Erica and Kai eyed each other across the dining room table, and smiled.  They were there with Maeve, Sir Andred, Angie and Christine – and were celebrating, in a way, Erica’s last night on Earth with farewell dinner.  Angela had called caterers to get the dinner brought in, and everyone was enjoying it immensely.  There was roast beef and turkey breast, both with gravies, Yorkshire puddings and all manner of vegetable side dishes.  Desserts were available too – a cherry cheesecake, with a soft consistency and a graham cracker crumb crust, an English trifle made with coffee liquor and ladyfingers, and different flavors of ice cream and toppings to go with them.  Everyone had a glass or two of something – from beer to wine to pop.  To Angela and Erica’s eyes it was a really fancy dinner – but to their Mercian friends, it was a feast beyond most imaginings. 

 

            “To be honest, I’ve never seen such a feast put out for only six people in my entire life.”  Kai said, happily stuffing pieces of roast beef into his mouth.  “And the spices we’ve used to season our meal tonight would cost as much as I spend in a month to maintain my cabin.  This is a luxurious treat!”

 

            “I have seen it’s like once or twice – but only because the Hierarchs of Arathel enjoy eating well.  This would be special – but not extravagant.  Of course, when I’m allowed to enjoy it as well, it’s more than extravagant for me.  This is wonderful, Angie.”

 

            “Thanks, Maeve, Kai.  I was glad to get it.  If my sister is going to go away for well, forever, I want to send her off with a feast worth remembering.”

 

            Erica teared up a bit.  “Thanks sis.”

 

            “No worries, Erica.”  She said.  “I’ll miss you a lot.”

 

            “Me too,” Christine added.  “It’s hard to believe that it’s over.  Vargas got away, and you’re all going back to stop him, if it’s even possible.  I think you’re crazy, Erica – but if it makes you happy, I support you.”

 

            “Thanks, you two.”  Erica replied. 

 

            “Of course, leaving us to clean up all these dragons kind of sucks,” Christine said, smirking.  “It’s going to be hard planting fields of ballnuts and wensin root with these monsters roaming around torching everything.”

 

            Erica laughed.  “Screw you too!  You could have come with to help you know!”

 

            It was Christine’s turn to look bashful.  “I… I don’t think I could have, actually.  I was pretty much at my weirdness limit, Erica.  I didn’t mean for it to be taken as an insult – more of a light hearted joke that we’d clean up your mess.  Sorry.”

 

            “I didn’t mean it like that, either.”  Erica said.  “We did our best, and this time it wasn’t enough.”

 

            “So we stand and try again, eh?”  Sir Andred asked.  “We gird our loins, arm ourselves and keep fighting.”

 

            Christine nodded.  “You were pretty stubborn as I recall.  So was Maeve… I think they call it ‘very mission oriented’ here.”

 

            “They call it crazy where I’m from.”  Kai said, laughing, dodging as Maeve tossed a roll at his head.

 

            “I’m just glad you’ve got friends going with you, Erica.”  Angie said.  “Thank you all for taking care of my sister and my best friend on their adventure.”

 

            “Always.”  Kai said.  “You’re welcome.”

 

            “Same here.”  Maeve replied. 

 

            Everyone continued to eat for a little while, polishing off a good portion of the food arrayed before them.  Erica and her friends ate heartily, realizing they didn’t know where or when their next meal would be coming from, and Christine ate well too. Angie ate sparingly, as was her way, and once everyone seemed to have finished their dinner, she tapped her glass with a fork until she had everyone’s attention.

 

            “I know this is a sad time for Christine and I, seeing Erica leave our world forever – but it’s also a happy time – for you, and for her.  She’s going to a new home.”  She sighed.  “I wanted to give you something, kiddo, that would remind you of me when you start living your new life in Mercia.”  She pulled out a small jewelry box, and handed it to Erica who sat next to her.  “Open it.”

 

            Erica took the box with curiosity, and gently opened it and started tearing up.  “Its mom’s engagement and wedding rings?!  You can’t Angie – these were for you!”

