They jumped off the cab finding the street from the hotel empty, except for a green car and a police car, parked almost in front of the entrance. What began as a light rain was getting stronger and the sidewalks were full of garbage.
"Go ahead." - Paul suggested for Iren, who hastened to enter the hotel, where there were also some people who seemed to be hiding from the rain.
Iren was down the hall to hide from the cold wind, almost shivering and shaking his hair to get rid of the first drops. There were some people moving there, but no one paid attention to him. Everyone seemed to have spent a sleepless night, looking tired and with dark rings under the eyes, as was typical of those who came to New Orleans for Mardi Gras. The very thought of Iren only sleep a bit more.
Paul then came running, but so has the hotel entrance, one of the group of people there crossed in front of him, lifting his wallet and showing a credential. Iren made mention of getting up, but a steady gaze of Paul kept him in place. People who were in the hall were also in the direction of Paul, and in an instant all was clear.
He was being arrested and handcuffed, even without resistance or say had police searching the room where they were staying, and another gathering testimony from hotel staff. The guy who seemed to be the detective was almost radiant, confident that his investigation ended there. In the midst of the police, the man who was shot Iren in the club, recognized Paul.
Iren gulped as he saw the police taking Paul to the car. Again Paul glanced at Iren, asking him to remain in his place. Onlookers gathered together at the door to see the movement of police. Iren was up to the door hall only to see Paul get into the car and go along with the police.
XXXXXXXXXX
The rain still poured down hard on the city when Iren came to the police station where Paul was under arrest. Iren rushed out of the cab and entered the building. The drive was big and everyone seemed too busy to notice his presence. He went to the counter where a woman sanded her nails, bored.
"Good morning ..." - Iren spoke to the woman, who was scared at the first time with his arrival, but then her eyes got a certain air of interest in the figure of the young man before her.
"Good morning. How may I help you? "- The woman tried to show more formality as possible.
"I'm Iren Gallier. I came to know about my brother, Paul. He is being held here. "
"Paul Gallier. The guy of the panther in that nightclub. "- She arched an eyebrow. - "He is waiting to be interrogated. It will not be able to talk to him now, I'm sorry ... "
"Please. I need to talk to him. "- Iren grabbed the woman's hand and felt her little shudder. His nature was not only intimidated, but also attracts people had noticed that in Paul, but never thought he could also have this feature, or that somehow he could use this to his advantage. - "You must have brothers, don't you?"
"... Yes, I have a sister. Younger than me. "- She murmured, as she faced Iren, but without looking at him straight in the eye. That gaze was ... unbearable.
"Please ... Michelle. "- Iren spoke the name written on the woman's identification card. - "Put yourself in my place. We are away from home and he just count on me here. "
She then looked around, making sure no one was paying attention to them. She turned to Iren and said quietly:
"Follow that corridor to the right. I believe his brother is in the third room. That's where the detainees waiting to be interrogated. But hurry, the investigator will return soon. "
"Thank you, Michelle." - Iren smiled slightly and shook hands with Michelle, and went straight to the hallway that she had indicated. Iren was surprised himself. He never envisioned as a seducer, or convincing someone like that to get something he wanted. Actually Iren never tried to seduce or convince anyone in his life, he always imagined himself as the most wishy-washy person in the world, and now ...
One of the lamps of the hall was burned, leaving slightly in the dark environment. Iren followed stealthy creeping through the walls of the hall, which was a little longer than he had imagined. His steps was light and sinuous, and made no noise while he was his breathing was almost inaudible. He was so attached to the shadow that no one few or have not realized him from his presence.
That's how he came to the room. The door was ajar, and pushed slowly Iren. It was there that he met Paul, handcuffed and tied to an iron bar that was near the chair where he sat. Generally, an officer should be in your company, but certainly takes thought he had more important things to do than to babysit for a big man of six had felt the presence of his brother as he crossed the hall. Iren did not mind the glare which Paul received him.
"Iren. You should not be here! Do you want to be arrested too? "- At least until that moment, the only name involved in that mess was that of Paul. No one even talked about Iren.
"I couldn't leave you here and sit back. And ... I do what I want. "- He raised a little face, disgusted with the ingratitude of his brother.
"Well, there's plenty to do." - Paul looked firmly handcuffed to the wrist. The bar was literally planted on the table in front of him, which would take him any chance of mobility.
Iren finally paid attention to the cuff. He had never seen anything like it so closely. The image that came in his mind that had nothing to do with the police. In fact the image was formed from what was so intense that Iren felt his face heat up, and although he has not said anything, Paul reached down slowly with a suspicious look.
"So.. Don't you ... worried? "- Iren rubbed his face, trying to contain that flushing before it became inevitable. - "Are not you afraid?"
"No." - Paul motioned for Iren approaching, so he could speak more softly. - "And neither should you. It is a matter of hours. There is nothing against me ... Even the truth would sound like a lie. I don't even need a lawyer if you want to know ... "
Iren breathed deeply, pulling up and sitting on the edge of the desk right beside him. Paul was right. If he was accused of being the owner of the panther, the question would be, where he hid? There was nothing to incriminate him. If there was any evidence was only circumstantial. Iren touched his forehead, where the brand's shot now heal rapidly under a simple bandage.
"I brought your cigarettes." - Iren left the pack on the table, along with the lighter.
Paul's smile widened. The police were too stupid to see that the panther was right there, Iren thought. He could not avoid touching Paul's hair, running his fingers through the other's face to scratch him under his chin, listening to the sound of a saw that purring was one of pure satisfaction.
"Don't hurry back to the hotel, police were digging there. Go get Femole at least no one will disturb you there. "
It was a good still felt hopelessly alone, and not to be thought unfair to Paul now that he was arrested. It was a gentle push on the hip that made Iren leave the place where it was and turn his thoughts to the present. There were people coming from the interrogation room, but did not feel there was someone behind the mirror on the wall. Iren was not intimidated by being shooed away gently. He kept scratching Paul's chin, and his hand down the shoulder and the arm of his brother, stopping his fingers on the cuff, what with stirring curiosity.
"Paul ..." - called Iren, very low.
"Hm?"
"... Where do I buy one of these? "
"Don't even think about it!" - Paul stood up in a jump down his fist on the table and narrowly missed another in giving Iren, who had almost jump across the room. - "Go at once!"
Iren obeyed immediately, bypassing Paul walking with his back against the wall. It was not too sure, but another one of those tugs and bar screwed on the table would start to sag.
