Foolish Mortals

Final - Chapter 19

One Year Earlier

Liam

I could not face another day, going on like this.

But I had no choice.

Eternity stretched out before me like a gaping maw from which there was no escape. Not for me. My mind had long ago forgotten what it was to truly care, feel, yearn, joy or despair. My body had forgotten what it was to crave pleasure, or flinch from pain.

I found my feet operating on instinct, carrying me towards my home. It had been a long, tedious night. I had discovered another body behind the club. The third this year. I would need to take action soon. Yet again, teach them their place in our world. The thought of the battle ahead made my steps falter, and I found myself thinking of my lush, empty home awaiting me. Full of all the modern appliances and comforts of this wondrous time, yet holding no true appeal for me.

I was not ready to go there.

I blindly pushed open the door of the nearest coffee shop, glancing at my watch as I did so. Nine o'clock exactly. Assimilating information in my customary manner, I saw an open table in the far corner. Long years of experience had taught me it would always be safer to have a corner to your back, and a view of the entire room. Though I was burdened with ennui, my body would not allow me to give up long habit.

I settled down into the small chair and closed my eyes, letting the gentle hum of conversation flow over me, around me, without taking it in. Humans were always engaged in such petty arguments, such small conversations, so convinced it mattered. Mortality made everything matter, it seemed.

"Hi there, I'm Jack. Are you ready to order?"

The musical voice poured over my body like a physical caress, and my eyes snapped open. I turned my head and met the wide, brown eyes of... something new. Something beautiful. I inhaled deeply, and her scent called to me on so primal a level, I could feel a growl building in my chest, begging to be released. My instincts clamored for me to snatch up this small creature and drag her back to my lair. Keep her safe. Keep her mine.

"Are you okay? You're looking... bilious." The voice again, distracting me from the scent.

I opened my mouth to say something, anything, as I picked up on her toe tapping. "Bilious?" I found myself asking stupidly.

"Uh. You know, sick." A tantalizing flush of pink was beginning to make its way up over her neck to her ears.

I inhaled again, breathing in her delicate scent as it surrounded me, awakening me. A hint of arousal colored it, now, and I felt myself growing hard as steel. Astonished, I adjusted my position in the chair. That had not happened in so many years, I had thought I was no longer capable.

"I am well," I said. "And I know what bilious means." I did not want her to think me the idiot I was acting.

"Oh. Well that's good," she offered with a bright smile. "Then what can I get you?"

A kiss. A touch. A glance. Your company. Be mine. I glanced at the large menu on the wall in a panic. "A savory scone," I said, my voice raspy with unsaid words. "And an espresso macchiato."

"Coming right up!" She turned and walked away.

I could not think of a reason to make her stay.

What was happening to me? I raked my hand through my hair, feeling confused, angry, aroused. Dangerous new emotions, and all stirred up by one small human female. I searched my memory for a possible explanation, but found nothing.

I resolved to allow myself one hour, only. One hour to soak in her presence, to watch her, listen to her speak, learn that she was only an ordinary human. That she was not worth this obsession I felt kindling inside the very core of me. That she was not worth breaking the laws for, bringing into my world, and risking my oldest friend's wrath. That these feelings were fallacious, ephemeral, and dangerous. Perhaps the product of some sorcery, some spell.

After one hour, I would leave, and I would never come back.

***

Present

My phone buzzed again, and I did not even look at it, already knowing who it was. Ajax. Calling me to report for duty. I had to meet with Dana and discuss the best approach to the Vassals. I knew it would be a bloody battle. When the Vassals had rebelled in long centuries past, we had to crush them almost into nothing before they surrendered.

I blamed Ajax for the situation. He welcomed them with open arms and allowed them to flourish, to think they had rights and strength enough to rise in the world. Then he refused to take responsibility for their actions. But of course, I had brought this punishment upon myself, falling for the foolish human.

I felt the strength returning, time all my body needed to restore itself. First physically, then mentally, I felt myself shifting back into place. I knew I could transport again.

I simply did not want to. I didn't want to go so far from Jacqueline. 

But it would keep her safe. So, I reached deep inside myself to that whirlpool of power inside, calling it up, filling my body with it, and visualizing Dana. Her cold eyes and beautiful face. Percival, who I would crush at the first opportunity for touching what I had claimed as mine. The bedroom vanished around me.

My vision cleared and I was in a meadow in the woods. I recognized it, I had walked through it on the way to the Magpie's cottage. I heard the clang of metal, snapping of bones, and agonized screams.

When I stepped forward into the clearing, it was into the familiar world of blood and pain.