Serpentine Embrace

A strained grunt sounded from Ray as he slowly opened his eyes. He immediately shut them again when the natural light that filled the room burned unpleasantly. After waiting for a few minutes he tried again and was able to bear the daylight better. Ray’s vision was extremely fuzzy and he had to blink several times before it cleared.

He felt horrible. His head was throbbing and his throat was dry and sore. Had he been drinking again? He didn’t remember consuming any alcohol, but why else would he feel so horrible?

Once his mind was fully awake Ray began to take in his surroundings and he was confused further. Wait a minute, he thought as he looked around.

It looked as though he were in a hotel room, a really cheap, rundown hotel room. He way lying on a bed covered in dingy, over starched sheets. The walls and ceiling looked like they would crumble any second and a chair that was bursting at the seams was set in front of one the oldest televisions Ray had seen in awhile. This wasn’t his apartment…where was he?

Ray rolled onto his side and tried to push himself up, but he fell back with a groan when the room gave an unpleasant whirl. With a pathetic whimper, Ray curled up and waited for everything to right itself. Now he was getting scared. He was in an unknown place, felt like he had been hit by a truck, and he couldn’t remember anything from last night.

A jiggle of a doorknob made Ray’s ear perk and he looked just in to see what appeared to be the bathroom door opened. Steam rolled into the room as man walked out.

His hair was wet and plastered to his neck and face. All he wore was a pair of black slacks and a towel around his shoulders to help soak up the excess water. Drops clung to his skin and trailed down and traced every curve and contour of his muscular chest and torso.

Amos peered over at Ray and smirked.

“Oh, you’re finally awake, are you?”

The second Ray saw the man and heard his voice it all came crashing back: Being confronted by this man, told some bullshit about being in danger, and being drugged. It was then Ray realized what had happened. He had been kidnapped!

In a rush Ray tried to leap off the bed to get away from his kidnapper, but instantly whished he hadn’t when the earth went topsy-turvy and he crumbled. A groan passed Ray’s lips as strong arms caught him before he hit the ground then dumped him unceremoniously back onto the bed.

“I wouldn’t try that again if I were you,” Amos warned him as he strolled over to the mini-fridge and pulled out a bottle of water. “You’re still suffering from some mild side effects of the sedative I gave you.”

“Seda –” Ray was cut off as his dry throat felt as though it was sticking to itself and he began to cough uncontrollably.

“Yes, a sedative,” Amos answered as he let Ray’s coughing fit pass before taking the man’s hand and giving him the water bottle. “Here, drink some water. It’ll make you feel better.”

Ray relished the cool feel of the bottle in his hand before tossing it to the floor with as much strength as he could muster.

Amos watched it roll away with meek interest. He then looked back to the incapacitated man on the bed to find Ray was glaring at him and from that stare alone he could tell Ray was saying, “I don’t trust you.”

“I’m not the bad guy, you know,” Amos said off handedly as he went to fetch the escaping bottle.

“You…kidnapped…me,” Ray said weakly before giving into another series of coughs.

“Only because you left me no choice,” Amos pointed out as he walked back to the bed. He sighed as he studied Ray before he sat down on the side of the bed. It didn’t escape his notice that Ray feebly tried to push away from him, though it was no skin off his nose.

“If you had just calmly come with me like I asked you to you wouldn’t be feeling like shit, but here we are.”

A squeak escaped Ray as the man abruptly leaned over him so they were face to face and Ray’s heart trembled at the frown Amos had.

“Look, I don’t like this anymore than you do, but I’ve been assigned to be your guardian of sorts, so keeping you alive is my job. In short, we’re stuck together for the time being.” Amos then straightened and grabbed Ray’s wrist before forcing the water bottle back into his hand. “Now get over yourself and don’t make my job anymore unpleasant than it already is.”

Ray stared at the bottle as the light coming in from the window made the water inside sparkle. He had the urge to chuck it at the man’s head, but he figured that wouldn’t get him far. Ray struggled to sit up without toppling over from dizziness. Amos made no move to help him, nor would Ray have accepted any.

Once Ray was in an upright position he slowly worked up the energy to unscrew the top of the bottle. When he succeeded he stared at it for a moment, wondering if Amos had somehow spiked the water to keep him drugged. He could see the man sitting beside him was secretly watching him out of the corner of his eye, while he pretended to be looking at something else. Ray sighed. He might as well just drink. It wasn’t like he’d be able to overpower the larger man even if his mind was clear. And besides, he was damn thirsty.

