by Maria Dean
"That's why you all should carry extra clothing," Astrid grumbled.
To get out of the other-realm discretely, they portalled into the small passageway one at a time. Astrid took Matilde and Nya first so the former would stop complaining, coming back for Christian on the second trip. "I'm not leaving you," she promised.
"I never thought you would." Christian's bright grin stayed in her memory. She pulled him home with her, trying to ignore the sparks she felt when touching his skin.
When they arrived in the passage, Nya was waiting for them. "Tilde went to go get him clothes," she explained. "To be honest, I didn't expect you to come back so quickly. I thought, you know, you'd get up to something."
If Astrid wasn't blushing before, she was now. She blushed the entire time they waited for Matilde to return and all the way back to Christian's house.
"I'm going to need that replaced," he groaned when he saw the broken dining-room window. "But I mean, other than that, this could've been a lot worse." He settled on his living room couch, wearing a soft hoodie and sweatpants. Christian patted the spot next to him, asking Astrid to sit next to him. "Come here. You're still shivering."
Astrid set down her thin jacket on a table, hoping the prying Russo sister wouldn't try to peek at the vial she'd stolen. The last thing she needed was Matilde misunderstanding her intentions.
She was already suspicious of Astrid.
"Great. Now we're all here, I'm not going to ask you again. What the hell is up with you and the alchemists?" said Matilde
Settling in next to Christian, Astrid sighed. "My father is an alchemist." She flinched, feeling Matilde's heated glare. "Give me a minute to explain, okay? I learned this like, a week ago. I didn't know my father very well when I was younger. He and my mom sent me to live with my aunt when I was a kid. They got divorced and my aunt sent me to boarding school." Astrid had told this story so many times, she figured she should write a cliff notes version for the next person who asked. "I didn't know it at the time but my dad wanted to expose the fact I was an Alice to the alchemists. It was one of the reasons they divorced"
"So, your family hid you away," Christian concluded softly.
"I didn't know any of this until my aunt came to visit three weeks ago. I just figured if my dad was an alchemist, they would recognize his name long enough to get distracted." Astrid sighed. It'd worked enough with her mom. It was odd, if not a little intriguing, the dragon slayers and X were so easily convinced she was on their side, yet the alchemists saw through her immediately. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you this sooner. I planned on doing it tonight, but then you were taken."
"Hey," Christian said, lifting her chin, so she'd look at him. "It's fine. You told me, and that's what matters." He glanced past her and caught his sister's glare. "Matilde, you can leave if you're going to be angry about this. I promised Astrid dinner anyway."
He didn't have to ask her twice. She grabbed Nya's arm and pulled her girlfriend up. "Come on," she growled. "This isn't over, Astrid. If you're lying to me about any of this, I won't hesitate to kill you."
If you can find me first. She hated to say it, but Matilde wouldn't be able to touch her if she tried. Astrid couldn't fight, but she could run.
Besides, now she had allies in the dragon hunting industry. Her mother was still out there somewhere, fighting against the very creatures she'd become friends with. If the dragons tried to turn on her, they'd be outnumbered.
But Astrid had also watched them take out an army of alchemists. Would she really want to anger creatures that could annihilate the human race like that?
"What're you thinking about?" Christian nudged her.
Nothing you need to worry about right now. There were other discussions she could have with Christian. "Your brother told me he thinks dragons and humans should live separately," she said. "What do you think?"
He hesitated. "Do you really want to know that?"
"You heard my dirty secret," she replied. "It can't be that bad."
Christian sighed. "Dragons aren't meant for this world, Astrid. We're too powerful for humanity. It's only a matter of time before we end up taking things for ourselves. It's either rule things on our own or let the alchemists and the dragon slayers wipe us out." His gaze softened. "I don't want to have to say it, but you were defenseless back there. I know you were there to save me, but if my sister and Nya hadn't come with, you wouldn't have succeeded."
Astrid stood up. "I'm not weak, Christian, I'm just equipped differently." She grabbed wandered to a closet and opened it in search of a broom. "I can't fight like you, but I can travel between worlds you could only dream of. I'm the only one who can use your grandmother's pendant. And I'm a damn convincing liar when I want to be."
