True Faces (8 page)

Akio cleared his throat and I released Eric’s
hair. He stepped back from me with still closed eyes. “I’m sorry.
That was out of line,” Erica said quietly.

I laughed softly. “I should be the one
apologizing. You just saved me and I forced the kiss.”

Akio cleared his throat again. “Explain.”

Eric looked down at his watch. “I hate to do
this, but I have to go. Are you going to be alright?”

I nodded my head. “I’ll stay here at the dojo
with Akio. They won’t try to get me here.”

Akio tried to get a better look at Eric, but
Eric kissed my lips and jogged out of the dojo. “I’ll call you
tomorrow.”

I watched as his plump butt flexed and
relaxed with each step. Akio scoffed. “Hormones.”

I smiled. “Sorry. Can I have some tea before
I explain?”

Akio nodded his head then looked at the
doorway. “We should dispose of the bodies first.”

I groaned. “I hate cleanup duty.”

~~~~

CHAPTER FIVE

After we had disposed of the bodies we sat
down to tea in the middle of the dojo. “Eric and I were walking up
to the house and I noticed the door was broken in. Eric went inside
and then I noticed the rats in the forest and then a rat came out
of the front door. Eric grabbed it around the throat and tossed it
to the side dazing it and then he picked me up and started running.
I had him come here because it was the only place I could think to
run to. If those rats had hurt him I wouldn’t have been able to
forgive myself.”

Akio frowned, “Your eye is still closed I
take it?”

I nodded my head. “Yes, but I don’t need it
open to see the wererats when they’re in rat form.”

Akio shook his head. “No, but the man…”

My cell phone rang and I interrupted Akio to
answer it. “Hello?”

Eric sighed. “You’re alright. Ciara, I need
you to come to the club.”

“
But what if there are
more rats?”

Eric spoke gruffly to someone near him. “I’ve
sent someone to pick you up. Jeremiah will be there in a
minute.”

I frowned. “Okay, but what do you need me at
the club for?”

Eric was silent for a moment then whispered,
“I would feel better if I knew for sure that you were safe. I don’t
doubt that your sensei can hold his own, but it would just make me
feel better. Please.”

I don’t know if it was the way he said please
or the worry in his voice, but I agreed. “Alright.”

Eric sighed in relief. “Thank you. Jeremiah
should be there now.” Two honks from a car sounded, confirming
Jeremiah’s arrival.

I laughed. “Alright I’m on my way.” I hung up
the phone and turned to Akio. “I’m going to go meet Eric. I’ll be
back tomorrow.”

Akio frowned. “This man he is not what he
seems.”

I rolled my eyes. “No one is these days. I’ll
work on my eye too. Thank you for your protection, Master.” I bowed
to him and walked to the dojo door.

Akio spoke softly, “Be careful who you align
yourself with, Ciara. There are many dangerous things I have not
shown you.”

I bowed to Akio again then walked out of the
dojo and in to the open door that Jeremiah was holding. He smiled.
“Evening.”

I smiled back. “Hello Jeremiah.”

He drove slowly to the club and opened my
door for me when we arrived. Some of the patrons standing outside
to smoke watched me with wary eyes, but none made any move towards
me. It probably had to do with the mountain walking beside me.
Jeremiah made a path for me through the club and to a roped off
area where Eric and two other men were sitting. The two men glanced
at me, and then left the area. Eric held out his hand, but I
ignored it and sat down in the chair across from him. Eric smiled.
“How is your master doing?”

I sighed. “Eric about what you saw. I know it
must be hard to…”

Eric smiled. “I know about the
preternaturals, Ciara. I don’t think you can live in Luna Villa
long without seeing them.”

I stared at him in shock. “So, you know about
the wererats?”

Eric nodded his head and gestured toward
Jeremiah. “Werebear.”

I giggled. “Werebear? Okay, it makes sense
but you have to admit that it sounds funny.”

Eric laughed softly. “True, but I wouldn’t
say that to his face. Did the rats hurt you at all?”

I shook my head. “No, they didn’t get close
enough, thanks to you.”

Eric reached across the table and held his
hand palm up. I stared at it for a moment and then placed my hand
in his. Eric’s shoulders relaxed. “Thank you.”

I frowned. “For what?”

He squeezed my hand. “For not refusing a
public sign of affection.”

“
