14 Unfazed

My mother screeches like a banshee and launches at me. I adjust my footing and brace for the impact, I know enough from my experiences to always expect the unexpected. As she rushes toward me I wait, knowing I cannot play my card just yet. Just barely a second before she collides with me I met my fist out, unable to slow her momentum, she slams right into my fist then falls to the floor.

"So, it seems I now know whose been hunting us. I so very much was hoping for a little challenge, I do get so bored with the easy kills." She smiles and she wipes a small drop of blood from her lip.

"Yes, mother, I have hunted your kind." Even with all the hatred I have for her, I know I cannot show it but I know my words hold venom.

She lunges for me, claws out and ready to take my eyes from their sockets. As I side step, I slip my extendable martial arts stick from my back pocket and swing, with all my weight, at her chest. The collision throws her backward, struggling to breath as she lays there looking up at me. I stay out of arms reach of her but I cannot help but smile.

"I told you to leave, mother. You should have listened." I pull the small dagger from my boot sheath and throw it at her chest, it lodged between two ribs just over where her heart should be.

She flops and flails around, clawing at her own flesh and the dagger. She stops moving about a minute later, blood oozing from her chest where she clawed at it. I continue to watch her body until I am certain she is dead. I walk the front door and lock it, I also make sure all the windows are locked and blinds are closed. I then run up the stairs, taking two at a time, logically I know E'Lara is safe but I still have to see for myself. I knock and tell her it's safe to come out. I am not expecting her to launch herself into my arms just as the door opens but I am still tense and hyper aware of my surroundings which allows me to catch her effortlessly.

"What in the hell just happened, love?" She is frantic and still holding a cast iron skillet.

I take the skillet from her and smile, shaking my head. "You would have been better of with one of my weapons but who know, you may have managed to knock her out at least." I kiss quickly kis her and hold her against me. "I just glad she didn't bring anyone with her or your store may have ended up like my apartment."

She looks at me for a moment before her eyes grow wide. "Do you think your place being torn apart and her showing up here are related? What if more show up?"

"I don't know for sure but I wouldn't doubt it. What I dont get is why she would think I had what she was looking for or how she knew where I lived. I only rented it month to month and under an alias." I start walking to the bedroom, E'Lara on my heels.

I rummage through my bag and pull out a small leather pouch and head back to the door. E'Lara stops me and looks at me, gripping my shirt. I could tell this is her first encounter, that she knows of anyway. It probably does not help any that it was my mother or that I have just killed her.

"What are you doing? Don't leave me." Her grip tightens as she tries to hide her fear, even though its playing havoc on her aura.

"It's okay, hun. I'll be right back," I kiss her forehead. "I just need to take care of the body. Last thing we need or want is the cops finding a body in your store." She loosens her grip, letting her hands fall to her sides and letting me slip out the door.

I kneel beside my mothers body and scatter a small amount of the pouches contents over her chest. As soon as it touches her, she starts to turn grey. I do not know the exact ingredients of the powder but I do know the black market dealer I got it from said to never let it touch anything I did not intend to erase. It has not failed me yet, so I do not question it, or its maker. Most of what I own and hunt with comes from the black market but not the one run by drug dealers and corrupt people in power. This market is truly black, only those who know of the truth behind reality run and frequent this market. I have managed to trade my skills as a hunter for most of my necessities.

"I wish I knew what you were looking for, mother" I whisper as she begins to turn to dust.

I pull my dagger out and before I can stand fully she is gone. I walk back up the stairs and knock on the door. E'Lara opens it and I pull her into me, wrapping my arms around her. We stand there for what seems like hours until I pick her up and carry her to the couch. We lay there in each others arms for a while when E'Lara finally starts to cry. It is the first time I have seen her cry, although, I have not known her long. I knew this is what she needed, her aura screamed for it, now her tears show it.

I rub her back slowly and hold her closer. "It's alright, E'Lara, just let it out. Everything's okay. I've got you." I guess I have been doing this so long the incident with my mother does not phase me, or perhaps, my hatred for her allows me not to feel anything for her.

I wipe her tears as she begins to calm down. "What would have happened if you hadn't been here, Jaz? What could I of done? She seemed like any other customer." The dam breaks and she is balling uncontrollably now, clutching my shirt like it's a life preserver.

I slowly run my fingers through her hair. "Now you understand why I want to teach you some self defense against them." I cannot bring myself to tell her why my mother actually showed up, but I know I will have to at some point.

She nuzzles into my neck, still sniffling slightly and holds me like she is not going to ever let me leave without her. It does not bother me any, I am quite enjoying her touch, the feel of her body against mine.

Slowly I roll us over so she is on top of me and I slip my leg between hers as I run my left hand across the small of her back, under her shirt, which just so happens to be one of mine. I smile up at her as I run my other hand up her neck and caress her jaw with my thumb. I rock my hips forward into her and she shivers as her eyes close slightly.

"You keep this up and I'm not responsible for what happens next." She whispers, her voice breathless and hoarse.

I smile and growl playfully as I gently pull her to me, kissing her deeply. I flick my tongue against her bottom lip asking for entry. I am rewarded with a moan as she presses her body harder against me. I begin to pull her shirt up as she works on the button of my jeans. As I toss the shirt to the floor and she has my pants pulled down just below my hips, she runs her nails up my sides causing a pleasing shiver to run up my spine and I smile. I pull my shirt off then pull her back on top of me, she smiles down at me and bites her lip. I grip her hips and hold her firmly against me as I grind my hips upward towards her. She runs her fingers through my hair and grips it firmly as she rocks her hips. A satisfying moan escapes my lips as I look up at her and shes glowing. Her aura tells me shes happy, aroused and needy. I cannot help but smile more knowing I am why she feels like she does.

"I hope you plan to thank me properly for my services, love." I cannot help but tease her.

She leans forward as if shes going to kiss me but then she runs her nails down my neck and digs them into my shoulders. I arch back and press hard against her, moaning in pleasure. Pain has never felt so good.

"Don't you worry about that, sweetie. I'll make sure you never forget me." She smiles and winks before locking her lips on mine.