 

            “I can and I bloody well will.  This may seem odd, but you’re probably going to get married before I will, kiddo – and I want you to remember mom and I when you’re gone.  They’re a little piece of the good times our family had, before it all went to hell.  Please take them.  Mom would want you to have them.”  Angie was tearing up now, too.

 

            Mom…  I miss you, Erica thought.  I wish you could see me now.  She felt an upwelling of love for her mother, Laura and Angela, her sister, and was almost overcome by happiness.  Erica put the rings down, stood up, and gave her sister a big hug.  “Thanks, Angie! Thank you!  I’ll never forget you.”

 

            Christine watched the exchange with a sad smile.  I’m never going to see her again, am I?  “As for me, I don’t miss Mercia – but I will miss all of you, Sir Andred, Kai, Erica, and you as well Maeve.  For what it’s worth, I’m sorry to see you going, but I’m glad you’re going back to where you call home.”

 

            “We will miss you as well, Christine.”  Sir Andred replied.  “I have something for you, if you would have it?”  He reached under the table, and pulled out a hand-written illuminated text, marked with gold and silver leaf on the cover, and on every page within.  “This is a copy of the Holy Texts of our faith, written in Valdan.  I’d like to leave it with you as a memory of your visit to our world.”

 

            It was Christine’s turn to get teary-eyed.  That book must cost a fortune – and I know it means the world to him – he reads from it every day.  It must hurt to part with it.  “Thank you, Sir Andred.  I’ll do my best to read it, but my Valdan was never as good as Erica’s.”

 

            “Whether you read it or not, it would please me to leave it with you, Christine.” 

 

            “Thanks, Sir Andred.  I’ll cherish it forever.”  Christine wiped a tear away from her cheek. 

 

            Kai smiled.  “I hope you keep up with the archery, Christine.  You were really good at it.  You’ve got an innate talent for it.”

 

            “I hope too,” Christine said, smiling back.  “I just have to find a local archery range.  It shouldn’t be too hard.”

 

            Maeve raised her voice as well.  “I have something for you, Angie, though it’s not so much a jewel as something to remember Eric by.”

 

            Angie looked a bit confused.  “What do you mean?”

 

            “Well,” Maeve began, “When we buried Eric, after he’d been burned by Vargas and woke as Erica, I kept a lock of his hair that didn’t burn completely – I thought she might want it later, but I think she’d probably rather you have it.  To remember your brother and who he was.”

 

            Angie gave Maeve a hug.  “Thank you, Maeve.”  She took the lock of hair and placed it safely away.  “Thank you.” 

 

            Everyone sat quietly for a moment, a bit overcome by emotions until Kai broke the tension.  “Does anyone want dessert?”  He asked.

 

            “Definitely!”  Erica agreed.  With that, everyone dug into the nice desserts, and soon dinner was over.  Angela’s servants or caterers were cleaning up dinner, and Erica, Kai, Maeve and Sir Andred met with Christine in the front hall of Angela’s home, to say goodbye.

 

            “So this is it.”  Christine said.  “Our last goodbye.”

 

            “Yeah.”  Erica said, smiling a bit sadly.  “I knew today was coming, but I didn’t expect it to feel like… like an ending so much as a beginning.”

 

            Christine took Erica’s hand.  “It is an ending – and a beginning.  Just think of all the amazing things you’ll see and do – while all I have is safety, luxury and toilet paper.”  By the end of her statement, Christine was grinning.  “Oh – your sister said you might need something extra…” and proffered a jumbo sized box of condoms.

 

            Erica’s face went bright red, and even Maeve and Sir Andred had to fight to avoid a chuckle.  Erica took them, bright faced, and turned to yell.  “Angie!  Dammit!”

 

            Angie laughed.  “I told you I wasn’t done teasing you, sis.  Seriously though, I’d rather you have them than not.”

 

            “I get it, Angie – but really!  How many are in this box?  72? A gross?  We’re not bunnies, you know.”

