Page 179 of The Married Alpha And His Arrow: Vol 1

I asked, “What’s going to happen?” Heath shrugged, “I put them up in a cottage, and I locked up the family members that attacked him. I’ll talk to them tomorrow. I told the rest of them if they wanted to question me, and my devotion to my people; including their daughter, they could leave. I would never put our people in danger. I am in the unique position of knowing what it is to lose a string. Her family wanted to kill him, but I know what that would do to her.”

I sighed, “Chase told me you’ll get a second chance because you're our leader.” Heath nodded, “Yes, I know that. As your wolf apparently does.” I gently said, “You could look for her.” Heath snorted, “I’m quite busy right now, you know? My sister has been off becoming my best asset for several years now, and it’s given me grey hair. I’ve been trying to solve my parents murder that’s beyond cold. Scrounge up our deadbeat family, hunt down my psychotic former Lieutenant and watch out for my people.” His plate was pretty full, but a string would help.

He added, “Not to mention getting my over string’s death after just finding her. She’d just fully accepted what I am, and how our life would be when I lost her Lex. It took me months to get her to even sit in the same room as me for longer than ten minutes. I gave her space, but I had basically talked her into being with me. Then she was gone.”

I cringed, “I didn’t know she struggled.” Heath said, “All humans struggle knowing the things they thought are lore are real. Not to mention the beings like us they have never heard of. She had just accepted moving to the Shroud the day before her death.”

Alarm bells were ringing in my head. I gulped and looked away. Heath asked, “What?” I opened my mouth but said nothing. I promised to never lie to him, and that’s what would’ve come out of my mouth. Heath took my hand, “Lex?”

I bit the bullet, “Her death and Sophia’s father’s death seem very similar. Are they not?” Heath was taken aback. He said, “She was human, they get diseases.” I argued, “The War Goddess gave YOU a fragile human? I don’t think so. I looked into her when you found her. She was a bad ass who’d never even had a damn cold.”

The realization of my own statement hit me. I covered my mouth, “Oh my god.” Heath paled and then his anger fired on several cylinders. He hissed, “I will mercilessly kill someone if they took her from me.” I asked, “Could she be related in some way to Alpha Allister?” Heath answered, “She didn’t have a family. She was an orphan….”

I said, “I’m sorry. I just added to your plate, didn’t I?” Heath rubbed his temples, “I should’ve thought of that. I just loved her, and her death hit me hard. I couldn’t think it through logically.” I assured him, “I know you loved her, Heath.”

Heath frowned, “I didn’t even know how bad it was. You and Haley were dark, but I was going to have her healed when you got back. She was supposed to have months to live not hours. God damn it! She was killed.” I cringed but got up to hug him.

When we pulled apart we sat in silence before Isaiah burst through the door. He told him, “Heath, we need you. Two of our people are under heavy fire on their missions.” I stood up. Heath looked at me. I said, “I’ll come with you.”

Heath shook his head, “No, you are still Noel’s on call.” I groaned, “Be careful. Get your game face on.” I worried my theory was going to distract him. Heath assured me, “I always have my emotions ready to lock away. Just like you when you slide into your BA outfit. That’s what our monikers are for. Our problems fade when we put on the suit. Remember that if you have to put yours on tonight.”

I had several spare BA outfits hidden all over the place. One was in Heath’s house. I nodded, “I know. It’s the first lesson you taught me.” Heath ran to his office and flashed out a second later as the Hood himself.

Isaiah sighed and sat down. I nudged him, “Is it hard being the Lieutenant?” Isaiah sighed, “Yes, it’s fun too though. It’s also very stressful. We all know if Tate liked paperwork a little more than Heath would’ve chosen him.” I nodded, “I understand. If you ever need someone to talk to, I’m here. Heath wouldn’t have asked you if he didn’t believe in you.” Isaiah smiled, “Thank you, Lexi.”

I looked at my watch and noted I would need to meet Ted and Matt in about thirty minutes. Noah’s parents burst through the door. Denise’s face was tear stained. This was the first time I’d seen them since Noah had gone off the rails. Edgar looked at me then Isaiah. It stung a bit. He used to be like a father to me, but I understood why he chose the Troll. He was his son, and I stayed away. I didn’t give any of them the chance to talk to me anymore.

