Quietly opening the door, Dom slipped in. His gaze went from Angie, who was standing in a corner looking like she didn’t really know how to react, to Craig as he slept on the bed. 1
“Melissa said she’d be back,” Angie whispered.2
“I saw her in the hall,” Dom said as he walked up to Angie. “Are you okay?”3
“Is this par for the course in your life?” Angie asked as she looked at the bed. 4
“Sometimes,” Dom admitted. “Usually doesn’t involve Squires, though.”5
“Squires?”6
Looking from the sleeping Craig, Dom cringed slightly. He didn’t want to lay too much information on Angie too soon, but somehow things kept slipping out. “Human helpers that give Hunters the appearance of normalcy…basically a major domo that runs the house, takes care of business and sees to it that I have everything I need or want.”7
“Oh.” She blinked a few times as she tried to take it in. “And they usually never get attacked.”8
“Since no one out of a select few know where we live, and who we really are, then most times it’s safe.”9
“How many squires have you had?”10
“Far too many to count,” he admitted. “Most of the squire were Blue-Bloods…that would be someone that descended from another squire. Generations, really.” Dom glanced at the hospital bed again. “About 1578, the family that served with me since the beginning died out. Craig’s ancestor came into my service…” he trailed off and looked at her. “He’s like family, really.” 11
A small noise from the bed pulled both attentions from each other, and Dom could smell the relief Angie gave off for the distraction. “I’m sorry,” he whispered to her, then turned as he heard footsteps coming up the hall. The door swung open to admit Melissa. “Feeling better?”12
Giving him a slight shrug, she walked to the bed and sat in the chair by Craig’s side. 13
Moving to the small couch behind him, Dom sat and closed his eyes. It had been a long day, and he knew it was going to be longer still. He’d been through enough Squires to know that this would affect Craig immensely, and he worked out possible replacements in his mind. 14
The couch dipped slightly beside him, and he felt an unfamiliar surge as an arm went behind him and around his other shoulder. Opening his eyes, he looked down at Angie as she sat beside him.15
Catching a movement out of the corner of his eye, he was to his feet, reaching out to catch Melissa as she started to fall to the floor. 16
“Wha-?” Melissa said, slightly dazed as she was helped to her feet.17
“Right,” Dom replied, walking her to the door. “You’re getting a doctor to check you out.” Stopping at the door, he looked at Angie. “Be right back.”18
Angie watched, confused as the door closed, then slowly looked at the sleeping figure on the bed. 19
“I’m fine,” Melissa protested as Dom led her down the hall. 20
“You’re sick,” he said. “Just, like, humor me, or something all right.” Sitting her on a bench, he went to talk to a nurse, returning with her. 21
“Come with me,” the nurse said, smiling. “We’ll find out what’s wrong.” Looking at Dom, she gave a slight nod. 22
Feeling slightly disoriented, Dom watched as the women went behind a curtain. Turning to go back to the room, he tried to push away the confusion he was feeling. Melissa wasn’t his wife, and even if she was some reincarnation, that didn’t mean he had any claim to her. He felt nothing for her beyond the impression that he knew her…at least nothing that he had felt for his wife, or even the feelings he was discovering for Angie. Besides, she was Craig’s lover…which automatically put her off-limits to him. 23
No. She…well, he didn’t really know what she was, but he was certain that he felt nothing for her. The only thing he couldn’t explain was the sudden protectiveness that came over him just a few minutes ago. 24
~~~~~~~~~~~25
Paul Kalenta placed a box on the desk and looked around the office he was in. A short time ago, he had received a call telling him that he had inherited his father’s position in the Patria, and that he should get to the office as soon as he could. Not really surprised that his father had been killed, but disappointed that he missed out on seeing it, Paul teleported himself to the office and started clearing his father’s things out. 26
