Walking through the park near her home had always held a sort of soothing effect on Helen. Today was no different, and after last night in the alley with the Jerk-Hunter, she needed it. Still unable to comprehend Vaughn’s actions, she’d been up most of the night as she tossed it round her mind.
The kiss he had delivered was passion, anger, longing, dominance, and pleading all rolled into one. He’d definitely wanted to screw here right then and there, but something had stopped him. At first she assumed it was her, but suggesting that seemed to have hurt his feelings on some level that pissed him off. 1
He’d sulked by the dumpster for the remainder of this time, then the moment Jared appeared, simply spun and walked away. Jared had returned Nim to human form, spent a few minutes arguing with him about remaining with Helen, then vanished. She and Nim had stopped off to see another movie instead of going to her house, and she was more entertained with the young demon and his reaction to the big screen than she was in the movie itself. 2
Jared had not returned during the night, and she had to wonder if he’d found himself a willing partner in the sack. Not that she wouldn’t do him in a heartbeat… it was just that they held such a unique and wonderful connection between them that something as causal as sex would ruin it. And she wasn’t the type to sleep with someone, and then wait around while he was chained to a wall being tortured. She’d offered to kill off Zephyra more than a few times, and could never understand why Jared always said no. She guessed he was just too masochistic to give up persecution. 3
Smiling as Nim walked slightly in front of her, she noticed that he was steadily heading for the playground that was in the middle of the park. Nodding to him to go, she watched as he smiled shyly, then bounded off for the slide. Walking at a slower pace, Helen made it to the swings, and sat in one as she watched the young demon play. 4
Even though he looked old enough, she knew that Charontes matured at about one thousand years for every one human year. So, an eight thousand year old Charonte would hold the same basic maturity level as an eight to ten year old human. She wasn’t sure how old Nim was, but she guessed it wasn’t very. 5
He looked rather happy as he played alone on the equipment, going up the slides, then swinging from bar to bar across the sand pits. The playground was usually deserted this time of day, which was why Helen had opted to walk in this particular area of the park. Nim was still a little high strung, and she didn’t want to subject him to other people. 6
One moment Nim was in mid swing on the jungle gym, and the next he was standing in front of her, scanning the area. His teeth were bared, and he was sniffing like he’d caught scent of something. 7
“Helen.”8
They both turned to the voice, and Nim quickly pulled Helen to her feet and to the area behind him. 9
“Who he?” Nim asked.10
“Brin,” Helen told him. “Go away, Brin.” 11
“I just want to talk to you,” he said, taking step forward, and stopping as Nim growled a warning. “Okay,” Brin said slowly. “I’ll talk from here.” 12
~~~~~~~~~~*~~~~~~~~~~13
Staring at the ceiling above him, Vaughn gave up all pretense of falling to sleep. He’d arrived back early after babysitting Helen, and had to put up with Peter asking why he wasn’t still out patrolling. One glare was all it took to make the squire drop the subject, but the question stuck with Vaughn as he slouched in front of the fireplace in the living room and stared at the flames.14
Finally retiring to bed sometime just before dawn, he traded the fireplace for the ceiling as sleep eluded him. He didn’t exactly know why he had kissed Helen, and couldn’t explain the intense craving that had accompanied the kiss. She thought he was a jackass of untold jerkiness, while he wasn’t overly impressed with her attitude directed at him. Basically put, she pissed him off and every time he was near her he felt like punching himself in the head out of aggravation. 15
Sure, she was cute, rather sexy and basically oozed the ‘fuck me’ factor, but all that vanished as soon as she opened her mouth and insulted him. He’d had enough insults tossed at him over the years, and didn’t ever feel like entertaining them unless he had no choice. 16
Grabbing the pillow from behind his head, he rolled over, pulling the cushion under his head again, but at a different angle. Trying to sleep, he kept replaying the alley over and over in is mind until he was hard, confused and too worked up to even close his eyes. Gritting his teeth at the need he had, he repositioned himself on the bed and tried to forget it. 17