 

            Christine laughed a bit too.  “It’s meant in fun, Erica.  Just our way of saying we like your boyfriend.”

 

            “Gah!”  Erica was still beet red from embarrassment, but she was smiling.

 

            “I’m not great at goodbyes,” Christine said, “So I’m going to just get going.  Think of me, okay?”

 

            “Every time I can’t hit the target and Kai tells me you did better, I will!   Seriously, though – I’ll remember you both, for as long as I live.”

 

            “Good enough.”  Christine said, and then hugged Maeve, Kai and Sir Andred.  She looked like she was going to say something else, but was too teary-eyed and emotional to speak – so she just slipped out. 

 

            Erica and the others were silent for a moment.  With Christine’s farewell, it seemed that things were indeed ending, and no one felt much like celebrating at the moment.  It was a bittersweet goodbye.

 

            “Sis, can I watch when you disappear, tomorrow?  Do you think it will be alright?”  Angie asked.

 

            Erica thought about it a moment.  “Yeah, I think it should be okay.  Sure, Angie.” 

 

            “Thanks.  Now get some sleep – you’ve got to be up at 4am to get ready.”

 

            With that, everyone began to retreat to their bedrooms, for a final night’s sleep on Earth.

 

*           *           *

 

            Erica and Kai retreated to their bedroom, sighing.  The day had obviously been tough on Erica, but it had been surprisingly stressful for Kai as well.  Seeing his girlfriend choose between justice and vengeance, without being able to help had been hard, and seeing the love and affection she was saying goodbye to was hard as well.  It made him feel special she chose him over all that, but still.

 

            “So, are you going to be okay, Erica?”

 

            She turned, and wrapped Kai in an embrace.  “Yeah, I will.  It’s just a bit sad right now.”

 

            “Okay.” 

 

Kai slapped her butt, and Erica jumped in surprise.  Um – wow!  She thought.  That was actually kind of arousing!  Should I feel that way?  She rubbed her butt, and muttered.  “Hey!”

 

            “Hey what?  It was a friendly slap.”  Kai grinned.  “Or would you prefer a nibble?”

 

            Umm… What? He’s flirting!  “Playful much?” she asked, wondering what had gotten into him.

 

            “Only because I have the most beautiful woman in the entire world with me, alone, at bedtime.”  Kai was obviously trying to charm her, but in a way that was endearing and not pushy. 

 

            Erica couldn’t help but blush.  “Thanks.  Do you think we should get ready for bed?”  She looked at Kai and felt a warmth she couldn’t explain in her belly, that swiftly moved southwards, followed by an unfamiliar dampness.  Am I getting aroused?  She wondered.  I… I could be.

 

            Kai nodded.  “Whatever you want, honey – like I said, we’ll go at your speed.”  He took her in an embrace, and held her tight – and Erica could feel him, his strong arms, his firm chest and his warmth.  She melted into his arms, and the warm tingly feeling she was experiencing only grew stronger.

 

            “I could stay like this forever, Kai.” 

 

            “So could I, Erica – but we’d both be more comfortable in bed.”  Kai released her, and kissed her on the forehead and nose.  “We should get undressed.” 

 

Kai went to his side of the bed, and began undressing, and Erica turned around and did the same. 

 

            “Are you scared about tomorrow?”  Kai asked.

 

            Erica put on her nightgown, letting the soft silky garment fall over her head and shoulders and down her body.  It felt erotic, and the warmth in her belly reminded her of its presence.  “A little, I guess.  Saying goodbye is hard – but I know it’ll be okay as long as you’re with me.”

 

            “Thanks, Erica.”  Kai said, looking a little surprised.  “That means a lot.  You can turn around, if you want.” 

 

            Erica turned around to see Kai wearing his pajama pants, but naked from the waist up.  His muscled torso had numerous scars and marks upon it – badges and memories of past misadventures with Maeve, no doubt.  Her eyes found it hard to leave his six-pack abs and work their way up to his chest.  “Wow – you look great.”

