Chapter 12: Chapter 12

It was five days since the dinner and Emrys had been apologizing every day for leaving. Apparently, Avyanna had something to do with that and as much as I told him it was fine, he thought my sudden depressed state had everything to do with him which it didn’t.

I was more concerned with the fact that my best friend wasn’t human and I was expected to go for dinner with his family who I’d never really met before who were also not human and had more possibility of eating me than Leon. Saying that I was both nervous and terrified wouldn’t even cut it. I knew it wasn’t possible but I kept thinking they were going to enjoy sucking my blood, if that was what they did.

All those on my mind, was the reason why I decided to leave the house for a long walk by three in the morning. Something that was so unlike me but had to be done because of the sleepless night I had when I realized that in a couple of hours, I would be meeting Leon’s family.

When I got outside, it felt as if there was a complete absence of light which I found weird at such a time in the morning. All the stars seemed to be hiding behind the clouds and there were no street lights in sight to guide my way.

All I had to rely on were my eyes which, after adjusting to the darkness, wasn’t too bad. The air was harsh and cold, making it difficult for me to breathe and wishing that I’d taken a coat with me instead of the tracksuit I had myself in.

After about ten minutes of walking, everywhere was slightly brighter thanks to my torchlight and the street lights that were suddenly working. It was peaceful and quiet just like I wanted. I knew that the longer I walked, the more my mind would calm and that was exactly what happened.

It didn’t take long for me to hear the sounds of people shouting coming from an alleyway. I know it’s a completely disturbing idea to walk into an alley by that time of the day and without any protection but I was curious. And unlike the saying, curiosity wasn’t going to kill the cat.

By the time, I thought it was safe to walk in with my pepper spray hidden in my hand, I noticed two men fighting and the bigger one was obviously winning. From what I heard the bigger man saying, the younger one owed him some money.

“Stop!” I shouted as I got closer to them.

The bigger one glared at me. “This is none of your business.”

Time for the acting classes I took to be used. “H-he’s my brother. How much does he owe you?”

“Five thousand.”

“I’ll give it to you,” I said and looked into my purse to see that, obviously, I didn’t even have enough cash on me. “Look, I don’t have cash now but I promise to pay you. I’ll give you my card and later today, you’ll get the money. Just release him.” He hesitated. “I give you my word.”

He looked between me and the guy, who had been oddly quiet, and dropped him on the floor with a sigh. “You look trustworthy. That’s the only reason I’m agreeing to this.”

I smiled and gave him my card. “Thank you.”

He nodded and began to leave then stopped. “I know he’s not your brother. You’re too kind to be around people like him.”

With those words he left, leaving me to mull over them. I thought he was right but then I’d have been a terrible person if I left the guy who needed help like that. I wondered what they were doing on this side of town and made a mental note to ask that after seeing if he was alright.

I walked up to the bleeding guy who looked roughly around my age and smiled at him. “How are you feeling?”

He stared at me blankly. “I don’t have feelings. I take them to an abyss deep withing my soul and throw them off a cliff.”

“That was oddly specific,” I said with a nervous chuckle. “Okay, get up let me take you to the hospital or somewhere safer than this.”

“I don’t need to go to the hospital.”

“Fine, we’ll go to my house and you’ll administer the first aid yourself because I have no idea how to do that.” He grumbled obviously preparing to argue. “Please.”

Why I was begging a stranger who seemed dangerous to come to Brielle’s house was beyond me. I had to blame it on my heart that was too damn caring and the fact that I knew my conscience would actively make it a mission to blame me if he eventually died which he looked like he would have done if I hadn’t stopped the man from hitting him.

“Fine,” he said, as he tried to get up himself, woefully failing.

“Do you need a hand?” I asked with a raised brow after I got tired of watching him struggle. “Does it look like I need your help?” he spat.

“Do you really want me to answer that or would you like to maintain plausible deniability for later?” He glared at me. “Fine. I don’t know what’s got your knickers in a twist.”

“Just help me,” he commanded shooting another glare at me. “Rude,” I said as I helped him on his feet. “Can you walk?” He sighed and said, “I can try.”

“I’m sorry I didn’t bring my car but I can try to get a cab while you wait here.” I made to leave and he stopped me. “Why are you helping me?”

“Because I would feel guilty if I don’t. Now don’t bother yourself while I deal with the ride out of here.”

