Alliance With Shadows

Chapter 7

“So how is your pasta Mercy?” Luc smiled. The hours had gone by so quickly, they were now enjoying dinner at a local Italian place. He wished he could just stop time and enjoy this time with her. There was no way he could convince himself that he couldn’t and didn’t love this woman. He would fight the Light and Dark for her. She was the best thing in his life and he wasn’t about to give that up. At least that’s what he was thinking, he certainly wouldn’t say any of that out loud. He really needed to pull himself back and accept reality; he wouldn’t be able to stay with this woman and certainly wouldn’t be able to be in love with this woman because he would have to leave after the mission was over.

            “It’s amazing! I didn’t know this little place was here.” Mercy stuffed her face with her noodles.

            “You look so cute.” Luc wiped the sauce that spilled onto her chin. s**t, did he just say that out loud?! Wait, they were on a date right? It was okay to tell the woman you were with that she was cute right? He was a gentleman, after all, it was alright for compliments and small touches. He smiled, he would just act himself.

            Mercy blushed, “Um, thank you. So since we are on a date I suppose we should get to know each other a bit.”

            “Alright well let me just pay the check and we can go walk around and talk.” Luc leaned over and kissed Mercy on the cheek, “I won’t be long.” Luc rose and walked up to the hostess table to pay for the meal. She watched him walk away and smiled at the view. She knew at that moment that she wouldn’t be able to hold her ground when it came to ‘liking’ him a bit more than she thought. She sat there waiting quietly wondering how this whole thing was going to work out. The man wanted her to kill him. She wouldn’t be able to do it even though she promised. Which left the only option she had; she had to save him. How? She didn’t know but that was the only option she had.

            Jolted from her thoughts by a kiss on her cheek, “You seemed to be thinking very hard, you had a very serious look on your face.”  Luc looked a bit worried.

            “Oh, it wasn’t important. Did you pay the bill?”

            “Yes, I’m all done. Shall we go?”

            Mercy smiled, it was hopeless. “Yes, I’m ready.” Luc pulled out her chair and offered his hand and she gladly took it. She would not let anyone take this caring man away. She couldn’t understand how his soul chose dark when it was full of light. Maybe that was the key to saving him; make him realize that his soul was light. That he wasn’t as dark as he thought he was, that the reason he had such a strong demon was that the dark and light were battling inside him. She just hoped the light would win. The words ‘I Love You’ would not escape here mouth for this man. She could ‘like’ or even ‘strongly like’ this man, but love was not going to happen. She would enjoy this fling that would happen, then after this mission, they would part ways. Her heart began to ache at the thought. Shaking her head she pasted on a smile, she would enjoy this time even if it was short.

            “Are you okay?” Luc saw the sea of emotions that flooded over her face with those few seconds of offering his hand.

            “Yes I’m fine, I was just thinking a bit too hard.”

            “Well then let’s leave and you can ask me all those questions I’m sure are swimming around that beautiful mind you have.” Luc smiled.

            “You and your compliments, you should be careful I may get a big head.” Mercy laughed.

            “I’m sure that would be impossible.”

            “If you say so,” picking her phone out of her pocket she looked at the time, “Wow it’s almost eight. We were in there for a while. Would you mind if I took a rain check on the walk and we talked in the car on the way home? I forgot that my brother was coming over tonight for a checkup.”

            “Sure.” Luc looked down at her worried.

            “Oh no, it’s nothing serious. I just got hurt the last fight I was in and my brother worries too much. No big deal.” Mercy smiled up at him.

            Not quite sure about her answer, he nodded anyway not wanting to poke into something she may not want to talk about. Directing her towards the parking lot, they walked back to the car quietly. He wasn’t sure what he was or wasn’t allowed to ask her. They had just met a few days ago so they didn’t really know each other well, and it had been a while since he had been in the human realm so he wasn’t sure about the edict. All he knew was he was glad that the doctor who was giving her a checkup was her brother, the thought of another man looking at her made his insides clench. He could feel himself want to growl at the thought. He quickly cleared his throat hoping it covered the growl.

            “You okay Lucern?”

            He looked over to her in the passenger seat and found himself sigh, the way she said his name just made him want to jump her here and now. She looked so beautiful in the moonlight breaking through the windows. It was as if the moon herself was jealous and wished to cover her beauty, but failed and only made her beauty stronger. He found himself smiling, even though love was forbidden he would certainly enjoy every moment with this woman and would relish in every second. He would do everything to make sure there would be nothing he would regret when it came to her.