 

            “So do you, Erica.”  He said.  “Come to bed?”  Kai climbed into bed, and turned down the sheets for Erica, waiting.  She slid in next to him, and nestled into his arms.

 

            Oh, he’s up again, she thought.  Was mine ever that out of control?  She grinned a bit.  “Hey, love.”

 

            “Hey.”  He kissed her nose, and then her lips – and soon the two of them were kissing each other firmly, and Erica felt Kai’s hands run up and down her sides – it felt electric, and wonderful.

 

            Erica broke free of the grip of the sensation, and looked up into Kai’s eyes. “You are playful.”

 

            “A little,” Kai admitted, with a playful grin.  “Are you saying back off?”

 

            Erica smiled a bit, and thought about it.  No… No she wasn’t.  “No, hon, I’m not.  Will you stop if it gets to be too much?”

 

            “I’ll try.”  Kai said, bending and kissing her breasts, raking his teeth lightly across her nipples, which made Erica gasp in pleasure.  He felt more than a bit of surprise, when Erica’s wandering hands wandered into his pants to find his manhood…  She grasped it, and started caressing it – it felt so good, oh gods!

 

            “Oh shit!  Does that hurt?”  She asked, when Kai gasped in pleasure.      

 

            “No!  It feels really good.  Please, keep going.”  He said, kissing her, then nibbling on her ear.  While he did, his own hand went further down, between Erica’s legs.  “Can I return the favor?”

 

            Erica by now was tingling all over, and the warmth that had been growing in her belly was turning into a raging fire.  Her only answer was to spread her legs for Kai’s hand, and start kissing his neck and nibbling his ear.  He moaned in pleasure.

 

            I can’t believe it, she thought.  I’m making love to Kai… It feels so right!  Then, Kai’s probing fingers caressed her lips and touched her clitoris, and started rubbing, and all she could feel was wetness and pleasure.  She couldn’t help but moan in pleasure, and bit her bottom lip – gasping when she felt his fingers plunge inside her, and start moving.  “Oh goddess!”  She gasped, and then all thought left her as Kai slowly aroused her more and more with his fingers, until she felt she would nearly burst. 

 

            “Kai… Kai…” she moaned as he kissed her again, and then he moved, and she felt his head between her legs and felt his tongue… his tongue… She couldn’t help it – her body writhed and bucked, and she felt an amazing feeling spread out from her belly, wrapping her in a warm blanket of joy and peacefulness.  She drifted for a few moments, lost in the sensation and the arms of her lover.

 

            “How did that feel, Erica?”  Kai asked, kissing her on the forehead.

 

            “It felt wonderful, Kai.  I love you.”  Erica smiled, and knew it to be true.  She did love Kai, and she was glad to be with him.

 

            “I love you too.”  He said a little nervously – like the words were unfamiliar or he wasn’t sure how they would be received.  “I love you too.”

 

            “Is there anything I can do for you, Kai?”  Erica thought about it, and wasn’t sure she was ready to go all the way.  I need to do this at my own pace, and right now I’m a bit scared – not a lot, but a bit.

 

            “Well,” he said.  “We could keep going?  I’ll be gentle – I’ll show you what to do.”

 

            Erica wasn’t sure – but she could hardly say no, could she?  “I’m a little nervous, Kai.”

 

            “I understand… I’ll be gentle.”  Kai kissed her again, and she saw him climb on top of her, and felt his warm member between her legs. 

 

            Oh my goddess!  This is it!  She bit her lip.  I hope I don’t screw it up… Oh Shit!  Condom!

“Kai!  Wait!  Could you use a condom?”

 

            Kai stopped, and gasped, climbing off of her.  “I’ll wait… where are the damned things?”

 

            “Over here.”  Erica said, also hyper aware of how much she was aroused, sure that Kai must be equally aroused if not more so.  She grabbed a box, and tore it open, pulling a condom out, and opening it. “I’ll try and get it on you… Oh my god!”

 

            “What?!”  Kai asked, a little concerned.