Unfortunately, the dealings with the Exoristos eagle and her condo now fell to him to solve. Not overly worried, he took his time replacing the old with the new, then sat down behind the large desk. After all that had taken place, he knew that this had to be dealt with delicately, not the threatening way he had convinced his brothers and father to follow. 27
Knowing that he would probably catch hell for it from the Regis, he picked up the phone and dialed a number that he was forbidden to call. Waiting while it went through to the call answer service, he exhaled, pulled up his most polite voice, and left a message.28
“This is Paul Kalenta calling. I have recently been appointed to take over the dealings regarding the property that you own. I would like to discuss this with you, time and place of your choice, in hopes that we can bring this to an end without anyone else becoming unnecessarily hurt. Give me a call.” Leaving his personal cell phone number, he then hung up and gave a disgusted sigh. Now, all he had to do was contact Arion, and convince the Regis to swallow his pride and rescind the exile of Aiden Falconidae.29
Taking a peek through some of the records that his father had kept, he could tell where the old man has siphoned money from, and where he had hid it. Deciding to leave it alone for now, Paul changed all the passwords, then destroyed both paper and computer copies of the transactions. 30
The ringing of the phone made him jump, and he hoped it was the answer to his problems. “Yeah?” he said, answering it, then frowning when he realized it was the company’s board of directors wanting to set up a meeting with their new boss. “Whatever,” he said. “Now’s good.” 31
Hanging the phone up, he took a quick look through other things, familiarizing himself with the company that his line used as a front to the human population. Since he never really cared for the family business before, he had never taken the time to learn about what they did. He knew it was some sort of manufacturing company that made something like widgets, cogs, or some other mundane thing for shipment, but that was about as far as the knowledge went.32
The plants that made the things were spread throughout the world, while he sat in the corporate office high above Los Angeles. Not that he actually cared what they made, since he was more than willing to let the board of directors spread their wings and run the place without him. 33
Of course, his grandmother would be annoyed, since it was her father that had originally founded the company, but he could handle the old broad. He was her favorite, and all he had to do was give her the ‘sad face’, and she would pinch his cheek, tell him what a good eagle he was, then forget all about it.34
He was free from the influence of his brothers, and the little nagging that accompanied him when he went out, warning of dangers that may or may not be there. Having to constantly look over his shoulder for a brother’s attack was something he would never miss. He was also without any direct family members, a point that actually made him feel a little uncomfortable. His mother had died during childbirth, and since his parents had never bonded their life forces together, his father didn’t die with her. The only family he now had was his grandmother, a grandfather who was only god knows where, and assorted cousins, aunts and uncles. 35
But, such was life in the world of a Were-Hunter, and it was something Paul was determined not to spend too much time dwelling on. There were too many things to see, women to screw, and people to annoy for him to waste one moment on the negative aspects of life.36
~~~~~~~~~~~37
Placing the phone back in her pocket, Aiden stared at the bookcase across from her. She had just checked her message from her home, and was surprised to find one from Paul Kalenta mixed in amongst the twenty or more from Fury and a few other friends she still had. 38
Savitar? 39
Yeah babe? came the immediate reply. 40
What happened to Reginald Kalenta? She asked, wondering why his son would be dealing with her instead of his father.41
He pissed me off, Savitar told her.42
Sighing, Aiden stood and walked around the room. She knew exactly what happened when someone pissed Savitar off.
Can I help you with anything else? Savitar’s voice asked in her mind. Or are you just going to pace for a while?
Pace, she thought back, not giving him the satisfaction that her stopping in annoyance would bring. Can I rely on you being there if I need you when I meet with Paul?