Iren did so sneaky and entered, and proceeded to the entrance of police station. The rain had stopped a little. When he crossing the door, Alice found climbing the stairs of the station. The woman paused for a moment, and a sadistic gleam of satisfaction came into her eyes. Iren in turn, responded with a look of intimidation.
"That's your thing, do you, Dr.. Perrin? "- Iren spoke in a low voice, hissing, through gritted teeth. Alice however, showed no fear. So many years of living with animals have to understand that in the face of a beast, the best strategy was not to show weakness. Even if the beast in question was a young man with bright eyes and sweet and loving appearance.
"I don't know what you mean, boy. I came here because I was called to testify. "- She looked up with a certain pride.
"Paul is arrested, accused of killing two people with a panther."
"Nothing too different from the truth, isn't it? You can't restrain your bloodlust, you animal. You are nothing more, nothing less than murderers. "- This time Alice spoke in a tone of contempt, but his voice dropped even more. - "You really deserve to be locked in a cage."
The tension only increased. Iren felt that Alice had a finger behind the whole story, but can not see how the mechanism worked. He stepped forward to the director of the zoo, hoping to make her talk. For better or worse. And it would have succeeded, because Alice did mention almost running to see him so close. The color of her face drained completely, which was as white as her own blouse.
"What's going on here?" - One of the policemen came to the door, question the then retreated, with a neutral expression and quiet, looking at the man and then as if Alice did not understand the question, and yet defying Alice that she told the truth.
"Nothing. This guy is just ... Son of a friend. Unfortunately. I'm Dr.. Alice Perrin, I came to bear my testimony and technical support. "- Alice spoke as he climbed the last steps of the ladder, leaving behind Iren, reserving for him a still ill-contained look of fear.
There was nothing Iren could do, unless trust in the words of his brother and expect him to be released. There was not enough evidence to incriminate him, after all the killing panther had just crossed the door of the station, right under the nose of them all. Iren thinking about it while went into the historic district.
XXXXXXXXXX
Iren slammed the front door of the house, waiting for Femole. She had not appeared. He still called her a few times but he had no answer. She should have left. Iren then turned around and went to the side garden, which was rusty gate, and had become a thicket of weeds. Iren found a big old tree covered with moss that looked out the window of the old room of Irena. In one leap, he went climbing the tree, and within moments he was facing the window.
Iren was startled to see Adrian open it for him, the grin letting on his canine teeth. It was an evident satisfaction in Adrian's restless brown eyes to review Iren.
"Will not you come in?" - Adrian's voice seemed more serious and that was usually hoarse.
"Femole ... Where is she? "
"I don't know." - Adrian gave way to Iren go in, and he did it so naturally as if he had used the door. - "I was asleep."
There was no bed in the room, but a mattress on the floor seemed to have been enough to Adrian rest. His hair was messy and his shirt open. Had agreed there was little for sure. Seeing Adrian with - so to speak - off guard, and lazy, was something new for Iren. It was rare to see even in Paul himself.
"What happened? I thought you were at the hotel. "- Adrian notice how he was observed with curiosity, and approached Iren, touching his arm. - "And your brother?"
Iren took off his coat in a slow and sloppy movement, without taking his eyes off Adrian. He was almost daring him to go ahead.
"I..." - Iren left the coat fall to the ground, rubbing his hair spattered with rain, and he took it off the face. - "I would not be alone. And my brother is busy. "- Iren did not know why not just say the truth. Although this was only one way to say it. - "You know he was here this morning?"
"Yes, I know. I could see your brother the miles. "- Adrian laughed softly, sitting on the edge of the mattress and Iren watching as he walked across the room. Outside a light thunder crackled in the sky, and Adrian could not help thinking that sound like the smooth roar of a panther.
"How so?" - Iren seemed especially interested in the old cabinet, tapping his fingers on the stained glass of the mirror, staring at the empty interior.
"He is ... domineering. "- Adrian was unable to speak another word of Paul.
"You are too." - Iren turned to face Adrian.
The rain became more intense out there. He could not stop thinking about Paul handcuffed, though he knew he would be well, and anytime in the next few hours, maybe even earlier, he would call it. And Adrian would find there, so now impossible to hide. And then ... Iren may not return to see Adrian anymore. It was almost too long to get away from a man like him.
Adrian stood up slowly, feline, strength showing through in every gesture, life, and was all about. Part of a world that belonged only to them that only they understand. Even Iren did not know if he understood it at all.
Adrian laid his hands on the sides of Iren's head, elbows and slowly rested against the wall, covering Iren with his shadow, his strength and presence, warmth through the fabric, and even not to touch him, shivered whole by Iren.
"Make love to me ... And very tasty. "- Adrian whispered, his lips close, almost touching Iren's lips.
The words echoed deep into Iren's ears, making his whole body shudder. A deep and nervous breath came from his lips, which seemed to be redder at that smell of Adrian became more and more musky, urging the most primitive instincts Iren, something he could not go against, and that was carved deep into his being, a vestige of a distant past. And wild.
Adrian moved, rubbing lightly Iren's face, in an animal way, with a scratching beard that began to emerge of his tanned skin. Then, the skilled and slightly tongue of Adrian damp bare skin face of Iren, causing him to drop a low and involuntarily moan. Large hands are placed under the shirt of mail, and began to tighten his waist, bringing him closer to a move urgent and possessive.
Following pure instinct, Iren allowed to kiss, parting his mouth slowly, while his blue eyes dilated before the successive waves of pleasure that his body was experiencing, and closed again when Adrian's mouth touched his neck. Iren's hands rested on the Adrian's chest in the clear intention of pushing it, but ended up closing the fabric of Adrian shirt, pulling it touch his skin look.
What frightened Iren was precisely his absence of fear. He had nothing to fear from Adrian. All that was before his was a new and attractive range of possibilities that would allow the escape of his own guilt ... And experience what seemed to be the forbidden fruit reserved for his own kind.
The way Iren gave Adrian was complete, submissive, and without any shame. He clung to him with sharp nails, let Adrian take off his clothes and lie down to pulling almost a thud on the old mattress, recognizing there the smell of another.
"I thought you were afraid of your brother." - Adrian took a deep breath, biting Iren's neck, shoulders, hands running loose and eager for white skin, which shivered under his touch and each kiss. Adrian instinctively tried to cover every sign, every trace of smell and the presence of Paul in Iren.
