Night Guardian

Chapter 2, Part 2

"So you mean to tell me you cannot die?"
"Yes. I have certain...abilities."
"What do you mean? As in magic?"
"Yes. I am connected to the spiritual world as well as the earth, the universe as a whole. What we are dealing with at this instant is the result of a curse put on the woods behind my home. The creature out there that tried to attack you used to be a regular wolf. Trees and rivers are being contaminated while living things are mutating."

"That's horrible,"

"Yes, it is."
"So...what do you plan to do about this?"
"Well, later tonight my companions and I will be going to search for the creature, and we're working to destroy this curse. Can you tell me everything that happened yesterday night?"
They entered the kitchen to get something to eat. Michael chose fruit and Kayla decided she wanted some as well.
They sat at the table together, and Kayla began her story.

"I was just getting home from the studio, and I heard a sound so I decided to check it out. Next thing I know, the lights went out and I heard this groaning sound outside. So I decided to check the window when I saw...it. It was so dark that I really can't remember any other feature, other than those teeth, and it's eyes...and it spoke to me!"

Michael stopped eating and looked at her in shock. "What did it say?"

"It told me that it would be my time soon and that you should have prepared for what's going to happen when he regains his full strength. He has minions who have been helping him return to power or something like that."

Michael was sitting very straight. His fingers were steepled and he was thinking about what Kayla relayed to him. "I might have an idea of who is behind this. I have made many enemies in the past, but my very first enemy was someone named Carlos. I've known him since we were little," he said sadly. "We were the best of friends, and I admit I wasn't there for him as much as I could have been when he was struggling, and so he went down a darker path. One day I confronted him about what he was doing, and he swore he'd kill me if I tried to stop him. He swore vengeance on society for letting him slip through the cracks. You can only gain immortality by having a pure heart and doing noble acts. Carlos was afraid of dying and not having accomplished anything in his life. He was sick with an unknown illness back then, and doctors only gave him a few months. Nothing was really done for him after that. He accepted my help, but not my advice. I told him that he could not upset the balance of the laws put in place to protect the Earth just so he could have his immortality illegally, and he tried to kill me. For some reason, he blames me for the things that happened to him, and to an extent, I feel as if it's my fault." His voice broke, and Kayla placed her hand on his shoulder.

"There was nothing you could do, he was set in his ways. You can only help people who want to be helped."

"No no, it is my fault. I should've killed him when he was mortal."

Her eyes widened at his suggestion. "What do you mean...what--"

"I knew Carlos was doing these things and let it get out of hand. Some of my family members died as a result of his actions. He nearly destroyed the planet, and I coddled him because I am weak."

"You are not weak Michael. You are strong and compassionate, and you trust so easily. You're willing to help anyone in need. That may be a blessing and a curse, you are very lucky that these tragedies haven't hardened your heart. Your vulnerability makes you powerful."

He sighed and looked her in the eyes. "Thank you for that, I needed it. It's a wonder how I haven't gone insane."

"No problem...Maestro."
He blushed at the use of his nickname. "I figure you've found out why people call me Maestro?"

"Well, you are a musician and artist, am I correct?"

"Correct."

"Alright then, I want to hear you sing."

Michael leaned away bashfully. "Gee, I don't know Kayla...I'm so shy when it comes to these things."

"Pleeease? I want to hear you, Mike!"
"Well, alright. I'm a bit rusty so be nice."

Michael stood and took her hand, leading her to the ballroom. They both sat at the piano, and Kayla waited excitedly for him to begin. "Kayla, I can't start with you staring at me like that," he said. "Oh! okay, I'll close my eyes." she couldn't help but giggle at his shyness.

Michael took a deep breath and closed his eyes to focus:

I sing of what you see
and might think about
Because of what you see.
Moving hands, mobile faces
Whereby the eye
Not the ear traces what's on the mind...

So when you see hands
Weaving the space between friends.
Think of them as being
As though you were seeing voices
Speech without sound face to face, hands unbound
Weaving the space between friends
So, think of them as being
As though you were seeing voices.

Believe it they ramble on exactly as we would
And talking with someone we know
And even they stumble on expressions as we would
And talking with anyone.

So..

When you see hands weaving
The space between friends
think of them as telling or asking
Or spelling out choices
So think of hands as being
As though you are seeing voices.

Think of them as being
As though they were seeing voices.
Speech without sound face to face, hands unbound
Weaving the space between friends
So, think of them as being
As though you were seeing voices.

So think of them as telling or asking
Or spelling out choices
Just think of hands as being
As though you were seeing, voices.

Kayla sat there, astonished at his piano playing, and even more so at his voice. He was a high tenor, his voice powerful and clear. Hauntingly beautiful. His singing reverberated throughout the house and through her bones. The hairs on her arms stood straight up. When he finished, he looked at her expectantly.

"You're amazing. Beautiful, beautiful voice! How come you won't perform for anyone?"

"We used to, my family and I until the Mayor ruined our reputation. Then no one wanted to see us. That is when we moved away." He pulled her onto the ballroom floor. "I've been meaning to do this with you since you set foot in the mansion. Will you dance with me?"

Now it was her turn to be hesitant.

"I can't dance Michael."

"It's nothing serious...just slow music. I will guide you."
With a wave of his hand, a vinyl player had started. Sensual music flowed into the room, and the curtains drew themselves so that the lighting was dim. "Dance with me baby," he said softly. She couldn't resist the way he pulled her in (and he knew how calling her 'baby' would affect her). She yielded to his request.

The two glided easily across the floor, with Michael leading. Soon, she was relaxed and enjoying herself. She leaned her head on his shoulder, inhaling his intoxicating scent.

"This is nice," she whispered.

He kissed her forehead and they swayed together until the music ended.

"It's getting late," he said. "The others will join me soon to go off on a mission, and I want you to meet them...but first...."

He smiled. Gently lifting her face to his, he kissed her. She sighed at the sensual touch. "Mike...*kiss* you can't be kissing me like that. It'll lead to *kiss* other things...

"How do you know *kiss* I don't want to do other things?" He said breathlessly. His lips started on her jawline and she knew they had to stop there. All coherent thought left her as he started nibbling at the skin of her neck...

"Ahem."

They both broke apart at the sound of someone clearing their throat.