November 2008
Part 2
Tira climbs into a cab, sipping her coffee. She smiles at the driver.
“5th and Charm.”
The driver nods and pulls away from the curb. She sits in silence with her eyes closed; focusing on her coffee and trying not to envision what waits for her. The cab slows after about 10 minutes and the driver grunts; signalling for her to pay and get out. She hands him a twenty, gives him a quiet “have a nice day” and climbs out of the cab. The side walk is busy and noisy but she easily slips into the building unnoticed. A tall man is standing by an elevator and a guard is asleep at his desk. She nods to the elevator man who looks like he’s about to alarm someone to her presence. But she ducks through a door and starts up the stairs. She pauses at the 3rd floor and looks around the hall. It’s quiet and smells like sulphur from spells or charms. She leans against the wall and just breaths in the scent of the air.
~flashback~ a young Tira sits at a small table, surrounded by bottles with different colored chemicals and many books. A man stands over her and points to the different bottles shouting orders and commands. A shaky Tira is trying to follow his directions but she puts too much in and the chemicals react, causing a small explosion. The man becomes frustrated and starts yelling. When Lucien comes in and starts laughing. He grabs Tira’s hand, wipes her tears and takes her into the hall.
“Tira, don’t cry. We all make mistakes...Alderon just isn’t one to take them lightly... try not to let what he says bother you, ok?”
She just nods her head and buries her face in her hands. Lucien grabs her chin and makes her look at him.
“Listen to me...are you listening? Tira...Tira...TIRA!!!”
~flashback ends~
She is dragged out of her flashback by the sound of someone’s voice calling her name.
She looks down the hall and Lucien is headed toward her, a worried look on his face.
“Tira, are you alright...you look ...distant?” She nods softly and smiles.
“Yea Lulu I’m fine...you need to get some air fresheners. This place will make anyone not used to the fumes high...as it is it’s been so long...I’m even a little woozy.” She smiles and hugs him. He chuckles softly and wraps his arms around her.
“Well that’s what you get for leaving.” He meant it as a joke but something about the words stung Tira’s heart.
“You know why I left Lucien...now you called said it was an emergency...what’s going on?”
“Come with me. I’d like for you to meet someone.”
She raises an eyebrow, but follows him onto the elevator, where a shocked elevator man nods at his instructions and takes them to the 15th floor. She gives him a weird questioning look.
“Why the 15th? Your office is on the 23rd…”
“Because I can’t very well have either of you in my office...Jodah would have my head if he found out I was speaking to either of you.”
She nods but still looks confused. The elevator stops and Lucien ushers Tira toward the end of the hall. The door is standing slightly ajar and she slows her pace a little. He takes notice and grabs her hand; pulling her forward. He pushes open the door, revealing a female sitting at a large conference table. Tira takes the woman’s appearance in like the woman was a dream. She sat in the chair like she owned the whole room. She wore a black HIM tee-shirt and black and white Tripp pants. Her hair was a bloody red and her nails jet black. Lucien smiled when he entered the room walking over and pulling the woman out of the chair, giving her a huge hug. He turns to Tira and waves her over.
Begrudgingly, Tira obliges and steps forward.
“Tira, Jean. Jean, Tira…” He points out softly as both girls shake hands and take their seats. Jean looks up at Lucien before leaning to one side and dangling her leg over the arm of the chair.
“Alright Lulu, what the hells going on...Jesus Christ. I’m out of The Order for what… three weeks, and I get this call saying some chick might need my help....and what’s with the new girl...I don’t run free shows.”
Tira takes Jean’s words as an insult and rises from the chair.
“For your information, I’m not new. I’ve been here for 14 years, so I suggest you apologize to someone your senior.”
Jean starts giggling before she falls out of the chair, laughing so hard tears pour down her cheeks.
“Senior! Senior! Lucien, did you even tell this girl who I am?”
She sits up and fixes her shirt before taking her seat again.
“Looks like I have to inform the newbie myself. Look, the names Jean...my last name doesn’t exist in this world, in fact, Jean is just my human name. Want back names, I can give them to ya but now’s not the time. I’ve been part of the order my whole life. Well I should say my whole lives. Ya see my first life was Gabriella laChance. She was one of the first true hunters. One who didn’t hunt the beast just because it was a beast; no, she hunted it because some of them are evil. She became friends with the good ones and enemies to the bad. Her lover, his brother, their father, and she all founded the order on the grounds of making the world a better place, where humans and monsters, vampires and Lycans, angels and daemons could all co-exist and live in peace. But she died a young death when a vengeful Vampiress decided to take her revenge for Gabriella, killing her love. Then came Raine. She’s my favorite, she was head strong, but also fierce. She was my first warrior. She was the one you could call the black knight if you wanted to. Then Sage, she was my first full on magic user. Sure Gabriella and Raine used magic, but only for healing or sometimes fighting if short range fighting wasn’t possible. Then Styla, she was my first healer. Her entire focus was on healing arts and helping people get better. She formed one of the first co-existent hospitals. Then Giselle was my first demi-goddess, she ruled with the almighty and made many realms to bring peace among the feuding peoples. Last but not least was Chasity. She was my first ruler.” Jean takes a long breath before going on.
