Night Guardian

Chapter 2, Part 3

"I see you two are getting along quite nicely."

The two turned to see Sondra standing in the doorway.
"Sorry, I forgot you all were coming early!" Michael touched one finger to his bottom lip, something he did when embarrassed. Nicholas and Gil joined them in the room. "Are you two done trying to get each other in bed? We have more important matters to tend to." Nicholas drawled.

Michael shot him a glare, but Kayla surprised them all. "I suggest you mind your damn business and stop telling people what to do with their own bodies, Nicholas."

His eyes widened in surprise at her comeback. Michael just fell out laughing.

"Everyone, this is my girlfriend, Kayla," he said after recovering. "I've told her about each one of you if you haven't noticed by now."

"Hi," she said awkwardly.

"Hello Kayla, it's great to finally meet you!" Sondra stepped forward and shook her hand.

"It's my pleasure to meet you all too... With the exception of one," she stared pointedly at Nicholas and he scowled.

"He's not so bad when you get to know him," Gil said, thumping him so hard on the back that he swayed. "So, what's the plan? How are we going to get rid of the wolf?"

"That's the thing, Gil, it's not just a wolf. The thing is being possessed not only by a curse  but a human. I believe Carlos has returned."

At these words, Gil blanched. They all looked at Nicholas, who rolled his eyes for the third time that evening.

Kayla was confused. "What does Nicholas have to do with Carlos?" She blurted out.

"He is my half-brother."

Nicholas pushed past Michael to leave the room, but not before giving him an accusatory glare. Michael sighed. "He blames me for not being able to save his brother."
"You could have saved him though," Nicholas said, coming back into the room. "But you were too fixated on gaining your own power, isn't that right Maestro?"

"That is far from the truth!" Sondra stepped in. "You are being selfish. You seem to forget that Michael was struggling with illnesses himself. He didn't try to bend the laws to his benefit, unlike Carlos. He was granted immortality through struggle, and patience. Don't you dare compare them!"

"Members of my family have been killed by your brother's actions, but I'm not blaming you for it, Nicholas," Michael said. "There was only so much I could do for him. He chose his way, not me. Sometimes I fail to see what the creator saw in you to make you a Guardian of this world. You harbor too much hatred and bitterness in your heart."

Gil looked on somberly at the argument. They all seemed to forget that Kayla was there until she cleared her throat. "Excuse me, but don't you all have a task to finish? It's getting very late and no one has come up with a plan. Michael, you and Nicholas will have to talk this out some other time."

Gil agreed. "She's right. We are not focusing on what's important right now, and...Michael are you alright?"

Kayla looked at him and noticed that he started to look physically sick, and pale.

"Michael?" She touched his shoulder.

He didn't answer.

Kayla screamed when he fell to the floor and started to convulse.

"What the hell is going on?" She yelled. Nicholas pulled her away from him while Gil and Sondra tried to see what was causing affliction. They pinned his body down. Kayla felt like she couldn't breathe, hearing him gasping for breath. She started to panic.