Chapter 8: Demons.
Aerrow coughed loudly before shaking Terrier's hand. "Of course we'd be delighted to attend your… ball."
Terrier beamed. "Splendid! I look forward to your attendance. Note that there is a…" And with this Terrier glanced at the Storm Hawks scrubby attire. "…A formal…ahem, dress code."
The Storm Hawks blinked at him.
"I'll be in the Condor," Stork said broke the silence curtly, before slyly sliding away. "Forever," he added swiftly as he passed Piper, who giggled.
Aerrow quickly shook Terrier's hand again. "Of course. Excuse us, would you? We'll see you in a few hours." He smiled charmingly before turning to nod at his teammates.
"You should know, Aerrow," Terrier called after him as they walked away, "All Sky Knights are expected to take a partner- for the dances, you know. I'm sure Piper wouldn't mind, being the girl of the group." He bowed at Piper politely with his easy charm and grace.
Aerrow turned around, before raising an eyebrow at Piper, who snorted.
"Aerrow- dance?" She tried to contain her giggles. "Sure-
She stopped, catching the look on Aerrow's face, before turning to giggle into her hand. Aerrow cleared his throat before turning back to Terrier, who looked unimpressed.
Aerrow felt his cheeks warming. "Er. Of course. I'll...I'll get a partner."
Piper only snorted again.
"Piper," Aerrow called, trying to tie his bow tie. "Piper?"
"Coming," A voice called.
Piper walked through the door, hands in her hair as she fixed her messy bun, a few tendrils falling delicately around her face. Aerrow stopped fiddling with his bow tie to stare at her.
Piper was wearing a dress.
A long, strapless thin black dress with a slit up the side, showing a toned, smooth leg. It fitted her perfectly: clinging to her curves in the right places and showing a little of her smooth, radiant chest. She looked up at him, her amber eyes outlined a little in kohl, her lips glossy and her cheekbones smoothly highlighted.
Aerrow gaped at her. She was stunning.
"What?" But she was smiling. Walking forwards, Piper stretched out her hands to his bow tie, helping him with it. "Close your mouth, Captain, you'll catch flies."
"Where…did you…" Aerrow was shocked. "How…When-
"-I bought it last year," Piper said calmly, fixing his tie before straightening his collar, pulling him down by it for a quick peck. "Done. I have never met anyone more useless." She smiled up at him as she let go, but he stopped her, one hand grasping hers tightly.
"Erm… and when was I ever going to see this dress?" He asked, an eyebrow raised.
"So you like it?" Piper's smile reached her eyes, brightening her face and radiating a beautiful glow.
He stared at her. "What did you just say?"
She was confused. "I asked if you liked it-
"-Yes I know that," He interrupted. "Why did you ask that?"
She didn't feel any less confused. "Aerrow, what-
But she didn't have time to finish. Aerrow, his tight grip on her both of her hands, suddenly stepped forward to pull her to him swiftly, bringing his mouth down over hers. Her eyes widened in surprise, standing still as his lips moved across hers, utterly taken aback. Before she had a chance to respond, he broke away from her, his eyes darkening as she blinked up at him- stunned.
He raised their entwined hands higher to brush his lips over her knuckles, his eyes still on hers.
"I love it," There was almost a growl to his voice: Piper felt her heart speed up, feeling her cheeks warm up in response. She still couldn't quite manage to get used to the way he talked to her.
"Oh." Was all she could say.
He chuckled, letting her go to roam her figure with his own hands, pulling her body against his as he ran them up and down her sides to feel her smooth curves. "Piper, you look hot. I'm going to spend my evening warding off guys."
Forget warming up. Piper's cheeks were burning red.
"I doubt that." She looked down, embarrassed.
His hand crept down her backside slowly as he bent down to nudge his nose against hers. "Trust me. You need to look at yourself, Piper. I have an extremely beautiful girlfriend."
She cleared her throat, moving her hands to take his, pulling them off her gently- and reluctantly. "Behave, we have to leave soon. You can go back to feeling me up later."
"Sounds good," He winked at her, turning away to grab his blazer and pull it on him. Piper raised an eyebrow as she noticed Aerrows' appearance. His dark red hair flopped lazily over his eyes, still damp from a shower.
Aerrow never dries himself properly. Lazy ass.
