Chapter seven
October 1
Eryie Building
Castle Wyvern
The Great Hall
David Xanatos looked over at Fox who was sitting at the other end of the table in a shiny blue dress.
"Marry me."
Fox's fork stopped halfway to her mouth. "Are you serious?"
"Of course. We're genetically compatible, highly intelligent, and have the same goals."
"Yes, but what about love?"
"I think we love each other, as much as two people such as ourselves can."
Owen took a velvet box and Xanatos opened it. Inside was the Eye of Odin on a gold chain.
Fox's eyes grew wide, and she smiled as he placed it around her neck. "For me?"
"To seal the bargain." David replied.
"It's beautiful. Proposal accepted."
* * *
October 30
downtown New York
Elisa and Jesse walked out of the costume store and placed their packages in Elisa's car. There was a crash in the grocery store beside them.
The store owner came running out screaming.
"Stay here!" Elisa said and drawing her gun ran into the store.
She walked cautiously up and down the aisles looking to both sides and behind her. In the frozen food
section she saw it.
"Oh man."
It was six feet tall and guzzling milk. It's body was covered in fur and it had a blue tattoo over its right eye.
"Police! Freeze!"
It turned and looked at Elisa. she also noticed the Eye of Odin around its neck. She didn't hesitate a moment and aimed her gun at the creature.
Before she could fire it, the creature snatched her gun and threw it aside.
Then it lunged at her.
She dove out of the way and ran. The creature attacked her and Elisa grabbed the nearest thing, a bag of flour, and belted the creature right in the face. Sirens were heard outside and when Elisa turned back, the creature was gone.
Jesse ran inside the store. "Elisa! Are you okay? When I looked in the window, I saw the beast and I went to find help, luckily officer Morgan was nearby."
"Yeah I'm just fine." Elisa said walking out to her car.
She pulled out a towel and started cleaning the flour out of her hair.
"Happy Halloween. I can't get through a shift this month without mopping up after that thing." Morgan sighed.
"Really?" Jessondra's eyes lit up, intrigued.
"Yeah, every night's trick or treat in the Big Apple." Elisa grumbled.
* * *
"This is Travis Marshall, WVRN, reporting live at the General Store downtown Manhattan where we've had another attack from the mysterious beast. This creature was first sighted on October Fourth. Since then, the frequency of these attacks has increased drama--"
Jesse switched off the TV.
"Anything unusual happen?" Diane asked.
"Nope." Jesse answered. "Say, Diane, you haven't seen Derek around have you? I've been to his apartment every day this week, and haven't seen him once."
Diane dropped the dishes she had been holding. "Oh how clumsy of me."
Jesse jumped up to help. "Are you okay Diane?"
"Yes, and about Derek, maybe it would be better if we discussed it as a family. But not tonight. We must get ready for your party tomorrow."
* * *
October 31
Clock tower above the police station
"And you've no idea what this beast might be?" Goliath asked, concerned.
"Besides mean and hungry?" Elisa replied. "No."
"Oh, you could have been hurt. I should have been with you."
"But you can't. Anymore than I can be here guarding you all day long. Everyone's vulnerable, Goliath. But it helps to know somebody cares."
* * *
Castle Wyvern
Fox's bedroom
"Fox, my dear, I wonder if I can have your engagement present. I want to get it engraved."
Fox stood there in a trench coat looking at the full moon. "No. I-I can't bear to part with it."
"I'm afraid I'll have to insist."
Fox clutched the Eye and began to transform into the beast.
"I thought so." Xanatos said and fired a tranq dart at her.
It had no effect. It lunged at him and he dove out of the way.
"Owen!"
Owen came running in and fired another dart at her, this one also had no effect. He shut the bedroom door.
The beast panicked. Xanatos threw the bed comforter over her and the two of
them jumped her.
The creature knocked them off and crashed out the bedroom door and out of the castle.
Xanatos stood and dusted himself off.
"The tracking monitor I shot her with is working. Fox has left the building." Owen stated.
"So much for doing things the easy way."
"According to the monitor, her metabolism is operating at a phenomenally accelerated rate. If this keeps up, her system will burn out before morning. She'll die."
