Torn: Chapter 7 & 8
| Chapter 7 |
“You do realise how insane this is, right?” Grams said in a hushed voice as she stood with Jared in the kitchen. “He’s one of the Tiaim. You risk bringing the full power of the Council down on your head. It will be as bad for you as it will for him. If he’s been seen to be hunting, using souls to increase his powers instead of setting them free, that’s like…”
“A death sentence,” Jensen finished for her as he appeared in the kitchen doorway wearing a fresh t-shirt.
“Death?” Jared looked at Grams in horror.
“Depending on the extent of the crime,” Grams insisted. “It might not be…death,” she managed.
Jensen lowered his head. “Do you think they’d really care about extent?” He asked. “We’re all the same, right? Evil?”
“You’re not evil,” Jared interrupted. “Demons are evil. Why can’t their power be used for something good?” He looked at Grams, a shocked look on her face.
“I can not believe I’m hearing this,” Grams said.
“But I kind of understand it. Jensen’s not a demon. He’s using their power to hunt other demons, and surely that’s a good thing?” Jared asked innocently.
Grams shook her head. “And what of the souls, Jared? What right does anyone have to rip them apart? To take their power and destroy everything else about them? Not all souls start evil. You know that. You know how they’re made. What right does anyone have to take away their chance of freedom, of forgiveness?”
Jared looked to Jensen, whose head was down, staring at the ground.
“Some of those demons have their souls and their humanity torn from them in terrible circumstances. It is not their fault, or choice. Therefore, it is not ours either. No picking or choosing, it’s up to a higher power than us to sort them out,” Grams continued to preach.
“I should leave,” Jensen suddenly said. “I never meant to cause trouble.” He lifted his head and looked apologetically towards Grams.
“You don’t have to leave,” Jared assured Jensen. “It’s fine. It’s just complicated, I guess. Difference of opinions and things.”
Jensen nodded. “The demon from the other night, it’s still out there. I saw it, and I’m afraid that perhaps Cyrus…” He stopped as he considered what to say. “I don’t think he’s okay. He went after this thing days ago, and he’s never been gone this long before.”
“You think he’s dead?” Jared asked.
Jensen shrugged and licked nervously at his lower lip. “I don’t have as strong a sense as you do, not for individual souls. I wondered if you could...”
Jared quickly nodded. “Of course. I met him once, so I have that to go off, though I can’t promise you anything.”
Jensen nodded. “I know.”
Jared smiled. “You should stay here tonight,” he suggested. “It’s still raining. No point getting wet again.”
Jensen looked warily at Grams. “But…”
“Pfft,” Grams huffed. “Like anything I say is going to make a shred of difference. He’s as stubborn as his mother.” She folded her arms across her chest.
Jared grinned. “Settled then.”
Jensen met Jared’s eyes, a small smile. “Thank you.”
Jared nodded and said reassuringly, “It’s going to be okay. You’ll see.”
~*~
Despite being in Jared’s room once before, Jensen was still able to find small things in it that fascinated him. “30 Seconds to Mars?” He said curiously as he admired the poster on the wall.
“Kings and Queens? This is War?” Jared tried some recent song titles.
Jensen shrugged.
“They’re pretty cool. That guy there at the front, his name’s Jared too. He’s pretty hot,” Jared said, quickly clearing his throat.
Jensen smiled. “Must be the name,” he said shyly.
Jared blushed and lowered his head, as he rummaged in his dresser drawer. “Here,” he said, and pulled out an old pair of shorts and t-shirt. “They’re clean,” he told Jensen as he slung the outfit towards him.
“I don’t really wear PJs in bed,” Jensen said, a grin on his face as Jared seemed to turn a darker shade of red.
“Oh,” Jared managed.
Jensen laughed. “I’m kidding,” he said, and grabbed the shorts and t-shirt. He looked at them thoughtfully, and then at Jared. “Thanks for this,” he told Jared. “I mean that. And thanks for trying to help me find Cyrus.”
Jared sat down on the bed beside Jensen. “I’m just sorry I couldn’t be of more help. Just because I couldn’t sense him, it doesn’t mean that…”
Jensen shook his head. “I have to face facts. He isn’t coming back,” he decided. “I feel a bit lost at the moment. He’s looked after me for more than half my life. He’s always known what to do and when we needed to move on.”
“Like in Colorado?” Jared asked quietly.
“Yeah, like Colorado,” Jensen sighed.
“What happened?” Jared dared to ask.
Jensen pulled his legs up on the bed; his heels perched on the edge of the mattress. “I turned eighteen.”
Jared wasn’t sure he understood.
“I was dating this boy. Stupid, I know. High school isn’t exactly the place to be out, but he was so sweet and… It was my birthday. Cyrus had warned me what might happen, after all my dad was…” He stopped and looked at Jared. “My father was a demon hunter.” He smiled sadly. “He was a member of the Lyend.”
“Lyend,” Jared repeated.
Jensen nodded. “My mother was Tiaim. They met one night. Some fugly demon they’d both been hunting, and well…” He looked at Jared. “I possess powers from both of them, some stronger than others. When I turned eighteen things just went crazy. I didn’t mean to, but I hurt him. I guess the rest of the team was pissed.”
“So you did put them in the ER,” Jared stated.
Jensen nodded. “Bad timing on their part. I defended myself and things just got out of hand. We left the next day.”
“Was he okay, the boy?”
Jensen gave a small smile. “I called him just after we moved here. I thought he’d be angry, but he actually sounded sad.” He sighed and rested his chin on his knees.
