When Memories Turn Into Nightmares

A while later, they finally pulled up into the driveway. Thankfully, Zarek hadn't pushed him on the issue, but it was easy to tell that the guy wasn't particularly impressed by being ignored.

The lights in the house were on, despite it being half past twelve. After putting the car in park, the suspicious yellow eyes gazed up at the expensive structure. Things were just crazy. He had no clue what was going on, but he was beginning to believe it was all Spence's fault and now he was paying for it. It could have been worse, so he wasn't going to start complaining yet. He did get something good out of it at least.

Cade Fariel climbed out of the car, locking the driver door as he went. His eyes kept drifting back toward Zarek, expecting that man to say something. He knew Zarek knew more than he was sharing. "So how long will it take for me to run into a trap door this time?"

Without a word, the Arabian paced leisurely up to the door. His head turned briefly to look up the wall before he rang the doorbell. Pulling the pager from his pocket, he proceeded to push a few buttons before turning to face the American, blinking slowly.

Okay, maybe this was payback for not answering the earlier question. Cade frowned and approached the man without caution. Normally he'd be weary of anyone who he knew for a fact was keeping so much from him, but Zarek was different. Why? Who knew. "Who's in there? It may not be any of my business, but why can't you just walk in?"

Zarek snickered, before he jokingly responded, "I... left my keys at home?" He shook his head before a smirk settled in his face. "Who is in there? A few of my best men. You'll be safe here."

A few moments later, the door opened. Standing there in a blue shirt and plain, black pants, was Giampaolo Martelli. The guy gazed and nodded respectfully at Zarek before turning his attention to Cade, who was already reaching for his gun. "Cade Fariel? Long time no see!" He said in a jolly voice, words passing his broad, teeth-baring grin.

Safe? How could dhat be safe. Cade choked back a surprised stutter and looked the man over. Hadn't he killed him a few years ago? It was impossible that the guy could be standing right there, and what was he doing with Zarek? The questions plagued him, but most of all he wondered whether or not he should get out of it before walking through that door. "Uh... Hi..."

His attention quickly shifted around as a car drove up and parked behind his. The driver was the same guy he'd seen with the shotgun earlier - 'Luigi'? - and it didn't take long before the man started pulling his weapon out of the trunk.

"Well, just come on in, make yourself at home..." The words were spoken in a friendly, inviting voice, and Giampaolo promptly stepped aside to provide passage.

"Zarek..." All things combined, Cade was feeling increasingly cornered. These men couldn't possibly be all that willing to protect him, and even if they were, he wasn't so sure he could trust them enough to accept it. He swallowed hard, trying to hide his fear. "I'm not entirely sure where this 'safety' you mentioned is supposed to come into play."

The Arabian oddball fixed him an annoyed glare, furrowing a brow as the expression gradually turned more into disbelief. "Oh come on, Cade, what did you expect? A military base?"

"That's not what I mean." Why were things turning out like that, and what the hell was going to happen next? It seemed he was on a roll of bad luck recently, but this... This was just plain strange. Instead of speaking again to Zarek, he stepped into the building, and paused near Giampaolo to speak to him. "I thought I killed you, how do I know you're not going to try and return the favour?"

A light, rolling laughter filled the little room as the guy eyed him curiously. "Killed me? Nope, that's news to me... can't remember dying lately. One'd think that would kind of stick in my memory, right?" He shook his head before calling over at Zarek, "what's with this guy? Just having his fun?"

Fixing Giampaolo a stern look, the Arabian sighed loudly before resting the sword against the wall, freeing his hands to rest one on each man's shoulder. "Look, whether you two have a history or are just amusing yourselves, I don't care. Behave. No quarrelling, no fighting, no pranks, nothing. Are we clear?"

With a bit of a grimace, Giampaolo looked back and forth between the two men in front of him for a moment. Then he let out an exaggerated sigh. "Sure, we're clear. What's your problem, anyway? You two make it sound like I'm a bad guy!"

Cade's lip curled up in a distasteful grimace as he turned away. Maybe being with Titus and Stoyan would have been safer after all. At least with them, he hadn't ever shot them down before, and if any bad guys came, Titus could always scold them until they went away. "You are a bad guy." He glanced at Zarek and then took his hand off his holster. "I'll be civil."

Leaving with a snort, Giampaolo was soon out of sight, and Luigi edged past them on his way inside. Once they were alone in the entrance area, the Arabian fixed Cade an insistent look. "No matter what you think, this is the safest place to stay the night. Trust me on that, alright?" He wrapped his arms around his companion, pulling him close, and with their bodies against each other, the expression relaxed into a caring smile.

There was no arguing with that. Cade shook his head, certain that it was going to be another sleepless night. He did trust Zarek - maybe more than he should - but either way, he saw little choice. If that Giampaolo was one of the Arabian's trusted men, surely he could put what happened years ago aside for a few hours. "I get it. I'll stay the night, but I have to make a call."

Zarek shrugged. "Sure. Just ask him for it. And..." Zarek pulled a pen out of his pocket and picked up a notebook from the hallway table, scribbling down some numbers. "Here. If something happens, this one's worth trying. And I'm not talking about tonight, because nothing will happen tonight unless you stir it up yourself." He kissed his companion softly on the lips before smiling lightly. "Alright, I'm off. Make yourself at home. I'm late already."

He blinked. Leaving? Zarek was leaving him with those people? Oh yeah, that work thing... He looked down at the numbers before focusing on his companion once more. "I have to ask permission to use the phone?" He shook his head and stuffed the number into his pocket. "Don't be long, Ajdari."

"Permission? Asking is the polite thing to do. And long... nah, I'll be back before ten." Zarek smiled, giving him a pat on the shoulder, before taking his sword and walking out the door without looking back.

Being there was asking a lot as it was, but being polite was just ridiculous. He turned and headed deeper into the house. "What have I gotten myself into? Titus isn't going to be happy... Martelli! May I use the phone?"

~~~~

This is a collab, written together with Chlover. You can find her author profile here: http://original.adult-fanfiction.org/authors.php?no=26260

~~~~

green: Plenty of people have used magic against Zarek, or tried to. Zarek's got his mind tricks, as you know... as for how the real material world fights with magic, they fight the magic users the same way as they'd fight others - most of the beings introduced so far in the story have a body you can attack, with the exception of Spence, who is a resurrected ghost. The real material world doesn't really have a way of hurting him. There are others who do, though.