Shadow Warrior

Chapter 2

Abby went up to her room without words being exchanged between her and Leo. It wasn’t unusual. She needed to take a bath and soak in the hot spring. Her body was going to be very sore after her exertion today.

Leo had his own mental exertion. He had a lot of research to do and not a lot of time to do it. He needed to have answers from his parents and the Concurrence by morning.

Making his way to their large library, he walked toward the back where their high-tech equipment was held. There he would be able to start piecing things together.

Hours later, Leo yelled out in frustration. Throwing a book across the room. Nothing was making sense. There was no consistency in who the demons were possessing. No central location. Nothing.

Abby came walking into the room in her pajamas. Silky black shorts and a tan silk top. Leo averted his eyes when he noticed she wasn’t wearing a bra. Her n*****s were well defined by the top she wore.

“I can feel it is going well.” She was observing the room.

“I’m sorry if I am keeping you awake. My research is proving to yield no results.”

“I can tell. You’re giving me a screaming headache.” She smiled. Walking over to Leo, she motions for him to take a seat. Standing behind him, she works on the knots in his shoulders

“Talk to me.” Abby’s voice would always be music to Leo’s ears.

“I’m just frustrated. There are no patterns. I can’t find a common location or a sign of where they are headed. They aren’t consistent with who they possessed.”

“Well, here’s your answer. You’re looking too deep. Keep it on the surface. Demons are in their nature deceptive. If they are trying so hard to hide the pattern, then the pattern is right there.” Abby made it sound so simple.

Looking at the large screen again, he saw it.

Standing quickly, he made his way to the screen. Taking the keyboard, he typed in some information.

There, the answer was displayed before him. All of those who had been possessed were all born on October 13th. Different years and places of birth, but every one of them was born on the same day.

“Now, let’s go look for what they could possibly have in relation to the demons. Why is October 13th so special?” Abby moved around and started flipping through books while Leo went searching in their system.

Hours later, their exhaustion was all consuming. Leo’s eyes were foggy and it was getting harder and harder to see what he was reading. Abby’s head was nodding as she fought to stay awake.

“Come on Abby, let’s go to bed.” Leo motioned for her to leave with him.

Their rooms were close together down a long hallway. The walls were a light grey color. The overhead lights were dimmed due to the time of night. The carpet had intricate lines of black, white, and grey.

Getting to their doors, they were heavy oak and each had its own pin pad. Typing in their codes, they each headed to their beds.

Leo flopped down with a thud. Barely got his shoes off before his eyes closed and sleep took him away to another land.

He was jolted away by the sounds of someone screaming. Jumping up, with sleep still clinging to his eyes, he ran towards the sound.

Entering the hallway, he heard it was coming from Abby’s room. Quickly typing in her code, he ran into her room.

She was there on the bed screaming. Her eyes still closed and her body thrashed on the bed. Going to her side, Leo placed his hand on her arm.

“Abby, I’m here. You are okay. Come back to me.” He wasn’t whispering, but his voice also wasn’t loud enough to startle her.

With his touch, she slowly stopped moving and calmed down. Her breathing evened out and her soft snores filled the room.

Leo quietly stood and headed towards the door. As his hand grasped the door knob, Abby spoke. “Leo, please stay with me.” Her voice sounded so sad and defeated.

Unable to refuse her request, he gently slid under the sheets with her. Laying next to her, he looked at her face. Memorizing each detail. He wondered if this time she would remember her nightmare.

Abby had never been able to remember her nightmares. She would scream and cry, but nothing was memorable after she woke. They had seen countless warlocks in trying to figure out what was plaguing her, but they were never able to find anything. They could always see there was a dark memory there, but it was protected by magic. A very powerful magic. They had been let down each visit. The answers continued to elude them.

Full of frustration, Abby tried finding ways of dealing with the feelings she would get from having the nightmares. Trying meditation, herbs, exercise, nothing worked.

When they were kids, Abby would frequently have Leo stay with her at night. When he was there, they stayed away. It had been over a year since she had had a nightmare. Leo loved that he was able to bring her comfort. He couldn’t protect her from the nightmares outright, but if his presence kept them away, he would stay with her every night. It was again a slippery slope. He had to be careful or she would find out his secret.

Wrapping his arms around her body, he pulled her close. She rolled her onto her side and scooted in close to Leo. Her back was pressed up against his chest. The smell of lavender and vanilla filled his senses and lulled him to sleep.

Waking, he found Abby awake and reading a book. She was deep into the story. Her teeth nibbled on her bottom lip as her eyes scanned the page, reading each word with intensity.

“Good morning.” He smiled up at her.

“Morning.” She continued to read the page, then flipping to the next one.

“Are you feeling okay?” His voice full of worry.

“Yeah, just the usual headache.” Putting her book down, she looked over at him. “I wish I knew what I was so scared of.”

