FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

Chapter -21- L'Amour Vrai

Saturday, July 10, 1999 - 4pm, EDT Miami-Dade County, Florida ...

** Peri Lynn Darkhean** had splotchy patches of missing fur where her body had sustained serious burns. The exposed flesh was red and off-white, shiny with sweat.

She reached for a nearby man in fireman's bunker gear. The werewolf clenched her forepaw over a religious symbol embroidered on the front of the turnout coat.

A wall of fire, over six feet high, roared in a circle around the parking lot.

Peri's labored breathing made her sound fierce and agitated. The werewolf squinted from the heat and smoke.

"Heathen," the fireman muttered.

"So you're the leader, huh?" Peri replied in a raspy voice. "I'm supposed to die here, one way or another. I have no regrets. I'm ready - are you?" She used her free paw and ripped the front of his coat open, exposing some sort of religious clothing similar to a Catholic priest's, but deep azure in color.

"I'm the leader, and yes, you're going to die, sub-creature."

Peri pinched a white collar-marker away from his neck. "You're not Catholic, you don't get to wear this. You mock religion."

"We descended from the crusaders," he sneered, nearly face-to-face with her. The man pointed his toes down, trying fruitlessly to touch the ground. He canted his head to the left, looking over the parking lot full of bodies. "I made peace with God when I began training for this."

"Marcus was just a boy!" she roared in his face. "A minor! You are going to die slowly. Painfully."

Marcus 'Chance' Howard groaned softly and eased up onto an elbow. "Peri, I'm ... I'm okay."

She glanced over her shoulder. Relief washed over her expression, happy to see Chance alive. She turned back to the last remaining firefighter. "You are so lucky."

"You asked if I'm ready to die," said the man in bunker gear, held aloft in Peri's grasp. "I am. I'm not sure why his psychic attack didn't knock me out. Consider the fact that God has a plan for me."

"Yeah?" Peri smirked. Her sneering expression tugged at the corners of her patchy, furred muzzle. "God plans to see you in person. Tell him I sent you." She drew her free paw back and buried her claws into his belly, dicing through the tan-colored coat. However, her paw couldn't completely penetrate his gear. She grimaced in realization. "Kevlar?"

The fireman looked down.

Peri followed the hunter's eyes and saw something in his hand. Her eyes widened and her pupils dilated fully. "Tyrell..." she whispered. Her throat tightened up too much to say anything more.

A fragmentation grenade exploded against her sternum.

The fireman went flying away from her. His multiple layers of armor and fire protection gear took part of the impact.

Peri's body absorbed the most of the explosion. The fireman rolled onto his side, in shock and full of adrenaline. He rolled the other way, got to his knees and brought his shredded right wrist to his left hand and staggered.

Chance gasped from the final sensation he sensed from Peri. Incredible pain in the chest. It faded after ten-to-twelve seconds, but it felt like forever.

Tears blinded Chance as he felt her life disappear - her last thoughts of her dead husband were oddly soothing yet agonizingly painful. His heart pounded with the ache of emotion. Chance cried her name, unable to pronounce it from the saliva and tears, which slickened his lips.

Without thinking about it, Chance cradled his right hand into his left, mirroring the posture of the injured fireman nearby. He got to his feet and stumbled.

He staggered over to Peri's body and lurched over her, protectively. "No," he whispered. His voice rose in volume, "I was supposed to keep you alive!"

He held her motionless body. "Nathan said I was supposed to change things! Make it better!" He was out of breath from the smoke inhalation. Crying made him lightheaded.

Chance's head clouded over with emotion. He felt like he failed his friends. Worse, he felt as though he failed Karla. "I am so sorry," he said, ending on a breathless cough.

And then, all at once, he felt the most agonizing physical pain he'd ever experienced. It was cold against his insides. It had been so long since he felt real pain, it seemed like an odd experience.

Adrenaline surged in Chance's body. He shot up, standing over Peri protectively.

Chance whirled around, coming face to face with the fireman, a Halligan bar in the man's left hand. The firefighter's right hand was a bloody stump.

A sneer of rage and anger crossed Chance's face. He felt overcome by boiling emotion and, to the surprise of the fireman, he reached out and grasped the Halligan bar in both hands.

The fireman blinked in shock.

"You killed her," Chance shouted, his voice raspy and strained from smoke. "You son of a bitch," he added, but with less intensity in his tone.

The fireman jerked the metal tool out of Chance's hands.

Chance looked down at his empty hands, confused. He should have been stronger than the fireman because he had both hands. He should have had an advantage, and should have been able to pull it free from the man's grip.

Adding to Chance's confusion, the ground rose up to meet him. Chance slumped to his knees. With a grunt, he shifted and dropped onto his side, looking up at the fireman.

"You've got guts," said the hunter in the bunker gear. "But I just buried that Halligan pick in your back. God knows what I hit, but you're dying. Your body is giving out on you. I've never seen heathens who care about each other, or cry over the body of one another. I thought you were all soulless freaks. Maybe your soul can be redeemed before it leaves your body. Accept Christ as your savior, quickly, before your eyes close. It's the only way you can..."

The fireman never finished his sentence. Instead, his body launched up into the air, arced sharply, and slammed into the pavement with such intensity it splattered.

The pavement dented downward slighted, but otherwise held without collapse. The body of the fireman didn't move.

Chance eased up onto an elbow, briefly. He wondered if that's what a suicide jumper looked like - a gnarled, twisted splotch of disfigured flesh, with organs bunched up on one side where the torso burst from impact.

The bunker gear and overturn coat broke at the seams and half revealed the shredded, lumpy flesh of his leg, chest and shoulder.

Chance couldn't see a head. He clung to the sensation of curiosity in the other man's death because it was better than focusing on the odd sensation of his own body giving out.

Chance struggled up to his knees but couldn't keep his balance. He collapsed back ... into Karla's arms.

His head lulled back, against her soft breast, looking up at the bottom side of her chin. "Karla..."

"I got you baby boy. We're going to get you to a hospital, Chance. You're going to be just..." her voice faded. The pain faded. Everything faded. There was a sensation of peace...

X

X

Monday, July 12, 1999 - 11:30 am Coral Gables, Florida ...

There was worry , and bottled emotion. And love. There was so much love.

Chance opened his eyes. Sitting next to his bed, facing the television, was Karla Chintzy. Long blond locks and soft porcelain skin - she was picture-perfect in a sharp skirt suit. A blouse, a blazer jacket, and matching skirt ... she was gorgeous and put together.

She sighed. The TV show went to a commercial, and her distraction ended. She ignored the advertisement and began wondering if both Peri and Chance would die just like Nathan initially 'saw' things happen.

She recalled the doctor's words and repeated them in her head over and over ... 'the boy's outlook isn't promising.' The boy had serious injuries, and serious smoke damage to his lungs. The boy's appendix, pierced by a fireman's pickaxe, was removed in one of two emergency surgeries. The boy had a serious concussion. Bruises, contusions ... he needed stitches in four places.

Karla went over the list of all the things that happened to him in her care. If only she stayed by his side, she could have protected him. Chance's injuries were so severe he hadn't woken up in two days. And it was all her fault.

