He waited for the shower in the bathroom to turn off before he left the room. The click of the bathroom door acted as a stop sign, halting his movements. Steam escaped from the crack in the door as she called out.
"So, did you find him?"
He crossed his arms leaning against the wall across from the door asking, "Find who?"
The door fully opened, the steam evaporated Genevieve stood in a white cotton towel wrapped around her chest, her golden locks darkened wet, her skin pink and glistening from her shower.
"Sterling. You know who you went out searching for?" She walked towards the kitchen pulling out some ingredients from the pantry. Sterling's body stiffened, at the mention of his name. He knew she wasn't innocent, she had to be a part of the plot to keep him confined.
"You've heard of me – um him. You've heard of him?" Genevieve grabbed a mixing bowl from the cupboard and furrowed her brows.
"Uh yeah. It's all you've been talking about since you started studying him at school. The illegitimate son of an Angel and Demon, Also known as the hybrid. Imprisoned for eternity for trying to wipe out the human race."
He gave a half smile realizing his identity was still hidden.
"I was unsuccessful in my endeavor" Genevieve hid her pleasure as she walked out of the kitchen holding her towel synched around her chest and spoke over her shoulder
"Good. I don't know why you would want to let that psychopath lose." She grabbed her clothes on the bar stool, Sterling smoldered "He's not a psychopath"
She went to the bathroom shutting the door behind her and added "He's no saint."
"He's misunderstood" He argued through the closed door, as he started to seethe with anger.
The door re-opened, she walked out dressed in the clothes from last night, hair brushed and dripping wet. He followed her as she made her way back to the kitchen.
"Convince me than��
Sterling swallowed his frustration pulling out the bar stool to sit down, he smirked at the opportunity to tell his side of the story.
"He was worshiped as a god from the Mesopotamian people. He healed the sick, taught them the different metals of the earth and how to read and write. In return for his generosity they offered him the most beautiful women for companionship, it didn't go well"
She mixed the ingredients in the bowl and blurted "Sterling got bored of the pretty lady? Typical guy"
He shook his head "No. She did."
Genevieve stopped mixing and asked. "What did she do?" He looked down, not wanting to look her in the eyes as he answered "She was unfaithful."
Genevieve clipped her hair on top of her head. "So why'd he get punished? Wouldn't they just throw her in a volcano as a sacrifice or something?"
"Sterling got his revenge, volcanoes were not involved but he was punished for it."
She put a pan on the stove and turned it on speaking over her shoulder. "Yeah but didn't he kill like millions of people?"
He felt the anger building again "Betrayal is known to cloud judgment."
"Murder is murder. He's a heartbroken psycho" She poured batter into the sizzling pan.
He leaned over the counter and yelled. "Have you not done anything foolish because of heart break?"
She flipped a pancake and answered "I haven't murdered people, if that's what you mean."
Sterling narrowed his eyes "And he was prisoned for it. How long of a sentence do you think he should serve? Isn't all of eternity a bit rash?" He pounded his fist on the counter.
She jumped at the noise and calmly replied "Okay, I'll give you that one." He took in a deep breath and slowly relaxed. Genevieve leaned over the counter and waved her spatula in front of his face. "But you have to admit he was rash, if he had been patient no one would have died"
"How could you possibly believe that?" The betrayal he felt all those life-times ago started to surface, after all this time he still felt the resentment and heart break. No. Patience would not absolve his pain, vengeance would.
"Love heals all wounds, obviously." He watched her flip a pancake and put it on a plate before pouring more batter into the hot pan. He waited till she turned to face him.
"Love is what motivated him to murder" She gave him a small smile
"Then it wasn't love."
He scoffed, leaning further back on the bar stool arms crossed. "I find your argument naïve and childish"
"Will you calm down, it's not like you were trapped in there with him for a thousand years." She shook her head and he squished down his anger.
"Besides, I would much rather live in a world fueled by love than one of hate, don't you?" She finished turning her back to flip another pancake. He sat still, contemplating what she said, and which he would want to live in. He lived in a world fueled by love and it caused him greatly. Now he felt the justice he wanted would have to be a world ruled by hate.
