I heard Aunt Astrid, Aunt Torvi, and Milana scream at me to move. I didn’t. I got hit with what felt like a gel pack that exploded on my skin. It stung, but that was nothing when my skin absorbed whatever it was. It felt like a fire in blood.
Then, as quickly as it hit, I could feel I had my Fairy powers back. I started shooting sunlight from my hands again. Rain said, “It was Laxenread.” I knew that. They’d somehow made it into a paintball of sorts, instead of an injection. DAMN. These people were smart.
I watched her toss that gun to the side. She pointed to her left and looked back at me. I frowned looking at what she’d pointed at. What did she want me to see? Then I remembered the building was going to blow. That’s what she’d pointed at.
I popped to the side of the pond since I’d probably have to pop her out. The force of the explosion still knocked me down. The last thing I saw was Bravo One jumping off the bike midair and diving into the pond.
My ears were ringing when I opened my eyes. Something was heavy on my chest. I sat up in time to see Bravo One disappear into a holoport. A Witch?! Seriously?! A Demon AND a Witch?! That was a holoport. I clutched my chest. My phone? Why was my phone on my chest?
Rain sounded dazed, “I’m not sure.” I took off for the holoport. I cursed, “Come the fuck on!” I couldn’t get it. I was about to call Corbin when a pop sounded as portals opened all around.
My mom, dad, and Alexander ran to me. Alexander crushed me in a hug. I was ripped away from him by Cayden. He pulled back and took the ring off my finger and whispered in my hair, “You’re ok.” I assured him, “I’m fine. Someone needs to check on Aunt Astrid, Torvi, and Milana. The explosion probably knocked them out too. They were to the west.” Hendrix took off like a shot.
My dad asked, “Princess, what the hell happened here?” I explained, “I came to make a buy so we could all come back. It went fine until it didn’t. Apparently, they have their buying rooms bugged. Whatever Fairies they are working with told them I had a Fairy charm.”
My mom hissed, “Fucking pricks!” Cayden questioned, “How did you blow up the building? You could’ve turned your phone back on and called sooner. Or said something when you did call.” I stared at him for several seconds. Rain asked, “Uhh what?” Yeah, I had the same thoughts.
I answered, “I didn’t blow up the building, turn my phone on, nor did I call you.” Cayden said, “Yes, you did. It’s how Micah tracked you.” I shook my head, “No…” I trailed off when my Uncle Bjourn opened a portal.
He looked around before ordering, “Everyone get what you can from the building.” People dispersed. He ran over to the area Aunt Astrid had to be in. My mom popped to my uncle and kissed his cheek when he walked back over with my aunts. Both were fine. I searched and found Milana. All were dazed. They must have been knocked out, like I was, in the blast.
My mom greeted my uncle, “Hello, brother.” He smiled, “Hello, little one. Cass, are you ok?” I nodded. Alexander popped to me and healed my back. He said, “I thought you got hit with iron based on what I felt.”
I snorted, “I was. We need to know what’s on the drug Rings bullets. It’s NOT just iron. I started to get sluggish. If not for the strength you were throwing at me big brother, I don’t know that I would’ve been standing at the end.”
Alexander linked me, “You know EJ didn’t feel it, or he’d be here.” I acknowledged, “I know. Elise is in heat. It’s fine that he didn’t notice because of their bond. It’s the one that takes priority. Plus, I’m fine.” Confused but fine.
My mom said, “Why don’t you come home for dinner tonight if you and Cayden can manage it?” I nodded, “I’ll be there.” My mom grabbed my dad, “Come on. We have seen that she is fine. She needs to be debriefed. She wasn’t out here for us, and she will be home for dinner. Let’s go put the others at ease. You know they are driving me insane with their fucking anxiety over this. I feel the need to pull at my hair.” Alexander frowned.
I knew from my dad and brother’s feelings they didn’t want to leave. My mom stomped her foot, “Both of you stop that. We are leaving. We will see Cass later. She’s a big girl, and she’s fine.” Alexander linked me, “You’re coming home?” I said, “I’ll be there later, I promise.” He kissed my forehead and popped away. My dad crushed me in a hug then pulled back. My mom gave me a normal hug then popped my dad out.
Cayden was so furious his eyes were still blazing. I popped to the spot where Bravo One had thrown the gun she used to shoot me. I picked it up then popped back. Cayden ordered, “No popping away from me right now.” Ok then.
I held out the gun to the group. He frowned, “These don’t look like the ones our people have collected from the Drug Ring.” I replied, “It’s not theirs. This is what gave me my powers back. It’s what made me feel less like I was going to pass out.”
My Uncle surmised, “So, you ran into The Resistance.” Aunt Astrid snorted, “And took ten goddamn years off my life.” Aunt Torvi agreed, “Mine too.” I winced, “One of the Resistance members got pinned down covering my retreat. She called out to Bravo One. Speaking of Cayden, can Ashley drive a motorcycle?”
Cayden nodded, “Yes, but so can lots of people.” I pursed my lips knowing he was right. I continued, “Bravo One shot me with this. She blew up the building to cover the escape of the girl who’d been pinned down. Does Ashley know a Demon and a Witch?” Cayden answered, “She does but again, so do a lot of people. I know a Witch and a Demon. So do you, My Duchess.”
I thought about it then said, “Bravo One has to be the one that called you. I saw her run through a holoport. I woke up with my phone on my chest. She risked me waking up with my powers, that she gave back to me, to call you and get you here when I was already safe. It HAS to be her. It HAS to be Ashley.”
Cayden frowned, “Unfortunately, none of that is proof.” Uncle Bjourn said, “Maybe we can get something out of this.” He took the gun from me and held it up. It really was like a modified paintball gun.
Cayden shook his head, “She’s too smart. If it’s her, and I think it is, it’s not proof. The burner I was called on is something. Someone knew my number because we don’t list our names on burners.” Uncle Bjourn played devil’s advocate, “It could’ve been a lucky guess. Or they just picked a number and dialed.”
Cayden nodded, “It could've been either of those things. I just don’t believe that.” Uncle Bjourn admitted, “Neither do I. Let’s get home.” He opened a portal. I looked backwards taking another look at the area.
Cayden linked me, “Get your perfectly round ass through that portal right fucking now.” I sighed, “I should be helping with the cleanup.” Cayden raised an eyebrow warning, “My Duchess, GET through the damn portal or I will THROW you over my shoulder and carry you through it.”
My eyes widened because he was serious. It could be fun. Rain said, “I don’t think pushing him now is a good call.” I sighed and walked through the portal.I could have fun later I supposed. Our bond told me now was definitely not the moment to push him. Rain was right.
My Uncle’s had both my aunt’s on their laps. I was quickly pulled into Cayden’s. We’d lost Hendrix and Milana somewhere along the way. I walked them through the whole situation three different times before they were satisfied.
They asked several questions, but I’d only seen three Resistance members. I only knew Bravo One and the girl who’d covered me were female. The Demon was gone in a shimmer, and I hadn’t determined gender. Neither of my aunts could tell either.
Uncle Gunner walked in looking grim. He handed Uncle Bjourn a report. Uncle Bjourn slammed his hands on the table. Cayden took the report, and his rage hit me so hard I nearly fell over. I asked, “What happened?”
Uncle Bjourn answered, “We ran labs on the bullets in the weapons we recovered. They were laced with Anectine. It’s a neuromuscular blocking agent. I’m sure it would’ve worked on someone who is not a hybrid like you are. Thankfully, they did not know who you were. Since you have three different sides to you the dose you were shot with wasn’t for that. I’m sure it was just for a regular Fairy.”
