Page 43 of Orange Lake
Roqs looked down and with affection lowered his chin on top of her head. He think she’s being cute. But I can see she’s serious.
“No! This is a serious matter Brin,” I stalked towards her. “You have no idea what they will do if you get caught.”
“But I will not get caught,” she stubbornly said.
“What do you mean you won’t get caught?”
“Because I know you will make sure I won’t get caught. I trust you Zirc. But I don’t trust you well enough not to protect yourself. I need you.”
And just like that, I felt flayed by an invisible sword. What the hell is she thinking? But her words, it pierced me.
“So selfish,” Coone chided.
“No, I’m not being selfish,” Brynn countered.
And I believed her. I think I know how her mind works.
“He needs someone to protect him,” she countered.
I heard coughing from Crix’s team. This is getting us nowhere.
“No Brin. No amount of safe distance will make yousafe.” I feel like a rampaging beast. Her idea is crazy even if her intentions are pure.
“But - “
“- No! You will be a liability. You cannot control a crystal. It repels you.” I turned to the room. “I have them. I would rather you are safe than always think where you are at the moment.”
She is not buying it. At the core of it, I know she’s afraid of being far away from me again. She probably doesn’t realize it yet. Mates don’t do well being far away from each other. She can endure. I will only be away for a few nights if the mission is a success.
I can see her debating inside her head. For a puny human, she thinks a lot. And I know the moment she realized the wisdom of my words. So did Roqs when he let go of her.
“Fine. But is there something I can do to help?”
Before I can answer, Crix piped in. Took her shoulders and steer her away to a table. “Yes, of course. You will be able to monitor things from here. We are still deciding which one of us will stay. Somebody has to guard this fort, I mean mansion.”
Disaster averted, I focused again on our mission. I can tell, as I discuss more strategies with the team, Brin doesn’t look happy but she accepts. I hope she will keep her word and not sneak out. She will not survive to where we are going.
I can see Coone looking at her. She decided to sit on the edge of the table where the hologram shows the area where we’ll ambush Kilo and his gang. Maybe I’ll ask Coone to stay behind and guard her. After I spank Brin later for having the gall to suggest I take her on this mission.
Coone will be pissed as hell. But he follows my orders.
Chapter 13
DAY OF THE ATTACK
Zirc
On the dawn of the attack, Coone of course, was not happy.
“You can take her to the nearby town and go shopping,” I suggested.
Coone’s eyes narrowed at me. I can tell he’s angry at me. Livid. Shopping is his least favorite task of all. He grabbed a nearby rock and using his hands, palmed it, and crumpled it to dust. He did not say a word. Yes, he’s furiously angry at me.
I saw him stomp back to the mansion. At the foyer, I can see Brin’s profile who is not looking my way.
“What pissed him off?” Roqs asked. His voice laced with humor.
I just grunted.
