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Chapter -32- Return Ticket

Thursday, May 25, 1893 - Morning Hotel Ritz Paris

Kerii awoke with her chest against Reno's back. He was asleep, but sweating on the nape of his neck. She eased from the bed and stretched.

She freshened up in the bathroom and made her way back to the bedroom suite. It wasn't as extravagant as the Imperial Suite, where they spent two hours making love the night before.

They never rented the Imperial Suite - it was far too costly, and it would have garnished possibly unwanted attention. However, the fact that Reno broke into the suite with her, and they made love in it ... it was something Kerii would never forget.

It was romantic, it was devious and taboo, and it was fun. She gazed out the window in silence, not wanting to wake him.

She turned back to the bed and sighed longingly. This was perfect. It was all the things she'd always wanted to experience in life. A life she once felt was too long, it now felt far too short.

She went to an extravagant desk across the room from the bed. Sitting on the desktop was the glass slate object that Reno kept in his pants.

Adjacent to the slate was the photograph taken yesterday. A photographer took a picture of them kissing at the base of the Eiffel Tower.

She remembered that the photographer approached them when they came back from the local bank with a pocket full of Francs. She remembered Nathanial buying the photograph without a moment's hesitation.

She remembered him filling out the voucher, and then they went to the photographer's studio that night. It was freshly developed.

And now she had her first photograph ... and it was of her kissing Nathan. It tickled her inner 'girly' side - the one she'd locked away for over a century.

Kerii glanced back at Reno. He was sleeping hard. She settled at the desk and found a small nub sticking from the frame at the top corner. She pushed on it and nothing happened. She frowned.

She inspected the device carefully but could not understand its use. Her finger trailed the glass sides until her finger returned to the little nub at the top corner again. She pushed on it, and it replied with a satisfying click. This time, she held the thin metal button for a few seconds.

The device startled her with a gentle vibration. The device came to life, displaying a colorful icon at the center of the screen. Three seconds later, the image changed.

The glass slate illuminated brightly, displaying a fanciful splash of earth-tone colors on the screen. Her eyes lifted and lowered, investigating her find.

There was a strange 'W' icon in the lower corner, on a black bar, across from a clock. The time on it displayed '2:17 PM' and the date, beneath, showed as, '1/25/2050' with a cylindrical icon to the left of the date.

She couldn't fathom the cylinder shape icon. She touched it with her finger and, to her surprise, a box opened above the icon, displaying, "77% Remaining - Adjust screen brightness - More power options." The words were in blue.

She lifted her finger and the small box went away. Kerii glanced back at Reno. He was still asleep.

She touched her finger over the other icon on the far left - that of a 'W'.

Another, larger box opened. There was a menu on a dark-grey sidebar, with the words, "Recently opened documents."

Beneath was a listing of several files. The top file was named, "Reno / Nathanial." She touched it.

An indication box opened, showing a message that read, "File not found - directory path missing or invalid - restore offline copy? Y/N."

She read the messages three times, but it didn't make much sense. She touched the 'Y' and it opened a backup of the file from a 'temporary folder'.

The screen became populated with notations of the 'truth' behind the two men known as Nathanial Carrington and Reno Nevada.

The file juxtaposed the two men and their similar abilities. It notated their differences, and explained their origins. She took the time to carefully read all the notes and all the details added into footnotes.

Kerii took a deep breath and found the button on the top corner of the glass slate again. She pushed it. The screen turned off, but the button emitted a softly lit glowing pulse. She touched it again, the screen came back to life.

She tried the same trick as before, when figuring out how to turn on the slate - she pushed the button and held it, not knowing what else to do. The device abruptly powered off completely.

She sat it on the desk the way she'd found it. Kerii glanced at the adjacent photograph again. She stood up, pushed the chair in and walked back to the bed.

Reno was still asleep.

She laid down beside him and gently kissed his neck.

He stirred. Reno glanced up at her and offered a tired smile. "Hey. How'd you sleep?"

