STIGMA 2: Memory
Chapter 4: Infected With You
I was falling deep into a void. Time had no meaning here. I had no meaning here. I was nobody here. All that I was had been ripped apart. And yet I was reforming, being reborn from the ground up.
My hands were strong, powerful, but they were also covered in blue hard scales, like a dragon's back. The scales started appearing further up my arms and onto my shoulders
"But I'm human aren't I?" I whispered.
A voice spoke in the darkness. "Not as much as you used to be." A dragon's head emerged from the darkness and opened it's jaws.
I screamed.
"She's coming around." I could hear Trish as I opened my eyes. I looked up at the ceiling. It was an unfamiliar ceiling until I looked to the right to see a friendly gargoyle. I was lying on a plush carpeted floor.
"Am I in the library?" I asked weakly.
"Yes." Micah answered. I sat up and put my hand to my neck expecting to find a wound or bandages. But to my shock, the skin was completely healed, if not a little tender.
"Careful with that." Trish said. She wiped my forehead with a cool damp cloth.
"What is this Trish?" I demanded. "What the hell did Vergil do to me?"
"Micah, could you please give us a moment?" Trish asked the young seer. She bowed and left the library. She then turned back to me. "Vergil has marked you."
I felt my face go pale. "Oh my god he's marked me for death?" Upon seeing the look of mild annoyance on Trish's face I decided to shut up.
"No. He's marked you as his mate."
I blinked. "Come again?"
"It's traditional amongst devils to place a mark on their chosen brides to let all other beings know that their chosen is off limits."
My mind was spinning. "Oh…god." My head was in my hands. "Trish, there's gotta be more to it than that.
"The mated pair will in essence bond their minds, spirits and in some cases the female will take on some physical traits of the male. Those traits are randomly chosen and cannot be controlled.
"How do you know all this?"
She lifted back her hair from the right side of her neck. A small black ring seemed to be tattooed onto her neck.
"Is that the mark?" I pointed towards it.
"Yes. You will form a similar one over the next few days."
"But who is your mate?" I asked her. She didn't say anything. I thought for a moment and took a wild guess.
"Trish, it is Dante?"
Trish smiled warmly and had a faraway look in her eyes, as if she was thinking of him right that second.
"Oh. I didn't know you two were a couple."
"It is what it is. It's nothing to jump up and down about."
"Sorry. I don't mean to pry." I sat up. I felt okay. There was no dizziness and no other pain. "I think I should go home. I would feel better in my apartment."
"Do you need me to drive you there?" She offered.
I shook my head. "No but thanks for offering. And thanks for looking after me. But I need to ask you for a favour. Please don't tell Dante. I don't need him getting worried about me."
Trish nodded. "I won't tell him but when he sees you at the ball on Friday, he's going to know."
"I understand. I'll deal with this."
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My apartment was located in Caruso Port Town near the ocean. It was right next to the shipping village that was the predominant industry in this tiny little part of America. I loved my apartment. Every evening when I was home I would make some dinner and sit to eat on the balcony, feeling the ocean breeze on my skin.
Tonight however, after parking my bike in the garage downstairs and opening up the balcony door to let some air in, I collapsed onto the black leather couch. I didn't feel hungry or thirsty. Instead I felt afraid. I felt violated and possibly heart broken.
Despite assuring Trish that I was perfectly fine, I was now feeling nauseous and scared. My mind kept replaying the events of the evening over and over again. I kept seeing him in my mind. That wonderful beautiful snow like face which had once represented the one person I would have wanted to be with, now was the one person I feared. It was a strange thing to love someone and be terrified of them at the same time.
"How could you, Vergil?" I whispered. Tears fell down my face as I pulled myself into a ball and tried to block everything out. But all I could see was him, which only made me cry more.
"How could you?" I kept repeating over and over again. The tears wouldn't stop coming as I buried my head into a cushion. All I wanted was the warmth I found in the darkness of sleep. I wanted to feel safe again.
I was jolted out of my reverie by the phone ringing. I didn't answer it. Instead I waited as the answering machine clicked on.
"Alex, its Adrian. If you're there pick up. Micah said you had been attacked. You haven't been answering your cell phone. Please call me when you get this." I hear him sigh. "Love you sis."
I sat up and went out onto the balcony. The wind wafted over me, while I stared out into the black of night, trying to find some relief from the mixed feelings in my heart. Still there was only him, my love, my fear and my sorrow.