“Do you think you could go back for him?”
Jensen shook his head. “It’s too late for that. He’s dating a cheerleader now,” he said with a sniffed laugh. “Prom Queen material.”
Jared offered a comforting smile. “Why did you come here?”
Jensen looked at Jared, his green eyes meeting Jared’s. “Cyrus had heard stories of the Lyend’s representative in this area, of his youth and inexperience.” He smiled as he looked at Jared. “Guess that’s you then?”
Jared rolled his eyes. “Great.”
“It just seemed an easy place to stay out of trouble. I guess Cyrus was wrong about that.”
“I’m sorry about your grandfather,” Jared offered, resigning himself to the fact that in this case, no news was not a good thing.
Jensen sighed as he looked across the room. “He’s always been there. Since my mom died he’s…” Jensen turned back to Jared. “I want to kill the demon. I want you to help me.”
“That thing from last night?”
Jensen nodded. “Cyrus went after something old, and it’s the oldest, most powerful demon I’ve ever seen. I can’t take it on alone.”
Jared thought about the request. He would have eventually taken on the demon himself, yet he too doubted he could do that alone. “Okay. Just don’t let revenge get in the way.”
Jensen nodded. He knew very well what revenge could do. “It’s not just revenge. It’s a promise I made to myself a long time ago. To protect people, like my mom did.”
“She was a nurse, right?”
Jensen smiled. “By day, and demon hunter by night,” he laughed at how crazy it sounded. “I have some of her powers. The ability to heal and heal others, the crossbow, that energy comes from her, and also her speed.”
“And your father?” Jared asked.
“The ability to sense demons and other beings. Cyrus was always jealous of that. He tracked them the old fashioned way,” Jensen said with a smile. “I’m not as well practised, but I can create other weapons, blades, like you.”
“Cool,” Jared decided.
Jensen shrugged. “It would be easier if I couldn’t sense demons. Mom always wanted me to focus on medicine, on the healing. It’s hard to just stand by and do nothing when I know there’s something out there. That maybe I can stop it before anyone gets hurt.”
Jared shifted his position slightly on the bed, his hand running over the covers. “It’s part of who you are.”
“A part that I hate. You said before you could feel sparks, an energy between us. That’s what my parents felt, and look where it got them. He betrayed her in the end to save himself.”
Jared wasn’t sure he really wanted to know, but curiosity got the better of him. “Your mother is dead. How?”
“Your Council.”
Jared lowered his eyes.
“Eight years of fleeting moments they had, and then…I don’t know what happened, but they were found together and taken before the Council. When it came down to it, he lied. He said she was consuming the power of souls, and that he’d been using her to find others.” Jensen closed his eyes. “She was executed.”
Jared didn’t know what to say.
“They took his word, because he was one of them. They didn’t care about the truth, or all the good things she’d done. It’s so hard hating part of myself. I could see it sometimes in Cyrus’s eyes, just how much he despised what I was.”
“He’s your grandfather.”
Jensen nodded. “And she was his daughter,” He reminded Jared.
“What happened to your father?” Jared asked.
“Cyrus told me he was dead. I didn’t ask how.”
“Do you know his name?”
Jensen shrugged. “Eight years of stolen moments together as a family. To me, he was just Dad.”
Jared moved his hand across the bed covers. He could feel the spark Jensen had spoken of, the same one he’d felt before, and it seemed to be stronger than ever. “Do you feel it now?” He asked.
“Yes,” Jensen admitted as he looked down at Jared’s hand. He couldn’t ignore it.
“In the diner. What did you do?” Jared suddenly asked.
“The diner?” Jensen said, aware that Jared’s hand had come to rest beside his.
“I wanted to talk, and yet you told me to leave, and I kinda did.”
Jensen smiled. “It was merely a suggestion. I wasn’t sure I could do it, or that you would even go away.”
“You can make people do stuff?”
Jensen shook his head. “It requires eye contact, and it has to be an idea that’s already there. I guess you were kind of torn between staying and going. I just got lucky,” Jensen told him.
“Oh,” Jared said, his little finger brushing the side of Jensen’s hand. “So now, because I’m not sure what I want, you could tell me and I’d pick that one?”
Jensen shrugged. “I don’t know.” He watched Jared’s hand as it moved over his own. “We can’t, Jared.”
“Why?”
“Do you even want this? Or is it something you think you want?”
Jared looked at Jensen. He was confused about a few things at the moment. “I just feel…”
“Haven’t you listened to anything I’ve said?” Jensen met Jared’s eyes, a disbelieving look. “My parents are dead. This attraction is nothing but trouble.”
“I’m not your father,” Jared said firmly, his hand wrapping around Jensen’s and holding onto it. “I wouldn’t betray you.”
“I’m sure he thought the same. But in the end it came down to self-preservation.”
“I’m not him,” Jared said again.
Jensen lowered his head and gently moved his chin against the tops of his knees. “I thought you preferred tits?” He reminded Jared.
Jared shrugged. “Right now, I prefer you.”
Jensen closed his eyes. It was such a bad idea, though right now he craved any kind of comfort. He took slow breaths, aware that Jared was shifting closer to him, a hand now resting on his thigh. “I’m dangerous, remember?” Jensen said quietly.
“I don’t think you are,” Jared told him. “Not to me.”
Jensen opened his eyes and turned his head to face Jared. He looked into Jared’s eyes. “Why would you want to risk your future? What about Grams?” He felt a warm hand squeezing his leg.
Jared leaned closer, his forehead coming to rest against Jensen’s as he spoke. “Grams loves me. Besides, you’re like me.”