"Very well," she said. "Once the side effect of our love making wore off."

"Hyper huh?"

"Wide awake," she nodded. "I drifted off and slept a few hours, but ... it was a restful few hours." She wrapped her arms around him. "I've been thinking."

"You're in an affectionate mood today."

"Mm, you make me this way," said Kerii with a grin. "I've been thinking, in this time period, Nathanial Carrington doesn't seem to exist. It's not until 1906 that he appears to everyone, right?"

"Well, yeah, that's what I was told. Why?"

"And Reno Nevada doesn't exist until 1995?"

He nodded and sat up on his elbows. "Yeah, one hundred and two years from now."

"So you're Nathan. You exist in this time period; you've already told people your name. There are documents, where you've purchased passage to Europe, and there will be again, when we return to America."

"Maybe Nathanial hasn't manifested yet. Maybe he's working some dead-end job right now, waiting to become someone."

"And perhaps that is what happens. Or perhaps he's still a child right now."

Reno nodded. "Exactly."

"But right now, you_are Nathan. You are the man with the lightning powers. So _be Nathan. If I call you by your birth name, someone will hear us. Perhaps Justus, when he catches up to us again. Perhaps anyone. Reno Nevada doesn't exist in this period. So _be_Nathan."

Reno nodded in understanding. "That makes sense." He deadpanned with wide eyes. "Shit."

"Hmm?"

"What if I'm the one who gives these powers back to Nathan? What if I'm stuck in a loop? Raul said I was always destined to come back to this time. What if it's so I give the powers to Nathan, so that he can give them to me, in 2023? Jesus. If I return to the future without my powers, I won't be able to help anyone do anything."

She cupped either side of his face. "Why don't you read the words of your tablet? The information you said you had to protect ... why not just read it?"

"No, I can't. If I do, it will mess with my decision making. That creates a time paradox if I change too much."

"Notes are made to be read at a later time. Why not read them?"

"I can't, Kerii. I want to, but I can't. At least not yet. I have to resist the temptation, you know?"

"I read them."

"What?"

She feigned a weak smile. "While you were asleep. I read them. There are files on people you knew. People whose names you've mentioned since we met a few weeks ago. People whose names you've uttered in your sleep. I know the purpose of the notes."

"Kerii..."

"Sweetheart, they were written as a list of things that have occurred during the lifetime of Nathanial Carrington. There are footnotes of things that absolutely must change, so that you can save the world ... so that you can save the future from a man named 'Aris Sokolov Falcon.' Those notes on the fancy glass slate ... they are instructions."

Reno ran his hands back through his hair and stared up at the ceiling. "I was told I'm not supposed to read them yet."

"Not until you go forward into the future with the help of the man you met in Chicago - Nikola."

"So, I meet with Tesla, go into the future, and then I read the notes?"

She nodded. "It's a list of accomplishments made by Nathanial Carrington, and a list of instructions, which are addressed to Reno Nevada. I've read them. I think it's time you read them, too."

"I can't," he said. "You even said so, yourself - I should read them went I go forward in time."

"Very well." She smiled inwardly. "I was mentioned in the notes."

"You were?"

She nodded. "I was surprised to see my name. I read it, and I almost cried."

"You did, why?"

"Almost," she repeated. "It claims that I live longer than I thought."

"How so?" Reno asked. "Without telling me too much information," he added.

"Nathanial's notes claim I live long enough that I see you again in the future."

"What? Really?"

"Yes. And now, when you leave, I'll have something to look forward to, even if it's only for a short time. The notes claim I pass away in your arms. I was always afraid of dying alone, but now I won't have to be afraid anymore."

Reno licked his lips. "That's a long life you have ahead of you. That's really good news, Kerii."

"Mm. I ... suppose you're right about that. Yes. I'll cherish the extra years I have left to live - I thought it would be rather soon. It's comforting to know I have a measure of time to enjoy my life."