He drew in a slow, calm breath. A weak smile tugged at Chance's lips. In a relaxed tone, he said, "Was that all? Tis but a scratch." Quoting _Monty Python_reminded him of Peri. A hint of a frown marred his expression.

Karla whirled around, eyes wide. She practically launched herself over him, clasping either side of his face in her palms. "OH my God!"

He groaned softly, feeling the sensation of his stitches to remind him of his frailness. He grunted from strain. "Yeah, 'God.' There's a bit of irony. I'm spared, and the pious crusader guy got smeared. That was you, wasn't it?"

"Shh, that's all behind us, now. I was so worried you weren't going to make it. They said your brain was deprived of oxygen for six whole minutes. They weren't sure you would be ... you."

"That's a long time for the brain to be without oxygen."

Karla's emotional state clouded around Chance like a hazy musk. "OH my God," she exclaimed, "I can't believe it. Mike Richter was wrong! There has to be a God or something. There has to be. Nathan was so very sorry you were hurt, and has been hiding because he knew how angry I was."

Chance lifted an arm and draped it around her. He felt the tug of an IV in his forearm and winced. "Maybe you're right. Maybe God had something to do with it. But why spare me? Do I have something left to do in life? Is my life worth more than Peri's or that fire fighter priest guy? Why did I get to live?"

"Don't," she said in a soft voice. "You have me, Chance. Don't give in to the survivor's guilt. We both made it, okay? So did Nathan."

"But why do I deserve to live? Peri, and those hunters, and all the other people who died since I woke up ... why me, and not them? I just need to understand."

Karla frowned. "If God is real, there's no point in questioning His plan, baby. I'm just glad you've alive, and you're still ... you. I was so worried."

He lifted his chin slightly and brushed his lips against hers. In a muffled tone, he spoke against her kiss. "I love you."

Tears of joy ran down her cheeks. "I love you, too."

"You're glad you didn't wear mascara," said Chance with a weak smile. "Guess I still have my ability." His smile faded. "What happened to Peri? I saw her die. What happens to her?" He sensed the answer from Karla before the succubus could answer. His weak smile returned. "You delivered her body to her people for a proper burial? She'd have liked that."

"There's more, babe," said Karla. "They buried Tyrell Robinson's urn with her. They said they would find a way to get word to her brother, but he's on some sort of spiritual walkabout in Australia. Peri was buried next to her other brother, Shadow."

"Cliché name."

"I don't know what his birth name was, baby. But the people of Clan Darken follow a tradition of burying their dead with whatever 'native' name they earned in combat. The brother was Shadow Wolf." Karla smiled. "You're right, it is_cliché. Peri and her other brother - the one on the walkabout - never really got into the native culture lifestyle. They don't have names, so she was buried as, '_Peri Lynn Robinson-Darkhean', spelled the way she liked."

"The archaic way," Chance whispered. "I think she said her other brother's name is Rufus."

"Rufus," Karla repeated softly.

Chance licked his lips. He tried to sense information about the mirror from Karla but she was a stew of emotions and he couldn't sense the answer.

Karla sighed, resting her forehead against the right side of his head.

Chance used his shoulder to wipe tears from his left cheek. "I was curious ... did you get the mirror back to Natalia Kincade?"

"I did."

"Did you really date Natalia fifty years ago?"

Karla bit her lower lip. "Can't keep secrets from a telepath, huh? It wasn't 'dating' and it wasn't romantic. But, uh, yes ... I had a relationship with Natalia. She invited Kalen into the mix. I started a relationship with him. Natalia disapproved of the two of us pairing off without her."

"Yeah, I guess that had to be awkward."

"Heh, yeah." Karla shrugged. "Natalia briefly married some guy named Jarth Myrell, and it wasn't until this summer that I even heard from Natalia again."

Chance gave Karla a gentle tap on the side. "You're against my stitches, hun."

Karla eased her weight up a bit. "Sorry babe. But, hey, good news."

The boy smiled, sensing the active thoughts in Karla's mind. "She gave you a bonus, huh? Well, you went through all that stuff. You certainly earned more than half a million." He paused, hearing more of her thoughts, and said, "Seven hundred fifty thousand, huh? Wow."

"We can start a new life with that money," Karla said with a grin. "You and me, babe. Nathan intercepted your blood results, so the hospital won't find out about your telomeres. Not that they were looking for supernatural markers like Sokolov was, but ... yeah, you're safe from future scrutiny. He and Methos made sure of that."

"So now I heal up and we run away together, huh?"

"Damn right, babe!" Karla beamed.

He tilted his head, eyeing her. He saw a hint of something in her eyes. Sadness?

"What's wrong, Chance?"

He studied her facial expression for a moment. "Can I see my chart?"

"Don't worry yourself about that," Karla said. "You just worry about getting better. You're awake and that's all I could ever want."

"Karla, you're hiding something. Something has you upset but you're so emotional about me waking up," he trailed off and tilted his head somewhat, "that I can't read this other thing on your mind."

"It's fine, Chance. Just relax. Everything is going to be great, now."

"Can I have my chart?"

She shook her head and waved her hand. The chart, on the end of the bed, floated over to a shelf beneath the TV. "It's just a bunch of negativity on paper. You're going to need physical therapy. You're fine."

All at once, he got through - her thoughts became clear to him.

He sensed exactly what was at the back of her mind. He knew what was on the chart.

Chance glanced down at the end of the bed. He tried to wiggle his toes, but the blanket didn't move. He swallowed and tried again. Nothing.

He looked back up to Karla and offered a nod and weak smile of denial. "You're right. I'm fine. Just a few days to heal up, then some physical therapy and we're out of here."

"The best part is, Natalia offered to foot the whole bill. So we keep the three-quarter million bucks free-and-clear. Seven-fifty after taxes were taken out. And she's paying your medical bills. Everything is awesome."

"You might need to help me get around at first. You know? With your telekinesis like you did when we met," he said.

"Yeah ... yeah, exactly!" She put on her best faux smile.

He returned the expression. "You look exhausted, Karla."

"I am."

Chance thumbed a button on the side of his hospital bed. "Then why don't I ask for something to help me sleep. You can take it, and power down. You've been through a lot. Nothing like sleep to help you get yourself back on your feet."

"I have a hotel across the street. It's where I'm staying after visitor hours end."

Chance thumbed the cancel button. The 'nurse call' light went back out. "They're coming. Ah well, guess they saw the light. Too late now, huh?"

A nurse and a doctor came into the room.

Chance grinned at Karla.

Karla grinned back at her boyfriend and shrugged. "This has been the most normal thing to happen to us so far - you getting hurt and getting better."

Chance looked up at the doctor and nurse. "My name is Marcus Howard; I'm seventeen. I'm emancipated. My father died in a car accident earlier this year. This is my girlfriend, Karla. And before you ask, I'm not worried about the police. You don't need to call them to take my statement; I'm not going to file charges. The man who attacked me was..."

"Slow down," said the doctor, glad to see the boy was awake and aware. "All I was going to ask was what you remembered. Your family lawyer handled everything. He or she spoke to the police for you. I see you're okay. So let's talk about your health, Mr. Howard. You've undergone a lot after the car accident."

"I ... okay."

The doctor pulled up a chair and sat down besides the bed while the nurse checked Chance's vitals.

