Trey grinned. “It’s Lucy who is taking a shower.”
He stepped toward the bathroom and Natasha grabbed his arm. “Where do you think you’re going? Give her some privacy. It’s going to be enough of a shock for her when she sees you as it is. The least you can do is let her get dressed first.”
“Alright,” Trey reluctantly agreed. He glanced behind him. “Why haven’t you closed the ‘door’ yet?”
Natasha smiled, a little shyly. “You’ll see.”
Trey sat on the bed and waited for Lucy to finish her shower. He jumped in surprise when two figures emerged through the ‘door’.
“What took you so long?” Natasha asked. She immediately spoke the spell to disable the ‘door’ and it disappeared. She couldn’t risk anyone else coming through.
“Komi was a bit reluctant,” Fox said.
“Can you blame me?” Komi asked. “Nat did say we would be lost between dimensions forever if the ‘door’ closed while we were still travelling through it. How did you know she would leave it open?”
Fox was looking at Natasha when he replied. “I looked in her eyes. Despite what she said, she wanted me to follow her.”
“And how did you know where to come? Where is this place?”
Fox still didn’t take his eyes off Natasha. “I have no idea.”
“Are you trying to be funny?”
Only then did Fox look at Komi. He almost laughed at the look of panic on his face. “I didn’t think of a location,” he said. “I thought of Nat and knew the ‘door’ would take me to her, wherever she was. It was the only way to explain how she ended up in our bedroom when she believed I was in the records archive.”
“Are you trying to tell me that you just made me go through a ‘door’ and you had no idea how it really worked?” Komi was trying to keep his voice down, but it wasn’t working very well. The fact that Trey found the situation amusing didn’t help.
“It worked, didn’t it.”
Komi started swearing. He hadn’t finished telling Fox, in graphic detail, what he thought of him when the bathroom door opened.
Lucy was wearing just a towel, which barely covered her thin, frail body. Her first act was to scream. Her second was to run to Natasha and throw her arms around her. As she was hugging her aunt, her eyes fell on Trey and they widened in surprise.
She withdrew from Natasha and tentatively stepped closer to him. Unable to wait, Trey ran to her. They kissed so passionately, Natasha wasn’t the only one who had to look away.
The bedroom door burst open and two figures ran in. “What was that scream?” Zem asked. Then he spotted the visitors. “Nat,” he said. “You’re back.”
She allowed him to hug her before making introductions. “Father, Maylan, this is Fox and Komi.” She looked over at Lucy and Trey. They were still locked in a passionate embrace, oblivious to the fact that others were in the room. “I think I had better wait until later to introduce you to Trey.”
“Come to the kitchen,” Maylan said. “The kettle has just boiled.” As everyone filed out of the room, Maylan grabbed Natasha’s arm. “Was it wise to bring them here?” she whispered.
“Yes,” Natasha said. “I trust Fox with my life and he trusts Komi.”
“And Trey?”
Natasha glanced at where Trey and Lucy were still all over each other. “I’ll let you be the judge of that.”
Over coffee, Natasha told her aunt and father everything that had happened on Yong, even the bad parts, then they told her about Lucy’s recovery. The potion that Jamit had provided had worked surprisingly quickly. Unable to explain what had happened, the doctors were reluctant to allow Lucy to leave the hospital, but Maylan managed to persuade them. Natasha didn’t ask how. She wasn’t sure she wanted to know the answer.
“Is there somewhere private I can go?” Natasha asked when Lucy’s story was complete. “I need to have a word with Fox.”
“Use my study,” Zem said.
Fox was not looking forward to this ‘word’, but he went with her anyway. She closed the door, moved the chair out from behind the desk and told him to sit. She didn’t speak as she sat on his lap, facing him, with her knees either side of his thighs. Then she kissed him. She kissed him in the way she used to, when they were a couple. Unable to keep his hands off her, Fox placed them on her back and pulled her closer, deepening the kiss. When she moved her head away, he placed one hand in her hair and leaned forward. He hadn’t had enough and he kissed her again. The kiss lasted a long time.
