Stone sat in the chair in the corner of his bedroom, reading a very old book, pausing to glance up occasionally to make sure Ava was okay as she slept on his bed. He went back to the book, carefully turning the pages as he read. The book had been the one thing he rescued from his previous life, and the only thing he had refused to give up even after being told to. 1
His mother had given it to him on his final birthday; a book that she transcribed herself about the history of his family. When he read it, he felt his mother’s love surrounding him. 2
After his death, his mother had died of a heart attack at the news, and the night he came to enact his revenge there were two deaths they had to atone for. He found his wife and brother curled up in his own bed, and took great pleasure in killing them as his anger and hatred released themselves upon his murderers. 3
While they lay brutally butchered and bleeding on his former bed, Stone grabbed the book off the small table where he had placed it before retiring to bed on his last night alive. 4
As he walked out of his home for the last time, his body coated with the blood of revenge, he met a very tall man who told him to follow. The man glanced down at the book in Stone’s hand and told him that he had to leave all traces of his life behind. 5
Stone’s fingers tightened around the leather that bound the book, and gave the man a look that dared him to try to take it from him. 6
A noise from the other side of the room pulled Stone from his memories, and he looked to see Ava rolling over in her sleep. He watched for a few moments, then slowly closed the book and placed it back on the table by the chair as his mind went back to the night he became a Dark-Hunter.7
The tall man he had met, Acheron, took him to a secluded area so he could train him. On the journey, the reality of what Stone had done hit him full force. He had just killed two people who had once meant the world to him. 8
He had gotten so angry that judgment vanished, leaving nothing but cold bitter hatred combined with an extreme desire to hurt.9
“You have a choice,” Ash had told him. “Either hold on to that hatred and use it, or bury it. One day you’re going to need it, and when it rises, you will either be consumed by it or master it.”10
That was Stone’s first lesson on how absolutely vague and cryptic Acheron Parthenopaeus could be. It was also a lesson on how vicious Stone could be when angry, and the main reason he strived to keep his anger under wraps.11
~~~~~~~~~~12
Ava opened her eyes looking around the darkened room for the small clock that sat on the dresser. By squinting, she could make out that it was one…something, but that was late enough for her to know that she had to get up. She stretched lightly, then suddenly remembered the events from the night before.13
She inhaled as she tried to stop the tears, and discovered that it wasn’t working. Laying back down, she rolled away from Stone and sobbed into the pillow. May had been one of her best friends since university, and, along with Kari and Michelle, had been strong and fast friends since then. May had been there for her when she left her husband, letting Ava stay at her house for a few weeks with two small kids until she got her own place. May had even threatened Ava’s husband when he came looking for her, and told him that if he ever touched Ava again, that she would seriously kick his ass.14
And now, she was gone. 15
Stone cracked an eye open as a sound made it through to his extremely tired brain. He looked at the clock, annoyed that he had only been asleep for a little over three hours. Rolling over, he stopped as he realized Ava was crying. He felt the shiver run up his spine again, but he was too tried to care about anything except the woman who was laying beside him. 16
Ava sniffed as Stone put an arm around her, and gently rolled her over so he could hold her. She thought she was insane to be comforted by someone she had only known for about two weeks.17
“I’m sorry,” she whispered. “I didn’t mean to cry.”18
“S’okay,” he said, his voice thick with sleep and the hint of some accent she couldn’t place. “Cry if you want to… and don’t ever apologize for it.”19
She nodded at the kindness in his voice as the tears soaked his chest and bed. “Sorry I woke you,” she whispered about ten minutes later.20
“Hmmm?” 21
“Go to sleep,” she said as she sniffed. “I’ll be all right.” She watched as he nodded slightly, fairly certain that he was already asleep. His arms remained around her and she clenched her eyes at the comfort they provided. 22
~~~~~~~~~~23
Ash ground his teeth as he walked through the throne room of his home in Katoteros, his silver healed boots clacking on the polished stone and echoing back at him. At one time, all the gods of Atlantis resided here, but now only he remained. 24