The doctor folded his hands and leaned on a nearby rolling table shaped to fit over hospital beds. "Most of what we know came from your girlfriend, here. She was very helpful in talking to us and the police."

Chance sensed Karla's story and said, "Yeah, we were in a car accident with a large truck. Hit and run. The limo flipped and caught on fire. Our friend, Peri, pulled us out but died from burns before the first responders arrived. So I was impaled by a piece of metal from the wreckage or something?"

The doctor nodded. "And you had serious smoke inhalation, and there was some nerve damage from your injuries."

Chance lifted his right hand. "I know what you're going to say next. I figured it out on my own. So, can you not say it? Let me be in denial for a while."

"I ... we can talk about it later. You should be here for about ten days, and then we can release you. At that time, we'll talk about getting you a recommendation for physical therapy." The doctor stood up. "You're a lucky man, Mr. Howard. I'm sorry about your friend. She was very brave to save you both."

"Yeah, brave. Peri was definitely brave," Chance said.

The doctor nodded. "I saw your limo on the news the other day. It had flipped into a ditch and the ruptured gas line caught fire. Blocked up the interstate for hours. You're lucky to have survived that mess."

"Yeah ... let's not talk about it. I'd really rather not think about it right now."

"Very well." The doctor nodded to the nurse. He cut his gaze back to Chance, adding, "I'll be back to check on you in a few hours before my shift ends." The doctor walked out, the nurse followed.

Chance turned back to Karla. "Lawyer, huh?"

Karla shrugged. "The Esoteric Council covered up everything. I have to meet with a representative now that you're awake. Think of them like a congressman, since the EC is technically a government. I need to figure out what to say."

He reached for her wrist. "I know exactly what to tell them."

Karla turned to face him, head tilted. "What?"

"I was oxygen deprived for a while. That, compounded with the head injuries I sustained in the car accident, has caused a_complete_ loss of my telepathy. Remember how I thought I was perceptive and refused to believe in it at first? How hard can it be to fake _not_having it?"

A smile spread across Karla's lips. "I could marry you."

He grinned in reply. "Then do it. I'd love nothing more than for you to be my Mrs. Howard."

She leaned down and kissed him, he returned the kiss. After a moment, they relinquished the lip-lock.

Chance licked his lips. "I forgot to ask, what happened to that vampire lady?"

Karla frowned. "It was tragic, really. Nathan used everything he had to take them down. And you remember the freaky monsters in that French warehouse?"

"Yeah, they were frozen because they can't die, right? The only one who was stable was the latest volunteer, Jasper Cunningham."

Karla nodded. "Well, apparently the offspring of Jasper wasn't stable. The little girl, Laura, was slowly turning into one of those things. Nathan's lightning blast accelerated her genetic instability and she transitioned rapidly and lost her old ability to protect her parents. Methos had an interesting theory."

Chance nodded with a weak smile. "I won't steal your thunder. Go ahead, tell me."

Karla reached down and playfully threatened to poke his stitches, but refrained from the antics. "The kid was drinking mommy-vamp's blood. Camilla wasn't an undead vampire, but more of a relative of the family of vampires, and was a sort of birth defect."

"What's the difference between a normal vampire and whatever Camilla was?"

Karla shrugged. "Camilla couldn't ingest live blood like Kalen or Natalia. Báthory had to soak in it and absorb it through her skin."

"Yeah, that's gross. But she still fed her blood to her little kid? Freaky."

"Yeah, vampires can feed their own blood, in small amounts, to humans. It's potent stuff, like a drug."

"God that is so messed up. Anyway, go on," he told her.

"Yeah, well, basically Methos thinks that the defective vampire blood was keeping the girl from aging, which kept her from turning into the super freak sooner. But it was bound to happen one way or the other."

"Jesus."

Karla nodded. "Yeah. Anyhow, when Nathan's lightning cooked those two, it did two things. One, it boiled off the vampiric blood that protected the kid from becoming unstable, and two, the current accelerated the kid's transition into whatever she was fated to become."

"Geeze, so Jasper's kid inherited some of the unstable junk code genetics? I mean, in one respect, Cunningham is lucky to be stable for this super soldier project he volunteered for. But, Christ, having the unstable genetic code passed on to his kid ... that's rough."

"Yeah." Karla fixed the corner of his blanket. "Alright, I need to talk to this EC representative and petition to offer you sanctuary. They may try to test you."

"Wait, aren't you being hunted, too?"

"Well, I did steal a mirror they want. I did cause a lot of trouble and kill a few of their warhorses. No regrets, though!" She preened.

Chance tilted his head. "Something is bothering you."

Karla bit her lower lip. "Does it make me a bitch that I've killed people and feel _zero_remorse?"

"You're worried you're a sociopath? Karla, do you love me?"

"Of course I do!" she said, brows furrowed. "You_know_ I do. I adore you!"

"I thought a sociopath doesn't have the empathy to experience real love. You feel terrible about Peri's death, and even worse about Mike's death, because he was Nathan's friend. You still feel guilty about ditching Natalia Kincade for Kalen. That's why you always tried avoiding Natalia."

Karla stayed quiet, listening to his words.

Chance continued. "You have a conscience. I'm not sure how you, uh, emotionally rationalize your actions. Just make sure it's not something you're bottling, because then it'll bite you later."

"I feel no remorse for killing in self defense." Karla shrugged. "I have a very strong self-preservation ... whatever it's called. I mean, you know, I have a strong penchant towards protecting myself. I'll move mountains to protect myself, and the ones I love. I'm more motivated to survive than the average shlub. Maybe it's because my kind are very rare."

"If that were true, then you wouldn't have risked your life to save Nathanial from that blast in 1908. You wouldn't have risked your life for the mirror - you saw the money as self-preservation, and it was more important than the danger involving its retrieval."

"Does that make me a bad person, Chance?"

"Not in the least. If we have kids, God help anyone who threatens them."

Karla's grin brightened to a genuine smile. "You want kids with me, huh?"

"You know I do. Just be careful talking to this representative, whoever they are. You're wanted. And I'd do anything to protect you."

"You're sweet, baby boy."

"I care more about you than myself. I'd take a bullet for you without even thinking about it." Chance eyed her for a moment. He tilted his head with an awkward chuckle. "You hear that from guys a lot, huh?"

"Anyone looking to score," she laughed. "Don't worry, I believe you. I saw you kirk-out on Ethan for me. I'm told you flipped-shit in France and knocked out everyone, then you carried me back through that big-ass warehouse. That couldn't have been easy, after being in a coma for a while. You totally earned your Macho Badge doing that. I didn't forget."

"I'm glad I woke up."

"Me too, baby boy." She looked at a clock on the wall and sighed. "I have an appointment, though. I have to get ready."

Chance offered her a smile. "I'll see you tomorrow morning during visiting hours."

Karla fished a cellphone out of her purse and plugged it into the wall next to his bed. "Yeah, babe. But first, you'll call me tonight. Hit Function One to speed-dial the hotel room I'm in."

"What room?"

Karla grinned. "Just ask for 'Mrs. Howard.' I love you." She blew him a kiss, walked to the window, peered out of it, and vanished.