“Ya see princess, I’m older then dirt, and I’ve been in this order since I was three. Wanna keep going?”
Tira just looks down while Lucien rubs the bridge of his nose between his thumb and forefinger.
“Are you quite finished Ms. Talks-way-to-much?! Jesus Jean. I brought you here to help, not turn into history teacher from hell. Look, you know Aiden better then anyone...what’s he got up his sleeve.”
Jean freezes at the mention of Aiden’s name and Tira’s head shoots up to stare at Jean.
“You know Aiden!?”
Jean nods her head slowly but then shakes it no.
“Did know, did being the operative word.”
“What’s that supposed to mean!?”
“Look I knew him...a long time ago, two years to be exact...I was involved with-”
Tira interrupts
“YOU WHERE INVOVLED WITH HIM!!!!!!”
Jean laughs “No stupid, I was involved with the man who hosted Aiden before he got his own body...I don’t remember much to be honest...I guess I can’t help.”
Jean hurriedly stands and starts for the door but Lucien beats her to it; closing and locking it.
“Nice try Jean, but I know better. Tell us what you think Aiden...or John might have up his sleeve this time.”
Jean glares at Lucien; her cheeks red and her eyes buff brimmed with tears.
“No Lucien, not again...I walked away. I left. I turned my back on him two years ago, I AM NOT GOING BACK!”
“Jean, I’m not asking you to. I just want your opinion. That’s why I called you...you told me you would come. I never forced you here. Your exact words where “I don’t know...I’ll be there in 10 minutes.” where they not?”
Jean sighs and sits down.
“Go ahead and say what ever you want, I’m not answering your damn questions Lucien, I’m not gonna make myself relive my past just so some stupid bimbo with flashback issues can get her life back!”
Tira stands up and blinks
“How...did...you...know...about my flashbacks....did Lucien tell you!?”
Jean scoffs. “No, Nimrod. I’m psychic. I can smell your flashbacks from a mile away, and your aura reeks… Seriously...and would you stop remembering his face and you little make out session? It’s making me want to throw my biscuits from last Thursday.”
Lucien glances at jeans last words. “You haven’t been eating?”
Jean avoids looking at him. “DAMNIT JEAN! I told you; if you’re not gonna feed you need to at least fucking eat! You’re gonna get sick and then, when you end up in the hospital and the drugs don’t work because the only thing that does is blood or marrow because your too far gone, I’m not gonna help you out!”
Jean just rolls her eyes. “Yea lulu that’s what you said last time.”
Tira sits back down, shocked and slightly confused. She shoves the image of her moment with Aiden out of her mind and focuses on the task at hand.
“WHEN THE HELL DID SHE LEARN THAT!!”
Tira just stares at the place Jean was just sitting.
“Seems nice...a little anti-social, but nice...do you think she’s really the only clue we have on Aiden?”
“You call that nice....hmm?”
Lucien picks up his cell and dials a number randomly. An inaudible voice answers and Lucian turns away from Tira. “Yea, Kalab? Get Jean’s ass back here now...”
He turns back to Tira, pinching the bridge of his nose again. “Yes, she is the only clue we have.”
Jean, sitting in a chair in the middle of a black and red room. The place has a familiar, welcoming appeal to it. She sits staring at an old wrinkled photo. Upon further inspection you notice one of the people in the picture is Aiden. Also in the picture are Jean and two other unknown people. She sadly folds the picture back up and shoves it in her pocket. The door behind her opens and a man, about 5'7 with long black hair and blood red eyes is staring at her. He is wearing a black leather trench coat over a plain white shirt and black pants. He steps into the room and leans against the wall. Jean sits with her back to him. She knows he’s there but she chooses not to acknowledge him. He sighs and walks in front of her, crouching down so they are at eye level. Jean looks away from his, annoyed.
“Go away Kalab. I’m not in the mood to talk right now...and I know why your here...you and Lucien can forget it. I’m not helping.”
Kalab sighs and pulls Jean out of the chair. “Jean, we are asking you to help us. It’s not like he means anything to you any more...right?”
“WRONG! Dammit, Sparky...you and Lucien never seem to understand, I loved him...no I love him...I couldn’t rat him out then and I’m not gonna do it now.” She turns from him but he pulls her back forcing her to look at him
“You honestly think he still thinks about you Jean!? It’s been two bloody years! He probably doesn’t even remember you!”
Jean falls to her knees, her face buried in her hands.
“That’s not...it can’t...I wont...”
She stammers off and collapses into Kalab’s arms. You then notice he is holding a needle in his hand, its vial now empty. He picks her up and carries her out of what you now see is an old, run down apartment. He takes her outside and puts her in the back of his car.
