by J L Lawrence
A warm and fuzzy feeling washed over her, weird, since she usually wasn’t the sentimental type. As a human, she didn’t exactly have a lot of years to waste. Setting animosity aside, she laid her head on Gregory’s shoulder, and he wrapped his arm around hers. A truce had begun to take shape at last.
* * *
When Xander came back to his surroundings, he was shocked to see Gregory and Angie on friendly terms and voluntarily touching each other.
“I guess opposites do attract or maybe it’s our situation,” Kate said. “As long as she’s happy, I don’t care.” She smiled up at Xander and kissed his cheek, but he knew she wasn’t being completely truthful.
He tucked her head under his chin. He couldn’t be more perplexed by the whole situation. Angie’s weird reaction to Xavier and this turnaround with Gregory. Something didn’t seem quite right. But now was the time for protection and getting to the Meadows. Crazy love lives would have to take a back seat. Everyone’s emotions were all over the place, including his, so who was he to judge? Maybe Kate was right. Maybe the situation was making them all crazy.
Xander cleared his throat to address the group. “Xavier and Zane got most of the demons, but some escaped because they got around the portal. That means our location is compromised. We need to pack up and leave before we lose the light. Fury escaped through another portal, and he won’t fall for that trick again anytime soon. But it saved us tonight. That’s all we can ask for.” Walking over to Gregory, Xander grabbed his forearm tightly. “I’m sure glad you got here when you did. I’ll always be in your debt.”
Gregory shifted his weight and crossed his arms. “Actually, thank Marcus. Your mind was so focused on the fight that I couldn’t tell what was going on. He sent me the counter spell so I could break free. I think they are watching us more than we realize, but those are issues for another day. I wasn’t able to grab the bikes or supplies.”
As soon as the words left Gregory’s mouth, bags of supplies appeared in the middle of the camp, with a note that had the coordinates for where to find the two motorcycles. Xander laughed and closed his eyes. “Thanks again, Rowena and Marcus.” Maybe the Council was watching more closely than he realized. How else would Marcus know everything that had happened? He still couldn’t understand why they were risking everything.
Kate separated the supplies. “What are we going to do now? We can’t risk a vehicle or anything traceable if we’re still going to hide as humans. Why didn’t they pop in the bikes?”
Xander stored the tents behind the trees for Xavier to clean out later. “There is not a great trail leading out of here, and we need some distance if we are going to pull this off. We’ll have to travel as large birds, so we can travel high enough to mask our scent and magic.”
Angie groaned “Oh come on! Flying again, seriously?”
“It’s the best way to get to our bikes undetected so we can keep our disguise and not put our hosts in danger.”
“Uh-huh, flying in on Big Bird isn’t suspicious at all,” she muttered under her breath and grabbed her backpack. Xander rolled his eyes and prepared the supplies for a flight.
He checked in with Xavier to make sure he was all right after the comments from Fury. Of course, they’d already known he’d been involved in Lily’s death, but it didn’t make it any easier to hear. Xavier was furious, but surprisingly more focused on Gregory and Angie. Jealousy burned through him, joined with guilt and self-loathing. Xander confirmed his suspicion that this love triangle could bring a whole lot more trouble to their happy little group. Like they needed any more drama.
* * *
Once everything was packed, Kate and Angie climbed aboard their eagles. Kate rubbed his back and down his brown and white wing. The feathers were much softer than the dragon scales, but they probably weren’t bullet proof. Xander had chosen the eagle so she and Angie would be more comfortable. Maybe he really does care about me, but everything is happening so fast. At least I’ve finally found someone I can trust with everything that I am. She leaned forward to anchor her position.
They were all sore and tired, but still held onto the hope of a brighter future. Kate thought of all the fairytales and silly stories told to children around the world. She’d never understood the point. In a way, it was cruel to build false hope and belief.
On the other hand, she thought as they left the ground, I’m soaring through the night sky on my potential mate who happens to be an eagle at the moment.
