Seeker

Andrew Taylor has it all. A flourishing acting career, a stunner of a model as a girlfriend, and a countenance that swoons women right into his arms. Except, this is not the only life he‘s living. He is also a Spirit Hunter tormented by the murder of his wife and daughter and destined to hunt rogue spirits, seeking the one who destroyed his family. Even if that means repressing his needs. Adoria Hall‘s life is turned upside down after an unfair layoff from her job. Financial pressures force her to accept babysitting a spoiled actor like Andrew. Or so she thinks, until she discovers a lonely heart beating beneath his glamorous façade. Protecting Andrew‘s life from harm is her duty, safeguarding her heart is her compulsion. When the spirits drive the war to Andrew‘s turf, he must confront his key enemy to settle the score. Yet, if forced to pick, will Andrew choose to exorcise the one he seeks or will he opt to protect the one he adores?

The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to 5 years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000. Please purchase only authorized electronic editions, and do not participate in or encourage the electronic piracy of copyrighted materials. Your support of the author’s rights is appreciated. This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are products of the author‘s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental. Seeker Copyright © 2011 Su Halfwerk ISBN: 978-1-55487-972-4 Cover art by Martine Jardin All rights reserved. Except for use in any review, the reproduction or utilization of this work in whole or in part in any form by any electronic, mechanical or other means, now known or hereafter invented, is forbidden without the written permission of the publisher. Published by eXtasy Books Look for us online at: www.extasy books.com

Seeker Unsettled Book One By Su Halfwerk

To Mom and Dad, Your sense of humor, dedication, and innocence made my treks in the imaginary world possible. Thank you

Prologue

A

t the loud slam of the front door, Joshua snapped his head up from the jigsaw puzzle and stared at the door. Daddy had just left, angry after another fight with Mama about money. Joshua turned his gaze to her, she breathed deep and smiled a little at him. Daddy had explained to him that as an actor, he was under a lot of pressure. Joshua didn‘t understand what pressure that was. He sure didn‘t see anything on top of Daddy‘s head. It wasn‘t easy to be an actor, Daddy had said. Daddy would be okay later, he always was, and would bring Mama some flowers, for him some chocolates, and for Rosy…well, Joshua wasn‘t sure what Rosy would like, but Daddy knew. He always did. His attention back to the puzzle, Joshua stuck his tongue out from the corner of his mouth and eyed the piece in his hand. It didn‘t fit anywhere. ―Mama,‖ he called and climbed off his chair. When he reached her, he pulled on her arm. She looked down to him with that warm smile of hers. As she gathered her long hair in a quick bun—a shiny bun, like the sun—she asked him, ―You need my help?‖ He nodded. ―Hmm. Okay, I‘ll help you this last time. You have to continue on your own though, it‘s time for Rosy‘s meal.‖ He led her to the kitchen counter and climbed onto his 1

Su Halfwerk chair, offering Mama the piece that confused him. Opposite him, Rosy swayed left and right on her feeding chair, a hand-me-down from his younger days. Mama smiled at Rosy, maybe her way of telling his sister to wait, that she would be with her soon. Mama held the puzzle piece, stuck her tongue out, like him, from the corner of her mouth, and concentrated hard on finding the right spot for the stupid piece. Rosy made all kinds of weird sounds with her mouth, and Joshua knew without looking that she would be drooling by now, while happily banging on the tray clattered with toys. ―I hope Daddy doesn‘t come back late, Josh,‖ Mama said softly as she found, magically, the right spot for the piece. ―My shift at the hospital will start early in the evening.‖ ―What about Cathy?‖ Joshua asked, offering his opinion. Mama and Daddy liked it when he did so. Cathy was good to Rosy and treated him like a grownup, not like other people who didn‘t think much of his five long years. He had wished, almost forever, to have neighbors, a family with kids to play with, but no one lived close by them. ―She‘s having finals this week. Besides, we can save money this way.‖ Joshua made a face. He liked Cathy very much, but didn‘t care for the times when stupid Derik showed up. ―No need to worry, Josh.‖ She ruffled his hair. ―It‘s almost noon, more than enough time for him to get back home.‖ She moved, and a whiff of her shampoo drifted towards Joshua, a fruity mixture that he loved very much. Standing by the sink, his mother pulled out the Tweety bowl, Rosy‘s favorite. ―Would you like a drop of honey in your cereal?‖ she asked Rosy. His little sister answered with her mixed up ―doodoo gaagaa‖ talk, and then stretched her toothless mouth in a beautiful smile. She looked like that happy baby on the 2

Seeker cookies box. Well, except when she needed a diaper change, because then she looked real angry, noisy and smelly, too. ―Are you going to change her nappy, Mama?‖ His mother looked undecided between feeding or changing first. ―Let her eat first, and then we can take our time with her nappy. What do you say?‖ Joshua nodded slowly. ―Fine by me. But you know how she gets if her nappy is wet.‖ Mama laughed, a nice sound he liked to hear. The doorbell interrupted that laughter, and she made a face. ―I wonder who that could be?‖ she said in the funny voice she used when reading bedtime stories to them. Rosy giggled, Joshua joined her. It might be Daddy. Maybe he was going to surprise Mama with flowers again. Joshua left his puzzle on the kitchen counter and rushed to follow Mama to the front door, only to slam into the back of her legs where she halted in the middle of the living room. She didn‘t look too happy. ―What‘s wrong, Mama?‖ She lowered her hand from her chest and rested it on his head. ―Nothing, baby.‖ Something must be wrong. She jumped the second time the doorbell rang. He almost jumped himself. ―Don‘t make a sound, Josh,‖ she whispered to him, her minty breath moving his hair. Even Rosy sensed something was wrong because she had stopped her hammering and stared at Joshua. Instead of opening the door, Mama moved to the side curtain next to it, lifted a corner a little bit, and peeked outside. Joshua did the same from the other side of the door. A short, skinny man, almost like a mouse, stood smiling at the house. His brown shirt had wet stains under the arms, and his face gleamed with more sweat. He looked sick, but also weird, not Derik weird, but bad weird. The man‘s face 3

Su Halfwerk was turned toward the window Mama was standing by. The man partly closed an eye because of the sun‘s bright light, and wiggled his fingers at Mama. She made a small sound in her throat, like a hamster squealing, dropped the curtain, and leaned on the wall. ―Andrew,‖ she shouted, though Daddy wasn‘t home. ―George Darby is at the door. Please call the police. He‘s violating the restraining order.‖ Joshua didn‘t know what order that was, but he knew that the police were the good people who usually took away the bad ones. ―Jasmine, why the lying?‖ the man called George Darby said from outside. His voice was too soft, almost like a woman‘s. It had a bit of a whine to it, too, a slow whine, like Rhonda‘s whenever Ms. Talbot asked her to show her drawings to the rest of the class. The man went on. ―What attracted me to you in the first place was your simplicity and honesty, why tarnish that with a lie? We both know your husband isn‘t home.‖ For the first time, Joshua heard his mother say a bad word, not loudly, but he thought it was the ―s‖ word. As his mother rushed to the phone in the living room, the man said, ―By the way, your phone might not work. Something is wrong with the lines and I‘m afraid you‘re cut off.‖ She made the yucky face she usually made for fun, except Joshua thought she did feel sick now. Still, she placed the phone on her ear, and after a second pressed all of its buttons, listened again, and then threw it on the sofa. ―Shit, shit, shit,‖ she said. This time Joshua was sure of what he heard. He swallowed a big lump of something that blocked his throat, and felt like going to the toilet. His mother went to her handbag and pulled out her cell phone. She‘d always complained to his father that their cell 4

Seeker phones never worked in the house, something about a signal. She rubbed her forehead, and then hung her head low. Joshua didn‘t like the way she looked, all lost and tired. He went to her, to hold her in his arms, to let her know that it was okay, they were safe inside the house. Suddenly, she snapped her head up, and called out, ―I‘ve already called using my cell phone. You better leave, George.‖ ―Unless you‘re in a different dimension than mine, I would say you‘re lying. Again. Every time I came here, my cell had no signal. You can‘t have any.‖ ―Mammah,‖ Joshua called softly, fear forcing him to go back to the way he used to call her when he was smaller. ―It‘s okay, don‘t worry.‖ She smiled. Her gaze that roamed the house and her reddish face told him a different story. ―Jaaasmine, come out come out. Right now!‖ The man must have kicked something because the wooden boards by the front door made a sound. Against his will, Joshua shivered. His mother ran her fingers through her hair. ―What do you want?‖ she shouted at the man. ―I want you to come to me. Willingly. Leave your old life behind in that house. You can leave the kids inside as well, just come out to me. I‘ve waited long enough and I think it‘s time for you to learn to love me.‖ Where are you, Daddy? Come and help Mama, Joshua thought, and squeezed his eyes shut, repeating that thought in his head over and over. Daddy was strong enough to make that man go away. His mother said, ―We‘ve been over this before. I don‘t want you, and the restraining order is the best proof.‖ She looked around her, now afraid all the way. ―Is this how you repay kindness?‖ Her fear shocked Joshua, she was never afraid. 5

Su Halfwerk ―I‘m paying it back with my love and devotion to you. You didn‘t judge me, like the other nurses.‖ His voice moved away and then came back as he walked the small terrace, the boards making popping sounds under him. ―You‘ve made it quite difficult not to judge you, George. Even if you were a cook as you claimed, you seemed to suffer many accidents and smell of gasoline most of the time.‖ ―Yet, you didn‘t judge me. In my book, that puts you in a different category than others.‖ Without understanding what this man did and why he smelled of gas always, Joshua understood that he was not a good person. His mother never turned anyone from their doorstep, and now she wouldn‘t even open it for this guy. No surprise there. Joshua hadn‘t liked this George guy when he saw him. Mama looked around, grabbed Joshua‘s hand very hard, and moved back slightly, taking him with her. ―Though you were a suspected arsonist, I gave you benefit of the doubt. George, go away, I mean it. I‘ve already called the police.‖ Joshua didn‘t like the shiver in her voice, it made his skin crawl. ―No you haven‘t. You will learn to love me, I‘m a patient man, but even my patience has a limit.‖ Mama stuffed her cell phone in her jeans front pocket and rushed to the kitchen, dragging him with her. She reached for Rosy, who looked at her bowl with wide eyes. Mama lifted Rosy out of the highchair and held her. ―Mama will make your food soon enough, Rosy, right after that man goes away.‖ Rosy coughed and buried her face in their mother‘s neck, Still holding on to Rosy, his mother pulled a kitchen drawer open, grabbed a big knife, and slid it in her back pocket. Joshua didn‘t want his mother to get into a fight with 6

Seeker that man. Instead of rushing out to fight though, his mother leaned on the counter, one arm around Rosy and the other around him, pulling him too hard against her tummy. ―Are we not going out?‖ Joshua managed to say against her yellow shirt. ―Huh?‖ She looked down at him and eased her hold. ―No. We wait inside, until that man leaves. The knife is nothing babe, it‘s just in case he tries to come in.‖ She looked him in the eye as he cleared his throat many times, and then coughed a bit. ―Jasmine.‖ George‘s voice came through the locked back door in the kitchen. ―Smell the air. Do you recognize that delicious aroma?‖ His mother‘s hand, which was massaging Joshua‘s back as he coughed, stopped midway. She sniffed around and then coughed as well. ―It‘s called gasoline, and it will smell even better if I add fire to it. Sometimes I get high on that smell.‖ She tried to speak in between coughs and finally managed. ―If you burn the house you will kill me, too. Do you want to do that?‖ Eyes watering, his mother smiled at him. Joshua couldn‘t make up his mind what scared him the most—the promise of burning, or his mother‘s twisted smile to make him feel better. ―No. But I know you don‘t want them to burn.‖ She glanced at him, and then at Rosy, and smoothed a few strands off his sister‘s forehead. Joshua‘s lips trembled and he clung to her side, folding his right hand in the hem of her T-shirt. ―You wouldn‘t,‖ she said. ―Are you daring me?‖ George laughed softly. With Rosy in her arm, she led Joshua out of the kitchen and rushed to his room at the back of the house. She paused 7

Su Halfwerk in front of the big window and chewed on her lip, then ran back to the kitchen again. Joshua tripped on a corner of the carpet and went down with a yelp. His mother whispered, ―I‘ll be back, Josh. Wait here.‖ After grabbing the baby carrier from the hanger behind the kitchen door, his mother fitted Rosy in it and tied it around her body. She took hold of his hand and returned to his room. She pulled the curtain away and glanced out. Seeing no one, she slid the window open, then picked him up and lowered him outside into the hot garden. Joshua shifted impatiently from one foot to another as she braced both hands on either sides of the window and eased out. Holding his hand, she guided him toward the forest behind the house, the one he was not allowed to play in. After some distance, his mother went down on one knee and held Joshua‘s hand. ―Listen, baby, stay with me, and don‘t let go of my hand. We‘re going for a small walk until that bad man goes away.‖ ―But what about Daddy?‖ He placed his hand on her yellow jersey, leaving a brown smear behind. He should have washed his hands after breakfast, the stickiness didn‘t matter until now. His hands were very sweaty. ―He‘ll find us later. Don‘t worry. We might need to run sometimes. You like that, don‘t you?‖ What he wanted to do was cry, but he wouldn‘t because Rosy would join him, and then Mama would become even more tired. He also didn‘t have a good reason for crying, except that funny feeling that made his heart beat too fast. Joshua nodded and held on to her hand. **** The further they moved away from the house, the more the wind blew fiercely from behind them. Jasmine was grateful 8

Seeker that her body blocked most of the wind and the sun‘s direct rays from reaching Rosy‘s face. Joshua struggled with his dark blond hair as the wind blew it to his flushed face, but overall, he was fine. The little guy didn‘t even ask for a drink of water, which she didn‘t have. He must be thirsty by now. A branch snapped to their right, and she froze, one hand rested on Joshua‘s chest and the other snuck to her back pocket. Jasmine placed her hand on the knife‘s handle and squinted in an effort to make out the slightest movement in this scorching heat. Nothing stirred. She checked her wristwatch. It had been about twenty minutes since they left the house. By now, George must have figured their escape. She risked a glance backward, and to her consternation, a veil of smoke rose from the direction of their house and into the clear sky. The bastard had burned her beautiful house. Jasmine wiped a tear from her cheek. Fine, let him revel in his sick obsession. She and her kids were safe. If only they lived close to other houses. She sighed. Their budget only afforded this out-of-the-way old house. Another thought nagged at her. With the wind blowing toward them from the south and the dry heat they‘d been suffering through the season, wouldn‘t the forest be the worst choice for escape? She paused long enough to scratch at her feet, clad only in house slippers. The decision to escape through the forest was a wise one, wasn’t it? On the other side of the house, the front side, a wide dirt path led to the main road, and sparse dried trees scattered across the plain. They wouldn‘t conceal their escape, making it easy for George to spot them right away. As they stumbled through the trees, Joshua complained about the increasing heat. She understood his feelings too well. The heat was cooking her already. Jasmine glanced quickly to the side and paused in a half turn. Smoke coiled 9

Su Halfwerk up in the sky from both sides as well, as if the fire surrounded them. She pulled her cell for the umpteenth time to check for a signal. Still, not a single bar. Jasmine chewed on her lip and considered her options. They could go on, but with the speed of the wind, the fire would be upon them soon. Going back was as good as delivering herself and the kids into Darby‘s hands. The kids were getting grumpier by the moment. Rosy slept for some part of their journey, but now she was awake and restless. Without food and fresh change of diapers, Rosy would be difficult to handle. With the added heat, Jasmine had a nightmare on her hands. ―Mammah,‖ wailed Joshua and pointed behind him. Lit leaves and sparks of fire flew in the air and landed on a sun dried tree close by, igniting it in a flash. ―Come here.‖ She held Joshua close to her body and scanned the area around them. The fire spread at an alarming rate, no fire engine would reach them in time unless they found shelter. Her gaze fell on a boulder shaped like a huge triangle with an angled jut that made a crawl space under it. The boulder was in the middle of a clearing a few feet away. The heat would be too much to bear, but at least they wouldn‘t be in the open, easy feed for the fire. With an arm around Joshua‘s shoulder, she rushed to the boulder. The crawl space was barely wide enough for one grown up and one kid. With Rosy in Joshua‘s lap, she would place them behind her and face the clearing, protecting them from the worst the fire would bring. Lowering herself to one knee, Jasmine injected confidence in her voice. ―Josh, help is on the way. I need you to crawl under that boulder and sit. I will follow with Rosy. Okay?‖ ―I‘m scared, Mammah.‖ Joshua‘s teary gaze roamed the space around them. ―I know you‘re scared, baby. Look at me, Joshua, look at 10

Seeker me.‖ When he locked gaze with her, she wiped his tears and whispered, ―I‘ve never lied to you. This will go over and you‘ll be fine. Okay?‖ He nodded and went down on his knees and eyed the ground with distaste. Few insects scuttled about. ―You can do it, honey,‖ she encouraged him. While he crawled under the boulder, Jasmine watched him as her hands worked automatically on unhooking Rosy from the carrier. A branch stuck out from one side of the boulder and Jasmine made a mental note to pull it out before following her kids. If enough embers flew its way, it would ignite and might reach them. That branch was the only piece of combustible greenery close to the large rock. She placed a half-dazed Rosy on the ground and started pulling the carrier over her head. Within a blink of an eye, she heard Rosy wailing. Jasmine glanced around frantically at her daughter as thin tendrils of smoke rose out of Rosy‘s vest. A spark had found its way to her daughter‘s clothing. Without thinking, she picked Rosy up and patted her back and shoulders gently to put the fire out while holding her tight against her chest. An itching, a nagging sensation crawled up her back and into her head, too painfully hot. From a distance, Joshua wailed. The sound traveled through a narrow tube to reach her ears. The air was dry and hot, it scorched her nostrils, though she hardly felt it through the raw skin of her nose. Maybe we should‘ve gone the other way, she thought to herself.

11

Su Halfwerk

Chapter One

“I

t‘s not like I meant to eat the newborn,‖ whined the teen dressed in a heavy metal t-shirt. Blood froze in Adoria‘s veins, for, though he made no sense, his sniggers of laughter didn‘t fit with his entreating tone. Like listening to two people at the same time, one implored while the other bantered. From her hiding place behind a wooden fence, Adoria didn‘t have a clear view of the kid. The man in black blocked her way. There was something odd about that one. She‘d been chasing both of them for a while, yet until now, she couldn‘t get a clear view of the man‘s face. He reminded her of watching a black and white movie on a badly received channel. ―Yeah, sure. You mean the puppy just launched itself into your mouth, forced your teeth to grind it, and then convulsed your throat to swallow it. Man… that was one heck of a psychotic and suicidal puppy.‖ Glacial metal coated the weird one‘s hoarse voice. ―I‘m not here to condemn your eating habits.‖ He straightened up and rolled his shoulders, all banter gone from his voice. ―You have to go, and you know it.‖ The humid night pressed on Adoria‘s lungs as she panted for air. If she planned to sneak on that unusual pair, she should at least control her frantic breathing first. Only streetlights on corners and crossings lit the dark 12

Seeker night. The boy had carried the pursuit to the back streets, and the man followed. She glanced around at the dark alley for another way to sneak on them. The teenager‘s gaze might alert the man to her advance, and that wouldn‘t do at all. If she must choose, she will go after the teenager. After all, he was the one who stole something from the firearm shop in her care. Unfortunately, she hadn‘t had the time to confirm with her boss what the boy had stolen. She was busy watching a fidgety businessman choose a gun. When shouts of the robbery had reached her, Adoria panicked. It was her first night at the shop and she wasn‘t sure what needed to be done, except for one of two things, the capturing of the thief, or better still, the return of the stolen item. Then she‘d seen through the glass the kid whizzing outside the shop at a full run. She‘d been chasing him on foot since then. At some stage of the chase, the strange man simply appeared out of nowhere ahead of her and followed the kid step for step. She had no clue where he‘d come from or what his intentions were. He looked hardcore, muscular and huge, with white hair combed back severely. He seemed to hold a private grudge against the kid, and she would be happy to let them sort out their differences, except she couldn‘t afford to lose the job at the firearms shop. Fffook! Adoria flinched. The wall next to her head exploded into tiny splinters of wood that flew each and every way as a bullet buried itself in it. The weird man hissed in pain. At least now she knew what the kid stole, a handgun with a silencer. Brilliant! She peeked around the corner in time to see the man in black jerk his head sideways as though avoiding another bullet. It never came. With a colorful curse, he took off after the kid through the 13

Su Halfwerk alleys of Vine Street. She masked her steps under the weird man‘s swift ones as he maneuvered his way between garbage bins in back streets smelling of piss and vomit. After chasing them for the past half an hour, Adoria was tired, hungry, and angry like hell. She couldn‘t see how this situation could end positively. Fear burned in her gut like acid, and it had two folds, fear of losing her job and of confronting this pair. The combination of dread and adrenaline kicked her heart into a frenzy of quickened beats. If only she didn‘t need the job so bad. They hadn‘t sensed her yet, or at least she hoped they hadn‘t. Being small of size forced her to pick her battles carefully and develop a winning strategy before tackling the enemy. Adoria ducked under a raised wooden door used as a divider between two properties, and ran parallel to the man and teenager. Surprise would be her ally, one she intended to use craftily. From between separated planks of wood, she caught a glimpse of the man glancing behind him once. Maybe she hadn‘t been as stealthy as she thought. The teenager‘s panicky steps surpassed the din of louder traffic from the main road. Noises filtered through the sounds. Some distance away a quarrel took place between a whore and her pimp, followed by slapping noises and a gurgle. Adoria kept her mind on the task of capturing the kid with the stolen weapon, and if possible, the dodging of a showdown with that eerie man. To her surprise, the man slowed down, allowing the kid some leeway. It had to be on purpose, those long legs could handle longer strides. Instead, he reached for a fire escape and climbed it fast. Upon reaching the last step, the man jogged lightly on the roof of a two-story building, parallel to the boy frantically fleeing on the ground. A wall appeared out of nowhere in front of her, forcing her to return to the 14

Seeker alley. It didn‘t matter anyway. She suspected the man knew she was behind them, and from his vantage point on the roof, he was bound to spot her. Adoria came to a halt and hid behind wooden boxes piled in a corner when the kid stopped by a street lamp to catch his breath. Just when she was about to leave her hiding place to apprehend the thief, a huge dark shadow dropped on the boy from the sky. Crunch! Adoria winced at the sound of bones cracking when the man slammed both elbows on the boy‘s shoulders. The kid tumbled to the ground in an unconscious heap of skin and bones wrapped in a heavy metal T-shirt with DEATH RULES printed on the back in red, dripping ink. The gun clattered to the side of the street, out of the kid‘s reach. When the man went down on one knee, Adoria took a step out of her hiding place. His broad back blocked her view of the boy. What’s he going to do to that boy? ―Step away from the kid.‖ Okay, she didn‘t care much for the shakiness of her voice, and it definitely stripped her of a confident edge, but she was grateful she hadn‘t choked on her words. Considering that her only weapon, besides her martial arts training, was a baton, she thought she did a good job of camouflaging her fear. At that thought, she pulled the hardened steal stick out of its holster on her belt and brandished it like a sword. As if the man‘s back muscles were unattached to a body, they contorted and shifted until they stiffened into one tight knot. He lifted his head and paused. His posture spooked her, and she automatically brought one foot forward, readying herself for any sudden movement. The weird man stood up and turned towards her slowly. 15

Su Halfwerk If Sasquatch existed, then this was his brother in size. Adoria swallowed back the frenzied drum of her heartbeats. She thought he was smiling, but wasn‘t sure because his predominantly white features shivered and shifted, vibrating all over his face. The look of bad TV reception was more evident now than before. The effort she exerted to lock on an eye made her head throb. Profound fear clutched her heart and squeezed, forcing it to miss a beat. Her fucked up situation boiled down to one question, who would be able to do something like that with his face? Not a human being, that’s who. ―Who—what are you?‖ Did he just smile when he glanced down at her baton? ―Leave.‖ That single-word rasp echoed through the deserted alley, the moan from the unconscious kid on the floor confirming its strength. The voice, strong and wrapped in smooth silk held power and command in it. This voice belonged to someone accustomed to being obeyed. A weird thought suddenly popped in her head. Perhaps this wasn‘t any of her business, and she should go home, enjoy a hot cup of cocoa with lots of marshmallows, and sit in front of the TV. One of her favorite shows was on. In fact, if she left the alley right now, she would make it back home in time to watch the show. She frowned. She didn‘t watch the tube that much and she hated cocoa. And this was definitely her business. Adoria shook her head, unsure whether she did it out of disbelieve or refusal. She wanted to react with something awe-inspiring and full of sarcasm, something that would indicate her willingness to fight for what was right. The kid sat up, and her thoughts were scattered by shock. He moved without a wince. The snapping sound was produced by crushed and broken bones, and she knew that for sure. The kid should have at least screamed. Instead, a 16

Seeker humorless smile stretched his lips as he glanced between her and the WWE Smackdown reject. By the time the big man looked behind him, the boy had scrambled toward an alleyway. The strange man pointed at her. ―You stay here.‖ ―Like hell I will.‖ The man loped after the kid at an incredible speed. She slung the baton back in its holster and rushed after them. As a regular jogger, she had good stamina, but still fell way behind, until she lost sight of both of them. The alley opened up straight in front of her with no side roads. The sound of the boy‘s frantic steps carried through the night. A begrudged cat here, a turned over garbage bin there, assured her of where to go. The kid made enough noise to steer her without exerting herself. Suddenly there was silence. It felt as if the whole world was on pause, waiting for something to happen. Adoria pushed her running to the limit, afraid for the kid‘s life. She cared about her job, but it was a replaceable thing, unlike a life. She came to a halt when she spotted them, the boy sprawled on the ground, both of his arms pinned under the man‘s knees. That pose must be a killer for the kid if indeed his shoulder bones were broken. ―They are,‖ she whispered to herself. They were talking, but she couldn‘t make out what they said. All her senses went on high alert when the weirdo dug with his right hand into a back pocket. He drew something that gleamed like a pearl in the night. It looked like a seashell closed on itself, and fit snuggly in his huge hands. With one swift shake of the hand, the shell unfolded into a six-inch dagger that glinted despite the unlit alley. No, not a glint, but a type of luminance that sparked through it once. It reminded her of light sabers. 17

Su Halfwerk She couldn‘t just stand there and watch a murder take place. ―What do you think you‘re doing to that boy?‖ ―For fuck‘s sake.‖ This she heard in spite of the distance. The man had spoken without turning. Moving on pure adrenaline, Adoria rushed the man, balanced herself on one leg, and with the other directed a concentrated kick to the weirdo‘s side, catching him off guard and almost unbalancing him enough to topple him off the kid‘s arms. She could take the man down. All she had to do was steady herself and direct a similar kick to the same spot. There would be enough time to get the kid to his feet and away from the alley. The man wouldn‘t attack them in front of people. Surely, he wouldn’t… He grabbed her leg as she raised it. Adoria saw her mistake. She should have kept her balance on the leg she was standing on, instead she had readied herself to attack again, centering all her power in the leg in his hand. With tremendous force, he pushed her, almost like beating back a mosquito, and propelled her away from him. She didn‘t see the light pole until the last moment when she smashed into it, shooting sharp stabs of agony through her head.

18

Seeker

Chapter Two

A

ndrew decided to transform his appearance back in his room since walking around as himself—Andrew Taylor the actor—would draw attention to him. He‘d snuck into the hotel without anyone recognizing him. The sunglasses obscured most of his pale features, and the oddity of wearing sunglasses at night was an acceptable norm in California. The spring colors of his suite‘s décor added a sense of coziness to the posh room, its cool interior a relief after the smog, smoke, and suffocation in the streets. Andrew dashed in the bathroom and snatched the sunglasses off his face. He leaned on the marble sink and stared at himself, scrutinizing the transformation. The white of his irises turned murky, dirty green, and then settled into their emerald shade. Each bleached strand of his hair returned to its original color of blond strewn with darker highlights as though an invisible hairdresser tinkered with it. He slouched slightly and relaxed his features into a carefree expression, the one people knew him by, the one he used to hide his true strength. With a sigh, he peeled off the dark cottony t-shirt and pants he had donned for his nightly escapades and stepped into the shower cabin. Warm water belted his skin, washing away the weariness, cleaning his already healing superficial shoulder-wound, and easing him in his day-to-day persona. 19

Su Halfwerk That was an impressive chase you gave today, Andrew. Andrew stiffened for a moment and then continued lathering his body. By now, he ought to be used to his Spirit Guide‘s preference of telepathy as a mode of communication. Yet, it still unnerved him every time it happened. He answered casually, his voice nothing more than a soft whisper. ―Gruesome, we‘ve agreed you won‘t sneak in on me and that you will stay out of my head.‖ I’m not reading your thoughts. I speak in your head so that you hear me over the shower. Andrew worked the soap over his shoulder, irritated that he was talking to thin air, like a nutcase. ―Still, you can wait until I finish showering and then bombard me with your praise.‖ ―Fine,‖ Gruesome said in a cool brisk whisper with no anger, disappointment, or reproach in its folds. After the shower, Andrew dried himself and tied the belt of a white fluffy hotel robe around his waist. He took a chilled Budweiser from the mini bar and gulped a mouthful. Wiping his mouth with the back of his hand, he wandered into the spacious living room. A panoramic window occupied one wall of his suite, giving it an unnecessary air of spaciousness. He sipped slowly from the cold fulfilling bottle in his hand and gazed at the light and motion-filled Highland Avenue. ―Can I interrupt your thoughts?‖ Gruesome asked. Andrew turned his lips in a near-smile. ―Yes, we can talk now.‖ ―You took a big risk last week when you noticed the boy‘s infected aura and let him go. You saw how he looked by the time you reached him. Your desire not to hurt him, much, wasted precious time during which he could have bonded with the spirit riding him. You have also risked an injury to 20

Seeker your body.‖ That was true. When Andrew was sitting on the kid‘s arm, the boy‘s face had elongated, twisting his features in a torturous stretch of the eyes, nose, and mouth. At that point, Andrew had glimpsed the horror within the kid. He also witnessed the pain, turmoil, and grief the teen‘s family would go through if the spirit remained within him. The spirit in that pubertal body was fully aware of the existence of the Spirit Hunter, Andrew‘s other persona. Those murky red irises outlined with a thick yellow band held recognition and something else—confidence perhaps— that made the chase even more rewarding to Andrew. He had marked the boy a week ago after attending a movie release party at a club. Among all the healthy red auras surrounding him, the kid‘s yellow aura stood out, indicating a spiritual possession. If I was late in extracting the spirit, if the spirit bonded with the kid’s body, then… He pushed away that thought. Damn it, he needed the time to extract the spirit without hurting the kid, a small detail Gruesome didn‘t care for. ―I know. Will take better care next time.‖ He took a swig from his bottle. ―He addressed me as the Spirit Hunter. Do spirits chat among themselves in the Laymour?‖ ―They do. They need to pass eternal time with something until their judgment and assignment.‖ Gruesome‘s voice grew farther, as if he drifted away. ―He insinuated that I must be tired of doing this, and that he will be back.‖ ―You have answered him correctly, Andrew. What was the phrase you used? Ah, yes, that maybe his brother or cousin will be back, but not him. As you know, when you send them back they are branded as escapees and lose the ability to return to earth. Their escape is impossible then.‖ Andrew replayed the scene in his head. He saw himself 21

Su Halfwerk stabbing the boy with the dagger in the forehead, the faint ―Aaah‖ that escaped the kid‘s mouth. The worst part of his job was when he drew the vile spirit into his lungs to eradicate it from its host. Though it tasted to nothing, it evoked revolting and foul emotions within him, as though he could feel and live the thoughts of that despicable being. Most spirits that attempted escape were aware they had a dim chance at reincarnation, that hell would be their final destination. After exhaling the spirit into the Northern Star, Laymour‘s name in human lingo, Andrew watched over the kid from some distance. It wouldn‘t be worth it to have taken the necessary precautions not to kill the kid only to have him killed or robbed by some thug. An exorcised person would wake up with a headache only, the stab was nothing more than a spiritual wound to open the chakra and eradicate the spirit. They would possess no memory of their actions since their possession. In this kid‘s case, he would need treatment for the broken collarbone as well. The boy might also suffer some serious indigestion problems after dining on the puppy. Poor kid, he must deal with more than just broken bones and an upset stomach. Thanks to the firearm‘s security cameras, the thief‘s mug would soon be all over the news. Andrew had stayed behind to watch over the security woman as well. He‘d done his damndest not to notice her sprawled in the shadows, her cap covering most of her face, the curves of her feminine body, even in that stupid unisex brown uniform, obvious from the corner of his eye. A smile tugged on his lips. He took another drink from his beer. ―That woman…‖ Impatience flared through Andrew, Gruesome was reading him again. With a sigh he said, ―She was doing her 22

Seeker job. If I can help it, I will never harm a human. I made that very clear to you when you recruited me seven years ago.‖ ―I remember. However, this one almost ruined the extraction with her interference. You should entertain the notion that the day might come when you must be more assertive with prying humans.‖ There was something about that woman, besides her courage and stubbornness. She was little with a deliciously well-endowed figure. Her voice was wrapped in rose petals as she spoke to him, without a hint of fear in it. There was confusion, and worry, but not outright piss-in-my-pants fright. For some reason, Andrew wondered how her hair looked like under that cap. How it felt. He sobered up. Gruesome most probably read most of his thoughts. ―I‘ll find a way to be assertive without breaking anyone‘s neck. Let it go.‖ After some silence, Gruesome whispered wistfully, ―Gruesome! An interesting name you insist on using for me.‖ Andrew appreciated the change of topic. He hated being rude to Gruesome, despite the guide‘s tenaciousness. ―It goes well with the type of news you bring.‖ ―Not all my news is bad. For example, you have company.‖ Someone knocked on the door. In the presence of others, Gruesome maintained total silence to avoid distracting Andrew, unless necessary. ―Mr. Taylor, this is Emanuel. The personal bodyguard is here for her interview.‖ The Head of Security‘s words were muffled from behind the door. Andrew crossed the room on the lush tangor orange carpet and opened the door. ―I‘ll be down in a minute. Let her wait in the coffee shop, and get her something to drink.‖ 23

Su Halfwerk Emanuel nodded once and left. ―I thought our deal was to keep all women as far as possible,‖ Gruesome said. Andrew remembered that part of the deal very well, but he also had to keep his cover as an actor. Following the lawsuit against him in court for the indecent way one of his personal bodyguards handled a female fan, adding a woman to his team would appease all parties with his eagerness to cooperate. In the future, the female bodyguard would handle such situations instead of any male bodyguard‘s roving hands. ―This is just a personal bodyguard. Emanuel might have more estrogen than her.‖

24

Seeker

Chapter Three

“Y

ou look fine,‖ Carla said and yawned. Adoria pursed her lips, turned sideways, and scrutinized how the dress clung to her generous behind. ―I might look fine, but feel cheap. Who would dress like this for a security guard‘s job interview?‖ She ran her hands over the canary dress, enjoying its silky feel. Pru raised her hand, black eyes smiling. ―I can tell you who, but you won‘t like it, tía Adoria.‖ Adoria nudged her niece in the shoulder and faked a frown. ―Hey!‖ Pru acted beyond her eleven years, influenced by the neighborhood‘s tough kids. Still, she was a good kid, and hadn‘t picked up her peers‘ practices of stealing and skipping school, or drug use. Carla rested a hand on Adoria‘s shoulder. ―You shouldn‘t fret about the interview. Emanuel has always looked after us in his own way after Dad‘s death.‖ Carla winked. ―After all, he is the Head of Security. No one will know Andrew Taylor better than him. He wouldn‘t have arranged for the interview if he weren‘t sure. No need to worry so much.‖ ―How can I not worry wearing this?‖ Adoria pointed at the sharp dip in the dress‘s neckline. ―I need to get the job, even if it means babysitting a spoiled actor. We need the money.‖ Adoria glanced toward Pru as she perched on her mother‘s bed with her Game Boy in hand, red unruly 25

Su Halfwerk ringlets flattering her beautiful, angelic face, full lips pursed in concentration. Two weeks ago Adoria lost a temporary job at the firearms shop after messing up big time on her first night on the job. Apparently, she‘d proved to them, beyond doubt, that she was a clumsy jinx. She‘d woken up alone in the alley and with a bleeding nose. The kid had either tricked that stranger and escaped, or overpowered him. She frowned, rejecting the thought. The scrawny kid couldn‘t overpower that muscular man, a bullet could do that though. What was the man‘s beef with the thief anyway? Perhaps the kid ripped off the guy‘s share of the catch? The man possessed a great deal of strength and determination. His voice, only heard in semi-whisper, sent shivers up her spine. Now she trembled involuntarily. ―You worry too much. If this outfit doesn‘t convince his highness, then I don‘t know what will,‖ Carla said. If he was interviewing me to be his slut, then yeah. Adoria turned back to the mirror to comb her hair. She saw in the reflection Carla‘s fast food uniform hanging behind her on the wall, its oily odor a strong reminder that she must try her best to support her sister and niece. Carla‘s job at Burger Land didn‘t pay much. ―I‘ll be back in time to stay with Pru.‖ Pru huffed, but was wise enough not to broach the topic about not needing a babysitter. Carla ruffled her own red ringlets she inherited from their father‘s side of the family. Adoria would have to come directly to Carla‘s apartment to stay with Pru. Though they lived in the same building, Adoria valued her independence and lived on her own. If finances remained the same, however, she would be forced to move in with her sister and unite their resources to survive. 26

Seeker She glanced at the mirror one last time. Her options were limited anyhow, either this dress, or any of her worn out, or over washed, or stained t-shirts and jeans. **** The sofas at Hotel Bermuda‘s reception were designed for style and not comfort. Adoria adjusted her posture on the too-wide navy velvet contraption, and got no relief. She couldn‘t reach the back or the side to lean on. When she tried to cross her legs, the short dress Mary had lent her hiked up her thighs. The impressive lobby exhibited splashes of modern, abstract art in carefully positioned sculptures and paintings. Colorful paintings of red, yellow, blue, and green circles decorated the walls from floor to ceiling. Adoria leaned back, her feet barely touching the floor. Finally, with her handbag behind her on the sofa, she slid forward and folded her hands in her lap. Andrew Taylor, the man she came all the way from Santa Monica to meet, stepped out of the elevator in his dark gray suit and glanced towards her. She had watched a couple of his movies, and in both movies he had a softness to him that she disliked in men. He was always the good pal turned lover, sensitive to his friend‘s needs and anguish to a fault. However, the man standing at the other end of the hall carried himself with such confidence that all women present in the lobby turned to ogle him. The screen was supposed to add a few pounds to an actor, in his case it took a few inches off his height. She flashed a tentative smile that he returned with a quick sweep of his eyes over her legs and her half-exposed cleavage. Blood rushed to her face and her cheeks burned with the intensity of his gaze. He then turned those merciless 27

Su Halfwerk green eyes on the receptionist who went through a meltdown similar to Adoria‘s. While at the counter, Emanuel whispered something to his boss. In profile, she saw the actor‘s eyebrow shoot up and he glanced at her, now with a surprisingly mean gaze. The bulky gray-haired guard stepped aside and followed Mr. Taylor as he sauntered toward her. Emanuel positioned himself close enough to keep an eye on his boss but far enough to give them privacy for the interview. Mr. Taylor‘s languished, easy stroll led him to her and she rose to greet him, mindful of her high-heels and the way they slid on the marbled floor. ―Ms. Hall?‖ His voice, masculine and deep, distracted her from answering him right away. A nod was all she managed to produce. His eyes traveled down her body and then back to her face. ―A bit overdressed for the occasion, aren‘t we?‖ O-oh. They were off to a bad start. Damn him if he thought she planned to seduce him to get the job. At that moment Adoria hated his green eyes, for they reflected a pitiless soul, one accustomed to blurting out his opinion without thinking of other people‘s feelings. Lost for words, Adoria lifted her chin and met his gaze. He unbuttoned his jacket and gestured to the sofa. ―Have a seat. Since you‘re here, we might as well get it over with.‖ Was he a born sarcastic or had it become part of his job description as the favored romance lead to girly-mushy movies? Adoria perched on the edge of the sofa and watched him lower himself gracefully into the one facing her. Causally, he pushed aside the vase loaded with bright flowers positioned on a low glass table between them. ―Emanuel speaks highly of you.‖ Mr. Taylor smoothed an imaginary wrinkle out of his gray suit. Adoria nodded. ―He‘s a good man.‖ 28

Seeker When she spoke, he narrowed his eyes slightly, as though her speech or voice surprised him. ―What experience do you have as a personal bodyguard, Ms. Hall?‖ Adoria cringed inwardly. ―None, but what I lack in experience I compensate for with my skills. I am heedful and well versed in the art of Hapkido.‖ He furrowed his brow, his finger running over a full lower lip. ―What‘s that?‖ ―It‘s a Korean martial art. I was a Hapkido instructor at a martial arts school,‖ she pointed out, her usual pride in her skill diminished by his disinterest. ―It‘s in my CV.‖ ―Frankly, I didn‘t have the time to go over it.‖ He glanced once at Emanuel, and then returned his attention to her. ―Okay. Can you tell me why you want to work for me?‖ She shrugged, plastering a smile on her face, just as Carla had shown her. ―I heard about your requirement for a female personal bodyguard.‖ Those green eyes drilled into her. ―Are you saying that if the requirement wasn‘t specifically for a female or if I didn‘t have that misfortunate incident with a fan, you wouldn‘t have applied?‖ Thoughts rushed in Adoria‘s head, pounding away at it as her heart did the same to her chest. What answer would satisfy this overgrown baby, she wondered. Mr. Taylor sighed, his gaze rolling all over her. ―I was expecting something different.‖ Again, that reference to her outfit. Heat rushed into her face, raising her temperature and her awareness of her forced smile. ―Mr. Taylor, my qualifications and experience make me the right candidate for the job. Give me a chance and I will prove it.‖ A smirk pulled on his lips. ―Why should I hire you, Ms. Hall?‖ ―Because I can do the job.‖ In her head, she cursed her 29

Su Halfwerk inadequate response. One eyebrow rose in condescension. ―Others can as well, or so they think. I have interviewed several candidates who thought the same. What makes you sure you can do it?‖ A valid question, Adoria told herself, but then why did she feel he was toying with her, ambushing her, that he had already made up his mind about her fit-ness for the job? This time when she spoke, she did away with the smile. ―I think clearly when in a tight spot. I‘m flexible and loyal, and can think for myself.‖ From the corner of her eye, she noticed Emanuel stiffen in his stance. Must be my expression. Her fiery temper was one thing she hadn‘t mastered yet. ―Fair enough, but I don‘t think you would be that flexible in those shoes—‖ ―I wore this outfit today for the interview. This isn‘t the way I dress up usually.‖ Noticing how her voice rose, Adoria lowered it again. ―Mr. Taylor, I would be grateful if you‘d give me this job, even on trial basis, but I sense that even this is too much to ask.‖ Adoria had reached her limit with his direct and indirect hints at the suitability of her outfit. He saw nothing beyond her appearance. When he smiled the cleft in his chin almost disappeared, but his sharply outlined jaw didn‘t. ―Are you saying that you aren‘t interested in the job anymore?‖ Adoria squeezed her hands in her lap, wishing it were his neck. ―I know when I‘m wanted and when not.‖ He ran his fingers through his flyaway blond hair. ―Ms. Hall, you just made two mistakes in this job interview. Three, if we count the outfit. You interrupted your possible future employer and you made a decision based on an assumption. Hardly what I would call thinking clearly.‖ Tears of frustration burned Adoria‘s eyes. She was not going to give this insolent self-centered man the pleasure of watching her cry. ―I guess this is it then.‖ She reached 30

Seeker behind her for her handbag. ―Another assumption!‖ His challenging smile did nothing to ease the irritation she struggled with inwardly. A snake could lose its way following the logic of this man. She wanted to be out of his face, out of this hotel, and back in her apartment. Babysitting a spoiled actor like him wasn‘t a job for her. Adoria rose and rushed to the ladies‘ room. **** Having wasted enough time in the ladies‘ room trying to stop the flow of tears of humiliation, Adoria finally splashed her face with cold water. After drying her face, she took a couple of breaths and stepped out into the lobby, where Emanuel waited for her. ―Are you done with your self-pity?‖ With his hands behind his back, Emanuel spoke to a point on the wall just above her head, his voice deep and dry, business like. Never known to show emotions one way or the other, Emanuel represented the closest thing to a father she and Carla ever had. He never hugged either one of them, or visited, or even advised, but was always close by to offer a helping hand. It was his way of caring. Adoria guessed this lack of obvious empathy might be the catalyst behind the end of his two marriages and his excellence at his job. ―I‘m sorry, but he baited me throughout the interview.‖ ―You could‘ve handled it better. I‘ve never seen a job applicant decide on the outcome and end the interview.‖ She glared at him. ―He made up his mind the moment he laid eyes on me.‖ Emanuel ran his gaze up and down her figure, without the lewd suggestion. ―You blame him?‖ No. That error of judgment was hers. 31

Su Halfwerk ―Nevertheless, I agree,‖ Emanuel said. ―He could‘ve given you a chance. Anyhow, what‘s done is done. I‘ll try to get you another job elsewhere. I know the rent is due.‖ ―I‘m more worried about Pru‘s school fees.‖ Emanuel nodded. ―I know. Let me see what I can do.‖ She rose on her toes and kissed him on the cheek, her only way to show her gratitude. He waved her off. ―Go now. I‘ll be in touch.‖ Adoria secured the handbag on her shoulder and walked away from Emanuel. At the hotel‘s entrance, she turned around to wave to him, and glimpsed Mr. Taylor stepping in the elevator. She wondered if he had heard her exchange with Emanuel, and if it would affect the Head of Security in any negative way. A man as insensitive and immature as Mr. Taylor could be unpredictable in his reactions. **** By the time darkness claimed the streets, Andrew and Emanuel had made it to the fashion show at Luxor Hotel, the show in which Megan was a showstopper. While Emanuel waited in the outer hall, Andrew followed the usher through crowds of photographers and fashion reporters milling about in the hall, some gathered in the cocktail room, taking their fill of free drinks and hors d‘oeuvres offered on small trays. Veterans of fame settled in their seats, waiting for the show to start. They chatted with their neighbors and exchanged high-class gossips. The usher guided Andrew to a front row seat facing the end of the catwalk. She smiled shyly and left. Only after her departure, Andrew remembered his manners. He hadn‘t thanked her, nor smiled back at her. The interview that took place in the hotel earlier still affected him. 32

Seeker He lifted a hand and waved back at a fashion mogul without making a move to approach the other man. The hall was set in indistinct shades of green and beige to support the message behind the title ‗Back to Earth.‘ Andrew bent forward and touched the edge of the catwalk, soft sand ran through his fingers. At least there would be fewer chances of high-heeled models slipping tonight. Settling back in his chair, he considered his guilt. Despite Gruesome‘s compliments on his wise decision not to hire an attractive woman like Adoria, Andrew felt rotten. He had consciously misguided her with his questions. No matter how valid those questions were, the reason behind the fierceness with which he had conducted the interview was to keep her away from him. She‘d appealed to him in a way that jolted his senses. He saw only her when he‘d stepped in the lobby. Her dark eyes drew him in, rousing his interest. Then, Emanuel identified her as the interviewee. He tried to place Adoria, something about her struck him as memorable. They hadn‘t met before, he was sure of that, yet she sounded familiar. Did his forced celibacy evoke familiarity where it lacked? Despite her temper and his consuming desire, he should have conducted the interview without pressing all her buttons in one go. Hell, he didn‘t really need an addition to his security team, a team he didn‘t need in the first place, but he had to keep the image of soft spoken, gentle actor, one misguided by his fame to believe he needed protection. Obviously, he would ask Emanuel to schedule another interview. It would be childish of him to ignore Adoria‘s financial distress. All at once, the loud music became deafening and the lights dimmed. People rushed to their seats in the main hall, some tinkered with their cameras, while others wiped their hands on napkins before throwing them into bins by the door. 33

Su Halfwerk Andrew reflected on the fact that most fashion shows nowadays revolved around the designer‘s statement about his or her creation, since, according to Megan none of those outfits were considered casual garb. When the first model stomped angrily on the catwalk—a look many designers went for to distract the audience from the humans bearing those earthly creations—Andrew understood the reason behind Megan‘s statement. The model wore a gray evening gown, which upon closer examination revealed that it was made of phonebook pages. The cut itself, in Andrew‘s humble and not-so-suave opinion, was average, but the idea of stitching papers holding people‘s names and addresses, impressed him. The attention to details, to every turn, hem, and tuck in the outfits, showcased a superior craftsmanship. Some of the lights directed at the catwalk shifted their focus to him. It must be Megan‘s turn. Whenever she stepped out in a fashion show and he was in the audience, cameras were directed at him to record his amorous reaction to the red-headed elfin taking her light, agile steps on the catwalk. Out came Megan. The severe expression on her face didn‘t reach her sparkling green eyes. Those remained smiling their mischievous grin as she got closer to him. Megan was more than mere eye candy, she was an ardent and alluring woman. Unfortunately, she was a very dear friend and nothing more. Yet, she acted the role of his loving, but somehow loose, girlfriend to a T. At the end of the catwalk, she paused, swung her toilet paper clad hips this way and then that way. When everyone expected her to return backstage, she twirled around, some of her short bangs escaping their pins, locked eyes with his, and blew him a kiss. 34

Seeker Now, if Andrew should be worried about a woman tempting him, it should be Megan, even with her support of his celibacy and need for space. She scored well with Joshua by giving him his space, and at the same time became sort of an adored aunt. Andrew‘s partnership with her to shield each other against the scandal-trailing reporters, worked perfectly. She thought he still mourned his wife and daughter, and he knew that some idiot hadn‘t had the wisdom to return her affections. She saved him from the rumors of homosexuality, and he stopped the unwanted attention men directed at her wherever she went. Yet he loved her like a sister. She made him laugh, and whenever she was around, an air of pure lightness filled the room. For now, that was all he needed, a sense of normalcy in a world full of vengeful and hateful spirits. Two slots after Megan‘s, Andrew‘s attention was pulled back to the show again, something was wrong. An internal alarm went off in his mind. A male model stepped out on the catwalk dressed in beach shorts made of colorful magazine pages. The model‘s yellow aura hovered around him like an insult to Andrew. He fidgeted on his seat, struggling with the urge to draw his dagger and hurl this spirit back to the Laymour. The model‘s severe expression was not an ordinary one, cold and hostile recognition swam in those brown, speckled with red, eyes as the model neared the end of the catwalk. There, he went down to his knees, tearing the shorts at the seams, and stared hard and long at Andrew, his body twisting luridly. He stuck his tongue out and slid it slowly sideways, clearly indicating what he wanted to do to a certain part of Andrew‘s anatomy. A universal gasp rippled through the showroom, it was part shock, part surprise, but mostly self-serving. Ignoring it, Andrew gritted his teeth slowly, a pulse thrummed through his head, his gaze fixed on the model, taking the spirit‘s 35

Su Halfwerk measure. Spirits normally avoided him because he held their boarding pass back to hell, but this one sought him out and riled him enough to risk exposing his powers. Why? The model rose, wiped imaginary fluid off his mouth with the back of his hand, and trotted backstage. After that incident, the show continued without other botches, and lucky for the model he didn‘t make a second appearance. As the show neared its end, Megan appeared again, in a wedding dress made of glossy greeting cards and a veil made of toilet paper. She had her arm around a flushed looking Greta, the fashion designer behind the show. There was no trace of the male model. To his surprise, Megan drew close to the edge of the catwalk and leaned toward him. Adoringly, he rose and brushed his lips against hers. He remained standing, clapping for her, the other models, and Greta. As soon as a couple of news hounds approached him, Andrew murmured his apologies and made his way backstage to meet Megan. The changing space was strewn with paper dresses, shorts, shirts, and even footwear he hadn‘t noticed. Models jammed up the small space, changing their clothes as carefully as they could. Greta pushed against her models and approached him. ―Sorry about that incident, Andrew. You‘re a true supporter of genuine ideas, and to have this happen to you at my show…‖ She shook her head and tutted one time for good measure to show her chagrin. Andrew frowned. ―It was weird. Who was that model anyhow?‖ Greta brushed the matter off with a hand. ―Believe me when I say I don‘t know what came over Leon. One minute he‘s fine—mind you, not that fine with all his antidepressants and all—and the next he‘s giving you an aerial blowjob.‖ She shook her head. ―I was afraid he would 36

Seeker ruin the whole show, so I had security escort him out. I don‘t need garbage like that in the middle of my creation. That boy is done for in this business.‖ That spirit was done as well. Andrew planned to pay Leon a visit. He nodded. ―Good that you kicked him out, although there is nothing negative anyone can say about your show. It was simply an avant-garde fashion piece.‖ Blushing, Greta, who was in her sixties, struck him lightly on the shoulder. ―I wonder what those vultures will make out of it though. Ah, here‘s your elfin, thanks for coming, Andrew.‖ Megan hung her arm around his shoulder. To onlookers they looked like lovers serenading each other with amorous words, but Megan had something else on her mind. ―What the fuck was wrong with Leon? You don‘t know him, do you?‖ He felt the warmth of her breath as she whispered in his ear. ―Love the crude language.‖ He slid his hand up and down her back. ―No, I don‘t know him, and that act of his cost us the work of two years of convincing people that I‘m not gay.‖ Since his star shone, the media first appreciated his devotion to his deceased wife‘s memory, then questioned it, and finally came out with indirect hints at his sexual preference. When Megan appeared in his life, those rumors quieted down, but didn‘t die out. Their failure to setup a wedding or engagement date had rekindled some of those hearsays again, contributing the reason to a ‗fake relationship‘ as some gossip guru had suggested. It was fake, but not for those reasons. Megan grimaced. ―I know. Now we have to bust our balls to erase that image from people‘s minds. I suspect a viral video of tonight‘s events will float soon on the net.‖ She 37

Su Halfwerk shook her head. ―I don‘t know what the fuck came over Leon.‖ ―Greta said that he‘s usually a different person.‖ Eyes open wide, Megan nodded enthusiastically. ―He was, poor bastard. Leon‘s depression alienated him from everyone else. He was too busy wallowing in self-pity and screwed up concoctions of drugs. What he did tonight is so fucked up.‖ She shook her head again. Andrew laughed aloud. ―Erase that frown from your face, darling.‖ He watched as his breath stirred her hair gently. ―Others are watching us. How about we slip on our respective masks of Romeo and Juliet?‖ Megan‘s full-of-mischief smile reappeared and she announced aloud, ―I‘m glad you‘re coming to the after-show party. You‘ll love this one. Shall we go?‖ She winked, knowing what he thought of those flashy gatherings.