She stacked a pile of pancakes on a plate and turned off the stove. She placed a plate in front of him and sat beside on the bar stool next to him. He tilted his head to the side as he gazed at her.
"Have you ever been in love, the way you claim"
She swallowed "I'm with Kai. I love him, is it life altering mass murder love, no. But maybe one day it could be."
"How can you be so sure?"
"He's never lied to me. After what happened with Michael…" Her body went stiff and her breathing came out heavier, shaking her head to erase the memories "I think because of that I value honesty, and I have that with Kai."
Genevieve glanced at the large clock behind him in the kitchen, she yelped as she jumped off the bar stool. Sterling looked behind him to see what had her move with such urgency.
"I'm gonna be late" She hopped on one foot as she pulled her furry ankle boots to her feet. With both boots on she leaned over and kissed him on the cheek saying a quick good bye as she ran out the door. Sterling stood up and brought her plate to the sink, washing the dish as he replayed the events of that morning.
Sterling saw Isaac's face looking back at him from the mirror. This time studied the similarities the siblings shared. They both had the same hair and lips, but on Genevieve her hair and lips provoked him, drawing him closer almost magnetic. He shook his head much like her to erase the memory from his mind. He had a mission, a promise he made, to hurt those who imprisoned him and he couldn't allow himself to be distracted.
Motivated, he moved to laying on the couch closing his eyes and opening his mind, letting the sounds of thoughts wash over him. Searching for others who were willing to help in his vengeance. His face lit up when one inner voice boomed in his mind, his oldest friend Ray.
He ignored all other voices focusing on Ray, projecting his own thoughts to communicate.
"Ray is that you"
"What the—Who said that?"
"It's me, Sterling" He sat up on the couch with a wide grin on his face as he waited.
"Sterling? But I thought you were trapped for eternity somewhere?"
"And I'm sure you scoured the Earth looking for me?" Sterling sarcastically answered, starting to feel more like himself, even though he was currently in someone else's body.
"I don't know about scoured. But I did look for you, everywhere I did. Honest"
He crossed his legs over the coffee table "I'm sure you did old friend. Come by to my dwelling and we can catch up. I could use your guidance to help show me this new modern world."
"Absolutely. I'm leaving right now"
Sterling broke the connection, a throaty laugh escaped him. He needed information on his family, before he could form his plan for vengeance, and Ray was still here. He grabbed another book from Isaacs collection and started to move on to modern history.
After several hours of research he could hear the engine of a vehicle turning off and the faint footsteps growing louder as it approached. He peaked at the thoughts of the person behind the door and smiled recognizing the inner voice. He opened the door and leaned on the entry way, legs and arms crossed at the sight of a familiar face.
"Oh man, I got the wrong address. I was told 55 Glender Street." Ray looked at the number on the house and looked behind him to see the street sign. "This is 55 Glender street. Huh"
"Get in you fool, before you give yourself a migraine" Ray leaned forward and whispered "Sterling, is that you?"
"Yes Ray. Has it been that long that you forgot I can possess bodies?"
Ray shrugged "Been awhile, that's for sure" He was taller than Sterling and needed to tilt his head to get inside. Sterling closed the door and turned to find Ray had wrapped him in a bone crushing hug from behind.
"I missed you, man"
"There is a lot of hugging in this time, I noticed. Is hugging the new form of greeting when one enters a home?" Sterling turned around when Ray released him, examining his oldest friend. A single word could describe Ray, huge. His height, muscles and heart.
"Yeah, sometimes, depends really." Ray moved towards the leather couch and put his feet up on the table, making himself right at home. Sterling looked out at the window behind Ray, the bright sunlight shining through, giving him a questioning gaze.
"How are you able to be out this early in the day?"
Ray spread his arms wide and boomed "Oh boss this time is so great. They have sunblock, it blocks the light so we can be out in the day now. And wait till you try hamburgers."
