Shadow Warrior

Chapter 4

At some point in the night, during their conversation, they both fell asleep. Exhaustion takes over their bodies. Being a Shadow Warrior doesn’t provide a consistent sleep schedule. They had been flipping from days to nights and back again. It wore out their bodies. They had several charms that would help their bodies keep up, but in the midst of everything, they had completely depleted their stores. Charms can’t be used endlessly without replenishment. Lately, they have been using them more frequently than normal.

Abby was the first to wake up. Finding her body and Leo’s had come entwined during the night. Her head was lying on his chest and her leg was lying across his body. Leo’s arm was wrapped around her body. His hand lay on her side. Dangerously close to her butt.

Carefully, she moved her body from his and headed to the bathroom. Her bladder screamed for release. Taking a quick shower, she wiped the mirror clean of its fog. In doing so she saw her reflection. Her eyes had dark circles surrounding them. She looked paler than normal. Knowing they weren’t sleeping properly and eating was very inconsistent. They hadn’t been training in weeks and it was wearing on their bodies.

Making sure her towel was secure, she quietly opened the door to take a look at Leo. He was still fast asleep. During her absence, he had rolled over. The tattoo on his back was once again on full display. Her eyes slowly moved down his body.

Almost as if she was under a spell, she couldn’t take her eyes off him. He too had dark circles under his eyes. His skin was also pale. They were both getting drained. She needs to make sure they reset their charms before they go out anywhere. Also, eat more.

Closing the door again, she brushed her hair and her teeth, followed by lotioning and dressing. By the time she exited the bathroom, Leo was sitting up and rubbing the sleep from his eyes.

“Morning sleepy head.” She threw a blanket from the floor at Leo.

“Good morning, Beautiful.” Leo rolled back over like he was going to sleep. Finally realizing what he said, he shot out of bed.

Abby was standing in her room stunned. So last night wasn’t a dream or her imagination.

“I um I… I’m going to go shower.” Leo stumbled on his words and headed out of her room.

Abby watched him leave and felt something tighten in her chest. It didn’t hurt, it just felt like someone gave her heart a squeeze.

“Does Leo have feelings for me?” She asked herself. Confusion ran rampant in her mind. “Do I have feelings for Leo?” She asked herself. Her mind ran away from her. She thought of what it would be like to kiss Leo. His lips must be soft.

Reality smacked her in the face. They couldn’t be together like that. Soul Keepers are forbidden from being together… in that way.

Forcing herself to move forward, she headed down to the kitchen for breakfast. Leo consumed her thoughts as she descended the stairs.

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Quietly shutting his bedroom door, he leaned against it. Leo’s heart was racing, as was his mind. It was filled with thoughts of last night and this morning. He wasn’t completely awake when he had called Abby beautiful. Mortified at his slip up, he internally chastised himself for his lack of self-control.

It took him a while to talk himself into heading down for breakfast. His stomach making noises finally swayed him. He couldn’t hide in his bedroom forever. He also needed to talk to Abby about what he had learned last night from his parents.

Taking a deep breath and strengthening his resolve, he headed downstairs.

Abby, Melissa, and Erik were all busy conversing and eating when he entered the room. Abby’s eyes avoided his, which unsettled his mind. Now was not the place to have any private conversations. He was going to have to keep the status quo.

“Good morning, guys.” He smiled at each of them. Still, Abby’s eyes didn’t meet his.

Grabbing his own plate and served himself a healthy serving of each item. Two round pancakes which smelled like cinnamon, fried eggs, square potatoes, and large sausage links. While he was spreading the butter over the pancakes, he started talking to Abby.

“Mom and dad said they may have more information on our current investigation.” He paused, waiting for a reply.

She was focused too intensely on her food. Still avoiding his gaze, she gave him a reply. “What did they say?” Her voice sounded familiar and welcoming, but her body was rigid.

“They said there is a spell rumored to be in the Black Book of Souls that could bring Valak to our plane. No one really knows what is required in the spell.”

“It sounds like we need to visit some warlocks. They should know. Or at least, I can think of one that has been alive long enough to have been around when the book was created.” In giving her response, she finally looked up at Leo. His heart fluttered as their eyes looked into each other.

“Oooh! You’re going to go see Galadin?” Melissa squeaked.

“Yes, but neither of you will be coming with us.” Leo gave Melissa and Erik stern looks. His words whipped the excitement from their faces.

“BUT…” Melissa started yelling.