The moment Ray lifted the bottle to his lips and the refreshing water hit his throat he nearly gulped down half the bottles contents. He never thought water could taste so good. It was as if he had been stuck out in the desert and it was the first water he had in weeks.

Ray’s body shivered as it was replenished and he noticed that the water seemed to wash the fog out of his brain. The dizziness was gone and he felt a lot better than when he had woken up.

“Better?” Amos asked, snapping Ray out of his revere and making him jump.

“Uh, yeah…thanks,” Ray mumbled while rubbing the back of his neck. He felt odd thanking the man who had done this to him in the first place. Ray sucked up his courage and decided he was going to get some answers.

“Okay, you keep saying you’re my protector and guardian and such, though you’re methods of “protecting” are more than unorthodox,” Ray muttered the last part under his breath. “So, can you please tell me just what the hell is going on? What exactly are you protecting me from?”

Amos heaved a sigh. He knew the blond was going to have questions when he woke up, and having to answer them was going to get on Amos’ nerves, he just knew it. He wondered, for a brief moment, if it wasn’t too late to just knock Ray out again

“I told you last night,” Amos said gruffly. “There are some people who want you dead because of what you saw the other night.” He then laughed, which caused Ray to stare at him in confusion. “I guess you can say you’re just one unlucky son of a bitch for being in the wrong place at the wrong time.”

A deep frown darkened Ray’s features. He didn’t find anything funny about that, but then his eyes widened when he realized what Amos’ words meant.

“So, wait, are you saying that…that what I saw was real? There really was a…a –”

“Dragon?” Amos finished for him, becoming impatient with Ray’s slow way of talking. “Yep, that dragon is as real as you or me, I can tell you that much.”

“So, I…I’m not crazy?”

“Hell, I have no idea about your mental health, but as far as this whole situation with Valeria, it had nothing to do with madness,” Amos reassured him and watched as Ray’s brows furrowed.

“Valeria?” Ray said in bewilderment.

“Yes, that’s her name?”

“Her!?”

“…did I suddenly go into an echo chamber?” Amos asked in irritation. “Yes, Valeria is female and one with a vicious temper, like most women,” he said with a snort of laughter.

Ray took a moment to digest that.

“Okay, so I’m in danger because I saw this…Valeria, but who is it exactly that wants me dead? I’m still unclear on that,” he inquired. Being able to see a dragon was quite something, but why would anyone want to kill him over it?

“Them,” Amos said simply, as if that would clear everything up.

“…who?”

Amos rolled his eyes and grunted in frustration.

“The dragons, that’s who. You saw one of their kind and now they want you dead to make sure that you never tell a soul,” he explained in more detail.

Ray stared at him with wide eyes then, to Amos’ surprise, he began to laugh.

“And what exactly is so funny, Mr. Chuckles?” he asked.

“You’re telling me,” Ray said as his laughter died down into a few chuckles. “That dragons are trying to send some assassins after me or something and that they’re organized enough to do something like that?”

“They’re not mindless animals,” Amos said quietly, the comment instantly silencing Ray. “Dragons are highly intelligent creatures, probably even smarter than humans, and are capable of more than you could ever imagine, so, yes, I am telling you that they are organized enough to send assassins after you.”

“Oh, I-I’m sorry,” Ray apologized, his face became flushed in embarrassment for laughing.

“Don’t feel so bad,” Amos said as he took his towel and began rubbing it vigorously through his hair. “You’re supposed to be ignorant. That’s how they want it.”

“And now, because I’m not, they want to kill me,” Ray said softly and he gulped when Amos nodded. To cover up his uneasiness he drained the rest of his water from the bottle.

An awkward silence descended on the two men, while Ray contemplated his current situation. He said nothing when Amos got up and continued to dry whatever part of him was still wet. He silently watched as the man pulled out a duffle bag from under the bed and pulled out a white wife beater.

Before Amos pulled the shirt over his head Ray got a good look at his body. His eyes ran over the numerous scars that riddled the man’s chest, stomach, back, shoulders, and arms. It was as though there was no inch of his skin that wasn’t marred in some way.

A picture of the Snake-man entered Ray’s mind and, except for a few glaring differences, it and Amos looked exactly alike.

“So, that snake…thing that saved me the other night,” Ray said, breaking the silence and making Amos look over his shoulder at him. “That was you…wasn’t it?” he asked.