But Piper got distracted again as she spotted a hint of his muscular body whilst he stretched, his arms up in the air and a yawn escaping his mouth. Aerrow turned back around to Piper, spotting her looking at him. Piper blinked surprisingly at being caught, a pretty blush forming in her cheeks.
Yet again.
He chuckled. "I know I'm attractive, but you could be subtle about it." Even with the jokey tone, a pleased expression danced in his bright eyes.
She cleared her throat, rolling her eyes. "Don't flatter yourself. And tuck your shirt in."
His chuckling turned to a laugh as he picked a rose from his desk, walking over to hand it to her.
"Voila," He bent to kiss her cheek, smiling as she took the rose in surprise. "No need to be shocked, I know how to treat a date."
"I never agreed to be your date," Piper commented slyly, inhaling the rose's scent. Aerrow sniffed.
"Fine. Gimme the rose."
"Noooo," Piper whined as he took it away from her, grabbing his arm. "Give it back?"
He turned back to her, smirking cheekily as he walked closer. "Hmm…Persuade me."
She narrowed her eyes at him, backing away slowly as he walked closer. "I don't think so."
He raised an eyebrow, still smirking. "Oh you so want to."
"Do not!" Piper felt her back hit the wall, but she wasn't one to back down- she crossed her arms, her eyes lit up brightly, as if ready for a battle.
A very long battle.
He snorted. "You totally want me."
"Someone's been hanging around with Finn too much." Piper raised an eyebrow.
"I don't notice a denial in that answer," Aerrow winked cheekily, raising an arm to press his palm against the wall, his face close to hers as he smirked at her.
Piper opened her mouth, only to close it again. "Well… you. I…"
He pressed himself against her lightly, knowing she was finding it harder and harder to resist him, chuckling. "Yes?"
She felt her temper rising as she pushed him away. "Quit it, Sky Knight." She warned, her hand pressed against his chest firmly, feeling the hard panes of his chest underneath the thin shirt.
"I'm not doing anything," He blinked at her innocently, knowing he had her. He pushed her hand away and edged closer, his nose skimming hers lightly. "But if you don't 'quit' referring to me as a Sky Knight, I might try a little something…"
She snorted, trying to resist throwing herself at him, "As if I'd let you."
Although I would actually let you. Jerk.
Aerrow chuckled. "Aah, P. It always turns me on when you're mad."
Piper rolled her eyes. "Horny ass. Everything turns you on."
"Charming!" He chuckled. "But you're mistaken. Only you turn me on."
She lost her irritated expression and started to blush again, quite pleased. Aerrow took his chance.
"Oh- and Wenda from the Screaming Banshees." He winked.
Piper's eyes widened as her mouth dropped open. "You-" She attempted to hit at him, only Aerrow- who knew Piper extremely well to know her next move- grabbed her wrist to stop her, pulling her into him, laughing.
"Whoa, joke." He grinned at her, keeping her in a firm grasp. "…She is rather attractive though."
"Then why don't you just ask her to the dance?" Piper glared at him, struggling to free herself from his hold.
"Because, you clueless muppet, I don't want her, I want you, irritating as you are." He winked at her cheekily.
But Piper wasn't finding it amusing.
"If you don't let me go, I'll kick you in the balls, you little-"
He interrupted her with a fierce kiss, her words drowning in his mouth as if he was sucking them out of her. He broke apart from her only to kiss her swiftly again and again, never giving her another chance to speak.
"Aerrow-
Another kiss.
"-Get-
Another.
"-Off!"
He only pulled her to him and carried on kissing her, his arms stroking her bare back as he chuckled into her mouth.
Pipers' whines of protests eventually died down as she gave in and, frustrated, she stood still, waiting for him to finish. Aerrow's kisses slowed down, his grip on her arms loosened and his mouth left hers properly.
But then her eyes were looking up at his. Free from his grip, Piper took his face in her hands before bringing his head down to kiss him passionately. Surprised, Aerrow smiled into her mouth and chuckled quietly as they broke apart.
"What was that for?" He asked, sweetly surprised.
"I got tired of your teasing," Piper admitted, rubbing her nose against his gently. "Can I have my rose back now?"
Aerrow grinned. "So you do want to go with me?"
"No, I want to go with Finn," She rolled her eyes, laughing as she pulled him in for another kiss.
"All the ladies want to go with the Finnster!"
Aerrow and Piper broke apart to spot Finn at the doorway, looking cute in his dark suit. Piper looked him up and down, her hands still on Aerrow's collar.