Helen’s image flashed unbidden through his mind, causing him to jerk in response, and moan at the sensation. Sitting up on the bed, he clenched his teeth, determined to not give in to any sort of sleep deprived horney longing like some sex-starved maniac. 18
Not knowing why he was imagining her naked with him, he shifted again. He didn’t even like her… did he? Staring at the floor, he tried to work that one through. Could the attitude be a warped way of his mind telling him that he liked her? Thinking back to the circumstances that placed them together, and going through each one, he came to the conclusion that he probably didn’t like her. In fact, he probably hated her… the feeling most likely mutual.19
The events in the alley were more than likely brought on by the argument and his mind telling him that would be the only way to shut her up. Pulling away guaranteed that things wouldn’t get too far; although she assured that with the insult she delivered. He didn’t care what she was, but she seemed intent on reminding him every chance. 20
No, alleys were where he took the women he picked up, or who picked him up, for a quick suck or a fuck, and then parted company. Helen didn’t fit in to that category, mainly because she despised him, and because she seemed the type that deserved better than being slammed against the wall while he pumped into her. 21
Satisfied that he’d gotten the reasoning to that established. Vaughn set about taking care of the ‘other’ problem that was currently plaguing him so that he could hopefully get to sleep.22
~~~~~~~~~~*~~~~~~~~~~23
“I’m not going anywhere with you,” Helen said in a calm tone. 24
“Be reasonable,” Brin said, his eyes rarely leaving the pacing demon behind his former best friend. “You’ve always helped me in the past.”25
“Not with my soul.” 26
“You leave me no choice,” Brin said, snapping his fingers. 27
Nim hissed an unearthly sound as four demons appeared beside Brin. Taking a step back, Helen suddenly realized that Nim was grabbing on to her arm, and seemed to be more scared than she was. Both took another step back as the new arrivals stalked towards them.28
“Take her,” Brin said. “Try not to kill.” He looked at Nim. “Kill the other one.”29
Stiffening behind her, Nim stared in scared anger, then inhaled deeply and took a step forward. “Don’t touch Helen,” he ordered, his deep voice strong and assured. 30
Before Helen could get out a word, three of the demons attacked Nim, while the fourth came for her. She sidestepped it quickly, and ran to where Nim was literally tearing into one of the demons. He looked possessed and like he was enjoying what he was doing. Two steps away from Nim, the demon caught up with her, and whirled her to face him. 31
Punching out, Helen connected with a face, and could feel something give way under her fist. The demon howled in pain, and swung at her as she jumped back. At first Helen thought he’d missed, then pain slammed across her midsection, sending her back in a stumble. Going to the ground, her hands automatically went to the area, coming into contact with wetness. Falling back, she started at the clear blue sky as the sounds of fighting started to dim around her. 32
Pulling all her energy, she forced herself to her feet, leaning over to touch her forehead to the ground in agony. Placing blood slicked hands on the grass, she pushed herself up, took a hesitant step towards where Nim was slowly but surely getting his ass kicked, and faltered as her kneed buckled. 33
The demon that had hurt her left her to bleed on the grass and went to help his brethren. Nim fought back the best he could, but with four against one, the fight was not going in his favor. Looking for Brin, Helen stared as he manifested a long sword in his hand and went towards Nim. 34
“No!” she screamed, the noise lashing out from her in a vicious wave that knocked the demons away from Nim and to the ground. 35
Giving a brief glance, Nim hesitated whether to finish them off or go to her aid. Knowing that they would kill once they got back up, he opted to finish them off first. Growling as Brin vanished, Nim set upon the others before they even realized he was there. 36
Falling the rest of the way to the ground, Helen could do nothing more than concentrate on breathing. The pain had doubled since her scream, and brought tears to her eyes. Suddenly, she was lifted from the ground, cradled against a leather jacket and then somehow placed on her bed. 37