Changing direction, he walked towards the large wall of televisions, projecting the cartoon Johnny Bravo on to the multiple screen. He watched for a few minutes, trying to get his mind off of certain things, then turned away when it wasn’t working. He let the cartoon remain on as he walked to throne, picked up his solid black guitar and started to play Jim Croce’s Time in a Bottle.25
Half-way through the song, he put the guitar down, leaned back and sighed. Sooner or later he’d have to face it, and the sooner it was done, the better. It would be over with and he could stop the avoidance. 26
He grimaced, knowing that it would never be over. Sighing, he willed himself to Mt. Olympus, and Artemis.27
~~~~~~~~28
Miguel read through the information on the computer screen, smiling tightly as the information scrolled past his eyes. In university, he had never been allowed to cerate such a program as part of his computer technology studies, and knew that the virus he created would have earned him an immediate expulsion. 29
He sent the virus over a secured line to a holding area for other Dark-Hunter computer experts to evaluate and implement if needed. The Dark-Hunter web site was always under attack from Daimon hackers, and the virus he created was designed to attack the computer of whoever tried to hack, and then erase all traces of itself from the computer so that it could never be traced. In theory, that is. 30
He stiffened as he heard a noise outside his office door, and turned to look. He hoped it wasn’t Stone, since he would definitely give him hell for creating a virus on the house network. The last time Miguel did that, Stone had to purchase all new equipment when the virus got a little too energetic and wiped everything out.31
He didn’t know why Stone got upset, since it was one of the things that he sent Miguel to university to learn… that, along with two other majors and two minors. Miguel was set if he ever ran into other computer techs who could also pull paramedic duty while arguing basic city ordinances against people speaking French and practicing martial arts.32
Ava walked by his office door, slowed down, and then peeked in. “Am I interrupting?”33
“Not really,” Miguel said with a smile as he turned the computer monitor off. Even though he trusted her, the things he was working on were ultra secret. “How are you doing?”34
Ava shrugged slightly. “Okay, I guess. Won’t know until the funeral, really.”35
Miguel nodded in understanding. He’d seen more than his fair share of death as a Squire.36
“You’ve known Stone for a long time, haven’t you?”37
“All my life,” he said. “I grew up in this house.”38
“I never would have guessed, in a million years, that the kid who used to fall asleep in my class lived with someone like Stone.”39
Miguel smiled slightly at the memory. “He’s a great guy,” He said. “Always treated my family with the utmost respect.” He paused with a chuckle.40
“What?”
“Remember in school, those guys that used to pick on me and a few others?” He waited until Ava nodded. “Well…one night we were out, and those guys started, and hell, I thought my friends and I were going to get the shit kicked out of us.”41
”What happened?”42
“We were down around Metrotown, and up walks Stone, all bad-ass in his long jacket, and wrap-arounds, looking like a Terminator stand-in. He stopped right in front of the guys, lowered the glasses and told them; “Miguel is family, and you fuck with family, you fuck with me,” then did the eye thing.”43
“Eye thing?”44
“They can turn a really eerie shade of red,” Miguel explained. “But they usually only change when he’s pissed off.”45
“Ah.” She had no idea how to take that one.46
“Anyway… the guys get this freaked out look… and take off.” He laughed. “Then Stone turns, hands me a fifty, and tells me to go get laid or something, but to keep my cell phone on.”47
“Miguel!”48
They both turned to the voice that filtered through the door. “His majesty is awake.” He faced the door. “I’m working!” Miguel yelled back. 49
“Well, work your arse out here. Now, please.”50
Miguel sighed at Ava. “He’s got a colourful vocabulary, doesn’t he?”51
Ava shook her head. “You enjoy getting him angry, don’t you?” 52
“Stone doesn’t get angry, Ms. Delen,” Miguel said. “And if he does, take my advice, and run.”53
“Stop scaring her,” Stone said from the doorway. He looked at Miguel with mild annoyance, softening the expression when his gaze shifted to Ava.54
“Ew, ew, ew!” Miguel said, shaking in disgust. “Lovey-dovey eyes.” He stood and walked to the door. “’Scuse me while I go throw up.”55
Stone put an arm up to block his exit. “How about first you tell me why one of the first things I see when I wake are three squires on the back patio? And could you also explain why they told me that you invited them here for a beach party…”56
“Oh, yeah,” Miguel said, as if it slipped his mind. “Can I dig into your CD collection? Seems that old man music is in again, and you have one of the largest old fogies collection in the world.”57
“Kid,” Stone said in a warning voice. 58
“Okay, okay… classic rock, then.” Miguel looked hopeful. 59
