The news crews ate up what happened at the Harrison Galleries. Warren found himself thrust in front of the media frenzy with Vasilia on his arm. None of which sat well with the teen. The female gigas escaped and took to the streets. It bothered Warren, as all unfinished business does.
Vasilia loved the cameras and spoke for both of them. Her smile provoked ooh, and ahh's from the journalistic masses, "Look at him, he was born to be a star. I saw that the moment I met him. Not only is he attractive, but beneath his hardened body is a hero's heart."
The Flashes from the cameras annoyed Archon to no end, and Warren found it hard to disagree. A horde of microphones almost knocked his teeth out. Warren was no stranger to the media and cleared his throat. "Tonight was possible because the crew of the Scald Crow and the Vancouver police worked together. Without them, victory would've escaped my grasp."
The pendant from Hope's necklace warmed his pocket, "Archon, we
I can't wait to write the next chapter. I will get to write El Silbon
Mole Hill Vancouver. A place where the forgotten and underpaid gather because other parts of the city strain the minimum wage wallets. On the surface, the refurbished houses and fresh-cut lawns make it look ideal to the prospective family, at least until one looks at the crime stats. Warren felt a twinge of discomfort when it came to Mateo because the pendant continued to glow in his presence. How do you explain to a young man, he needs to turn into a tree to keep an evil witch from taking over? The question tumbled against Warren's mind as Theria guided the old Ford Thunderbird into the neighborhood. "This is thing is a boat and a half," Warren remarked. "Well, you didn't want to take the fancy police cruiser. The locals didn't have anything else in the impound. I kind of like it, to be honest." "It's a better choice than the police cruiser," Mateo poked his head into the front, "The car looks similar to the tricked-out rides of the local grease monk
Warren and Theria bid their farewells to the Tovar family, who thanked them in earnest. Theria embraced Lucinda Tovar, "We will not stop until we put El Silbon down." Guilt welled up inside of Warren as the heat from the necklace warmed his thigh. He decided to talk to Theria about his moral dilemma once they left the Tovar residence. Once they were in the Old Thunderbird, Warren hit the dash with his hand, "I can't tell them about the Cathedral of trees. Those two are all they have in this world. I know how it feels to lose someone that close." A soft smile and a hand laced with comfort touched him, and Theria said, "We will talk to them after we have dealt with the problem at hand," In the meantime, we have to find a likely place where drunks and lechers hang out." Warren instantly knew where they could find both, "I know what we are looking for, but you aren't going to like it." Theria narrowed her eyes and crossed her arms, her face frozen
Warren hated to lose. He understood such things happen from time to time. They chose the right location and responded when El Silbon showed up, yet the spectral killer still got away. They missed something in their plan, and Warren grew determined to figure out what. "It could've happened to anyone," Theria said as she took his hand. Warren fought the instinct to bat the hand away. "I know, but this time success mattered. We spared a couple of lowlives a terrible fate, but that doesn't mean El Silbon's next victims won't be innocent." He smacked the table in frustration, "We missed something, and I can't put my finger on it." Theria moved closer, "I am sure we can come up with a solution." Herne walked in and shook his head, "Those damn Bokken Riders are tough nuts to crack. I don't know who hired them and what they offered, but those imps have locks on their jaws," He took off the stag helm and took a seat next to Theria, "You two look sadder than a
The Big Chief Bar and Grill turned out to be more offensive than the Laughing skulls. Moans of pleasure came from the alley, and the sign itself an affront to First Nations everywhere, a drunk chief holding a bottle of whiskey. Aurelia stifled a giggle, "Well, there is something you don't see every day." Warren frowned, "I don't think it's funny at all. It makes me sad we are still undermining good people who have suffered greatly." He heaved a sigh, "Let's finish the mission. I have an unpleasant conversation ahead of me. I don't know how long I will be able to stomach the place." Herne radioed from the nearby alley, "Can I keep a couple of these mutts? I think more than one would make for an excellent Gabriel hound." "No dogs in my Scald crow, They smell and poop everywhere," Theria practically screamed into the microphone. "How about a small one?" Herne's voice pleaded Theria threw her hands up in the air and growled,
A dubious plan is about to be executed on the streets of Vancouver. Hot on the trail of an angry spirit known as El Silbon, Warren and his two cohorts have resorted to a bartender as bait for the phantom. Herne, the hunter, waited in a nearby alley with a large group of dogs, the only thing El Silbon feared. Theria hid on the roof, prepared to use her best divine spells to help restrict the entity's movement. Everything was in place. Warren wanted El Silbon more than the nameless female gigas. He didn't understand why this spirit bothered him so much. The plan depended on El Silbon being unable to find any victims in the area. Part of Warren hoped the spirit stayed away from the dingy. The other half wanted another shot at taking him done." Two hours passed, and Max started to sober up, "More liquor," he shouted loud enough to echo off the stone buildings nearby. He adjusted the leather vest, "Are you sure this thing will find us?" Max slurred. "The p
