Chapter 28 - Black Pride
Bria woke in the semidarkness of early morning, the taste of his kiss still tangible upon her lips. Oh, God, that kiss...
It couldn't have been a dream...could it? It felt so real; more real than anything she had ever felt. She had never, ever been kissed like that...and she doubted even her imagination could come up with something so vivid.
The sensation of being cradled in his arms as he caressed her hair.
The way his touch sent a thrill of butterflies through her stomach.
The slightly spicy and immensely appealing smell that lingered around him - though whether it was after-shave, cologne, soap, or just him, she didn't know.
The feeling of security and safety that came over her, even though he shouldn't inspire such feelings.
The sense of restrained power and the self-control he so obviously exercised.
The experience she knew he had to have had, just by the way he held and touched her. Oh, God, the way he had touched her. He hadn't even touched her touched her, and yet she was still overwhelmed.
And oh, God, the feel of his lips upon hers. The demanding, sensuous touch, his lips caressing, fondling her own. A tremble went through her body at the remembrance of the soft lips and the man behind them. That man...
She sat up, wrapping her arms around her legs and burying her face in her knees. Why? Why did he have to evoke such feelings? She didn't even know what 'such feelings' were. Did she like him? Did she love him? Or was he just very, very, very appealing?
Running her tongue over her lips, she suppressed a shiver, her stomach exploding in butterflies once more. It had to be a dream, however real.
Didn't it?
Aaron would never touch her like that. He made it clear she was just a kid to him, and as infuriating as it was, it was true. Six years wouldn't matter if they were older, but there seemed such a large gap between 17 and 23. Aaron would never kiss her like she had dreamed last night...
...Would he?
The soft torchlight cast flickering patterns on Aaron's tensed muscles as he paced his room, stripped to the waist and all too aware of Sphinxra's presence in the doorway.
"What's bothering you?" she asked softly. He cast her a glare, and she sighed. "I may not always be on top of everything, but I'm no idiot, Khem."
He snorted, continuing his pacing. She sighed, walking into the room and placing a hand on the bare skin of his shoulder, her blood red nails harsh in contrast to his smooth skin. He jerked away from her touch, pushing her aside.
"Don't touch me."
She threw up her hands. "I'm trying to comfort you!"
"Seduce me, you mean." She sighed, crossing her arms, and he turned to look at her. "Make no mistake, Sphinxra. I don't-"
"I don't need to hear it again," she snapped. "You've made it perfectly clear you'd rather have the Red Ranger."
"What?" he growled, a dangerous note to his voice.
"What does she have that I don't? She's not very powerful ... she couldn't possibly know how to please a man ... she certainly doesn't have the chest ... so in the name of the gods, why?"
"I don't want her."
"Oh, right," Sphinxra scoffed. "Which is why you go running to her like a little boy every time. Tell me, does she taste like I do?"
"I wouldn't know," he snapped, "as I've never kissed either of you."
"Liar," Sphinxra hissed, eyes narrowed. "You kissed her."
Aaron studied her. She was bluffing...she had to be. "Prove it."
"I doubt Amenkotept needs proof."
"Proof of nothing would be rather hard to find, I imagine."
"Oh, no, it's not nothing. You kissed her, Khem, and you can't deny it. The whole palace knows it. From Amenkotept down to the last slimy little Apepake, they know. From your brother to your servants, they know. Don't even try to deny it."
Aaron glared at Sphinxra. "Even if it were true, what do you care? It wouldn't get in your way. Nothing seems to."
She ignored his slur and looked at him seriously. "I can protect her."
"What?" Aaron almost yelped. "You? Protect her?"
"Look, you're here to protect your blood family. But Amenkotept would not stand for it if you were to protect the Red Ranger. As I'm not particularly in the spotlight as you, I can protect little Ambrianna. Not forever, but until she gains more strength at least."
He knew what she wanted in return for that protection; something he wasn't willing to give her, even were her protection complete. Amenkotept would have him bring her...and once she was here, Aaron knew the hell she would go through.
"Can you protect her from me?" he asked. "Can you protect her from the dangers I present? When I'm forced to bring her before Amenkotept, what will you do?"
"You do want her protected, don't you?"
"You can't offer the kind of protection she needs, whether I want it or not."
Sphinxra studied him before speaking softly in a last-ditch attempt. "If you were with me, Amenkotept could not doubt your loyalty, nor your relationship with the Red Ranger."