38

Seeker

Chapter Four

C

onsidering Bao‘s notorious reputation for delicious Chinese cuisine, the restaurant was hardly full at lunchtime, contrary to the evenings filled with celebrities and their entourages. When Andrew stepped in, the plush crimson Chinese linens lining the walls and banquettes removed him to another era in time. He avoided direct eye contact with other patrons to avoid drawing attention. His simple plan worked, for only three fans interrupted his meal with his agent Malcolm for autographs and photos. He, however, took pleasure in neither his spicy meal nor in his agent‘s demands of him to impress a certain producer of an upcoming animated movie. Despite Malcolm‘s carefully constructed impeccable social image, he had one flaw, he spoke while chewing. ―I fail to see the harm in taking her out for a meal. She‘s a—‖ ―A man-eater, that‘s what Helen Darwin is famous for. You know I‘m not into selling my flesh for my career. Besides, it‘s only cartoon.‖ Andrew spoke quietly, successfully hiding his disgust with this outrageous proposition. Malcolm wiped a dribble of sauce off his mouth with a napkin, the faultlessly trimmed thin mustache failing to come off his chubby face. Despite his size, the man maintained an elegant appearance in his designer‘s suits, 39

Su Halfwerk compensating his natural shortcomings with extreme style. That was, when he wasn‘t spraying Andrew with his food. ―Cartoons are the trend now. Think about it, there must be good reasons for all the big guns to be into them, good green reasons.‖ Malcolm rubbed his fingers together. ―We‘ve been over this before. Despite Megan‘s presence in your life, there‘re rumors about your sexual orientation, especially after the fashion show incident. This new reputation of yours, as a bi actor, has created,‖ he gestured his hand with a flourish, ―a buzz around your name. Now people are eager to either hear about a happy ending or a dramatic development in your relationship with Megan, or a smashing revelation about your sexual life. I don‘t care which, but I‘m liking the attention the media is driving toward you. A private meeting with Helen will be the type of gossip people will gobble up in one go.‖ Andrew raised an eyebrow. ―My life will not be dictated by what people want to hear.‖ Malcolm snickered. ―Then you need to be in a different line of business. In Hollywood, knots are tied and marriages are annulled for the sole purpose of keeping people guessing and gasping. Yes, gasping with astonishment, and even outrageousness.‖ Malcolm licked his lips, warming up to the topic. ―Let‘s say for argument‘s sake that you are not bi, but gay. Even then, you need to come out in the open and let them see you with a guy. Your fans need to know to which side you lean. Think about this, TV series are built on tension and misunderstandings, but after sometime, if they don‘t come clean with facts, they lose audience, ratings, and eventually even their slots on TV. Don‘t become a cancelled series, Andrew.‖ Malcolm raised both hands to stop Andrew‘s attempt to talk. ―Bottom line is, Helen isn‘t a dog, she‘s a gorgeous, successful woman who happens to be a bit rough and might increase the gossip about you in 40

Seeker Tinseltown. If we leave Megan out of this conversation, what more do you want from a woman?‖ For starters, Andrew would like her to be more feminine, with molten dark, soulful Latin eyes, a tentative smile that shamed the sun with its brightness, and a thick shock of black wavy hair that reflected light in certain spots. God Almighty’s own natural highlights. He paused in his thoughts and considered that description. After the disastrous interview, Andrew hadn‘t been able to take his mind off Adoria. She‘d been haunting his thoughts since he met her two days ago. Shame washed over him as he remembered the disgraceful manner he‘d treated her with. The only time he had a bit of a retreat from her haunting memory was when he went after Leon. Breaking into Leon‘s apartment was easy, and ambushing him in it even easier. It took him no time to get rid of the spirit riding Leon‘s back, with an added point of not breaking any bones in the model‘s body. Despite that, relief eluded Andrew, because the nerves with which the spirit had approached him had struck an odd note within him. Spirits usually fled from his path, he sought them out, not the other way around. Of course, as soon as he dispatched the spirit, Adoria returned to his thoughts. Dammit. What was wrong with him? It had been a long time since he felt the pressure building in every part of his body, including his brain, for the sheer glance of a woman. He had been attracted to some women since Jasmine‘s death, but not with the intensity Adoria evoked in him. He wanted to wrap his arms around her thin waist, ease her head onto his shoulder, and bring her closer to his body, feeling her chest against his. Nevertheless, the need to keep her away from him had ruled his words and clouded his judgment during the interview. As Gruesome suggested, a low profile 41

Su Halfwerk would have been perfect, but plastic surgeries for Joshua needed money he couldn‘t afford without acting, the only occupation he knew. ―Are you listening to me?‖ Malcolm‘s agitated voice interrupted Andrew‘s thoughts. ―Hmm? Yes, I‘m with you. Let me think about it and I‘ll get back to you on this one.‖ Malcolm relaxed into his seat at Andrew‘s placating response. He eyed Andrew‘s plate, and pointed with his fork. ―You haven‘t touched your food.‖ Andrew glanced at his hardly-touched Chicken Lo Mein. ―Don‘t have an appetite. I had a late breakfast.‖ ―Good to maintain your figure. Most actors turn sloppy around their mid-thirties and midriffs.‖ Malcolm took his measure. ―Although I wouldn‘t put you past twenty-nine.‖ The agent gestured for the waiter to bring the bill and settled it. Both men stepped out of the dark interior décor and into the real world. A word must have spread that Andrew was at the restaurant because throngs of admirers flanked the entrance on either side, waiting for him with outstretched hands, holding papers, notepads, and cameras. ―You should‘ve brought your bodyguards with you,‖ whispered Malcolm, an appreciative grin on his face, like a mother proud to show her cute baby to the world, basking in those admiring gazes. Cringing inwardly, Andrew smiled as a fan shoved a napkin at his face. ―Can you please sign it? Make it to Evelyn Johnson.‖ Andrew tapped his pockets, but Malcolm beat him in producing a pen. While signing the autographs, Andrew noted with his peripheral vision a man dressed in a gray sweatshirt, its hood lowered enough to conceal most of his face. The man stood a couple of feet behind the group gathered around Andrew and didn‘t appear to want an 42

Seeker autograph, nor did he seem accompanied by any of the ladies smiling, touching, and openly flirting with Andrew. Could this be another possessed innocent human being? Curse this gift. He could only see auras at night. In the sunlight, he was as blind as a bat when it came to locating infested auras. ―Make it to Josie, that‘s my daughter.‖ An overweight, middle-aged woman reached out with a small notepad. Andrew nodded and glanced around him. Like a ghost, the hooded man had disappeared. All of a sudden, he sensed movement in the inner pocket of his jacket. Andrew grabbed the intruding hand and pulled on it, only to find it attached to the same man he noticed moments ago. Out of nowhere, a knife appeared and the man slashed at Andrew‘s hand with a swift slice. Andrew hissed and withdrew his bleeding hand. Admirers dispersed fast at the first hint of violence, only few remained, some distance away from Andrew and his pickpocket. ―We don‘t have to do this. Just walk away.‖ Andrew lowered his voice to reach the ears of the hooded man only. His hand throbbed with pain as he bled on his off-white suit. He glimpsed Malcolm cowering behind the middle-aged mom, cell phone on his ear. Andrew felt trapped. There were too many witnesses around to show any sign of true power. His Spirit Hunter persona had remained anonymous so far mainly because no one would even humor the idea that Andrew, an eventempered soft-spoken actor, was a vigilante at night. He couldn‘t show skill at defending himself. However, he could use cunning to his advantage. ―Calm down now, no need for anyone to get hurt.‖ He loaded his words with a persuasive nudge to the man‘s brain. ―I can give you my wallet. How about that?‖ The knife gripped solidly in the thief‘s hand shivered and shook. 43

Su Halfwerk Great. A junkie! There was no way he could influence the illogical thoughts of a drug addict. ―Shut up, man, just shut the hell up.‖ The druggy slammed his forehead repeatedly with the heel of a hand. ―Too many people saw me. Fuck!‖ He shifted his weight from one foot to the other, almost hopping with nervousness. The back of one hand rubbed his nose, an indication of his need for a fix. If drugs motivated the man‘s actions then he was capable of doing anything. ―Drop that knife. No one‘s after you. Just leave, like Mr. Taylor said.‖ The words were spoken by a soft feminine voice, one Andrew had heard a couple of days ago. He flicked a glance at Adoria. Her hair, loose around her face during the interview, was gathered with an elastic band at the top of her head, the thick ponytail hung free behind her. He almost didn‘t recognize her in a light blue T-shirt that hung loose over faded blue jeans. Her worn out sneakers had seen better days during Nixon‘s presidency. ―What‘re you doing?‖ Andrew shouted at her. He was too late though. The man‘s attention had shifted to her. Without turning, the man stepped sideways to keep her and Andrew in his view, the knife flew jerkily from one hand to the other and back until he made up his mind that Adoria was more dangerous, or easier to deal with. Andrew wasn‘t sure. Five feet away from the mugger, Adoria‘s dark eyes followed the knife. She advanced, guided by her right foot in a smooth and astute rhythm. The man launched himself at her and she interrupted his rush with a powerful straight punch directed at his face. She‘d timed her smooth strike well to do the most damage. The move had skewed the t-shirt on her figure, outlining her breasts in the process. 44

Seeker For God’s sake, focus! He berated himself and snapped his attention back to the attacker, who had trudged backwards, almost on the verge of falling, but regained his balance. Some people snapped pictures, the flash not that annoying during daytime, but still distracting. ―Come on. Move back, move back you bastard,‖ Andrew muttered under his breath. He aimed to help Adoria without forcing the attacker into rushing her. The whole world disappeared from his view as he focused solely on the man‘s back, tempting it, challenging it, to come close enough to trip or tackle. ―Adoria, stay away from him.‖ Andrew‘s yell sounded too loud in the hush that had settled on the street. He couldn‘t help it, the woman acted cool, her eyes never shifted from her target, but the attacker was armed and she was…well, she was so small. The man screeched and lunged at Adoria again, the knife slashing the air, aiming for her face. Just as the mugger threw a straight jab at her, Adoria squatted down and to the side, her ponytail bouncing in the air behind her. Andrew almost sprang at the attacker, until he noticed that with that stance, she‘d allowed the thief‘s arm to cross over her right shoulder. She reached up and pushed firmly against the shoulder of his stabbing hand, keeping it straight and defenseless, and then punched him in the side of the face. He howled with pain and spat obscenities at her. Without even a twitch of the lips, Adoria went behind him, wrapped her arm firmly around his neck, and pushed his head down. Still holding onto his straight punching arm, she brought his head near his stomach and locked him in that position, ignoring his yells of frustration and anguish, until he lost consciousness. Only then, Adoria dropped him like a sack of potatoes. That compact body held a good deal of strength and 45

Su Halfwerk craftiness. She was right, Andrew chided himself, she did think fast and on her feet in dangerous situations. She glanced up at Andrew as he approached her, and faced him with the same unflappable expression she maintained throughout the fight. ―You‘ve taken a big chance here, Adoria, but that was incredible.‖ ―Thanks.‖ ―No, thank you. How can I ever thank you enough?‖ ―You just did.‖ Adoria glanced around. ―I‘ve got to go. Otherwise I‘ll miss the bus.‖ Andrew narrowed his eyes. What a coincidence for her to be around when such an attack took place. Is it possible that she… At that very instant she glanced toward him. One eyebrow shot up, dispelling the cool look she had plastered on her face. ―Just to clarify things, I was returning the dress I borrowed for the interview to my friend. She works in a house close by. I do not put myself in these situations on purpose. Emanuel works for you, and I owe him a lot. That‘s why I helped.‖ He winced at the implication in her voice. He‘d done it again. That accursed dress was the cause of all misunderstandings with Adoria, and now, even after she‘d saved his life, he still thought ill of her. Andrew pulled a handkerchief from his pocket and wrapped it around his hand. ―I wasn‘t hinting at anything. I actually spoke to Emanuel about calling you for another interview.‖ Her raged gaze roved over him, anger bottled deep inside. ―I don‘t think you need to waste your time on another interview with me.‖ Pride came first, even before her need for money. He couldn‘t let her just walk away. She had saved his life—no 46

Seeker matter how unnecessary that had been—and the least he could do was give her a job. Straightforward convincing wouldn‘t work with that hotheaded martial arts expert. ―This is the man, Officer.‖ Malcolm‘s full-of-authority voice drifted to Andrew, as if he was the one who put the thief to sleep. Malcolm pointed the criminal to the police officers cutting across the onlookers. Andrew ignored them. Malcolm could handle this mess without wasting his time with it. He rubbed his forehead and closed his eyes. ―Are you okay, Mr. Taylor?‖ Adoria asked, her voice closer now. He was a lowlife for tricking her this way, but he had to do it, for her benefit. ―I think I need to rest a bit.‖ Andrew glanced around. ―My car is parked here somewhere.‖ From the corner of his eye, he saw Malcolm‘s approach and he signaled for him to keep his distance or go away. He didn‘t care how his agent took it. It was important that he convince Adoria to work for him. Guilt aside, this Hapkido was something. She had a talent. Andrew pulled his keys from his pocket. Just as he expected, doubt flashed across Adoria‘s expression. She bit on a plum lip. ―I don‘t think you should drive in this condition. You should go to a hospital.‖ ―I don‘t want to be around people.‖ Andrew gestured. ―You saw what happens.‖ Intense aversion clouded her beautiful features. All she saw, he thought, was a shallow celebrity. She sighed. ―I can drive you to your house. I‘ll need someone to drop me back home.‖ ―I live in Santa Clarita, some distance away from here.‖ He fell silent, as if thinking. ―I remember from your CV that you had a Santa Monica address, which means you live here somewhere. Do you have a first aid kit in your house? A 47

Su Halfwerk bandage and alcohol?‖ She nodded hesitantly. ―Great, then we can go to your house and you can attend to my cut. I promise I‘ll be a total gentleman.‖ She chewed on her lip, her eyes roaming the sidewalk. ―I know that you don‘t know me that well, but Emanuel does. If I didn‘t feel this weak, I wouldn‘t impose on you. I promise, I‘m no threat. I just need a place to rest and get this cut taken care of.‖ He crossed his heart. ―Scout‘s honor‖. Adoria didn‘t smile, but glanced around her again. Luckily, Malcolm had disappeared with the policemen. She had no polite way out. ―Fine, I‘ll take care of your wound, but there‘s nothing to talk about. Okay?‖ Andrew nodded and led the way, smiling.

48

Seeker

Chapter Five

“T

his is way nice,‖ Adoria exclaimed, borrowing Pru‘s favorite term as she neared Mr. Taylor‘s car. She couldn‘t hold the cold, uncaring façade when she laid her hands on the exotic silver beauty‘s exterior, mindful not leave a smudge of print on its long and pronounced hood. ―What is it?‖ ―Acura sports.‖ His terse response made her glance at him. Mr. Taylor‘s ashen expression worried her. What if something happened to him while he was with her? People didn‘t just die from a bleeding hand. Did they? He tossed her the keys and she got in the car, her thoughts momentarily shifting back to the vehicle. Her body fit snuggly in the soft upholstery. It embraced her flesh like an eager lover. ―My God, I can get used to this softness,‖ she murmured, adjusting the seat and rearview mirror. The tinted glass added to the superiority of the car, and the lingering waft of subtle, masculine cologne gave it personality. ―Glad you like it,‖ Mr. Taylor mumbled as he slid in smoothly, despite his weakened state. She chewed on her inner cheek. ―My neighborhood has an infamous reputation for stealing cars, or at least damaging them. You sure you want to have your car parked there? It could disappear in a matter of seconds.‖ 49

Su Halfwerk His teeth gleamed white in the dark interior of the vehicle and he nodded. That abundant grin made her heart beat in a peculiar manner, as if the pounding reverberated from her center and not her chest. Adoria shifted her eyes to the car, a welcome distraction from that disturbing thought. She frowned at the lit dials and controls. ―Don‘t let it intimidate you. It‘s just metal.‖ Mr. Taylor sighed as he adjusted his seating. She wasn‘t intimidated, but she definitely needed to erase the memory of that distracting smile and get the car moving. ―I‘ll try not to be intimated by your metal.‖ He laughed, a soft, yet manly, infectious sound, and Adoria could not help but join him. Slowly, the laughter subsided and Mr. Taylor studied her face before he said, ―I‘m sorry for the way I acted during the interview.‖ He scanned the streets as they passed them. ―I‘m not like that usually.‖ There was no escaping him, his cologne and baritone, masculine voice surrounded her, his distracting presence streamed through her pores. He was trying hard to fix her first impression of him, it was about time she stopped acting like a stubborn fool. ―That dress didn‘t help, I guess.‖ She kept her gaze glued on the road. ―No, it didn‘t, but I am eager to have you on my personal security team, especially after seeing the level of control you exerted during the fight.‖ Adoria tightened her grip on the steering wheel. It wasn‘t the place or the time to discuss this. A soft, noncommittal sound issued from her lips. It seemed to settle him down somewhat, as if assuaged. She glanced at him. He looked a bit better now with his hand held high, the bleeding had mostly stopped. They passed buildings crowded with nondescript, dingy, 50

Seeker low-income apartments, well-lit liquor stores, and gangs of teens gathered around almost every corner. Children filled the sidewalks, weaving their way through condemned apartment buildings and asphalt parking lots. Mr. Taylor, who most probably never saw such scenes except on the fake sets of his movies, dozed off. Adoria smiled as she allowed herself to sink deeper in the comfortable seat. A couple of times, she was tempted to check Mr. Taylor‘s CD collection, but hesitated for fear of disturbing his sleep. Instead, she remembered the fight she just won. The junky had no chance. He wasn‘t a competent opponent in the first place, and the obvious fact that he was strung tighter than a violin‘s cord helped a lot. She shook her head slightly. No, the man was never a challenge, yet she had seen the frustration and anger on Mr. Taylor‘s face, almost as if he wanted to do something but his hands were tied. He‘d even called her name, something she worked hard to ignore. The first two lessons in confrontation were to never underestimate the opponent and never lift your eyes off him. She glanced at Mr. Taylor. He was clueless to the real world, maybe dreaming of his girlfriend, Megan Carlyle. Or some hot model or actor. **** The Acura glided slowly to a gentle stop without disturbing Mr. Taylor‘s nap. He still slept, a sense of peacefulness spread over his features. Medium, short blond flyaway hair surrounded his face, the dewdrop shape of his eyes less pronounced now. The famous cleft in his chin appeared deeper, it beckoned her to touch it, to caress that groove, but she resisted the temptation. There were hard lines at the sides of his mouth she hadn‘t noticed before, but then again, 51

Su Halfwerk his face was always animated one way or another. The realization hit her that she‘d glimpsed an inner part of him, a part unseen by many, and it overwhelmed her. She gulped and said softly, ―Mr. Taylor, wake up. We‘re here.‖ Few moments of pure panic gripped her heart when he didn‘t react to her call. Then he moaned and opened his green eyes. ―Where are we?‘ He looked around him in surprise. ―We reached my home.‖ She pointed at the building. ―I can bring the first aid kit to the car and attend to your wound.‖ Some coherence came into his eyes. He shook his head. ―No, I‘ll come up with you.‖ She couldn‘t take him to her apartment, it was a mess. ―You might feel dizzy on the staircase. It‘ll be better if you stay in the car. I don‘t think anyone would touch it while you‘re in it.‖ He rubbed his eyes. ―I‘m very much capable of climbing the stairs, and my life is not tied to my car or any material possession for that matter. No. I‘ll come with you. It‘ll be the decent thing to do after you drove me all the way.‖ Fine, Adoria thought to herself. She would take him to Carla‘s apartment. At any rate, the first aid kit was there and Mr. Taylor might not get the chance to bring up the employment topic. She shrugged and climbed out, aware of the glances from people around them. ―Hey, Luke,‖ she yelled to the adolescent loitering about a pawnshop. ―You watch the car, Okay? If I find any trash on it, I‘ll wipe it off with your jacket.‖ Luke was dressed in an astronomical light blue windbreaker, an oversized denim that hung only by its own willpower on his hips, and sneakers with loose laces, the epitome of coolness. The kid was streetwise, tough, and she 52

Seeker hadn‘t missed the quick exchange of something between him and another kid few moments before she spoke to him. Luke straightened and took measure of the car. The steel in his dark eyes softened as he spoke to her. ―If you give da keys, I‘ll make sure no one touches her.‖ Adoria snorted loudly, laughing and shaking her head. ―Sure.‖ She ignored the outstretched hand. Luke shrugged and went back to looking cool, very still, eyes darting from one corner of the street to another. Mr. Taylor waited for her by the rusty metal door of the building, an amused smile on his lips. He didn‘t comment when she handed him the car key. She walked ahead of him, noticing for the first time the grime covering every nook of the building, the graffiti scrawled on the wall proclaiming someone‘s kingdom and another advising the king of where to shove it. She glanced back. ―We have to take the stairs to the third floor. The elevator never works in this place.‖ Mr. Taylor nodded and fell in step behind her. The prevailing smell on the second floor was that of fried fish. She recognized the one dominating the third floor, Carla‘s wet burritos. ―I apologize for the smell,‖ she murmured, remembering the cologne that engulfed the interior of his car. ―Are you kidding me? This smells delicious.‖ He sniffed the air and smiled, his eyes twinkling. What else would he say? Let‘s fumigate the building to kill the smell? She unlocked the door to her sister‘s apartment. Pru glanced up from the old television set and rushed to hug her. ―Pru, meet Mr. Taylor.‖ Adoria glanced around and then added, ―Where‘s Carla?‖ ―She‘s in the kitchen. Say! He looks familiar,‖ Pru 53

Su Halfwerk exclaimed, a light blush spreading on her young cheeks. Adoria smiled. ―I‘m sure he does. Now, be a good girl and don‘t bother him. I‘ll be back in a minute.‖ She pointed a wooden chair to Mr. Taylor, the only piece of furniture that wouldn‘t topple with his weight. ―Carla, I have a guest with me,‖ Adoria announced as she entered the kitchen. Her sister nodded without taking her eyes off the stove. ―Who is it?‖ ―Andrew Taylor.‖ Adoria couldn‘t help but giggle at Carla‘s wide eyes. ―Come on, wipe that surprised look off your face.‖ Carla still gaped at her. ―Oh. My. God. He‘s here?‖ Carla dropped the wooden spoon and fluffed her red curls. Adoria nodded. ―Why didn‘t you tell me he‘s coming?‖ Carla pulled the apron off her body and hung it on a drawer‘s knob. ―I don‘t think we have enough burritos.‖ A frown wrinkled her forehead. ―Wait, wasn‘t he rude to you in the interview? How come he‘s here? What does he want? I wonder…‖ Adoria walked out of the kitchen and fetched the first aid kit from the bathroom. In the living room, Pru perched on the arm of Mr. Taylor‘s chair, chuckling. Mr. Taylor looked up to Adoria when she stepped in. ―Prudence is amazing, she knows the names of almost all actors, but hates the ones who do girlymushy movies.‖ The laughter in his green eyes was genuine. He seemed at home with Pru, almost fatherly. ―So, she told you about the girly-mushy movies?‖ Adoria set the kit on the wooden table, the one supposed to be for dinner but was used for everything but. ―She said you came up with the name.‖ Andrew moved the chair closer to the table. ―I think you mean her mother, my sister, Carla.‖ 54

Seeker ―Oh.‖ He appeared flustered, almost as if caught off balance. ―Hello, Mr. Taylor, welcome to our house,‖ Carla said in her adaptation of elegant English speech, going for a handshake but pausing mid step at the sight of his injured hand. ―Thank you, Mrs…‖ ―Ms. Hall. But please call me Carla.‖ Mr. Taylor stood up and beamed a smile at her. ―Then you must call me Andrew.‖ Surprisingly, her tough, no-nonsense sister blushed. Adoria repressed a smile and concentrated on Mr. Taylor‘s wound, the faster she worked, the faster he left. He might even find his car in one piece. The masculine hand that settled in her palm surprised her. It belonged to someone who used it for more than pointing out things and gesturing to his heroines. ―What happened to your hand?‖ Carla asked. Andrew hissed as Adoria applied the antiseptic to his wound. ―A guy tried to mug me.‖ ―Mr. Taylor proved to the man that it wasn‘t as easy as it looks in movies,‖ Adoria said. Mr. Taylor raised an eyebrow and smirked. They connected at that moment. Adoria felt it deep in her soul. Gradually, that smirk turned into a genuine, somewhat amused, smile. Carla glanced between them. ―Well, I‘d better check on the food before it burns. Pru, I need help with the sauce and the shredding of the cheese.‖ Pru rolled her eyes. ―Come on now, young lady. Help me in the kitchen.‖ Pru rose with a sigh. ―Nice meeting you, Andrew,‖ she whispered, and ducked Carla‘s light slap on the shoulder. Her voice reached them as she admonished her daughter for 55

Su Halfwerk being rude. ―What? He did ask us to call him Andrew,‖ the youngster replied. Adoria chuckled quietly when Pru rushed back to the room, landed a soft kiss on her cheek, and ran back to her mother. The room went silent with the absence of Carla and Pru. Mr. Taylor‘s fresh cologne battled and won over the smell of burritos. It reminded Adoria of lemons and herbs, and did nothing to ease her heightened awareness of him. ―Pru loves you very much,‖ he whispered. Adoria snorted. ―With all the goodies I bring her and the fights I save her ass from? Yeah, she should.‖ Despite her resolution to avoid those empathic eyes, Adoria glanced up quickly at him. He was transfixed by her hair. She touched her ponytail. ―Something wrong with my hair?‖ ―Nothing. It‘s just that I‘ve never seen hair as dark as yours. At least not naturally.‖ Adoria snorted. ―What makes you think this is natural?‖ His gaze left her hair and settled on her eyes. ―I think everything about you is natural.‖ He drew his hand to examine the bandage. ―And I think that‘s the base for all the confusion we had until now.‖ ―I—‖ His hand returned to hers, but this time covering it. ―I would like you to be on my team of personal security and bodyguards. Not for the lame excuse of handling fans, but because you‘re competent. You do think fast and maintain your cool, these two elements are more critical than anything else.‖ His touch sent tingles up her arm and she withdrew her hand from his grasp. 56

Seeker ―Besides, the story of a woman saving my life is bound to break out. Please let it be my personal bodyguard who saved me, and not just any woman. This might ruin my reputation.‖ If a movie director saw the expression on his face at that moment—lips pulled down by the corners, eyelashes fluttering innocently, and brow crinkled with feigned concern—Mr. Taylor‘s career would be over. She smiled thinly. ―I don‘t know what to say, Mr. Taylor.‖ Even though she had decided not to work for him, the way he presented his case appealed to her. Almost like an average man asking for help, needing her for her skill. ―Call me Andrew. Emanuel doesn‘t, but that‘s his prerogative.‖ He leaned back on the chair. ―However, there is one thing that I need to know about you if you accept to join my team.‖ She grimaced, expecting more tricky questions. ―What‘s that?‖ ―What is your main weakness? The one element or fact about you that could weaken you and force you to submit?‖ He appeared to be holding his breath. Perhaps she should go with one of those fancy answers, the ones with double meaning, like being a perfectionist or how she relies on teamwork and all that. However, today Adoria had glimpsed a side of Mr. Taylor‘s personality she doubted he allowed many to see, a humane caring side. Her answer might not be what he expected, but it was an honest one. Without hesitation, she said, ―Pru. Or to be more specific, kids.‖ **** The bounce in Andrew‘s step as he left the apartment building had everything to do with Adoria‘s acceptance of his job offer. He‘d secured a competent addition to his 57

Su Halfwerk security staff and took care of Adoria‘s need for a job in one go. He hadn‘t missed her embarrassment from the building‘s state. His life with Jasmine went though some penniless times, but they were lucky to be able to finance their own house. Jasmine! When would her memory stop hurting him this bad? When could he remember her and Rosy and not feel the stab of guilt through his heart? The pain wasn‘t fresh anymore, but had matured into a resident ache that throbbed to the rhythm of his breathing. Andrew sighed and stepped over the threshold of the building and into the street. His car was, to his surprise, unscratched, and still in possession of all wheels. He glanced around and located Luke leaning on a lamppost on the other side. He was deep in conversation with a tall, dark haired man. Something shifted in the boy‘s eyes, recognition of sort, and his lopsided smile appeared. The tall man speaking to him turned around and examined Andrew from head to toe. Despite his height, the man appeared of average build, not muscular, but also not slender. He smiled at Andrew as well. Luke nodded, and Andrew crossed the street to him. ―Luke, thanks for keeping an eye on my car.‖ The teen uttered a sound in between a ‗tut‖ and a whistle. ―Wouldn‘t want to upset Dory and get into a fight wid her. ‗Sides, she a beauty, no need to get anyone‘s dirty paws on her.‖ Through the suddenly heavily accented ghetto speech Andrew suspected that the act was for his benefit. He made out that the first part of the conversation was about Adoria, while the second half about his car. He felt the eyes of the other man on him and he returned the scrutiny. The other man‘s smile was bright, contagious, and disarming. ―I‘m sorry, didn‘t mean to stare rudely, but 58

Seeker you look familiar.‖ He stretched a hand. ―I‘m Peter, a friend of Dory‘s.‖ A twinge went through Andrew‘s chest at hearing this man utter Adoria‘s pet name. Why didn‘t it bother him when Luke said it? ―Andrew Taylor.‖ He accepted the offered hand. Peter‘s crystalline grey eyes sparkled with recognition. ―The actor?‖ Andrew nodded. ―What brings you to our neighborhood?‖ Peter asked in a soft tone, the type that irritated after sometime for the profusion of sincerity in it. ―I offered Adoria to join my security team.‖ He had approached Luke to proffer money for watching his car, but now he was wary of offending the teenager with his offer, especially with Peter standing around. ―Thanks again for watching over my ride, Luke. I better get going now.‖ Luke nodded appreciatively. It seemed Andrew had made the right choice and they had an understanding. ―Nice meeting you, too, Peter.‖ Andrew walked briskly to his car, unsure why the good mood he exited the building with had departed. Even without looking back, he sensed Luke and Peter‘s gazes on him. **** ―Surely, you are not attracted to that mouse,‖ Gruesome said. ―No.‖ Andrew rested a hand on his desk and rubbed his forehead with the other. It was late at night and tiredness settled heavily on his body. An argument with Gruesome was the last thing he needed. 59

Su Halfwerk ―No what?‖ Gruesome persisted. ―No, I‘m not attracted to her. And no she isn‘t a mouse.‖ Gruesome had had a problem even when he hired Gina, Joshua‘s live-in nurse. ―You are an actor. Why would you need someone as skilled as her on your team? Are you going head to head with a dragon?‖ Andrew snapped his head up. ―Dragons exist?‖ Gruesome‘s shifting and pulsating misty form gave him a headache. He wished the Guide had a chest to poke a finger at. ―Just remember, a Spirit Hunter must remain pure.‖ ―No sex, I know. Why do you raise that point over and over again? Even if I try to forget the urge, you slam it right into my face,‖ Andrew said with enough anguish and anger that shut the Spirit Guide up and made him lose solidity. He wondered if Gruesome disappeared with pursed, incorporeal lips. Some human needs were difficult to ignore or control, but the vengeance that burned within Andrew‘s psyche kept him vigilant, bent on reaching his target, the dispatch of his wife and daughter‘s murderer‘s spirit. From what he‘d learned from Gruesome, George had escaped the Laymour and returned to earth. Andrew raked his hair and felt the pressure of the bandage. For the coming few days he must wear the bandage even though the wound would have healed. The speed with which his body recovered from injuries would draw suspicion and unnecessary questions. Pushing away from his desk, he swiveled in the leather chair and went to check on his son. Joshua lay in his bed, curled on himself in a fetus position. Sweat drenched the purple pillow, spreading a dark stain around his head, strands of wet, dark blond hair stuck to his forehead. He 60

Seeker moaned in his sleep. With gentle strokes, Andrew ran his finger over the burn traces on Joshua‘s ear and the better half of his left cheek and neck. His son still viewed them as burn scars, while in fact the plastic surgeries had restructured Joshua‘s skin, leaving nothing but a faint trace. Invariably, Joshua saw scars whenever he stood in front of a mirror. The moans ceased, Joshua must‘ve sensed that he was safe. Sadness and sorrow took turns washing over Andrew as he straightened up. Clothes hung from open rakes, playthings cluttered the floor and shelves. No closet or any other door in the room, just an open space, one in which his son felt safe from the Fire Man. Even his bed was nothing more than a high mattress on the floor facing a TV and a PlayStation console on a low table. Purple and yellow spots of nightlight danced around the room chockfull of toys his son hardly played with. Did Joshua deprive himself from the things his sister would never possess? Or perhaps, on a subliminal level, he saved them for her? But Rosy was gone, so was his Jasmine. The fear and loneliness Joshua lived in tore at Andrew‘s heart. Joshua‘s shy demeanor and self-consciousness, added with his slight size, made him appear even smaller than other fourteen years old kids. ―Andrew,‖ whispered Gina. She was leaning on the doorframe surrounded by the hallway light spilling in the room, outlining her figure and her crown of impeccable blonde hair. Andrew glanced at his sleeping son one last time and stepped into the hallway. ―He waited for you,‖ Gina whispered. ―You didn‘t have to wait up with him. You‘re not his baby-sitter.‖ Her sympathetic green crescents of eyes studied him. ―I know, but I can‘t help it.‖ 61

Su Halfwerk ―I‘m sorry if he doesn‘t show his appreciation. I‘m sure he feels it though,‖ Andrew said for the sake of saying something. Gina glanced down and gasped. ―What happened to your hand?‖ Andrew lifted his hand, a smile tugged on his lips. ―It‘s nothing. A mugger cut me.‖ Hands on waist, Gina said, ―I‘m guessing you didn‘t even go to a doctor.‖ He shook his head. She grabbed his hand. ―I‘ll have a look at this. It could—‖ ―No.‖ He pulled his hand roughly. ―I think the bandage is good enough, no need to bother with it.‖ Seeing her hurt expression, he added, ―It‘s late anyway, you should be in bed.‖ Gina sighed. ―Do you need me to warm up some milk to help you sleep?‖ ―No thanks.‖ He eyed her nicely made up face. She belonged on the covers of magazines and not by someone‘s bed collecting their waste. After working for him for over a year, Gina must know by now that he wasn‘t going to fall for her. ―Did anything out of the ordinary happen today?‖ She frowned. ―Like what?‖ ―Joshua is sweating in his sleep. Did he have the nightmare again?‖ ―I‘m not sure. I mean, I‘m not sure that‘s the reason. He didn‘t have any nightmares. Maybe he‘s just feeling hot under the covers.‖ ―Could he be sick?‖ She shook her head. ―I would‘ve known.‖ Andrew nodded and wished her a good night. She wished him the same and glided to her room at the end of the hallway. Back in his study, Andrew took a chilled bottle of Buds 62

Seeker and settled behind his desk. ―Gruesome, are you there?‖ Small particles of air gathered and gained solidity as Gruesome took form. ―Yes?‖ ―Any news about the one I seek?‖ ―I know of him, but not his whereabouts. He is possessing his fourth host on earth. They are almost bonding.‖ Andrew drummed his fingers on the desk. ―That‘s not good enough.‖ ―I have done the best I can with no luck. Do not forget that my main assignment is to guide you in the dispensing of runaway spirits.‖ ―So what if I dispatch all these souls back? I want George Darby‘s soul. I want the bastard to suffer and go back.‖ Andrew sniggered. ―I appreciate the job perks, healing fast, the ability to manipulate thoughts, and the shifting trick to hide my appearance. Oh, and let‘s not forget the biggest one of them all, no spirit can attempt to possess me because one of the Laymour‘s High Domines had done so already.‖ A tentacle of mist stretched forward, like a hand reaching out. ―Sola is the guarantee that no spirit will ever succeed in possessing you. He is not possessing you, but is part of you that lays in slumber until you call on his power reserve. When that happens, Sola fills you with his power to fight those spirits, and at the same time, keep them out of your body. He is the reason why your body must remain pure.‖ Andrew opened his mouth to respond, but Gruesome beat him to it. ―By the time I got to you, the death of your wife and daughter, and the state your son was in had left you broken, you were even contemplating suicide. That made you the best and easiest target for these foul things, Sola blocked and is still blocking that threat. You can do whatever you please after your successor is mature, willing, and ready.‖ With a strong shake of the head Andrew said, ―I‘m not 63

Su Halfwerk giving this up until Darby is back in the Laymour.‖ ―And no one will ask you to stop hunting before that.‖ After a brief silence Gruesome continued. ―All I know is that he is down here on earth, and is within a human. Some spirits are smart. Trust that we will find him when the time is right.‖ Resigned, Andrew leaned back and closed his eyes. ―However, I do have some new escapee from the realm of the Laymour, if you are up for some…what do you call it? Butt kicking?‖ Andrew‘s senses snapped into attention, all thoughts of tiredness evaporated in a second. He leaned forward, cradling his bottle between both hands on the desk. He squinted at Gruesome‘s shape. ―Tell me.‖

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Chapter Six

T

he desolate aquamarine bookshop was perched nearby structures on a street corner, unattached to any other building. Four lampposts illuminated the front of the building, while pots of belladonnas, celosia, mums, and lavenders filled the night with warm and welcoming fragrances. These colorful pots also transferred the little quaint building into another era, as though horse-driven carriages would pass by any minute, and ladies in their regency ball gowns and spencer jackets would stroll by holding their umbrellas, hands resting on their gentlemen‘s arms. The front proclaimed ‗FOR THE LOVE OF BOOKS‘ as the name of the enterprise. ―Cute,‖ Andrew muttered impatiently under his breath. Attired in his spirit hunting dark outfit, he surreptitiously circled the building. Thick burgundy curtains covered large windows fitted with metal bars, but the restrictive design took away none of the small building‘s charm. No light sneaked through any of the heavily curtained windows at that late hour of the night. Ignoring the locked front door, Andrew scooted around to a small back door painted in the same shade of blue as the building itself, almost hidden from the world. Disregarding the rusty chains wrapped around the handle with a padlock as huge as a field rat, Andrew pushed against the door. He glanced around when it wouldn‘t budge. There had to be 65

Su Halfwerk another latch or bolt from the inside, this outer lock nothing more than a delay tactic for burglars. ―Gruesome, can you help?‖ Andrew whispered. ―I can neither transform nor influence objects.‖ Andrew rolled his eyes impatiently. ―I know. Just find me another way in. As it stands now, we won‘t be able to surprise anyone if I knock on the door or break it down.‖ He glanced down at himself. ―And no one in his or her right mind will open the door for me in this disguise at this hour.‖ ―Yes, but before this, I would like to speak to you about— ‖ Andrew sighed heavily with irritation. ―If it‘s not related to anyone‘s death tonight, then it can wait. Assess the building from inside. Now. Please.‖ The succeeding silence confirmed Gruesome‘s ire and departure. On the sound of approaching footsteps, Andrew crouched behind one of the man-size flowerpots. What the pot wouldn‘t hide, the shadows would take care of. A hobo stumbled across the road, his acrid stench detectable from a few feet away. The man leaned on a beet green Ford Focus, the only car parked by the bookshop, and barfed some of his alcoholic sustenance next to the front wheel. With that mission accomplished, the drunkard wove his way on to his next drinking fountain. ―There is an unlocked restroom window to your right painted over the same color as the wall. It is located at the end of a storage room. You can slip in without drawing attention.‖ ―Thanks.‖ Andrew hoped Gruesome would take his gratitude as an apology for ordering him around. He slunk to the invincible window. How did he miss it? Its frame was a telltale sign of its existence. ―This job would have been tougher without you, 66

Seeker Gruesome.‖ Still no answer. Perhaps he‘d laid it on thick, Andrew thought to himself. To avoid making any sound, instead of dragging the flowerpot, Andrew picked it up and placed it quietly under the small window. With both feet balanced on the pot‘s edges, he used the tip of his dagger to pry the awning window toward him. He glanced around quickly and found no lurkers or passersby. Hands on the frame, he drew his body up and slid through the tight, squarish window. Inside, he landed on a pile of cartoon boxes. The restroom functioned as washroom with two sinks on the side, as a toilet, and judging by the boxes, as an additional storage space. He maneuvered his way out of the multi-purpose room and into a larger one that had enough space for only one person to move comfortably amidst the heaped books. Finally, Andrew reached the door at the other end of the room and opened it slightly. It didn‘t make a sound. He peeked out. Aisle after aisle of bookshelves stretched in front of him. The place appeared deserted, except for the light on a slightly raised platform in the middle of the shop, a great vantage point to view the whole store. Andrew tiptoed out of the room toward the source of the light. A chubby and somewhat attractive redhead sat behind a semi-circular wooden desk. She huffed, ran one hand through her orange-red mane, and tapped a ballpoint pen on a pile of papers with the other. When the pen went flying, she knitted her brow in frustration. She leaned forward on the table and scrutinized an open notebook. Her aura flashed a healthy crimson against the gloom that hovered just outside the band of light. A spirit peered with malevolence at her back, intent on doing serious damage. It still clung to a semblance of its 67

Su Halfwerk human form. Traces of that appeared in its broad shoulders and the menace with which it observed the woman. Andrew weighed his options. If he made a sound, he would attract the spirit‘s attention, something he planned to do anyway. However, the woman, unaware of the spirit about to possess her, would be alerted to Andrew‘s presence. If she were frightened, she would run, and that was good. The spirits could only settle in still bodies. Andrew shook himself, his joints popped and his bones vibrated within his body. Eventually the effect settled into his face only, giving the impression of shifting and twitching features to hide his identity. ―Good evening,‖ he rasped. Slowly, the woman lifted her gaze from the papers, her drooping eyelids widened to their limits. Color drained from her face, her eyes jerked quickly to the front door and back to him. Her lips turned up in what looked like a painful smile. Blinking owlishly, she uttered a whimper that translated itself into a tiny ―oh.‖ She flung her massive handbag at him and almost got him in the chest. She scrambled to her feet, toppling her chair with a loud thud in the process, and skedaddled. The spirit glided after her. Where did she go? Andrew asked his Spirit Guide telepathically. She is cowering in one corner of the storage room. Her handbag incidentally held her keys to the front door and the car. She is trapped inside. Gruesome paused. Ah, she is calling the police from her cell phone. Andrew directed his attention to the renegade spirit. ―I see you‘re planning to change residence…and gender.‖ The spirit turned around to face him. ―You must be the Spirit Hunter everyone talks about.‖ The confidence in this spirit surprised Andrew, for he had never come across the controlled visage this one possessed 68

Seeker or the remnants of emotions in its voice. The usual banter of ―Who are you?‖ followed by attempts to kill him, was not going to take place here. ―Someone should install better security system on the Laymour. More and more of your kind are escaping nowadays. You‘re a fresh one, aren‘t you?‖ Andrew sighed. ―Come on, let‘s get you back where you belong.‖ The spirit‘s vaporous form shifted and stirred. ―Won‘t happen. I have a score to settle with that cunt and won‘t leave without doing so.‖ Andrew shook his head slowly. ―You missed the true meaning of ‗let us‘. It‘s a polite figure of speech, nothing more.‖ ―This is none of your business, Spirit Hunter.‖ The spirit transmitted so much rage in that one statement that Andrew took a second to reevaluate the situation. This spirit was more restrained, very composed, and took this possession personally. Andrew pulled the dagger out. ―You seem to be confused about what you can and can‘t do.‖ The murky color shimmered slightly, as though with laughter. ―And what do you think you can do to me while I‘m in this form?‖ Andrew lunged forward and slashed the spirit. It was as good as cutting through thin air. He stumbled, almost lost his balance, but righted himself just before landing on the ground. With a smooth flip of the weapon in his hand, Andrew aimed for what he guessed the spirit‘s head. Nothing happened. ―He is right,‖ whispered Gruesome. ―What? Why didn‘t you say so earlier? Why did you tell me about this one if I can‘t do a thing?‖ Andrew asked, every word infused with anger that could melt metal. ―He must allow you to send him back. I was hoping he 69

Su Halfwerk would, given that the woman who just ran out is his widow.‖ Gruesome‘s twisted logic could be dealt with later. For now Andrew must come up with a way to stop the spirit from reaching its goal. He turned to the retreating spirit. ―Why would you want to possess your widow? Didn‘t you get enough of her when you were alive?‖ The spirit stopped. ―That‘s my business.‖ In Andrew‘s head, Gruesome said, She cheated on him and now she is with child. How did he die? Andrew asked back telepathically. The police shot him after he killed and mutilated her lover. With a sharp shake of the hand, Andrew folded the dagger shut and returned it to his belt. He addressed the spirit. ―Why not let bygones be bygones? What would possessing her bring you?‖ The ether form tilted to one side. ―Peace and justice. She wronged me, made me the laughing stock among my friends by sleeping with that nigger. I‘ve sacrificed all for her. Now she must suffer.‖ Andrew scratched his chin thoughtfully. ―So you‘re after her and not the baby?‖ ―Wouldn‘t want anything to do with that whore‘s son.‖ ―What‘s your plan then?‖ Andrew asked. The spirit hovered back and forth in the same spot. ―I‘ll possess her and then make her show her family and friends what a slut she really is. She‘ll watch me ruin her name before I make her kill herself.‖ The buddy system should work fine with this spirit. ―I know what you mean. But if you enter her body now, I‘ll extract you right away. On the other hand, if you manage to escape me in her body, and you say you want her to see her damnation, then your plan includes moments of living as herself. I‘m guessing you will not be unifying or bonding 70

Seeker with her.‖ Andrew nodded to himself, as if convinced. ―That could work. But then what?‖ ―As soon as she‘s dead, you can take me back,‖ the spirit said in a tone full of honor. What are you doing? Gruesome almost screamed in his head. Let me do my job. Just tell me two things. How far is she in the pregnancy and how long ago did she start cheating on lover boy here? Andrew asked. The fetus is three months old, and the woman started cheating on him about four months ago. Adopting a concerned brotherly tone, Andrew said, ―What about the baby? It would die with her.‖ ―Couldn‘t care less.‖ Andrew crossed his arms and squinted at the spirit. ―That‘s all good if you‘re sure it‘s not yours.‖ For a moment, the murkiness of the spirit settled into a turbid, brown, indecisive hue. Andrew didn‘t wait long and dropped his next bomb. ―When did she cheat on you? And how far is she in the pregnancy?‖ The edges of the spirit‘s form flickered frantically. ―If it‘s yours, you‘ll be killing your own child. You sound like an honorable man who invested a lot in this marriage. Don‘t let her rob you of fatherhood, even if you‘re dead. Don‘t let her win.‖ ―I‘ve always dreamt of taking my boy to watch baseball.‖ The dreamy quality of the spirit‘s voice made Andrew pity it. He‘d nursed his own dreams of average father-son activities. Notwithstanding the pathos angle, Andrew must move fast, his logic could work only if the spirit was as fresh as it sounded. It might not know about the branding of escapees after he sent them back. He hoped this spirit missed that lesson. ―I‘ll tell you what, let me send you back now. You 71

Su Halfwerk can come again after the baby is born to confirm whether it‘s Caucasian or a mix. What do you think?‖ ―If the baby is different, what guarantees that you‘ll not stop me from possessing her?‖ Andrew rested his hands on his hips. ―None whatsoever, but the same applies if you go after her now. I will chase you and cast you out. You do your part and I‘ll do mine, no favors. What do you say? Remember, this could be your child growing inside of her now. Give the kid a chance. I‘m sure someone can take care of it if she dies.‖ ―Momma will.‖ The spirit was proud and confident. Andrew rubbed his hands together. ―There you go.‖ The spirit shimmered again. ―Fine.‖ Before Andrew could even ask what comes next, the spirit hovered in the air in front of him for a second and then shot right up his nose. Unprepared, Andrew held his breath and glanced around him. There was only one way out. He kicked down the front door and stumbled out onto the paved parking lot. He crashed to his knees, faced the Northern Star, and exhaled the spirit. A coughing fit took over him and raked his body, but he got up nonetheless and bolted, blending his presence with the darkness of the night. The sound of approaching sirens motivated him even further. ―Andrew, before you get angry—‖ ―I. Am. Angry.‖ Andrew punctuated every word to emphasis his bad temper. Gruesome went on. ―Before you get angry with me, just remember that when I tried to explain matters to you, you wanted to hear only about life and death. Even so, this worked to your advantage. Not all battles are physical, few are intellectual while others are emotional. That knowledge might have bound you and forced you to surrender and fail. Instead, you proceeded with the full intention to succeed. And you did.‖ 72

Seeker ―So now you‘re thinking outside the box?‖ Andrew asked sarcastically, almost out of breath and already thinking of his soft bed. After a long pause, Gruesome asked, ―What box?‖