He was panting when it finally ended. “I take it this means you forgive me.”
“No,” Natasha said. “I meant what I said. I can never forgive you for what you did.”
“So what was that about?” She could hear the pain in his voice. He had thought the kiss meant that they were getting back together and she had just broken his heart, again.
“I wanted to know if it still felt the same.”
Fox looked away, unable or unwilling to look at her any longer. “Well I’m glad I could be of use to you,” he said bitterly.
Natasha placed her hand on his face and gently turned his head. “I can never forgive you, but I can put it behind me. I understand why you did what you did. You did what was best for me instead of what was best for Lucy.”
“And I will do it again. Always.” Fox’s voice was breaking.
“And I will always put Lucy’s life ahead of my own.”
She could see tears forming in his eyes. She had never seen him cry before and hated the fact that it was her fault. “Don’t do this Nat,” he said softly. “Not now. Not when there is nothing else stopping us being together.”
Natasha felt a little nervous when she said, “Can we agree to disagree?” What if he said no?
Hope suddenly filled Fox’s eyes and he smiled. “I can live with that if you can.” Natasha nodded. “It means I will do things you don’t want me to and I will always argue against you putting yourself at risk, even if it is to help Lucy.”
“I know.” She laughed. “I’m almost looking forward to some of the arguments.” Then her face turned serious. “I’ve really missed you.”
“Prove it,” he said and pulled her to him once more.
By the time they broke apart he was feeling light headed. “Does the door to this room lock?” he asked.
Natasha recognised the look on his face. “Yes it does, but I know what you are suggesting and the answer is no. Not here. Not now.”
“I guess I will have to make do with just kissing you then. For now, anyway.”
They didn’t hear the knock on the door a short while later. “Are you two....” Komi said as he walked into the room, stopping midsentence when he saw what they were doing. He couldn’t keep the smile off his face. “Never mind. I’ll come back later.”
“No, it’s okay,” Natasha said.
“No it isn’t,” Fox mumbled under his breath.
“Your father wants to know if you are going to be joining us for a meal,” Komi said. “We have a lot to discuss.”
“On our way,” Fox said, reluctantly.
Trey and Lucy had made it from the bedroom and were in the dining room, waiting for everyone to arrive.
“You really don’t look well,” Fox said. “Are you sure you shouldn’t still be in the hospital.”
“I’m fine,” Lucy said. “Nothing some good food won’t put right.”
While they ate, they talked. Komi wanted to know why Natasha didn’t bring him and Fox with her through her ‘door’ instead of hoping that they would follow her. She didn’t have the heart to tell him that it had only been Fox she had been expecting. He wasn’t happy when she told him that someone at the hotel must be in contact with her mother.
“Not possible,” he said. “None of us would do that to you.”
“How else did she find out about me and where I lived?” Komi had no answer.
When his communicator sounded, Fox grabbed his arm before he could answer it. “We went to the
hospital but there was no sign of Lucy. We have no idea where she is, or Nat and Trey. We are heading to the hotel to decide what to do. Understand?”
Komi did. He couldn’t bring himself to believe that Bolene or Lukine were in league with Joonie, but Fox evidently did. He nodded his head. He would do as Fox was requesting. Not that it was really a request.
“You’re alive then,” Bolene said as soon as he answered her call. “The ‘door’ disappeared so soon after you entered it that I couldn’t be sure. I was too scared to contact you, just in case I couldn’t.”
Komi smiled at her concern. “Fox and I are fine. He took us to the hospital, but there was no sign of Lucy. Apparently she left with someone, but the staff would not tell us who. There’s no trace of Trey or Nat either.”
“What are you going to do now?” Lukine asked. He was obviously listening in on the call. “How are you going to find them?”
“I have no idea,” Komi said. “Fox and I are heading back to the hotel to grab some food and get some rest. We will discuss our plans in the morning. Fox still has a key to Nat’s place so we might try there first. Have you tried to contact Trey?”