It took me about three minutes of waiting but I was able to get a cab, more like an Uber, to take us back to Brielle’s house. I paid even though the guy I helped, whose name was Ryker,

claimed that he would pay me. I didn’t say it out loud but I was wondering how since it appeared that he was in a lot of debt.

When we got there, Ryker was shocked at where I lived but I briefly explained to him that it wasn’t my house and he had to be very quiet while I snuck him in. He didn’t have much problem with that since he wasn’t much of a talker. I just had to pray that I wouldn’t find Brielle or Emrys awake.

I was glad when I finally got him to my room and placed him on my bed still ignoring the voice in my head that told me it was a bad idea and he could turn out a rapist. I prayed to God that he would be an actual human being who I had been sent to by angels.

Once he was safely on my bed, I ran to the guest bathroom where Brielle had told me the medical kit was and brought it back. I had no idea what to do so I let Ryker do it himself, instead. He seemed to be an expert at it showing me that he must have gotten himself into trouble more often than none.

“Why were you owing that guy?” I asked, trying to make conversation since it appeared, he wouldn’t be leaving anytime soon.

He looked hesitant to say anything but he did eventually. “My sister was in the hospital and I needed some money so I borrowed from him and didn’t get the money to pay him back.”

Well, that seemed like a good reason. I decided that he was a delinquent for a good cause and I’d try to help me as much I could.

“And you have no one to ask?”

“It’s just two of us in this world,” he said with a grim smile. “Don’t pity me. I don’t need it.”

“I don’t actually. I just want to help,” I said biting my lip. “So, what did you study in college?”

He scoffed. “I didn’t go to college so I could send my sister to school.” “But you live here…”

“You’re asking why I live in the side of town that is meant for the rich even when I’m obviously poor?”

“I didn’t…”

He shook his head. “There’s no need to explain. It’s normal to ask that. Our father was a rich man who wasted all his money on cancer medication before he died and he owns the house so there’s no way we need to pay rent.”

“Why not sell it and use the money to pick yourself up?”

“And where will my sister and I live? The rough side of town? We can’t. I won’t let my sister grow up in such a place.”

“That’s sweet but have you thought of getting a job?”

“I have a job and it doesn’t pay enough to feed us and pay debts.”

I bit my lower lip as I tried to think of something. “Have you ever thought of modelling?” he raised a brow. “I mean, you have beautiful eyes and the perfect features for a model. Coupled with your height, I think you’ll be very successful at it.”

He smirked. “Is that your way of flirting with me?”

I rolled my eyes. “I’m just trying to help you and I have a friend that is a model so he could get you connected and all. I just want you to have something doing.”

“I’ll think about it,” he muttered.

“I understand that it might go against your moral code and all but you have to do anything to stop getting yourself into trouble. For your sister’s sake, at least.”

“You don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“I have an idea. You could have died today and I don’t think you want to leave your sister to the mercy of this world.”

“Fine, talk to your friend. If he’s willing to help, I’m game.”

I smiled. “That’s great. I’ll make sure I ask him later today. Now get some rest. We have a long day ahead of us.”

“I’m not staying here. I need to go back home.”

“Not in this condition. I’m sure your sister can survive one night without you.” “I’m going.”

“I’m not going to argue with you. Just let me help you. You can leave immediately you wake up.”

“Fine,” he grumbled and I felt ecstatic that I didn’t have to bother myself with begging him and all that.

I sat down, deciding to read him a story until he slept because as much as I was feeling the whole Mother Theresa thing, I didn’t want him to turn out of one of two things: an assassin or a rapist. My heart was too good and the last thing I needed was it putting me in trouble.

***

I decided to go to the drugstore the moment I woke up later that morning because I didn’t have painkillers and I was fully aware I would soon be on my period. Even though Brielle had argued, I still went out without a car. There was just something about walks that I found refreshing at that point.

Ryker suggested to go with me so he could leave and I didn’t stop him. I promised to keep in touch with him after I forced his number out of him and we didn’t miss the odd looks Brielle and Emrys sent our way when we came down the stairs from my room.

We parted ways immediately we were out of the house and although he didn’t say thank you, he sent me a text saying he was grateful for all I did for him. I didn’t even waste much time because once I had the drugs, I was out. I decided to jog my way back because the walk was too calm.