Stone sighed in aggravation. “No drinking, I mean that. You’re all still on duty. Cell phones on at all times. No guests that aren’t squires, and absolutely no drugs.”60
Miguel smiled. “Thanks, man. You’re the greatest.” He slipped out the door and trotted to the patio. 61
Ava stood and approached Stone. “That was very nice of you.”62
“If I didn’t cave in, I’d have to put up with him moping and whining all day.” He shook his head. “I have to go.”63
Ava nodded. “Okay.”64
“You going to be okay here, or do you want me to drop you off someplace?” He reached out and pulled her close, staring into her beautiful hazel eyes. 65
“I’ll stay and keep an eye on the young ‘uns,” she said with a hint of a smile. “Tomorrow, I want to see about May’s funeral.” She sensed a change in him at the mention, and lifted a finger to trace his lips. “It wasn’t your fault, so stop with the blaming.”66
He kissed her finger as it traced. “Part of me knows that,” he said quietly. “It’ll just take a couple days to get the rest of me to realize it, too.” He watched her for a moment. She had cried most of the morning, but seemed to be in acceptance now. “Are you all right?”67
“I miss her,” she said, he voice breaking. “But, I am so thankful that you were able to keep Kari from being killed.”68
He bent his head and kissed her gently on the lips. 69
~~~~~~~~~~70
Ash walked into Artemis’ throne room and waited silently as her kori, or handmaidens, silently filed out. He held his hands loose by his side, giving the impression that he really didn’t want to be there. The impression was real, and if he didn’t need Artemis to keep him sane, he would gladly walk away and never return. 71
“Took you longer than I thought it would,” Artemis said lightly as she waited for him to approach her throne. 72
He remained where he was and stared at her. He hated her with an intense passion, and hated her even more when he had to ask her for anything. “You know why I’m here.” He took a casual step forward. 73
She stood and approached him, her bare body completely visible under the sheer material of what passed as her dress. “I do know,” she purred as she placed a finger out, trailing it along his chest as she circled around behind him. 74
Ash tensed. He hated to have anyone stand behind him, and she knew that. It was one of her ways of showing him that she was in charge. He remained still as her hand went up his back and through his hair, resting on the back of his neck for a moment before continuing. He also hated anyone to touch his neck, and knew that she was going to go all out in making him pay for this one.75
Artemis came close, pressing her body against his as she ran a hand over his bare chest. Ash clenched his jaw as his body betrayed him once again by hardening at her touch. There were parts of him that needed her, and those were on a very basic primal level, and something he had never been able to stop.76
“Let us retire to my chambers to discuss your payment,” Artemis whispered as she hooked a hand at the top of his leather pants and pulled him slightly to follow. 77
~~~~~~~~~~~78
It was times like this that Stone Mikels appreciated the enhanced strength and agility that came with being a Dark-hunter. The humid summer night brought out too many visitors to the downtown core, which brought out more than the usual amount of Daimons. Added in the crowd that was filtering in and out of the Science Fiction convention at GM Place made for a busy night for Stone and the six other Dark-Hunters that called the Lower Mainland their home.79
Stone ran across the rooftops, keeping pace with a group of Daimons that were traveling quickly through the alleys below. He jumped across a space between two buildings, landing at a run, and then grabbed the top of a fire escape access ladder, swinging his self over the side without breaking his stride. He placed a foot on either side, and bent his wrists for support as he slid down three floors before pushing himself off to free-fall the remaining four floors to the alley below. He landed in a crouch, and quickly stood as the Daimons who had been running from him stopped in surprise that he was now in front of them. 80
Two of the Daimons backed up to run the other way, not making it as Stone whipped his arms out, activating one of his knife holsters that slipped two thin blades into his palm and throwing them. The Daimons vanished as the remaining four decided that fighting and dead was more noble than running and dead.81
Stone waited until one got close enough, then kicked out with his foot, a small blade suddenly flicking out from the toe and slicing across the chest of the Daimon. Stone continued his spin, his jacket fluttering behind him as the Daimon disintegrated into a small pile of golden sparkles.82
The remaining three jumped Stone at once, punching and kicking as he fought back. Out of habit, one sunk his fangs into Stone’s arm, then hissed in pain and fell back. 83
“I’m poison to you, you stupid fuck,” Stone growled as he pulled another Daimon off of him and flung him into the alley wall. 84
