Theo #3
Viv was wearing the pale blue dress Ida dyed for her last summer.
She rarely wore it because she didn’t want it dirty—it was her favorite.
Her bodice was cinched tight. Her hair was braided back with pieces of it sticking out from the tight loops.
Was she dressing up to meet my people? Three active hitmen and one in training. What a wonderful mate I had.
Ida hurried across the field immediately. She was clearly still getting the hang of her arm-crutches but moved far more naturally than before. It was amazing how strong and adaptable she was for her age.
Vivian ran right past Mykie and I to meet Ida, throwing her arms around her in a hug.
They swayed back and forth a few times in an embrace, before separating to talk.
Vivian’s hands wrapped over Ida’s—she was healing the female’s arthritic joints already.
Ida wouldn’t need to ask. Because that was what Vivian did; she healed her people.
Mykie, the others, and I surrounded their reunion after a moment. Ida’s neck was craning to take in the details of Vivian’s clothes, and Vivian held out her skirts to show off that the craftsmanship was still in perfect shape.
I rested a hand on her lower back and swallowed, a strange sentimental nervousness reminding me that the two halves of my life were combining.
My biggest regret, hitman colleagues, and rowdiest best friend were all meeting my chosen female.
On the land of our home. Where we’d be spending the rest of our days.
I found myself wishing Graysen and Faeryn were here.
“Introductions?” Mykie cleared her throat, watching my distracted expression closely.
“Sorry.” I blinked. “Vivian, this is Erith,” I pointed to the green Arielna standing confidently and curiously off to the side. “He and Mitus will be looking after Ida.” I pointed to Mitus, masking my discomfort. Would she put together who Mitus was from context?
“By the way.” Ida cut in. “Next time you send two attractive young males to watch over me, tell me! I don’t mind the company, but when the sweet homosexual couple next door tells you they’re actually a pair of assassins sent to keep an eye on you, it’s a lot to take in.
Would’ve made more sense coming directly from you. ”
Erith had no reaction to the accusation. Mitus rubbed his brow, his face shielded from view. Maybe Erith had taught him some discretion, if he wasn’t jumping to disprove them having relations. I could faintly see a fanged grimace under his ducked head.
“My mistake.” Apparently, I owed everyone here an apology. I thought I’d made a foolproof plan, but clearly in trying to tie up loose ends I’d frayed some new ones. I cleared my throat and continued. “This is Mykie and Ragen.”
Hadn’t Arne mentioned they were a package deal these days? What did that mean? They certainly stood together closer than I expected from coworkers. He framed and dwarfed her, her back nearly pressing against his front.
Introductions continued until all names had been swapped.
“Thank you for everything. I really appreciate what you’re doing.” Vivian smiled softly.
“So, you’re a demigoddess?” Mitus piped up, his skepticism overtaking his previous embarrassment.
“She’s a goddess, yes.” I couldn’t stop myself from cutting in, the prefix wasn’t needed. It was disrespectful.
“Crazy right?” Vivian asked, meeting his squinted eyes with a crinkled nose and nod. “Have any injuries?”
He tilted his head and let out an amused snort at the question. I watched in shock as he raised his arm, sunk his razor sharp teeth into his thumb, and held his bleeding digit out to her. Proving this was real must’ve been important to him.
Erith looked mortified, as if he was responsible for Mitus’s unhinged behavior. “Vivian, I’m so sorry. You really don’t have to—”
She stepped to Mitus, taking his hand in her palms and humming. After a moment she let go of his injury and winked, her tongue licking her teeth playfully. “All better.”
Mitus examined the healed flesh while Vivian excused herself to the waterfall to rinse her hands clean.
Once she was out of earshot, Erith snapped, “What the fuck was that?!” and whacked Mitus on the back of his head.
“Research,” he snorted. “Wasn’t that the fifth tenet of G.P.O.?”
G.P.O. had eight tenets to being a hitman and research was, in fact, number five. They really were training him up. It felt strange to hear our code coming from the person I’d quit the job over.
Distracted for a moment, I hadn’t noticed Mykie following Vivian. To my complete horror, I heard Mykie say, “So Theo tells me you killed and beheaded four guys?”
I could’ve exploded. I knew Mykie wouldn’t keep her mouth closed. Why be gentle when she could dive headfirst into the most fucked up, highly sensitive topic unprovoked?
To my surprise… Vivian cackled. “How many more do I need before I can join your club? I’ll have Ida make us matching jackets.”
My displeasure melted away and I smiled. This goddess would do just fine around my people. The same way she’d taken to me and all my rough edges. Mykie was witty like her. And as they started bantering about body count and leather jackets, I realized my friend was comforting Vivian in her own way.