Creatures
Chapter 19

Karen hit the snooze on the alarm and buried back down into the covers as she heard a laugh above her. “You really are not a morning person are you.”

“Shut up. I always hit the snooze once. I build in time for it. This way I feel like I got to sleep in.” She sat up and rubbed her eyes, sending him a glare.

“This is getting to be a nasty habit you know.”

Talon laughed as she glared at him.

“How can you be so cheerful first thing in the morning?” She grumbled.

He shrugged. “I have been up for a while. Now get dressed, time for work.”

Karen rolled out of bed and started to get ready as Talon left. She was in the bathroom, applying her make up when he reappeared.

“What’s up?” She asked, surprised to see him.

“Nothing.”

Talon placed a black bag on the counter and started to pull out his shaving stuff. Karen noticed that he was only dressed in slacks and socks. His chest was bare, revealing the tiny scars and otherwise smooth skin that covered his upper body.

“I just thought I would join you today.” He explained when she continued to stare at him.

“You are going to be late again.”

He started to shave as Karen went back to getting ready. She would deal with this later, right now he was right. She stepped into the bedroom and started to dress, making sure that she kept herself from his view. Shortly he stepped out of the bathroom and continued with his own dressing.

Karen watched as he pulled a tunic over his pants. It was in the Chinese style with patterns in Jade green over black. It accented his dark coloring and hair and she felt her mouth water and the moisture pool in her loins. She was going to have to change her undies before work.

“Yes?” Talon asked, turning towards her.

“Uh, nothing. That...” she nodded towards his clothing. “Suits you very well.”

“Thank you. I am rather fond of it myself.” Talon grinned. “You look very good yourself.”

He nodded towards her own skirt and blouse. “I would love to see you in Chinese garb as well one day.”

“Will never happen.” Karen stepped around him and headed for the kitchen.

“Pulling out the gauntlet I see.” Emerald nodded at Talon’s clothing. “You are looking good, but you already know that.”

“Good morning Emerald.” Talon surprised them all by placing a fatherly kiss on her cheek as he walked by. Emerald grinned from ear to ear as Evan shook his head in wonder and Karen could only stare and wonder what happened to the man that she had met a few months ago.

As he had the day before, Talon walked Karen to her classroom, placed a kiss on her cheek and left her staring after him like the rest of the girls in her class, lovesick. She shook her head, that was the only term for it. She had to be in love with him to allow him to continue to do this to her.

“God, he looks good enough to eat.” One of the girls moaned. “I love it when he goes oriental on us.”

Another exclaimed. “I wish that he would always wear that.”

Yet another sighed.

“Enough. Time to work.”

“Yes, Ms. Hintz.” Came the answer.

Today no one said anything about Talon’s behavior towards her and Karen was thankful for that. She did not think she could handle a second onslaught.

It was lunch before she had a break and Karen finally had a chance to sit down and eat, letting out a yawn as she sat. She needed more sleep. Thanks to Talon, she was starting to catch up, but it created another problem for her. She found herself turned on, yet unable to do anything about it because he was always around.

“Karen?” Karen looked up.

“Sorry, what?”

“Nothing.” The English teacher had sat down next to her. “I was just wondering how you and Talon were doing? It seems that he has taken an interest in you.”

Karen let out a sigh. Not here too.

Talon sat down across from them with his lunch.

“Good day Mr. Fielding.”

Talon nodded his answer.

“How has your day gone?” He asked Karen.

“Fine.”

“Talon.” Talon looked up. The principal had come into the teacher’s lounge.

“Yes, sir.”

“We have a problem. Come here.” Talon stood and followed him to the window, where the principal pointed outside the school gates.

“Look.”

“Karen, you better come see this.” The other teacher’s stopped at the use of her first name. Karen stood, already aware of what she was going to see. She had already felt their presence and there were many.

Karen stood next to Talon and the others could not help but notice how good they looked together.

Karen looked out and the mass of Beings. There were many level one and two with a few level threes driving them, followed by four level fours and they were heading right for the school.

“That is a lot for two people,” Karen commented. She turned to the principal, “Wait... how can you see them?”

