Possession (14 page)

Chapter 19

The eerie silence of the realm he remained in did little to reassure Fallon. Was this the place he’d spend eternity? He was dead, yet he felt the same. He longed for Tonia, craved her, and fury filled him at the thought that within days Julian would bond her with Logan.

“This shit sucks.” He punched the air, since there was nothing solid to hit. Even his form was not quite physical.

“Julian!” he yelled again. “Get me the hell out of here.”

He waited. Silence. “And you better not mate Logan to her.” He put in for good measure.

Frustrated he began to pray. Perhaps the only one that could hear him in this forsaken place was God. Would God hook him up or push him on his way to wherever he'd spend eternity?

A light filled the space and he jerked up. Great now God was coming to get him. He was really dead. At least if he went to heaven, there he’d be too happy to care what happened.

That's what he hoped anyway.

The form of a male appeared. Fallon assumed he was an angel, but he kept his mouth shut and waited. The male studied him for a moment and rolled his eyes. “I’m not a damn angel.” The wide-shouldered being had multi-colored hair, auburn streaks mingling with gold and burnished bronze. His eyes were a piercing shade of amber. A tattoo of a phoenix decorated his top right chest area. “I am Ares.”

Not sure what to say, Fallon remained quiet. The male looked past him for a moment. “I am...was a Protector.”

“A Protector?”

“I have been here for centuries, not able to return to my body.”

“Great. A forever roommate,” Fallon snorted. “I don’t plan to stay.”

“You won’t,” Ares agreed, surprising him. “They are working on bringing you back.” The male looked down and Fallon followed his lead, but saw only darkness.

“Where is your body? Maybe I can help find it and get you back.”

The pain in the male's eyes tore through Fallon, his body was probably dust by now.

“Thank you,” Ares replied. “Know that I am here, that is enough.”

“Where are you from?” Fallon asked. "What is your surname?"

“I am Byzantine,” Ares replied, his expression serious. “I am not sure what a surname is.”

That was all right since Fallon had no idea what the hell a Byzantine was. “If anyone can help it’s Julian, my leader.” and the bastard who needed to get him out of there. “Now!” he yelled noting Ares' eyebrows rise. “I’m not yelling at you.”

Ares nodded. “Tell Julian I am here. Be well.”

He disappeared.

Fallon couldn't hold the screams as invisible claws shredded his body. The ground gave out and he fell into space.

“Welcome back, Cinderella.” Logan’s drawl pierced his ear. It was followed by a gruff voice.

“It’s Snow White. She’s the one that went comatose after biting an apple, dumbass,” Cyn corrected.

"Hey what about Sleeping Beauty? That works, too,” Logan quipped back.

“The fact that you know that is plain scary,” Kieran was in the room, too.

“Would all of you please shut up?” Julian’s grumpy tone quieted the room.

Fallon waited, he'd not heard the one voice he’d hoped to.

***

Gerard flashed back out of the house straight into the SUV. For long moments, he groaned in pain, his old body contorted and twisted unnaturally as he moved back into it.

The guards watched wide-eyed, not able to do anything to help. When he completed the reentrance, he moaned in agony.

“Drive, I must have blood, find me someone fast,” he ordered them and grabbed one of the guard’s arms and pulled it to his mouth. His fangs sunk into the male’s wrist. He took from him, not caring that the demon yelped in pain. The demon’s blood would help until they found a human.

The car swerved into an alley and the driver sprung out of the car. A lone woman, a prostitute turned to watch the male that came toward her. She eyed the demon, assessing the expensive clothing and muscular physique. “Well it looks like it’s my lucky night,” she told him. Gerard watched and his mouth watered when the guard took her by the arm and brought her to the vehicle. The back door opened and she was pushed in. Curvy with cropped-over sprayed hair, she would suit him fine. Her dull thickly—lined eyes looked at him, and then at the other two in the front seat. “It’s gonna cost you extra, if you want me to do all three of you.”

“Just me,” Gerard told her, as he locked gazes with her, taking control of her mind. She nodded, her eyes blank. “Now be a good girl and turn your head.”

Before sinking his fangs into her throat, he glanced at the demon that held his wrist against his chest. “Find another, she won’t be enough.”

He scrambled out of the car.

The woman’s blood coursed through him, each swallow made him stronger and he leaned over her. Her hand moved into his pants and he allowed her. She moaned enjoying the pleasure that came from his feeding. When she took him in hand, he bucked into it, they’d come together, but only one of them would live to remember it.

