The Anomalies

Chapter 7

<<What are you planning to do?>> Ginger asked him in her calm and thoughtful way.

<<I think I will be forced, this time, to report>>.

The surprise on her face was externalized by the lifting of both eyebrows that gave her at the same time a funny and naive expression; girlish.

<<Are you serious? I don't understand. When we found her last time and you even talked to her, you didn't warn anyone!>> she refuted, looking at him a little frowning, straight in the eyes.

<<You are right>> he admitted.

<<But now, Kieran has found her. The situation is definitely different; it is more delicate>>.

She moved a wet lock from her forehead. It bothered her a lot to have wet hair sticking to her face. She took a hair tie, pulled all her hair back and made a tail, leaving her whole face uncovered and highlighting her pale complexion, freckles and emerald eyes.

He stood in silence watching her fix her coppery hair, admiring her beauty. His mind returned, for the umpteenth time, to the moment he met her. For him it was unusual good fortune. At the time she was a dirty, ragged, malnourished, skinny-as-a-nail little girl who lay sitting at the side of an alley smelling of urine, feces and garbage.

She was beaten up as hell. Full of bruises and wounds.

Despite those almost repulsive conditions, he had recognized, sensed her dormant, or, rather, stifled power. Something had clicked in him and, even though it apparently went against all logical reaction, he had realized that she would be his Dictator.

He had taken her with him, away from that horrible place. He had washed her, cared for her, fed her and trained her. Then he had introduced her to the Agency, and she after going through all the training had become a powerful and beautiful witch.

Everyone had envied her, at least those who had not yet found their Detainer.

Since then, Ginger had always stood by him, faithful, protective, but also ready to be his conscience when the situation called for it.

She was the most beautiful and dearest thing that had happened to him in life, and for her, and only for her, he would be able to betray everyone.

<<We don't know what Kieran's true intentions are. He could be a spy or pretend to be one, which is why it is important to warn 'the higher-ups'>> and so saying, Gray walked in the opposite direction from the one taken by Kieran, Zoe and the Rat.

<<Where are you going? Aren't we following them?>> Ginger's voice stopped him.

<<No, there is no hurry. I think we will see her again at the Agency. Kieran did not take her prisoner. Her father enjoined him to find himself a Detainer>>.

Ginger opened her mouth wide in amazement.

She had a face with delicate and sweet features. Certain expressions, which came naturally to her, made her look even more innocent. The Gray, however, had learned that her appearance could be deceiving.

His Detainer sometimes turned out to be ruthless, and it was quite creepy even for him when, at such times, she maintained the same boyish expression. It usually happened on occasions when he was in danger, when someone was hurting him, or, when she witnessed injustice to the weakest and most defenceless. In those moments, Ginger would turn into a merciless weapon with an angel's face.

<<How do you ... leave it alone. Do you think that ...>>

<<I believe that Zoe will be his Detainer. I would do that in Crow's place. That way, regardless of his intentions, he can always have her close and use her as he sees fit>> was Gray's crude explanation.

<<But usually between Hunter and Detainer there must be a union, a feeling that binds them. How will they work together if there is no trust?>> she objected.

<<It will be fun to watch how they get along, especially with the Cerberus>> he smiled mellifluously, then, winked at her.

<<Kieran sometimes scares me>> she admitted thoughtfully.

<<And I don't?>> the Gray asked her, half serious and half amused.

<<No, I am not afraid of you. I know you for what you really are. Everyone thinks you are cruel, untrustworthy, cynical, but you built this image for yourself, out of necessity. You wanted them to believe you this way and you succeeded very well, but you really are not>> she told him, looking at him confidently with her shining eyes.

<<In Kieran I sense torment, a side as dark and cold as his irises. Sometimes he seems like a trained wild animal that could lose control at any moment. There is a pent-up anger that makes him very dangerous>> she tried to explain.

<<Why haven't you told me about these things before? Why just now?>>

<<Because I don't like someone like him to be around that girl. Until now he has always worked alone. Perhaps aware that his disposition was not meant to be with someone, but now there is Zoe>>.

<<Ginger, Kieran has been feverishly searching for you for a very long time. Despite the years of not succeeding and, as you know, we didn't make it easy for him, he never stopped looking for her. Such dedication no huntsman would have. Only a person who cares deeply about someone or something would behave the way he did. I honestly don't think he will hurt her. We don't know what connection he has with her, but after what I saw today, I begin to doubt that he would willingly turn her over to the Grand Councilor. That's why we need to know more and report back>>.

<<Maybe, but there is a deep black hole in him that we need to pay close attention to>> she insisted.

<<Come on, we have many things to think about and do>> he told her in a firm voice.

She nodded and after casting one last glance in the direction of the strange trio that was getting farther and farther away, she walked off following her Hunter.