Chapter 18

CHAPTER 18

B el entered his room after a day of relaxation, his skin pink from the sun. He'd have to remember to put on the sunscreen he'd found in his bathroom next time. He'd not had to worry about such things in Domus, where the atmosphere fed him rather than tried to burn him.

What was he thinking? Bel concentrated on the slight warmth in this skin and applied healing energy until his face returned to its normal pale color.

While the sunburn hadn't been excessively painful, it brought to mind how bad Lio appeared the day they met, how he must've felt, alone, hurting, confused. And he'd bravely told Bel the story.

Could Bel have taken away the pain and healed Lio himself without Madame Persephone's help? He should have at least tried. Then again, he was no Nutrix, so his healing abilities were more in tune with his own body than other people's.

A knock came at his door, and he smiled. Was Lio missing him already? They'd only parted a few minutes ago. But when he opened the door, he found Farren there instead.

"May I come in?" Farren asked. He appeared casual, and Morrisey wasn't tailing him, so maybe this was merely a social call and nothing serious.

"Sure. Can I get you something to drink?"

"No, I'm fine. I won't stay long."

"Have a seat."

Farren sank into the chair while Bel took the couch. "How are you settling in?"

Uh-oh. Small talk was usually followed by something unpleasant. "Fine. The room is comfortable, even if it's nothing like where I lived in Domus. It's weird sleeping in a bed instead of suspended upside down."

Farren laughed. "I used to have a makeshift rig in my living room so I could. It comforted me. But human bodies aren't designed for that. All the blood rushed to my head. Do you miss Domus? I keep having to remind myself it's only been a short time for you. Besides, I'd lived in Terra for ten years prior to Domus's destruction."

What a question. How could Bel not miss Domus, everything he knew, his way of life… "I do miss it, but by the time I came here, my family and friends were gone. My entire sector disappeared while I wasn't there."

"I'm sorry. A similar thing happened to me, but I didn't get sent here. Someone already here summoned me." Farren averted his gaze, staring off at nothing. Recalling his own lost loved ones, perhaps?

"Wasn't that illegal?"

Farren nodded. "Yes, but the perpetrator is no longer with us. His body failed, and he refused to find another. He's in the great beyond now, and he didn't summon me for an evil purpose. In Domus, he'd been my mate's parent, and I was the closest thing left to family after my mate disappeared, along with our sector. Besides, he more than made up for his misdeeds." Farren gave a fond smile. "He asked me to take care of his cats once he was gone, a he helped me and Morrisey."

Where was Farren going with this conversation?

"Anyway, I know you were on the council in Domus. Pretty impressive for someone as young as your aura suggests, so I assume you have the skills."

"I'm told I do—or the potential, rather." Bel might've gone far if given more time.

"Well, our former director returned to Washington and left me in charge of ‘bureaucratic red tape,' as Morrisey says, while he's in charge of law enforcement. Most of our traveler team members are Magestra and have a law enforcement background. I'd really like you to consider becoming my assistant."

Assistant to Farren? Really? "What would I be doing? Is this the dealing with the public thing you mentioned?" Morrisey had promised no fieldwork. Bel wouldn't mind working with mild-mannered Farren, particularly as he learned to navigate this new world he found himself in.

"With a few other tasks thrown in. Record keeping mostly, keeping up with mine and Morrisey's appointments, and lending your expertise and unique perspective to situations we might encounter. And we already talked about you dealing with the public."

The offer sounded good, but… "What about Lio?"

Farren gave a one-shoulder shrug. "We'll offer him a position once he decides what he wants to do. Based on his caring nature, he appears to be a Nutrix, so if he wants to pursue that calling, we can arrange for formal training. But no matter what you decide, Morrisey and I will help you in any way we can. Plus, as a Lux, I can guide you if needed. I also want to apologize for Jessa and Arianna if they've crossed any lines. They mean well, but I had no idea they'd throw you and Lio together while Morrisey and I were off-site. We just knew they were taking you shopping."

Interesting that Farren hadn't known about the outing beforehand. Besides, could Farren really have a say in what his employees did on their off time? "That's okay. It wasn't bad, just tiring. Jessa probably could have danced all night." Not to mention, the evening facilitated lots of touching, kissing, and a painful yet enlightening conversation.

Farren's smile turned fond. "They're also people you can go to when needed. I trust them or wouldn't have allowed them to take you out. But there's something you need to know before you decide on your future. Terran life isn't all sunshine and roses. Would you come with me?"

What could Farren want to show him? "Do I need to get Lio?"

"No, he's not ready for this. Just you." Farren rose and led the way out of the room, up the elevator to the lobby, and out to one of the FBI's official cars.

Apprehension grew. Even though they shared no bond, Bel clearly felt Farren's hesitation. Something wasn't quite right.

