A Shadowed Love

Unfinished Business

Trent and Courtney sat uneasy in the huge meeting room of the High Council's Chambers. Trent was playing with his guitar pick that he always seemed to have in his pocket. And Courtney was absently tapping her fingernails on the hard wood arm rests of the chair she was sitting in, her mind racing with all sorts of thoughts. 

"This is a bad idea..." Trent whispered to her. Courtney sighed a little and swallowed hard

"It's the best idea we had. We have to get into the Chambers somehow. And this is the only way," she whispered back. He growled a little in his throat

"I still hate the idea of Gwen being in the middle of this," he growled, Courtney slowly looked over at him. Her eyes looking him over

"You really love her, don't you?" she said, Trent looked at her, a little surprised. But his face slowly softened, and he smiled

"Yeah, I really do. It's so strange. How someone can suddenly appear into your life, out of no where. And the next thing you know they're all you can think about. I don't really know what I'd do without her. It's like I can't remember a normal life without her in it, ya know what I mean?" Trent said, slowly looking over at her. Courtney's lips turned up in a smile, showing the tips of her fangs. 

"Yes," she whispered "I know exactly what you mean,"

Both of their heads snapped towards the direction of the doors opening and Able walking in, wearing his signature black cloak and red pin. His bald head shinning as he walked towards the two nervous vampires.

"I must say," he sneered "I wasn't expecting an emergency call tonight. I had plans,"

"Oh, we're so  sorry," Courtney snapped. Sarcasm dripping from her words. Able slowly looked over at her, as he took his seat at the head of the table. His gaze remained on her until she looked away, feeling very uncomfortable. 

"Tell me, Courtney dear... How is Duncan doing?" Able asked, a slight growl under his tone. Courtney smirked

"He's fantastic, actually. We're very happy," she said, loving the way her words affected him. Able looked away from her and at Trent. 

"Now, explain to me what the hell is going on," Able said. Trent sat up a little, and clasped his hands together on his lap

"Well, you see... My girlfriend is missing. Gwendolyn Myers," Trent started. "I came home from my shift at the bar and she was no where to be seen. At first I thought she had just gone out, but when I realized how close to dawn it was I got worried. She's never been gone that long, and all of her stuff is still at our apartment. Her clothes, house keys, all of it. I've called all of her friends and no one has seen her. So that's why I came to you, because I know the Council must know of all disappearances under their rule. And that maybe you can do something about it,"

Courtney sat back, staying silent. She was impressed by how well Trent could tell a lie. His face and eyes were blank, not giving anything away.

Able slowly sighed, placing his elbows on the table "Is it possible she could just be staying somewhere? And not want to tell you?" he pried, Trent raised a brow

"Why would she do that?" he asked, Able smirked

"Maybe she isn't as happy... With your relationship, as you seem to be," he said. Courtney eyed Trent. From the set of of his jaw, she could tell he was getting angry. Biting his tongue. Courtney wanted to leap across the table and smack Able across the face. But she restrained herself. 

Able's eyes slowly slid back to look at her "And why are you here?"

"Well, I'm here because I was the last person to see Gwen before she disappeared. We were hanging out together up until about 3am. When she decided she wanted to head home, to meet Trent when he got home. So I let her go, and I watched her walk away before heading back to my own house," Courtney said her side of the lie, to make it seem more believable. Able slowly smirked

"It's a small world, isn't it? The girl I watched get changed into a Night Child seems to be best friends with the girl who is missing. Hm," Able said, slowly looking between the two. Courtney slowly crossed her legs nervously, she didn't like the look behind Able's eyes. 

"Fine. If you two really seem to think she's missing, I'll send a search party. But Trent, you must stay in our Chambers until she is found,"

Trent and Courtney stiffened, and he sat forward "Wait, what? Why?" he asked. Able stared at him

"Because," he drawled "If you really think they took Gwen from home, then we can't have you go back there now can we? it's too dangerous, they could be waiting until you went home alone so they could take you next. It's obviously the safest bet to keep you here," Able shrugged, standing up. Trent swallowed hard, and Courtney looked over at him. She nodded a little.

This was perfect! If Trent stayed here, he could sneak around the Chambers, and figure out what the hell was going on behind those closed doors!

"Trent, I'm sure the Council will keep you very safe," she said, her voice cracking a little. Able flashed his fangs at her with a smile

"Yes, the girl is right, we will keep you safe," he said. His voice making Courtney's skin crawl. Trent sighed a little and ran a hand through his black hair. His hand was shaking

"Okay, yeah. You're right, I'll stay here," he finally said. Courtney smiled weakly at him, sending him a silent thank you. Trent stood up slowly, and Courtney watched as a few other Council members stepped into the room, and led him through the doors that seemed to be just out of reach.

Courtney slowly got to her feet, trying to avoid Able's piercing stare. He was watching her like she was a fresh kill. Courtney pushed in her chair

"Thank you for doing this-"

"I heard you and Duncan are bonded. Is that true?" Able asked, Courtney froze, and stared at him. Her eyes widening

"How did you-"

"I have ears every where, darling," Able drawled. Courtney began backing up to the door, she didn't want to be here anymore. 

"Tell me," Able continued "Does he treat you right? Is he good between the sheets?"

"I hardly  think that's any of your business!" Courtney snapped, her cheeks flushing red. Able chuckled

"It's just that my sister said something about that. About how they used to spend a few nights together in her bed,"

Courtney's eyes narrowed "You're lying," she hissed. Able shrugged a little

"Maybe I am, maybe I'm not," Able said, his eyes flashing "I assume there's a lot you don't know about Duncan,"

"I know enough," Courtney snapped "Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to leave,"

Courtney turned sharply on her heel, and stalked off towards the door. But Able's deep voice stopped her

"Oh, and Courtney," Able said, his voice lowering to a hiss "Tell Duncan I'll be waiting for him. That he and I are no where near finished,"

Courtney swallowed hard, and she pushed the heavy doors open, leaving Able to stand alone in the meeting room. 

Courtney wiped the sweat off of her forehead, as she walked down the musky hallway. She had a case of the jitters. Able's warning was pounding around in her head. Stuck on repeat. 

Tell Duncan I'll be waiting for him. That he and I are no where near finished

And Courtney believed him. He was no where near finished with Duncan.

He was no where near finished with any  of them just yet.