Post by Colleen on Nov 13, 2014 20:54:13 GMT -8
The woman stood in the roadway, waiting. The air around her was heavy with an unseen menace, the darkness of the night reaching out to her, grasping at the edges of her coat. The street was deserted, dark, the street lights in this area having been smashed long ago. Trash from past lives filled the gutters between the large abandoned buildings on either side of the roadway. She moved to the center of the street where she could turn and fight what was coming for her. Standing in the road, she turned a complete circle. A solitary figure dressed in all black, she would have been hard to see even in the middle of the road. Her long black hair was in a knot on top of her head, only the silver white swaths pulled back from her face drawing what light there was from her surroundings. She drew her twin blades from where they rested, slung across her back. She was versed in the use most forms of weapons, but the blades were her favorite. She held one in each hand, arms hanging loosely at her sides. Ready for whatever was coming.
She slowed her breathing and opened her Fae senses, attempting to feel who or what was out there. She felt nothing but a cold blackness that moved closer. She felt a brush of air, as if something or someone slipped past by her. She whirled, blades flashing up, striking at the form that appeared behind her. The blade in her left hand sliced though the form, the blade in her right hand slashing in from the other side. A long, low keening came from the form, then it was gone. The woman’s breathing was fast but controlled as she waited for what would came next. A shroud of black dropped over her head from the sky above. She struggled with it, trying to remove it, knowing if she didn’t, she was lost. A cry broke from her lips, the only sound she had made during the short fight. The shroud tightened around her, binding her arms, her blades dropping from her suddenly useless hands. Her cry became a scream in the night as she fell to the pavement, blackness engulfing her.
Taylor woke up fighting the bedding that was wrapped around her body, gasping for air, body damp with sweat. With a moan she set up dropping her head into her hands.
“Not again” she whispered. She’d had this nightmare before; it had started shortly after her 13th birthday. Untangling herself from the confining sheet, Taylor moved to the edge of the bed, swing her legs over the side, she looked around the room, her room.
“Nothing” she said “there’s nothing there”. The clock on the bedside table showed it was early, butt crack of dawn early, but Taylor knew she wouldn’t get back sleep now. At a softly murmured command, the room filled with a soft white light. Taylor stood, her long black hair swaying behind her, tangled for her struggles with herself. She moved toward the bathroom, dropping her silky shorts and tank top as she moved, nude, into the bathroom. The bathroom light came on as she walked to the sink. “Taylor, girlfriend, you really need to get a handle on this.” she told her reflection in the large mirror over the sink, “And soon.” She frowned, and then turned to the shower that took up at least half the bathroom. She opened the glass door, reached in and turned the water on. After a few sputters, the water ran warm from built-in ceiling shower head.
Taylor stepped in the shower, letting the hot water cascade from overhead and down her body. Bracing her hands on the wall, she leaned forward, grabbing at the fleeting memories of the nightmare. Every time she had the nightmare the outcome was the same, the details fading even as she tried to hold on to them. If she could hold on to those details maybe she could confront the cause of dream and it would stop. But as always, she just couldn’t remember anything but the lingering feeling of being immobilized. As the hot water soothed her body, she pondered if she should call her Aunts.
Taylor’s Aunts, Rose and Lily, had raised her from birth. Her mother had died giving birth to her and Taylor had no idea who her father was. She’d given up asking about him as a child. Her Aunts told her that he had been human and was dead as well but they knew nothing more than that. Taylor wasn’t sure that was true, just feeling she had, but she didn’t push the issue. Rose and Lily Connor gave Taylor all the love and support she needed. Maybe they could help her figure this nightmare out.
Reaching out, Taylor turned the water off and reached for the towel hanging on a hook next to the shower. Absently drying herself, she moved back into her bedroom, throwing the towel on the bed, Taylor stretched, bending first the right, than to the left, arms lifted over her head. Turning to her dresser, she pulled open the bottom drawer and snatched a pair of black yoga pants out, and from the next drawer up a black sports bra. Donning both, Taylor moved to the large sliding door of the balcony that ran the full length of her apartment. The view of Portland was spectacular, the sun just starting to peek over the summit of Mt Hood in the distance. Living in Portland reminded her of Ireland, where she had grown up.
Taylor turned, going to the kitchen to grab a bottle of cold water, returning to the balcony door, she slid it open. The crisp morning air rushed to meet her. She set her water down and unrolled the yoga mat setting next to the door. She did this every morning that she was home, her yoga routine always bring a peaceful serenity. Serenity was what she need this morning. Stepping out on to the balcony, Taylor drew a few deep cleansing breaths and flowed into her first Asana. As she worked though each Asana, she felt the tension not dispelled by the hot shower melt away. After 90 minutes of working out, she had once again found her center. Setting cross legged, she took several deep breaths after which she felt ready to tackle that call to her Aunts.
Picking up her cell phone, she glanced at the time on the screen, 8 AM, which made it 4 PM in Ireland, perfect time to call her Aunts. Since they were on speed dial, all it took was one flick of Taylor’s finger to call them. With a sigh, she dialed. The phone on the other end started to ring, and continued to ring for a minute or so. A frown marred Taylor’s brow. Why weren’t they answering? She had a moment of worry before hearing the click of the phone being picked up.