"Not bad," She said approvingly.
Finn winked at her. "Too right. You look fit, Piper. Ditch ginger and come to the ball with me."
Piper giggled. "Tempting as that sounds-" At this point she heard Aerrow's snort. "-I'll have to pass. And Aerrow isn't ginger." She added, ruffling Aerrow's hair.
"Yeah!" Aerrow stuck his tongue out at Finn, Piper's hands now on his blazer lapels as she giggled. He looked down at her and smiled handsomely, leaning in for another kiss.
"Hello?"
They broke apart again, startled. Finn stood there, irritation clear on his face.
"Must you make out all the time?" He demanded, rolling his eyes. "Can you please CONTROL yourselves? The Finnster can't take it!"
"Sorry." Aerrow muttered, letting go of Piper. He smiled shyly at her and she returned it, trying not to giggle.
Finn rolled his eyes again, walking out.
Aerrow and Piper looked at each other before bursting into laughter.
"What are you doing?" He screamed in shock, his eyes wide in horror. "Harry-
"-I have a new name now." The Dark Ace smirked, his blade against Lightning Strikes' chest. "And I believe I'm about to kill you."
"Traitor!" Ava yelled at him, clinging onto her heliscooter for dear life. "Traitor!"
He turned to her, his eyes cold and dark, his face impassive as he gazed at Ava blankly.
"Yes," He told her slowly. "Yes, you are."
Her screams meant nothing.
At all.
Ever.
And he didn't watch her go. And he never felt anything. At all.
Ever.
"Sir?"
The Dark Ace swung around. Irius, white and shaken, was standing nervously away from the young man.
"What?" The Dark Ace spat.
"Please… it has been a week… please… more food for my son-
"-Your son will get the food," The Dark Ace hissed, edging closer. "When I have done what I came to do."
"Please… let us go… let my son go… surely we cannot be any more involved in this plan-
"-Of course you are." The Dark Ace smirked as he heard a whimper. "Now leave me."
"Please… perhaps we can be of an assistance… my son-
"LEAVE ME." The Dark Ace screamed, reaching for a glass before throwing it violently at the man, who dodged out of the way, his mouth wide open as he looked at the Dark Ace in shock.
Breathing heavily, Ace didn't notice Irius turn on his heel and run desperately for his life. Instead, he turned to catch his reflection in the mirror again. He slowly started to smirk.
The Storm Hawks will be finished because of me yet again.
"I'm coming to get you," The Dark Ace hissed at his reflection. "I'm coming to get you."
"Oh yeah, a lot of responsibility," Finn said loudly, trying to appear dignified and cool in front of a couple of pretty girls. "Saved many fine girls such as yourselves from danger," He finished with a wink, causing the two girls to giggle. Piper rolled her eyes.
"That's if he could manage to stay on his skimmer for at least a minute…" Piper commented to Aerrow, who grinned at her. Finn sniffed.
"Ignore her," He put an arm around Piper's shoulders, beaming. "Time of the month, you know-
"Dance with me Piper?" Aerrow asked quickly, sensing Piper's fury. She felt his hand close around hers as he pulled her into the vast crowd of dancing couples.
"You should of let me take him down," She looked back to glare at Finn, who was smoothly flirting with the girls. Still. "Git."
Aerrow put his arms around her, pulling her to him. "Shh," He hushed her comfortingly. "It is Finn, P. Let it go."
"And dance with you?" Piper raised an eyebrow. "Aerrow, the last time we danced together, I twisted my ankle."
He chuckled. "I've been practicing." He smiled at her charmingly. "Trust moi."
Piper giggled before putting her hands on his broad shoulders, smiling as he leaned in closer. "Careful, Captain. A lot of people haven't found out about us."
"And yet I can't resist you when you call me that," He grinned cheekily before leaning in to kiss her-
Piper turned her head quickly, noticing Terrier was watching them. "Behave." She cupped his face with one hand as they carried on swaying gently together, her cheek against his as she kept her eyes on Terrier.
"Yes, because this isn't romantic at all." Aerrow rolled his eyes. "Hey, look at me."
She leaned back to look at him as he asked, surprised yet curious. "What's wrong?"
He cleared his throat. Piper saw he had lost the cheeky sparkle in his eyes and they were replaced by something different, something troubled. She gazed at him in concern.
"Aerrow…?"
