Demon's Web (11 page)

She had no concept of time. It seemed like hours she sat in the chair in the white room, her mind floating from one space to another. Coyote watched her and the walls around her. The room was specially warded. Glowing symbols would appear on the walls whenever she touched something with her mind. When she tried to focus on her family, her friends, a symbol would illuminate and darken in pulsing throbs which reminded Coyote of a heartbeat, until she backed off and moved to something else. He had to give her credit though, she was persistent. He counted five times she tried to reach the minds of her loved ones. Ten hours later, he felt it was enough attempts for one day. He sent Axios into the room and had her returned to her cell.

Each day they would repeat the process. Weeks passed. Months. Still, nothing called to her that he was looking for. The glyphs on the wall to notify him she succeeded, failed to shimmer awake with her success in contacting the piece of stone somewhere in the world. Maybe she was useless after all. Maybe he should send her home or feed her to the Dafitca Demons so there would never be any trace of her found. However, the Demons liked to talk and he didn’t need word coming back to bite him in the ass of him being the one who took and held her.

Trinity was in the room yet again, unmoving as she let her mind roam, searching for the millionth time for what she had no clue about. Only, today was different. She felt an electrical shock. Something weak and small, but there none the less. She followed the smell of electricity, the feel of stimulating power volts coursing around her, as if a guiding light on a path. When she headed down the course it showed her, she heard a soft singing. A low voice which floated on the breezes, unheard by any other. Trinity focused on the soft melodic strands leading her almost hypnotically.

In the viewing room, Coyote stood. For the first time in months, the symbols illuminated. Trinity found it. She wasn’t as useless as a screen door on a submarine after all.

“Yes,” Coyote whispered, standing and moving closer to the observation mirror. “Focus. Draw it in. Figure out where it is.” He didn’t talk to her over the voice distorter. He said this to himself, silently encouraging her to follow the path through its natural progression. He didn’t want to do anything which might interrupt her concentration or break the direction the stone was calling her to. So he watched and waited.

Trinity continued to follow the mellifluous sound, letting it lead her. It was only as she got close to the song that other things started to become recognizable. Other sounds came through—cars honking their horns, people talking before their voices faded away as if moving out of range. She figured out it was a being that carried the soothing tune within. As she was about to grab hold of the song within her mind, it was suddenly snapped away. It felt almost as if a door had been slammed shut since she couldn’t sense it any longer.

Putting her hand to her head, Trinity opened her eyes.

“Where did it take you?” The voice boomed around the room once again. “Where did you see it.”

Trinity shook her head. “It wasn’t clear. I was just starting to get a sense of where it was and then it was gone, like a rope was cut, the hold I had on it breaking off. I’m sorry. I did try.”

“You did well. Now you know what to look for in the future.”

The door opened and Axios came in to lead her back to her cell where a banquet was waiting for her, and so was Nathan.

“You must have done something good,” Nathan commented. “Axios brought the food in just minutes before you got here. A reward, maybe?”

They had learned the name of the Rougarou guard a while ago from the unknown mechanical voice telling them he would be the one to return them to their cages. However, the knowledge never really mattered to her. What she did notice, besides the food, was Nathan was in
her
cage, not his. They could touch more than just fingertips through the bars.

“I guess I did.” She smiled back, looking forward to spending some time with him. She was disappointed when Axios removed him from the area shortly after they had eaten.

Chapter 10

Shara handed Zenthus the small box. He looked inside and nodded, then slipped the box in his pocket. She gave him a smile and patted his hand. She had known him for eons, but only the last couple of decades when Santanya had arrived had they become close. Shara had taken Santanya under her wing. She helped the albino woman settle into daily life at the manor. Santanya appreciated Shara’s assistance. Mel had kept his word to Mani by keeping his mother safe, but Shara made sure she was not bored in her confinement.

When Shara noticed the looks between them, she knew a bit of matchmaking would be just what was needed. However, being confined to the house limited opportunities for them to go on traditional dates. Their visits were often just playing chess or discussing a book they mutually read. Occasionally, when she could, Shara would bring them dinner so they could dine and talk in private.

Shara was not sure how Mel would feel about Zenthus and Santanya together, so she helped keep their affair secret. She succeeded too, at least up until a couple of months ago. Once Zenthus was hurt when Trinity was captured, it became very obvious to anyone with eyes how close the two of them had become. With some encouragement and the realization Mel and Clarissa were happy for the two of them, their relationship blossomed even more. Now, Shara encouraged Zen to take the next step.

With a deep breath, Zen headed out to the garden. Shara had guards at the perimeters, far enough they would not be noticed but close enough should they be needed. Zen was not about to take any chances. He walked the perimeter himself, making sure all was secure. When he entered the main portion of the garden, he fixed a couple more things and then waited while standing at attention, like the soldier he was.