Reno sat up a bit more on the bed and stretched. "You should use that time for something good. Find your sister, give her a hug ... trust me, I know her in the future. All she really needed back during this time was a friend."

"Perhaps I shall. But, if it brings you a sense of relief, you should probably know that you keep your abilities when you go into the future. They are a part of you."

"That makes sense," he said. "When Nathan died in 2023, he had them up until he died. Maybe I'm stuck with them until I die." Reno reached up and ran his fingers through her hair. "Are you crying?"

"Because I'm happy."

"Oh, right. Yeah, I'd be happy too if I just found out I'm going to live longer than I thought."

She nodded and buried her face in his neck. "I like you, Reno Nevada. I like you for who you are. I like you for how you make me feel. I like you for being Nathanial Carrington."

"I guess you're right."

"Mm? About what?"

"I need to be_Nathan. I need to be what destiny is handing me for the moment. Who am I? I'm not a name. A name is something lots of people may have in common with other people. That doesn't make them all the same. How many John Smiths' are in the world? A name is just ... what I tell people to address me by, you know? I can be Reno, I can be Nathan - either way I'm still _me."

"That is bordering on profound," she murmured with a smile. "You're the man that has given me so many things ... so many memories that I will now have time to cherish. I now know I have a future."

"I like giving you things that you'll cherish. I'm glad I could give you Paris. What else do you want?"

"What does any woman want?"

Reno thought about the question. He considered his friendship with Karla, and wondered how she would answer the question. Finally, he said, "A family. A sense of belonging. Someone to love you, and someone you can give your love to."

Kerii's smile broadened. "Yes. I have no right to expect those things from you." Another tear slid down her face.

"Look, I'm a blunt guy. There's no point in beating around the bush. I won't be around much longer, and I want to give you something to remember me by. Then, just like the notes said, I'll hold you again when I get to the future. So what is it that you want? Just be blunt, Kerii."

"I'm a woman..."

"No beating around the bush."

"What I mean is, as a succubus, I've always wanted something that I felt was beyond my reach. I cannot have a relationship because I cannot feed from just one person."

"So what's on your bucket list? The list of things you want out of life before you 'kick the bucket,' so to speak..."

"A husband."

Reno grew quiet.

"I ... did not mean to offend you."

"I'm not offended. I thought you were going to say, like, kids or something."

Kerii chuckled. "Children ... I admit, I did not think you would say such. Have you ever considered children?"

"I've been too busy to think about it. Now, suddenly, I have lots of time. Thing is, I'd want to raise them, you know? I wouldn't just ... want to get you pregnant, and then run off to the war in the future. That's not right. But, the thought of having a legacy ... that has an appeal, you know?"

"Mm, I understand."

"You really want a husband, huh?"

"The thought of having the love of a spouse, even if separated by space, or even time for that matter ... the thought of having someone to whom I can dedicate my thoughts and my love ... yes."

Reno nodded.

It was a deep conversation, especially considering they only knew one another for a few weeks.

Kerii used the back of her and to dryer eyes. "I kept it at the back of my heart, reserving such thoughts of fancy for little girls. However, you brought out my inner child over the past two weeks. We traveled together as spouses. We have seen New York, Lisbon, Paris," she said the last city with a sigh of content. "Now I have experienced what has been missing from my life."

Reno licked his lips. He didn't know how to give her that. He cleared his throat but had nothing to say.

"Excuse my silliness. Thank you for letting me share that with you."

"That you for opening up about it," he said. "But you've got a husband now. Me, heh. It was really that simple, right? And now we're more than traveling spouses, Kerii. We're friends. We have something real, now. I trust you, and I'm glad you're enjoying yourself with me. Yeah, the sex is great, but I'm getting to share all this wild stuff with a pretty girl, whose intelligence never ceases to amaze me. You know all these things without looking them up on Google or Wikipedia, y'know?"