He opened his mouth, feeling a lump rise up in his throat. "Piper-
"Dead!" A man sprinted in, screaming at the top of his lungs in horror. "Man dead! Dead!"
"What is this?" Terrier pushed his way through the alarmed crowd. "Why, Dudley! I'm surprised at you! Screaming your way into the-
"-Dead, I say! Lying! Dead! Killed! Murdered!"
Small gasps of horror and loud screams filled the hall. Aerrow and Piper let go of each other slowly, utterly engaged with this man. He was shaking, his bloody hands raking through his hair, staining everything he touched. Terrier was horrified; he looked around to summon his comrades.
"Let us find the murderer!" Terrier announced. "My god, what a terrible-
"-Who's to say he's been murdered?" Aerrow spoke up, his arm slipping from Piper's waist. "Let's calm down-
"-Saw it myself!" The man sobbed, rocking on his heels. "Saw the murder myself! Walking down the grand corridor and he gets stabbed! Stabbed in the gut! Lying there… bloody…."
Piper stepped forward and rubbed the man's back soothingly, trying to calm him down. "Please, sir… what did he look like? What did you do?"
"Tall… dark. He ran… when I saw him and… and I bent to check his… his pulse-
He broke off, sobbing even harder. Piper let go of him and looked at Aerrow, who nodded.
"Terrier, the Storm Hawks can help," Aerrow offered, turning to the Rex Guardian Sky Knight. "Piper and I will look for him. If he's a Cyclonian and knows we're onto him, he could summon forces. The rest of the Storm Hawks can clear the hallway."
At his words, the guests hurriedly tried to leave. Terrier could be heard over the loud thunder of terrified voices, "Nothing huge, I say! Please! Mind my shoes, I polished them last night! Let's calm down! You, sir, how do you get your hair so carefully highlighted?"
"If you'll all follow me," Finn stepped forward confidently. "That's it, exit is over- why hello there." He winked at this girl, who blinked up at him terrifyingly.
"-Finn!" Aerrow and Piper rolled their eyes together.
"Sorry, sorry," Finn waved a hand at them aimlessly as he ushered the guests out with the help of Junko and Radaar (who was finding it difficult to not get trampled).
"Piper?" Piper looked at Aerrow and nodded, before running out and down the corridor, their footsteps echoing around them. As they slid along the wall and stopped at the corner, Aerrow's hand reached down to grasp Piper's wrist for a second as a signal to remain where she was as he slowly stretched his neck to peek around the corner.
Piper waited, her patience wearing thin. She looked around at the empty corridor, feeling nervous.
"Aerrow," She hissed, "What's taking so long?"
Aerrow glanced back at her nervously.
"The dead body is down there."
She felt her heart plummet. "I…"
"I'll remove it," He told her gently. "Wait here."
"No, it's alright." He heard her take a deep breath. "Come on."
She pushed past him and rested her eyes on the dead man, lying there in his own pool of blood. Before Aerrow could say anything, she walked over, bending down. Her hand skimmed over his face gently.
"Run," He gasped up at her daughter. "My darling, run."
"No papa!" The girl cried, shaking her head as tears ran down her face. "No!"
"Aerrow, take her."
The red haired boy put his arms around the screaming girl, struggling to keep a hold of her as the girl kicked and punched him, trying to free herself from his grasp.
"Piper, we have to go!"
"No!" She screamed, her legs in mid air as she kicked them fiercely. "Aerrow, let go! Let me go! Papa! Papa!"
"Papa," Piper whispered, her finger dragging along the man's cheek...
Slowly his arms found her waist again and Aerrow hugged her gently yet firmly to support her as she was lifted to her feet.
"Come on," He murmured comfortingly. "This wasn't a good idea."
"No…" She pulled herself gently away from his arms. "No… it was." She turned around and wiped her tears. "Time I faced it."
"Piper-
"-We should look for the murderer... guy. Can we…can we talk about this later?"
He smiled at her gently. "Okay...Well, down the corridor, then."
A hand grasped his shirt as he pulled him up roughly, his face dangerously looming closer.
"Find them."
"Of. Of course I-
"-FIND THEM."
Aerrow and Piper were down yet another corridor. Piper groaned and looked over her shoulder to Aerrow.
"Maybe we shou-
But Aerrow clapped his hand over Piper, his other arm around her waist as he swiftly pulled her backwards and against his chest.
