Ridley- A Shaman's Duty (Chap 10)

1

"So, come on." David was in a downright cheerful mood now. "Why don't we head on back to the house and talk about this over some tea like civilized folk."2

"I'm sorry. I can't do that," Ridley mumbled, trying to shake himself out of shock. 3

David cast a sly gaze his way. "Ah, trying to avoid Lavendar, are we? That's fine. I know a quaint little coffee shop-"4

"No. I mean, I've got places to go, David. I can drop you off somewhere if you like."5

"Places like ...?"6

Ridley frowned as he shook away the parading colors in his head. He was going to make sure he never came out of the house again without exhausting the power. "Like none of your business."7

"I have just extended quite a generous offer, and-"8

"And I can appreciate that," Ridley lied, even as irritated sparks of fiery gold flashed in his eyes. Still, he tried to make sure his voice stayed very reasonable and calm. He had cracked his windshield last time he got pissed while driving and that shit was expensive. 9

"So, I-"10

"But I've got murders to solve," Ridley interrupted him. "So perhaps we can discuss this at a later time."11

"You're still going to look into the deaths of these mundanes?" David's shock resonated through his tone. 12

The smell of fresh chocolate chip cookies assualted Ridley's nose. It was making him crave something sweet and that just pissed him off. David reminded Ridley of a innocuous-looking predator, his power was dangerous and it didn't match the sweet scent it gave off. Ridley took a deep breath, trying to hold tight to his worsening temper. 13

"Just the fact that you are that surprised about that shows me that you have no idea who I am, David." 14

He turned the car off and gestured to the sidewalk. "I hope here is okay for you."15

"You would still look into this matter? Even after my offer? Even after my warning that you might be heading towards your own demise?"16

"Hey, David, do you know what the word 'mishael' means?" 17

"No. Why? Should I?"18

"No, it's fine. I'll make sure I drop by soon so we can discuss your ... generous offer."19

David didn't move. He studied Ridley with a small frown as if trying to see what made him tick. Ridley wished David was a smaller man so that he could reach across him and open the passenger side door himself, a not so subtle encouragement for him to get out of his car. He drummed his fingers impatiently on the wheel, already putting David out of his mind and trying to figure out what his next move should be.20

"I will not say that I understand your motives."21

Ridley sighed loudly and let his impatience slide into his voice. If he would just get the fuck out of the car- "You don't have to worry about my motivations. You're not my doctor. Now, please-"22

"I can see that speaking to you now is a waste of time since you are so committed to this. I feel that it is my duty to make sure you live at least another night." He folded his arms across his expansive chest, nodding slightly to himself. 23

"Um. That's real sweet of you, David, but I'm afraid I can't take you along with me."24

"Oh, I should think not!" He barked a dry laugh. "I'm talking about protecting you from yourself."25

The skin on the back of Ridley's neck prickled as if the hairs were trying to crawl off of his skin. Warning bells were starting to go off in his head, but he wasn't sure why. He tensed up, staring warily at David, but the big man still rested easily in his chair, hands loose on his lap.26

"What the fuck are you talking about, David?" Ridley's growl made the windows vibrate and the volume on the radio suddenly wailed, screeching in staticky fear.27

David eyed this calmly, an eyebrow raised. "Well, isn't that a neat little trick."28

"I'm trying to be fuckin' polite here, David! Get the fuck out of my car!"29

David just stared at him. Finally he frowned and turned slightly to face Ridley more fully. He had a look on intense concentration on his reddening face.30

Ridley waved a hand in front of his face. "Yo! You can stop trying to read my mind. I'm telling you what I'm thinking. Get out, David!"31

"Hmm." David seemed to be ignoring Ridley altogether. "I guess it's harder since the power is not exhausted or something," he murmured to himself.32

Just as Ridley started to seriously wonder if he could somehow manhandle David out of his car, David lifted his head with a triumphant smile. Ridley's own power sent panicked waves of alarmed red-orange light. Something was wrong, but he didn't know what. He reached for his door handle, not even sure why he was thinking of running away. 33

"Later, when you think back on this, Ridley," he said quietly. "I want to make sure you know why I did it. It's not because I like you, Ridley. I'm just protecting my investment."34

Ridley's eyes went wide as a wave of boiling blue light crashed over him. He threw his arms up, although he wasn't sure if he was trying to hit David or protect himself. His head exploded in a wild burst of screaming colors, his power literally sucking his breath away. He gasped and threw himself back into his car door, but there wasn't any way to avoid the power. 35

"What the- what the fuck ... you fuckin' bastard, what the-" Ridley wheezed, flailing out at David as his body went first hot, then freezing cold, waves of power making him feel nauseous. David gently restrained Ridley. He was smiling but sweat streamed down the side of his face.36

"I wasn't quite sure I would be able to force you to sleep. You really are quite strong. I see why Lavendar was so impressed," he said conversationally. He leaned in close as Ridley thrashed at the invisible blue bonds that were slowly tightening around him like metal vises. 37

"We will talk soon, Ridley," he promised softly. "I have the feeling you've been keeping some things from us."38

