Creatures

“Although you do not have the fighting skills, your instincts are good and you were able to activate your weapons the first time. Good job.” Shorty spoke quietly.

Karen looked at the bracelets and noted the etchings on them for the first time. Her eyes narrowed and she looked back at the little man before her.

“You knew it would take my blood the first time, yes?” Lifting her wrist up to show him the bloody bracelet.

Shorty shrugged.

“How did you know? Only one other knew before I told them.” He asked.

“No blood below the bracelets. They absorbed it and then used it.”

Shorty nodded. “Just like your bond with Talon, your bracelets needed to make a bond with you. They do that through the sacrifice of your blood. Now that you have activated them once they will respond to your will and you will be able...” Shorty froze in mid-sentence as one of the blades suddenly rested against to his throat and he was looking into the eyes of a very angry young lady.

“So what you are saying is that if I had not been hurt and bleeding or if the blood had not reached them in time, you would have allowed,” she glanced at the body one more time, “that being to continue its attack until I was unable to continue.”

Talon stared at the woman before him. She was different. The timid and hesitation was gone along with her fear. Now she was confident, calm and... cold. He was a bit unnerved at seeing the sudden change in her. She stepped up and very carefully lowered her arm from Shorty’s neck. The action seemed to take away all of her will to fight and she started to cry.

Without thinking, just acting on instinct, he once again wrapped her up in his arms. “Every person has to go through this. You had to figure it out on your own so do not take your anger out on him. He was only doing his job and you should realize that he would never allow that thing to truly hurt you.”

Karen looked up at Talon before turning and giving Shorty a low bow. “I am sorry Shorty. That was uncalled for.”

“Are you kidding. It happens more times then I can count and besides, that was awesome!”

Karen’s head snapped up at his enthusiasm.

“I did not know that you would have an evil twin. Damn woman, I cannot wait to see what you will be like after you have been properly trained. Though...” He quickly continued, seeing the shock and dismay cross her face. “I will never allow you to become evil. Just really good at what you do.”

Karen shook her head violently. “No. I do not want to kill again. It is too awful for words.”

“Yes, you will. You will kill hundreds before your training is complete.” Talon spoke softly behind her. “You just have to tap into your strength. Remember what you are fighting for.”

“You are going to rival Talon one day for sure.” Shorty started to jump up and down in his excitement. “Can we do it again? Please, please, please?”

Karen looked at the man in front of her and shook her head. “You are not normal are you?” She had to grin at his expression though. “No. I will not do it again, but thank you.”

“You will not be doing anything until we get these cuts healed up.” Talon raised up the sleeve of her shirt, revealing the long white cut she had received earlier.

“You will need to go have this healed before it becomes infected,” Talon commented. “You could do with some training in basic fighting while you are at it. That was just ugly.”

Karen noticed his cold attitude was firmly back in place.

“Hey, at least I am the one still standing.” Karen shot back.

“Pure. Dumb. Luck.”

“Duh.” Karen rolled her eyes at him. She was tired, but suddenly feeling much better. “What else did I have going for me?”

“Are you done here?” Talon asked Shorty who had gone over to inspect the body up close and personal. His talent and making them seem so real sometimes scared him. He gave the image a poke and watched the tiny disruption run through the body, revealing that it was truly only his creation and not the real thing. Damn, he was good.

“Yeah. I am done... for now. Come back soon.” He waved them away as they left the room and headed for the infirmary.

As they walked, Karen wiped the sweat from her face only to realize that it was blood. She must have cut up her face as well. It was starting to sting now and for that matter, so was her arm.

She looked at the cut carefully, noting that it was still seeping blood, but not like before.

“Does it hurt?” Talon asked without turning around.

“What do you think?” She grumbled.

Talon shook his head. She was like a completely different person.

“You did not do too bad in there for a complete beginner. I was mildly surprised that you did not pass out the moment you saw one.”

“I told you before, I have already experienced the real thing once... thank you though, for saying that. It is very nice of you.” Karen’s head was starting to hurt so she stopped talking.

Talon knocked on a door and then ushered Karen in.

“Where are you Doc? I have a patient for you.” He hollered.

“I think I can see that for myself.” A tall, thin man with an ugly scar running across his face appeared from behind a curtain. “Hello. I figured I would see you sooner or later.” He looked her over.

“You are not in nearly as bad as shape as I thought you would be, though the cut on your head and shoulder is probably causing you some discomfort now. Come and sit and I will show you how to clean and heal the small stuff like this yourself.”

