Fall From Grace Part 14

The only person I called was Hunter who, I think, tried to be sympathetic but in guy speak meant that he asked me to come back to L.A., spend some time wreaking havoc on the club scene with him and forget about some chick who is better off without jerks like us. I keep telling myself this, every second, but I still don't feel any better. The look on her face when I left her haunts me when I close my eyes at night. My only solution so far is to get to the point of pa.s.sing out. Solid plan Ash.

"This seat taken?" A sultry voice from behind my left shoulder asks.

"I don't own the place. Go ahead." I hear the sc.r.a.pping of stool legs across the dirty linoleum as I unfortunately gain a bar neighbour. I have no energy to make small talk, it's not worth the effort tonight. I take another large drink and play with the condensed label. I can tell she's looking at me and trying to catch my attention. She's a demon, that's for sure, please don't let it be an ex; I couldn't handle the drama right now. Her voice sounds very hot as she orders a beer. No nonsense, good for her. After a few sips, she breaks the silence.

"You seem to be carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders tonight Mr. Grey. Penny for your thoughts?"

With a jolt, I look to my left to see a breathtaking blond staring at me with a smug smile on her face. c.r.a.p, do I know this person? I'd like to think I would remember a face like that, but some nights are hazier then others. She's older then me, but still definitely hot. Maybe a nice female distraction is what I need tonight, she just looks so familiar? Think, think, think.

"I was wondering how you know my name miss, and whether you have plans later on?" I look over at her raising my eyebrows in question.

She gives me a s.e.xy laugh as she angles her chair towards me and leans forward.

"Now Asher, I think that would be a little inappropriate considering you're dating my daughter."

What the f.u.c.k.

My attention has certainly been gained. Some crazy demon mom hunting me down for ruining their daughter's virtue. I don't have time for this.

Turning back to face the bar I say. "I don't have a girlfriend, Ma'am. You must have me confused with someone else." I take an extra long haul on my beer.

"Ma'am? Honestly Asher. I expected a little more charm then that. Your reputation has preceded you but honestly I'm a little insulted." She says with a laugh and flips her long locks over her right shoulder. I turn towards her and place my arm on the back of the bar stool, patience running out.

"Well then Miss, who might you be the mother of and what do I owe this greeting?"

"Look closely young man, can't you see the resemblance?" she grins at her revelation staring back at me intensely.

That's when it hits me, the sudden realization of who she reminded me of. Even her voice sounds eerily like Stella, how is this even possible? How does she know who I am?

"Ahhh, I can see the wheels turning Mr. Grey, don't strain yourself, please." She pats me on my shoulder and orders me a coffee.

"How do you know who I am?" I blurt out.

"Let me start my introducing myself. Helena Simone." She offers her hand to me which I hesitantly grasp.

"Very wary of strangers are we? I suppose this is probably a bit of a shock to you, but what is more of a shock is to why I seem to find you here, wallowing in self pity and pining over a young girl. What sort of demon do you pride yourself on being Mr. Grey because your rap sheet speaks different volumes altogether."

"And what would you know about me anyways?" I turn back to face the barman as he settles my steaming coffee onto the bar.

"I know a lot more then you think Asher, quite a bit more. A very impressive showing I might add; a laundry list about a mile long."

"Ok, so, 'Stella's mom', what do you want from me? Why are you here bothering me when I am trying to 'wallow' away my night with liquor. In fact, why come to me and not your actual daughter who's been wondering where the h.e.l.l you've been for the past eighteen years? Leave me and my past alone." I shove the coffee away from me.

I see her expression darken.

"Fair enough. Perhaps I had better explain a few things first." She smiles a wicked smile that sends shivers down my spine.

"You think?"

We settled into a booth on the opposite side of the bar as she began her story. I really don't know why I let her explain. It's none of my business anymore. Stella isn't in my life, isn't my problem. Why am I torturing myself with this?

"So I suppose some background on me would be helpful," she begins. "I'm about 180 years young which isn't too much older then you Mr. Grey so watch what you say about age. I'm an aural demon which, on the low level, means I can read people based on their auras. On a higher level, I can antic.i.p.ate a persons moves, desires and insecurities better then they themselves even understand. This made me a very enticing employee to 'The Register', for whom I do highly cla.s.sified ongoing contract work for."

"I know what an aural demon is Miss Simone, get to the point."

"If I were you I'd watch your manners Mr.Grey," she spat. Her steel eyes piercing my soul making me shudder. I can see now that her outward appearance of a beautiful, innocent blonde couldn't be more wrong. Her true demon nature tells a different story, one of someone you don't want to screw with. She pauses to regain control before switching back to 'human' mode, plastering an icy smile on her face.