He admired her for a moment. "It was a brave attempt, Sphinxra, and I give you credit for that. You've obviously thought about this; but my answer still remains no."
She turned to leave, but not before pausing at the door. "My offer still stands, Khem. Think about it."
An Apepake took her place almost immediately. "Pharaoh wantsssss to sssssssee you."
So he did know. Steeling himself to face both his savior and hellhound, Aaron followed the Apepake out.
Matt woke to see Bria seated in a nearby chair, hands folded, elbows on her knees. She seemed to be staring at something far away that only she could see. As he watched, her lips formed soundless words, and she lifted a finger to touch them before shaking her head. In doing so, she caught sight of him and smiled slightly.
"Good morning."
"Morning," he replied, rising up onto an elbow. "What's on your mind?"
She shook her head. "Nothing...just dreams."
He gave her a worried look. "More demons?"
"No, just...dreams."
Silence hung between them.
"Your cheek looks better today," Matt observed into the silence.
"Thank you," she replied, raising a slim hand to her still bruised cheek. "It'll probably be a week before it really starts to go away, but thank you."
He nodded, sitting up and swinging his legs over the side of the pull-out couch. "What's on the agenda? Waiting for Nefario?"
"That's about it," Bria stated, slouching back into the armchair. She absently drew circles on the fabric with a fingertip, apparently lost in thought once more.
"Bria?"
"Hmm? Oh, sorry, Matt. Was there something you wanted to say?"
He studied her. "Are you alright? You seem awfully...distracted."
"I'm fine."
"What exactly did you dream about?"
He was surprised to see her color slightly. "Nothing major...it just gave me things to think about."
He could tell she wasn't going to share. "Well if you need anything..."
She flashed him a smile. "Thanks, Matt." Frowning as her stomach growled, she rose. "What say you to getting some food?"
"Works for me," he replied, following her into the kitchen. "I'm game."
They entered to find the Grayson family seated, already having begun breakfast. Bria guessed Josh must have gotten up early, as he looked more awake than he usually did. Ami sat next to him, swinging her legs back and forth and eating her cereal. She smiled and waved when Bria and Matt walked in, and Bria smiled in return.
There was an unfamiliar face across from Josh, and Bria guessed it to be Kayla; she seemed about 17, with long blonde hair - a few black streaks happened to be tossed in-, frosty blue eyes, and ear piercings up both ears. She appeared cool and detached, and Bria sensed a bit of a strained air between her and her parents as she somewhat awkwardly took the seat next to her.
"Bria, this is my sister Kayla," Josh introduced. "Kayla, one of my best friends, Bria."
Kayla glanced at her and nodded before returning to her toast, barely giving Bria time to reply. She shot Josh a nervous look, who merely rolled his own blue eyes in return.
Ducking her head to hide a smile, Bria accepted the toast passed to her by Dana. "Did you sleep well?"
"Yes, thank you," Bria replied, accepting the butter as well, before passing it to Matt. "Thank you for your hospitality. We shouldn't be imposing for much longer."
"Oh, it's not a problem," assured Dana.
"Does this mean you're leaving?" Ami asked.
Bria smiled at her. "I'm afraid so."
"Will you come visit?"
"If you'd like me to. I can't make any promises as to how often, though."
"That's ok. As long as you come back."
"I will," Bria promised. There was silence once more as they all ate breakfast, broken only occasionally by a rustle as Carter read the paper.
"Nice dye," Kayla spoke after a moment, causing Bria to jump.
"I'm sorry?"
"Your hair."
"Oh. Uhm...thanks, but it's not dyed."
Kayla gave her a look. "What are you trying to say, then? That it's natural?"
"Yes."
She gave a snort. "Natural. Right."
"It is," Bria said indignantly. "My father has the same hair."
"So you got a dye job together. Cool," she said, actually sounding a little interested.
"No, I inherited it from him," Bria said, trying to clarify the situation. Kayla gave her another disbelieving look, and Bria sighed. "Have you ever heard of Andros?" All she got was a blank look. "Red Power Ranger a ways back...had striped hair...saved the world...am I ringing any bells?" Bria asked, seeing Kayla's look.
"Uhm, no."
"You're telling me your the daughter of two Power Rangers and you have no idea who any Rangers were?" Bria asked incredulously.