“Yes,” Bolene said, “but his communicator is switched off.”
“I’ll try him later, just in case,” Komi said.
“Komi,” Bolene said with a trembling voice. “He’s our baby brother. Find him for me. Make him come home.”
“I’m making no promises, but I will try.” He disconnected and looked at Trey. “You need to speak to her.”
“No. Not until I know who is working with Joonie. Or have you forgotten that she tried to kill Lucy?”
Komi sighed. “No, I haven’t forgotten. I just wish there was another explanation.”
Hostage
“What are your plans now?” Komi asked Natasha. “I presume you have changed your mind about never seeing any of us again.” She was holding Fox’s hand. She hadn’t let it go since entering the dining room, not even to eat, and Fox couldn’t stop grinning like a schoolboy who had just kissed a girl for the first time. Komi was happy for them.
“I have absolutely no idea. Maybe I will go back to Yong. I think I would enjoy seeing the places where Fox grew up.”
“Not yet,” Fox said. “Joonie will still be trying to get you to do her bidding. Until Alignment day has been and gone, you are staying on Earth.”
“The hotel will be the safest place,” Komi said. “Nobody can enter without our permission.”
“As far as we know,” Trey said. “Lukine put the spell on the doors. If he’s working with Joonie, who knows who the spell will really keep out.”
“It kept her out before,” Fox said, “so let’s assume it still will. The only problem is getting Nat there without being seen. It’s possible that Joonie has someone spying on the hotel.”
Natasha rolled her eyes, making Maylan laugh. “I love you with all my heart, but you really are dumb sometimes.”
Fox frowned at her, as did Komi, Trey and Lucy. Only Maylan and Zem knew what she was going to say. “I can make a ‘door’.”
“How will that help? ‘Doors’ only go to Yong,” Trey said.
“Says who?”
“Are you telling me,” Fox said slowly, “that you can make a ‘door’ to anywhere in any realm?”
“No,” Natasha replied, “but I can make a ‘door’ to anywhere I want to go. I have to know somewhere exists before I can be transported there.”
“That makes sense,” Komi said. “So, for now, we all go to the hotel. We can hide out there for a few days, until after Alignment day, then we can decide what to do with the rest of our lives.”
“Maylan and I will be staying here,” Zem said. “You don’t need us old people getting in your way. We will only be a phone call away if you need us.”
Something about their plans was bothering Fox, but he couldn’t quite put his finger on it. He felt like they were overlooking something.
“How are we going to find out if Bo or Lukine, or both, have been betraying us?” Trey asked.
His words made Fox realise what had been eluding him. “Komi and I can’t use a ‘door’ to get to the hotel,” he said, interrupting whatever reply Komi was about to make.
“Why?” Komi asked.
“You told Bo and Lukine that we were going there. If one of them is a traitor and if they have had a chance to contact Joonie, then that means that she will know. If she does have someone spying on the hotel, they will be expecting to see us arrive.”
“That’s a lot of ‘ifs’.”
“Nevertheless,” Zem said, “he’s right. You shouldn’t be taking any risks.”
Trey took his phone from his pocket. “I’ll phone for a taxi.”
“Is being dumb contagious?” Natasha asked.
Trey looked at her in disgust. “You have a better suggestion?”
“They can use a ‘door’ to get close to the hotel then walk the rest of the way. It will be quicker than waiting for a taxi.”
“That’s my girl,” Fox said. “Smart as well as beautiful. And she can do magic.”
“Not much,” Natasha admitted. “I only know a few spells. Just those I needed for my trip to Yong.”
Fox kissed her. “I still think you are amazing.”
“You do realise that you two are going to have to let go of each other if you are travelling to the hotel separately.”
“Shut up Komi,” Fox said and kissed Natasha again.
Lucy cleared her throat loudly. “When you two have finished, we should get going.”
Fox and Natasha knew she was right and reluctantly they broke apart.