Chance grinned brightly. "Nice." He leaned back on his bed and stretched. "Damn, I love that girl."

X

X

July 12, 1999 - 7:30 pm, EDT Coral Gables, Florida ...

Chance sat up in his hospital bed, reached for a control panel on the side of the bed and adjusted the incline controls. The bed changed position so that he was sitting with his back straight.

The door to his room opened. Darius Vei stepped in. His face was still healing from serious burns. Behind him, another man stepped into the room, shutting the door behind himself.

Darius gestured to the second man. "This is Justiciar Reinhardt St. Leonard. He is one of a handful of 'supreme judges' over the Esoteric Community - the grand judge for the North American continent. He's here to determine what he was told from a local EC representative."

"I'm glad to see you lived," Chance said. "Karla said a lot of things to you that day in France, but she cried when she thought you died."

Darius smirked. "She's wanted for multiple counts of homicide against supernatural peoples, and for second degree murder against several members of the council. As you probably already know, I hold a grudge against her."

"You seem the type," Chance said. "That's what I learned about you when we met in France. When I read your mind. Back when I still had that ability. I won't lie, though, it's nice to have the quiet. It'll be nice to walk around in public and be alone with my thoughts."

Reinhardt folded his arms. "I'm told you won't be doing very much walking anymore."

Chance frowned. He nodded with a grimace.

"Mm, so it's true. Volunteer 606 nearly killed you. The werewolf died against them? How did you survive?"

"Karla came out to check on me. She saw the leader of the group strike me with this tool that has a pickaxe thing on one side. Halligan bar or something like that. The last thing I saw before I blacked out was the fake fireman thrown into the air, and then slam into the ground."

The Justiciar nodded. "I saw a photograph of the crusader. He looked as though he'd jumped from a skyscraper. That was difficult to explain away. Karla made a mess of things. But I forgive her that one particular trespass."

Chance sensed the reason why and decided to play dumb. "Why, because he was part of a society that attacks supernaturals?"

"Mm, no, because she acted on emotion to preserve the life of someone with whom she is in love. Love makes people do foolish things - it is proof she still has some sort of humanity." Reinhardt tilted his head, seeing a look of confusion on the boy's face.

"What...?"

Reinhardt lowered his gaze, slowly, and then lifted it in an unnerving fashion. "Why does any person do something if not for emotions? We have children and take a mate for love, not because a mating season compels us. We are evolved beyond such compulsion and that is what separates humanity from the rest of the animal kingdom. We act because we want to, not because our hormones force our hand. Compulsion is for the weak. Obsessive compulsion is for the insane."

"Interesting theories you have there," said Chance. "But, yeah, she did it because she loves me."

"Where is she?" asked Darius, eyes narrowed.

Chance rolled his eyes. "You're not getting the mirror, so take a hike."

Darius turned to Reinhardt. "I knew it was a shit ruse - the boy obviously still has his ability."

"I can hear you." Chance narrowed his eyes as if insulted. "So am I not allowed to be smart enough to figure out a simpleton like you? I don't need telepathy to know you still want the stupid thing."

Vei sneered. "I'm here to kill her. If I get the mirror back, that's a bonus."

"You're a dick. What, are you jealous she loves me and not you?"

"Fuck you, little boy. You'll die, too."

The Justiciar reached over and gestured Darius into silence with a simple touch. "Surely you must know we're here to finish a job, young man. You. The community wants justice for all those who have died. Soldiers you and Karla have killed - they had families. Justice must be served."

Chance opened the folding desk on wheels adjacent to his hospital bed. Inside the hinged desktop was a small vanity mirror. He put his index finger on the reflective surface and said, "Please, Tamamo-no-Mae, I need you. To protect the mirror from the men who still seek it. Please, appear. Kudasai. I need you, Tamamo-sama."

A nine-tailed white fox appeared in the reflection with golden eyes and a red painted circle on her facial fur, above her eyes.

Chance cleared his throat. "Mr. Vei, do you remember the last time you went up against a kitsune? The three-tail? This one has nine tails. Do you _want_to be burned from the inside out? We're at a stalemate. Everyone dies and this hospital burns to the ground. No mirror, and no justice. Just more bodies."

Reinhardt appeared immediately uncomfortable. "You cannot bluff with deities. Simply suggesting that means you forfeit your life, too."

"I don't care. I'd do it to protect Karla." Chance tilted his head, gauging the man's facial expression. "Wait, you recognize Tamamo-sama?"

"You're right," said the Justiciar. "You are in love with the succubus," he said, changing the subject.

"Goddamn right I am."

"So what is it you want?" asked Reinhardt.

"Sir," Darius protested. "With all due respect, I could shatter that little mirror and kill the boy, then we'll find the succubus. We can simply avoid reflections and..."

Reinhardt put his hand on Darius' forearm. "Stop. I wish to hear him out."

"But..."

"I _said_to let Mr. Howard speak." St. Leonard glanced over at the woman in the reflection. He looked away from her, avoiding eye contact with the kitsune.

Chance bit his lower lip and glanced at Tamamo in the mirror. He offered her a weak smile, glad she was there to back him up. He looked back to the two men at the foot of his bed and said, "You stop hunting Karla. On your honor, you will leave her alone. No matter what she does wrong, you cover it up."

"That's a tall order," said the Justiciar. "I get nothing out of this, and Karla gets immunity? Why? You get more flies with honey than vin-"

"I've always hated that cliché saying, Justiciar St. Leonard. With all due respect, I will give you something you want_far more_ if you swear, on your honor, to stop hunting Karla. Tamamo, here, will be the moderator."

"What do I get in return?"

"A telepath." Chance remained stoic.

Vei hissed with venom in his tone. "I fucking knew it, you little shit."

"Quiet, Darius. You're too emotionally vested in this."

The telepath offered a calm shrug. "If either of you break the agreement, Tamamo will set you on fire from anywhere at any time."

"If I kill you," said Darius, "Karla will attack everyone and anyone who..."

"No," said Chance. "Karla has an agreement with Tamamo, here, to protect her from heartbreak. She will make Karla forget how strongly she felt about me. You will walk away without the mirror. You will walk away from this witch-hunt against Karla. And if you do all these things, I will agree to give up without resisting."

The Justiciar rubbed his chin in thought. "A noble sacrifice. But I need the kitsune's word that Karla can never know it was us. Your existence is against our laws. I am here to do my job - deliver justice."

"Tamamo-sama?"

The white-furred vixen nodded in the mirror's reflection "Hai, I will honor the terms of this most-honorable sacrifice." Her eyes cut to the two men.

Reinhardt seemed familiar to her but she couldn't place his face. "How will you take his life, Justiciar? A ceremonial dagger is preferable."

Reinhardt shook his head. "Too messy, and difficult to explain. We have to consider covering this up from the mortal world. I will deliver a lethal injection. We will walk out of here," he glanced to Chance, "and Karla will find your body. She can bury you or do whatever she wishes to do to make peace with her loss. In exchange for your surrender, we will ignore her childish transgressions so long as she does not blatantly go public with her abilities."

Chance nodded in silence.

Reinhardt checked his vest pockets. "She is, after all, one of the heroes of Tunguska - one of only a handful to survive the front line of the battlefield. I will honor the terms of her immunity based on your surrender and the fact she is a war-hero of sorts."

