Sawyer #2
Henry groaned and shoved another chip into his mouth as the front door to Sawyer’s house burst open.
The sword guy from earlier came charging into the room, sliding to a stop beside Henry.
A moment later, the other man came in with a cell phone pressed to his ear.
“No problem, Alpha Jerrick. I have eyes on him now. I will absolutely have him call you back. Thank you, sir.”
He ended the call and tucked the phone into his pants pocket with a wicked smile.
Henry’s mouth had fallen open and he was glaring at the guards angrily. “You called my dads!”
“If you want to sneak out like a teenager, I plan on treating you like one.” The two glared at each other.
“I don’t have to ask your permission to do anything. I am an adult and I have my magic to protect me,” Henry hissed.
Sawyer wanted to jump in and defend Henry, especially since he was often treated like an unruly teenager himself.
His brothers usually forgot that he was in his twenties and able to take care of himself.
He kept quiet though, sparing a quick look to Draco to see how he was handling the confrontation.
He was more than a little surprised when Draco intervened. He pushed to his feet and pulled both of the guards’ attention to him before lowering his head in a bow while placing his right fist over his heart. “I am Draco of the Volsunga clan, guardian of the Chosen One.”
There was clearly some sort of protocol here that they all knew. The tall redhead who’d tattled on Henry scowled for a moment before bowing back to Draco and introducing himself. “I am Eduard of Arimaspia clan.”
Draco grinned and held out his hand for a traditional handshake. “Arimaspia? So you really are the money man,” he said. “I wondered when I saw that fancy bus pull in.”
“I am,” Eduard said with a smile.
The other guard stepped forward next. “I am Andvari of the Passarowitz clan.”
Draco turned his attention to Henry next.
Henry sighed and stood, wiping the chip crumbs on his pants.
He bowed his head and then stuck out his hand for a shake.
“Henry Jerrick, at your service. And can I just say that I hope the Chosen One appreciates man candy because I swear to the goddess each one of you guys is hotter than the next.”
Sawyer couldn’t deny that Henry had a point. He caught Henry’s gaze and nodded his agreement.
Henry had barely managed a grin in return when his face suddenly blanked and his eyes rolled back. A white haze developed over them and he nearly fell but Andvari caught him and lowered him to the ground.
“Henry!” Sawyer jumped up and ran around the table to his new friend’s side. He hadn’t completely forgiven Henry for trying to wipe his memories earlier but the more he learned the more he understood why he’d tried.
“Dammit,” Eduard said. “We need to get him back inside the wards. Quickly.”
Andvari lifted Henry like he weighed nothing and started for the front door. Draco gave Sawyer an apologetic look before running after him.
“Fuck that,” Sawyer said. “Come on, Pearl!”
She jumped down from her position on the couch and followed Sawyer.
“You are joining us?” Eduard asked.
“Yes.”
“Come along then. This should be interesting.”
Sawyer slipped his feet into an old pair of beat up Vans by the door while he grabbed his keys from the hook.
He locked it behind them before turning and starting up the hill at a jog.
Eduard ran beside him, although Sawyer could tell he was holding back.
It was odd, but a bit comforting to have him there.
When they reached a certain point in the drive, Eduard paused but Sawyer kept going. He felt something, a little shiver of warning but only slowed when he realized Eduard had stopped completely. Eduard gasped and then hurried to catch up to him.
“What?”
“The wards didn’t stop you.”
“Should they have?”
“Yes.” He held out his hand, gesturing for Sawyer to stop.
“Henry said I’m a null,” Sawyer explained. “He tried to make me forget but it didn’t work. Then he said we were going to be good friends. I… don’t have many friends and I don’t know, if Draco is involved in this, then I am too.”
Eduard paused for a moment, then nodded. “I will discuss security protocol with you once we see to Henry’s well-being. If you do not do as I request, I will not allow you onto this property. Henry must be kept safe.”
“Okay. I swear it.”
Eduard searched his face again, and then nodded once more. “Come.”
He followed Eduard into the house, where Draco was holding a small trash can in front of Henry as he vomited. Andvari was still supporting his weight. Eduard ran forward, helping to support Henry as he dry heaved repeatedly.
“Bathroom?” Sawyer asked quietly.
Andvari looked toward a hallway so Sawyer darted that direction. He found a small powder room and pulled the hand towel from the rack. After dousing it with cold water and wringing it out, he returned to the living room and placed the cool cloth against Henry’s forehead.
Henry immediately reached out and grabbed his wrist and then he suddenly went lax in Eduard and Andvari’s hold.
“Oh that’s better,” Henry rasped. “Don’t let go, okay?”
“Okay,” Sawyer said. “Whatever you need.”
“Just keep touching me for a few minutes. Please.”
“Sure.”
“Let’s put him on the couch,” Eduard said. They moved quickly, with Henry still clinging to Sawyer’s arm.
“That was a bad one,” Henry said. His voice was low and slurred.
He blinked up at Sawyer, who had knelt by the couch and was holding the cool cloth against Henry’s forehead.
“Now I know why you’re here, why the magic chose this place.
I didn’t know a null could help me.” His voice slowly drifted away and his eyes closed.
Sawyer sucked in a nervous breath. “Is he okay?”
“He will be,” Eduard said softly. “The visions tire him but he normally isn’t able to sleep as quickly as this.”
“I should call his fathers back,” Andvari said. “They are expecting his call.”
Andvari walked out of the room and Draco knelt beside Sawyer. “You okay?”
“Yeah.”
Pearl wiggled her way between them and stuck her nose against Henry with a whimper. Sawyer leaned into her warmth, and if that put him closer to Draco as a result, well, that was very convenient.
Eduard moved to stand on Sawyer’s other side, then leaned down to place his hand on Sawyer’s shoulder.
“He knew you would help him. His magic somehow knew. Strange that a null is living next door to the place our seer says the most powerful of our kind will soon be appearing. It must mean something.”
Sawyer had no clue. He stared down at Henry, at his overly pale face and wondered if maybe Eduard was right. Maybe he was exactly where he was supposed to be, even if had absolutely no idea what that meant.