I shook my head, “It’s not the mission… it’s just that everything could change after it.” Xander disagreed, “Nothing will change in three days. I’ll meet you at this address,” He held up the paper, continuing, “that I have memorized. I’ll be there. We will talk, then you will come home with me. No version of this ends differently.” He didn’t know that.
He hummed, “You could tell me you believe in purple leprechauns who live in your gums. You could tell me that you get naked and paint yourself in symbols and dance around a fire for safety and I won’t care. I’ll just want to watch you dance and get all painted up if it’s the second one.”
I laughed then sobered. I asked, “What if it’s a lot worse than that?” Xander shrugged, “I don’t care. I’ll help you with whatever it is. I love you. I don’t care if you’re an assassin or agent of any Council, you are mine. That’s how this ends, us together as we were meant to be.”
He wasn’t totally off on the assassin thing…I kind of was one. Why would he think I was an agent of a Council? Freya snorted, “The Resistance.” I said, “That’s not a council.” I guess he could consider it one. I whispered, “I love you so much, Xander.” He conjured my bag into his hand then popped us downstairs. Sierra was just as puffy and red eyed as I was.
Phil shot Xander a look that said he was not enjoying this goodbye much like we weren’t. Xander asked, “Where am I popping you ladies?” Sierra took out her phone answering, “I checked us in on my phone to this hotel after you brought us here. This is where we were supposed to be staying. We are rooms 402 and 404.” Xander nodded and popped us to the hotel.
I was already starting to feel empty inside. What was I going to do if he didn’t want me? Freya whimpered. Xander pulled me into him before saying, “The offer still stands. I would really like it if you two stayed in the Hackura realm.” Sierra snorted, “If only.” She was right, we couldn’t.
Xander searched my eyes. I answered, “We can’t. We actually have a lot to do in a few days.” Sierra’s dad would put up a hell of stink about her leaving. He’d have to fight me, but he’d try underhanded things first. Probably….I mean I could stop him by directly challenging him though.
Xander sighed, “Alright.” Phil said, “I’m just going to take Sugar Lips over here into that room I just decided was hers.” He picked Sierra up and took her into the adjoining room. The door shut with a thud. It felt like the doors on my heart closing with finality.
Xander put his forefinger under my chin. He told me, “It will go by so very slowly, but it’s only three days. Less if I can manage it. I’ll text you from my burner phone. Call me whenever and I’ll always answer.” I felt a few traitorous tears sneak down my face again.
I whispered, “But... you could need to focus.” Xander said, “I can’t focus if you’re upset and texting me thinking I’ll leave your side forever in three days.” I buried my face into his chest. He ran his hand up and down my hair.
He told me, “I won’t leave you, no matter what this conversation is. It literally could not matter less to me.” I whispered, “Ok.” Xander pulled back, “You could ask me to promise you.” I shook my head, “That’s not fair. You don’t know everything…there is to know….and….”
Xander kissed my nose, “You are amazing, and I love you. I would promise you if you asked because it does feel fair to me.” I told him, “I love you too.” More than he could, or would, probably ever know. My name was going to wreck it all.
Phil came back into the room with Sierra. Xander hugged me and gave me a toe curling kiss. When he pulled back, he practically ordered, “Text me.” I nodded, “I will.” Phil told Sierra. “What he said. You have my number. I’ll just be slowly losing my mind until you are back in Black Mountain. Call me if you change your mind on the timing. I’ll come get you.”
Sierra agreed, “Ok.” Phil opened a portal and both of them begrudgingly left. He closed it then asked, “Are you guys sure you don’t want to come? Because I have to admit, I’m nearly ready to throw you both through.” I snorted, “You couldn’t get me through…I can beat you in a fight.” He winked, “Ahhh but I’m going to cheat.” Sierra told him, “I’ll see you soon.” He groaned then yanked Xander through the portal.
I fell on the bed and sobbed my eyes out. I felt Sierra’s arms around me as she cried herself. I finally said, “I need my phone now, Si. He could text me. He said that you gave it to him and he memorized it.” Sierra snorted, “Your damn right I did.” I whispered, “Thank you.” Sierra winked, “I’ve always got your back.”
Sierra left and came back in with my two phones. One for the Resistance and my regular phone. I technically had access the whole time with my watch, through ILYX, but I did agree to try so… I didn’t even check that one first. I checked my personal one and I already had a text.
Unknown:It’s your mate. I already miss you.
Me:I miss you too, Xander.
I checked my other phone, and the blood promptly drained from my face. Sierra asked, “What?” I told her, “I took a vacation and agreed not to check ILYX on my watch! That’s what happened! People LITERALLY can’t stop making bad decisions. Why? Why must they do this? Call Valentina. NOW! What the HELL is he thinking?!”
Sierra frowned asking, “Who?” I answered, “Jason. Do you want to know what he’s doing?” Before she could reply I ground out, “I’ll tell you. His trying to die. His dumb self is at a mall in Missouri. He’s been flagged already. OH GOSH DARN IT ALL TO HELL! He’s with Theo Conners, Finn Frost and Jayden Lyons. Why the HELL would they go to Missouri?! Did they hit their heads?!”
Sierra got on her phone. She muttered, “Maybe they did.” I think they absolutely did. Theo Conners had been a bit more of a loose cannon on the way to his vengeance after the Ring took Jane. He wanted to avenge what happened to her and I understood that but he needed to go about in a less in their face way … or with backup….way more than he went with.
Valentina shimmered in with a worried look on her face. She threw me a bag. I caught it and ripped off Xander’s hoodie. I threw on a skintight black turtleneck with a bullet proof vest and strapped myself down with weapons. I sprayed myself with the spray I’d developed to make my scent disappear. I looked over and found that Sierra was ready to go as well.
I sighed, “Well, vacation is really freaking over now. Let’s get moving.” A thought hit me. Freya had been really quiet. She whimpered, “Weak.” Seriously?! That’s some bull crap! My poor wolf….she didn’t deserve this!
Another thought brought me up short. The Angel goddess was right. I would be seeing Jason, but he wouldn’t be seeing me. Even if I got close to him, he wouldn’t know I was me. I pulled my mask over my head. I was off to save my brother again.
Pieces of the Puzzle
Alexander woke up slowly. I knew right away something was missing. My eyes popped open, and I noted I was alone again. Melanie’s side of the bed was even cold. I couldn’t smell anything in the kitchen though. Did she leave? FUCK! Oden was quiet but not panicked. So, maybe he was still sleeping.
I linked Phil, “Is Sierra still here?” Phil answered, “Yes. Please know I dread asking this, but why wouldn’t she be here? This is a strange way to be woken up.” I replied, “Melanie’s not here. Her side of the bed is cold, and I don’t hear her in the kitchen.”
I closed my eyes and listened further away, then I smiled. I could faintly hear her music outside. I got up and popped downstairs to the balcony. She was dancing her heart out, but she seemed upset. I watched her for several moments and decided she wasn’t just upset; her movements showed some anger.
As I stood there, I began to see pictures in my head of her next moves. Oden purred, “She’s beautiful.” I asked him, “Any ideas what that’s about?” Oden replied, “Freya is still resting. So, I’ve got nothing to offer you in way of an explanation.” I watched her for thirty minutes before Phil came up behind me.
He muttered, “Coffee. I need you to snap me coffee. You did wake me up after all so it’s only fair.” I snapped him coffee. He inhaled deeply, “Ahh, bless you cousin.” I snorted, “You’re welcome.” Phil drank his coffee then asked, “Who peed in her cheerios? I mean she dances beautifully but she’s mad, right?” I answered, “Yes, I’m pretty sure she is.”