"Incredible. If I had known that the Eye of Odin had that kind of power, I'd never have just given it away. Well, spilled milk. Let's move on to Plan B."
* * *
Town Square
Halloween dance
Elisa and Jesse got out of her car in thier costumes. Jesse ran off into the crowd to find her friends.
"I want you back here at midnight, okay?!" Elisa called after her. Then chuckled. Somebody tapped her on the shoulder. Elisa spun around and there was Goliath, as himself.
She had planned her costume accordingly and was dressed as Belle.
"Come on. I've wanted to stroll down a city street with you for a long time." She said taking his arm.
They walked to the center and began dancing to the music.
Jesse stood at the side lines and watched.
~It's nice to see her settling down with someone.~ Jesse thought then ran off to find her friends.
* * *
"Don't worry, she said she'd be here." P.J. said as he watched Brianna pace back and forth.
"Hey guy's sorry I'm late!" Jesse said running to them.
They too had planned their costumes.
Jesse and Brianna were dressed as biker chicks in tight leather skirts and fishnet tights with go-go boots and tight crop tops. P.J. was dressed as a biker and wore tight leather pants and a white T-shirt. All three wore identical leather jackets. Brianna's shirt was cut low enough that it showed
part of the sword tattooed on her breast.
"What should we do first?" she asked.
"Why don't we pig out on carnival food?" P.J. suggested.
"Okay." The girls agreed.
On their way to the fudge stand they noticed a group of people surrounding someone. The trio walked closer. From the crowd they could pick out words.
"Cool! Look!"
"Check it out. A costume over a costume."
"Far out."
"Eh, nice hat."
"That's a great, great costume."
Jesse and Brianna fought to the center. There stood three people dressed up in two costumes. The bottom ones were gargoyle costumes, much like Elisa's date, and the top one's were different. The first of them was a pirate, the second a WWII pilot, and the third was dressed as a detective in a trench coat.
Jesse and Brianna smiled at them. "Hey. Nice costumes." Jesse said.
"Thanks." The detective answered.
"They look so real." Brianna commented.
"Jess! Brianna! Are you two coming?" P.J. called from his post at the pretzel stand.
"Just a minute!" Jesse answered.
"Hey, do you guys want to hang with us?" Brianna asked.
The three hesitated. The one with a beak, spoke up. "Sure, why not?"
They were about to engage in conversation when they heard a crash come from the banquet hall.
"Um, sorry, we gotta go." Beaky said.
"Okay, nice meeting you." Jesse called after them.
"Nice guys." Brianna said joining P.J. in the line.
"The one looked really familliar..." Jesse said thoughtfuly
"How could you tell?" Brianna asked.
"I just can."
Brianna decided to change the subject. "So Jesse, are you still living at the Maza's?"
"Yeah."
"I thought you said you were running away." P.J. pointed out.
"Naw. That was just to upset them. I was just angry."
"So how's your nose?" Brianna asked indicating the brace on Jesse's face.
"Great! The doctor says I can take it off in a couple of days."
"It goes well with the costume." P.J. said.
The three of them laughed. Brianna looked up.
"Uh-oh. Here comes the bitch patrol."
The other two stopped and followed Brianna's gaze. There was Marie and her friends dressed up as hookers.
"Like they need costumes." P.J. said. Jesse and Brianna snickered.
"Well, well, well. What have we here?" Marie said coming up to them. "It looks like a nigger, a piece of white trash, oh and if it isn't Miss Scotland 'erself." She used an accent for Jesse's insult.
"I'll show you white trash!" Brianna said. P.J. caught her mid lunge and told her to chill.
"So Marie what are you supposed to be?" Jesse asked. "It took me a while to figure out it was you. Why don't you take off that mask so we know for sure."
"Why you--"
"Temper, temper. This place is crawling with cops."
"Oh really. If you're talking about your sister, I saw her go off with that excuse for a man."
"No, she's talking about me." Matt Bluestone said walking up and putting his hands on Jesse's shoulders. "Now you girls wouldn't happen to be causing trouble, would you. I'd hate to have to take you in on this beautiful night."
"No officer. Of course not." Marie said. "Come girls." She pulled Jesse aside. "Just you wait. You're gonna run out of friends soon enough."