"Damnit!" I snapped. How dare he make me feel like this? I had taken down demons, witches and all vile manner of filth. I was a warrior. I would not be destroyed by him. Slowly my anger rose above all other feelings and I felt powerful again.
I sat down on the deck chair I had bought for the balcony and looked up at the stars. It was soothing to just lay there and look up. I had fallen asleep here some nights. Perhaps tonight would be one of those nights.
I would have to go back into work tomorrow. I refused to call in sick. I wasn't sure about how I would cope having to be in the library with him. Maybe I could talk Carmen into letting me borrow a terminal in the ops centre.
The phone started ringing again. I ignored it and closed my eyes. Tonight was going to be one of those nights after all.
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I awoke as the sun was rising. Sleep had dulled the pain, both in my neck and in my heart somewhat. Somehow everything always looked better in the morning.
I summoned the strength to go inside and get ready for work. No breakfast. I had no appetite. So I settled for a hot shower and a change of clothes. Once I was dressed in tan leather pants, a red tee and black jacket I headed out.
I wasn't going to hide from him. I wanted to confront him. I wanted to know why he did this and what his feelings for me were. I couldn't believe he would do this out of love. I couldn't believe that he knew how to love. It didn't seem possible.
However, when I got there, he wasn't in the library. I felt disappointed. So much for confrontation.
"You're here early, Alex."
I looked to my right. Carmen had a book in her hand from the Greek mythology section.
"Touché, Madame Detrius. What brings you here?"
She took her glasses off and rubbed her eyes. "A hobby of mine. I've been doing research on different religions for the last few years. I've been trying to find a common link among them all or at least seeing if one exists."
"Are you going to the ball on Friday?"
"Of course. I hear you're going this time. You couldn't find an assignment to volunteer for?"
I raised my eyebrows. "Are you implying I've been piking the last few years?"
"Yes." Blunt and straight to the point as always she was. She smiled as if looking at her favourite child. "You were always asking for more work this time of year. I'm glad you're coming this time though. Have you bought a dress yet?"
I shook my head. "I'll be shopping tomorrow night. I won't be spending too much money though for something I'll only wear once."
"Do try to make an effort, Alex. You should go for something black. With the way your skin is right now, it will offset the tone quite nicely."
"Yeah, well if I had been out in the field instead of stuck inside this place for months on end, I wouldn't be so white."
She chuckled. "It looks good on you. Do you have a date?"
I smiled happily. "Yeah. Logan Di Massey. Squad leader for cleaning crew eight."
Carmen grinned. "I've seen him. He's cute. Good work there. I'm glad I've taught you something over the years about men."
I shrugged. "Hey he did all the work there. I had nothing to do with it. Still, I'm glad I've got a date. Speaking of which, have you seen my brother lately? Who's he going with?"
Carmen narrowed your eyes. "You mean, you don't know?"
"Know what?"
She put back the book she was looking at. "Well if you don't know then I probably should let Adrian tell you."
"Tell me what?" I demanded. She started walking away.
"Carmen?" I called after her.
"Sorry Alex. Duty calls." She flipped me off as she left.
I stood there perplexed. What was going on with my twin brother and who was he taking on Friday? Whoever it was, hopefully they were normal and not the type to bite their date on the neck in an ancient binding ritual.
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The rest of the week went pretty quickly. No progress was made in our research except for one tiny clue. The number ten had great religious significance in both human religions and demonic mythology. Still the most vital piece of information would probably be the town records. We would probably have that report next week. Unfortunately by then I would be on vacation and was going to miss all the fun.
It was nearing seven pm on Friday evening. I was dressed in a black satin floor length evening gown. The dress came up just under my collar bone and slouched under said area. The dress was completely backless. It was accompanied by long dangly earrings, a simple silver bangle and satin silver sandals with a one inch stiletto heel.
"Okay, I am a classy stylish woman." I muttered to myself in the mirror while drying my curls, trying to not let them frizz out. "I will be a stylish classy woman who attracts hot guys and not the ones who you fall in love with but end up breaking your heart because they violated you while they were kissing you…great one Alex."
I hadn't seen Vergil since that night. I had wondered if what he had done to me had affected him in some way. I had suffered nightmares since and had lost the will to eat anything at all. I felt somewhat numb to it all now. And yet I still wanted to see him.
