Love Struck Delusion
Chapter 181 – More then you can chew.
Raptor's POV, Eight hours later.
Things were pretty good. Got to see the whole estate and Cody and I got a little closer with each passing hour. I still had him stumped for what happened back on the mat. But I was being serious when I said he was fast. A perfect user is much tougher to fight then Zeta or anyone else. So much speed and so much power, behind an even more accurate striker. Just by reading his movements and his ability to keep himself controlled, I knew for a fact he was worth the money he was being paid. Despite pinning him to the ground, he was still better then anyone else.
Laying back on this huge couch that we found ourselves on in the bar. I enjoyed the fire and quiet atmosphere as Cody was just setting up another round of shots. Keeping my eyes on the fox I watched closely as from time to time I caught him looking at me out of his drunken excitement. I knew very well what he was and what he wanted. I was surprised at first when I got the idea, but now it was getting much easier to see. He liked me. It was crazy to consider since I just met him but I guess he valued my talent above all else. That or he really does like the people he researches. Regardless it was funny to me. I'm well above his age and yet he's like this. Crazy to even consider. But part of me was considering it at least one more time. Kinda liked the idea of what would happen and what Zeta would think if she knew. Speaking of which I was unsure what she was doing really these passed few hours with her sister. They wanted to see the security. But if it was taking them this long I wouldn't be surprised if they were investigating every rock around the estate.
With Cody topping off our shot glasses, I asked while picking mine off the table in front of us.
"So...you want to know what I am?"
Raising his hand up to me he replied.
"Yeah. Just let me do this first."
Cracking a smile I watched as he took down the glass in one full swig. Shaking his head he let out a gasp and urged with a happy voice while looking back into my eyes.
"Alright go ahead. Hit me with it."
Keeping my glass in my hand, I asked the fox who was clearly recovering from his shot.
"Before I start I need to know. Do you believe in gods?"
Giving me a nod he replied.
"I wear this don't I?"
Going under the neck of his shirt he pulled out a small necklace which was nothing more then a silver cross. Looking at it for a few seconds Cody then said with a relaxed tone.
"Grew up believing there was something greater out there. Something that was more then just what we are now. I'm not blind to science. I know we haven't found anything to prove it, but I like to believe that there is and always will be a guiding hand for us mortals in life. It's a hand that gives us hope and even when not seen it is still a part of life and the reason we wake up everyday."
Focusing back on me I saw he clearly cared about his belief. With seconds passing he then said blankly.
"So yeah I believe in god. Or gods. It doesn't matter really. I just believe. Why?"
Taking a small sniff of my shot, I replied while pulling my eyes to the fire.
"Do you believe in demons? Gods that aim not to guide? Gods just looking for the worst to come to us mortals?"
Cody just stopped to think. I waited and gave him the time he needed. And between his silence I sensed Zeta and Pepper nearby. They were inside the estate that much I knew now. But as time continued to pass Cody soon replied.
"Like the devil?"
Nodding my head as I put down my glass. I said back to the confused fox.
"Yeah."
Giving me the same look he had on when I asked him this question he replied.
"Where there is light there must be dark right? It would make sense."
Smiling while leaning up. I leaned forward to rest my elbows down on my knees. Cody was already sitting straight as I quietly said to him.
"Good. Good."
Cody was absolutely lost for where this conversation was going. Just keeping myself placed where I was I then said to the man very calmly.
"So do I. I should know. I'm friends with one of them."
It was like everything around us went quiet. Even the fire seemed silent as Cody questioned.
"What do you mean? Your friends with a god? That's...?"
"Crazy?" I asked him as he went silent.
"No one else knows but Zeta. She still thinks I'm crazy, but she knows now after spending these last few days with me that I am not a normal person. She knows what I am and she's still scared in a way. Despite remaining by my side through this madness."
Cody was just relaxed it seemed. His reaction was controlled and he seemed very open to listening now that I engaged this conversation. Maybe it was the alcohol, but regardless I knew I would have to show him somehow. With time fading by I soon looked back at the guy. Our eyes were once again together as I said to him.
