You are My Doom

Chapter 16: Doom

Chapter 16: Doom

Watching Eden sob for another family's woes left me feeling even more protective of her. I am helpless in this situation. Any job I could come up with for Ryan's grandfather in my organization would dangerous and would most likely have the same repercussions as him not having a job at all. Ryan and Sarah would still end up separated in the foster care system.

Feeling completely helpless, I do something I haven't in weeks. I follow Eden to the clinic. As if things couldn't get any worse today, there is a note left above the sink for Eden.

Eden,

We have run out of room in our kennels and had to promote one of your clients. You had been working with Duke the longest, so we thought he would have the best chance of being adopted this weekend.

Mark Romero

When Eden broke into tears and her aura darkened to a somber gray, I couldn't stand it any longer. I stepped out of the shadows and enveloped her in a long hug. When her colors softened to a deep blue, I asked "What does this mean for Duke?"

I knew Duke had become one of Eden's favorite clients, but I hadn't spent much time with him because he is dog aggressive and cannot be near Ceribe. When Eden explained that if Duke doesn't get a new home this weekend during their fall adoption event, which isn't likely because he still isn't well behaved around other dogs, he will be sent to the city pound. From there, it is only a matter of time before he is put down for being too aggressive.

Why can't anything go right today. Not only are Sarah and Ryan going to be thrown into the broken foster care system because some pompous Principal had to be a tattle tale, but a great dog is going to be put down for being miss understood.

I help Eden finish her nightly chores at the clinic and ride with her back to her apartment. I hold her in my arms while she cries herself to sleep. I resisted the urge to manipulate her emotions to calm her and allow her to sleep because Eden asked me not to do it anymore when I came clean about my abilities. Damn it was hard though. I can't stand seeing my Cherub cry. I can't imagine how it will wreck her too take those kids away from a loving home. Sometimes I really hate her job.

Just when Eden's breathing finally evens out, a terrified voice fills my head.

"Doom, help me, please. He... He got me. Please"

"Karma. How did Bail get to you? He can't cross over."

"Please, just come get me. I don't think I can stay awake much longer."

"I'm coming, just hold on."

I don't want to leave Eden, but there is no telling what Karam is enduring at the hands of Bail. Ever since she was little, Bail has delighted in torturing her. I do not know what I will be walking into, but I know none of my siblings would have the power necessary to take down Bail alone. Still, I run through the pros and cons of taking each of them on my rescue mission.

Pain has been dealing with a hostile take over of a rival hotel company on the strip. Not only would he be distracted, but his gift for determining people's weaknesses would not be much help because we already know Karma is Bail's weakness. Panic's influencing abilities might be useful, but her and Karam have never really gotten along. Also, I think Panic might be too goddamned lazy to leave her posh life and adoring fiancé in Los Angeles. Vice might be reluctant to leave his girl Rogue, but he knows the most about everything Karma went through with Bail as a child. He would definitely want in. Rapture's siren like presence would only make the situation worse by charging Bail with lust. Of course, Revelation vowed long ago never to set foot in Hell again. While she might be sympathetic, she would be too unpracticed using her angelic abilities to be of much use facing off against Bail.