A half smirk upturned Amos’ mouth and he gave his hair a once over before throwing the towel onto the back of the nearby chair.

“Snake thing? That’s the kind of respect I get?” he asked as he combed his damp, dark hair with his fingers.

Ray sat up straighter.

“So it was you.”

“Yes, yes, I was the “snake thing” that saved your sorry ass,” Amos told him and he noticed that the man began studying him critically.

“I don’t mean to be rude, really, but…just what are you?” From what he could see Amos seemed completely human, and the thought that he could turn into the creature Ray saw…it was absolutely perplexing. If dragons were real, what else was out there?

“I’m not a dragon, if that’s what you’re thinking,” Amos replied before he walked over to the window and looked out into the world beyond with a far away gaze. “But I’m not human either…I haven’t been for a very long time.” Amos turned to Ray and he could see the almost childlike curiosity in the man’s eyes. “I’m what is called an Elpidius.”

“Elpe…what?” Ray asked, finding the word strange, but he found more interest in Amos’ previous statement. “Wait, you used to be human? How did you become the…other thing? What exactly are they…it…you?”

“God, I knew you were going to ask that,” Amos said with a dramatic sigh. “I really didn’t want to go into this must detail, but, if we must.” The man plopped down at the end of the bed and made himself comfortable while he faced Ray. “In order for you to really understand what an Elpidius is, you need to know our background.”

“Um, okay,” Ray said as he shifted so he could be comfortable as well. He hunkered down and was ready to listen intently.

“First off, thousands upon thousands of years ago, dragons and humans used to live side by side with each other in harmony. It was a peaceful existence that both species benefited from, but then a terrible event occurred and the dragons turned on the humans.”

“Wait. What was the terrible event?” Ray asked when it seemed Amos was going to breeze by that little detail. He was leaning forward and listening with much interest, not wanting anything to pass by his curiosity.

A scowl appeared on Amos’ face and he lifted up his foot enough to push against Ray’s chest and make him fall over.

“Don’t interrupt me,” Amos snapped. “I’m not going to give you the entire history lesson, so just sit there and keep your mouth shut while I tell you just what I want to tell you.”

“Okay, okay, sorry. No need to get testy,” Ray grumbled as he sat back up. As soon as he was situated Amos continued.

“Anyways, as you can imagine, the humans were extremely outgunned. Dragons are larger, stronger, faster, and smarter. The humans didn’t stand a chance. That’s when a crazy idea was born. An alchemist named Alphonsus Gabriels tried to come up with a way to fight against the dragons and one day he stumbled on a solution.

“He found a way to take the cells from dragons and fuse them into humans. The result was a half-human half-dragon hybrid and he named this creation Elpidius. The Elpidius’ had the strength to take on the dragons and so a war like none other began and this war went on for years and years and years. Then, a miracle happened. The Elpidius’ overpowered the dragons and drove them back. Knowing they were defeated, the dragons retreated into the shadows and there they have remained to this very day.

“Nowadays the Elpidius isn’t just the creature that was born through alchemy, it is also the name of the organization that works to keep dragons at bay and prevent them from rising up again. Which is made easier given modern day technology. Humans and Elpidius’ and, in rare cases, dragons who are on our side work together in this organization to keep the peace, which we will continue to do until the day we die.”

Amos finished and smirked at the wide eyed expression Ray sported. It was really easily to fascinate the man.

“Wow…” was all Ray could say.

“Wow indeed.”

“But I’m confused,” Ray said, hurriedly lifting up the pillow from the bed for protection in case Amos tried to kick him again. “How can something that’s so significant in our existence have never been mentioned? I, for one, have never come across any dragon wars in history class.”

“That’s simple. After the dragons had gone into hiding for years, their very existence was called into question. Those who weren’t involved directly with the crisis easily let the thoughts of dragons slip away into pure myth and those within Elpidius were more than happy to let them. If the minds of the people were at ease then they had done their jobs. So, just like the dragons Elpidius slipped into the shadows and we protect humans behind the scenes,” Amos explained.

“Wow,” Ray said again as he leaned against the wall the bed was pushed up against. “It’s all so incredible.”

“Good, glad that satisfied you,” Amos said and started getting up.

“Oh, wait,” Ray said, making him stop. “I have a couple more questions.”

Amos growled as he sat back down. The man was nothing but a fountain of questions!

“What?” Amos asked.