“Only part of me,” Jensen reminded Jared.
“Yeah. But that’s the part that will convince the Council you’re okay.”
Jensen’s eyes widened as he met Jared’s enthusiastic gaze. “Council? Grams is right, this is insane.”
“No it’s not,” Jared protested as he leaned back, his eyes still locked with Jensen’s as he brought his hand up to the side of Jensen’s face. “And maybe then you could…”
“What?”
“Stay here.”
Jensen bit thoughtfully at the inside of his mouth. “You hardly know me.”
Jared shook his head. “But that’s not how it feels. It’s like I’ve
always known you. I feel like I’ve been waiting for you. Your energy is just so…”
Jensen sniffed a laugh as he turned his head away. “Our energies. Like magnets, huh?”
Jared sighed. “It was just an idea,” he said.
“A bad one,” Jensen muttered and looked at Jared. “What you feel it’s…maybe it’s wrong. Maybe it’s not supposed to happen. Us, together. It’s like I said,” he sighed. “A bad idea.”
Jared shook his head and leaned in close again. He closed his eyes, his lips slightly parted as he kissed Jensen. “Not bad,” Jared insisted as he kissed Jensen a little more firmly. A few moments passed before Jared reluctantly opened his eyes and pulled back. “You’re not dangerous. And I would never…”
Jensen met Jared’s eyes. “We should get a few hours sleep,” he said, avoiding the moment they’d shared.
Jared lowered his eyes, his hand falling from Jensen’s thigh as he looked toward his bedroom window. “I can feel it out there.”
Jensen followed Jared’s gaze, a sadness in his chest as he thought of his grandfather.
“There’s so much hate.”
Jensen swallowed uncomfortably and lowered his feet to the carpeted floor. “I’ll go get changed,” he said, the shorts and t-shirt held tightly in his hand as he got off the bed.
Jared watched as Jensen disappeared from his room and headed down the hall toward the bathroom. He sat quietly for a moment, wondering whether Jensen was right, and that what he felt was nothing more than the reaction of their two energies meeting. He cast a glance at the photograph on his bedside, his mother with his newborn-self held bundled in her arms. He looked at her face, the sweet smile and the gentle crinkles at the corners of her eyes. She’d have known what to do, he decided, and whispered, “What do you think, Mom?”
~*~
A gentle breeze blew across the city park as Jensen looked up at the bright, starlit sky.
“Are you okay?” Jared asked as they followed the weaving path through the park.
Jensen simply smiled, slowing down as they approached one of a handful of wooden benches. He looked around the park, it was eerily silent. Eventually he turned to Jared and asked, “Do you think they remember anything of their human lives?”
Jared stood beneath one of the park lamps, a soft sigh as he considered the question. “I don’t know. I just hope that what I do gives them some kind of peace.”
Jensen lowered his head. “I need to tell you something,” he started. “I’m not what you think.”
Jared looked at Jensen curiously. “What do you mean?”
Jensen went to speak, stopping instead as he felt the ground vibrate. “Do you feel that?” He asked, his hand clenched at his side as the familiar blue glow flickered across his skin.
Jared turned around and looked across the park. He waited, his own weapon forming as a vibration shot through his body. “What is that?” He asked. It wasn’t the demon they’d been seeking.
Both boys raised their arms, a terrible scream coming from the other side of the park. They stood silently, listening as a second cry came out, a wicked call from behind them.
“Two?” Jared said. “I can’t…” He hadn’t sensed anything nearby.
Jensen focused on the first sound, his eyes narrowing as something moved in front of him. “Jared, we have company.”
Jared glanced between the two sounds and the rustle of leaves behind them as something moved through the trees. “Crap,” he hissed, and wrapped his hand around his fully formed blade. “This makes three demons in one place. I’ve never seen this before.”
Jensen raised his arm and trailed the sight of the crossbow he held across the space in front of him. “Evil attracts evil I guess,” he said and settled his aim on the moving demon. “You got that one?” He indicated behind them.
“Sure,” Jared said.
Jensen smiled. “Good,” he said, and he ran quickly across the park.
Jared turned quickly as he heard the other demon getting closer. He stood and waited, the trees groaning as they were forced down beneath a heavy foot. “Okay, Jay,” he told himself. “Nothing to worry about.” He swallowed awkwardly, as the demon finally came into view, nostrils flaring as black eyes settled on him. He quirked his head to one side and smiled, his sword held high as he leapt into the air.
~*~
Jared slowly walked to Jensen’s side and looked down at the paralyzed beast, clawed hands twitching as it tried to figure out why it couldn’t move. “What did you do?” Jared asked.
“Pressure points along the spine,” Jensen told him. “Cyrus taught me,” he added. “Renders the beast immobile so we can…” He glanced to Jared and raised his left hand. “I haven’t done this in…” He stared down at his hand, watching as his palm started to glow but not the usual blue tint he had become used to. He waited, a small yellow blade fusing together in his hand.
Jared watched, a small smile as he realised what Jensen was doing.
“Not as big as yours, but…” He grinned and walked over to the demon. He closed his eyes, a silent wish for the soul to find peace, before he pushed the blade deep into the demon’s chest.
Jared walked to Jensen’s side, watching as the blade struck the demon’s soul, low sounds and a bright light as the soul broke free. “You freed it,” he said, and gently touched the back of Jensen’s hand. “Why?”