They flew farther into the clouds. Kate couldn’t help but latch onto a memory from her past. She giggled to herself and felt a little like Santa Claus. “Up, Up, Up and Away.” Maybe fairytales weren’t so bad after all. They prepared the mind to accept the unacceptable and that it’s possible to attain the unattainable.
Wasn’t that the basic definition of hope?
Chapter 9
Xavier rubbed his forehead, trying to alleviate the headache pounding through his skull. He wanted to pass along his updates and get some way-overdue rest. “Xander, Zane thinks he briefly picked up on the traitor. He sensed a moment of intense anger and fear, but then it was gone. He agrees that this person is probably under some duress, but is able to keep everything on the subconscious level, which to be honest, is harder than hell to track. It also makes it impossible to know whether they are being completely forced, or they intended to betray and made a deal with the wrong demons.” He sighed wearily. He went from years of no existence to this intense battle.
Fate sure wasn’t showing much sympathy with his transition time. He guessed it was their typical trial by fire approach. He wanted so much to feel normal, or to feel anything except more regret. But guilt continued to consume him. His reaction toward Angie sucked. He refused to ever get involved with another female. He didn’t trust them anyway, after what Zane had discovered about his late wife and her deception. Even Xander didn’t know that.
He closed his eyes, but all he could see was Angie’s face and her shocked reaction to his touch. Despite the fact he wanted nothing to do with her, he couldn’t stop his body from desiring her. This intense attraction and electrical connection was a rare occurrence with potential mates. He had to find a way to get it under control.
It wasn’t a problem until Gregory got near her, and every possessive instinct in his head started tripping like alarm bells. Holy hell, he was in a big mess. The bottom line was that he never wanted to love again, so he never had to watch his love die for a second time. Never.
“Is there any way to track the signals or figure out who it is?” Xander popped back in his head, breaking up the pity party. “Or are we sitting ducks until he or she decides to strike again?” It was difficult to converse normally with Xander in an animal form, but this was too important, so Xander split his energy. They needed answers above all else.
Xavier tried to be quick, to spare him any further drain on his powers. He had already used way too much. Xander had reached the point that he and Gregory couldn’t restore his full powers anymore.
“Zane and some of his trackers are doing their best, but they are more limited now. He said that since he has caught a glimmer of the subconscious level, they should have better luck tracking. He believes it to be a male, but in the subconscious levels, the main person could still be a female, depending on how good they are. And I’d say this piece of crap is pretty accomplished to disappear from Zane. It’s going to take a long while to get through all the layers, and it will not be easy.” Xavier wished he had better news for him, but they were in short supply of that lately.
“At least it’s a start. You can bet the Council is working on it, too. How far away are we from our first stop? We need to get a couple hours of sleep and to refuel, before we start on the next segment.” Xander’s energy levels were dangerously low. At least they would be switching to the bikes. He would have to transfer as much energy as he could to Xander to rebuild his power.
“Almost there. Zane will watch over you while you sleep, so I can get some re
st. I think we’ll be pretty safe at our next location, but getting to the Meadows without getting tracked at all will be tricky. The Council picked a heck of a time to start believing in human forms of travel.” Xavier felt Xander disconnect, to focus on keeping them safe in the air.
For the first time, Xavier got a wrench in his gut, fearing his brother may not survive this journey. If he could find a way, he would gladly take his place. What did he have to live for anyway? He closed his eyes, but could not find enough peace to sleep.
* * *
Xander and Gregory landed softly, switched into human form, and immediately began to consume a ton of food. They had a slight gray tint in their faces from their exertion, but otherwise were in pretty good shape. While Gregory’s color returned quickly, his own energy barely increased until Xavier transferred all he could into him. If nothing else was accomplished on this ridiculous escapade, at least he would die at peace with the fact his brother had returned to him.
