Shadows in Light

I looked up to Joseph to see him gone without further word.

Guess I was free to leave then. I could see a few people following his example and leaving via the doors around the place.

Actually, most of them were doing it. Guess there wasn’t going to be a party to celebrate my victory.

I went over to Bianca who stood and greeted me with a crushing hug, and the Priestess nodded to me.

She murmured softly to me, “Our mutual friend says hello. He will be pleased to hear of the outcome of this.” She smiled, “And your lack of comments too I suspect.”

She bowed her head slightly before departing.

I looked around I couldn’t see Caoimhe anymore. Where did she go? She was right next to me on the stage last time I remembered.

I looked to Bianca, who crushed me with another hug. “Bianca, I know I’m a pain but any chance I could get a lift? I left my bike near Johns.”

She gave a loud laugh, getting a few people around us looking at me before she took out her keys and jingling them at me. As we walked down the corridors, there were people quietly talking to each other, and as we walked along, they stopped to watch me. Some more discreetly than others.

I felt like an attraction at a freak show. It wasn’t comforting. But I wasn’t interested in talking to them. I wanted to get out of here right now, and Bianca moved me through the maze of corridors quickly and to an elevator.

I’d kept an eye out along the way but not once seen Caoimhe along the way. She’d obviously disappeared off to do her own things. Hopefully, I could get my stuff back off her at some point.

I wasn’t sure what I was expecting Bianca to drive, but a battered and beaten-up old Ford truck something from the 1980s wasn’t quite what I was expecting, until I gave it a moment’s thought. It did suit her.

Bianca didn’t say a word to me until we got into her car and going down towards the Freeway. Despite the age, she had at comfortable seats and stereo which played some music softly.

“You okay Ryan?”

“Kind of amazed I survived all things considered.”

“With you there. Thought you were going to be beheaded for a moment.”

She glanced at me for a moment.

“How did you get that Imp to come and testify for you?”

“I didn’t? I’m glad she did mind. Everyone seemed to believe her.”

“Of course, they did, she’s an Imp. She was bound to John by Oath and Contract, so she can’t disobey any order given, and tends to help their Masters in whatever they do. They also don’t lie. Well actually they literally can’t.”

“Oh. That explains it then.”

“Yeah. Except she appeared to help you, and essentially ratted out her former Master. Admittedly he was dead but still. She’s not yours, is she?”

“Well, of course not, she was doing a favor for me.”

She eyed me, “You don’t get Imps, do you?”

“Missing out on something, here am I?”

She chuckled as she drove on, “Oh yeah, I think you’ll learn soon enough.”

I huffed as she rolled a window and lit a cigarette, offering me one too. As I’d survived a death court, I let myself have one.

“You know Eli is going to come back right Ryan?”

I scowled out of the window, “Yeah, that crossed my mind. Although I’ve got this... scythe thing now.”

“A what?” The pure shock in her voice made me look over at her. She’d stopped looking at the road and was staring right at me, which let me tell you is freaking scary.

“Can you look at the road!” I took several deep breaths, “A scythe? Alice had hidden it in my place.”

She pointed right at me, almost touching me across the truck. “Do not ever mention that again. I’m serious here. Keep that secret to everyone. Don’t even tell me anymore. I don’t want to know.”

“What’s wrong with you?”

“I’ve heard about Scythes with your people, and they’re ... considered special. Perhaps legendary even. Something to research.”

“How the hell can I research something without asking?

“You’re problem.”

I wasn’t sure how to react about that.

“Regarding Alice. Do you think I should look into her more?”

Bianca thought about that one too then nodded “Yeah. She appears out of nowhere and THAT shows up. Look into her.” She glanced at me, “And I know you feel guilty about not saving her. That wasn’t your fault Ryan.”

I returned to scowling out of the window at the other drivers. I didn’t need someone trying to make me feel better about that. And I didn’t want to think about it right now.

I eventually got dropped off near John’s and walked the rest of the way. She had started chattering near constantly after that, and while I was thankful for her help overall and considered her a friend, I wanted her to shut up. I wasn’t used to that level of noise and I was starting to get a bit of a headache.

My bike was still were I left it, although the owner stared at me as I unlocked it and cycled off. Thank you code locks is all I can say. Otherwise, I’d have lost my bike.

I got back to my alley before I realized I had a bit of a problem, everything I owned was in my bag when I was arrested by Josephs crew. And while his guys hadn’t picked it up, I guessed that Caoimhe had that. Including my keys.

I got to my door and stared at it trying to figure out how to break into my own place, but I saw a bit of pink painted on the handle.

Giving it a try, I found that my door was unlocked, and everything was inside waiting for me. My coat was hanging up. My bag was on my chair, and a quick look through proved it was all there, including the paperwork. Even the bar version of the scythe was there. I could almost forgive her for being late.

I locked my place up and got some food dropping into my sofa.

Picking up the bar I played with it, spinning it between my fingers. As it spun, it started to cause a whistle noise. I closed my eyes and listened to it.

Somehow it was soothing. Comforting.

Made me feel safe.

I’d survived. I’d learnt about things I never knew existed. I’d learnt some lies about common mythologies.

I’d learnt that I was a Demon fighting Angels.

“There’s a lot more to learn you know”

Looking back, sitting up in my bed was Caoimhe “Congratulations on winning.” She gave me that brilliant smile.

“Master.”