I waved my arms and said, “Okay, let’s get out of the room. The men can do their thing to save Dad.”
The look on Brace’s face was almost comical. Come on, it wasn’t that rare an occasion I listened to him. That male was so dramatic.
Lucy didn’t argue either; she just fluttered her wings and followed me. Lallielle and Lasandra were with us as we crossed the room and went up the stairs.
Be careful.
I laced my words with both love and warning.
As I stepped into Que’s trophy room, I knew there was no way I was waiting in this disgusting and stomach-churning house. For freak’s sake, my mate’s arm was mounted on the wall.
I kept moving until I was outside. The other three followed me. Stepping out into the balmy air of Abernath, I knew a fair amount of time had passed since we’d first entered the glass house. The suns were fully in the sky now. A weariness pressed down on me as I sank to rest on the front step. The people of Abernath were out and about doing their thing. Plenty of glances came our way, but no one approached. I was sure no one ever went near Que’s house. He had been a leader who ruled with fear. Not with friendship.
I rested my elbows on my knees, cradling my head in my hands. I’d barely slept in the last few days and, while I wasn’t feeling great, I wasn’t as exhausted as I should be. Thank you, Walker genetics.
What was happening inside? All of a sudden I couldn’t sit any longer. Jumping to my feet, I started to pace. Would they be able to free Josian? Or had the lalunas anticipated this? Who knew what protections those crazy-ass faeries had on that tank?
I’m going to shut down the bond for a minute, Red. I need to focus.
Damn, I’d been relying on the bond to keep me updated. Okay, but you be careful. I’m going to be really annoyed if you get hurt.
Understatement of the year.
He chuckled. I love it when you talk badass, baby. I love you.
I love you. I was all warm inside. His caressing words of love always did that to me.
He cut the bond off, and I had to stop myself from marching back into the glass building and finding my mate. I hated being cut off from him. Hated it like Lucy hated bras. Couldn’t blame her; they were damn uncomfortable.
I was slightly distracted as green glitter started to rain off the pixie herself. “I can’t stand it when Colt blocks himself from me.” She was darting around, her wings moving rapidly within her cloud of pissed-off glitter. “I have no idea how you survived when the lalunas severed your melding bond.”
I almost hadn’t survived.
My mind was now in that dark place, the place I’d existed in when I’d been separated from Brace. Lucy was not melded; she couldn’t really understand the intensity of our bond. The pain had almost crushed me, and I wasn’t sure that I’d ever fully recover. Still now, there were ragged edges between Brace and me. We were trying to smooth them over, but the lalunas had warned us that what was broken might never be the same again. Right now I was going to just be grateful that I had him back, that the endless gulfing ache of loneliness which had crushed my soul was no longer there.
You doing okay, Red? Even with the shield between us, Brace still sensed my distress.
I pulled myself together. We had shit to deal with. All good. Is everything okay in there?
We’re still working on it. There were a few little … traps, he said. All good now. We should be out in a moment.
I felt a surge of joy. I couldn’t wait to see my father; I needed a big bear hug. Walkers were the best at those, and Josian’s were amazing.
Lucy seemed calmer now; at least we could all finally breathe without inhaling lungs full of pixie dust. Lallielle and Lasandra were still, silent, watching the world around them. Most of these ancient beings had limitless patience. They had long lives and didn’t rush about trying to fill in time. Lucy and I still reacted like humans, losing our shit and fidgeting with nervous energy. A thumping sound drew my attention. Something heavy was pounding along the stone path.
A familiar lumbering gait came into view and a broad grin spread across my face. I took off and practically threw myself at him. Twin heads wrapped around me, and the scent of his fur filled my nostrils. Cerberus, my sacred animal and friend. He had sensed my distress and was here for me.
I soaked in his comfort for a long moment before pulling back. Both of my arms shot out and I scratched him behind the ears. A purring rumble shook his chest. I wondered for a moment if any more of the other half-Walker females had found their animals. Talina already had Apollo, the stunning, blue-and-silver water dragon. Delane had Lina, the majestic black unicorn. And Fury had Crete, a tiny fluffy kitten, which to her disgust was the cutest thing ever. She wanted large and fierce. Although, something told me that kitten would not have left her arms since she’d found him.