Rainbows and Blood - Chapter Five

Chapter Five1

“Party Time”2

Anfel leaned against the wall next to the black curtain. The low lighting in the store was pleasantly soothing. Although the blaring pop music was not. “I’m not coming out,” said Sellie’s voice, from behind the curtain.3

The elf sighed. Battling monsters, facing life or death situations, or being gravely injured – spending hours shopping with a teenage girl made it all seem like cakewalk. “We haven’t got more time. This is the last store we can go to. Remember, they can’t recognize you.”4

“I look ridiculous.”5

Anfel rolled his eyes. “Either come out or I’m coming in.” Finally he heard the curtain move. Sellie moved into view. “So ... on a scale of one to ten ... how bad is it?” The elf regarded his new companion. Gone were the pants, replaced by a dull green skirt. She was now also wearing a bright orange shirt, and her black hair had been dyed bright pink. It was like looking at a whole new Sellie.6

“Your own murderous master wouldn’t recognize you.”7

“That’s ... that’s like a ten, right? Or at least an eight.”8

Anfel just smiled and went with her to the register, where he paid for the new clothes. Unfortunately, he used his last human currency to do it. This time no one stared at him funny – had dispelled the warlock guise and redone his human glamour. The book was securely taped to his abdomen. No one was surprising him with magic. The only problem was that the book couldn't protect him from guardian magic.9

“They're all still gonna recognize me,” Sellie said as they walked out of the store. “They're gonna recognize me and they're gonna kill me.”10

“No they're not.”11

“Yes they are.”12

“No they're not.” Anfel waited by the street, scanning the traffic. The light was beginning to fade, darkness settling over the city. Time of the Blood was coming. 13

“They're gonna take one look at me, and they're gonna kill me.”14

“Stop whining.”15

“Easy for you to say, they're not gonna kill you. You've got the book and swords and …”16

Anfel turned to the girl. “Shut up!” She stared at him, her mouth clamming shut. She nodded quietly. The elf was already deeply regretting making this alliance. Finally, after a few minutes of silence, he managed to wave a taxi over to them. The elf and the girl sat into the car, and Anfel informed the taxi driver of their destination.17

The driver looked Indian but spoke without any accent. The old man kept smiling. “You two make a nice looking couple. Going to a party?”18

“We're not a …” Anfel began.19

Sellie interrupted. “Yeah. It's gonna be wild.” She smiled at the elf. “Isn't that right sweetie?”20

“We are not, in any sense of the word, a couple.”21

Sellie patted the elf’s knee while turning her smile to the driver. “Oh isn’t he cute when he's trying to be funny?”22

Anfel glared at the girl. Deeply, deeply, regretting. He faced the driver. “How long until we get there?”23

“Oh, not long. Ten to twenty minutes depending on traffic.” Anfel sunk back into the seat. Might as well be eternity. “So … how long have the two of you been together?”24

“Oh, not long … but from the moment we met, we knew we were soul mates.” Sellie glanced at Anfel. “Isn't that right?”25

The elf took a deep breath, then he drew his scimitar and put it to the drivers neck. “Drive faster. And please. No. More. Chatting.”26

“Ooo, this is most interesting. I have been threatened by a gun, a knife, and ever once by a sharp looking pen, but never a sword before. It looks so authentic too. Are you a collector?”27

Anfel let out a long drawn out sigh while Sellie giggled. “Can you just drive?”28

“Of course. But I just want to thank you – I've been running out of good taxi stories to tell. My kids will go bananas over this.”29

“I'm glad,” Anfel said. Sellie barely managed to suppress her laughter. The drive could not be over fast enough. He asked the driver to let them out a bit away from the house. The elf and the girl stepped out of the taxi. Anfel glanced at the driver. “Sorry, but I can't pay you.”30

The driver waved his hand. “That's okay. Hey, do you want me to wait?”31

Anfel stared. “What?”32

“Wait for you. I noticed the sword disappeared when it was like you sheathed it. What are you? A magician? Like in Harry Potter?”33

“I threatened you with a sword. Why would you …”34

“Cause it's interesting. And it's a good story.”35

Sellie glanced at Anfel. “We might need a quick exit …”36

The elf shook his head. Humans. “Fine. Wait if you want.” The two of them walked along the hedges obscuring the house from view, until they opened up, revealing a large driveway packed with cars, and a big house up ahead. Music blasted from the open doors. Anfel fully expected Sellie to start whining again, but she didn’t say a word as they walked straight inside the house.37

There the music was much louder. Warm bodies were everywhere, dancing, chilling, kissing, drinking. It was hard to think in all the chaos. Sellie pointed to someone that clearly stood out from the rest. Long blond hair, and a body to die for – Anfel was certain a few people had. The skirt was low cut, and the top showed the toned abs clearly. 38