"I know you don't understand. You haven't seen it. Haven't seen what I can do. It's one reason I'm afraid to retake command of the rebellion once things come together. I tried to show my men once and I was still unsure if I was right to do that. It's not normal and it's not believable."
"What are you talking about not believable? What can you do?"
I wasn't about to hurt myself or this kid. So sitting up I replied with a soft touch to my voice.
"Come here."
Patting the spot next to me, I waited as Cody was red in the face. For an Irishmen he wasn't good at hiding emotion. But regardless of how he was feeling he came to me none the less. Getting right along my side on the couch; we were now maybe a few inches apart. Grabbing his arm by the wrist I lifted up his hand to urge.
"Keep it up."
Cody obeyed and watched my eyes as I lifted my left arm to match his right. With his hand extended out between us, I grabbed him and held his hand as if we were shaking. His eyes swapped over to them as I urged him with a whisper voice.
"Push at me."
"What?" He asked back in confusion as I urged him again.
"Just do it."
It didn't take him long to change his mind. He began to push my hand back and with that I whispered.
"Watch."
He was still. Without needing to do much. Without even having to close my eyes. I focused very slightly and Cody jumped back the instant his hand went right through mine. Looking him dead in the eyes, I asked him as he was in complete and arrant shock for what just occurred.
"See?"
His mouth attempted to move but I got back.
"What? What...what did you...how did you do that?"
Grabbing my glass back from the counter, I took the swig avoiding to answer his question. Cody wasn't scared though. He was quickly taken by the questions he now had and ordered as I finished the drink.
"Do that again."
Looking back to his eyes I knew he was serious. So this time I stood up and urged.
"Stand up."
Cody obeyed and once up I had to look an inch down at him. But with enough room behind him I just shut my eyes and took a step into him. I saw his face turn completely off as I was soon right behind him and making my way to the nearby bar. His whole body turned to the event and in utter confusion he turned back to make sure he wasn't seeing double. One sure I wasn't there, he looked back at me as I remained silent. As I got behind the bar to grab a bottle of whiskey from off one of the shelves, I said to the kid with a calm voice.
"I don't know what to tell you or how to explain what I can do. It's not believable like I said to you. All I know for sure is that I'm not like you. I'm not like Zeta and I'm not like I use to be. Ever since this war started all those years ago I've had to live with death. By that I mean the god. The demon. He's the one I'm friends with and for all the worst reasons in the world."
The fox was stuck in place however. I knew I just probably made him rethink his whole life and his beliefs. Keeping the pressure on I went on to tell him.
"I lost three families due to him. My family. My first wife and child. And much more recently my second wife and my two kids Ghost and Midnight. I should have died with them but instead I got to live and in return I got the men who did it. Who took what I had left to cling to in this world. But only thanks to him. I begged for revenge and he gave me the tools needed to do it on my own. Of course I had help. Zeta? Hecan Moore? You."
Cody kept his focus on me as I finished what I was saying by starting to pour another drink.
"I got my revenge and all he wants in return is for more people to die. That's what he is after all right? Just the god of death. He made the right choice by helping me out. I'm the closest thing to a genocide waiting to happen with this three country war going on in the middle east. And regardless of what I've done to get to this point, good or bad. I've gotten more people killed then anyone else in the history of the middle east. And I'm sure he'll get even more by the time all this is over."
Coming out from behind the bar, I retook a seat on the couch. The fox remained standing as I began to sip it. Once it became clear to him what I had said, he asked in utter confusion.
"Are you a god Raptor? Is that what this is your trying to tell me?"
Looking away from my glass and into his eyes I replied.
"What do you think?"
It was at that moment he realized the answer and I went back to drinking. After I finished he asked.
"What else can you do?"
Keeping calm I replied.
"I can save people. Lots of people. From just about anything."
"Save them from what?"
"Death." I replied as he stopped his questions with that answer.
