Blood Prize {Book #1 of the Bloody Dance Series} (BOYXBOY)

Twenty 


     Sitting around the ghost town was a sobering moment. Emiko was dead, our prey gone, nothing had been accomplished here. Looking over at Soji he was with that girl that had showed up. Ayase was her name. She was slim, short, I would give her to be around Fang’s age. Her hair was black streaked with white. Her eyes a honey brown, they were narrow, cold even.

       Soji, Ban words played in my head when I looked at Soji. I never meant for Ban to see him, never meant for the two of them to meet. Now what, Ban would kill Soji I guess. Soji could kill Ban, he was a white mage after all. Ban or not, all demons could die. I would just have to be stronger when the time came, I would just have to be better to make sure Ban didn’t have the chance to kill him.

      Rai was curled up asleep on the ground, Fang was roaming around complaining about his lost prey. I was still, there was no need to rush around like a chicken without a head. We lost this round, it was time to make our next move. I looked over at Rai, and I knew what that move needed to be. This job was suppose to be an honest way to get credits. An honest way  to get a car, Shu always yelled at me for stealing. Telling me to be human when I broke laws. If I reminded him that humans were thieves as well he would only counter with something lame. ‘Be a better human,’ he would tell me as if it was as easy as saying it. To be a better human then who, then what, to whom standards do I become a better human with; mine, Shu’s?

      Taking out a cigarette and lighting it I watched the smoke as I laid back in the grass puffing out rings. I was ready to move on but everyone else seem stuck here. Soji, and Ayase talked in hushed voices, and I wondered what they were planning. At last they walked over to me. Soji eyes were still red for crying. The lost of Emiko was hard on him. I wondered if it was the first time he had a lost. He hunted demons as well so there was no way it could be. I sat still watching, and waiting for one of them to say something.

     “Master Soji told me what happened to your car.” Ayase said her voice was soft. I noticed that unlike Emiko Ayase added Master in front of Soji’s name. I didn’t know how things worked in their group, but it was clear that she held a deep respect for the white mage. I only nodded my head at her enjoying my smoke. “I have a car, I don’t mind taking you all where you need to go.” She said, and I looked at her then at Soji.

     “There are reports that a large number of demons are gathering in the Ancient City. Father is calling me back home so I have to go.” Soji said, and gave his lips a nervous lick. I could hear his voice creak when he said ‘Father,’ could see the pain in his eyes at the thought of the man that help born him. I loved my father when I was a human. He wasn’t around a lot, but when he was around he showed us that he cared. The fear, and pain that was reflected in Soji’s eyes, I could never have felt that about my father. I gave a low growl before I could stop myself. “We will drop you all off where ever you want to go.” Soji said, and I nodded standing up.

     “The only place Rai, and I want to go is home.” I said, and looked over at Fang. I wasn’t sure where he was going to go if we were breaking up.

     “We will drop you off first then.” Soji said, and I walked over to Rai swooping her up in my arms carrying her in my arms to the car. Once we were inside Ayase got in the driver seat, and started to drive. I didn’t have a thought as I looked out the window staring blankly at the road that rushed pass me. Reaching up to my throat I wrapped my hand around the ring that hung there. When I thought about fathers I had to admit that without Ban I wouldn’t have this life. I owed him nothing because without him I wouldn’t have needed this life. I would have died years ago with the rest of my family. Who knows I might even have had little ones of myself. I could have been anything, I had my whole life ahead of me.

      What did I want to become when I grew up? I laughed