Jensen watched as the demon’s body started to decay to ash, the soul free and the flesh no longer of use. He turned and looked up at Jared, the blade he held fading away. “There’s something you need to know.” He took a deep breath and met Jared’s interested eyes. “I’ve never-” He stopped and caught his breath, a sharp pain and a strange heat growing in his chest.
Jared’s eyes grew wide as he looked down at Jensen’s shoulder. “No,” he whispered as he watched a dark stain spread across the front of Jensen’s clothes, his hands desperately grabbing out for Jensen’s.
“J-” Jensen felt himself being lifted from the ground, a painful sound being ripped from his throat as razor sharp claws penetrated his body. He threw back his head, his hands slipping from Jared’s as Jensen was pulled away from him and into the air. He screamed, claws ripping through his shoulder as he was pulled higher. He coughed, blood running from his mouth as he held tightly to the curved claws, the smooth edge cutting into his hands.
Jared watched in horror as Jensen was lifted into the air, the sound of Jensen’s cries making his blood run cold. He looked up through the same eyes, as he’d done all those years ago, and he felt just as useless. “No,” he whimpered and stepped back, tears stinging his eyes as he realised he couldn’t move.
| Chapter 8 |
Jensen screamed, coughing heavily as he fought for breath. He felt dizzy. “Jared,” he managed, his voice a whisper as he tried to focus on the boy beneath him. It hurt; his body felt like it was being torn in two. “Jared!” He cried, hazel eyes startled into meeting his. “Help me,” he coughed, the taste of blood in his mouth. “Please.”
Jared took sharp breaths. He couldn’t move, flashes of his mother inside his head; blood, tears and death. He looked up at Jensen, the world moving in slow motion as Jensen cried out to him. He couldn’t let this happen again. A steadying breath, and Jared launched himself into the air, his sword glowing brightly as he raised it above his head. He called out, a desperate sound as he brought his sword down hard across the demon’s hand.
Jared hit the ground and rolled to face the demon, watching as Jensen started to fall. He listened as the demon screamed, blood pouring from its severed fingers. He launched himself again, a second blow to the demons arm, the limb severing at the wrist, blood spraying through the air. Jared took the opportunity to run forwards, and grabbed frantically for the fallen boy. He dragged Jensen to his feet and encouraged him to run.
“I can’t,” Jensen gasped as he fell to his knees, blood gushing from his shoulder and chest as he knelt on the ground.
“We have to go,” Jared pleaded, they needed to put more distance between them and the demon. “We have to find somewhere safe.”
Jensen shook his head. “I can’t,” he coughed. “I can’t.”
“I…” Jared looked around. They were at the edge of the park, a few buildings now standing on the other side of the street. “Just a little further,” he said and dragged Jensen to his feet. “We’re nearly there.”
Jensen pressed a hand to his bloody chest, his body flinching as he heard the terrible sounds behind them inside the park. “I need…” He heard a window smashing, Jared pushing him inside one of the buildings. “I can’t fix…” he gasped as he was dropped to the floor, Jared kneeling down in front of him, fingers inspecting the wounds. He took sharp, short breaths. He could hardly breathe.
“I don’t know what to do,” Jared said, panicked, the other boy bleeding heavily. “What should I do?”
Jensen leaned forwards, his hands against Jared’s chest. “Pull them out,” he gasped.
“What?” Jared shook his head. He’d seen enough television shows to know that was not a good idea. “I don’t think-”
“Pull the fucking things out,” Jensen said angrily through gritted teeth.
Jared nodded and reached around Jensen’s back, where three long claws remained jammed through his body. “On three. One, two…” Jared pulled at the claws, Jensen screaming as the long blades were dragged back through his body and discarded on the ground.
“Will…you help…me,” Jensen said as he grabbed Jared’s hand, blood seemed to be everywhere.
“How?” Jared asked, aware that Jensen’s hand was wrapped tightly around his.
“I won’t…hurt you.” Jensen forced his eyes open and held onto Jared.
Jared looked at Jensen curiously, his mouth falling open as he felt a pull on his arm. “What are you doing?” He asked, his eyes falling shut as he continued to feel the pull on his arm, a prickling sensation across his skin. “What…” He was pulled forward, a final burst of something as Jensen released his hand. He took a moment and then slowly opened his eyes, Jensen sitting looking at him with a small smile. “How?” Was all he could manage to say.
Jensen smiled and slowly pulled up his blood soaked shirt.
Jared looked at the healed skin; pale pink scars were all that remained.
“Don’t worry,” Jensen said and leaned his head back against the wall. “You’re fine.”
“And you are too.” Jared watched Jensen, amazed at how quickly he’d healed. “You used my energy.”
Jensen slowly nodded. “It won’t hurt you.”
Jared nodded, looking over his shoulder as he heard the horrific cries of the demon as it searched for them. “It’s too powerful, and I think we pissed it off.”
Jensen bit thoughtfully on his lip. “I have an idea.”
Jared looked at him curiously, a small frown.
“We can beat this thing. But you have to do as I say.”
~*~
The night air was filled with a girl’s scream, crimson blood misting the air as her body was torn into by an invisible attacker. She didn’t understand what was happening. She hadn’t been able to sleep, a history exam playing on her mind for the last couple of nights. She’d thought a run would clear her head and finally give her some peace. This wasn’t what she’d been looking for because instead, something had found her. She screamed once more, and only once more, her body ripped open as her insides tumbled to the ground; everything that she was, was consumed in the vicious attack.
Jensen turned his head away, the final scene too much for him to stand. He knew the girl, and so did Jared, a fellow student from the high school. “We have to stop this thing,” he declared. They’d arrived too late to do anything, her insides already torn from her body.