"I appreciate that."

The Justiciar apparently found what he was looking for, holding a syringe against the light. "Why are you willing to do this, Marcus?"

Chance smirked. "I want her safe. Also, I sustained a very bad head injury in the car accident. I can barely write my own name, and reading is a chore. I had serious nerve damage from a pickaxe. I saw my charts. The doctor thinks my injuries may cause complications later. In fact, my injuries are already causing complications now."

Justiciar tilted his head, brows slightly furrowed. "How do you mean?"

"I woke up paralyzed from the waist down. My girl is a succubus. I won't have her starve herself for me. I'm useless to her. I'll never enjoy a physical joining with her, and will have to stand by and watch her feed on others. I can't..." Chance licked his lips with a frown. "I just can't do that. At least this way, she'll be safe when I die, and Tamamo-no-Mae will make sure you stay true to your word. She's a kitsune with a sworn allegiance to a noble Shinto deity. She lives her life by a code of honor and she will keep this agreement a secret."

Darius glared over at the mirror, still angry that a fire-wielding spirit fox had attacked him in France. "I don't know if I can trust goddamn kitsune freaks. Why would she honor this?"

Tamamo, from the reflection said, "I am honor-bound to this request. Marcus Howard asked me about this just a little while ago when he sensed that the two of you were in the hospital searching for him. I have agreed because it is what he wants: to die at the hands of an enemy, like a warrior. He does not wish to be confined to a bed."

Nobody spoke.

Tamamo continued. "This young man wishes to ensure the protection of the woman he loves. And if either of you go after Karla, I will do far more than set the two of you ablaze."

The Justiciar smirked at the threat. "What more can you do, spirit fox?"

Tamamo replied with a mysterious sort of smile, which spread slowly across her muzzle. "I will tell everyone what his father learned regarding the corruption in your council. Worst case, the council implodes. Best case, there is another civil war. And we all know how the last one ended. With a bang, followed by a long-winded mewling whimper that lasted decades."

Chance turned his eyes back to the men at the foot of his hospital bed and said, "Do whatever it is you've come to do, and then leave and never bother her. Ever again."

Justiciar St. Leonard nodded in agreement. "I accept the terms. Karla enjoys immunity from her recent transgressions, and will maintain immunity against small immature misdemeanors, so long as she does not break our cardinal law of going public."

Chance nodded, arms folded. "There's one more thing."

Darius rolled his eyes. "There is always one more thing. Sir, with all due respect, kill the boy before he comes up with more requests that we shouldn't be entertaining."

Reinhardt narrowed his gaze on Chance. "These are your last words, so make them quick."

"You might want to listen to what I have to say."

The Justiciar nodded. "Go on, little attention whore."

Chance laughed. "Attention whore? Not quite, pal. I'm about to do you a favor for honoring my request." He glanced at Tamamo and said, "Can you keep Darius from interrupting?"

"Gladly." Tamamo lifted her small white forepaw. An orb of fire appeared, floating adjacent to Darius, who cringed.

Chance waggled his brows at the Justiciar with a wan grin. "I just thought you'd like to know that Darius, here, is planning to throw you under the bus in order to take your place. He has very big aspirations. I know this is the reason you people want me dead - because nobody has any privacy here. But Darius plans to kill you, and create a campaign to hunt for your killer to bring justice. He wants to platform that into filling your position. If I didn't expose him, he'd renege on our deal, and go after Karla because he holds a grudge"

"I...!" Darius clenched his right hand into a fist but kept his eyes on the fireball.

The telepath offered a shrug of indifference. "I figured I'd at least expose him. If I have to die, so should he."

The Justiciar turned to Darius.

Darius Vei withdrew his silenced handgun with his left hand, took a step towards the hospital bed, and shot the mirror. It shattered.

"Move!" Chance shouted.

Darius turned and reached for the Justiciar's arm.

Reinhardt shied back from Darius' lethal touch.

As soon as Darius was facing away from Chance, the teenager snagged a dinner knife from his nearby empty dinner plate. Chance pivoted his rump on the mattress and shoved the knife into Vei's kidney.

Reinhardt covered Darius' mouth with his to keep the dying man quiet. The Justiciar guided Vei's body down, slumped over Chance's legs.

Chance smirked. "I hate killing people, but he hurt Karla, and was going to do it again."

"How'd that make you feel?" asked the Justiciar, still in a measure of shock from the altercation.

"A lot better than it should have. I'm ready to keep my promise."

Reinhardt narrowed his gaze. He turned about and abruptly left the room.

Chance looked down at Darius' body, draped across his legs. He couldn't even feel the weight of the man. Chance turned to the broken mirror and sighed. "Can you still hear me?"

"I can," said the kitsune, her voice somewhat distorted, like twelve layers echoing over one another. "That was most brave, Marcus-san."

"I don't want Karla to remember certain things because it'll draw her back into a dramatic mess with the EC."

"I already promised her this."

"No, there's a lot she has to forget. Peri. Sinopa. Aris Falcon in Siberia. Las Vegas and fighting everyone in the rain, and all this recent stuff with Jon C. Parker. Let her think she hit her head in the hotel, and ... I don't know."

"Have you considered the outcome of your actions?"

Chance sighed. "If she goes on a crazy spree to get some sort of justice, it will put her in danger."

Tamamo also sighed. "I promise to carefully remove very select memories from Karla. But there is a possibility that these repressed memories will manifest in her personality. But I am afraid I cannot completely remove a love as true and pure as what she feels for you. I can only repress the intensity with which she felt such love, temporarily."

"It'll have to be good enough." Chance looked up at the door expectantly. "He's coming back."

Reinhardt returned to the room with a capped syringe and shut the door behind himself. "Mr. Howard ... Marcus, I appreciate what you've done today. You saved my life and, ironically, I'm here to take yours. Sometimes justice leaves a bittersweet taste in our mouths. But inaction breeds a greater danger to the future. If I make an exception for you, then the community..."

"Save it. Do what you came to do. I'm seventeen. I never got to reach manhood, but that doesn't mean I can't get to die like a man. I have one more favor of you. I have boots in the cabinet beneath the shelf under the TV. Karla bought them for me, but didn't tell me about them yet. I wanted some really kickass boots in case I could walk out of here, but that's not going to happen. Take them out and put them on my feet."

Reinhardt eyed him for a moment. He placed the syringe on a shelf beneath the television. The Justiciar opened the cabinet and pulled out a pair of brand new boots. "Interesting."

"What is?"

"You wish to die with your boots on. I find your notion of what constitutes as manhood to be fascinating. I wonder if it's something you decided for yourself, or if it's something you sensed from others, and then adopted."

"Just put them on my feet. Please."

Reinhardt carefully put the boots on Chance's feet and laced them. He picked the syringe up from the shelf beneath the TV and turned back to the young man. "This will not take effect right away, nor will it be painful. This hospital doesn't carry something that will immediately take your life. I want you to pick up that cell phone and call her. I know she's across the street. I didn't tell Darius so that he would behave, but I knew. Call her here. You shouldn't have to die alone."

"Why are you doing this?"

"Immortality is sustained by a healthy mind. Humanity is an important key to longevity and mental health. More importantly, I have a heart."