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Chapter Seven welcomed Laymour‘s celestial silence, its peace Gruesome and tranquility restored his own, washing away the agitations of witnessing human selfishness and greed. The aerial masses moved with gravitational interaction, communicating on telepathic levels. He glided on a semblance of white marble floor to the center Dome‘s levee, his ethereal form matching and passing through others. When he reached the white, marble-like indentation in the space, he waited until he was spoken to. You are early. The thought was whispered into his being and he acknowledged with a disembodied nod. ―I would like to speak with Keigan,‖ he said. As though the Pit Keeper waited for him, he was allowed audience promptly. Gruesome dematerialized and materialized within the Dome on a slab of solid granite in front of Keigan herself. She was a High Domine with the arduous responsibility of guarding the Pit. The Dome was the most solid structure in the Laymour, acting as the locking point leading to where spirits awaited their turn for reincarnation or damnation, depending on their actions as humans. The ones who accrued enough good deeds during their life got a second chance at it. ―You must have a good reason for leaving your ward, the Spirit Hunter, before your scheduled debriefing. State your case,‖ ordered the Pit Keeper. 74

Seeker Keigan‘s form transubstantiated from vapor-like state to a more firm, though pale, one. Gruesome solidified his appearance to match Keigan‘s. ―It is regarding the Spirit Hunter that I approach you before schedule,‖ Gruesome said. Silence, it was a sign to proceed. ―He is eager to find the one he seeks,‖ said Gruesome. After a long pause, Keigan stepped forward, her long robe swooping the grey floor as she approached Gruesome and peered with her pale eyes into his. ―You have developed a soft spot for him.‖ Gruesome made to reply, but Keigan‘s raised, pale blue hand stopped him. ―We know that he suffered a lot, but that is his destiny, as it was with Spirit Hunters before him. There is a big chance that the moment he finds the spirit he seeks he will hunt it down, ignoring perhaps other duties that may arise. What guarantee can you give that he will shoulder his responsibilities with the same diligence after he exacts his revenge?‖ She moved away from Gruesome, circling him, her closely braided, pale, thick hair trailing behind her. She finally stopped in front of him, hands clasped in front of her. ―The next Hunter is not ready yet.‖ Keigan pointed to a turbid opening in the ground filled with liquid that reflected the white surroundings. ―Would you like the souls that escape the Pit to roam the earth like it happened before?‖ ―I do not desire that.‖ ―Then what are you suggesting, Celestine? Or shall I call you Gruesome as he does?‖ Recognizing a rhetorical question, Gruesome remained silent. ―You feel his pain, which is fine. We all grow attached to our wards after some time. However, you must remain objective.‖ 75

Su Halfwerk This was factual statement and not a taunting. Yet, Gruesome had a notion that something had shifted in the spirit world. Was Keigan gauging his bond with the Spirit Hunter? ―Before we instilled the first Spirit Hunter, the world was chaotic. Right after the spirits broke the seal on their damnation in the sixteenth century, they escaped in multitudes and possessed people. We had to step down, round them up, and dispense of them one after the other. Andrew Taylor‘s situation is not unique. He must continue his task and wait until life, as planned, unfolds for him.‖ ―We can at least give him benefit of the doubt. If you were to share the identity of George Darby‘s host, I will keep it to myself until the time is right. I do not believe Andrew Taylor will falter and drop his responsibilities.‖ ―Celestine, it appears you forgot how tempting life can be for humans.‖ Gruesome lowered his gaze. ―Forgive me, Keigan. Truth of the matter is, I do not like concealing an important fact from him.‖ ―That is not the case. You do not know the host‘s identity. We are only keeping some information from him, like you did on the last hunt. You measured a situation and decided to keep negative information from hindering his judgment.‖ Gruesome shook his head gently. ―He is doing his job, but seems empty and lost. Though he is resisting the temptation of falling for a female, his intense emotions might tilt the balance one day. Andrew is aware that the reason behind our demand for his purity is that he carries the spirit of a High Domine within him, one that must remain virtuous to empower him. But, other hunters settled their scores at the beginning of their acceptance of their responsibilities. Why does Andrew have to wait?‖ Gruesome locked his pale gaze with her electric blue one. ―He deserves better than this.‖ 76

Seeker ―Without Sola, Andrew Taylor will not have access to our powers. Sola‘s presence was needed here in the Dome when he was assimilated into Andrew.‖ Keigan opened her arms wide. ―Yet here we are.‖ Gruesome doubted that Sola considered the soul merging as assimilation, but kept his opinion to himself. Keigan climbed the steps to the Watching Point, the spot from which she guarded the Pit. With her back still to him, she raised a hand. ―Be gone, Celestine, and remember to comply by our rules. If everyone got what they wished, the world will return to its chaotic beginnings. Remember that.‖

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Chapter Eight

A

doria rushed to the apartment door. ―I‘m off.‖ ―Hold on,‖ Carla yelled back, residue of sleep still in her voice. Adoria considered claiming momentary deafness, memories of their discussion the night before still clear in her head. In no time at all, her sister stood in the middle of the living room, short red curls in a sleep-induced mess, and her huge Mickey Mouse sleeping T-shirt wrinkled and hanging loose on her thin frame. ―You remember what we talked about last night, okay?‖ Adoria rolled her eyes. ―You really have nothing to worry about.‖ Rubbing her face with a hand, Carla stifled a yawn. ―You might choose to ignore the way Mr. Taylor looked at you, but I can‘t. The man has his eyes on you.‖ Defeated, Adoria walked back to her sister. ―You‘re forgetting that he‘s dating Megan Carlyle and—‖ Carla raised a finger. ―According to the Fame Enquirer, he‘s Bi. You can‘t get more accurate news anywhere else. ― ―So?‖ Like explaining the secret of the universe to a drooling idiot, Carla held Adoria‘s elbow and guided her to the kitchen. ―If he‘s straight, then his commitment to Megan is possibly solid, meaning, he may or may not cheat on her. But, if he‘s Bi, then he‘s definitely cheating on her at least 78

Seeker with one man, which also means that he has a roving eye. I saw the way his eyes twinkled every time he turned to you. I don‘t think he‘s even aware of his attraction to you, yet.‖ Carla switched on the coffee maker and ran a hand through her red corkscrew curls. ―So, he doesn‘t know it, I didn‘t feel it, but you already decided it. Am I right?‖ Carla huffed in exasperation. ―You think you know men? I‘m the one who got herself knocked up. Your few dates don‘t qualify you to understand people and life.‖ A faraway look crept on Carla‘s features and Adoria worried that the past was crashing down on her sister. She reached for a mug and handed it to Carla. ―I‘m not claiming anything, but you have to admit you‘re reading too much into one meeting with him. That‘s a bit far-fetched, even for you.‖ Noticing that Carla‘s expression hadn‘t loosened, Adoria went on. ―Besides, I think he‘s into his girlfriend. They look so perfect together. If he‘s Bi, then I‘m safe. Last time I checked, I still have my boobs intact and won‘t fool him into thinking me a dude.‖ Carla smiled and tapped the side of her head. ―Aha, see? It goes to show you that you don‘t know much about men. Roving eyes will get him to notice men and other women. Remember this, I‘m the one reading the tabloids and can even give you his mother‘s bra size. The man is bi, mark my words.‖ There was no way to win any argument with Carla, even if football-sized holes filled her logic. Adoria shook her head when Carla pointed with her mug to the coffee. ―Nah, I‘ll pass by Peter‘s for a cup of his java on my way to work.‖ ―Now, this is a good man who‘s suitable for you and is smitten with everything you do.‖ Adoria walked to the door laughing. ―This is not the 79

Su Halfwerk middle ages. I‘ll choose my men, thank you very much.‖ ―Adoria,‖ Carla called, a serious note creeping into her voice. Her tone sobered Adoria up and she turned around. ―Just be careful, okay?‖ Carla‘s gaze bored into Adoria‘s. ―Yeah, I will.‖ Adoria closed the door behind her and climbed down the stairs in heavy steps. Knowing that Carla had meant well with her last remark didn‘t reduce the anguish that clamped around Adoria‘s chest. She couldn‘t fault her sister for worrying. Carla got pregnant during her days of highs without knowing who the father was. Forget about his name, Carla had no clue which dealer or addict she slept with for a fix knocked her up. Adoria sighed and stepped out into the street, determined to get the coffee from Peter‘s shop to slap the somber mood out of her. She kicked, slammed, and throttled the depressing mood that tried to settle on her. To distract herself, she wondered about the team she was joining and what type of boss Mr. Taylor would be. Emanuel had only praise for the man, as though Mr. Taylor was an angel. The loud music snapped her attention to her surroundings. To her surprise, she was only one shop away from The Bean. With determination, Adoria added a briskness to her walk to avoid being late on her first day. As always, The Bean‘s quaint interior beckoned her to step in and inhale its aromatic air. The cash register desk—a worn-out Acacia table with more markings than a prison wall—stood just inside the shop. Bookmarks, horoscopic key chains, and sugar-free chewing gums, were organized in neat boxes by the cashbox. Adoria did a quick jump-andpeek over the desk. ―Good Morning, Peter,‖ she shouted over the reggae song blaring from the radio. Peter Moyer snapped his brown eyes up toward her, pausing in his struggle to pull something out of the cabinet. 80

Seeker A smile brightened his face and relaxed his features. He signaled for her to wait, turned around, and reduced the volume. ―Good morning, Dory.‖ He eyed her short-sleeved white shirt covered by a dark blue vest. ―Where are you going, all dressed up in formal wear?‖ Adoria smoothed the pressed dark blue pants, and grinned. ―First day on the job. I‘ll be a personal security guard for Andrew Taylor. You must‘ve heard of him.‖ Peter smiled, his black attilio stretching with his lips. ―I met him a couple of nights ago coming down from your apartment.‖ He fingered his soul patch. ―Why did you bring him home with you for an interview?‖ ―He was cut during a botched mugging close by, so I brought him home to take care of the cut and he offered me the job. I accepted.‖ She wiggled her eyebrows. ―Now that you‘ve dehydrated me with your interrogation, am I worthy of a hazelnut coffee?‖ Peter nodded, wiped his hands on a towel, and occupied himself with the coffee. ―I‘m afraid it will have to be on the tap,‖ Adoria added. ―But since I have a job now, I promise I‘ll pay back all my dues and even pay in advance for the month after. Your coffee is my weakness.‖ His back still to her, he mumbled, ―Lucky coffee.‖ Adoria examined the small coffee shop with a critical eye. There was enough space for four tables only, three if one wanted to move comfortably between them. The green and brown theme worked well with the aging wooden floor, and the dead, faux beam wooden ceiling. Peeling paint became an endearing feature of the shop, at least for her and the people she knew. The shop‘s main income wasn‘t from indoor guests but from people like her rushing to a job and in need of a caffeine fix to get them started. 81

Su Halfwerk ―There you go, Dory.‖ Dory again! She hated the way people spoiled her name, but Peter hadn‘t reached the stage where she could tell him to stop doing so without offending him. The thing was, she didn‘t want their friendship to go any further than its current state. Nothing was wrong with Peter. He had his own business, people found him charismatic, dependable, and his attraction to her was clear. Even so, he hadn‘t made Adoria‘s heart beat wildly, nor had he occupied her thoughts for hours on end, or made her come up with excuses to see him. Maybe it was too much to dream of a man who would infuse heat in her body with desire, and not with his coffee. Besides, his hands must be full since he ran the show single handedly to keep his costs down. ―Thanks.‖ The coffee should get her going until she reached Santa Clarita. She must concentrate on impressing and proving her worth to her new employer, Mr. Taylor. No. Andrew, she corrected herself. **** Small pebbles crunched under Adoria‘s feet as she stepped out of her battered Honda Civic. Though she loved it–it had moon roof–its four shades of green, dented body, and a bent antenna made it an atrocious heap of junk on Andrew Taylor‘s lavish grounds. Unseen birds chirped their way, transforming the garden into an exotic, magical park lined with thick trees, some of which weren‘t native to the country. She turned her gaze to the magnificent three-story modern Victorian villa huddling in the middle of the ground, a secluded paradise in the middle of the modern world. Three outer buildings surrounded it with a bit of distance to each, but the ecru color dominated all four structures. 82

Seeker Brown, red, and off-white shingles alternated on the roofs of each of the buildings, giving an impression of a slapdash execution, yet highlighting the genius of the architect. The ground below and around the three story villa seemed uneven in its appearance, lending the structure an air of multi-layered beauty. Plush would be an understatement for this magnificent structure. She walked towards a slope in the ground, only to find another section of the garden filled with flowerbeds. Andrew Taylor‘s life was perfect, a handsome man with a sanctuary that shamed heaven, an uprising career, and a gorgeous woman by his side. ―Some people have all the luck,‖ she mumbled under her breath as she walked back to the annex closer to the automatic gate. ―Good morning, Adoria.‖ She whirled around and gasped. A topless, smiling Andrew leaned on the handrail of a balcony, a mug of something in his hand. He looked like a lazy and deliciously handsome cat just awakened from slumber. His flaxen hair was tousled, thick and curly, stirred gently by the light breeze. Tanned, firm flesh flexed in the sun, mesmerizing, spellbinding. Adoria pulled on one corner of her vest, adjusting the material unnecessarily, and smiled up at him. ―Good morning, Mr. Taylor.‖ ―Andrew, please. I think you‘ll find Emanuel in the guards‘ annex. You know where to find it?‖ he asked, and then had a big duh expression on his face. ―I‘ll come down and show you the way.‖ ―No—,‖ but he‘d already disappeared into the house. In less than a minute, he was by her side, a black silken robe wrapped loosely around his waist. Andrew pointed to where she had just driven. ―It‘s the annex closer to the gate. 83

Su Halfwerk Actually there are other parking areas there, but I‘m glad you parked here. I got the chance to see how early you are on your first day.‖ Adoria frowned. Was he going to be one of those bosses? His lips stretched magnificently as he flashed another smile, a sinful one. ―I‘m just kidding. Even so, you‘re on time.‖ ―Thank you,‖ she said, unsure what to make of their conversation. He seemed anxious, almost eager to say something to fill up the space. ―Wouldn‘t it have been better to use the public transport?‖ ―Not really. It‘s almost the same cost with the additional hassle of changing busses and—‖ ―Adoria, there you are,‖ Emanuel said. ―We opened the gate for you to pass and then I missed where you parked. Should‘ve told you about it before. You‘ll need to move your car to the parking space behind the guard‘s annex.‖ ―Yeah, I just found out. I‘ll move it right now.‖ As she turned to her car, a warm, strong hand gripped her elbow and stopped her in her track. The heat in that hold seeped through her and reached her heart. It must have, for the damn thing started beating out of rhythm, and too fast for a dependable, well-functioning organ. ―No need. Leave your car where it is,‖ Andrew said. He locked gaze with hers, the softest, greenest eyes she had ever seen. Those emeralds engulfed her presence like a protective bubble. No wonder women swayed on their feet for his attention. ―Dad.‖ A soft, hardly audible hesitant whisper broke the spell, and she turned toward the trees. A boy, no more than eleven years old, half-hidden by the shrubs in the garden, was calling Andrew Dad! The kid inclined his head, his sad brown eyes darting between his 84

Seeker father and Adoria. His posture was timid, as if a thousand twitches went through his body without moving. He seemed on the verge of fleeing. The handsome boy‘s blond hair was flattened against the sides of his face like a seventies hairstyle. Andrew‘s smile, which she thought couldn‘t get any wider, extended further. Pride glimmered in his eyes, and he waved to his son to join them. ―Hey, Joshua. Come say hello to Adoria. She‘s joining our security team.‖ A soft ―Hi,‖ and a small raise of the hand, was all she got. Adoria returned the wave. ―Hello, Joshua.‖ ―We better get going,‖ Emanuel whispered in her ear. ―Nice meeting you again,‖ she said to Andrew, but he was already walking toward his son. When they had a bit of a distance between them and Andrew, Adoria said, ―My God, he has a son? Emanuel, why was the boy so timid?‖ She shook her head. ―I should‘ve read more of Carla‘s tabloids. I‘ve never heard of his wife.‖ Emanuel paused and examined her closely. ―You‘re asking too many questions about Mr. Taylor. Are we going to have one of those infatuations on the job?‖ What? Why was Emanuel reading too much into a question borne of wonder? Adoria lifted her chin. ―It was just a question, Emanuel. That eleven year old boy looked frightened.‖ Emanuel frowned. ―I was married twice and know all about women‘s curiosity. I‘m gonna answer your questions, but if you want to keep this job, you need to learn to do it without asking questions, unless it‘s regarding something unethical or criminal.‖ He sighed. ―Joshua is fourteen years old. He is a bit timid, as you say, because of his burns. He feels shy around strangers, sometimes even around people he‘s known for years.‖ 85

Su Halfwerk ―Burns?‖ she stopped in her track. ―He got burned in the same accident that claimed his mother and baby sister.‖ Adoria‘s heart skipped a beat, but this time for different reasons. Gaze lowered, she followed Emanuel to the guard‘s annex, and considered Andrew‘s life again. **** Emanuel introduced Adoria to the rest of the staff. The Gibson‘s, a couple in their mid–fifties, took care of the interior of the house, Edna cleaning it and Albert cooking. Albert prepared the meals in the annex further from the house and then transferred the food to the kitchenette in the villa. Edna appeared distant and cold while her husband was the merry type. When Adoria greeted him, her hand almost disappeared in his big warm ones. Beside them, only Emanuel and Gina, the nurse, were allowed in the villa. Gina. Now, that was one gorgeous woman. While at school, Adoria envied the likes of her for their looks until she discovered that, for some of them, the coldness lurking underneath their flawless skin conserved it. Gina Reed was no different. She smiled and shook hands, but her frosty gaze almost quick-froze Adoria, making her feel unwelcomed. The spacious security room was filled with screens displaying different angles of the garden, the villa‘s entrance, and the streets outside the brick wall surrounding the grounds. A short, bulky man sat on a swivel chair, his eyes glued to the monitors. He talked less and observed more. ―Adoria, meet Steve. He‘s our in-house technical expert and an ex-military technician,‖ Emanuel said. To Adoria‘s surprise, Steve was the one accused of groping the fan. 86

Seeker Next, Emanuel gestured toward a slender man sitting on a chair balanced on its back two legs. ―And this is Caleb, a former CIA field agent.‖ Caleb was hired on Steve‘s recommendations but she couldn‘t understand why a former CIA agent would work as a personal security guard to a celebrity. His black eyes drilled into hers when they shook hands, he took her measure silently. Her skin crawled when she shook his clammy hands. She liked Steve‘s firm grasp-and-go approach better. ―So now you know what we do here,‖ Emanuel announced. ―Not really. What do you do?‖ ―I‘m Head of Security. No decision is made without referring to me first. Our work is mainly here, with occasional sweeps of the grounds. And sometimes when Gina is off and Mr. Taylor is out, I watch over Joshua.‖ ―Okay. What about days off?‖ Adoria asked. ―We get two days off each week. We‘re all here today to introduce you to the whole team in one go, but officially it‘s Steve‘s day off. He will be leaving shortly. You‘ll know in advance which two days you‘ll be off, however, it all depends on Mr. Taylor‘s requirements.‖ Steve glanced up from the monitors, and said, ―Emanuel, be truthful.‖ He turned his attention to her. ―You might be called on emergency basis. It doesn‘t happen very often, but there are times when we might need you on a day off, or you might find yourself working two weeks in a row. Main point is, Andrew is fair, and you always get compensated for the extra time you put in.‖ As Caleb wandered to the coffee machine, Adoria asked Emanuel in a hushed tone, ―Mr. Taylor asked me to call him by his first name. Will that be a problem?‖ When his eyes narrowed, she added hastily, ―He asked me more than once, 87

Su Halfwerk I don‘t want him to think I‘m rude.‖ Emanuel considered that for a moment. ―To survive in this job you need to pay attention, pay respect, and do whatever the boss says.‖ ―Wouldn‘t Caleb and Steve find it weird?‖ ―Mr. Taylor likes it when people call him by his first name. I choose not to, but you‘ve heard Steve just now refer to him by his first name. You‘re not working for them, just remember that. As long as the boss is happy with your work, you‘re okay.‖ **** After a quick review of the security system‘s setup and alarm activation codes, Emanuel allowed Adoria a short break. She found herself drawn to the garden, mystified by its beauty. She wasn‘t the only one drawn to the garden, for she found Joshua playing with pebbles on the grass. His superman T-shirt clung to his thin frame, faded blue jeans accentuated the leanness of his legs. He aligned the pebbles, then with one in his hand, attempted to cause a chain reaction by throwing it sideways at the first one. He stood over the first stone and tried to accomplish the tricky task, his tongue sticking from the corner of his mouth adorably. Adoria smiled and approached him ―This is how you do it?‖ She grabbed a small smooth pebble. Joshua‘s brown eyes followed her hand and he smoothed his hair over his left ear. She bent down and flicked her wrist swiftly, letting go of the rock. Six small rocks clattered on each other. Joshua lowered his head, hands clasped in front of him. Adoria raised her hand to rest it on his shoulder, as she usually did with Pru, but then thought better of it. ―Most 88

Seeker people find it difficult and don‘t get it the first few times. It‘s similar to creating ripples in water. With practice you can do it.‖ A snigger drifted from behind her, and she turned. Caleb leaned with his weight on one leg and picked his teeth with his pinky‘s nail. ―Won‘t happen, Adoria. The boy is not all there, and it won‘t work anyway.‖ Adoria felt a thousand volts of anger shoot through her, intensified by the fact that Joshua had fled as soon as Caleb spoke. She wasn‘t sure he didn‘t hear the demeaning remark. She gritted her teeth. ―It‘s none of your business.‖ He shrugged and drew closer to her. ―You won‘t score brownies with the boss this way. Gina has been at it for so long and she hasn‘t made it into his bed yet. Assuming he‘s interested in her in the first place.‖ A waft of alcohol assaulted Adoria. She covered her mouth with a hand and wrinkled her nose. ―You drink on the job?‖ ―What else can I do?‖ He waved a hand. ―Look around you. The place is serene, empty, and peaceful. Nothing happens around here. I can count the number of birds that cross over us in the sky.‖ He leaned closer. ―Or I can indulge myself.‖ ―Caleb!‖ Caleb‘s expression froze, eyes focused and lips drew in a thin line. ―Yes, Mr. Taylor.‖ Andrew stood among the trees lining a wall of the garden, fists balled by his side. Adoria had no idea what went on in his head, but had a clear grasp of what he saw, her standing with a hand over her mouth and Caleb adjusting himself trying to stand straight. ―I‘m sending Emanuel out for an errand and I need you with him.‖ He paused. ―Think you can handle it?‖ His 89

Su Halfwerk smooth voice had turned icy cold and he glared at Caleb. ―Of course, Sir.‖ Andrew‘s expression crinkled into a frown that marred his usually relaxed features. He stared at Caleb, then swiveled around and left. The lean bodyguard drew closer to Adoria and whispered, ―You‘d better stay away from the kid. Asking about him and trying to be nice and sensitive won‘t get you anywhere. No one likes prying people, I‘m sure you know what happened to the pussy-cat when it became nosy.‖

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Seeker

Chapter Nine

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omberly, Andrew watched Adoria and Steve drive away in the black SUV to the parking lot adjacent to the restaurant. He paused long enough before the huge curtained glass door to adjust the cuffs of his black suit before entering the Lumière de Bougie restaurant, Malcolm‘s choice for a cozy business dinner with Helen Darwin. The maitre d‘ glanced up from the registry book before him. A brief smile of recognition tugged on his lips, one he quickly hid behind a cultivated look of boredom and nonchalance. Lifting his chin, he said, ―Bonsoir, Monsieur. Do you ‗ave a reseervatio‘?‖ The middle-aged man studied Andrew with shrewd eyes. Andrew pressed his lips and flashed a tolerant smile at the fake French accent. ―Yes, I believe you have a reservation under the name Taylor, Andrew Taylor.‖ After few moments of tracing the registry with a wellgroomed index finger, the maitre d‘ puckered his lips and shook his head. ―Euh, no such name on zi list, Monsieur. Are you sure oof zi date?‖ Andrew frowned. Had he mixed up the dates? Then an idea occurred to him. ―Look under Darwin, Helen Darwin.‖ Again, the groomed finger did its slide on the list until the maitre d‘ lifted his head with a slight acknowledgment. ―Aha, zeir we go. Your company awaits you. Zis way pleeeze.‖ 91

Su Halfwerk Andrew shook his head at Helen‘s obsession with control as he followed the proud gait of the maitre d‘ to the big wooden double doors. The headwaiter pushed the doors open to the dining room. Two large windows, each taking a whole wall, displayed a clear view of the street outside. A prominent wall tapestry softened the dining space with light ochre, deep green, and warm terra cotta. People seated on tables acknowledged Andrew with a smile, or a nod, or a wave of the hand. The maitre d‘ glanced back. ―Zis way,‖ he said, as though he feared Andrew would escape him. They passed a round, dark brown table that transformed the middle of the dining room into a semblance of a miniature temple. A large Roman road platter studded with raised designs in black and antique gold topped it. Dozens of short yellow candles surrounded the road platter, burning bright, showcasing the magnificent design. According to Malcolm, the Lumière de Bougie was one of the best-kept secrets in the industry because of its sophistication, lavishness, and discretion. Celebrities frequented it to conduct the type of meetings they preferred to keep under wraps. No sweaty paparazzi crowded the windows. The restaurant owner had somehow managed to slip the place under a cloak of invisibility. ―‗ere we are,‖ announced the maitre d‘. ―Have a nice evening.‖ He bowed briefly and retreated to the front door. Busy with his thoughts and distracted by the maitre d‘, Andrew hadn‘t glanced once at Helen, who now glared at him expectantly, annoyed that he‘d ignored her. ―Dearest, Helen,‖ he said, stepping into the shallow persona. ―Sorry I was late, you know the traffic.‖ He bent and placed a loud kiss on her cheek, an act that elicited a smile from her, for no one in the restaurant missed it. ―I was just wondering about that.‖ She studied his face. 92

Seeker ―Thought you stood me up.‖ Andrew pulled his chair and sat opposite her. ―And miss meeting you?‖ He waved his hand in a dismissive gesture. ―No way.‖ If he hadn‘t known her type, he would‘ve meant it. Despite her aggressiveness, Helen was endowed with an amazing beauty that made many wonder why she hadn‘t tried her hands at acting. Her fair complexion exuded frigidity from a distance and contrasted the mass of unnaturally shiny, fiery hair that fell smoothly below her shoulders. Her green piercing eyes took him in, and Andrew resisted fidgeting under her examination. Helen gestured with long shapely fingers around her. ―So? Do you like the restaurant? It‘s my favorite.‖ Andrew made a mental note to chide Malcolm for claiming the credit for choosing the meeting place. ―It‘s lovely. I‘ve never heard of it.‖ Helen winked at him. ―It‘s very posh and high class. I bring only special people here.‖ A slight shift under the table and Andrew felt the tip of her shoe under the hem of his pant leg. He swallowed hard. Incidents, rumors, and details of how she ruined the lives of aspiring, and even some well-established, actors and actresses sprang to his mind. Helen Darwin cared only for her desires and nothing else. She puckered her full lips, and narrowed her eyes seductively. ―I hope you appreciate how special you are, Andrew. For this upcoming computer animated family movie, I want only the best, and that is you.‖ She moved her hand over a pendant snuggled in the middle of her exposed, shapely cleavage. Yes, she was endowed with beauty, compliments of her plastic surgeon, her hairdresser, and her gym trainer. In this industry, very few people maintained their natural looks, 93

Su Halfwerk actors and actresses were a mere drop in the ocean, unlike Adoria. Andrew‘s thoughts drifted to that natural stunner. He still remembered how arresting she had looked on the day of her first interview. Adoria‘s day-to-day professionalism and dedication did nothing to reduce her attractiveness. If anything, they worked as an enchanting gauze-like curtain that guarded her true self. A jab with the tip of a pointy shoe crashed him back to Helen. ―The way you appreciate my acting makes me proud, of course.‖ He ignored the annoying sensation on his leg. ―But why do you need me for the movie? Any of the big shots can do the voice over.‖ ―True, however, where you stand right now makes you even more attractive.‖ She pointed a finger at him, while her foot kept working. ―Women want you and men want to be you. Your manly voice still has that boyish quality in it, and your reputation makes you unobtainable to many.‖ With a suggestive tilt of the head she added, ―That on its own adds to your allure.‖ He snickered. ―What reputation is that?‖ Helen rolled her eyes. ―No one can pinpoint your preference in partners, sexual partners that is. By now, we all know that Megan is just a front. If it wasn‘t for your son, things would have been much easier.‖ The blood boiled in Andrew‘s veins. Part of him grasped her meaning, that people would have guessed him gay and settled for that. However, he couldn‘t dismiss the intelligent part, the one that saw through people, the one that got the deeper meaning of her statement, that Joshua was a burden, an obstacle, and he would have been better off without him. He narrowed his eyes and leaned forward, pulling his leg away from her reach. ―Helen, you should neve—‖ 94

Seeker ―Hello, and welcome to the Lumière de bougie. My name is Yvette, and I‘ll be your server for tonight.‖ The brunette waitress‘ smile froze on her face when she got the full power of Helen‘s scowl. She tucked her curls behind one ear and went on. ―Oh, I‘m sorry if I interrupted your conversation. Are you ready to order?‖ ―We don‘t have the menu,‖ Helen snarled, despite the couple of menus under her elbow on the table. The waitress‘ gaze dropped to the table. Upon a quick glance at Helen‘s face, Yvette mumbled an unnecessary but wise apology, and was about to leave to bring the menus, when Andrew said, ―Ah, Helen, you seem to forget that they are here on the table.‖ Andrew pointed to the menus as a challenging spirit took over him. Helen had no right to make everyone‘s life miserable. Uncertain of how to handle the situation, Yvette remained half turned until Helen grunted and said, ―Yes, silly me. Here they are.‖ She took Yvette‘s measure and then barked, ―Return after some time.‖ Andrew sighed. He had lost any miniscule of appetite he had, and wished he were sitting in the car with Steve and Adoria instead. This dinner was going to be one nasty experience. **** No wonder the restaurant remained a secret. It held an endearing combination of coziness and formality. The food was delicious. The only thing to compete with Andrew‘s escargot and French onion soup was his main course of sea bass in butter sauce topped by scallion. The fish flaked with ease, its moistness just right. The company, however, left a lot to be desired. For one thing, Helen hadn‘t stopped touching his hand on the table, 95

Su Halfwerk or his leg under it. Why would anyone design shoes with such a pointy tip? ―I‘ve ordered the soufflé for desert.‖ Helen ran her fingers through her hair and flipped it back. Andrew studied the menu. ―The Peanut butter mousse sounds good to me.‖ She shook her head. ―No, no, no. The chocolate soufflé here is to die for. You must try it.‖ Well, she‘d had rein of the conversation all evening, let her enjoy this last victory and get it over with. ―So, what do you think of my proposal, Andrew?‖ Now that the table had been cleared of the dishes, Helen‘s unwavering gaze had returned to him. ―I like the idea of the movie, a teenaged turtle looking for his mother, fighting birds, big fish, hunters, and the like.‖ He smiled. ―But I haven‘t done any auditions. Won‘t the casting director find it odd?‖ The movie would milk mothers and their kids‘ affections, but the idea of a lost animal or insect looking for his mom was overdone to death. A smile of victory brightened Helen‘s features. ―Leave Mathew to me. Your star power precedes you. I won‘t have a problem convincing him.‖ She dabbed the corner of her mouth with the napkin. ―In any case, after the time and effort I spent raising funds, hiring key personnel, and picking distributors, I don‘t think anyone will challenge my decision.‖ She eyed him suggestively and added, ―All you have to do is say yes to me, and the script will be delivered to your doorstep.‖ His yes would cover other matters besides the movie. Even if he desired her, which he didn‘t, or was willing to sell himself for his career‘s progress, which he wouldn‘t, he couldn‘t risk losing the purity of his body, and consequently, his spirit hunting permit. Despite the spaciousness of the dining room, Andrew was 96

Seeker overcome with a need for a break from Helen, whose demand for his full attention had left him depleted. Chasing evil spirits didn‘t even drain him this way. Rescuing his leg from her ninja shoe, Andrew pushed his chair back. ―Excuse me please, I‘ll be right back.‖ She furrowed her brow, saying nothing. Andrew rose and glanced at the window. Just as he‘d expected, Adoria passed the window for the hundredth time. She must be bored to keep circling the building like that. He smiled and waved guiltily at her. Stepping into the robin egg blue restroom relaxed him all at once. He splashed his face with cold water and enjoyed the refreshing sensation. Live plants made the space even more relaxing, and that feeling contrasted with the emotions that would assault him the moment he returned to the table. He considered not going back. Sure…escape by squeezing through the small window. Andrew shook his head and stared at himself in the mirror. ―Tough. Here we go again.‖ He couldn‘t pull a stunt like evading Helen without repercussions. Besides, the dinner was almost over. What else could Helen subject him to after all that sexual harassment? He returned to the table and registered the quizzical look on her face, an indication, if any, of her expectancy of an answer, one he couldn‘t avoid any longer. Meeting Helen for dinner showed his willingness, and now he must seal it verbally. ―Helen, I want to thank you for the great opportunity to break me into the world of animated movies.‖ He cleared his throat. ―And, yes, I will be honored to be part of the project… After I review the script, of course.‖ She clapped her hands. ―Marvelous.‖ Helen held her wine glass up and regarded him, one eyebrow arched. ―To the success of our movie.‖ 97

Su Halfwerk Andrew lifted his glass. ―Hear! Hear!‖ Andrew clinked his glass against hers. He took a sip and lowered his wine. He was not a wine person. The toast would have tasted better with a beer. Helen pressed her hand to his, pushing the glass back toward his mouth. ―C‘mon, Andrew. You should drink more. Here, like this.‖ Helen demonstrated by taking a couple of big gulps from her glass and fixed him with an expectant stare. Whatever will get me through the night, Andrew thought, and followed suit. ―Do you have any projects in the pipeline?‖ she asked. ―I will be discussing your participation with Mathew and see how we can work out the schedule to accommodate us all.‖ ―I think I can free some for the recording sessions. From January until March, I‘m shooting a historical romance movie for which I‘ll be out of California. Otherwise I‘m available.‖ ―Great.‖ She took another sip, her green eyes focused intently on him. ―What do you do with your son when you‘re away?‖ ―I take him with me. He doesn‘t come to the set, but he‘s always close by with one of my bodyguards.‖ The last thing he wanted was to mention that Joshua had a nurse who had become more of a nanny lately. Helen didn‘t need to know that either. ―You take those bodyguards everywhere, huh? Can‘t blame you, I‘ve heard about your infamous incident with that fan. It‘s difficult to step into the street without worrying that someone would sue you for looking at them the wrong way.‖ Andrew nodded. Did he nod too long? His head felt heavy. ―Totally agree with you. But hey, I‘m not complaining.‖ He didn‘t want to add that the woman might 98

Seeker have had a good reason to think that she was fondled since the one standing close to her at the time was Caleb and not Steve. Andrew felt heavy-headed, if that was a term. When would this night be over? He skimmed the dining room. Helen followed his gaze. ―What are you looking for?‖ ―The soufflé. What‘s taking so long?‖ Helen narrowed her eyes. ―It takes time, that‘s why I ordered it in the middle of our meal. You want to leave so fast?‖ She examined him closely. ―Or something is wrong?‖ ―No. What could be wrong?‖ He wanted to get out of there. His body temperature rose all of a sudden for no reason and his heartbeats reverberated loudly in his ear, almost deafening him. ―You‘re sweating, Andrew. Are you alright?‖ Did she just smirk? Andrew wasn‘t sure. Damn that soufflé, he cursed mentally. The thought of food triggered a gagging reflex in his throat. It was all he could do to hide the reaction. Unfortunately, something else snapped him out of his fear of barfing. Andrew got a sudden erection that threatened to raise the table. He had the impression that all his blood was trapped in that one organ and it would explode out of his pants any moment. Desire for Helen hadn‘t triggered that reaction. She couldn‘t evoke that in him no matter how hard she tried. Hard? He chuckled. What is happening to you? Gruesome whispered in his head. Andrew shrugged. ―Don‘t know.‖ Leering, Helen cocked her head. ―Don‘t know what?‖ Oops, he had answered Gruesome loudly. Andrew burst out with a titter. Gathering whatever focus he could muster, Andrew asked his Guide telepathically, Why are you here? 99

Su Halfwerk I felt your physical distress and rushed to you. What is wrong? For the first time, Andrew felt a slight emotion in his Guide‘s voice, concern. ―What could be wrong? Nothing‘s wrong,‖ Andrew said and bit his tongue. He‘d done it again, and going by Helen‘s perplexed expression, she hadn‘t missed it. Her smirk slipped a notch. She wasn‘t sure of herself anymore. Another snigger bubbled out of him. Other patrons glanced toward him, but that made him laugh even harder. Hard. Again! You seem to suffer from a certain physical reaction, Gruesome said. It’s called a boner. Now, go away, or hover away, whatever you want to call it. Everything’s under control, despite my condition. I can handle this. He tried to shut his Guide out. Candle light flickered in Helen‘s eyes. She resembled a witch, no, a demon, on a mission to do bad bad things to him. ―Are you sure you‘re okay? We can leave right now if you want,‖ she said. Despite the silence in his head, Andrew knew Gruesome was close by. ―I…‖ Damn, what did he want to say? He felt energetic and drowsy at the same time. The back of his neck tingled, his cheeks flushed with heat. He raised a hand and twiddled his fingers. Yep, they were tingly, too. Andrew wasn‘t sure anymore why he got the sudden hardness, but he hadn‘t experienced anything like this, not even during his puberty. His member strained against his pants. Maybe he should let it out to breathe. A commotion sounded behind him and he swiveled around. Adoria zigzagged her way between tables toward him, followed by Steve and a very upset maitre d‘. They all had stern expressions. ―Hello Adoria. Hello Steve. Bonsoir, Monsieur Maitre d‘.‖ 100

Seeker Andrew twiddled his fingers in greeting. Adoria reached him and whispered in his ear, ―Don‘t drink the wine.‖ Andrew shook his head. ―Too late, I already did, in celebration of the new movie. But why shouldn‘t I?‖ He fixed her full, lipstick-free lips with a stare, and added in a whisper, ―You smell like bubble gum. I like bubble gum.‖ Ignoring him, Adoria glared at Helen and pointed a gun at her. Andrew squinted. No, wait. It was a cell phone. ―That woman slipped something in your wine while you were away. We must take you to a hospital.‖ Andrew, you must get out, Gruesome insisted in his head. ―Shut the hell up,‖ Andrew yelled. When Adoria flinched, he covered his mouth and said, ―Sorry, Adoria, I was talking to Gruesome.‖ ―Who‘s Gruesome?‖ Adoria asked. ―What the hell is going on here? And where does this one get off accusing me of such a thing?‖ Helen hissed at him. ―We doo no‘ lieke to create ah scene een zi restauran‘. Also zees two pepoole were not inviteed,‖ piped in the maitre d‘. On the verge of standing up, Andrew remembered his erection. He glanced at Adoria. ―No need for a hospital. I‘ll explain later.‖ He tried to glare at Helen, but he wasn‘t sure what his face did. ―Zis ees ridiculous,‖ the maitre d‘ said. Andrew‘s thoughts tumbled through his head all in one go. He had had enough of this muddle. He swiveled to the headwaiter and said, ―Ah, for God‘s sake, just drop the fake accent and speak proper English.‖ He wanted out of this place and into the open air. He rose to his feet and the room swam in front of him. Andrew swayed, almost losing his balance. Thankfully, Steve appeared out of nowhere and straightened him. He leaned 101

Su Halfwerk on his bodyguard. Like a peacock with its feathers ruffled, the maitre d‘ moved like a jackrabbit. ―I do not ‗ave a fake accent,‖ Raising both eyebrows for emphasis, Andrew said, ―Oh yeah? Then translate this to English. Je suis faux.‖ The maitre d‘ opened and closed his mouth like a fish, lost for words. He marched away from them mumbling something about security. ―I don‘t think he‘s French,‖ Andrew explained to Steve‘s ear. Steve didn‘t laugh at his joke, and neither did Adoria. He followed their gazes and winced when he discovered they were focused on his obvious erection. Steve cleared his throat. ―We better get you out of here.‖ Adoria wrapped an arm around Andrew‘s waist and slung his arm on her slim shoulders, balancing him between her and Steve. She squeezed his hand with hers even though she still had the cell phone in it. He inhaled her fresh scent and resisted the temptation to lean more toward her warm body. She did naughty things to his libido, and this he liked. Helen shot to her feet and growled at Adoria. ―Where do you think you‘re taking him? We haven‘t finished our discussion.‖ ―Home.‖ Adoria adjusted his arm on her shoulders. ―And if anything happens to him, I‘ll make sure the whole world knows that you doped him. From outside the window, I saw you mix some powder in his glass.‖ Like a demon on a mission Helen sauntered closer to Adoria and whispered something into her ear, something that made Adoria‘s face turn red. She glared at the executive producer, squeezing Andrew‘s hand even further, digging the cell phone deeper into it. ―Ahm, my hand,‖ Andrew said. With an apologetic nod, Adoria pocketed the phone and 102

Seeker led him out with Steve‘s help. ―You can‘t just leave me like this, Andrew. Are you going to believe the lies of this…this insect?‖ Helen exclaimed with anger. With the intention of ignoring Helen, Andrew continued toward the door, but he was wrenched backwards. Looking over his shoulder, he saw that Helen had grabbed Adoria‘s upper arm and turned her around, pulling him backwards as well in the process. Adoria snapped something at her, and Helen raised her hand as if to slap her. With one hand, Adoria seized Helen‘s elbow and pushed the producer to carry on with the momentum of her body, except, Adoria pulled backward and continued steering Helen‘s arm until her hand connected with her own face in a loud slap. The sound echoed in the hushed dining room, everyone stared at the two women, Adoria glaring at Helen, and the other woman holding her cheek, eyes brimming with tears of humiliation and anger. ―Now, this gives a new meaning to bitch slapping,‖ Andrew mumbled and snickered. He hadn‘t meant to say it aloud, he could still think clearly, he believed, but his actions went haywire. A few giggles sounded around them, as he, Adoria, and Steve walked away from a raging executive producer. They stepped out into the night, the smog, for the first time, invigorated him, reducing his sickness and confusion. The downside to this change was that his senses were centered in his lower region. Adoria‘s hips nudging his as they walked didn‘t help matters any. They reached the SUV, and Steve left his side to unlock the door, Andrew thought. He couldn‘t take his closeness to Adoria anymore. He intended to move away from her, but instead he pushed her against the car, placed both hands on her waist and leaned into her, grinding that ache against her 103

Su Halfwerk warm body. ―Andre—‖ Desire, so long forgotten, hummed through him. Her breathing caught when he delicately touched her cheekbones and lips with his hand, his lips trailing his fingers‘ path. They tasted her, teased her. He was driving himself insane, just as he did to her, for her body reacted to his touch, her breasts pushed against his chest in an inviting challenge. Andrew, stop! You will ruin everything, Gruesome shouted in his head, but he ignored his Guide. Gaze locked with her charcoal ones, he moved one hand to her lips. His thumb drew tight gentle circles on the edge of her mouth, while the remaining fingers buried themselves below her ear and into her loose hair. Her lips parted invitingly, either from lust or shock, or both. The whole world faded except for her existence. Her breath, searing hot and insistent, pushed at his self-control and Andrew found his mouth closing over hers. She melted in his embrace, her hands on his chest, not pushing, but adding to the pressure from her breasts. She swayed against him, augmenting his hunger. Andrew consumed her mouth, hopelessly eager to taste her, to have her. Her fingers tunneled through the hair at his nape. He moaned when, awkwardly, she opened her mouth a little and returned his kiss. A strong hand slipped between them and pulled him from behind, away from her. ―Sorry, Andrew, but you‘ll thank me tomorrow,‖ Steve said through heaves as he restrained Andrew. Andrew wanted to punch the bastard who stood between him and Adoria‘s curves. ―You okay?‖ Steve asked Adoria. She didn‘t answer. 104

Seeker Andrew winced. He‘d attacked Adoria. What the fuck was wrong with him? Andrew kept his eyes glued to the ground as shame washed over him. So much for thinking clearly. Steve opened the back door and shoved him inside. ―Lay down, you might come through it on the way home. I‘ll leave the windows open for fresh air.‖ Two doors slammed shut and Andrew laid down on the backseat, eyes closed, trying hard not to scream Adoria‘s name. His body still starved for her to ease its burning desire. The door locks snapped shut. Andrew balled his fists and punched the leather seat. God, he should be able to control his arousal. He had been doing it for the past seven years. Why now? Why with this much force? A tingling sensation started in the back of Andrew‘s neck and he swallowed his saliva repeatedly. ―Don‘t tell Caleb about this. Okay?‖ Adoria muttered to Steve under her breath. Andrew squeezed his eyes. He‘d humiliated her. ―Are you nuts? No way. I would never speak about my employer, especially when he‘s in this altered state. And don‘t blame yourself.‖ Steve laughed nervously. ―He caught me by surprise as well.‖ Andrew exhaled a breath he‘d been holding. Steve had said the right thing to reassure her. Perhaps now Andrew could get some rest, the pressure in his groin might recede if he slept. Unexpectedly, the tingling sensation in his neck intensified, pushing all the way to his throat. His stomach burned and churned. He was about to purge out his French dinner. ―Stop the car. Gonna puke.‖ The car screeched and pulled over, the locks disengaged. Andrew had enough time to dangle his head out and 105

Su Halfwerk convulse, the rush of bile spilling out of his mouth. He felt a hand on his head, keeping his hair out of his face. ―Get it all out, whatever poison that puta fed you.‖ Adoria‘s gentle and reassuring whispers drifted to him. ―We‘re here with you, and you‘re going to be okay.‖ Stomach turning, eyes watering, mouth open wide, Andrew‘s retching lasted for eternity. When he was done she handed him tissues to wipe his mouth clean, her sad eyes studying him. Shame washed all over him anew, but he needed her by his side. ―Stay with me in the backseat. Please. I promise I won‘t try anything.‖ She searched his face, then glanced behind her. He couldn‘t see Steve from his awkward half-in half-out position. Finally, she turned back to Andrew and nodded. ―Okay.‖ Adoria settled in the backseat, facing him. She spoke in a tender tone of nice things that calmed him down. He wasn‘t sure if she sang him a lullaby or if it was just talk, but he liked it. He inhaled deeply, his hand clapped between his legs. Eyes closed, he rested his head on the headrest. Gradually, his awareness slipped into a welcome suspended state, ignoring the jerks and jolts in his loins. After sometime, Adoria‘s voice drifted to him through thick clouds of unconsciousness. ―Steve, when did Andrew dye his hair light blonde? It‘s almost white.‖

106

Seeker

Chapter Ten

A

doria tapped her foot impatiently and listened to the electronic gate‘s soft hum as the metallic doors swung open bit by little bit. Steve released the brakes and drove through the main gate. The moment the car stopped, the villa‘s elegant wooden door opened, and Gina rushed out to them. ―What happened? Caleb didn‘t tell me much.‖ Gina approached Steve. ―Where‘s Andrew?‖ She massaged her neck with one well-cared for hand, while the other rested under her chest, pushing her amble bosom up a notch, emphasizing what the chiffon robe hid. ―He was unwell toward the end of his dinner engagement.‖ Steve pointed a thumb at the car. ―He‘s asleep in the backseat. Did you call the doctor?‖ Gina raised an eyebrow. ―No. All Caleb told me is that Andrew is coming early and might need me.‖ Adoria swallowed back a snigger that almost erupted out of her. So, this was how Gina dressed when Andrew needed her. The nurse narrowed her eyes at Steve. ―Is it food poisoning?‖ Adoria said, ―We‘re not sure. I thought a hospital might be a better idea, but Steve insisted on bringing Andrew home.‖ Gina hadn‘t bothered to glance once at Adoria. ―Bring 107

Su Halfwerk him upstairs to his room,‖ the nurse said to Steve. ―I‘ll call Dr. Sebastian.‖ She rushed back into the villa. ―Why is no one even considering going to the hospital?‖ Adoria asked. ―You guys are taking his fame too seriously?‖ Steve frowned. ―This is not related to his fame only. A hospital was where his wife worked. A hospital is where he takes his son frequently for surgeries or follow-ups.‖ He paused on his way to the car and added, ―Even if we look at it from his fame‘s point of view, if this story leaks out, Andrew will get a hell load of negative exposure. I‘m sure he doesn‘t want that.‖ Without a hint of chiding in his voice, Steve‘s response had reminded her that she didn‘t know all the facts before she let her mouth run. She bit her tongue, regretting her rash judgment. While each supported one of Andrew‘s shoulders, Steve and Adoria moved slowly toward the villa. Oblivious to the world, Andrew‘s feet dragged behind him on the steps. Adoria groaned from his weight, and at the still visible large bulge in his pants. ―I thought a big guy like you would be able to handle Andrew by yourself.‖ Gina taunted Steve, as she stepped back to give them way. ―With these muscles, you can carry him on your shoulders like a baby.‖ Adoria lowered her head and grinned. It would be interesting to watch Steve carry Andrew with his visible hard-on. ―He‘s taller than me,‖ Steve grunted. ―And he might tip backwards, bringing us both down the stairs.‖ Another grunt escaped him. ―Besides, he already threw up once, and I don‘t want to carry him in a way that might induce an encore.‖ Andrew mumbled something unintelligible and lapsed into silence again, his eyes closed. 108

Seeker Steve glanced at Gina. ―Is the doctor coming?‖ ―Yes, in about thirty minutes.‖ Awkwardly, they climbed the small loop of stairs and reached the second floor. That level had two stories separated by three steps only. Doorframes appeared misaligned due to the futuristic design, adding to Adoria‘s confusion. A higher floor swam in inky darkness and a dainty chandelier dangling from the ceiling on a long cord illuminated part of the lobby and the stairs. ―This way.‖ Gina glided into a short lobby on the second floor, her robe flowing behind her. They followed her into the room. The stippled walls had an elegant burgundy faux effect, while well-positioned paintings of yellow, green, and blue subjects placated the rigidity of the design. Gina bent and snatched the bed cover away from a kingsize bed pushed against a wide veranda door. Adoria and Steve steered Andrew around the small table and two armchairs at the foot of the bed. After laying Andrew down, Steve straightened and rolled his shoulders. Adoria glanced at the corridor, and almost jumped when Gina spoke harshly from behind her. ―What‘re you looking for?‖ What is wrong with this woman? ―Um…his son. I hope we didn‘t wake him up with all the noise.‖ ―You‘d have heard him if he was awake. Don‘t worry yourself with Joshua.‖ She lifted her chin pointedly. ―He‘s my responsibility.‖ Noticing Andrew‘s bulge, Adoria pulled the cover over him. ―You can leave him to me now. Return to your station.‖ Gina glanced at the door, emphasizing the meaning of her words. 109