            “Lucern! You’re staring and you’re worrying me.”

            “I’m sorry I was just thinking,” He smiled, “what were those questions you wanted to ask?”

            “You were thinking very hard. What were you thinking about,” Mercy asked as she slipped on her seat belt as they made their way back to her house.

            “Oh, nothing you need to worry about.”

            She laughed, “Code for something you probably shouldn’t have been thinking about but were anyways?” Mercy turned to face him and lifted an eyebrow, “So how close am I?”

            Smirking, “You are probably safe on that assumption.”

            “Thought so. So anyways onto my questions, since your father is the Dark Lord that would make you the Prince correct?”

            “Correct. But my father has since broken that tradition since I did not return with the soul my father requested.”

            “So Morgan was the soul you were supposed to take back to your father?” Mercy had been wondering why he was with Morgan when they first met.

            “She was the soul that would redeem me and then I would reclaim my position as the Prince. My father hated that I never collected human souls, so he figured if I collected a pure whiteling soul my demon would then come out and control me the way he wishes.” Luc sighed not that refusing to take souls helped, he still fought his demon from bursting out and taking control. He felt a soft hand on his thigh and looked up to find a pair of chocolate, glittering eyes staring at him. Smiling he placed his hand on top of hers and felt a surge of energy burst up his arm. Mercy quickly jerked her hand away and blushed placing her hands in her lap. Luc smiled and placed his hand back on the steering wheel.

            Clearing her throat, “Anyways, moving onto something less heavy do you have any brothers or sisters?”

            “No. I only have Teague.”

            “Oh.” Mercy sat there quietly twiddling her thumbs. Man, she was not good at this at all.

            Luc took the hint that she wasn’t sure what else to ask, “You mentioned you had a brother, do you have any other siblings?”

            Mercy smiled, “Yes I have my older brother and then I have a younger sister.”

            “I’m assuming your brother was hell growing up with and now he’s very protective, and your sister idolizes you and wishes to be just like you?”

            She laughed at how right he was, “My brother constantly picked on me growing up. He didn’t bother Cadence as much because he is so much older than her. There is almost a ten-year gap between her and me, so I grew up with her for a bit. Xander was already sixteen when she was born so he was heading into the Medical Academy, so he wasn’t around much. Once I turned sixteen I entered into the Valkyrie Academy and my brother had graduated and was already on field duty. Once he saw what was going on in the world and the battles that were going on, then on top of that learned that I was becoming a Valkyrie he became very protective. Once I graduated and was out on missions he asked the Priestess to be my personal medic, which she couldn’t put up much of an argument against. I remember coming back from my first battle,” Mercy laughed, “He was so mad I didn’t know if he was going to scream or cry. I swear to this day if he could have taken my place he would have. I was so beaten up that after I healed he personally trained me with weapons so I wouldn’t get hurt so bad.”

            “Well, I suppose if I had a sister I would be overly protective too.” Luc saw that her eyes glittered with amusement.

            “I’m sure you would kill any guy that got around her.”

            “You would not be wrong in that assumption.”

            “I think you would be a great brother though.”

            “You think so?”

            “Yeah,” Mercy laughed, “Not that I would volunteer for it.”

            Luc wriggled is eyebrow laughing, “I would probably be worse than your brother.”

            Mercy mimicked him, “You would not be wrong in that assumption.” They both erupted in laughter as they pulled into the driveway of her house. Luc got out to open the car door for her and offered his hand to help her out. She took it gladly and felt the same shock go up her arm again but didn’t jerk away as she did before. A soft hum of warmth replaced the shock as they walked up to the front door and dug for her keys in her purse. Finding the right key she opened the door and walked right in turning on the lights. Turning she found that Luc was still standing outside the door. “You can come in. I did invite you to stay.”

            Nodding he entered and closed the door behind him making sure to lock it as well.

            Yelling from upstairs in her bedroom, “You may want to come upstairs and check on Teague I think he went to bed. I heard something snoring.”

            Luc laughed and slowly made his way up the stairs; he found the room she had offered them. Opening the door slightly he found his mutt sprawled across the bed sleeping away. “I believe Teague likes your bed in here. Although it has been a while since he was allowed to sleep on a bed let alone a home he feels safe enough to sleep like that.” He looked up to find her exiting her bedroom in a tank and some sweatpants.

