Chapter 10 – Fallen and Found

Liar Liar

Kate’s POV

I woke to the muted sounds of clashing steel and heavy breaths filtering through my open window. The first light of dawn crept through the curtains, casting a warm glow across my room. I stretched, feeling surprisingly well-rested for someone who typically hated early mornings.

Curiosity got the better of me, so I slipped out of bed, padding softly to the window. Cyrus and Marcus were training in the back of the garden. Their movements were fluid and powerful, each strike and block executed with precision. Marcus, with his tough presence and graying hair, moved with a precision that spoke of years of experience. His clothes were practical—dark sweatpants and a snug-fitting gray t-shirt that accentuated his surprisingly muscular build.

Cyrus, all intensity and raw power, countered each move with fierce determination. He was dressed in black shorts and a black tank top that showcased his impressive muscles, glistening with sweat. He looked like a personal trainer who takes ‘intense’ to a whole new level. It was almost hypnotic to watch. But as I continued to observe, I noticed the intensity in their expressions and realized they were arguing.

“…trainer will be delayed. A few days longer than expected,” Marcus said, his voice carrying a hint of irritation.

A satisfied smirk flashed over Cyrus’s face before it returned to his usual, serious but otherwise neutral expression. The moment had not stayed unnoticed by Marcus either, who swiftly rewarded his reaction with a sudden kick to Cyrus’s torso. Cyrus landed on the ground, groaning and gasping for air while glaring up at Marcus.

Marcus looked back at him, seemingly unbothered by the open hostility on Cyrus’s face. “I told you, you’re getting distracted.” He offered Cyrus his hand and pulled him up from the ground.

“I still think I should stay and help train Kate,” Cyrus said once he had recovered his breath, his tone firm. “I’ve been the only constant in her life these past few days. She needs someone she can rely on.”

Marcus shook his head, lowering his sword. “That’s exactly why I requested someone else. You’re too close, Cyrus. If you get any more attached, it could be dangerous for both her and the organization.”

I froze, leaning against the window unmoved as I absorbed their conversation. What was he talking about?

Cyrus’s face tightened with anger and hurt. “So, you’re saying I’m a liability now?”

Marcus sighed, clearly exasperated. “You’re needed on other missions. You’re losing focus. And yes, Kate will be fine. I’ll be here too. But she needs someone who can train her without any emotional entanglements.”

I clenched my fists. Cyrus hadn’t told me he would be leaving when my new trainer arrived. He only mentioned that someone else was coming to train me. He didn’t say that meant he would be gone.

Cyrus looked up at the sky, frustration etched into his features. “So, that’s it? You just decided this without even asking me?”

“I had to make a judgment call,” Marcus replied, his voice softer now. “You’ve done great work, Cyrus. But this is bigger than just you and Kate.”

I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. Cyrus, the one person who had been there for me through all of this chaos, was about to leave me here with a bunch of strangers. And he hadn’t even told me.

I held my breath, expecting Cyrus to further insist on staying, but Marcus’s quiet words, “You know this isn’t personal,” seemed to deflate him, and he didn’t argue further.

A mix of shock and anger welled up inside me. I had thought we were in this together, that I could count on him. But now, it seemed like everything was changing again, and not for the better.

My mind raced as I stepped away from the window. I wanted to run outside and confront them about what I heard, but as I reached the door I hesitated. They clearly weren’t as honest and upfront with me as I had thought, so who knew what else they were hiding from me.

I needed time to think, to process what I had heard and decide my next move. I couldn’t let them see how rattled I was. They both prioritized the organization over my feelings, and that stung more than I cared to admit. It was clear I needed to be cautious.

I had to come up with a plan, something that would give me control over my own fate. But first, I needed to understand more about Cyrus and Marcus’s intentions, and the best way to do that was to watch them closely over the next few days.

To keep them from realizing I knew, I had to behave as though I hadn’t heard anything. I couldn’t risk them changing their behavior or becoming more secretive. I would go about my days as usual, training and learning, while keeping a close eye on their interactions.

My reflection gazed back at me from the old mirror, the feelings of anger and betrayal carved into my face. I stood there, smoothing my hair with deliberate slowness, as if each stroke could somehow calm the feelings of betrayal inside me. If I was going to survive in this world, I needed to be smarter, more aware. I couldn’t afford to blindly trust anyone.

“Can I really do this?” I murmured to myself. The question hung in the air, unanswered, as I forced a casual shrug, trying to see if I could truly appear unbothered. My shoulders felt stiff, showing the tension I was trying so hard to conceal.

I adjusted my posture, attempting to project an air of nonchalance, but the mirror reflected my doubts back at me. I took a deep breath and exhaled slowly, watching my reflection mimic an expression of calm indifference. It was almost convincing if you didn’t look too closely at my eyes.

“Who am I kidding?” I thought, a sarcastic smile tugging at the corners of my mouth. “I’m a terrible actress.” The smile faded as quickly as it had appeared, replaced by a look of grim resolve. I couldn’t afford to let them see through me. Not yet.

