Star Eater
Chapter Thirty-Five

Agent Matthews was having a great day. The Wrights were getting desperate. His contacts said they’d tried every avenue of approach and still had not found an in. Come Monday, Silas Wright would have his first preliminary hearing for murder. And once he put the son of a bitch away, Agent Matthews could turn his attention to Joseph. Plus, he was getting promoted. All in all, it had been a good week.

Then he saw the flowers bobbing up and down among the cubicles on their way towards him. He glanced at the half-dead bouquet from last week left on the radiator in the corner. Tossing the yellow husks of daisies in the trash, he made room for this latest addition. It was a junior agent who settled it on his desk.

“Is it your anniversary or something?” the agent asked.

“It’s none of your damn business,” Matthews said, “now get out.”

 Matthews knew he had a reputation with the youngins, but he didn't trust them yet. He couldn’t; he’d known too many people who were bought and paid for even in the FBI. Give them a few years, let the work strip away the bullshit down to their real character, and then he’d be nice. If they weren’t assholes, that was.

Closing his door firmly, Matthews turned the blinds down and then plucked the envelope out of the bouquet. It was still sealed. Good. It took him a while to decipher the note. Every time, it was difficult because it was like a second language. At first, he’d thought his anonymous tipper was actually writing in code, but eventually he’d come to realize they were just spelling mistakes and grammatical errors. Matthews still wasn’t positive if it was on purpose or not, but he had suspicions.

When he’d finished, he grabbed the phone and called down to one of his team. “I want you to take everything out of the evidence locker,” Agent Matthews said. “Everything, and bring it up to me, pronto.”

He slammed the receiver down and looked at the note again. He knew the Wrights would try something. Shaking his head, he was amazed at their gall, but if someone could make an insane plan like breaking into FBI headquarters work, it was Joseph Wright. Agent Matthews wasn’t going to chance his investigation on even the slightest hint and he knew this source was accurate.

Agent Matthews sat back and as the evidence boxes came in, bit his nails in consideration. His fingertips were nearly chewed off from the bad habit and the stress. He didn't notice when they started to bleed. He was still trying to come up with somewhere safe to store the evidence.

Cole slowed the car down on a back road. Kai’s best guess was that they were in Tarzana, maybe a little south in Topanga Canyon. Wherever they were, it had a high-walled gate with heavily armed men standing around. Cole rolled down the dark-tinted glass. Upon seeing his face, one of the men nodded and signaled.

Daemon, Akuma warned.

Yeah, I think we’re headed into a whole nest of them, Kai said. The gates opened and closed behind them.

Okay, Kai thought as Cole parked. Maybe seeing this through wasn’t the best decision. Akuma didn’t respond. He was still on high alert, but this time he half flooded Kai’s shadow, flickering restlessly. It wasn’t inflated yet, but Akuma remained straddling Kai’s body and shadow, ready for whatever was required of him.

Kai was grateful for the dark interior of the car that hid his face, and he didn’t really want to get out. He was debating his next move when a large man in a black suit opened his door. Cole waited about five feet away. Reluctantly, Kai slid out.

“Come on,” Cole said.

We can leave at any time, Akuma reminded him.

The car was parked in front of a large, tiled courtyard with a mosaic floor in the center of a huge red flower. Beyond the courtyard was a veritable jungle; peeking out here and there were windows of the main house.

Cole led Kai onto a cobbled path that wound through the beautiful garden. Ahead loomed the main house, a massive mansion inspired by Moorish architecture. As the jungle garden opened up to reveal a house of round towers, Kai realized it was so hard to see the house because half of it was vine covered. But he could see huge windows and open-air balustrades, columns in deep reds and curved arches.

The interior was lush and decadent with color. Every ceiling was inlaid with intricate flower designs in gold, azure, pine greens, and sierra browns. The mosaics climbed down the halls, all the rooms broken up with those curved arches, and ornate bronze lamps created soft lighting. Kai spied a million niches and bookcases, little bits of space created for intimacy and secrets. And then there were the bigger rooms, a huge glass conservatory off to one side that tinkled with the stained glass windows. A dining room that could fit half the school cafeteria, and a living room with a fireplace so big an Escalade could drive into it.

