by Fran Tullo
Elder Eishan, Jace’s father, nodded and smiled warmly. “That is excellent news. The families wanted to show their gratitude of your services.” He pushed an envelope across the table. “It isn’t much, I’m afraid. We are not a wealthy community, but we also didn’t want to burden a Red with our normal means of repayment.”
Lexi shook her head and gently pushed it back. “That isn’t necessary. I don’t need money, or anything else. I was just glad I could help and that your community can live in peace again.” She tilted her head for a second. “Which reminds me… you’ll want someone to board up the old mine. Jace and Braydon can tell you exactly where the entrance was. It’s no longer safe for anyone to go in.”
Eishan nodded, but pushed the envelope across the table again. “We will make sure it’s taken care of. We will not take the money back. If you refuse it, we will simply send it to the Council to be put in your account anyway.” He grinned impishly, giving Lexi a glimpse of what Jace would look like in forty or fifty years. It hurt more than it should as she realized that the fox and his mate would probably have forgotten her by then.
“If it means that much to you, and the people here, I’ll take it. If you’ll excuse me, I need to make arrangements to get me and my bike back home. I’m glad I was able to help, Elders of the Arctic Fox Earth.” She grabbed the envelope, turning away.
“And we are grateful for your assistance, Red Lexi. Old gods watch over your travels.”
The formal words hit Lexi like a gunshot. She hurried out of the meeting house, grabbing her phone as she went.
Chapter 30
Jace
There was something wrong with both Lexi and Braydon. He wasn’t sure what, but he could practically feel the tension singing between them. When Lexi practically ran from Braydon on the way into the meeting house, he frowned deeply. Following along at a slower pace, he watched their back. Lexi’s was tight with some sort of anxiety that wasn’t there when they were racing through the snow. He would have just chalked it up to the racket outside if Braydon’s shoulders weren’t slumped as he walked in next to her.
Jace could almost see the wall the Red was trying to build around her, and he didn’t know why. When they were out, fighting for their lives, he had thought they were making progress. Helping her get around the walls her shitty life had put up. With a frustrated sigh, he ran his hands through his hair, deciding to talk to her once they were done dealing with his father and the other Elders. He wasn’t letting her build a new wall.
As she stalked past him, practically running from the meeting, he hurried after her. When her phone came out, he growled and snatched it out of her fingers, making her whirl around.
“Jace, what the fuck?”
“You can have this back once you tell me what’s going on with you.” He tucked the phone into his pocket, giving her a stern look.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about. Give me back my damned phone, Jace, I need to book a flight.” She held her hand out impatiently, but Jace noticed that she wouldn’t meet her eyes. Stepping away, he started walking across the town square. It took her a few minutes of what he decided was indignant gaping before she came running after him. “Jace! Give my phone back!”
“Nope.” He led her to an alley, deciding it would be better to talk there than try to get back to his place. If she refused to come in, he would be hurt. If she did come in, she’d feel trapped. He leaned against the wall nonchalantly, trying to fight the shiver that her angry stare elicited. “We’re going to talk. Then you can have it back.”
“Ugh… you’re so frustrating…” She leaned against the opposite wall, confirming his suspicions. “What do you want to talk about? There’s nothing going on right now… I just need to get moving.”
“Yeah, I get that. But it sounds a lot like you’re planning on ‘getting moving’ by yourself. And I don’t think that was the agreement we made.”
“What agreement? You guys making big promises after sex? Jace, you’ve lived in one place your whole life. Do you really want to spend the rest of it hopping all over North America? Do you… I mean, threesomes are fun and all, but do you really want to have to share Braydon with me?”
“God, you really are the stupidest smart person I’ve ever seen. I don’t know what you’re hearing when I talk, but I’d really like you to listen to the words I say as I say them, not through whatever filter you’ve got going on. We weren’t making declarations of love after sex. We were telling you, you’re not leaving here alone. You’re done with that part of your life. If it doesn’t work, it doesn’t work. I’m no psychic or seer to know what tomorrow is bringing… but I do know that whatever comes, it’s going to be at your side. You blew in here and screwed up our entire life, in the best way possible.”
She shook her head, opening her mouth, but he wasn’t done. He stepped forward, putting his hand over his mouth. “No filter, Lexi. Listen. To. Me. When we book flights, it’s going to be together. Or I’m just going to find out what your flight is and follow you home anyway.” When she looked away, he took a chance to move close enough to whisper in her ear. “As for sharing… Braydon and I have already decided on that. We’re okay with it. We’re more than okay with it.”
When he took his hand away, she sagged against the wall, finally staring up at him. “Your family… it’s here… how can you just…?”
“Just what? I’m not leaving behind responsibilities for anyone else to shoulder. My father has already picked his successor, and my brother is going to do an amazing job as Elder when the time comes. The only thing about my life that will change is that you’ll be in it, and it won’t be in Alaska.” He paused, then grinned at her. “Or at least… it won’t only be in Alaska.”