Sterling didn't want to waste another moment inside, he gestured to the door with his thumb and replied. "I can't wait to try it lets go"
"Yeah, alright. I could eat" Ray clapped his hands, getting off the couch and walked right out the door.
The walk to the fast food joint was short, Sterling sat in an uncomfortable plastic booth and waited for Ray to return with their order. He noticed the tables were bolted to the ground, the place was unnaturally bright and the smell of salt and fat lingered in the air. Ray returned with a tray of mystery paper wrapped food, no cutlery or dishes provided. Sterling tensed,
"This place is underwhelming"
Ray sat and handed him a wrapped burger. "Trust me it's all about the food"
"Must they serve it in the most unwelcoming way?"
Ray chuckled "It's fast food, they want you to eat and leave as fast as they make it"
Sterling poked the squished, slop with his finger and reluctantly took a bite of the burger. The soft bread, gooey cheese and salty meat, surprised him of how delectable it was. He looked up at his friend and took a large bite, ketchup smeared on the side of his lip.
Ray handed him a napkin "So good right? There's more where that came from" Taking his own monstrous bite.
"How did you come to discover this cuisine?" Moaning as he plopped a fry in his mouth.
"I learned what's in it. A Burger a day keeps death at bay" Ray sipped his coke
Sterling wiped the ketchup off his face "Does this burger have magical properties?"
"Not exactly. It does for trolls, the opposite for humans really" Sterling leaned back and furrowed his brows
"How so?"
"Well, we discovered centuries ago that bone marrow prolongs our time here. You wouldn't believe the amount of it is in a burger" Ray plopped the last bite of his burger in his mouth.
"Interesting. Giving trolls more time to fulfill their quotas"
Ray slurped his drink and answered "If they wanted to"
Sterling tilted his head to the side "What is that supposed to mean?" Ray wouldn't look at him, fidgeting with the wrapper and said. "nothing"
Sterling narrowed his eyes and opened his mind, plucking the answer he wanted out of his friends internal thoughts and yelled.
"You quit?"
Ray's eyes went big, "Hey no using mind powers. It's cheating" Sterling moved the tray and argued "You weren't going to tell me otherwise"
Ray crossed his arms on the table leaning in concentrating on Sterling. He concentrated on the mind again but shuddered at the image, breaking the connection and muttering "That's disgusting"
Ray leaned back, a smug smile on his face, resting both arms wide on the top of the booth. "Yeah and there's more where that came from so no more peaking. Okay?" Sterling lifted his hands up in defeat
"Alright, so then tell me why did you quit?"
"At first it was for you, I wanted to be here when you escaped." Sterling smiled
"You are a true friend"
"Maybe, but then movies were invented, and burlesque houses, oh and amusement parks"
Sterling chuckled. "Did those distractions keep you from finding me"
"Maybe for a while. Okay a really long while, but then I became a professor at a university teaching the students about 'The great Sterling' hoping one of them would be able to find you"
Sterling rubbed the back of his neck "It was a good plan. It worked"
Ray smiled "Excellent"
"Now I have some planning of my own. But will need your help, will you still join me?"
"Sure, but let's get out of here, we can discuss it in private" Ray started to stand grabbing the tray, Sterling grinned "We can discuss it privately in our minds" Sterling hinted
"Try it and you'll find a whole new meaning to the word disgusting"
They walked back to Isaac's apartment complex, he opened the door to let Ray in. Sterling followed Ray who walked towards the kitchen, following the smell of flour and sugar. The cold cakey, breakfast forgotten on a plate, Ray picked one up and shoved a whole pancake in his mouth. Sterling sat at the bar stool, wrinkling his nose, "That has been sitting out all day"
Ray looked up his cheeks ballooned, spitting pieces of food as he mumbled an apology. Sterling shook his head and cleaned up the crumbs, sighing.
"I need to speak to the troll's, where are the headquarters now a days?"
