Fallen Death (The Trihune Series Book 3) (23 page)

Chapter 41

ZERO DAYS LEFT

Tell her about your demon. Tell her the truth.

Sarid thought of nothing else since he’d left the
choghen’s
house yesterday. He continued to trip over the word “truth”.

Truth and trust. Two virtues very important to Asjhone.

The
choghen
was right. Sarid had been acting the coward with those letters. His angel deserved a hero, along with the truth.

He could deliver on one, but not the other.

The demon let out a sound of protest.

It’s for the best.
He told it.
When she rejects us it’ll make the job easier. We can’t live without her. And once she knows the truth, she won’t want to be with us.

“Do you think Mom will change her mind, Mr. Sarid?” Keandre broke into Sarid’s thoughts. They were in the stairwell of Asjhone’s building. “About camping,” he added. “I’m being good, right?”

“Yes, you are.” Sarid glanced over his shoulder at Keandre who made a game out of not stepping on the inch of yellow trim at the edge of each step. He’d miss the boy as much as he’d miss the boy’s mother.

“And you’ll tell her, right? So maybe she’ll change her mind and let me go camping with Devan. Mr. Mackie is taking Devan fishing. And they’re going to sleep in a tent. And roast marshmallows in the fire. And one night, Mr. Mackie is going to let Devan sleep outside. Without the tent. Just like you did. It’ll be so much fun. And Mr. Mackie said he doesn’t care if I went. And Devan’s going to go in the woods to get wood for the fire and that would be so cool. And maybe he’ll see a bear or a fox. And wouldn’t that be cool? And I so want to go. I’ve been really good. Mom was happy that I got an A on my spelling test. And I haven’t broken anything in the house since then. And I only got mad once when she told me it was bed time, but that’s cause Ultron was just about to fight Thor, so really that shouldn’t count.”

Sarid slid the take out bags into one hand, opened the door to the fifth floor, and let Keandre go ahead of him. He stepped through the doorway then frowned. Took another inhale, this one deeper.

“And Mom’s really going to like dinner. She loves the spaghetti from that place. And the breadsticks.”

Mine? Mine?

His frown deepened at the demon’s concern.
We’re on our way there now. Everything’s fine.

“Plus you got dessert and she likes the cake there. I think she might’ve liked the chocolate one better than the carrot one you got, but that’s okay.”

The Other’s agitation wasn’t soothed. Sarid scanned the hallway. Tuned in to the apartments as they passed. Besides the obnoxious scent nothing else seemed amiss.

“She’ll still be happy she has it even though the dessert has carrots. And who puts carrots into dessert? That doesn’t seem right. Did I tell you that when Devan goes camping his dad lets him cook s’mores right on the fire? Wouldn’t that—”

“Stop.” He pulled the boy behind him. They were almost to Asjhone’s door. The scent was strongest here. And her door was open. Wide open.

Mine! Mine! Get to Mine. Danger. Run. Go. Get to Mine. Kill intruder.

Body beginning to vibrate, he clenched his hands into fists.
Calm down. We don’t know what’s going on. She could have a friend from work over.
A male friend from the smell of it.

“What’s the matter?” Keandre asked, fear in his tone. “I want to see Momma.”

Kill male. Kill him. Not touch Mine. Go. Find. Kill.

Sarid inhaled for calm.
Asjhone would want us to make sure the boy’s safe first.
The demon quieted, though continued to pace, amping their anxiety.

He set the bags by Keandre’s feet. Crouched until he was eye level with him. “I need you to stay here. Right here.” He pointed to the faded hallway carpet. “Don’t move.”

Keandre’s eyes were wide. He nodded.

“I’ll come out and get you. Wait for me.”

“I will.” His voice was barely audible.

“Good boy. I’ll be right back. Guard the food.”

Go. Hurry. Mine. Mine. Mine. Get to Mine. Go!

“Quiet! I can’t hear with you yelling in my head.”

“Mr. Sarid?”

Dammit. “It’s okay, Keandre. I’ll be back in a minute. Stay here.” He waited until the boy acquiesced then stepped over the threshold, paused.

Asjhone was inside. Though the smell did indeed come from her apartment, she was alone. Her heart beat too fast. She was speaking. Mumbling, actually. Sarid couldn’t catch the words.

Her purse was on the ground. A bottle of liquor on the kitchen counter. One of the pictures broken on the wall. A small suitcase on Keandre’s bed.

The demon whimpered.

Yes,
Sarid agreed.
Something’s not right.