Eric about that. I don’t
know…”

Eric shook his head. “Don’t. Please just let
me enjoy this night at least.”

“
Eric.”

Eric smiled and moved to sit beside me. “So,
what exactly were you planning when we got to your house?”

I blushed and stood up. “I need something to
drink.”

Eric grabbed my arm. “Let Jeremiah get it for
you. I’d rather you didn’t wander through the crowd.”

“
I’m not helpless.” I said
impatiently.

Eric raised his eyebrow. “Do you have some
powers I’m not aware of?” I met his gaze, but knew I wouldn’t win.
How can you argue with a lawyer? Eric smiled and motioned Jeremiah
over. Eric whispered in to Jeremiah’s ear and Jeremiah left
laughing loudly.

I folded my arms across my chest and glared
at Eric. “So, what now?”

Eric shrugged then leaned back in his seat,
reclining casually, but somehow looking as though he were posing
for a photo shoot. “Whatever you want.”

Jeremiah walked back through the crowd and
set a glass down in front of me with whipped cream on the top. “One
mudslide for the pretty Seer.”

I frowned at him, but took a drink of the
mudslide. It was amazing! “I don’t understand how you can know that
I’m a Seer. It’s not the same thing as me seeing you. I don’t have
a difference face.”

Two men started fighting over a woman and
Jeremiah sighed. “Duty calls.” He walked through the crowd and to
the fighting men.

Eric cleared his throat. “Would you like to
see a movie? Or maybe get some dessert?”

I shrugged. “I could go for some ice
cream.”

He smiled and stood up holding his hand out
for mine. I stared at his hand and he sighed. “At least let me lead
you through the dance floor.”

I wanted to decline, but it was hard to get
through the drunk dancers without getting a few elbows or stepped
on toes without a man making way for you. I set my half empty glass
down and took his hand. He walked down in to the throng of people
towards the front door. We took a step outside and someone grabbed
my arm pulling me backwards. I turned to see an angry male fairy,
without any glamour on, glaring at me. “Why are you here Seer? Who
sent you?”

I stared at him in shock. “I don’t know what
you’re talking about. No one sent me.”

The fairy glared at me and his skin began
glowing. Glowing fairy equals major fight. “Was it the
vampires?”

Eric pulled me backwards and stood toe to toe
with the fairy. “Do not touch her ever again.”

The fairy frowned at him. “Why are you
interfering, Wolfe?”

Eric’s lip twitched in a snarl. “I don’t like
the way you’re handling my partner. It would be wise if you
refrained from coming here again. I’m sure you’re aware of my close
relationship with Warrior?”

The fairy’s skin stopped glowing and he
dropped my arm. “You better keep your Seer on a leash. If she rats
on any of us I’ll come looking for you.”

Eric turned to Jeremiah who had randomly
appeared. “Escort him out and be sure he does not return,
ever.”

Jeremiah smiled and even with my eye closed I
could picture a bear snarling. “My pleasure.”

Eric led me from the club and down the
street. It felt nice to be holding hands with him and I decided to
let myself enjoy it. We walked through the downtown streets and
stopped at the local ice cream shop. Eric found us an empty seat
and a waiter walked over smiling cheerfully. “Hey there. folks.
What can I get you?”

Eric tapped his chin for a moment and I found
myself locked on his finger. “I’ll have a sundae with three scoops
of vanilla, no nuts.”

The waiter turned to me and I smiled. “I’ll
have a waffle bowl with one scoop chocolate and two scoops of
strawberry. Oh and can you put a cherry on top? Thanks.” The waiter
walked away and Eric sat smiling at me. “What?” I asked.

He shrugged. “Just watching your eyes light
up as you ordered the ice cream.”

“
I like ice cream,” I said
defensively.

Eric reached under the table and rested his
hand on my knee. “I like you.”

I sighed. “You’re persistent.”

Eric rubbed his thumb across my knee sending
a chill up my spine. “If I see something I like I try my hardest to
get it.” Two men started yelling in the front of the store and Eric
sighed. “You can never have a moment of quiet in this town.”

One of the men turned and glared at me. “You!
What are you doing here?”

I looked at Eric’s angry face to the man.
“Me?”

The man snarled. “He bring you here to catch
one of us for the vamps?! Huh? You think you can take me
alive?!”