"As I was saying, this is my main strength but I possess many other unique abilities that are quite invaluable to them and of which you have no understanding of. So show some respect please."

"Alright you have my attention, just get to the point." I take a large gulp of the c.r.a.ppy coffee, burning my throat on the way down.

"Because of my honed senses, I can predict things, like I mentioned, sort of like a psychic but not a raging quack like most are. I can peek into a demons soul and see what they are thinking, how their minds work and what they might be planning. You're lucky I didn't run you out of town the second I saw you prey on her, you know." A small smile crept across her face, but vanished as she continued on.

"I think it's important to start with Stella's father who, as you know, is human."

She began nervously fidgeting with her gla.s.s, swirling her beer about in a clockwise motion. I can tell she's uncomfortable. It's pretty commonplace for supernaturals to avoid emotion at all costs. It's quite difficult for us to show human weaknesses or vulnerabilities. Some call it a defect in our genetic make-up, I like to think it's what makes us thrive. Survival of the fittest.

Drawing in a deep breath she continued, "I was immediately pulled to him, he had the most beautiful white light radiating around him; it was like a drug to me. I never planned to fall that deeply for him. I mean, someone like ME, falling for someone that good. Ridiculous. I'm not saying I was all THAT bad, but I've certainly had my share of questionable relationships and a few illegal mishaps, but it wasn't as if I killed anyone or anything, at least I don't think so."

My patience was wearing thin. Get to the point where I come in. "What about the pregnancy though, didn't you know how rare it was?" I ask.

"Of corse I did, it was the most shocking turn of events I could have imagined. Why me? I certainly did not plan on THAT. The fact of the matter was that I was blinded by our relationship and I thought that maybe I could pull it off, maybe I was meant for this, meant to be a Mother. G.o.d forbid! Pardon the expression."

"I thought that maybe I could stay for a little while, at least until he got suspicious of my non-aging. I was so stupid and naive. When Stella was born she was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen, her aura was even more brilliant then her fathers. I knew she just couldn't be a demon and that it was my time to move on. Now that I knew she wasn't like us, I would let her live her human life with her father..." she trailed off with a faraway look on her face. "It was the hardest thing I have ever done."

"But she wasn't human."

"No. She wasn't. But I haven't been privvy to that knowledge until recently. I've always kept my eye on her, checking in now and again. She's always had this bright light around her, human in every way. It wasn't until she was about 17 that I started to see any noticeable changes occur. Then you came into the picture..."

Cutting her off, I couldn't control the anger beginning to fester. "So why not go see her when you knew she was a demon, can you even begin to understand how much she would have needed you?"

"You don't have to say it, I already know, ok?" She said lifting her hand up to stop me. "I was too afraid of her; too scared to face her anger and fear and when I saw you show up, I thought, maybe you could help her better then I could anyways."

"Why me? You say know my reputation, what could you possibly think I would do to help her? How insane are you?!"

Her pain was visibly crushing, but honestly, who does she think she is. She needed to man up and take responsibility.

"Well Asher, I think you'd be surprised at my answer."

"Surprise me then." I turned back, taking another long gulp of my coffee.

"You're forgetting about what I can do, how I can decipher peoples emotions and make predictions. What I saw in you was very interesting indeed. When you came into her life you were as dark as night, full of anger, betrayal, and egotism up the a.s.s. I could tell you were definitely damaged goods."

"Geez, what am I thinking, no wonder you thought I could help her! I totally get it all NOW." This lady is a a nut job.

Her tone silenced me again. "I said initially. What happened next stopped me from intervening and made me pay very close attention to your dynamic. You see, Asher, when you were around her, your aura started to change. And before you yell at me again, yes, I know that others can affect our moods. But what she was doing was very unique; I've never seen it happen before. When you were around her, it was as if she was able to change your aura herself, grab hold and envelop you into the great light with her. C'mon don't tell me you didn't feel differently around her? The Asher Grey I have on file is not the same person who sits in front of me now. Albeit you're pretty murky at the moment, but you certainly are not the same demon who walked into my daughters life a few months ago."

It did make sense. I do feel different now. I just couldn't explain why. Was it really because Stella was able to change me into something else? Are her abilities that powerful?

"So what are you saying? Stella was able to change my aural soul? Change me from evil dark demon to light and fairy good demon? That's impossible. It doesn't exist."

