Homeward Bound (Journeyman Book 1) (12 page)

“That damn idiot, Stolas. I can just see him trying to escape in his final moments or pleading for leniency.”

“Your Grace,” said Agares, blinking with his demonic eyes. “Were you able to gain any information about the Journeymen from the prisoners?”

“Not yet,” she replied, eyeing herself in a full length mirror in the corner of the room. “Grolg is tending to the human now. The werewolf literally bit the dust.”

“By tending to, do you mean eat…”

“No matter,” she said nonchalantly, eyes still transfixed on the reflection of her human self. Her fingers teased their way through her hair and she let out a puff of breath from her slightly open mouth.

“You know Agares, I think that I actually prefer this body to my real one,” she said to his utter surprise, a hand rolling all the way up from her ankle to her inner thigh. “I think that her name was Betty, before I took up residence. Betty’s legs are so smooth, far less hairy than my - ”

“Onoskelis!” he cut in with a fearful tremble. “If any of the Knights were to hear you speak in this manner about such things!”

“You forget your place Agares!” she snapped back, walking over to the window. Placing a hand in the windowless arch, she watched as her winged horse, a grand symbol of stature in the old times, took a shit in the middle of the cemetery.

It had once been a graceful and pure Horse of Eden, from that very garden of the same name. After the fall, all manner of creatures that resided there either died or were stolen away, as this one was by the the demon Bael and later given to Eligos, commander of demonic forces on Earth. Its coat, once as white as freshly fallen snow, had been transformed into soot. The demon’s malice further corrupted it, transforming it into the winged terror that roamed about outside.

“I've nothing to worry about, now that fool Eligos is gone and we’ve obliterated the last traces of his die hard followers,” she said to Agares. “Wouldn’t you agree that things are far better now with me in charge?”

Agares began to nod but any words hung back. Indeed Keli had managed to wrestle power away from one of the mightiest Knights of all time, but traces of her inexperience were everywhere and the coup was messy and ill-planned, nearly failing at the last moment.

On the other hand Eligos was an incredibly respected demon with a great deal of knowledge about warfare from all sides: planning, strategy, foresight and tactics being amongst his highest aptitudes. Agares believe he would have been supreme asset in the times ahead, his charisma and charm able to woo even the most devout naysayer.

But all those hopes and prospects died when he did and they were left with a she-goat claiming his steed as her prize, along with command over all demonic forces upon the Earth.

He realized his pause was on the cusp of being too long. “Indeed Onoskelis,” he finally agreed, “things are vastly improved.”

She grunted, taking no note of his compliment or praise. “How many times have I told you to address me as Keli? Why is this such a hard thing for everyone to do?”

“Your Grace,” Agares continued, “Keli, no offense is intended but you must understand that the other Knights… they are always watching and listening with their spies. Do not underestimate them.”

“Yes, yes, fine.”

Agares now needed to discuss with her a topic he knew would send her over the edge. Walking casually toward the door, he paused and turned to face her. “There have been some reports, whispers on the proverbial winds so to speak, that there is someone that may be looking to supplant you. The demon Dajjal has been…”

Her eyes flashed back into demonic form. “Don't you dare speak his name in my presence again!” she shouted at the top of her lungs, a vein throbbing across her forehead. “Otherwise I will make sure you're on the quickest flight back into the fire.”

Your time will come, disrespectful she-goat,
Agares thought while bowing his head respectfully in turn, taking her outburst as confirmation that it was time to leave.

“Yes, of course Your Grace, my sincerest apologies,” he said as the doors closed, catching one last glimpse of her before they shut loudly.

THE GMC BARRELED ITS
way down Route 287, the hum of rubber rising above the classic rock pumping through the speakers.

Gage bobbed his head with the beat, tapping the window with his knuckle. Good thing he was a Journeyman, hell anything but a singer; his career would be over long before it ever started.

Adrienne had sat quietly the last few hours listening to the music herself, reflecting on the whirlwind that had overtaken the last couple days. She looked over as he turned up a bottle of water with one hand, letting the liquid fall effortlessly into the corner of his mouth. Not a drop was spilled while he sat with the other arm extended on the steering wheel, slightly flexing.

Thoughts whirled in her head and she had to get some of it out. “Gage,” she said. “Can we talk a for second?”

“Yeah,” he said, belting out the chorus line before reaching over to turn the volume down. “My singing that bad?”

“What? No,” she denied.
Well maybe a little
.  She exhaled slowly. “No, Gage, I wanted to tell you that I’m sorry for the argument we had before heading out.”

To her amazement he said two words she never expected. “Me too.”

She examined his face, which now showed hints of being troubled. The Great Wall of Gage was going up brick by brick, but part of him wanted it down, to be far on the outside of it, or have them both tucked safely within its protection.

Leering at the passing mile marker, she just blurted it out. “Is this going to work?”

“You mean… us?”

“Yup,” she replied. “Are we rushing into this without really feeling it out?”

He didn’t answer right away, honestly not knowing the answer himself. He had asked himself that question a hundred times on this ride alone.

