Just Checking Up! Part Seventy- Two: Ghosts Don't Bite!

Rip:

Tapping the file on the coffee table, a picture of a haunted house annoyed the shit out of me. A favor from the government had been requested of me, Silks napping away some of her magic over usage. Cal rushed to my side, his simple black designer suit matching mine. Kaw leaned over my shoulder, Frice and our kids playing with magic in the background doing little to ease my fraying nerves. 

“Just like the old times!” Cal mused with a wink, the Sins keeping watch over Silks and our family. Dade hung by his grandchildren, his tired grin speaking of an exhausted bliss. Snapping his fingers with the file in his hand, Glac failed to latch onto my back at the last second. Tossing us onto a rotting wooden porch, a decaying Dutch Colonial loomed over us.  Why couldn't they ever be immaculate hotels?

“What the hell is the disturbance this time?” Cal interrogated playfully, my brow cocking. “Come now, we can blow off a bit of steam.” Kaw cleared his throat, a few spirits stared down at us. Waving up at them, a bit of coy fright had them scurrying away. Must they be so shy?

“People disappear and never come back out.” I uttered while popping onto the heels of my dress boots, a few plucks preventing splinters. “Perhaps one bad apple is in charge but the angelic scent in the air speaks of a dark angel. Maybe a clue lies at the end of this stupid conquest. All I want to do is hold my wife and hang out with everyone.” Nudging my shoulder, Cal’s bright smile warmed my soul.  What was brewing in that crazy mind of his?

“Look at you being all about that family. I never thought that would happen.” He joked blithely, my death glare raising his hands in the air. “Chill out. You always had a protective thing for Silks. Trust me, I get it. Family is what you go home to and what you have at the end of the day. Enjoy what you have. Kick some ass before the stress eats you alive.” Chewing on my bottom lip, something good had to come of this. 

“You’re lucky I like you.” I growled through gritted teeth, a small chuckle slipping off their tongues. Being on edge would be the sole way to describe myself as of late, a long sigh drawing from my lips. Letting it slide, everything about my personal life had grown chaotic. 

“Call me when your wife keeps running off to scare you half to death or whatever you are.” I mumbled under my breath, a bit of pent up frustration simmering in my soul. “Why she chose to go back to her old ways is beyond me!” An eerie silence bit the air, Cal twisted his hair into a bun while contemplating what to say. 

“Did you ask the purpose of her running into that Bayou on her own?” He asked calmly, his approach seeming more practical than mine. “She saw something in that cauldron, correct?” Rolling my eyes, that proved to be my yes to him. Struggling with the sticking door a few inches from me, his glance flitted between his current task and me. 

“The point is that something major triggered her. Don’t you remember when she was human a few times and you pushed too hard? Many times her apartments burned down and she was gone by morning because you wanted to investigate it.” He pointed out honestly, the truth feeling like an arrow to my heart. “Silks is nothing but an amazing person with a terrible way of handling her triggers. Sit her down and spill out your true feelings. That always worked before. Just don’t be too aggressive in the why department, ‘kay.” Doors creaking open interrupted my response, a flurry of jet black angel feathers zooming past our faces. Silver armor glinted in the orange moonlight, a new constant due to Silks’ presence on Earth. 

“Hauntingly enchanted to meet you.” A sly female voice giggled childishly, a five foot two dark angel skipped out of the shadows. “Don’t be fooled by my tiny cuteness! My bite is worse than my bark!” Tilting her head to the left, a helmet tumbling off revealed a pale slender face with glittering black eyes and black lips. Silky black braids bounced around via twirl and bounce, her energy reminding me of the dark side of Dollzy. Bringing her hand close to her face, those damn feathers swirled around her violently. Picking up speed, horror rounded my eyes. Her powers proved to be more frightful than the ghosts trapped inside, the one weakness existing is close combat. 

“Release!” She uttered simply, a clap of her hands forcing us to dive into the house. Slamming shut behind us, the door disappeared into thin air. Cursing under my breath, glitching symbols spoke of her death being the one way out. Giggling while holding up a slumbering Silks, the shrill ring of my cell phone confirmed my worst fears. Waving her around like a rag doll, her simple leather burgundy kimono swayed each time. Dings had me looking at panicked texts, the Sins rushing our way. 

“Seems I have something you want.” She bragged gleefully, her sick gin pissing me off. “Games please me to no end. Here’s the deal, you annoying gnats. Find her and we can have that battle you desire. The winner takes it all, baby. All you have to do is send those two home to get the hounds off of my ass. What do you say?” Summoning a random oak door, protests fell on deaf ears as I shoved them through the threshold.  

