Bound by Radiant Shadows

Chapter 6: Joyride - Zane’s POV

This is the worst part of these investigations, waiting, watching, and hoping something happens. For someone as old as I am, patience is something that doesn't come naturally to me, which is why I'm in the situation that I'm in. Angels are supposed to be patient observers, and I was not that. I interfered, and I was punished, doomed to walk the earth as an immortal human cut off from my family and all that I knew.

Finally, around noon, she shows up, but she’s with that other waitress, the same one from last night. I can feel the presence of something within her, but it's not as strong as it normally is with an average possession. Somehow, the demon is hiding itself from me. I haven't met anyone yet who can do that. I need to figure out a way to get closer without the demon detecting me, I’m sure it can feel my presence, even though I did a good job of covering my tracks. “Can I get you some more coffee handsome?” The young waitress again? She's been at this table a hundred times attempting to flirt. I simply said, "No" and she marched off. I truly do not have time for this.

I thought she would have gotten the hint after the last time she made a display of leaning over the table to get the dessert menu.” I explicitly told her I was not interested, she pouted and stomped off. I was hoping that I had seen the last of her antics, but she was persistent. I guess it's only natural for them to sense something in me, they don't know what attracts them to angels, even fallen ones. After she left, I strained my ears to hear what she was talking about with her friend, and it seemed to be trivial chatter.

As I started to drift off into thought, her eyes caught mine. They were a deep blue like an ocean and for a minute I got lost in them. Her eyes widened and she quickly turned away. Her face was so hard to read for a minute I wished I was omniscient so I could see what she was thinking, but I had to just guess like any other human.

I heard her friend scream. I rushed over to their table. Finally, something happened. I walked over to the blond, trying to wake the other girl “Lyne... Lyne... Wake up!” her little blond friend looked up at me with fear in her eyes, “My friend, she fainted or passed out or something, I've known her for years, and I've never seen her faint” she seemed frantic. “okay, what's your name?" she looked confused and studdered out the name "Tammy" I attempted to smile reassuredly, "Is there somewhere we can lay her down?” She looked at me and thought for a second. “We can take her to Hary’s office, he usually runs home about now to check on his dogs.”

I leaned forward and picked her up and Tammy took me through the kitchen to a small office in the back. It was dimly lit with stacks of papers and notebooks everywhere. There was a desk with a wooden chair and a file cabinet across the room. Tammy moved the clutter on the small dingy sofa next to the file cabinet, and I placed Lyne down on the sofa and asked her if she had any smelling salt. Tammy looked at me confused, “We have kitchen salts?” I forgot people don't faint like they used to. “Never mind, can you get me a cool wet rag?” she rushed out of the office.

I now had a few seconds to examine the girl whose name I now know is Lyne. She seemed healthy with no signs of bags under her eyes or discolored skin due to lack of nutrition or sleep, which is often common in possessions. Normally, I would be able to feel a presence, but now I feel nothing. I quickly reached into my pocket, pulled out some holy water a did a short verse in Enochian to see if the water would burn her skin. If a demon possessed her body, this would indicate possession of the body. I lifted the blessed container, poured the water, and landed on the girl's hand. The water slid off the side of her thumb. How could I be wrong? How could my sources be wrong? This doesn't make any sense.

Lyne started to stir about the time Tammy walked into the room with a cool rag. She handed me the rag. I placed the rag on Lyne's forehead. Tammy saw that Lyne was waking up and stepped outside the office for a second to grab a glass of water from one of the other waitresses. I introduced myself to Lyne so as not to scare her. Tammy immediately jumped in on a tyrant about how worried she was. I was taken aback by the intensity after waking up from fainting. Lyne steadied herself and sat up. Tammy convinced me to take Lyne home. It did not look like denying her was an option, she was someone who was used to getting what she wanted. I honestly was not expecting to talk with Lyne and I had no idea what to say. When we got out to the parking lot Lyne did not seem happy that Tammy was driving her car, but she hopped into the truck with me anyway.

I put the car into gear and followed Tammy in the black car to Lyne's house. Tammy was going at ungodly speeds. Luckily, I knew exactly where the house was. Lyne didn't seem to notice that I didn't need much direction, though she seemed lost in thought. Most likely still out of it from her fainting spell. I couldn't help noticing that Lyne seemed uncomfortable while in the car with me. “So, are you new to town?” she asked. I think she was trying to make conversation, but I hadn't had time to come up with a good cover story. Everything happened so quickly regarding the request Michel sent for me to come down here. He hadn't talked to me in a Millinia and suddenly, he asked for my help and pointed me towards this girl. I drove across the country and wound up eating the exact dinner that she worked. It worked like that sometimes with them. Angel interference wasn't usually direct, so I know this must have been something that he set up. I remember him being a micromanager back in the day, but apparently, he hasn't broken the habit.

After examining Lyne I can see why they needed my help. This wasn't the usual possession, this was something different. I could tell Lyne was waiting for my response. I knew the town had a school, and not much else. Maybe that would be believable. “I was looking into trying to go back to school,” I said. “Oh. That's a good idea, I wish I could go back.” There was a hint of regret in her voice. I knew I had to keep this conversation going. I had to get her to trust me before the demon woke up. Since she fainted, I haven't been able to sense it. It must be dormant for the moment, so whatever hold it has on her would be severed temporarily.

“Why didn't you finish school?” She stiffened at the question. She finally sighed, “It's a long story.”

“I don't mean to intrude, you just seem like a smart girl.” She looked ahead and took a breath. “No, I’m sorry, you're just trying to be nice. My sister was sick around that time and needed me.” She sacrificed her education to take care of her sister. "That's terrible, I hope she's feeling better. I said, trying to be empathetic. I saw a tear form in her eye and she bit her lips as if she was trying to hold back her emotions, "she’s dead” she said. This girl seems like she has gone through a lot and here I am immediately bringing everything back up for her. Well s**t, this is not where I was hoping this conversation was going to go.

You would think by now I would be better at reading human emotions, but they are unpredictable. “It sounds like you and your sister were close. I’m sorry that you both had to go through that” She smiled and said, “Yes we were, thank you.” Maybe I can find out more information about her through her parents. “What was her name?” I asked, hoping it didn't cross the line. She seemed taken aback, but then she smiled, “Lydia,” she said. “Oh, the noble one,” I said without even thinking. She looked at me confused. I clarified that's what her name means. The noble one.” “Oh,” she said. “That suits her.”