"I ... do not know what you mean by 'Google,' but I have read fascinating articles in Eli's collection of encyclopedias."

Reno shook his head with a laugh. "You're an impressive girl, Kerii."

"Perceptive maybe."

"That's true."

"Perceptive enough to see that there is also something else on your mind. Please, speak of it?"

Reno nodded. "It's just ... I know the Esoteric Council wasn't going to use their resources to send me here, just out of the kindness of their hearts. Before we return to America, what do I have to do to pay for their help?"

"You mean ... what sort of mission is ahead?" She grinned somewhat. "You are a warrior, Nathan." She smiled. "Reno hasn't been born. You are Nathan to me. Not Nathanial, but 'Nathan.' I had considered not taking you to such a silly objective."

"It's for the best. They helped me. I don't want to smear Nathanial Carrington's name. When he shows up on the radar in 1906, his name is like his credit rating. I want it to be remembered as a guy who gets things done."

"I am not sure what you mean by 'radar,' however I can appreciate your noble outlook on honor." She glanced back at the window. "It's still morning..."

"Yeah?"

Kerii offered him a devious smile. "We have to leave, soon. It will be dangerous."

"That's alright. I'm getting pretty good with my abilities."

She brought her palms to either side of his face. "Make love to me one more time before we leave this bed?"

Reno grinned. He nodded towards the bathroom. "Do you mind, first?"

"No, go and freshen up, then come back to bed and..." she held her left hand up, showing off the ring they had made before leaving San Francisco. The ring they had made to travel under cover. "...Do your husbandly duty, dear."

Reno grinned at her. He was suddenly in no rush to leave. The Future wasn't going anywhere. He could make something of his time in the past before going home. Hell, if he could make one girl happy, then it was worth the time.

He held his left hand up, wearing the band that was made for him. "I won't leave you hanging, wifey."

X

X

Thursday, May 25, 1893 Switzerland ...

Reno stepped off the train. He reached his hand up.

Kerii took his hand, stepped off the train and offered him a playful grin.

He walked with her through the station. They approached Justus Loupe up ahead, on the platform. Reno tilted his head. "Guy gets around, doesn't he?"

"To be matter of fact, the plan was always meeting him at this very location." Kerii lowered her voice, adding, "Yesterday."

Reno snickered. "Nice." They approached Justus. He nodded. "I get it, now, Mr. Loupe. You pronounce your name 'Yooste.' Well, if you'd pronounce your name Justice, it sounds way more badass."

"Do I even wish to consider your reasons why a stubborn mule would be ... never mind, Mr. Carrington. I am told you have potential. Can you fight?"

"Can I fight? Hell yeah, I can fight."

"This way." Justus led them out of the station.

Four blocks from the train station, there was an empty warehouse.

Justus led them inside and shut the doors. He latched them into place and turned to Reno and Kerii. "With all due respect, a succubus is not much of a fighter."

Reno smirked. "I've met one who would change your mind."

"Please focus," said Justus. "I needs must determine if your abilities are adequate for this mission."

Reno grinned at Kerii. "Is this the part where I impress you by being macho?"

She leaned in and touched her lips to his. "For luck."

"I know a kid named Evan who once told me, 'Luck runs out; skill doesn't.' I'm going to show this guy what's up."

"You haven't witnessed what I am able to do to you, Mr. Carrington. I find your gloating in poor taste."

Reno cracked his knuckles with a smirk. "The shadow thing? Yeah, I get it. You're a badass. But I'm not going up against anyone else with your ability. So if I can hold my own against you, I can handle anything else that comes my way."

Justus tilted his head. "You know more than you're letting on."

"Maybe. Where I came from, I was an inspector. That's what I did for a living - I was a detective and I detected shit. So, let's get this over with."

"Your boasting does not amuse me."

"Does it make you mad?"

Justus narrowed his eyes somewhat. "It is frustrating ... to say the very least."

"Look, if I'm making you mad, then show me what you've got. Don't hold back. I'm a big boy, I can handle whatever you can dish out. Let's do this, already, pal."

