by Hickory Mack
“But what about you? Will you be okay?” Elsie demanded.
“I can deal with Fiery.” Wren smiled. “I just wish it wasn’t him, not yet anyway. The timing is so bad. I need to be here with you.”
“I’ll be fine. I have Saint and Frost and Frida and Cross. You’ll be alone. Hey, maybe you can take Frost with you? He can watch your back,” Elsie suggested, but Wren shook her head.
“You really have come to trust him. You’ve built up some weird kind of bond with him, but he and I go way too far back to fix our relationship so easily. He will not watch my back as he does yours. My younger brother is not able to kill me. It’s safer to go alone,” Wren explained.
“Kill you? I don’t want him to put a single scratch on you! Or burn! Why the hell were you so afraid I’d be angry?” she demanded, and Wren blinked.
“Aren’t you angry now?”
“Yes, but not because you have to leave. I’m angry because you won’t let me protect you. And because you were afraid of how I’d react to your news. Please, Wren, there’s nothing you could say or do that would ever make me leave you.” She echoed the spirit’s earlier words. “Don’t ever be afraid to come to me with anything. I love you, Wren.”
Saint made a rude noise and looked away. This overbearing monster woman wasn’t even Elsie’s mate yet. Why the hell did he have to stand here and listen to this? He contemplated walking away, but he couldn’t make his muscles listen, so he just stood there, feeling like an idiot.
“I know you do,” Wren said, kissing Elsie’s cheek and holding her hands. “I’ll be back in time for the equinox.”
“That’s only a few days from now. It’s more important that you do what you can to smooth things over with your brother.”
“Muethdee is not more important than you. I promised we would spend that day together, and I won’t break that promise,” Wren said. It was important to the spirit, so Elsie wouldn’t argue.
“Alright. Make sure you convince him not to burn your forests,” Elsie instructed.
“Some of them need to burn,” Wren sighed. “It’s part of what we are. Muethdee’s element is destructive, but he also brings new life. There are entire species of trees dying because they need the fire to release their seeds. I’ll do my best to hold him back, so he doesn’t do too much at once.”
“How will you withstand it? You could barely handle the fire caused by the bombs up north,” Elsie said, and Saint looked at her harshly. She ducked her head. They’d have to have that conversation at some point soon. They hadn’t spent much of their time talking last night.
“My element is balanced now, and his isn’t. On top of that, the Key doesn’t seem to be leaking fire the way she was leaking earth magic. She’s pulling his element back, but it’s far more controlled. He won’t have the strength to cause too much damage,” Wren assured her.
“As for how I will handle the onslaught of his power... I will withstand it because I must. Usually, Shoryo would be there to ease the pain and help start things anew. He hasn’t woken yet, though,” Wren said, trying to be brave, but Elsie saw right through her.
“What can I do to help?”
“You’re already helping by not making this any harder than it already is,” Wren told her. “I don’t want to spend a single day away from you. I’m so unhappy about all of this. I’m sorry, reaper.”
“You don’t have to be sorry. You’re right; the timing sucks, but there’s nothing anyone can do about it. Things are only going to get more hectic as the Key continues making changes, and we’re going to have to endure it until things settle down,” Elsie said, though she knew nothing would settle until the Dragons were brought back. And then they’d face a whole different kind of adversity.
Frost padded through the field and stopped at Elsie’s side, glaring at Saint as though he’d been holding a grudge against the demon hound. She wasn’t sure what his problem was. He’d had a whole night and morning to himself because of Saint’s return.
Wren gave the wolf a firm look. “You make sure you take care of our girl, or I’ll beat you senseless when I come back,” she threatened. Saint grunted in annoyance, and Frost showed the spirit his teeth. Wren glanced at the wolfhound but said nothing to him. She’d barely looked at him the whole time they’d been speaking.