“Get the Sins to back off for the time being.” I whispered loud enough for only them to hear, Kaw shifting uncomfortably. “Set up a protection spell to avoid total destruction. Cal, promise me that you will protect Kaw.” Nodding once, their new job shifted to the final layer of protection before me. Closing the door gently, it faded away to a pile of dust. Time to play her games. 

“You win. How do I play, you annoying thorn in my side? I am going to give you one warning. No one takes my wife and lives to tell the freaking tale.” I warned her irately, my temper flaring at her shrugging her shoulders non-chalantly. “Then again, one tempts fate when they play with the prince of Hell who became ki due to his queen.” Snorting while tossing her into a cage, the pipsqueak leaned forward while laughing in a maniacal state. Slapping her knee, her mannerisms sent raw fury searing through my veins.  

“Correct me if I am wrong but you gave up a beating heart to stand by her and you still adore that decision. I don’t get idiots like you. Love makes you dumb. Why not live life then become a demon?” She retorted icily, the net fading into thin air. “Play stupid games! Win your damn dumb ass reward!” Doing the same, her harsh words no power on me, the corner of my lips twitching into a snarl. Sucking deeply a few times, Silks’ scent was everywhere but nowhere. Closing my eyes, magical symbols spoke of an invisible maze. Snatching the closest piece of paper, ink made of my blood and the tips of my extended claws helped me procure a halfway decent map. Scanning the basics of the house, a horrifying scream pierced my ears. Sprinting towards it, frustration brewed in my eyes upon my map burning to a pile of ash. 

 Floorboards rattled, musty air lashing at me upon them giving out. A flash of gold smashed into me, golden feathers fluttered everywhere as we landed gracefully. Setting me down, Electrox towered over me. Ruffling his wings, fury burned in his eyes. Confusion twisted my features, his appearance unsettling my fraying nerves. Something occurred between Silks and him, both of them coming back more depressed than before.    

“Sorry for being late. A few dark angels got in the way.” He sighed irately, his gloved hand wiping their blood off of his face. “What are the rules of this dumb game?” Shrugging my shoulders, Silks’ safety was the prize. As will it always be, neither of us wanted to conform to the crushing weight of her getting stolen once more.

“I have to find Silks!” I blurted out brokenly, everything slapping me at once. Every breath shortened, a clammy sweat drenching my skin. Resting his palm on my head, the shock ended my panic attack. An odd pause hung in the air, his armor glinting in the stained glass rose lights humming to life.  

“That mother and godchild won’t die today if we put our heads together. She pulled off a miracle that helped her out. Family is h-” He attempted to comfort me, my hand slapping his away. Hurt dimmed his gentle smile, grief welling up in his eyes. My lips parted several times, so many questions reading across my features.  

“Bless is going to be a part of your child’s soul with Silks’ permission.” He confessed tediously, my death glare nearly silencing him. “Don’t hate her, please! Any memories will be forgotten on her side.” Running my hand through my hair, silver dragon flames twisted into a full sized scythe. Jet black ice crackled down to the tip, pent up rage released a wave of pure black energy. Flying into a stuffed bookshelf, books tumbled over his head.

“Silks will remember!” I roared hotly, my patience wearing rather thin. “Did you not think about the sorrow accompanied with that action? This child is stressing her out and you bastards added to it. Being human may have occurred a long time ago but you bumbling fools should know from the prayers of desperate humans. Did the wires not cross in that aspect?” Softening my tone with the last question, books tumbled to my boots as he hoisted himself onto his own. Preparing to apologize, the secret passageway behind him postponed a further conversation. 

Brushing past him briskly, my scythe laid on my shoulders. Venturing into what had to be a portal to a ghost bar, all the spirits of the home chatted freely among themselves. Snapping their heads in our direction, the swing music died down. A hooded figure floated up to us, her finger pointed to the door on the other side of the room. Squeezing through the hiding ghosts, a cross over the metal threshold brought me into a sea of ancient book shelves. Silks cried out, her apologetic expression darting between the two of us. Cupping her mouth, a wave of her hand ordered us into the closest shadows. Shrinking back, Silks laid on her stomach. Don't piss off the angry firecracker, damn it!

“Joining the kidnapping club is helping you how?” She teased her cruelly, her fingers plucking the net holding her. “Twilix operates on narcissistic tendencies and this will get you nowhere. Then again, that look of pride speaks of low intelligence.” Blooming black lightning lilies along the ceiling, they blossomed down the wall to us. Electrox touched the wall, his staff absorbing his gift from her. Switching her attention to me, her secret hurt me. Guilt ate at me, inky regret staining her cheek. Mouthing a silent apology, a steady nosebleed dripped onto the icy cavern floor. 