Later, they drove to one of his homes, this one in an outer part of Atlanta. A house he didn’t tell anyone about. The one he planned to move in using Trent's body.  Once they parked, he went inside to a large living room and sat. His fingers drummed on the chair’s arm as he began to formulate his new plan.

He’d begin to recruit lower levels and build a new group while keeping a low profile. In time, Carlo would lower his defenses and then he’d kill him. In the meantime, he had to find two things, a new body to possess, and enough humans to feed from to keep losing any more energy.

The guards arrived with four lower levels they’d collected. Once the demons entered the room, he tied them to him with lifelines.  After instructing them to bring weak humans susceptible to his persuasion, he sent them back out.

And so it began. His not so great new life.

Chapter 20

She’d spent two entire days in the hospital. The first day in and out of consciousness, the second the doctors insisted she remain for more tests although she felt perfectly well. They were not able to figure out what happened to have caused her blood pressure to plummet and her heart to slow to barely above a flat line.

A young blond doctor walked in, he took her vitals and read over her chart. “Well Miss Mohr, I'm going to release you today, everything seems to be in good order. All of the tests came back normal.” He gave her an apologetic grimace. "I wish I could give you a definite answer as to what happened. If you have any questions, please call me." He handed her a card.

"Thank you doctor," Tonia replied and took the card. Already heading for her overnight bag, she didn’t bother to ask him any questions. After all, the answers were in Atlanta.

She’d talked to Wendy earlier, only to be told the same thing as the day before she’d been admitted. Fallon was “sedated” and that she could wait until she felt better before heading back.

Two hours later she was at the airport waiting for her flight. Douglas had left the day before, so she was alone. Truth be told, she was glad not to have to talk to anyone right now, as she tried to figure out what she’d do upon her arrival.

That night, exhausted yet her nerves on high alert, she arrived at Fallon’s large home. After pressing the security code, the gates opened and she pulled onto the grounds. It was almost eleven at night, yet all the lights were on. She parked beside the garage and walked towards the front entrance. When she saw Albert, Wendy and Kieran’s dog, he was busy digging in the front yard and she called to him. The dog barked and bounded toward her wagging his tail. She bent down to pet him, admittedly delaying going inside.

“Bad dog, you shouldn’t be digging. Fallon will be mad at you.” He was oblivious to her scolding and yelped happily wagging his tail harder. She allowed the silly dog to lick her face.

“Albert!” Wendy called from the doorway and then shrieked upon spotting her. “Tonia, what are you doing out here?”

Tonia straightened up, “I got here a few moments ago. I was about to push the doorbell.

“Right, well come on in,” Wendy waved her toward the side kitchen door.

She stepped inside the doorway, while Wendy blocked Albert from following. The diminutive woman grabbed his collar. “No Albert, you have to stay outside until Kit comes home and cleans your dirty paws.”

Tonia stood in the kitchen, not sure what to do. Wendy lifted an eyebrow and glanced toward the doorway that lead into rest of the house. “Fallon is upstairs, he’s still weak and hasn’t been allowed to go out to fight yet.”

“Where is Julian?”

“I suppose he went back to Italy.”

“So the threat is gone?” Tonia asked astonished.

“Sort of, I think the creepy demon is still alive.”

“So? What’s happening now?”

Wendy’s uncertain expression made Tonia nervous. “I’m not sure. Kieran said he’d talk to you when you returned.”

“Can I talk to him—Fallon?" Tonia asked, glancing at the doorway too. “Is he still dangerous?”

“Not dangerous, but different.” Wendy replied and finally relented. “Something is wrong with him. He's not quite himself.”

Tonia didn’t ask any more questions, instead she made her way toward the stairs.

Once on the third floor she hesitated at the doorway.

“Come in.” Fallon’s voice sounded strong. Relieved, she walked in. Once inside, she spotted him sitting before the fireplace, a book in his hand, he turned to her, with a blank expression.

“Hello Tonia.” His flat eyes worried her. She took his lack of reaction as him being mad at her for leaving.

“Fallon, how are you feeling?” She placed her bag down on a side table and sat across from him. His gaze followed her.

“I’m well, thank you.” He glanced down to his book, as if she was taking him away from his reading.

“I’m sorry I wasn't here when you woke up,” she told him, leaning closer. “I shouldn’t have bailed on you like I did.”

He shrugged, the movement seemed effortless. “I don’t blame you. Actually, I didn’t realize you'd left town until just yesterday.”

His words were not spoken with any type of rancor or spitefulness. Instead the tone was vacant, without any hint of emotion.