"I do what I want ...!" - Iren gasped, taking Adrian's face in his hands, his fingers dipped into his entirely black hair. He kissed him violently, pulling Adrian's shirt with such force that he heard the fabric tear.
Adrian corresponded in the same savage fury, his strong, rough hands moved with such force that it left marks on Iren's skin. Adrian pulled the teeth of Iren's lower lip, looking at him with his big eyes, which looked black with the pupils dilated with arousal. A low, continuous roar could be heard from Iren's chest. Adrian pushed his erection between his legs, opening the mouth whilewalking it voraciously by Iren's chest, licking, biting, sucking on a nipple, leaving it moist and red.
Iren reached out to Adrian's pants, pulling them pushy and desperate. Adrian rose, getting rid of them, being helped by Iren, who delights in squeezing and driving nails into the naked flesh of his lover. Both bodies were rolling down mattress, rubbing each other in an erotic frenzy and trembling. The growing arousal were both forgotten more and more of his human side, the caresses becoming gross investment, whose brands were recorded in the moist skin and glistening with sweat from both. Nails, teeth, lips challenged in a ignited fierce and passionate dispute. Grunts overlapped almost inhuman voices, punctuated by heavy breathing. Adrian's body proved delighted Iren, devouring it. His insatiable mouth slid inside of the thighs of the other, hard and throbbing member in it, and throbbing in the inner of his body.
Adrian was then pushed down by Iren, who put his body on him, riding on his stomach, his hands clutching his shoulders broad and powerful. An aggressive hiss came from Iren's mouth, showing teeth that now seemed threatening, but not different from any human. Adrian, intended to react against being overwhelmed that way, did nothing to prevent Iren to do what he wanted with it. At the time didn't matter the role of each one. It was Iren who was about to take him, beyond his body.
Iren moved Adrian on, twisting so that no human could, flexed his back, the muscles visible under the white skin. At the same time that Adrian rose on his elbows and then in his hands, he saw Iren spent one leg between his, leaving also one os Adrian's between his own, and moving firmly against him, despite Adrian's proportions, that's was that way he wanted to be penetrated.
Adrian could not do anything except roll the hips forward, forcing his body to the Iren received, regardless of any pain or difficulty. The sweaty skins slipped together, tense both thighs. Iren cried loud more than once, but was unable to stop. Threw his head back, hair heavy sweat.
None of them knew how long it took until Adrian was totally into of his lover, Iren means mounted on his lap, half straddled in his body. And he kept moving, hips swaying from the Adrian, but not following, but dictating their own pace, rubbing his thigh hard member against Adrian. It was he who would be possessed of so senseless on that mattress, without thinking of anything else. But the aroused surprise Adrian was just beginning: Iren supported himself in the hands, keeping his shoulders raised, and also lifting a leg over one of Adrian's shoulders.
Adrian didn't ever wait Iren to be that bold, who always judged shy. The biggest surprise of all was to note his look of defiance, staring at him without was left watching him deeply into the eyes, that wild rhythm of bodies lying snoring making a break from his chest, wheezing, anger and pleasure from his opened and panting mouth.
The hips were hitting against each other in an ever accelerating pace. The smell of both numbing sex, while that made them focus solely on search at the climax of that insane animalistic pleasure. In a mad outburst, Adrian gave a long howl and raised his hips, pushing down over Iren. Clutched Iren's leg which was still resting on his shoulder. Iren left himself to be dominated this time, his body taken by lust, unable of any reaction unless be given to the overwhelming urge of his lover.
Adrian moved so that his phallus was almost entirely put out, investing it hard and once against Iren, and he felt his body being pushed almost off the mattress. Iren all arched in a spasm when was hit in the most sensitive spot inside of his body by Adrian. The mattress was torn by his claws, the death throes of orgasm resulted in a strong and deep gush of semen, tarnishing his belly and Adrian's. However, the name that was heard from Iren's lips out a long scream of delight was another:
"Paul !..."
Adrian felt his breath stop for a moment. An insane frenzy overtook him at the name of the rival being given by his lover. His hand closed in a fist and went down hard, striking Iren's face and drawing blood from his mouth. In a final and violent lunge, Adrian poured himself into Iren, part of the semen dripping down his legs, along with a trickle of blood. Adrian stayed within Iren, echoing the roar of anger from his chest. Didn't bother by seeing the expression of pain and consternation of Iren, while remaining within him on purpose, in the intention of keep hurting him.
"You were thinking about him, weren't you?" - Adrian growled, much more than just angry. The blow which brought in Iren would have been enough to make anyone faint, but he resisted and regarded with contempt and anger. - "You love him." - He grabbed Iren's wrist when he started to get loose and separate from it. - "You love him!" - Adrian almost screamed in charge, struggling with Iren.
Iren managed to separate himself from Adrian with a cry of agony, pushing him away from him with a kick in the chest. He was wounded, not just for the punch that broke his lips. The pain was the less. An unbearable guilt had just befall him, and did not even know how to tell himself how he had ended up on Adrian's bed. Or rather ... He knew. And this understanding only made everything worse.
"What will you do, Iren? Wait for your brother to come and save you? He will not come! "- Adrian had been thrown on the floor a certain distance from the mattress. He almost had hit on the wall, but when he slowly stood up, his nails opened paths in the wooden floor. - "He'll be a long time trying to get rid of the police. And when he come back ... If he ever come back. He won't find any further trace of you. "
"You're crazy." - Iren rubbed his face, trying to control his own trembling, and picked his jeans, pulling it on anyway. He disliked to see blood on the sheets, and in his hand when he tried to clean the face. - "I should have let him kill you."
"But your heart is too soft for this, isn't it?" - Adrian walked to and fro in the room like a caged animal. - "Well, it was you who came here! Everything would be perfect between us ... If you didn't think about him even when you're fucking with me. "
"Go to hell!" - Iren did not show any fear when he stood up.
He was more angry with himself than Adrian, and anger left no room for fear. That was so intense that he almost felt the panther approaching, trying to break through his skin. The regret of not having left that Paul killed Adrian was so raw and primitive that Iren got surprised by his own ability to hate. Nothing like that ever had been part of his life. He never truly hated anyone and now wanted the death of someone he should want to protect.
What Adrian saw in him was so clear that he didn't even try to cross in front of Iren. Instead, he stopped, facing him, following Iren with the eyes as he approached the door.
"Where is Femole?" - Iren felt he should ask it again. His instinct was so touched now that he did not hesitate to insist. - "Really?"
