Page 181 of The Married Alpha And His Arrow: Vol 1

I jumped out from behind the table without thinking. Haley screamed, “NO!” I ran for my brother. I ordered, “DON’T TOUCH HIM!” I tackled the air that was supposed to be Heath. Haley tackled me as Blade knocked over another table, just as we were blasted into the wall. I sat up and coughed.

I yelled, “HALEY!” She sat up, “God. Cracked ribs suck.” I winced, “They do.” Blade said, “Later Talk. Run. Pop. Eat Pie.” Haley healed me then said, “Right. Let’s fucking go.” We ran out the door where several hungry vampires were waiting.

One said, “I will drain you dry, Princess.” Another said, “No, I will make her my blood slave.” Haley snorted, “That’s so six fucking months ago. Keep up. I’ll stake your fucking asses too. In fact.” She conjured three arrows with stakes as the tips. She gave them to me.

I quickly fired them. Blade laughed, “Two funny. Missed missions. Hijinks.” Haley rolled her eyes. I admitted, “I didn’t get that one.” Haley explained, “He thinks we are funny, he’s sad he missed our other missions, and the hijinks we pulled.” I nodded.

Mintor’s, witches, warlocks, and more vampires were coming at us. Haley grabbed us, “If at first you get burned by popping, move to the next room and pop again.” I corrected her, “It’s if at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.”

Haley groaned, “Oh my lord. If I’d kept trying in there we’d be fucked. I’d be seriously burned. Fuck it. Let’s just go. I’m GOING to find this ‘they’ everyone speaks of that comes up with sayings here. ‘They’ suck ass.” She grabbed us and we popped into Haley’s home.

I could not believe that worked. They’d only blocked Haley from popping in that one room. Sadly, whoever this was wouldn’t make that mistake again. I looked at Blade’s phone. He was sending people to that location. Maybe that group would make that mistake again since the Hackura would kill them all. Haley couldn’t believe I’d made her heal Noel.

I tried to explain he had been an ass because he was in pain. She would’ve healed him eventually anyway. I know the pain he was in hurt her as a healer. She couldn’t ignore it. She could pull her Hackura side up, but her eyes were never blazing. She didn’t really want to deny him a healing. She just wanted Noel to not be an ass about it.

Haley invited me to stay. I declined saying I did Thanksgiving with my brother. Which was not a lie. Her eyes didn’t show anything, but I knew she knew we did lunch. I didn't know what time it was, but the Conners weren’t eating dinner yet so maybe I wasn’t late to dinner.

We were snapped clean by someone. I heard it but didn’t see the person who’d done it. Bjourn offered to open a portal for me. I had clothes I could change into at Haley’s, but I needed to see Heath. I needed to see that he was ok.

Bjourn opened a portal and we stepped through. He asked, “Are you alright?” I assured him, “I’m fine. I’m sorry Haley got hurt.” Bjourn’s eyes blazed, “She was in severe pain twice. What happened?” I high leveled it for him, “Iron based witch or warlock shield that burned her badly. Somehow, they thought she would be there. Then we were in an explosion.”

Bjourn snorted, “I guessed that based on your entrance. Where to?” I answered, “My brother’s house.” Bjourn smirked, “I was hoping you’d say that.” We walked into Heath’s living room. Bjourn announced, “He’s not here.” I panicked, “No! HE HAS TO BE HERE!”

I started flashing from room to room. Bjourn grabbed me. He told me, “I called him, he’s on the way.” I asked, “You spoke to him. He’s fine?” Bjourn nodded, “He is fine, I promise you that. Go Change and wash your face. I’ll stay until he gets here.” I nodded.

I turned then ran back to hug him. I whispered, “Thank you, Bjourn.” He said, “You are family to us, Lexi Scott. We all love you. Go shower, you’ll feel better.” I pulled away from him, grabbed my phone, and sent Ted and Chase a text telling them I was running late but I’d be there soon.

