Ascended

I was happy for the distraction.

Darren had come to escort me to the zombie-holding area. In my opinion, he had shown up at just the right time. One of her wrangler friends might be able to convince Val that I had nothing to do with the scene in front of us.

“Up here!” Val took a step back. I could still see the anger in her eyes, but the threat of impending violence seemed to have passed.

Darren hopped up the stairs. He looked shocked to find us so tense. “What’s going on?”

Val pointed into the room, “He killed Sera.”

Darren reached for his sword.

“Whoa!” I grabbed the hilt of my weapon, “I did not kill anyone. That’s what I keep trying to tell her. I was asleep whenever this happened!” I watched him study me, “I want answers as much as you do! She is a good person.”

Darren kept his sword in its sheath but didn’t take his eyes off me as he walked into the room. He knelt down and touched the blood and then smelled his fingers.

“It’s fresh.” He declared, “Maybe a few hours old at best.” He turned to Val, “What was she doing in your room?”

“He did it.” Val pointed at me.

“Whoa!” I held my hands up, “As I’ve already said, Sera told me to put you in her room, so she decided to sleep in yours.” I looked between both of them. “It was Sera’s idea, not mine. I just did what she told me.”

“Can anyone verify this?” Darren asked, “What about your partner?”

“He’s passed out in the store room.” I said, “Sera had me put him there first.”

Darren moved towards the door, “So no one can vouch for what you say happened?”

“Why would I lie?” I kept my hand on my sword and backed up a step. “I’m Bokor! We kill zombies, not humans!”

Darren shrugged and turned to Val, “He has a point, they might be uppity jerks, but when have you heard of a Bokor killing someone?”

I breathed a sigh of relief. Finally, someone was thinking clearly.

“If he didn’t do it, then who?” Val demanded.

“What about those guys from last night?” I offered, “I can’t imagine they were happy with you.”

“They are still in the drunk cage.” Darren said, “I saw them there on my way over.”

“What about family? Friends?” I pushed the point, “Or anyone else that might have a grudge against you?”

Val sank to the floor, tears streaming down her face. “I don’t know…” Her voice trailed off.

“Hey,” I knelt down next to her and put my hand on her shoulder, “I promise I’ll help you figure out who hurt her. And I’ll make sure they pay.”

She blinked away tears, “Why?”

“Your sister was a good person.” I couldn’t believe I was willing to risk the timetable, but this was worth it. The council would not be happy to learn that humans were killing their own and I did nothing. At least I hoped they’d buy that.

“That she was.” Darren clapped his hands together, “I’ll tell you what, you take our Bokor friend to the zombie cage for me and I’ll call the guard to start investigating.”

“Are you sure?” Val asked, “Shouldn’t I be here?”

“I’ll handle it.” Darren waved for us to leave, “Go clear your head and when you get back, you’ll have a pair of fresh eyes.” He took a somber look, “Now go, I’ve got this.”