The truth was, I was scared. Scared of the demons, of the unknown, and of being left to fend for myself. But fear wasn’t an option right now. I had to act like I had everything under control, even though inside, I felt like I was balancing on a tightrope over a bottomless pit. Their argument had shattered my trust, but I still needed their protection.

I squared my shoulders and forced one last smile. “You’ve got this,” I whispered to myself. “Just keep it together a little longer.” With one last look at my reflection, I turned and headed towards the living room, determined to act as if nothing had happened.

I heard the front door open and close, followed by the sound of footsteps heading toward the kitchen. Cyrus and Marcus must have just come inside from their training session. I took a deep breath and walked in, finding them both in the kitchen. Cyrus was slightly bent over, clearly still in pain from the kick to his side earlier. His face tightened briefly as he moved, a grimace flickering across his face before he smoothed it out into a more neutral expression.

“Morning,” I said, trying to sound casual as I entered the kitchen. The smell of fresh coffee and toast filled the air, mingling with the lingering scents of the house.

“Good morning,” Marcus replied, his tone steady and warm. He glanced at Cyrus, who was trying to hide his discomfort, and then back at me.

I couldn’t help but ask, “Cyrus, are you okay? What happened?”

Cyrus straightened up, forcing a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes. “Just a little mishap during training. Nothing to worry about.”

Marcus nodded in agreement, a small sarcastic smile lingering on the corners of his lips. “Just some harmless training. It happens.”

I arched an eyebrow but decided not to press further. Instead, I moved toward the table, where a modest breakfast spread awaited. Toast, jams, and a bowl of fresh fruit lay invitingly on the table. “Did you guys already eat?” I asked, grabbing a piece of toast.

“We were waiting for you,” Marcus said, a hint of a smile playing on his lips.

I took a seat, watching as Cyrus carefully lowered himself into a chair. He reached for a slice of toast, smothering it in butter and a ridiculous amount of jam and then adding an alarming amount of sugar to his coffee. It was quite a contrast to my fantasies of him the night before, all dark chocolate and espresso. Instead, it seemed he had a sweet tooth.

I couldn’t help but smile at the revelation, amused by the contrast. My eyes flicked to Marcus, who was assembling a more balanced plate. His movements were calm and deliberate, perfectly fitting the image I had of him.

“Do you need anything?” Marcus began after a while, breaking the comfortable silence. “I noticed your backpack was torn yesterday. We could walk into town to get you some new supplies.”

I nodded, grateful for the suggestion. “That would be great. The demons shredded quite a lot of my clothes, and my laptop got destroyed in the attack. Is there an electronics store in town?”

Marcus nodded. “There is. We can stop by and see what they have.”

After breakfast, I headed back to my room to change into something more practical for our outing. I chose a pair of comfortable jeans, a soft, long-sleeved shirt, and my trusty last pair of surviving sneakers. It seemed the demons had a thing for shoes, as they had destroyed all other pairs I had in my backpack. My clothes felt like a suit of armor for the psychological warfare I was heading into, practical and familiar.

When I rejoined them downstairs, the morning air was fresh and stimulating as we stepped outside. The sky was a bright, clear blue, and the town itself had an old-timey charm, with cobblestone streets and tiny stores between the houses. The normalcy of the scene felt almost surreal after everything I had been through.

Cyrus tagged along, his movements still a bit stiff but otherwise seeming more at ease. He mentioned that he also had to pick up a few things since he was running low on clothes.

As we strolled down the streets, I turned to Cyrus, genuinely curious about his lifestyle. “Do you always live on the road?”

He shrugged, a hint of a smile playing on his lips. “Mostly. My parents have a house in France where I stay between missions, but I’m usually on the move. I rarely stay in one country for more than a few months.”

I nodded, relating to the nomadic existence. “It’s similar for me. We have a family house near Oradea that belonged to my grandparents on my mom’s side. We remodeled it after my mom’s disappearance. My dad and I kept a small apartment on the upper floor, and we rent out the lower floor to a nice family who takes care of the house while we’re gone.”

The conversation flowed easily, the walk and the mundane task of shopping providing a welcome distraction from the heavier thoughts lurking in the back of my mind. We visited a few shops, picking out clothes and supplies. I found a sturdy new backpack and a decent laptop, essentials for both survival and research. The shopkeepers were friendly, and their warm smiles and casual banter made the experience feel almost normal, like any other day. The small excursion felt nearly therapeutic and nearly made me forget the situation I was in.

As we wandered from shop to shop, I couldn’t help but notice the subtle dynamics between us. Marcus was the steady presence, offering support without intrusion. Cyrus, on the other hand, seemed to hover on the edge of something more personal, his touches and glances loaded with unspoken tension.

In one of the stores, Cyrus picked out some new clothes for himself. “I hadn’t expected to jump from one mission to the next so quickly,” he said, examining a jacket. His tone was light, but there was a hint of something deeper beneath the surface.

I caught the ambiguity in his words, wondering whether he meant the mission of protecting me or the one he planned to leave on once the new trainer arrived. I made a mental note of that ambiguity, tucking it away for later consideration.