Jesse grinned at her. Marie stormed off.
"Bye Marie. Don't forget to write."
"Now the three of you behave." Matt said. "Jesse, don't make me have to call your parents. Have a great night."
"Bye. Thanks Matt." Jesse called after him.
Brianna unclenched her fists. "If I were in an unsupervised gathering I'd show them a thing or two."
"Calm down Brianna" P.J. said.
"Doesn't it bother you that they called you a nigger?" She asked.
"Naw. The day I'm bothered by those five is the day pigs fly."
"What about you Jess."
"Of course not. Those racial sluts don't deserve to get a reaction out of us."
"Well my night has been spoiled. Why don't we go set up for the party?"
* * *
Elisa took out her gun and aimed at the monster that was attacking Goliath. Xanatos stepped in and took the gun mangling it beyond recognition and handed it back to Elisa. Goliath and the creature were up on the roof now.
Elisa and Xanatos ran out and looked up towards the roof.
Elisa put her arms around his neck. "I trust you about as far as I can throw you Xanatos."
"I don't have time to argue." He said putting his arm around her waist and firing up the engine on his exo-frame.
Once on the roof they watched the heated battle between Goliath and Fox.
She knocked Goliath away from her and looked toward Elisa.
For some reason, she saw Elisa as herself and also saw that she was standing next to her beloved David. Wasting no time she lunged at Elisa, but Goliath intercepted and pushed Fox into an neon sign electrocuting her.
"Now Xanatos!" Goliath roared.
Xanatos ran up and pulled the eye off of Fox. Goliath let her drop and she transformed back into her human form, unconscious.
Elisa undid her skirt and draped it over Fox's naked body.
A helicopter shone its light on them as Xanatos picked up Fox's limp body.
"She's alive." Goliath stated. "The Eye, give it to me."
"A trade?" Xanatos asked.
"Let's just say, I don't trust you with it."
"So now you know my weakness."
Goliath frowned. "Only you would regard love as a weakness."
The trio appeared on the roof of the building.
Broadway stepped forward. "Goliath?"
"It's all over. Let's go home."
As Goliath flew Elisa back down to her car, Owen commented to his boss. "Actually, Mr. Xanatos, I believe he's right. You've never looked more heroic."
"A momentary lapse, I assure you."
Fox's eyes fluttered open. "Mm, what happened?"
"A bad dream. And it's all over now." Xanatos said gently. "Goliath had the right idea. Let's go home. "
* * *
Jesse, Brianna, and P.J. stood outside Elisa's car, pacing. Elisa walked up wearing what was left of her costume. A dress that went to dangerous heights. Jesse found P.J. staring at her and slapped him.
"Elisa what happened to your costume."
She gave Jesse a sly wink. "Never you mind. Let's go set up for that party."
* * *
Jesse's party was just a small one, but it was with the people she cared most about. Even Derek was there and he and his girlfriend, Maggie, got the prize for the best costume.
Around two a.m. P.J.'s mom came and picked him up and the rest of the guests began to disperse, except for Brianna who was spending the night.
Derek and Maggie hung back a minute and Diane stood beside Jesse.
"Jesse, there's something we need to tell you." Elisa said. "Brianna, could you leave the room for a moment?"
"Sure, I'll go help Mr. Maza in the kitchen."
"Jesse." Diane said. "There is something very important we've been keeping from you. But we should have told you."
Derek knelt down and opened his arms to Jesse. While in his embrace, she felt it.
"Oh, God. No." She said tears forming in her eyes. "Why? Who?"
"Xanatos." The way Derek said it made it sound like poison. "And Sevarius."
"Derek--"
"Talon."
"Talon? Why didn't you tell me? I didn't know where you were, or if you still cared about me."
"Of course I still care. You're my baby sis and I would never abandon you. It's just, the way Elisa reacted made me want to tell you even less and I chickened out."
"Maggie too?"
"Uh-huh. Maggie too."
Jesse pressed her face into the fur on his shoulder and began crying.
"I hate that Xanatos, and upon my word I will kill him."
"No, Jesse, he's not worth it. Just live your life and forget about him."
"I don't think that's entirely possible." came a voice from the door.