Jared nodded, watching as the broken body of the girl was discarded at the side of the street. “Is this going to work?” He asked.
“Do we have a choice?”
Jared lowered his head. He guessed not.
Jensen stepped forward as he focused his energy once more. He curled his hand around the weapon he now held. “Ready?” He checked, Jared quickly at his side.
“Ready,” Jared confirmed.
Jensen nodded and started to run, his weapon high as he took his aim. With a twist of his arm, Jensen released his shot, a blue light flashing across the air and hitting the demon in the shoulder. The demon turned and let out a painful cry as it raised a bloody stump to its shoulder. Jensen watched, amazed as curved stumps started to emerge from the beast’s severed wrist. It was as if… Jensen’s eyes widened… it could regenerate. “Jared,” he yelled, as Jared rushed past him, leaping into the air. He watched as Jared brought his sword down heavily in the same spot he’d hit. The demon roared and fell back, its shoulder splitting as Jared’s blade was forced through its thick skin. “Jared,” Jensen called frantically, watching as the demon flailed and lashed out at the air. “Shit.” He saw what Jared didn’t, the demon’s regenerating hand slashing backwards and impacting the young hunter hard in the chest.
As Jared slid across the concrete ground, Jensen rushed forward. He held his aim as long as he could, the arrow glowing brightly before he released it. He watched, the arrow hitting the demon in the shoulder and ripping through the already weakened limb. He aimed again, another powerful shot to the demon’s head, bone splintering as the demon’s horn cracked from the impact. He released another arrow, the shot hit the demon in the thigh, but still it wasn’t enough. The demon was back on its feet quickly; a heavy fist brought up into the air and then smashed down on the ground.
Jensen felt himself falling, the street splintering and bowing beneath his feet, as he lost his footing and landed on his back. He struggled to sit up, the demon picking up pace as it ran at him. He scurried backwards, eyes wide as the demon pounced into the air. He raised his arms protectively, his link with his weapon disrupted as he waited for the demon’s attack. But nothing came. Instead, a bright light and cracking sound surrounded the air above him. He dared to open his eyes, watching as the demon hit an invisible barrier and fell to the ground.
“Where’s Jared?” Grams yelled desperately, her free hand grabbing the dazed boy by the arm.
Jensen looked up at her in amazement. Her arm was glowing, her energy forming a protective shield above them as small sparks crackled over its surface.
“Jensen,” Grams said more firmly, squeezing Jensen’s shoulder. “My grandson?”
Jensen raised his hand, and pointed across the street to where Jared was resting on all fours as he tried to get to his feet.
“Jared,” Grams yelled, her mind distracted as she looked at her fallen grandson.
“Look out!” Jensen cried, the shield around them fading. He flinched as the old woman was hit square in the chest, her body tossed through the air and impacting hard against the side of one of the buildings. Jensen watched from the ground as the demon curled and uncurled its hand, a stinging pain running the length of its arm. He sat silently, waiting as the demon looked between the three hunters. He did nothing, the demon eventually making its choice. Grams.
As the beast stalked towards the old woman, Jensen scrambled to his feet. He contemplated an attack, but he knew there was really only one solution. He focused on Jared, who sat dazed against the side of the building, a hand pressed to his bleeding head. Jensen caught his breath, the air around him slowing as he started to run. In a mere moment he was at Jared’s side and laying his hand over Jared’s. “You okay?” He asked, looking warily over his shoulder.
Jared nodded. “What happened?”
Jensen watched as Grams got back to her feet, her shield once again creating a barrier between her and the demon. “Your grandmother is here. We have to stop this thing right now,” he said quickly as he pressed his hand to Jared’s forehead.
Jared batted Jensen’s hand away from his face and sprang urgently to his feet. He turned to Jensen, a curious look. “My head?”
Jensen smiled. “Now you have to use the rest of my power.”
Jared shook his head. “We don’t know what will happen.”
Jensen pointed towards Grams and told him, “You don’t have a choice.”
Jared watched as Grams fell to her knees, the demon’s tirade of thrashes against the shield finally getting the better of her. After all, she was the energy forming the shield. “Grams!” He watched as his grandmother struggled to her feet, the demon’s arm drawn back and ready to strike. No time for thinking, he turned and grabbed Jensen’s hand. “Do it.”
Jensen nodded and closed his eyes, his fingers sliding between Jared’s. He took a deep breath and said the words he’d been practicing on the stones, “Open and reveal.”
Jared looked at Jensen, his eyes wide as he watched the blue glow of Jensen’s hand around his. “Jensen,” he said quietly, catching his breath as Jensen’s eyes flickered open, a bright green glow within them. Jared held out his other hand as he felt the familiar sensation of a weapon beginning to form, energy drawn in from the surrounding air. He looked towards his grandmother, a sense of urgency as he was suddenly aware that the demon was no longer interested in a weak old woman.
Jensen’s head started to spin, his hand wrapped tightly in Jared’s as he willed his power into the other boy. He looked through eyes that no longer felt like his own, and watched as Jared’s sword grew in strength and stretched out into the night, long and wide. He held on as long as he could, a green tint to both their energies. “I…” He let go, his knees buckling as he fell to the ground. He looked up and met Jared’s concerned eyes. “Go,” he told Jared. “Go!”
Jared nodded and started to run, strong, wide strides as he rushed towards the roaring demon. He glanced at the weapon he held, a sword more powerful than he’d ever been able to create. He noted the greenish shade to the energy as it flowed around the blade. To him, this was incredible. He ran and jumped into the air, the usual attacking approach he’d mastered throughout his teenage years. Slashing and slicing, he swung the blade, and tore into the demon’s skin.
