Light in Torment: An Annora Park Novel: Book Three

Chapter Eight: Burning Bright

   "Him again?" Both Walker and Garrett ask when I show up with Branuel in tow.  I sigh.  God.  Not this again.
   "He's obviously with me."
   "We don't need his help."
   "Listen the victims were Fairies, and he's the Dark Fae King.  Get over yourself." I plop down in the Heavenly Chair and sigh,  "Walker can I have some cake and coffee please."  Walker rushes off to get me my cake and coffee and Garett and Branuel glare at each other.  God,  I thought we'd gotten over this.
   "Listen I don't have time for this pissing contest okay.  We're all on the same team okay."  Walker comes in with my coffee and cake and I've had one bite when my cell phone goes off.  I sigh.  Answer with a curt "Parks here," Hang up and look at Garrett who had gotten a similar call.  "Another one."
   Garrett nods.  "Another one.  Broadway and 45th."
   "Gear up boys."
   "Don't tell me he's going?" Garrett jerks a finger towards Branuel.
   "Yes, he's coming.  I don't want to hear another word about it."  I sigh,  "let's play nice boys, please, for me."  That last seems to get to them and they all nod their heads before gearing up.  Well Walker and Branuel don't need to gear up since they can just materialize whatever they want at a moments notice.  Garrett holsters his weapons and gives me a nod.  I quickly braid my hair and stick my knives in them and holster my service revolver, though I really hate guns.  Knives and swords are so much better.  I feel a fluttering at my back and notice my guys staring at me.
   "Uh, you might want to put those things away?" Garrett says.
   And I realize my wings are showing.  I swear and concentrate of folding my wings in.  Soon they're invisible to the naked eye and I'm satisfied.  "Okay, let's go.  Oh and Walker...try to be...uh....just less."
   "Less?"
   "Less you."
   "Whatever do you mean, dearheart?"
   "Just be less crazy okay? No poking at the bodies."
   "But..."
   "NO!" I say.
   "Oh you ruin all of my fun."
   I roll my eyes.  Oh god this was going to be a shit show.

    This scene was no better than the last two, if anything it was worse. Two victims. Lying side by side, holding hands. I wanted to cry. But there were no time for tears, not here, no not, probably not ever.
"Holy God." Garrett murmurs.
"God had nothing to do with this," I mutter. I shoo my guys away. "Please step back and let me do my work." I wait until they are all a good distance away and I let my shields down. I'm shocked at how quickly the shadows flood over her. They bombard me and caress me with loving hands. I hate it. I push at the offending darkness and try to concentrate on the victims. I see them. Thank God, I see them. They're walking, two girlfriends out for the night. They're come upon from the back so suddenly. A bright blinding light blinds them and then they're suddenly on their stomachs. They don't have a second to scream or anything before the light covers them completely and begins to peel their skin from their backs, paying special attention to their wing buds. YES. I was right. The light is after their wings. But why? Why would this light be after their wings? "Show me a face, show me a fucking face," I scream at the light and suddenly I'm being pulled out of the Tread.
"Let me go!" I shout. "I was so close."
"You're bleeding badly!" Walker, is staunching my bleeding nose with another of his stupid handkerchiefs and Branuel is wiping my bleeding ears with whatever cloth he had produced. Garrett stands there stuns.
"Ann...I've never seen you bleed so much at a scene."
"Then you've not been around enough of her scenes," Walker says snootily.
"Walker now is not the time," I mutter. I cough and swear when I cough blood.
You're treading closer to me my love
     Go away! I scream at death in my head
I cannot, you are coming closer and closer to me. And soon you will see you belong with me.
    I can't die you moron!
    Oh but this would be a living death, my petite morte.
    What the fuck does that mean. You know what I don't want to know you total fucktwad. I disconnect from him and focus on the here and now.
"I'm fine boys. A little blood never hurt anyone."
"This isn't a little blood."
I push their offending arms away. "I'm fine. Listen I saw them, the girls. They were out, together for a night on the town. The light came for them and it took their skins, but more than that it definitely was after their wings."
"Why their wings?" Branuel asks.
"I don't know." I say, and everything in me rebels in revealing that I have no idea what is going on. I'm supposed to have the answers.
"We're they Light Fairies?" Branuel asks.
I nod. "Listen we can't talk here. Let's go back to Walkers and we'll regroup. I need to sort through everything that I saw and..." I look at my clothes. "Probably change too."
"That would be a good idea, my dearheart." Walker begins to lead me away with Garrett and Branuel flanking me on either side. Sometimes it's good to have support, even if my support it a rather motley crew.