Putting down my glass, I stated to him.
"It's not something I can just show you. But Zeta? Back when we were in Afghanistan she got shot during a G.U.N raid of the capital. Right through her neck. If I wasn't there she would have been dead. But look at her now? Do you see it? She's alive. Because I'm the way I am now that I sold my soul."
"What do you mean? You save people? Like a healer?"
Nodding my head once I saw his face turn around to show some distrust. With his tone changing he replied.
"That's impossible."
"It's not." I said back as he then ordered.
"Then show me. Right now."
Widening my eyes in confusion I questioned.
"What?"
Getting serious he replied.
"I want to see for myself. If what your saying is true then you really are a god. I'm not saying what just happened isn't real but I could be drunk enough to question reality. So prove to me your real about what you just said."
Looking to the fire I asked with a quiet voice.
"Are you sure? I'm not trying to make you do this."
"I'm...?!" Cutting him off I busted out of the seat I was in to connect my hand to the base of his stomach. Cody went silent and his mouth opened up in disbelief of what just happened.
With my head leaning over his shoulder, I whispered while tightening my grip on his stomach.
"Relax."
His body began to shake as I pulled a few inches away to look down at my knife which I had placed directly in his gut. His hands which were shaking as well rested themselves on my sides as I felt his legs buckle. Lowering him down onto the couch, I begged while sensing Zeta getting closer.
"Breathe. Relax."
Cody's eyes were red from the venom. Placing my offhand under his chin and around his neck I ordered into his face quietly.
"Stop."
Cody struggled to trust me but in the end he turned it off and just began to stare into my eyes. Nodding my head I looked back down towards his stomach to slowly pull out my knife which now was covered in blood. Cody let out a deep gasp as he felt it leave his skin. And without wasting another moment I placed my left hand on top of the wound. His face went so soft as I began to fix the damage.
I knew something was getting better. Cause I still felt no pressure for doing this. It was so easy to seal him back up it made me wonder just how far I could go with it. But in seconds I finished and softly pulled my hand off his stomach. His shirt had blood around the spot I stabbed him and pulling about a foot away I watched as he soon struggled to get air back in his lungs. At the same time he tried to breathe; he also reached down to lift up his shirt. Seeing that the wound was gone and clearly feeling a lot better then he just was; Cody mumbled through his cut voice.
"Holy shit!"
"I tried to warn you." I told him back as he quickly replied.
"You really are...you really are a god!"
I kept my face dead serious as he leaned back to shut his eyes. And at that moment I widened my eyes and ordered him.
"Keep your mouth shut."
"What?" He replied as I sat back down. Placing my knife back in my belt as the door opened. Cody was still showing signs of utter loss and confusion as in came Zeta who smiled and said aloud.
"There you guys are. Roman said you went for a few drinks. Could have invited us, shit."
"Us?" I questioned as Pepper was behind her.
Locking eyes with the wolf, Zeta soon asked while looking at Cody.
"You good Cody? Don't tell me you had too much already without us?"
Cody was absolutely at a loss for what to say as they came around to our couch. With Zeta coming to my side she soon widened her eyes seeing Cody's shirt.
"What happened to you?"
Cody looked to me as I replied.
"Spilled some wine on him when we were drinking earlier."
Zeta chuckled as Pepper got to Cody's side to question.
"Wine? Irishmen you drink wine? Here I thought you were a real drinker."
Catching his breath at last, Cody replied while trying to leave my eyes to focus on her as she sat down alongside him.
"I like to...I like to start off with a glass. Gets me loosened up for...for the heavier stuff."
Pepper took the answer for what it was as Zeta soon walked by me to sit down between us. Looking back to me she asked.
"What you drinking?"
"Whiskey." I replied as she grabbed the bottle off the table Cody had. Looking it over she said with a smile.
"Good stuff here. You want a shot Pep?"
Her sister nodded as Cody was very slowly leaning forward. His left hand went to his stomach as I just had my eyes focused on my drink once more. Getting her sister a glass made Zeta soon said to us.
