Methos

Two days later, Dawson was at a church with Methos. They sat side-by-side in the front pew, not even looking at one another.

"What can you tell me about an Immortal named Kiar Veriah?" Dawson asked.

"Nothing that you don't already know," was Methos's reply. "Or certainly, nothing that would be very useful to you."

"Just pretend like I don't know anything at all and tell me everything," said Dawson. He was not in the mood for any of Methos's crap.

"All I know is that she is one of the older Immortals, she has a decent headcount, and she is out of the Game." Methos said flatly.

"If she is out of the Game, then why did she take a dozen heads in two weeks?" snapped Dawson who finally turned his head to look at Methos. "Care to explain that one to me, Methos?"

"Are you sure it was her?" Methos asked, finally glancing at Dawson. "Has anyone in the Watchers confirmed those dozen heads to her?"

"No," Dawson said bitterly. "There are no witnesses who can confirm that she did it."

"And if you don't mind my asking, why is that?" Methos almost sounded amused, like he was talking down to Dawson.

"Those Watchers who were assigned to Japan are also dead. The Watcher who filed the update that Watanabe and Tanaka's heads were taken was found dead about a hundred feet from the bodies of Watanabe and Tanaka. Whoever the Immortal was who did this does not want to be identified. Now I can't think of a single Immortal, anywhere, who doesn't want it known who's heads their taking. Can you think of anyone?"

"No names or faces come to mind, but if I can think of someone who fits that description, you'll be the first person I call," said Methos with a smile.

"Think hard," Dawson said as he rose to go.

"Anything for you, Dawson," Methos said sarcastically.

"When you think of something useful you can tell me, you know where to find me."

After Dawson was out of sight a figure stepped from the shadows. She was about six feet tall with long blonde hair. She appeared in her late twenties and possessed an athletic build. Across her left eye was a large tattoo outline of a dagger. The dagger was colored in gray. Her eyes themselves were blue. Despite the tattoo she looked very beautiful. She stared emotionlessly at Methos. "He knows your lying to him," she said. Her voice betrayed her age and it had a powerful, almost ominous, tone to it.

"I know," said Methos. "But I'm just doing what you asked me to do, play dumb."

"And you do it so well," she said.

"He will learn the truth," Methos said ignoring her comment. "Don't underestimate that one, he is far more intelligent than most of the other Watchers."

"If he learns the truth, then he will die," she said coldly.

"Now that he is gone, do you mind explaining to me what is going on?"

"If, after all this time, you still have to ask me that, then you are not as intelligent as I thought you to be."

Methos stiffened, he bit his lip and choked back his growing anger. "I warned you once not to mock me. I have kept silent about you for over a millennia, I think I deserve more respect from you than that."

"I give you what you have earned," she said. "Or lack thereof."

Methos had to fight back the urge to backhand her across the mouth. For as long as he had known her, she always seemed to bring out the worst in him. That was, as far as he was concerned, her least favorable trait. She looked him in the eyes. Silently she removed one of her gloves and brought her hand to rest upon his cheek. He closed his eyes and brought his hand up to hold hers.

"My love," she said, her voice softer than it had been. Slowly she leaned forward and began to kiss him on the lips. After a few moments he began to return her kisses.

Suddenly, and without warning, the door to the church opened again and someone cleared her throat. Methos and Kiar turned their heads to face the unwelcome intruder. It was Amanda, and standing right beside her was Nick Wolfe, and right behind them both, Dawson.

To be continued…