You can always rely on me to be there when and if you really, truly need me. Savitar chuckled as he read the skepticism in her mind. You may not believe me, but it’s true. Think back, and you’ll see. I’ll talk to you later. 43
Sighing as the connection with him closed, Aiden walked around the living room. She didn’t like being in someone else’s house by herself, but she didn’t want to intrude at the hospital, or call Paul back to set up a meeting time. She was more than willing to exchange the condo for safety of others, but wanted to let the eagle stew for a while before she acted. 44
Tensing, she felt a presence behind her, and turned quickly as she flung a hand out, throwing whoever it was against a wall and holding them there. Realizing who the intruder was, she immediately lowered her hand.45
“Nicely done,” Fury Kattalakis said with slight admiration. “Although, I was standing here for a few seconds before you sensed me.”46
“What do you want?” Aiden asked. “And how did you find me?”47
”Can’t tell you how I found you,” Fury replied. “And as to what I want,” he paused as he picked up a dragon figurine and turned it over in his hand, “well, I’m here to do you a favor. Which you’d have to repay, of course.”48
“Of course.”49
Placing the small dragon statue back, Fury walked towards her. “I’m going to request the Omegrion, and you’re going to fork over the condo, make nice with whoever’s in charge of your Patria this week, and then act all contrite when they accept you back into the fold.”50
“Never pegged you as Savitar’s errand boy,” she said in amused disgust.51
“Witty as that is, this wolf is quite capable of coming up with this little idea on his own.” Standing a few feet from her, he sat on the arm of a chair. “There’s already whispers of payback regarding a Dark-Hunter, and this seems like the best way to stop what could quickly become a nasty event. Your Regis doesn’t want to be bothered with trivial things like this, and if another Regis requests something that makes tactical sense, even if it’s from a Katagari, then he’ll more than likely go for it. I am willing to make that sacrifice in asking for this so that you can regain your name.”52
“Uh huh,” she said, dubious. “Nice story.”53
"True story,” he said, hand on heart. “Except for that little bit at the beginning...and the end... and that part in the middle. But the rest? True story."54
“You’re so full of shit,” Aiden said, laughing. 55
~~~~~~~~~~~~56
The sound of voices whispering made it through his sleep-fogged brain, pulling him towards consciousness. Squinting into the dim room, Craig could barely make out what he thought were people. One stood, and approached the bed, bringing relief to him when he realized who it was.57
“Hey,” Dom said, his voice low. “Sorry I’m late, but I had to make a stop.” Taking a step back, he ushered another person forward.58
Craig blinked in surprise, his gaze going from Melissa’s worried face, to Dom’s. “Thank you,” he whispered as Dom took a step back. 59
Melissa sat back in the chair by the bed and took his hand in hers. She smiled at him, then blurted, “I’m pregnant.” 60
Not quite understanding, Craig’s eyebrows lowered in confusion, then cringed at sudden light as the door to his room swung open, then closed. “What?’ he whispered. 61
“It’s why I’ve been sick,” Melissa said. “We’re going to have a baby.”62
“Baby?” Craig asked, trying to get it through to his brain. “Us? Me, you…us?”63
”Yes,” Melissa said with a small laugh. She paused as worry started. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have told you this now. I was just excited. I know we didn’t plan, or anything, but…”64
“A father,” Craig said, the news finally sinking in. “Best news I’ve heard all day.”65
Feeling massive relief mixed with enormous happiness, Melissa raised his hand to her mouth and kissed it gently. Glancing behind her to see the reaction of the others, she frowned when she realized they were alone. 66
Elsewhere in the hospital, Angie found Dom on the roof, looking over the parking lot and the grounds below. After the wonderful news that Melissa was pregnant, Dom had turned and walked out of the room. Not wanting to intrude on two people she barely knew, Angie tried to find Dom to see why he left. 67
“What’s wrong?” she asked, leaning on the railing beside him. “You look like you’re pissed off that she’s pregnant.”68
“I’m not,” he replied. “Jealous, maybe…but not pissed off.”69
“Jealousy is an ugly trait, Dom. Why are you jealous?”70
“You wouldn’t understand,” he said, tapping a hand against the railing. 71
“Try me.”72
Sighing, Dom closed his eyes. “Melissa reminds me of my wife,” he said. “It’s not her looks, voice, or anything else…it’s just… when I look at her, I get this feeling that I know her.” 73