“I cannot, but I have been given a device that can pick them up if they come too close to the school.” He explained.

Talon spoke, giving her answer to her earlier comment.

“I already called the others.” Right on cue Evan and Emerald walked into the room.

“Looks like we have a bit of work to do,” Evan commented, coming up to them, seeing for himself what they were up against.

“You can not come into the teacher's lounge.” One of the other teachers scolded.

“Shut up,” Talon commented. “They are here at my request.”

“Play nice Talon, remember, they cannot see them.”

“No they cannot, but they have been made aware of what we do and they should understand by now that I would never ask Evan and Emerald here unless I needed them,” Talon growled out. She noticed he liked to growl when he was upset so she tried to lighten his mood, well aware that the other teachers were watching them curiously.

“Talon.” Karen touched his arm and he turned towards her. She materialized her weapons and gestured towards her A-line skirt.

“Do you think you could...”

Talon grinned. “Am I going to get yelled at later?”

Karen sighed. “Not if you slit it right this time, last time was a little much.”

She reminded him as the others watched his mood suddenly change. That woman was a goddess if she could do that.

He materialized his own weapon and put a slit up both sides of her skirt.

“It is a little high don’t you think?” Karen complained, damn it, she had liked this skirt too.

Talon looked at his handy work. The slit went almost to her hips but did not reveal anything.

“I cannot see anything.”

“I would be indecent if they were any higher.” She commented dryly.

“I like it.” Talon gave her a saucy grin.

“Would you two stop your foreplay and focus, we have work to do.” Emerald scolded them.

Talon looked back at her and sighed.

“So true.” he turned to Karen. “Shall we?” Karen nodded and put her foot on the sill.

“After you,” Talon commented.

“Don’t mind if I do,” Karen told him as she jumped out of the second story window. The rest of the room gasped as the other three followed her and they rushed to the windows to see what was going on.

“Evan... if you would.”

“Of course.” Evan immediately put a barrier around them, keeping the school behind the barrier.

Karen landed on the head of a being and crushed its skull as she and Talon immediately started to make a path to the large ones in the back.

“Emerald, you and Evan keep the little ones out of the school. Karen and I will take out the leaders.”

Emerald nodded. “Let’s go, Evan.” Evan nodded and they were off.

Talon and Karen jumped up and ran along the heads of the beings, cutting off arms and heads as they went. In perfect sync, they ran up the right arm of two of the larger beings, slicing their blades through the arm as they went, taking it off at the shoulder. They then leapt up and over the top of the head, stopping directly above the head and drilling down, pushing their blades deep into the skull of the being. Karen shot a bolt of electricity and Talon shot a bolt of fire into the beings before pushing off and falling down on the other side.

“They are good.” the English teacher commented, Though they could not see the beings, they could watch the people below them as they fought as Evan had only put up a barrier, not a force field. They had seen a few small skirmishes to realize that even if they could not see the beings, the blood and gore was real along with the abilities of Talon and the others. This was not the first time the school had been threatened

“Very good.” The P.E. teacher agreed. “I think that there is more there then meets the eye.”

“Mr. Evan and Miss Emerald are doing a nice job as well.” Another teacher spoke up. “Did you know that they were warriors as well?”

Everyone shook their heads, it had not been told to them that they had students that fought as well. They had only known of Talon until now. It must be a pretty big fight if they had called on Emerald and Evan.

They looked to where Evan was shooting shards of ice through a couple of the beings that were closing in on Emerald and then take the head off of two more. At least that is what they would have seen if they could see them.

The teachers continued to watch as Emerald lifted up two boulders from the ground and dropped them on a couple of the beings before slicing another from groin to head.

“I did not know that they were part of the team.”

The principal looked at them. “We were hoping that they could at least have a normal school life. Guess that is about to change.”

“I wonder why so they are attacking the school now.” The history teacher finally asked.

“Who knows, but it looks like they just lost.”

They watched as what seemed to be the last of the beings fall into a ball of electricity and flame.

Talon and Karen made their way to Evan and Emerald, finishing off the last of the level ones.

“Good fight,” Evan commented.

“Not bad. That was fun.” Talon looked over at Karen. She, along with the others, was covered with dirt and gore and cuts.