Zenthus didn’t need to wait long; the door opened and Shara ushered Santanya into the garden. The latter stopped, her mouth agape, as she took in the transformed area. Filled with small twinkling lights everywhere, a small candlelit table stood in front of the shimmering fountain, the water sparkling from the abundant light. She took a tentative step forward, urged from the slight push on her back from Shara. Santanya was amazed at the beauty of the setting, as well as the work it must have taken for it to be arranged. Mel appeared, seemingly out of nowhere, and escorted her to the table where Zen was waiting. He pulled the chair out for her to sit and she did, giving him a glance as if to ascertain them being together was still okay. After a couple of decades of hiding their relationship, a couple of months did not change her fears so quickly. Azamel gave her a gentle smile, poured the water for them both, then left the garden, taking Shara with him back into the house. What was left was for Zen and Santanya only.

“This is amazing. I’ve never known the garden to be so elegant.”

“You deserve a special night, Anya. You have put up with a lot and, despite everything over the past years, you have stood by my side. Regardless of possible punishment, you remained there, even when I was hurt and we were found out, our secret no secret any longer. I have waited a lifetime for someone like you. I want you to know how special you are to me.”

Anya reached across the table and took his hand in hers. “I never doubted it.”

He kept her hand in his as he stood and moved over to her side. Kneeling down on one knee, he pulled out the box in his pocket. “Then would you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”

Santanya’s free hand went to her mouth to hide her surprised expression. Tears welled in her eyes and she knew she had the blessing of Mel and his family since he was out here to hold her chair and pour their water. Her head was bobbing up and down, sure she had no voice just yet. Zen watched her closely. He knew so little about women, but he was pretty sure those were tears of joy. As he rose from his knelt position she said, “Yes. Yes. Of course, yes.” Zen gathered her in his arms and held her tight, then remained stock still when he heard her next words.

“No. I mean, no.”

Zen pulled back and looked down at her. Hurt and disappointment clearly etched on his face.

“No. I mean, yes, I will marry you; just not now. Not with Trinity still missing. I don’t want a celebration when so much sadness is around.”

Zen squeezed her to him again. “I understand. I can wait as long as I have your promise. After we get Trinity back, then we will plan our future together.”

He helped her put the ring on, indicating she was promised to him. He then moved back to sit opposite from her. Lifting the cloches, he displayed all the food choices he had prepared. All of her favorites were there and he smiled at seeing her face light up. Serving them both, they quietly sat and discussed their wedding plans for when the time came and Trinity was home where she belonged once more.

Logan entered the house, his arms laden with two paper bags filled with groceries. Ty had taken Jaz out for a while and he was thrilled to be able to plan a very special evening with her. She finally agreed to an official first date after months of asking her for one. Since he moved in with Ty and Jasmine, she felt it prudent to not let their relationship progress too quickly. Although he wondered how seeing her often over the last decade qualified as being too quick, he knew living together and seeing each other daily was an entirely different category. After all, he had to adjust to living in the human world before anything else and she had to adjust to him being around.

Tyler was a great support and had, in the interim, become a good friend. Logan could see why Jaz trusted him so much. He really helped Logan get familiar with living someplace that wasn’t with his parents. It took a bit of getting used to the sounds and activity of the human world, but Tyler was great in helping him to adjust.

Now, Logan was getting ready for his first official date with Jasmine. After all the time they had spent together, they held off on anything official until now. He set the table with the candles and flowers he had bought before he headed into the kitchen to make a crawfish bisque, a citrus salmon filet with a raspberry salsa, and chocolate hazelnut truffle tarts for dessert. While everything was cooking, he dashed into the shower and got dressed. He chose to wear a button-down blue shirt and black pants. He was keenly aware of the outfit bringing out the unusualness of his eyes as much as he was of Jasmine adoring their color.

Logan just finished preparing everything when he heard Ty and Jaz at the door. Tyler let Jaz come in first, then gave the thumbs up to Logan as he closed the door, leaving the two of them alone.

Jasmine knew they were going to have their first date tonight but she had assumed they would be going out, not staying in. Logan noticed her slight look of surprise on top of the disbelief.

“I thought if we stayed in, you might be more comfortable knowing you were secured from being discovered by whoever or whatever is hunting you. And before you ask, yes, I made everything. Tyler introduced me to a couple of local chefs at Commader’s Palace and they took the time to teach me to make this meal so I could do something special for you.”

Jasmine continued to look at everything. The flowers, the table setting, the food prepped on the kitchen counter. “This is amazing. You are amazing. And you look very handsome. I didn’t even have time to change or get ready.”

“You don’t need to. You are already perfect, just as you are.” Logan went to her side and took her hand, kissing her knuckles in a gallant manner. He proceeded to help her off with her coat, hanging it on the rack by the door. Leading her to the table with her arm in his, he pulled the chair out for her, waiting for her to sit.

“Such refined civilities.” She grinned as he pushed her chair in.

“My father taught us to respect women and treat them well. My mother made sure I learned the proper etiquette. It’s like second nature to me now. I know no other way.”

“If I ever meet your mother, I will have to be sure to thank her for raising such a wonderful man.”

Logan smiled. “She will like you. My mother, I mean.”