Archon abandoned any goals Warren wanted to achieve and raced through streets with the wind in his hair. For the first time in a thousand years, he felt free." He wanted to experience everything, if not for a day." "Archon, this wasn't part of the deal. We have to find Theria." Warren's voice rattled against the eidolon's mind. Archon intended to give control back, but the sensations of Warrens's body gave him pleasure, and he wanted more. As an eidolon, he never had a body before. He wanted to experience life firsthand and not secondhand through his host. "No," Archon spoke in vehemence. He raced along an alley, and wings of light trailed behind him. "My turn," he declared. "Which would be great if we weren't in the middle of a priority mission. We have to find the other chosen and get the witch sealed." Warren pleaded. "If the witch gets out, a lot of people are going to get hurt. Is that what you want." "I beat witch," Archon spotted a mugger lying
rchon discovered the annoyance of occupying a physical body. He found going to the bathroom irritating. The need to eat almost saw him choke to death on a piece of bread. "How does Warren Survive?" "Regretting your Decision?"Warren asked with amusement. "I already apologized, and it's not like you came with an instruction manual," Archon glared at the rest of the crew of the Scald Crow, "What? Warren is teasing me." Theria wore the most displeased expression as she stared at Archon, "Why on earth did you hijack Warren's body?" She crossed her arms and glowered at him, "Well?"
When the rest of the team arrived, a call came in from the Vancouver Police Department. Grace took the receiver, "What?" her face scowled, "How long ago?" She punched the wall, "There's more?" Her voice grew low and mournful, "I see, has the family been..." She cocked her head and stared at the phone, "Are you sure about this? I can't promise anything." She pretended to throw the receiver, "We'll be in touch."Warren watched her rub her temples, "The Bokken Riders escaped a la female gigas. She burst into the holding cells without difficulty. She didn't kill anyone.""Wouldn't it be easier to take down as many officers as possible?" The dice rattled around Jack's hand."Dead cops would make a lot of noise. It would make escape impossible.
By nightfall, the macabre wedding, Vasilia kept kissing Warren and then would make a face, "Why isn't it working?" She growled."What's not working?" Warren demanded. The last few hours had significantly soured his mood. Without Archon, his chances of escaping were slim to none. The idea of marrying Vasilia made his skin crawl.Vasilia giggled to herself and tapped him on the cheek, "Never mind, my love. You'll find out tonight when we become one."What did Warren know about Vasilia? He could work her vanity against her, but how? Warren racked his brain over the problem."Now, we should come with possible names for our hybrid child. Can you Imagine a Seelie child with the power of an eidolon? A new race for a new world...""Your plan is all over the place. First, you want to take over. Now, you want to make a new race? What is the deal?""I have a long list of friends who a backing my play. Some of those friends have daughters, and for t
Warren Awoke to the smell of pine and earth. A gentle hand caressed his face, "Good morning, my love," Vasilia's sweet tone brought him back to the land of the living, "I hope you slept well because we have a busy day ahead of us." Her beautiful face smiled at him. "I thought you were joking about the wedding thing," Warren tried to scratch his nose, but his hands were bound, "Archon, let's light it up," He growled. Silence followed, not a single peep from the eidolon. "Archon?"Vasilia slapped him gently, "Archon?" she feigned ignorance. "Oh, you mean the eidolon? He is still there, I promise. However, I can't have the groom trying to escape on our special day."Anger bubbled over and came out in Warrens's tone, "Are you serious? You can't trust the witch to do as you say." his eyes scanned the area. He and Vasilia were the only people in the cathedral of trees, "Where is the rest of my team and Theria?""The Bokken Riders took them to get fitted fo
The smartphone buzzed inside Warren's pocket as the street bike picked up speed. He pressed a button on the side of the helmet, "Vandal here."The gunfire came from the other end of the call. Grace shouted into the receiver, "How is it going?""Better than you," Warren shifted gears, the engine whined, and then roared, "We managed to find the female gigas. She's one of the chosen. Cyrus is on his way to your location.""Where are you with the Torvars?" An explosion rocked Warren's ear, "Damnit, Jack, I told you to keep the fire concentrated on the left.""I am on my way. Cyrus gave me an angle to work," He paused and turned the corner, "How is Theria doing?""We have her in the support role. She's keeping us on our feet. Theria won't say it, but she's worried about you."The bike turned down the road to Mole Hill, "I'm not the one under fire...what the hell is that," Warren cried out."Vandal, what's going on," Grace demandedT