After making our purchases, we decided to stop at a small café for a quick break. The scent of freshly baked pastries and rich coffee filled the air, and we found a cozy corner table. Cyrus ordered a sweet pastry, and I couldn’t help but smirk at his choice, the image of him as a dark chocolate and espresso kind of guy firmly debunked.

Marcus took a sip of his coffee and turned to me. “Kate, I noticed you’ve been handling everything remarkably well, considering the circumstances. How are you holding up?”

His question caught me off guard, and I paused, considering my response. “It’s been… challenging,” I admitted, stirring my tea. “But having both of you around has made it easier to cope.”

I deliberately emphasized “both of you,” hoping to provoke a reaction, to see if they would address the fact that Cyrus might be leaving. Their eyes met briefly, a fleeting exchange that didn’t escape my notice. It was a small, almost unnoticeable glance, but it spoke volumes. Yet, they remained silent about Cyrus’s upcoming departure. I filed this observation in my mind, adding it to my mental notes.

Marcus nodded, his gaze steady. “Remember, we’re here to support you. If there’s anything you need, don’t hesitate to ask.”

I smiled, appreciating his concern. “Thank you, Marcus. I really do appreciate it.”

Trying to probe further, I decided to shift the conversation. “So, how does your organization work? Is there a specific group or leader in charge?”

Marcus’s expression remained neutral, but there was a flicker of something in his eyes—perhaps caution. “It’s a structured hierarchy. Decisions are made by a council of experienced hunters.”

Cyrus nodded, adding, “Yeah, it’s all very organized. They keep track of missions and assign tasks based on our strengths.”

I pressed on, sensing their evasiveness. “But who exactly is on this council? How do they decide who gets assigned where?”

Marcus took a sip of his coffee, clearly buying time. “It’s not something we really discuss openly. The council members are known within the organization, but their identities aren’t public for safety reasons.”

Cyrus glanced at Marcus, then back at me, offering a weak smile. “It’s all about maintaining secrecy to protect everyone involved.”

Their vague answers only heightened my suspicions. They were clearly hiding something, and their reluctance to provide details made me even more wary. I forced a smile, pretending to accept their explanations, but inside, my resolve to uncover the truth grew stronger.

I leaned back in my chair, sipping my tea as I continued to probe. “So, how does someone become a member of your organization? Is there a specific process or criteria?”

Marcus and Cyrus exchanged another glance, and I couldn’t help but feel a pang of frustration at their silent communication. “It’s a rigorous process,” Marcus said carefully. “Potential members are usually identified early on, often through recommendations from existing hunters. They undergo extensive training and evaluation before being accepted.”

Cyrus nodded in agreement, his eyes watching me closely. “It’s not just about physical ability. We look for people with strong moral compasses and a genuine desire to protect others. The training is intense, but it prepares us for the dangers we face.”

I frowned slightly, not entirely satisfied with their answers. “And what happens once someone is accepted? How much control does the organization have over their lives?”

Marcus sighed, clearly getting frustrated with my barrage of questions. “It’s a commitment, Kate. We have to be ready to respond to threats at a moment’s notice. That means a lot of travel and a certain level of unpredictability. But it’s also a choice. No one is forced to stay.”

“But leaving isn’t exactly easy, is it?” I pushed, struggling to keep my tone neutral. “It seems like once you’re in, it’s hard to get out.”

Cyrus looked thoughtful for a moment before responding. “It’s true that the work is demanding and dangerous. But it’s also incredibly rewarding. We’re making a difference, protecting people from things they don’t even know exist. For most of us, that outweighs the sacrifices.”

I opened my mouth to ask another question, but Marcus’s eyes narrowed slightly, a flicker of suspicion crossing his face. Realizing I might be pushing too hard, I decided to back off and change tactics. I forced a light laugh, trying to dispel the tension.

“I’m sorry if I’m bombarding you with questions,” I said, waving my hand dismissively. “It’s just all so new and fascinating to me. I guess I’m just trying to understand this world I’m suddenly a part of.”

Marcus’s expression softened a bit, though his gaze remained cautious. “It’s understandable, Kate. It’s a lot to take in.”

Cyrus nodded, offering me a reassuring smile. “We get it. It’s not every day someone finds out about demons and secret organizations. Take your time to adjust.”

I smiled back, hoping I looked convincingly grateful. “Thanks. I appreciate that. I’m just trying to make sure I’m prepared for whatever comes next.”

Marcus seemed to relax a little, though I could tell he was still keeping a close eye on me. “You’ll get there. We all had to start somewhere.”

I nodded, deciding it was best to drop the topic for now. “So, what’s the plan for today? More training?”

Cyrus grinned. “Always more training. But we can take it easy this morning, especially after yesterday.”

“Sounds good,” I said, feeling a bit more at ease. “I could use a little break.”

Once we were back at the house, I excused myself to my room, claiming I needed to organize my new supplies. As I sorted through my purchases, my mind kept racing with everything I had learned and the questions that still lingered.

I knew I couldn’t trust Cyrus and Marcus completely, but I also needed their help. For now, I would continue to play along, gathering information and trying to piece together the bigger picture. There was still so much I didn’t know, and I couldn’t afford to let my guard down.