Ray knew he was getting on the Amos’ nerves by the tone of his voice, but Ray had questions and it was the least the man could do to answer them.

“That night when I saw the dragon, she almost destroyed the whole building, but the next time I woke up everything was as it was before. Did you have anything to do with that?” Ray asked.

A lazy, smug grin crossed Amos’ face.

“Yes, I suppose that would have been my doing,” he answered as he buffed his nails on his chest then looked at them casually.

“How?” Ray was quick to ask, not overly impressed by Amos’ self-satisfied attitude.

“Ah ah ah,” Amos said with a wag of his finger. “Some secrets are just never meant to be told, so that’s one question I can’t answer.”

Ray visibly deflated, but that didn’t deter him from stopping his questioning.

“All right, fine, but can you at least tell me what she was doing there? I mean, what the hell would a dragon be doing in an office building in the first place?” he asked.

“Ah, well, see that wasn’t completely her choice,” Amos said, and watched the interest once again spark in Ray’s eyes. “Some dragons took an extreme when they went into hiding. To avoid detection they burrowed deep into the ground and entered a long hibernation. Even to this day, with all of our technology, we can’t find those who are still slumbering in the earth. Many think it’s because they put up a magic barrier that makes them completely untraceable to anything.”

“Then how –” Ray shrank back when Amos raised his hand for silence. Apparently he really didn’t like being interrupted.

“I was getting to that,” Amos said, anticipating the question. “We have found that when a dragon is about to awaken, there are many light tremors that happen before hand. These tremors could go on for weeks, months, or even years before the dragon fully wakes up. Since we’ve learned that, we use those tremors to pinpoint a dragon’s lair and go out and try to kill them before they wake up,” he explained.

“Valeria had gone into hibernation at least a hundred years ago and it just so happens that in that time your work building was built right over where she was sleeping. We had recently pinpointed Valeria’s whereabouts and I was given the assignment to exterminate her.” Amos looked off somewhere at the floor, but it was obvious he wasn’t really looking at anything. Memories clouded his vision as he relived those few moments. “But I had come too late. She had already awakened and, well, you know the rest.”

“To a point,” Ray admitted. “What happened after I blacked out?” he asked.

“Well, I was just about to finish Valeria off when I noticed that you were unconscious and, worse yet, weren’t breathing. While I was distracted by trying to get you out of Valeria’s severed arm and resuscitating you, she took her chance and escaped. Which, by the way, you owe me since it’s your fault she got away,” Amos said with a teasing smirk.

Ray scowled. He didn’t find that comment funny at all. How in the world could it be his fault that he had almost been crushed into dust? He was about to say so when it hit him. He had died. If what Amos said was true, Ray had died that night and had only been brought back to the world of the living because of the man in front of him. Ray supposed he should be eternally grateful to Amos for that, but he wasn’t going to say that out loud. Not now at least. The man was far too cocky to be given any thanks.

Then something else came to mind. If Amos had saved his life that most likely meant that he had to use mouth-to-mouth to do it. Heat began to rise in Ray’s face. That meant that Amos’ lips had been on his own. Twice! He wasn’t sure why that embarrassed him so much. The first time was to save his life and the second, in a sense, was to do the same. But all the same…

“Hey, what’s the matter with you?” Amos abruptly asked, making Ray jump in surprise to hear that deep, rumbling voice. He swallowed hard when Amos leaned in close and studied his face.

“What is your face all red for? You’re not getting sick on me, are you? Because the last thing I need is to be playing doctor,” Amos growled as his hand swept Ray’s bangs out of the way and rested it against his forehead.

Ray cleared his throat as the heat underneath his skin intensified. Now he just felt like a juvenile. There was no reason for him to be acting like this.

“No, I’m not sick, but I do want to ask you something else.”

“Big surprise there,” Amos muttered sarcastically as he flipped his hand over to press the back of it against Ray’s skin. He had obviously not taken Ray’s words to heart and wanted to make sure of his charge’s health himself.

“Back there, when you abducted me,” Ray said, emphasizing the word and narrowing his eyes a bit. “And you gave me the sedative was it…was it really necessary for you to give it to me like you did?”

Amos blinked in surprise. Not expecting a question like that at all. Then, ever so slowly, a grin to top all grins crossed his face. Now he knew why Ray was so red.

“Ooooh I see. What? Ashamed to lock lips with another man, are we?” Amos asked playfully, relishing the increased reddish hue of Ray’s face and the way he sputtered when he tried to defend himself.