"We had a really good talk with GenSec and the guys you were with Raptor outside. They went over the security and tomorrow their going to let us adjust some things Pepper and I had issues with. All in all though this place really is secure. I doubt there will be problems once we get things together a little better."
"Good." I replied as Pepper took her glass from her sister. Together they touched glasses and up went Pepper's who took it down in one gulp. However before taking hers Zeta came in to touch mine. I gave her what she wanted and one it was over she popped it down. From across the way Pepper muttered.
"Pretty good. Been a while since I had a nice whiskey."
"Want another?" Zeta then asked as she put forward her glass. By now Cody was calming down but his eyes had trouble looking away from me as Zeta and her sister were soon ready for round two.
Pulling out my phone I saw I had a message. Opening it up it was from Pierce.
"We can't leave town for a few days. Rebellion has the city on a complete lock down. Need time to figure out a weak spot in the defense. Once we got something together we'll get moving to Iraq with Gorgon and Tusk."
Taking a moment to text him back I asked.
"How is he?"
It didn't take long. Pierce had to be there as he got the message and in seconds he replied.
"Secure and being quiet. Tusk on the other hand is trying to lend a hand in helping us out of here. He knows the city pretty well from working with Linnen. He might have an idea on how to leave but I'll get back to you when we have a plan. Don't worry about Gorgon. He's under control."
"Thank you." I replied back as Pepper soon asked me.
"Are you a user dumb fuck?"
Looking up to the girl, I replied calmly while putting away my phone.
"I've used it before yes. Am I one today? No. I haven't had a need to use that drug in a long time. And the times I have it was against my will."
"Was it hard to shake?" She then wondered as I tried to read her game. But keeping relaxed I replied.
"At first. I had urges to use it after the first time, but I had too much going on during that time to make it a priority of mine. With the war getting close to an end; there wasn't anything else in the world that mattered more then the people around me."
Peppered lowered her head and nodded to my answer as Zeta then stated aloud.
"It's hard to shake venom. Takes a lot of restraint. A lot of people overdose soon after getting their doses for combat. So it's good you stopped when you did."
"Yeah." I said back as she took a third drink with her. Pepper however kept looking away as I asked to Cody who was content with feeling his stomach.
"You want to get heading to bed kid?"
Looking up at me now like I was all that mattered he replied.
"Yeah...I think I've had too much. It's getting hard to concentrate."
Nodding my head I stood up to look at Zeta who questioned.
"What that's it? Thought we would drink more?"
"I've had enough for tonight Zeta. I'm going to get him to bed and as you can see...?" Looking to the counter next to my feet we all rested our eyes on Molly who was asleep under it. Zeta just smiled as I knelt down to pick her up. She was thankfully in my cloak and with Cody standing up ;I panicked as he nearly tripped over his own feet. Pepper jumped a bit up to catch him and looking directly into his eyes she stated.
"You really are drunk Irish. Get yourself together."
Rebalanced Cody replied while leaving her arms.
"Yeah shit. Let's go commander."
Nodding my head I began to follow him to the door. Once there I said to the wolves who remained on the couch together getting their forth shots together.
"We'll see you in the morning. Goodnight."
"Night." They both replied as I soon had Cody back to my room. Once inside I shut the door and ushered him to the bed to urge.
"Get some sleep. You need it."
Laying down he replied as I got Molly down next to him.
"Does Pepper know?"
Shaking my head I replied.
"No. Not yet. Keep it that way till I'm ready."
"Does she know your a god? Does Zeta know?"
"Yeah." I said back with a small smile as he shut his eyes.
I had a feeling he might have passed out. It took a lot to hid the fact he just got stabbed and as he fell asleep I stood up to place Molly down on the ground next to my bag. It was after that I then went to the bathroom. Looking back out into the main room to look over the fox one last time. I shut the door and said calmly.
"I know."
Turning around I found Marcus just leaning against the shower door. His arms crossed and a smile on his face.
mT Shadow.