Su Halfwerk Poor Andrew, going from the clutches of one she-monster to another, Adoria thought. Alas, there was nothing shecould do. Gina was a nurse after all. On their way back to the car, Adoria caught Steve shaking his head, a wistful expression on his face. ―What?‖ she asked him. ―I was just thinking,‖ he said softly. ―We‘ve saved him from the claws of one predator, and delivered him to the den of another.‖ **** Despite the fatigue that lent an extra ten pounds of weight to each of Adoria‘s limbs, she refused to leave before hearing from the doctor. Sitting on the sofa in the security room, she ignored Caleb and watched the screens as if her life depended on it. Steve snored from across the room where he sat on a swivel chair, arms crossed over his chest, head bowed. ―What happened tonight?‖ Caleb pretended to check his nails, but his too-casual tone gave his curiosity away. She glanced at him from the corner of her eye. ―Steve told you. Andrew became sick and we brought him home.‖ ―Okaaay.‖ He smirked. ―Then why haven‘t you left already? Your shift was over a long time ago.‖ ―I‘ll leave after I make sure he‘s okay. He got sick while under my watch.‖ She should leave and call to check on Andrew‘s health later. Why be so stubborn about it? Why this urge to make sure he was okay? Caleb jammed one nail strategically in his mouth and swiveled his hand this and that way, as though trying to dislocate a boulder. ―It‘s fine if you don‘t want to tell me, I‘ll find out eventually. Just so that you know, my shift is over in two hours and I‘m leaving on time. I won‘t play Mr. Nice 110

Seeker Team Player since I‘m not part of the team. That means one of you will have to be here until Emanue—‖ A buzz from the intercom interrupted Caleb‘s litany. ―Caleb, please send Steve and the new guard over to the house. Dr. Sebastian wants to speak with them.‖ Gina disconnected promptly after giving her orders. ―Seems like you‘ve acquired an enemy.‖ Caleb pushed away from the table, propelling himself and his chair toward Steve. Adoria raised her hand. ―No! Let Steve sleep. I‘ll take care of this.‖ Caleb cocked his head and smiled derisively at her. ―Good luck then.‖ In the silence of the night, Adoria jogged lightly to the villa, enjoying the night‘s cool air traveling through her hair. The confined space of the security room had pressed on her chest, almost suffocating her, but she could hardly blame her restlessness on it. She blamed the kiss. She had been kissed before, had had men gaze at her with lust in their eyes. Tonight, with one kiss, Andrew surpassed them all. He desired her, it was in the way he touched her body, the way he made his presence known across her skin. In the way she responded to him. She winced. That response was a mistake, except at the time, she couldn‘t think straight, had even felt joy at seeing the ferocious look and growl Andrew threw at Steve, as though he would chew his head off. What woman could refuse advances with such dominance? Of course, she wasn‘t a fool. That possessing, savagely aroused man wasn‘t the real Andrew, the drug had left him unaware of his actions. She dreaded her meeting with him after he woke up. If he wakes up. 111

Su Halfwerk She shoved that negative thought away with a fierce shake of the head. He will wake up. Why wouldn’t he? Apart from being horny, throwing up, and falling asleep, he seemed fine. Unless that drug worked little by little to immobilize the body, then the organs, and then— She shook her head again. No, why would that woman poison him? She seemed eager to have him all to herself. As she neared the villa, she made out Gina‘s figure pacing by the entrance. When Adoria entered, Gina glanced behind Adoria, and then closed the door. ―Where‘s Steve?‖ ―He‘s asleep. I can handle any official inquiry since I was there as well. He will corroborate my statement.‖ Gina crossed her arms and studied Adoria from head to toe. ―Official inquiry? Corroborate your statement? What? You think you‘re on a police show?‖ With a sharp shrug, Gina sauntered to a spacious room to the left of the entrance. A lone piano sat at one corner of the room. It seemed lost, almost like a kid‘s toy, in the large room. A brown haired man rose as soon as they stepped into the room. He had that playful look about his face, a look not even his glasses could turn into a serious expression. He approached Adoria, hand extended. ―Hi, I‘m Edward Sebastian, Andrew‘s personal physician.‖ She nodded. ―I‘m Adoria Hall. Andrew‘s personal bodyguard.‖ Gina snorted. Dr. Sebastian gave Gina a side-glance and returned his attention to Adoria. ―I understood from Gina you were with Andrew at the restaurant. What happened exactly?‖ ―I saw someone slip a powder into his drink.‖ ―Do you know what it was?‖ ―Some type of wine, I guess.‖ The doctor flashed a tolerant smile. ―I meant, was there anyway for you to know what powder it was?‖ 112

Seeker Adoria shook her head. ―I told you this is useless.‖ Gina rested a hand on the doctor‘s arm. ―The blood sample you took will reveal more.‖ How in hell would Adoria be able to tell what type of drug had scrambled Andrew‘s insides and personality? Adoria couldn‘t blame the doctor for trying to know more, but Gina was another story all together. She had been on Adoria‘s case constantly. Now the temptation to answer Gina back tugged at Adoria‘s nerves, tempting her to repel, to let loose that fiery nature of hers. Andrew wouldn‘t appreciate a fight between two of his staff. When push came to shove, the nurse taking care of his son would take precedence over one of his guards. Dr. Sebastian nodded. ―Anything else you can think of?‖ ―Nothing really. While checking the restaurant‘s surrounding from outside, pure luck—or the lack of it— allowed me to see what the woman did. By the time we got to him, he had already started behaving strangely.‖ Dr. Sebastian‘s eyebrows shot up and his eyes twinkled with peaked interest. ―What do you mean with ‗strangely‘?‖ ―He spoke his thoughts out loud, even addressed someone who wasn‘t with us in the restaurant a couple of times.‖ She was warming up to the topic. Adoria glanced down and held her lower lip between a forefinger and a thumb, trying to get all the facts right for the doctor. ―He couldn‘t walk and needed Steve‘s and my support to do so. He appeared to be drunk, but at the same time made total sense when he spoke… except when he spoke to the imaginary person. He certainly seemed more in control after he threw up during our drive back home.‖ The sensation that she missed on something nagged at her. Something else that she couldn‘t remember, almost at the tip of her tongue. She smiled and snapped her fingers. ―Oh, yeah, and there 113

Su Halfwerk was…‖ she trailed off, seeing how Gina regarded her from under hooded eyelids. ―There was what?‖ the doctor probed. ―Well, physically he looked fine but he was…excited.‖ She‘ll be damned if she would tell the doctor about the kiss, at least not in front of Gina. Dr. Sebastian touched his jaw with his thumb, brows furrowed. ―Excited?‖ his expression relaxed. ―Oh. I see.‖ Gina‘s gaze shifted between the doctor and Adoria, a flicker of annoyance obvious in it. ―What does that mean?‖ Apparently, Gina hadn‘t checked on Andrew after Adoria and Steve left. That erection was unmistakable. Oddly enough, that discovery made Adoria more relaxed, at ease. Dr. Sebastian ran his hand through his prematurelygraying brown hair. ―Gina, Andrew is suffering from a constant state of sexual arousal. If it doesn‘t reduce or ease up, I will be forced to draw blood from that area to reduce the building pressure in it.‖ Adoria gasped and covered her mouth with a hand, apprehensiveness drew dreadful images in her mind. Dr. Sebastian raised his hand in a gesture of reassurance. ―I don‘t think it will come to that. I‘ve known Andrew for years, he‘s one stubborn survivor. Besides, the fact that he‘s thrown up is reassuring. We will have to wait and see how he‘s doing tomorrow after he wakes up.‖ ―What do you think she gave him?‖ Adoria asked. ―It‘s a ventured guess, but I believe the powder must have contained at least a couple of elements. Mainly a component that acted as a muscle relaxant, and his dependability on you to stand and walk is the proof of that. The other ingredient must be some kind of libido intensifier.‖ He adjusted his glasses. ―Nevertheless, these are all guesses.‖ That bitch had wanted him so bad. After a brief hesitation, 114

Seeker Adoria asked, ―Is he going to be okay?‖ ―Don‘t worry about him. He is as tough as a nail. I would have hospitalized him if I didn‘t think he can pull through.‖ The doctor thought Andrew could pull it through. His thin lips stretched in a friendly smile, and she returned it weakly. ―Here.‖ He dug into his pocket and produced a card. ―Call me if any of his peculiar or strange behavior persists tomorrow. You were there tonight and that makes you the best judge.‖ Gina narrowed her eyes and pursed her lips. ―Return to your station, Adoria. The doctor is done with you.‖ Blood rushed to Adoria‘s cheeks for the demeaning manner in which Gina dismissed her. She swallowed the retort that popped in her head, nodded a farewell to the doctor, and left. **** Adoria jerked awake from a nightmare-filled sleep to a loud sound. She turned over on her bed and landed with an even louder thud on the floor. ―I‘m asking you why no one called me.‖ Emanuel banged his cell on the table. ―The SMS message was cute enough, but I didn‘t notice it until I finished with my breakfast,‖ Emanuel said to Steve. ―You should‘ve called me the moment this incident took place.‖ Thin tendrils of sleep still shrouded Adoria‘s mind. She shook her head, bringing some alertness to her senses and pushing the nightmare of clawing cats out of her head. She had just fallen off the sofa at the security room, and not her bed. ―And you.‖ Emanuel wheeled around and addressed her. ―You should‘ve been home for the night. It wasn‘t your shift even.‖ 115

Su Halfwerk ―Good morning, Emanuel.‖ God, why did her mouth feel as though stuffed with cotton balls? ―It wouldn‘t have been fair to leave Steve all alone here after the busy night we had.‖ She leaned on the three-seated sofa and pushed herself up, standing face to face with Emanuel. Well, face to chest. ―I‘ll speak to Caleb about deserting you guys in time of need.‖ Emanuel studied her rumpled hair and wrinkled uniform. ―You‘re a mess. Go home and I‘ll call later on and tell you how Andrew‘s doing.‖ Adoria lowered her gaze and licked her lips. ―What now?‖ Emanuel barked, almost at the end of his rope. ―I prefer to stay and see for myself.‖ Her face scrunched in wait for the storm. Emanuel took a deep breath. ―Why?‖ Because I care about him. Instead, she said the other truth. ―I must stay to report Andrew‘s condition to the doctor. He asked me to do so.‖ ―Same here, boss. I‘m staying as well.‖ Steve‘s voice was full of authority and conviction that made Adoria lift her head and face Emanuel again. Emanuel glared at the two of them, eyes shifting from one to the other. ―What about the roster? Huh? Have you thought about that? How are we going to work it out with two of us on more than twenty four hours duty?‖ ―I‘m sure we can work this out.‖ Steve frowned. ―Andrew was under our watch when this happened, Emanuel. Would you have left if it were you?‖ Emanuel closed his eyes and took a couple of deep breaths, a sign of his surrender. ―Fine. But next time something of this magnitude takes place and I‘m not informed, you better start looking for another job. Both of you. Is that understood?‖ Adoria and Steve nodded eagerly, a quick glance of 116

Seeker appreciation of support traveled between them. Emanuel dragged one swivel chair and sat, his arms crossed. ―Now, take me through what happened last night, and don‘t spare any details.‖ **** Adoria‘s eyes widened with surprise as she watched Albert maneuver his bulky frame, along with a large tray, through the security room‘s door. ―I‘ve made you a feast for the great job you did last night.‖ Albert placed the heavy tray loaded with breakfast before Adoria and Steve. He gave each one a hearty pat on the shoulder, and eyed Adoria‘s outfit and hair. ―I‘ll get Edna to bring you a set of the toiletries reserved for guest‘s staying overnight to freshen up. You guys need it.‖ With a mouth full of smoked sausage, Steve shook his head. Albert waited patiently until he swallowed the food. ―I don‘t need any. My gear is in my car.‖ He glanced at Adoria. ―Anyway, Adoria needs that set more than me.‖ Adoria rolled her eyes. ―Gee, thanks, Steve.‖ ―You‘re welcome.‖ Without a hint of a smile, Steve concentrated his attention on getting a whole piece of pancake into his mouth in one go. Throughout the morning, Adoria watched Emanuel squirm, cast side-glances at her, and run his hands through his short hair. She waited, knowing he would speak when ready and not a second before that. Satiated, Steve excused himself and took her place on the sofa to catch a power nap to reenergize himself. Adoria settled on a chair next to Emanuel in silence, waiting for him to open up and spill what had been bothering him all morning. She had a good idea what it was. It had to be that soft, demanding, and heart branding kiss. 117

Su Halfwerk By eleven, Emanuel cleared his throat, and Adoria glanced up from her twiddling thumbs. ―You know that Mr. Taylor wasn‘t in his senses the night before, right?‖ She nodded, maintaining her well-composed expression. Inside, her heart thrummed in her chest, wanting this uncomfortable conversation to finish. Emanuel huffed impatiently. ―What I‘m trying to say is I‘m sure he hadn‘t meant to kiss you. Not that you‘re unattractive, but he is a fair man who would never take advantage of his staff.‖ Adoria pressed her lips. She hadn‘t thought that Andrew had taken advantage of her. On the contrary, the hunger and need in his kiss had awakened something buried deep within her heart. She didn‘t want to dismiss that passionate moment as the hallucinations of a sick man. ―He isn‘t a monster. Please don‘t think of him as one,‖ Emanuel muttered softly. Adoria gasped. ―If I‘d thought that for a moment, I wouldn‘t be sitting here waiting for him to wake up.‖ Emanuel sighed. ―Then that leaves another angle to this awkward affair.‖ His voice gained its normal curtness. ―The kiss doesn‘t mean a thing. It wasn‘t a romantic advance. Please don‘t build castles in the clouds. On a clear day, those castles won‘t be there.‖ Okay, so Emanuel got her, even though she hadn‘t looked at last night‘s events as a prelude to a relationship. It was nothing more than a lustful encounter that left her wanting more. Either way, she needed the money she made from working for Andrew, whether he was hallucinating or sober. Poor Emanuel. No wonder he was fidgety and irate all morning. His mind had been playing pin-pong with two unfavorable thoughts. It was her turn to sigh. ―I know my place, Emanuel. I‘m 118

Seeker here—‖ The gate‘s buzzer went off, and Adoria bit back the rest of her reply. Might as well, it had saved her from giving a lecture on how she was above wanting Andrew, even though it would be bullshit, pure and simple. She glanced at the monitor. Malcolm‘s face, rigid and looking like a kid without his toy, appeared on the screen. Since he had a carte blanche from Andrew, she buzzed him in straightaway. His champagne colored Cadillac Escalade eased through the gate and drove on toward the villa. Emanuel groaned and ran his hands from his face to his hair and back again. ―What‘s wrong, Emanuel? If you‘re tired, go home. I can switch with Steve anytime, he wouldn‘t mind.‖ Emanuel shook his head irritably. ―That pompous man gets on my nerves. Whenever Mr. Taylor is around, he‘s always kissing up to him, but the moment we are alone, he‘s a different creature altogether. Interfering and ordering.‖ The intercom buzzed. ―Adoria, please report to the villa,‖ Gina announced, her voice ecstatic. Brow wrinkled, Emanuel rose. ―Where are you going?‖ Adoria asked as she stood up as well. He frowned at her. ―I‘m going with you.‖ She didn‘t like this one bit, but wouldn‘t let Emanuel see her worry. He had enough on his plate. She squinted up at him. ―Gina asked for me alone, someone has to be here to man the gate.‖ ―You don‘t need to tell me my duties,‖ he snapped at her, then glanced once at Steve and lowered his voice. ―As your boss, I should be with you.‖ ―Why? Do you expect problems?‖ Emanuel shook his head. ―No. Still, I should be there.‖ Adoria‘s run-in the night before was with a big shot. She 119

Su Halfwerk understood Emanuel‘s worry. With no intention to grovel or beg for forgiveness, her temper might get out of hand. Emanuel shouldn‘t see that. She rested a reassuring hand on his shoulder and pushed him gently back into his chair. ―Andrew is a fair man, you‘ve said it yourself.‖ He sighed and studied her for a short while. ―You‘re right. Go on then, if I must, I‘ll speak to Mr. Taylor later.‖ Adoria leaned forward and kissed him on the forehead. He glared at her. ―Go!‖ Outside, the sun shone brightly on the garden, giving the green expanse a tranquil feel. Adoria saw the beauty but didn‘t feel its serenity. She wished she believed half of her convictions about how Andrew would treat her. Emanuel had hit the nail on the head. The kiss would be nothing more than a nuisance for Andrew. ―Please God, if he still remembers last night, please, please make him forget my easy surrender.‖ Adoria entered the villa and turned left, with the intention of waiting in the same room as the night before. ―Your attendance is required in the backyard and not in the parlor.‖ Adoria almost flinched with surprise when she heard Edna‘s words. Unlike Gina, rudeness did not drive Edna. Instead, her dedication to appear a professional house manager dictated her cold-eyed behavior. ―How do I get there?‖ Edna gestured for her to follow. She complied, running her hands over her arms and pant legs to smooth as much as possible of her rumpled uniform. She couldn‘t name or date any of the furniture or decorations she passed, they simply fit there and looked expensive. A contemporary, low-backed beige sofa half surrounded a square, dark wooden table supporting a vase of tulips and their long green stems that added the colors 120

Seeker required for the uncomplicated room. Adoria slowed down as they passed another room, and held her breath in awe. The dining room had a long rectangular table, with a modernistic looking chandelier hanging very low on it. The room could seat twenty people easily. At the sound of throat clearing, Adoria sped on after Edna to the backyard. The backyard carried the same theme and design of the front garden, except here palm trees surrounded the pool area, their leaves providing the privacy needed to hide it from any prying eyes in the sky. Malcolm lounged on a swing deck armchair, a table in front of him loaded with delicacies. He had coffee, fresh juice, a delicious looking soufflé, scones, some type of yummy looking crepes, and some other treats she wasn‘t familiar with. He had positioned himself under a veranda protruding from the villa, its shade protecting him from the sun‘s direct rays, and at the same time giving him an unobstructed view of the sparkling swimming pool. Edna left them alone, but not before directing a distasteful look at Malcolm. Adoria squared her shoulders. ―Good morning.‖ He chewed his food slowly without acknowledging her with even a side-glance. Adoria waited, hands locked into each other behind her back in a vain attempt to keep her temper in check. Just think of Pru and Carla, she reminded herself. You need this job. Finally, Malcolm wiped his mouth with a napkin. Then, and only then, he turned his attention to her. She was better off waiting another six hours. His beady eyes slid and slithered over her from head to toe. If only she didn‘t need the job so bad. An untrustworthy smile stretched his lips, showing his neat, small, Chiclets-like teeth. ―Your name is Adoria, right? 121

Su Halfwerk Ah, so you‘re the one who claims that Helen poisoned Andrew.‖ Adoria cleared her throat. ―I didn‘t say poisoned, but she did slip him something.‖ ―Andrew hired you to look after him and think logically while doing so. Have you noticed the place they were dining at?‖ When Adoria didn‘t respond or comment, Malcolm leaned forward and raised his voice. ―Answer me!‖ She gritted her teeth. ―Yes. I did.‖ She studied him and measured the distance between them. Yup, she could wring Malcolm‘s neck in three seconds, tops. He leaned back. ―That‘s the type of place the likes of you will never see, unless you‘re associated with someone like Andrew, or Helen. These people are the crème da la crème of society. They dine, wine, and play their own games of give and take. Usually these games go on smoothly, except for the times when some nitwit interferes in the universal organization of important matters. And with that they— Hmm, how to put it in a way you‘ll understand?‖ He scrunched his brow in deep thoughts, and then snapped his fingers. ―Yeah! They fuck up the whole arrangement!‖ Adoria tasted blood from gritting her teeth so hard. She made an effort to pacify the man. ―He is my employer and he was in danger.‖ Both eyebrows shot up, and Malcolm opened his eyes wider. ―Danger from what? From being seduced by the most sought after woman in the industry? Danger from becoming the next box office favorite?‖ Head lowered, Adoria closed her eyes and listened to his drone. Sure that she had done nothing wrong, she blocked out most of that annoying little man‘s gibberish insults, until he said something that drew her attention back to him, and forced her to open her eyes. 122

Seeker ―…has to settle two lawsuits now, and all are related to his shit-head bodyguards.‖ ―Lawsuit?‖ she asked incredulously. ―You‘ve slapped that woman in the restaurant, you‘ve accused her, without evidence, that she meant harm for Andrew, and you‘ve threatened her in front of everyone. What did you expect? A gift?‖ She couldn‘t remember the threatening part, but it was possible. How low could a woman sink to trap a man who wasn‘t attracted to her? He found me attractive though. She pushed that notion out of her head. She should concentrate on the here and now. Technically, she hadn‘t slapped Helen, she‘d slapped herself. Adoria tried hard to hide the smile that threatened to break on her face as she remembered Andrew‘s comment about ―bitch slapping‖ herself. God, he was funny. ―Oh? You find this amusing?‖ Malcolm‘s face turned a tad too red, and his mustache wiggled up and down as he either gritted his teeth or chewed on his cheeks. ―Well then, laugh at this. The first thing Andrew will do when he wakes up is fire you. I just hope Helen would accept that as an official apology.‖ ―I wasn‘t laughing.‖ Adoria shook her head. Malcolm went on, ―Because Helen will sue Andrew for all his worth and will block any contracts from ever coming his way. If you are not fired right away, he will be forced to do so after he goes bankrupt.‖ She‘d fucked up another job with her rash actions. Instead of rationally thinking of a tactful way to take Andrew out of the restaurant without creating a scene, she‘d gone commando and ruined everything. Malcolm smirked. ―Lost for words, huh? You think no one is on to you and your little trick?‖ Confused, Adoria asked, ―What trick?‖ 123

Su Halfwerk He slapped his hand on the table, shaking most of the plates. ―You‘ve staged that mugging scene in front of the restaurant. Any dimwit with half a grain for brain can see through it. Andrew is kind of heart and didn‘t see it that way, but I‘ve been on to you and your games. You wanted the job and were willing to do anything to get it. You might even have your eyes on Andrew, to warm his bed at night.‖ A feeling of indefinable wrath roared through Adoria‘s body, throbbing in her brain, screeching at her to do or say something, anything to shut Malcolm up. ―No!‖ She had had enough of this rubbish. To hell with this job. She could find another, one that would keep her dignity and honor intact. ―Yes. You should know that other sluts tried to do so, some are still trying, and though I have no clue why Andrew is holding back, you won‘t be it, you good for nothing hussy.‖ Adoria released her bunched up hands behind her back, fingers curling. She drew a breath through pursed lips to calm herself down. Her fear now revolved around controlling herself without breaking this moron‘s nose and jamming it up his skull. If only I could. A low growl sounded from the veranda above Malcolm, Adoria glanced up to see the source of that primal sound. She caught only a blur of swift movement. Lost in his tide of abuse, Malcolm misunderstood her glance up. ―Are you asking for God‘s help in this mess?‖ Malcolm pointed to the sky. ―‗I seriously doubt anyone else can help you.‖ He wiped his mouth with the napkin again and threw it on the table. ―Mr. Malloy, I‘ve never allowed anyone to say half of the stuff you just said to me. I can easily cause you severe pain and physical damage and walk away from this house, not turning back even once. But I don‘t want to give you the 124

Seeker opportunity to join the long cue of Andrew‘s suers. Frankly, you strike me as just the type.‖ With that off her chest, Adoria turned around, ignoring the man‘s mumbles of offence, and froze. Andrew surged out of the door leading back to the villa, his steps light and feral, green eyes intent on murder, features darkened with anger. His entire body vibrated with fury. His alizarin rope trailed behind him, exposing his chiseled chest, flat, tight stomach, and long legs clad in satin pajama bottoms. Narrowed, furious emerald eyes peered out at her, and his mouth, set in a straight line, concealed the fullness of those lips. Adoria swallowed. He‘d heard her dissing his agent. Tears of anguish burned her eyes. She couldn‘t take any more insults from anyone. At that moment, she discovered how much she cared about Andrew and what he thought of her. She didn‘t want him to despise her. ―How dare you?‖ Andrew‘s voice thundered through the air, almost, but not quite, disturbing the pool‘s surface. Adoria closed her eyes, refusing to see his face as he stripped her of her dignity. ―How dare you come to my house and use such demeaning language with the one person wise enough to take the right action to save my life? This is your first and last warning.‖ He exhaled a low, fierce breath. ―Use that language with Adoria again, and you won‘t have the time to regret it.‖ Adoria opened her eyes slowly, tears spilling on her cheeks. Andrew had passed her and now stood behind her, addressing his agent. She quickly wiped her eyes and turned around. To her satisfaction, Malcolm opened his mouth in a stammer, unsure how to respond to the fury Andrew had unleashed on him. 125

Su Halfwerk Andrew swiveled around, placed one hand on her shoulder, and with the other lifted her chin, gently. The warmth of his hand scalded her skin, and she couldn‘t repress a shiver. Just in time, she caught herself before she leaned into his broad chest. Eyes gazing at hers, Andrew spoke softly, ―never, ever, in your life apologize for doing the right thing. I appreciate what you did, and for being there.‖ He whirled around and added, ―Unlike others.‖ Malcolm rose to his feet, a sly smile stretching his face to incredible limits. ―I only want what‘s good for you. She‘s not it.‖ Andrew lowered his hand from her chin. She almost winced at the break of contact. Not all was lost. His other hand remained on her shoulder. He inhaled deeply. ―Malcolm, you need to figure out which hand to feed from and which to bite since with you there‘s no loyalty. I‘ve known of the games you play for some time, but I never thought you‘ll put me in danger for your gain. If it wasn‘t for Adoria and Steve, I don‘t know where and in what state I would be right now. Tell me one thing, since you‘re a chum of Helen‘s, what makes her so desperate? Is it her fear of losing?‖ Malcolm shook his head slowly. He wasn‘t backing down, that worried Adoria. ―You‘re still disoriented. You sound like you believe your bodyguard‘s claims. What will Helen gain by poisoning you?‖ Malcolm lifted his chin and eyed Adoria in a suggestive way. ―Besides, there‘s no proof that Helen did anything wrong. It‘s only this one‘s word, which even the other bodyguard can‘t confirm. Likewise, Adoria‘s lack of proper judgment took away any proof of foul play. She didn‘t take you to a hospital. Accordingly, we have no idea what the contents of your stomach were.‖ He shrugged. ―It 126

Seeker could‘ve been a simple case of food poisoning.‖ ―Dr. Sebastian took a blood sample last night,‖ she blurted out, unable to keep the quiver from her voice. ―It should show something.‖ Malcolm‘s eyes acquired a wild look, and he snapped at her, causing her to flinch. ―Meanwhile, we have approximately fifty people ready to testify that you‘ve physically abused an influential woman for something only you witnessed.‖ ―I know what I saw.‖ Adoria appreciated the supportive shoulder squeeze Andrew gave her, even though her wavering voice didn‘t reflect her conviction. ―Oh yeah?‖ teased Malcolm. ―If that blood result comes back positive for drugs or poison, how will you prove that Helen had something to do with it?‖ He turned his attention back to Andrew. ―What are you going to do with that blood sample? Take it to the media? To the police?‖ All three fell silent. Adoria had to resist the temptation to wipe the smug satisfaction off Malcolm‘s face with her fist. She didn‘t dare look at Andrew, didn‘t want to see the doubt in his eyes for her actions. It just couldn‘t be that she, Adoria Hall, would bring the man responsible for most women‘s wet dreams, down this way. If only she hadn‘t slapped Helen. Malcolm‘s eyes shifted from them to a point just behind them. Someone cleared his throat. She turned before Andrew, and his hand fell from her shoulder. She kicked herself mentally for that. ―Andrew, I‘m glad you‘re okay. May I speak to you for a moment?‖ Steve poised rigid and stiff, his gaze on his boss. ―If you‘re here to defend your pal, then don‘t waste your breath,‖ Malcolm said. Andrew raised a hand to shush his agent and nodded to Steve. 127

Su Halfwerk ―While cleaning my cell phone‘s memory from unnecessary stuff, I came across this.‖ Steve made as if to step closer, but Andrew beat him to it. They stood side by side watching the screen on Steve‘s cell phone, while Adoria burned with curiosity. What could be on the phone that drew a lazy, feral smile on Andrew‘s lips? Not the type of smile that made one feel good. On the contrary, it announced the defeat of an opponent. Finally, Andrew glanced up from the screen and gestured to Adoria to join them, and she literally jumped at the opportunity. He pressed a button on the side of the cell to increase the volume. On the cell phone‘s screen, Helen‘s flushed face appeared. She demanded, in a shrill voice, to know where they were taking Andrew, said that she hadn‘t finished talking to him. From somewhere, off the camera, Adoria‘s voice came, calm and threatening, ―Home, and if anything happens to him, I‘ll make sure the whole world knows that you doped him. From outside the window, I saw you mix some powder in his glass.‖ Helen had narrowed her eyes at the camera and stepped closer, too close for comfort. She‘d whispered, ―Yes I did. I want to see how you will prove it. It will be my reliable word against your pathetic one.‖ Andrew mumbled something about his hand, and the recording ended. Adoria‘s heart did a jiggy dance, and she almost kissed Steve. ―When did you record this?‖ Steve flashed one of his rare smiles. ―I didn‘t, you did. The cell was in your hand, and you must‘ve pressed the short cut to camera on the main screen.‖ Beaming up at Andrew, she turned to Malcolm, who appeared pathetically blanched. ―I—I—‖ 128

Seeker Andrew‘s beautiful lips curled with distaste. ―You‘re nothing Malcolm. I have half a mind to fire you right now and make sure you don‘t get the chance to represent anyone, not even desperate actors. Instead, I‘ll tell you what might salvage your career.‖ He strolled to the short sweating man, and stood so close that he towered over him. ―I want you to tell Helen that if she‘s not a good girl then the video will go on YouTube, Flicker, MySpace, your space, his space and every other video sharing website. I will sue her and will ask every other creature she‘d abused, including her Chihuahua, to join me in my pursuit.‖ He leaned close still. ―Are you clear on my message? I don‘t want you to change or soften anything. If you want, I can record it for her.‖ Malcolm, lost for words, nodded and mumbled his apologies, rushing out of the backyard and into the house. With a wide grin on his face, Andrew turned to Steve and clapped him on the shoulder, commending him on his quick thinking. A blush spread across Steve‘s face and neck faster than fire on dry twigs. ―Adoria did nothing wrong that night. She acted with only your well-being on her mind.‖ Adoria lowered her head and stared at the ground, not sure what to say. She breathed a sigh of relief when Steve excused himself to go home and rest properly for his next shift. Without glancing at Andrew, she followed Steve. ―Adoria, wait a moment. I‘d like a word.‖ She stopped, Steve slowed down, his gaze shifting between her and Andrew. Adoria nodded to him and smiled reassuringly. Andrew would either admonish her approach, even though it saved his life, or he would discuss the kiss. She didn‘t want an audience for either of the discussions. When Steve left, Adoria faced Andrew, her lungs tightening, heartbeats thundering in her ears, and gazed up at him. 129

Su Halfwerk His smile had vanished, replaced by an awkward expression. He ran his hand through his hair and chuckled humorlessly. ―I wanted to apologize for my behavior the night before. I acted in a way I would never consider under normal circumstances.‖ Adoria listened to him, keeping her face impassive, devoid of any emotions. She hadn‘t fostered any romantic notions about his actions, at least not from his side. Nevertheless, his words hurt her. Why would he say anything but the truth? She was average looking, average height, average Dory. He, on the other hand, represented the personification of uncommonness. ―Not that you‘re unattractive or anything, but I hold you in very high regards, and wouldn‘t have treated you without respect.‖ He raked his hair, his fingers leaving darker streaks amidst the blond strands. She hadn‘t noticed it was wet. ―Damn it, I don‘t mean that you won‘t be someone I can—‖ ―That‘s okay. I understand what you went through.‖ She licked her dry lips and added, ―Dr. Sebastian thought, judging by your symptoms, that you consumed a combination of drugs that affected your body. Well, senses that way.‖ Andrew squinted, studying her face. His expression relaxed, perhaps deciding that she wasn‘t offended by his words. ―You said something about my hair color last night. What was that about?‖ ―A trick of the light, I guess. It‘s the usual color again.‖ After a brief pause, she asked him timidly. ―You remember everything I said?‖ He grinned. ―You mean the way you hushed me like a little babe and banished my confusion. Oh, yes, I do remember that. It felt good.‖ She allowed herself a tiny smile. ―Did Edward tell you when he‘d pass by today? I want to 130

Seeker know if I have something to worry about.‖ When she frowned, he added, ―I mean Dr. Sebastian. He‘s an old friend.‖ ―No, he didn‘t tell me. Gina would have all the details.‖ When he looked at her quizzically, she added, ―I returned to the security room, Gina remained in the villa.‖ ―Ah. Well, I guess you‘d better go home and rest. It seems like every time we meet, you save me from something.‖ She lifted her chin proudly. ―It‘s my job.‖ A Faraway look crept on his features. ―Well, you don‘t know just how much I am in your debt. Helen‘s lust could‘ve cost me more than you know.‖ Her cheeks burned. She must‘ve resembled a lit jack-olantern. At the exact moment he uttered the word ‗lust‘, she was thinking how much she wanted him to grab her and do to her what he did the night before.

131

Su Halfwerk

Chapter Eleven

A

s a visible suspension in the air, Gruesome travelled the skies with the speed of light, answering the urgent summoning that sounded in his being, and trusting Andrew to handle a fugitive spirit on his own. Gruesome had tried to delay his attendance, but the petulance in the Pit Keeper‘s whispered order, put a stop to his attempts. Having the responsibility of guiding a Spirit Hunter put him under Keigan‘s direct authority. None of the other High Domines would interfere unless Gruesome or Keigan asked them to. He aided Andrew in the delivery of runaway spirits back to the Pit, and she watched over it to maintain its suitability to hold those spirits. They worked together as a team. He arrived at the Dome, without any holdup at the levee, and stood before Keigan. ―You have summoned me,‖ he said. Keigan flowed over the granite slap in what resembled a pacing in the human world, back and forth. Gruesome remained motionless until she stopped and gazed at him. ―The Spirit Hunter is developing impractical emotions.‖ Her tone was as cold as steel. ―I would not be sure about that.‖ Keigan shook her head. ―That is not what I want to hear. You should have informed me of this infatuation as soon as you suspected it. This puts spirit hunting at risk. He loses his 132

Seeker purity, we lose our hunter.‖ Gruesome shrugged with his vapor-like shoulders. ―He is human and can have those feelings towards a female. No one can stop that from happening. In my last visit here, you advised me to let matters run their course, that what is meant to happen will happen at the right time.‖ She silenced him with a raised hand. ―You are throwing my own words back at me, and I will not tolerate that. My refusal to disclose the location of the spirit he seeks was to maintain his post as our hunter. The same applies to his attraction to this mortal female. Why did you allow him to have her in his proximity?‖ ―I can only advise and guide. He will not enforce an opinion with an action unless he agrees with it. This mortal female has already proven her worth by interfering in the last minute and saving his purity.‖ ―Yet she might be the cause for him to lose it. After Andrew Taylor succumbs to his lust for her, Sola, the Domine within him, will be forced to abandon him. Do you want that?‖ ―No.‖ He paused. ―What do you recommend I do?‖ ―Use your perspicacity and guide him. In other words, do your job.‖ He risked speaking his mind. ―What do the other High Domines say about our dilemma?‖ Keigan stood as straight as a taut rod. ―They do not know of it.‖ Gruesome chose his words carefully. ―Their counsel will help us.‖ ―They have conferred to sentence some of the spirits. All six of them will be unprocurable for the better part of the lunation.‖ Gruesome frowned internally. ―Is it time for the adjudication already?‖ Had he lost track of Laymour time 133

Su Halfwerk while on earth? Keigan shook her head. ―It is not time yet. However, I have asked them to confer ahead of time to reduce the increasing number of locked spirits. It had become more difficult to keep vigil on the Pit.‖ ―Yes. I did notice the increase in escaped spirits.‖ Keigan whirled at him. ―Are you hinting at something?‖ ―I was merely stating a fact.‖ He returned to the previous discussion, opting for it as the safer of two dangerous topics. ―What should I do if he refuses to forsake her employment? The next Spirit Hunter is not ready yet. Since we have an increased escape frequency, I do not see any other option but to be patient with Andrew and guide him gently, but steadfastly.‖ ―You must separate the Spirit Hunter from that female. He cannot have any carnal relations with her while Sola is within him. I will not allow it.‖ Silence ruled the Dome, its weight settled heavily on Gruesome. He glanced around for a way out of the corner Keigan had pushed him into. He must speak to another Domine, to someone else besides Keigan. Something about the Pit‘s surface caught his eye. He concentrated on it. The Pit‘s surface had lost its tranquility. It was reduced by one third.

134

Seeker

Chapter Twelve

“W

here did you disappear to? I called on you several times without an answer.‖ Andrew sprang over a gravestone set low on the ground. He squinted and concentrated on where his feet landed. Darkness had an ally in the cloudy sky. ―Interesting choice of location, Andrew. When did you move to the graveyard?‖ ―Let me see…While you were gone?‖ Andrew answered. He was aware that Gruesome evaded a direct answer. He pressed on. ―Where were you?‖ As he rushed between graves, he waited patiently in silence for his Guide to answer him, allowing the night‘s breeze to cool his perspiration. Laura, as her nametag proclaimed, had carried their chase to the cemetery, and he‘d obliged. Only a hazy outline of her checkered supermarket smock hovered ahead of him, the one possessing her had an unmatched speed. He hardly kept up the chase. ―I had to report to my leaders. They had an update for me,‖ Gruesome said finally. ―And that is?‖ ―It is nothing to worry yourself about,‖ Gruesome said tersely. Andrew would press further later on, for now, he had a bigger spirit to fly. 135

Su Halfwerk A dark, decrepit structure loomed ahead of him. He glimpsed the woman‘s blonde hair as she slipped into the ancient-looking mausoleum. The octagonal structure had a sixteen foot tall, grungy cupola. Its stone door consisted of an intricate mashed pattern that hindered a glimpse of anything in the dark void within. A thick piece of rusted metal ran across both sides of the door. Andrew rattled the door, but nothing gave. Why would anyone design a mausoleum with a bolt from inside? He took two steps back with the intention of kicking his way through the antique door. An insane cackle sounded through the structure, chilling his nerves and making him hesitate before breaking in. ―Yo, Spirit Hunter, you won‘t be getting this Mary Sue alive if you don‘t leave?‖ The girl‘s voice fluctuated, as if she struggled with another person over her vocal cords. In a way, she did. The spirit could only speak through its host. Why call Laura a ‗Mary Sue‘? There must be some history here. ―Why ‗Mary Sue‘?‖ A loud, bitchy chuckle drifted to him. ―What else should I call her? Hmm?‖ There was silence. ―Have you seen her good looks? The stupid bitch chose to work as a cashier. Sheesh!‖ Could this be jealousy? This might come in handy to taunt the spirit into making mistakes. ―You can‘t blame her for looking better than you.‖ Another laugh came. ―She is exactly like me. You haven‘t done your homework, Spirit Hunter. She‘s my twin sister, and while she chose to live decently, I paid the world back on my back, or knees, or standing. Depending on my trick‘s wishes.‖ Hateful spirits. ―You‘ve made your choice and she made hers. Why go after her?‖ 136

Seeker A shriek of anger filled the air. ―Because I died and she‘s still alive. Me, the one who enjoyed life, dead. While this one…‖ A soft whimper sounded from inside. ―Who wasted her beauty, body, and life, still lives. How‘s that fair? I came back to even the scores. To send Laura to heaven, so to speak.‖ He gave the door a mighty shove, and it shook on its aged hinges. In response, a heart-wrenching scream broke through the silence. ―I‘ve made her dislocate a shoulder this time! Pull one more stunt like that and I‘ll make her perform an exorcist‘s turn-of-the-neck trick for you.‖ Andrew paused, calculating his next step. On the one hand, spirits were known to mutilate the bodies of their hosts, nothing new there, but to snap the host‘s neck while still within her was something new. He didn‘t know the mausoleum‘s layout and any hesitation on his part upon entry would work to the spirit‘s advantage. A bad feeling gripped his chest and he ran a hand through his hair. ―What do you think, Gruesome?‖ ―Who‘s out there with you?‖ yelled the spirit. ―Is it that ratter that guides you? Fine, let me tell you something else. If you let me exit this building, with my host, unharmed, then I might have a tip or two on the location of a certain Darby. George Darby, to be more specific.‖ Blood froze in Andrew‘s veins, his heartbeats amplified in his head. He lowered his hand from his hair slowly. That accursed name, again. Why did this spirit know George’s name? And how did it know that this was what he sought? It took him a while to return to his senses and hear Gruesome. Andrew, I am going to hover inside to check the place out. From now on, keep our communication on a telepathic level. Buy us time, Gruesome whispered into his head. Do not believe a word she says. Spirits lie. 137

Su Halfwerk Andrew swallowed a lump the size of his fist. ―How do you know Darby?‖ His true motives for asking the question weren‘t to buy time only. Any lead to Darby, even a weak one, would do. A soft popping sounded through, followed by a muted wail. Andrew wondered what made the spirit choose this location to hide, trapping itself in the process. Obviously, his prey possessed the brainpower of a dead hamster. ―It doesn‘t matter how I know of him or how I know that you wish to lay your hands on him. I can deliver him to you right now.‖ She continued in a singsong voice. ―Or better still, I‘ll let you know where he lives and you go after him. How about that for an exchange? A spirit for a spirit.‖ ―Then give me the address.‖ Andrew licked his lips. He needed a drink to wet his parched lips. George Darby’s blood would do. Andrew waited patiently. A soft curse sounded from the burial chamber. ―Shit.‖ A titter rattled within the building. ―Seems I got myself into a rut here. I give you the address and you‘ll come after me no matter what. I don‘t give it to you and you cancel my permit to exist anyway.‖ Andrew laughed, a choked sound he wished was as genuine as it sounded. ―A rut indeed, Spirit.‖ He wanted to smash his way into the building, grab that spirit, and hurt it so bad that it would cry for its mummy, perhaps even beg him to go back to the Laymour. Most of all, he wished the spirit were telling the truth, that it knew Darby‘s location. This is the only way in, Gruesome said. Right now, she is standing in the right corner at the end of the chamber, and the spirit is still within her. You will have to smash your way in, and do it fast, before they shift again. As badly as he wanted to exorcise that spirit, he also wanted a session with it, a hunter to a spirit. Andrew 138

Seeker hesitated. I understand the temptation, but this girl is in danger, Gruesome said. It took that simple reminder to get Andrew moving. He kicked the door down with all his strength. It smashed, crushing the stone lace design into small pieces and raising a cloud of dust around him. He‘d planned to dash in, but the dust obscured his vision and hindered his breathing. Andrew covered his mouth with a hand. ―Aaaaaaaaa!‖ The cry, deafening and full of suffering, sounded like Laura‘s final breath before death descended on her. Where are they? Flapping his hands to clear the dust, Andrew spun around himself. They are in the center now. Andrew sprinted over the rubbles by the door and stumbled across what could have easily been a sarcophagus. With one hand, he pulled his dagger out and extended it. He couldn‘t make out what sprawled before him. In the middle of the chamber, a huge spider-like creature blinked at him. Its mouth opened wide and squalled a cry of anguish, loss, pain, and terror, a sound of primordial severity. The shape transfixed Andrew. As though performing gymnastics, Laura, while on her back, balanced on all four, her back arched towards the ceiling and her white-blue smock gathered above her breasts, just before her chin. Her right and left hands faced her feet in an impossible stunt, hipbones jutted out, pushing against her black pants. The spirit had played twister with the girl‘s body, distorting it, snapping bones out of their sockets, and disconnecting ligaments. Laura‘s eyes pled with him to end the torture and pain, to take her life away. The mouth, however, uttered cold, hard words. ―Laura‘s still alive and well. Just so you know I‘m taking most of the brunt of the pain off her. You 139

Su Halfwerk take me out of this body, and all that fun I had rearranging her will snap into place. I don‘t think you‘ll have enough time to save her.‖ Like a surgeon, Andrew separated the panic that clawed at him and spoke to his Guide. What’s the closest hospital? Valley of Mercy General hospital. Gruesome paused. I do not think she will make it. ―You think, and I do,‖ Andrew answered both Gruesome and the spirit. He leapt and landed on the ground by Laura. Without a second‘s hesitation, he drove the dagger through her forehead, his aim was to surprise the spirit before it did more damage. ―Do not take the spirit yet!‖ Gruesome shouted. ―Clouds are covering the sky like a blanket, you will not have access to the Northern Star!‖ ―I‘ll take that chance.‖ Andrew bent down and inhaled the spirit out of Laura. The moment he pulled away, she shrieked and landed smack down on the ground, her misaligned joints snapped and popped in several places. From either pain, shock, or both, she mercifully lost consciousness after uttering a sharp, piercing cry. He slid his hand below her back and carried her out with him, as gently as he could muster under the circumstances. He held his breath throughout. Outside, gray clouds littered the sky, creating small gaps here and there, none of which were generous enough to show the star he sought. Carrying Laura, Andrew would be out of breath in no time, the risk of exhaling the spirit at the wrong time stood like a honed razor against his neck. Except, he couldn‘t leave Laura the way he found her, and definitely not in that dark, death-engulfed tomb. The odds were piled sky high against Laura, the chance of her survival dim, but there nonetheless. Andrew held on to that prospect the same way he reserved the little air he had in his lungs. 140

Seeker ―This is suicide,‖ Gruesome hissed as he followed Andrew‘s power walk. No, it isn’t. Suicide was what I was contemplating when you came to me with my calling as a Spirit Hunter. He remembered the guilt that dragged him into the depths of the darkest corner of his soul. Sorrow still ached as intolerably as it had when he collected and buried the charred remains of his wife and daughter. This is neither the place nor the time for reminisce. What do you suggest I do? Concentrate on the fact that I’m running out of breath, or the fact that I’m carrying a girl whose every bone and muscle is dislocated or broken and is twisting and whimpering with pain caused by jumbled insides? Or the fact that I might have blown out the only chance I might ever have to find George Darby? Choose. When disaster had struck his family, Andrew had too much time on his hands, and he filled it with his anguish in every possible way. After the funeral, he lost track of things that mattered in life, not eating, not showering, buried deep in his grieving for his dead ones and the worrying about the one laying at the hospital in a semi-catatonic state. For some time, he had even taken up drinking. Eventually, exhaustion rendered him unconscious, and in that heavy stupor, an unknown power had communicated with him as a voice in his mind, promising him hope and revenge. Point taken. Gruesome‘s telepathic response pulled him back from his morose memories. All I’m saying is that if you weren’t there, I would’ve given up on life, on saving my son. But you came, and you were there for me. Gruesome said, You did not appreciate hearing my voice at the time. You thought you lost your mind. Cold sweat broke on Andrew‘s forehead. A burn had settled in his lungs, and now it spread throughout his chest. A spasm throbbed in his arms, as if they would drop their 141

Su Halfwerk load, with or without his blessing. He blinked the sweat away and continued with his power walk. What did you expect? And then what do you do to make me feel better? You go ahead and materialize right in front of me, as mist. What were you thinking? Laura half-opened her eyes and moaned, blood trickled out of the corner of her mouth. I wanted to reassure you. He‘d wanted Gruesome to open up to him. Silent spells and disappearance during a chase weren‘t Gruesome‘s traits. Something was up with his Guide, and Andrew wanted to know what. He cared about him. Andrew went on, Just remember that if you need to chill, you know, like talk about Laymour chicks or relationships, then I’m here for you as well. Okay? Instead of a serious comeback, Gruesome yelled, There is an opening coming up in the clouds! Andrew glanced up. Clouds did move around in a pattern that promised an opening right upon the Northern Star. He stopped his walk, lowered Laura to the ground gently, and faced his Star. The moment it peeked out, he let go of the foul creature in one long agonizing exhale. He then collapsed next to the girl, wheezing and coughing. He tried to smile reassuringly to her. Her blue eyes were wet with tears. She captured a bleeding lip between her teeth to stifle her moans of pain. It occurred to him that he hadn‘t triggered the vibrating effect of his facial features, Laura could probably describe him tomorrow to the police. That didn‘t matter, he knew now she would make it. Without wasting any more time, he rose and scooped her up in his arms. Andrew channeled all his power to his legs, rushing like a bullet through the streets. To an onlooker with sensitive recording equipment, his body would resemble nothing more than a blur, a whisper, an abnormality that 142

Seeker disturbed leaves and critters. The air gliding through his nose and mouth into his lungs felt damn good. Within minutes, he reached the emergency entrance of the hospital and sprawled Laura on the ground. She tried to speak, her chin quivering with all the pressure she had been applying on her lips to repress her groans and moans. He fixed her with a reassuring smile. ―You‘ll be okay, Laura. I promise.‖ It didn‘t matter if her insurance, if she had any, wouldn‘t cover her surgeries, Andrew would take care of that. ―Dear Lord!‖ A plump African-American nurse slammed a hand to her ample bosom and pointed at them from behind the open sliding glass door. Two security guards, a doctor, and nurses from ER rushed toward the door. Andrew rose, backed toward a corner wrapped in shadows, and went still. He cloaked himself with invisibility, and it would remain intact as long as he didn‘t move or allow anyone to bump into him. The two security men searched the area, while a medic rolled a stretcher out to the street. Laura attempted to speak, nurses reassured her, and a doctor snapped orders to vacate an examination room. ―She is safe now. Perhaps you should leave before someone collides with you,‖ Gruesome said. Andrew slunk away from the hospital, exhaustion lending his movement a lazy, almost dreamy feel. ―Gruesome, tell me what‘s happening with you?‖ ―Why do you ask?‖ ―Because you stopped popping into my head, because you left in the middle of a chase, but mostly because I can feel something has changed.‖ ―There is nothing to worry yourself with.‖ Something was up, and it ate at Gruesome. His Guide gave off that unsettling feeling of sadness or despair that only people with romantic, financial, or marital problems 143

Su Halfwerk exuded. When Gruesome had approached him a year after his wife and daughter‘s death, Andrew believed he‘d lost his marbles. Joshua‘s injuries and the sense of loss helped to keep Andrew in control for some time. He had to constantly scramble for money for the doctors, but after sometime, even that strong tie to life weakened. He had contemplated suicide, even considered that Joshua would be better off in the care of a well-to-do family. He thought about just offering him for adoption and then wasting himself. Then that voice in his head spoke up and mollified him with talks of need by Joshua and others. Even with all the cajoling, a sane, more logical part of Andrew resisted. Darby was dead. The firemen had recovered his incinerated remains, and the dental records didn‘t lie. Of course, the knowledge that George Darby‘s loathsome soul was living it up easy and sweet on earth, replaced Andrew‘s hesitancy with firmness of purpose. He itched to get his hands on Darby, even as a spirit. He couldn‘t walk away from Gruesome‘s proposal, with even the slightest chance that he told the truth. No, he couldn‘t miss on the opportunity to avenge his family by sending that twisted bastard back to the Laymour kicking and screaming, and bleeding, too, if possible. As he neared his house, he noticed Gruesome‘s silence. ―You haven‘t said anything about Adoria for some time now. Aren‘t you going to tell me that having her here is a disaster waiting to happen? That I‘m tempting the devil by keeping her in my employment?‖ ―I cannot force you to do the right thing.‖ Andrew jumped over the wall close to the flower garden, the only corner not covered by the surveillance cameras. ―True, but it proves how different you have become.‖ ―Change is inevitable, but in this instance it does not even exist. Some problems at the Dome have unhinged me.‖ 144

Seeker ―The Dome? Isn‘t that where spirits are kept?‖ ―Yes.‖ ―If that‘s the case, then by all means focus on those problems. I‘ve always wondered if you guys have politics like we do down here. You know, like people fighting dirty for power.‖ ―We do not fight for power. However, sometimes things do not work as they should.‖ There was a short pause. ―We have company.‘ ―Freeze,‖ Adoria called from behind, just as he took the first step on the path leading to the main villa. Andrew held his breath and stood still, triggering the vibrating power that rendered his features indiscernible. ―Turn around.‖ When he didn‘t move, she repeated, ―I said turn around,‖ her voice steady. She wasn‘t afraid. He obliged and faced her. She shined a flashlight at his face. She inhaled sharply and cursed under her breath. ―It‘s you again. I‘ll be damned if I let you make me lose this job as well.‖ He frowned. What was she talking about? The way she pointed the beam of light at him reminded him of another woman who challenged him. It clicked then. Adoria was the guard from the firearm shop. His lips stretched in a surprised smile, despite the bang of guilt in his chest for making her go through so much. Now her familiarity during the interview made sense. He didn‘t place her then, not in that breath-taking yellow dress, and not with those dark tresses loose and cascading around her delicate face. Adoria threw a plastic stirrup on the ground in front of him. ―Loop the end into the hole, put your hands through the loop, then pull it with your mouth.‖ Andrew frowned at the piece of transparent plastic lying on the ground and then back at her. Deepening his voice into a rasp, he asked, ―Or what? You‘ll bludgeon me with the 145

Su Halfwerk flashlight?‖ ―I don‘t need a weapon to overcome you, you freak of nature with the shimmying face. You caught me off guard last time. This time I‘m ready for you. I won‘t let you get away.‖ His frown dissolved in a broad grin. He could do nothing to stop it from spreading further. A rumble with Adoria sounded delicious. It would give him that physical contact he had been craving since the kiss they shared. She wasn‘t supposed to be on duty tonight, Andrew was certain of that. How did she find him? The path he chose wouldn‘t bring him on any monitor in the security room. Just then, Adoria took the same stance she assumed with the mugger. She put one foot in front of the other, facing him with her profile. Her dark, smoky eyes trained on him, watching out for every move he made. Funny enough, she still held on to the flashlight. She edged forward with her leading foot, eyeing him closely. Andrew raised an eyebrow at her. ―Gonna kick your ass so hard, you won‘t be able to sit on it again,‖ Adoria said. That made Andrew‘s smile widen even further. His jaw began to hurt. Her fighting style depended mostly on letting her opponent attack first. He held his ground without moving a muscle. She itched to teach him a lesson. He could feel it like a force of nature hitting him in the face. Her only problem was that so far he hadn‘t cooperated to help her start her asskicking lesson. ―Are you going to attack an unarmed and lost man?‖ he rasped his question. His brows lifted as he tried to suppress a grin. ―First of all, you are armed, I know about that little thing in your pocket, and you use magic to trick the eye. Second, 146

Seeker unless that high fence is a hologram and you‘re blind, then I don‘t see how your stroll led you into private property.‖ Ignore her, Gruesome whispered, he sounded tired. She is no more than a distraction in your life. Andrew‘s soft growl made Adoria frown, and she inched closer. I can’t, Gruesome. Please don’t butt in this. Gruesome departed, leaving silence in his wake. With frustration, Andrew raised his hand to rake his hair, and Adoria took it as a hostile gesture. She moved forward with the speed of a gazelle, and seized his hand in a twist. He‘d seen her use the same move on the mugger, so he kept his hand relaxed, allowing her to maneuver it. She twisted her body around until her back faced him for a fraction of a second and that was all he needed. Andrew shifted his legs apart and wrapped his arm around her midsection, trapping her in front of him. The flashlight cluttered to the pebbled ground and went off. Darkness reigned. That lithe curvaceous body held gracefulness and softness at the same time, and Andrew‘s body reacted to her femininity, becoming hard in a blink of an eye. Even when she stepped forcefully on his foot, he simply raised her off the ground. As she struggled to release herself from his iron grip, he caught a whiff of her shampoo, a combination of citrus and flower aromas, a fresh concoction that had him inhale her hair. ―Pervert!‖ She kicked his kneecap. Despite the slight pain in his knee, Andrew laughed. With one swift move, he turned her around to face him, aware that her next kick could do serious damage to a more sensitive part of his body. Her chest pushed against him, while his hardness pressed hard against her flat stomach. With both her hands behind her back, and with his legs wide open on either side of her, she was trapped in his embrace, 147

Su Halfwerk almost within him. ―Why do you insist on fighting with me?‖ he asked, guttural. She went still in his arms, her lustrous smoky eyes stared at him, her head tilted to one side. ―Do I know you? You look familiar.‖ Andrew swore softly, his appearance must have settled. In the middle of the excitement of holding her in his arms, he had carelessly let his guard down and allowed the vibration to cease. Her gaze lowered to his lips. ―Say something,‖ she said. If he spoke this close and without the ‗shimmying‘ effect as she‘d called it, she would recognize him, despite the white eyes, hair, and the un-Andrew Taylor sense of fashion. She gave him another once-over, pausing at his lips again, her confusion obvious. He aimed to distract her from studying his face, take her mind off his looks and disarm her to fashion a smooth exit. His lips scarcely glided over the corner of her mouth, a brush over butterfly-soft skin, no more than that. Yet that light touch inflamed her skin under his lips, and he kissed the corner of her mouth until she closed her eyes in surrender. This was it, his chance to leave and disappear, maybe stand in one corner, very quiet and invisible until she left. He couldn‘t. He felt her warm breath on his face. Just one taste, he convinced himself. Only one. Andrew brought his lips to hers with the intention of keeping it short and sweet, but her entire body clenched, every muscle in it contracted excitingly. He growled, a soft rumble in his chest, a sound she responded to with a moan. It pushed him to the realm of the wanton, desirous, and unknown. Andrew pulled her closer, impressing his body on 148

Seeker hers, living every rich curve and soft rounded contour of her figure. His craving took him over, literal, genuine, increasingly virile, and evidently tenacious. In that moment, Andrew understood the danger he had entangled in. He lusted after Adoria and wanted her for himself, for always. This time, he couldn‘t blame some drug for the way his body reacted to her, the way his heart beat with hers as one. He held her in his arms, enshrouding her, hiding her from the whole world, and felt like an impotent fool who couldn‘t proceed, even though she had opened herself up to him. Frustration tore at Andrew. He should move away now before she opened her eyes and studied his face again. A deafening shriek sounded from the villa and he recognized its source. Joshua!