They remained quiet as Farren drove them into the city, parking in a multi-level garage. "Follow me. Keep quiet and don't react, even if you hear something that makes you angry." Farren put on a ball cap and pulled it low on his forehead, and then he handed Bel one.

They took the ramp out of the garage.

The moment they reached the ground level, Bel heard shouting coming from the vacant lot across the street. A wall of backs obscured his view. Farren motioned him forward.

The closer Bel drew, the more he understood the shouts.

"Demons are coming!" a man's voice boomed. "They're among us even now. The evil ones are ready to take over your souls!"

Demons?

Farren put his mouth as close to Bel's ear as possible, given their height difference. "Some humans who've encountered our kind in the past have labeled us angels and demons based on our appearance. Seems some Domusians used illusion to show their true forms."

Demons. Humans considered Bel's kind demons. Maybe occisors, but not gentle souls like Farren.

At the center of the throng, a man stood on a step stool. He wore his hair in long dreadlocks, and colorful tattoos were visible on his neck, though Bel couldn't make out the details. Symbols, maybe? The guy wasn't tall. Even with him standing on a stool Bel could barely see him over the heads of the onlookers, but his voice carried.

"How can we fight them?" a woman asked.

"We must find them! Cast them out. We cannot allow them to thrive." The man's words were painfully loud, even without a microphone.

Did these humans actually know about travelers?

Bel joined several others in making videos on cell phones for further study later. Maybe this was just a religious fanatic, but he thought it was better to rule out the possibility of someone out in the wild who knew more than they should.

The man fixed his dark gaze directly on Bel. He paused for several seconds, his eyes growing wide and his nostrils flaring. Finally, he spoke again. "In the coming war, which side will you choose?"

Fear reached way down inside Bel. Could this man somehow tell Bel was a traveler? Was the crowd about to attack? He backed away, terror gnawing at him. There was no evidence of a second aura, was there?

Bel strode away, trying not to run, with Farren right behind him. He jumped into the car and slammed the door. Here, he thought he might've found a safe place for him and Lio. What would happen if those people had known about Bel and Farren in their midst? He breathed slowly in and out, trying to calm his frazzled nerves.

They sat in the car for a few long moments before Farren spoke. "There are several such groups in the city and many more throughout the rest of the world. We have informants, and the humans seem to be gaining awareness of us. Most don't know the truth, but others, like this group, appear to have some knowledge. The leader is pure human, but travelers may work with him, or he could be sensitive to our hidden natures."

"Why show me this?" Bel wished he could unsee. If he stayed here, some of the population would hate him, and more importantly, Lio.

Farren started the car and retraced their route to the compound. "I want you to have all the facts in order to make an informed decision. You have choices. I wouldn't take those from you. You're welcome to stay with us, but we face prejudice and will always have to hide. A traveler attempted to conquer Terra five years ago and set Morrisey up as a puppet king. Anti-traveler factions also infiltrated the FBI. We lost a lot of people. That was when Morrisey lost control, and only my connection to him kept him sane. He built a mass portal and sent travelers through. I've never seen anyone do that. He only sent the guilty, but it could have been much different. There are humans here who hate us. They want us gone, and they aren't afraid to do whatever it takes to make that happen."

"What happened to the guy brave or foolhardy enough to try manipulating Morrisey?" Bel couldn't picture anyone thinking that was a good idea.

A muscle flexed in Farren's jaw. "Morrisey sent him through the portal into the great beyond."

While he'd love to stay here and keep all travelers safe, Bel's priority was Lio. If Lio never regained his memories and didn't know what he'd been accused of, staying in Terra might put him in danger.

When they reached the compound, Farren said, "Please give it some thought. We can protect you here, and we do our best to protect all travelers, but there might be a way you can be of more help by not staying." He gave Bel a pointed look.

What did Farren mean by that? If Morrissy could send travelers elsewhere, could there be a new realm for everyone from Domus? But if there were no existing people to be displaced, what would they do for bodies? Would their human forms cross over? A new and exciting but scary thought.

Bel wandered in dreams to the place between places where he'd encountered those from other realms before. But the bright light that had once been Domus was no more.

All was quiet while he hung suspended in the cosmos, alone—so terribly alone. Then something dark came his way, blocking out the stars. The thing took the shape of a Domusian with dark wings and a body that, though shadowy in nature, still shone with an inner light.

"Who are you?" Bel asked.

"I do not know," the being replied.

"Why are you here?"

"To find you."

The darkness charged forward. Bel tried to flee, but the image was too quick, surrounding him, absorbing him, and snuffing out his light.

But no. The thing didn't kill him. Instead, peace wrapped around Bel like a blanket. Radiance shone around him, both light and dark, and all loneliness fled his mind.

"You'll never be alone again," the dark entity said. "But you must wake up. I need you."

Lio!