"Why should I care?" Kayla asked flippantly. "Just because my parents ran around in costumes doesn't mean I have to admit it."
You could almost hear the sharp crack as Bria's jaw hit the floor. How could she be so disrespectful? "Do you know what your parents did?"
Kayla merely shrugged. "Don't particularly care."
"You should. If it wasn't for them, and others like them, you wouldn't be here right now."
"Whoop de do for them," she remarked dryly, rising. "I gotta get to school." With that she left, leaving Bria to stare in shock.
"I'm sorry about that," Dana said after a moment. "Kayla is..." She sighed. "Well, I'm sorry that came up over breakfast."
Bria looked after Kayla. "It's alright, Mrs. Grayson. I shouldn't have pushed it."
Carter rose quickly as the phone rang, beating Ami to it. With a hand on the receiver, he pointed to the table. "Breakfast."
Pouting slightly, Ami slid back into her chair as Carter picked up the phone. "Hello?" He frowned. "Yes, she's here. One moment please." Holding the receiver to his chest, he turned to look at Bria. "It's for you."
Frowning, Bria rose. "Who is it?"
"Your mother," he replied, handing her the phone.
Bria accepted the phone quickly. "Mom?"
"Bria. How long will you be at the Grayson's?"
"Until the demons are vanqui-"
"I mean today. Will you be there all day?"
"No, I should be leaving to go take care of things. I might stop by the Mitchell's, because-"
Ashley interrupted again. "Can you be at the Mitchell's in an hour?"
Bria checked her watch. "Sure, I can try...What's wrong?"
"I need to give you something from your father."
"...You mean you know?" Bria asked, judging by her mother's tone of voice.
"Bria, how could I not?" Ashley asked with slightly amused exasperation. "I only live with the man, of course."
She was slightly surprised. "You know he hit me?"
"He what!"
"...Guess that's a no," Bria said, wincing. "Uhm, can we talk about it when you get here?"
"We most certainly will. An hour, then?"
"Yes."
"I love you, Bria. Be careful."
"Always, Mom. Love you too." Bria hung up, looking at Matt and Josh. "Come on, you two. We have a schedule to keep."
"Explain yourself."
Aaron leaned against a huge stone column, muscular arms crossed. "What do you want explained?"
Amenkotept rose, his patience obviously close to being broken. "What did you do with her?"
"I hardly think it's any of your business."
"As my heir and son, your business is mine."
"It that why you spy on me?" The prince snapped. "If I'm your heir and son, you certainly don't trust me."
"I do not trust anyone, Khem, family even less so."
Aaron snorted. "Some family."
"That is your weakness speaking, Khem. I have raised you to know that intrigues are commonplace."
"I'm sick of it." Uncrossing his arms, he sat heavily on a lounge, running his hand over the leopard skin draped across it. "Is it too much to ask for peace and privacy once in a while?"
"Is that why you speak with the Red Ranger?" Amenkotept asked, no trace of cynicism in his voice. "Does she bring you peace?"
Aaron paused, thinking. "I've never really thought about it...but in a strange way, yes, she does. In a way, I feel like...I don't have to live up to anything. Which is dumb, because she expects me to be like my father...but even so, for some stupid reason, yes, I feel peaceful...at least for a short time."
Amenkotept sat beside his adopted son, acting the father Aaron had been taken away from. "You do realize nothing could ever work between you. Not even friendship."
"I know that," he sighed.
"At least, not while you were on opposing sides."
Aaron looked at Amenkotept stoically, masking the foreboding he felt at those words. He knew what was coming.
"Bring her, Khem. Everything will be solved."
"Not everything," Aaron replied dryly. "I am still bound to you."
"Is it so awful? You have everything you could desire, and the freedom to do as you will."
"It's still a binding, though."
Amenkotept looked at Aaron with knowing black eyes. "Your mother and sisters." Aaron was silent, and Amenkotept knew he was correct. "Khem, I have given you everything. It is merely a precaution."
Aaron scorned him, rising. "If that is all," he said coldly, preparing to leave.
"It is not all," Amenkotept replied, rising. "Whether you wish to or not, you will bring the Red Ranger and her power before me. When I have her power, you may have the rest of her."
"I don't want her!" Aaron exploded. "Why is it that all of you seem to think I desire to sleep with her?"
"Did you not already?"
"No!"
"Explain your kiss then."