Feeling slightly hurt, Angie stared at his face. His eyes were still closed, his head tipped slightly to welcome the breeze that wafted by. She wasn’t sure what his confession meant to their budding relationship. “Do you love her?”74
Dom’s eyes popped open, and he looked at her. “No,” he said honestly. “It’s more of a confusion when I look at her. Sort of a ‘I know this person but can’t place them’ vibe.”75
“Oh.”76
“That’s all it is,” Dom assured her. Reaching out, he placed a hand lightly on her cheek. “Trust me, if I felt anything for anyone else, I would have never been with you. I care too much for you to treat you that way.”77
Accepting his words, Angie closed her eyes and pressed her cheek lightly against his palm. “This is all so strange,” she whispered. “How can I go to work tomorrow night, knowing that all this is happening around me? How can I go to classes for the next month, knowing that things aren’t what they seem?”78
“Nothing’s really changed,” Dom said. “Except for the fact that you’re now aware of it.” Rubbing her cheek with his thumb, he gave her a soft look. “Daimons have been here just a little longer than Dark-Hunters have. And we’ll both be here until the end of eternity, slugging it out.”79
“You’re going to stay a Dark-Hunter?” she asked, confused.80
“I have no choice,” he said, his hand falling to his side. “It’s not something that one can just up and walk away from.” 81
“On the internet site, there was mention of a loophole.”82
“Fabled,” he lied, not ready to put his existence on the line for anyone. 83
“The web site said that a few of your Hunters regained their souls, and-“ she stopped at the look he gave her. Although there was no malice in his eyes, she could read a warning there; a look that was asking her to drop the subject. “Sorry,” she said. “I didn’t realize you preferred killing to living.”84
Giving an annoyed sigh, Dom scrubbed his face with his hands as he bit back the sarcastic reply. “It’s not that,” he said, removing his hands. “Well, it is that, but not really. It’s confusing.”85
“Why?” she demanded slightly.86
“I’m not a normal human, Angie,” he said. Taking a step back, he laughed sarcastically. “Hell, in some European villages, there are legends that are hundreds of years old of a devil dressed in black…evil incarnate, that devours and destroys. One of those legends gave me the surname that I carry today…Olluein means ‘to destroy’. It’s from the Greek translation of Apollyon, a name sometimes given to the Devil.”
Angie stared at him, not realizing that she took an involuntary step back. “You’re not like that,” she said in disbelief. 87
“But I am.” Approaching swiftly, he was standing in front of her before she could move. Looking down into brown eyes that seemed wider than usual, he fleetingly wonder why he was trying to scare her. “I enjoy what I do, and I really enjoy beating the hell out of someone before they can kill a human.”88
Swallowing, Angie stood her ground. “Do you hear yourself?” she asked. “All these excuses for killing someone that’s gong to kill someone else. You’re protecting humans, and okay, you like doing it, which is slightly fucked up, but damn,” pausing, she shook her head in annoyance.89
“Maybe this was a mistake,” he whispered. “Getting involved with me will do nothing but bring you heartache and danger.”90
“It’ll bring you a fist to the face if you don’t stop this attitude,” Angie threatened. “If you didn’t want me in this life, then you should have just climbed on that bike outside of the nightclub and driven away.”91
Growling in frustration, Dom took a step back. “I don’t want to argue with you,” he said. “Hell, I don’t even know why I’m trying to scare you.” Looking at her, he shook his head. “Maybe I’m scared after what happened this morning, and I’m trying to chase you away.”92
“Is that what you want?”93
“I don’t know,” he said. “Yes. Maybe. No.” Turning, he started to walk away, stopping as a figure stepped out of the shadows. Taking one look, Dom raised his head and swore at the sky. “Great, fucking great. Just what I need.” Looking at Ash, he frowned. “What?”94
“I would strongly suggest an attitude change,” Ash said in a low voice. He glanced at Angie, and then back at Dom. “I’m here to put your little conundrum into perspective.”95
“Wonderful,” Dom said in a less than enthused voice. “To what do I owe the honor?”96
“That soothing attitude of yours is always a pleasure to hear,” Ash said dryly.97
Deciding that ceasing the attitude would be the only way he’d be able to get the hell off the roof, Dom shoved his hands into his jacket pockets, and stared at the sky just beyond Ash. “Apologies.”98
“You’ve always used sarcasm as a shield against facing things you don’t want to deal with,” Ash said, his deep voice thoughtful. “It’s perfectly natural, but it’s not something you can be doing this time. There are too many people that will be hurt if you don’t face this.”99