“Cross probably isn’t going to be happy with me, and I’m going to get lectured for being gone too long, but we’ll be fine,” Elsie told her. “They’ve got their fox demon now, and they’ve been preoccupied with him. They haven’t been needing much from me.”
“Good. Quiet days are for the best,” Wren approved before giving a long sigh. She enveloped Elsie in a tight hug, then bent down and kissed her. All the anxiety and sadness over having to leave was evident in that kiss. It felt like goodbye. “I’ll return to you as soon as I can, I promise.”
“I’ll come every day to see if you’ve arrived.”
Wren kissed her one more time, then stepped back, her eyes holding Elsie’s. The spirit looked miserable as she raised a hand, curling her fingers in a wave, then she was gone.
It was like all the air had been sucked out of the field. Elsie took a deep breath to steady herself, staring at the spot Wren had just been standing in. This wasn’t fair! How could fate keep doing this to her? One of her mates returned, so another had to leave? She wanted to scream at whomever was in charge of the events in her life. Maybe the Key? Wherever the Key was, she was responsible for waking Muethdee when she had.
Saint came to stand in front of her, putting his hand on the back of her neck and pulling her in for a hug. He held her, letting her emotions rage around like a thunderstorm inside of her while being kept in a safe space. She closed her eyes and pressed her face into his shoulder. Her demon may not like Wren, but he was there for her regardless.
“I forgot to tell her about the witches.”
“Maybe we’ll have a surprise for her by the time she returns,” Saint murmured. “You’ll be wolf and curse free, and we can get the fuck out of here.”
Elsie shook her head without explaining. She didn’t have the heart to tell him he was wrong. Even if the witches could break her curse, she would still have Frost at her side. They needed to either convince the remaining five mages to help out or kill them all. It was the only way to free him. She let go of Saint, changed the katana back to a scythe, and slashed the door open to her suite.
Frost walked through without a second thought, but Elsie grabbed Saint’s arm, her mouth pressed into a firm line. Even with the beanie and mask to hide his face and hair, he was still obviously a wolfhound. “Promise me you’ll be careful. Stay at my side at all times. Only take the mask off when we’re alone in my rooms.”
“I won’t do anything stupid, I promise.” He took her hand and squeezed it, offering her his reassurance. She chewed on the inside of her lip, but she nodded and brought him inside, closing the door behind her.
Saint looked around curiously, but he didn’t stray from Elsie’s side. He held on to her hand like it was a lifeline, and she wasn’t ready to let him go, either. Her entire being was aware of him, his warmth, his every slight movement. She couldn’t get over the feeling that she needed more contact with him. She needed to get closer and stay there.
A tiny, indignant squeak caught Elsie’s attention. Frida had been laying on the arm of the sofa, but as they all came through from Earth, she sat up in her most elegant pose and turned her head, studiously ignoring them. The cat was angry at being left behind.
“You weren’t properly introduced last time,” Elsie said, bringing Saint over to meet the cat. “This is Frida, my spirit guide.”
He looked at her out of the side of his eye as though wondering if she was making a joke. Frida looked like an ordinary Himalayan cat. Saint took off his mask and nodded reverently, deciding it was best to err on the side of caution. “Thank you for taking care of my mistress.”
Frida tilted her chin upward and to the side, not ready to be pleasant yet.
“It’s nice, clean, roomy, and bright. But, to be honest, I prefer our tiny room at the other facility.” He shifted to stand in front of her, less than an inch of space between them. “It kept us far closer to one another.”
She remembered it well. Their room had been so small she could reach over and touch him no matter where she was standing. It had taken a long time for them to get a routine down, but they had learned to be constantly aware of what the other was doing, so they weren’t constantly bumping into each other.
“Nobody’s shown up to yell at me yet,” she said, touching Saint’s stomach. He put a hand on her hip and pulled her against him, immediately sparking her need for him. “Maybe we could—”
The front door opened, and Cross came inside. A faint growl came from Saint’s chest, and Elsie’s eyes widened. He hadn’t even knocked. The brujo was giving off a mess of conflicting emotions. His eyes showed he was hurting, but his body language was stiff with irritation.
