Chapter 16 Adaela #2
I checked in with myself, angry on Vada’s behalf.
I understood that addiction changed a person, and even though I wanted to tear into him for his poor decisions, it was coming from a selfish place.
I had so much more to say than I was going to today, but this conversation would need to be had eventually.
We loved a self-aware being. I hoped his actions would follow.
“I know she is handling the investigation side of things right now. Are you her second as you were to Pan?” I asked him.
“She hasn’t officially declared a second.
I don’t think she trusts any of us enough yet to give it a go.
I’ve offered to make a bargain with her, but she laughed it off.
She knows how those tricks go. She told me that if I can remain sober, she will consider reinstating my position.
Hence, this is me trying to make things right.
I’ve been pissed since I was cast down from my position in Heaven, and I’ve been wallowing in it for too long.
It’s time that I start to take things more seriously. ”
“Samael, as long as you’re doing this out of a sense of duty for your people, that’s great.
If you’re doing this only to hold your position, you’re going to burn out quick and put yourself right back where you started.
I think you need to decide what you want out of life before you start making those decisions.
” I hated being frank with him, but I realized early into the Pax that if I wasn’t frank, I’d be misconstrued. I didn’t have the time for it.
My name was called at the counter, and I pushed myself off the wall. “It was good seeing you, Samael. I mean it. Think about what you want out of this life. The Demon Faction and the Pax are not your playground. You can play on your own time.”
Samael clenched his jaw, but he nodded. “I’ll keep that in mind. It was good seeing you, Adaela. I hope whatever is going on between you and Vada works out. She’s seemed a bit down the last couple of weeks.”
My heart sank. It wasn’t really her fault or mine that we hadn’t seen each other, but the last thing I wanted was for her to feel neglected.
I needed to spend more time making sure she had what she needed, too.
We needed to figure us out before anyone else got involved.
This community was both large and small.
I was sure the rumor mill was going crazy.
“I’ll talk to her. Thanks, Samael,” I said as I grabbed my coffee from the counter.
After a quick nap, I woke up and started getting ready for my date with Vada tonight.
Equal parts excitement and nervousness flowed through me.
When we last had a serious conversation, I wasn’t sure I was ready for a relationship, let alone a fated mate.
While we’d chatted on and off briefly, the ball was in my court.
I still wasn’t one hundred percent sure I was ready for a deep, meaningful connection, but maybe that was my past shouting at me.
I threw on a little eyeliner that made my tri-green eyes pop, then put gold earrings in with a chain that connected them from the point at the tip of my ear to the bottom of my lobes.
They were cute, with tiny little charms across the chain with symbols from various religions across the realms. I plaited my hair, throwing the braid across my shoulder before heading to my closet to find something to wear.
I found a form-fitting black jumper with a wide-leg pant that was just warm enough for this nice day in St. Louis.
It still wasn’t quite warm out yet, but it was getting there.
Spring was starting to warm the air. I decided to grab a cardigan as well, just in case the weather took a turn.
I was just putting my black flats on when the perimeter alarm for the neighborhood went off. Fuck me. Why now?
I yelled loudly in frustration. Couldn’t we have just one fucking day without a shitstorm happening?
Was it so impossible that I got to know Vada?
I rushed out of my closet, sending my shadows out to figure out what the fuck was going on.
I went to text Poe and Daedalus, only to realize they’d already messaged the group chat.
Daedalus:
I’m at HQ. Felt the alarm. What’s up?
Sephy:
I’m not sure. I’m heading out to check. Daela, are you home?
Poe:
Adaela’s busy tonight. She’s got a hot date.
Me:
Yes, I’m home. Getting ready to go out with Vada . Can you let me know what’s going on?
Poe:
Fuck, it’s my sisters. Crisis averted, y’all.
Me:
Do you need me to do anything?
Poe:
I hate to ask, but do you have a few minutes to hop over to my house? They’re here early, so I’m curious if one of them has found something.
Sephy:
I have Maren and Daphne with me. If you don’t mind all of us coming by, we’ll be there in a couple minutes.
Daedalus:
Loki and I are on our way, too.
Me:
Omw.