“Yeah?”100
“Refusing to consider that you have a chance to escape this life is not something you can ignore any longer.”101
Slight fear picked at him. “Why?” he asked, recalling his multiple visions of himself laying dead in a parking lot. 102
Ash nodded at his unspoken worries. “It’s going to happen,” he said quietly. “Can’t say when, but you can’t avoid the one thing that could save you.”103
Taking a step back, Dom started to pace the roof as he considered. He knew himself that his final death was an eventuality, but having Ash confirm it was like a new worry. Stopping in front of Angie, he looked into her slightly confused face. “I don’t know if I can do that to her, Ash.”104
“Do you care for her?”105
Giving a small smile, he moved to stand beside her. “Yes.” 106
“Would you walk through fire for her?”107
Dom stared at Ash, the question running through his mind. “I… “ He looked at Angie, then back to Ash. “I honestly don’t know,” he said in a low whisper. 108
“Would you risk it all to gain your soul back, trusting her to deliver it to you?” Ash stared as Dom remained silent. “Then I guess you don’t care as much as you thought you did.”109
“You’re wrong,” Dom said, his voice a fine balance between anger and sorrow. “You’re throwing my fears in my face, and expecting answers. I won’t know those answers until they happen.” He looked at Angie, giving her a sad smile before going back to Ash. 110
“Angie has dreams,” he continued. “I can’t ask her to give those up for me, and I can’t ask her to ruin her hand on some escape clause.” Folding his arms over his chest, he gave Ash a knowing look. “That’s how much I care. I’m willing to say goodbye to Angie so that she’s never put in the situation to feel the pain that I’ve lived with.” 111
Feeling the knowing pain that the other man was strong enough to let someone he cared for go, Ash nodded once. “You’ve had your answer all along,” he whispered, then turned and walked away.112
~~~~~~~~~~~~113
The building seemed far too big, prompting Tria to flee to the outdoors to walk around without the echoing of her footsteps annoying her. Standing by a pond that was so similar to the one at her old property, she stared at the crystal surface, lost in thought. 114
The past few weeks had been the height in strangeness, and her resolve about a few issues was growing weaker by the day. She desperately wanted to push Ash into making a decision, so they could move on with their lives, but she didn’t want to force him to make the wrong choice. Since they were supposed to be together, she didn’t really know what his problem was, and wished he would stop the avoidance and just say the words she needed to hear. 115
And she wanted him to look at her like he used to those last few days before she regained her soul. They still shared moments together, but those seemed to be tainted with his indecision. The longer it took, the more doubt crept into her thoughts, and at times she wondered if he would simply vanish from her life forever. According to Savitar, Ash had to leave with her, or die… as she didn’t think he would take that chance. 116
Feeling a power behind her, she turned to see Ash standing not too far away, looking at her. She smiled, and he returned it, but there was something in the expression that seemed sad and resigned…as well as a little fake. 117
Crossing the distance between them with a few long steps, Ash looked down at her, his swirling silver eyes giving nothing away. Silently he wrapped his arms around her shoulders and pulled her close, placing a kiss to the top of her head.118
Even though he never said a word, she knew that he was about to break her heart. “This is goodbye, isn’t it.”119
“I’m sorry, Tria,” he whispered into her hair. “I can’t turn my back on everything because I care for you.”120
Trying not to cry, but failing, she nodded against his chest. “I know. I think I always knew, but was hoping that maybe you loved me enough.”121
“I don’t think I’ll ever love anyone enough to be able to pull me away.” Leaning back slightly, he looked down at her. “But I’m positive I’ll never forget the way I felt with you.”122
“Don’t,” she whispered. Taking a step back as a surreal confusion enveloped her, she wiped at her eyes. “Maybe later.”123
Turning and walking away from Ash was the hardest thing she ever had to do, and although she could feel his gaze penetrating through the armor she was quickly pulling around her battered ego, she refused to look back at him.124
“Damn you, Ash,” she whispered to herself. “And damn me for believing in you.” Stopping, she stared at the ground in front of her. “I have to talk with Savitar.”125
