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Chapter 14: Rescued

Thelma

The fireplace's dwindling flame crackles; the air stills as the dust settles. In deafening silence, the imposing figure in front of me causes my mouth to turn dry.

I didn’t need anyone to tell me that this was the hybrid, Kwaad, Madam Emma spoke of. The beast that had entered the house earlier had been both majestic and terrifying, standing at what must have been twelve feet, on his hind legs, with a delicate slouch. With white fur that reminded me of a ball of wool, I wonder how it would feel burying my fingers into that beautiful mane.

His gray eyes had a pleasurably unsettling effect, reassuring in their reflectiveness, yet menacing.

Kyle is daunting, even in his human form. His gray eyes are like silver-fire; I feel lost in their flame as he regards me, but I don’t want to be found. Not yet.

He steps closer to me…his scent causing my head to spin. I step back, but can’t escape, as my back hits something hard…a wall. With a finger, he tilts my chin up to face him. I lick my lips as he searches my eyes intently.

What answer is he looking for in my eyes? I can swear he can see deep into my soul.

“Is everyone alright?” he asks without tearing his gaze, or his hand, from me.

My heart races, and I feel heat creep up my face. Damn! What is happening to me? I must be turning every shade of red right now. I know his question is directed at everyone…but why did it feel like he was addressing me? Concerned about me? Something is happening between my legs as he stares. A pulsation…a yearning… wetness. Oh no! Had I peed myself? Had the attack scared me that much?

I see the side of his lips tilt ever so slightly. Again, I use my tongue to wet my lips.

“Ya…yes. Fine,” I respond.

Kyle raises a brow, and his large hand lets go of my chin, tracing the length of my flushed cheek. His hand feels so cool against my burning flesh.

“Don’t lie, err….,” he says and raises a slash of his dark brow.

My, he is blunt. But that voice! Oh my, that deep voice that caused every inch of my insides to vibrate.

He looks at me and waits. It seems like he is expecting me to speak. Had he asked something? Does he want to know my name? What was my name? I try to search in my brain for the answer, but I am failing to remember the most simple of details.

“Erm… Girl. Elma… No. Thelma. My name is Thelma,” I say.

“Thelma. Are you okay?”

I don’t think I can talk; my mouth is extremely dry. I nod my head and break away from his grasp, and gaze. This hybrid has me flustered and acting like a fool. I sidestep him and go stand next to Ma and Roy.

“What was that?” I ask, Kyle.

“I’m not sure, but I think I sensed very dark magic traveling through the ground. It’s a good thing I came when I did, and that Rhia managed to neutralize the magic.”

I want to ask who Rhia is. I open my mouth but close it again. Whoever Rhia is had just saved our lives. I owed him, her, or it, my gratitude. This wasn’t the time to look at a gift horse in the mouth. Whoever attacked might still be out there waiting, regrouping, and will probably attack again. Desperate times don’t call for a cross-examining session.

“So, Kwaad, we finally meet face to face,” Uncle Fernandez says, getting up from where he had been crouched.

Uncle Fernandez had been gone for a day, returning this morning with a spring in his step. I had hoped he would announce that he’d gotten a job. Where was he all that time? What had caused this light air about him?

Aunt Maggie had frowned when her husband hugged her. I guess her pregnancy isn’t fond of the new feminine perfume–that of wild roses–that lingered on Uncle Fernandez when he arrived.

Kyle turns around to face Uncle Fernandez and frowns. “And you are?”

Uncle Fernandez snorts, “Your worst nightmare, buddy! I am Hunter Fernandez.”

Kyle lets out a condescending laugh. “Actually, I don’t dream…you know, being a powerful demon and shit. Most times people dream of me. Or rather, have nightmares about me.” He scoffs. “Also, can’t say I’ve ever heard your name before, Hunter Fernandino. What do you hunt? Rabbits or rats?” Kyle extends a hand. “Anyway, nice to meet you, Nightmare.”

I stifle a laugh as I watch Uncle Fernandez’s face turning beet red. My uncle doesn’t meet Kyle’s hand, and Kyle drops his extended arm. Must be embarrassing to be humiliated in front of the very people you tell those hero-hunter stories to.

“Danger is brewing and as long as she stays here, they will attack again. She has to live, now,” a slim, red-haired woman says as she walks in.

I know she is talking about me. Whoever attacked was targeting me. Madam Emma had been right about my family being in danger because of me.

Kyle glances at me and then turns to address Ma.

“I will leave some of my men stationed around the house. They will watch over you. Rhea will put a stronger defense spell around the house. I am taking Thelma with me. I think we both know that she shouldn’t be left alone and only I can protect her.”

Ma’s jaw drops and as soon as she realizes it, she closes it. I know she wants to argue. Ever since I was a child, Ma would never even allow me to go to a slumber party. The prospect of her daughter being snatched away from my home with this unpredictable, albeit sexy, monster, gods know where, must be unsettling for her.

“Are you sure you want to go with…him?” Ma asks me nervously.

I nod as I step closer to her. “If I stay here, Roy and you will be in danger. I lost Pa, and can’t fathom losing the two of you. We will always keep in touch. Kwa…Kyle here can provide us all with protection.”

A tear rolls down Ma’s face and I approach her; I can’t help but weep too.

My life is changing so fast. The prospect of not knowing what this beast wants with me is making my stomach churn. What if he wants me to be his dinner or something? That beast surely didn’t look vegan.

And then there’s that little thing he said about being a demon….What if he wants to possess me or my soul?

I am really taking a leap of faith and didn’t know if I would land feet first or face plant. But, there’s not much of a choice. I need to ensure that Ma and Roy are protected.

“Where you going, Elma?” Roy asks as he tugs on my skirt.

I feel as though his tiny hands are tugging at my very soul…the very one Kyle might be possessing soon, perhaps.

“I am going away for a short time, buddy. I want you to be a brave little man and take care of Ma until I return, okay?” I say, crouching down.

He whimpers and throws his little arms around my neck. I can feel his tears soaking on my neck as he sobs.

I know it took Roy awhile to stop being frightened of me. Cousin Mike told him that I was Storm from the X-men and that had made his round brown eyes bulge. I am glad he thinks that I am some superhero and cool, although I don’t feel like I can save anyone, not even myself.

“Okay, sweet. You aren’t dying so please stop with all these theatrics. As much as I would love to let you hug and weep until a sad theme farewell song starts playing, we have to leave now. Grab only your necessities. Let's go,” Kyle says.

Wow. How charming he was…not!

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