The demon flailed wildly, its clawed hand grabbing at the hunter but missing. Blood sprayed from its shredded flesh as it bared its teeth, its jaw snapping at the attacking hunter. It slammed its fist into the ground, the concrete street cracking beneath the heavy blow, and lashed out madly, a desperate attempt to end the attack. This hunter was something different; something new.
Jensen held a hand to his chest and watched the demon twist painfully as it tried to avoid Jared’s attacks. He watched as wounds and blood covered the leathery skin of the demon. Jared was moving so fast, and the demon had little time to fight back. He gently sat himself up, and watched the final moments of the battle as Jared sprang into the air, the great blade coming down on the demon’s skull. Jensen watched as the skull cracked, the blade slicing downwards through the demon’s head, leaving wide dark eyes fixed on nothing but the night.
Jensen curled his fingers against his chest, a realisation that something wasn’t right, that his hand was sticky and damp. He watched as Jared landed in front of the demon, a breath and then he was burying the blade deep inside the demon’s chest. Jensen shielded his eyes, the demon’s body starting to burn, cracks appearing as a bright light shone from within its body. He turned his head, a terrible sound as the demon’s body exploded, light scattering through the air.
Jared lowered his arm, the blade starting to fade as he watched the light dance like stars through the air and settle on the ground. He caught his breath and slowly turned around, a smile on his lips that was not to last. “Jensen?” He whispered at the sight of Jensen curled up on the ground and blood pooling around him. “No,” he cried and ran back to Jensen’s side, skidding to his knees as he reached for his hands. “Jensen?” Jared shook Jensen’s arms, desperately trying to wake the other boy. He grabbed at Jensen’s clothes, blood seeping through the material from deep wounds. Jared looked up, his eyes meeting his grandmother’s in panic. “He’s bleeding.”
“What happened?” Grams knelt at her grandson’s side and rolled Jensen forward, blood soaking through the back of his shirt as well. “My God.”
“Before. The demon did this, but…” He looked at his blood covered hands. “He healed.”
Grams gently rested Jensen back to the ground. “How?”
Jared shook his head. “He used me, but then he gave me his power. It was the only way.”
Grams laid a hand on Jared’s shoulder. “I can’t help him,” she said quietly. “I don’t know how, and even if I could…It’s not my place.”
Jared looked up at her confused, his hand wrapping tightly around Jensen’s. “I don’t…”
“You do. It’s your choice. But I can’t help him.”
Jared looked down at Jensen, an ache in his heart as he held Jensen’s cold hand in his. “What should I do?” He asked.
“What you think is right.”
“He’s like me. He’s not bad. He’s not. I think…” He raised a hand and gently touched Jensen’s cheek. “How do I fix this?”
“Follow your heart,” Grams told him as she got to her feet, old memories hanging around her. She couldn’t be part of this. Despite loving her grandson deeply, she had to take a step away.
Jared looked at Jensen and gently brushed back his sweat damp hair. He leaned down, his head close to Jensen’s as he whispered, “I don’t know what to do. I need you to help me.” He watched Jensen and hoped. “You need to help. I can’t fix you by myself. Please.” He watched and waited. “Please,” he said again, and wrapped Jensen’s hands tightly in his and held them against the warmth of his chest. “Please.”
Jared caught his breath as Jensen’s fingers squeezed around his. “Jensen,” he said, a relieved smile as he looked down at the other boy. He closed his eyes, a bright light shining between their hands. He leaned back his head as he felt a surge of energy through his body, the light between them getting brighter and larger. “Jensen,” he managed before the light consumed them both.
~*~
Jensen slowly opened his eyes. His whole body ached as he tried to sit up. He looked around, confused to find himself in a white room. “Hello?” He said, and slowly rolled his legs over the side of the bed he was lying on. He jumped down off the bed and spun around. The whole room was painted white, with a white floor, and white bedding covering the bed. He swallowed nervously as he moved towards one of the white walls, slow steps as he walked the perimeter of the room. Where the hell was the door?
“Jensen.”
Jensen jumped as he heard the voice. He turned around, his mouth falling open as his eyes fell on Cyrus. “Cyrus,” he said, and panicked as he looked around the room. “Am I dead?”
Cyrus smiled. “No, Jensen. Not dead.”
Jensen breathed a sigh of relief and folded his arms across his chest. “Then what is this place?”
“Not me.” Cyrus shrugged and tapped the side of his head. “It’s in your head,” he told Jensen.
“What about Jared? Is he okay?”
Cyrus sighed and slowly walked across the room. “He’s fine, as far as I know. The old lady too.” He stopped beside the bed and ran his hand over the white material. “I just came here to ask you to do something for me.”
“Like what?” Jensen asked curiously.
“I assume by now you must realise that…” Cyrus raised a hand, a sad smile as it began to fade, a transparency to his skin.
Jensen lowered his head; his fear that his grandfather wasn’t coming back was true.
“For years I kept you safe and did my best to hide you from the world, my world.” Cyrus looked at his grandson. “What happened to your mother, it broke my heart. I suppose even my soul. I fought so hard to do the right thing, but in the end, even I crossed that line.” He turned over his hand, a purple stone held in his palm. “This was my first and only. I took its power and I used it. I used it to exact revenge on…You asked me once about your father and how he died.” He looked at his grandson with sad eyes. “I’m the reason he never saw you grow up.”