“Helen?” Nim asked, his voice scared. 38
“I’ll be okay,” she whispered, clutching at his hand and squeezing it for reassurance. 39
“Jared!” Calling out, Nim looked around for his master. “Helen’s hurt!”40
“I’ll be there as soon as I can,” came a voice that echoed through the room. 41
A small flash appeared in the corner, and expecting it to be Jared, Nim stayed where he was. It took a split second for him to recognize that it wasn’t, and he was too his feet and across the room before Helen even realized someone else was with them. 42
“Easy, Nim,” Jaden said, stopping the demon in his tracks with a small wave. “I’m not going to hurt anyone.” 43
Helen took one look at the brown and green eyes and swore. “Get out.”44
“Jared asked me to make sure you’re all right,” Jaden told her patiently. “So just be a good bound demon and let me check your wound.”45
Shrinking back as he approached, Helen shook her head. “No. No, no, no, no!”46
Stopping with a sigh, Jaden glared. “You’re hurt, I can help.”47
“Yeah, right!” she spat. “Like last time?”48
That brought him up short. “Say what?”49
“Forget it.” Turning her head, she stared at the wall. Tensing as he slowly approached, she flinched as he gently pulled her torn shirt apart.50
Trying to ignore the distrust and hatred that rolled off her, Jaden placed an open hand a few inches about her wound and then closed it into a fist. Impressed that she remained silent as the wound closed, he stood and took a step back. “See?”51
“Well, bully for you,” Helen said, pulling her shirt together as she sat up. “Thank you, now get out.”52
Opening his mouth to say something, he instead nodded. “Fine.” Most demons held a distrust of him, yet this was a rare time he’d actually felt hatred from one he’d just met. “Mind if I ask why you hate me before I go?”53
“Yes, I do mind.”54
“Okay.” The word came out slowly. He stared for a moment, then vanished. 55
Finally able to move, Nim rushed to her. “You okay?” he asked, rocking slightly as his hand went to the small pink stuffed rabbit that was always chained to his hip. 56
“Yeah,” she told him, trying to shove the annoyance at Jaden away. “How about you?”57
“What about Nim?” he asked, confused.58
“Are you all right?”59
Unsure what to say since no one besides Jared had ever bothered to ask before, he shrugged. “Rest.” Taking a step back, he turned for the door. “Need anything and I’ll be playing the Wii.” 60
~~~~~~~~~~*~~~~~~~~~~61
Not content enough with denying him the chance to sleep, fate further screwed up Vaughn’s day by placing him front and center with Acheron Parthenopaeus for some reason. Sighing in annoyance when he walked into a nightclub and came face to face with his boss, he had to force himself to not snap at the one person whom he strived to treat with respect.62
Ash had been the one familiar thing in a world that changed around their kind. They had adapted and gone along, and although could now keep in touch through the internet and phones, Vaughn rarely reached out to the other Hunters. There were a couple he’d chat with on occasion, and he enjoyed trading insults with Zarek and Dominic Olluein, but since both had left the life in Hunter-land and had become human… more or less… Vaughn had started to feel a little lost in the past few months. 63
Which made the fact that Ash wanted to talk with him just that much more annoying. Plus, the fact that with Mr. Gorgeous Goth standing with him, not one female in the crowd had eyes for just plain good-looking Vaughn… and that annoyed him. The idea of picking up another ‘alley special’ started to look like it would not be happening that night.64
“What?” Vaughn asked when Ash finally dispatched the last ogling female with a smile. 65
“What , what?” 66
“What are you doing here?”67
Shaking his head, Ash motioned to the door. “Can’t hear with the music,” he said. “Talk outside.”68
Sighing, Vaughn walked ahead and outside, turning as soon as he stepped off the front walk to the club. “Okay, so… talk.”69
“Are you all right?”70
Groaning in renewed annoyance, Vaughn shook his head. “I’m just tired, Ash,” he said. “Couldn’t really sleep last night.” 71
“Why not?”72
Shrugging, Vaughn shoved his hands in his pockets as he eyed a group of good-looking blondes walking by. Realizing immediately that they were Apollite and not Daimon, he nodded to them and went back to watching the street. “Just get to the point, okay?”