"I am not your 'pal.'"

Reno laughed, remembering the new-hire cop who was sitting at his desk the day he got fired. It seemed like ages ago. He rubbed his palms together. "Is that what I sound like when I'm pissy? Man. That's funny. Ironic, you know? Just do your thing, man. Let's do this."

Justus clenched his molars. He pursed his lips and tightened his hands into fists.

Kerii grimaced and backed away, into the corner. "You're upsetting him, Nathan."

"Aww." He cut his eyes back to Justus and, in a mocking voice, said, "Am I making you all mad?" His voice sounded reminiscent of how mothers sometimes talked to their toddlers, but more condescending. "Damn, I've been hanging around Karla too long. Her childish taunting is rubbing off on me."

Justus thrust his fist down. A shadow pillar wrapped around Reno with a crushing force. "I have no time for games. I will complete the objectives of this mission myself. Your services are unnecessary."

"Reno!" Kerii exclaimed. He cleared her throat and grimaced. "Nathan, are you...?"

A bolt of lightning pierced the roof of the warehouse and struck the shroud of shadows. The intense light caused the shadows to fade away.

Reno stood at the center of the room, eyes glowing white, with energy crackling around his fists and wrists. "Is that all you got, pal?" He approached Justus calmly. "You can do better."

Justus extended his fingertips. A tendril of shadow swiped across the room.

Reno teleported as an arc of energy. He rematerialized to the left of Justus and caught the shadow master by surprise with a right cross.

Reno's fist had the added benefit of acting like a cattle prod.

The electric shock caused Justus' body to collapse from his leg muscles locking up. He appeared dazed.

"What? Is that it? One punch? I'm just warming up, man. When I fight, I bring the thunder." Another bolt of lightning struck the warehouse. The bolt dispersed throughout the structure, electrifying it.

From all sides, electricity came from the walls and ceiling, creating a web of electric current. At the center of the web of arcing energy was Justus, who opened his mouth to cry out, but his body was overheated to the point that a simple groan was forced from his lungs.

Reno put his hands on his hips and the electricity field ceased. "Can I go honor my agreement now?"

Justus got to one knee, briefly, and dropped onto his side. "Lightning ... it was always a myth."

"It's not lightning. It's electricity. But it's overcast, and I know how conjuring lightning from the atmosphere works. So, you done?"

A shadow came from behind, while Reno was speaking, and struck him across the face like a shadow scythe.

Blood rolled down Reno's cheek. The wound healed. "Again, is that all you've got?"

Justus stood up, slowly. He narrowed his eyes, staring at the healed wound. "So ... you regenerate..."

"Yup."

"Very well." Justus turned to Kerii. "Keep him in line." He withdrew a letter of instructions from his pocket and held it aloft. "Follow these to the letter. Burn the page." Without further warning, Justus changed into a shadow, dripped upwards to the ceiling, and left through the hole in the roof.

Kerii applauded Reno with a soft smile. She approached the letter lying on the ground. "Well done, husband of mine."

Reno rubbed his face. "No problem. Glad I could show off for you."

She shook her head, with a decrescendo of soft laughter. "You do know he was going easy, I hope."

"Maybe. But why? I told him to show me something."

"That man will never show off. He uses his ability strategically. If he wanted to hurt or kill you, he would have attacked me, the supporting columns of this building, or he would have manifested his shadows within your throat to suffocate you. A fight would never take place. He is a surgeon."

"A surgeon? I thought his family deals in jewelry and stuff?"

Kerii nodded. "Impressive that you knew such - he is the expert called upon by the Parker Family when dealing with gems or jewelry creation. He is an artisan."

"How do you know so much about the Loupe family?"

Kerii smiled. "I listen. I keep secrets for people. That is why I am respected, and stand behind a curtain nearby, when the Esoteric Council makes their decisions."

"Nice _Wizard of Oz_reference."