October 1
Eryie Building
Castle Wyvern
The Great Hall
David Xanatos looked over at Fox who was sitting at the other end of the table in a shiny blue dress.
"Marry me."
Fox's fork stopped halfway to her mouth. "Are you serious?"
"Of course. We're genetically compatible, highly intelligent, and have the same goals."
"Yes, but what about love?"
"I think we love each other, as much as two people such as ourselves can."
Owen took a velvet box and Xanatos opened it. Inside was the Eye of Odin on a gold chain.
Fox's eyes grew wide, and she smiled as he placed it around her neck. "For me?"
"To seal the bargain." David replied.
"It's beautiful. Proposal accepted."
* * *
October 30
downtown New York
Elisa and Jesse walked out of the costume store and placed their packages in Elisa's car. There was a crash in the grocery store beside them.
The store owner came running out screaming.
"Stay here!" Elisa said and drawing her gun ran into the store.
She walked cautiously up and down the aisles looking to both sides and behind her. In the frozen food
section she saw it.
"Oh man."
It was six feet tall and guzzling milk. It's body was covered in fur and it had a blue tattoo over its right eye.
"Police! Freeze!"
It turned and looked at Elisa. she also noticed the Eye of Odin around its neck. She didn't hesitate a moment and aimed her gun at the creature.
Before she could fire it, the creature snatched her gun and threw it aside.
Then it lunged at her.
She dove out of the way and ran. The creature attacked her and Elisa grabbed the nearest thing, a bag of flour, and belted the creature right in the face. Sirens were heard outside and when Elisa turned back, the creature was gone.
Jesse ran inside the store. "Elisa! Are you okay? When I looked in the window, I saw the beast and I went to find help, luckily officer Morgan was nearby."
"Yeah I'm just fine." Elisa said walking out to her car.
She pulled out a towel and started cleaning the flour out of her hair.
"Happy Halloween. I can't get through a shift this month without mopping up after that thing." Morgan sighed.
"Really?" Jessondra's eyes lit up, intrigued.
"Yeah, every night's trick or treat in the Big Apple." Elisa grumbled.
* * *
"This is Travis Marshall, WVRN, reporting live at the General Store downtown Manhattan where we've had another attack from the mysterious beast. This creature was first sighted on October Fourth. Since then, the frequency of these attacks has increased drama--"
Jesse switched off the TV.
"Anything unusual happen?" Diane asked.
"Nope." Jesse answered. "Say, Diane, you haven't seen Derek around have you? I've been to his apartment every day this week, and haven't seen him once."
Diane dropped the dishes she had been holding. "Oh how clumsy of me."
Jesse jumped up to help. "Are you okay Diane?"
"Yes, and about Derek, maybe it would be better if we discussed it as a family. But not tonight. We must get ready for your party tomorrow."
* * *
October 31
Clock tower above the police station
"And you've no idea what this beast might be?" Goliath asked, concerned.
"Besides mean and hungry?" Elisa replied. "No."
"Oh, you could have been hurt. I should have been with you."
"But you can't. Anymore than I can be here guarding you all day long. Everyone's vulnerable, Goliath. But it helps to know somebody cares."
* * *
Castle Wyvern
Fox's bedroom
"Fox, my dear, I wonder if I can have your engagement present. I want to get it engraved."
Fox stood there in a trench coat looking at the full moon. "No. I-I can't bear to part with it."
"I'm afraid I'll have to insist."
Fox clutched the Eye and began to transform into the beast.
"I thought so." Xanatos said and fired a tranq dart at her.
It had no effect. It lunged at him and he dove out of the way.
"Owen!"
Owen came running in and fired another dart at her, this one also had no effect. He shut the bedroom door.
The beast panicked. Xanatos threw the bed comforter over her and the two of
them jumped her.
The creature knocked them off and crashed out the bedroom door and out of the castle.
Xanatos stood and dusted himself off.
"The tracking monitor I shot her with is working. Fox has left the building." Owen stated.
"So much for doing things the easy way."
"According to the monitor, her metabolism is operating at a phenomenally accelerated rate. If this keeps up, her system will burn out before morning. She'll die."
