You are a family and you are also incredibly annoying.
“There was an issue at the crack but it’s been settled.” Tate answers, wrapping his arm around my waist as a wave of possessiveness filters through. Oh no, none of that, I’m still pissed. I try to move away but Milo shifts on his feet, pushing his body closer to mine, his emotions merging with Tate’s swallowing me whole in the most tantalizing way. It’s nearly enough to make me forget my anger, nearly.
Sleepy gives us a lazy smile, “So that isn’t bed head?” Tate lashes out with water, sending it hurling towards him. Sleepy sidesteps barely avoiding it before a rare serious look covers his face, “In the black three’s?” Gesturing towards his feet. “Have you any idea how expensive these shoes are?”
“A new creature decided to show up tonight when we checked on the crack,” I answer, wanting to get back to interrogating my twins as soon as possible despite my body shaking with exhaustion. “Well, not really new,” Milo corrects. “The Order has documented similar ones in the past, usually closer to D Day. Transportation creatures for a minor god called Archeron.” My stomach flips. Archeron... the man from my vision.
Sleepy nods, “Holy shit again?”
Tate glances at me before nodding, gauging my reaction as he continues, “Third one this week.”
I gawk, “The third?” Milo gives my hand a reassuring squeeze, but it reassures me of squat shit, “Archeron, who is he?”
Sleepy scoffs, “Someone hasn’t been studying. He controls the river of pain in the Underworld. Moves shitty souls around. Usually, the bigger uglies are brought topside by energy surges, big ones.” It’s not a true question but I can tell he’s waiting for an answer all the same. It’s easy to forget he follows them too. Looks to them for answers. My cheeks flush, making Sleepy arch a brow damn near to his hairline.
“We’ll call Deniki and Carlton first thing in the morning. Meet us at the house at nine.” The apprehensive tone in Tate’s voice makes my heart beat harder. Only adding to the dizziness. I glance at the large analog clock hanging on the cave wall, trying to pretend I could effortlessly read it. After sheepishly counting by fives in my head I surmise it’s nearly 3am. Sleepy just nods, as all his attention falls to me. “Hey babe you good?” He asks, I try to answer I really do. My vision clouds as my knees buckle, a violent cough tunnels my tapped-out body. The twin’s arms keep me from hitting the cold ground as the tremors in my hands spread throughout my limbs. I hear their concerned voices. Their panic is there mingling and fueling my own but the exhaustion I feel takes precedence. The suffocating weight that settles on my chest forbids me from responding. From comforting them. I want to tell them not to worry, that I feel fine.
That’s never felt more like a lie.