Kate had been watching him closely since the transformation. He tried to cover it, but she had seen the delay in his recovery versus that of Gregory. She was way too astute. At least she couldn’t read his mind, or she would know he had no recharging abilities left. Even Gregory couldn’t help much anymore. Since Xavier was his twin, he could still transfer what he needed for now. If they had to fight any more big battles, he wouldn’t make it to the Meadows. Part of him felt guilty for deceiving her, but he couldn’t risk the cost of coming clean. Especially now.
Xander came up behind Kate and held her tightly. She leaned her head back against his shoulder. He had made a massive mess of everything. He knew her trust in him was building, but she would never forgive him for hiding his ticking clock and its impact on her future.
To make matters worse, he had begun to realize how much he loved her. At their next stop, he was determined they would finally finish what they’d started. The consequences didn’t matter anymore, as long as he got to be with her once before he died. He kissed her on the top of the head. He didn’t need his hormones to start raging again, so he avoided her mouth. “Go rest. I need to go over a few things with Gregory, and then I’ll join you.”
Angie had already crashed in the next tent and was sleeping soundly. Xander noticed she hadn’t said one word about sleeping with Gregory, and the way she had reacted to Xavier bothered him more than it should. He knew what the connection meant, but he had honestly thought Xavier was unreachable. It was obvious Xavier had felt the link and responded, even though he tried to hide it.
Why would fate tie him to a human after everything he had suffered already? What did the blossoming feelings between Angie and Gregory mean? It was like someone had flipped a switch. He sighed deeply. This was one can of worms he didn’t want to open. Not now. They could all have it out when they got to the Meadows and could adopt a more normal pace and surroundings.
Gregory leaned up against the tree deep in thought. Xander approached him. “Everything okay?”
“Yeah,” Gregory said, and scanned their surroundings one more time. “I can’t shake the feeling that we’re always being watched by good and evil. It’s a freaky thought. For the first time, I feel like a little fish in a big glass pond surrounded by predators and spectators. I guess that’s how the Mystic has always felt.”
Gregory paused, then met his eyes. “You should tell her, you know. It isn’t fair. Anyone can see she’s falling in love with you. What happens when she has to leave you behind or watch you die? You think that won’t cause as much disruption as her knowing everything and making a choice to save you? She has come this far, so hasn’t she already made the decision anyway?”
Xander stayed quiet a moment and thought about his predicament. “Exactly, my point. She will choose sacrifice and saving the innocent every time. And come on, she has been chased by demons every step of the way. She didn’t exactly volunteer for the job. We also don’t know what will happen with Angie, and that could change her course. Despite the cost to both of us, she has to make the choice to enter the Meadows with a clean slate.”
“I disagree, since nothing on this journey has been clean, but will follow your lead. Just don’t say I didn’t warn you when she beats the crap out of you for lying to her. ’Cause, damn, that girl is going to be furious.” Gregory clasped onto his shoulder. “No man, I definitely do not want to be in your shoes. Now, go to bed and get plenty of rest to help restore your energy a little more. Tomorrow should be a hell of an interesting day.” Laughing, he went to his tent to join Angie, while Xander headed to Kate.
* * *
As Gregory walked into the tent, he saw Angie sleeping peacefully in her bag. He regretted the fact they could sleep in separate bags now. She always added extra warmth, whether she wanted to be there or not. He tried not to think of any feelings he had toward her, but he couldn’t help the heat that always traveled up his entire body when he came into contact with her.
He watched the rise and fall of her chest and the wisp of dark brown hair that fell across her cheek, wishing he understood his protective feelings and other urges. He wasn’t an idiot and hadn’t missed the strong connection between her and Xavier. A bunch of bullshit!
So, they were potential mates. How convenient. Wasn’t brutally losing one wife enough? He might hate him, but he still wouldn’t wish what had happened that day on anyone. Shaking his bad thoughts away, he focused on Angie’s flawless face, tight body, and her long dark hair. He remembered what he had said to Xander about small moments, and a smile lit up his face.