149

Su Halfwerk

Chapter Thirteen

F

or one moment Adoria floated in heaven, lost in a wild sensibility-numbing sensation, and in the next, her ass landed on the ground with such force that an involuntary ―Oow‖ escaped her lips. The unusual stranger who‘d embraced her trembling body in his arms mere seconds ago, loomed above her, his face turned to the villa, anguish plastered all over it. Heat rushed to her face as she realized what she‘d done. No wonder she lost her previous job. With this kind of promiscuous attitude and lack of focus, who would keep her? Recalling her duty, Adoria scrambled on her hands and knees toward the flashlight and turned it on. Nothing happened. Adoria slammed the flashlight against her palm until it came back on. When she directed its beam of light at the stranger it revealed nothing. He had disappeared without making a sound. Adoria scanned the trees and the flowerbeds and came up with nothing. She was alone. When the shrill screams sounded again, Adoria scrambled to her feet and dashed to the villa. Those shrieks meant one of two things. Either pain or fright propelled their issuer to repeat them with such severity. Sweaty palm wrapped tight around the doorknob, Adoria pushed with all her might against the front door and landed on the floor as it opened easily without resistance. 150

Seeker Following the source of the screams, Adoria mounted the stairs two at a time. When she reached the room where the sound was coming from, Andrew slipped in before her, nothing more than a dark blur. As he passed, he secured his robe around his waist, and gave an extra pull on its belt. In the room, and without asking her any questions, he plopped down on the edge of the bed as Joshua scuffled and turned on the mattress, screaming his lungs out, tears streaming down his flushed cheeks. Pure helplessness and fear marred that youthful face. ―Mammah! Rosy!‖ Joshua yelled in a small voice, a toddler‘s voice. Unsure of what to do, Adoria slid her hand on the wall to turn the light on. ―No!‖ Andrew yelled at her, arms still tangled in his son‘s thrashing limps. Adoria flinched, and jerked her hand back. ―The bright light will scare him even more. He‘ll think it‘s the fire.‖ Dear God, the boy was reliving the death of his mother and sister. ―What can I do?‖ she asked in a quivery voice. Andrew shook his head and concentrated his efforts on his son. He bent down, a couple of stray, tussled blond strands fell on his forehead, and he whispered softly, ―Calm down, Josh. It‘s all over, you‘re safe now.‖ But Joshua had transported himself to another time and place and he wouldn‘t hear of it. He curled against himself and rocked his body, as he howled his anguish. When Andrew gathered him in his arms, Joshua drove his hands and knees into his father‘s midsection with enough force to fling him against the opposite wall. Andrew appeared stunned as he slid down the wall, most probably confused by his son‘s adrenaline-driven force. He rose up, confusion and worry drawing lines across his rigid 151

Su Halfwerk face. He looked, for the first time, unsure of himself. Adoria, still confused, followed her instincts. She approached the mattress slowly, took a couple of precious seconds following and studying the movements of Joshua‘s thrashes. She then launched herself on him— uniform, shoes and all—pinning him to the bed, his limps fixed with either an arm or a leg of hers. She pressed her face to his and urged him to shush gently. Joshua buckled under her, and she tightened her grip on him, afraid of losing her balance and solid hold on him. ―It‘s okay, Josh,‖ Adoria spoke softly, calmly. ―You‘re all right.‖ In the midst of the struggle, her hair came undone, and it fell on Joshua‘s face as she pressed her cheek to his. To her surprise, Joshua‘s flailing subsided a little. He mumbled, ―Mammah?‖ Snapping her head up, Adoria stared at his face. His eyes remained closed. She wondered what made him think she was his mother while he wouldn‘t ease up when his own father held him down. She seized the opportunity served to her on a golden platter. ―Yes, Josh. This is Mammah. Now you sleep, I‘m here.‖ Sharp claws tore at her insides as she watched the bewildered expression on his face. His features switched between joy, fear, and happiness, and then back again. ―But—but the Fire Man…‖ ―Fireman?‖ All of a sudden, Andrew‘s lips were almost on her ear. ―You‘re doing great, Adoria. Keep at it, and don‘t ask him any questions. Just reassure him.‖ With a bang of longing, Adoria felt his warm breath move away as he went back to his pacing. She nodded. ―Josh, your father is here, and he won‘t let the fireman near you, you know that, don‘t you?‖ Joshua frowned. ―Daddy‘s here?‖ 152

Seeker Adoria relaxed her hold on the boy, and settled next to him, gently stroking his wet hair the way she saw him do to sooth himself. ―Oh, yes, he is here.‖ In one wide step, Andrew drew closer to the mattress, knees on the ground, both hands caressing Joshua‘s shoulder. ―I‘m here, Josh. I won‘t let anything happen to you.‖ It broke her heart to see tears streaming out of those emerald deep eyes. She half-expected the tears to leave green trails on Andrew‘s cheek. Andrew tried to ply Joshua‘s arms away from Adoria, but his son wouldn‘t let go. Instead, Joshua buried his face in her neck. Whatever maternal emotions she ever had, has, or would have in the future, kicked in high gear and she returned his hug. ―We‘re both here, Josh. Go to sleep. I‘m watching over you.‖ She expected more resistance, but the boy settled. Adoria ran her fingers through his hair, whispering more assuring words to him, wiping his sweat and tears. Eventually, Joshua‘s breathing slowed down to a soft rhythm and his grip on her waist loosened. She had kept her gaze averted from Andrew‘s face, apprehensive of seeing his tears again, but very much aware of his presence. Now, she glanced at him to ask for permission to leave. Her mouth hung open. Andrew‘s stare bore into her with an incredible force, astonishment written all over his face. Without speaking, she questioned his expression by raising both eyebrows. He reached reverently, over his son, and caressed her cheek. No, not caressed, for when he showed her his index finger, it held a drop of her tears. Lost for words, Adoria smiled to hide her bewilderment. Tears were a rare commodity in her life, something she only did in private. 153

Su Halfwerk ―What are you doing here?‖ Gina asked from the doorway. Adoria slipped from under Joshua‘s arm slowly, and placed her forefinger on her lips. ―Where do you get off giving me orders?‖ the nurse barked. In one swift move, Andrew rose and glared at Gina, an expression Adoria saw only once before on his handsome face. She remembered it from when he had admonished his agent. He grabbed the nurse by the elbow and pulled her to the hall. Adoria pulled the duvet over Joshua and turned to leave, only to find herself stuck behind Andrew, unable to exit the room. She peered around him as he continued his talk with Gina. ―…and I believe the question is where were you when Joshua needed you? He‘s been screaming in his sleep for a long time,‖ Andrew said in a semi-hushed voice. Several emotions traversed the nurse‘s usually well made up face, a self-deprecating one won the race. Her kohl was smudged and her lipstick was smeared around her mouth. When she finally spoke she did so in a hushed tone. ―I—I was too tired from watching Joshua during the day that when he finally slept, I crashed. I guess this is why I didn‘t hear his screams. I‘m terribly sorry about that.‖ She wrung her hands in embarrassment and turned to Adoria. ―I apologize for snapping at you. I‘m too protective of Joshua.‖ Adoria nodded quietly. She could see Andrew‘s profile and was glad that his gaze never roved as low as Gina‘s halfexposed cleavage. ―Fine,‖ Andrew said finally, ―We‘ll talk about this further tomorrow. Let‘s leave Joshua to his peaceful sleep.‖ Gina left, and as soon as Adoria stepped over the threshold, Andrew leaned behind her and pulled the door, leaving it ajar. They stood alone in the corridor. Adoria 154

Seeker turned to go back to the security room, but Andrew placed his hand gently under her elbow, firing small shocks of heat through her body. ―I‘d like to talk with you for a moment, if you don‘t mind.‖ A hysterical laugh almost bubbled out of her mouth. Mind? Why would I mind? He was the second man tonight whose touch had forced her heart to beat at an extraordinary rate. Either she was an easy woman in the making, or an easy lay, but either way she didn‘t appreciate her body‘s betrayal. How could two men in one night turn her on with one touch? ―Sure. Let me just tell Caleb that I‘ll be away for some time.‖ A tic in his jaw, or did he ground his teeth? Andrew narrowed his eyes. ―You‘re on duty with Caleb?‖ ―Yes. It was a last minute thing. Caleb can‘t be here tomorrow morning, so he switched with Steve.‖ ―I see.‖ A faraway look flashed through Andrew‘s eyes. ―Call him from my study then. This way.‖ The study was painted olive green, etched with the same pattern used on his bedroom wall. Light brown window frames broke the monochromatic effect of the color and brought out each shade with sharp contrast. A bright red sofa sat facing a light brown desk. Paintings of dandelions, sunflowers, and black eyed Susan‘s decorated the walls, each featuring skies and rivers to balance the yellow and blue in its subject matter. The collection of colors in the room cheered Adoria‘s spirit, reminding her of spring, its warmth and freshness. Andrew proceeded to a classic burned amber, library wood dresser and opened the doors to reveal two secured shelves and draw-out racks for drinking glasses. When he opened a side door, Adoria made out several shelves of bottles. Her boss had the equivalent of big portable bar in his 155

Su Halfwerk study. ―Would you like a drink?‖ She shook her head. ―I‘m working.‖ ―I knew you‘d say that.‖ He pulled out a Heineken for himself and extracted a bottle opener from a drawer. ―Go ahead, call Caleb. The intercom is by the door.‖ Holding the bottle, he walked to the window and looked out. Adoria pressed the button on the intercom and spoke rapidly into the device. ―Caleb, Andrew would like to speak to me in the villa. I‘ll be back as soon as I‘m done.‖ Caleb chuckled. ―Way to go, Adoria. I‘ll give you half an hour with that—‖ She pressed the button to disconnect the call, interrupting him mid-sentence. Andrew‘s back-muscles shifted in tension at Caleb‘s illchosen words. Lost for her own words, she walked to the middle of the room and asked, ―How often does Joshua get these nightmares?‖ The mention of his son‘s name sagged his shoulders. He ambled to his desk and sat, motioning her to settle on the sofa. ―Since the accident. He was very young and very attached to Jasmine, my wife.‖ He sighed. ―His psychiatrist suggested hypnotism once, a way to drive the memory of the accident into the open and deal with it. The research I did revealed that hypnosis stood a fifty percent chance of success. The other half fell in the realms of relapses and withdrawals. I pulled Joshua out of those sessions.‖ Adoria maintained her silence, her gaze locked with his, listening to him with her heart. Andrew needed to get a load off his chest. ―Frankly, I couldn‘t bear his screams during those sessions, and it didn‘t sit well with my guilt. I might be spoiling him, but he‘d seen enough and I won‘t allow anything else to disturb his peace.‖ He drummed his fingers 156

Seeker on the desk. ―That‘s why I‘m home schooling him as well.‖ Flipping the corner of the lush burnt sienna carpet with her foot, Adoria asked, ―How old was Rosy when this happened?‖ Andrew shut his eyes, as if capturing an image of his deceased daughter behind his eyelids. ―She hadn‘t finished her first year.‖ His voice broke as he uttered the words. Adoria itched badly to go to him and hold his hand. Instead, she asked, ―Why did you say you feel guilty? It wasn‘t your fault, I‘m sure of that.‖ He snapped his eyes open and leaned forward. ―What makes you so sure?‖ ―I‘ve seen the way you treat your son. You strike me as a good father and must have been a wonderful husband.‖ ―Yeah, so wonderful that I wasn‘t there when that twisted arsonist decided to pay them a visit and make a bonfire out of our home. In those days, the shortage of money worried me and I left the house to chase a check for a small petty part in a movie. If I hadn‘t left…‖ Adoria didn‘t know what to say to that. He cast off the somber mood with a shake of his shoulders. ―I wanted to thank you for being here for Joshua tonight. I‘m not sure what happened this time, usually he calms down when he hears my voice.‖ ―Maybe because he‘s growing and his needs are also changing with him. I‘m surprised he settled in my arms.‖ He studied her face. ―I‘m not.‖ She frowned. ―What do you mean?‖ He fingered the dimple in his chin. ―It must be your shampoo. Your hair had the same smell that trailed after Jasmine wherever she went, especially after a shower. I noticed it earlier, and Joshua must‘ve smelled it when you held him. It triggered safety in his head.‖ ―Earlier?‖ she asked in bewilderment. 157

Su Halfwerk He paused as he reached for the beer. ―Hmm?‖ ―You said you smelled it earlier on me. When?‖ Like a door slamming, his expression became guarded, closed. ―In Joshua‘s room, when I came close to whisper in your ear.‖ ―Ah.‖ She lowered her gaze to the ground, unsure why she thought this would mean more. Andrew took a swig of beer and looked at her, as if seeing her for the first time. ―How did you get in?‖ She wondered about that herself. ―Through the front door.‖ He scowled. ―That‘s strange. All doors are locked before we retire for the night.‖ ―I was given to understand the same when Emanuel inducted me. I guess someone forgot to lock it.‖ ―Maybe.‖ He took another swig. ―The security room is too far to hear the screams. Were you close to the villa at the time?‖ ―I—Caleb suggested I take a walk around the property, just a quick check around.‖ When she saw his darkened expression, she felt the urge to defend Caleb‘s order even though she couldn‘t understand why Andrew had that raging look in his eyes. ―I actually like that. Sitting in the same place for long hours can damage brain and body muscles.‖ ―I see.‖ His usually expressive eyes had a metallic glint in them. Adoria laced her fingers together, deciding to come clean with her boss. ―The thing is, I‘ve come across an intruder by the flower garden.‖ He narrowed his eyes. ―And?‖ She licked her lips, aware of the way he watched her closely, the way he looked at her incriminating flush. ―I was, sort of, tangled with him when Joshua started screaming.‖ 158

Seeker Adoria believed her eyes fooled her when she thought she glimpsed a tiny tug on the corner of his lips, as if repressing a smile. ―Are you okay?‖ Better than okay, she‘d almost climaxed in that weirdo‘s arms, she thought. She cleared her throat. ―I‘m fine.‖ Andrew studied her for some time, and she resisted the urge to fidget on her seat. ―Where‘s he now?‖ ―I don‘t know. He disappeared in a blink of an eye. I think we need a camera in that corner of the garden. If I weren‘t there tonight he would have waltzed into the villa.‖ He nodded slowly. ―Leave that to me.‖ Andrew opened a drawer and pulled out a cell phone. ―Keep this cell phone with you. No, before you refuse, it is part of your job to be able to communicate with your team. Steve and Caleb each have a cell similar to this one. I was planning to ask Emanuel to give it to you, but no time better than the present. Please take it.‖ Adoria took the cell phone from him, and her hand brushed his. The jolt that ran through her body startled her. He continued staring at her through half-hooded, gleaming eyes. She cursed her damned blushing inwardly and turned to leave before Andrew decided to ask for more details about the intruder. He spoke suddenly in a tight and controlled tone. ―You‘ve done more than enough around here tonight, so please take a well-deserved break and ask Caleb to take a walk about the property to check in general, without mentioning the intruder to him. Also, I‘d prefer to speak to Emanuel about the intruder, so don‘t discuss it with him until I say so. He‘s very strict and may come hard on you. I‘ll speak to him about the extra security camera at the right time as well.‖ 159

Su Halfwerk Adoria nodded and left. If she conveyed Andrew‘s order to Caleb, he would most probably see too much into it, and before she knew it, one of his disgusting comments would fly out of his mouth about her and Andrew. She would check the grounds on her own. **** As soon as Adoria opened her eyes, all sleep fled, kicked away by pain. She sat on the edge of the bed, listening to the symphony of pops issued by her joints. The intruder had done quite a number on her with his iron grip. Adoria examined the finger marks on her upper arm. Rubbing that sore spot, she considered why her destiny led her to encounter him repeatedly. How did he do that thing with his face? She no longer believed him to be a thief, at least not the average thief one came across breaking into expensive estates wearing a simple ski mask to hide his identity. Perhaps he was some kind of an illusionist, using magic to influence the minds of others. Magic sounded like a good enough excuse to justify her helplessness against his advances the night before. Adoria paused by the bathroom door as a thought snuck up on her and disturbed her newfound resolution. Why did he look familiar? Her bedroom door flung open and in stepped Carla with an expression that had all the signs of a bad afternoon chat. ―I don‘t like your new job.‖ ―And I don‘t like the way you simply walk in and out of my apartment,‖ Adoria answered with a tease and crossed her arms over her chest. Carla‘s brown eyes zeroed in on Adoria‘s arm. ―I‘m your sister, and that gives me the right to have a copy of your 160

Seeker keys and check on you as I wish.‖ She glanced pointedly at her wristwatch. ―Even late in afternoon.‖ With her chin, she pointed at Adoria‘s arms. ―What do you do on that job anyway that leads to getting these?‖ Adoria maintained a passive expression. ―Guarding. Protecting.‖ Carla sighed. ―I thought this is a high profile thing, that you were hired to settle that lawsuit. Look, the pay is good.‖ She placed a hand over Adoria‘s shoulder. ―But I care more about you than the money. I‘m going to speak to Emanuel about this job of yours, maybe less stressful hours, or no nightshifts.‖ Adoria shook Carla‘s hand off her shoulder. ―I like my job and I‘m keeping it, so please don‘t speak to Emanuel on my behalf. And if you‘re worried that I have a little somethingsomething going on with Andrew, then rest assured, I‘m below his station and he doesn‘t see me in that light.‖ Carla‘s lips stretched in a humorless smile. ―And in what light do you see him?‖ It all boiled down to how she felt about Andrew, and Adoria at that stage had no name for those emotions churning within her. ―I just don‘t want you to get hurt, Adoria. You‘re a strong woman, but emotions weaken the strongest of us and make us lose our senses. Attraction works like drugs, and I know all about them.‖ Adoria narrowed her eyes. ―Let‘s not go over the past. I just woke up and would like to have a peaceful day. I can take care of myself.‖ Her sister bit on her lip, swallowing the words that almost tumbled out of her mouth. Before Carla could lose the battle with her tongue, Adoria excused herself and stepped into the bathroom. Inside, she leaned on the door, waiting for the peaceful 161

Su Halfwerk sound of her room door closing. Carla was a fusspot ridden by guilt, and that meant bringing up the past in every conversation. After seeing Carla‘s downfall and their father‘s coziness with a bottle, Adoria became wary of affections. Men equaled pain and sorrow in her dictionary. She didn‘t want any of that. Working, fighting, or talking with them never posed a problem. However, in an actual boyfriendgirlfriend kind of a situation, she often stumbled, extinguishing any spark of emotion before it progressed into anything serious. Leaning with her hands on the edge of the sink, she glanced at herself in the mirror. The haunted look in her black eyes annoyed her. She reached for her toothbrush, squeezed a lump of toothpaste, and brushed her teeth with vengeance. She came to her senses when her gums bled. Eventually, she emerged out of the bathroom and went to her bed, deciding to keep a low profile and to catch up on all those reruns of ‗Married with Children‘ Pru had diligently recorded for her. Soon though, the Bundy‘s banter slipped to the background and her memory took her to the night before. She had returned to the garden after leaving Andrew, without Caleb, and looked for the intruder, even took a tour of the premises, but found no evidence of his visit, or departure. She had allowed him to touch her body and soul. Why hadn‘t she stopped him? How could she feel desire for two men who couldn‘t be any more different? One was a successful mega movie star, and the other most probably a… She couldn‘t even give him a proper adjective. She huffed. For a long time she believed herself immune to the mythology of instant attraction. The men she dated were people she knew for some time and felt comfortable with. 162

Seeker Good, healthy relationships, albeit they lacked the bang she heard so much about. Life had been predictable and safe. Yes, safe, despite losing her long time job at the martial arts school and then the firearm shop. It could become even better if she got off the bed and stuffed something into her growling stomach. From her wardrobe she pulled out a t-shirt and shorts to replace her worn out pajamas. Deciding to forget about the little confrontation with Carla, she made up her mind to act herself and went to her sister‘s apartment food hunting. When she reached there, she opened the door and announced loudly, ―What would it cost me to get fed in this house?‖ She paused as her gaze fell on Peter sitting at the small dining table with Carla, a tray of tea and macadamia cookies between them. Peter rose up, a slight flush deepened the blue of his eyes as he beamed at her. ―Hi, Peter.‖ Carla glowed, an indication of her willingness to let bygones be bygones. ―I‘ll make you a ham and cheese sandwich to avoid ruining your appetite for dinner.‖ Adoria‘s gaze locked on the cookies. ―No need for the sandwich. These cookies will do.‖ Glancing between her and Peter, Carla said, ―I have few things to take care of in the kitchen. By the way, Pru is visiting Carmen across the hall. She‘ll be back by dinner time.‖ Adoria spent some time in idle chitchat with Peter, moving from one mundane topic to another, while she munched her way through the cookies. A commotion sounded in the hall, followed by the door crashing open on its hinges. On its threshold, Carmen stood with her arms wrapped tightly around Pru‘s shoulders. 163

Su Halfwerk Pru‘s nosebleed was minimal compared to the gash oozing rivers of blood on her forehead. Carmen‘s usually rosy complexion was paler than Pru, making the contrast with her jet-black hair more prominent. Adoria gasped and clambered to her feet, flipping her chair backwards. Carla rushed in, wiping her hands on her apron, and froze. Pru‘s expression worked hard to hold back the tears that threatened to spill. Peter took charge of the situation, went to Pru, and led her to his chair. ―Lean your head back. Like so.‖ Adoria turned to Carmen. ―What happened?‖ Carmen blubbered. ―It was all Diego‘s fault. We were in my room, minding our own business when we heard some noise in the street. We looked out of the window and there was Diego, standing below my window, calling out my name to come down to him.‖ Adoria nodded, she knew all about Diego, the bad boy of the neighborhood who was attracted to Carmen. ―Pru told him to just give it up, and then- and then he said something nasty to her that pissed her off. She went down to him.‖ Peter wiped away at the blood until the cut became clear, it wasn‘t as deep as it initially looked. Still, when Adoria got her hands on Diego, he would regret the day he laid eyes on Pru, let alone hands. ―Where‘s Diego now?‖ Carmen sniffled. ―Gone. Pru gave it to him, but he blindsided her with a brick. Luke and the others chased him off.‖ Carla rounded on her daughter. ―How long are you going to keep fighting with boys, huh? You‘re a young woman now and should act like it. My God, Pru, the bleeding won‘t stop.‖ Peter suggested going to a hospital, Pru narrowed her eyes at him and was about to argue, so Adoria settled the matter. ―There‘s a new clinic in the neighborhood, we‘ll take 164

Seeker you there.‖ Peter turned. ―A hospital will be better.‖ Adoria shook her head and reached for one of Carla‘s jackets hanging by the door. ―The clinic is closer and cheaper.‖ Peter opened his mouth to say something, then shook his head giving in to her. He donned his own jacket. ―I‘m coming with you.‖ ―You don‘t have to.‖ Adoria wanted to spare Pru all the unwanted attention this incident had drawn to her. He ignored her and spoke to Pru instead, ―My car is parked right around the corner. Do you feel well enough to walk to it or shall I carry you?‖ Panic flashed in Pru‘s eyes, and Adoria almost smiled. Her niece would lose her tough image in the neighborhood. ―She‘ll walk.‖ She then whispered in Pru‘s ear, ―I just saved your behind from neighborhood dethronement. You owe me.‖ **** Adoria noticed The New Hope Clinic mainly because of its one level structure, which created a kind of a void between the apartment buildings flanking it. They parked Peter‘s car right in front of the clinic and hurried Pru to the reception. Off-white walls surrounded the squarish room furnished with as many black plastic chairs as it could accommodate, only five people waited for their turn. A thin-as-reed, bottle-blonde woman sat behind a desk. She placed a call as soon as they walked in. After a short whispered exchange, she hung up and beamed a welcoming smile at them. ―My daughter got hurt in a fight. It‘s not her nature, but she—‖ 165

Su Halfwerk ―And what‘s your daughter‘s name?‖ ―Prudence Hall,‖ answered Carla, out of breath, but without any evidence of teary eyes. The woman pulled out a couple of forms and handed them to Carla. ―Please have a seat and fill these forms. Someone will be with you shortly.‖ They settled on the plastic chairs, Carla diligently filling out the forms despite the slight tremble in her hand. Adoria turned her attention to Pru. That cut must hurt bad. Pru pressed her lips together, the blanched complexion of her face the only evidence of distress. Heavy steps sounded behind Adoria, someone called her name. She swiveled around, registering the familiarity of the voice. In one professional sweep of their group, Dr. Edward Sebastian set his eyes on Pru. ―What happened here?‖ He placed a hand under her chin and tilted her head up. ―You‘d better come to the examination room with me, young lady. Adoria can fill me in on the details of your battle as I work on the cut.‖ With a loud sniff, Carla stepped forward, using body language to ascertain her place as the birth giver. ―I‘ll go in with you. I‘m her mother.‖ From behind them, the receptionist piped in, ―You have to fill up those forms before the treatment commences.‖ Dr. Sebastian turned to her. Adoria couldn‘t see his expression but the nurse shrank back and sat down, ignoring them. He returned his attention to Carla. ―I‘m Dr. Sebastian. This way please.‖ He ushered her and Pru to one of the small doors lining the short corridor behind the reception. ―I‘ll be waiting here,‖ called Adoria. ―Who was that?‖ Peter asked as she settled back in the chair next to him. 166

Seeker ―He‘s Andrew‘s doctor. I met him at the villa.‖ ―I see,‖ he said coldly. Adoria reached for a worn out magazine. She felt him studying her. ―You don‘t seem overly panicked,‖ Peter said. Adoria shrugged. ―This isn‘t the first scuffle Pru has taken an active part in, and it won‘t be her last. It takes only few words to fire up her fiery nature and get into a fight.‖ She didn‘t add that the fastest way to do so was to mention her unknown father. Heavy silence settled over them and she found herself raking her mind for a mutual topic. ―Should have brought some coffee or something with us, preferably from your shop.‖ A nervous twitch tugged on Peter‘s lips. ―Yeah, that shop is a godsend. I‘m not sure how my life would have been if I didn‘t inherit it.‖ Adoria frowned. ―You inherited the shop? I thought you purchased it from the Columbian couple who owned it before.‖ Her hands played with the corners of a month‘s old magazine. ―No, they only managed it for my mother.‖ His voice had become small, too low to hear. ―How come you didn‘t manage it?‖ He studied his fingers. ―Initially she didn‘t think I could handle it, then she fell ill and I came back to look after her.‖ He shrugged. ―I guess she had a change of heart and amended her will.‖ Adoria wondered about the contents of the will before the amendment. Peter leaned back on the narrow chair, his shoulder brushing against hers. ―It wasn‘t easy.‖ ―What wasn‘t easy?‖ ―Raising me.‖ He rubbed his attilio with a thumb. ―I was 167

Su Halfwerk a problematic teen. Mom spent her time bailing me out of one problem after another. When I grew wiser and changed my ways, we got closer. Still, even on her deathbed she feared I‘d lapse after she passed.‖ ―Did you?‖ Only after voicing the question Adoria felt how interrogatory it sounded. She bit her lip. ―No. I have a purpose now- to keep the business going.‖ Adoria smiled. ―Yeah. That business also brings you lots of cuties who would die for your java.‖ Peter lowered his gaze to the ground. ―Ah, well. I seem to lack the ability to charm some.‖ To change the topic, Adoria said, ―Talking about teen years, I have a bit of a predicament involving a kid. Being a guy and all, I thought you might be able to suggest how to get close to him.‖ He frowned. ―Someone I know?‖ ―No, I know him through my job. He‘s a bit shy.‖ Adoria uncrossed her legs and made space for an elderly man to pass in front of her. ―I think he has the potential for more but keeps things locked in.‖ ―How old is he?‖ ―He‘s fourteen. His younger life wasn‘t too easy. I want him to know that he can count on me. I‘m just not sure how to do that in a subtle way.‖ Peter chuckled. ―Adoria, queen of lost causes.‖ She stared at him for some time, without smiling or acknowledging his poor attempt at a joke. Joshua was not a lost cause, no kid was. Peter pulled himself straight on the chair and cleared his throat. ―I‘m not an expert but I can tell you what I remember from my experience. Most probably, he sees the whole world as his enemy, or as an uncaring bunch of people, or as a source for further abuse, if he‘d been abused. These are the three things that will make a kid his age withdraw.‖ He 168

Seeker considered it for a moment. ―If you try the direct approach, you will come across as too eager, and instead of gaining his trust, you‘ll alienate him even further.‖ She pursed her lips. ―That‘s what I‘m scared of.‖ He nodded. ―Stop thinking of ways to get close to him. It‘ll happen naturally. If you relax, you‘ll most probably say or do something that‘ll draw his attention. Don‘t go to him, let him come to you.‖ Adoria studied Peter‘s earnest face as he spoke. His advice felt true. She couldn‘t come up with any drawbacks except that Joshua might never come to her. She decided to try it out. She could almost feel Joshua‘s loneliness. She knew all about it during her childhood. It wasn‘t easy, with her father drowning his grief over the death of her mother in bottles of cheap liquor and Carla‘s downfall due to drugs, Adoria had learned to take care of herself and others from an early age. Still, it seeped through her soul and colored her life a pale gray. Master Dae-Jung took note of her haunted presence in the neighborhood and distracted her from that loneliness by teaching her all he knew about Hapkido. In return, she learnt fast and well, and went through all levels of Hapkido. The art of relaxation helped in keeping her demons at bay and gave her an optimistic outlook on life. Fingers snapped in front of her face. Peter said, ―Where did you drift to?‖ She shook her head and smiled weakly, grief raising its head and sending sad stabs into her heart. ―I was thinking of Master Dae-Jung.‖ ―He was a good man. Pity his brother is nothing like him.‖ ―Well, I knew Chung-Ho‘s nature during the Master‘s life, but as soon as the Master passed away, he wasted no time in getting his claws on the school.‖ 169

Su Halfwerk Peter tilted his head to the side. ―And firing you.‖ ―And firing me. I guess telling the Master about his embezzlements didn‘t put me in Chung-Ho‘s good books.‖ His gaze travelled to her lips. She felt uncomfortable. Heavy, irritating silence settled on them, and the longing in Peter‘s eyes didn‘t help matters. If anything, she felt trapped and caged. Despite Peter‘s good qualities, he didn‘t compel her heart to beat fast or force her breath out in short shudders, or send heat in tiny little waves into her center. Andrew did—that stranger did. Suddenly she wanted out of those walls that pressed on her, wanted to be some distance from Peter, who darted puppy glances at her. Adoria sighed, and when Peter looked at her quizzically, she said, ―I wish I could take a walk. Walking calms me down. Whenever I get a break at my job, I take a stroll around the property.‖ ―What made you choose that job?‖ ―It chose me. I couldn‘t get a job anywhere, especially with no letter of recommendation from the school.‖ ―That bastard Chung-Ho wouldn‘t even do that much for you?‖ Peter clamped his hands into fists. Adoria frowned. His sudden change of temperament and language surprised her. A cheerful Carla, a bandaged Pru, and a smiling Edward saved her from an awkward situation as they entered the lobby. While Carla settled on a chair to finish filling up the forms, Adoria went to Edward. ―There‘s nothing to worry about. Pru was brave through the stitching and winced only twice.‖ In the clinic‘s unkind fluorescent light, Edward‘s hair seemed to have more gray in it. Surprisingly, it didn‘t add years, it emphasized charisma. 170

Seeker ―Once only, when you injected me with that painkiller,‖ piped Pru from her seat, obviously the painkiller already in action. Adoria grinned at her niece. That kid is so adorable. And yes, I’m being a very prejudicial aunt. ―Will she need to come and see you again?‖ ―Not really. You‘ll need to dress the wound twice a day during the first week, after that once should do.‖ Adoria thanked Edward and shook hands with him. ―Is this your clinic?‖ With a high profile patient like Andrew, she wondered why he would have his clinic in a poor neighborhood like theirs. He chuckled and adjusted his glasses. ―No, I volunteer a few hours a week to help people, sort of paying society back. I grew up around here. My mother still lives around the corner, refusing to move to a better apartment.‖ ―Valuing her independence, huh?‖ He beamed a genuine smile at her. ―You understood her without even meeting her. I think she‘d like you.‖ The more Adoria spoke to him, the more she liked him. After giving the receptionist the forms and payment, they stepped out into the night. Peter pulled his jacket tight around him as they walked to his car. He asked Carla with a hint of sarcasm in his voice, ―Are they as charitable as they claim to be?‖ Carla frowned, ―Claim? What do you mean?‖ Adoria turned to Peter. ―Why? Did you hear it‘s some sort of scam?‖ He shrugged. ―No, but who would do real charity nowadays?‖ ―You are one jarred man, Peter Moyer. Why can‘t it be real?‖ Adoria squinted at him in the street‘s weak light and joined her sister and niece, wishing they could walk back home instead of riding with him. 171

Su Halfwerk

Chapter Fourteen

H

igh-intensity searchlights traversed the night sky like a beacon for star-seeking devotees. For the premiere of ‗Scandalous Affair,‘ people gathered in large numbers outside the legendary Avenue Walk Theater, held off by makeshift barricades erected by the police for crowd control. Andrew glanced through the tinted window of the stretch limo at the masses of fans waiting for the next actor, or director, or producer to step out. A few years ago this was just a dream, one that grew dim as days passed, especially after Joshua was born. In those days, the certainty that he must give up his aspiration of becoming a movie star in favor of a steady job to feed his family drove him to insomnia, and then to edgy outbursts. He glanced reassuringly at Adoria. She searched his face for something but he wasn‘t sure what. She nodded to him. Her pressed lips were a testament to her growing apprehension of the responsibility awaiting her. When the limo stopped, she climbed out and stood by the door, holding it for him, Megan, and Helen Darwin as per Emanuel‘s detailed instructions. The Head of Security had already climbed out. Andrew was distracted by the way Adoria‘s simple silver pants and waistcoat hugged and outlined her petit, yet curvaceous figure in a desire-escalating fashion. When he stepped out, shouts, demands for attention, and 172

Seeker hollers of his name echoed from the crowd around him. Camera flashes sparked and dimmed like fireworks, blinding him for a moment. Andrew smiled and waved to his fans, then faced the limo and adjusted the cuffs of his tux. He offered his hand to Helen and drew her out of the limo. A semi-surprised hush fell on the crowd, perhaps because of the tabloids‘ numerous reports of a scandalous tangle with her, or perhaps because they expected Megan. Helen looked amazing in her short, strapless, molten metal dress that left very little to the imagination. Her ginger hair cascaded in long, straight strands over her ivory shoulders. Yet, in front of the simply and professionally attired Adoria, Helen lost the battle. Maybe it was the shy smile Adoria flashed as his eyes roamed her face again, or her bouncy ponytail that settled richly on one shoulder, or the big dark eyes that dipped away the moment they touched his. Andrew wasn‘t sure, but her simplicity and straightforwardness attracted him more than Helen‘s polished façade. Then he drew Megan out. She‘d smoothed her red tresses with gel and combed it back with a neat little curl at the ends. The long glittering amber dress hugged her figure, bringing out the narrowness of her waist and emphasizing her height. However, the first thing that drew people to her was always her eyes, and they sparkled now with mischief as she pecked his cheek, marking him as hers. Fans cheered loudly, having been in love with the fantasy of them dating. Reporters burned their flash bulbs snapping shots of him as he poised between Megan and Helen, arms surrounding each one‘s waist. With both ladies flanking him, Andrew sauntered toward the fans, driven by frenzy now to capture his attention. He smiled at his audience and reached out to the first 173

Su Halfwerk outstretched autograph. Emanuel and Adoria hovered at either side of him, one watching forward, and the other behind. Helen and Megan remained by his side, perfectly braced for the cameras, looking elegant and beautiful, answering questions with a smile whenever a reporter threw one at either one of them. Andrew glimpsed a kid who had pushed his way through the crowd, his pudgy hands holding a small notepad. Andrew ruffled the kid‘s hair. ―Who do I make this to?‖ ―Sheila, my mother.‖ He rubbed the corner of his eye. ―She‘s very sick. This will cheer her up.‖ Andrew‘s hand paused with the pen braced on the paper. ―What‘s your name?‖ ―Matthew.‖ Andrew scribbled on the notepad and returned it with a grin. He turned to another fan and couldn‘t repress a smile when he heard the boy‘s joyous squeak, most probably when he saw what Andrew had written. ―You‘re gaining fans by the thousand every day,‖ Malcolm said, who had snuck up on him and stood by his side. ―What did you write?‖ Andrew threw a side-glance at Malcolm. ―A small note to let her know what a special boy she has, who must‘ve waited for hours to keep his spot at the front row.‖ Malcolm popped his head up and down. He‘d been trying his best to remain on Andrew‘s good side. He‘d heeded Malcolm‘s advice and invited Helen to join him and Megan at the premiere. This act should quill the rumors surrounding their disastrous dinner. Tabloids, magazines, and even some serious entertainment programs had speculated about the clash they had at the restaurant, despite his and Helen‘s publicists‘ efforts to rip the speculations. Andrew stilled. Through the crowd, he glimpsed flashes 174

Seeker of sick yellow auras, an evidence of the presence of possessed people. The number of those infected auras alarmed him, for he had never seen so many in one place before. Gruesome. Do you see what I see? Yes. This is most disturbing. Andrew sniggered at Gruesome‘s understatement. I can’t even keep track of them. There are so many and they move and mingle with others, giving me no time to mark a face for a later confrontation, Andrew answered telepathically without losing the smile plastered on his face. ―Hey, Andrew, sign these,‖ shouted a young blonde with a gothic makeup hiding most of her features. She lifted her tight black t-shirt and flashed him her perfect pair of breasts. He laughed and rolled his eyes, taking the opportunity to check Adoria‘s expression. Despite Emanuel‘s studious hours of preparing her for the premiere, her face displayed a combination of surprise, anger, and jealousy. Of all of her emotions, he liked her jealousy best. It felt right. His chuckle deepened and he responded to his fan, ―Wouldn‘t you want me to sign somewhere where it will stay on?‖ Without losing a beat, the girl said, ―Who said I will ever shower after you sign?‖ He laughed and winked at her. Next to him, Helen giggled, relishing the attention around them. While Megan took a step forward, a playful smile on her face, as though to tell the girl he was taken already. The crowd loved the display. ―Hey, isn‘t that Andrew Taylor‘s bodyguard? I thought she was his date‘s secretary.‖ Andrew froze, every cell in his body screaming at him to protect Adoria from the savageness of rumors. A tidal wave moved within the crowd to examine Adoria, some even 175

Su Halfwerk directed their cameras at her. She‘d regained her expressionless mask and her eyes roamed the crowd for possible threats, but a blush appeared high on her cheeks. Even Helen‘s giggles subsided. Megan, bless her, moved closer to Adoria. ―Hey, what‘s your name?‖ shouted a fan. Adoria didn‘t answer him. By now, the news of her presence reached the reporters and entertainment news anchors, some of whom had their microphones ready in hand, interviewing celebrities. The need to protect her overrode Andrew‘s sense of charming his fans and the news hounds. ―Yes, this is my personal bodyguard. Don‘t let her size fool you, she packs quite a punch.‖ Megan nodded with a mock-solemn face as though Adoria had hit her, a smart move that ridiculed the news about Adoria slapping Helen. This seemed to pacify the fans, but the paparazzi and reporters zeroed in for the kill. With one glance at Emanuel, the older man moved closer and ushered Helen, Megan, and Andrew back to the red carpet, muttering that Justin Colbert, the star of the movie, was waiting inside the theater to meet him. Andrew positioned himself between the crowd and Adoria, without undermining her job to protect him. Next to him, Helen huffed. ―Did you have to bring this one with you?‖ she muttered in a low voice. Before he could open his mouth, Megan flashed Helen a smile. ―Yes, to fix your shit and show people that all three of us, me, you, and Adoria, are in synergy. By the way, my synergy tells me to teach you a lesson for what you‘ve tried to do to Andrew. If I was in the country on that night, I would‘ve fixed your itch with—‖ Andrew let out a loud chuckle, a hearty one. Helen looked more mortified than angry. ―Helen, smile at Megan. 176

Seeker Cameras are rolling.‖ No one expected how foul Megan‘s speech was until they sat with her for three seconds. She genuinely saw nothing wrong with her vocabulary, even though it sometimes got her in more trouble than she could handle. He said, ―To answer your question, Helen, yes, I had to bring her. I‘ve hired her because of that lawsuit that took place during a similar event, so her presence is necessary.‖ Helen set her jaw and flashed her teeth to the crowd. She even ran a hand through her hair, and waved at a camera pointed at them. He let the matter drop and walked on to the theater, with few waves here, a smile there, and a promise for an interview elsewhere. Though he had been to the Avenue Walk before, its interior décor never failed to impress him, with its dazzling representation of exotic modernistic motifs. People lounged about, chatting to each other or giving interviews to whoever was interested. Helen and Megan slipped through the crowd, mingling with other people, meeting old friends, or just badmouthing others, like Megan liked to do. Megan rushed back to him, leaned and whispered, ―Mila is here. Yay.‖ Off she went again. Andrew watched her, a smile stretching his lips. She had to be an elfin reincarnation. With no escorts to pay attention to, Andrew concentrated his senses on Adoria next to him. She switched her glances between guarding him and her own amazement at the elaborate wall frescoes depicting modern sweeps of bold cherry, gamboges, and olive green. He slowed his pace to allow her a moment to appreciate the exceptional, intricate chandelier that hung from the high ceiling and provided the main source of illumination in the otherwise dimly lit hall. He leaned toward her. ―You can relax here. Only actors, producers, and directors are allowed in this hall. Maybe a 177

Su Halfwerk couple of high profile reporters, but that‘s it. After a couple of interviews we will be ushered to our seats to watch the movie in total bliss for an hour and a half.‖ She nodded, her jet-black eyes still studying the crowd. Andrew wondered if Emanuel had spent hours with her in front of the mirror showing her how to mimic his severe expression. Helen appeared out of nowhere next to him, and glanced at him quizzically. He looked around. Dammit, they were standing right in front of the mega news piranha Tim Balatchi from Glamour Edition. He drew an apologetic smile on his face and turned to Tim and his cameraman. ―Sorry, Tim, didn‘t hear you over the hubbub around.‖ Tim simpered. ―I said that while you‘re not starring in ‗Scandalous Affair,‘ your fans seem to follow you wherever you go. What can you tell them about the rumor that you‘ll be taking part in the animated movie Ms. Darwin is producing?‖ He glanced once at Helen with a smile she returned, then faced the camera again. ―We‘re still in talks about it but it seems I will be lending my voice to the movie. I like its concept.‖ Tim narrowed his eyes. ―So, you‘re not anticipating any troubles? For some time your fans expected the project to fall through because of that unpleasant incident when you dined with Ms. Darwin.‖ And there was the slam dunk. Andrew expected no less from Tim. He shook his head, a frown creasing his forehead in a mused expression. ―That was indeed unpleasant. Rushing out of the restaurant with a sudden abdominal pain ruined a very lovely evening. It was embarrassing as well.‖ ―We heard it was more than that.‖ Tim‘s dead gray gaze shifted to Adoria. 178

Seeker Stay focused, Andrew told himself. ―Some news get exaggerated and blown out of proportion.‖ He turned to Helen for her part. She beamed her most stunning smile. ―All kinds of rumors flew around our dinner, which was ruined by mistimed cramps.‖ Tim seemed to consider Helen‘s words. Andrew breathed deep and was about to excuse himself when Tim turned to Adoria and threw his next question at her. ―You‘re Andrew‘s personal bodyguard?‖ Her eyes went wide with surprise and she nodded once, perhaps sensing that this man shouldn‘t be ignored. Nonetheless, Andrew wanted to warn her, anything she said, no matter how innocent, would be turned into something tasteless. ―What do you say about that incident at the restaurant?‖ She glanced at Andrew, and he nodded briefly, hoping his trusting expression would show his support. ―Nothing out of the ordinary. It could have happened to anyone.‖ Her response, terse and to the point, seemed to irk Tim enough to press his lips together. A light tug on Andrew‘s sleeve forced him to take his eyes off Adoria. Helen smiled up at him and whispered, ―Ease up, you‘re tense. There are cameras around.‖ He wanted to shrug her hand off him, to step up to Tim and smash the anchorman‘s nose. He remembered Adoria‘s confidence and resilience during their first meeting in the alleys, during the mugging, and in the restaurant. He believed in her. She had proved herself capable of not only rising above pressure, but also kicking its ass. Emanuel, for his part, still studied the crowd, but edged close enough to concentrate his attention around Andrew, or to listen in. ―So, you didn‘t slap Ms. Darwin?‖ Tim dropped the 179

Su Halfwerk bombshell on them, just when Andrew thought the interrogation was over. The astonishment on Adoria‘s face was genuine, Andrew suspected the reason behind her surprise that someone would bring this up in this manner. The surprise dwindled into a sweet smile directed at the camera. ―If I did that I wouldn‘t be here today. Mr. Taylor would‘ve fired me.‖ ―Are you saying it never happened?‖ Adoria shook her head. ―My hand never touched Ms. Darwin‘s face at any time. The matter is highly exaggerated.‖ Her sincerity irritated Tim, his knuckles turned white around the mike and he opened his mouth to voice another question. ―Hey, Andrew,‖ called a familiar voice. Thankful for the interruption, Andrew turned to his long time contender, Justin Colbert. ―Will be right with you, Justin.‖ He returned to Tim. ―Excuse me, Tim. I must speak to Justin.‖ Adoria followed him to the smaller inner room where celebrities sipped, chatted, and mingled among their kind, without the media‘s watchful eyes. Helen greeted Justin with a kiss on the cheek and left with her assistant to meet other people. Might as well. Their agreement included arriving and leaving together, nothing about staying together throughout the evening. Thank God for that. ―I saved you out there, even though you stole, yet again, the public‘s attention from me,‖ Justin said, one eyebrow raised, a cynical smile on his lips. ―Congratulations on the premiere of the movie.‖ Andrew glanced behind him once and added, ―Can‘t say I didn‘t expect that question but I didn‘t anticipate that they would go after Adoria.‖ Justin raised an eyebrow. ―That‘s your new bodyguard?‖ 180