I shook my head. “I’m just eating ice cream
I’m not doing anything.”

Eric stood up slowly. “I think you both
should leave.”

The man took a step back. “You’re not my
alpha. You can’t tell me what to do.”

Eric smiled. “Would you like to settle this
outside?”

The other man screamed. “Screw this!” I
rolled out of my chair as he ran towards me and rolled to my feet
in a loose ready stance. He snarled. “Oh you think you’re
tough?”

I shook my head. “No, not at all. I’m just
trying to protect myself.”

Eric jumped towards the man facing me and I
ran out of the shop. It was cowardly, but I knew it was what Eric
wanted. I had made it to the club when the second man finally
caught me. He grabbed me around the neck and I knew I was sunk. His
grip was too strong for human and he had been freaked about me
being there. The man whispered, “Sweet dreams, Seer.”

I closed my eyes and then the man’s arm was
gone. I opened my eyes slowly and found Jeremiah standing over the
now limp body of the man. Jeremiah looked up at me and his eyes
were golden bear’s eyes. “Are you alright?”

I nodded my head. “Yes, but Eric was fighting
another one at the ice cream shop.”

Jeremiah picked me up in his arms and raced
down the street much faster than a human could. We arrived at the
ice cream shop to find Eric talking to a police officer who had the
second man in handcuffs in the back of his car. Jeremiah set me
down and Eric rushed over to me. “Are you alright?”

I nodded my head. “The other guy caught up to
me, but Jeremiah saved me.”

Eric looked up at Jeremiah and bowed his head
slightly. “I’m in your debt it seems.”

Jeremiah shook his head. “I would have
protected her anyways. No male should harm a female. It’s not
natural.”

Eric wrapped his fingers around mine. “Thank
you.”

I smiled at Jeremiah. “Yes, thank you.”

Jeremiah smiled wide. “Anytime.”

Eric led me back towards the club with
Jeremiah walking in front of us. The man’s body was gone by the
time we got there and I felt a cold wind pass over me at the
realization of how close I had come to dying. Eric led me passed
the club and towards my house. I stopped him. “Eric, I can’t…”

Eric shook his head. “Ciara I won’t sleep
well unless I know you’re safe. Let me walk you home. Please.”

I shook my head. “I wasn’t going to say that.
I was going to say I can’t see you. It’s too dangerous.”

Eric pulled me against him and kissed my lips
hard. My hands found their way to his back and I gripped his shirt.
He pulled back and looked in to my eyes. “I’m sorry I let that one
get away from me. I should have protected you. I won’t let it
happen again.”

I wiped the tears that had magically appeared
on my face. “I don’t want you to get hurt. If anything…”

Eric kissed my lips softly. “If anything
happens to you because I wasn’t there I won’t be able to forgive
myself. Can’t you see how much I care about you?”

I leaned my head against his chest inhaling
his scent deeply through my nose. “You’re so stubborn.”

He whispered, “It’s what makes me a great
attorney. Come on, let’s get you home.”

~~~~

CHAPTER SIX

As soon as Eric left, I changed clothes,
packed my backpack and walked to Akio’s. His doors were closed so I
knocked. I could hear him shuffling and then the door finally
opened. He looked up at my face and smiled. “I told you so.”

I rolled my eyes. “Hello to you too.” I
walked in to the dojo and set my bag down. “I need you to teach me.
Somehow other beings know what I am. I don’t know if one found out
and told them or what, but they all keep calling me, Seer.”

Akio shook his head. “I knew this would
happen. We must train you to open it again before they come for
you.”

I frowned, “Come for me? Who’s coming for
me?”

Akio shook his head. “No time. Train.” He
barked orders at me and I followed them.

Five hours of training and then it finally
opened. I gasped, “It’s open. I can see all of your faces.”

Akio frowned. “Which ones?”

I smiled and said. “Human, dragon and
tiger.”

He nodded his head. “Good, now close
it.”

I groaned, but focused and it worked. I
nodded my head then focused and it opened. Akio sighed. “Good, now
listen to me. There have been rumors that a group of vampires have
come to this area in search of someone. I don’t know for sure that
it is you that they are looking for, but even if it is not they may
still come for you. I want you to stay home and not go out.
Okay?”