And that was when a car decided to drive past and splash mud on me. The driver didn’t even stop to apologize. I looked down at my new running shoes and tried to stomp the mud off. It didn’t work.

At least, my beautiful tracksuit is still clean, I thought to console myself.

I hoped to avoid further inconveniences as I continued my jogging and that was when I noticed the man following me. He looked Mexican-ish and I knew that denim jacket because I’d seen it everywhere that I had been trailing me.

At first, I thought of it as a coincidence but he had been following me and I knew it. That and the fact that he looked oddly familiar and I couldn’t help but feel like I’d seen him somewhere else that wasn’t while I was walking.

I noticed him walking with a man wearing a military green coat, trying to pretend like he wasn’t watching me. I could still feel his eyes trained on me and it was impossible to shake it off. I was prepared to run when I felt a hand on my shoulder. It was him and it wasn’t the fact that it was him that scared me. It was how fast he had reached me.

“Stay cool,” he ordered and despite myself, I did. “I am Milo, Prince Leon’s bodyguard, and he asked me to watch you.”

I studied his face and realized that his face and name looked familiar but I just couldn’t place it. It was almost like I knew him personally but I couldn’t figure out where.

“Bodyguard? And he did what?”

“He is worried about you, miss,” he said with a soft voice that looked unlike his nature.

I continued studying his face because I was hellbent on finding out where I knew him from even more than the fact that Leon had somebody watching my every move. That was when it clicked.

“You’re the bouncer that was at the club I went to with Hiro. Did Leon tell you to do that too?”

He shook his head. “He only recently told me to do this.”

I still didn’t get it. “So how are you his bodyguard here and not all the way there?”

“He let me off the moment he graduated from high school, against the wishes of his father, but I couldn’t go back to Qethen so I found my way to Atham City waiting for his call. It didn’t happen until he told me about Avyanna.”

I thought about it and decided that it was a fairly good reason so I let it pass no matter how much I wanted to shout at Leon for making such a decision without getting through with me. I continued walking and he trailed beside me.

“So, how did you meet Hiro?”

He smiled. “She’s a Daimon just like me.” My brow sprung up. “A Daimon?”

He laughed. “A spirit guardian.”

I realized that there were still a lot of things I had to learn about them and thought about discussing it with Leon when I was less busy.

“You’re not a weregriffin like them?”

“Obviously not. We just protect them from harm. It’s what we were made for,” he said with a hushed whisper.

“Do you like Hiro?” I asked, wiggling my eyebrows.

It wasn’t hard to notice the connection between both of them. I felt he would be better for her than all the guys she went on dates with.

“I know what you’re trying to do but I have never really seen her that way. I grew up with her and her family since my mother died at birth and my father was absent.”

Despite what he said, I was already building the ship in my head and planning to play a little Cupid for friends who weren’t ready to sail it.

“Wait. You knew her and her family? Personally?”

“I knew all of her kind,” he murmured and even though I didn’t know what that sentence meant, I didn’t ask. “At least, I thought I did. Once. A long time ago.”

“What were they like?”

A crumpled copy of a smile crossed his face. “They were going to change the world.” I nodded slowly. “Did they?”

“Look at the world around you, dear. Look at everything here, all the hate in the world, and you will have your answer.”

“True but if people truly didn’t want hatred in the world, maybe they wouldn’t be so hateful. Maybe all we’ve done is delude ourselves into thinking we want peace.”

“That’s a great way to look at it and I guess you’re right. I don’t think we even know what we want.”

“Very true,” I said with a sigh. “What about Avyanna? Did you know her?” He looked up for a moment. “I knew her. Just like I knew Hiro.”

“Is there something I’m missing?”

“Hiro was Avyanna’s cousin once upon a time and they used to think they could do anything. Until it backfired and Hiro could no longer be with them.”

“Avyanna is a really bad person?”

“Yes, and it would be best for you if you stay away from anything that looks like her or seems to have a connection with her. That girl is a whirlwind that takes everything in her path down and the last thing you want is to be the one in her path.”

We were done talking after that heavy warning and I now understood why Leon was really worried about me. If I didn’t do whatever she wanted, people were going to get hurt and I wouldn’t be the reason people became hurt.

It would have been a great idea if there wasn’t one flaw with the plan: I had no idea what Avyanna really wanted apart from a lifeless me, of course.