 

            Erica was staring at Kai’s manhood, and was surprised by its size – She’d never seen a penis in that way before – it was alluring as it was intimidating.  He sure isn’t small – oh my goddess… will that even fit?  She put the image out of her mind, and placed the condom on his manhood, and slowly unwrapped it over his raging hard member.  She blushed furiously, but didn’t care at all as the last bit of the latex unwrapped and she lay down.  “Sorry – I’ve never seen… you like this before.”

 

            “Aye,”  He said, climbing back onto her.  “Do you like what you see?”

 

            “Yes,” she said while embracing him.  His strong shoulders felt like iron under her hands.  “Very much so.”

 

            Kai simply kissed her, and moved a bit on top of her.  His weight was firm, and Erica felt pressed down, a little bit trapped – it was odd, and something she figured she’d need to get used to.  It also felt good as he slipped his fingers down there and began to caress her lips…

 

            Suddenly, she felt something press against those lips – and then slowly, almost cautiously, he entered her – and it felt like a burning spike of pleasure filled her bit by bit, until it could go no further. She felt a moment of pain too, as something inside her tore. “Oh my gods!”  she gasped, and clutched Kai’s back for support as much as anything else.  She gasped again when he began to move…

 

            Slowly they began, moving differently at first, but soon finding a rhythm that worked together.  He started slowly, making sure she wasn’t hurt – and then sped up gradually, and they moaned each other’s names and groaned together as they made love.  It went on for what seemed like forever, until Erica couldn’t control herself and felt herself overcome with bliss as she orgasmed again.  The explosion of pleasure seemed to radiate outward from her belly in waves, and she could feel Kai still thrusting, until he too came in pleasure. 

 

Kai pulled himself off of her, and just held her in his arms.  “Are you okay, love?”  He asked.  “Did I hurt you?”

 

Erica smiled up at her lover, and caressed his cheek.  “I’m fine, Kai.  I love you.”  To be honest, she was a bit surprised with how quickly she had agreed to continue.  She felt a bit scared too – she was entering totally unknown territory, and it was exciting and scary at the same time.  Still, she knew she could trust Kai, and that made a lot of the worry go away.  Besides, She thought.  I… I really liked it.  Sex is fun – who knew? 

 

“I love you too, Erica.”  He kissed her once more, and then cuddled up close to her – and before she realized it, Kai was asleep.

           

“Seriously?”  she whispered to herself.  Fucking hell.  I’m such a girl.  We made love, I want to talk, and he falls asleep.  It’s almost like a parody of sex.  I should just be happy we’ve found each other, and that we love each other.  Little stuff like this doesn’t matter.

 

She kissed Kai’s forehead, and stroked his hair.  “I love you too, handsome.”  She held him for some time, lost in her thoughts, and eventually fell asleep.

 

 

*           *           *

 

The alarm came far too early for Erica, when she was jarred away by its insistent *beep* *beep* *beep*.

 

“Urg…  Time to get up, hon.”  Kai groaned.  “Could you turn that damn thing off?”

 

Erica yawned, and reached over to the clock, shutting its alarm off.  “Is that better, Kai?”

 

“Much… thank you.”  Kai stretched and gave Erica a kiss good morning.  “Last night was amazing.”

 

“It was amazing for me too, Kai.  Thank you.”  Erica smiled.  It had been amazing.

 

“I love it when you smile like that, Erica… it lights up the whole room.”  Kai came around the bed, and gave her a strong hug.

 

Erica blushed a bit, and hugged her boyfriend back.  “Thanks… Its second hand, you know.”

 

“What do you mean?”  Kai asked.

           

“You made me smile first… well that, and the obvious.”

 

Kai chuckled, and gave her a slap on the butt.  “Well get your second-hand self ready – we’re due to leave soon.”

 

“You got it, hon.” Erica bustled around, packing what few things had been removed from her bag last night, and headed to the washroom to get ready to go.