“What do you know about serving someone who is clearly better than you will ever be?” The dark angel shot back defensively, Silks’ fit of laughter befuddling her. “Laughing at your death proves you to be a bit too bold, your majesty!” The laughter died down, every footfall bringing me closer to her. Electrox became a ball of energy, my own movements feeling sluggish. Climbing the shelf closest to her, Silks gathered her composure abruptly.  

“There is something that I have that you don’t. Friends that are like family. No matter where you take me, they will sniff me out.” She sang blissfully, her legs swinging back and forth. “Another thing, I hope you like a shockingly good time.” Furrowing her brows, a leap off of my hiding spot granted me a prime spot on her wings. One swing cut them from the base, horror rounding the angel's eyes. Landing gracefully, a yank close to my chest paralyzed her further into a rare moment of fear. Flipping my blade up, the tip pierced her brain. Hitting her with all of my dragon flames, a thick layer of ice consumed her legs. 

“Hit her now!” I commanded impatiently, Electrox coming in from underneath. Waving before kicking it into her chest, her pleas fell on deaf ears. Shouting an angelic spell, her skin began to bubble. Preparing myself for a fucked up mess, burnt flesh announced the rain of blood and guts. Turning to ash shortly after, karma found a way to punish me. Silks swung the net close enough to grab onto the rope holding her up, her slender hands lowering herself down. Hitting the floor calmly, a hole became big enough for her to crawl through. Struggling to her bare feet, the dead bodies of the victims tore her soul to shreds. Approaching them slowly, golden energy swirled around her. Sinking to their bodies, her lips moved a mile a minute. Wounds reversed itself, death untying its grip upon them. Sitting up with gasps, her own body narrowly curled into a ball. Thanking her profusely, jet black blood mixed with the relief as she sobbed away. Red and blue lights flooded the space, police men flooding in. Shocked to see the victims alive, a flash of my badge shut down any protests. The good ghosts hung back, a broken Silks simply sat against the closest wall. A cloaked figure materialized in front of her, an argument ensuing. Hands waved about, the current chaos prevented a scene from happening. Beginning to disappear, a snatch around her ankle threw us into Hare’s house. Slamming the study door behind her, louder voices bounced off the walls.  

“Who died and made you God!” The female voice screamed vehemently in her direction, skeletal hands clenching in frustration. “Do you know the work I have to do in order to course correct!” Silks leaned over the closest chair, a ribbon of black leaking from the corner of her lips. Breaking into a coughing fit, blood sprayed across the floor.  

“Shut the fuck up.” Silks wheezed dejectedly, depression dulling her dwindling energy. “Those people didn’t deserve to pay for our mess! Yes, I said our mess! The longer I live, the more they try to kill me! Forgive me for not wanting to relive my childhood as well! Do you know how many children I failed to save!” Swaying slightly, a painful silence swallowed the room. Catching her before she hit the floor, Silks gripped my waist like her life depended on it.  

“I suppose those lives can be traded for those.” The figure caved softly, tears splashing onto those skeletal hands. “I have to go. Paperwork and all!” Disappearing in a puff of black smoke, a tuckered out Silks collapsed onto the bloody chair. Curling into a ball, the guilt of what I failed to do seared its way onto my brain.

“Sorry you had to hear the news that way.” She whispered sleepily, her palm sliding down to her bump. “Bless had a rough life and I want to give her a better childhood than either of us had. That is the least I can give her after failing her. Every footfall I take has a flicker of death. How many friends do I need to lose before the emotional strikes to my soul ends?” A golden glow hummed to life around her, any damage began to reverse itself. Lifting her up, something felt fragile about her. Snuggling into my chest, the chair became our sanctuary. Puzzle pieces came together, her compassion driving her at the end of the day.  

“Don’t worry about it.” I comforted her tenderly, my lips brushing against the top of her head. “Will our child be able to heal themselves? Before you answer that, know that my heart is yours and yours alone.” Shifting uncomfortably, her trembling fingers clung to my messy jacket. An affirmation spoke in her tired smile. Humming into my chest, her hoarse notes still sounded like bells. Snores echoed in my ears, my palm sliding down to her bump. That steady source of energy swelled underneath my touch, pride glistening in my eyes. Bless’ energy made it so powerful, images of our family running around had me smiling to myself. Silks laughing on a sunny morning with our family glued to her side brought me more joy, her beauty knowing no bounds. Singing to them, the golden glow of the sunrise drew me to her stunning eyes. Bringing my hand back, determination burned in my eyes. Serenity would be found, only smaller cases popping up. Yeah, that would be a bit of paradise. No one was going to stop me, my inner flames burning strong. Come Hell or high water, victory will be ours.