Inferno
By Divamercury
I can't believe that this story is going to be longer than The Angry Flame! Oh, well, not too many more chapters left, folks. I thought this would be the last, but it's not. Probably 2 or 3 left, at least. Enjoy Chapter 17, and PLEASE review!!
Chapter 17
The Witchblade was what awakened me at 9:59 the next morning. It never took into consideration the fact that I was off that day. When my eyes opened, I looked at the offensive object.
"You couldn't give me just one more minute, could you?" I asked it.
Its response was a smug hum.
"Grrr. I am not a morning person."
It buzzed indignantly.
"I realize that I would have had to get up eventually, but it's the principle of the thing. Oh, goddamn it, I'm talking to my bracelet now. Do I even have a tiny shard of sanity left?" I looked down at my right wrist, where my tormenter resided. "I guess that's debatable."
I got up and staggered to my kitchen, locating the cereal and pouring myself a bowl. When I finished I felt someone's gaze burning into the back of my head. Of course. I was sitting facing away from the far wall. I got up from my chair and whirled to face the window. There he was, positioned strategically on my fire escape. I sighed and crossed the room, forcing the window up and relishing the slam.
"You're awfully early today, Ian," I said, leaning out.
"You're off today, Sara," he replied a bit smugly, leaning toward me.
"Smart ass. Well, in or out?" I asked when he didn't move, already sure of the answer.
"In," he replied. I backed up to give him room and he climbed in through the open window.
"Hungry?" I asked casually over my shoulder as I walked into the kitchen.
I continued on into the kitchen and cleaned up my dishes. Better now than later. Plus, gives me something to distract myself from him with.'
"I'm curious as to why you're here this early, Ian. Did you know that I'd be awake?" I asked.
"No," came his response from the other room. "I was prepared to wait until you became so. I wanted to speak with you."
I emerged from the kitchen. "Can we schedule this for later? Sorry, but I wasn't expecting you to show upso I've got some things to do."
"I can wait," Ian said, sitting on my couch. "I won't be in your way."
I sighed. "Fine. If you want to stay, sure, and if you decide you're sick of waiting, you have my permission to leave." I grabbed some clothes to change into, strode into the bathroom, shed my pajamas, and started my shower.
* * *
I should have realized that she would be busy,' I thought angrily when I heard the water start running. Today is her friend's wedding; she must have a million things to do. No wonder she took the day off.' I leaned back into her couch, sighing heavily. I wanted to apologize for last night. I should have told her all Iam allowed to, not by Irons, but by the Blade.'
My eyes scanned Sara's apartment. Although I had been outside it many times, I had not been privileged enough to have been allowed access to its interior very frequently. I took it all in and then noticed a small table with picture frames placed sporadically over its top.
I got closer and spent the time given to me while waiting for Sara examining them. Most had Sara present in them with others: her father, Jake McCartey, Danny Woo, and others. I noticed a candid snapshot of Sara and Conchobar together, and I looked away. I knew that she had recovered greatly from his loss but still wondered if she missed him. After staring at each photograph in turn, I returned to the couch and remained in that position, awaiting Sara's return.
* * *
"Talismaniac."
"Hello, is this Gabriel Bowman?"
"Yep. Can I help you?"
"I believe so. I'm Ciara Darkheart, Sara's friend. We met when she was sick?"
"Oh, right. How are you?" I asked blandly. Real smooth there, Gabe.'
"Great. Listen, I have a proposition for you, and it involves Sara and that other guy"
"Ian Nottingham?"
"Yeah! That's him. Anyway, I thought you might be interested in my plan. Do you mind if I come over?" she asked.
"No problem, come on," I said. This could prove to be interesting.'
The door swung open a split-second after I said those words. It was Ciara. I stared at her, my mouth agape.
"What, can you fly or something?"
"Cell phone," she said, waving a sleek, jet-black Nokia at me. "I was standing right outside your door when I called and I wanted to know if it was okay to come on in."
"Sure. Now, what is this proposition you have?"
