Ready, Aim, Fire Away

Why are you looking at me like I just kicked your puppy? I swear, it’s not my blood.

Then whose blood is it?

“Okay...”

I’m fine. Just got a lot on my mind.

“No, Gabriel repaid me by waiting until I turned around to shoot me,” Russell replied. The focal point of his own rage rested in his eyes. They harden to steel and his lips drew into a thin line. As Jez spoke of keeping the alliance and Foster Etheridge he nodded respectfully. It was a good move, and it was even better that Hampton’s nephew agreed to remain an ally. As Jez began to speak of what happened after his death he watched her intently. His features clouded at the mention of Georgie Calhoun. Not so much the fact that his body was more than likely mutilated.

“We all thought he skipped town and went to school. Little did we know, none of us were right.” Jez sighed loudly. Georgie’s death had yet to hit her fully. He’d been gone so long that the news didn’t really seem real. It seemed more like one of the many rumors of what he had been doing that occasionally circulated the town. There always seemed to be more important things for her to be worrying about. She knew the news of his death had hit Farrah hard, but it was clear to her that Farrah wasn’t ready to talk about it. So until then, it was more thing that Jez was forced to shove to the back of her head.

“They think that the wolves killed me?” Russell’s brow furrowed and a muttered curse came soon after. Rudi smiled. Even the rebel leader knew that the idea was preposterous. The rebel leader scrubbed a hand over his face to regain composure and glared at nothing in particular. His jaw worked as he considered what to say Jez. As she mentioned the hunter leader the glare deepened and snort of laughter escaped him, “Go figure, Cooper gets himself killed after he killed me.”

“Those bastards,”Jez muttered. Everything was fitting together in her head now. Nothing had been making sense because she hadn’t even considered the hunters being responsible for Russell’s death. “So you went there to try to make peace and they repaid you by shooting you when your back was turned? After all we did to try to help them stay under the radar?” The rage flared up hot and fast. Jez had tried to help them. She’d given them information. And they killed him. Killed the last person she considered real family. Teeth clenched together, Jez made an internal vow to ruin them.

No, it isn’t, but how do you know he left town? Before he was at Dorian’s, he could be somewhere around here.

He should have talked to me. We could have avoided this.

Oh yeah I missed you. Just like an abuse victim misses being hit.

I’m sure. Be nice. You are rooming with my best friend. I can convince her to prank you horribly in your sleep.

Rudi watched from the side with careful eyes. He forced himself to remain focused on Russell, he could feel the power seeping from himself at a slow rate. So far the spell was going as planned. Both Paddington and Dom watched their guest with guarded eyes, unsettled by the shift in the atmosphere. 

“I’ve basically been handed a war because everyone thinks the wolves are responsible. I don’t even know how to run things as I see fit right now.” Jez laughed mirthlessly. Who was she kidding? She had no idea what she was doing. The last few weeks she had basically been winging it.

I can understand that, Jez. You have more people looking towards you now more than ever. That probably doesn’t help what you’re feeling but as a witness to your fearless leadership, I know you’ll do fine.

Yeah, I know and it makes me want to crawl under a rock and hide so that no one can find me.

I’m sorry, Jez. 

He didn’t leave last time though. He was still here. He just wasn’t sure if I would accept him as a vampire. But he doesn’t do that anymore. He doesn’t just leave because things get hard. It’s not like him.

How can I not let it fear me when I break stuff so much easier? I’ve ripped doors off the hinges more times than I can count, and these enhanced senses– it’s too much. I know I can talk to you guys, I know, but all I can remember is that fucking carnival and being attacked, only to wake up in a hospital and they couldn’t do anything for me. I thought I was going to die, Jez. Hell, I kind of wanted it from the shit I went through with the change. It was the hardest thing I’ve ever been through in my entire life.

You turn that fear into motivation to learn control. You want to not be scared? Re-learn who you are. You are still you, you’ve just changed a little. You aren’t dead. Far from it. Use it to your advantage. You don’t have to be a contract anymore. You can do whatever you want.

Why would he be beating himself up, and running away? 

He attacked me.  I don’t blame him. The spell made him do it. But after I woke up in the Ashdale house and he was gone. I haven’t seen him since.

“Well, then, please take a seat,” Rudi gestured to one of the empty chairs in his sitting room. With a light sigh he began prepping. While it was possible to summon without materials, the process went faster and was less demanding if the proper materials were utilized. Given that there was a need for answers he figured it would be best to use them. His hands reached for candles hidden inside drawers, and a tome book hidden inside a china cabinet. Efficiently he began to light matches and let the wax begin to burn. He gave Jez a light smile, of what he hoped was reassurance. Paddington watched from the hearth and ruffled his feathers, Dom whimpered and went between him and the girl nervously. After filling a bowl with water from the kitchen he returned. A few droplets dribbled onto the coffee table, “Stay very quiet, summoning is very precise, if something obscures me it may not be heard.”

Jez watched Rudi, her awe only marred by the sharp anticipation and fear she felt. What she was doing terrified her. Witchcraft and things like that were not things she had ever thought she would be messing with. But then again there were a lot of things that she had done in the last year that she had never thought she would have to do. She felt strangely calm considering she was about to see someone she had thought she’d lost forever again. She knew that it was partially business, but it was also selfish of her. She wanted to see him. She hadn’t gotten to see her dad one last time after he died and she wasn’t going to miss out on getting to say a real goodbye.

Yes, the time may vary. It has been sometime since someone has wanted me to perform this, but I can manage your asking questions for at least twenty minutes. 

I can handle it. If I can handle him dying in the first place, I can handle seeing him again. I didn’t get to say goodbye and I just need to see him.

Yes, I can call him to come to the realm, if needed enough of my energy can give him form. You could see his face, if you would like that.

I could actually see him?

If you are open to it, Russell can be spoken to. 

You could actually contact Russell?

Wait, what are answers you looking for, young one?

I just wanted to know what happened. I’m sure you’ve heard about the animal attack on Russel Jacobs and how they think Georgie did it. I just want something tangible that actually makes sense.