Ray swallowed his large mouthful and began "A lot has changed since you were gone. We have leaders now in each continent they speak for the trolls that they oversee. I would set a meeting with them. The troll leader of North America is in New York, we can drive there."
"Wonderful, let's go" Ray's shoulders slumped "But we just got here"
Sterling crossed his arms, tapping his foot on the hardwood, Ray rolled his eyes "Fine, let's take my car"
The two men left the apartment and made their way to Ray's car, parked in the front. Ray opened the passenger door for Sterling than went to the driver's side of his used Toyota Tercel. Sterling found the seat springy and soft an enormous upgrade to the hard plastic booth of the restaurant.
The driver's door slammed closed after Ray situated in his seat, pulling down his seatbelt and glimpsed over at Sterling.
"You need to put on your seatbelt " Sterling turned his head and replied.
"What for?"
"In case we get into an accident you don't fly out the window and die" Sterling raised his eyebrow.
"Oh right. You can't die. Never mind boss."
The streets changed from commercial buildings to residential. Houses in all different shapes and sizes whizzed by. Manicured lawns soon faded to open road, thick evergreen trees lined on each side. They continued driving till they could see the 'Now leaving Chasity Lake' sign up ahead. The car's engine came to an abrupt stop with the nose of the car aligned with the sign. Ray kept pressing the ignition button but was met with silence, he took off his seatbelt and murmured.
"Don't know what happened. I'll go check out the engine"
Sterling stepped out of the car walking to the sign. He paused to examine it, bringing a finger to his chin in thought what if they came up with an alternative plan to keep him imprisoned? Lifting his palm in the air level with the sign he felt a sudden wave of push back. Lowering his arm and spoke between his teeth "I am barred to the outside of this town"
Ray looked up from the hood "Dude that sucks."
"I am going to eliminate the Faes" Sterling balled his fists by his side, trapped for a millennia wasn't enough for them, they had to bound him to this town, like a dog leashed to a table. He trembled with rage, opening his mind to find them when a hand on his shoulder drew his attention.
In a calming voice Ray said "I know just what you need"
"The blood of Fae staining my hands" His face hardened, fury burned through his eyes.
Ray waved a dismissive hand. "Nah. You need beer. Let's go it's happy hour" He put an arm over Sterling's shoulder guiding him to the car.
They drove through the main street, watching the people go about their day. The stores passed by little by little till they reached the neighborhood pub "Beer me". Ray parked the car and stepped out, Sterling followed.
Ray opened the door entering the building, smoke, alcohol and hints of urine wafted in the air, dark dim lights and the haze disorienting the view of the drunks, soft music and mumbles were easily ignored as Ray smiled and clapped his hands together announcing
"Welcome to one of my favorite places 'Beer me'" Sterling glanced around the bar, scrunching his nose and pulling his brows together. He thought the last time he was on Earth he was worshiped, the best of the world was thrown at him. Since he's been back, his friend has taken him to establishments where paper replaced fine china, and dark smoky bars was the norm to extravagate gala's. He looked up to his friend "I'm starting to question your tastes"
Ray elbowed him in the ribs "Trust me" his feet stomping on the hard wood with pride as Ray slid into the booth in the far back, Sterling sat across from him. Ray looked at the bartender and signaled for two beers and faced his friend with kind eyes.
"Sorry your land locked, bud" Sterling shrugged his shoulders not wanting to his fury to rise he waved his hand dismissively and asked
"What in the world is happy hour?"
Ray beamed "It's food and drinks for less, that reminds me" He called out to the bartender and ordered "Three dozen hot wings" the bartender nodded.
The bartender arrived at their table, placing a couple bottles of cold frosty beers in front of each man. Ray picked his up while Sterling stared at it.
"I know you don't get thirsty or anything but it's fun. Try it" Ray said as he popped the cap and took a swig. Sterling mimicked his actions and gave the drink a try. He enjoyed the feel of the cold liquid running down his throat as happiness drowned his anger. He looked up and smiled at his friend.
"See, I knew you would like it. Two for two" Ray pumped his fist in the air
"Tell me, what else does this world have that I will come to enjoy?"