Everyone retrieved their bags from where they had been left and met again in the hallway, where Maylan had removed pictures from one wall. When Natasha opened up her penknife, Fox had to turn away. He knew what she was about to do and didn’t want to watch. He didn’t turn back again until she said the ‘door’ was ready.
“Just think of where you want to go,” she reminded him. “I will see you soon.”
“Clear your mind,” Fox said to Komi. When he nodded, Fox took his hand and they both stepped through the ‘door’.
“Our turn,” Natasha said to Trey and Lucy. The two women hugged Maylan and Zem goodbye, then took hold of Trey’s hands.
One step took them from Zem’s house to the hotel. It was dark and quiet and felt a little eerie until Trey switched a light on.
“Are you glad to be home?” Trey asked Natasha.
“I will be once Fox gets here.” Only then did she realise that that was where she was: home.
Lucy ran to the stairs. “If I’m going to be staying here for a few days, do I get to choose my room?”
Trey slipped his arms around her waist. “No. You will be staying in mine.”
She pretended to think about it. “I suppose I could cope with that for a day or two.”
“You could always move in permanently.”
“No she couldn’t,” Natasha said. “She may be classed as an adult now, but I am still her legal guardian so I get to say where she lives. You are both too young to move in together.”
“Whatever you say, aunt Nat,” Lucy said.
“For now,” Trey added.
A memory suddenly formed in Natasha’s head, making her go pale. “What’s wrong?’ Lucy asked.
“I’ve just realised something. You’re human.”
“So?”
“So I was told that humans can’t use ‘doors’, that they ended up disappearing.”
“That didn’t happen this time,” Trey said. “Maybe only going to Yong is the problem. Or maybe your ‘doors’ don’t have whatever flaw caused the issue. Or maybe it wasn’t that fact that the man who disappeared was human, something else caused him to vanish.”
“Maybe,” Natasha said uncertainly.
“Or maybe the story isn’t even true,” Trey continued. “It could have been made up to prevent anyone taking a human to Yong.”
“It doesn’t chan
ge the fact that I risked Lucy’s life.”
“You don’t know that,” Lucy said.
Three heads turned at the sound of a key in the door. Natasha ran into Fox’s arms as soon as he had closed the door. They had only been separated for a few minutes, but it felt like hours. “I missed you.”
“Me too.”
“I don’t know about anyone else,” Komi said, “but I need a coffee. A real one. None of that instant rubbish I was having to put up with on Yong.”
“Be grateful you had that,” Fox said. “If it wasn’t for Bo reminding you, you wouldn’t have taken any and there was no way I was going to let you steal mine.”
“I’m off to bed,” Lucy said. “I’m exhausted. The doctors said it will be a while before I have much energy.”
“Alright. Good night.” Natasha then turned her attention to Trey. “Let her sleep.”
“I will,” he promised. “See you in the morning.”
“We should head to bed as well,” Fox said. “It’s been a big day for all of us.” The look on his face told Natasha that sleep was the last thing on his mind.
“Can we move your things back into my room first?” Natasha asked.
“Of course,” Fox replied. Then he picked her up and carried her up the stairs.
“Let me know if you need a hand,” Komi said, but received no response.
————————————-∞————————————-
“Can I ask you something?’ Natasha asked as she lay in Fox’s arms. “How come you never knew you had no magic? Surely you were tested.”
Fox shook his head. “There was never a need. Everyone knew who my father was so it was taken for granted that I had inherited his magic. I never went to magic school so a test wasn’t necessary.”
“If you had known, would you still have become a teacher? There would have been a lot more options open to you.”
“I have no idea. It’s not something I have given any thought to. I’m glad I did though. I enjoy it and it gives me a sense of achievement.”
“Do you regret not knowing? A lot of heartache could have been spared.”
“No. Life’s too short for regrets. Now close your eyes and go to sleep. It’s getting late.” Natasha had other ideas.
Fox Among the Demons Page 30
