This is dedicated to my very first reviewer for this story: Varedna! Thank you so much for reviewing! I finished the rewrite and posted this for you.
Thousands of years on this planet had not affected Savant very much. She still looked a very hip and youthful twenty-five. She was cheerier and less violent than her elder sister Zealot. She ran a hand through her dirty blonde bob and wondered what the hell her sister and that lowlife partner of hers had gotten into this time. As the possibilities of who they could have pissed off this time started to multiply in her mind the shrill call of the door buzzer rang through the apartment. She reluctantly stood up to buzz them in and made a mental note to visit her SoHo home more often as everything was covered in a fine layer of dust. She stood at the door counting down to the sound of their steps before opening it. As soon as the door was opened Zealot was breezing in past her with Grifter three steps behind.
"So were we lucky enough to catch you when you were already in New York?" Grifter asked.
"No, Cole. I was studying the most fantastic ruins in a remote part of the Andes Mountains. Then you phoned me and I came running here in my Seven League Boots at your beck and call as usual. I don't even know how I got a signal out there!"
"There is no need to be so dramatic, Kenesha. We have pulled you out of a bind or two," Zealot replied.
"What was so freakin' urgent that it couldn't wait a couple of days?"
Grifter pulled the package they had obtained from Lynch out of his coat. As Savant grabbed it she eyed him with the cheerful distaste one would have for a younger sibling.
"Hey, that's a Pentagon seal on that envelope," she said turning the parcel over in her hands.
"Yeah, the envelope is the easy part to get into. The disc inside is where we need your help."
Savant gave him a withering look as she took the disc to her computer, a monstrous set up that one would expect a super genius/computer hacker/information broker to possess.
"Give me an hour to see if I can get into it. Then I'll need to know specifically what you are looking for. Grif-man, why don't you grab take-out from the place on the corner for us? It could be a long night."
"Don't call me that! Are you sending me out so you can talk about me?"
"I've got no problem trying to convince my sister to ditch your ass when you are right in front of me. Why would I need you to leave for that?"
"Whatever. Same place as usual?"
"Of course!"
He slammed the door a little as he left grumbling. He seemed to always be at the mercy of women. Savant talked a big game but he knew she didn't mind him as much as she pretended to. The first time he had met the woman he couldn't believe it was Zealot's sister. Her youthful impetuousness contrasted so much with the serious demeanor Zealot possessed. He and his brother were pretty different but not to the night and day extreme of Savant and Zealot. He walked down the street towards the restaurant grateful for a few minutes away from Kherubim women.
Savant started up a few decoding macros as her sister looked on.
"So...are you two..y'know..back 'on' again?"
"No, Kenesha. It's strictly business, the same as it has been for two years now."
"Hey, that's cool. I just think you are both limiting your prospects by a sticking around together...and I don't think either of you minds that." Savant typed furiously for a few moments then clicked on another macro.
"Monogamy was never valued on Khera. The short life spans of humans necessitates it in order to mature and procreate before quickly withering away and dying. As Kherubim we have evolved beyond it."
"Celibacy was never really in fashion on Khera either. I'm just wondering if you're still getting it on with him...'Cause Cole seemed cheerier than usual and he gets pretty moody if he's not getting any. You also get pretty bitchy when he's getting it elsewhere."
"That's not true.."
"Uh-huh. He knows how to push your buttons. He's not bad looking..I mean I don't blame you there for hooking up with him. I just don't know why after two years of being broken up you still share an apartment. There's nothing wrong with friends with benefits or whatever. I mean is that what you guy's are doing?"
"I don't feel I need to acknowledge that question with an answer," Zealot replied bitterly.
Savant stopped immediately. Knowing Zealot her entire life, this was suspicious. It would be the first time ever that her sister was not ready with an answer and a whole lecture to go along with it.
"You ARE! I knew it! You're still screwing around with him!"
"You are mistaken. We have a partnership based on a shared goal." Zealot had a look on her face that suspiciously looked like uncertainty. This was the moment of weakness she would have to use to pry the truth out.
"When was the last time you slept with him?"
"Is this relevant?"
"Just tell me or I'm not getting your file open."
"Two weeks ago," she replied quietly.
"Oh, Zannah. I hope you know what you are doing." Savant saw the haunted look in Zealot's eyes. There was conflict in them. She could cite Khera this and human that all she wanted but ultimately the problems in the complicated relationship between Zealot and Grifter had nothing to do with species or culture.