“You’re finally back,” he said, his voice tight, but his eyes were on Saint’s hand holding her close. Elsie saw his reaction, but she couldn’t bring herself to move. Her need for Saint’s touch was too great. His free hand settled on the small of her back, and she closed her eyes for a second.
“I wasn’t really keeping track of time. This is the mate I told you about. He’s back,” she said lamely. His eyes were guarded, and though he didn’t say it, she could feel it. She’d abandoned him for Saint, and he wasn’t happy about it.
“I can see that. I’m glad you’ve returned; Rand has been asking for you, and I’ve run out of excuses. You’re going to have to pretend you’ve had a terrible headache for the last day,” Cross said. “They’re going to know what he is to you as soon as you walk out that door. He’s a target they can use against you. You realize that, right?”
He’d never expressed that worry for himself, though he’d be in the same position if he were the one to be outed as her mate. It was why they’d been careful to maintain their distance. Elsie curled her fingers around a bit of Saint’s shirt, knowing Cross was right.
They were going to be incredibly fucking obvious, but it couldn’t be avoided. She wouldn’t be separated from Saint, and she damn sure wasn’t going to leave him in her suites alone, where he could easily be taken from her. Part of her was laughing at the very idea of her attempt to leave him on Earth. The bond was too demanding right now; she’d have lost her damned mind without him.
“I realize that, yes,” she said, “but it’s a risk we’re going to have to take. We work better together, anyway. He’ll be safest at my side.”
Cross nodded, looking away. “We should go before he sends somebody else after you.” He started toward the door.
“Wait, Cross.”
He turned back, his eyes catching hers. “What is it?”
“I’m sorry. I’m not trying to hurt you or make you feel less important than anyone else. It’s just—”
“Your bond with him is sealed, and ours has barely begun to live up to its potential. I understand, Chantraine. I’m not angry with you. I’m angry at the situation we’re in,” he said. Elsie believed him, but she still hurt for him. He deserved better than this. She lay her head on Saint’s chest for a moment, soaking him in as quickly as she could before forcing herself to step away from him.
“Frost,” she called, and the wolf heaved a big groan before joining them while Frida continued ignoring them completely. Saint put his mask back on, and Cross led them out. The wolfhound glared at the man following behind them. and Elsie smiled at him.
‘He’s a part of the security detail,’ she told him mentally. ‘He won’t do anything stupid, either.’
Saint nodded in silent acknowledgment of her words. They crowded into an elevator with Frost creating a barrier, keeping Cross and the soldier on the opposite side of Elsie and Saint. If she was so determined to stay close to the hound, he wouldn’t start trouble with him. Cross was used to it, but he’d hoped the wolf would get over it eventually.
The elevator stopped, and the brujo brought them across the level to Rand’s post, the largest observation room in the whole compound. Activity halted as they entered, and Rand glared up at Elsie from his chair at his desk.
“Where the hell have you been?” he demanded in a raised voice. Elsie winced and raised a hand to her head.
“Can you keep it down? The lights in this fucking place are giving me headaches,” she complained. It was a common complaint amongst the supernatural members of the Hunter Clans. Even the humans had trouble with the unnaturally bright lights, but it was too damned much for those with heightened senses. Rand looked like he couldn’t care less about her problems.
“You need to start keeping hyper vigilant about the gates,” he commanded. “We have had a visitor to the top gate, and the creatures involved have the potential to be dangerous were they to get in.”
“That’s interesting,” Elsie said in surprise, sharing a look with Saint. She hadn’t felt anyone messing with the gate. That group they’d seen earlier had been armed as though they were looking to fuck something up. It was enough to make her wonder if the hunters had done something to piss them off.