“N-N-No! It’s just, you know, a really unusual way to do something like that, in my opinion,” Ray said matter-of-factly.

Amos just chuckled lowly as he took his hand away and leaned back.

“Well, don’t fret your little blond hair over it to much,” Amos said with a casual roll of his shoulders. “It’s not like I wanted to kiss you, trust me. The sedatives are kind of a joke the boys’ in Development pulled over on me.”

“A joke?” Ray flinched when Amos flicked his nose.

“God, you really are like a parrot. Yes, a joke. You see, the only way for those things to start working is if they come into contact with my saliva first then get passed over to the recipient. So, really, the easiest way to get the target to take them is if it’s from mouth to mouth,” Amos explained with a sour look on his face. “Though, believe me, I got my revenge on those guys,” he said with a vicious smirk, and Ray immediately felt bad for them.

“Can’t you make them create new ones for you?” Ray asked.

“Oh, I’d love to, but one of my higher ups said that a lot of money had been put into making the damn things, so I better as hell use them all before I even think of asking for new ones.”

“Oh…” Ray murmured, not knowing what else to say. He supposed people in an organization such as the Elpidius had to get their kicks from somewhere.

“Well, that’s enough of the Q&A,” Amos said, rubbing at one of his shoulders as he rotated it around to stretch it. “You got any other questions in that noggin’ of yours just keep them to yourself. Now I have to go give someone a ring to discuss what we’re supposed to do next,” he said and was about to get off the bed when he paused. He seemed to mull something over before changing his course of direction and leaning towards Ray instead.

Ray was startled when the man’s strong hand was on the back of his head and, the next thing he knew, his forehead was pressed against Amos’. Flustered and confused, the only thing Ray could muster out was a,

“U-Um…”

After a few seconds Amos pulled away just enough for the two to look into each other’s eyes and then the shit eating grin appeared.

“Just had to make sure you really weren’t getting sick,” he said as he stood up. He then laughed and roughly ruffled Ray’s hair. “You blush like a little school girl,” he jeered before going over to his long grey overcoat hanging on a hook on the back of the door.

Ray glared at him as he fixed his hair back to its overly scruffy glory. The nearly thirty year old to great offense to that comment and was more than tempted to throw the empty water bottle at Amos’ head. Instead, he vouched to stew in silence.

With Amos busy dialing on his cell phone, Ray wasn’t quite sure what to do. He glanced over at the television and considered it for a few moments before getting up and going over to it. Ray was a bit wobbly on his feet, but he made it without falling over and making a fool of himself.

After some searching Ray found the ancient remote and was about to turn it on when he hesitated. He turned towards Amos and waved the remote, as if to ask for permission. The only answer he received was a dismissive wave then Amos turned his back as he began speaking quietly to someone on the other line. Ray took that as a go ahead, whether it was or not.

The television sounded like it was on the doorsteps of death as it came on and hummed rather obnoxiously as it tried to stay alive. Ray winced and chanced a glance at Amos, but the man was more or less ignoring him.

Ray sat down in the worn chair and began flipping through the channels and, despite a bit of fuzz, the picture was rather clear, which a big surprise considering. As his thumb continued to press the button he happened to pass the News Channel and something caught his eye.

“Hey, wait a minute,” he murmured as he went back. When he did a scene showed on the screen of a very familiar building. That’s my work building! Ray realized. As he kept watching he noticed that they were showing the back of the building where the employee’s entrance was and he could see police tape strung up in the surrounding area. Huh, I wonder if they’ve noticed I’m missing? he pondered and a little flicker of importance flickered in his chest. At least someone noticed he was gone. But when his eyes caught the headline all thoughts of himself were swept from his mind.

“GRIZZLY MIDNIGHT MURDER.”

“Murder!?” Ray exclaimed and leapt to his feet in alarm, which successfully pulled Amos’ attention to the television. Ray turned up the volume as Amy Hendrix, the local news reporter, appeared on screen.

“Hello, Amy Hendrix reporting. I’m broadcasting live where, just a few hours ago, a gruesome murder took place in this very building,” she said, gesturing to the structure behind her. “The victim was a twenty-two year old Hispanic man named Eduardo Martinez.”