"Do you? You hate humans."

"Karla is not related to any mundane. And, as it turns out, neither are you. I've learned your mother was actually gifted, as well."

"Try and learn how to get over your racism towards humans."

Reinhardt nodded. "I will do my best, but I make no promises. Now, call her over. Tell her Darius attacked, and you killed him. I will approach her, later, and tell her that Darius was forbidden to attack you. I will tell her that I regret your death, and in exchange, I will grant her immunity for the folly of her recent actions. I will tell her to avoid me, and, in return, I will avoid her. I have important things to do from here on out."

Chance eyed him for a moment. "You already have a replacement for Darius, huh? Your brother?"

"There is no doubting the impressive ability you possess. Yes, my brother."

"What kind of name is Sire anyhow?"

"We change our names every now and then so that the mortal world doesn't catch on. He chose 'Sire' a number of years ago."

"It's weird. It kind of borders on cliché sounding. Thanks for the boots, by the way. One last thing."

"Must there be?"

"Tell your new guy, Sire, his first order of business is to go to Australia. I want him to personally find Rufus Darken, Peri's surviving brother. Rufus should be told his sister died bravely, against Volunteer 606, as a werewolf. She was buried, as a werewolf, with the ashes of her husband, Tyrell Robinson. You got all that?"

"Very well. It will be Sire's first order of business - to find Rufus Darken in Australia." Reinhardt eased the tip of the syringe into Chance's leg, which went unfelt. He reached for Darius' hand, guided the dead man's fingers around the syringe and manipulated Vei's thumb on the plunger. "Darius killed you because he thought you were asleep and wanted to do it in silence. He did it in the leg, thinking you wouldn't feel it. You reached for the dinner knife and stabbed him."

"I know the story," Chance said. "You have to stick to it, too. Now go. And remember to stay away from Karla." Chance smirked, adding, "I saw the way you looked at Tamamo. You're actually scared of the kitsune."

"I have my reasons." The Justiciar left and shut the door behind himself.

Chance sighed and turned to the mirror. "He recognized you."

"Hai. What did you sense?"

"He's afraid of you. Very afraid. Apparently you know his brother, and it wasn't on the best of terms."

"Sire St. Leonard is unfamiliar to me. I'm afraid it must have been an old name, if I knew the man." Her smile went unseen through the cracked mirror. "Perhaps I once possessed the brother's wife. It wouldn't be the first time I amused myself with kitsune-tsukai."

"I don't think that was it."

"Very well. Now, call on Karla. You have very little time left, Marcus-san. I will give you privacy to say your final words. I must go and remove Sinopa's memories of Karla and of you, Marcus-san. Forgetfulness must go both ways."

"Thank you for your help."

"It was my honor, Marcus ... sama." Her spider-web reflection disappeared from the mirror.

Chance reached over and snagged Karla's cellphone from his nightstand. He thumbed the speed-dial for her hotel room.

As soon as she answered, Chance announced, "Get over here, quick, Darius attacked."

Karla appeared before he could flip shut the Motorola Star-TAC.

She looked around, saw the gunshot in the mirror, the weapon hanging from Darius' hand, and the syringe sticking up from Chance's leg. She waved her hand at it.

The needle fell to the floor and clattered on the tiles.

"I don't have long," said Chance. "I summoned Tamamo. He shot the mirror and jabbed the needle in my leg. I buried the knife in him as he started to turn away from me. I don't think hospitals carry stuff that is instantaneous but, I'm starting to feel groggy and..."

She waved her hand again, knocking Darius to the floor. She turned to Chance and cupped his face in her hands. "Stop talking. I'll call the doctor."

"No, Karla, wait. I don't want my last minutes to be of doctors and nurses telling you to stay away. I want to spend it with you. It's too late. I sensed it from him, he loaded that thing up with lethal chemicals. I'm so sorry, Karla."

Her lower lip trembled. "Chance, baby, I can't lose you. I can't lose what we have. I can't handle that. I swear to God, I will kill everyone in the council. I will fuc-"

"Karla, stop. He acted alone. I sensed that he was going to murder the Justiciar guy, and try to take his place."

Karla blinked.

"Reinhardt, that was his name. We spoke."

"You spoke to Reinhardt?!"

"Yeah, hon. The Justiciar decided to cut his losses and walk away from this whole thing. Darius wanted revenge against both you and me, so he got angry."

"Jesus Christ..."

"Darius was going to murder Reinhardt, take his place, and kill you because he holds a grudge. He came for me then was going to go for you. I couldn't let anything happen to you, Karla. I love you."

"Chance, baby, please," she begged, a frantic look in her eyes. She climbed up onto the bed and put her knees on either side of his hips, still holding his face in her palms. "Look at me. I love you. Baby, I love you. I can't lose you. We have to try and..."

"Karla ... you're free. They won't hunt you."

"No, but I'll damned well make their lives hell for..."

"Karla, please. I only have a little time left. I can't lie to you, either. I spoke to the Justiciar before I called you."

"Wait, what?"

"After I killed Darius with the knife, I had a brief conversation with the man. I made him promise that you have full immunity. He was grateful that I saved his life from Darius. I asked him to put my boots on and leave. Tamamo promised to make sure he sticks to his promise that you will not be hunted."

Karla's lower lip trembled. It was all too much, too fast. Tears streamed down her face. She looked back, behind herself, at the boots on Chance's feet.

She looked back at his face. Karla began to breathe hard, quickly. "Baby, I can't lose you. I love you so-fucking-much."

"Karla, I love you. I love everything about you. I asked Tamamo not to take your memories of me. Just to lessen the intensity of the hurt in your heart. I don't want you to forget all of me."

"No, never," she replied with a tone of promise, through tears of testament. "I swear I will never forget you, or us. You're the only one I want. I adore you, Chance."

"Karla, my only regret is that I couldn't live long enough to legally make you Karla Howard."

She guided his hand to her chest. "I'm Karla Howard here. I'm yours. Baby, please, we should call a doctor. They can maybe do some sort of..."

"I'm dying," he said. "I'm fighting the need to fall asleep. My eyes're heavy. I just wanted to hold you in my arms one last time. Please let me do that."

"They could save you!"

"It's too late. The rest of my body is starting to feel like my legs. There's just nothing. I want you to promise me you'll never stop living. Embrace life. Be as free of a spirit as Peri. Be as brave as Mike. And never forget..." his body began shutting down.

Karla gaped. She pulled his arms up around herself and hugged him tightly. "Chance, baby, please!"

He reached into his pocket and pulled on the scalloped lace corner of a silk handkerchief. He lifted it up and used it to dab her eyes. A fancy 'K' decorated one corner. "I consider myself lucky just to have won your favor..."

It was the same handkerchief she gave to him in California. It felt like years ago.

Karla swallowed hard. Her heart ached. Her chest felt tight. "Baby, please. Chance, I can't lose you..."

His body relaxed beneath her. His eyes became half lidded. His heart slowed. "...Love you," he whispered. A single tear slid down from the corner of his left eye and raced along his nose.

Karla brushed her lips against his. Her tears fell against his face. She thumbed the Nurse-Call button on the side of his bed. She took a deep breath and held it, so as not to hyperventilate.