"Incredible. If I had known that the Eye of Odin had that kind of power, I'd never have just given it away. Well, spilled milk. Let's move on to Plan B."
* * *
Town Square
Halloween dance
Elisa and Jesse got out of her car in thier costumes. Jesse ran off into the crowd to find her friends.
"I want you back here at midnight, okay?!" Elisa called after her. Then chuckled. Somebody tapped her on the shoulder. Elisa spun around and there was Goliath, as himself.
She had planned her costume accordingly and was dressed as Belle.
"Come on. I've wanted to stroll down a city street with you for a long time." She said taking his arm.
They walked to the center and began dancing to the music.
Jesse stood at the side lines and watched.
~It's nice to see her settling down with someone.~ Jesse thought then ran off to find her friends.
* * *
"Don't worry, she said she'd be here." P.J. said as he watched Brianna pace back and forth.
"Hey guy's sorry I'm late!" Jesse said running to them.
They too had planned their costumes.
Jesse and Brianna were dressed as biker chicks in tight leather skirts and fishnet tights with go-go boots and tight crop tops. P.J. was dressed as a biker and wore tight leather pants and a white T-shirt. All three wore identical leather jackets. Brianna's shirt was cut low enough that it showed
part of the sword tattooed on her breast.
"What should we do first?" she asked.
"Why don't we pig out on carnival food?" P.J. suggested.
"Okay." The girls agreed.
On their way to the fudge stand they noticed a group of people surrounding someone. The trio walked closer. From the crowd they could pick out words.
"Cool! Look!"
"Check it out. A costume over a costume."
"Far out."
"Eh, nice hat."
"That's a great, great costume."
Jesse and Brianna fought to the center. There stood three people dressed up in two costumes. The bottom ones were gargoyle costumes, much like Elisa's date, and the top one's were different. The first of them was a pirate, the second a WWII pilot, and the third was dressed as a detective in a trench coat.
Jesse and Brianna smiled at them. "Hey. Nice costumes." Jesse said.
"Thanks." The detective answered.
"They look so real." Brianna commented.
"Jess! Brianna! Are you two coming?" P.J. called from his post at the pretzel stand.
"Just a minute!" Jesse answered.
"Hey, do you guys want to hang with us?" Brianna asked.
The three hesitated. The one with a beak, spoke up. "Sure, why not?"
They were about to engage in conversation when they heard a crash come from the banquet hall.
"Um, sorry, we gotta go." Beaky said.
"Okay, nice meeting you." Jesse called after them.
"Nice guys." Brianna said joining P.J. in the line.
"The one looked really familliar..." Jesse said thoughtfuly
"How could you tell?" Brianna asked.
"I just can."
Brianna decided to change the subject. "So Jesse, are you still living at the Maza's?"
"Yeah."
"I thought you said you were running away." P.J. pointed out.
"Naw. That was just to upset them. I was just angry."
"So how's your nose?" Brianna asked indicating the brace on Jesse's face.
"Great! The doctor says I can take it off in a couple of days."
"It goes well with the costume." P.J. said.
The three of them laughed. Brianna looked up.
"Uh-oh. Here comes the bitch patrol."
The other two stopped and followed Brianna's gaze. There was Marie and her friends dressed up as hookers.
"Like they need costumes." P.J. said. Jesse and Brianna snickered.
"Well, well, well. What have we here?" Marie said coming up to them. "It looks like a nigger, a piece of white trash, oh and if it isn't Miss Scotland 'erself." She used an accent for Jesse's insult.
"I'll show you white trash!" Brianna said. P.J. caught her mid lunge and told her to chill.
"So Marie what are you supposed to be?" Jesse asked. "It took me a while to figure out it was you. Why don't you take off that mask so we know for sure."
"Why you--"
"Temper, temper. This place is crawling with cops."
"Oh really. If you're talking about your sister, I saw her go off with that excuse for a man."
"No, she's talking about me." Matt Bluestone said walking up and putting his hands on Jesse's shoulders. "Now you girls wouldn't happen to be causing trouble, would you. I'd hate to have to take you in on this beautiful night."
"No officer. Of course not." Marie said. "Come girls." She pulled Jesse aside. "Just you wait. You're gonna run out of friends soon enough."