“… I think you’d better ask Braydon again first. There’s something up with him, and he might be regretting those sweet words you two were spilling last night.”
“I will, but I know you’re wrong.” Lifting her chin with a finger, he kissed her softly, sighing a little when she finally melted into the kiss. “Now, we’re going back to my place, where we have wifi and computers. Braydon and I will pack, while you book three flights back to Pennsylvania.”
When she opened her mouth again, the shake in her head saying she was going to protest again, he grabbed her shoulders, pressing her against the wall and capturing her lips in a deep, almost punishing kiss. He licked into her mouth, moaning when her hands came up around his wrists. She didn’t try to pull away or fight back, just fell into the kiss with a low groan. Her nails dug into his wrists as he held her against the brick wall, pressing his hips into hers. He dropped his hands to her hips and lifted her up. Her legs wrapped around him, arms draping over his shoulders. He was having a hard time focusing and his hips bucked when her nails dragged through his hair and into his scalp. He needed her… physically, mentally, emotionally. He almost forgot where they were standing when she whimpered and stiffened in his arms. It took everything in him not to rip through the barriers of fabric that separated them, join them in the way he so desperately needed to.
When a couple of giggling kids ran past, they separated with low gasps, and Lexi giggled as she dropped her feet back to the ground. “Uh… shit, okay… you’ve made your point, I think.” She dug her nails into his shoulders for a second, leaning up to kiss him. “Let’s… uh, let’s go back to your place. Braydon’ll probably be there, right?”
He chuckled and nodded, wrapping an arm around her waist and keeping her close as they walked. He wasn’t afraid she was going to run anymore… he just really wanted her close to him.
Chapter 31
Lexi
It was hard to argue with either of them when they got back to the apartment, because Braydon was laying on the bed, looking like someone had kicked his puppy. He wasn’t upset with her, he was just sad, and that broke any remaining arguments she had. Both she and Jace bracketed Braydon on the bed, snuggling against his sides. He rolled over a little, dragging Lexi into his arms whil
e Jace reached around him to hold her hip. It wasn’t sexual, which after the display in the alley, she could honestly say disappointed her a little, but the leopard needed comfort and reassurance. She sighed and tilted her head a little to kiss him.
“You know you’re both nuts, right? You’re leaving the safety of family and friends to what? Travel with me and get yourselves in really dangerous situations?” She shook her head, but they both nodded.
“That’s exactly what we’re doing. Because we know that you’re going into those dangerous situations, alone. And neither of us are okay with that idea.” Braydon ran his hand gently down the side of her face, frowning a little.
“I’ve been doing it my entire life, Bray… you guys haven’t. You don’t know…”
“We don’t know, sweetheart. We don’t need all the details, or the story behind every scar.” Jace leaned up to rest his chin on Braydon’s shoulder, smiling at her. “At least not yet. What we do know is that we’re not going to let you just fly out of our lives. What we need is for you to just agree to that, and stop fighting with us. At least on this.”
She sighed, flopping onto her back and covering her eyes. “Previous statement stands… you’re both nuts. That being said, I… fuck. I guess I’m making three flight reservations. You two should pack up. And… I dunno, maybe tell your family you’re leaving?”
Braydon smirked at her, tugging her hand down and kissing her nose. “Already did. Though… Eishan wasn’t exactly surprised.” He pushed himself up and tugged Jace with him, motioning to the closet. “It won’t take us long to pack, so you’d better get to making those flights.”
Shaking her head, Lexi sat up and grabbed her laptop, taking his suggestion. “Just so you know, when we get back, I’m going to need to make a bunch of calls and do some research… something else is going on here. A Red should not be able to be warped like that… and…”
“And something happened after you killed her, didn’t it?” Braydon grabbed one of the bags from Jace and dropped it to the floor to start filling it. “You’ll need to look up ‘Patience’ as well.”
“Ha ha,” she sneered at him, sticking her tongue out before going back to the screen. “I have plenty of patience, thank you.”
“Pffft. One, no you don’t. And two, I don’t mean you need to find something. I mean, you need to do research on something called ‘Patience’, that may or may not be a sentient being.”
With the flights booked for the next day, Lexi closed her laptop and looked up at him. “What exactly do you mean?”
He sighed, focusing on the task of refolding his shirts to avoid meeting her gaze. “I mean, someone or something spoke to me after we dealt with the witches. Said his name was Patience and that…” He paused, holding the shirt tightly. “He said that you needed help. And… we’re supposed to be helping you.”
Lexi ran her hands over her face and then up through her hair, breathing slowly. “Okay… that kinda fits with something that I… I dunno, saw? Heard? Hallucinated?” She shrugged. “I don’t know. That’s why the research.”
Jace looked back and forth between them, then dropped his own haphazard bag with a thunk. “So, what I’m hearing is that the two of you are having weird hallucinations? And, aside from the whole ‘crazy’ aspect, you’re both worried about them and listening to them?”