"Right. Surly you've noticed how this Ian guy acts around Sara?" she asked me.
"Yep. Continue."
"Well, it's obvious that he's got it bad for her. So, anyway, I need your help. I don't know how to get this to work. What I was thinking was this"
* * *
I had been waiting for Sara for about twenty minutes when her phone rang. The sound of running water was still seeping from under the closed door to Sara's bathroom, so I glanced over at it. Knowing that Sara would most likely kill me if she knew I was answering her phone, I picked it up out of the cradle.
"Hello?"
"Hello? Is Sara there?"
"At the moment she is unavailable. Can I take a message?"
"Is this Ian?"
I jumped, shocked, pulling the phone from my ear and staring at it, dumbfounded. I placed it back up to my ear, and replied warily, "Who is this?"
"Oh, so it's you. Good. This is Ciara Darkheart. We met when Sara was ill."
"Oh. Umm" I trailed off, unsure where this was going.
"Listen, Ian, I know your secret."
Again I was appalled. What could she have found out, and why was she confronting me with it when she (probably) knew that I could easilydispose of her?
"I'm not sure I know what you mean," I replied, belying my alarm by keeping my voice perfectly calm.
"Ian, it's obviousyou're in love with Sara."
I relaxed. I thought she had found out something in connection to Irons's commands.
"Perhaps," I replied evasively.
"Oh, come on, Ian. Now, listen. As you know, my wedding is tonight, and I'd love it if you would come."
"You're inviting me, a perfect stranger, to attend your wedding?" I asked. This girl was full of surprises.
"We're not perfect strangers! We've met before. Anyway, I don't just want you to come for me. I want you to come for yourself. You know Sara will be there."
"I" All words escaped me.
"You've got to tell her sometime," she said gently.
"I suppose. All right, I will attend. I appreciate you going out of your way to invite me, Miss Darkheart."
"Please, call me Ciara. I'll see you there, then?"
"Yes."
"And, remember, don't tell Sara."
"I won't."
"All right, then. Goodbye, Ian."
"GoodbyeCiara."
We hung up, and I reclined back on the couch, my head spinning. I couldn't goI had to, I promisedI wanted to tell Sara how I feltbut I couldn'tGod! I had to relax.
* * *
"Well?" I asked anxiously.
"Hook, line, and sinker. He'll be there, I'm sure," Ciara remarked triumphantly.
"You know, I like the way you think, Ciara. I never would have guessed that a girl as nice as you are could be so devious," I said with admiration. "I just wish I had as much skill as you do."
"But I'm not being devious, Gabriel; I'm just helping them along. It's obvious that they have feelings for each other."
"You think Chief does?"
"Sure. She wouldn't put up with the constant watching if she didn't. It's clearly their destiny to be together."
"You believe in that kind of thing?"
"Sure. You never know how much of your life has been or will be written by the stars."
* * *
I got out of the shower feeling refreshed. I wondered if Ian was still out there; it had been thirty minutes. I dressed in a gray hooded sweatshirt, jeans, and my leather jacket. As soon as I put my boots on and headed towards the door, I walked straight through Danny as he appeared. I stifled a scream and it became a gasp.
"Sorry, Pez," the spectre said.
"Danny! What's up, partner?" I asked, trying to slow my heart rate.
"Not much happening on this side of the grave. It's your side that I'm worried about. Danger is around the corner, Pez, and I'm definitely a speaker of the truth."
"Danny, I know you're trying to give me some terribly well-hidden hint, but I can't decipher it. Anything else, Wise Asian Master?"
He sighed. "Nope, sorry, Pez. But think about what I said. Really think. It'll click when you need it to. And trust Nottingham. He wants to help you. I think he kinda likes you," he said with a sly, all-knowing wink.
"What? Ian? Nah"I said, then trailed off. Could that be true?
"Well, gotta fly. See ya, Pez," he said, and he vanished.
"This is really getting old, Danny," I announced to him, and went back to see if Ian was still waiting for me.
