ROARKE FELT PROTECTIVE as Ciri left the house, swinging the door closed behind her. He didn't usually let any Demon in his town do something as stupid as she had done now, especially the girls. What if something happens? he punished himself. What if she's hurt? Despite his worries, Roarke didn't hear any of the tell-tale sounds of an attack, but he refused to let his tense shoulders relax.
"Why did she leave?" Abby's quiet voice made him jump.
"Oh. Um. I don't know." Roarke shrugged casually.
"Oh, well I guess…" Abby's sentence trailed off. "So, I've healed him. Fully. But his brain is still in shock, and I think that's why I can't access it."
"It's probably because a natural shield was activated when his brain went into overload; to protect him." Roarke frowned, trying to make as much sense of it as he could out of what he knew.
"Look at you, Roarke," Abby said, leaning forward and smoothing out the deep lines the frown made in his forehead. "I haven't seen you completely sober for nearly 9 months now, Roarke. I think you need to start talking to someone." Abby's voice was soothing, but Roarke found it aggravating.
"Can you hear yourself, Abby? I. Don't. Need. Sympathy. I thought you of all people would understand that."
Abby's fragile face crumpled, and she blinked rapidly. "I-I know. But, Roarke, I care about you okay? Just because it seems like no-one else does, doesn't mean I don't." She sniffed, her eyes glistening.
There was a short silence, Abby's constant sniffs the only interruption.
Roarke now glanced at Abby, her expression freezing his pacing abruptly. "Abz? Abby?" He looked at her with a tilted head, analyzing her reaction. "I'm really sorry. I-" he sighed. "It's just that I get so worked up; angry. Can you grasp that? I mean, come on." He voice began to get steadily louder. "My dad was freaking murdered!" Roarke lifted his hands to his head, cradling it. "Ughh! What the hell is my problem?"
"Dude, your problem is that you're wound so, so tight." The pair spun around as Ace swaggered into the lit hallway. "Anyone got some bourbon handy?"
"Um, Ace, was it? You need to sit down." Abby flustered around him, attempting to guide him back to the couch. "And I'll go get you a drink-"
"Oh." Ace exhaled. "Thank you."
"Of water," Abby finished.
"Yeah. Sorry honey, but water's not my thing."
"Well, that's what you're getting, so suck it up." Abby moved to the other side of the house, and filled a glass with tap water. She thrust it into Ace's hands. "Drink up. You'll need 6 of these every day for the next 2 weeks to recover better."
"Eww. Way to kill my fun."
"Not my fault you're all blocked up. 'Cuse the pun."
Ace just glared, looking over at Roarke for support. Roarke shook his head, a smug grin on his face. "You're on your own, man. But I would listen to her if I were you."
"Whatever. Why are you backing her though? I mean, come on, she's a girl. And most likely about two years younger than us."
"Abby," Roarke said sharply, his teeth clenched, "is not just some girl. She's been my friend for almost a year now, so step down. Not like you know anything.""
"Of course. But I do know one thing. Your father was murdered?" Ace asked innocently.
"Wait, how long were you listening in, Ace?" Roarke took a few threatening steps in Ace's direction.
"Long enough, I guess." Ace didn't hide his smirk, no embarrassment present. "Who killed him? I mean, I imagine you would want to avenge this. What do you know?"
"Look, mate, this is absolutely none of your business. I've only known you for what, 8 hours? This is not your territory to tramp in. All I know is that some Rebel group killed him. For what, I don't freaking know. He wasn't even a Demon, okay? He wasn't… even. A. Demon." Roarke crumpled again, this time, his face held murderous rage at his father's killers.
"What was his name?" Ace looked intently at Roarke.
"Why would you care?" Roarke glanced down at his feet, sighing. "Ian Byrne."
"The Ian Byrne?" Roarke looked up at Ace with shock as he registered Ace's recognition at the name.
"What? You knew him?"
"You…could say that." Ace's voice took on a wary edge.
"What do you know?" Roarke growled, pinning Ace to the couch by grabbing onto his shirt. "Tell me."
"I swear! I don't know anything!" Ace struggled against Roarke's powerful hold, twisting and arching his back.
"Sure, sure. 'Coz that's why I can feel guilt coursing all through you."
"Why is it so important, anyway? C'mon man."
"What's so important? He was my father, you bastard. My only family left. Now tell me, or I'll-"
"What's going on in here?" A familiar voice came from the hallway. Ciri rounded the corner, smiling at Abby. "Boys…" she complained, seeing the two guys grappling.
"Ciri! Thank you. Get this pushover off me please?" Ace looked pleadingly at Ciri.
"What's going on?" Ciri asked again.
"Roarke just got a tad upset because I mentioned I was involved in killing his-" Ace's eyes widened with fear as he realised what he had admitted.
"What? What! You… I'm gonna seriously kill you now." Roarke exploded, bringing his fist around and hitting Ace squarely in the jaw. Another round of blows hit him, each one becoming less painful as his jaw numbed with the impact.
Roarke could hear Abby screaming at him to stop; her pulling at the back of his shirt. He barely felt her feeble attempts to stop him, and he knew that that would be all she tried to do, being frightened of his undeniable power. Ace squirmed, but what little strength he had had faded, leaving him defenseless and winded.
Roarke began to swing yet again, but a strong force grabbed his arm before he could bring it down. He snapped out of his trance, surprised, and spun around. A pair of depthless black eyes stared at him, challenging him. Rem stood back, releasing Roarke's arm as he slumped, slowly coming to realisation at what he had just succummed to.
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry," he moaned, seemingly talking to himself, rocking back and forth in a crouch.
"Roarke, get up." Abby placed a gentle hand on his shoulder, and attempted to lift him into a standing position.
"No," he replied with a sudden anger. "I can't believe myself," he mumbled again.
Ciri clapped her hands, asking for attention. "Guys, we really have to get out of here. I've organised an ambush on the plains for Brocklyn and we have," she glanced at her watch, "twenty minutes to get there."
Rem dragged Roarke to his feet, looping one of his arms over his shoulder. Abby looked uncertain, not entirely understanding.
"Oh, and while you're about it, mind healing the idiot?" Ciri asked Aibhlin, looking at Ace with disgust.
"I'll-I'll try." Abby swallowed. "The first time drained my energy a bit, so I'll just see if I can." She hurried back to the couch Ace was lying on, groaning.
Ciri, tightening her belt that contained her knives, waited impatiently as the group gathered.
Ace, still conscious, but barely, staggered behind Abby and leaned against the door frame.
"Ok. Whatever your issues are, put them aside. We have to be quiet. Really, quiet. We don't need trackers, got it?" Ciri stared hard at each person. "I'm sick of being followed, so don't, and I mean, don't, stuff up."
Ciri pulled the front door open for a second time that night, and slipped out, the others following closely, Roarke bringing up the rear to stay as far as possible from Ace.
"Ok. Let's go," Ciri whispered, not turning around. "And someone get the invalid a stiff drink."