“Me too. What time is it?” He looked about the room for a clock, but remembered that Abby hated them. She had a digital clock that sat on the nightstand opposite the side of the bed Leo laid on. Abby’s body was perfectly positioned so he couldn’t see it.

Sitting up he moved around Abby to get a better look. It was 11:30 a.m.

“You ready to head down. My parents will need to be debriefed and we need to start coming up with a plan.”

She nodded and got out of bed. On standing up, he could see her shirt had crept up and was showing off more skin that he was used to. Her shorts had also road up and was showing up the bottom of her cheeks. Abby was facing away from Leo. She couldn’t see the desire that swirled in his eyes.

Moving is body to face the other side of the room, he too stood and headed out the door. Careful to close it behind him.

Entering his own room, he quickly showered and got ready for the day. He wore black jeans and a shirt with the sleeves cut off. He hated wearing shirts with sleeves as it was restrictive.

Leo met Abby and his family downstairs in the kitchen. By the looks of everyone, the only ones who had slept any were his siblings, Melissa and Erik.

They were busy squabbling with one another and didn’t notice Leo enter the room. Abby was already sitting down with a full plate. His parents were already deep in a discussion.

Heading to the counter, he grabbed a plate and loaded it up with food. Taking a seat next to Abby, he sat and quickly consumed his food. Shadow Warriors ate more than most humans could. Their bodies burned off food quickly due to their activity level.

“Leo, Abby, debrief at 10.” Leo’s father instructed.

Nodding in acknowledgement, they finished their meals, cleaned their dishes and headed up to the office.

Upon entering, they find Leo’s parents staring at the screen before them. Both were deep in thought.

“What have you determined?” Leo’s mother asked.

Leo explained what he and Abby found. When Leo told his parents, he had yet to figure out how they were picking the humans with that birthdate. The look of displeasure on Leo’s parents' faces was full of disappointment, but they knew what their reaction was going to be.

“What is your plan of action?” His father asked.

“We will be going out tonight and seeing if we can find any answers in the underworld clubs,” Leo said with conviction.

“Good. Stay close to one another and report back in a few days. Your mother and I are being sent to New Jersey. There seemed to be problems there with the Shadow Warriors that require a firm hand.” His mother’s face softened. “Be safe young ones.”

With that, they exited the room. Heading to their own rooms in silence, both Abby and Leo were deep in thought.

Dressing in their gear, they grabbed their weaponry and headed for Leo’s car.

The drive to the first club was quiet. Both still deep in their own thoughts. Each preparing themselves for whatever the night may hold.

Parking and heading towards the entrance, they met some resistance. However, one of Leo’s sister’s friends was there and helped them to gain entrance.

Unbeknownst to Leo’s parents, his sister had quite the taste for friends. The girl who provided assistance was a young vampire. She was overly friendly, which annoyed Leo and Abby, but in this situation, it was beneficial.

Moving through the crowd of dancing bodies, they found the bar. It was in their best interest not to drink. No, they needed to speak with Archael. He was a very powerful half blood. At one point in time, he was a Shadow Warrior, but he fell from grace. Many of his activities were illegal in nature and the Concurrence frowned upon his involvement with the underworlders.

The bartender was used to seeing Leo and Abby coming to speak with Archael. Taking them back, he showed them to the backroom where this ex-Shadow Warrior was located.

“Abigail! Leo! How lovely it is to see you both.” Archael came over and gave them a hug. He was a very eccentric man. Abby couldn’t stand him. Leo didn’t care for him, but didn’t mind him that much either.

“What brings my two favorite people in?” He takes a seat on a couch and has a short glass in his hand with a clear liquid swirling around in it.

Abby explained what they were looking into and asked if Archael knew any information about October 13th that would be of any help.

“That is an oddly specific date. However, I have heard whispers, but as you know, it will cost you. What have you brought me?” c*****g his brow at them.

They both knew his information didn’t come for free. Leo had grabbed a demon coin for p*****t. Reaching into his pocket, he grabbed it and handed it to Archael.

“Oh Leo, you know how I love these.” His sharp canines shone in the light. “What I have heard is that October 13th is the date said to be the date the angels fell from grace. They are looking for a way to release Valak from his prison. I don’t know about what the ritual will require, but since the demon possessions have increased, I would imagine it is not a coincidence.”

Valak was one of the Greater Demons of hell. It took the Shadow Warriors nearly 3 centuries to rid the world of him. Imprisoning him killed thousands. It was known as the War of Death.

Seeing the thoughts swarming their minds, Archael made a suggestion. “I would talk with the Concurrence and see what they know of the date, but be careful. There are said to be secrets hidden in the truth. The Concurrence may not be as forthcoming as you hope in regards to Valak.”

Leo and Abby left with many questions, but at least now they had a place to start.