Jesse grinned at her. Marie stormed off.
"Bye Marie. Don't forget to write."
"Now the three of you behave." Matt said. "Jesse, don't make me have to call your parents. Have a great night."
"Bye. Thanks Matt." Jesse called after him.
Brianna unclenched her fists. "If I were in an unsupervised gathering I'd show them a thing or two."
"Calm down Brianna" P.J. said.
"Doesn't it bother you that they called you a nigger?" She asked.
"Naw. The day I'm bothered by those five is the day pigs fly."
"What about you Jess."
"Of course not. Those racial sluts don't deserve to get a reaction out of us."
"Well my night has been spoiled. Why don't we go set up for the party?"
* * *
Elisa took out her gun and aimed at the monster that was attacking Goliath. Xanatos stepped in and took the gun mangling it beyond recognition and handed it back to Elisa. Goliath and the creature were up on the roof now.
Elisa and Xanatos ran out and looked up towards the roof.
Elisa put her arms around his neck. "I trust you about as far as I can throw you Xanatos."
"I don't have time to argue." He said putting his arm around her waist and firing up the engine on his exo-frame.
Once on the roof they watched the heated battle between Goliath and Fox.
She knocked Goliath away from her and looked toward Elisa.
For some reason, she saw Elisa as herself and also saw that she was standing next to her beloved David. Wasting no time she lunged at Elisa, but Goliath intercepted and pushed Fox into an neon sign electrocuting her.
"Now Xanatos!" Goliath roared.
Xanatos ran up and pulled the eye off of Fox. Goliath let her drop and she transformed back into her human form, unconscious.
Elisa undid her skirt and draped it over Fox's naked body.
A helicopter shone its light on them as Xanatos picked up Fox's limp body.
"She's alive." Goliath stated. "The Eye, give it to me."
"A trade?" Xanatos asked.
"Let's just say, I don't trust you with it."
"So now you know my weakness."
Goliath frowned. "Only you would regard love as a weakness."
The trio appeared on the roof of the building.
Broadway stepped forward. "Goliath?"
"It's all over. Let's go home."
As Goliath flew Elisa back down to her car, Owen commented to his boss. "Actually, Mr. Xanatos, I believe he's right. You've never looked more heroic."
"A momentary lapse, I assure you."
Fox's eyes fluttered open. "Mm, what happened?"
"A bad dream. And it's all over now." Xanatos said gently. "Goliath had the right idea. Let's go home. "
* * *
Jesse, Brianna, and P.J. stood outside Elisa's car, pacing. Elisa walked up wearing what was left of her costume. A dress that went to dangerous heights. Jesse found P.J. staring at her and slapped him.
"Elisa what happened to your costume."
She gave Jesse a sly wink. "Never you mind. Let's go set up for that party."
* * *
Jesse's party was just a small one, but it was with the people she cared most about. Even Derek was there and he and his girlfriend, Maggie, got the prize for the best costume.
Around two a.m. P.J.'s mom came and picked him up and the rest of the guests began to disperse, except for Brianna who was spending the night.
Derek and Maggie hung back a minute and Diane stood beside Jesse.
"Jesse, there's something we need to tell you." Elisa said. "Brianna, could you leave the room for a moment?"
"Sure, I'll go help Mr. Maza in the kitchen."
"Jesse." Diane said. "There is something very important we've been keeping from you. But we should have told you."
Derek knelt down and opened his arms to Jesse. While in his embrace, she felt it.
"Oh, God. No." She said tears forming in her eyes. "Why? Who?"
"Xanatos." The way Derek said it made it sound like poison. "And Sevarius."
"Derek--"
"Talon."
"Talon? Why didn't you tell me? I didn't know where you were, or if you still cared about me."
"Of course I still care. You're my baby sis and I would never abandon you. It's just, the way Elisa reacted made me want to tell you even less and I chickened out."
"Maggie too?"
"Uh-huh. Maggie too."
Jesse pressed her face into the fur on his shoulder and began crying.
"I hate that Xanatos, and upon my word I will kill him."
"No, Jesse, he's not worth it. Just live your life and forget about him."
"I don't think that's entirely possible." came a voice from the door.