“I said no Melissa.” Leo was firm with his words. Giving her the face, he always gives her when he means business. Melissa knew well what that look meant. She shut her mouth and pouted.

“This isn’t fair. We never get to go.” Erik whined.

“It isn’t safe for inexperienced Shadow Warriors. You guys haven’t even finished your studies yet. Focus on those. There will be plenty of action once those are passed. Something is always going on.” Abby tried helping Leo’s case.

Both Melissa and Erik stormed out of the room. They spoke under their breath as they begrudgingly went up to their rooms.

Leo let out a loud, heavy sign. Finishing his plate, he took it to the sink to clean. Abby followed close behind him. Placing her own plate in the sink. Leo took over washing everything.

The silence between them was full of tension and awkwardness. Abby kept looking up at Leo. Trying to figure out if they should talk about what has happened in the last 12 hours. After much contemplation, she decided against it. It was better if they moved on like nothing had happened.

“What time do you think we should go see Galadin?” She asked with confidence. Determined to rid their lives of this awkwardness.

“I was thinking we should head out soon. He can be a pain to find, much less get in to see.” Leo was finishing the last dish.

“We need to restore our charms,” Abby pointed out.

“That would be a good idea. I’m feeling depleted.” Leo gave her a gentle smile.

Abby wrapped her arm around his and guided him to the charm room. It was just down the hall from the kitchen. The room was large and was tall enough it required a rolling ladder to reach all of the stones. Each shelf had glass jars filled with crystals. Each one worked on different areas of the body.

Climbing the ladder, Abby grabbed an amethyst gem for healing. Their bodies were worn out, which meant their healing abilities were compromised. Then, rolling over to another shelf, she grabbed a Red Jasper gem for endurance. Finally, she grabbed the Black Tourmaline for strength.

Carefully climbing down, she makes it to the bottom and carefully heads for the large table in the middle of the room. Leo was already there with the Smoky Quartz for wisdom and scapolite for mental clarity.

Both of us have runes tattooed onto our bodies. Leo removed his shirt, allowing her to see each rune. Abby placed the amethyst on the rune for healing, then Leo spoke the words.

“Per angelos, hoc donum concedo. Illuminent semitam meam.” – By the angels, I accept this gift. May they light my path.

They continued this process until both of them had replenished their charms. Abby always loved to do this with Leo. There was something special about it.

Leo was careful to keep his fingers from making contact with Abby’s skin as he placed each gem on each rune. Her runes were tattooed down the back of her arms. Abby’s healing rune and strength rune were lower on her arms. The intricacies of the runes on their bodies were beautiful.

Pulling another shirt over her head, Leo watched as most of her tattoos were hidden by it. Grabbing his own shirt, he pulled it over his head.

“You ready?” Leo asks.

“Let’s go.” Abby skipped out the door towards the car. Leo opened the door and got into the driver’s seat. Abby plopped down into the front passenger seat. She had something in her hand that she was messing with.

Their drive was silent. All of their weapons were in the trunk of the car at all times. Had to be prepared for anything. And, they wouldn’t be able to bring them into Galadin’s. He would take it as a sign of aggression.

Galadin lived above one of his nightclubs. No one knew exactly how old he was, but if they had to guess, he was easily over a few thousand years old. He talks about meeting Henry VIII and Caesar. If he was to believe he was even in a relationship with Cleopatra at one point in time,

It wasn’t late enough in the day for the club to be open. Getting in would be easier and without distractions.

They made their way in and were met by Galadin’s goons. They were larger beings. One was obviously a warlock, but they had no idea what the other was. It was definitely a downworld being. Its eyes were the devils. Red and black, his ears were pointed, and when he addressed them, his razor-sharp teeth were on full display. He was several feet taller than even Leo.

“We are here to seek the assistance of Galadin. Would you see if he is available for an audience?” Abby addressed the warlock bouncer.

The warlocks’ eyes went completely white, his irises disappearing. His arms stood folded on his chest. Soon, his eyes were back to looking normal and his face softened.

“He will see you.” He motioned for them to head up the stairs. The stairs twined around a beam. At the top was a dull looking door that read Employees Only. Below it was the warlock insignia. Humans wouldn’t be able to see it. Only Shadow Warriors, Angels, and underworlders.

Going through the door, they found they were in what looked to be a waiting room. Couches line the walls. There was another door, but it was obvious that it possessed a key padlock.

Taking a seat, they waited to be escorted in. Their wait was short as a goblin came walking in.