 

About a half-hour later, Erica, Kai and the others, including her sister Angela were arrayed at the front door, loaded and ready to go.  The day was October 8th, and it outside was still the gray pre-dawn light.  The weather was blustery, and a little chilly, and everyone was dressed for what would be roughly late spring or early summer back on Mercia, in Mercian garb…  To other eyes it would seem like Angela was herding a bunch of cosplayers out to a convention of some kind, with her in her fashionable earth clothing.  It was a peculiar sight. 

 

I think either my strength hasn’t been improving much, or this pack is heavier than it was yesterday!  Erica griped to herself.  My back is killing me already… I need to lift weights or something – being this thin and weak is not helpful for the lifestyle I might be living.  I can’t even draw Kai’s starter kiddy bow for god’s sake!  I gotta work out more.

 

“We ready to go?”  Maeve asked everyone.  Kai and Sir Andred did a visual once-over, and nodded, and Erica did the same.

 

“I think so.  If I packed anything more, I’d break my back.”  Erica groaned. 

 

“Just think of it as good exercise.”  Kai suggested.  “It’ll build up your muscles.”

 

“I know… it just sucks being so weak.”

 

“You know how they trained the Vigilants to gain strength, Erica?  They filled their packs first with wet ropes, and later with heavy stones and forced them to run around the city walls from dawn till evening, until they fell and could rise no more.  This was done every day, until they could run around the city walls a dozen times… And then they would give you a suit of steel plate or heavy chain, and make you do it again.  Training is hard, but it does pay off.”

 

“Oh my god!”  Angie said, looking shocked.  “That sounds brutal.”

 

“Perhaps,” Sir Andred began.  “I like to think of it as necessary and effective, instead of brutal.  It definitely works.”           

 

“I’d bet it would.”  Erica replied, shuddering a bit.  I hope Kai and Maeve don’t make me do that to gain muscle…  I wouldn’t get around a city’s walls once, let alone twelve times – even a small town like Ogden would defeat me.

 

“Will the back yard be what you need to do this travel spell?”  Angie asked.

 

Erica thought about correcting her sister and telling her a goddess would be escorting them back, but decided against it. She’d either figure it out on her own, or not…  Either way, nothing Erica could do would prepare her for it.  “It should be fine, Angie. Let’s go.”

 

They headed outside, and entered the back yard; it was well kept – the groundskeepers kept it well trimmed and raked of leaves – and was dotted with stylish outdoor patio furniture and beautiful planters.  Erica wondered if Angie even knew what plants had been in the planters, or if she would just tell the groundskeepers to sort it out.  I have no idea what to do with money, she thought.  I suppose it’s a good thing I won’t have a lot of it when we go back – I won’t fritter it away.  I guess I’ll have to learn what Mercian money is worth, and go from there.  Oh hell – I’ll need a job of some kind too…  Freebooting adventurer might pay well in D&D games, but I’m not so sure in real life.  Oh well – I guess I’ll sort that out later.

 

            “Stand over here, Angie, away from us.  You don’t want to accidentally come with us, right?”  Erica asked.

 

            Angie chuckled.  “Not so much.  Thanks.”  She stepped over, away from Erica and her friends.

“Now what?”

 

            “Now we call our ride.”  Erica laughed.  She closed her eyes, and prayed.  “Askeline, it’s Erica.  We have failed to stop Vargas, and Tiamat is returned.  We ask you to return us to Mercia, and await your pleasure.  Four of us return.”

 

            A few moments passed, and nothing.

 

            “Is this more of that hurry up and wait, the church is so fond of?”  Kai asked.

 

            Maeve grinned.  “Probably.  It’s not like we’re going anywhere without her.”

 

            “Hush!”  Sir Andred muttered, a little annoyed.  Kai and Maeve’s word games were often humorous, but for some reason seemed to be bothering Sir Andred.  “Everyone be wary – we have no idea what the situation will be when we return – or where we will return.  The goddess may place us far from Orvan and Arathel, if that will better serve her purpose.”

 

            “Aye, I suppose there’s that.”  Kai said.  “We’ll wait in silence, my friend.”