Adrian did not answer, just kept his atrocious gaze of beast as he lifted his face. Iren had a bad feeling, and ran across the hall and down the stairs. The smell of Femole became more vivid, and to the dismay of Iren, was with it the smell of blood. Iren followed the trail of scent that led to the room where the makeshift altar. There he found Femole covered with blood, clutching a few pictures, and uttering gibberish. The old woman turned toward Iren, and a flash of lucidity appeared in her eyes.
"Boy ..." - She said with the voice fails to see Iren coming on, prying into his arms.
"Was Adrian who did this to you? Was he, Femole? "- Insisted Iren, gently shaking Femole in an attempt to revive her.
"Your mother ... said ... you will never escape from this nightmare ... without your brother ... never get separate of him. "- Femole spoke in a voice weak and broken, until she fell silent, the black and empty eyes staring at Iren.
Iren didn't understand what Femole meant by that. He insisted, asked her to resist, but a strong pull on his hair took him away from Femole. Iren felt his body being dragged toward a large empty room. The smell would not let him fool. That was Adrian who was dragging him, atrocious and impassive, not moved by the injuries Iren caused on his arm in an insane attempt to escape.
Adrian threw Iren in the center of the empty room, which blew him hard into the ground, making the wooden floorboards shake a thud. Iren turned to Adrian, who was staring at him with the same fury.
"Why did you do it? ... "- Iren moaned and punched the ground in rage. He had lost the last link with the past of his family, the most gruesome and cruel way as possible. - "Why?"
"No one will stop me from getting to you, Iren. No one. "- Adrian's voice was altered, and his brown eyes gained more and more clear tones, the beast within him about to take shape. - "I spent almost my whole life looking for someone like you, someone who could take me out of this hell!" - Adrian leaned down and made Iren look up to face him. - "And you ... You can not to put up the idea of having your brother as your only option. But I ... I have no choice! "- Adrian's face got closer of Iren's, regardless of the expression of deep anger that defined him. - "Come with me, Iren ..."
"No!" - Shouted Iren, slapping Adrian's face, busting his lip.
Adrian did not contain any further action. He jumped on Iren in a quick attack, and they started a fight where Iren tried to escape and fight back and Adrian just trying to subdue him. And he did it. He dropped Iren when he tried to escape into the room attached to the old dining room, striking his back so hard that Iren missed the air, rolling on the floor trying to breathe.
Iren stared at the dark ceiling, the thunder startled. For a moment he almost could see once again that endless desert, the smell of the tree in his dream. It was close. Too close.
Was the pull on his hair that made him wake up. Adrian was almost as bewildered as he was, and had risen so that his shoulders were hunched. More than ever Adrian looked like the leopard that actually he was, and grabbed Iren by the hair, lifting him off the ground and dragging him along in a confused struggle up the stairs.
Yelling was useless. No one would listen. There was no one left around that neighborhood, and in addition to Paul, no one else knew Iren was there.
"I'm not going with you!" - Iren struggling, scratching where he reached, the nails opening bloody gashes on Adrian's legs.
"You will ... I know you will ... "- Adrian hissed, his voice sounding deeper, fiercer still in semi-darkness of the house, half muffled by the sound of rain outside. In the hallway of the rooms, the gap in the ceiling and the roof dropped a real waterfall sound that sproud across the floor. - "You came here for that, right? I'll give you what you want. "
Iren was thrown into the room where it all began. He staggered and fell against the wall, the impact causing it to reverberate. Across the room the closet's door slid and he saw his own reflection for a second. Almost could not believe it.
Iren didn't recognize himself. There were the marks of struggle, blood on his face, his blue eyes whose color was diluted. Iren never thought it would come to have this glimpse of his own nature, and was afraid of what he saw, so that could not react when Adrian came to him, dragging him across the floor, unbuttoning his jeans with brutal gestures, don't caring about anything else.
"You came here to fuck. But you had to call his name! "- Adrian's pride was what hurt him the most, it soon became clear. Now Iren was naked beneath it, the smell of the sex he had with Adrian was ingrained in his body. - "I'll give you a second chance ... Now ... Now you'll call mine ... "
Iren tried to strike with all his strenght, until Adrian grabbed his arm and twisted, he was forced to turn down, his face pressed against the floor and his legs put apart by Adrian's.
"I'll be sure to remind you ..." - Adrian hissed, his voice dangerously altered, the leopard close to the surface, his eyes were no longer brown, but yellow. He rolled his hips, rubbing in Iren, holding his twisted arm, forcing to penetrate him, but now planning to take him by force. - "... that is not Paul who is here with you! "
An intense flash lit the room, and the crash of lightning came soon after, strong, reverberating and shaking the walls, along with the sound of glass being shattered. An agile figure jumped toward Adrian, pushing away from Iren, causing him to fall down on one wall.
Iren was slowly regaining the vision that momentarily had got blurred. His eyes got wide opened to see Paul in front of him. His brother remained in a position that no ordinary human could do, lying on all fours, his back bent in a sinuous curve, as evidenced by the clothes wet and clinging to his skin, his arms outstretched on the floor like a panther about to attack. The inhuman roar that left him was a loud, intimidating sound. He showed big teeth, the canines in emerging a clear threat. His sharp and fierce look was of an acid green.
Adrian however, wasn't shaken by surprise. Perhaps he had been expecting that. In one leap, he stood in a similar way to Paul. His body shook, and the fever went through his skin thinner, about to burst. Adrian gave a throaty laugh, insane, somewhere between human and animal, that would make any mortal trembling terrified to hear it.
"Now ... we can settle our score. "- Adrian's voice became a howl of pain and anger. His bones creaked loudly and then repositioned themselves by changing his anatomy, the canine teeth turned into fangs long and finally broke his skin, revealing the shape of the leopard that actually he was.
XXXXXXXXXX
Alice was under the storm, the car was stifling, and all she had was her own stubbornness and the rifle at her side. In all those years she had not had to use the rifle even once. She waited for that moment forward, and hoped not to lose her cool right now.
She could not accept the fact that Paul has been released. The evidence had not been enough to incriminate him or even to accuse him or make him a potential suspect. But Alice knew that the Gallier Brothers were behind the killings. Gallier's name was synonymous with misery, blood and death, destroying all who were involved with any of them. It wouldn't be different now. She make a huge effort to hold her anger when was confronted with Paul, filling him with questions that were veiled and indirect charges to his nature and family. He did not shake up with nothing, not even tried to lie. Within minutes the police were already certain that in any way he could be connected to any event.