            “Well, I’m glad he will have a great night's sleep. We can go downstairs and watch some TV till my brother gets here unless you are tired and would like to sleep.” She brushed by him slightly hoping the small touch would convince him to sit with her instead of going to bed. Not that she wanted to do anything, well she did but she certainly wasn’t going to say anything. She just didn’t want to be alone when she had the option to have company. 

            “I’m not tired yet so I wouldn’t mind joining you to watch TV.” With that small touch, he felt as if he would jump clear out of his skin. Hells bells the things he wanted to do to this woman. He growled at his discomfort.

            “You okay Lucern?”

            “Yes, I’m fine.” He was far from fine but he wasn’t going to say anything. He sighed. Another day and another time he promised, as he followed her down the stairs to the couch. She plopped down on the brown suede couch and he soon followed.

            “What would you like to watch?” She offered him the remote.

            “Thanks but I don’t even know what could be on. You choose.”

            She sat and thought, “Oh! There’s this show on that I absolutely love to watch it’s called Face-Off and I think the stuff that they do on there is really amazing.”

            “Your choice sweetheart.”

            Mercy blushed; he had just called her sweetheart. Her phone rang; quickly racing around the house to find it she caught it on the last ring, “Mercy DeAngél.”

            “You okay sis? You sound out of breath.”

            Finding her spot back on the couch she muted the TV, “Yeah I’m fine just had to race around the house to find my phone.” She heard a hearty laugh through the phone, “Shut up Xander         !”

            “It’s a wonder sis, you would lose your own head if it wasn’t attached.”

            “Yeah whatever you didn’t call just to make fun of me.”

            “No I was letting you know that I was off work so could you lift the spell long enough so I can get through.”

            “Yeah just give it thirty seconds after we hang up and you can create your portal.”

            “Alright, then I will see you in thirty seconds.” Xander laughed.

            “That gives you thirty seconds to come up with an apology for making fun of me.” Mercy hung up the phone and laughed. She looked at Luc and smiled, “You just sit there I’m sure my brother will be on edge the minute he senses a darkling.” Luc nodded no argument there. Mercy stood in the middle of her room and recited the incantation to lift the spell. She began to count to thirty that was all she was willing to give Xander. If she allowed any longer she may get unwelcome guests trying to pinpoint her location. At twenty she saw a spot over by the front door begin to shimmer, she allowed it to fully form before she recited the incantation again to cover her house in its protective bubble again. Just as she predicted Xander came through the portal guns ready to take out the darkling threat. “Xander put those away; it’s not like you know how to use them.” Mercy sat down on Luc’s lap to show that he wasn’t a threat, not realizing the gesture would be so pleasurable. She felt him stiffen not daring to move, not even daring to breathe. She whispered, “I really shouldn’t have done that I’m sorry I just didn’t want him to shoot you.”

            Luc tried to smile, “It’s okay. I’m not complaining am I?”

            “Yeah but.” Mercy began to rise off his lap and he quickly grabbed her hips. She turned to find a pained look in his eyes.

            “Stay. Please. Just for a little longer.”

            Mercy smiled, “I’ll try but my brother needs to examine me.”

            Luc nodded. Mercy heard someone clear their throat. “Oh sorry, bro.”

            “Yeah whatever so let’s have a look at them.” Xander walked over to the couch.

            Mercy saw that he was a bit angry and she couldn’t blame him. She was sitting on a man’s lap in front of him, and to make it worse the man was a darkling. She rose a bit off Luc’s lap to hear a hissing noise come from him; she flipped around so she would be straddling his lap and sat back down to hear him sigh. She smiled and let out a soft giggle to find him look up at her with a smirk. She quickly took off her shirt to reveal a lavender bra underneath.

            “Do you really need to undress in front of this guy?! I’m your brother for crying out loud! Try not to make this feel like I’m in the middle of a striptease.” Xander grunted as he came over to drop his medical box on the floor beside her.

            “You need to look at my wing slits and the wings themselves. So me being in my bra is the only way to do that correct?”

            “Correct. But try not to make it seem so erotic!”

            “Just do your job, Xander.”

            “No problem.” Xander began examining her wing slits poking them softly with a long

Q-tip. Mercy let out a soft hiss, it still hurt a bit.

            “Hey, sweetheart why does he have to look at your wings,” Luc asked trying to distract her from the pain.