No sooner were the words out of her mouth than she found herself standing in the middle of an ornate room. Not too far away sat a golden pool table, its curved legs vying for opulence with the rest of the furnishings. On the other side of the table stood Savitar, his attention on the balls scattered over the green surface. 126
“You wanted to talk with me?” he asked, leaning over to take a shot. Not looking as the ball went in the pocket, he moved slightly to line up another one.127
“What’s going on?” Tria asked.128
“Pool,” Savitar said. “Thought me leaning over a table with a cue in hand was kind of obvious.”129
“With Ash.”130
“He’s decided that humanity outweighs his happiness,” Savitar explained easily. “Not that I blame him, but hell, sometimes you gotta say ‘screw it’ to everything and do what you want.”131
“But we were suppose to end up together.”132
“No, you weren’t.” Walking around the table, he placed the end of the stick on the floor and looked at her. 133
“But, you said-“134
“That he needed you, that you were his saving grace, that he had to leave with you,” Savitar supplied for her. “You were supposed to be together, but not forever.”135
”What?” Tria stared as she contemplated grabbing the poll cue and beating him with it. 136
“He did need you, you are his saving grace, and he has to leave with you.” Laying the stick on the table, he vanished, and appeared a few feet from her. “Ash needed to be reminded that he could love, and that it could be returned unselfishly. You did that for him. But, that’s a far as it goes.”137
“I hate you.”138
”I’ll survive.” He gave her a searching appraisal. “But, if you and Ash remain together, neither of you will last. Artemis won’t let him go easily, and although I can protect you from her permanent PMS, it will wear you down. The love you think you have for Ash won’t be enough to take you through the hardships that are coming, and the jealously you get at others will destroy you.”139
“I don’t get jealous,” she said.140
“No?” He raised an eyebrow. “You forget, human, that I know everything.”141
Glaring, Tria turned away. “Then you know how fucking annoyed I am right now.” Turning back, she leaned against a wall and regarded him coolly. “Why did you let this go on if it wasn’t meant to last?”142
“I really don’t see the need to explain my actions or decision, but,” he shrugged lightly, “if it’ll get those murderous thoughts concerning me out of your head so I won’t have to kill you, then sure, I’ll tell you.” 143
“Prick,” she muttered, pushing her murderous thoughts up another notch. 144
“Acheron deserves happiness,” Savitar began, “but he’s far too wrapped up in that noble foolishness about saving humanity. He needed to see that he could have the happiness and still be Superman.”145
“Then why-“146
“Why didn’t he choose you?” Savitar asked. 147
“Yes.”148
“Ask him.” He took a step back and glanced out an open widow at the waves. “Think of Ash as a beach. The waves of responsibility have always run over him, reshaping, depositing, and taking a bit here and there, at times threatening to destroy.”149
“Would it be too much to ask that you make sense?”150
Scratching a heavily tattooed arm, he nodded once. “He didn’t choose you because he doesn’t want or need another responsibility.” Tilting his head slightly, he studied her. “That plain enough for you?”
In a list
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Comments
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oooh... he's being protective of Melissa.
Paul gets what he wants in the end. Is he going to be a character of yours, or is this story a one shot deal?
Fury's back!
""True story,” he said, hand on heart. “Except for that little bit at the beginning...and the end... and that part in the middle. But the rest? True story."" 
Pregnant? I know it! (I didn't really, I just read it in a commment on the othre chapter). Dom left? 
Love the scene on the roof. It puts things in perspective for not only DOm, but Ash as well.
Sigh.. he did it. Knew he would, but hey, in the alter DH world, it would be nice for Ash to have a happily ever after.
"“Pool,” Savitar said. “Thought me leaning over a table with a cue in hand was kind of obvious.”" Sarcasm... I love it. Also love the conversation between him and Tria. But... this "you are his saving grace, and he has to leave with you" thing? Intriguing.
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Very Good
Ouch! Poor Tria. Well written.
beginning: 5, language: 5, plot: 5, ending: 4, dialog: 5, characters: 4.
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Aaaaargh! Bad Ash, bad ... Sometimes I hate those Savitar's timelines ...Now I want Tria to go nuke and destroy something :-o cause I would ...
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