I checked the mirror one last time, just to make sure I was absolutely ready to head out when I left Poe’s place, then walked next door.
I had an hour before I had to leave to get to Tower Grove on time to meet Vada.
I walked into Poe’s house, where Michael was sitting on the couch playing a video game.
He had music blasting throughout the house.
Right now, it was some metalcore band I wasn’t familiar with, but I was proud to know I’d rubbed off on him a little bit.
I turned it down, then waved my hand in front of his face.
“Michael, hey,” I said, trying to figure out the best way to get his attention. He was so focused on the screen that I didn’t think he’d even noticed that the music volume had been turned down.
He flicked his eyes briefly up from his game and waved distractedly before refocusing on his handheld console, “Hey, Daela. What’s going on? Mom’s not here right now.”
“I know. She’s grabbing your aunts from the perimeter,” I said, a little bit of manufactured panic in my voice to get him moving.
His eyes went wide, and he shot from the couch in a rush, console forgotten. “They’re not supposed to be here yet.”
The house wasn’t dirty by any means, Poe wouldn’t allow that, but it wasn’t currently up to her standards since it was occupied by a messy preteen.
“I know. We need to get this cleaned up before they get here. Come on, dude. It’s time to get up and help me.
I’ll glamour what I can, but I need you to pick up anything that can be tripped over. ”
Within minutes, we had the house spotless. It wasn’t of course, but it’d have to do for now. Poe would be pissed to know that Michael was playing games instead of doing his chores. It could remain our little secret for now.
While Michael was growing up quickly, he still had the tendencies of a young boy, and for the most part, Poe encouraged that.
I got the privilege of being the cool aunt, though.
Michael and I were pretty close, and I was one of the few people he didn’t cop an attitude with because I tried to meet him where he was at.
While I’d never had any intention of becoming a mother, I did love kids.
I just liked it when I could give them back at the end of the day.
Poe, however, was doing all of this on her own.
She also needed a break occasionally. Michael and I would hang out at my place when she did, eating popcorn and watching movies Poe likely wouldn’t let him watch.
That reminded me. I was going to have to introduce him to Beavis and Butthead. Poe was going to love that.
I chuckled to myself as my shadows alerted me that the sisters, along with the group chat, were at the house. Michael took a breath, and I exhaled as my shadows helped get Michael’s gaming system back in its proper place.
“They’re here. If you’re not ready to see them yet, I suggest you go and take a shower. I will let them know you weren’t here to greet them because I told them you stink,” I said playfully, and his cheeks reddened.
He blew a raspberry at me. “That’s not fair.”
I raised an eyebrow. “When was the last time you brushed your teeth, mister?”
He dipped his head, cheeks heating. “Going now.”
I was laughing as I opened the door. “Hi, everyone. Welcome. Clotho, Lachesis, so nice to see you both. It’s been a long time.” I moved out of the doorway to let them in.
Poe came barreling in, relief written on her face at the shape the house was in within just a few minutes. The sisters surveyed Poe’s immaculate mid-century modern home with confused approval. From behind their shoulders, Poe mouthed a thank you, and I nodded subtly in return.
Poe offered everyone drinks, and we began settling onto the couches in the living room.
I brought some chairs in from the dining room for extra seating while Poe brought in drinks and snacks.
Daedalus, sitting next to Loki, was having a conversation with Maren and Daphne.
Sephy was chatting with Clotho as if they were long-lost friends.
Lachesis, sitting next to me, turned and smiled.
“I see you’re going on a hot date tonight.” She waggled her eyebrows.
My cheeks reddened. “Ah, yes. I have to leave in the next—” I looked at my phone “—forty-five minutes. I’m sorry I can’t stay long.”
“That’s okay. I’m sure we’ll see more of you in the coming weeks,” Lachesis replied with a twinkle in her eye.
“Oh, so this is a longer-term stay?” I asked her.
Clotho chimed in next to her, catching on to our conversation, “Yes. We’re aware of the situation happening here and believe our efforts are best focused as a triumvirate in one location.”
“What can you tell us so far?” Maren asked, joining in. I saw everyone start to focus on the conversation as Poe made her way to sit next to Sephy.