Jensen’s heart sank as he heard the words. He’d always suspected the truth, but he’d never wanted to believe it.
“I’m not proud. I once promised your mother I would never look to our past, and to what our kind once did.”
“Soul Eaters,” Jensen said quietly. “An exaggeration, but yes.”
Jensen slowly met his grandfather’s eyes. “I tried one of the stones. I tried to open it.”
Cyrus nodded. “I know,” he told Jensen. “And I should never have let you. That was not my secret to give. Your mother wanted better for you. She always said that old wounds would never heal, not if we lived in the past. And that’s what I need to ask of you.”
Jensen looked at his grandfather and listened.
“The stones, I want you to release them.”
“How?” Jensen asked.
Cyrus smiled and raised his other hand, wriggling his fingers as it also began to fade. “You already know,” he told Jensen.
Jensen considered the stone he had broken in the motel room and the light that had escaped from it. “We didn’t hurt them, did we?” He asked of the souls encased in stone.
Cyrus shook his head. “For them, it’s like time was frozen. That’s all. Your mother did what she had to do. She’d never have used them, you know that, but she wasn’t like you. She did what she thought was right and sealed them away where they could do no more harm.”
“Could they?” Jensen asked. “Still do harm?”
Cyrus shrugged. “I don’t know. The Lyend always believed releasing them meant they would find peace, or I guess damnation, that the souls would somehow be judged and move on to where they belonged.” He looked at Jensen comfortingly. “We did what we believed to be right. We didn’t free them, but we didn’t destroy them either.”
Jensen met his grandfather’s eyes. “They can be destroyed?”
Cyrus nodded. “Inside you is so much power, Jensen. I wish I could have seen you discover it.” He sighed as he curled his hand into a fist. “Because of that you need to return the souls. To rid yourself of temptation.”
Jensen nodded. “I never would have…”
Cyrus smiled, his features paling as the white wall started to become visible through him. “Perhaps. But revenge and love are powerful things. I know that, and I know how sweet the power in those stones is.”
Jensen bit lightly on his lip and closed his eyes, a tear rolling down his cheek.
“Promise me.” Cyrus took a step back towards the wall, a smile as he looked at his grandson. “I’m proud of you, and I know that she would be too.”
Jensen opened his eyes and stared up at the familiar blue ceiling of Jared’s bedroom. He breathed in deeply and rolled his head to one side, worried hazel eyes looking back at him. “What happened?” He asked, watching as Jared pulled the chair he was sitting in closer.
Jared smiled and rested his hand over Jensen’s. “You don’t remember?”
Jensen frowned as he tried to remember. “The demon. There was this green light.”
Jared nodded. “You combined your energy with mine. The demon’s dead. You could have died too.”
“There was no other way,” Jensen weakly told him. “We weren’t strong enough apart.”
“I was so worried. If you’d…” Jared leaned forward, a light kiss to Jensen’s mouth. “There was so much blood. I didn’t think you’d-”
Jensen lifted his head from the pillow and kissed Jared back, shutting the boy up. “I’m okay,” he reminded Jared.
Jared smiled. “Will you stay?” He asked. “I know things are complicated. But I don’t think I want you to leave. Not yet.”
Jensen turned to look back up at the ceiling and considered what Jared had asked. “I don’t want to get you into trouble. If anyone found out…”
“They won’t,” Jared insisted. “Besides, there’s nothing to find out. You’ve never taken a soul’s power have you? That’s what you wanted to tell me last night.”
“No,” Jensen sighed. “I never have. Neither did my mom. We kind of collected them instead.”
Jared drew his lower lip between his teeth thoughtfully and leaned down to pick something up off the floor. “These?” He asked.
Jensen looked at the stone in Jared’s hand. “Where did you get that?”
“The apartment. It was in your room.”
Jensen awkwardly sat himself up and took the stone from Jared’s hand. “It’s okay, the soul inside. It’s like time has stopped for it, and it’s sealed away in a stone tomb.” He turned it over in his hand. “It’s what I was taught to do.” He looked down at his hand, narrowing his eyes as he created the small blade like before. “But now I should do what’s right.” He held the stone firmly in his other hand and drew back his arm, the blade brought down hard against the stone’s surface.
Jared watched as the stone cracked, a swirl of light rising into the air and vanishing. “What was that?”
“I set it free,” Jensen told him. “Grams said it. It’s not always their fault. Bad things can happen to good people, and they deserve their second chance.” He looked at where the light had disappeared.
“So do you,” Jared decided.
Jensen smiled as he lowered his eyes. “Maybe,” he said as he felt Jared’s hand around his.
Jared leaned forward again, another kiss as he said, “Just promise me you’ll take it.”
~*~
Grams sat at the dining table and slowly moved the piece of potato around her plate with her fork. She raised her eyes slightly, her mouth screwed up thoughtfully as she looked between the two boys. “You’re both going to school tomorrow, right?” She asked.
Jared raised an eyebrow, and looked at Grams and shrugged. “Of course, I guess.” He looked at Jensen. “We both feel okay.”
Grams nodded and lowered her fork to her plate. “Then I think we need to go and collect Jensen’s things from the motel. He can’t wear the clothes from yesterday, and he’d look ridiculous in anything of yours. You’ve grown so fast lately.”
Jared looked from Jensen to Grams, and grinned. “Then Jensen can stay?” He checked.
Grams looked at the two boys and sighed, “Yes, he can stay”
Jared smiled brightly and leaned forward out of his seat, his arms wrapping around Grams’ neck as he kissed her cheek. “Thank you,” he said and sat back down.