Silence.

Karla slid off of his body, raced to the bathroom and put her hands on the mirror above the sink. "You bring him back right now!" she demanded. "Bring him back! You're deities, dammit! Bring him back!"

Hands closed around Karla's, pulling her through the reflection.

Karla spilled out on a glowing golden floor at Tamamo's side.

Tamamo, with the body of a human, wore a silk kimono. Long white hair framed either side of her alabaster face. "I am a messenger spirit for the deity of fertility, agriculture, and..."

"BRING HIM BACK!" Karla wailed, panting with exasperation.

"I CAN NOT!" Tamamo barked back. She performed the transition back to her vixen shape. A frown tugged at the kitsune's maw. In a softer voice, she added, "I most certainly would if I could. He is the bravest human I've seen in a long time. He deserves to live, but I do not have the power of divine intervention. I could not repair the immense damage to his body. Likewise, I cannot restore his life, Karla-san."

Karla collapsed onto her side, crying hysterically. She kicked the wall beneath the portal reflection and pulled at her hair. "No! NO! He can't die! I can't lose him! I need him! I can't ... four hundred years alone! He was my soul mate! NO!"

"Karla-san, he was never going to walk again and..."

"I don't care! He was my heart and soul!" She thrashed about wildly, a sobbing mess unable to control herself. "I will kill everyone if I can't have him! Why! Why can everyone else be happy but me?! I love him! I can't lose him! Please, God, please!"

"Karla-san..."

She got to her knees, hands over her face, "I was wrong!" she shouted, "There is no God! Nobody is horrible enough to bring him back only to kill him like that! NO!"

"Karla!! Control yourself! He wouldn't have wanted you to react this way!"

Karla doubled over and pushed her face against the floor, softly moaning the word, "No ... Chance, please, no..."

"You shouldn't have given away your handkerchief. Such is used to wipe away tears and sweat, a byproduct of sadness and frustration in the Chinese culture."

"Bring him back!"

Tamamo continued speaking overtop the outburst. "Giving your handkerchief as a gift generates an inauspicious chi. It is..."

"Bring him back!" Karla shouted, tears streaming down her face.

Tamamo placed her small white paws on Karla's back. "Sleep, now."

Karla collapsed to her side, unconscious. Tears drenched her face to the point Karla's lips were slick.

Tamamo took Karla's blouse in her teeth and dragged her down the hallway. She put her small paws against Karla's forehead. "Forget..." She paused.

After a moment, Tamamo murmured in Japanese. She repeated her words in English, into Karla's ear. "Let your heart be unburdened by this pain until such a time as you can handle the knowledge of..." Tamamo trailed off with a look of confusion on her face.

She leaned down and brushed her nose against Karla's face. Tamamo rubbed her small white-furred head against Karla's forehead.

Karla slumbered in silence.

Tamamo's ears laid back over her head. "Someone has recently taken painful memories from you. What you bottle is immense. God help anyone who opens the lid of this jar, locked away in your mind."

Silence.

Tamamo sighed. "Who else has the ability and means to have scared your memories in such a way? And why? And what was so ... terrible that it had to be locked away in such a manner? What have you witnessed; what pain have you endured, succubus?"

Silence.

Tamamo gently kissed Karla's forehead. "Perhaps a distraction will help you cope with your loss." She moved around behind the little blond demon, put her small white fox paws on Karla's lower back, and pushed her into another mirrored portal.

Karla spilled through and levitated across a bedroom. She dropped gently upon a king-sized bed, at her home in San Leandro. "Sleep. You will wake up to a distraction that will help to give you new perspective."

Tamamo walked away from the mirror and approached another reflective portal. She placed her small paws against the shimmering surface, unable to penetrate the barrier. "Azazel!"

A handsome man approached the reflection. He offered a charming smile. "Tam-sama. I'm honored to see you again. I wanted to thank you."

Tamamo coughed into a small paw. "Yes, well," she looked over his shoulder, trying to ignore the powerful charming personality of the handsome man. "You saved her life."

"I haven't taken a life in many, many years."

"Yes, Azazel, well ... attacking Elizabeth Báthory's body guards, and burying her stupid shielded orb into the ground ensured that your daughter and her friend, The Anomaly, managed to survive."

"Mm, yes. His name is Nathanial Carrington. I appreciate you allowing me to help. I only wish I could have seen Keturah's face in person."

"Azazel, I let you see your daughter from the Hallway of Reflection. But your work for the gods is important. Do not forget your mission."

"Of course not. I've finished it."

"You have? You've completed your task?"

"The Key of Time is hidden where no one, human or supernatural, will find it."

Tamamo's gaze meandered back to his handsome face. She quickly averted her eyes again. "How did you accomplish the goal?"

"My wife's brother, Raul Sergio Poliandro."

"Excuse me? The suave pervert?"

"Don't judge him, he simply finds all women to be beautiful. Raul has a gift you cannot begin to comprehend. He could be one of the most powerful supernaturals ever born."

"How so?"

"He isn't quantum entangled with Earth the way all other people are."

"I do not comprehend, incubus. I am knowledgeable in all fields of academia. Are you speaking gibberish?"

"No, Tamamo, my love."

She looked away abruptly, as if shy. "I am not your love."

"You could be for a day if you wished it. A day in your plane could last as long as you wished."

"Stop..."

"Very well." The incubus smiled. "Quantum mechanics is a theoretical field of academia. It is not something I expect either of us are capable of understanding. Raul is not anchored to Earth, nor is he anchored to the present."

"He can travel through time?"

"I was wrong, Tamamo. You are knowledgeable in all fields of academia. I am impressed. You are most correct, my lovely vixen."

Tamamo's ears laid flat upon her head.

"Yes, Raul can travel through time and space in small trips. It is taxing. But with enough time and energy, he can reach various points in Earth's history. The trick is to arrive on Earth."

"I ... do not understand your meaning. Speak more clearly."

"The Earth moves. The solar system, along with Earth, moves. The galaxy, with the solar system, and with Earth, also moves. If Raul were to attempt to step through time and space too far at one time, he would arrive in a section of the universe where Earth no longer resides. His body is human. He would die, instantly, in the vacuum of space. So he can only travel in small increments so that he moves _with_the Earth."

Tamamo blinked.

Azazel continued. "Raul teleports like my daughter, but because he is not quantum entangled to this plane of existence, he can teleport through Space-time. It is exceedingly dangerous. I spent the last half-century moving through time, slowly, with Raul. We hid the key in the distant future. It will never be found."

"And without it," Tamamo said, slowly, as if still digesting his explanation. "Without ... without it, the machine of the ancient Enlightened Ones cannot be activated."

"It wasn't a key the way you're thinking," said Azazel. "It was a component of The God Machine."

"And my people will never be able to obtain it?"

"No." the incubus shook his head. "You really think Sigyn or her idiot husband would dare use The God Machine?"

"Yes! If taken back through time and activated, it would create what the humans call The Big Bang. For all we know, this is the machine that paradoxically created life."

"God created life, my love." The incubus flashed a brilliant smile.

Tamamo flinched. "I am not your love. And what if The One True Creator took this machine out of time and, by design, used it to create life from nothing? No one knows how life began. This machine creates life."