Christian watched her as she swept the dining room floor. "I could've cleaned that," he said.
"You could go your entire life without having to take care of yourself," she shot back. "I might be human, but I have worked harder than you or your brothers will ever have to. I'm not rich, I'm not a man, and I damn well can't breathe fire from my mouth. But I have earned everything I have."
He crossed the room, staring down at her for a moment with that signature, sizzling Russo gaze. Then, Christian reached into the closet and grabbed a dustpan. "I'm sorry if I offended you," he said quietly. "I never meant to. I was just terrified when I saw you there, without a way of physically defending yourself. There's a difference between having a strong spirit and being a physical fighter."
He's got you there. Astrid swept the shards and petals into the dustpan. "I know," she admitted. She watched him stand and exit the room, throwing the trash away in the kitchen. "I just don't want you to think I can't take care of myself."
Christian returned, removing the broom from her hands and tossing it back in the closet. He took her hands and squeezed them with his own. "You're the strongest person I've ever met, Astrid Pfeiffer. Don't ever forget that."
Something pricked at her eyes. Again? Astrid scolded herself for crying so often in front of people. "Thank you," she said.
The eldest of the Russo brothers nodded. He turned, glancing back into the kitchen for a moment. "I don't think that pizza is going to be good. The dough's been rising too long."
"We can always order takeout," Astrid shrugged. The notion made Christian's face pale. "Oh, don't be like that," she chided. "Live in my world for a minute."
She pulled away and left Christian to ponder her words as she went to look for her phone.
"I would like to," he said suddenly. "Live in your world, I mean. I want to see how you live."
Astrid opened a delivery app on her phone. "Well, tell me what you want to eat, and we can figure the rest of that out," she said, dropping onto the couch.
Christian meandered over and cuddled up next to her. "I don't have any preference besides no fish," he said, nestling his head on her shoulder as she ordered. "But are you really going to order from Pizza Hut?"
"Christian," she warned, "what was that about living in my world for a minute?" Astrid filled the delivery address while he pouted next to her. It wouldn't hurt him to learn how the peasants consumed pizza.
After submitting the order, Astrid looked up at his TV. "What do you have to watch?"
The dragon grabbed at the remotes next to him, trying to move as little as possible. Astrid was still shivering from the extended time in the ice realm, and Christian was taking care to warm her back up. "The usual streaming apps," he replied. His family Netflix account was divided into four profiles, one for each of his siblings. "Would you believe me if I told you Lorenzo's watch list is filled with British dramas?"
"Sounds about right," Astrid snorted. They flipped through the movie selection, settling on an older movie Christian had fond memories of.
"I watched it with my mom when I was younger," he explained as the opening credits began to crawl across the screen.
Wish I could say the same. Astrid momentarily considered telling Christian about her mother too
. There was no better time to tell him, especially after talking about her father. But he seemed content playing with her hair and reminiscing on his childhood. There was no reason to disturb him with that information now. She could always do it later, when he wasn't distracted by trying to keep her warm.
About forty minutes into the film, the delivery man arrived with their pizza. Astrid went to the door to collect it. She saw the pizza first and the man second, freezing when she reached out for the food. "You can't be here," she whispered vehemently.
"I'm sorry Miss Gray," Alexi Spinelli said. "I needed to deliver a message to you."
Astrid shut the door behind her. "What the hell? Did you kill the driver?"
"Of course not!" He handed her the check and a pen. "Sign here and I'll explain." He waited for her. "Your mother reached out to me, Astrid."
Every muscle in Astrid's body locked up. "She did what?"
"She found out I spoke to you and she reached out to me with a message," he elaborated. "Your mother found out you were exploring the realm of the alchemists a few weeks ago. She's scared you're going to hurt yourself."
The only other time she'd been to the alchemist realm was the day Nova left. "Who told her?" Astrid asked.
"Miss Gray--"
"Who the hell told my mom about me?" Astrid nearly snapped the pen in half. "Was it Nova?"