“Well, it's not like we don’t know each other, Ady,” he finally said.

She nodded.

“You’re right. Over a year we’ve lived with each other, me having to tolerate your ass,” she said with a laugh. “I mean we’ve been fighting vampires, ghouls, werewolves and things I can’t even remember the names of over that time. Shouldn’t that, if anything, bring people closer together instead of tearing them apart? I guess if this was a perfect world like in movies and books that’s how it works. But shit, Gage, the crazy ass real one we live in is so far from perfect.”

He cast a look her way before returning his eyes to the road. “The world may be imperfect darlin’, but there are some perfect things in it.”

She blinked in awe. Where had the real Gage gone? This man’s words managed to wrap around her like a warm blanket, enveloping her very soul. Yet as great as this was, she was still stuck with a foot out in the chill of reality.

“Maybe I just feel undeserving?” she questioned.

“Of what, or who? Me?” he asked.

She didn't answer, afraid of what might be said.

“Doll, you’re far from undeserving,” he responded, sending over a large hand to massage her thigh, “so far from that. Look, I've found your everyday demons are easy to understand: Murder. Death. Kill. Then repeat. It’s what they do and it’s what makes us know what to do. Nice and easy, right? Predictable? Normal folk are a totally different animal, complete with their own inner demons that manage to complicate the simplest of things. Especially mine, Ady, and there are a lot of them.”

Adrienne took her hand and placed it on top of his.

Gage continued, “I’ve been struggling to keep my past life and my current one, with you and with Joey, separated. Hell, I think all JMs do that to some degree as a sort of protection. But, the last two days have had my
vastly
cool and collected mind twisted in a thousand different directions. Each one of those can be traced back to one thing.” He pointed a thick finger her way, “You.”

She blushed, but really connected with what he was saying. She had been doing the exact same thing these last couple days.

“But I’m willing to try this if you are,” he said without any hesitation. “Our past lives are who we are just as much as the ones we’re living right now. There ain’t no sense in keeping part of us locked away in a box since it all makes us who we are, right?”

Damn, Gage had become a psychologist; a sure sign the world was ending soon. But, she found herself again agreeing with him.

He smirked as the original Gage came back. “I mean, it could all suck… through no fault of my own of course.”

She pinched him hard.

“Ow!” he shouted. “Damn, this girl has a bite on her! Told ya that ya liked that sort of thing.” He shook his head mockingly and tapped her thigh with a fist. “Vamp hunters, I tell ya. Bunch of pain freaks.”

“Thanks a lot,” she said sarcastically, “but you've made a compelling case, Mister Crosse. I’m willing to give it a shot. I definitely can’t say there won’t be a few hiccups along the way.”

“No doubt and definitely a ditto here. But we live in a world where nightmares are real.” He turned his palm up and grabbed hers. “They’re gonna take every chance to get in the way of what we have planned.”

Glancing in the rear view mirror, he switched into the fast lane and gunned it as fast as the engine could take them. “
Non Omnis Moriar,
” he muttered. “I live by my motto: ‘Not all of me shall die’… so bring it bitches.”

Hand in hand, the two fell back into silence as the truck zoomed past Fort Worth. The long drive ahead of them had just gotten a little bit easier.

GAGE DROVE ON FOR
the next four hours, zoned out and letting his mind wander.

Adrienne had long passed out with her mouth agape in that sexy ‘I’m about to drool down my neck’ sort of way and a chuckle sprung free as he took in the sight. If his phone hadn’t died again he would have snapped a memento for later use.

You really like her don’t you?
said an unwelcome voice from deep inside, barging into his thoughts. He really didn't feel like having this conversation with himself right now, but took on the challenge of quieting himself.

“Yeah I do. There are definite feelings here,” he answered. “We’ve sorted this out, so there’s no need for any doubt.”

Oh, so bringing her along on this reckless mission was the right thing to do?

“Yes it was.”

But you’re putting her in jeopardy by getting closer to her, especially not knowing what you're about to swagger yourself into; you're the walking definition of selfish!

“No, I’m not. She’s in the life too and both of us are already in the crosshairs of God knows how many different creatures and factions. Why not take this opportunity to enjoy the time we have together?”

It’s irresponsible, that’s why! Totally! Love in this life is nothing for us, except for pain.

“And sometimes love is the key that is missing in our lives” he continued to battle, a headache brewing beneath his temples from all of the back and forth.

The voice needed to shut up, as weariness was settling in. Looking at the endless, dark asphalt through squinted eyes was exhausting and the call of sleep lingered over the big man.

They had made it just outside of Amarillo, Texas when Gage pulled off on Exit 76, riding the access road to the first motel off the highway. The minuscule Atomic Inn blazed in full neon glory amidst the lackluster lights of the surrounding services.

A faint drizzle began to fall on the windshield, bathing his view in a kaleidoscope of circular color and cascading drops. When the truck rolled to a stop in front of the manager’s office, he yanked the key from the ignition and just sat for a moment with both eyes firmly shut. The stillness was so inviting, coupled with the slow patter of rain. He could have stayed there all night, but alas the longing for a mattress overruled.