Chapter 11 Arabella #2
“How about two of you come with us for the walk back?” I suggested.
Ashur stood along with Saint after a split second of some sort of silent communication among my mates.
After saying some quick goodbyes to the others in case I didn’t see them before we left, and a hug for my dad, I slipped into the hallway with Mykia and the other two in tow.
Mykia practically bounced with excitement as we traveled to the elevator, and when we reached it, she looked up at me with curiosity. “This is the young sis meta, right? Do you want me to look out for her?”
“I think that all of the kids that came here are probably having issues transitioning, and I think they might relate to you. You may be nine hundred years old, but I’m hoping they’ll view you as a peer.
As long as you’re comfortable with it, you can be a guide and use your knowledge to make them feel a bit more at ease. ”
Mykia examined my face before nodding astutely. “I can do that. I would prefer to go on a trip with you, but if you think this is important, then I will help.”
“Thanks, Mykia,” I said sincerely as the elevator doors opened onto a long hallway with a light wood door in the middle. Before I could even knock, it opened.
“Arabella!” Nia launched herself at me, and I laughed as I caught her. Her face was filled with a massive smile, and her eyes sparkled with a light that hadn’t been there before. “I told one of your mates to tell you to visit us, and now you’re here!”
“Of course I am,” I said as I placed her down, glad that Amun had given me a heads-up about the boys—the wolves that had finally shifted. “Let’s go see everyone, and I want to introduce you to Mykia.”
“That’s me,” Mykia chirped.
“Great!” Nia said, motioning for Mykia to walk with her. “We’re baking right now.”
Walking into their dorm, I couldn’t help but smile.
Isla had outdone herself. What had been a simple living space before had been transformed into a home filled with everything a kid could want.
The sunken living room was filled with a variety of plush chairs, couches, and poufs to sit on, and the built-in bookcases contained everything from games to art supplies.
Before I went any further, I turned to check on Saint and Ashur, who continued to talk in the doorway. Probably a good thing since most adult nightmares were intimidated by them, let alone children.
“Arabella is here!” Nia called out.
Three appeared out of nowhere and wrapped her arms around my waist, making me sway back slightly in surprise.
I crouched down and hugged her fully before examining her relaxed face.
Unlike last time, there were no bruises or cuts.
She looked happy, healthy, and was wearing an adorable pair of pajamas with princess crowns along with fuzzy unicorn slippers.
“You’re back! We were worried you wouldn’t visit us with all the important stuff you were doing,” she said, pulling my hand.
“I heard that our two wolves shifted,” I said.
As I passed, Synthia, who was baking and talking to Mykia and Nia as if they’d known each other forever, looked up and offered me a smile. “They’re in their room playing with Benny. They haven’t left the dorm unshifted yet.”
“We can change that,” Mykia assured her. “I’m going to be hanging out with you guys from now on, if you’re cool with that. I can shift into a hellfox, and I’ve been around for a bit, so any questions you have, I probably have the answer.”
I knew she meant ‘around’ as in ‘alive,’ but I also trusted her to give advice on the institute. I had a gut feeling that Mykia had been by my side for a reason, and the way she seemed to meld into this group, already willing to aid them, told me it’d been the right decision.
As the girls talked, I walked with Three to the larger bedroom that contained two twin beds. In the center of the room was Benny, his head snapping up to offer me a big smile. I gave one back, but my gaze was on the two very, very young boys that appeared to only be around three.
“Does Isla know how young they are?” I asked Three in concern.
“Yes. She was over earlier and went to get anything else they could need while in these forms.” Kneeling down, I picked up a piece of the puzzle they were doing and placed it right in the center.
“Mine.” One of them grabbed the puzzle piece and held it to his chest, looking panicked.
“You’re right, this is your toy,” I agreed. “In fact, everything in this room belongs to you both, and no one can take that away.”
The other little boy nodded, visibly relieved.
“They don’t talk much,” Benny explained. “I don’t think English is their first language.”
Mykia appeared in the doorway. “I know a few languages, maybe I can help.”
This idea was turning out to be better and better. Nodding, I stood up and spoke softly to the boys. “I’m going on a mission for a little bit, but when I get back, I want to do some more puzzles and games. Is that okay?”
Both boys nodded, and Mykia took my place as I stepped back. As I watched their simple but meaningful interaction and listened to the easy conversation of Nia and Synthia behind me, I felt a surge of determination.
I was going to create a world where they could feel this way everywhere—and that meant getting rid of War.