Karen stepped up to the two kids.

“Allow me.” she placed a hand on their shoulders and healed the minor cuts and scraps that they had accumulated during the fight.

Talon reached over and wiped some blood from Karen’s cheek, uncovering a nasty cut.

“My turn.” He told her as he quickly healed her and then himself.

“Thank you.” The principal approached as they were finishing.

“No big. That is what we do.” Talon turned towards him.

“Why don’t you all get cleaned up. I will see that everything is cleaned up out here. I am afraid that your cover is blown though.” he told Evan, Emerald, and Karen.

“It is all right,” Evan commented. “It will be easier this way. We will know who dislikes us and when we have to leave, it will not be as hard as lying to everyone. They will know what is going on.”

“Still...”

“Let it go.” Talon interrupted him. “We need to get cleaned up.”

Karen stayed behind as the others headed for their car. Talon turned back once he realized she was not following them.

“What is wrong?”

“I do not have my change of clothes. You insisted on driving me again.”

“I have got it covered.” Talon grinned, pulling out two bags from the trunk of his car.

“I did not think that I would ever see you wear it, but here you go.” Karen took the bag and went to open it.

“Oh no. You may not open it until after you shower.” He took the bag from her hands, not trusting her. “Come on.”

Karen stepped out of the shower and peered into the bag before letting out a sigh.

“I am going to kill that man with my bare hands, anything else would be too good for him.”

She stepped out of the locker room a few moments later, completely self-conscious.

Talon let out a low whistle. “I knew it would look good, but I had no idea it would look that good.”

Karen turned to see that he was in a matching kimono of the one that he had worn that morning and now Karen was in a matching kimono of red and black with a dragon draped over her shoulder. It was form fitting with slits up both sides and it accented her trim waist and large bust.

“How is this any better then what I was wearing?” She asked.

“It is clean and it looks really good on you with your hair down,” Emerald commented, walking around her and checking her out from top to bottom.

Karen shook her head and headed towards her classroom, Talon falling in beside her.

“Do not talk to me. I am thinking of the best way to kill you right now.”

Talon grinned. “I did not think that you would ever have the occasion to wear it, but they are right. It looks really good on you.”

“Shut up,” Karen growled, sounding like Talon did when he growled.

Emerald and Evan grinned at each other behind them as they walked.

They dropped Evan and Emerald off at their class and continued on their way. Talon pulled Karen around the corner as they entered the second floor of her building and pushed her up against the wall, burying his head into her shoulder and neck, nibbling as he traveled up and claimed her earlobe in his mouth.

“What are you...” Karen sagged against the wall when his mouth started to move up her neck.

“I cannot help it. You look too good to miss this opportunity.” Talon tugged on her earlobe and then moved to take her mouth with his own, letting out a groan as she opened her mouth and body to him willingly.

She could no longer deny him this, she wanted it just as much as she could feel that he wanted it. Her hand slid up his arm, but she hesitated part way up. She knew he had been hit in the arm and had thought it was pretty serious, but it did not seem to be bothering him, so perhaps it had not been as bad as she had originally thought.

Talon pulled back, breathing hard. “Come on, we need to get you to class before I forget my manners and take you right here in the hallway.” He took her hand and pulled her along.

Karen flushed as she realized that she not only had not put up a fight but had willingly participated. It seemed that she had let herself get carried away there for a moment.

Karen entered her classroom a moment later, minus Talon. She had refused to allow him to come in, knowing that she had students waiting for her.

“Nice outfit.” One of the students in the back called out.

“Shut up. Detention for anyone who comments on my outfit.”

“We did not know that you were like Mr. Fielding.” another commented, making reference to Karen’s other job.

Karen nodded. “It is not something we wish to advertise.”

“Why?” Another student asked.

“It is totally cool the way you two were in sync while you were fighting.”

“You saw?”

“The whole school say, kind of...”

“Thank you.” Karen replied not sure what to say, “I think.” she finished under her breath.

“Mr. Fielding?”

“Yes.”

“Evan, Emerald and Ms. Hintz are like you aren’t they?”

“Yes.”

“Why are there so many of you here?”