Seeker ―Yeah.‖ Justin crunched a piece of carrot, his way to hold back his constant need to smoke. ―You‘d better watch out though, it was clear to everyone the protectiveness flowing both ways between the two of you.‖ Justin‘s muddy-blue gaze travelled up and down Adoria‘s back. ―Frankly, I don‘t blame you. I would love for that body to guard mine.‖ Andrew drew so close to Justin, their noses almost touched. ―Speak about her like this one more time, Justin— one more time—and you won‘t have a body to worry about.‖ The other actor took a step back and raised both hands in a defensive gesture. ―I‘m just saying what most men around you are thinking. Anyway, moving on to important topics, is it true that you turned down Duncan‘s action flick?‖ Andrew breathed through his mouth. ―I don‘t see myself in action movies.‖ Justin made no attempt to hide his joy with the news. Andrew rubbed the corner of his mouth and studied the other man closely. ―Are you going for it?‖ ―Nah. You know how he insists on using the lead actor more than a stuntman. Going for love scenes myself is great, but I need a double for stunts.‖ It meant that Justin wanted that role, and badly. Over the years, Andrew had become Duncan‘s first choice for romantic leads, having discovered him mere weeks after Jasmine and Rosy‘s deaths. Andrew‘s disheveled state and haunted eyes at the time made him the perfect anguish-filled hero. He delivered his lines with sincerity. Duncan couldn‘t bring him onboard because the studio had already signed the contract with Justin at the time and couldn‘t get out of it without a lawsuit. Since then, rivalry between Andrew and Justin, and Andrew‘s subsequent decline to enter an auction over his fees, made many directors settle for Justin over him. 181

Su Halfwerk That was fine with Andrew. He targeted only beefy roles that served to further his career. However, if Duncan‘s directorial focus was shifting to action movies, Andrew‘s outright refusal would put Duncan under Justin‘s mercy. Excusing himself from Justin, Andrew wandered around the room, greeting people and making sure that many saw him. Adoria and Emanuel took turns trailing after him or standing in one corner to guard him. Before each switch, Emanuel would mumble something into his microphone and Adoria would tilt her head and nod. He excused himself from the people he was standing with and nodded once to Emanuel indicating his intention to enter his box. Emanuel returned the nod and mumbled rapidly in his surveillance clip-on microphone. Emanuel came to him. ―Mr. Taylor, is anyone joining you in your private opera box?‖ Andrew glanced around him. ―I don‘t think so. Megan will probably hang with Mila who‘s awakened in her an interest in acting.‖ Emanuel positioned himself by the entrance to the box while Adoria followed Andrew in. **** Finally, peace and quiet, Adoria thought to herself as she followed Andrew into his box. Not literal silence, of course, since the movie was about to start and she was still on duty. She leaned with her head on the wall behind her. At least, in here, there were no reporters. Andrew shifted on his seat and turned towards her. ―Take a seat, Adoria. This will take some time.‖ She shook her head. ―I‘m fine this way.‖ To her horror, he rose and reached for her hand over the four velvet chairs in the box. ―I‘m not doing you a special 182

Seeker favor or going out of my way for you. If Emanuel and Steve were with me, the one inside would sit.‖ She shifted uncomfortably on her feet. Sitting would be nice. Andrew ran a hand through his hair. ―For God‘s sake, sit. If you‘re worried about attention, then I assure you we will draw more watching the movie on our feet.‖ With a lump stuck in her throat, Adoria conceded and chose a seat on the second row. He smiled and sat next to her. It grated on her nerves, the whole evening similarly. She liked Megan, a lot. How could she not? She was fun, funny, and light on the heart, despite the flow of obscenities that flew out of her mouth at the oddest of times. When they were about to leave the villa, Andrew had told Megan that they would be picking Helen Darwin on their way. Megan had added some colorful and creative adjectives to Helen‘s name. Just then, Joshua strolled in and Megan turned to a statue, her eyes darting from one side to another like a trapped animal suffering from a severe cramp in the mouth. Helen, however, was another story. Adoria forced herself to be polite to the woman, though inside she burned with a desire to use her for a Hapkido practice. ―Are you comfortable? Would you like something to drink?‖ Why couldn‘t he stop being so caring and sensitive to her needs? She shook her head and kept her gaze riveted on the blank screen. Then she remembered her duty. Am I supposed to ask him those questions? Adoria stiffened. She was his bodyguard and not a waitress. Let him get his own drink. ―Adoria?‖ His voice, manly, strong, and demanding her attention slipped on her skin like a tight-fitting glove. ―Hmm.‖ That was all she could muster. His closeness, the smell of his citrusy perfume, and the warmth of his body were too much. His nearness overwhelmed her senses and 183

Su Halfwerk pushed them into overdrive. She couldn‘t trust her voice to come out right. ―I apologize for Justin‘s crude remark. He‘s all talk and no action.‖ ―Funny you said that, no action, since he‘s planning to take the action movie you refused.‖ She clamped her lips. This was none of her business. Up until now he spoke facing the screen. His sudden turn of the head made her flinch. ―What makes you think he‘s planning to take it?‖ ―His body language.‖ Andrew still looked bewildered. ―His eyes where roaming all over the place when he denied his interest. While when he spoke about me, he looked you in the eye. I saw his reflection in the mirror.‖ After a brief moment of silence, Andrew nodded. ―He‘ll never come near you.‖ She shrugged, unsure of what to say to him. He turned fully toward her. ―I mean it. He crossed the line with the way he spoke about you.‖ He was busy worrying about her, while she feared she ruined his career. ―Andrew, did I make things worse when I answered that reporter?‖ He laughed softly and rested his arm on the armrest between them. ―On the contrary, you were great.‖ The movie started then and Andrew gave it his undivided attention. Adoria studied the theater for possible troubles. Rows of bright red seats took most of the space in the immense auditorium, matching the red and clean carpeting covering the floor. Overhead, a prominent dimmed chandelier hung from a massive, elaborate ceiling strewn with a ring of icons portraying characters from olden box office busters. Smaller neon induction lamps spread their warm glow at the sides of the auditorium, hanging between elaborately carved stone 184

Seeker columns. Finally, her study of the theater ended with Andrew‘s profile, his roman nose, dewy eyes, and the way his lips pursed in concentration as he followed the movie. She decided to follow his advice and relax, just enjoy the movie. Think of it as a-as a date. She scowled at the thought. Where did that come from? Watching Andrew‘s face, remembering the way he stood up for her in front of his agent, Justin, and the reporter, Adoria astounded herself by discovering that she was falling for him, big time. The dive-without-surfacing type. He must never know how she felt, because his rejection would be her end. **** Adoria couldn‘t believe her eyes. Despite Justin‘s overacting, swollen with vanity expressions, and overall lack of talent, the movie had the potential to become a blockbuster. The heroine, Emily Hunt, carried the movie solely on her slender shoulders. Pity, some of the movie‘s success credits would go to that buffoon, Justin. The plot, though not original, was notable. After dying at his mistress‘ apartment, the hero, Justin, returned to haunt his wife, Emily‘s nights with his romantic advances. Adoria couldn‘t hold back her tears when Emily found herself torn between the real world, where a decent man loved her sincerely, and the fantasy world, where a spirit haunted her nights by showing her different ways to ignite their dead passions. Mr. Perfect had discovered how much he loved his wife after his death. Adoria sniffled. Out of nowhere, a white handkerchief appeared before her. She glanced at Andrew. 185

Su Halfwerk He took her hand in his, his voice nothing more than a whisper. ―Take it, Adoria.‖ She shook her head, dismayed that he saw her this way, obviously not paying enough attention to her job and acting like a major watering can. Andrew, ever so gently, wiped her tears with his handkerchief and then returned it to his pocket, without releasing her hand. His thumb rubbed the back of her hand gently, and she swallowed hard. She would not look at him, wouldn‘t let him see how that simple gesture of his made her mouth go dry and her lips quiver uncontrollably. ―Look at me,‖ he said in a guttural, hoarse murmur. She obeyed. The passion burning in his eyes undid her. If she were standing, her legs would have buckled under her weight. ―Are you okay?‖ His eyes searched her face. She smirked. ―Tough Adoria cries in the movies.‖ She sobered up. ―I‘m really sorry, don‘t know what came over me.‖ ―I suspect that Emily did. I can‘t give Justin the credit for your tears.‖ She laughed, and lungs tightening, looked up to him. With a combination of excitement and dread, she realized he was going to kiss her, his intention evident in those warm compelling green eyes. He lifted her hand to his mouth and kissed her palm. The touch so light it unfurled her nerves, bringing them to life to strain greedily for more. Her hand moved of its own device and caressed his cheek. Andrew covered it with his, pressing it hard against his skin. They drew closer until their lips met. Theater, people, movie, and the world disappeared. Adoria sensed only his lips on hers, warm, full, seductive, and consuming. He desired her. She could feel it, could even 186

Seeker hear it in the soft moan that escaped him when she lapped the corner of his mouth. His hand released hers and rested just below her breast. No kneading or circling, but simply there. The gesture was appreciative, almost worshiping, and she had no words to say to him but to whimper under his touch. She wrapped her arm around his neck and whispered his name. ―I‘m here,‖ his hoarse voice came out as nothing more than a murmur. Exulting in it, she panted for more. Suddenly, he pulled back from her, his head tilted to one side as though listening to something. His eyes roamed her face with worry. Adoria experienced a brief flash of disorientation at the swift change that claimed his previously soft expression. He already regretted their second kiss, and this time, there was no drug to blame. The curtains on their box‘s door were snatched open with a loud whoosh, allowing a weak ray of light from the hall to sneak in. Adoria turned around, two bulky figures and a slender one in the middle blocked the way. With a growl, Andrew sprang to his feet facing the strangers, pulling her up and behind him. Adoria snapped out of her fluffy state, remembering her duty as his bodyguard. ―Stay behind me,‖ Andrew said. She wouldn‘t hear of it and moved in front of him. This wasn‘t a movie, this was real life. ―Who are you? And what are you doing in Mr. Taylor‘s box?‖ she demanded. With a heated oath that would shame a seasoned sailor, Andrew ordered her again to back off. ―We have no qualms with you,‖ the slender one said to Adoria in a familiar feminine voice. ―Move aside and let us 187

Su Halfwerk deal with our hunter.‖ Adoria blinked, then glanced around. Was she being punked? It sounded like a movie dialogue, a disjointed and an unrealistic one. Before she knew what he was doing, Andrew wrapped his arm around her waist and hauled her behind him, closer to the balcony again. The uninvited guests chose that moment to launch their attacks at Andrew, while his back was turned. Her eyes widened. Andrew‘s gaze registered her surprise at the same moment someone punched him in the side. A breath escaped Andrew and she pushed against his arms to release herself. ―Damn it, Andrew. Let go. This isn‘t a movie. This is my job!‖ ―Stay behind me, Adoria. That‘s an order,‖ he said through gritted teeth, and faced them. He lashed punches and slugs at their attackers, the only thing visible was the swift, almost blurred, motion of two white cuffs. Adoria couldn‘t follow his movement. His punches weren‘t dished out blindly. One such slam bashed the head of one ogre, while the other bounced the head of the second attacker against the wall. ―Gruesome how many are there?‖ Andrew asked. He crouched, and with one fisted hand deflected a direct punch to his face. Adoria was lost. In front of her stood a man who didn‘t need any guarding, a man well versed in the arts of selfprotection and pain delivery, one who happened to speak to himself at the oddest of times. Every time she tried to bypass Andrew to defend him, he blocked her way and kept her trapped between him and the balcony. He grabbed one attacker by his lapel and hammered punches to his face, while the other moaned, slumped on the back of a chair. Adoria hailed Emanuel on her mike, but he didn‘t answer. From the corner of her eye, she detected a slight 188

Seeker movement, the slim woman was sidling the wall toward the balcony. Adoria turned in time to see the woman launch herself at her with one big leap, intent on pushing Adoria over the balcony in a deadly tumble. Adoria sidestepped from her original position and held the snarling woman in a vicious embrace. The stunt pushed Adoria‘s back against the balcony‘s low railing. One glance behind and she knew she was very close to falling. People below gathered and pointed toward the balcony. Murmurs drifted like a wave across the theater. The woman tugged Adoria‘s ponytail hard enough to make the roots hurt. She jerked Adoria‘s face closer, her own lips stretched grotesquely. ―You will become a collateral damage to teach him a lesson. How about that?‖ The woman threw her head back and cackled. Not believing her ears, or eyes, Adoria gasped. The woman holding her hair in a painful grip was no other than Emily Hunt, the heroine of the movie. The dimness of the hall, even the shifting light of the screen, couldn‘t hide that fact. Adoria inhaled deeply and balanced herself on both feet, in preparation to fight the woman off. ―No she won‘t.‖ Andrew growled from behind Emily. He grabbed Adoria and Emily in a fierce bear hug and hauled them both away from the balcony. The rest of the box was now empty. By then, a definite commotion swept through the crowd below. Emily sneered at both of them. ―Till next time.‖ She took off. ―Are you okay?‖ Andrew‘s hands ran briskly over Adoria‘s trembling body, checking for injuries. ―I‘m fin—Emanuel!‖ These people wouldn‘t have passed Emanuel if he were still on his feet. She broke free from Andrew‘s searching hands and rushed out. 189

Su Halfwerk Emanuel was crumbled on the floor not moving, face down, blood pooling around his head. A bloody metal rod rolled around in his blood, creating annoying patterns and jarring noises. Adoria went to her knees. Her hand rested on Emanuel‘s back. ―Emanuel?‖ Andrew crouched next to her and felt for Emanuel‘s pulse. ―Weak but still there. Call 911, and don‘t move him.‖ Tears swept her cheeks in a flood. ―Emily Hunt was one of them.‖ Adoria fumbled for her cell phone. ―Why would they come after you and in this fashion? How can she be so strong?‖ Andrew averted his eyes, hands in his pocket. His Adam‘s apple bobbed up and down. ―I wish I can explain. I really do, but I can‘t.‖ Nose flaring every breath, he appeared restless and eager to move. He was furious. Adoria wondered how she ever saw him as a spoiled actor. Emanuel moaned on the ground. ―Call now, every minute counts. I‘m going after them.‖ Andrew paused before he left. ―Don‘t mention Emily‘s name to the police. Please.‖ By the time she pressed the ‗call‘ button, Andrew was nowhere to be seen. Only after she placed the call, she figured what Andrew had done. He had kept her in the safety of the theater, where people were bound to come looking, and went after those bad-asses alone. He‘d placed himself in the face of danger.

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Chapter Fifteen hovered about the room listening to Andrew‘s Gruesome angry outbursts turn to murmurs of torment and frustration. His Spirit Hunter had to let off steam, otherwise he would explode. Gruesome didn‘t blame him. Andrew was close to his staff. Having one assaulted so severely that he required a stay in the hospital and the other targeted in an attack didn‘t sit well with him. According to the doctors, Emanuel received one heavy blow to the head that left him unconscious. They ran the necessary tests and scans, and concluded that seven stitches and an overnight stay at the hospital to monitor his slight concussion were in order. He should be fit to return to his duties within the week. Gruesome had watched from a corner as Emanuel briefed Andrew on what happened. Emily and a couple of ushers asked about Andrew‘s whereabouts. While Emily spoke to him, someone struck him from behind, perhaps one of the ushers. Emanuel had worried that Emily‘s life was in danger from the same ushers, although she didn‘t seem coerced. Andrew asked Emanuel to leave Emily‘s name out of his story when retelling it to the police. She had enough to deal with since she was found unconscious on the floor by an open window in one of the theater‘s offices. She had no recollection of anything after she settled on her seat to watch 191

Su Halfwerk the movie. Of course, Andrew and Gruesome were clear on what did happen. Spirits had borrowed her body, as well as others‘, to attack Andrew. He had performed the subsequent exorcism on her. Unfortunately, Andrew couldn‘t find the ushers that accompanied her, everyone with a yellow aura departed after the attack. Gruesome didn‘t have answers to Andrew‘s questions. A direct, organized attack on the Spirit Hunter was unheard of, something that surprised him as much as Andrew. The attack was very swift. Gruesome had only few seconds between their assault on Emanuel and warning Andrew. It was Gruesome‘s fault. He should have kept an eye on his hunter. Instead, he left when he saw Adoria join Andrew inside the theater box. Something had to happen between them. He‘d figured his deniability would be true if he weren‘t present. Andrew‘s voice rose again. ―What if they‘d taken over Adoria instead of Emily? If she‘d been standing outside, she would‘ve been bludgeoned to death from that hit.‖ Andrew threw his hands up in frustration. With nothing soothing to say, Gruesome remained silent. Eventually, Andrew calmed down enough to go to bed. As he tossed and turned on the mattress, Gruesome wondered if Andrew grasped the real meaning of tonight‘s assault. Three possessed people had tracked him down and attacked him in front of people, forcing him to either act normal and take the hit, or expose his true powers for what they really were, supernatural. Andrew‘s breathing settled into a slow rhythm. He would surrender to sleep soon. If Emily were killed in tonight‘s fight, the media‘s attention would be on Andrew, a very high-risk outcome, one that should be avoided at any cost. 192

Seeker He floated closer to Andrew and whispered in his ear, ―Andrew?‖ Gruesome saw nothing but a slight flutter of the eyes and heard a gibberish murmur. Gruesome waited a few more moments and then proceeded with his plan. ―Sola? Please come forward, I seek your guidance.‖ Andrew stirred. His eyes fluttered again, but Sola did not respond. Gruesome wasn‘t surprised. He had anticipated the failure of this simple approach. When Andrew slept, the Domine slumbered with him, absorbing the memories of dreams and nightmares from his host and healing his body of possible injuries. Gruesome floated in his ethereal form back and forth above Andrew. There was no other way out of this, if Sola wouldn‘t come out then he must go to him. Inwardly, Gruesome apologized to his Spirit Hunter for the invasion he was about to commit. He allowed his form to take a horizontal position as it drifted down slowly until he settled into Andrew‘s sleeping body. Gruesome was shoved out aggressively. ―Never do that again,‖ Sola spoke softly but sternly, using Andrew‘s mouth. Gruesome hovered in the air above Andrew. ―I had to get your attention. We must speak.‖ ―About tonight?‖ ―About tonight and about the Laymour.‖ Using Andrew‘s body, Sola nodded. ―Proceed.‖ Gruesome took few moments to organize his thoughts, to get the most logical ones out first. He must convince Sola of his vexations. ―The attack tonight was planned. They selected a weakness of Andrew‘s to tackle him with, the possession of a person close to him. They knew he would 193

Su Halfwerk not hit Emily, which left him exposed to her direct attacks.‖ Sola nodded. ―Also, tonight at the premiere, we registered many infected auras shifting among humans. We could not pinpoint any, but it was clear they were studying Andrew. I could not help but wonder how they recognized him, unless someone went back and told. Another proof of their formation.‖ ―Indeed,‖ Sola agreed. So far so good, thought Gruesome. Now to the astounding bit. ―In addition, during my last trip to the Laymour, I noted some oddities that might have led to our current situation.‖ A frown of bewilderment flashed across Andrew‘s face. ―Oddities like what?‖ ―The Pit‘s liquid surface that traps the spirits within it had decreased by one third. That decrease means spirits can escape easier, which explains their mounting number. They seem to have a purpose, as if they are led by someone.‖ When Sola remained silent, Gruesome continued. ―And then there is Keigan. She has a problem with Andrew developing feelings for his Adoria and is adamant on getting the temptation away from him. Usually, I would agree with her, but I believe that the woman is good for him. She grounds him.‖ Andrew‘s face hadn‘t changed one bit, but the fact that Sola hadn‘t made him nod or speak up so far worried Gruesome. ―Sola, I think this Spirit Hunter has been through enough. I do not wish to be privy to the elimination of his happiness. I know that he will not rest until he avenges the destruction of his family, but Keigan—‖ ―She is worried that I indulge myself in Andrew‘s female.‖ Gruesome was dumbfounded, Sola misunderstood what 194

Seeker he was getting at. ―No, she thinks Andrew is. Keigan knows that nothing has happened since you are still in Andrew.‖ Sole shook his head again. ―I shall travel to the Laymour to speak with her.‖ Gruesome tried to object but Andrew lifted a hand. ―This should take only few minutes of earth time. Remain here and guard Andrew against any spiritual assault, though I do not anticipate any after tonight‘s performance.‖ ―What if a spirit does attempt a possession?‖ Sola remained silent, and after a short while he said,‖ We are already breaking one rule with my abandonment of him, why not two?‖ Gruesome waited. ―Celestine, if a spirit approaches, take over Andrew‘s body. Do not allow the evil possession to take place.‖ Before Gruesome could think of a response, Sola‘s ethereal presence rose like vapor out of Andrew‘s body and shot out of the window in the direction of the Northern Star. **** Sola materialized directly in the Dome. As a High Domine, he was capable of skipping the levee and possible detection by others. Keigan perched on her spot above the Pit, her eyes focused on a point above her. He glanced once at the Pit‘s surface, and the liquid did appear reduced. ―Keigan.‖ She inhaled deeply and closed her eyes. ―How many times will I envisage his voice?‖ she asked herself. ―This is no vision. I am here.‖ Very slowly, she opened her eyes and stared at him. ―Sola!‖ A smile stretched her lips for a moment, and then she frowned. ―This is an illusion. You would not leave your ward.‖ 195

Su Halfwerk Sola floated closer to her. ―I can and I did, to speak with you. Do not worry, Celestine is watching over him.‖ She floated over the steps. ―I am glad you are here even though you are breaking the rules.‖ ―These are not the only rules I broke. You know that.‖ She lifted a hand as though to touch his face, then sighed and allowed her blue gaze to search his. ―Why are you here?‖ ―To remind you of our bond together, one I cherish more than you think.‖ They were soul-mates in life and perished together. As a reward for the goodness in their hearts, they were awarded the state of High Domines at the Laymour. He asked, ―Precious one, why are more spirits escaping the Laymour? How can they pull such feat under your watchful eyes?‖ Keigan lowered her gaze. ―I had other things on my mind lately. I seem to notice the escape after it happened and not as it is attempted.‖ She sighed, her sweet breath brushing his face. ―The Laymour is not the same without you.‖ She couldn‘t cry, bodily fluids long gone and forgotten, but her voice was laden with emotions. ―And my existence is not the same without you.‖ His voice softened. ―As humans, our tribes hated each other and that stopped us from consummating our relationship. Even though the word ‗marriage‘ did not exist in those prehistoric times, you were, and still are, mine.‖ She leaned into him. ―Yes, our tie was so strong that even death failed to separate us. You even listened when I implored you not to purge yourself of my love when we acceded.‖ ―Even if I knew then that preserving your love would mean keeping other emotions, I would not have refused you.‖ He drew back a little, his eyes drilling into hers. 196

Seeker Perhaps they had committed the ultimate sin by not purging emotions from their souls, but Sola couldn‘t picture his existence without her. He grasped her hand. ―We kept ours hidden from others and carried our responsibilities as we should. You cannot allow these emotions to cloud your judgment.‖ She frowned. ―My judgment is not clouded.‖ He pointed to the Pit. ―The liquid has decreased, that happens only when the Pit Keeper overlooks refurbishing it with her or his soul force. You know what happens when the liquid is less.‖ ―The spirits communicate on a telepathic level,‖ she said, eyes locked on the Pit. ―With you. They influence the thoughts and analytical process of the Pit Keeper. They clouded your thoughts with their insidious whispers. If the liquid was at the right level, they would not be able to preach it and infiltrate your mind.‖ Her gaze followed his. ―Whenever I laid eyes on it, the level was right.‖ ―An illusion, a distraction. Now you see it for what it truly is, without their lies.‖ ―I failed you,‖ she said in cold resignation. Sola pulled her into his arms. ―You never do, beloved, but we have to be vigil now. Spirits are organizing their ranks to go after the Spirit Hunter, and that means they have a leader who coordinates their trips, allowing them to be caught and dispatched by Andrew Taylor to deliver messages back here.‖ When she remained silent, he added, ―Andrew Taylor, and not me, is in love with Adoria Hall. You cannot reason with or stop affections. You of all powerful entities should know that.‖ He smiled at her. She smiled serenely. He could already feel the receding 197

Su Halfwerk turmoil within her. ―I never doubted you.‖ ―I know you never did. The spirits planted dark thoughts in your mind.‖ He sobered up. ―Andrew remains true to our crusade. These constant attacks on him force me to draw often on my powers to heal him or increase his tolerance, as you did while in Chris, the Spirit Hunter before Andrew.‖ He squeezed her shoulders. ―So, will you aid me as the Spirit Within, and Celestine, as the Spirit Guide, to complete our tenure with success, the way you did with Chris?‖ She nodded. ―Then I shall help you with my soul force to increase the level of the Pit‘s surface. After I leave, inform the remaining High Domines, all six of them, of the danger we are facing here. We will need their support and wisdom.‖ ―I will seek their counsel this day.‖ Sola kissed her forehead gently. ―One last matter. Do you know the host of the spirit Andrew seeks?‖ ―I do.‖

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Chapter Sixteen

A

ndrew grasped the cordless phone tight, wishing he could toss the device, or better still, strangle Justin. Instead, he leaned back on his leather chair and stared at one of the paintings in his study. With the excuse to check on Andrew‘s health two days after the accident, Justin had started the telephone conversation smooth and cool, and gradually turned into a smutty chipmunk. Justin sniggered. ―All I‘m saying is, you didn‘t have to pull that ridiculous stunt, which went wrong by the way, to get the role. Not on the night of my premiere!‖ Andrew huffed. ―Do you believe, really believe, that I‘d sink that low to get a part? I don‘t need to fall back on such tricks for auditions. I‘ve left that to others.‖ ―You did hit many birds with one stone that evening.‖ Andrew frowned at Justin‘s galling tone. ―How so?‖ ―Let‘s see. You‘ve ruined my opening, attracted attention to yourself as the next best action hero, and drawn the media away from the little bodyguard you have totting after you everywhere.‖ Andrew twirled the glass globe paperweight on the desk. For a long time he had wondered what type of parasite Justin was, and now he knew, a moronic one. Eyes fixed on the paperweight, Andrew breathed deeply and spoke through gritted teeth. ―Just think about that night. The head of my security was attacked and is still recovering, 199

Su Halfwerk Emily got hurt and was scared out of her wits, and I have newshounds after my agent and publicist demanding exclusives for the attack‘s details.‖ Andrew was sick of mollifying fame deprived wanna-be celebrities. ―It was nothing more than a stupid attack. I don‘t owe you an apology if that‘s what you‘re going for.‖ ―Well, I‘m going to speak to Duncan about what you did and let‘s see if he likes your motive for that display of power. I th—‖ Andrew hung up before he lost his temper and said something he would regret later. The few nasty reviews Justin had received for his performance in the movie had irked him beyond boundaries, and he needed a scapegoat, like the attack on Andrew. The reviews were few because the majority of newspapers were in a delirious frenzy, making speculations about the attack. Andrew had explained to Emanuel that Emily was drugged into acting the way she did and it made total sense to the injured man. Emanuel had even followed Andrews‘s instructions and faked confusion when the police asked him to describe the assailants. He‘d been working for Andrew long enough to understand how the wheel turned in Hollywood. That piece of information would be twisted and distorted until Emily was either forced to hide from the public eye or go into rehab. In other words, admitting that an addiction—one she didn‘t really have— was the cause of her actions. Then there was Adoria to consider as well. Their relationship had gotten more complicated than a hand woven Persian carpet. The kiss, the attack, his request to remain silent about the intruder and Emily‘s identity, and her multiple encounters with the Spirit Hunter must be toiling around in her mind, spinning ideas and suppositions. Even though he wanted her in his life as much as he 200

Seeker needed the air he breathed, he wouldn‘t blame her if she wanted out. He could never allow himself to go all the way with her, not while he was still the Spirit Hunter. Still, her closeness threw all his nerve ends into an overdrive that could only result in a deadly crash. He also feared she‘d requested a meeting this morning to resign or demand answers to her questions, or both. At the sound of splashes in the water outside, Andrew sauntered to the balcony and watched Joshua practice his breaststrokes under Gina‘s watch. A proud grin started slow on his face. He was impressed by his son‘s stubborn splashes to learn swimming, despite the fear that overshadowed his movement. The day had started warm, and Gina had suggested the continuation of Joshua‘s swimming lessons. Even with Andrew‘s inherent over protectiveness, he had allowed it. Swimming was a fun exercise and a valuable skill to master. When a loud tap sounded on his door, he returned to the study and glanced at the clock. It was eleven o‘clock on the dot. ―Come in.‖ As soon as his eyes landed on Adoria, Andrew took refuge behind his desk to hide the aggressive reaction his body slammed him with. He inhaled sharply as she ambled in. Something was different about her today, but he couldn‘t place it. Perhaps it was the rose lip-gloss that shimmered on her full lips, or the layer of mascara that lengthened her already long lashes, or her undone thick wavy black hair, some of which cascaded down her back while a few strands looped around her gypsy hoop earrings. She didn‘t look like an overdone Barbie doll. On the contrary, it reminded him of her first interview, minus the yellow dress. ―I appreciate you taking out the time to see me, Andrew.‖ Adoria‘s voice had an additional huskiness to it, like warm honey on hot pancakes. 201

Su Halfwerk Ignoring his wildly thumping heart, Andrew nodded and waved her to sit on the sofa opposite his desk. She shook her head. ―Emanuel passed by this morning to check on the shifts and how we‘re coping. He commended me on my efforts the night of the attack.‖ She paused and bit a deliciously plum lip between her pearly white teeth, releasing it slowly. ―The point is-, I think you need to force him to take a rest, to recover fully. He won‘t listen to anyone but you.‖ ―Is he still here?‖ Andrew doubted he could leave the sanctuary of his desk. She shook her head. Her earrings glinted in the light seeping through the balcony. ―Not anymore. He shouldn‘t be driving around.‖ Andrew nodded, but his eyes never left hers. She looked luscious enough to eat, or lick, or just lose himself in. Since she‘d started working for him, she had been the epitome of propriety and efficiency, always some distance between them. Yet, now, now her eyes sent him inviting messages. Could he blame her for taking matters into her own hands? They had been playing this timid game of attraction for some time until that kiss at the premiere. He must keep her away from him at any cost, because her closeness allowed passions he‘d buried deep to rise to the surface. He cleared his throat, his fingers drumming the desk. ―Anything else?‖ She sauntered toward him, her hips swaying temptingly. ―Not really.‖ That damn huskiness in her voice melted his nerves. He clutched the edge of the desk to keep his hands from reaching for her. Her fingers reached for her vest and started unbuttoning it. ―I thought since Joshua is taking a swim and you‘re here on your own, you might like some company.‖ 202

Seeker As she turned around the corner of his desk, he swiveled his chair and faced her. Fingers entwined in his lap, Andrew swallowed hard. ―I appreciate the offer, but I have few calls to make and then will join Joshua by the pool.‖ He‘d tried, oh God, he had tried to keep the quiver out of his voice. He failed. She kept coming, obviously unmindful of his scrutinizing hungry gaze that overtly drank her in. Her vest hung open, only her white uniform shirt and bra stood between him and those ultimate mounds of joy. A surge of primitive emotion, an elementary possessiveness, nudged him to move toward her, but a more rational part impelled him out of the chair and through the balcony‘s door on stiff legs. Drawing a breath sharply to control his emotions and reflexes, Andrew fastened his gaze on the wrought-iron table and chairs gleaming in the sun. She followed him to the ornamented balcony. ―I know you want me.‖ He winced at the confusion in her voice. He whirled around to face her, leaning on the railing. ―I push you away, resist getting nearer, and appear selfish at times, because…‖ he lost track of his thoughts as she leaned closer, pressing her breasts to his chest. Her small delicate fingers unbuttoned her shirt sending sweet tiny shivers through his midsection. Her eyes flicked once behind him and returned to his face quickly. Andrew gulped in an effort to defuse the passion that shot through him. He must resist her. ―I mean to say, it‘s not because anything is wrong with you. You‘re perfect.‖ Good God, where did Gruesome disappear to now that Andrew needed his annoying reminders more than ever? ―But I can‘t be with you.‖ Adoria‘s fingers paused on the last top button of her shirt. 203

Su Halfwerk They moved temptingly, teasingly over the damned button, without undoing it. ―I do understand, our stations are different. I don‘t expect any commitment from you.‖ Her fingers paused. She glanced again behind him at something. What is she looking at? When he tried to follow her gaze, she cupped his face and kept his eyes trained on her gorgeous dark ones. ―You can at least be with me once. That‘s all I‘m asking.‖ One corner of her mouth twitched up. ―Make crazy let‘s-tear-our-clothes love to me. Let me feel you in me. Can‘t you do that to me once at least?‖ Andrew shuddered as she undid the last button on her shirt. Her plump breasts were full and soft as she shifted against him, lithely pressing his damnation against his chest. His heart drummed in his chest, eager to force him to accept Adoria‘s tempting proposition, his mind screamed at him to reject it. One experience of impurity would cost him the chance of a face-off with Darby. He shook his head. ―No, not even once.‖ ―Then why don‘t you…‖ her eyes drifted behind him again, distracted for a second, and then returned to him. ―Kiss me? A kiss will do. It might…‖ Andrew narrowed his eyes at the heat diminishing in hers. She licked her lips, this time without a hint of seduction, and huffed. ―Aw fuck, this is wrong.‖ To Andrew‘s utter surprise, Adoria pushed away from him and dived over the edge of the veranda into the swimming pool below. Her back filled his view in the seconds he tried to grab hold of her and missed. He glanced over the edge and saw foams of water disturbing the usually tranquil pool surface. Without waiting for her head to break through the water, Andrew whirled around and shot down the stairs and into the backyard. If he‘d followed her into the water, he might land on top of her. She wouldn‘t stand a 204

Seeker chance under his plummeting mass. What was wrong with her? Did she need to cool down so eagerly after his rejection? At the door leading to the backyard, Andrew froze. His heart halted, hesitant to take another beat. With utter paralysis, he watched Adoria drag Joshua‘s listless body over the few steps out of the pool. ―Joshua!‖ Joshua‘s swimming lesson had slipped off his mind. He didn‘t even notice the silence as he resisted Adoria. These thoughts swam in the turbulence in his head as he dashed around the pool. Adoria tipped Joshua‘s head backwards and checked for his breathing. ―How is he?‖ He waited for an answer, confusion immobilizing his actions and thoughts. She glanced up, droplets of water sliding down her face along with her mascara, her black eyes focused. ―Call 911. He‘s not breathing and his pulse is very weak.‖ Her words lifted the haze of stupefaction off his mind. He fumbled in his pockets for his cell and dialed 911, all the while watching her administer CPR to him. She switched between breathing in his son‘s mouth and pressing on his scrawny chest. Joshua didn‘t move. His chest rose and fell with Adoria‘s breaths. How long did his son lay unconscious in the water without anyone noticing? Fury and fear pushed his breath out in small, shallow gasps. Joshua wouldn‘t leave him. He couldn‘t! Andrew would be undone in a matter of seconds if this last treasure were gone as well. Screw finding Darby. Without Joshua, I have no meaning for living. After a few more compressions though, Joshua coughed. Andrew breathed out through pursed lips. Adoria turned Joshua to his side to spit the water out. When the fit of 205

Su Halfwerk coughing subsided, she settled on the ground with Joshua‘s head on her lap. With one hand she smoothed his hair over his ear, the way he always did. She smiled at him, gently repeating words of reassurance in a clear voice. Andrew dropped on his ass next to her on the ground and held one of Joshua‘s hands in his despite his ache to hold his son in his arms, for he feared moving him. Joshua seemed mollified in Adoria‘s lap, one arm wrapped around her thigh, but looking at his father for reassurance. His body shook with coughs every now and then. This was the third time Adoria had stepped in, this time saving Andrew‘s soul. He glanced with gratitude to her. Leaves scrubbed against each other behind him, creating a commotion. Andrew turned to the trees. In stepped Gina with a cigarette in her hand, her hair disarrayed, and lipstick smeared. Gina‘s eyes widened as she surveyed the scene in front of her, and flipped the cigarette away. ―Andrew!‖ She bit her lip. Anger and loathing bubbled in Andrew‘s chest. He rose to his feet and squinted. ―Joshua almost drowned because of your negligence.‖ His voice hadn‘t reflected the fury teeming within him. He kept a tight rein on that. His hands fisted at his side and he wished she were a man. The need to pummel someone was consuming. She lifted her manicured hand to her mouth. ―It won‘t happen again, Andrew. I promise. I-I—‖ He lifted a hand to stop her stammer. ―You‘re fired.‖ **** The moment the sun withdrew its last ray of light, Andrew and Joshua drove off to Adoria‘s house. She had gone home after the paramedics examined Joshua and confirmed that he 206

Seeker was fine. Usually, his son made faces displaying his displeasure with any activity outside the house, and generally, Andrew accommodated him. So when Joshua readily agreed to go with him, Andrew stared at him. Joshua had shrugged. ―She saved my life.‖ Pride had surged through Andrew‘s heart. Joshua was stepping out of his cocoon, slowly, but surely. ―She has a niece, Pru, who‘s almost your age.‖ Seeing the impatient roll of Joshua‘s eyes, Andrew had grinned and pushed his son ahead of him out of the house. Now, sitting in the car, listening to the ticking sounds cars made when cooling down, Andrew wondered what the hell he was doing. He hadn‘t heard from Gruesome since yesterday. He must deal with his situation with Adoria on his own, and without guidance. ―Are we going in?‖ Joshua perched on the edge of his seat impatiently. His son‘s deep voice startled him out of his deep thoughts. When did Joshua reach puberty? Upon closer examination, he saw the fuzz above Joshua‘s lips and a slight broadening of the shoulders. His throat itched with emotions. This was the same kid doctors thought was psychologically beyond help. ―Yeah, let‘s go.‖ Like the previous time Andrew was here, Luke stood by a newspaper shack, maintaining his cool and watched a basketball match across the street. Andrew waved a greeting to him, which was returned with a thumb pointing to Andrew‘s car. Andrew nodded with a smile of gratitude and ushered Joshua into the building. Joshua climbed the steps with rigidity. He remained in the middle, not touching the railing or the wall. Adoria lived in the same building, but Andrew knew only her sister‘s 207

Su Halfwerk apartment. Pru answered the door and stood dumbstruck, her eyes shifting between Andrew and Joshua. ―Hi Pru.‖ Andrew beamed at her. ―Do you remember me?‖ Her bright smile brought her freckles to the fore. ―Of course. I‘m just surprised you‘re here.‖ He pointed to his son. ―This is my son, Joshua. We came over to check on Adoria. I hope she‘s feeling better now.‖ Pru flicked a polite nod toward Joshua, and he answered it with one of his own. ―Better?‖ Pru opened the door wider and gestured them in, a frown taking over her smile. ―I didn‘t know she was sick.‖ Andrew smiled gently. ―Then I guess she must be feeling better. She jumped after Joshua into the swimming pool and saved his life.‖ He could pinpoint with precision the moment Pru‘s gaze landed on Joshua‘s PSP. Andrew glanced around at the silent house. ―Is your mother here?‖ Pru peeled her gaze off Joshua‘s PSP with obvious reluctance. ―No. She‘s on a shift. Tía Adoria is here with me.‖ Glancing once at Joshua, she added pointedly, ―Not that I need babysitting or anything.‖ ―Who‘s there Pru?‖ Adoria‘s distant voice sounded from a room to the right of the door. Andrew clasped a hand on Pru‘s shoulder when she opened her mouth to answer. ―I want to surprise her with our visit. Why don‘t you and Joshua discover the secrets of his PSP? I‘ll let myself in.‖ Leaving her no choice but to accept, he added, ―This way? Right? Thanks.‖ Andrew casually slid his hands in the pockets of his loose, olive slacks and strolled to the room. 208

Seeker Glancing once behind him, he saw Joshua sit on a chair, while Pru dragged another chair closer to watch the game over his shoulder. Joshua didn‘t seem to mind, if anything the quiver in his lips proved that he knew what Pru was up to, the eventual confiscation of his PSP, and didn‘t mind it. Andrew knocked once on the doorframe and without waiting for an answer, let himself in. He closed the door behind him. Adoria hissed and jumped off her bed. ―Andrew. Wh— what a surprise.‖ She ran her hands over her wrinkled t-shirt and even attempted to adjust the length of her shorts. Andrew drew closer to her with a smile on his lips. ―This shouldn‘t be a surprise to you.‖ He let his gaze roam over her figure suggestively. ―I couldn‘t let the day pass by without thanking you in person for saving my son‘s life. If you haven‘t noticed in time…‖ She raised both hands while moving away from him, her eyes searching the room. The sickly yellow aura engulfed her from head to toe. ―It was my fault in the first place. You were distracted.‖ She swallowed hard. ―If you don‘t mind, I‘d like to dress up in something better than this. Why don‘t you wait outside with Pru?‖ Andrew tsked and drew even nearer, trapping her between him and the bed without touching her. ―I think what you‘re wearing is just fine. Joshua and Pru are busy with his PSP. I‘ll be the silent third wheel.‖ He let his gaze run smoothly up and down her body. ―Besides, I still owe you.‖ ―Huh?‖ She flicked her tongue over her lips. He allowed his gaze to rest suggestively on her mouth. ―I thought about what you told me earlier and I think I‘m ready for it. My desire to have you outweighs anything that stands in our way to be together.‖ She shook her head when he moved closer to her, his 209

Su Halfwerk arms almost around her shoulders. Her expression shifted between anger and confusion. ―Why now?‖ He bent down, brought his lips close to her ear, and watched strands of her hair move as he said, ―Because…‖ He pushed her on the bed and covered her with his body before she bounced even once. ―Now is the time…‖ He pulled both her arms over her head, mindful to pin her legs down with his. Her panting made her chest heave up and down under him, too painful to watch and too demanding to be ignored. He let his eyelids drift down to hide the change in the color of his eyes, as he snuggled a hand between the two of them. ―To exorcise you.‖ ―No,‖ she growled at him, and wiggled to free herself. Andrew moaned with the unbidden desire that shot through him but kept his hold strong on her. ―You don‘t fit here.‖ She laughed, raising her head to reach his. ―Untie me and I‘ll show you how much I fit.‖ He resisted the grinding on his crotch. ―You‘ll get the body you crave, plus a slutty response. How about that?‖ Andrew gritted his teeth, drew his hand back with his dagger in it. He flicked it open. Without losing a beat, he stabbed her in the forehead and inhaled from her until he was sure nothing was left. He leapt to the window and exhaled, thankful for the clear weather. He turned around, Adoria was unconscious on the bed, a red spot marking the point of spirit extraction. The balls of those spirits to target her! When she‘d come to his study earlier in the day, he hadn‘t expected her to be possessed by one of those foul things. However, the oddity of her insistence on one time with him had rung bells in his head. Andrew bid his time until nightfall, when his vision distinguished auras. Bless her strong soul that allowed her caring nature to 210

Seeker resist the spirit‘s hold on her to save Joshua. He loved her, he knew it now, right after the spirits figured it out. If he were to lose his purity to anyone, it would be to a woman who could tempt him beyond conceivable measures. It would be Adoria. He walked back to the bed. She was motionless, breathing regularly and slowly. Her chest rose and fell, her face a tapestry of innocence. Leaning closer, his face almost touching hers, Andrew pushed a wayward strand of hair off her face. ―Pru says she took your son to the shack to buy a snack, they will be ba—‖ Carla froze in midsentence and stared at Andrew. Like a flash of light, she was upon him, her grip ferocious on his shoulders as she pulled him away from her sister. ―What did you do?‖ **** It took all his charm to convince Carla that he‘d done Adoria no harm. She believed him eventually, but not before she elicited his curiosity to rise. Her reaction was too strong, like a tigress protecting her cub. ―Don‘t worry about Joshua. I‘m not sure whether my daughter is the Head Dog of the neighborhood or one of his friends.‖ Carla let out a sigh. ―Either way no harm will come to Joshua while with her.‖ Andrew smiled obligingly. If he weren‘t rattled by worry over Adoria, he would have laughed at that image. Leaving the door ajar, they settled in the leaving room in awkward silence, the steaming coffee mugs untouched on the table. Andrew rubbed his face with his palms and stared at Carla, willing her to speak up. ―You care about her, don‘t you?‖ Carla‘s question caught 211

Su Halfwerk him by surprise. ―Yes, I do.‖ She fixed him with a stare. ―Not like an employee, though.‖ Carla sounded cold and distant. She wasn‘t going to make this easy. He shifted his gaze to his mug. ―I care for all my employees, but Adoria is different.‖ ―Why were you in the room with her? The way she‘s sprawled on the bed looks like she fainted.‖ How much was too much to tell her? ―She saved Joshua today from drowning. Since she left before he saw her, Joshua wanted to check on her, and so did I. I guess the dive into the water must have made her weaker than she thought, because while we were talking just now, she held her head and fainted. I caught her in time and lowered her to the bed, that‘s about when you walked in.‖ At the pained expression on Carla‘s face, Andrew added. ―I would never harm her. I swear it.‖ Carla remained silent. He prodded her. ―What did you think I was doing to her?‖ A faraway look clouded her gaze. ―Adoria was born with a full thatch of black hair and black eyes, it was clear she had inherited Mother‘s Latin features. But when Mother died, Dad couldn‘t look at Adoria while sober. She reminded him too much of Mother. So, she took care of the house, our drunken father, and my frequent crashes into the house for money. She took care of it all and still managed to get decent grades at school. To me, she was this annoying goody twoshoes that got in my way, until one day…‖ She blinked, and it was like someone dragged her back to the here and now. ―What happened?‖ Andrew leaned forward. She shook her head. ―It‘s from the past. I won‘t be dragged into those dark ages.‖ ―I care about her. I care about anything related to her. 212

Seeker Please tell me.‖ She studied him then, lips pressed together. ―Let it go. Let her go.‖ That he couldn‘t do. There was no way around using his power. He spoke to her, while mentally sending her suggestions to open up. ―I don‘t know if you know this or not, but I‘ve fired the nurse who usually looks after my son for negligence.‖ You trust me, Carla. You know I would never hurt Adoria. ―From now on, Joshua will be Adoria‘s responsibility.‖ I want her in my life where she’ll be protected. ―There isn‘t anyone or anything in this world more precious to me than my son.‖ Tell me what happened, tell me because you trust me. ―I‘m entrusting my soul to her.‖ Carla nodded slowly, doubt clouding her eyes. She shifted her gaze from his. Look at me Carla. Her gaze returned to his. A headache pounded at his temple, pulsing with a life of its own. Carla must see his suggestions as something likable, something she could connect to, rely on. He sent a final message to her, putting all his force, all his faith in it. I love Adoria, and would give up my life for hers in a blink of an eye. ―Tell me what happened.‖ She sighed and told him, her words fell on his ears like crushed ice with jagged edges. They cut at him. He wished she hadn‘t told him.

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Chapter Seventeen arrived at the villa after a long and grueling Gruesome chase of a spirit that had finally settled in a criminal on the death row. What could the possession of a walking dead accomplish? Gruesome couldn‘t fathom the weird behavior of some of these spirits. He couldn‘t shake the feeling that what he perceived as unusual was actually part of their organization. When he appeared in Andrew‘s office, he was surprised at the number of beer bottles littering the desk. Andrew was on the sofa, raking his hair with shaky hands. Gruesome saw hopelessness plastered across Andrew‘s face like a mask of despair that couldn‘t be peeled away. ―You‘re back. How nice?‖ Pure bitterness dripped off Andrew‘s words, and Gruesome couldn‘t blame him. He‘d been staying away from Andrew whenever Adoria was around. ―I apologize. A man on the death raw is possessed and I was wondering—‖ ―How to get to it?‖ ―No, but why it happened?‖ Andrew snorted. ―Forget about that. What happened to you?‖ ―What happened to me?‖ Andrew slurred his words slightly. ―You should ask what happened to Adoria. God, I‘ve been such an ass with her, without thinking that she 214

Seeker might be infested with her own demons.‖ Gruesome stilled. ―She is possessed?‖ ―Was.‖ Andrew waved a hand. ―Don‘t panic, I already exorcised her. But during her possession, Adoria fought the spirit for control over her mind. I‘ve never seen it happen first hand. According to a quick research I did on the net, something or someone important and dear to a possessed person can bring forth a semblance of resistance. Seeing Joshua‘s still body in the pool must‘ve made Adoria win the struggle with the spirit possessing her.‖ ―Joshua?‖ From now on, he‘d better keep a closer eye on Andrew and his people. The spirits had gone after Andrew‘s close and dear! A pattern, indeed. ―He almost drowned, but is okay now, thanks to Adoria.‖ He shook his head. ―That‘s not what I was getting at. I never looked at her as a person with her own history and problems.‖ Andrew snickered. ―And now she has to deal with my attraction to her, and the spirit world‘s eagerness to possess her.‖ ―What happened? Tell me.‖ ―That‘s exactly what I kept asking her sister until she opened up and told me.‖ Gruesome listened to Andrew retell Carla‘s story. During her youth, Carla dated a drug addict. She didn‘t know about his addiction until it was too late for her. By then she was hooked as well. Her days and nights were no more than one fix after another. It didn‘t matter how she got it, selling her body, selling the drugs themselves, stealing, as long as she got her fix. In those days, Adoria lived with her drunkard father. Carla visited them to ask for money, or to steal it. One such time, and without Carla‘s knowledge, Adoria followed her. When Carla reached the dump she called home, she had her fix and went to her own world. Hours later, she woke up and found her little sister, gagged, and tied atop a table in 215

Su Halfwerk the room adjacent to hers. Adoria was no more than fifteen at the time, but had put up quite a fight. Her bruises, cut lip, and slashed back were impossible to miss. ―To Carla, that was a moment of revelation. She didn‘t hate her sister. She feared for her. She freed Adoria, wasted a night convincing their father that they should leave the city, and left. They lived happily ever after.‖ Andrew barked a laugh. ―Carla said that the baby growing in her womb and Adoria had saved her life, helped her stand up to her addiction.‖ Gruesome shifted, unsure how to form his question. ―Was Adoria hurt in any other ways?‖ Andrew narrowed his eyes. ―No, she wasn‘t raped, but they did other things that Carla wouldn‘t say no matter how much I persuaded her.‖ He slammed a fist on his knee. ―God. My mind keeps filling up the gaps with horrible images. I can‘t stand it.‖ Andrew sounded dead, detached. Elbows on his knees, he raked his hair into a tangled mess. ―Does Adoria know what happened?‖ Andrew shook his head. ―She knows that something bad happened and her big sister saved the day without any recollections of the details of her abduction. It‘s like her mind had wiped everything clean.‖ He snorted. ―She did say during the interview that her one weakness was the wellbeing of kids. That explains it.‖ Gruesome sensed his hunter‘s turmoil, and could offer nothing to lighten it. Even though human emotions had long left Gruesome, he still remembered some. Andrew cleared his throat. ―Going back to Adoria‘s current situation…I can‘t be with her, but I must remain in her life. She‘s a target now.‖ Gruesome considered what he was about to reveal, and decided to go ahead and say it anyway. Andrew needed to hear something good, something positive. ―You do not have 216

Seeker to walk away from her if she is your Destined One.‖ ―My what?‖ ―The one you are bound to be with. No one can stand in your way if fate has destined her to be your other half.‖ ―I do want her to be mine, but I can‘t ignore Jasmine and Rosy. I owe them.‖ Gruesome shimmered closer. ―What do they have to do with this?‖ Andrew scowled. ―Remember your own words, Gruesome. Any impure and sexual interaction with another human will result in losing my spirit-hunting license. I won‘t be able to find and eradicate Darby‘s spirit without my powers.‖ ―If Adoria is the One, then it is not sex but emotion, passion, and commitment. In the Laymour, that means spiritual interaction, not sexual.‖ Andrew raised a bottle to drink from, found it empty and threw it on the carpet where it clattered. ―Oh yeah? And you expect Adoria to accept living like a hermit with her Destined One? She‘s a woman, Gruesome. In case you have forgotten how human bodies react, let me give you a refresher course. Get me alone with her for some time and you can kiss my purity goodbye.‖ Andrew squinted, and his next words came out more of a whisper. ―I love her, and I want to make her happy. I can‘t expect her to—‖ ―You do not have to deny her. If she is the One, then marry her. There is no impurity if you lay with her after marriage.‖ Andrew frowned and gazed at Gruesome for a long time. ―You mean to tell me that I could‘ve had sex all these years and I didn‘t because you thought…‖ He ran a hand through his hair. ―Agh, you thought it‘s not important for me to know.‖ ―I did not tell you because this knowledge is a two edged 217

Su Halfwerk sword. You could have met someone and decided she must be the One because you are attracted to her. If you are to marry, it has to be to that one person destined for you.‖ Andrew wasn‘t getting it, perhaps daylight and a hangover would clear it up for him. Gruesome hoped so. ―Okaay. Let‘s say you‘re right, how do I make sure she‘s the right one?‖ ―Do you remember Chris, your predecessor?‖ Andrew rolled his eyes. ―How can I ever forget Mr. Perfect?‖ ―You mean Mrs. Perfect.‖ Andrew blinked slowly. His mouth opened, didn‘t make a sound, then closed again. ―Yes, Chris is a woman.‖ Andrew breathed out through pursed lips. ―You never said.‖ ―We always referred to her by her first name. She is also someone you knew casually. Your paths did cross.‖ Andrew mumbled under his breath. ―This is a night of discoveries. How do I know her?‖ Gruesome faded a bit, but then gained substance. ―Christal Madden was in the same nursing school as your wife, Jasmine. They were close friends until you came into Jasmine‘s life and I came into Chris‘.‖ ―Wow.‖ ―She only stepped down when she got pregnant from her husband.‖ Andrew leaned back on the sofa. ―So, you‘re saying I must marry Adoria for her to become my Destined One.‖ ―I wish it were as easy as that.‖ Andrew threw his hands up in the air in surrender. ―All right, I give.‖ ―She must possess the ability to see spirits.‖

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Seeker **** Silence engulfed the room as Andrew stared at Gruesome in silence. It could be the alcohol taking over his thinking muscles, because frankly, his Guide sucked at explaining and loved to create tension. ―You‘re telling me Chris married another Spirit Hunter?‖ Gruesome‘s ethereal shape shifted and settled in an outline of a man. ―Your other half should be able to see the spirits without being a Spirit Hunter herself. Think of it as a complementary gift to your powers.‖ Andrew considered this. It was simple enough, and if she couldn‘t see a damn thing, then no harm done. ―If she‘s the One, and I do marry her, then what happens to the Domine in me when we‘re intimate?‖ ―He remains in a slumber induced by your carnal need for your mate because your bond to her is pure. Being intimate with anyone else will force him out of you. A Domine does not possess, but is there to boost the powers of the Spirit Hunter and protect him from possession by spirits.‖ Gruesome had failed to mention all facts on several occasions. ―Where‘s the ‗but‘?‖ ―If you, or yours, were ever in danger, and Adoria of her own volition stepped in, the Domine within you will recognize her for what she is and will breathe in her the power to see.‖ Andrew blinked at Gruesome. A bark of laughter escaped him when he processed what he‘d heard. ―Great. Who makes these rules by the way? Or do you make them as you go to avoid having me lose my purity?‖ Andrew raised his hand. ―Don‘t answer. What did Chris‘ husband do to pass this test of yours?‖ ―Benjamin fought next to Chris in one of her raids and 219

Su Halfwerk took a bullet meant for her. By the time he reached a healer, the arm had to be amputated.‖ A metallic, salty taste spread in Andrew‘s mouth, a predictable result of grinding his teeth. His Adoria, with her forwardness and her simple appreciation of life had suffered a lot but didn‘t allow those experiences to tarnish her opinion of people and life. If putting her life at risk was the cost to be together, then he didn‘t deserve to be with her.