“Grant and Cornick are not taking the threat seriously, and they have no intention of increasing security measures. I am not allowed to use my people for this, so it’s on you, Chantraine. You cannot allow these people to get through,” he stressed, then looked at Saint. “Who the fuck is that?”
“He’s nothing to you,” Elsie growled. “He belongs to me.”
“Reapers and their gods damned companions. Stop bringing random demons in here! We’re not a boarding facility,” Rand said, his lips curled in distaste. Elsie almost laughed at how easily the security chief allowed a stranger into his facility simply because she’d claimed him as her own.
“Is that all you wanted?” she asked. “I’m wondering what’s in this for me. It sounds like I’m being expected to make up for your job instead of what I agreed to do. I’m the doorwoman—nothing more, nothing less.”
“So protect the fucking door!” Rand yelled, losing his patience. “I don’t have time for your attitude right now. I have to go meet Grant and Eustone. They want to conduct another experiment, and you might be needed for it, so get yourself some sunglasses and some painkillers for that headache. We won’t tolerate you ignoring our demands for your presence anymore.”
Elsie could feel Saint’s anger. In their past, she’d been treated with a lot more respect by the hunters, and he hadn’t expected to see anything like this.
“If you make your demands on a schedule, as we agreed, you won’t find yourself being ignored,” she quipped, and Rand fixed her with a hate-filled stare. Elsie suppressed a grin, knowing this guy was a ticking time bomb with that aggression level. Saint tensed up, and she grabbed his sleeve before he could launch himself at the security chief.
“I’ll go fortify the gates, then I’ll be having dinner in my suites. If Eustone and Grant decide they need my presence, I need warning ahead of time,” she reminded him.
“What the hell are you up to that you need so much time to prepare yourself for a simple meeting?” Rand snapped.
Elsie shrugged. “That’s classified.” He pinched the bridge of his nose as his fist clenched around the arm of his rolling chair.
“Get the fuck out of my office,” he groaned.
“That man is going to give himself a heart attack,” Elsie commented on her way out the door, purposely making sure he was able to hear her. When they were in the hallway and the door was closed, she looked at Cross and sighed. “Please take us to the gates. I’ve got to figure out how to strengthen the barriers on them
.”
‘You’re terrible at barriers,’ Saint said into her mind.
“I know,” she said out loud, and both Frost and Cross looked at her in confusion. She just shrugged and smiled. Now wasn’t the time to explain that Cross could spend years with Saint and never hear his voice. She didn’t need to give that information to anybody who happened to be passing by or listening in.
“Once we’ve figured out what to do with the gates, we need to talk,” Elsie told Cross, who nodded. He’d figured as much. It always seemed as though she’d learned something new every time she disappeared.
Saint stood a foot away from her, glowering at a random soldier as she walked by. She skirted past them at the furthest point of the hallway, her eye on the demon in a mask. Elsie put a hand on his arm, and he softened without taking his gaze from the retreating soldier.
“Come on, Killer. Let’s give you the tour.”
Pascal stared up at the massive barrier with his hands in his pockets. It had a slightly blue tint to it that looked a hell of a lot like the barrier around that bastard Lord Makkai’s inner territories, but it felt a lot less ominous. He untangled himself from Lithia and stepped forward to flick it, watching the magic that held the barrier together ripple then go smooth again.
“Hmm.” Pascal hated barriers. They kept him from a lot of things he wanted in life. Back home, a barrier stopped him from feasting on the humans in a nearby nest. At Lord Makkai’s, a barrier kept him from the girl who could get him into that nest. Here, the barrier was keeping him from the thing that had called him from over a thousand miles away.
Lithia hissed at the barrier, and Pascal patted her head. He’d started getting annoyed about eight hundred miles ago, then he’d gotten far enough south to deal with the heat. He was a cold-climate creature; all of his people lived up north, most of them above the border of what used to be Canada. The heat made him even more irritable than usual, and at this point he was just dying for someone to give him an excuse to beat the shit out of them.
