The Puppet Assassin [TTR sequel]

The Puppet Assassin - Ch 14 [the phone call from the devil - | - luke]

A heavy chuckle rumbled through the speakers. "Just let her go, freak. I'll find her."

I took a deep breath in order to stay calm. "I'm guessing you know who and what I am, and therefore understand that you can't take Dizelde out from under my nose. You set one foot on my street and my pack will be able to track you down with ease. The girl isn't going anywhere."

The car was filled with curses and oaths as the caller swore forcefully. "I will get her back, Remington. And you will be the first."

"The first? What the fuck are you talking about? Is this Scythe? You're in deep shit, Scythe, so now's not the time to be making threats."

A sinister laugh came through the speakers. "Scythe is as harmless as a pup compared to me. I'm going to have you BEG me to kill you. And in the end, SHE is going to be the one to run the knife across your neck, ear to ear."

Monotone beeping told me that he'd hung up. I sat back, realising that I'd just turned into my street, and watched my hands tremble slightly on my lap. I clenched them into fists and quickly punched in the number for Larkin. His voice as he answered wasn't at all groggy, thankfully I hadn't woken him.

"If this is a drunk call, Luke, I'm not amused. You should be able to handle your booze better these days."

"Lark, I need you to check on Dizelde."

"Dude, she went to bed ages ago. I haven't heard her move since she collapsed onto her bed."

"Check on her."

I heard his footsteps through the line and then the slight creaking of a door.

"I can hardly hear her breathing but she's still there," Larkin said in hushed tones. "What's going on, Luke?"

I grabbed the backpack I kept in the back seat of my car and checked to make sure there was still a spare change of clothes inside. I saw Dizelde's backpack and grabbed that as well.

"I'm coming over, Lark. I'll explain it when I get there."

I switched off the M-screen and stepped out of the car, breathing deeply so that I could take in all the scents of the night. Nothing out of the ordinary. It better stay that way. I walked up to the front door and tapped lightly on the wood, swinging the packs over my shoulder. The door opened and my butler, Kent, peeked out.

"Ah, sir, were you after something?"

He knew that after a night out I would usually just jump up to my bedroom balcony and let myself in from there.

"I'm staying somewhere else tonight. I don't know when, or if, I'll be back tomorrow. If you could make excuses for me, I'd be obliged."

Kent gave me a blank stare. "If you gave me an idea of what excuse to make, I'D be obliged," he said drily.

I was already turning away. "Say I'm at something important!" I called back as I strode away. I heard him sigh and shut the door with a thud. I pressed the remote to shut the gate and then hurried down to Larkin and Garth's place. I kept my eyes peeled and used my senses as a radar, trying to pick something out that shouldn't be there. Fortunately, I found nothing.

I didn't have to knock, Larkin yanked the door open as soon as I got a few metres away. His eyes were hard, though there was a slight hint of panic in them. His expression told me he was pissed.

"What the fuck is going on?" he hissed. "You can't give me the hint that something could be happening to that girl and then just hang up! Is it Scythe? Has he already figured out where she went?"

Even in my worried state, I was amused to see Larkin's protective personality take over. It had built up from being one of the eldest amongst seven siblings and it was his best and worst trait. I tucked my hands into my coat pockets and walked past him.

"I got a call. Not from Scythe," I said quietly over my shoulder. He followed me to the guest room, the door already inches open, and took a quick look inside. She was sleeping, but not sleeping deeply. The slightest sound would probably wake her. This was a good thing. She couldn't be taken from the house without a loud fight.

Larkin glared at me and jerked his thumb towards the kitchen. I nodded and made my way behind him to the room. I heard muffled snores coming from the lounge room and frowned towards it. Larkin noticed.

"It's Fiachra," he whispered.

I snapped an annoyed look at him. How could he let his friend into the house while we were trying to keep Dizelde secret?

"He thinks Dizelde is Garth's cousin and that Dizelde was abused by her parents."

I grunted. Then slowly relaxed. I could probably even trust Fiachra with the truth. I was just worked up.

"Who called, Luke?"

I glanced back to the guest room and then shoved Lark into the kitchen, shutting the door softly behind me. "I don't know. Someone who wants Dizelde. Someone who has no qualms in murdering others."

His eyes widened and he gripped onto the edge of a chair. The cushion was crushed beneath his fingers. "Someone wants to kill Dizelde?"

I hesitated, then shook my head. "It seemed that he just wanted her. Told me that we were keeping her, or something..." I shuddered when I remembered the harsh voice. "He said I'd beg him to kill me and then he'd get Dizelde to slit my throat..."

Lark's was taken aback. "That's fucked up. That girl in there ran up a tree when she probably could have killed me..."

I raised my hand. "I'm not an idiot. I don't think she's ever going to kill willingly. But this guy seemed to think she would. And he wants her."

"What needs to be done then?" A blank mask had slid over Larkin's features, as it did when he was really pissed off.

"Send a message to Garth giving him an update. I'm staying here tonight, maybe longer. We're going to have to be more alert. Tomorrow, I'll give Liam a call."

Lark nodded. "You can sleep in my room."

I raised a brow. "And you?"

He shrugged, glancing at the clock. "I have to get up in two hours any way. There's a pool session at five before training."

I should argue but I was too tired. I thanked him and stumbled up the stairs. I had a feeling I should take advantage of this time to get a good rest. I doubted I would get much sleep in the next few days.