A picture of Eddie, Ray, and George came up on screen besides Miss Hendrix with a circle around Eddie’s face. The three were standing side by side with Eddie in the middle. He had his arms over both of the other’s shoulders with his signature grin plastered across his face. George was smiling also and Ray had his usual, sheepish half smile. Ray knew the picture well. George had taken t the first day Ray started work. George always liked taking pictures of his coworkers so he never forgot the people who came in and out of his life.

The remote clunked as it fell to the floor and Ray’s shaky hands covered his mouth. “No,” slipped out from his lips several times. It couldn’t be. Ray couldn’t believe it. He wouldn’t believe it!”

“Mr. Martinez was a janitor for this establishment and had come here last night to work. Reports show that he was brutally killed only a few minutes after he clocked in.” The camera followed Amy as she walked toward the rear door then veered off to the left.

“Just over in this area police found the unconscious body of George Turner the night guard,” she said and the picture of the three men came up a second time, but the circle was around George instead of Eddie. “He had been hit over the head with a blunt object then stashed in the bushes by the perpetrator. Mr. Turner was taken to the hospital and had a slight concussion, but was otherwise unharmed and soon released.”

Ray couldn’t breathe. George had been attacked and Eddie was. Eddie was…

Ray’s attention was turned back to the television when he heard his own name.

“One worker by the name of Raymond Gallagher has yet to be accounted for.” Again the picture, but Ray’s face was now circled. “He is also a janitor and he was shown to have clocked in many hours before Mr. Martinez, but never clocked out. His car was found in the nearby parking lot, but no one has been able to find out his whereabouts,” Miss Hendrix said to the camera.

“He is suspected of being a victim to Eduardo Martinez’s attacker and could have possibly been abducted, but as far as the police are concerned, he could very well be the main suspect for Mr. Martinez’s murder.”

Ray was going to hyperventilate. He was sure of it. He had to keep himself up by grabbing the back of the chair. Everything was crashing in around him. How could this be happening? Him? Be Eddie’s murderer? How could they possible even consider that?

The film changed to show some previously filmed footage at the local hospital and Amy’s voice was heard off screen.

“We caught up to Mr. Turner as he was leaving the hospital and we were able to ask him a few questions.”

George appeared on screen with a kind, but worried looking, portly woman by his side, most likely his wife. George looked tired and had bandages wrapped around his head, but he looked better for wear.

“Yeah, it came right out of the blue,” George said into Amy’s microphone. “I was just coming back from my break, you know, bringin’ back some take out for me and my buddy Ray, when Wham! Someone came up behind me and clonked me good. I never even heard ‘em coming.” A sad looked came to George and showed his age through the creased wrinkles of his face.

“Then I woke up and they told me of what had happened to Eddie and I…I nearly cried right then and there. I couldn’t believe it. Who would do something like that to Eddie? I mean, he was the laziest sack of bones when it came to work, but he was a good kid. A really good kid. He could make a room light up just by walking into it and he had the most contagious smile I’d ever seen. Yeah…he was a really good kid and the world is going to be a lot colder with him gone.”

George’s wife sniffled a little and leaned her head on his shoulder. They held each other as they shared their moment of grief.

“I’m sorry for your suffering, but may I ask one more question?” Miss Hendrix asked and proceeded when George nodded. “What do you think happened to Raymond Gallagher? Do you believe he could be the one responsible for Eduardo’s death?”

At that George looked utterly flabbergasted.

“Ray!? No way in hell!” George roared, his grief evaporating into anger. “Ray is a kind and gentle man. He couldn’t hurt a fly, least of all Eddie. Eddie was his best friend. Those two boys were like brothers. No, the sicko that did this to Eddie is out there and, God forbid, probably has Ray. And I have a message for the bastard.”

A surprised squeak escaped from Amy when George snatched the microphone right out of her hand and stared into the camera.

“I hope you’re watching this you son of a bitch! You’re going to pay for what you did to Eddie and, God help me, if you hurt one hair on Ray’s head I am going to hunt you down and make you wish you had never been born!!!”

The last thing they showed was George’s wife trying to restrain George with some meager help from Amy before it cut back to Miss Hendrix in front of the scene of the crime.

“The police are unsure of the motive behind this attack. Nothing was taken except for the security footage and they suspect Mr. Martinez or Mr. Gallagher could have been the sole purpose of the assault. For now, there are no clear cut answers,” said the reporter. “Now, the police have released some photos of Mr. Martinez from the crime scene. We warn you that these are extremely graphic, so if there are any children in the room, please have them leave.”