Alice waited until he was released, and tried to follow him. She saw the moment he took a taxi, going to a semi-destroyed and empty neighborhoods. She kept the car at a safe distance, and soon she was made sure. He was going to the old lair, that French house - now ruined - where Irena's brother held a place of slaughter in his basement.
"Now, damn ... Now ... "- Alice's shands were shaking on the wheel, sseeing Paul jump and take the sidewalk toward the house. The moment he hesitated to knock on the door, and chose to go to the old yard, she was sure.
Her hand went straight on the rifle resting on the seat next her, under her coat, deliberately hidden so as not to attract attention. At that same moment she saw Paul emerge in the higher branches, with a sequence of gestures so natural and fluid as if it were climbing a tree for him as simple as walking.
"Freak ... Freak! If you escape, will end his days in a cage! "- Alice jumped from the car, going at a rapid and decided pace that did not fit with her appearance of a respectable woman. She loaded the rifle, and when she first arrived at the door, fired a direct hit on the latch, opening it in a single stroke.
The way was clear. Alice didn't even notice she was stepping over a trail of blood which marked the spot where Adrian attacked Femole. She went straight to the semi-darkness inside the house, clearly listening to the roars from upstairs. Alice once again loaded the rifle, as she climbed the ladder, where the rain began to accumulate.
XXXXXXXXXX
The leopard which had just a little was Adrian was looking for a way to attack Paul, roaring loudly to him, but still could not find a weak point on him. Paul, even using his human form, didn't seem less threatening than the panther, and advanced to him as if it were perfectly able to kill him with his bare hands. And Iren was right there with the blue eyes diluted in a light and electrical color, panting with rage, almost as bloodthirsty as the leopard.
The anger was higher. The leopard tried to jump and roared to Iren, unable to find a way of advance in Paul, who could now reverse the game simply by not fear him. The space between them decreased.
"Adrian. Stop "- Iren said, firmly, behind Paul, and neither seemed to want to protect his brother. Adrian very nearly did not do what he said. He came to feel tempted to comply, and this made him shake his tail angrily. Wouldn't ever admit it to be submissive to anyone.
The anger became hatred, and it blinded him. The leopard jumped on the wall to throw himself on Paul in a fatal strike, looking at his neck with his mouth open, but he was not the only one able to make a surprise. Iren threw himself between them during the attack, when a crack and a crash had the power to make the time stand still in that room.
The crash tore the leopard to the ground, throwing him through the window pane of a burst. The body of the leopard had fallen in the land of the abandoned garden, surrounded by pieces of the window frame and broken glass. But not only that. The bullet that knocked Adrian also passed through Iren's chest, who fell with a scream and a splash of blood spreading on the floor.
Paul watched it as if this whole scene happen in slow motion. He ran to support Iren, seeing the burned and bloodied skin of his bare back, where the bullet had entered. Paul felt the warm blood trickle down his brother's chest, an amount which was not encouraging. He was yet alive, and turned his head up, eyes still brighter than before. His anger and his pain were palpable, and not just because he was injured.
Paul turned swiftly to the direction whence the shot. Not surprisingly, that was Alice Perrin who was there, standing right there. She was very pale, disheveled, and had a rifle in her hands. She looked at them incredulously. Certainly she did not know about Adrian's nature, and shoot something which looked as a human was much harder to handle than just shoot an animal. He could understand that. But Iren not. Iren was furious, the pain causing him to lower their guard and allow the panther that was moving under his skin.
Paul hugged him more tightly, anchoring the back of Iren against his chest while his brother was breathing hard, panting loud, screeching like a wounded animal in the first snaps of realigning bones, back arched, eyes on the move and canine jumping. Paul watched everything with cold resignation, and let loose Iren only when the skin split, revealing that the beast was inside him.
And if the transformation was something so terrible even for them, seeing it was almost enough to make Alice get crazy. She shouted dropping the rifle unloaded on the ground, the thud covered by her own voice.
She could not believe it. Never thought it would be so, so horrible, she could see with her own eyes and believe what deep down she already knew. The panther roared angrily towards Alice, advancing on her, in spite of being wounded.
"Paul ... Help me ... Please! "- She begged, walking backwards, trying to remember what to do in a situation like this. In all her years in the profession, never confronted a panther that big, with a so huge and conscious hate in the eyes. - "Paul! For God's sake! "
But Paul did not even move. He was still there, kneeling on the ground with the front of his shirt stained with blood, his hair still heavy from the rain. Outside, the storm had another violent crash. It was as if the whole house shook for that, or by jump on the panther gave Alice, whose only option was to run, senseless pounding down the stairs and falling in the last steps, feeling a pop in the ankle that could mean many things as well as the pain she experienced.
"I'm sorry!" - She cried, knowing the absurdity of the situation in which she was. The house was dark, and Alice's fear made it become a maze. The panther could be anywhere, in any shade. The roar came from nearby, sometimes seemed to find the beast's eyes twinkling in the dark.
Alice broke up with old furniture, tripped on the edge of a rug and fell, hitting in an altar filled with objects that made no sense to her, and there, sitting on the floor was Femole, dead. She seemed to be sleeping, but the neck and chest washed by blood left no doubt.
"My God! Help! "- Alice remembered that she left her phone in the car, and hated herself at the time when she could get up, returning to the hall and finding the trail of blood on the floor. - "I do not want to die like this! Paul! Help me! "
She was sure that if someone could do something, he was. But did not see him anywhere. Alice was shaking when she reached what in the first glance was the way to the kitchen. It was dark in there too, the sound of the storm outside made it clear that it was useless to yell. And she tried. Alice ran around the table, banging on the window and seeing by the light that there were railings.
"I do not want to die like this!" - She sobbed, pounding on the window and listening to that saw noise behind her back. - "Help!" - She dropped one of the chairs as she turned and found the panther on the table, a stain of tar, totally black and shiny, with washed blue eyes lit and whose intelligence was disconcerting. There was just jumping and cornered her between the edge and the space between the table and the window, hitting a kick of unsheathed claws on her shoulder.
Alice fell down, bleeding a lot, but she knew that wasn't was a fatal blow. He was playing with her. Iren, that panther was just having fun in frighten her, so he jumped back to the ground but was not in search of her. Just disappeared into the dark corridor. Yes. Was gone. Was that a threat, wasn't it? The cruel joke the panthers played with their victims. Alice fumbled on the floor looking for something with she could defend herself. A kitchen knife would not be able to hurt the skin of a panther, Alice was not sure of what could even hurt them. Those weren't like the other panthers.