Kerii tilted her head.

"It's a children's book series, and the little dorky doctor guy pretending to be the Wizard was hiding behind a curtain."

"I'm afraid I do not understand the reference, Nathan."

Reno grinned. "I guess it's not out yet."

"What was it called again?"

"Wizard of Oz. I thought it would be out by now. Ah well, maybe soon, then."

"Mm. I will keep an eye out for it when you return to your present."

Reno took the letter from her hand and opened it. He read the contents. "The wording is weird. It's overkill, plus the calligraphy is weird. Can you translate?"

She took the letter and glanced over it. "The handwriting belongs to Natalia Kincade. I've always been envious of her artistic writing style." Her eyes moved down the page, offhandedly adding, "She is, with a pen, like Leonardo or Raphael with his brush." Her eyes lifted back to Reno. "She has yet to adapt to modern syntax."

"There was something about humans hunting supernaturals."

Kerii nodded. "A network of human hunters exist to hunt our kind. They, at times, fight the supernatural, those with fantastic abilities like Justus. However, they typically focus on mythological esoterica, like myself. Werewolves, vampires ... they have driven the succubae and incubi to near extinction."

"Jesus, really? Are these guys hardcore biblical freaks?"

"Not all." She folded the letter and handed it to him. "Burn this. Also, to answer your inquiry, many are scientists and scholars. They are people who were either surprised to learn that the crusaders were correct, or they knew someone who died at the hands of a member of the Esoteric Community."

"Okay, wait." Reno created a hot charge of electricity. The paper caught fire. He dropped it to the ground. "The crusaders? I thought those guys fought the Muslim expansion, and called Jewish people 'heathens' or something? What were they 'right' about?"

The letter fizzled out. Reno held his hand over the page on the ground. An arc of hot electricity raced from his palm, burning the remainder of the paper until only ashes remained.

Kerii frowned. "While on their travels, many crusaders made a startling discovery - the Esoteric Community's international members were rounded up and studied. They were executed as unholy 'hell spawn'. Thousands were slain."

"How do a bunch of sword-wielding fanatics fight people with abilities?"

She appeared uncomfortable with the conversation. "I cannot fight a beheading. A vampire struggles against a sword. A werewolf, known in Ireland as a protector and a good omen, was hunted by archers in other parts of the world, like the Moravian Hills, for example. They were shot down and decapitated. Their bodies were burned."

Reno rubbed his forehead. "And why didn't people with powers help them?"

"And expose everyone?"

"Yeah but ... at that point, these hunters already know." Reno couldn't understand the rift in the Esoteric Community.

"Mm. Perhaps, but it is a subjective matter of viewpoint." Kerii licked her lips and cleared her throat. "I ... have seen hunters set fire to a village to kill a handful of supernatural humans with powers like those possessed by Justus. They cover all the roads leading from the town, and anyone who attempts to escape is struck down by ambush. Their heads are smashed, their bodies are burned and thrown into the smoldering remains of the town."

"Jesus, that's bullshit."

"The church no longer sanctions such reprehensible public demonstrations. At war with the heathens, no one questioned such methodology. Times have changed. Killing a hundred innocent people to flush two specials to his or her death is now in violation of God's commandment against murder." She feigned a weak smile, adding, "It always was an egregious crime, and a breach of God's commandments ... however, witnesses judge in God's place."

"Right," Reno nodded, "And you don't want people to have a backlash against the churches over innocent people dying, so they cover it up, or they fund these hunters in a business-like fashion. Right?"

Kerii nodded. "Your comprehension of the situation is refreshing. Many cannot fathom how such could be possible."

Reno shrugged. He thought back to TV shows, movies, and childhood comic books with similar story elements. "Yeah, well, back in the Middle Ages, the church was the political party that ran things." He shook his head with a frown. "Politicians have a way of letting power and influence get to their heads."