The house was dizzying in its size and shape. Kai tried to keep track of the ins and outs, but he was lost by the time they stopped at a comfortably sized study. The large richly colored carpet was thick enough to sink into and Kai thought it must be hell to vacuum. Most of the walls were lined with bookshelves except for the wall behind the desk, which was taken up by a huge flat screen. A large, ornately carved mahogany desk dominated the room, behind which sat a familiar man.

“Hello again, Kaito,” his host said, gesturing to a chair.

Kai hesitated for a moment before perching on the edge. Akuma, in his shadow, undulated like a snake at his feet.

“How did you do?” Joseph asked.

Kai took off his shirt and unzipped the bio-suit. He reached into the back and pulled out the velvet bag, which he handed over.

While Joseph inspected the haul, Kai zipped his suit back up.

“Impressive,” Joseph said. He was more than pleased. He picked them up, each in turn, and examined them. “Why did you choose these pieces?” he asked.

Kai shrugged. “They were the biggest,” he said. And ugliest.

Joseph handed the velvet bag to Cole who left with it. Opening a drawer, Joseph pulled out an envelope thick with money and slid it over to Kai.

“What’s this?” Kai asked.

“A little reward,” Joseph said. It was worth barely a percentage of what the jewelry was worth. Kai just stared at it. “Take the money,” Joseph advised. “It’s always good to have a little cash on you. Besides, you should earn well for your particular abilities. I want you to consider a relationship with this family far beyond your next task. And to know there is a place for you here.”

“I don’t want a relationship with your family,” Kai said. “I do this thing for you and we’re square. You don't tell anyone my secrets, and I don't tell anyone your secrets.”

At this, Joseph sat back.

“I'm done speaking with you,” Joseph said, the disdain clear in his voice. “I want to speak with the fhear dorcha directly.”

“That's not going to happen,” Kai said.

Joseph continued talking, ignoring Kai. “I know you're in there and I know you have the power to come out. Why you tolerate this child is beyond me, but there is much we can do for each other. Have I not already proven that by protecting your vessel?”

“Look, douchebag,” Kai snapped, “it doesn't work that way.”

“How would you know?” Joseph asked.

For once, Kai started to lose his temper. He was about to go ape shit on this arrogant son of a bitch when he felt himself unceremoniously shoved over by Akuma.

Akuma! What the hell? he protested.

Let me handle this, the demon said.

But Kai was terrified of what Akuma might do. He tried to retake his body and found himself blocked. It was like there were invisible walls holding him still within his own mind. He could hear and see what was going on, but he'd just been rendered an immobile, impotent passenger.

This had never happened before. Akuma had never just taken over. And, though Kai had never seen what he looked like with Akuma in control, there must have been some indicator, for Joseph smiled. The satisfaction on Joseph's face made both demon and boy want to punch him. Their anger echoed on either side of the barrier Akuma had erected. For once, it was Akuma who pushed it aside.

“It's nice to officially meet you,” Joseph said, smug.

“You have my attention,” Akuma said.

It was Akuma's voice that came through Kai's mouth, old, gravelly, yet it lacked its character warmth. Kai wasn't sure if it was his body acting as a filter or the person the voice was directed to.

“Do I?” Joseph asked. “Good, because I want you to listen very carefully.”

I have never wanted you to punch someone so badly in my life, Kai thought. His voice seemed to hit the barrier and not go further. He wasn't sure Akuma was even listening.

“We are very similar, and beyond this particular job we can be very helpful to one another. You were able to get away with your heist this time, to feed your fill, but what about next time? The authorities will catch you. What you desire is too precious a resource to them.”

“And you can provide this for me?” Akuma asked skeptically.