Sustaining the injured shoulder, she tried to stanch the blood with a cloth and found a knife resting on the sink. That was the only weapon she had. And it was so close. The corridor was empty when she got it. Looking back, was the back door. Just turn the key. That last room was plunged in darkness, except for the tiny top of the hatch door.
She ran with the already swollen ankles, aching as much or more than the torn shoulder, grasping and shaking the lock, turning the key. The latch clicked and the door opened. A gust of wind mixed with rain came to touch her face, when Alice finally looked away. It was there. The sparkling eyes of a panther were staring at her in the dark, and rose from the ground, slowly. Both rose up above her head. They were the eyes of a panther, but it was a very human hand that slammed the door, locking it in the punch, and was also a human hand which grabbed her wrist with such force that Alice cried in a wave of nausea and despair when she heard the bone snap, dropping the knife.
"You can not do this to me" - she cried, dropping the knife on the floor. She was being dragged back into the house by Paul, back into the hallway. - "Paul! Help me! Let me go! I'll never tell anyone! "
He didn't even looked at her, eyes flashing as they passed beneath the denser shadows dragging Alice with him, she trying to grab something, her own fingernails torn out when she tried to hold on to one of the wooden panels of the walls. Her screams were just desperate echoes in the silent house.
"Paul! Forgive me! I'm so sorry! My God ... I do not want to die like that ...! I do not want "- she shuddered, dread making her eyes widened by seeing where they had stopped. It was the door under the stairs.
Paul opened the door and pulled her inside. They were on top of a stone porch, a mustard-colored single lamp lit in the middle of the high ceiling. That was the basement. He was still the same, dusty, divided by bars. Alice immediately understood what was going to happen there, and never forgot what she saw with her own eyes what had happened on that very same spot, many years before.
"Please ... Paul ... I'll do anything! "- She tried to cling to him, but it was too late. A push and Alice fell down the stairs. The light started flashing on the roof, failing.
She heard the thud of the door being locked from the outside, and the light bulb went off for a second before returning in a blink. That one second was enough for her to see the panther in the bottom of the dark basement. Another blink, and the panther was near. Another, and the panther was over her. The light bulb went off then definitely.
XXXXXXXXXX
The storm was slowly decreasing in intensity, whose gentle drops fell to the ground, but enough to keep soaking everything around him. Lightning cut away the clouds, clearing briefling the garden. The noise was low, far, only an echo. He turned to look up, causing his head was facing the sky.
He opened his mouth trying to appease his thirst with the drops that fell from the sky and also to eliminate the taste of his own blood. He felt a tingle go through his skin, and the strength and vitality from gradually abandoned his body. The clouds seemed clearer, one or another beam of light struck between them. His brown eyes were watching, gentle, admiring the beauty that few would know to appreciate. A tear fell from his eyes, mingling with the rain trickling over his so close ... So close of achieve the dream of a lifetime. Now all was lost. All. And so he was going to die. Alone.
He lifted up his arm to the sky, and realized that it was not the limb of leopard, but a human one. Astonished, he contemplated his own hand. Then a strong twinge in his chest made him fall down the arm to the ground, helpless. His whole chest burned, wounded as he had never been hurt before. The end was near, he knew. He understood the signs. But didn't understand how his hand wasn't the paw with claws from before.
Breathing seemed difficult. Inspired air desperately fighting for the thread of life that was about to break. He felt his lungs filled with blood, almost as if he was drowning. The proximity of death made his senses become much more intense, however. He was aware to every detail, starving them. The grayish clouds were more vivid, the leaves of the old tree trembled with much more intensity. He saw some birds cringe among its branches, viewers of his last moments in the world. He shuddered between relief and fear at the scent of someone known to approach. The body further strained the smell of the other. Together with them, those were mixed the acrid and metallic smell of blood and death.
Then he turned his head toward the opposite direction of the two. Still felt angry with himself, out to be so vulnerable, so helpless, allowing them to see him wounded like that.
"Adrian ..." - It was Iren who called him, his voice weak and almost missing. Adrian realized he was also wounded, and seriously, by the smell of fresh blood.
Adrian relucted by few moments, but a new call from Iren, a bit weaker, made him turn his face to them. Iren was kneeling on the ground right beside him, along with Paul, which covered the shoulders of Iren with one arm while he was supported by his brother in the curve of the waist. A bullet wound was evident in Iren's chest, blood running down it, leaving it much paler than he was. Adrian had the sudden awareness of the seriousness of what had happened after the crash that caused him to be thrown the window below. A terrible guilt came over him. He didn't want any harm to happen to Iren, never wanted. He ran the world aimlessly, without fixing housing, without clinging to anything or anyone, with a sole purpose to find others like him, since he found himself alone. And see that everything could end up that way ...
The brothers had an expression of wonder and amazement stamped on their faces to see Adrian, who no longer appeared in the form of a leopard, but in his human form. Remains of animal skin left out his skin, and slowly fell apart, disappearing along the ground as the rain dragged them. A moment before, Paul wanted to kill him, but now that Adrian was there, in front of him, he discovered it was something he never really wanted. Iren was right. They were so few ...
"You're hurt..." - Adrian managed to whisper, with difficulty moving his hand, touching Iren's chest carefully.
"I am." - Iren felt his eyes sting. He was not sure about anything from then on. Nor about his destination, and neither about his own life. Paul had to hold him more tightly, because Iren faltering. - "What happened to you, Adrian? You-.. "
"I. .. I don't know. "- Adrian groaned. His chest was on fire. The land where he was laying was drenched in blood. He always waited his own end came in a different way from that. Now he crouched like a scared puppy when Iren held his hand, getting closer. - "It should not happen."
"Is there something you want?" - Paul was the one who asked. If a moment before they hated each other, now they had left it behind. Adrian nodded his head. Paul's hand on his shoulder was so reassuring that Adrian was ashamed to let him see that. He felt even envious of his own girlfriend, who had chosen to set fire to herself. That wasn't showing himself worthy to die as weak as he was now.
"I don't want to be alone ... now. "- Adrian sighed, choppy. He was afraid.
Iren was closer with difficulty, leaving Adrian to rest his head on his lap, and Paul - moved by the instinct to protect, albeit in a futile effort - moved, leaning over Adrian, an arm around his shoulders. That was not just the ending for Adrian. Perhaps they were the last, truly. See death so close only made it more clear. Adrian did not understand what happened to him, but that should mean something. At that time he was grateful to the two, felt happy and welcomed, protected just as when his mother was still alive. And they were there, the three together until the end.