The bathroom was most disturbed. The mirror cabinet door, open. Drawers under the sink not completely shut. Asjhone and Keandre’s toothbrush missing from the holder. The toothpaste gone, along with the hair product Asjhone used every morning. His heart began to pound.

Mine. Find Mine. Touch. Soothe.

At the entrance to her bedroom, he froze. A suitcase, larger than Keandre’s, sat open on the bed. Her movements were hurried, manic, as she grabbed clothes from her dresser and threw them into the case. She was still speaking quickly. Rambling sentences that didn’t make sense.

Mine.
Go. Touch. Soothe.

“Further north? Or go south.” A handful of panties and two bras were dropped into the case as she moved to her already opened closet. “Unplug the coffee pot, microwave. No, can’t call Tynice. Can’t tell anyone.” She ripped a sweater off of its hanger. The plastic piece bucked widely before careening to the floor. Tennis shoes and winter boots were added to her arms. “What if the car’s tapped? Have to get a new one. Stop at the bank first. Is he watching?” She shook her head. “Bus.” Back to the dresser for socks.

Mine leaving?
Another whimper.
Mine afraid. Who he? Find he. Kill he.

“Asjhone?”

She screamed, the socks fell to the ground. Her hands flew to her mouth. Then her eyes focused on Sarid. Looked past him. “Where’s Keandre? Where is he?”

“He’s fine. In the hallway. Waiting—”

“In the hallway!” She tore passed him. He was two steps behind her. “Why would you leave him there? It’s dangerous. Keandre!”

Keandre appeared in the doorway to the apartment. “Momma?” His voice wavered.

She scooped him into her arms, held him tight as she shut the door, began to lock it. The doorknob. Both deadbolts. Swing lock. Her hand was shaking too hard to get the chain latched. Sarid reached behind her, gently took the chain from her hand, completed the task.

Asjhone set Keandre on the ground. “I need you to pack.”

“Pack? Am I going camping?”

“Camping? No. Forget camping.” She spoke fast, the words tripping over themselves. “Just the basics. Clothes only. No toys. There’s no room. Your suitcase is on your bed.”

Keandre didn’t move. His chin quivered. Tears filled his eyes. “Why am I packing? Where are we going? What about dinner?”

“We’ll eat on the road. Just go pack, Keandre.” When he still didn’t move, “Now! Do as I say!”

The boy burst into sobs and ran from the room. His door slammed a moment later. Asjhone went back to her bedroom. Just before she entered, Sarid caught her shoulder. “What’s going on? Talk to me.”

She brushed off his hand. “I can’t stop. Have to go. Now.”

No. Not go. Not go. Mine can’t leave. Need her.

“Go? Where are you going?”

“I don’t know. Somewhere. Somewhere he won’t find us.”

Finally, someone to focus on.

Find he. Kill!

“Who? Who’s looking for you?”

Asjhone threw jeans and a few shirts on top of the messy pile of clothes already in her suitcase. “Not looking, found. He found us.” A strangled sob left her but when she turned her eyes were dry. She swept past him. Into the kitchen. “Snacks. I’ll need to take food. Nonperishable. Don’t know how long until we can stop. My fault. Should’ve left sooner. Got too comfortable. Wanted to stay.”

She went from one side of the kitchen to the other. No order to her method. Sometimes going to the same cupboard three, four times in a row. Sarid stepped in front of her. Still mumbling, she sidestepped. He mimicked her.

“Stop. Please. Just for a second. Talk to me.” His and the demon’s panic was making it hard to breathe. “I can help you. Let me.”

She shook her head. Finally gazed at him full in the face.

Tears filled her eyes. Slipped down her cheeks. “You can’t. He knows. About Keandre. He knows about my baby. And he’ll take him.” She wrapped her arms around her chest. Doubled over. “Oh, God. He’ll take him away from me. Or worse. Make us go back. And I can’t. I can’t go back.” She straightened. Closed her eyes. Wiped her cheeks. “I can’t do this. Not right now. I have to move. Pack.” She walked around him, opened the one cupboard that wasn’t already.

His eyes flared blue. “You won’t go back. Come with me. I’ll protect you both.”

We’ll protect.

Eyes closed, he forced the glow to recede, before following her into the front room.

Her gaze bounced around the room as if deciding what she needed. “You can’t. You can’t protect us. He’s Keandre’s father.”

He jerked back. “I . . . I thought you said he was dead.”

Kill him. Find him. Kill him. Kill. Kill. Kill. Kill.

“I lied.”