"It was merely to silence her," Aaron growled, infuriated at having to give Amenkotept the information he had asked for in the first place. "She is a child, Amenkotept! A child!"
"And yet you would kiss her."
"I have already said it was to silence her," Aaron said hotly. "She is far too young to be with a man- it's illegal for the gods' sakes-, and I have no desire to be that man."
"The law does not apply to you."
"No, it doesn't, but it surely applies to her. I don't want to kiss her, I don't want to bed her, I don't want anything from her."
"You cannot deny you felt something when you kissed her."
"And how the hell would you know?" Aaron shot. "I felt nothing. Anything I might have felt would have been because I was not expecting anything from her."
"Ah, she kissed you back," Amenkotept observed, returning to his throne. "Was she any good?"
Aaron threw up his hands in a fury. "Enough. I won't answer any more of your questions. I don't want her in any way, and if you won't take my word for it, then fine."
"I want you to prove it. Bring her to me," Amenkotept said, leaning forward. "Bring her to me today, and I shall not doubt your loyalty or your feelings for her. But fail me, Khem, and I shall be forced to reexamine your situation...and that of your family."
Too enraged to reply, Aaron stormed out of the throne room, blood boiling at Amenkotept's actions. He had backed Aaron right into a trap, and he knew it; and it infuriated Aaron to no end that he had allowed himself to be trapped.
Once more Bria stood on the now familiar front porch of the Mitchells. I should pay them rent. Reaching out to the doorbell, it was a matter of seconds before the door opened, revealing one of the twins.
"You must be Bria," she observed with a smile, pushing a long lock of dirty blonde hair behind one ear. "You're becoming rather famous in this house."
Bria had the decency to blush, playing with a strand of her own hair. "I'm sorry I keep dropping by so much, but-"
"Don't worry about it," Lara interrupted, inviting them inside and lowering her voice. "I think my parents rather like you. Now, you're Bria, and of course I know this oaf," she teased, smiling at Josh, "but I'm afraid I don't know your name."
Matt took the cue, shaking her hand. "Matt. Pleased to meet you."
"Pleasure's mine; I'm Lara. Come on into the kitchen, Mom and Brooke are in there cleaning up breakfast."
"Brooke?" questioned Bria.
"My twin sister. Aaron didn't mention us?"
"No," she answered softly.
Lara studied Bria a moment before continuing. "Well that's understandable. We've only just met, after all, so I don't know why he would. He doesn't strike me as the type to talk about family anyway."
"No, he doesn't, does he?"
"Anyway, as you know, I'm Lara, and my twin sister is Brooke. Don't be put off if she doesn't seem friendly; she's very nice, but not exactly social."
"Do you have any other siblings?" inquired Bria.
"Nope, just Aaron." Lara frowned. "I never really counted him before. I guess Mom and Dad do have three kids. It never occurred to me...with Aaron gone and all..."
Bria nodded, changing the subject. "How will we tell you and your sister apart?"
Josh laughed at this. "Oh you'll tell." He reached out, tousling his cousin's hair, who made a face at him. "It's impossible not to; and I don't mean just with looks."
Lara ducked out from under Josh's hand, fixing her hair and leading them into the kitchen. "Mom, Josh is here with his friends Bria and Matt."
Bria shifted as Lene rose to greet them. "I owe you a bit of an apology, Mrs. Mitchell, what with popping up here all the time, and walking out last time..."
Lene just smiled, speaking in a easy manner and dismissing Bria's apology. "I don't believe we've been properly introduced."
Bria smiled, holding out her hand. "Ambrianna Lompire, but Bria's fine."
"Moira Mitchell, but Lene's fine. Nice to finally officially meet you," Lene replied, shaking her hand. "Ryan speaks of you, but it's nice to finally put a face with the name."
"Likewise," Bria returned with a smile, though she had already met Lene. She turned, beckoning to Matt. "This is Matthew Johnson, better known as Matt."
Lene shook his hand as well. "What brings you three back? Or, should I say, brings you back, Bria?"
"Two things, actually. If you don't mind - and I know it's rather late to be asking - my mom asked to meet me here."
"That's perfectly fine; I enjoy Ashley's company. And the other thing?"
"Wait, you've met my mom?"
Lene smiled, remembering. "Yes; well before you were born though. I've met Andros, Karone, and Zhane as well."