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Chapter Eighteen

H

ow could anyone miss a whole day? Adoria wondered. She‘d promised herself that going forward her focus would be on the job and nothing else. According to Carla, Joshua was her responsibility now. ―Good morning, Adoria,‖ Steve said on his way out of the security room. ―Good morning. Where‘s Emanuel?‖ ―What are you doing here? Aren‘t you supposed to report to the villa now?‖ Caleb asked with his usual snide tone, coupled with bitterness. Steve shook his head and guided Adoria by the elbow out with him. As soon as they were outside, he said, ―Don‘t mind Caleb. I think he‘s bitter over Gina‘s dismissal.‖ Adoria squinted in the sun. ―What does Gina have to do with Caleb‘s super foul mood today?‖ Steve blushed and stuck his hands in his pockets. ―Oww, I see,‖ Adoria said. Makeup late at night, front door unlocked, lipstick messed up. It all made sense now. ―Well, I‘m sure they can get together when he‘s off duty.‖ ―When on duty, our minds and bodies should be on the job as well. Gina messed up, it‘s not your fault that she‘s gone,‖ Steve said. ―I know.‖ She glanced around. ―Is Emanuel here yet?‖ ―He‘s held in traffic. Will be here in an hour or so.‖ She waved goodbye to Steve and marched to the villa. 221

Su Halfwerk How would she get in? If Joshua was still asleep, what should she do? Was she supposed to follow him everywhere? And how would he react to her company? When she reached the front door, it magically opened. A smiling Edna welcomed her in. Adoria saw Edna‘s tiny and very white teeth for the first time. Two magic acts. Wow. ―Good morning. I haven‘t heard a peep from upstairs, I think they‘re both asleep still,‖ Edna said, beaming warmly at Adoria. ―Come along with me to the kitchenette and I‘ll serve you breakfast.‖ ―I-I already ate. Thanks.‖ Edna wrung her hands. ―I heard of what happened yesterday. We can‘t thank you enough for saving Joshua.‖ Adoria raised both eyebrows. ―We?‖ ―Albert and me. This family has been through enough.‖ Adoria nodded. ―It was the right thing to do.‖ Edna‘s eyes moistened over and Adoria excused herself before seeing the housekeeper cry. ―Since Joshua‘s still asleep, I‘ll be in the garden practicing a couple of routines to prepare myself for the day. Will you let me know when he wakes up?‖ Edna nodded eagerly and waved her off. Adoria wandered into the garden, taking a quick brisk walk around the perimeter for a general check. So, Edna wasn‘t as cold hearted as Adoria had pegged her to be. It was nothing more than a tough exterior to a soft heart. Perhaps Edna had it all figured out. Maybe Adoria should develop such a shell around herself, something to keep her emotions within, neither readable nor reachable. She finished the round and found a shady spot under a tree opposite the villa‘s entrance, just in case Edna came out to call her. Sitting on the ground cross-legged, Adoria inhaled slowly through her nose and exhaled through her 222

Seeker mouth, allowing her shoulders to relax, her eyes to close, and her mind to clear. A tingle ran down her spine, forcing a shudder out of her. Her eyes snapped open. Someone was near. She scanned the garden. A small blond head contrasted with the greenery of the garden. Joshua peeked and withdrew. Pretending to continue with her relaxation, Adoria closed her eyes again. Her money was on curiosity. Soon enough, the sound of tentative steps on the soft grass reached her ears. She remained in the same position, forcing shallow breaths out of her lungs. ―What are you doing?‖ Joshua asked. She stared deep into his fawn colored eyes. ―My relaxation routine.‖ He shuffled his feet on the ground. ―Does it work?‖ Adoria pursed her lips. ―Sometimes. It depends on my mood when I start.‖ ―Does it help you sleep better?‖ With the memory of his wild thrashes in the grip of a nightmare still fresh in her mind, Adoria answered him as truthfully as she could, ―Not always. Would you like to learn it?‖ He wrinkled his brow in deep thought. ―No. I think I‘d like to learn more about your Karate. Dad said you kick ass, almost as good as the Grasshopper.‖ It was difficult to suppress the laugh that threatened to burst out of her mouth, so she took the most logical action under the circumstances. She grabbed her stubborn lips and twisted them thoughtfully. ―I like the Grasshopper. ‗Kung Fu‘ was my favorite show.‖ ―Mine too.‖ He eyed her expectantly. ―To answer your question, the name of the martial art I practice is Hapkido, and I think I can teach you a trick or 223

Su Halfwerk two.‖ He shook his head. ―I don‘t want tricks. I want to be prepared if-if something ever happens.‖ Adoria nodded and narrowed her eyes as she watched Emanuel march towards them, his expression indecipherable. Joshua followed her gaze and smiled. ―Uncle Emanuel, she agreed to teach me hopscotch.‖ Emanuel studied Adoria for a long time, during which Joshua shifted his gaze between her and Emanuel. ―Did she, now? Well, I guess you won‘t find a better teacher for that.‖ Was that a compliment on her skill or an accusation of laxity? Emanuel turned his attention to Joshua. ―Why don‘t you rush to the villa and have your breakfast? Edna is going crazy looking for you. Don‘t forget, today is the big day.‖ Joshua‘s expression changed to joy and he rushed to the villa, one hand massaging his ear. Adoria rose and faced Emanuel. ―I‘m sorry I didn‘t tell you about yesterday‘s incident. It all happened too fast and I was too tired afterwards.‖ Emanuel shook his head. ―No need to apologize. You‘ve proved that hiring you was a wise decision. Wish I could get my hands on Gina and discipline her myself.‖ Adoria‘s lips trembled with a smile at the image of Emanuel with a belt and Gina with runny mascara. It was a nasty thought, but it felt good. ―What‘s special about today?‖ ―I was supposed to tell you yesterday but things didn‘t go according to plan. It‘s Mr. Taylor‘s birthday.‖ Adoria blinked rapidly, confusion and disorientation claiming her mind. Did she know his birthday was near? ―Don‘t look so confused. The party was supposed to take place at Ms. Carlisle‘s house, so no additional work for us. 224

Seeker However, Mr. Taylor changed his mind last minute and moved it to the villa. Between guests, caterers, and bodyguards, I expect lots of people to be around.‖ Adoria nodded. ―As Joshua‘s personal bodyguard, you will stay with him today. It is important that you don‘t let him out of your sight.‖ ―Is he in danger?‖ Emanuel shook his head. ―You can imagine how protective Mr. Taylor is of him after yesterday‘s incident. While we‘ll be on duty in the villa, a contracted company will take care of our usual responsibilities. Steve will be back when Caleb‘s shift is over. It‘s going to be a long day for the rest of us.‖ Adoria listened with her ear. However, in her mind she could only think of one thing. Tonight, Andrew and Megan would celebrate his birthday together, while she watched from afar. **** Worry-free laughter mingled with chinks of wine and champagne glasses at the simple get together taking place at the villa. The sounds drifted to Adoria through the large French doors that opened on the massive stone veranda overlooking the garden. Nestling in a lotus position, Adoria commandeered a small corner to ease the tension in her body. Shrubs at short intervals in the garden formed a passage to the ballroom. Adoria had left Joshua in Emanuel‘s care for a moment of solitude. Cloaked in the growing shadows of the fall‘s early evening, she inhaled slowly, regulating her heartbeats and concentrating on nothing but her inner peace, ignoring the hubbub emitting from the parlor full of dazzlingly beautiful 225

Su Halfwerk women and powerful men. The relaxation technique that usually helped her regain her peace of mind didn‘t work tonight. A big part of it was the emotional cocktail she suffered near Andrew. She needed to tame her jealousy whenever his arm snagged Megan‘s waist or he bent towards her with a whisper on his lips. Adoria adjusted her seating, feeling the coldness of the floor through her pants. There was nothing to dislike about Megan. She was cheerful, beautiful, and made Andrew break into one of his rare loud chuckles. Only Joshua and Megan had that effect on him. Andrew had insisted on the attendance of all his staff, leaving the security job to the hired company. She, Albert, Edna, Steve, and Emanuel were all here. She opened her eyes and flipped her wrist. Ten minutes more and then she must return to the party to relief Emanuel, though Joshua never posed as a burden to either one of them. After getting used to a person, Joshua was joyful company, polite, and caring. With a huff, she closed her eyes again, eager to tap into that inner peace she had misplaced. Losing track of one‘s full day could do that. What was wrong with her? Why couldn‘t she remember anything of that day except saving Joshua? ―There you are.‖ Megan stepped onto the veranda and closed the door behind her with one hand while holding with the other the biggest wine glass Adoria ever saw. The red wine swished around in the glass, threatening to spill over. ―We were wondering where you were.‖ Megan‘s green dress rustled around her slim body as she moved closer. Adoria climbed to her feet and dusted the back of her pants. ―Sorry for that, I left Joshua and Pru together, just needed to clear my head a bit.‖ 226

Seeker Megan made a face. ―Parties do that sometimes, though I promise you‘ll like mine if you‘d join us. Forget that you‘re on duty, just relax.‖ ―Like Edna?‖ Adoria asked, smiling. Megan opened her eyes wide, her mouth stretching in a big grin. ―Did you see how she jumped off the relaxing chair when I walked in?‖ ―And pretended she was dusting it. With her scarf!‖ They burst out laughing. Adoria had a clear memory of the way Edna‘s solemn face vibrated with the chair. Amidst giggles and snorts of laughter, Megan lost her balance and flailed her arms around in an attempt to grab onto something. Adoria stepped closer to help her and ended up with a huge splash of red wine on the front of her white uniform shirt. ―Oh, fuck! I‘m so sorry,‖ squealed Megan. Adoria waved her hand dismissively. ―It‘s okay. I‘ll just clean it in the kitchen.‖ ―Bullshit. I came over to get you to join us. Now, since I butchered your shirt, it‘s only right that I offer you something from my wardrobe. Come with me.‖ ―But…‖ ―No buts. I brought a couple of extra dresses with me to choose from for the party. Pick the one you like and wear it.‖ Adoria tried to get out of it, knowing how fashion-aware Megan was, and how she wasn‘t. Megan raised a hand and shook her head. ―Aa. Aa. No discussion.‖ Ignoring Adoria‘s protests, Megan grabbed her hand and they snuck through the house and climbed the stairs to a guest‘s room without meeting anyone. Megan settled Adoria on a beige armchair and looked her over. ―Even though you‘re shorter than me, I think I have the right dress for you. It‘ll fall a bit lower on you. Let‘s see how 227

Su Halfwerk it looks.‖ Megan pulled a dazzling burgundy silk gown from the cupboard. She draped it over her arm and smiled at Adoria‘s surprised expression. ―Megan, this dress looks expensive. I can‘t wear it.‖ ―You can and will.‖ The glaring look Megan directed at Adoria shut her up. Megan held the dress next to Adoria‘s face and pursed her lips. ―The color is perfect for your olive complexion.‖ ―What if I spill something on it?‖ ―Then it‘ll be karma catching up with my ass for ruining your shirt. Come on, put this on, and let me see if we need to adjust anything.‖ Obligingly, Adoria stepped in the adjoining bathroom to change. When Megan would see with her own eyes how ridiculous the dress looked on Adoria, she would definitely change her mind. The gown had a classic glamour to it with a built in bra cups that fought to contain her full breasts. She changed quickly and came out. A low and long whistle welcomed her. ―Fuuuuck! This dress is meant for you. That‘s it, you‘re keeping it, whether it gets ruined or burned. I can‘t fill it as well as you do.‖ Adoria‘s cheeks burned. ―Thank you, I‘ll be careful with it but you‘re taking it back when the party is over.‖ Ignoring her, Megan was busy scrutinizing Adoria‘s simple sandals. ―What size shoes do you wear?‖ ―I wear size five. Why?‖ Megan returned to the closet and pulled out a spikeheeled shoe. ―This will complement the dress. Try it on.‖ Adoria shook her head. ―I won‘t be able to walk around in it.‖ At Megan‘s huff, Adoria added hastily, ―My sandals will do, really. Besides, I don‘t want people to think I‘m 228

Seeker trying to step up my rank.‖ Megan frowned. ―I would‘ve never tagged you as someone who worries about others‘ opinions. Most of these people are screwed up or bastards. The majority are both.‖ She shook her hand. ―As far as I care, people can go ahead and blow themselves. Do what makes you happy, Adoria. Now, I can see your problem with high heels, and these…‖ She pulled out another pair hidden behind her back. ―Will solve the problem.‖ Adoria couldn‘t say anything to the open wedge heel shoes Megan had produced. They were marvelous with their simplicity and the small twinkling red stone atop the big toe. ―This is beautiful. I don‘t know what to say.‖ Megan beamed at her. ―You‘ll say ‗yes‘ to my request to do your beautiful hair.‖ **** Andrew leaned on the mantelpiece, a glass of Cabernet Sauvignon in his hand. He gazed at the room full of movers and shakers of the entertainment world. Only Megan could gather them all with such a short notice. As Edward approached him, Andrew straightened from the relaxed pose and smiled at his old friend. ―Can‘t have the birthday boy leaning on an empty fireplace without any company.‖ Edward‘s sharp eyes studied him for a while. ―Is everything okay? You look lost.‖ Andrew smiled. ―Forget that you‘re a doctor for a moment, will ya? I was wondering where Megan has gone to.‖ Edward opened his mouth to speak, his eyes flicked to something behind Andrew, something that made him leave his mouth open and gaping. Andrew turned. 229

Su Halfwerk Megan appeared like the elf he believed her to be, resplendent and earthly in her green dress. However, what made her stand out was the shy yang to Megan‘s mischievous yin, the riveting beauty next to her. Andrew‘s gaze travelled all over Adoria‘s body, from head to toe, his heart slamming hard, swelling with adoration. He could hardly keep his eyes off her. His jaw clinched, sensing without seeing the effect she had on every testosterone-producing male in the room. He couldn‘t blame any of them. Her wild mane of wavy dark night was pulled up on one side by a silver hair brooch adorned with a single red gem in its middle. When she turned to listen to Megan, her wild tresses bounced on her sun-kissed shoulder. As she stepped carefully down the three steps leading to the parlor, the burgundy dress flashed a shapely leg. A magnificent mix of caramel with raspberry sauce, alluring, tempting, and God help him arousing. He watched her weave her way through the guests, aware of the real meaning of her unhurried and dignified steps. She wasn‘t accustomed to those shoes yet. Their gazes locked, and Andrew froze in awe as she approached him. Her breasts filled the flaming red attire, almost bursting out of it. Her hips, those marvelous molds from the gods, full and high, pressed tightly against her silken dress. The ruffle halter dress clung to her skin, feeding the imagination the most titillating and exotic images the mind could conjure. But what had left him spellbound and totally in awe was her expression, so soft and exquisite. She looked on the verge of asking a question, her eyes round in the right way and black to the right degree to get his heart beating in a rhythm worthy of a heavy metal song. Then she did ask him a question, her witching appearance affecting even the quality of her voice. ―Is it okay?‖ she said, half aloud. 230

Seeker Okay? The dress was better than okay, it was godly, unearthly, it was… She added in a hasty rush, ―I got some wine on my shirt and had to change into this.‖ She pointed at the dress. ―Megan was nice enough to lend it to me for the evening. Is it okay to wear it?‖ He swallowed hard and nodded, unable to trust his voice. ―See? Told ya he won‘t mind,‖ Megan said and shifted sideways to give space to the kids rushing to talk to them. ―Tía Adoria, you look so fine that Joshua wants to dance with you.‖ The challenging glance Pru directed at Joshua, who blushed and lowered his head, told Andrew all he needed to know. His son had fallen victim to a dare. With amazement, he watched as Joshua raised his glance to Adoria, actually took a step forward, and held her hand. ―Will you dance with me?‖ Joshua kept his gaze glued to Adoria‘s face, ignoring everyone else. Adoria‘s smile brightened her moon shaped eyes and she nodded, holding on to Joshua‘s hand with pride. To onlookers, they were a strange mix that didn‘t belong in this flashy world. She was aware of her dress, and Joshua was aware of his shyness. ―You‘ve got a good one there,‖ Edward said. ―And a delicious one at that,‖ piped in Justin. ―I knew she was hot, but not to this extent.‖ He ran a thumb on the corner of his mouth. ―I think I‘m going to dance with her.‖ He took a step forward. With a barely suppressed urge to break Justin‘s neck, Andrew stretched his arm out. It collided with Justin‘s chest with enough strength to stop him from advancing. All eyes turned to Andrew quizzically, except for Megan‘s. She narrowed her eyes and mock-whispered to Justin, ―And I think I will hurt you if you cut into Joshua‘s first dance.‖ 231

Su Halfwerk Andrew glanced at her gratefully and lowered his arm. Justin‘s feathers were ruffled, but he was wise enough to back off. Mumbling under his breath, Justin walked away. Edward grabbed Megan‘s elbow. ―That‘s not how a lady acts. You should know better.‖ Megan studied him. ―Then teach me, O wise one.‖ Edward smiled awkwardly at Andrew and dragged Megan away, lecturing her on etiquette and femininity. For few moments, Andrew observed the woman he loved dancing with Joshua. The way they held each other gave the impression that Joshua led, yet his son had no dancing skills, and it was obvious that Adoria helped him with the steps. She brought her head closer to his mouth when he said something, then smiled at him, shaking her head. After few seconds, she stepped on Joshua‘s foot and bit on her full lips apologizing. Joshua seemed to relax after that, he wasn‘t the only one messing up the dance. From a discreetly hidden corner, Emanuel stood guard, sipping from the virgin Pina Colada Andrew had forced into his hand. To Andrew‘s surprise, a tight fatherly smile stretched Emanuel‘s lips as he watched Adoria and Joshua on the dance floor. In another corner of the dance floor, Megan held a drink, her arms wrapped around herself as though in defense against the verbal onslaught of Edward‘s lecture. She took it all in, just to be close to him. She had been doing a lot of that lately. Edward had to be a blind and a deaf fool not to notice. Andrew wondered whether Megan continued the charade of their affair for his sake. Did he hold her back from expressing her true emotions toward Edward? And was it possible that Edward was held back by his loyalty to Andrew? Slowly, Megan placed her drink on the table close by and brushed by Edward, leaving him to berate the air. Andrew 232

Seeker almost followed Megan, but then saw Pru sitting all alone on an armchair, playing her Gameboy. His gaze darted between Megan and Pru. The decision was an easy one to make. Edward should follow Megan and fix their situation. Andrew sighed and lowered himself on the chair‘s arm. Pru glanced up once and then went back to her game. ―Why are you sighing? It‘s your birthday, you should be happy.‖ ―It is my birthday, true, but I‘m all alone with no one to dance with.‖ Eyes still riveted on the screen, she said, ―Take your pick. No woman in her right mind will refuse.‖ He rose, adjusted his suit, and leaned down, his hand outstretched in her direction. ―I‘m glad you said that. Will you do me the honor?‖ Her mouth hung open and she scanned the room. ―I‘m sure you can find someone better.‖ ―You got that wrong,‖ he said. ―Now, don‘t turn me down. After all, it is my birthday.‖ With an exaggerated huff of annoyance, Pru rose and secured her Gameboy in her jeans‘ pocket. Andrew led her to the dance floor and bent down politely before putting his arm around her waist. ―I must admit,‖ he said. ―I‘ve never danced with anyone with such a difference in height. This is really an experience.‖ Pru pouted. ―I‘m only slightly shorter than tía Adoria. Does that mean you never danced with her.‖ ―No.‖ He scowled. ―Never.‖ Pru furrowed her brow in concentration. Finally, a smile brightened her face and she said, ―Wow, your son beat you to her.‖ He didn‘t respond, because at that very moment his eyes drifted to Adoria. Even though she didn‘t swing or twirl, the 233

Su Halfwerk combination of her curves and the dress exaggerated every move she made. There was something bewitching about the way she swayed, lean and tantalizing. ―She‘s a great dancer. Did you know that?‖ Pru asked. ―Hmm.‖ He returned his attention to his companion and smiled apologetically. ―Sorry, I wasn‘t with you.‖ ―Tía Adoria. She‘s real good at dancing.‖ He nodded, but remembering his intention to keep an eye on Megan, he turned back to the veranda. There Megan stood, lost in a long kiss in Edward‘s arms. Her body was molded against the doctor and he seemed not to mind having her so close to him. Megan had finally delivered the one act that killed Edward‘s lecturing mode. ―She‘s also a brilliant cook,‖ Pru said. ―What?‖ Andrew wondered what he‘d missed between the dancing and the cooking. A furtive movement in the corner of the room caught Andrew‘s eye. Someone glided with the speed of a bullet toward Adoria and Joshua.

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Chapter Nineteen

A

doria watched Joshua blush at the end of their dance. ―Thank you for the d—‖ Joshua didn‘t get the chance to finish talking, for Pru landed vertically in the space between them. Adoria gasped when Andrew took her hand and all but pulled her to him. ―What are you doing?‖ she asked. ―Switching partners.‖ His voice, deep and husky, delved through her ear and down to her body. This closeness foretold of doom, how could it not? The powerful presence of this striking man filled the empty space in her heart. The dark jacket embraced his broad shoulders and the white evening shirt stretched over his brawny chest. His legs, long and muscular, brushed against hers. He glared hard at something behind her. She turned. A few feet away Justin returned the glare with his own visual daggers. Andrew leaned closer and whispered, ―Unless you prefer to dance with him.‖ His perfume, citrusy and fresh, engulfed her in a protective manly cloud. She inhaled deeply. God, I’m in love with him. Her breath caught in her throat at the intensity of her emotions. She blinked, resisting the urge to rub her eyes and ruin the makeup. Maintaining a cool façade, Adoria merely glanced at Justin. ―I guess it‘s better the devil you know.‖ She wondered how good a dancer Andrew was. She studied his face for a short while, the teasing twinkle 235

Su Halfwerk in his eyes mesmerizing her. The music changed to something familiar, yet Adoria couldn‘t name it yet. Some dancers giggled nervously and left the dance floor. Joshua and Pru decided that sitting on the sofa and playing with their gadgets was more entertaining. The slight shift in Andrew‘s body brought her attention back to him. His body shifted slightly with a building tautness in response to the music. That was when the song title hit her, Sway. She eyed him quizzically, and with a halfsmile on his lips, he twirled her away, only to grab the tips of her fingers and draw her to him in the last second. Andrew responded to her body‘s call, caressing it, holding it tight against him. A smile stretched her lips and she pushed him away lazily. With a seething hungry look in his eyes, one that made her heart skip a beat, he came back for more and held her so close that their bodies should have molded. At a lull in the music, Andrew swept her hair to one side and inhaled her neck, sending shivers of ecstasy down her spine. There couldn‘t have been a worse moment to see Megan lost in Edward‘s arms. Fury fragmented Adoria‘s heart into a thousand bleeding pieces. It was true that Andrew had kissed her in the theater, but it was a weak moment for both of them that wasn‘t witnessed by anyone. Megan‘s kiss, however, took place in public, where it would make Andrew a laughing stock. Adoria lifted her chin. Even if he didn‘t feel the link between them, she decided to stick by his side. There wasn‘t much she could do but try her best to ease his pain when, or if, he discovered Megan‘s betrayal. Her gloomy mood forgotten, Adoria lost herself in Andrew‘s arms, praying his eyes wouldn‘t fall on his best friend and girlfriend. She swung her hips languidly from side to side and Andrew took hold of her waist and drew her closer, 236

Seeker pacifying a need in her to be nearer, to be engulfed by him. She breezed around him with the limber of a cat while he stilled, green eyes following her every move. Does he know his effect on me? The song waned and Adoria drew closer. Their foreheads met and he nudged her leg aside with his own, lowering them both. Andrew bent her backwards as the music washed its last note over them. Silence surrounded them, separating them from the whole world. An onslaught of clapping brought her back from the ethereal world Andrew had taken her to. He righted them both and stood in the middle of the now empty dance floor, smiling back at his guests. His arm remained around Adoria‘s waist and it felt right. It belonged there. She closed her eyes for a second, savoring that sense of belonging, even if it was a fantasy. When she opened them, he was staring at her lips. ―Did that answer your question?‖ She frowned. ―What question?‖ He smiled, flashing perfect, white teeth. ―The one you asked with your eyes at the beginning of the dance. It had a challenge written all over it.‖ She tilted her head back and laughed. ―I was surprised at the way you held me. It showed mastery.‖ He smiled that sinful grin of his. ―I wouldn‘t call it that. Had to take few dancing lessons for one of my roles.‖ She took in his profile, the way his Adam‘s apple bobbed when he spoke. With their bodies so close, Adoria had very little option but to stare at his lips. ―Dad, you were great,‖ Joshua squealed next to her. She slammed her mind closed against those dreamy thoughts and turned to Joshua, smiling. ―What about me?‖ Joshua blushed. ―The two of you were perfect. Almost like—‖ 237

Su Halfwerk ―Like two bodies moving as one,‖ Edward finished, and ruffled Joshua‘s head, who nodded his agreement. Adoria narrowed her eyes at the doctor. He spoke as though he watched them, while in fact he was busy giving Megan‘s tonsils a check up. ―You guys were so fucking hawt, you set the dance floor on fire,‖ Megan said, and then turned to Adoria, ―And you claimed you weren‘t comfortable in those shoes. Not comfortable my ass.‖ Andrew watched Megan with a laugh in his eye, the corner of his lips lifted in a compressed smile. His gaze shifted to Edward who looked upon Megan disapprovingly. She covered her mouth with a hand at seeing Pru and Joshua still there. ―Sorry.‖ Adoria smiled weakly. ―I guess I got used to them.‖ Just then, Justin approached their group and Megan cursed under her breath. Megan nodded once at a waiter and the music was toned down. She turned to everyone and announced that dinner was ready. Edna appeared out of nowhere and led the kids to a dining table set especially for them. ―You‘re not the only one who can be sneaky,‖ Megan said to Andrew. Adoria frowned, not following the conversation, especially when Andrew said, ―Well, some at least try. Nice display on the veranda.‖ Adoria gasped. She had failed, he had noticed. Megan flushed and bit her lip. ―I hope I haven‘t offended you.‖ ―Andrew, listen,‖ Edward said. ―This was my fault. You can‘t—‖ He stopped when Megan placed a hand on his arm. Adoria‘s gaze shifted between them. Andrew ignored Edward and focused on Megan. ―Offended me? What are you talking about?‖ 238

Seeker ―With me being your girlfriend and all that, and then I go and kiss your best friend in public. You know what people will think.‖ Andrew tapped his lips with a finger. ―You‘re right, I think it‘s about time we break up.‖ He raised both hands to stop her. ―I know. I know how much this will devastate you, maybe even break your heart, and force you to contemplate suicide, but our relationship isn‘t working.‖ Adoria blinked once, then once more. Megan slapped Andrew on the arm playfully and laughed. ―You‘re lucky that only Adoria and Edward witnessed that lousy performance. Your fans would‘ve been disappointed.‖ Her fingers entwined nervously. ―But is it really okay? I mean to go public with this.‖ Adoria was glad she wasn‘t the only one with a surprised expression on her face. Edward‘s mirrored hers. Andrew said, ―It‘s definitely okay. I have plans of my own as well, and our long expected break up couldn‘t have come at a better time.‖ With that, he placed his hand on Adoria‘s lower back and led her to the dining room. Megan followed with a bemused looking Edward. **** It was a silent ride back home. While Pru dozed off in the backseat, Adoria kept her eyes glued to the road ahead. In the few times she side-glanced at Andrew, a muscle ticked in his jaw, his knuckles were white from his death grip on the steering wheel. She wouldn‘t ask him for clarifications. If he wanted to, he would explain without her probing. Thankfully, they reached home just as her resolve wavered. Adoria forced a smile into her voice. ―Happy birthday 239

Su Halfwerk again. Thanks for the drive back home.‖ Andrew cleared his throat and turned to her for the first time since they got in the car. ―I couldn‘t let you leave just like that. I owe you and Pru big time. Joshua had fun because of her.‖ She nodded, then twisted around in her seat and tapped Pru gently on the shoulder. ―Pru, hey, wake up. We‘re home.‖ Pru sat up, rubbing her eyes. ―Okay.‖ ―I want you to go to your apartment. I‘ll follow you shortly.‖ More sleepy mumbles came from Pru. ―Look, it‘s either you go up or I carry you.‖ At that, Pru snapped her eyes open, fully awake now. No way in hell her niece would allow anyone to carry her. Pru wished them both a good night and climbed out of the car. Adoria watched her enter the building. ―It has been a bit awkward between us lately.‖ ―A bit?‖ He smirked. She faced him. ―Just so that we‘re clear, I‘m not after your fame or money, or even marriage. I won‘t risk my job.‖ Andrew‘s smile died on his lips. ―You‘re not risking that. Your future is secure.‖ ―You publicly broke up with Megan tonight, so things might be a bit hectic.‖ God, I’m babbling. ―I still don‘t understand why you had that pretense going. Hell, even with pretense break up, I haven‘t seen anyone do it with so much joy, from both parties. But you‘re kind and she‘s quirky, so…I guess what I‘m trying to say is that…we don‘t have to have any commitment between us.‖ Fire leapt in his eyes. He narrowed them. ―What if I want commitment from you?‖ He asked in a low and intimidating voice. Adoria blinked. ―What?‖ His expression crumbled and he sighed, rubbing his face 240

Seeker as though erasing that expression off his features. They sat in silence for a long while. She waited for him to explain more, to enlighten her to the meaning of his words. Eventually, she sighed and reached for the door handle. With a colorful oath, Andrew seized her arm and stilled her move. He narrowed his eyes, which were glowing darkly with a strange fiery passion, halting her objections on her lips. His arm curled around her possessively. He nearly lifted her from her seat. No other man had made her feel so protected, yet under the mercy of his predatory nature. He stared at her lips with twinkling eyes that had gone darker with emotion. He seemed in the midst of an internal struggle. His breathing was as rapid and erratic as her own, his eyes as glazed as she knew hers must be. He gently cupped her face and leaned in, scantily skimming the corner of her mouth, a tamed brush that contradicted the savage power emanating from him. He licked her bottom lip before tugging it gently between his teeth. She wrapped her arms around his neck and moaned against his lips. Something otherworldly happened. Warm, sweet exhalation flowed from his mouth and into hers, filling her with keen feelings of bliss and contentment. The kiss that had aroused her emotions had turned to something else, something transcendental. She‘d searched for that wonderful sensation all her life, and finally found it in Andrew‘s arms. Adoria leaned deeper into the kiss, eager for more of that heavenly completeness, but Andrew broke away, leaving her breathless. ―You‘d better go.‖ He spoke through hitched short breaths. ―It won‘t do for your neighbors to see you kissing me in the ca—‖ He snapped his head to the side and inhaled sharply. She turned as well, a distinct feeling that they were being watched washed all over her. No one was at the corner 241

Su Halfwerk of the rundown building. For some reason, a curious looking, grayish light shifted right at its edge. ―I want to be with you,‖ she said. His gaze latched onto the corner of the building, refusing to look at her. ―Go now. We can talk about this tomorrow.‖ Adoria got out of the car and slammed its door behind her. Fine, if he wanted to play Tarzan, she would become Jane. She might have been wrong all along. It was his wife‘s memory that kept him aloof and unobtainable. His bogus relationship with Megan may have been his excuse to avoid a solid relationship with anyone else. It felt right to be with him. She‘d be damned if she didn‘t fight for him.

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Chapter Twenty

T

onight, Adoria was with Joshua in the villa, watching over him as he slept, while Andrew attended an event in a nightclub. She tiptoed to Joshua‘s room to check on him again. He slept peacefully, a shadow of a smile on his face. There was something about going to bed exhausted but filled with a sense of accomplishment. That was how Joshua felt after their practice session today. He had paid attention to his protection lessons, nothing rough, just a routine on how to deflect a grab. He had also finally managed to remember how to pronounce Hapkido right. She left the door ajar and climbed down to the sitting room where her novel of romance and espionage awaited her. Sitting cross-legged on the sofa, she reached for her book and settled comfortably to read it. One hand rested on her thigh and she eyed the uniform‘s pant with distaste. From tomorrow, she would dress up casually. Until they hired a replacement for her, she would take turns with the guys to man the security room, but Joshua was her number one responsibility. Andrew had somehow gotten it in his head that Joshua was in danger and he wanted Adoria to remain close to his son while he was out or busy. She pined to be close to Andrew, and though he resisted the same, she had seen something in his eyes, a desire perhaps? Adoria huffed, the only reprieve she had was the 243

Su Halfwerk seven hours of sleep and total obliviousness between her current heartache and the start of a new day and another set of aches. A loud chirrup sounded through the room and Adoria jumped, dropping the book with a loud clatter to the ground. That ringtone would be the end of her one day. She should change it, or at least lower the volume. Cursing, she pulled her cell out and eyed the screen. It was Caleb. Why hadn‘t he called on the intercom? She answered the call. ―Adoria.‖ ―Hey there. Is it as lonely in the villa as it is in the security room?‖ Caleb asked, his words pronounced slowly, carefully. ―Hi, Caleb.‖ He fell silent then. Adoria waited for him. Most probably he needed her to take over while he went on a break. She didn‘t mind helping out, but he had to ask for it. That was the least he could do as an apology for his unbearable attitude. He‘d been acting like a total asshole almost all of last week just for the heck of it. A smirk here, a glance there, and he would get on her nerves. She stayed out of the security room on purpose, grateful he was out of her face. ―The twerp asleep?‖ Adoria closed her eyes and sighed. ―Joshua is a sleep, yes.‖ ―Good, that‘s really good.‖ Whether Caleb addressed her or himself, Adoria wasn‘t sure, but the way he said it made her skin crawl. ―Are you drinking on the job again?‖ She heard humorless laughter, like frigid water dripping in her ear. ―Why wouldn‘t I? The only distraction I had is gone. More time for the bottle.‖ Did he love Gina so much that he needed to bury his 244

Seeker sorrow in a bottle? After the death of Adoria‘s mother, her father drank until one day the alcohol drank him back. He died a drunk. She shook her head. Caleb wasn‘t her father, and didn‘t possess a romantic bone in his body. It was time to speak to Emanuel about Caleb‘s drinking problem, whether it was romance driven or not. Even though it wouldn‘t endear her to Caleb, it might save him. ―Anyway,‖ Caleb said. ―Since you know what I do to pass my time, then you also know I‘ll need to relieve myself frequently.‖ Adoria chewed her lip. Something was off about the way he talked. He could probably leave the security room for few minutes without the need for a replacement. ―Go ahead. I don‘t think you need a cover for that short period.‖ ―What if I tell you it will take me more than few minutes? I‘ve had a suspiciously smelling anchovy‘s pizza and I think that—‖ She squeezed her eyes shut. ―Fine, fine. I‘ll come over, no need for the details.‖ Just as he cracked up triumphantly, Adoria hung up. After one last check on Joshua, she jogged through the garden to the security room. The structure loomed ahead of her, dark and uninviting. Funny how Caleb made her feel that way about the security room whenever he was on duty. The darkness was on purpose though. Whenever Caleb was on duty, the only illumination in the room at night was the monitors. Adoria grasped the door handle and pushed her way in. ―Better hurry up, Caleb. I need to be ba—‖ The room was empty. He must‘ve rushed to the restroom after hanging up with her. She reached for the light switch. Her hand froze when a snort drifted to her from somewhere in the darkness. All her 245

Su Halfwerk senses went on high alert. A possibility snuck on her and slammed her heart between her ribs. What if that guy with the shimmying face had paid the villa another visit and surprised Caleb? Caleb wouldn‘t stand a chance even if he were sober. Guilt swarmed her. She should‘ve told Emanuel and the rest of the team about that intruder and to be on alert. Adoria scanned the room. If the stranger were here, where could he be? Not in the restroom in the opposite corridor. The smirk sounded closer. She turned to the sofa. It was coming from there for sure. She flipped the light switch and rushed to the sofa, only to have her feet kicked right from under her. Adoria landed on the floor, wind knocked out of her with a sharp exhale. She closed her eyes on her agonizing, reverberating spine. Pain shook every bone in her body and forced her teeth to judder in an intense, mind-numbing throb. Something slammed against her shoulder, not very hard, but hard enough to force her eyes open. Caleb stood over her, both hands on his waist. He prodded her with his foot, like a kid examining a new species of a bug on the ground. Caleb laughed, not an insane cackle, but a genuine heartfelt chuckle only a drunkard was capable of. Adoria narrowed her eyes. ―It was you.‖ Caleb nodded. ―I was sitting right there.‖ He pointed to the small space under the security control panel‘s desk. ―Waiting for you.‖ ―But-but why?‖ Adoria attempted to sit up. He nonchalantly pressed her down again with his foot. ―Please don‘t move. I like you in this position. As to why? Well, because I like you in this position.‖ Adoria looked deep into him, and found nothing but a spiteful, bitter man, who blew his chance in a big organization and had to settle for the modicum of leftovers 246

Seeker life tossed his way. ―Don‘t look at me this way! I don‘t need your pity.‖ He ran his gaze over her breasts and crotch. He drooled as he continued talking. ―I could do with something else.‖ He tottered drunkenly to the sofa and stopped. He couldn‘t even stand straight. Adoria grabbed the opportunity and rose to her feet, mindful of the heavy hit her body had received. ―Since Gina is gone, I find myself looking at the next best thing, Edna.‖ He broke out into a guffaw, laughing at his own sick joke. Adoria glanced around her, measuring the distance between her and the door. ―No. No, I meant you. Now you‘ll have to satisfy my need the way Gina used to. She was doing me until she had her chance with Andrew, and you can do the same. How about that?‖ Adoria backed toward the door. ―Why tell me all of this?‖ ―Force of habit. I love to gloat.‖ ―You seriously think I won‘t tell anyone about what you‘re trying to do?‖ He nodded. ―I‘ve been studying you. You like to be good, or at least viewed as a good person. You‘ve covered up for me several times and we‘re not even close. So, now I plan to change that and get us close and very personal. Besides, I don‘t think Andrew needs anymore scandals. He draws accidents to him like a magnet. ― All at once, his vacant eyes gained focus. He lunged forward and seized her wrist. She turned her palm up and bent his wrist until his hold on her loosened. Adoria gripped his hand, pressed her thumps to its back, and cricked it until it faced him, he screamed. To allow himself relief, Caleb followed the twist of his hand and fell to the ground, panting. 247

Su Halfwerk Just as she thought, he was so shit-faced he wouldn‘t be a challenge to any burglar. Huddling his hand close to his chest, Caleb glowered at her. ―Okay, okay, fine, I get it. You don‘t want my tender loving.‖ He spat. ―By the way, I don‘t care about your Andrew or Emanuel. I was planning to resign anyhow. This gig is not fun without some good fuckin‘ on the side.‖ Adoria blinked her discovery, Caleb had a fixation on sex, be it through hints, insults, or actions. ―Are you a sexaholic?‖ He snorted, still cradling his hand against his chest. ―That‘s what they said in the Agency when they fired me.‖ ―There are cures for that sort of thing. Treatment, pills?‖ He shrugged. ―Maybe, but I like things the way they are.‖ He looked up at her standing over him. ―I meant it. I won‘t try anything else anymore.‖ He was lost and beyond help. Without turning her back on him, Adoria withdrew from the room, and closed the door behind her. She stood still outside, listening for any signs of him going after her. After hearing nothing, she rushed back to Joshua. As she placed her foot on the first step outside the villa, something hard hit her shoulder blades and she went down, the pain of the newly acquired hit piling on top of the fall. Caleb stepped out from behind a tree, out of the breath, tossing a sizeable stone up in the air and catching it again. ―Your Hapkido crap stands no chance against man‘s first weapon.‖ The last thing she saw before the rock led her to oblivion was Caleb‘s black eyes as they flashed triumphantly.

248

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Chapter Twenty-One

A

ndrew dropped in the passenger seat with a huff and slammed the car door shut behind him. ―Let‘s go home, Emanuel.‖ He brushed rain from his shoulders, a surprise shower he could have done without. The Black Widow nightclub was happening, everyone who was someone was there on a Saturday night, dancing, drinking, flirting, and making career plans. He couldn‘t understand why he felt suffocated. An antsy feeling eased its way out of his core and consumed him until all he could do was find a way out of the labyrinth-like club. Emanuel raised an eyebrow. ―Are you okay?‖ Andrew glanced outside his window. ―I‘m fine. It‘s just that-my heart isn‘t in it. In any of it.‖ Without another word, Emanuel started the car and drove through Santa Clarita‘s streets. By nature, Andrew hated clubbing, yet it was an evil deed that he couldn‘t avoid. To live in the glamorous world, one had to act the part, follow the trend, and live the life. Tonight, however, he didn‘t belong there. He wished he were home with Joshua and Adoria. He turned to Emanuel. ―Do you think assigning Adoria to Joshua was a wise decision? She seems frustrated.‖ Emanuel glanced at him, a shrewd twinkle in his business-like glance. ―Her frustration has nothing to do with Joshua. On the contrary, she likes your son. But you have to 249

Su Halfwerk admit that such a change in her responsibilities, and right after the incident at the premiere, might give people unfair conclusions about her efficiency.‖ Andrew pondered that for a while, the only sound in the car the swish-swash of the window wipers. People might think that, but he wanted her safe, close to him. Besides, who would look after Joshua better than her? Andrew, whispered Gruesome in his head. Hey, Gruesome. Did things cool down in the Laymour? he asked, welcoming the distraction. This is different. Your woman is in danger. Andrew froze. Everything around him and within his body went still in that moment in time. A frigid clamp squeezed his heart, bent on squelching his chest. Hearing Gruesome confirm that Adoria was his woman made him proud, even possessive, but most of all, very afraid for her life. Where’s she? At the house, in the security chamber, Gruesome said. Andrew punched the car‘s dashboard and ignored Emanuel‘s side-glance. Those damned spirits. Unfortunately, this is pure human nature. It’s your other security guard. Andrew‘s thoughts rushed in too many directions at the same time. Joshua? He is… A short pause. Fast asleep in his room. Andrew‘s fists closed and flexed of their own accord. ―How far are we, Emanuel?‖ ―About ten minutes away from home.‖ ―Make it two,‖ Andrew managed to say through gritted teeth. Emanuel glanced at him sideways, his foot pushing the gas pedal all the way. ―What‘s happening?‖ A shudder of apprehension ran through Andrew. He 250

Seeker calculated his next steps in his head quickly, then told Emanuel what to do as soon as they reached the house. **** Droplets of rain fell in straight lines to the ground, creating puddles of water in the garden. A slow fall breeze ruffled tree leaves close to the security room. The building‘s outline blended with the darkness surrounding it. The smell of rain filled the air, and its sound charged the night with needless disturbance. Andrew flattened himself against the wall, his breathing almost as loud as the rain. Emanuel had used his code to open the gate without making a sound and rushed to the villa to remain with Joshua. Caleb was Andrew‘s, and if anything happened to Adoria, he would settle for no less that breaking down the bastard and then killing him. Andrew peeked once quickly through the room‘s open door and returned to his position. The room was empty and dark, save for a sliver of light spilling from the corridor leading to the bathroom. Gruesome, is she okay? Depends on how you define okay. She is unconscious. Leaving his shoes by the door, Andrew shrugged out of his water-dripping jacket and tiptoed to the bathroom. At the open door, he halted, his heart beating loudly in his ears, his mouth dry, fury coursing through every vein in his body. Caleb was as good as dead tonight. Adoria was out cold in the bathtub, her arms strung up to the faucet with a stirrup. Her hair was in disarray, her shirt torn open all the way to her midsection, and the zipper of her pants was half-open. On the floor by the tub, the son of a bitch was hunkered down, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand as he ogled her, the bulge in his pants a clear 251

Su Halfwerk indication of where this was going. When Adoria moaned in her unconscious state, Caleb said, ―Yeah, you‘re gonna like this.‖ Andrew growled a rumble that started deep in his chest and boiled out of him. Caleb jerked his head up to the door and stared up at him. In the mirror behind his soon to be exbodyguard, Andrew saw the reflection of his pale eyes in the middle of a rage-filled expression. Sensing the danger Adoria was in, the spirit within Andrew had stepped forward without his calling. Like a crab Caleb crawled backward until the wall stopped him. ―I-I—‖ Without a word, Andrew crossed the distance separating them and grabbed Caleb by the lapels. He lifted him to his feet and dangled him in the air. ―You. Touched. Her.‖ Fury erupted out of every syllable. There was no holding back tonight. ―She wanted it. She asked me to—‖ A punch to the face shut Caleb up quick. Blood spurted out of his mouth and cut lips. The look in Caleb‘s eyes changed from fear to insolence. ―It‘s your money. My health insurance will pay for this.‖ Andrew tilted his head to the side. ―Good. Then I guess I can do as I please.‖ Caleb‘s eyes widened with surprise. Andrew slammed him against the wall and let lose all his anger and frustration. This wasn‘t Caleb anymore. He embodied George Darby who‘d killed and damaged his family, personified the bastards who had hurt Adoria. He was every evil soul that harmed an innocent. Andrew punched, kicked, slammed Caleb, and even tore a handful of hair right from the roots. Adoria‘s soft crying snatched him out of the frenzied rage he was in. He spat on and kicked the moaning and bloody 252

Seeker pile on the ground one last time. He leaned on the edge of the bathtub and paused, afraid his touch would hurt her. ―Christ, Adoria,‖ he said, taking in her shivering form and the silent tears that slid down her cheeks. He grabbed scissors from the cabinet behind the mirror and snapped the stirrups. Her arms fell limply with a loud thud next to her in the tub. ―Adoria, darling, say something.‖ A thin hand locked around his arm, and she whispered, ―It is you. It was you all along.‖ He nodded. She had recognized him. ―I‘m so sorry.‖ He didn‘t elaborate, hoping she would take his words as an apology for endangering her life, for hiding the truth from her, for loving her. Silent tears continued to slide down her cheeks. **** Adoria buried her face in Andrew‘s neck when he carried her out of the tub, smelling him, feeling his heartbeats, relishing the safety she found in his arms. The hit must‘ve done something to her vision, she thought. A vague shape, almost like a cloud, seemed to hang close to Andrew. She closed her eyes. Caleb almost had her. ―If you haven‘t been here in time…‖ ―Nothing would have happened to you, I wouldn‘t allow it.‖ His voice sounded restrained, as if he had to control his emotions. She looked up and inhaled sharply. Right before her, green gradually claimed his eyes while darker streaks highlighted his hair until it returned blond. Why hadn‘t she seen the resemblance before? ―You‘re the stranger from the garden and from the night at the firearm shop. How do you do that? And does that 253

Su Halfwerk clou—‖ ―Right now, you need to rest.‖ He lowered her to the sofa and pulled her shirt closed. ―What the heck happened here?‖ Emanuel exclaimed from the door. His eyes darted between Adoria‘s disarrayed outfit, her messed up hair, and the lump on her forehead. His furious gaze settled on Andrew, who pointed with his chin to the bathroom. ―Caleb‘s in there,‖ Andrew said flatly. She almost moaned when he stepped away from her, missing the warmth that radiated from him. Emanuel went to the bathroom. ―Bastard!‖ He returned and hunkered by the sofa with a sigh, studying her from head to toe. ―Ah, Adoria.‖ He reached up with his hand. She flinched. ―Shh, I‘m only going to check your pupils. Okay?‖ Emanuel asked, his voice hoarse. She nodded. Andrew stood in one corner, jaw clinching visibly, gaze fixed on the floor. ―There, I‘m done.‖ Emanuel rose to his feet and went to Andrew. After a short exchange, Andrew pulled out his cell phone and called Edward. ―I‘m fine. Really! It‘s just a bump and a couple of bruises,‖ she protested weakly. Perhaps she wasn‘t all that fine. That cloud of fog was still close to Andrew, hovering about, moving and shifting. Emanuel and Andrew weren‘t noticing it. Something must be wrong with her. Emanuel returned to her side. ―You can‘t hear yourself, but your speech is slurred. Dr. Sebastian is on the way to check you. I‘ll send a text message to Carla letting her know that you‘re needed in the villa tonight‖ She shook her head and winced from the pain. ―She won‘t buy it.‖ ―She will. The hour is late, and she will accept it coming from me.‖ 254

Seeker Emanuel ran a hand over his mouth and sighed. ―Andrew, the police will have to be involved considering the state you left Caleb in. We need to come up with a plausible story, one your agent and publicist can use. How far do you think Caleb will be willing to go with it?‖ ―I‘m sorry.‖ She lowered her head in shame. Single handedly, she‘d managed to cause another scandal around Andrew‘s name. Andrew hissed. ―You‘ve done nothing wrong.‖ He returned his attention to Emanuel, his fists curled until his knuckles turned white. ―Unless the son of a bitch wants to become someone‘s bitch in jail, he will cooperate.‖ Emanuel nodded. ―Okay. Then I‘ll take Adoria to the villa.‖ ―I can walk,‖ she said. ―No, you won‘t,‖ Andrew said. ―I‘ll take care of you.‖ With extreme gentleness, he picked her up and cradled her close to his chest all the way to the villa.