“Oh well, I suppose that is a good thing then.” Tonia’s eyebrows rose as he went back to reading. “Are you upset at not being out there fighting?” she asked, getting his attention.

“Not at all. Julian said I must wait a few more days,” he replied, with a bored tone.

“Oh.” At a loss for words, she stood. “Do you need anything?”

His eyes met hers for a moment. “Hector, my butler, will see to any needs I may have. He has returned.”

Tonia wanted to shake him, she’d rather he be angry with her than this zombie before her now. “Good night then, I’m going to bed. Can we talk tomorrow?”

“If you wish.”

With one last glance at him, she went towards the closet. "Am I to stay in the guest room?”

He stared at her for a moment as if he'd already forgotten her presence. “Of course not, you’re my mate. You’ll remain here with me.”

She went into the closet and took out some pajamas, then headed to the bathroom to take a shower and wash the travel grit away.

Something was wrong. Very wrong.

When she returned to the room, Fallon was already in bed. Shirtless, she couldn’t tell if he wore anything under the blanket. She figured he was nude. Book in hand, he sat with his back cushioned by a myriad of pillows. His lack of reaction when she slid into the bed beside him was not at all normal. He never looked up from the book.

She lay back on the pillow and watched him for a few moments until he finally tore his gaze away from the page and looked over to her. “Would you like to make love?”

Her mouth opened, but no words came out. “You’re asking me?”

“If you require sex, then it’s my duty to see to your needs. Besides, it's important since it's been a few days.” The flatness of his voice made it hard not to slap him. Instead, she rolled her eyes.

“I don’t want my needs looked to, thank you though,” she replied sarcastically.

“Alright, but tomorrow we probably must. Good night then,” he replied and looked back to the book.

What an infuriating man. She rolled away from him, clenching her jaw in irritation. “Would you kiss my ass if I asked you to?”

“No.”

She turned her lamp off, ignoring him.

Chapter 21

The next day, Tonia woke to find she was alone in the bed. After dressing, she went to the kitchen to find Kieran, Logan and Wendy eating dinner. Fallon was not in the room.

“Hungry?” Wendy asked pointing to the empty setting. “I made breakfast casserole and meatloaf. Your choice.”

She opted for the breakfast casserole and a cup of tea. Joining them, she didn’t have to ask the obvious question.

Kieran spoke, looking toward the doorway. “Hector takes him breakfast in the library. He refuses to eat with us.”

“What’s wrong with him?” Tonia asked him.

“Julian blocked Fallon's emotions, to keep the Master demon from detecting him. Although, he was surprised that Fallon's personality seems to have changed so much. Julian said he wasn't sure if a part of Fallon is blocking as a protective mechanism to keep the demon at bay or from returning to the ethereal space.”

“So the Master demon could come back?”

“Not if he still believes Fallon to be dead. We are keeping the fact that Fallon is alive a secret until we find Gerard,” Kieran told her.

Before she could ask another question, a man dressed in black coattails walked in. She assumed he was Hector, Fallon’s butler, as he carried a tray with a teapot and cup and placed it on the counter.

The man stopped when Wendy spoke to him.

“Hector, come and meet Tonia. She’s Fallon’s wife.” Tonia bristled at the label, as far as she was concerned, they were not married.

The butler smiled, his warmth almost moved her to tears. After Fallon’s coldness, she felt vulnerable. “Hello Ms. Tonia, Lord Trent would like to see you.”

“Who?” she sputtered, and then glanced at Wendy who giggled.

“Fallon is a Lord,” Wendy explained. “I guess he didn’t tell you.”

“I guess not,” she replied, not bothering to get up. He could wait. She noticed that Hector waited for her reply. “Tell the
Lord
, I’ll be there when I finish eating.”

Hector nodded and left.

Fallon sat behind his desk and glanced up when she walked in, but didn’t speak. He continued typing into his laptop for a few moments, while she watched him. Dressed casually in a long sleeve T-shirt and jeans, he was barefoot. She’d never seen him dressed so casual before. She could see a light shadow on his jaw line. He hadn’t shaved either. Now she knew for sure something was terribly wrong.

“I must go to England for two or three days.” he told her not bothering to make eye contact. “Can you accompany me?” His flat eyes met hers.

“I am not sure I can take time off,” Tonia replied. “Besides, us being apart doesn’t seem to be as bad lately.” She was mortified to find she blushed at the words.

His gaze lifted for only a moment then returned to the screen. “No not as bad, three days should be bearable. As long as we are intimate the night before I leave.”