"Shh," He whispered in her ear as he removed his hand from her mouth, sliding it down to her stomach whilst he kept her tightly back against him. He leaned into the wall again, always cautious of everything.
Footsteps could be heard. Aerrow quickly spun them around and pushed Piper against the wall.
"Stay here," He hissed urgently, digging into his trousers for his small blades. "We don't know what else he has to use against us and you have no weapon-
She rolled her eyes at him before lifting and bending her leg, pressing her knee against his hip to keep her balance as she pulled her dress up her leg. A holster was revealed, tightly strapped onto her thigh, a dagger concealed inside. Aerrow- even with everything going on- typically couldn't help but admire her at that moment in time. He leaned in, a cheeky smirk forming on his face. When Piper looked up, she jumped back a little in shock.
"What?" She blinked up at him confusedly, the dagger in her hand.
He grinned at her. "That's quite hot."
She lost her confused look and an exasperated look replaced it as Piper rolled her eyes. "Aerrow!"
"What?" He put his arm up and pressed his palm against the wall, leaning in close. "I'm just saying." He finished with an innocent look.
But he didn't lose the smirk.
She rolled her eyes again, taking her leg back down to cover her it back with the material. "Aerrow, this is not the time! The mission?"
The footsteps had gone. They'd lost him.
Aerrow shook his head a little, finding he had been staring at her bare leg for a little too long. "Oh- erm, yeah. Come on then, quickly."
As they lightly jogged down the hallway, Piper turned her head to snort at Aerrow.
"You were checking me out."
"Was not!" Aerrow argued, lighting up his blades as they edged closer to another corner.
Piper leaned against the wall, waiting for the signal.
"…Was." She muttered after a bit.
Aerrow smiled to himself.
"Please…Please…"
A hand pushed against his back hard. "Move. They are close."
"Sir… how do-
"-I can sense them. Remove your weapon."
"Sir-
"Remove your weapon!" He snarled.
"Left or right?"
Piper looked from one to the other desperately. "Right."
"I wanted left," Aerrow groaned.
"Then why ask me in the first place?" Piper shot at him.
"Because then I'd get an earful for not asking you at all!"
"Why do you have to pick left? You always get it wrong!"
Aerrow walked closer to her, his mouth dropping open in disbelief. "I do not always get it wrong!"
She crossed her arms. "Well, I always get it right. So let's go my way."
"I'm the Captain, and I say we g-
"-HELP ME!"
Piper wheeled around to look down the corridor as Aerrow peered into the darkness, stepping forwards so he was next to Piper. She made to move forward but he put an arm out to stop her.
"Wait."
He slowly stepped forwards, his blades at the ready. Piper put a hand out to his shoulder and pulled him back urgently.
"What if it's a trap?" She hissed at him.
"Well, we can't ignore it, P." He muttered. He raised his voice higher. "Who's there?"
"I'm down here! Please! Please, my leg, my leg!"
Aerrow looked at Piper, shrugging, before taking off down the corridor. Rolling her eyes, Piper followed him, hot on his heels.
A young man, his blond hair plastered to his forehead with sweat, his shaky, pale hands clutched around his leg, was lying on the floor. Aerrow watched as Piper fell to her knees beside the blonde, her hands over his.
"You have to let go," She commanded, feeling warm blood run in between her fingers and trying to remain calm. "You're going to be okay. What's your name?"
He was sobbing as he looked up at her, remorse strong in his eyes. "I'm sorry," He whispered.
Piper looked at him in confusion. "Sorry? Sorry for w-
Piper gasped in pain, her breath cutting short. Her mouth was wide open as she bent over, her ears screaming in pain. Somewhere she felt Aerrow's arms around her, somewhere she felt herself being pulled back, somewhere she felt Aerrow's tears fall on her face as he screamed.
Somewhere she felt a numb pain in her stomach and looked down to see blood flowing out and staining Aerrow's hand as the young man's had stained hers.
A/N: DON'T kill me. I know I'm awful. I know i took long to publish this- I know this is a failure of a chapter, and I know you're going to kill me for getting Piper stabbed!
Firstly, thank you for my reviewers as always, you were amazingly helpful and i loved your positive feedback- and for the people who have added me to a favorite/alert list: it is much appreciated.
As would more reviews! They would be much appreciated also! Stay tuned for chapter 9- We're nearly there, folks. But I've still got some things to get through...And I'm sure you'll want to know what happens to Piper...
Much love!
