VIII
Clark's POV
My flight back to Metropolis was a swift one.A part of me couldn't explain my desire to return to her. After J'onzz told me she was looking for me, I knew in that instant where I needed to be. Soaring through the skies, I barely noticed when I reached my room. My mind was fixated on the raven haired woman who tried to kill me. How sick was I? This unbreakable woman tried to murder me yet I felt more with her in our battle than I've felt in an eternity with my wife. Before I knew I was standing in front of my bedroom door. I placed my hand on the door.
Thump…. Thump…
The sound of her heartbeat was the sweetest sound I'd ever heard. It soothed me. Lost in the beating of her heart I closed my eyes and gave myself to the calm sensation that was running through me.
"Thanks for the damn trail of glass Kal…."
The name Kal rang in my ears. It echoed alongside the sound of her beating heart until only my name remained in my head. I continued to keep my gaze on door as I pressed my hand harder against the door. I wanted to get it back the sound of her heartbeat, but I couldn't. The rage of hearing my true name took over.
"I told you to never use that name," I sighed.
"Well I called you every other name under the sun and you didn't reply so…." J'onzz replied.
"That's not an excuse," I added.
J'onzz reached for my hand, but he was met with my flame filled eyes. He stopped in mid-action. The scent of her was all over him.
"Leave me," I ordered him.
J'onzz immediately took two steps back from me.
"I only helped her into your bed," he said.
I'd known J'onzz for a long time. He knew better than to lie to me. From the corner of
my eyes I saw his position hadn't changed nor had his eyes dilated. At least I could trust him in her presence.
"You know me better than that Kal," he added.
I hissed as he called me my name once more.
"Don't test my good well J'onzz," I growled.
"I only want what's best for you," he said.
Out of everyone here I knew he actually meant it.
"... She will be good for you," he continued. "You need someone to…"
I lowered my gaze from the door as my whole body let out a sigh.
"She afraid of me J'onzz," I said. "Just like…"
I stopped myself from saying her name. Lana. The only person on this planet that cared
about me, or so I thought. All that changed once she saw that I was capable of.
"She isn't like any other the others," he replied. "She's more like you than you realize…"
J'onzz paused for a moment before he placed his hand on my shoulder.
"She didn't want to kill you," he continued. "I searched her mind…"
My body tensed up at the thought of him playing around in her mind.
"I needed to be sure she meant you no harm," J'onzz added quickly. "She was ordered to by her mother…"
"I figured as much," I grunted.
She was a trained fighter. Hell if she hadn't been drugged she might have actually done some damage. It was her eyes that gave her away. Not matter her actions they told me that she didn't want to hurt me.
"Kal there's something else," J'onzz said.
He let out a sigh.
"Out with it," I ordered.
"... She was promised to…"
Before J'onzz could get that bastards name out I knew.
"Darkseid," I mouthed.
J'onzz nodded in agreement.
"She doesn't know or they haven't told her everything," J'onzz said. "From what I saw her 'sisters' are in the business of working alongside one of his shadow organization, the Olympians..."
Apokolips, the largest pain in my ass since I stepped onto the national stage. Though his gray ass worked mostly in Eastern Europe, when I came on the scene he started taking interest in my affairs.
"... She was a child, so the memory was fragmented," he continued. "But I could make out that Darkseid and his interest in her."
J'onzz pulled me by my shoulders and forced me to look at him.
"We might be able to use this to our advantage," he added. "You have something he
wants…"
J'onzz eyes held firm on my own. This was a test. He wants me to answer this proposition one way. His man or monster test. Which should I be in this moment? The monster that would lap up the opportunity to expand my empire across the pond at any cost. Or should I be the man that I've always wanted to be. The man who walked away from this life take her with me. I let out a sigh. That was a fantasy that was beyond my reach.
"She isn't a pawn," I said.
J'onzz smiled, "I'm glad to hear it."
At least I did something right tonight.
"See both of you in the morning…."
I watched the glint in J'onzz eyes flash as he spoke.
"I'll have some clothing ready for her in the morning," he added.
J'onzz gave me a nod before he walked away from me. Alone in front of my bedroom door once more I fought the urge to walk away. From this door, from this life and most importantly from her. I placed my hand on the door once more.
Thump, thump
The sweet sound of relief. I pushed the door open and there she was. In a sea of black the raven-haired was curled up in my crimson tee. She looked beautiful. I walked towards her taking great care not to make a sound. I stood in front of my bed and just watched her sleep. I couldn't imagine her anywhere near Darkseid. He was a monster just like me. Something as precious as this had no business being anywhere near creatures like us.
"I'll keep you safe from..." I muttered. "... both of us."