Ridley screamed inside his own head as the colors blinded him with wild, brilliant light. He was almost grateful when everything went suddenly dark.39

* * *40

Something shrill rang. The sounds finally punctured through his head and he blinked.41

Then he groaned. His first thought was that something was wrong. He never slept on his stomach, and yet, that's exactly how he was. He pushed himself to hands and knees and stayed like that for a moment. His entire body hurt, one big bruise that throbbed in time to his painfully loud heart beat. He was pretty sure he could hear his blood rushing in his ears.42

He was going to be sick. Fuck, he was going to be sick! 43

He staggered to his feet in a sudden flurry of limbs and raced towards his bathroom. He crashed into the wall, missing the door way, and saw stars that had nothing to do with magic for a moment.44

He didn't make it to the toilet. Ten minutes and a whole roll of paper towels to sop up his mess later, he stood glaring and weaving slightly over his trashcan. He barely had to concentrate to see the sparkles of dying blue light in his vomit. He'd been fuckin' poisoned by magic.45

He stumbled back to the bedroom and sat heavily on the edge of the bed, trying to get his frazzled thoughts to make sense. A glance at the clock showed him that it was mid-afternoon. No wonder he felt so out of it, he hadn't been awake at this time of the day in years.46

It all came back to him like a slap to the head. He stood up and cursed viciously. Fuckin' David! He'd put him to sleep. Ridley'd lost a whole damn day. He glanced around the familiar, messy interior of his bedroom. It looked more depressing with sunlight pressing nosily around his curtains to brighten the room. So, David had assaulted him with magic, knocked him out, then brought him home- what a dream date. 47

There it was again. Shrill, annoying rings. It took Ridley a moment to realize that the sound was actually real, not in his sore head. He scrambled over to his jacket crumpled on the floor, and fished the cell phone out of the pocket.48

"Yeah," he snarled.49

"Where the fuck have you been?" Morano's voice was low, sharp, and tight. "I've been fuckin' calling you nonstop for twenty minutes." She was furious, at her most dangerous when she sounded like that.50

Ridley took a deep breath, closing his eyes as soothing golden power slid down his body like a warm balm. Was it sick that the sound of that dark, spiced voice made him feel better somehow, even as enraged as it was? Was it wrong that Morano's fury made him relax? He wasn't sure, but that's what happened.51

"Why have you been calling me? You know what time it is, don't you?" he asked quietly.52

"Shut the fuck up and let me talk," she growled.53

He smiled to himself, cradling the phone and remembering the feel of her velvety skin. It was totally out of place, but he couldn't help himself. "Go on," he replied smoothly.54

"There's been another murder."55

Ridley's smile dropped away and he sat heavily on the edge of the bed. "But ... two within two days?" 56

"No, actually. This girl was killed last night. The fucker killed twice in one day." She suddenly sounded bone-tired, her smoky voice measured and slow. "We need you to come out to the scene and confirm this was the same guy."57

"Where is it?"58

She gave him the address as he struggled to pull off his shirt while keeping the phone to his ear. He tossed the shirt to the floor and felt around for a slightly fresher one. "Okay, I'll be there as soon as I can."59

"Ridley-"60

The soft tone made him freeze. His magic spiked, sending hot pulses of liquid silver through his veins. That tone- one he hadn't heard in such a long time . . . the one that made his heart pound harder and his skin hum, as real as a physical caress down his naked back. He forced away the sensation of phantom touches.61

"Yeah, Morano?" he whispered in a rough tone when she said nothing else.62

She sighed. "Nothing. Thanks. Please just get here soon."63

"No problem."64

She hung up without another word and he swallowed thickly several times before he could force himself to move. The wash of his own power through him had left him feeling slightly light-headed, but he was moving loose and easy. He felt much better than he had when David's magic had been in him. 65

Despite the fact that he felt pretty grimy, he knew he didn't have enough time to wash up. So, he just yanked on the new shirt and considered himself clean enough. He did put the stopper in the sink and filled it up with water. He held his breath and dunked his head in. A shower would've felt better, but this would have to do.66

He stepped outside, let out a totally embarassing yelp, and stepped right back inside. After wiping his tearing eyes and searching for a few minutes through messy kitchen drawers, he stepped more cautiously outside with his eyes safely hidden behind dusty sunglasses.67

The world was too fuckin' bright, he decided. No wonder he didn't miss the daytime. It sucked. Even with the dark glasses on, he had to squint his eyes to mere slits to drive.68

It took him longer to get to this scene than the night before too. The apartment address Morano had given him was only about ten minutes from the Den of Sin, but Ridley hadn't realized how much traffic differed in the daytime. By the time he got stuck behind yet another minivan with scolding mothers and screaming kids, he was ready to kill someone himself.69

There was also a crowd of nosy mundane onlookers and two media vans parked outside of the apartment building. Ridley sighed. Great, this day was just looking up more and more. 70

Unable to think of any excuses for delay, he levered himself out of the car and headed towards the second dead body in as many days. 71