Grams sighed and looked up from the table, a loud knock echoing down the hallway from the front door. “Who could that be?” She said and checked the clock above the refrigerator.
Jared shrugged, watching as Grams got out of her seat and wandered towards the front of the house. “I knew she liked you really,” he said with a grin as he met Jensen’s eyes.
Jensen simply smiled and continued to eat his supper.
“Jared, can you come here for a moment, please?” Grams called from the front door.
Jared looked at Jensen curiously and got out of his seat. “Back in a sec,” he said and left the kitchen. He smiled as he reached the door and found Chad standing on the step. “Hey,” Jared said. “You okay?”
Chad didn’t speak, instead he lowered his head and stepped to one side, a tall, well dressed man appearing in the space.
Jared looked from Chad to the man he recognised as Chad’s father. “Is everything okay?” He asked, worried something had happened.
“Jared, this is Council member Mourin,” Grams told Jared, her eyes meeting Chad’s as she used the boy’s old family name.
Jared opened his mouth, no words as the man stepped into the house. “Why are you here?” He eventually asked, with a glance over his shoulder towards the kitchen.
“You know why,” Nathaniel Mourin said as he removed his long, brown coat and handed it to Grams. He ran a hand through his greying hair, gently smoothing a stray strand back into place. He looked over his shoulder and beckoned for Chad to follow him.
Jared watched as Chad entered the house, the front door pushed quietly shut behind him. “Chad?” He managed, watching helplessly as Mourin walked towards the back of the house.
Chad stopped beside his friend, blue eyes reluctantly meeting Jared’s. “I’m sorry, Jay,” he said. “I was curious about what was going on. I heard you. You and him, at school outside Scott’s. I had to tell them.”
Jared could hardly believe what he was hearing. “You’re one of them? You’re like me?”
Chad lowered his head.
“You were spying on me?” Jared said accusingly. “Why didn’t you say something? What was all that crap about being able to tell you anything? Not judging?”
Chad looked helplessly at Jared. “I’m sorry,” he said again. “I didn’t have a choice.” He swallowed uncomfortably, turned, and quickly caught up with his father.
When Jared made it back to the kitchen, he found Jensen standing silently beside Grams, his head down as he listened to the deep, authoritative voice of the Lyend Council member. “What’s going on?” He dared to interrupt. “Jensen didn’t do anything.”
Mourin ignored Jared and continued to recite Lyend law.
“No, I mean it. What did he do?”
“Jared,” Grams warned.
“No. I want to know. He helped me defeat a demon. He’s never-”
“Enough,” Mourin roared as he turned to face Jared. “Your grandmother has versed you in our laws.”
“But he didn’t do anything,” Jared continued to protest.
“He’s been hunting,” Chad reminded him, the boy daring to say something on the matter.
“Yes, but not like you think,” Jared tried to explain. He looked at Jensen, begging him to defend himself. “Tell them what you told me.”
Jensen looked fearfully around the room. What was he supposed to say? He knew from experience that the truth didn’t matter. “There’s no point, Jared.”
“He didn’t do anything,” Jared continued to protest.
“He took the souls of the demons. He used them,” Mourin insisted.
“No!” Jared shook his head frantically.
Chad stepped forward, a hand on his friend’s shoulder. “He needs to come with us.”
Jared snatched his arm from Chad’s touch. “Where?” He asked.
“To stand trial,” Mourin informed him. “For the illegal destruction of souls, and abuse of his power.”
Jared looked desperately at Grams. “You can’t let them do this. Please.”
Grams turned her head and looked at the boy standing silently beside her. She wanted to believe Jared about Jensen, in all honesty, she already did. “Will the trial be fair?” She asked quietly. “A chance for him to explain himself?”
Mourin met her bright eyes, a slow nod of his head. “Of course. We aren’t all monsters.” He looked at the Tiaim youngster.
Grams turned back to Jensen, a small smile as he met her eyes.
“It’s okay,” Jensen told her. “I’ll go. I don’t want to cause you any more trouble.”
Grams turned protectively to her grandson, aware that Jared was becoming frustrated by the seeming unfairness of the situation. “Jared,” she said firmly. “I’d like you to wait in your room.”
Jared’s eyes widened in disbelief. He was being sent away. “You’re going to let them take him? After what happened to his mother?”
Mourin looked at Jared curiously and said, “His mother?”
“You executed her. You let lies get in the way of the truth then, and I won’t let that happen to Jensen.” Jared opened his hand wide, heat prickling his skin in anger.
“Jared, don’t.”
Jared caught his breath as he felt a hand in his, Jensen at his side and speaking in his ear.
“Don’t do this,” Jensen continued. “You have to let me go.”
“But…” Jared wrapped his hand desperately around Jensen’s. “I don’t want to lose you. Not to lies.”
Jensen smiled and leaned closer. “You know the truth, and that’s what matters most. You’re not my father, and I realise that now. Thank you for doing for me what he couldn’t do for my mother. Thank you for trying to protect me.”
Jared closed his eyes as he felt Jensen kiss his cheek. “Jensen.”
“Keep your eyes closed,” Jensen told Jared as he let go of the other boy’s hand, and put space between them. “I wish things were different.” He looked at the other boy, an ache in his chest as he said, “Thank you.”
Jared felt a breeze against his cheek and he quickly opened his eyes. He looked around the kitchen, sadly meeting the eyes of the only other person in the room. “Will he be okay?” He asked Grams as he felt her arm around his shoulder.
Grams hugged Jared close, a sigh as all she could offer him was, “I don’t know.”
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