Underrhelm

Chapter 12

VALENTINE

As I entered the Bosses apartment I could hear Edgar about to squawk at me.

"Hung--" he paused abruptly. Smoke started filling up the room. Edgar had turned into a sizeable demon, his head almost hitting the ceiling.

"Holy s**t, what the f**k?!" I gasped looking up at him. He was as white as starlight and had black smoke for hair.

"Who are you?" he demanded in a low guttural tone.

"I-I'm Kiva. I work for Rayna,. D-do you remember me from this morning?" I trembled.

He squinted at me for what felt like a long time and then poof. He was a crow again and was waddling into his bird house. I grabbed my chest as I caught my breath.

"Okaaay." I said aloud, as I slowly shuffled into her room. I did not have a fear of many things. Knowing Ray though, this was an ancient and powerful protector and I was not about to f**k with him.

Once I was in her closet I was met with a sea of black clothing. I did not know what would be best for her as she gave me no direction, so I started flailing through the clothing. At the end of the closet, while rummaging through hoodies, I found a silver ring that was drilled into the wall. I assumed it was extra space for accessories or shoes.

As I opened the hidden cabinet I was met with something far worse then shoes and accessories. There was a large, framed photo of a youngling. He was the same color as Rayna. He looked to be about 5 or 6 years old. There was a small pair of shoes and a vial with locks of pure gold hair. In the middle was an ornate vase willed with sun flowers.

"Sunflowers...only grow in Mortalrhelm...how did she get them off the Soulpath..." I whispered. My eyes fell on a plaque that read 1914-1920. I fell to my knees and started sobbing.

___________________________________________

RAYNA

"Are you alright Quinn?" I asked gently. She shook her head yes.

"I hope you know I wouldn't let anyone take you, unless you wanted to go. I would never let anyone hurt you." I said.

"Thank you." she whispered while bowing.

"You don't have to bow to me." I giggled, taken aback by her.

"I know." she replied as she skipped to the elevator. Nyx watched her get on and then approached me.

"Did you find anything out Nyx?" I asked as we made our way to the bar. Leeya poured us two drinks and began cleaning up glass.

"Apparently they hadn't had food or shelter in a long time. Her mother would disappear for days leaving her in an ally until she returned." she informed me . I lit a cigarette as I listened to her intently.

"She only met the 'big man' as she calls him, once. He followed Estelle to the ally. She didn't understand what they were talking about. I am guessing it was sell your daughter for your life." she sighed.

"I'm not sure what lead her here. She must have really thought she would leave with her life and that I would protect my merchandise." I hissed. "Eh, f**k 'em all." I added as I pat her on the head.

___________________________________________

KIVA

I made a b-line for the boss. This isn't something I can't tell her about. I may die tonight, but I'll die knowing I said everything I needed to say. I walked behind Ray and whispered in ear, "I need to speak with you privately. It's urgent."

"Nyx, go make sure Quinn is settled. If anyone needs me, I'll be in my office." she stated. I walked in behind her and closed the door. She sat in her thrown and took a drag before extinguishing her cigarette. I stared at the ground, fearing what she would say or do to me.

"Did you find my clothes?" she said sharply.

"Oh! Yes sorry." I replied scrambling. She snatched my wrist starling me.

"What the hell is wrong with you Kiva, you're freaking me out." she snapped. I took a seat in the chair across from her. I clenched my fists and blurted out, "I'm so sorry! I shouldn't have looked!" I watched as her eyes widened and she stood up. She turned towards the mirror behind her desk and stared. Gradually the air became heavier and heavier. It felt like someone was adding gravity every second. The mirror cracked under the pressure.

"You will speak of this to no one. You are important to me Kiva. I trust you. If you betray me, it will cost you your life." she threatened.

The pressure was gone and she lit another cigarette before calmly sitting in her thrown. I could not look her in the eye. She was our leader, the boss, and I knew something that could bring her to her knees in an instant. Anyone else would have killed me for knowing their weakness. Instead she simply whispered,

"His name was Giran...it means sun shine."