"Is it so impossible Ash? Think about your actions the last few months. Why has there been such a gap in your usual 'activities'? And no, I don't think she's been able to actually change you from good to evil, that isn't what I'm thinking at all. I think that she has been able to pull you into the light; her strong feelings for you and you for her, have drawn you into a different path then you might have initially taken. I'm not saying you won't have a tendency to do bad things, I mean we all crave chaos now and then. But I think she has altered you in a way that is even hard for me to understand. I think she's managed to make you switch teams."

"Switch teams? Wait a minute, she did not make me gay."

Exasperated she heaved a big sigh. "No Asher, that isn't what I meant. Stay with me please. I'm still working on my theories but it would seem that somehow you are now ethereally connected to my daughter. Where there was dark, there is now light. Her bright light confused me before, it actually is demon, but a completely different breed I think. A bright and beautiful light that envelops you both when you're together. And when you're apart? Well, I'm still working on that one, but from the looks of it, you're not doing so hot. I don't understand the why or how of it, but this isn't something that happens every day, you know, not in our world at least."

"Well how often have you seen something like this happen?"

"According to the doc.u.mented research we have on file?" she asks.

I nod.

"We don't have any. I've never seen this before Ash. Ever."

I pause before responding, taking in all this information, unsure of what to do with it.

"I don't know, this all sounds really hokey to me. We're demons, why would we have good ones and bad ones? It doesn't make sense. Sounds a little like Mom is a wee bit overzealous in determining her offspring's capabilities, don't cha think?"

Her gaze went black as tar making my skin crawl. Opps I've p.i.s.sed her off.

"Ok so what if she was able to do this to me? Can she do this to all demons? What does it mean and why should I care. You do know that she fully made the change in the last few weeks. She's developed her abilities and believe me it's not child's play. Do you know what she can do now?"

"Yes, I've been watching her very closely the last few days, it's what brought me here today. Something has happened."

The hairs on my neck have started to p.r.i.c.kle as I imagine every terrible scenario possible.

My heart pounding. "What's happened?"

"She's changed Asher. Her soul has gone very dark. Darker then you, and she's about to do something really stupid. You have to go back. You have to help her."

Chapter 26.

The Devils Pit, Part deux As I pull into the gravel lot I can feel my heart quicken and pound loudly in my ears; my blood boiling in my veins. What am I doing here? I didn't think about my destination as I tore away from the party, but strangely this is where I ended up; drawn to it in a way I can't describe. Like a moth to a flame. My desire for this world so great it was subconsciously pulling me back like an invisible elastic band that wouldn't let me move ahead no matter how hard I would struggle. Back to where it all started, and back to where I feel like I can break the old c.r.a.ppy ties and finally move forward again.

I haven't been able to breathe in weeks, frozen with fear, hurt, anger and confusion. What was I going to do with this new life I had inherited? I couldn't just turn my back on it. I couldn't just go back to where I was before HE turned me around to see the future that made so much sense to me. In one breath I curse him, unable to forgive him for what he did, then in the other, I thank him, indebted to him for showing me this world. I mean it would have been super weird when I noticed I wasn't aging anymore. Seriously.

I'm not yet familiar with this person I've become, unable to recognize myself in the mirror as I stand before it, wondering how to handle this direction change. I realize I have to turn my back on the old life, old friends, to everything human that I know; I think it is the only way to figure out where I fit in. I take a deep breath as I unlock my seatbelt. A habit so ingrained in me before I realize I don't even need a seatbelt anymore.

The lot is pretty hoppin' for a Thursday night, a number of pick ups, and a few motor cycles line the perimeter. I can hear some old rock tunes cranking from the jukebox as I pause outside with my hand on the door. What if that wolfie gang was here again - would they remember me? Would they want to kick my a.s.s, or do worse things I can't even fathom? I have to remember that I am more then capable to take care of myself now so I take a full deep breath and pull open the creaky wooden door.

Smoke hits my face with the same intensity of the stale beer odour and thrumming music. I scan the crowd in search of any familiar faces but come up blank as I exhale just a little in relief. It did dawn on me that HE might be here, which probably had more then a little to do with why I ventured back. I entered in pretty unnoticed, like before, with nary a glance my way. There are a few booths filled up on the right and a really drunk couple doing a few spins and topsy turns to the old Lynyrd Skynyrd tune blaring from the box.

They can't be more then 45 which, if they are in fact demons, translates into quite freakin' old. They don't really look it though as I spy a lot of body flaws that wouldn't be there if they were playing on my team. Suddenly the woman starts hacking out a horrendous cough as her dance partner clumsily pats her on the back and hands her a half drunk beer to ease the raking rasps. Nope, definitely human.

