she couldn't move. Couldn't speak. Could barely think beyond the overwhelming nausea. And then a knock at the door.

"It's not healthy," a voice called out. "Puking after a meal, I mean."

Jack's voice dropped to a whisper. "What do we do?"

No answer from Warren. Just footsteps and then the door opened.

And with it, someone or something entered.

Her nausea worsened, not from illness, but from a gnawing dread. She knew this presence. She's felt it before, somewhere her body remembered even if she did not. It was already inside the room. It was too late.

****

Warren stood at the edge of the room, watching the man settle casually into the chair near the window.

"It's considerate," the man said, voice laced with sarcasm. "Keeping it dark and cold in here. How kind, how thoughtful.."

Jack had moved into the bathroom, kneeling beside Emanon. He cradled her against him, wiping her mouth and sweat-drenched face with a damp cloth.

Warren didn't take his eyes off the stranger. "Who are you?"

The man smiled. "Who are you?"

"That man isn't human," Emanon whispered, her voice rough and raw.

"I don't know how you found her but this woman belongs with me," Warren said.

The man's smile vanished. "Does she, now?"

"And you? Why did you follow her back here?" Warren pressed.

"You could say I'm an old friend," the man replied, leaning back lazily. "Call me Theo. Oh, and you should probably take her to a hospital. All that blood loss...Tsk, tsk, tsk" He said wagging his index finger at Warren.

"We can't," Jack said, looking up from Emanon.

"We can't just take her to a hospital, surely you know that. So, where can we?" Warren asked, turning back to Theo.

Theo tilted his head, studying Warren. "I'm honestly impressed. So composed. Are you not aware of what I am? Your friends in the bathroom certainly are."

"I don't care what you are. Answer the question."

Theo chuckled darkly. "You're brave. What a funny thing to say to a predator."

The air suddenly became heavy, and suffocating. Warren's body went rigid, his lungs struggling for air. But he didn't look away. Didn't move. If he faltered now, Emanon would die.

"Theo. She needs help. If she matters to you, tell us where we can take her."

Theo considered this. "I could. But you'll have to return. I want to understand you, the human who walks unshaken with a collar of binding magic around his neck. I can see your contract, you know."

"Fine, just me, though," Warren said. "Jack stays with Emanon."

Theo grinned. "So brave. Alright then. I'll write down the address. When she's stable, come back. We'll talk. I hope you won't disappoint me. There's a lot to be said."