“Heal? Myself?” She turned to Talon, “I can do that? Even this?” She pointed to the cut on her shoulder.

Talon nodded and Karen suddenly felt lightheaded.

“Yes. Your abilities will allow you to draw on your power to heal yourself of small injuries. You cannot do anything too major, but you should have enough power to heal these. Just do not try to do too much or you risk killing yourself. Understood?”

Karen nodded.

“Oh and one more thing. Once you start the healing process, you will not be able to stop so know your limits.”

“Got it. Now if you could do something about these. I would appreciate it. My head is starting to throb.”

“All right. Let’s begin...”

Twenty minutes later they were done and although Karen no longer had any injuries, she was covered in blood and her headache had only diminished slightly. Not to mention they had skipped lunch and she was starving.

“What’s next?” She asked Talon as they headed towards the mansion.

“Next you are going to shower while I get us some lunch and then you are going to lay down for a bit. I do not want to see you before supper.”

“That is still...” Karen looked at her watch, “Three hours away.”

“You need to rest and get rid of the headache that I am sure you have right now.”

How had he known that? Even though she wanted to ask, Karen just did not have the energy to find out. There would be time enough to ask later.

“Fine. As you wish.” They walked along in silence, each in their own thoughts.

“Where is your weapon?” Karen asked suddenly.

“You will see.”

“You will not tell me now?”

“Everyone carries their weapons differently and every weapon is tailored to each person, fitting their personality.”

“So ours do not look the same.”

“No, but they can be put together.”

“Huh?”

“I will explain at a later date.”

As they came to her room she finally got up enough courage to ask him something that had been on her mind since that morning.

“Why do you not eat with the others?”

“Why do I need to?” He opened the door and followed her in, escorting her to her bedroom.

“Do you not like their company?”

“It has nothing to do with that.” He continued through her bedroom and deposited her in her bathroom.

“Then what does it have to do with?”

“What is with all the questions suddenly? This morning you were a two-bit, timid little rabbit and now...”

Karen sighed. Her head hurt and she was tired and grumpy that was why. Besides, she was done dealing with his high handedness. All he did was argue and sulk and be rude to everyone around him. She did not want to deal with him anymore.

“Do not worry about the food. I will be going to bed anyway. You may go away now. You do not need to waste any more time in my company.” Karen shut the door on his face and leaned against it a moment before starting the shower. She was no longer hungry. All she wanted right now was to be clean and to sleep off this headache.

“How did she do?” Lily asked Talon as she prepared supper.

“She killed one.” Was all he said as he prepared his own meal.

“What?” Evan’s head snapped up from where he had been cutting the vegetables. “How did she manage that?”

“Pure dumb luck, but still... she will be good. She is not as hesitant or as shy as she appears.”

“I could have told you that,” Carrie spoke up from the table. “You can see the strength in her eyes. Just wait and see. Soon she will be able to take even you on Talon.”

Talon finished his sandwich and headed for the door.

“Oh, Talon? Would you go collect Karen? Supper is ready and she should not miss any more meals.”

Talon did not even stop on his way out the door.

“He seems to like her,” Evan commented.

“That he does. I do not think I have ever heard him speak so highly of someone. At least, in his own way he did. But still,” Lily shut off the heat. “It will be a rough and rocky road for those two. He is unwilling to communicate and she is only starting to learn what she is capable of.”

“I have faith. After all, the president saw their bond and he is never wrong.” Carrie commented.

“True.”

Talon knocked on Karen’s door. He waited but there was no answer. He turned to head towards his room. It was none of his business if she did not answer. Only... he found himself once again opening her door and looking in. Her stuff had not arrived yet so nothing had changed, but he stepped inside anyway and stood there, unsure what to do next.

“Hey! Are you in here?” He waited, listening, hearing faint breathing coming from the bedroom. He crossed the room and carefully opened the door and peered in.

He let out a sigh and let himself in all the way. What was up with her? She was sleeping again. If that was all she could do then they were in trouble.

He came to the bed and looked down at her. She was actually quite pretty when she let her hair down and took her glasses off. He stepped away from the bed as an image of her holding her blade against Shorty’s throat came to mind and he wondered if that was her true personality. She had seemed strong and sure and her eyes... they had seemed to come alive at that moment.

