A MASK OF HUMANITY

Part VI (Tetei)

I don't bother to switch on the light in the kitchenette, the two lamps on the other side of the room illumination enough. After all I am only heating water for an instant soup. In the last few hours I have calmed down somewhat – or at least calmed enough to think about eating. I bite my lip, trying to shake off the feeling of being watched. Another tell-tale prickle down the back of my neck proves too much to ignore. A life-time's instincts won't be suppressed. A kitchen-knife is lying on the counter to my right and I slowly let my fingers inch towards it. Then, in one fluent motion, I grab it and whirl around. The next thing I know is that the blade is buried in the wall, pinning a squirming, red-eyed creature. I gasp. A ... demon? A small one, but dangerous enough to a human. But what is it doing here?! There's the occasional breach of Laures' seals but for it to come here of all places... Maybe it is just a coincidence. Maybe. Somehow I don't think so. Besides, this puny, little thing could never have breached the dimensions – not on its own. There might be something a lot more powerful around.

I look at the trapped creature. The knife has not killed it and though I think left this way it would fade sooner or later I am not sure that is an option. How do you explain a minor demon hanging on the wall? No, we will have to contact the Makai, get someone to dispose of that thing. Once Yamato gets home, that is. I can just imagine what he would think were I to secretly talk to Laures. It'd serve him right, though. If he even cares... Trapped or not I don't dare to let the creature out of my sight so I get a chair and sit down. Now let him come home.

Half an hour later footsteps approach the door. Finally. But where has he been?! He'd better have a good explanation. The sound of the keys and it really is Yamato. As the door swings open the air seems to thicken until I feel that I can't breathe. What...?! It is like something out of a nightmare. Yamato enters, stupid grin on his face, and at the same time a large shadow breaks from the darkness beyond. It must have disguised its presence ... Before I can as much as shout a warning it is on him. Large jaws snap and then there is nothing but power. I blink but the picture in front of me doesn't change. The beast is lying on the ground, side torn open, sizzling. It looks like a horse-sized hyena, even more grotesque in death than when it was alive. Yamato looks faintly sick, hands drawn into claws and eyes aglow. I snap my mouth shut. Well, that explains a few things. But that will have to come later. The door is still open and it is only a matter of time until someone comes by. I stalk past Yamato and, grimacing with distaste, grab one of the creature's legs.

"Help me. We have to get this thing inside."

He grabs the other leg, face pale and stricken.

"Tetei, I-"

"Inside."

As soon as we are safely within our own walls he turns to face me.

"I didn't know how to tell you. I meant to, but... It happened in the makai."

I briefly close my eyes, trying to gauge my emotions. He meant to tell me?! He... he... Then all anger drains out of me, leaving me free to think. His power was attracting these things, must have been. That's why he was staying away ... he must have been afraid to lead them straight to our home. It didn't have anything to do with me – or rather, if anything he was protecting me! I look at him and now that he isn't shielding I can feel his power. For a moment I can't breathe. Then I look again and there are still all the signs of his human life, a few scars, freckles and too open eyes – there is still Yamato. Abruptly, all fear is forgotten.

"Well, if it's any consolation we're both idiots."

The look on Yamato's face is priceless. I don't think I've ever seen him look so stunned. Then he, too, starts grinning.

"Uh, while we're at it, there's something else that I need to tell you: I talked to Sherrill. I told her about us. She ... understands."

Oh. Oh!! He talked to her? She understands? He did listen to me. Not only did he listen to me but despite all his other problems he actually tried to think of a way to help me. I'll have to call Sherrill tomorrow, make sure he hasn't scared her too badly. Right now, though, even the thought of her can't dispense this eerie sense of happiness. I rise to my tiptoes and touch my lips to his, pulling his arms around me. Yamato's tongue thrusts eagerly into my mouth, large hands encircling my waist. Greedy. We break apart, panting softly. My eyes come to rest on the large, black carcass.

"Can you take care of that thing? Oh, and there's another one over there."

Yamato pales, quickly looking up and down my body. I huff, well aware that there is something feral in my face as well.

"I'm not hurt. You're not the only one who can deal with demons."

Another brief kiss and I retreat into the bedroom, not all that eager to see just how Zadei will dispose of those beasts. I don't have to wait long. Mere minutes later he is with me, black eyes gleaming with savage amusement.

"I dumped that thing into Gerumu's bedroom. Trust me, he deserved it."

I laugh just a little breathless, cut short as he pulls me onto the bed. What follows is a tussle of roving hands, of mouths and teeth and sweat- slick bodies. Fingers card through my hair, spread it over the pillows. I groan softly, twining my legs around Yamato's waist. As he leans over to fetch the small bottle of scented oil from the nightstand I hold on to him, unwilling to lose contact for even a second. Sharp teeth graze my shoulder and, letting myself relax, I lie back. Zadei doesn't hesitate. We move smoothly together, a rhythm as familiar as my own heartbeat. It is comfort as much as sex, a confirmation of life after so much hurt and danger. His mouth finds mine, another kind of reassurance. We cling together for a long time, cling together until there is nothing left but warmth.