Watching as Vaughn steeled himself for any insults that were coming, Ash sighed to himself. Although Vaughn hadn’t led the worse of lives, it hadn’t exactly been a picnic. His mother had dotted on him while growing up, and that earned him harsh words from a father that wanted tough children. Not the type to be cruel, Vaughn had earned more than his fair share of discipline from others, and soon learned not to reach out. 73
Over the years, that soft spot in Vaughn had been chipped away by the very forces of what he faced, but at times it peeked out, pissing the man off for having any sort of weakness. “You’re similar to most Hunter’s in that you keep the smart-ass attitude in place to ward off the world,” Ash finally said.74
“Thought that was in the job description.”75
”It is,” Ash agreed. “But sometimes letting go of that pain can bring you further along than nursing it.”76
“Ash,” Vaughn said with a sigh. “I know you mean well, and I know you’re about the only one that’s been there when I needed someone to slap me down before I went ‘Zarek’ on others, but…” He stopped with a sigh.77
Went Zarek? Resisting the urge to snort at the comparison with the former DH Zarek, Ash waited for Vaughn to continue. 78
“We didn’t die pleasant or even moderately pleasant deaths,” Vaughn continued. “Some were rather brutal, and preceded by being fucked over in a way that may have made the death welcomed.” He paused. “My weakness caused me to betray one that meant a lot to me, while losing my respect in myself in the process. I can’t ever let that happen again. “79
Exhaling, Ash decided to try another avenue in reaching the Hunter without pissing him off completely. An annoyed Vaughn was an unpredictable Vaughn, and Ash would rather not have to hurt to contain. 80
“You’re confused about things,” Ash said. “And it’s perfectly understandable. But, you need to take a step back a realize that it’s not the same as before, or even the same as you’ve come to know.”81
“Cut the crap, Ash. I’ve tried to forget things when I’ve been with people, and I’ve tried to look past things, and all it’s ever gotten me was slapped, kicked, or both, and cursed.” He sighed. “I’d hate to say that Zarek was right about anything, but he’s right when he says people can’t forget a person their past.” 82
“You mean forgive.”83
“No,” he shook his head. “They can forgive a past, they just won’t let you forget it.” Looking at Ash, he smiled grimly. “Case in point. That sweet wench in the middle ages… my squire’s daughter. She knew what I was, and she was all hot to get to know me a little better. So, I thought maybe she’d be the one I could open up to, you know?” He shrugged. “I swear I could feel the slap for days that she gave me after we talked. She later apologized, and apparently forgave me, but took every opportunity to remind me of what I’d told her.” 84
“People can be cruel,” Ash said, not meaning to interrupt. Knowing the pain of cruelty all too well, he glanced away, eyes hidden by dark glasses. “That was then, and this is something you’re going to have to trust me on.” 85
“Fine,” Vaughn exhaled. “Who do I have to open up to and get knocked down again from this time?”86
Giving a mysterious smile, Ash took a step back. “That’s something you’re going to have to figure out on your own.” 87
~~~~~~~~~~*~~~~~~~~~~88
Walking through the back yard, Jared looked around, knowing exactly where he could find her. Her thoughts were muted, as they often where when she was in this particular section of the property. High hedges separated a Zen garden from the rest of the area, its tranquil atmosphere oddly soothing amidst the turmoil of every day living. 89
Sitting on a small bench, legs cross in front of her and eyes closed, Helen breathed slowly, the action bleeding off anger and oddly enough, dismay. Cracking an eye open as he drew nearer, she closed it as he crouched by the small rock garden and studied the lines in the sand. 90
Drawn in a particular pattern, they intersected at points, while barely touching at others. His attention drawn to an area where someone had recently rubbed out a few lines, he glanced at her as she continued to meditate. 91
This close, he couldn’t help but read her mind, and he was surprised to find it muted so that it was barely a whisper on the wind. Standing, he quietly approached and sat on the bench beside her. 92
“Want to talk about it?” he asked.93
“Nope,” she replied, eyes still closed. 94
Nodding in acceptance, he stared as he tried to access her mind to make sure she was all right. Avoidance wasn’t really her strong suit, but after the park, she should have been more confused about things than she was. 95
“I messed up,” she said, startling him. 96
“How so?”97
“I could have hurt Nim.”98
“But you didn’t.”99
Unfolding her legs, and opening her eyes, she sighed. “I can’t control it, and I can’t predict it. My powers are bound, but sometimes they leak… they really shouldn’t, but they do… and I can’t control it.”100