He slowly edged back to the bed and sat down next to her, watching her steady breathing. A bit of her hair had fallen across her face and he reached out with his hand to remove it only to stop and snatched it back against his chest. What was he doing? He had no business and certainly no right to touch her. Yet he could clearly recall dragging her up against him twice today and her doing it once herself. He tried to shake the images from his mind, but they refused to move.

“Karen.” He tentatively touched her shoulder, gently shaking her. “Karen, you need to get up.”

Karen let out a soft groan and pried open her eyes to see Talon leaning over her. She quickly sat up and moved away. Talon put his hands up in a mock surrender at her movement.

“I was sent to tell you that supper is ready.” He stood up to leave.

“I am not hungry, but thank you anyway.” She watched as he walked over to the nightstand and picked up the sandwich that was laying there.

“Do not thank me. I am just passing on the message. If you do not want to eat it is none of my business.” He continued on his way as Karen watched him leave.

“Why do you hate me?” She suddenly blurted out, immediately regretting it, but unable to take it back.

Talon stopped.

He did not turn around as he replied, “I do not hate you... or the others. I just do not know how to interact with people and that makes others uncomfortable in my presence.”

He glanced around and gave her a lopsided grin and shrug before speaking once more.

“It is better this way.” and left.

Karen got up and went to her sitting room, intent on following him, but collapsed on her couch in thought instead. She wondered if they would ever get along. She believed him when he said that he did not hate her, but if they could not even interact with friends... Well, she would just have to wait and see what happened.

She picked up her laptop and was soon immersed in various projects that she had wanted to get done. After all, nothing needed to be done now that she no longer had a job, but she felt the need to do something normal or she would probably go crazy.

The next morning Karen woke early and headed to the kitchen. She was glad to see that no one was around yet. She had to stop skipping supper. She looked into the kitchen and decided to start making eggs and bacon. Before she knew it, the others had gathered around, chatting away like she belonged there.

“You do not have to stand there and watch. I will let you know when it is done.”

“Oh, it is all right. We are used to helping ourselves. Don’t mind us.” Emerald commented.

“It looks and smells good.” Carrie looked over Karen’s shoulder.

“I promise that it is edible. Not sure if the taste will be to your satisfaction though.”

Soon everyone had grabbed their food and the room fell into silence as everyone ate.

Micahel finally broke the silence.

“Honey, if you can cook breakfast like this, I cannot wait until supper. This is fabulous. Talon.” He called over to where Talon had entered the kitchen. “You really should try some of this.”

Karen turned around to see Talon standing in the doorway watching her.

“No thank you.” He reached into the fridge for the milk and Michael shrugged his shoulders and continued to eat.

Karen started to clean up but Eric stepped in. “Go... I have this.”

“It is all right. I can do it. Finish your breakfast.” Karen replied, noticing that he had not finished his own.

“Nope. You cooked. We clean. Now, why don’t you go and explore the grounds.”

Lily stood and ushered Karen out of the room. Karen shrugged and headed for the door.

It did not really bother her. She had not been very comfortable with all of them in there, chatting about various things. She had felt awkward, like an outsider looking in. She stopped in the middle of a little rose garden on the side of the house and let out a sigh.

“Feeling a bit awkward with them, no?” Karen turned, somehow knowing that he had come up behind her.

“You feel the same way.” She retorted, not sure how she knew that.

“Yup.” He stepped up next to her and they continued down the walkway in silence.

“So tell me.” Talon finally spoke, “Which are you?”

“Huh?”

“Are you the person that I see now or are you the person that was fighting yesterday?” Talon asked awkwardly. He was trying to communicate with her, but damn, it was hard.

“I do not know. Probably a combination of both.” Karen answered honestly.

“Are you always like this? Unsure, uncertain, timid... scared?” Talon was a bit impatient with her. Yesterday afternoon he had seen no signs of this timid person, but it seemed that the coming of the new day also brought this person back in full force. She would be killed if she continued like this.

“No, I am not!” Karen snapped back. “I have been brought to a strange place, been told strange things and am now having to adjust to a whole new life. I think that anyone would be a bit bi-polar in a situation like this, Don’t you?” she was so mad, she could spit. The nerve of that man. Of course, she was timid and scared right now... duh.

“That is good to know. I cannot wait to meet you.”

“Huh?”

“The real you. Let me know when she arrives.” Talon commented as they continued in silence to the combat room.

“Good morning miss. Have you come back?” Shorty looked up from his computer.

“I am ready. What is first?” Karen asked.

Shorty rubbed his hands with glee. “Let’s get this started then.”