Page 28 of Saint

“What if she’s found a way to hide her own radiation if that’s even what it is?” asked Hex.

“It is,” said Riley, walking toward them, “and we can guarantee that she didn’t.”

“How can you guarantee that?” asked Luke.

“All of our planes are equipped with radioactive detection devices. So are the monitors that the men wear with our cameras and life detection. They were going off. Not big enough for us to worry, which is why we thought it was probably just Griffin. It wasn’t. We know now that it was her as well.”

“So, in theory, we should be able to find her using the device she contracted us for,” said Eric, nodding at the group.

“In theory,” said Stephanie, walking toward the group with Thomas, Paige, and Ryan. Brax stiffened, looking at the beautiful woman. She didn’t even bother to make eye contact with him.

“You guys have figured all of this out?” asked Eric.

“I wouldn’t say all of it,” said Thomas, “but we’re ninety percent there.”

“We look ridiculous standing out here on the runways,” said Luke. “Let’s focus on grieving for Griffin and laying him to rest. When that’s done, we go hunting.”

Kane stood over his friend’s coffin, shedding tears for yet another family member he couldn’t protect. He felt the solid hand on his shoulder and knew immediately who it was. He didn’t flinch. He just felt the warmth and light flooding his body, just as he had the first time.

“How are you alive?” he whispered.

“How is any of us alive?” asked Matthew. Kane looked at the older man, shaking his head.

“You’re alive, but you’re not. I can feel that. You have a goodness in you unlike anything or anyone I’ve ever met, including a child. It’s almost unnatural and yet it’s the goodness that all men seek. How?”

“Some things just don’t need to be explained, Kane. Will you be saying a few words for Griffin?”

“I-I don’t think I can. I hate that I can’t, but I’ll only break down, and how will that help Marilisa?”

“It’s alright, son. I’ll say a few words before the priest.”

“He wasn’t Catholic,” said Kane.

“I know. It doesn’t matter what the man is wearing. It matters what he says, and he’ll say something perfect for your friend.”

The small chapel that Matthew had built for Irene was overflowing, as it always was these days. Usually, weddings or baptisms. Funerals were rare for their team any longer. This one happened because he was too far from medical, too far from the pond. But whether they all knew it or not, it was how it was destined to be.

“If you’ll all take your seats, it’s time we begin,” said Matthew. “Griffin requested to be buried on the island of the animal sanctuary as a tribute to his brother, Gable. When the time is right, we’ll be bringing him back here to join him.”

Marilisa sniffed, holding tightly to Saint’s arm.

“The priest will give you the official stuff,” smirked Matthew. “I’m here to tell you all about Griffin. We specialize in being protectors around here. It’s what we do. Men and women alike. We pop them out like fireworks on the 4thof July.”

The crowd snickered and nodded.

“Irene and I were just getting to know Griffin, but we felt as though he were one of our sons. We knew he was one of our sons. He was a protector all the way to his bones. He worried more about each of you than he did himself. That’s a sure-fire sign he was in the right place.

“It doesn’t seem fair when a man who hasn’t even truly begun his new life, gets taken from us. But we all know that the world works in mysterious ways. It has a way of giving us what we need, just when we need it most. He needed Marilisa. He needed to know that his nightmares were for a reason. He discovered that and found his heart living right here.

“We went fishing a few days ago. You can tell a lot about a man by the way he fishes. What he keeps and what he throws back. That was a man deserving of life. He spoke of his fellow gifted friends and his love and devotion for you all. He told stories about each of you, which I am going to want to hear more of,” he said with a wink.

“He is not lost to us. He will never be lost to us as long as you all keep him alive in your hearts. When you speak of him fondly, he will be alive for you. Near you. Watching over you always.”

“I’ll always feel him,” whispered Marilisa. Matthew smiled at the young woman and nodded.

“And that is why he will always be here.”

Behind Matthew, Franklin, Nathan, Yori, Grip, Tony, and the others appeared. Behind them, their newest guardian, Griffin. He smiled at the crowd, the original Belle Fleur members only smiling back. But his teammates could only stare.

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