Out of the Shadows

A new pool of fresh crimson liquid collected on the floor as the scythe sliced through the neck of the fragile mortal. The lifeless body fell to the floor with a thud and a splash. The job was done.

“Did that spectacle satisfy your blood lust, Kole?” A young woman stepped into the dim light, seemingly materializing out of the shadows. Her voice dripped sarcasm.

“Temporarily,” the man responded without emotion. With a wave of his hand, a handkerchief solidified from the shadows. He slid it down the blade of his weapon, removing the blood before casting the cloth back into nothingness.

“I thought you were a being of shadows,” she snapped, “an expert at going unseen. Did you need to be so dramatic?”

“She had the right to know her crime and judgment.” The man’s tone remained flat. The woman balled her hands in frustration. He always had a comeback, the heartless dog. “Careful, Keera,” he continued without turning to face her, “Unleashing your ire on me won’t get you anywhere, except back into the pit from which you were dragged.” Keera turned away. He won this round.

“Are we quite finished or are we going to stay and have a picnic?” She shifted her weight restlessly.

“Not quite.” Pointing his palm at the wall, the man drew a symbol in the air, which appeared in shocking blackness on the beige wallpaper. “Now, we can go.”

Keera didn’t wait for a retraction or an order. She crossed the room briskly, exiting out onto the balcony. She leapt up onto the railing and dived off of the building, spreading a pair of dark purple angel wings as she fell. Catching an updraft, she soared into the sky, circling like a hawk. The wind buffeted her face, pushing back her flaming red hair.

Kole materialized in the shadowed alley below her. After a brief glance around him, he tilted his head up. The woman’s silhouette stood out clearly against the orange sky. Keera glided downward. He watched coldly as she landed gently on the ground beside him and folded her wings.

“Don’t worry,” she growled, “I know my cage.” Kole didn’t humor her with a response, but merely started to leave the empty alley. The street beyond was deserted and darkening in the gathering twilight. Keera followed him onto the street, hoping that they wouldn’t have to wait very long.