Adrian's breathing became more difficult, weak. Iren got startled by feeling Adrian moving. He looked up with difficulty, in a superhuman effort, in order to see Paul and Adrian.
"Perdona me ... Mi hermanos ... "- By saying those words, his head slowly fell into the lap of Iren and exhaled.
Iren gave a cry that has become a painful yelp. Paul hugged stronger his brother, who also faltered, his body trembling from the cold and the blood loss. Gradually, Iren also felt his strength leaving him, and his eyes darkened. The last thing he heard before losing consciousness was the voice of Paul calling him.
XXXXXXXXXX
The first thing he felt was the wind. A hot, harsh, biting, howling wind in his ears hissing low and constant. The wind carried away the small grains of fine red rock sand of the dunes and fragments of the vast desert where he was.
The desert was as far as the eye could see orange and sand, there were points of granite and stone, which after the last breath of wind, he saw that revealed the entrance to a cave. Paul stretched forth his hand, trying to stop his own own fall. His hands just got filled with sand, and he stood up without know where he was, but didn't want to leave. That was... A part of him. And he was part of that place. That hostile and primitive world was ingrained in him the same way that he would feel about a home, almost an extension of his own being.
Paul came up of the cave entrance with an hesitant step, his hand seeking support in the craggy rocks. His mind was clear, no thought condensed in it, just went for it. The familiarity of it all was as complete as the understanding of the notch in the rock under his hand. There was a panther carved in the rock, the animal watched his own hand, which had a human shape. He ended up staring at his own.
But by taking the first step into the cave, the hesitation disappeared. He feared nothing from that place, it was as if he knew every stone, every change in the wind, every sound. The darkness of the cave was damp, warm. The feel of cool stone beneath his feet was delicious. He wanted to lie there and sleep on the rocks. Stay there forever.
"No." - A steadfast refusal made him raise his head. - "You can not stay."
Paul turned toward the voice. He found a half panther woman, the manner of a sphinx. The creature was lying on one of the many red rocks of the cave. He recognized that face, that thin and elegant complexion. The big eyes had a unstable tone, similar to the green. They also had a sweetness that was both charming and dangerous, and a bright radiating from them, also recognizing Paul.
"Mom .." - Paul whispered, confirming what instinct told him. That was Irena. He stepped toward her, filled with strong emotion, an immense curiosity and fascination. She however, did not allow him to approach, simply by a glance of rebuke, her eyes earned a lighter shade of green.
She then jumped from the rock where she rested, and went through Paul, according to the shadows, being covered by them. Upon reaching the entrance, what just before was the Sphinx was now a woman, dressed in a robe of black cloth like gauze, thin, almost transparent and flowing, assailed by a red band that was tied to his waist. She walked sinuously to the exit, moving light, evidenced by her feminine figure. The woman turned her head and smiled at Paul, and with a gesture, asked to accompany her out of the cave.
She reached out to Paul and held his hand with affection, making Paul feel the same tenderness and recognition granted to them on the nights when visiting the cage of the panther on New Orleans zoo. Irena was guiding his son through the dunes and craggy rocks. The wind was gentler, but never ceased its howling, causing the tiny grains fell upon their skins. The sun was rising on the horizon, a golden and fiery ball and landing above where the eye could see.
For the first time Paul saw the ending of the desert. There began a valley. A high, rocky cliff stood a small mountain range, far ahead. And later he saw the tree, the source of the familiar, intoxicating smell that the wind had now and again. When he get closer, the tree turned out to be huge, made of thick gnarled and leafless branches. The tree had almost all its branches adorned with long red ribbons that fluttered in the wind. And not only that. The shapes were dark as charcoal over them, resting … Like kings. Like gods.
"They were gods. In their time, when the world was waking up ... When the man feared everything, also feared us. They gave us their children, and we fed from them. We were also awakening, Paul ... " - she whispered. - "... The spirit of those children had a hunger greater than ours. They devour us, grew on us. One day we become what we are. But there is no way of betray our blood. We can only love ourselves, those who are like us. To love another that is not the same species, would reveal our true nature. It was the price we pay for being who we are. It is clear that we only could be like the gods ... A bloody and incestuous race, born at the dawn of the world. "
The panthers were watching from above, with more curiosity than any other emotion. Their eyes were filled with an ancient and disturbing intelligence.
"We can only sleep with others like us. You felt it in your skin. You feel. If you betray your blood, will become an animal, and to be human again, you must kill." - Irena returned a strange look for Paul. It was as if she knew his every thought. - "Anger, desire ... They are very close. These feelings have the power to bring out our hidden beast that can only be tamed with another similar. It was on my blood, and also on yours. You shared it with your brother. As my parents shared between them, and all others before us. "
Paul watched with fascination the panthers on the branches, got back a glance of perfect understanding. They knew him. Paul experienced the same discomfort as a child and listened to the zoo animals calling his name.
"They are our family. There is nothing to fear." - Was Irena's voice, still holding his hand, trying to calm him and reassure him. Her hair was short and smooth, shaken by the wind. As wild as panthers, no matter their appearance. There was a beast beneath that smile. - "You have the same name as my brother."
Paul followed her gaze. Irena did not look at the upper branches as he did. He looked at the lower, thick with tips bumped up the ground of stones and sand. A huge black panther was there, showing his teeth in recognition of him, however, was not a threat grunt. Beside the huge feline, anchored on the same branch, but back to them, a figure that Paul was not recognized promptly. Paul looked at the panther for a long time, seeing what the appearance hid. Was that ... Irena's brother? The mate she so vehemently refused and paid a high price for it.
"It was worth it." - She responded to his thinking. - "But I regret it."
Paul understood that the hand that stroked the head of that panther which was his uncle was Iren's. Iren was right there. Standing on earth, but also watching theirs. He feared for what it might mean.
"Why?"
"Because my brother once told me that I wouldn't never leave this nightmare without him." - She said, putting both hands on Paul's face and causing him to land his forehead on hers. - "Only after a long time I could understand his pain." - Then she tenderly kissed the forehead of her son and unleashed the long red ribbon from his waist, passing it around Paul's neck, taking a step back , as if weighing his appearance. It wasn't the look of a mother, but of a woman. - "I was naive and. .. I loved Oliver, your father, more than anything. To the point of betraying my own blood. But Paul was right. And I regret not having accepted what he offered me. "- Irena reached out the hands to Paul and took both of his hands, pressing them lightly.