A light, cheerful voice greeted her. “Taylor my sweet girl!” Rose’s lilting voice answered. Taylor’s Aunts were full blood Fae and as such had many abilities’, one being a gift of the “sight”. So it came as no surprise to Taylor that Rose knew who was calling.
“Hi Aunt Rose” Taylor said with a smile coloring her voice, “How are you and Aunt Lily? Not getting into any mischief are you?”
“Aw no dear” Rose replied, giggling “Lily and I are too old for anything like that.”
“Too old my foot Aunt Rose. You know you and Aunt Lily will live forever.” Taylor laughed “Are you two still doing Katy Parry karaoke at Mac’s Pub in town?”
“Every chance we get dear. But you know your Aunt Lily is just a tad better at then I am at it.” Taylor sighed into the phone.
“I’ve missed you both Auntie Rose.” Taylor’s Aunts were very old. Being full Fae, they had lived long lives, eons even. But that didn’t stop them from enjoying the times they lived in. For that last few years they had become passionate about pop music, computers, tablets, cell phones. Both Aunts had Facebook pages, Twitter accounts, and Instagram accounts. They embraced technology as a modern form of magic.
There was second of silence on the other end of the phone after Taylor’s sigh.
“The nightmares’ have returned my sweet?” Rose asked softly, a note of concern in her voice.
“Yes Auntie they have. For the last month or so.” Taylor responded. “I need to put this behind me Auntie. I’m not sleeping well, I need to know what this means.”
It was Rose’s turn to sigh. “Aye love, it’s past time to bring this into the light. But in order to do that you must come home, to Breena."
“I know Auntie, I’ll have to clear my calendar, then I’ll book a flight to Dublin.”
“Aye” Rose said “Let us know when you arrive, we’ll have someone pick you up in Dublin.”
“No no Auntie” Taylor protested “I can rent a car in Dublin, it’s only three hour drive to Breena.”
“No…you must not make that drive alone, it’s not safe for you to do that!” There was a touch of panic in Rose’s voice now. “Promise me Taylor Rae Connor that you will not drive here alone!” Strange, Taylor couldn’t remember having ever heard panic in either of her Aunts voices. And the use of her full name was a sign that something more was going on here. A feeling of cold, dark menace washed over Taylor, the same feeling from her nightmare. She shivered , as a vague memory of being by engulfed by something so black, it robbed Taylor of her breath . She swayed a bit, then gave in to Rose.
“Alright, I’ll let you arrange someone to pick me up. But Auntie…I need to know everything! I feel something is about to happen, someone that I need to prepare for.”
“I know my sweet, I know” Rose soothed. “Just come home.”
“I love you Aunt Rose. I love you both.” Taylor whispered into the phone. Rose and Lily was the only family she had.
“And we love you Taylor.” Rose loving said.
Taylor said her goodbyes and ended the call. She let the phone dangle from her fingers before setting it down, then with another sigh, she stood and headed back into the living room. Walking to her desk across the room, she set down, reaching over to boot up her computer. It took just 30 minutes to book her flight from Portland to Dublin. The flight was 20 hours with stops in Washington D.C. and Frankfurt before landing in Dublin the next day, so Taylor booked a first class seat on Lufthansa. She figured if she was going to be in the air that long, she might as well be comfortable. Besides it wasn’t as if she didn’t have the funds for it, she had an ample trust fund set up for by her Aunts. Her flight was the next day. That gave her only today to close up her condo, notify the building management to gather her mail and hold it, check her passport, pack, and call her boss. She would e-mail the building management about the mail, packing wouldn’t take long as Taylor wanted to travel light, so whatever she needed she would get in Ireland.
Next was to insure that her weapons made it in one piece. Picking up her cell phone again, she scrolled though her contacts until she found the name she needed. Taylor hit dial and waited for the call to be picked up.
“Secure Air Fright” a perky voice answered, “How can I help you?”
"Mina? It’s Taylor Conner. I need some to ship some special items to Dublin ASAP”
“Taylor! How are you? It’s been ages since we’ve seen each other!” Mina exclaimed.
“I’ve been good Mina, I just haven’t had much time lately to socialize.” Taylor said “I’m going to visit my Aunts and need some things shipped. And I need them to be there day after tomorrow.”
“Sure, let me check to see if we have something scheduled to go overseas today.” Mina said. Taylor could hear Mina’s nails clicking on the keyboard as she check flights leaving today. Both Taylor and Mina know it was more for show, SAF was Otherworld run, in the shipping business sorely for the transportation of anything that couldn’t fly commercial.
“OK Taylor, we can have those items shipped today with arrival by tomorrow evening. We’ll pick them up in about an hour.” Mina was all business now. “Going to your Aunts correct?”
“Yes, to my Aunts.” Taylor confirmed.
“Return shipment date?” Mina asked. “I’m not sure yet Mina. I may decide to stay a few months. I’ll be in touch with the Dublin office when I’m ready to ship them home.”