"The women" Ray winked at his friend, Sterling's shoulder's sagged.
"I doubt that very much" He took a swig of his beer, turning away, to focus on the bar patrons
"Well the men in this time are also Oh come on. The women now are nothing like they were back then. Their liberated, independent and …"
"Human" Sterling interrupted.
"Sure or…"
"I'm the only hybrid. How can I be attracted to another species? It would be like an octopus falling in love with a sloth" He rested his chin on his hand.
the bartender placed the hot wings in front of Ray. Ray rubbed his hands together in anticipation, grabbing a wing and eating it whole, bones and all. "Well, what about Nedra?"
"I'm starting to wonder if it could even be called love or attraction for that matter"
"Then why did you go crazy if it wasn't?" Sterling drank the last of his beer
"I'm not sure, maybe pride." Sterling watched Ray devour his wings and thought about Nedra. He was the most powerful being on earth, can read minds and yet she was able to deceive him. Was it really love that caused him to kill all those people or was it his ego?
"Fine. Not a bad score than 2 to 3" Ray whipped the napkin off his face, Sterling saw him still his movements fascinated on the door behind him. He turned around spotting the object of his fixation. Her long hair flowed, when the air leaked in through the closed door. She wore a short, tight blue dress, more seductive than the undergarments women wore during his time. Her heals clicked as she approached their booth.
She leaned forward on the table, her low cut dress accentuating her assets attaining Ray's full attention while hers was on Sterling's.
"Isaac, you should have called, I would have joined you" She slid into the booth next to him. Sterling flinched when she pressed her side up against him. Ray's mouth hung open, he composed himself and cleared his throat.
"Buddy, you never told me about …"
"Jessica" Sterling said with the same distaste that Genevieve had earlier, an involuntary smile splashed his face at the memory
Ray kicked Sterling in the shin under the table. He gave Ray a questioning glare, which he answered by pointing at Jessica and himself. Sterling rolled his eyes and muttered.
"Jessica, Ray, Ray Jessica" She smiled at him, he lifted his chin up as a hello. Ray thanked the bartender as he brought two more beers to the table.
"I'll have a mojito" Jessica ordered. Resting her head on Sterling's shoulder. He looked at Ray pleading with him to do something. Ray nodded.
"Hey, Jess, sorry about Isaac over here. He helped me out earlier and I thought I would pay him back. Totally last minute you understand right?"
She put her hand on Sterling's chest. "That's my Isaac. So generous"
Ray chuckled and took a sip of his beer "Oh he is, he really is."
Sterling clenched his jaw, an acidic undertone. "As you can see I am here with a friend. I'm sure your presence is making him uncomfortable" The mojito was placed on the table next to Jessica, she put a hand over her chest, "Am I?"
Ray grinned "Oh no sweetie, your no bother. In fact why don't I go and leave you two love birds to enjoy your date"
Jessica leaned her head back on Sterling's shoulder, smiling in appreciation. Sterling's nostrils flared and slammed a hand on the table "Enough. Ray stay's, Jessica leave"
Her mouth dropped "Excuse me?" His eyes burned into hers with annoyance and spoke in a threatening voice
"Go. Now." Ray shrugged his shoulders and gave her an apologetic smile. She huffed and stood up from the booth and yelled "We are so over, you ass" She held her chin up high as her heals clicked out of the bar.
Sterling Narrowed his eyes at Ray's booming laugh, "It's not funny"
"Oh I disagree." Sterling kicked Ray in the shin.
"Ow, Okay. But dude you possess a body and it happens to be attached to her, you lucky dog."
"I didn't find her appealing, quite irritating actually." Sterling took a swig of beer
"It's been awhile, I'm sure you have needs" Ray wiggled his eyebrows suggestively
"I told you I'm not attracted to humans. Besides I can't be distracted, not right now."
Ray swallowed his beer and smirked "Buzz kill". They both got up from the booth, Ray handing his car keys to Sterling as he went to settled the tab.