Alexi hesitated. "I'm sorry. I'm not supposed to confirm that. I was told you'd be upset if you found out your aunt and your mother were still in touch."
"Yeah, no shit! After Nova told me she hadn't seen my mother in years, she left! Of course, I would be angry!" Astrid ripped the pizza box from his hands. "Don't ever come near me again, Alexi. I don't care what my mother tells you to do. If she really wants to talk to me, she'll do it herself." She backed up and reentered the house, slamming and locking the door behind her. Sliding to the floor, she set the pizza down and tried to compose herself.
"Astrid?" Christian came into the foyer, tensing when he saw her on the ground. "Hey, what's wrong?" He sat down beside her and pulled her to him. Her tears stained his clothing. "Shh," he whispered, rubbing her back. "It's going to be okay."
Astrid didn't know what to tell him, or how to tell him. Her mom was alive. Her mom was one of the people who wanted to kill him. And her aunt, who she'd just called and tried to apologize to, was still lying to her. Everyone was lying to her. If Astrid heard one more goddamn secret about her family, she would lose it.
Instead of telling him, though, she collapsed. Overwhelmed by weeks of stress. Weeks of worrying about Lorenzo's safety. Weeks of staring at the phone, waiting for Nova to call. Days and hours and minutes of just hoping she'd wake up to find it was all just a dream.
For the first time since she'd walked into Magdalena Russo's house, Astrid wanted her old life back. She was willing to sacrifice her friendship with the Russo family for a normal life.
As much as Matilde blamed her for their personal troubles, Astrid knew she could turn that back on all of them. Ever since Astrid had met the Russo family, her entire life had been turned upside down. She'd almost been killed several times. Discovered her entire childhood was a lie and now she couldn't go anywhere without someone trying to either kill her or harness her powers. Powers she never asked for.
"Astrid," Christian whispered in her ear. "I don't want to see you hurting like this. Is there anything I can do?"
She couldn't find the right words. Instead, she tried to steady herself. It resulted in her falling into his arms, she could feel the strength in his body and felt safe. Safe and aroused by being so close to him. She could feel the shape of his chest through their clothes.
You don't even know him that well, a voice in her head reminded her. You and Lorenzo have much more chemistry.
Chemistry be damned, Astrid was stressed as hell and needed this.
Astrid climbed into his lap, straddling him. She was aware it was hard for Christian to contain himself as well. She could feel his arousal coupled by the scent of fire as she got closer. She stroked his face, feeling his rough chin from a days stubble and lent in to kiss him.
"I don't want to do anything you're not sure of," he said.
She wrapped her hand around his head and pulled his lips to hers. "Please," she said against his lips feeling her word vibrate in the space between them. An question waiting to be answered.
Christian looked down at her. He pulled her in tight, so she was pressed against everything.
She gasped, deeply inhaling his scent. She caught him in a quick, searing kiss, before pulling back enough to look him in the eye. "I'm sure," she whispered. "I just don't want things to hurt anymore."
"I can do that." Christian picked her up in one swift motion. Forgetting about the pizza they'd ordered, he carried her upstairs, into his bedroom. Astrid caught a glance of a family photo on their way in, a pang of regret ringing through her body that she was making this decision so quickly.
That regret melted away quickly, as Astrid she felt his caress on her skin. Christian set her down on his bed grinning. "Astrid," he said quietly, "did you know that you're glowing?"
"Literally or figuratively?"
"Both," he said, swooping over her and meeting her in another kiss. He was insistent, taking control. He moved as if he could read her thoughts and desires.
He stripped her of her clothes and rolled back. Staring at her. Astrid felt exposed, fearful of his judgement, aware of his naked presence.
"Beautiful," he whispered rolling back on top of her. Astrid lost her self in his touch. He was everywhere. She relaxed into the bed and wrapped her legs around his waist as he held her hands above her head. "Treasure," he spoke into her lips as he stretched her on his entrance.
