Kill Me, My Love

Chapter 11

­The house was magnificent. It was a white villa with three floors, columns in the Greek style, balconies with moldings and gilding, a courtyard with a fountain, and a perfect lawn.

The entrance door was ajar, and Sam quickly moved inside, with Lina following behind him.

The living room was a mess. Torn pages of books lay on the floor, the sofa and chairs were overturned, and a crystal vase lay shattered. Inside, it felt as if Hurricane Katrina had just swept through.

Samael and Lina moved from room to room, seeing the same scene everywhere – absolute chaos.

– It seems someone was looking for something, – the girl concluded.

– And that someone is definitely not Nathan. He is a terrible pedant, he even has a special cleaning scheme worked out to the smallest detail. I remember one time he put a dish in the wrong place, and he went completely berserk...

– Have you known him for long?

– Yes, since childhood. And since we've been living on the same territory, we have to see each other often and cooperate, – Sam explained, peering into a writing desk. – His personal belongings aren’t here...

– Maybe it was just ordinary robbers.

– Excluded. The light ones' residences have special protection; mere mortals can’t get in here just like that.

Samael walked from one corner to another, meticulously studying the crime scene.

– Then it was not mere mortals who did this, – Lina suggested, peering into an open drawer herself.

– You’re right, – suddenly Sam leaned down and after flipping aside some newspaper clippings, picked up a long snow-white feather. – Here it is, beauty.

– A feather, and how will that help? – the girl didn’t get it.

– This is proof that Nathan's home was raided by his own light brethren. And obviously, when the Elders find out, all accusations will immediately fall on the dark ones.

– And could this not be Nathaniel's feather? – Lina asked, examining the feather that emitted some bizarre golden glow.

– Of course not. We live on Earth, the Elders take our wings away, – Sam explained, admiring his find.

– Alright, so what do we do now?

– Now we’re going to the black market.

Samael tucked the feather into the inner pocket of his jacket and once more, glancing at the mess, purred contentedly:

– I’ve always wanted to see these halls in such a state...

– But your home is also very clean, almost like in a hospital, – Lina said slyly, stepping out into the courtyard first.

– That’s because I’m rarely in it, – Samael answered, following her.

The sun shone brightly. It sparkled in the crystal-clear water of the fountain and cast sunbeams. The perfection of the house stood in stark contrast with what was currently happening inside.

– By the way, what can a bright one be doing at the black market? – the girl asked, opening the car door.

– Darling, you know nothing about our affairs... – the dark one grinned menacingly.

* * *

The black market turned out to be a small narrow alley on the outskirts of the city. It was dirty and gloomy. The low buildings stacked haphazardly on top of each other reSambled termite mounds, and the shops without signs did not inspire confidence.

– What did Nathan forget here? – Lina asked, peering into windows displaying skulls, carcasses of dead animals, and various glass trinkets.

– Money. You can earn more than a hundred greenbacks for various paranormal services for wealthy clients.

– But why would he want that? Why didn’t Nathan start some business like you?

– Because I got my business through influencing the consciousness of a few people. And our blond bright one thinks it beneath his dignity to force mortals to do anything against their will. Wait for me here.

Samael entered the store, leaving the girl alone with her thoughts.

Right now she could run away. No one was watching her, no one was controlling her. It would be enough just to sprint to the end of the alley and get lost in the giant ant city. Let them search for her later. But Lina, as if glued, just stood there. The weight of duty pressed on her. And then there was Samael... The girl wanted to stay close to him for as long as possible. She had fallen captive to his black eyes the moment she left the mansion. And now she feared disappointing him... Though it was entirely possible he would understand her actions. Would a normal person calmly accept the fact that they would soon have to die? Probably not. But Lina was not an ordinary mortal... She was a ticking time bomb, and her time was ticking away every second.

– He hasn’t been seen here for a few months, – Sam said, emerging from the store.

– And now what? – the girl asked, gazing forlornly down the alley.

There she had missed her chance for escape. Silly girl.

– Now there’s only the bar left, and if we don’t find him there, we’ll have to continue on without him...

– Alright, – Lina sighed heavily.

This time the car ride was without conversation. The dark one was evidently in a sour mood, so he turned on the radio, which reported numerous calamities and epidemics in the eastern parts of the country. After an hour in traffic, the sun began to set outside. For unknown reasons, it was getting dark quickly in this area. Though winter was still far off... Therefore, no more than half an hour remained until complete darkness would descend.

Eventually, having reached the necessary establishment, Samael parked the car.

The bar was loud. An atmosphere of half-darkness prevailed, with men dancing to slow erotic music, and the bartender mixing cocktails. The air was thick with the aromas of candle smoke and rose-scented perfumes.

As soon as they entered, all eyes turned to them. Outsiders. Fresh meat. New hot blood. The visitors undressed Sam with their gaze in seconds and appraised the girl as competition.

The dark one led Lina to the bar counter, ignoring the lecherous glances from everyone present.

– What do you want? – asked a burly, bearded bartender.

– Have you seen a man with white hair and blue eyes today? I assume he’s a regular client of yours...

– You mean Natusik? – the bearded man clarified.

– Natusik?! – Sam repeated, taken aback. – His name is Nathaniel.

– Ah, yes, he spent almost all night and day here, literally left just a few minutes ago, – the bartender nodded amiably. – He got quite drunk, so I doubt he managed to go far.

Samael immediately handed the man a hundred dollars in thanks and, grabbing Lina by the hand, pulled her out of the bar.

The girl could swear that as soon as they left the establishment, a collective disappointed sigh followed them.

On the street, pedestrians walked by. Sam scrutinized their faces and turned his head in various directions, trying to locate their bright one.

Suddenly, Lina noticed someone on the opposite side of the street. Under the colorful flickering sign sat a man, holding an empty wine bottle in his hands. He had white hair, a dirty face, unshaven stubble, and an empty gaze. Upon closer inspection, the girl recognized him as Nathan. It really was him. Grubby, scratched, drunk, but still the same Nathan – her bright guide.

– Sam, that's Nathan, look, – the girl exclaimed.

Lina dashed into the street, waving to the bright one to get his attention. At that moment, she heard the piercing horn of a truck. Then saw the blinding light of headlights and suddenly she flew into the air like some bird. The black abyss swallowed her. It seemed for a moment she saw herself – bloodied, unconscious on the perfectly smooth asphalt. And then darkness descended.

* * *

"Sursum" – Up