He was there with her every day and Xavier couldn’t last ten minutes. He had time for many small moments, and he fully intended to take advantage of them with Angie, if Xavier would stay out of the way. He scooted his bag next to hers and fell asleep.
* * *
Xander joined Kate in the tent and slid into the sleeping bag beside her. She was sleeping heavily, but still turned into his warmth and rested her head on his shoulder. He brushed a kiss across her lips and felt his heart shift. He counted himself lucky for every night spent in her arms. He had screwed up letting the task of finding her spark a rage inside him that had almost kept them apart. Of course, his little white lie could also tear them apart.
If he was honest with himself, he hadn’t told the lie for her benefit. He had told it for himself. He didn’t want her to see his weakness or her power over him, while he guided her into falling in love with him. He had been focused on saving himself and not building a true relationship. He hadn’t wanted to like her or trust her. He had wanted her to be a tool to save him.
But she became everything to him. Their bond had brought more than his tattoo to life. Every minute spent with her had been a gift. He’d been the one to fall in love, and deep inside he knew he was likely to lose her when she discovered the truth. Maybe that’s why he wasn’t fearing the ticking time clock anymore or death. She had awakened him and given him a taste of life. Without realizing it, he had become isolated and emotionless just like Xavier. She had saved him, after all.
If they were human, they could plan their future, plan vacations, and children. He’d dreamed of their life together and had been fantasizing about his Mystic for years before Lily died. After she died and Xavier left, his sorrow, grief, and anger turned him into a man he didn’t recognize.
Then the dreams shifted into nightmares, and he would break into a sweat as the woman in his dreams became the Mystic and sacrificed herself to save the world. Where would that leave him? Another barren existence?
Kate must have sensed his inner turmoil and turned toward him to comfort him. She placed her hand lightly on his cheek and brushed her lips across his. “Have faith in me, Xander.”
He kissed her softly, needing the connection and wanting so much more. He brushed a strand of hair behind her ear. “I do have faith in you,” he whispered. “But I can’t stop the fear of losing you, before I’ve had any real time with you. The Awakening is closing in, and we must get you to the portal.” He wrapped
his arms tightly around her waist and tucked her head under his chin. Oh, what a tangled web we weave…
Kate fell back asleep, while Xander focused on the traitor. Who was it? Where was he? Why would he want darkness to descend over the entire world? None of this made any sense. Finally, he fell asleep listening to Kate’s even breathing.
* * *
Xander checked all of their supplies and turned to talk to Kate and Angie about last minute instructions. “To keep our cover intact, we won’t be able to communicate, but Xavier can break through to me if there is an emergency, or he can contact you, Kate, by following my link to you. We will ride most of the day and it will be pretty physical. I know you’ll need to take a break. Are there any questions before we leave?”
Kate and Angie shook their heads. Xander figured it was probably too late even if they did. “Ready?” Xander waited for their nod. He and Gregory started the bikes, and the girls mounted up. At least they had mics in their helmets if they needed to communicate.
* * *
Kate closed her eyes and could imagine how beautiful everything would look in the fall. It had always been her favorite season with the reds, browns, and golds peppering the scenery. She couldn’t help but wonder if she would live to see it someday on a real vacation instead of this craziness. And her number one rule would be absolutely no freaking demons.
Tired of the constant silence of the past hour and the heavy feeling in her heart, Kate decided to use her link with Angie. “I’m not sure normal will ever fit into my vocabulary again. Can you imagine our team’s faces if they could see us now?” They both laughed.
Kate began to relax. She tried to enjoy all the scenery and peacefulness surrounding them, but was always at the ready for a battle.
She took a deep breath and decided not to put it off any longer. She and Angie needed to talk about the future. She didn’t need to spend a lot of time in Angie’s mind to know that she doubted her place in the grand scheme. “I want you to know that I value our friendship more than anything. Changes are coming and we can’t go back or pretend it isn’t happening. That’s not how either of us works, but we can find a new way to move forward together.”