“Because Emerald and Evan need an education and Ms. Hintz has just started with us.”

“I see. What will they do to Emerald and Evan?” another one asked.

“What do you mean?”

“Well, they are still students. Will they get in trouble for fighting?” A student asked.

“Of course not dummy.” another student spoke up. “They saved the school.”

“They are weird.”

“No, they are cool.”

“Mr. Fielding?” the students stopped their bickering and looked at him for an answer.

“I do not know. The head of all of us will come and work it out with the school. Until then, please think before you say anything to Emerald or Evan. They are very self-conscious of what happen.”

“Are you ready?” Talon stood in the doorway of the room, looking good enough to eat. Which reminded Karen that she had not eaten since breakfast.

She gathered her things. “Ready.”

Talon had moved into the room and she turned around to have him standing directly behind her.

“What...”

“You look good enough to eat.” He whispered, nuzzling her neck with his nose. Karen let out a sigh and stepped around him.

“If I hear one more comment about my outfit or about the fight, I will not be held responsible for my action.” Her stomach growled. “Can we please go home. I am hungry and tired.”

Talon bowed low. “Whatever my lady wishes.”

“Your lady wishes to go home.”

“But first...” Talon swept her into his arms and kissed her soundly on the lips. Karen bit back a moan. If the man was going to continue to do this to her, she might just cave one of these days.

“Talon, no, we cannot do this here. Someone might come in.” Karen tried to push him off of her.

“That is true.” Talon let her go and went over and shut off the lights and locked the door. He crossed back over and collected her in his arms again.

“Now, where were we?” He started to nibble on her ear.

“Wh-what are you doing?” Karen exclaimed. “Talon!”

“I cannot take it anymore. You look positively edible in that outfit and I just have to have a taste.” Talon’s mouth traveled down her neck as he undid the buttons of the shirt, continuing his exploration of her shoulder. Karen held back the moan but was unable to stop herself from pushing her hips against his erection.

Talon let out a groan at her contact and slide his hand up to cup one of her breasts, slowly rubbing his thumb over the nipple until it started to pucker.

Karen gasped for air. He was good, but they had to stop.

“No. Please. Stop.” She pushed against him, but he did not budge. She started to panic, it was just like her dream. She had been pushed down and there had been nothing she could do to stop him. She felt the panic rise and she started to struggle.

Talon pulled back but did not release her. He could feel her panic rise and feel her body start to shake.

“Karen? What is wrong?” He could see the tears start to fill her eyes.

“Please. No more. Stop.” She begged, looking away from him.

Talon’s mind was in a hazy and he wasn’t sure what was going on... oh shit, he remembered.

She had been raped. Damn, he was an idiot. He gently reached up and rebuttoned her shirt before taking her hand in his and putting her bag on his shoulder.

“Come on honey, let us get some food.”

Karen stared at his broad back. What had just happened? Why had he stopped? Why had he listened to her? Had he really not pushed his advantage? Had he just took in her feelings? This was not right. This was not how men were.

“Talon?”

Talon gave her a smile and a kiss on the cheek before putting her into the passenger side of his car.

“It is all right.” He spoke as he climbed in. “I understand and I will not push.”

“But...”

He laced his fingers through hers and placed a kiss on them.

“Let it go. Let’s go eat and then you can go home and crawl into bed. I will make sure that you are safe from everything, including me if I have to.”

Karen fell silent at his words. What was up with all this kissing, she wondered.

“I do like the outfit.” She spoke softly. “It is just not a good outfit for school.”

Talon smiled. “I know. I did not think that you would have to wear it there. Sorry.”

“There is nothing to be sorry about.”

Talon parked the car and helped Karen out.

“How about a little bit of window shopping.”

“Ummm, sure?”

They walked down the street, hand in hand and looked into the different shops as Karen tried not to notice the looks that they were getting.

“Shall we go in there?” Talon pointed to a jewelry store.

“Why?”

“I want to get Emerald something.”

“Okay.”

Talon pulled her into the store.

“Mr. Fielding, it is good to see you again. It has been a while. Are you looking for something in particular or just looking today?”

“Just looking, thank you.”