 

            A few more moments passed, and a light began to form from nothingness.  I am here.  Askeline said.  You have called me to return home…  I know already your mission has failed.  You must know this – all is not lost.  We must make haste, for things have been set into motion that cannot be undone, and your presence is urgently needed.

 

            “What’s wrong, my Lady?”  Maeve asked.

 

            Hrask has unleashed the armies of Hserin, and moves against Harad and Valris.  Now that Tiamat has returned, they will be nigh unstoppable.  Vargas has been raised to general of Hrask’s host – and a risen Mistress Awai is at his side.  Askeline paused.  Hold hands, as before, and I will return you home.  Hurry!  There is no time left!

 

            The friends hastily grasped each others hands, and a reddish glow began to envelope them.  The voice of Askeline spoke once more – this time to Angela.  My dear, you have sacrificed much for your brother, now sister, and I would give you a boon.  Your days will be long and prosperous – thank you for watching over her.

 

            Angie nodded in thanks, unsure what to say.  She looked surprised the voice had even addressed her, and was a little scared, and a little awed.  “Good-bye, Erica!”  she called.

 

            “Good bye, Angie.  I love you!”  Erica called back.

 

            “I love you too!”

 

            There was a flash – and the four friends and the reddish glow were gone.

 

*           *           *

 

            Harlan Branscombe put down the field glasses, and muttered under his breath.  What the fuck was that?  They just disappeared!  A commune my ass, there’s something strange going on.  I’ll ask Angela later.  I guess Erica meant it when she said she didn’t want the money.  I wonder if she found her sisters surprise yet?  I hope she finds it soon.  It was a real pain in the ass getting it all this fast.

 

            He sighed, and looked at his watch; it said 6:15am.  He pulled out his phone and made a call, and then hung up.  “They’re gone.  Do it.”  He put his phone away, and got ready to go meet Angie.  Someone had some explaining to do…

 

*           *           *

 

            Marcus got to his office in Toronto about 8am, tired and bedraggled from his visit to Salt Lake City.  Disaster management had taken days, and he and James had been lucky they had been allowed to leave, Joanne had been so mad at them.  Never mind the fact that the entire motorcycle gang had been spontaneously immolated, and the body of a strange reptile creature had been taken by mysterious government officials (which thrilled James to no end), the fact Marcus and James had simply let Erica and her friends go had really, really pissed her off.  Frankly, Marcus thought, we were lucky to avoid being charged.  I’ll need to say I’m sorry once she cools down.  Thank god she doesn’t realize the two events were related!

 

            Marcus found James waiting in his office.  “Hey James.  Good to see you!  I wasn’t sure you were coming in to work today.”

 

            “I figured it would give me something to do.”  James said.  “Besides, with what’s been going on in Salt Lake city the last few days, whatever happens here will seem like a vacation.”

 

            “I hope no one takes those words as a challenge, my friend.”  Marcus said, chuckling.  “Do you think that odd ‘laser-weapon’ that some people were saying was used to kill that dragon was our friends?  For my part, I think the odds are 50/50.”

 

            “I dunno, boss.  I’m thinking more like 80/20.  I heard a rumor that some troops saw four people just vanish in front of them – and Erica and her pals are the only people I know of that can do that.”

 

            “Probably.  Still, the worlds pretty fucked up at the moment, isn’t it?”

 

            “Yeah, I guess.  It beats ISIS.  At least someone’s doing something about the dragons.”  James grinned.  “I’m glad Erica got some justice for my brother – but I’m pissed he got away.  I think I winged him when we charged up, but I couldn’t tell.”

 

            “Yeah.  I’ll miss Thomas too.  You gonna be okay?”  Marcus asked.

 

            James thought a moment.  He finally knew what happened that day when his brother died, and a whole lot more.  It wasn’t fair – but it wasn’t a nebulous unknown.  He supposed he could live with that.  “Yeah, I think I will.  I still miss him, though.”