“Intimate? Is that what you call it now?” Tonia glared at him. “Why don’t you just say ‘fuck’, since you’re being such a jerk?” She got up and stormed from the room.

***

Fallon watched Tonia leave the library. She was mad at him. He frowned, not sure what caused her consternation. He'd not attempted to read her thoughts, didn't find the will to do so.

He glanced back down to his laptop, an email from his cousin Morton’s grandson open on the screen. He requested Fallon return immediately to deal with an urgent issue regarding the transfer of two of his properties, it seemed he’d forgotten to change his identity in that township and the sale could not go through without his physical presence. He opened a desk drawer and pulled out his latest passport and birth certificate, both proving his identity as Fallon Trent, the first’s great-grandson. He was now his own grandson, immortality could be a trial.

His hands shook, not much, but enough to make it difficult to type. The sooner he returned to England the better. Perhaps the distance would alleviate the emptiness that engulfed him. Apathy was not a trait he’d ever understood or tolerated, yet more and more each day, he felt a distance, a separation within himself.

Yet, at times it didn't bother him much, he didn’t really care, but that was the problem. If he didn’t feel, he was of little use to the Protectors, or to his mate.

As the now familiar darkness threatened to envelope him he stood and went to the window. He peered at the colorful display of Crepe Myrtles’ leaves that were changing into bright rust and gold, signaling the arrival of fall. Movement below caught his attention. Albert was frantically digging up around Hector’s newly planted Azaleas. He watched the butler round the corner, a water hose in hand to spray at the dog that barked and wagged his tail, thinking it all a game.

Damn dog, by the time Kieran and Wendy moved out, his garden would be a mess and Hector would have an ulcer. He chuckled upon seeing Hector stumble tripping over the water hose.

“So you do have some emotions,” Kieran said, walking into the library. “I’m about to crash, but I wanted to give you a heads up on our progress with tracking Gerard.”

“Your damn dog is ruining the garden. Hector hates him.” Fallon told his partner, not turning away from the window.

“Oh shit,” Kieran came to stand beside him to look. Hector was down on his knees with a small shovel filling the hole that Albert dug, while Albert sat next to him and watched. “They look fine right now,” Kieran told him, frowning.

Fallon rolled his eyes. “That is because your dog is too dumb to realize Hector is mad at him.”

“Riiight,” Kieran replied. He gave Fallon a droll look. “Anyway, Sebastian found out that Gerard has moved to a new place. He and Carlo parted ways, Carlo keeping the larger portion of the group.”

“Who went with Gerard?”

“From what we gather only his two guards, a few low-levels and some humans.

“That’s not much protection, it may prove easy to get to him. We should try today.”

“You’re quarantined remember?” Kieran told him, his eyebrows raised waiting for him to explode.

“That’s right,” Fallon replied recalling Julian’s orders.

“That’s right? That’s all you have to say?” Kieran leaned closer, his eyes narrowed. “Aren’t you cross?”

Fallon took a breath and glanced back outside. “Julian is here. I thought he left.”

“So did I. Can’t be good news.”

When Julian crossed the threshold into the house, he went straight into the library. Only Fallon remained in the room. The door slammed behind Julian.

“We must speak,” Julian told him, his gaze penetrating.

“You will return to Rome with me.”

“When?”

“Tomorrow. Do you want to know why?” Julian asked, studying him.

Fallon considered the options. “I have to travel to England anyway,” he shrugged, “It works well for me.”

Julian clenched his jaw. “Fallon, if the demon is not killed, your condition won't change.  I cannot risk you remaining here within the Master demon's reach. You will have to stay in Rome indefinitely. I’m sorry, but you cannot continue to be part of the Protector force in Atlanta.”

Fallon went to his chair and sat down. He felt a tug. Disappointment maybe?

“As you wish, can I still go to England? I have business to tend to.”

Julian nodded, “You are not a prisoner Fallon, it’s safer to keep you away from here. You will train new Protectors until you are ready to return to an assignment as a Protector." Didn’t he mean 'if'?

Julian continued speaking. "You must understand that I have to keep you away from the demon. If you were to be possessed, you will be a strong weapon, not only with your powers, but also with the memories of our resources. And before you suggest it, killing you is not an option.”

“What about my mate?” Fallon found he could not bring himself to leave Tonia behind.

“She’ll come with you.” Julian replied. “Do you wish me to talk to her?”

Fallon stood. “No, I’ll speak to her.”

“Meet me at the airport tomorrow night then.”