“How often does this happen?”101
Shrugging, Helen stared at the circles in the sand. “Maybe three or four times over the last couple thousand years. Always when I’m hurt, and always in anger.” 102
“What are you angry about?” he asked, although he already knew the answer.103
“Well, for starters, Brin tried to nab me again, and brought in some nasty demons to help.” She looked at him. “What happened to Nim to make him freak out like that?”104
”He was very misused when he was younger,” Jared said.105
“Oh.” Going back to looking at the sand, Helen dug a small trench with her toes. 106
“And the other thing you’re angry about?” Jared prompted gently. 107
“It’s nothing.” 108
“If it’s enough to make you confused and annoyed, then it’s not nothing.” 109
“I can’t even bother to borrow new problems until I get Brin dealt with,” she said. “Goddess Asya finally pays attention to me after all this time, and I don’t know why.” She looked at him. “Why?”110
”She wants your soul.”111
“Gathered that already.”112
”She needs you to survive,” Jared said. “The souls in her line are strong, but they also borrow from her, so it weakens her slightly. With them all consumed, she’ll be at full strength and omnipotent.” 113
“She’s a goddess,” Helen said. “She’s already omnipotent.” Then, something he said caused her to stop. “In her line?”114
“Her bloodline.” 115
“I’m in her bloodline?” 116
“You’re the last one,” he said. “Originally, Asya thought that by keeping her line alive, it would prolong her. But once she killed one and felt the strength, she opted to kill all.”117
“Of course,” Helen muttered. 118
“But, she couldn’t just consume all at once, so she’s been pacing herself.”119
“How thoughtful.”120
“Here’s the kicker.” Jared’s eyes danced in their freaky yellow with red-rimmed normal look. “The soul has to be given freely.”121
“No chance in hell of that happening.” Looking up, Helen stared at some obscure point in the sky. “You hear me, Asya. You’re not getting my soul. Ever.”122
Gritting his teeth, Jared adopted a neutral expression when she looked at him. “Brin is to deliver you to the demon Caras, who will... convince, shall we say… you to give up the soul.” 123
“Sounds ominous.”124
“Torture usually is.” He looked her in the eyes. “Eventually, you’ll be begging her to take your soul so that the pain will stop.”125
“You speaking from experience?” she asked gently. 126
Snorting, he looked away. “Me? Hell no. I’m too big of an ass to give anyone the pleasure of me begging. I live for the challenge of seeing who will bend first.” He looked at her. “And I can guarantee that it won’t be me.” 127
“Then I’ll just have to use you as an example if Brin manages to nab me.” 128
Staring at her, Jared felt uneasy at her willingness to use him as an example in anything. He was a worthless betrayer who deserved his punishment… not an innocent being like Helen who deserved nothing but the chance to be happy.
Author notes
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Comments
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Awesome
"Still unable to comprehend Vaughn’s actions, she’s been up most of the night as she tossed it round her mind."
I think 'she's' should be 'she'd', if your going for 3rd person pov. Unless I'm mistaken.
Everything else was amazing as usual. Jared looks like he might have failed a few classes at the School of Cryptic and Vague. Lol. He seems like he's a trying a bit though.
beginning: 5, language: 5, plot: 5, ending: 5, dialog: 5, characters: 5.
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Dang... I just read that chapter, and I missed that
Thanks for reading!! And for pointing out the errors
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jared needs a hug and some1 to love. reminds me of that song from prince. 'find me somebody to love.' or something like that. i still listen to it, and thats like the only song from him i listen to. XP
omg omg helen i kicking ass and tis funny how jared is trying to help out and he is like 'wanna talk aboutit'
'nope.'
he usually seems like the not0interested-in-ur-life kind of person. in this story it is pretty cool that he isn't so up tight around people. well helen to be exact. i should try and write a fan fiction w/ jaden. that man is awesome, but then again i ain't so good w/ the writing fan fictions. i have a tendacy to change the whole thing into something else. XP i have a very short attention spam.
-skampers along to read the nxt chapter-
beginning: 5, language: 5, plot: 5, ending: 5, dialog: 5, characters: 5.
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Jerk-Hunter
'a jackass of untold jerkiness'
Eek!! fight scene! Nicely done, with great description and tension. She has powers?
Jaden!!!!
Day-um, that Helen is just a lil' bitch to everyone, isn't she. 
And we learn a little more of Vaughn's past. I like the way you give little snippets out here and there, and not overload with some long ass background story.
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