"Politicians are salesmen and spokesmen," Keri mused. "They sell themselves to voters. They sell their ideas to banks and anyone with money. They, then, convince the masses to accept the ideas, and a law is created. If one were to hand such persons a better way to kill, it would only be a matter of time before they use it. The Civil War was a gruesome collection of encounters."

Reno nodded. "Just wait, the first and second World Wars will ... look, we're getting side-tracked. What's the job? Do we have to fight these guys or something?"

Kerii looked at the ashes on the slab of ground beneath their feet. She grimaced and shook her head. "No. Spies have undoubtedly reported to a Justiciar; the letter suggests a supernatural person has seen fit to help the hunters."

Reno blinked. "What? Is this guy one of those self-hating crackpots or something?"

Kerii tilted her head. "I am not sure I understand the intent of your meaning. As I understand the situation, there are rumors eluding to the possibility that purists exist."

"Purists?"

"Purists despise specials who have a mundane human as one or both parents. Perhaps that person's ability came from a grandparent, or remained dormant in certain generations. People like the Parkers, who typically mate with humans. Some children are born with their ability; some do not possess it."

"Like Nicky."

"Your ... fiancée?"

"It's complicated, especially since she hasn't been born yet."

"Neither have you, Reno. That is why you have to be Nathan Carrington in this present. As I understand it, if Reno Nevada is allowed to exist now, it could jeopardize your youth in the early twenty-first century. The memory of an immortal with a grudge could be your undoing as a child. You would cease to exist, and I would never meet you."

"Jesus." Reno ran his hands back through his hair. "You're following this whole situation pretty good for someone who didn't grow up on time travel fiction stories."

"I inherited my father's sharp mind."

"I'm still trying to wrap my head around the eugenics thing, and the genealogy thing. How can someone prove whether or not they're purebred supernatural?"

"One does not need to prove such with any true method of legitimacy. It is only required that he or she convince others of clout to back his or her purity agendas. If a supernatural gives birth to a child, one who is a normal human, then the truth comes out. However, many of these purists, like Clarence, have no need to do such."

"How so? Because he's one of the First Age people?"

"Yes. He has no active ability, however he has had families, throughout the ages, with pure-line supernatural persons."

"Rumor had it, in my time, that Clarence, who changed his name to Isaac something-or-other, and later to Steven Milford, was a purist. He may have been behind the war I came from. No one knows his stance for sure, because he switched sides halfway through the early parts of the war."

"Understood." She drew in a slow, relaxing breath and sighed. "You've been ordered to assassinate the purist. That was your job. You have to understand, I never knew they would ask this of you. I am so, so very sorry. They have no right to ask you to take a life before leaving."

Reno clenched his jaw. "Look, it is what it is. The people who are obsessed with killing all the supernaturals ... they do it in the future. I don't know all the details, but it's a sordid mess."

Kerii tilted her head in silence.

"Apparently, a handful of gods were helping a group of supernaturals to create a human who could steal powers from other supernaturals. They tricked this dumb guy into becoming obsessed with some scientific discovery, and stood on the back of his research to kill almost all the supernaturals."

"By the blood of Christ, Jesus. How many survive?"

"Not many," Reno confessed with a sigh. "Just those who sympathize with their bullshit, and those who were missed by accident."

"My sister?" Kerii lowered her voice. "Only a small handful of people know this - Keturah is far older than myself. She is nearing her third century on this world."

"Yeah, she lives. That's how we become friends. This whole ... purge thing ... it takes place right before my ability manifests. Your sister finds me. She shows up before I manifest my abilities. She somehow knows to involve me, and she drags me in. We become friends."

"Friends, hmm?"

"Best friends, if you ask me. She was there for me when I was in a coma. I was there for her when she lost her husband and children."

Kerii stared at Reno with a blank expression. "She ... Keturah has children?"

"Yeah, Elvena and Donovan. Her husband is named Eric Loupe."

Kerii brought her hand to her mouth. "Is he related to Justus?"