Josh reached over, lifting Bria's jaw. "You might wanna close that, dude, a fly or something might get in there."
Lene unsuccessfully tried to hide her smile, and her nephew smiled back as Bria sputtered. "But Dad acted like he hadn't heard of Ryan Mitche-oh."
"Care to let us in?" Josh questioned.
"When I asked about a Titanium Ranger, Dad wasn't sure. He did know Mr. Mitchell though, and his family. I'd forgotten."
"No one's going to quiz you," Matt assured her with a smile.
"You said there were two reasons?" Lene prompted.
"Oh, right. The other is...uhm..." Bria desperately fought the blush that threatened to creep upon her. "Is Aaron around?"
Lene shook her head, hiding a knowing smile. "No, he's not. I'm sorry."
"It's fine," Bria said quickly. She grew serious, loosing any sense of nervousness, and Lene frowned slightly. "Mrs. Mitchell, have you actually seen him lately? In person?"
"No...I know he's been here, but I haven't seen him since those few minutes when you were last here. Why do you ask?" she queried, growing worried. She had a feeling she knew where this was headed.
"It's...just a curiosity. I wanted to see how he was doing."
"He's doing fine," came Aaron's own deep voice, causing everyone to turn around in surprise.
He stood in the doorway, and though he said he was fine, there was an undeniable air of malice about him, emphasized more than ever by his always dark clothing and matching black hair. Even his eyes were dark and brooding, and Bria felt Lene stiffen at her son's appearance. Bria had needed to say nothing; it was obvious what Aaron had done.
"Aaron..." Lene whispered, and her son held up a hand.
"Please...don't," he said, pain flashing across his face. The pain was mirrored in his mother's identical eyes, both hazel depths aching. Aaron turned his face for a moment, and when he looked back he was perfectly composed, eyes hard and full of malignancy.
Lene gasped softly. Not even Ryan had possessed the ability to veil his feelings so well. His eyes always betrayed him. She looked down, swallowing hard and refusing to even imagine what his son had gone through to have to learn how to detach himself in such a way, before looking back at him with disappointment in her eyes. I can't believe our family didn't matter enough, she thought silently.
"You needn't be concerned for me," he said scornfully to Bria. "I've looked after myself long enough."
She looked at him for a moment, her face unreadable. Lene began to speak, and Bria motioned for the twins to leave. They both gave her a glare, but Bria returned it with her father's famous look, and the two sulked out.
"And I wish you hadn't had to, but there's nothing I can do about that now," Lene replied quietly. "Maybe if we'd been there you would've learned that power really isn't everything. There are things that matter more. Much more."
Aaron looked at his mother with obviously controlled anger. Bria was almost reassured by it; had it been her, or anyone else, Aaron would have exploded. It was comforting to see he cared about someone.
"What's done is done," he said harshly, eyes flashing. "And you can't change it, no matter how hard you may wish to. This is who I am. I'm empty, dark, and powerful. I'm a vessel, Mother; and through me, dark and terrible things may happen. I may be to you, in essence, a disaster; but I'm not. This is what I was born for."
He began pacing, his anger becoming more violent, but with it his restraint grew; the powerful control her exerted over his actions and emotions was emphasized, the coldness in his eyes more defined.
"Do you know the hell I went through on account of my father?" Aaron growled. "It was no coincidence they took your child, Mother. Between you and my father-" Aaron almost spat the word out, "-it was thought I would be a suitable choice."
She'd known he would say that. Ryan himself had warned her. Steeling herself for whatever he might do as reply, she spoke firmly. "You can't blame him, Aaron. He would've gone to hell and back to save you, and I would've gone with him. You are destined to power, but not like this. Not until you're strong enough to leave evil behind and start living, not just existing. You might be a suitable choice for Amenkotept, but you can be so much more if you'd only let yourself."
"Strong enough to leave? You know nothing about it, do you? It takes strength to stay, to show I'm worthy of the power bestowed upon me. This is me at my full potential, Mother." He stopped, facing his mother and spreading his arms, and from his tone of voice and the hardness of his eyes if appeared that he had no emotion, instead of merely hiding any emotion he had. "Look at how well evil has embraced me. Look at what I hold, what I carry within me. I could kill a man and not think twice, or even blink as he begs for mercy. Am I the son you so badly want back?" Aaron scorned, resuming his pacing. "You would be a fool to embrace me."