The remaining Daimon got in a lucky shot with a knife, hitting Stone a hairsbreadth above his Dark-Hunter double bow and arrow tattoo on his upper hip. Stone spun his wrist so a knife fell into it from his sleeve, and plunged it into the Daimon’s side. The blonde staggered back, then dissolved as Stone struck out and pierced his chest. 85
He turned to the one he had thrown against the wall, stopping when he saw the last of him running around the corner at the end of the alley. Stone grimaced in pain as he placed a hand against his cut, sighing at the amount of blood that smeared his hand when he looked. 86
He limped down the alley to retrieve his knives, then slowly walked the four blocks to the secure tower where he always parked his car. His hip hurt with every step, and he could feel the blood slowly seep down his leg. He made it to his car, got in, and leaned back in relief. The blood had stopped, but the throbbing pain remained as he started the car and pulled out of his parking space.87
~~~~~~~~~88
Miguel was already out the door when Stone parked the car. He leaned back in relief, then went to open the door, jumping slightly as it was pulled open and Miguel looked at him. 89
“What happened?” he asked in a concerned voice.90
“Help me out.” Stone put his hands on the frame and pulled himself part way out, leaning on Miguel for support as his leg threatened to buckle under him. “Why aren’t you in bed?”91
“I heard the gate chime, and knew that if you were coming back this early, then something happened.” He helped Stone in to the house. “Why didn’t you call me?”92
“You’re twenty-two, and you were having a party,” Stone said slowly. “I may be an old fogie, Migs, but I know the feelings of wanting some normalcy in your life.”93
“I’m your Squire, stupid,” Miguel pointed out. “It’s my job to get your old ass out of trouble.” He led Stone to the couch, eased him on to it, then went to grab the medical kit. “Where’d they get you this time?”94
Stone started to lower the front of his pants.95
“Whoa,” Miguel said. “I ain’t stitchin’ nothing below the belt line.”96
Stone rolled his eyes, and pulled the corner of his pants to the side to show his hipbone. “Just set the stapler,” he said, “and I’ll do it.” He waited, then took the surgical stapler from his Squire, inhaled deeply and held it to the wound. He jerked as the staple drove through his skin, then quickly did the rest of the wound while commanding himself not to pass out. The cure felt worse than the wound.97
He dropped the stapler to the carpet, and laid back on the couch. “Holy, hell, that hurt.”98
“I thought Dark-Hunter healed fast?” 99
“We do.”100
“Then why the staples?”101
“I don’t like scars,” Stone said as he slowly sat up. He stood and started for his bedroom, leaving the mess for Miguel to clean.102
Ava lay on the bed, her hair fanned out like a silken cape, and her face so angelic that it would put a muse to shame. Stone slowly undressed and slipped in under the sheets to lay behind her. His staples pulled, making it uncomfortable, but he remained curled against her body.103
He looked as a small knock sounded at his door and Miguel stuck his head in. “Ash just called,” he said. “He asked me to tell you, and I quote, “Don’t be such a dickhead next time.”104
Stone smiled at the decidedly Ash-like message. “Next time I get stabbed,” he said in a low voice so he wouldn’t wake Ava, “I’ll interrupt whatever you’re doing and tell you to come get me.”105
“See, that wasn’t so hard now, was it?” Miguel smirked, and then closed the bedroom door.106
~~~~~~~~~~~107
Ash appeared in his bedroom and put the small ornate box he was holding gently on his bed. He picked up his backpack, then the box, slipping it carefully into the bag. Weary from dealing with Artemis, he dissolved his clothes with a thought, and crawled in between the silken sheets of his large bed. The welts on his back made it impossible to get comfortable, and he wanted nothing more than to use his magick and instantly heal them. 108
He put the thought out of his mind before the temptation became too great to ignore. It was more pride than logic that made him not use his magick to heal. He wouldn’t give that bitch the satisfaction in seeing that he couldn’t take anything that she dished out. 109
Besides, if he healed himself, then Artemis would simply think of something more degrading to do to him the next time he went to ask for a Dark-Hunter’s soul.110
111
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Comments
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when stone tells ava she can cry it says his voice is 'think' with sleep instead of 'thick'
maybe it is just my ignorance but i hope that the reason ash is asking for dark hunter souls will be explained.
very much liked the attitude in this section -
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Thanks for spotting that. Spell check doesn't notice the 'wrong' word when used.
It will all be explained.
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