He claimed every part of her body as his. Astrid memorised every part of him. The birthmark on his face, the piercing fevered stare and his desire to please her. His desire for her to be fulfilled and come many times before he did.
Nothing else mattered to her except the feeling of his hands on her skin. The way when Christian hit just the right place at the right time, she could see stars.
Everything leading up to that point, the pain, the lies, disappeared at once.
Later, when Astrid and Christian returned to their lukewarm pizza, she was satisfied. She could deal with the aftermath of the other two another day.
Astrid Gray-Pfeiffer spent the night at Christian Russo's house, much to the disappointment of the newly released Jonas Fletcher. He was released with the help of a wealthy benefactor. He tracked down Astrid's house, hoping to catch up and ask her about her journeys as a monster hunter. When she didn't answer the front door, Jonas scolded himself for thinking he had a chance.
As he sulked outside the door, his phone vibrated. "Yeah, sorry boss," he spoke into the receiver. "I got a little excited back there and ran. I needed to talk to my lawyer about the release." He frowned, his boss's quick words unsettling him. "What do you mean you didn't get me released?"
A set of approaching footsteps forced him to hang up. "Got to go, I think my lawyer's here." He straightened himself and stood, ready to thank Astrid for her work. Unfortunately, Jonas was met with even more disappointment when a guy in a Pizza Hut delivery uniform approached him. "Damn it," he muttered.
The delivery guy squinted at him. "You're one of the dragon slayers who got caught," he said. "Wow. What are you doing here?"
Jonas nodded to the door. "I wanted to speak with my, uh, lawyer about the situation. You know, Astrid Gray?"
"Astrid's not there," the delivery man said. "I just saw her across town, about an hour ago. I work with her mom."
The slayer's jaw dropped. "Holy shit dude, that's insane! Is Calypso as amazing as she sounds?" The monster hunter nodded. "Wow."
"Alexi Spinelli," he introduced himself. "Let me guess. Jonas Fletcher?"
Before Jonas could answer, Astrid's door opened. A tall, handsome man stared down at the two. "Well this is fascinating," he said, examining the younger men wi
th a razor-sharp gaze. "Are you two here for Astrid?"
"Yeah," Jonas said, just as Alexi replied, "Sort of."
The man snorted. "Sort of?" He repeated. "Please, come inside and explain what that means."
Jonas's gut told him it was a bad idea, but he entered anyway.
Alexi followed suit. "Do I know you?" he asked. "I know you don't work with her, and you're not a client. How do I know you?"
"So, you're looking for Astrid," the man said as he returned to her kitchen ignoring Alexi's question. He was in the middle of brewing a pot of tea and grabbed two more cups for Alexi and Jonas. "Are you friends from work?" He glanced at Alexi's Pizza Hut uniform. "I'm guessing that's a no with you."
Alexi blanched. "Oh, no, I actually intern at her office. I just deliver as a part-time job."
Jonas was a more brazen liar. "I work with her a lot, actually. She's great at what she does. I've never seen someone with as much talent as Astrid."
The man chuckled. "Well, that's certainly sweet of you. I'll be sure to tell Astrid that when I see her next." He poured them both a cup of tea. "I'm so sorry you missed her. Here, please, take this for your troubles. I'd hate for you to have to leave empty handed."
The men accepted, though Jonas was still a little concerned. He watched Alexi blew on the tea to cool it before taking a sip. When Jonas tasted it he was surprised at the good blend of tangy and sweet flavors.
With Alexi drinking the tea, Jonas took it as a sign he could drink it too. They both downed the liquid quickly. "Forgive me for asking, sir," Jonas started as he set down the mug on a table, "but what's your relationship with Astrid?"
The man raised his mug. "Good question," he smiled. "I'm surprised two of Astrid's close friends couldn't notice the family resemblance."
Alexi choked on his tea. "You're Astrid's father," he sputtered, dropping the mug on the floor. "Calypso warned me about you." Alexi tried to stand. He didn't make it more than three steps before collapsing onto the ground.
Jonas, panicked, tried to escape before collapsing. He could feel the life ebbing slowly from him, but he was powerless to move his body.