Sarid found himself in front of her. “I don’t understand.”

She let out a long breath that hitched in the middle. “I was going to tell you. I was. Meeting you has been the best thing that happened to me since Keandre was born. And I want to stay.” Her voice broke. “I want to make a life with you. But I can’t. You don’t understand what he’s like.” She squeezed her eyes shut. “The power he has.”

“Power?” Was he a demon? A Trihune member?

“He’s one of the top attorneys in New York. Anything he wants, he can pretty much get. And right now, he wants me.”

An attorney? So he was a Follower. Easily taken care of.

Yes. We will kill him.

Sarid reached for her hands. “We can protect you, Asjhone. You don’t need to be scared. I haven’t been completely . . .” He trailed off as pieces of their previous conversations came back to him. Expressions that had crossed over her face, which before puzzled him, were now crystal clear. He dropped her hands. Stepped back. “He hurt you.” His voice was low.

“Yes,” she said quietly. “The last time was when I was eight and a half months pregnant. I don’t even remember why he was angry. But he hit me. Again and again. Kicked me in the stomach when I fell. I thought I was going to lose the baby. But a neighbor heard me screaming. Called the cops. They came. Arrested him. Keandre was born that night. It was a miracle he survived. I knew Wayne would be released on bail, so as soon as I could stand, I took Keandre and ran.” She stopped. Inhaled a shaky breath. “You can’t protect us. Not from him. He’s Keandre’s father. He has rights. And I wouldn’t stand a chance in court with him. He’ll take my—”

“My dad’s alive?”

Sarid lifted his head. Through a red haze saw Keandre standing in the doorway. The boy’s body was shaking. No. Keandre wasn’t shaking. Sarid was.

Asjhone was at her son’s side. Speaking quickly.

The words played over in his mind.
But he hit me.
Kicked me in the stomach when I fell down.
He clutched his head. Shook it back and forth.

Kill. Hurt. Maim. Find him. We must find him. No one has the right to hurt Ours. No one has the right to touch Ours. We must find him. Hurt. Maim. Kill. Kill. Kill!

“Yesss!”

Asjhone’s eyes met his a second before he exploded.

Chapter 42

Asjhone screamed. There was a crash. Pieces of her coffee table flew across the room. She pushed Keandre behind her. Raised her arms out to her side for further protection.

The monster was at least ten feet tall. Its head hit the ceiling light. No skin or hair on its head, just bones with red eerie eyes. Its body was covered with hard skin like that of a rhino, but green. There were claws at the end of its fingers. Arms were long, hanging to its knees.

Its eyes were on her.

She pushed back into the wall, squishing Keandre, barely registering his cry of pain.

The thing raised its head, inhaled. Let out a long, low whine. Stepped in her direction.

She shrieked. Darted her gaze around the room for a weapon. Nothing. She slid an arm behind her, grabbed a hold of her son, inched them along the wall. She wouldn’t make it to front door, but maybe Keandre could get down the hall. Into his room.

The monster whined again, this time it ended on a weird growl. It took another step forward. Raised its arm. Five long claws were only millimeters away from her face.

She whimpered. Turned her head. Cringed into the wall. Eyes squeezed shut. Somehow she felt it move even closer. “Please,” she whispered. “Please. Not my son.”

It let out a short breath that blew her hair against her cheek. When nothing else happened she opened her eyes. It was by the couch now. Gaze on her as it leaned to the cushion. Sniffed it like a dog would. A growl began, low and rumbly. It swiftly grew into a loud roar. Keandre screamed. Asjhone covered her ears with her hands.

The growl cut off to another whine. Another step toward her. Then a shuffle back. It glanced at the front door then the windows to the left. With a chuff of breath, it gazed at her once more before running to the window and crashing through it. Glass shattered. Keandre screamed again. Asjhone whirled to cover her son. Soon there was silence.

The monster was gone. Her curtains blew in the breeze.

“Stay here,” she said to Keandre who gulped for air, tears streaming down his face.

Her legs were wobbly. At the window she peered out. A straight five floors down. Nothing to the right or left. The monster was gone.

She shuddered once. Twice. Stepped back. Pulled the curtain closed.

On her knees in front of Keandre, she gathered him into her arms. He was shaking, still crying.

“Ssshh, it’s okay. We’re safe now. It’s gone. Let me look at you. Are you hurt?”

He touched the top of his head. “The picture hit me.” She gently removed his hand. There was a cut. Probably from when she pushed him into the wall. It’d knocked the frame completely off of the nail. The injury didn’t look deep. “Let’s get into the bathroom. I’ll clean it up.”