I jumped in the shower and scrubbed my skin getting all the dirt and soot off. I quickly grabbed an outfit and ran downstairs as Heath came in. Bjourn said, “I’ll go now. I’ll see you around, Lexi.” He nodded to my brother, “Heath.”

The second he was gone I jumped on Heath. I whispered, “You’re ok.” Heath said, “I’m fine. I was worried about you.” I cringed, “I saw... it doesn’t matter. You’re fine.” Heath nodded, “As are you.” We hugged for several minutes.

Heath pulled back, “I believe based on the plans you told me about you are several hours late for dinner.” I winced, “Yes, but I just needed to see you first.” Heath told me, “We can discuss why later. For now, go live your life. Good job saving Noel and Zeke.”

I asked, “Did your thing go ok?” Heath frowned, “We were sent out on several traps tonight. When Zeke was popped back with Noel, they were our last out that were unaccounted for besides you.” I nodded. I hugged him one last time.

I forced myself to let him go and flashed away. I made it to Chase’s house in record time. I walked in, “I’m so sorry I’m late there was an….” I was cut off as Chase’s arms engulfed me as he deeply inhaled my scent. We stayed that way for several minutes until he pulled back.

He jokingly said, “You are three hours late for dinner that….” He broke off and buried his face in my neck again. He whispered, “Christ! I was so worried.” I just let him hold me. He steadied himself then said, “The rest of the joke I’d worked out was saying that's not an acceptable fashionably late window.” I laughed, “It’s a good one.”

I turned to face the rest of the group. They’d all been worried but were clearly relieved by my presence. Frank stood, “I hope you’re ready for every damn person in this room to hug you, Lexi Scott.” He wrapped me up in a hug. He told me, “We are all so damn glad you are ok.” I smiled. They really had become my family.

*** Lexi’s note in Code unscrambled***

Meet me in Louisiana. In the heart of ghoul Alley. Mintor’s in play.

Surprise Attack

Chase stared in shock at Heath Scott dressed as the Hood in his doorway. He was covered in blood. My heart dropped. The Hood asked anxiously, “Is Lexi here?” I answered, “She’s not here yet, she’s late.” The Hood ran a hand through his hair.

Nadine offered, “Please come in.” He flashed in and paced at the speed of light. Ted asked, “Why don’t you go to her?” The Hood answered, “The Fairy liaison hasn’t returned. She’s too far away, and I won’t get there in time.” Ted questioned, “What happened?”

The Hood looked around. I eased his obvious fear, “No one here will speak of what you tell us.” The Hood looked at me demanding, “Swear it.” I rolled my eyes, “I swear no one here will speak about your missions.” He glared at me until Ted cleared his throat.

The Hood looked at him, “Zeke is missing. All of our mission’s tonight were traps.” Ted asked, “Zeke? What about….?” The Hood interrupted, “Kylie is fine, Ted. She held her own and got word to me that everything was a trap. Tate got to her quickly and the threat was neutralized. Now Tate’s out looking for Zeke.” Ted frowned, “But Zeke was out as himself. He was just gathering intel.” The Hood answered, “I know.”

Ted asked, “If Tate went after Zeke, then who is Lexi going after?” The Hood answered, “Noel.” Cameron whispered, “Fuck.” I yelled, “NOEL CALVERT? ARE YOU FUCKING SERIOUS?!” The Hood reasoned, “He’s not his like brother.” I got in his face, “Has he FUCKING PROVED THAT? This could all be a damn trap! Your leak could be working WITH Noel and Noah!” The Hood replied, “I would not endanger her.”

Bolt took over and punched him in the face. He snarled, “YOU DID ENDANGER HER!” Heath smiled. I knew right then and there that this was why he came. He wanted to fight, and for some reason he wanted to fight me. We circled each other and fought. Matt was holding back Ted. Derrick had Sally behind him while my dad looked pained anytime I took a hit.

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