“Shut up.” She grinned and combed her fingers through the knots. “Your hair doesn’t look too great either.”
He brushed a hand through his curls and shook his head a few times. “Perfection.”
“It’s ridiculous how easy it is for guys to get ready.” Eva rolled her eyes and fell back against the leather cushion. “If you want me to come with you, it’ll only take me a second. I’m sure Bridget has a hat around here, so I won’t even have to combat my crazy hair.”
“No, stay here. I’ll return home alone.”
“Oh, okay. Maybe I’ll come next time,” she said, fidgeting with the blanket.
“Now what is troubling you?” Alek asked, studying her posture.
“Nothing, this still just sounds kind of crazy. If this is some weird prank…I don’t know. If I’m really some Oracle and you’re, you know, my protector or whatever, I should be able to click my heels and go to Tartarus with you.”
“I have only taken carcasses with me on my return. I would not know how to bring a living being.”
“Oh, well, that makes sense.” Pink flooded her cheeks as she smoothed out the blanket. “How do you get back exactly?”
“My talisman.” He rubbed his fingers over its smooth surface. “It holds enough power for my return journey.”
“You said that before, but how does it work?”
“Magic,” he said, his expression vacant.
She smiled. “Of course. You should ask about that glowing thing it does.”
“Yes, the way it lights up when we touch.” He tucked the necklace under his shirt and cleared his throat. “I should be going. We don’t know when the detectives will return, and we need a plan.”
“And while you’re gone, I’ll go get stuff for our bug-out bag.”
“Bug-out bag?” The words felt foreign as he rolled them over his tongue. “You mustn’t leave this house.” He jogged over to the windows and closed the blinds. “Keep these closed and wait for me until I return.”
Eva kicked off the blanket and stood to face him. “I’m not your prisoner. If I want to leave, I will.”
Alek furrowed his brow. “I only said to stay to ensure your safety. We don’t know who or what is waiting out there.”
“Well, maybe I will stay. I could do some research to help me figure out what’s going on with you and me and all of this.” She waved her hands in the air.
“I will return as quickly as I’m able.” He closed his eyes and placed his hand over the covered amulet.
“Wait, you’re going now? From right there?” Eva took a few steps back until her calves rested against the couch. “Don’t you need more room?”
He sighed and dropped his hand. “What would you have me do?”
“I guess it depends. Are you going to disappear into a puff of smoke, or are you going to spin away like some kind of muscly tornado?”
The corner of his mouth lifted to a half smile. “Would you prefer to watch the muscly tornado?”
“Oh, Lord,” Eva mumbled. “I would prefer to not get blown down the hall and destroy Bridget’s house.”
“That shouldn’t be a problem; however, I’ve never queried those around me as to what happens when I depart.”
“You’ve never done a query about it?” she snickered.
“I don’t understand what’s so humorous.”
Eva shook her head. “Just go. I’ll jump behind the couch if things get wild.”
He again closed his eyes and pressed his fingers into the crystal. Home. He focused on the dark pit of Tartarus as the room around him slipped away. Take me home.
? ? ?
Alek relaxed as black earth solidified beneath his feet.
“I can see how much more at ease you are when you return home.” Maiden greeted him with a welcoming smile.
“How do you know I don’t walk in the Mortal Realm with the same comfort?” he asked, hugging her tightly.
“Have you forgotten the Hall of Echoes has been somewhat restored?”
“You’ve been keeping watch over me?”
“You are my only son. I worry about you.”
“If you were watching, then you know there is no reason for your worry. I succeeded in finding the Oracle, and she is safely awaiting my return,” he said.
Maiden hooked his arm with hers and they walked slowly together. “And what do you think of the new Oracle?”
Alek shrugged. “I do not yet know how she’ll perform in battle. She is headstrong and confusing. I don’t believe she fully understands what is at stake for both our realms.”
“I am sure she will learn.” Maiden lightly patted his bicep. “She is also quite beautiful, would you agree?”
“Beauty does not make a great warrior.”