When Keandre was sitting on the counter, chin on his chest and Asjhone in front of him with a cotton ball and antiseptic, he said, “Mom, who was that?”

Sarid had been shaking so violently she’d thought he was having a seizure, until . . . Was she going crazy? Imagining things? People didn’t turn into monsters. Not in real life. Not into actual monsters.

Trust her instincts. Eyes wide open.

No more excuses. No more explaining it away to something else.

One minute Sarid stood in the middle of her front room and the next in his place was a horrible, never-in-a-million-years-could-she-have-nightmared-this-being-into-existence, scarier-than-any-horror-movie-she’d-ever-seen monster. The man who read to her son at night. Tucked him into bed. Played with him on the floor. Was a . . . a . . . giant skeleton, lizard, monkey-like creature.

But how could she explain that to a seven-year-old boy who had nightmares after an episode of Scooby Doo. “I don’t know, honey. But we’re safe now. It’s gone.” Were they safe?

No. Not by a long shot.

Keandre didn’t say any more. She finished cleaning his head. The cut was small. Had stopped bleeding and didn’t need stitches. After placing a bandage on the wound, she gave her son a kiss then hugged him, not ever wanting to let go. But she had to.

They had to leave.

“It was Mr. Sarid wasn’t it?”

“What? No. It couldn’t have been.” The lie sounded false even to her.

A stubborn expression crossed over his face. “But if that wasn’t him than where’s Mr. Sarid. He wouldn’t have let anything bad happen to us, Mom. If he’d been here, he would’ve protected us from the monster. Just like Captain America and Thor protects the world from Ultron.”

She cupped his face. “Honey, this isn’t a game.”

“I know that.” Arms crossed in front of his chest.

“We need to go, Keandre.” There was more than one monster out there. “Did you finish packing?”

“Maybe he’s like David Banner.”

Asjhone ushered him toward his room. “Who is?”

“Mr. Sarid. Maybe that was just his Hulk face. He didn’t hurt us. And he was making those noises like Devan’s dog does when it’s sad.”

Asjhone rubbed her forehead. “It’s possible. But we have to go. Have you finished packing?” She stepped into Keandre’s room. Saw his suitcase on the bed, open but empty and moved to his dresser. “Clothes, Keandre. You need clothes in here. Take everything from your top drawer, but only half from the other three.

“I’ve more packing to do in my room, but I’ll be back to help you in a few minutes.” Her fear was spinning back into panic.

Wayne liked to play games. Be unpredictable.

Sometimes his punishments were meted quickly. A fist to the stomach. Slap across the face. Shove from behind. Something she never saw coming in the beginning. Other times he’d let his anger simmer until it boiled over and she was in bed for days. He only sent her to the hospital once. The night Keandre was born. The other times he was careful not to hit her hard enough to break bones.

Only her spirit.

Never again. And never to Keandre.

In her room she studied the contents of her suitcase. “More pants.”

“Mom?”

She turned. “Keandre, please, honey, I know your scared, but I need—

“I’m not scared of Mr. Sarid or his Hulk.”

“Okay, so you’re not scared. But we need to go. And I need you to help by packing your clothes.” She was trying to stay calm. To not yell at her son who just went through a traumatic event. Who didn’t understand the danger they were truly in. She was trying very hard.

“What’s that?” He pointed to the photo on the bed.

She snatched it up, placed it on her dresser. “Nothing.”

“Is it true?”

She closed her eyes, realized there wasn’t enough time to count to ten. The bank closed in sixty minutes. “Is what true?” She threw jeans into her suitcase and zipped it shut. It’d have to be enough.

“Is my dad still alive?” His voice was low, and it was very evident that he was still a little boy.

Tears filled her eyes. She hesitated, not wanting to cause any more pain. Eyes wide open. Wasn’t Keandre too little to learn that? “Yes, honey. He is.”

His lower lip quivered. She reached for him but he jerked away. “You lied to me.”

“He wasn’t a good man, Keandre. I didn’t want you to—”

“No! You’re a liar. I don’t believe you. My dad’s a hero.”

“He’s not a hero, Keandre.” She took a step toward him. “Not at all.”

“No! I don’t believe you!” He ran into his room, slamming the door behind him.

Asjhone closed her eyes against the sting of tears. Allowed one minute of how shitty her life had gotten so fast pity party then rose to finish packing.

Angry or ready to breakdown at any moment, they had to leave this apartment within the hour.