Heirs And Hunters

Chapter 13

W I N T E R

When Ivan said he'd see me soon.

He meant it.

And the soon was very soon.

I walked over to greet Percy who had his car parked in front of my residence to pick me up like he had been frequenting for a week. I am indebted to him for the favors he has been rendering upon me like the good friend he is. Niamh is in the passenger seat so I reach for the door at the back when a loud purr of exhaust note causes me to jump in surprise.

My eyes flew toward the Matte McLaren parked behind Percy's car. I fantasize about crawling my path back to the studio and marking a day off to mull over everything that has happened so far when I see Ivan's pointed stare fixated on me. I tried touching the handle again- only that this time he caused the engine to rumble so wild that I saw some curious residents huddle out by their balconies to inspect the noise. It also caused some pedestrians to pause and snap a photo or tape a video of the little motor show Ivan was putting out for them.

Gaping I yank the door open to Percy's car and this time I could feel the waves of vibration pulsate beneath my feet. He is making his engines scream and he is not stopping. I close the door immediately and the growls resolve to a soft static purr.

"What the fuck is the dude's problem" Percy juts his head out of the window scowling. When he sees who was tracked behind him he bleaches. "Get in fast- we don't want to piss that thing off" he urged snarling.

"Is that arcane?" I hear Niamh enquire in bafflement "What does he want?"

"Space to park? Blood of neighborhood? seriously, what does he-" rambled Percy, twisting his elbow out he frowned questioningly at Ivan. To which Ivan calmly flicked two of his fingers in a gesture for Percy to drive off. Percy obediently whined at me "Get in. He wants me gone"

I attempt at door for one last time. And this wise the thunders surged accompanied by a bashed honk. I could bet that there was at least one person in the neighborhood calling the cops on him. I took my hand off the car and stepped aside. Poor Percy gawked at Ivan- then at me- then back at Ivan and then finally settled back to gawk at me as the ruckus dies with my withdrawal.

"Seriously?" he whispered horrified.

"Go on without me," I tell him mollified "And I might get my car back this evening so thanks for helping me out this week. I owe you one"

He is not listening to any word that came out of my mouth. He is trained on Ivan's car like he is convincing himself of a deranged reality. But Niamh is functioning and present in the moment. she lunged forward mining out of Percy's arm to whisper- yell-

"The only thing you owe us is an explanation" I nod fervently at her, and I promise myself to tell them the lukewarm version of my nuclear disaster since I owe them that much. They are some of the few genuinely good people who seem to care for me. with all the guilt that has been chipping me away for spying on Percy, I want to be honest about something to them. The weight of my hair on my head feels heavy to me with the madness that's seasoning around as Percy drives away after his confusion wears off. Or as much as it needs for him to drive with focus.

I storm towards Ivan's car, onto his side. He slides down the glass before I can knock on the window. He reclined casually on his seat like he just wasn't creating an uproar on a community street. His ink-black hair is damp with moisture, unlike last night's tousled fluff- it's styled refinedly. swamped by my need to rage at him, I watered my vocals. If left unchecked I would be spitting fire like a varmint Dragon.

"What is this?"

He inclines his head at me with one lased hand placed on the wheel.

"Good morning to you too"