Lucien sits at his desk a glass of gin in his hand and a file in his other. He’s staring into space; his eyes clouded and his mind lost in thought.
~Flashback~
“Jean, you need to move on. Start over. Let yourself heal...let him go.” Jean slams her fist into Lucien’s jaw before she collapses on the floor in tears. It had only been 2 weeks and her mind was a mess. Lucien couldn’t move with out pissing off or upsetting Jean.
“FUCK YOU LUCIEN WHAT DO YOU KNOW!?”
“I know more then you give me credit for Jean....he hurt you, and he was gonna do worse. You needed to walk away...”
“No I didn’t, but that shows you what all you fucking morons know...I WAS HAPPY GOD DAMNIT! FUCKING HAPPY AND YOU ALL TOOK THAT AWAY FROM ME!!!!!” Jean faints and Lucien picks her up carrying her into bed. This was going to take more then Lucien ever thought.
~flashback ends~
A tap on the door jars Lucien from his memories.
“Come in”
A man, about 6ft, walks into the room. He’s wearing a floor length trench coat over a black suit. Lucien stands and shakes the man’s hand, offering him a seat.
“Kagan. It’s been a while. How can I help you?”
“Well brother, it seems we have a...problem. You remember that...incident a few years back with the Lycan?”
Lucien nods slowly. “Of course I remember. We almost lost Courtney in that fight...”
“Yes...well anyway, it seems the leader of the group is back. He’s recruiting it seems and he’s looking for new vengeance. Right before we got Courtney out, Jean and another girl I don’t know cursed him. It seems he’s after them. When I tried to contact Jean, she ignored me and refused to take my calls. Courtney’s worried. Jean wont even talk to her…and then, I don’t even know this other girl...so you see my problem.”
Lucien nods. “Then it’s a damn good thing I’m in contact with them both.”
“Wow. It seems being head of something actually made you the responsible type little brother. Good. Now how has Jean been doing? I heard about that break up thing. I heard she’s still out of it....”
“Yea… she’s not doing as good as we’d like, but we keep an eye on her all the time...the last real outburst she had was last week...it seems Kalab and Merrick where watching her when she was checking her emails. I guess she had one from him. It tore her apart. She wanted to be with him so bad. She blames her family and us...more so Marshall and Cheryl...”
“Mackenzie’s family?”
“Yes. I guess they convinced her it was the best thing to do...she felt if she didn’t listen she was going to lose her place to stay and her friendship with Mackenzie...it broke her heart and no one seemed to notice or if the did they didn’t care...it crushed her.”
Kagan sighes, sitting down opposite Lucien.
“We had no idea it was so bad...she never told Courtney.”
“Or Jenny or Mackenzie or her parents or Marshall or Cheryl, not a damn soul. She kept it bottled up. Hell, she still does. Her mind’s gotten so strong. None of us can get into it…even after we’ve sedated and drugged her. I’m surprised she’s been able to live this long...”
“Suicide?”
“HELL FUCK NO...I just mean her body is so weak...it scares us sometimes when we can’t wake her up. She stopped letting me come see her about three weeks ago. I told her she needed to move on and she almost stabbed me. It wasn’t good. After that Kalab made sure I didn’t come around. Says it’s for Jeans own good...or sanity. It hurts y’know… not being able to be with her...”
“From the sounds of it Lucien, you’re the one that needs to move on...not Jean.”
Lucien’s eyes drop to the papers on his desk. A single tear can be seen streaking down his cheek, finally landing on the paper. You then realize the paper is a fake death certificate made out for September 2, 2008, Jeans name is printed neatly at the top in bold letters.
“We are all she has left. Two years ago...she died...not physically but mentally. It was better for her family to think she was dead...better to believe they had lost her to fate...instead of seeing her like this...”
Kagan gets up, pats Lucien on the back and squeezes his shoulder softly before turning and walking from the room.
Tira walks down the halls of the building she used to love so much. Nothing is the same as it used to be but she still finds herself standing in the very spot where her world was thrown upside down. A silent figure lurks in the corner watching Tira intently. Tira pauses and without turning around addresses the figure.
“Why are you following me....?”
The figure steps into plan view. He is wearing black jeans, a grey tee-shirt and a black hoody. He looked like a 17 year old boy but Tira knew better then that. This boy was one of the oldest vampires she knew. Yea, it wasn’t saying much about her because she was almost positive there where older vampires out there but she hadn’t met any. He was smiling at her and she nodded. “Good evening Lukas.”
Lukas smiled again and closed the space between them, hugging Tira softly.
“Hey hon...its been a while hasn’t it? I heard you met The Order’s former better half today...”
Tira looked confused but then the pieces fit together. “Jean? yea...what’s her story anyway? I mean, we seem so much alike yet so different...”
Lukas nodded before taking Tira’s hand pulling her down the hall. “Got time for coffee? Or a few coffees…this might take awhile...”
Tira nodded, letting Lukas lead the way.
To be continued...