Ray stumbled like a zombie towards the television as new images came up. There were several, but they all showed the same thing. Eddie was lying on his back and the look of horror was frozen on his face. His left arm was almost completely severed at the shoulder, saved for a few inches of flesh. The death blow was a giant, gapping hole in his chest that looked like it could have gone completely through to the back.

Worst of all was the blood. It was everywhere. Eddie was lying on a crimson deathbed of his own blood and more was splattered across the walls, painting them red.

Ray collapsed to his knees with an anguished cry. His body heaved and wracked with sobs as his hands were pressed against the screen, hoping to press through and get to Eddie. His nails dug into the glass as they slid down before he wrapped his arms around himself and gave into his sorrow.

Bare feet came up beside Ray and Amos looked from the television to Ray. He knew the sadness of losing a friend well, having lost many comrades over the years, and he sympathized with Ray. It was a hard loss for anyone to bear.

“I’m sorry, Ray,” Amos said softly. It was all he could say.

Ray’s sobs subsided gradually at his words and, for reasons Ray would never understand, a rage began to swirl inside him. None like he had felt before and he saw nothing but red.

A wrathful cry broke the air as Ray lunged at Amos and slammed the man right up into the door. Amos’ phone fell from his hand and clattered to the floor while a woman’s voce called out,

“Amos? Amos!?”

Ray’s hands were fisted into Amos’ wife beater and he pulled the man forward just to smash him back into the wall. His face was contorted in pain and fury and it was a frightening sight to behold.

“Don’t say you’re sorry! Don’t ever say you’re sorry!” Ray snarled viciously. “This is all you’re fault! They killed Eddie because of you and now everyone thinks I’m a murderer! You did this! You ruined my life!!!”

Ray’s eyes widened and the air raced out of his lungs as a fist lodged into his stomach with such force it could have easily ruptured his organs. Ray crumbled to his knees like a rag doll and he gasped and coughed as his body tried to work through the pain.

Amos kneeled beside Ray and vicious finger fisted into blond locks before wrenching the man’s head back.

“I saved your sorry excuse for a life,” Amos growled through clenched teeth into Ray’s ear. “And don’t you ever forget that. I know you’re hurting right now, but you’re a fucking fool if you think I’m going to let you lash out at me because of it. Now cool off before I get really fucking pissed,” Amos ordered and harshly threw Ray’s head back down and left him there. Amos then got up and snatched up his phone before going over to the television and watching it as the story continued to run.

Ray lay there, bent over his own knees for a long while. He tried to speak, but his body was still recovering from the shock of the hit. Instead he watched as the floor beneath him darkened as his tears ran down his nose and dripped to the ground to form small pools. Finally, he found his voice.

“If they were after me, why did they kill Eddie?” he choked out, trying hard to keep his sobs contained.

“I don’t know,” Amos said honestly as he got off the phone with Rachel, who had gone to go talk to the higher ups about what had occurred. “He could have seen them as they were looking for you, or they mistook him for you, or, depending who they sent, they could have killed him for sheer bloodlust, but something is definitely not right about this,” he muttered as he intently studied the photos of Eddie that were being shown again.

“They would never leave that big of a mess for humans to come across. They are never this sloppy, which means only one thing.”

“What?” Ray asked as he turned enough to look back at Amos.

“Something must have interrupted whoever did this, something big. Big enough to make the attacker leave the carnage and flee…”

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

“Master!” Jarl said urgently as he barged into his master’s chambers, but he was made silent when he saw that his master was preoccupied. He could see the expanse of the master’s smooth, pale back and he could definitely make out the legs that were wrapped around the master’s hips and held on in great earnest.

Mewls and whimpers filled the room as the master and his bedfellow mated and the scent of sex and sweat hit Jarl’s nose. He snorted in disgust. He hated it when his master took others to bed. He felt that right belonged only to him.

But Jarl knew better than to interrupt. He shut the door and silently entered the room further. With an annoyed huff Jarl kneeled down on one knee and waited. It proved to be a torturous wait indeed. He tried not to look, but out of the corner of his eyes he could see the two writhing and moving in ecstasy and the noses weren’t helping. The one pinned beneath the master was cooing and urging with words such as, “Oh, Master,” and, “Yes, more.” What sent anger surging up Jarl’s spine were the lustful whispers the Master was purring to his bedmate. It was enough to drive Jarl mad!