So this leads me to my next question - how can I tell the difference? Ash said it was something you can pick up on right away, a 6th sense. I turn my attention to the few lone guys at the bar, probably the best place to start. I notice the same spot I sat in before is empty which sends a dart of pain through my chest. I've spent the last few weeks packing all those memories up and folding them away in a box never to be opened again for fear of this exact paralyzing feeling. I take a moment to compose myself, tucking all thoughts of HIM into a nice neat pile and into the garbage dump where he belongs. This is all about me now.

The seat happens to be right next to a big and burly guy, who seems pretty cute, if you like the 'roided up muscly type. Personally not my fav but he'll do in a pinch. I don't want to be scared s.h.i.tless on my first demon adventure now do I?

I run my fingers through my hair, straighten my shirt and stand up a little taller, psyching myself up and readying my demon moves. I'm attempting s.e.xy, and probably failing miserably, as I saunter over and grab the bar stool. The loud sc.r.a.ping noise it makes as I pull it back, startles me and ruins all hope of a sultry approach.

It does, however, make big burly dude turn his head sharply with a look that could kill. Seeing that it's just a young girl, the look is replaced immediately with something a little different. A wee bit nicer but actually feels more predatory, like the niceness is definitely an act to persuade his conquests into a more lewd proposition.

"Sorry, this seat taken?"

"Only by you I hope." A gravelly voice answers.

As I hope up onto the seat I definitely feel the need for a little liquid courage but don't have the slightest idea of what to order. It would seem an apple-tini would perhaps be a lot on the lame side.

"Can I buy you a drink?" he asks.

"Um, sure, how about a shot of tequila?" A flashback of some c.r.a.ppy action flick pops into my head with the idea that tequila is bad a.s.s and therefore I must drink it.

"Tequila, I like it," he says with a flash of a grin as his eyes light up at his lucky score tonight. He waves a finger at the barman who seems completely in his own world wiping gla.s.ses and ignoring everyone completely. With this small gesture from my new drinking buddy, he simply nods his head, never looks up, and proceeds to pour my shot. A moment later he appears with my drink sloppily placed in front of me and next to a grimy salt shaker and bowl of lemon wedges who've seen better days. Now I have to do this whole shot process like a pro, why didn't I order a beer?

"Bottoms up beautiful," he smiles before chugging back the rest of his beer and heavily placing it down on the counter.

I'll just have to wing it, no problem. Grabbing the salt I start pouring it onto the back of my hand as I watch it all slide off onto the counter, leaving me looking real stupid. Dude chuckles to himself and grabs my hand to lick the spot where I just poured the salt.

"First timer perhaps? You have to lick the hand first for the salt to stick." He grabs the salt and pours a dab onto the wet area. I'm grossed out, but in the end it was the best thing he could have done. When he touched my hand a familiar electric current hummed through me and I could tell he was definitely demon. It wasn't the same intensity of Ash's touch, not by a long shot, but it was definitely a bolt of something that sent alarm bells ringing in my non-developed spidey sense. I force a smile, lean in to lick the tangy spice and grab my shot in a swift pour down my throat; the taste and burn leaving me breathless and choking. So NOT s.e.xy. Guy hands me a lemon indicating I need to suck on the fruit to cut the burn which I hastily grab and take a long suck on the wedge. My eyes start to water as I give up on all attempted coolness from that obvious display of inexperience.

"Can't stomach the stuff myself, perhaps you'd want to switch to something more your style, a sugar-y vodka concoction?"

I nod gratefully wiping the tears from my eyes with the sleeve of my shirt and clearing my throat carefully before I feel the urge to yak it all up. It wasn't more then a minute and I had a nice and easy ice cube-y drink in front of me which I gulped down a little too quickly; I could feel the heat from the vodka start to burn my cheeks already. Ok, not all is lost yet, with the booze finally came a new sense of confidence that surged through me.

"Thanks, uh, for this." I say as I indicate my new drink in a 'cheers to you' fashion.

"I guess before I start coughing all over you again, I should introduce myself. I'm Stella," I say.

"Will."

"You're new around here aren't you? I think I would have remembered seeing you before. In fact I would think you are a newbie in every sense of the word too. Fresh from the change aren't you?" Perceptive Will.

"Uh yeah, I am. How'd you guess?"

"I can tell." He says as he pulls up the right side of his face in a lopsided grin.

"That obvious eh?"

"Well yeah, you don't seem as jaded as the rest of us. You're time will come though, enjoy it while it lasts."

"Why would I become jaded?" I say clearly confused by meeting someone like this. How could you not be pumped about what you are?