"Life already exists. Using it would cancel out, or possibly collapse the universe. Or it would just cause a large explosion and dump a lot of mass into the current one."

Tamamo scoffed. "They wouldn't use it in this universe."

Azazel's eyes widened slightly. He stared at her for a moment and nodded in understanding. "Sigyn and her husband would use it in a barren plane of existence, and start their own universe to escape our own?"

"Yes. The God Machine must never be used. The Enlightened First of humanity," she licked her lips, "they were smart to bury such technology away forever. However they were fools to create something with such potential, to begin with."

"Yet wise enough not to activate it."

"Hai, that is true, incubus."

"Look at me, Tamamo. It's awkward that you're looking over my shoulder, love."

"I am _not_your ... love," she said, saying the last word shyly. "Stop saying it. You are a sex demon. Flirty and attractive. I smell your pheromones from this plane. Azazel, you must take the knowledge of the key's location to your grave. However, I have a reward for you for finishing your task."

"A night in your arms?"

"Stop," she murmured. Tamamo swallowed, trying not to swoon. "Are you back in the present?"

"I am. Else you could not contact me. I have been back in the present for a week, now. That's how you were able to contact me when you needed me to take down Elizabeth and her armed thugs."

"Hai. Yes, of course. Forgive me. I am tired at the moment. Your reward is a phone number. Wait twelve hours to call it. Your daughter will answer. She just watched the love of her life die in her arms. I had to repress some of her memories to help stabilize her emotions. While digging about in her mind, I discovered that someone else recently repressed some of her memories."

"Recently?" asked the incubus, brows arched. "How recently?"

"Approximately two years ago. I cannot see what was hidden - it's buried deep, heavily repressed. Whatever is there is the cause of a very powerful guilt. A burden that was too much for her heart. I fear if she remembers everything she has ever forgotten, it will change her for the worse, unless she has a proper ... mm, distraction."

"My calling her will set her on a path of distraction ... is that it?"

"Yes, exactly. My I ask, though, why you returned to this present? With Raul having such an ability, he could have returned you to the time you left, and Karla, as she is called now, would not have gone without you."

"I know she is called Karla, now. I remember when she changed it. But she will always be Keturah to me, love." Azazel offered a charming smile. "I am quantum entangled to a 'here and now' plane of Earth. Without Raul at my side, I cannot exist outside of my time. So he dropped me off here in the time line to which I am anchored. Do you understand?"

"No."

"I could return to the date and time I left. However, Raul says it would not be good to do so. I assume it is because it would be somehow detrimental to my health."

"Very well." Tamamo scrawled down an elegant trail of fire against the reflection, carefully crafting digits in reverse. "Call her at this American number. In twelve hours. Write it down. Call her."

"What should we talk about?"

"I do not know. Tell her that you love her, and you are sorry you could not be around more often. If you are sincere, she will understand." Tamamo waited until he wrote down the number. She waved her paw, removing the flaming letters in the portal. "One last thing..."

"Yes?"

"The child, Aris Sokolov, has changed his name to better blend into America."

"Mm, what does he call himself, love?"

"Aris Jackson Falcon." Tamamo pursed her lips together for a moment. She sighed through her nose. "I must go. I have to visit Sinopa."

"Who?"

"A student of mine, Azazel."

"Is she available?"

"She is married and pregnant with twins. Keep your distance from her. She is not to become one of your collection of lovers on your ... score card."

"I do not consider my lovers as conquests."

"Mm, so I am not a conquest?"

"Never. You are, however, very passionate. I could never understand why you act shy when I speak to you."

"Because you are a constant distraction when I am trying to hold a conversation." Tamamo met his eyes, offered a flirty smile, which tugged at the corners of her little white maw. She trotted away from the reflective portal. "_Perhaps_I will let you visit me ... soon," she called back as she walked away, head held high.

"Perhaps'soon' is too long!" he called back, his voice fading as she moved further away.

Under her breath she whispered, "Men," and rolled her eyes with a wan smile.

X

X

Epilogue...

Karla withdrew her California Driver's license and checked the photograph in the sunlight to see if it looked as good as it did in the indoor lighting.

Her eyes drifted to her new name, Karla Anne Howard, adjacent to her picture.

She pursed her lips in a grimace and swallowed down emotion.

Reverently, she eased the license into a flap in her clutch purse, adjacent to a photograph of her in Chance's arms. She thumbed it out and looked at it closely.

In the picture, Chance was holding her in a loving embrace.

The red buildings in the background reminded her of Marseilles France, but she couldn't remember ever going there with him. She couldn't recall who took the picture, either.

A shadow at the bottom of the photograph had the figure of a woman. Three objects were in the shadow, at hip-height, making the shadow appear to have tails.

"How absurd," Karla thought aloud. Her own voice startled her.

Karla glanced back to the posture of how Chance held her in his arms. He appeared physically tired, and she, in the photograph, appeared unconscious.

"Why can't I remember?" she whispered.

Karla pushed the picture back into her clutch purse. She put the small purse into her handbag and crossed a parking lot outside of the DMV.

She stopped near a bench and scanned the bus stop sign to see if the bus number to San Leandro was on this route. Satisfied, she settled down on the bench, resting her handbag across her lap.

Karla rummaged through her bag for a tube of lipstick. She came across a silk handkerchief with a scalloped lace border.

She withdrew the fabric reverently and stared at it. She'd carried them around for ages, but something felt oddly familiar about this one.

She traced her right thumb over the fancy 'K' in the corner and mouthed the word, 'Chance?' She felt as though she knew there was something she was forgetting.

Karla brought the fabric to her nose. She recognized the scent of a man on the cloth but couldn't remember from where she knew the scent. She wondered if it belonged to the telepathic boy she rescued at the beginning of the summer. The thing is, she couldn't recall ever giving the handkerchief to him.

Her Motorola StarTAC rang.

Distracted, she opened her bag, rummaged through it briefly and pulled out her phone. Karla flipped it open and brought it to her ear. "This is Karla."

She listened to someone speaking on the other end.

Karla brought her free hand to her mouth in surprise. Her heart began to race. Her lower lip trembled and time felt as though it slowed to a crawl.

She swallowed. Her mouth instantly felt dry.

It took several long seconds to find her voice. In a soft tone of astonishment, she asked, "Daddy?"

END of Book 1

Thank you for reading!

X

To be continued...

Act 1 novel list in Chronological order:

1)"Advent of Iniquity (Working Title)" set in 1999

2)"A Necessary Evil (Working Title)" set in August 2023. (To be heavily extended upon!)

3)"The Esoteric Collapse / Fallout" set in 2023 (Old book2 to be combined with Book3 when revised!)

4)"Rebirth" set in 2023

5)"Family Bonds" set in 2023

6)"Beginning of the End (Working Title)" set in 2024

7)"Dawn of Progeny" set in 2049

8)"Return of the Titans" set in 2049

9)"Reflections of Fate" set in 2049

10) _"Folly of the Gods" set in 2049_

11) _"Atonement of the Gods" set in 2049 and 2050._

Thank you for reading!

---

THE END of the Prequel!

AND NOW! ON TO THE NEXT BOOK: https://www.sofurry.com/view/530213

Thanks for reading! :D