"The only thing I 'm not sorry was have had you and Iren, Paul." - She spoken softly, with a smile and a hot, intense look.
She separated from her son and went ahead, feet half hidden by the restless sand, toward the tree.
"I could have saved the two of us, Paul." - She said. - "And I was a coward because I would never be able to live as he lived. I envy you. No fear. No guilty. No regrets. "
Paul watched as she dropped that black robe over her body, when got closer to the tree. She was very much like their own kind, rigidly lean, muscled back, and tall.
"You live by your own laws. Teach your brother to live like that. If he didn't already learn it by himself. "- She touched the trunk, looking back at Paul. He was sure there was an unconditional love of a mother for her children come from her, but at the same time, he was certain that there would be nothing different between them than there was between the male and female of the same species. Simply there was no law that could hold the inevitable attraction between them, mingling and intertwining in a ambiguous feeling. - "You will not get out of this nightmare without your brother. And he can't get out of this nightmare without you. Now, you and he should return ... "
Irena took a step behind the thick trunk and disappeared there for a second. When she came shows on the other side, she wore the form of a panther. The same which Paul remembered from his childhood, the beast he called his mother. She then curled up like a big cat at the feet of Iren, who knelt down to hug her neck, just like he did when he was very young, his face sinking in the black and silky fur. He seemed only recognize her when Irena was a panther.
The beast purred noisily, initially accepting the affection of her son, until a tension passed through them all, and culminated in a low growl from her. The panther rose and stepped forward.
Paul thought he saw Iren hesitate a moment before standing up as well. But he stood up in fear. There was a growl so friendly. It was a strong rebuke that Paul understood beyond words. That was not the place of Iren. At least not yet, and Iren was sent away.
He looked back and went down the cliff obedient, going in the direction of Paul. He could not resist to touch his hand, but his skin was very cold, which made Paul get closer to him, wrapping his shoulders in a protective and comforting embrace. Further, under the tree, were Irena and her brother. Two panthers in profile, sitting, watching the sun above the horizon. And another, which after came joining them. But this third beast was not a panther. That was a leopard.
XXXXXXXXXX
Paul covered his mouth with both hands when he woke up. He had to stifle a scream, and gasped violently. The nurse at his side got pale.
"It's in the hospital. It's the waiting room. "- She said quietly. Had touched Paul's shoulder, and he had awakened the most violent way possible. His whole appearance was in the worst possible. He was not injured, but there was blood on his shirt, and earth in the pants legs, as well he had been soaked when they came to the emergency, hours before. - "Are you okay?"
"I am. I am. That was a nightmare. "- Paul took a deep breath, then apologizing. He looked at the clock on the wall and could not understand if it was day or night. There was no window nearby. - "How is my brother?"
"Yes. It's about him. "
Paul blinked a few times, getting up. The waiting room was practically empty, and nobody paid attention to their conversation. The police had left them alone by finding that nothing more could be done. All the evidences pointed to a big misunderstanding: Dr. Alice Perrin had invaded the house, killing the old guardian of Gallier's property and had shot Iren. By all appearances, Alice also was using an animal of the zoo to commit murder, and ended up tasting of her own poison, when she was trapped in the basement of Gallier. Considering the past, and research in which she was involved when Gallier disappeared years before, she set out to remake that same modus operandi.
"He was taken to the room. Was a very delicate situation, do you understand, Mr. Gallier? Your brother had two cardiac arrests, and need to stay under observation." - The nurse explained, following the strange way in which Paul's eyes changed from gray to metallic blue, and then to a fine nuance between blue and green. - "You can see him. Your brother was waking up when I left the room. But if you want to stay making him company ... Frankly, better change your clothes." - She pointed to the state of Paul, who seemed to have just come off of an ugly brawl.
He thanked the nurse and escorted to the elevator and then to where his brother was. The window was open, and it was night. Paul did not know how much time had passed between the arrival of the police, Iren being taken to the emergency, the statement to the police ... And the endless wait.
"I'll leave you alone a while. But don't demand too much from him! "- The words of the nurse before closing the bedroom door made Paul laugh, and also feel sad. Femole would say something like that, but with a quite different meaning.
"Yes" - Paul nodded, trying not to laugh.
The door was closed and he approached the bed, pulling the curtain aside slightly, and not liked what he saw. Iren was pale, his chest bandaged and with electrodes pasted onto his skin. There was a bruise on his face and others over his arms, and scratches. The doctor who attended him had also talked to Paul, while he was in the waiting room, and made clear that Iren's situation was not easy. The bullet passed through his chest. A smaller caliber could have simply made the bullet to get stuck. But that went through and made a big mess, and on the same side of the heart, and very close of it.
Two cardiac arrests, the nurse said, Paul remembered. Now Iren was breathing without the machines and apparently his heart was functioning well. He had his eyes closed but wasn't asleep.
Paul sat very quietly in a chair beside the bed.
"I want coffee." - Moaned Iren, licking his lips.
"You can not." - Paul took a deep breath. HIs relief was indescribable. If Iren wasn't so bad, Paul would have kissed him, but only held his hand, receiving a slight tightening in response. Waking up from that nightmare knowing that Iren was not well was almost awake to another horrible dream.
Iren eyes parted. The blue was faded, but it was still a disturbing color of the room with the soft light. He moved his head slowly facing Paul.
"And Adrian?" - A natural question, was inevitable.
"It happened to him ... Just as happened with our mother. I think. "- Paul whispered.
They remembered what they were told about the panther of the zoo to have kinda of literally evaporated, and when the police raided the house in search of what had gone through the window, they found nothing but blood on the earth. The conclusion of what happened to his body was natural for Paul, and after seeing the leopard in his dream ... That should mean something.
"Nobody saw him, Iren." - Paul shrugged lightly. - "Nobody knows about him."
"That's better." - Iren closed his eyes a moment. Didn't even want to imagine what could happen if they were placed under the light of a microscope. If anything could be viewed that way. - "And we ...?"
"We will be left alone." - Paul kissed Iren's hand. - "Rest."
Iren nodded with a small jolt of pain. His chest was aching, as if was burned. And it was strange, was tingling. He realized that his nature could - who knows? - have saved him from a fatal shot.
"Paul ..."
"Yes."
"You'll be here when I wake up?"
"I will. Always."