“Yeah… but I don’t honestly think we’re crazy, little fox.” Braydon walked over and gave him a quick hug. “Something magical is going on, and we need to find out what. Lexi could be in danger.”
Jace nodded, leaning into the hug and holding out a hand for Lexi. When she took it, he pulled her over to wrap her in the embrace as well. “Okay, well… we said we were doing dangerous things, so how do I help?” He was shaking a little and Lexi wrapped her arms around his waist, giving his neck a soft kiss.
“Well, as long as you can read, you can help.” She kept her voice gentle, with just a hint of teasing, knowing Jace needed a little breather after the serious conversation. “Because unless I get another call out, that’s pretty much what we’re going to be doing for a while. I have books and websites, and I’m going to be ordering some more in so I can figure this out.” She frowned and looked up at Braydon. “And I have to figure out where she was from, because they’re not going to have a Red there for a while. Which means someone will have to cover her area.”
Chapter 32
Lexi
The trip back to Pennsylvania was thankfully uneventful. By the time they reached Lexi’s apartment, though, Braydon was dozing off. Lexi huffed a little that the snow leopard had pushed himself too hard, but she and Jace were able to get him inside without too much trouble. Once he was on the couch, Jace looked around.
“Sheesh, Lex, how do you live like this? It looks like a drug den or a college frat dorm.” He looked around with a wrinkled nose and she shoved his shoulder.
“I don’t need much, Jace, because I’m never home. Not sure how you missed that in all our conversations, but yeah… this is a place to crash until I’m called out again.” She motioned for him to follow her to the bed, flopping across it and leaving room for him. “Feel free to change up whatever you like, if it bugs you.”
He huffed, flopping next to her and pulling her over into his arms. “I wasn’t… okay, yeah, I was criticizing, but only because you live like a weirdo. C’mon, sweetheart, look at this place.”
“Yeah, well, like I said… I’m not a big fan of ‘homes’ in general. I like the idea that I can pick up, leave, and no one will ever come looking for me.”
“Tch, you like the idea that if you died, no one would miss you. Which is ridiculous and sad and not gonna happen anymore, so you’re gonna have to figure out what your life’s gonna look like now.” He nuzzled into her hair, sighing a little when she curled against his chest.
“Is ‘I don’t know’ an acceptable answer right now, Jace? There’s just… so much going on, and I want you guys here. I do… I just… don’t know how that’s going to look in a month or six months or… I dunno, ten years. So, can I please focus on the current problem and then we can pick out curtains or whatever?”
He chuckled and nodded, tightening his arms in a hug. “I can agree to that… as long as you can agree to me sprucing this place up while you’re doing your little soul searching, okay?”
Lexi huffed and laughed in surrender. “Fine, Jace, fine. You can Home Shopping Network the hell out of this place if it makes you happy. I’ll even give you a budget so you can get your Susy Homemaker on.”
He grinned and nodded. “Deal.”
They snuggled together and passed out, not waking up until the morning sun shone on their faces. Braydon came in with coffee and donuts, looking surprisingly well-rested for someone who’d slept on her couch. “Morning, you two. Breakfast is served, because Lex has fuck all in her kitchen except some questionable coffee grounds and milk that probably should have been pitched before she went to Alaska.”
“Where did you go?” Lexi sipped her coffee and hummed appreciatively.
“Cafe a couple blocks down. The internet is a great thing.” He grinned as he leaned in for a kiss from Jace before handing over his coffee. Once he put the donuts between them and sat down, he looked at Lexi. “Okay, where are we starting?”
Lexi took another sip before picking up the most sugar encrusted frosted monstrosity in the box. She hated mornings, but she could admit… waking up to the two shifters wasn’t exactly a bad thing. After she swallowed her first bite, she smiled. “Well, we start with the books I have here. While we’re working through those, I’ll put in an email to the Council… they have other tomes and information that I don’t have here. I can also find out which Red is missing, so they can start working on finding the replacement for her.”
“How does that work, exactly?” Jace leaned forward and wiped a bit of icing off her lip, chuckling. “I mean… do you apply for that, or what?”
“Well, according to what my Grandmother told me, it’s a m
ystical transfer of… I dunno, energy or ability or something. She wasn’t completely forthcoming, but it might be because she just honestly didn’t know. What I do know is that the skills and some of the basic knowledge is passed on to someone else when a Red dies, and that someone needs to be found and trained by a Grandmother. Like I was.” She tapped the donut against her lip, thinking. “I don’t know exactly how they’re found, though. I know how I was found… I got jumped by a small gang of shifters and there was… well, my predecessor showed up to protect me, but was killed in the aftermath. Millie found me only a couple days later.”
Braydon nodded and sipped his coffee. “It sounds like there’s not a lot of information about you guys available. Are you sure the Council’s gonna be able to help?”
“Not really, but they have the largest known collection of ancient texts available around the world, so I’m hoping there will be something to explain what’s going on. If not…” She trailed off with a sigh, finishing her donut before she continued. “If not, I’m on my own, I guess.”