"Yup. Elvena doesn't really have any abilities. Nothing yet, I mean. Eric and Karla seemed to think she might manifest something down the road."

"My God. I honestly do not know how to feel about knowing such. I am ... thrilled for her, yet envious and angry. At the same time, I am ... pleased to know she has no children with you."

Reno arched a brow.

"You are supposed to be _my_husband, after all. It matters not if, in the future, you keep her warm at night. I only care that you do not wed her." Kerii smiled somewhat. "Does she know Nathanial Carrington?"

"They were best friends," said Reno. "I'm his replacement. I'm not sure, but I think Nathanial told her to watch over me."

"Why would the _real_Nathanial have concern for you?"

"Because he eventually gives me his power when he dies," said Reno. "I think he knew he was going to die. He knew quite a few of the oracles that existed throughout the twentieth century. He knew he was going to pass on his ability to me. So he told Karla to look out for me, you know?"

"I see. Why do you call her Karla?"

"That's what she's called in the future."

"Do you love her?"

Reno chuckled and shook his head. "It's complicated."

"Were you _in love_with her?"

"Even though she was married to Eric, she was still in love with this kid named Chance, who died at the turn of the millennium. Like, she was really, really in love with this kid. Eric couldn't compete with Chance, but he didn't care - he married her anyway. But me? I know better than to be second fiddle."

"Did you love her?"

Reno shrugged. "Loving someone and being in love ... that's not the same. Yeah, I loved her to death. That's why she was the first person I tried seeking out when I got here. I know what she's capable of, and I know the kind of person she becomes."

"I understand."

"Look, I won't lie to you - we've had sex. But it's not ... you know?"

Kerii erupted into laughter. "My dear, she is a succubus. Sex is a vital part of our lives. I am not jealous of sex; I am jealous of her children, her longevity, and, most of all, I am jealous she will find love. I am jealous she marries, and becomes a wife. Do you know what matrimony is to me? It is acceptance."

"How do you mean?"

"Despite all flaws, someone accepts and loves you enough to take your hand in marriage, and exchange vows with you. That is the most romantic notion I can conceive."

Reno swallowed. "Wow." He fidgeted for a moment. "I never really thought of it like that before, but I'm inclined to agree with every word."

"I will not live long enough to know such a romantic notion. With all due respect, you are the closest I have come to knowing such simple joys." She toyed with the set of rings on her left hand. "These were not earned, but I love them anyway. Perhaps I am in love with being in love. Keturah has accused me of such in the past. She has been spiteful for many years; she sees the worst in people."

"She does? Not in my time."

"I'm happy to hear that, Nathan. But I am even happier to know you as my temporary husband. Even if it is for the sake of our travels together, I am delighted to share this time with you."

"You mean things like Paris?"

She looked back up at him. "It's more than Paris. I will cherish those memories until my passing. The fact I will live a number of years longer, and the possibility I will see you again before I am on my deathbed ... I am comforted by this."

"You're going to live for another century-and-a-half. I am going back to the year 2050. It's going to be great. You know, you could change time..."

"How do you mean?"

"Find me in 2023 or something. So what if we change things?"

She shook her head with a smile. "What if I am unable to find you until the moment you return to the future? I will try my best, but things have already played out, and we did not meet in your youth for whatever reason. The notes say I will see you when you arrive in the future. Shortly after, you will hold me in your arms as I pass. I can think of no better person to hold me when I die - I do not want to be alone when it happens."

"I want to know you longer, Kerii."

She placed her hands on either side of his face. "It will take time before you return home, my dear. You will know me now. We have travels and adventures ahead of us. Are you ready?"

Reno grinned at her. He placed his hands upon the top of hers. "Hey, have you ever wanted to know what it's like to teleport?"

"I ... imagine it would be fascinating."

Reno gave her hands a squeeze. "Don't blink." A bolt of lightning reached up from their bodies and linked with the sky.

They disappeared through the hole in the roof together.