 

            The two poured coffees and went to check in with the chief – and found him staring at a file.  He looked up, and smiled.  “I’m glad you’re back from your vacation!”  He tossed a file folder at Marcus.  “Now that you’re back and rested, you need to get to work.  Some asshole left eight bodies in an alley near the King Edward Hotel – decapitated and with a note – around 6am or so this morning.  Go find out what the hell happened, and arrest someone!”

 

            Oh Christ…  Marcus thought, as he opened the file.  As he feared, the eight men wore jackets showing a pool of red.  The note, in a separate picture, said “These people killed homeless people for fun.”  He swore, and showed the file to James.  “It’s the same alley those two street people were burned to death, about two days before the massacre.  Eric van Helstrome was their friend.”

 

            “God dammit!”  James exclaimed.

 

            “Tell me about it.”  Marcus sighed.  We’re never going to solve this, he thought.  I know damn well who did it – but good luck finding them.  Christ, it was going to be a long day.

 

*           *           *

 

            Officer Dave Marten lay in bed next to his wife Delores, and stared at the ceiling.  It was 6am, and his alarm had just gone off, and Del had gone back to sleep for fifteen minutes.  I can’t fucking believe it, he thought.  I think that’s the first time we’ve had sex in six, no – seven months, and we screwed like fucking bunnies.  I think that was the best sex I ever had, too.  Del was so surprised to see the necklace I bought her – and who wouldn’t?  I told her it was a bonus from work…  I feel like a shit, but I wasn’t about to tell her a crazy lady gave me over a thousand bucks in gold to get her a present.  I suppose I could have told her?  I dunno.

 

            Dave got up, and began to get ready for work, having a coffee and a piece of toast.  He kissed his wife goodbye, and drove to the office, taking a moment to think.  I already caught shit for that stunt Maeve pulled, writing how to fix the jail and leaving it in the Sherriff’s office.  I thought I was going to laugh till I shit my pants when I read that note she left… oh my god.  Frank was so angry he was red and veins were popping out on his forehead.  Then those monsters appeared a day or so later, and everything went crazy. 

 

            Dave muddled through his day, worried about his kids, and about Delores.  Sure, last night was great – but would it last when he came home stressed, and screamed at the kids to shut the hell up?  Would he be sentenced to the damn couch again – or would it be another six months before he and Del got it on again?  By the end of the day, he was pretty annoyed, angry and stressed out.  He had had to work late again too – with Mitch and him working extra hours on shift, the paperwork just wasn’t getting done.  Mitch had gone home, but Dave was too worried to do the same.  I’m worried it’ll go back to the way it was, he thought.

 

            Then he had an idea…  The guy in cell 2 was suspected of murder – suspected, hell – he was caught in the fucking act.  His lawyer had already stopped by and said he could get the kid off.  Fucking hell.  Dave got up from his desk, and walked to the back of the office, and opened a cell.  The guy inside saw him approaching, and looked worried. “Don’t worry your punk ass, boy.  This is gonna hurt you a lot more than it’s gonna hurt me.”

 

            Thirty minutes later, Dave washed the blood off his knuckles, and drove home whistling.  When he got home, he kissed his kids hello, and apologized to Del for being late for dinner – again.  He even promised to make it up to her this weekend…  Take the whole family to the water park and do something fun for the kids, followed by a nice dinner for him and Delores. 

 

            He wasn’t surprised that Delores didn’t know what to say – but he was more than surprised when she dragged him off to their bedroom, and screwed his brains out.  Holy Fuck, he thought. If I thought last night was amazing, I was blown away by tonight.  Jesus Christ!  She was like a hungry animal!  As he lay next to his satiated wife, Dave had only a single thought as he dozed off…  Maeve was right… I’ll be damned.

 

            Dave shook his head, and broke out of his idle day-dream…  Yeah, right!  If I tried that, it would be me in jail, not the crook.  Wouldn’t it be nice, though?  At least he could dream about it – even if he’d never do it in real life.  Still, he thought, maybe the kids would like the water park?  I’ve got enough gold left to do it…