Karen looked at all of the jewelry. There were some very beautiful pieces. She stopped in front of the wedding ring section as Talon came up to her.

“Do you like anything?”

“What?” Karen blushed. “No, I was just looking.”

“Would you like to try something on miss?” The salesman asked her.

“No.”

“Yes,” Talon spoke at the same time.

Karen turned towards him. “What?”

“Come on it will be fun.” He peered in the case. “Which set would you choose.”

“I am not choosing.” Karen insisted.

“Karen...”

She saw his eyes start to twinkle, actually twinkle. She did not know eyes could do that, let alone his. She did not want to speculate what he would do if she did not do this.

She let out a sigh. “Fine.”

She peered into the case for a few moments before pointing to a man and woman’s set.

“That one.” she pointed.

“May we?” Talon asked and the man pulled them out.

“Here you go.”

He handed over the ladies ring and Talon took it from him and placed it on Karen’s finger. It was a simple, white gold band with a row of diamonds across it, nothing fancy.

“It suits you. Shall you put mine on?” he asked with a smile. Karen looked at him and the offered ring.

She slowly took it from the salesman and placed it on Talon’s finger. He held it up and looked at it and then at hers.

“Very nice, I approve. Shall we get them?”

“No.”

Karen slipped hers off and handed it to the man before turning away and looking at another case. Talon slipped his off and nodded at the salesman as he handed it back before turning and stepping up behind her.

“Shall we get those then?”

“What?”

“You have looked at them twice now.” He pointed to an earring and necklace set in front of her. “They match your eyes.”

“Oh no, I do not need anything and I have no place to wear something like that.”

“Nonsense. You should have them.” He looked up as the jeweler approached. “I would like to purchase those to take with me.”

“Of course sir. Anything else?”

“Yes, I would also like those.” Talon pointed to a nearby set of emerald green earrings as

Karen just looked at him.

What was he doing? He was a completely different person then he had been a few days ago and he seemed so confident and easy going now. What had happened to the moody, irritable Talon that she had known all these months?

“Ready?” Talon came back after purchasing the jewelry.

Karen nodded and they left the store.

“Come on, we need to get going.”

“Where are we going now?”

“To get ready for our date.”

“Date?”

“Yup. I am taking you out for a night of dancing and champagne and plan to woe you to the point that you let me climb into bed with you afterward.”

“What!?”

Talon grinned. “Just to sleep. I will not do anything that will make you uneasy. I figure that it would be easier if we just started the night in bed together, rather then getting our sleep interrupted.” He stepped out of the car in front of a large mansion and helped Karen out once again. He led her up the stairs, going right in.

“Even though tomorrow is the weekend, you are still needing sleep. I can see how tired you are.”

“Welcome back Master Talon, everything is ready for you upstairs.”

“Thank you.”

“Wait, you own this?”

“Yes, I own this. I realized, when I first arrived at the compound and that I had more money then I knew what to do with so I purchased this place and set it up as an orphanage for kids that had no place else to go. I do, however, keep rooms here for when I need to get away.”

“I see.”

“Everything that you need is upstairs,” Talon told her. “Take a shower and change. The ladies will see to your hair and makeup,” He glanced at his watch. “You have about an hour. Our reservations are at seven and it is a bit of a drive in evening traffic.”

Karen nodded, giving up on trying to figure out what he was up to and deciding to just enjoy herself. She had not been on a date in years and she could not wait to see what was in store for her.

Two maids came down the stairs and lead her upstairs. She passed various rooms that had all ages of kids in them. As they went by, she peeked into one room and saw a group of boys about 7 or 8 years of age playing in a room that had every Tonka truck you could imagine in it.

“Hello.” One of the boys stopped playing when he noticed her.

“Are you here to play with us?” Another asked.

“No. The misses is here with Master Talon.”

“Talon is here? Yeah! Let’s go see him.” The little bodies ran past Karen and shot down the stairs.

Karen could hear the squeals of delight and Talon’s low rumble and she peered over the banister to see him covered with little bodies. He glanced up and caught her eye, giving her a wink and blowing her a kiss before turning back to the group before him. Karen blushed and headed for the room.

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