The Christmas Package

Jaya took the package inside and sat on the couch. She felt sick to her stomach as she held it and looked it over. It was heavy and a good size, but she wasn’t entirely sure she wanted to open it. Who knew what the Dark Shadow’s twisted mind had come up with; a trophy of one of his kills? She shuddered at the possibility. But she waited until Alec showed up.

“What’s inside?” he asked as soon as Tyran had opened the door and let him in, being sure to check that the door was shut completely behind him.

“She hasn’t opened it yet,” Tyran replied as they both walked over to her.

“Draw the curtains,” Alex ordered. “You never know who could be watching.”

“Yeah, and he’s want to see me open this,” Jaya finally spoke. “My god, Alec . . . what could be in here?”

“Well, you know it’s not something that’s going to hurt you. That much we can be sure of,” he replied.

She took a heavy breath. “I’m still afraid…”

“Why?” Alec asked as Tyran took the seat beside her, trying to be her support.

She shook her head. “I’m it’s a trophy . . . I keep seeing the visions of a head or something gruesome . . . But I don’t think he’d do something that awful . . . I mean, I know he’s a cold bastard, but . . .”

“You won’t know until you open it,” Tyran said gently, meeting Alec’ eye. Alec nodded his agreement.

As Jaya observed them, she had to agree herself. She could sit there all night being afraid, or bite the bullet and opened it. Finally and carefully, she began taking off the paper. Once set aside, she opened the box. Out of it, she pulled what looked like a leather bound scrapbook with papers sticking just beyond some of the pages. As she opened it, she shuddered.

“Oh my god . . .” she replied.

“What is it?” Alec asked.

But Tyran already knew . . . He could see the papers as she opened the book and looked through the pages with her. It was a record of all her hits for the last five years . . .

“He actually made hard copies of all the news reports of my . . . of the hits,” she said. “These go back five years . . . to the very beginning . . .”

“He’s had a fascination for you since the beginning . . .” Alec said. “Somehow, he knew you were someone to watch . . . then he found out you were a woman . . . and that sealed the deal for him.”

“Then it has to be unsealed!” Tyran replied quickly.

“It can’t be, you know that,” Jaya said gently, though the thought didn’t sit well with her either. “But I can’t help but think what’s next . . . I can’t deny it, Alec. The man scares me . . . I would love to take him out right now if I knew where he was, but he still scares me.”

“Well, he’s quiet an opponent,” he replied. “But you’re better than he is.”

“Are you sure?” she asked. “Because I’m afraid I’ll have to get close to him to take him out . . . Very close . . .”

Though Tyran and she had discussed it before, she knew it didn’t sit well with him and could feel him bristle.

“You don’t know that for sure though, Jaya . . .” Alec tried to assure. “Don’t try to predict the future too much. It’ll paralyze you . . . Only try to predict what you need. Stay in control and don’t let it control you.”

She nodded. But her distress was still just as evident.

“I’ll tell you what, I’m going to make some drinks. I think we could use them . . .”

As Alec left the room, Tyran lifted her chin to gaze into her eyes. “Are you okay?” he asked.

She paused and then shrugged. “As okay as I can be . . . Some Christmas present, huh?”

With that, he caressed her face. His own worry didn’t abate as he watched her try to master her own emotions.