Shattered glass littered the ground as Cyrus and Warren stepped over the threshold. Cyrus watched Warren with a strange look on his face. Warren tried to ignore it, but after the third time, he sighed in exasperation, "What is your problem?""I can't believe you came from my brother. He's still alive, you know," Cyrus stopped and put his hand on Warren's shoulder, "You are the best of us all, kid. You were right to save Eve and Duchess. I get why your team looks up to you."Warren laughed, "I think you have it all turned around. I look up to them...""Stop with the modesty, Warren. You were born for this. You are doing things I couldn't touch at your age," Cyrus rarely complimented. He spoke in facts and truth."I didn't have a choice in anything. I wanted to play hockey and chase girls, maybe play in the NHL after college. A scout from the junior team met with me the day magic came back," Warren cursed himself for clinging to a life that would never come
The Scald Crow roared down the highway with as much speed as the engine would allow. Herne and Cyrus had formed a friendship of sorts and conversed in the front.Thankfully Duchess remained asleep for the trip back to the city. Eve curled up next to her and sighed, "Poor child. Her struggle burdens my heart," Her large brown eyes rested on Warren, "You don't like it, do you?"Theria dozed against Warren's shoulder. A look of peace adorned her face. He took a moment to admire her before he answered Sasquatch's question, "No, I don't. She deserves a shot at a good life. Her brother is the head of a racist biker gang, and she still has kindness for others.""Do you ever wonder how people get chosen?" Eve stroked the long streaked hair. "Who knows, I'm just the delivery boy," Warren scoffed, "I know if the witch gets free, things will get worse around here. My job is to prevent it from happening.""Isn't that following blindly?" Eve sounded a litt
Duchess turned out to be more affectionate than anyone expected. She clung to Warren and refused to let him have a moment alone with Theria. Warren longed to tell her to give him some space, but two things complicated the matter. Duchess was like a three-year-old in an adult's body. She needed lots of love and affection. Second, her soul had been washed clean by the raven woman, and its purity was an asset to their plans."Why did I die?" Duchess stared into Warren's eyes.Theria flew up to her, "Well, I think...""It's not important," Warren told her, "What matters is you are alive," he scowled at Theria. "We have something to discuss, and there isn't time to sugarcoat it."Duchess cocked her head to the side, "Is it bad?""It will be the reason why we brought you back," Warren's stomach developed a giant pit, and nausea followed, "You have the power to help protect the world, but it requires you to make a sacrifice."Duchess stopped and gl
Tsonoqua, commonly known as the basket ogress, cleared off her table and placed the body of Duchess on it. She opened Duchess's eyes and examined the body thoroughly, "I can bring her back, but it will be hard to say how much of her original personality she will retain. Also, there is the possibility something demonic will follow her from the nether world. Are you sure you want to take that kind of risk?"Warren and his companions looked at each other, except for Cyrus. The mercenary held his silence since his rescue at the hands of his nephew. He leaned against the door and waited for the team to finish their business.Eve tugged on his arm, "Come on, I don't want to know how this works. You look like you need someone to talk to,""Sure, why not," Cyrus followed her out.Herne stared at the motionless young woman, "I'd say no, but Duchess was a chosen when she lived. We have to bet against the odds on this one. If we are wrong, then we are wrong."
Herne and Theria caught up to Eve and Warren in record time. Eve shouldered the body bag with Duchess's body. "We have to hurry. The basket ogress won't sit on Cyrus forever," Eve warned."Psssh," Theria Scoffed, "Why are we worried about the stupid mercenary?"Warren stared at the girl he loved in stunned silence before the anger beneath the skin bubbled to the surface, "How about he is a person. I know he acts like a total asshole, but he is family. If we get married, he will be your family too.""His eidolon is in a phylactery. Do we want that in the hands of the basket ogress?"Archon stated.
When Nozomi came to Bright Star, she expected to deal with the usual high school drama. People heralded Bright Star Academy as one of the safest schools in Ivorhaven City. More to the point, people rated Ivorhaven as one of the safest cities in the world. The last thirty seconds drastically changed how Nozomi viewed the statistics. A fire burned in the eye sockets of the bony demon.Several people in vehicles abandoned their cars in the street. Daiki started to glow, and he refused to move. He looked at Paisley and then to Nozomi, and he pushed them back. He pulled a pair of silver gloves with large Crucifixes on them and slid the odd equipment onto his hands.Nozomi noticed most of the cars were still running, "I have an idea," She yanked Paisley by the arm toward the nearest running automobile. The car reeked of fast food and cigarettes.Paisley covered her nose, "Gross, who co