She looked as if she'd been struck. Nothing could've prepared her to hear those words. But if she let herself fear the evil in her son, Amenkotept would win...and Lene had sworn to herself that she would never let him win. So she gathered what little courage she had left and strengthened herself with the memory of the son she had raised.
Josh began moving closer to his aunt, shocked that Aaron would talk to his mother like that, but a look from her stopped him. She needed to fight that battle alone.
"You're right. You're nothing like I thought you'd be. But you know what? I don't care, because I know you're better than this. You're stronger than just another pawn that he can bend to his will. And that is why he wants you so badly. Not because you need him, but he needs you." Tears began running down her face but she refused to let go of his gaze.
Aaron narrowed his eyes, matching her will for will. "You don't know me. You have no idea who I am."
Lene continued, determined to make her son see. "Evil embraces anyone who seeks it, but it's taken over you completely. You're blinded to anything else. And it hurts to know that, because no matter how hard I try, I can't help you if you don't let me. You have too much pride. But ask yourself this: how much is power going to matter in the end? Power fades, Aaron, and the minute you grow weaker, the minute he'll be done with you and you'll have no choice but to leave. Where will you go then? What will matter when power and evil are no longer with you? Ask yourself that, and when you're ready to admit that the minute he abandons you'll be alone because you've let no one in, come back. I'm always going to be waiting. Because no matter what happens, you are still my son, and I do still love you." She stood right in front of him, her gaze piercing as more tears ran down her face. "Unlike him, I'm never going to abandon you, no matter how hard you push me away. And if I'm a fool for it, so be it."
" I didn't seek this, Mother. It sought out me. I embraced my destiny, and that evil will always be with me. Until the day I die, it will burn inside of me, and however much you cry and beg and plead, it will never let me go. These are my chains, Mother; and if you do not fight them, they are easier, almost a pleasure, to bear. So take your love and put it someplace where it will matter; give it to someone who can appreciate it, and who will nurture it and return it. I bear no love for you, nor for anyone else."
Though his words were a knife through her heart, Lene held strong, reaching out and embracing her son. He began pulling away, wincing as if her touch had burned him, but she held him tightly. "I'm not letting you do this to yourself," she whispered, pulling away a little to look into his eyes. His defenses remained in place, but this time she could see through them, even if it was just a very little. "I know you know I'm right," she told him quietly. "Come back to where you're meant to be. Please, just... just don't push me away. I need to be here for you, and I know that even if you'd rather die than admit it, you need me, too. So stop trying to get rid of me, because you won't."
He pushed her away, stepping back. "I am where I'm meant to be. If you wish to hurt yourself by pining after me, I can't change that. It's up to you whether or not you want to be hurt, because I believe I've made myself clear."
Three beeping morphers interrupted the tournament of wills, and Bria inwardly cursed. Aaron gave her a deeply loathing look, and she quailed slightly, not understanding why or where it had come from. With one last glance at his mother, blackness consumed him, and he was gone.
Lene dropped down in a chair, emotionally spent, and Josh knelt beside her, placing a hand over hers. "Aunt Lene?"
Her eyes met his. "I'll be alright. I just need some time," she told him, her voice breaking as she looked away from him, and she fixed her gaze on the spot where her son had stood. Her shoulders shook with silent sobs, and she pressed a hand to her mouth. "It makes no sense," she whispered, and Josh frowned.
"What do you mean?"
"He wasn't like that with me before. He's not...Aaron. It's like he wasn't there… like it wasn't even him. He was gone..."
Josh began to speak but Bria regretfully interrupted, speaking with urgency. "Josh, we have to go."
Josh rose, placing a kiss on his aunt's forehead. "Let me call my uncle first."
"Hurry," Bria urged, leaving with Matt. Josh quickly made the call, and after giving his aunt a warm hug, teleported out of the house.
Kalli knelt outside, tending Matt's plants while he was away. The tall oak trees that lined the long driveway provided shade from the increasingly summer-like sun, and a pleasant breeze wove through the high branches. Set far back off any road, the house and surrounding grounds were tranquil; a wonderful retreat to battle-weary Rangers.
The tranquility was interrupted, however, as Kalli's watch beeped. Frowning, she rose her wrist to her mouth. "Yes?"
"Kalli, I need you, Kyle, and Jess in Mariner Bay right away."
"What is it, Bria?"
"We're going to tackle some demons."