            “I was in a fight with a rouge darkling. He was a snake shapeshifter and during the fight, he spat his venom on my wings.” She was glad he was trying to distract her but she wasn’t sure how he would react when he actually saw her wings and the damage to them still. It was true they had looked better than they did before but they were still severely damaged.

            “Your slits look much better than they did before, it is still a bit pinker than I wanted but with the medication, I brought they should heal in a few days. Wings please.”

            “Yes, sir.” Mercy grunted. She closed her eyes and focused her magic to let her wings slip through the slits; she heard Luc’s disapproval before she saw his face. She opened her eyes to find his mouth tight and eyes filled with pain. Only other Valkyrie could understand the pain. “Don’t worry Lucern they are much better than they were before.” She saw his eyes widen and understood he couldn’t imagine how she lived through her wings being in worse shape.

            “She is correct. They look much better than when she came home after the fight. They don’t look like ground hamburger and a bloody mess. She has feathers intact. Mother was worried about your feathers with the amount she removed that day. They were just all matted together and were only attached because of the blood. I brought some medication for only your wings; it will help quicken the healing process. You should be able to return to your Valkyrie duties in about two days, but I would like to do a final checkup before you return just to make sure.” Xander smiled, he couldn’t believe his little sister had lived through the worst of the venom.

            Mercy lifted herself off Luc’s lap and smiled that there was a slight groan for her to stay. She returned her wings into the slits in her back and put her tank back on. She turned to her brother and gave him a strong hug. “Thanks.”

            Xander looked at her confused, “For what?”

            She stretched to her tiptoes to whisper in his ear, “for being a great brother, an amazing medic, and for not killing Luc.”

            Xander softened and smiled, “it’s my job to protect you as a brother and as your medic, and about the guy you seemed a bit attached to him. But you better let him know that just because he seems to like you doesn’t mean I wouldn’t kill his ass. Does dad know he’s here?”

            “No, and you’re not going to tell him or mom.”

            Xander hugged her and sighed, “I wouldn’t tell them anything it’s your own life. You know its forbidden Mercy.”

            Stiffening she pulled back to look at him, “What?”

            Xander shook his head, “You may not know it and he may not know it but I do. I saw it the minute you sat on his lap. With light and dark it doesn’t happen much but I can see it.”

            “See what?”

            Xander smiled, “I’m not telling, you guys will figure it out on your own.”

            “Xander tell me!”

            Xander unhooked his sister from him and quickly ran to his portal, “I’ll talk to you later sis! Nice meeting you Lucern.” He quickly ran through his portal and it disappeared.

            Mercy picked up the shoe she had beside her and threw it at the already gone portal, “You ass! I wasn’t finished talking!” Plopping down on the couch, “Jerk!”

            Luc laughed, “What were you guys talking about that he ran out so quickly for?”

            “I don’t know what he was saying but I’m going to find out tomorrow I’m going to bug him all day at work.” Mercy smiled at her devious plan.

            “Well, you have fun with that.” He yawned wide enough that his jaw popped. “I think I’m going to kick Teague off the bed.” He offered her his hand as he got off the couch. “I’ll walk you to your door.”

            Mercy smiled as she took his hand, “You are such a gentleman.”

            “I have to make sure milady gets to her bedroom safely.” He walked her to her bedroom door as promised and kissed her on the cheek, “Good night and sweet dreams.”

            She blushed, “You too.” She opened the door to her room and smiled when she saw her bed. She ran and jumped on it as if she were seven years old and erupted in giggles. She found her place on the bed and cuddled with the blankets. She found for the first time in years, sleep came quickly and dreams were sweeter.

                                                                        ***

            Portal opening into his own house Xander threw his box on the ground and punched the first wall he saw. “f**k! f**k! They are f*****g mates! Their auras are the same, they are f*****g soul mates!” Xander threw himself on his couch and sat in the quiet. “What am I going to do?” Xander found the picture he loved and thought fondly of. Sitting on the table beside him, a picture of him and Mercy the day she graduated from the Valkyrie Academy.  He was in his uniform and she was decked out in her armor with her floating beside him kissing him on the cheek. He smiled at the memory. She had always been so mad because she could never reach; she was so excited that she could kiss him on the cheek with just a flap of her wings. He sighed; she was now a grown twenty-five-year-old woman. His time for protecting her was done and over. The only problem now was this news, if it got out, it would start a whole new war. Running his hand through his hair in frustration, “f**k. I need a beer!”