“And more,” Joseph said. “You're a violent creature.”

Kai found it disturbing that Akuma didn't deny this.

“And I'm sure it’s been difficult replaceing... outlets for such delights,” the daemon's smile was so carnal, Kai, incorporeal as he was, jerked away. Akuma maintained a calm visage.

“We can definitely provide you with a safe, secure environment away from the humans prying, that you can walk around. Be yourself. Not be subject to and consistently trapped within this child,” he gestured at Kai's body with abhorrence.

Right then, even if Ava wasn't in danger, or Mason (although Kai still had mixed feelings on that), Kai would be in to making this guy hurt. He wasn't aggressive by nature, but now he truly hated this douchebag. Unfortunately for him, Akuma seemed to be listening.

You're not actually considering this? Kai asked, stunned. His voice echoed back at him. He threw his incorporeal self at the barrier and felt it shiver.

Not now, Kai, Akuma's voice sounded nearby.

Not now? It's my fucking body, Kai screamed.

And these are dangerous creatures that you haven't been handling well, Akuma said.

That shut Kai up.

I know what they are and what they are capable of. You didn't listen to me about the star—listen to me now.

Guilt seeped into Kai and even though he had no control of his body, it still felt like his cheeks were burning. The barrier came down. There was no visible sign that it had, save Kai could suddenly feel Akuma’s emotions and the demon was frightened. He was scared of the daemons and what they could do. Of their numbers and their speed. He was determined to protect Kai and the star. And he was angry at this monster in front of them for messing with Kai’s life, and Ava’s. Most of all, Akuma was cautious.

He showed nothing to the monster, he betrayed no information. He was listening, something Kai had never been particularly good at.

Akuma nudged Kai's mind closer to the star. The boy felt its heat, and was reassured. He remembered Akuma’s promise to always protect them, and realized he’d taken that promise for granted. He just never expected to need protecting.

Ok, Akuma, Kai said. I'll be quiet.

The demon’s love washed over Kai and the boy returned it.

Meanwhile, Joseph was still trying to wriggle out a promise of loyalty from Akuma. He was plying him with other treats he thought the demon might enjoy.

“—a space of your own,” he was saying. “Perhaps not in the compound here, perhaps you’d prefer a more solitary space.”

“You are correct,” Akuma said. “I like watching the stars.”

Joseph’s face lit up with relief, and he nodded. Kai wondered why the daemon didn't want Akuma within his grasp at all times. For a control freak, it seemed at odds with Joseph’s usual tactics.

“I have a compound outside the city,” he said. “Not far from Joshua Tree National Park. Little light pollution, empty space for miles, quite comfortable, of course. It would be yours. We would only bring you in for special jobs, you see, that suit your particular skill set.”

“I will consider this,” Akuma said.

The left side of the corner of Joseph’s mouth tightened with annoyance. “I do not make these offers for just anyone,” he said sitting back, his voice becoming deeper with the threat.

“And I do not make promises I cannot keep,” Akuma returned calmly. “I have always been a solitary creature save for Kai. You must understand in my world, numbers of any kind mean multiple threats. Family equals competition.”

“Daemons are much the same way to a certain degree,” Joseph said.

“Then you can understand my hesitation,” Akuma said. “I will do this job for you since you have provided us with protection. And I will consider your offer and how working with your men goes. Afterwards, I will give you our answer.”

“‘Our answer’?” Joseph pressed, his lip desperately trying not to curl. “I was under the impression the fhear dorcha could take over and keep the body it possesses.”

Akuma shrugged. “It’s not a question of keeping control,” he said. “It’s a question of camouflage.” He waved at the window, and then at his face. What Kai could not and never had seen was that when Akuma took over, his eyes turned slick black. His mouth became an abyssal hole, even the space inside his nostrils seemed deeper. “Kai and I have reached an accord. Do not worry. If this seems the best fit for us, I will convince him.”

The daemon could not argue the point.

“Very well,” he said. “I await your answer.”