This was the part they hadn't planned. She kept the book in a locked chest up in her room. The lock was magic and no way to get in without the key. The guardian – the girl before them – kept the golden key on a chain around her neck. But how to get it, and how to get the guardian to do what they wanted? They key was getting her alone … but how?39

Suddenly, she looked directly at him. Anfel couldn't help but wonder if he was found out. He kept his cool as she slowly walked over to him. “I haven't seen you around,” she said loudly, to compensate for the music. The way she eyed him – it was like she hadn't eaten in months and he was the buffet. “What's your name?”40

Anfel said the first name that popped into his mind. “Joe.”41

“Well, Joe … this is your lucky lucky night. Because I'm gonna take you up to my room and I'm gonna …” she licked her lips in a very suggestive manner, “show you something.” Her fingers touched his arm ever so lightly. “You game?”42

Looked like this was going to be easier than the elf initially thought. All he had to do was to knock her out, and tie up her hands. The Blood guardian was very powerful, but her power was focused solely through her hands. Tie those up, and she was helpless. She led him up the stairs, through the crowd. 43

Anfel winked at Sellie, who merely rolled her eyes. The elf followed the seductive cheerleader all the way into her room. She closed the door behind them. The room had attractive guys from various films and TV shows plastered all over the white walls.44

The cheerleader lifted her hand and Anfel was thrown backwards into the pink bed by an invisible force, locked in place. “Not again,” he muttered.45

The girl smiled, approaching slowly. “You didn't seriously think I wouldn’t see through that glamour? Imagine my surprise when you just walk in here, like a lovely little elf lamb to the slaughterhouse. You know …” she smiled at him, forcing his arms and legs apart at painful angles, “I think we can have lots of fun though, until the slaughter starts.”46

Anfel noticed the door slowly opening. He quickly refocused on her. “Has anybody ever told you how ugly you are? I mean seriously, your nose, it's at the wrong angle. And your thighs … no offense, but they're fat.” He noticed Sellie tiptoe in, carrying a large bat. “And … and …” 47

The cheerleader’s face was distorted in an enraged expression. “Well, I guess we can just skip playtime and go straight to the agony then.” 48

Sellie swung the bat with surprising amount of force. Anfel was immediately released from his hold as the cheerleader fell down to the purpled carpeted floor. Sellie turned to Anfel. “I never liked that bitch.” 49

“Okay, close the door. And where did you get that bat?” 50

“You like? I saw it in the living room. I think it's autographed by someone famous.” Sellie closed and locked the door, while Anfel prepared the rope he had brought and hidden with the help of his glamour. They worked together to tie the girl to a chair. While she was still unconscious, Anfel took the key and opened the chest hidden in a closet. 51

He picked up the black book. In red letters it said “Blood” on the cover. Anfel could feel the anticipation building within him. He could hardly believe it, he was so close to his objective. All he had to do was to find out how to destroy them – and his goal would be realized. Finally there’d be and end to the worlds of Rainbows and Blood. Like there ought to be.52

Sellie interrupted his thoughts. “Hey, hey, she's waking up.”53

Anfel joined Sellie, still holding the book. The cheerleader looked up at them, her eyes switching between them. Then she focused on Sellie. “Sellie? Is that … is that you? They told me you betrayed us – but I didn't want to believe it.”54

The elf stepped in between them. “Never mind about that. We want you to do something for us.” He held up the book. “Use this to turn Sellie here human.”55

At first she stared at him. Then she began laughing. “Is that why you did this? To make some witch human? That's the lamest reason ever.”56

Anfel just kept his eyes on the cheerleader. “Will you do it or not?”57

“Absolutely not. And also …” She drew air into her lungs. Anfel wasn't fast enough, she managed to let out a bone curdling scream before he clamped a hand her mouth. First everything was quiet.58

Sellie glanced uncertainly towards the door. “Maybe no one heard. The music is very loud.”59

Then the knocking started. A voice called from outside the door. “Tira? Are you okay?” When the knocker had no answer, the knocking redoubled, until it stopped. A few minutes of quiet ensued. Anfel was just about to breathe easier when the door burst open. The guy in the door had elongated fangs ready and waiting. Anfel took care of him with a single swing of his scimitar. The head separated from the body, both turned to dust.60

The elf sheathed the scimitar, smiling at both Sellie and Tira. “That wasn't so bad.” He followed their gazes back to the door. At least eight guys with fangs poured into the small room, followed by six attractive girls in tight clothes. Witches, realized Anfel. And one werewolf among the crowd probably. Werewolves were vicious and powerful creatures – fighting one in a confined space like this would be difficult enough without the extra help. “Oh.”61