My hair was done. I was wearing make up and a dress that I spent way too much money on. But looking in the mirror it had been worth it. For once I looked like a woman. Maybe tonight he would see that.
My phone started ringing. I looked at the display to see that it was Logan.
"You're not calling to bail on me are you?" I asked as I answered. He laughed quietly.
"No. I'm calling because I'm here early and I'd like you to come down so I can drive a princess to the ball."
I grinned. "Well if I find one I'll be sure to send her down. In the meantime you'll have to settle for being my escort."
"Just get your ass down here McCann."
I smiled stupidly as I hung up. Well at least for now I could be somebody's princess.
He was waiting for me downstairs in a black Honda CRV. Logan's choice of attire was a tailored white shirt and black pants. It was such a simple outfit but he made it look effortlessly stylish.
"Good evening milady."
"Good evening yourself." I eyed him as I climbed in. "Are you ready to be bored out of your mind for the next five to six hours?"
"Always am." And we were off, blasting music out the windows as we drove.
The youth they can't go home
They're caught up in the zone
Throwin' stones
Usin' em for target practice
Bullets on the train
We all look the same
Got no name
"Hey this is good." I commented, while listening to the strange fusion of electro, rock and reggae. "Who is this?"
"They're called Asian Dub Foundation." Logan answered. "I'll lend you the CD. I think you'll like them. I play some of this stuff while we train at HQ. Your brother particularly enjoys the music."
"Well Adrian's always been a music nut. A bit more than me I think." I paused for a moment. "Do you know who he's taking as a date?"
Logan shrugged. "Not sure. I didn't know he was taking anybody. He didn't say anything to you?"
I shook my head. "No. We haven't really had time to talk in the last few days. I was supposed to see him in Canada but you ended up being there instead."
"Lucky me." He grinned. I just rolled my eyes. But I was smiling on the inside as well.
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The grand ball room was as titled, grandiose! Large chandeliers hung from the cream painted ceiling. Paintings of scenes from ancient religions hung on the walls. The room was filled with elegant ladies and handsome men. So the question begged to be answered; what the hell was I doing there?
Logan and I linked arms and walked through the masses of people. I felt very safe with him circling the room and socialising with our colleagues. I noticed how charming, funny and plain cool Logan was when talking to other people, even the older more crotchety warlocks and witches found him amicable.
"How do you do that?" I asked him.
"Do what?"
"Be so annoyingly charming." I replied.
He shrugged. "Natural talent."
I laughed. "Wow. Is modesty a talent of yours too?"
"Of course. Come on. Let's dance."
He lead me to the dance floor. A small group of musicians were playing Vivaldi's four seasons. We began what could have been an elegant waltz if it weren't for my lack of elegance.
"Just relax." He whispered. "It won't be so bad if you didn't tense up."
"I'm sorry." I apologised. "By the way I have a strange favour. If you see Vergil Spara within my general vicinity at anytime I need you to move me away from him."
"Ah so you're not a fan either."
"What do you mean?"
Logan shifted his eyes left and right then rested his gaze back on me. "I was in the gym sparring last night when he came in. I asked if he wanted a training partner. That was a mistake. I swear he was trying to kill me."
I was about to reply when I saw my brother, dancing with a strangely familiar young woman. Her dress was made out of ivory satin embroidered with flowers. He long curls were pinned back against her head, some falling slightly over a demure lily white face.
"My god. That's Micah." I whispered. Could that have been who Carmen had been referring to.
"Jason." I called to him. Jason was dancing with some girl I didn't know. "Jason, is that Micah with Adrian.
Jason looked over at me. "You didn't know?"
"Know about what?"
He moved himself and his date closer to myself and Logan. "They've been dating for the last four months. He didn't tell you?"
"Obviously." I hissed.
"Well you should go ask him about it." Jason then moved his date who was getting pissed at me away from us.
"Logan, do you mind if I see my brother after this dance?"
"Of course not."
"Not until we've spoken about what's happened to you." I turned around and groaned.
"Oh shit."
"May I steal your partner for a moment, good sir?" Dante placed a hand on my shoulder and looked directly into my eyes. "We need to talk."
Author's note: That song by Asian Dub Foundation is called 'Target Practice'. Check it out.
Devilrebel – Yes some randomness is about to ensue but at some point it will all make sense…I think. Thanks again for leaving feedback.
Please keep all comments and reviews coming.
Next chapter: Ophelia's Descent.