Edgar asked, “Where’s Heath?” Isaiah answered, “He had an emergency.” Denise asked, “Who’s Noel’s back up?” I spoke confidently, “I am. Did he miss a check in, or call for help?” Edgar grimaced, “You?” I replied, “Yes, me. If you need a reminder, I stepped up and helped him on Halloween. Noel is a good kid.”

Edgar’s eyes went hard, “Noah is too.” I snorted, “You want to convince me my stalker and the wanna be murderer of Sally Quaid who stabbed Susanna for fun is a good guy? Keep your opinion to yourself there. I have no sympathy for your oldest son’s psychotic ass. Plus, I know you and I know you don’t believe what you just said. I kept your sons’ secrets for three years, and he throws it in my damn face all the time. What’s going on with Noel?”

Neither Edgar nor Denise said anything. Denise just started sobbing, “My baby, my baby.” I turned and ran for my gear that was hidden here. I flashed through the clothing change and came back in my BA gear. A pop sounded. A fairy smiled, “You rang Lieutenant of the Hood.”

I groaned, “Who the hell are you?” The man turned, “I am Exsis. You are the Black Arrow.” Isaiah explained, “Noel was on a rescue mission. There were Mintor guards in play. Only a few though.” I groaned. Denise wailed. Was she always this annoying?

I asked, “Where?” Isaac showed me the coordinates. Of COURSE, he had to be in New Orleans. I looked at the Fairy. I grabbed a piece of paper and wrote a note in code to Haley.

Haley,

Nffu nf jo Mpvjtbob. Jo uif ifbsu pg hipvm bmmfz njoupst jo qmbz

BA

I looked at Exsis. I ordered, “Pop me near Noel.” Exsis smiled, “My pleasure to be of service as your liaison...” I cut him off, “What the fuck ever. Let’s go. We have a man in need, and no time to waste. Once you pop me in, pop to Princess Haley Conners. Give her this and bring her to me. Then we may need you to pop Noel back here.”

Exsis smirked, “I get to see my Princess? This is a good day. I haven’t seen her in so long.” Denise questioned me, “Why do you need her? Just save Noel, BA. Please!” I assured her, “I will bring Noel home, Denise. I swear it. I’m bringing in Haley because if he’s hurt, she can heal him.” She nodded.

Edgar still looked pissed, but I wasn’t sure it was with me. He told me, “Bring my son home, BA.” Exsis commented, “So demanding. Not even a please. How delightfully rude this man is. Off we go to save the day! Being the liaison between the Hood and Fae has been delightfully fun. I hope my friend Aiden never gives me a new job. I’d kill my own brother to keep it.”

I demanded, “Pop away.” He popped me in and immediately popped out. I ducked straight for cover. I nearly scoffed. Guarded by a few mintor’s? This place was crawling with them. No wonder Noel hadn’t called in. I didn’t even see him in the area. Who was he saving?

I silently made my way towards the building. I stopped in my tracks when I heard Noel say, “Go ahead, kill me. I’ll won’t tell you anything.” I heard a man laugh, “Kill you? No, dear boy. I don’t plan to kill you.”

I heard a sickening snap as Noel screamed in pain. Haley popped beside me with Exsis. She quietly said something to him in Fealish, and he popped away somewhere. Noel screamed, “FUCK YOU, ASSHOLE! I WON’T SAY ANYTHING!”

Haley sighed, “Is that the fucking Troll’s brother?” I answered, “Yes.” Haley grimaced, “I swear I’m being tested by someone about somefuckingthing.” I laughed, “I need to save him.” Haley asked, “Do we have to? He’s an ass. He’s quite possibly in league with the fucking Troll. This could be a trap for you.” I disagreed, “Noel’s not like that.” Haley sighed, “Fine. let’s save his dumb, possible Troll, ass.”

We started slowly killing the Mintor guards outside the structure. Haley hated being subtle, but we just wanted to get Noel and get out. We made our way inside. I noticed three mintor’s guarding a room. I got Haley’s attention. She frowned. Guarding that room didn’t make sense. Noel wasn’t in there. This must be who he was supposed to save. We ambushed, killed, and disposed of them easily. Haley had snapped them out before they could sound the alarm.

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