255

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Chapter Twenty-Two

A

doria woke up from struggling with an invisible adversary in a vague dream to soft sheets and a comfortable bed. She pushed the pale yellow quilt off her and sat up slowly, mindful of the pain. Why is my back hurting so much? Looking down, she gazed at the silky blue nightie and looked around the guest room in the villa. Why am I here? With frustration, she reached up to gather her hair, and winced at the throbs of agony radiating from a lump on her forehead. In a rush, the events of the night before poured in, filling her head with ugly recollections of bodily abuse. Licking her dry lips, she focused further on what happened after Andrew saved her. At one stage, she thought she heard Edward severely admonishing someone, after that she had dived back into unconsciousness. A soft knock sounded on the door, Edna entered carrying a small tray loaded with muffins, fried eggs and bacon, toast, and orange juice. ―You‘re awake. Good.‖ Edna placed the tray on the table by the window and eyed Adoria. ―I see that the nightgown fit you perfectly. You compensate what you lack in height with healthy curves. Megan said this one will fit you.‖ ―Thanks.‖ She seemed to be borrowing everything from Megan lately. Edna nodded and glanced at the tray. ―We weren‘t sure 256

Seeker what you‘ll like, but I told Albert that this combination can‘t go wrong with a healthy sensible girl like you.‖ She pulled the flowery curtains open, allowing a strong ray of sun to enter the room. ―How‘re you feeling now? That bump looks nasty.‖ Adoria almost smiled. Edna had become a chatterbox overnight. ―I‘m feeling fine. You didn‘t have to bring me breakfast, though. I‘ll dress up and go to the security room until Joshua wakes up.‖ A lump rose in her throat at the mention of the security room. There was only one way to uproot her dread of it, and that was by going back and facing her fear. To prove her point, she lowered her legs to the floor and rose. The four walls of the airy room wavered, her vision blurred for a moment, forcing her to abandon her bravado and plop back on the bed. Edna rested a hand on her shoulder. ―You should get up slowly, and when you do, remember that there‘s no work for you today. Dr. Sebastian and Andrew are downstairs, waiting for you to wake up.‖ ―Edward is here?‖ ―Yes. He came over to check on you.‖ Edna‘s frosty gaze had thawed and beneath it shone the bright light of a woman deprived of ever having her own kids. Albert was right. His wife‘s aloofness was nothing more than a hard front. Adoria smiled up at her. ―Thanks, I‘ll follow your advice and take it slow.‖ After a long pause and a deep study of Adoria‘s face, Edna nodded to herself as though she‘d made up her mind about something. ―Last night you gave us a scare. Andrew raised us and called Dr. Sebastian to attend to you, but then changed his mind and decided to take you to the hospital, which is a miracle of its own. He finally listened to Emanuel‘s suggestion of waiting for Dr. Sebastian‘s 257

Su Halfwerk evaluation.‖ Adoria frowned. ―Why would I need a hospital?‖ Edna bit her lip. ―We weren‘t sure how-badly that man got you.‖ Oh, Adoria thought, blushing. Edna grimaced. ―And there was also the possibility of a concussion. You see, Andrew wouldn‘t let you out of his sight even when the doctor came. Thankfully, Dr. Sebastian confirmed that though the hit was strong, you were fine enough to spend the night here if you didn‘t move much. Today he‘ll confirm if you need an MRI or not.‖ Edna smiled and ran her hand over her skirt. ―Now, if you‘ll excuse me, I have some duties to take care of.‖ The aroma of the food drew Adoria to the table. No use putting such good meal to waste. The food tasted great and she took her time enjoying every morsel, surprised at her appetite. The thought of Andrew‘s duel personality pushed through the fog, and she chewed on a bacon strip with vengeance, as though it was her enemy, ignoring the thrums of headache. Following Edna‘s advice, she got up slowly and went to the adjacent bathroom. After a fast inspection of her face in the mirror, she decided that short of a hammer to flatten the bump, nothing could hide or reduce it. When Adoria stepped back to the room, Edna was clearing up the table. ―What time is it?‖ ―It‘s past four in the afternoon.‖ When Adoria gasped, she added, ―It‘s understandable, if we go by what Dr. Sebastian said.‖ ―And what did he say?‖ ―I said,‖ said a male voice from behind her, ―that you should have total rest, and that includes unnecessary movement until I see you next time.‖ She turned. Edward stood leaning on the doorframe, a 258

Seeker gentle smile brightening his cheerful brown eyes, a black bag dangling from his hand. Lurking behind him in the indistinctness of the dim hall was Andrew, hands in his beige slacks, face impassive and hard to read. After Edna left the room, Edward nodded apologetically to Andrew and closed the door. He then gestured for her to take a seat and watched her closely as she went to the chair. ―Thank you, Edward. Did anyone speak to my sister?‖ He withdrew a small flashlight and a small hammer with a plastic head from his bag. ―If you‘re asking if anyone told her the details of your accident, then no. Emanuel called her last night telling her that by the time Andrew returned, you were fast asleep while watching over Joshua. He suggested letting you continue your sleep here instead of you driving home all drowsy.‖ Then it was up to Adoria to come up with a reasonable story explaining the state of her forehead. Would a wart work? She flinched when he shone the light in her eyes. ―Headache?‖ She nodded. ―Did you eat yet?‖ ―Once upon a time Edna‘s tray was full of food. The Elves and midgets refused to consume the dishes and silverware.‖ He smiled. ―I‘m trying to determine if there are signs of concussion, like hallucinations, in which case you will need CAT and MRI scans. Not an easy thing to do with Andrew watching me with those eyes of his.‖ At the mention of Andrew‘s eyes, she remembered their paleness last night, the way they bored into her, turning every secret out. She wanted to know the truth. No, she knew the truth. She wanted to understand it. ―What did he tell you about last night?‖ He sobered. ―What do you remember about last night?‖ Adoria rolled her eyes. If he wanted details, she would 259

Su Halfwerk give him details. ―Only that Caleb turned schizo on me and shared too much of his sexual addiction problems.‖ She ignored the pokes and checks he did to her body and went on with the reiteration. ―He‘d consequently decided to use me as part of his addiction solution. The bastard bludgeoned me with a stone and I lost consciousness. I woke up then- I think I was tied up- and Andrew was there.‖ She paused, remembering how pale Andrew looked and how he almost killed Caleb. ―Emanuel was there as well. And then there was darkness.‖ ―Is that all you remember?‖ Edward delivered more pokes. ―There were glimpses of you talking sharply to someone. That was it, I think.‖ Edward nodded. ―Who were you shouting at last night?‖ ―Andrew. He wouldn‘t let me examine you properly. Emanuel had to restrain him and drag him out of the room.‖ He walked to the window. ―I‘ve never seen Andrew in such a state. He was furious, ferocious, and wouldn‘t let me near you. I think he could have hauled Emanuel out of the way if he really wanted to, especially after I saw what he did to Caleb. I guess a saner part of him knew I must examine you.‖ Heat claimed her cheeks and she chewed on her lip. ―I don‘t think Caleb had the chance to do any serious damage.‖ ―Not physically.‖ He turned to face her, but kept his gaze averted. ―Andrew told me about your experience when you were a kid.‖ She swallowed hard. ―I hope this doesn‘t mean I have a concussion, but I still don‘t remember any details from that one. All I know is that I followed my sister and someone grabbed me. I woke up on her tears as she untied the ropes binding me. That‘s all,‖ she said and closed her eyes. 260

Seeker She blocked Edward and the room from her consciousness and placed both hands under her to hide how they shook. Andrew knew? Now Edward as well? Instead of feeling the expected anger for undermining her privacy, shame washed all over her, as though the whole episode was her mistake. She knew better than to blame herself, for both accidents, but certain reactions were built in the human psyche and one of them was the vulnerability when one was violated. A gentle hand lifted her chin and wiped her tears. ―I‘m sorry I pried into your private life. You have nothing to be ashamed of. Nothing,‖ Andrew whispered. She opened her eyes slowly and blinked. ―When did you come?‖ His compassionate gaze traveled all over her face. ―I never left. I was standing outside the room the whole time.‖ Without turning, he asked the doctor, ―What did you find? Any need to go to a hospital?‖ Edward shook his head. ―I‘ve done a neurological exam to test her mental status, her cranial nerves, motor and sensory system, her reflexes, coordination, and gait. Though she‘s suffering from a mild headache, she hadn‘t met the high or medium risk criterion associated with a concussion. Heck, she‘s coherent enough to crack jokes.‖ He closed his bag and turned to her. ―I‘ll check on you daily for the next ten days for any delayed reactions, otherwise you‘re fine.‖ **** Andrew placed her hand on his arm and walked her out to the patio. Joshua looked up from his PSP as they passed his room and smiled at them not knowing the real reason behind Adoria‘s stay the night before. It warmed Andrew‘s heart to see his son‘s smile come so easily. Adoria had 261

Su Halfwerk something to do with the new level of confidence that shone through Joshua‘s eyes. ―We can walk faster,‖ Adoria said irritably. He ignored her complaint. ―Did you notice a change in Joshua?‖ She sighed contently. ―Not a change, but a release.‖ He frowned. ―What do you mean?‖ ―A change means he was one thing and became another. I think this is him all along. He was trapped inside by fear, unable to act the way he wanted.‖ He had toyed with the notion that Joshua was fine, only in need of the right environment to come out and shine. ―What do you think set him free?‖ She shrugged, but he knew she had something to do with it. At the patio, he lowered her into a wicker chair and poured tea for both of them. She licked her lips and fiddled with the arm of her chair. ―We need to talk about last night.‖ ―You must be worried and confused, not sure what to make of what you saw, but let me explain something to you.‖ She narrowed her eyes and waited. ―That strike would‘ve messed up anyone‘s perception of reality.‖ He hated himself. She snorted. ―Yeah. I must‘ve imagined things.‖ This wasn‘t going the way he hoped. Then again, what did he expect? ―Not all of it, the attack was real. Caleb was high on something that allowed me to take him down easily.‖ Gruesome decided to make an appearance just then, Andrew hated having an audience for this conversation. He drummed his fingers, refusing to acknowledge his Guide‘s presence. He went on. ―You‘ve become part of our family, and I 262

Seeker care deeply for you. Joshua has changed into this confident preteen because of the way you treat him.‖ Her eyes drifted to the side, though she didn‘t blink. He cursed himself for not being able to tell her how much he loved her and needed her by his side. You might want to consider going easy on her. She has not recovered fully yet, Gruesome whispered into his head. Andrew ignored him. He had to do this. He couldn‘t just spill the outwardly confession that he was a Spirit Hunter, a man endowed with powers and a Spirit Within him to hunt down escapees from the Laymour. That would sound more ludicrous than his bullshit about her imagining things. He averted his gaze and lied through his teeth. ―Your talk about a ‗stranger‘ made me conscious of the fact that you might have been in shock. I wanted to clear that out of the way and—‖ Adoria gasped. Teeth chattering, her eyes opened wide. ―Please call Edward back. I think I do have a concussion.‖ ―Why do you say that?‖ Andrew studied her face. ―Because I‘m looking at something that can‘t be real.‖ Andrew looked around. Except for her, him, and Gruesome, there was no one else. ―She can see me,‖ Gruesome said. Adoria jumped out of her seat and it tumbled to the ground. She took few back steps toward the patio door. ―I‘m hallucinating a voice, as well. Holy mackerel on a grill!‖ Andrew went to her. ―Where‘s the thing you‘re seeing?‖ With a shaky hand, she pointed right at Gruesome, who shifted to the side slightly and her eyes followed him. ―In my head. It spoke to you.‖ Her gaze flicked frantically to Andrew. ―What‘s happening to me?‖ Andrew blinked. Was she indeed his Destined One? She hadn‘t risked her life for him. The few times she saved his life weren‘t that serious, he could‘ve handled those 263

Su Halfwerk situations himself. She saved Joshua. He is your own. She is yours. Adoria rubbed her forehead, her eyes wide open as her lips trembled. The decision was made. They could be together. He was greedy and Andrew knew it. The need to have Adoria in his life consumed him and he welcomed the chance to release all his emotions. He wrapped his arms around her waist and held her tight. ―You‘re not losing your mind. There was someone with us just now, and he was speaking to me.‖ ―What?‖ She snapped her head up. ―Don‘t humor me. It‘s either I‘m crazy or concussed.‖ His hands framed her adorable face. ―Or you‘re mine.‖ **** Andrew never struck Adoria as a nutcase. Yet all this talk about spirits, hunting them, and special powers sounded too absurd to be deemed the speech of a sane man. Then again, how could she explain what she‘d seen with her own eyes? Concussion, or maybe confusion after a gruesome accident. Yes, that had to be it. Either way, she wasn‘t fit to be around Joshua. ―Since I joined your security team,‖ she said, ―you‘ve had one accident after another. It might be better if I resign and—‖ ―Tell me something,‖ he said, anger and something else boiling in his eyes. ―Did you have many accidents before we met?‖ She remained silent. ―Then why are you blaming yourself for the incidents that are taking place here? They seem to go both ways.‖ He sighed, the intensity in those green pools going down slightly. 264

Seeker Adoria shook her head. ―Even if what you‘re saying is true and you‘re the hunter. Why did I see that vaporous thing just now?‖ ―I have never been called vaporous thing before. I do not think I like that adjective,‖ Gruesome said. Adoria gave another gasp and jumped into Andrew‘s arms again. With a twinkle in his eyes, Andrew said, ―Adoria, meet Celestine, or Gruesome as I like to call him.‖ It had a name! ―And you can see him because, according to Laymour laws you‘re my Destined One.‖ Oh hell! Adoria thought. I’m in love with a crackpot.

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Chapter Twenty-Three

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he woman was inordinately stubborn, Andrew thought sullenly. She still looked upon him as though he was incurably insane, even after Gruesome spoke to her. ―My pledge as the Spirit Hunter was the only thing holding me back. I had to remain pure.‖ Now that he was free to connect with Adoria, that damned nightie wasn‘t helping him keep pure thoughts about her. She nodded. ―I see. Tell me, did you get hit on the head last night as well?‖ A smile cracked the side of his mouth. He couldn‘t help it. She was being difficult and cute at the same time. ―You‘ve met the Spirit Hunter before and both times you weren‘t hit on the head.‖ He sighed. ―I can see nothing will convince you short of this.‖ Andrew rose from his seat, took a step back, and called upon the Spirit Within. Without looking, he knew he‘d turned paler from the shoulders up. Adoria gasped and fell backward in her chair. She landed on her back with a loud thud. This wasn‘t supposed to happen. Cursing under his breath, Andrew rushed to her side. ―I‘m sorry. I thought our discussion would reduce the shock of seeing me change.‖ She giggled nervously and accepted his proffered hand. ―Discussing is one thing, going all angelic and holy on me is another.‖ She dusted the bottom of her nightie and blushed, perhaps noticing how it clung to her curves. All of a sudden, 266

Seeker her eyes widened. ―My God. Does Megan know? What‘s going to happen now?‖ Andrew dimmed his power and reached for her. ―No one knows but you. As for what‘s going to happen now, we have a new chance on life.‖ He cupped her adorable face. ―I love you, Adoria.‖ He folded her in his arms. ―We‘ll get married and—‖ She raised both hands. ―Whoa, hold your horses. I like you, a lot, but marriage?‖ She shook her head. ―Do you hear yourself?‖ He did, and he sounded every bit as eccentric even to his ears. In this day and age, he‘d just proposed to a woman without going out with her on a single date. Considering her nature, personality, and background, nothing short of serious and focused wooing would work on her. They fit together, and she was bound to see it. ―Dad, is everything okay?‖ Joshua peeked from behind one of the patio doors, worry etched on his face. He eyed Adoria‘s forehead. ―Everything‘s fine. Adoria can‘t stay away from trouble and because of that bump on her head I‘ve asked her to go home and rest. What do you think?‖ Joshua‘s expression brightened. ―Can I go with her? I want to show Pru a new game on my PSP.‖ Adoria sighed with relief. ―I don‘t mind if he comes and Pru loves his company.‖ He couldn‘t refuse, and in a way he was glad that Joshua had found a friend in Pru. He nodded and gave Adoria a look that promised a sequel to their discussion. It had gone worse than he‘d expected. You can say that again, Gruesome said. You switched from telling her she is crazy to confessing that you are a man with super powers. Andrew raked his hair. Oh yeah? Then you tell me how you 267

Su Halfwerk would’ve handled it? I’m not judging your approach. You were eager and excited that she is the one for you. I am only justifying her reaction. A smile played at Andrew‘s lips as he watched Adoria step into the house with Joshua. She was his, and there would be nothing on earth, or the Laymour, that would stop him from winning her heart. **** ―Why do we need a bodyguard? We both know Hapkido.‖ From the corner of his eye, Joshua watched Steve drive the Chrysler. He hadn‘t warmed up to Steve yet, and the body guard‘s starchy attitude didn‘t help. What was up with Steve? ―You‘re right, but Steve needs a break from work. That‘s why he offered to come with us,‖ Adoria said. She was relaxed and comfortable in the backseat with Joshua. ―Oh, okay.‖ Joshua returned his attention to the concrete scenery outside. Why did Andrew insist on sending someone with them? That question had been on Adoria‘s mind since they left the villa. And what was with Steve and his lack of eye contact? Did he blame her for getting his buddy fired? At her building, they got out of the car and Joshua rushed into the building. ―Wait for me, Joshua. I‘m not supposed to run.‖ He paused long enough to turn around. ―Then don‘t. I know the way, I‘ve been here before, remember?‖ No, I don‘t, she said to herself. It was part of the lost day. ―Can I speak to you for a moment?‖ Steve asked. He looked flushed, his gaze cast downward. ―I‘m sorry about last night.‖ His words were clipped, terse and to the point, a wrong point, though. 268

Seeker Adoria touched his arm. ―It wasn‘t your fault.‖ His gaze met hers, anger burned inside with abundance. She took a step back to reduce the impact of that fury. ―I am responsible. I got that scumbag the job. He‘d told me he was undergoing therapy, even showed me his appointments. The time when he grabbed the woman‘s breast was nothing more than a relapse, he swore to me. Like an idiot, I believed him.‖ ―None of us suspected how sick he was. You can‘t blame yourself for the faults of others, for their shortcomings or actions.‖ As she spoke the words, she realized their veracity. Before lecturing others, she should start by cleaning house, by stopping the blame game she‘d played in her mind for years. None of what happened to her, good or bad, was within her control to change or command. ―I‘m leaving the service at Andrew‘s.‖ Okay, she didn‘t see that one coming. ―Did he ask you to leave?‖ ―No, but it‘s the right thing to do.‖ ―So you know for a fact the people replacing you and Caleb are going to be good?‖ He frowned. ―What do you mean?‖ Bring on the guilt trip. ―Emanuel will have to replace you, me, and Caleb in a rush. I‘m with Joshua now and won‘t be manning the security room. In other words, do you believe the new personal guards will definitely look after Andrew‘s wellbeing and be as loyal to him as you are?‖ His expression grew wistful. ―I didn‘t think about that.‖ She sighed. ―There‘s no one better than you for the job. You‘re loyal, decent, and efficient. No matter who they hire, they won‘t be able to replace you.‖ ―Caleb—‖ ―Caleb‘s actions were his. You didn‘t adopt him, you only 269

Su Halfwerk recommended him. Even then, Andrew and Emanuel both interviewed and hired him. So stop blaming yourself.‖ He lowered his head as though in deep thought. She rubbed her head. Steve shouldn‘t leave. He was a good man. ―Please stay, otherwise you‘ll prove that I did jinx everyone around Andrew.‖ He looked up, a bewildered expression on his face. ―Jinx?‖ ―Since I joined, Andrew had a fight with Malcolm, fired Gina, pummeled and fired Caleb, and was attacked several times, including once by his date, during the date.‖ The corner of his mouth twitched. ―I‘ll think about it.‖ Adoria grinned back. ―That‘s all I‘m asking.‖ She glanced at the building. ―Now, excuse me while I crawl up the stairs to the apartment. This should take no less than an hour.‖ With a nod, Steve returned to the car and sat behind the steering wheel waiting for their return. Since living in that building, Adoria never missed the elevator the way she did at that moment. She climbed up slowly, one step at a time, resting for a couple of minutes on each landing. Finally, she reached Carla‘s apartment and unlocked the door. ―Tía Adoria!‖ Pru hugged her. Adoria returned the hug. ―What‘s this all about?‖ ―I missed you, that‘s all.‖ Adoria ruffled her hair. ―And the fact that I brought Joshua with me has nothing to do with that display of affection?‖ Pru peeked behind Adoria. ―Where‘s he then?‖

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Chapter Twenty-Four

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ot trusting anyone else behind the steering wheel, Andrew tore through Santa Monica‘s traffic. Next to him, Emanuel gripped the handle with one hand and pushed against the dashboard with the other. They flashed by streetlights with the speed of light. These were bad times. Adoria and Joshua shouldn‘t have left his side. Like a mantra he repeated, please be safe, please be safe, in his mind, his knuckles white from gripping the steering wheel so hard. Andrew‘s frustration with Gruesome reached a new level. No matter how much or how loud he called on his Guide, Gruesome didn‘t answer. This was ultimately the worst time to abandon him. He glanced sideways at Emanuel. The tic in the Head of Security‘s jaw was the only indication of his stress. Without bothering with reassurances, Andrew returned his gaze to the road in time to avoid a cat dashing across the street. Andrew flattened the brakes and the car screeched to a stop. Both he and Emanuel hurtled forward. For few seconds only their labored breathing disturbed the hush in the car. ―Would you like me to drive?‖ Emanuel asked. Andrew shook his head and shifted his foot to the accelerator. When they finally reached the apartment building, he fished out his cell and speed dialed Adoria. ―Where are you?‖ She panted. ―Just finished checking the last apartment in 271

Su Halfwerk the building. Luke and Pru are both at the building‘s entrance to make sure we don‘t‘ miss him.‖ She‘d searched the whole building as she‘d promised, by hook or hook, no time for crook, and in her weak state. ―Return to Carla‘s apartment. I need to speak to you face to face.‖ Adoria didn‘t respond right away. He didn‘t care if she took offence. He had to make sure she was fine. Finally, she said, ―Yes, of course.‖ He pocketed his cell and approached Pru and Luke. ―Did you see anything out of the ordinary?‖ Luke had abandoned his cool, relaxed appearance. His eyes were shrewd as they scanned the streets then flashed back to the building entrance. With a hardly perceptible shake of the head, he answered Andrew‘s question. ―Remain here and do what you‘re doing right now.‖ After a brief hesitation, Andrew added, ―Watch each other‘s backs.‖ ―We‘re not idiots,‖ Luke said. Pru said, ―Don‘t be offended. Luke is mad this happened on his turf.‖ Andrew nodded and climbed the stairs two at a time, Emanuel right behind him. Luke‘s attitude hadn‘t upset him. If anything, it reassured him that nothing would escape those eyes. The fact that both kids had healthy red auras helped him relax, too. Adoria must rest. She had just suffered a severe attack and shouldn‘t be over-exerting herself. No matter what she thought, if someone had grabbed Joshua, it wasn‘t her fault. This was the spirit‘s next logical action. The door to Carla‘s apartment was wide open. She sat on a chair facing the door, arms crossed over her chest, face red with anguish. His heart beat in his throat, Carla looked as though Pru was the one missing. 272

Seeker ―Adoria?‖ He couldn‘t trust himself saying anything else. ―I‘m right here.‖ Blue t-shirt sticking to her body, Adoria looked pale with a sheen of sweat covering her face and a crimson, healthy aura surrounding her. ―No one saw him.‖ She sighed and dropped into the wooden chair closest to the door. ―I shouldn‘t have stayed behind to talk to Steve. I should‘ve been more attentive.‖ When he‘d told her about spirit hunting, he should‘ve mentioned the unusual war spirits waged against him. Her stubbornness, however, left him no choice but to stick to the basics. ―Don‘t blame this on yourself.‖ His terse reply sounded more like an accusation. ―I‘ll—‖ ―Andrew, I know where he is.‖ He froze. Did he want to know what happened to his son? These were spiteful creatures. He might be hurt, or worse. Very still, Adoria watched him closely, her soulful eyes sending him warm waves of support and understanding. She nodded once to him. They would find out together. Where’s Joshua? And where’ve you been? ―You‘ll what, Andrew?‖ Carla asked, her gaze darting between him and Adoria. ―The one who kidnapped Joshua has a small army of possessed people to do his bidding. They organized themselves to take you down. I went to the Laymour to ask for support from up there,‖ Gruesome said. Where is my son? Gruesome hesitated. He hadn‘t taken a solid form, but Andrew felt him shift and hover in his head. ―He is out cold but uninjured in a warehouse behind a coffee shop. He‘s being held captive by the man possessed by George Darby. Joshua is with Peter Moyer.‖ Adoria‘s eyes opened wide. She leaned back in the chair, one hand covering her mouth.

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Su Halfwerk **** Andrew scribbled something on a piece of paper and handed it to Emanuel. ―Call the police and send them to this address. The moment Pru is back home, follow me to the same place.‖ Adoria watched him bark orders. He told Carla to call Pru back home right away, sent Steve to wait by the entrance of the warehouse, and asked Emanuel to call the police. Andrew turned to her. ―Stay here and wait for us. Joshua will need you when I bring him back.‖ ―Like hell I will. I can help you.‖ Andrew seized her elbows. ―Don‘t you understand? I need to know you‘re safe.‖ Hard lines of worry outlined his mouth. She pulled her elbows out of his hands. ―Why don‘t you understand that I need to do this? Besides, the safest place is with you right now.‖ ―She might provide the perfect distraction. Peter has feelings for her,‖ Gruesome said. ―She‘s not Jasmine,‖ Andrew whispered. ―Like Darby desired your wife, this Peter desires her. We might have a slim chance of distracting him with her presence.‖ Andrew shook his head. ―What are you going to do otherwise? Tie me down and leave me here?‖ she asked. He narrowed his eyes into thin slits. ―I‘m tempted.‖ Adoria shrugged. ―I‘m coming, and that‘s that.‖ He would cave in. He had no time to waste on arguments. Andrew turned to Emanuel, who was holding his cell phone, watching the exchange between her and Andrew. ―What are you waiting for? Call the police.‖ Emanuel concentrated on his cell and Carla went to the 274

Seeker window and called Pru up. Steve had left already. No one saw the speed with which Andrew flashed out of the apartment like a bullet. Cheater. Adoria ran after him, unwilling to allow his super speed and big strides to intimidate her. He hadn‘t figured it out yet, but she had neighborhood knowledge to her advantage. At the building‘s entrance, Andrew was waiting for her, as she expected. He looked angry, frustrated, and in fear, all at the same time. Without a word, he followed her to the address Gruesome had given him, the shared warehouse for The Beans and other stores adjacent to it. A block after the building, they came across Steve standing at one corner like a statue, eyes rolling and flitting from one corner to another. ―Steve! Hey, answer me.‖ Adoria moved her hands in front of his face, but to no avail. ―He is locked in an internal battle of wills with a Fleeting Spirit. Until one wins, he remains immobile,‖ Gruesome said. ―This could complicate things.‖ ―You think?‖ Andrew sounded sarcastic but looked serious. He‘d gone angelic on her again, shifty face and all. ―What‘s a Fleeting Spirit?‖ Adoria asked to hide her surprise. Andrew said, ―A spirit needs a physically or psychologically weakened host who is motionless for some time to allow smooth possession. Fleeting Spirits jump into any available body either in transition until they reach their target, or to immobilize a moving person. They don‘t expect to stay long.‖ He scanned Steve‘s face. ―Don‘t worry about Steve, his will is very strong. He‘ll win and come out of this without any memory of what happened to him.‖ Adoria nodded. Another piece of the puzzle fell into place. ―No memory, huh? Like what happened to me?‖ She 275

Su Halfwerk hadn‘t lost a day. A spirit had stolen it from her. Andrew scanned the area, his face averted. ―Stay here with Steve and watch over him. Both of you can join me then.‖ She shook her head. ―When are you going to understand that I‘m here because of Joshua? The only way you will stop me from going with you is by breaking my legs. Even then, I will crawl.‖ ―She is a tough one,‖ Gruesome said.

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Chapter Twenty-Five

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ime was running short, time Andrew didn‘t have. ―You‘re not helping, Gruesome. She doesn‘t need encouragement.‖ The dark orbs of Adoria‘s eyes challenged him. Dammit, why couldn‘t she understand that he didn‘t have the time to exorcise another spirit out of her? ―No spirit can enter your mate‘s consciousness without her approval. That is one matter you do not have to worry about,‖ Gruesome said. Adoria rounded on Gruesome‘s hovering presence, her eyes wide with astonishment. ―His mate? What am I? A goat?‖ Under different circumstances, Andrew would‘ve had a tough time hiding his smile. ―Fine. You come with me, but stay close. You‘re still weak no matter what you think? Are we clear?‖ She nodded and slunk toward the warehouse door ahead of him. Shaking his head, Andrew strode pointedly until he gained on her. He ignored her sigh. Revenge took a backseat. Only Joshua‘s safety mattered. He realized then that this was his calling, his destiny, and he wouldn‘t shy away from it. He refused to remain the reluctant hunter he had been, fooling himself into thinking he went after spirits because of Darby. No. He hunted them because no one deserved to share their body with one of 277

Su Halfwerk those creatures. He glanced at Adoria wondering if she would be able to understand these risks. They entered the dark warehouse illuminated only by thin rays of moonlight shining through the glass windows surrounding the upper half of the wall. These rays didn‘t travel far into the warehouse. Boxes and wooden crates littered the space, some piled by the walls, others scattered haphazardly on the ground. Giggling shapes hustled ahead of them, yellow auras shone like beacons from different corners. As soon as he got a fix on one, it disappeared behind a pillar or a crate. To win this night without losing Joshua, Andrew must target the head of this operation. Darby! ―Nice of you to join us, Spirit Hunter.‖ Peter‘s voice bellowed through the warehouse, and at that moment Andrew figured out what he hadn‘t liked about the guy the first time he met him. Peter‘s voice had that feminine tilt to it, just like Darby‘s. Andrew remained silent, his hands fisted by his side. He appreciated Adoria‘s gentle squeeze of his arm. ―Your son has decided to take a small nap.‖ Darby sounded contemplative. ―It might‘ve something to do with the bump on his head.‖ Gruesome, where is my son? What state is he in? George Darby is with your son in the middle of the warehouse on a raised wooden stage held by chains. As before, Joshua is unconscious but well. The bastard had raised his hand on Joshua. George‘s list of sins was growing longer. ―You will pay for this, Darby,‖ Andrew roared. ―Ah, I see the little snitch had told you who I am.‖ Darby tsked loudly. ―Think about it, though. Only fate can make me and my new host desire your women. I must admit you have very good taste.‖ 278

Seeker ―He‘s baiting you,‖ Adoria said, her hand on his arm, her eyes searching the darkness. ―Anyway, I regress.‖ Darby sighed. ―How about an exchange? Send me Adoria and I‘ll send you your son.‖ Andrew frowned. Darby sounded too confident. What was his escape plan? He located the platform, raised far from the ground. He made out a red aura. It should be Joshua’s, thank God. He found a brown one indicating a spirit in its natural form, and a gray one, too. Gruesome, how come he’s gray? He has bonded with his host. ―I‘m not sure if your snitch has told you about the barrels of gasoline placed at strategic locations around the warehouse. But there you go, now you know. Think fast, you know how excited I get around flammable objects.‖ He tittered and others hooted, cheering him on. Andrew counted three distinct pitches. ―What good is Adoria to you? Peter wants her. Are you doing his bidding?‖ Andrew asked. Darby laughed. ―I can think of many uses for her.‖ His voice sobered. ―She has to accept a most willing spirit to enter her, and we both know how stubborn she is. Without having your son as leverage she won‘t accept. Send. Her. Now!‖ Adoria shifted close by and Andrew drew her nearer, afraid she would do something stupidly heroic, like going to Darby. ―And then what? You‘ll hand me Joshua just like that? How do I know he‘s still alive and unharmed for sure? I need to see him.‖ He needed to buy time until the police arrived. Bullets kill. After a long pause of silence during which every sound settled, except for the small movements Adoria made next to him, Darby spoke. ―You‘re right. I can‘t fault you for not 279

Su Halfwerk trusting your guide.‖ Then with a booming sound, Darby said, ―Let there be light.‖ A single weak light bulb came on, chains rattled until the platform was lowered enough for Andrew to make out Peter poised in its center. A small body was slumped on its base. A rock the size of his fist was stuck in Andrew‘s throat. He swallowed hard. Red fury flared in his chest when Peter flipped Joshua over with the tip of his shoe. Joshua rolled onto his back and moaned. ―There, I showed you my good will,‖ bellowed Darby, a giggle in his voice. ―Now it‘s your turn.‖ Andrew must move fast to reach his son before Darby did anything to him, yet he knew that the moment he left Adoria‘s side she would become a target for the auras still moving between the crates. Any ideas, Gruesome? The situation was insoluble. Adoria shifted sharply by his side, and squeezed his hand forcefully. ―I‘m thinking, Adoria. I‘m think—‖ he took a step backward, his mouth hanging open. Adoria‘s eyes and hair had turned pale, not as pale as his usually did, but with her dark tresses, the change was tremendous. ―Spirit Hunter.‖ It was Adoria‘s voice but he recognized a deliberate and passionless speech pattern similar to Gruesome‘s. ―I am Keigan, a High Domine of the Laymour and the Dome‘s Pit Keeper. We have come to aid you.‖ Andrew closed his eyes. He appreciated the support, but not like this. ―Aid me? By possessing Adoria?‖ ―Andrew, we do not possess,‖ Gruesome said. ―Keigan did not enter Adoria‘s body without her permission. No one can. However, your female trusted Keigan and allowed her in. This is a temporary solution to the current problem at 280

Seeker hand.‖ Andrew didn‘t like it, and he shifted his gaze to the raised platform. Deal with one problem at a time. Focus, he said to himself. The woman next to him rested a hand on his arm. ―Adoria is safe within me, she wishes to speak up.‖ When her eyes closed, the paleness recessed. Adoria opened her eyes, the black orbs of courage studied him. She said, ―Please, Andrew, let me help. You‘ve trusted the Laymour people with your soul, and that‘s more precious to me than mine. Gruesome vouched for Keigan while you engaged Peter. Let me help you save Joshua.‖ Love, pride, and trepidation blocked Andrew‘s throat. He didn‘t trust himself to speak so he nodded instead. Adoria never ceased to amaze him. Perhaps this was better. If Adoria got hurt, Keigan would absorb the injury and heal her. Emanuel, Luke, and Steve slunk in and joined them, each with a pale complexion similar to Adoria‘s. ―You concentrate on George Darby, Spirit Hunter,‖ Adoria said in a husky voice that resembled hers. ―I will ensure the safety of your female and son. They,‖ she pointed at the three new recruits, ―will help you eradicate the other spirits.‖ ―Time is ticking and I‘m waiting,‖ Darby said. Mind made up, Andrew whispered to Keigan, ―Promise me that none of the people you‘re possessing will get hurt.‖ She nodded. ―Sola is not the only one who can heal his host. Do not worry. Adoria is safe with me, as you are safe with mine.‖ Mine? Gruesome whispered, ―Go after the one you sought.‖ Adoria rose and sidled between the crates and boxes, her paleness reducing until only dark black hair was visible. 281

Su Halfwerk Andrew zigzagged between the boxes until he positioned himself behind Darby just as Adoria appeared on the other side, opposite him. She didn‘t look up and she spoke slowly, each word resonating clearly in the warehouse. ―Lower the platform, Peter. How can I reach you otherwise?‖ Darby tsked. ―I know all about your skills. You can cripple a man if you want to and I‘m real happy with this body. Possessing a new body until a bond is formed is a pain in the ass. Here‘s what you‘re gonna do… First, accept Yolanda in you, then, and only then, you can join me.‖ He shifted on his legs, clearly agitated and excited at the same time. Andrew gripped the corner of a box in front of him. He must trust Keigan to know what she was doing. Adoria nodded once at Darby. All of a sudden Adoria‘s eyes rolled in her head and her body shook uncontrollably until her teeth chattered. Her mane of black hair billowed around her, swiping in every direction like a halo about her. She is safe, Gruesome said in his head. Andrew measured the distance between the wooden platform and the closest crate to it. If he rushed fast enough, he could leap in the air and land on the plank, possibly on his son, or worse, on Darby who might crush Joshua. Shit! He was helpless to do anything until the platform was low enough to reach. As fast as the possession started, it stopped. Adoria‘s eyes twinkled with mischief as she gazed up at Darby. ―I‘m in.‖ Her voice didn‘t have the huskiness of Adoria‘s voice, nor the calculating confidence of Keigan‘s. It was slutty, controlling, and evil enough to leak through those two words. Her body swayed from side to side and she gazed up at Darby with desire in her eyes. 282

Seeker Jealousy shot like acid in Andrew‘s gut. Adoria should look only at him with lust and hunger. Trust Keigan and Adoria, Gruesome reassured him. Andrew huffed and drew closer to the raised stage, positioning himself at an angle that would facilitate and enhance his leap. Darby pressed a button on a controller dangling from the ceiling. The chains rattled again and the wooden platform lowered with a whirring sound. Adoria smiled suggestively to Darby, who wiped his lips with the back of his hand. What Darby didn‘t notice, while the motor birred and Adoria distracted him, were the grunts and thuds that came from different corners of the warehouse. ―Yes, come on down, you bastard,‖ Andrew whispered under his breath. Twelve feet above ground, Darby released the button and glanced around him. ―Something‘s not right. Where‘s the Spirit Hunter?‖ Adoria shrugged. From where he stood, Andrew made out the odd way Darby tilted his head while facing Adoria, the bastard suspected something. Apparently, Adoria came to the same conclusion at the same moment. With the momentum of one of her seductive sways, she jumped on a box and used it as an advantage to leap to a crate from which she sprang in the air and grabbed hold of the platform‘s base. With an acrobatic twist of the body, she flipped upward and balanced herself on one corner of the wooden plank. Darby must‘ve been immobilized by shock because when he moved it was too late. By the time Darby tried to unbalance her with a push, Adoria had moved to the center of the plank, placing herself between Darby and Joshua. She used his steam to direct a swift punch to the face. He howled in pain, holding his nose and mouth, cursing her with 283

Su Halfwerk colorful expletives. All that happened in a matter of seconds, the time it took Andrew to utilize the crate and jump onto the platform. It shook from side to side with their weights. Adoria grabbed hold of the controller and pressed the button. The platform started a slow descent to the ground, but Andrew wanted to put enough distance between Darby and his son and Adoria. He leaned in, ceased Darby‘s shirt and hauled him out. While he landed on his feet, Darby dived headfirst, his scream of surprise morphing into a screech of pain. Something crunched in Darby‘s body, and the sound sent shivers of satisfaction up Andrew‘s spine. Darby settled on his knees, nursing his bleeding nose. ―Rush him!‖ The nasal command yielded no response. ―I said. Rush. The. Fucker!‖ Andrew crossed his arms and smirked at the sputtering scum of earth in front of him. From the corner of his eye, he watched Adoria carry Joshua to a spot by some boxes, his son‘s head lolling from side to side. Payback time. ―Your followers are no more, Darby. They all went back home to the Laymour.‖ ―Fuck you, Spirit Hunter. You assume you‘ll win?‖ ―I don‘t assume to win.‖ Andrew pulled his dagger from a pocket. ―I just do.‖ Darby pulled his lips in a twisted smile. Blood left a smeared path from his nose to his chin, not an attractive sight. ―According to my calculations, you didn‘t do last time. You actually lost. Big time.‖ The cut in Andrew‘s chest at the loss of Rosy and Jasmine opened anew. It bled guilt and anger, a not-so-conducive combination to Darby‘s current dilemma. Andrew flicked his weapon and rushed Darby, aiming to grab his shoulder and bury the dagger between his eyes. In mid-run, Gruesome whispered in his head, The only way to extract 284

Seeker Darby is by killing Peter. Your stab will be true and will go through Peter’s skull Andrew paused. He‘d forgotten all about the bonding between Darby and Peter. Could he kill Peter knowing that most of his actions were no more than orders from the spirit possessing him? That moment of hesitation was all it took for Darby to pull a lighter out of his pocket, flip it on, and throw it toward Adoria and Joshua. Andrew watched the lighter twirl and flip in the air, its flame creating an arch as it turned. ―Psst.‖ Darby cackled. ―I‘ve doused his feet with gasoline. He‘ll have feet to match his ear. With any luck, the rest will catch up as well.‖ No! Not again, Andrew screamed in his head. Like a Hapkido angel, Adoria appeared from behind the crates, did an air flip and kicked the lighter back to Darby. It landed by his feet. Fire erupted in Peter‘s sneakers, and he roared in pain, his eyes reflecting the spreading fire up his legs. With his hands, Darby tried to put the fire out but pulled them back, hissing in pain. His gaze flicked all around, his mouth open in a silent, grotesque scream, and then Darby went still. Darby is abandoning Peter’s body. Move now, Gruesome said. It made sense. Because of their bonding Darby was in charge, calling the shots, and feeling the burn and the pain. Of course the coward would try to escape now. ―No you don‘t,‖ Andrew muttered and lunged at Darby, burying his dagger into Peter‘s heart, where it would kill for sure. ―Not this time.‖ Peter blinked, eyes brimming with tears, his hand squeezing the quickly spreading crimson on his shirt. ―H-he made me do the bad stuff,‖ he murmured to Andrew before 285

Su Halfwerk he crumbled to the floor. ―Gruesome, what happens to Peter? I haven‘t extracted Darby from him.‖ ―You do not need to. They travel together to the Laymour, like all recently dead people, to await judgment.‖ Andrew fell to his knees. ―Dear God. I‘ve killed an innocent man.‖ ―Peter Moyer was far from innocent. You have avenged an old woman who was tortured until she signed her shop over to her son.‖ Fire spread from Peter‘s legs to the rest of his body, consuming materials and skin. The acrid smell of burning flesh filled the air, making it unhealthy to breathe. Andrew coughed and rose to his feet. He hadn‘t felt the satisfaction he sought all these years, even though he had no regrets for seeking it. Vengeance was a lousy dish, whether served warm or cold. Adoria had gathered Joshua in her arms, her thick hair hid them both. Andrew ran to them and said, ―How about we get out of here?‖ Joshua lifted his head, a bright smile spreading on his face. ―Dad!‖ He let go of Adoria and ran to his father, they hugged. ―Josh. You okay, big guy?‖ Joshua touched the bump on his head and winced. ―I guess.‖ He wrinkled his nose. ―I don‘t like the smell in this place.‖ Of course he wouldn‘t. It wasn‘t the first time he smelled burning human flesh. Andrew squeezed his eyes shut on that thought. ―I tried to use the Hapkido Adoria taught me, my hits even connected with the Fire Man, but he didn‘t feel any pain.‖ Andrew stilled. ―How did you know this was the Fire Man?‖ 286

Seeker ―He looked different but sounded same as before.‖ His eyes filled with tears. ―Dad, how do you fight someone who doesn‘t feel any pain?‖ ―He did feel it all at the end.‖ Andrew gathered his son in his arms and glanced at Adoria. ―Keigan, you‘ve kept your promise and protected both Joshua and Adoria. Thank you.‖ She smiled at him, a thin trickle of blood ran from the corner of her mouth. ―Keigan‘s gone. When she left she took Yolanda with her.‖ She pointed to a broken window high on the wall. Andrew glanced up, the Northern Star shone bright and right in the middle of the sky. He touched the corner of her mouth. ―How come you‘re bleeding?‖ ―Keigan made me hold my breath the moment Yolanda entered me and announced that she was in. When Keigan finally allowed me to exhale, I think I over stretched my mouth.‖ She moved her jaw sideways. ―God! How do you do that?‖ Joshua squirmed in his arm. ―Why‘s your hair white, Dad?‖ Andrew did a quick change before glancing down at his son. ―Are you telling me I‘m old?‖ Joshua squinted and then shook his head. ―The smoke here is too much. I thought you had funky white eyes as well.‖ Laughing, Andrew walked out of the warehouse, an arm around each of his beloveds. He smiled at Adoria when Steve, Emanuel, and Luke emerged from behind crates, each asking the other what happened.

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Su Halfwerk

Epilogue

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tanding in a secluded corner of the crowded reception hall, Adoria closed her eyes and leaned on a pillar, one hand cradling a glass of champagne close to her chest. She felt blessed, a sensation so surreal after the turmoil she had to withstand all her life. When she opened her eyes, she was drawn instantly to Andrew‘s piercing gaze as he made his way through the reception hall. With every move he made, subtle muscles shifted under his white shirt. Twinkling lights of the crystal chandeliers gave his blond hair extra lightness, and the highlights appeared almost white. His full lips quirked in a smile, his gaze traveled over her satin, strapless dress in suggestive slowness, scorching every inch of her flesh. Heat spread through her and she lowered her gaze like a smitten virgin. He whispered in her ear, ―There you are. I thought you ran away.‖ His voice, his warm strong hand resting on the small of her back, and his citrusy scent, all pushed heated blood into her face. She wound an arm around his neck, her chest pressing against his. Andrew‘s hand ran slowly up and down her back, enticing every inch of her into wanting him more, loving him more. ―Where can I disappear to? After our photos in the tabloids, newspapers, and on entertainment channels, I don‘t 288

Seeker think I can hide anywhere.‖ He pursed his lips. ―So, you did consider running away!‖ ―Hah!‖ His overconfidence used to get on her nerves, but now it had become one of his endearing traits. He stilled and became serious, perhaps reading too deeply into her reaction. ―Any regrets?‖ She raised her head and studied him in mock somberness. ―It‘s too early to tell, but I think three months of keeping you on your toes waiting for my answer to your proposal are more than enough. I must admit, you know how to woo a woman.‖ Be still my heart, she thought, when his sinful smile appeared again. ―Then you made up your mind?‖ ―Yes.‖ She watched a ghost of apprehension cloud his face. ―I love you, Andrew Taylor, and yes, I will marry you.‖ Joy chased away the shadows and clouds off Andrew‘s low features, his green piercing eyes laughed, twinkling. ―Ah, Adoria.‖ He twirled her around amidst her giggles. He made her happy, a single emotion that encompassed contentment and love. People watched them, some smiling, others curious, but she didn‘t care. A commotion sounded from across the room. People parted and gave way to Megan, who‘d lifted her wedding dress and rushed over, pushing guests about. She looked elegant and beautiful in her strapless dress. Simplicity in its essence, Megan had gelled her hair backward, and donned a tiara hooked to a veil. Edna followed her closely with a glare daring anyone to step on the wedding dress‘ tail. Megan reached them, her twinkling green eyes on Adoria ―Did you tell him?‖ Panting, she asked again, ―Did you?‖ Without waiting for an answer, Meagan turned to Andrew. ―About time, I was about to burst with that secret. I almost blurted it in the middle of my vows.‖ 289

Su Halfwerk Adoria smiled, Megan had been burning to tell Andrew. The model had bombarded her with daily phone calls to brainwash her into accepting. Megan grabbed a glass of champagne with as unladylike style as possible and cleared her throat. ―Ladies and gentlemen—‖ Out of nowhere, Edward appeared by her side in his black tux and grabbed her elbow, smiling. Megan frowned innocently. ―What? I didn‘t say bitches and pimps!‖ A hearty laugh erupted from Andrew, and Adoria joined him. Edward said, ―Why don‘t you let them announce their own engagement when they’re ready?‖ Megan looked bewildered. ―But…‖ Edward‘s tone softened and his eyes roamed his wife‘s face with adoration. His love was written all over his face. ―Honey, think about Joshua. Give Andrew the chance to speak to him first.‖ Flabbergasted, Megan bit her lip and lowered her gaze. ―Oo. Didn‘t think about that.‖ Andrew held Megan‘s hand in his. ―No worries, I already took his blessings.‖ Adoria added, ―And I already took his approval to accept. He spent yesterday sorting out what toys he would move to our firstborn‘s room.‖ Edward faced them both, smiling. ―Still, it should come from you guys. Now, if you‘ll excuse Mrs. Sebastian and me, we‘re going to mingle.‖ Megan beamed with pride at hearing her name and snuck an arm through the crook of Edward‘s elbow. They moved from one gathering of people to the next, all the while smiling. Megan was getting the hang of choosing words that didn‘t involve genitalia related activities. Gruesome‘s deliberate and clear voice spoke to them. ―Congratulations. I believe this means less hovering around 290

Seeker you.‖ Andrew nodded. ―If you know what‘s good for you.‖ He directed an intense look at Adoria, one that promised more than mere lust. Her heart beat with love for him. ―When the time comes, and you decide to relinquish your post, all you have to do is lay your dagger where you unearthed it. I will lead the next Spirit Hunter to it.‖ ―Will I need to train him or her?‖ ―No. I will handle it the same way I did with you.‖ A smile tugged one corner of Andrew‘s mouth. ―Yeah, the scare tactic.‖ ―Until then, you are, as they say, it,‖ Gruesome said. At hearing those words, a cloud of indecision clouded Andrew‘s eyes. He turned to Adoria. ―You know what this means? Worry, me disappearing at the oddest times, possible injuries. Are you in for all of that?‖ She caressed his cheek. ―And more. I decided to marry you knowing your responsibilities and your desire to keep the world clean of those evil spirits. I stand by whatever decision you make.‖ He kissed her forehead, grateful she was in his life. He asked Gruesome, ―When will the next Spirit Hunter be ready?‖ ―We have to wait.‖ Frowning, Andrew and Adoria asked in unison, ―For what?‖ ―For him to die.‖

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About the Author Su Halfwerk writes in the horror and paranormal romance genres. From a tender age, the written word left a strong impression on her, later on terrifying, blood-chilling books became the object of her interest. Su‘s style in horror combines shuddery terror with elements of surprise. Some would even call it an enigmatic twist. In the world of paranormal romance, she transforms the desire to scare into a quest to seduce and tantalize. His to Possess, was a finalist in the 2011 EPIC Awards in the Paranormal Romance category. When not writing, Su is designing book trailers for herself and other authors. You can find Su online in any of these places: www.su-halfwerk.com http://www.suhalfwerk.blogspot.com/ www.facebook.com/Su.Halfwerk http://twitter.com/SuHalfwerk