Finally, after an agonizing eternity, the bodies shuddered with their final cries of bliss before collapsing in a blessed afterglow. A few minutes past before the master stirred and lifted himself off the pliable body beneath him.

“Ah, Jarl, you have returned, we’re pleased. We were starting to worry,” the master said as he sat up.

Jarl glanced at the bed and he bristled when he saw who exactly his master’s current lover was. It was a young boy. He didn’t look over the age of fourteen. He had a short crop of angelic golden hair that framed his sweet, round face and gorgeous crystal blue eyes. His lean, sinewy body was soiled and slicked with sweat from his current activity and, if it was anyone else, he would have looked far too delicious to resist to the kneeling dragon, but Jarl knew the young dragon well.

Jarl and the other had been rivals for their master’s attention for years. It had reached a point of such competition that Jarl had almost killed the young dragon on a few occasions, which their master quickly put a stop to and he would punish Jarl for his jealousy, but that never stopped Jarl from hating the angelic dragon immensely.

The master gracefully slipped off the bed and moved towards his servant. As he did the little dragon grinned devilishly at Jarl and waved with his fingers mockingly.

“Sweet Jarl, we hope the trip has sated your bloodlust for now. Please, tell us that you have good…” the master trailed off when he got a good look at the other dragon. “Jarl, what has happened to your face?” he asked as he cupped the other’s face and tilted it upward to get a better look at it. Right across his eyes was a strip of a nasty burn, as if he had been splashed with acid. It was a miracle Jarl’s golden eyes hadn’t been eroded right out of his head.

Jarl became putty in his master’s soft, delicate hands. With him so close Jarl could smell his master’s musk and he wanted nothing more than to be comforted by the one he held most dear, but he couldn’t now.

“Master, I’m afraid I bring terrible news,” Jarl told him. He felt his master’s hands stiffen and the little dragon on the bed perked up in interest.

“What terrible news? Did the human escape you’re grasp as well?” the master asked, not expecting his most trusted servant to have failed. After Valeria’s screw up, he wasn’t sure he could take more bad news.

Jarl inhaled his master’s scent deeply to calm himself before he looked up at the master with wrath and fury in his eyes.

“Worse. We have been betrayed!”

**************************************************************

*Is in a corner sobbing* No! Why Eddie? Why!? *Stops long enough to blow her nose* Sorry guys, as you can see I’m a little *sniffles* upset over recent events. You’re probably asking: “If I’m so upset, why did I do it?” Well, simple, because I had to. This story has taken on a life of its own and I’m simply the instrument in which it can be written, I have no say in what happens. So, I was mortified when the story called for Eddie’s death, but it had to be done.

Aside from that, I hope you all enjoyed it. You got to learn a lot more about Amos and what he is and their history. I enjoyed this chapter for the interaction between Amos and Ray, it was fun to do. And now, on the bad guys’ side, there is talk of a traitor in their midst’s. Things aren’t going well for anyone at the moment, least of all Ray. He has to deal with being kidnapped, hunted by dragons and now he has to work through Eddie’s death. It’s a wonder how the guy isn’t crazy yet. Well, now I shall answer the wonderful reviews I received.

KatFo: Thanks for the welcome back! I’m sorry I kept you waiting for so long. Yes, Amos is growing on me to. It’s funny, when I was first constructed him his personality was mostly the “I’ll kick your ass” but as I’m going along he’s proving to also have a quirky, playful side. I didn’t see it coming at all. Yes, really poor Eddie. I hope you’re enjoying how this story is developing.

Ceedee: Yes, it makes you wonder how he’s going to deal with all this stuff happening to him. At least he has Amos’ shoulder to cry on…if Amos doesn’t punch him first.

Perona: Hehe well, the protecting is sure proving interesting so far, wouldn’t you say? I’m sure they’ll be rubbing each other the wrong way all over the place…and maybe the right way in others *wink*

JtheChosen1: Thank you very much, I’m glad you’re enjoying it so far, but, uh, sorry about Eddie, there will be no more Eddie-luvin…*weeps* Even so, I hope you keep enjoying.

Zero: Thank you, thank you, the joy I get from writing and seeing people like it makes it all worth it. All I can hope for is that you keep finding it wonderful. *nod nod*

Thank you everyone. You have no idea how much support you give me by a few kind words. Really, I appreciate all of those that are reviewing and reading. Well, come back next time to find out what happens to Ray and Amos and have a wonderful day!