“There is no way that Warrick is rotting anywhere. He was a good person. An amazing person. I’m sure that if you brought him back, you’d be taking him from the Elysian Fields. From paradise.” I know it in my heart.
“Are you sure about that?” Gaire lifts his brows.
I nod. “I’m very sure. I’m glad I saw him again. You gave me closure. Thank you for that.”
I watch Gaire’s face turn crimson. He gets this tic in his jaw, and his muscles bunch. He’s not happy at all. “I guess we’ll have to fight it out. At least until you run like a coward. I will keep coming for you, and your friends won’t be able to save you every time. It just isn’t possible. You understand that, right? One day soon, I’ll finish you. It’ll be slow and painful. You’ll be begging me to kill you at the end, but I won’t. I’ll make you watch while I make Nia mine again.” He winks at her. “I’ll break her…bend her completely to my will. Then I’ll end your puny life.”
“Can we at least be civilized and take it outside?” I ask.
Gaire shrugs. “Whatever works best for you.”
I realize I haven’t let Death know that Gaire’s here, so I make a show of emptying my pockets. I push speed dial as I put my phone down. I’m signaling Gaire’s arrival.
Nia and I go outside. The sun is shining. It’s a beautiful day. Gaire comes out after us. He also seems to bask in the sun for a few seconds. “You sure you won’t change your mind?” he asks; that smug grin is back. “I’ll give you one more chance before I kick your ass.” He sighs, sounding bored.
“No deal,” I growl.
“What about you, dog?” he yells at Nia. “Are you ready to be a good girl? Are you ready to obey your master?”
“Go to hell,” Nia pushes out.
“In that case, get over here and suck my cock, bitch.”
We both look at Nia. Her face gets that pinched look. She shakes her head.
“Now, Nia,” Gaire pushes. “I’m ordering you to take out my cock and to blow me.” He laughs as Nia falls to the ground. Just as before, her body is convulsing. She’s not as bad as before, but I doubt she’s going to be able to help me.
I launch myself at Gaire. I get a punch in. I watch his eyes go wide with disbelief. I see his lips split beneath my fist. Blood flies. Then Gaire disappears.
I hate it when he does this.
“Use your power!” Nia shouts. Her voice is strong. I see her kicking with her legs, trying to break free from the compulsion. “You can do it! You’ve got this!” she calls out. It’s the strangest thing. I feel obliged to do as Nia says, and so…my power surges to the fore. Everything changes in that moment. It’s like the world slows down. I feel a buzzing through my veins. With it comes a need to kill and maim.
Gaire.
I roar, feeling every muscle bulge and rope. I look around me. I see Nia on the ground. “Yeeeessss!” she shouts. Her voice sounds funny because it seems slow and drawn-out.
I see Gaire appear. He looks weird. Like he’s made of smoke. I think he’s in his invisible form. I can see him. How is it that I can see him?
My power.
I remember feeling this way once before. Just before I blacked out. The day Warrick died.
Gaire starts laughing. He’s looking down at Nia and licking his lips. Fucking bastard! I’m feeling the buzzing. So much strength is coursing through me. I watch from the corner of my eyes as smoky Gaire comes for me. It’s still in slow motion. He’s casual about it because he thinks I can’t see him. His pulling back his fist, ready to pummel me. I see the evil-as-fuck glint in his eyes. He takes enormous pleasure in taking the advantage. Of using his strength, his powers, his abilities to crush people. To make them puppets.
No more!
I tap into my well of energy. It’s chaotic. It makes me want to roar again. More than anything, I feel the need to kill.
Kill!
Hurt!
Bleed!
Die!
I clock the bastard in the middle of his face. I feel his nose pulverize under my fist. I give a battle cry and kick him in the stomach…hard!
Gaire’s eyes go wide as he flies backward…still in slow motion. My clothes and hair feel like they are whipping about my face. I think it’s my power. I’m looking Gaire in the eyes while he’s in his smoky form. I charge at him, intent on finishing him off.
He disappears before he hits the ground. I see a neon, smoky light where he used to be. I look around. Where is he? Where is that fucker?
“Behind you!” Nia screams.
I turn just as Gaire is about to plunge his sword into my back. I grab the blade. I feel it slice into skin and bone. Pain blossoms, and hot blood runs. I ignore it. I pull the knife from his grip.
I kick his right knee cap. I hear it pop. I grab Gaire before he can teleport. “Got you,” I whisper. “How does it feel to be powerless?” I ask him.
The whites of his eyes are huge. “Wait…what are…what?” He’s tugging against my hold. His eyes get even wider and move past me.
I realize that Nia is standing next to me. “You’ve got this,” she says. “You have control.”
I do. I’m in control. My power is rushing through me like a surging river, but I’ve got a handle on it. Then again…maybe it’s her, my calm in the chaos. Nia.
“I can’t…I…I…fuck…” Gaire is squirming. He’s trying to pull free from my grip. “Why can’t I teleport?” he shouts. “Let me go. Let me go!” he screams, sounding like a little girl.
“You can’t because I won’t let you,” I tell him. He’s like a fly to me. I can crush him whenever I want. My veins are buzzing. I could end him right now. I don’t. Nia can decide what she wants to do with him. I need to give her the chance to decide. This bastard has made her life a living hell. He’s used and abused her. “He’s all yours,” I tell her.
“What? No! Don’t! Bitch is crazy. She’ll kill me,” Gaire begs and pleads.
“Maybe you deserve it.” I’m vibrating with the need to end him myself, but I hold back.
“What’s wrong with your eyes?” Gaire tries to get away from me again. “I didn’t mean those things I said.” Tears stream down his cheeks. He’s pathetic. This asshole is the ultimate bully. He’ll pick on those weaker than him. He’ll delight in their terror and their pain. Yet, when the tables are turned, he’s like a blubbering baby. “Please,” he looks at Nia, “I’m so sorry I hurt you. I’m…so sorry. I’ll bring Warrick back,” he tells me. “I’ll do anything. What do you want? I’ll leave you alone. I swear. I did have feelings for you, Nia…that’s why I couldn’t let you go. Please believe that I’m sorry…please.”
“I believe you,” Nia says.
Gaire sags with relief. “Thank you, Nia.”
I can’t believe what I’m hearing. It looks like Gaire is getting to her.
Nia looks at me. “I can’t do it.” Tears gather in her eyes. “I can’t kill someone who’s begging for their life.” She wipes at her eyes. “What’s wrong with me?” More tears fall.