Zealot's heart skipped a beat as memories came forward. She wasn't even sure who had started it though the game was afoot long before they hit the bedroom. It had been a hot night in Florida, high humidity, hurricane season. Her recollections came in flashes: slowly peeling her soaked tank top over her head, the intense look in Grifter's eyes as he loomed over her, the feel of lips trailing down her body. She recalled the squeak of the mattress beneath their bodies, the angry howling of the winds outside kicking up in random fits, the impact of rain against the window pane and the sound of their breathing.
She hadn't dared speak. Any words would require rationalization. There would be questions of what they were doing...why they were doing it. She would be loathe to admit she had needed him that night. If he hadn't reached for her she would have come to him. Their intensity was unmatched. She had traced his scars, so familiar to her, with her fingertips. He lost himself in her, professing his devotion against her naked flesh in soft murmurs she could barely understand. It had stretched out into sweaty, breathless hours. She had cursed herself when she woke up tangled in his embrace. It took her a moment to come back to the present, her heart still pounding.
"Oh, Zannah. I hope you know what you are doing." Savant saw the haunted look in Zealot's eyes. There was conflict in them. She could cite Khera this and human that all she wanted but ultimately the problems in the complicated relationship between Zealot and Grifter had nothing to do with species or culture.
"It has become evident he wants to resume our romantic relationship but I have pledged myself to the war. The role of the devoted lover is not my path."
"Are you done with him this time? For sure?"
"My duty is my first priority. Satisfying my personal desires or the personal desires of anyone else is not. Any distraction from that must be eliminated. Being close to him was distracting and not always pleasant. He has chosen to stay loyal to me and for that I am grateful. I have to stay focused though."
"I'm glad you are coming to your senses..kind of. He is the only person I've ever met who is as stubborn as you. How you two haven't killed each other yet is beyond me He's rude, I'm not completely sure he has a high school education, he's abrasive, obnoxious-"
"You forgot handsome," Grifter chimed in coming in the door with the take out. "I propped open the door out front when I left so you have a couple hobos in the lobby. It's really f'ing cold out though. Here's your vegetarian crap, Savant. Z, I picked up your favorite, Szechuan chicken."
"I"m glad you take my personal security so seriously, Cole. I forgot to add irresponsible, degenerate, freeloading asshole."
"I'm always looking out for you, little sister. Aren't all you Kherubim invulnerable anyway? How's the progress on the disc?"
"I'd prefer not to test my limits, Grifter. We'll know in a few minutes. Where are you staying right now?" Savant asked as she took the take out box from Grifter.
"We are lodging at the HALO building for the time being," Zealot said.
"Jacob Marlowe? What are you doing hanging around with him?"
"He ran into us in an attempt to acquire the Gifted One. We were apparently both sold intel on her whereabouts. I found out after a misunderstanding he is actually the Lord Emp. Unfortunately, he has no recollection of anything prior to two years ago. He has the assistance of a child of the Orb who has been guiding him," Zealot replied.
"His people also destroyed the cabin," Grifter chimed in between bites of lo mein.
"So that's where he's been? I should have made the connection when I started hearing his name through some of my contacts. It's too bad about the house. These things happen in the business though."
"He has assembled a team and we have decided to assist him in taking out the government mole attempting Daemonite reunification. The documents you are attempting to decode should assist us in stopping the Cabal. Theoretically, at least."
One glance over at her system showed de-encryption was going to be impossible on the system in New York.
"I'll take the disc out to my set up out West tonight. I'll get back in contact with you if I make any progress."
"My thanks, Kenesha."
"You're family. I can't really deny my only sister."
A while later as Savant locked the door behind them she sighed. Her sister was a confusing woman. She lived by a rigid code. She was stuck up, demanding, single minded, intolerant of the shortcomings of others and stubborn to the core. She was family though and that loyalty ran deep. Savant would once again drop everything to help her. She gathered her coat, dropped the disc in her bag and in a few short steps was back on her way to Los Angeles.
Priscilla walked purposefully back to HALO. Her shopping trip had been productive and though she carried only one bag her companion was carrying a total of four more. It felt strangely refreshing for her to be wearing a pair of high heel boots. She paused and looked back.
"Jeremy! Let's step it up. I want to get back before my TV show is on."
"I'm coming, Pris. I don't know how you walk so fast in those heels."