“Sounds good Taylor. I have all the information I need. You have safe trip.”
“Thanks Mina, I’ll be in touch when I get back.” With that Taylor ended the call. She moved to her bedroom, pulling her carry on case out of the closest. Setting the case on her bed, she moved swiftly to pack a few essentials, bras, panties, socks, a few t-shirts, a couple of pairs of jeans, her boots. Heading to her bathroom, Taylor rummaged under the sink, coming up with a smaller bag for her personal items. Toothbrush, deodorant, small tubes of toothpaste, body wash, shampoo, and her favorite perfume. All in TSA approved sizes. Zipping up the bag, she tossed it on top of her other things in carry on.
Taylor headed back into her living room. Looking around she spotted her purse on coffee table. It was a large black leather bag with long straps. Taylor crossed to it and pulled it open. Already inside was her tablet, along with her wallet and everything any other woman would carry. Taking the bag with her to her desk, she opened a drawer and grabbed her passport from the top of a stack of papers. Tossing that into her bag, she closed the drawer and headed back to the bedroom. There she sat the bag next to the carry on setting open on the bed. One last look and she closed up her carry on, setting it near the bedroom door. Looking at the clock, Taylor realized she need to select what weapons to send ahead, Her twin blades for sure were going, as was the stiletto knife with the emerald embedded in the hilt.
And her Glock 26. Taylor picked up the Glock, it was compact and felt right in her hand. If her blades couldn’t get the job done, this would. Taylor put her blades, knife, and gun into a case designed just for this purpose, setting it down next to the door. “OK Taylor..think. What else do I need to do?” she asked herself. She knew she still needed to contact her boss, Axel.
Axel would understand the need for her to leave so urgently, he knew something had been bothering her. She’d completed her last assignment with little fanfare, the rouge demon that she had tracked was back where he belonged. It had been Taylor’s forth track and capture assignment so far this year. She felt she’d earned some leeway in leaving on such short notice. Besides Axel seldom told her no.
A greater part of humanity didn’t realize that they weren’t the only beings to exist. They would panic if they knew that the creatures from fairy tales were real. Fairies, Demons, Shapeshifters, Vampires. They all were real. For the most part they did their best to avoid interacting with humans. There were exceptions of course, like Axel, Taylor’s boss, a powerful Shapeshifter. He was the head of Intercept Inc’s Western Regional United States operations, a force of Otherworlders and Humans who worked together to enforce the Laws between spices. Taylor was one of his best agents.
The doorbell rung and Taylor moved to answer it, first checking the video monitor mounted next to the door. One could never be too careful in her line of work she thought to herself. She saw a young looking woman in a SAF uniform. Taylor checked the wards she had on all entrances to her condo, no one with any kind of harmful intent toward her could get past Taylor’s wards. Taylor opened the door and made quick work of handing over the case and signing for them. The woman smiled at Taylor, then with a nod, left. No words were spoken and none were needed. Now all Taylor needed was to call Axel. She picked up her phone from the bedside stand, the only other number on her speed dial was his.
Axel answered on the sixth ring and he didn’t sound too happy about it. “This had better be important Connor” he growled.
Taylor grimaced at his growl, not sure if she wanted to know if she had interrupted anything or not. “I need to talk to you Axel” she stated.
“Fuck Connor, I just got in, can’t it wait until tomorrow?” he groused.
“No it can’t wait, I won’t be here tomorrow.” She waited for him to absorb that statement.
“And just where will you be?” her boss asked, his voice sounding cautious.
“Ireland. I leave at 6 AM in the morning. I don’t know how long I’ll be gone.”
It was quiet on his end for a full minute, “Going to see your Aunts, huh? Must be important.” Another pause, one she didn’t try to fill. With her boss, sometimes it was better to just not say anything. “OK” he finally said, “Anything I can do to help?”
“No. At least not now. I have to deal this myself” Taylor asked.
“Look Connor, don’t go all Wonder Woman over there. If you get in a bind, need help, contact me. I can’t afford to train another operative like you.” Axel’s tone left little room for debate.
“All right, if I need help, I’ll get word to you.” Taylor said, knowing that was one call she hoped to not have to make. “And Axel?”
“Yeah Connor?” he drawled.
“Sorry if I interrupted anything” Taylor said, not really meaning it and letting that come though in her tone. Axel gave off a bark of laugh.
“Nah..no worries, you didn’t”. And with that the line went dead, he’d hung on her. So like the man she called boss. And friend.
Taylor spent the next two hours making sure everything was in order for the next day. As night fell, realizing she hadn’t eaten, Taylor fixed a quick meal with what she had on hand, a can of tuna fish, salad dressing, some cheese, and two slices of bread. Not gourmet by any means, but filling. With the nightmare that had woken her up early and combined with the feeling of uneasy that gnawed at her gut, Taylor was exhausted. She had a long day ahead of her tomorrow, staring with being at the airport by 6 AM. All she wanted was a nightmare free night’s sleep. After eating and getting ready for bed, Taylor slipped between the sheets of her king sized bed, hoping for a peaceful, dreamless night’s sleep.