"It's just one of my many talents," she said letting him catch up to her. She walked past a dark alley with her arm laced through Jeremy's not noticing how the crowds had emptied from the street where they were walking or the man lurking, waiting for a victim with a fat wallet.
Outside Savant's building the street was bustling with people. It was a cold night but people were out and about as the holidays were getting closer. Grifter shivered as his leather coat wasn't quite warm enough. Zealot wouldn't let her discomfort show even though her black leather trench wasn't much better. She took a deep breath letting herself have one last look at him before she would push him away. She studied him in profile, his chiseled jaw, thick blonde hair, broad shoulders and alluring eyes. He was oblivious of what was to come.
"Grifter, I have concluded that this mission should be our last," Zealot said calmly. The stoic look on her face was a farce. She was only able to say the words believing he would be better off without her.
"What do you mean, Z? Take a break? With Marlowe's people we should be able to knock the Daemonites back a notch. If you want to take some time, I'm game. Are you thinking of heading back to Japan? Somewhere else? I'm all about the Caribbean if this is up for debate."
"I mean as partners. Any debt you owe me has been repaid." The words hit him like a bucket of ice water.
"Whoah, Z. What are you saying? This is it? All these years and you just decide you want a new partner?"
"I work better alone. I always have and it was a mistake to think otherwise."
"What brought this on? You picked me. You told me I had the potential to do what no man had been capable of...and I DID it. I held up my end of the bargain." He started getting in her face at this point. His lip was curled in anger.
"Your outbursts only reaffirm that my decision was the correct one. Your emotions have always been a weakness."
"Yeah, I can remember a time or two that showed you had some. Somewhere in that cold ruthless heart of yours there's something. Maybe I was wrong though. Maybe it was all an act to get me to do your bidding until you got sick of me." He pulled her to face him. He searched her eyes for a shred of doubt. There was no indication in them. The eyes that used to look at him with warmth were now cold. She was done with him.
"My mind is made up, Grifter. I wish the timing was more ideal however it was a matter that could not wait. Now, release me or I will be forced to do it myself. Do not make me raise a hand against you." He released her reluctantly.
"Y'know what? Maybe you're right. There is a bright side. I won't have to deal with your elitist bitch attitude every goddamn day for the rest of my life!"
"Are you done with your tantrum? Can I call Void now?"
"You call Void. I'm going to go get a drink." Zealot watched as Grifter stormed off and pushed his way through the crowds of people.
"Forgive me, Cole. It's for the best," she whispered as she dialed HALO from her cell phone.
As Voodoo walked a few more paces she suddenly froze. Her smile disappeared and her eyes widened as she felt the creeping sinister intentions nearby.
"What's wrong?" Maul asked. Voodoo whirled around as a man with a knife had appeared behind them.
"Hand over the Prada and you probably won't get hurt."
Voodoo's heart was pounding. Jeremy was ready but she knew this was the time to decide: go through life as a helpless victim or start pulling her own weight. If she couldn't take out a mugger with a knife in New York City how could she expect to take on the Cabal?
"Oh, is that how it is?" she asked, tapping into a dark side she barely knew existed.
She struck out with a move Zealot had taught her disarming her would be assailant. He stumbled back staring incredulously. Voodoo eyed him icily. He recovered and came at her again pulling a larger knife from his belt. A rush of adrenaline hit Voodoo as she looked in the man's eyes. Her eyes narrowed and suddenly he stopped, frozen. She wasn't sure how but somehow she had reached out to his mind and delayed him She took the opportunity to knock him back into the alley. The man started to get up from a pile of trash bags muttering obscenities. He didn't notice Jeremy had strode up to him. He had bulked up slightly and lifted the man by the throat. The man looked on helplessly as Jeremy smashed him against a brick wall with a sickening crack. As their assailant slumped to the ground Voodoo looked over.
"You did good, kid." Voodoo looked at him and intentionally blushed. The violence and bloodshed that had just occurred hadn't bothered her and on some level THAT made her uneasy. Deep down though she knew she had taken the first step to fulfilling her destiny.
Zealot ducked off the main street as soon as the glow started. She preferred to avoid the spectacle of a highly visible teleportation. Several blocks away Cole Cash nursed a scotch while seated at the bar. He needed some time to think about what had just happened. That luxury would not be afforded to him though. He felt the familiar tingle of a displacement of his molecules. A faint pink glow surrounded him.
"At least let me finish my drink! Son of a-" Before he knew it he was back at HALO.