Chapter 19 A Waiting Game
A Waiting Game
Heaven
He exhales in frustration as he stands tall, and I push myself back, not wanting to touch him accidentally. I suddenly realise how inappropriate this is, squeezed into this tiny place with a guy who isn’t my boyfriend.
Eww, he is not my type! I can’t even imagine that.
“He has agreed to meet you, but he hasn’t said when. He just said when the stars align for it, whatever that shit means. But he did add that the price will be dear. And I know what that means. If you fuck up, you’ll be joining Sienna over there in Crazy-O-Realm.”
“He didn’t say when?” I suddenly feel deflated when he shakes his head. But that could be days or weeks! “We have to do this soon; there are certain parts of the year when my powers-”
“The world doesn’t revolve around you, Blondie. Take it or leave it. I will happily tell him you’re cancelling your date with death,” he says sarcastically.
“No! I’ll wait…” I try to hide my frustration.
Is Hades trying to trick me? I’m certain he knows when the time will be right.
Is he trying to delay on purpose? The urgency to bring Sienna back soon is growing inside of me, and Hades is a god who loves to play games.
He’s equally as annoying as his favoured.
I close my eyes as Theo turns the shower off. “Now, teleport out of here.”
I glance up at him, the weight of defeat hanging over me.
“No, I’m walking out,” I say, but only because I’m thrown off, and the teleportation spell can go dangerously wrong if my mind isn’t fully focused.
“No, you’re not,” he growls.
I glare up at him, feeling my right eye tingle, and I look away quickly.
“Hey… look at me.”
“I don’t want to.” I frown. Did he notice it?
He doesn’t accept that as an answer and, gripping my chin, forces me to look up at him, but my eye has returned to normal. He frowns, narrowing his eyes. “I swear your eyes did some freaky shit right now.”
I scoff, tugging free. “Freaky crap? You’re the freaky one.”
“I can be,” he smirks, and I frown at him. I then step out of the shower, whispering a spell to dry myself.
“Oh, come on, are you going to leave me here soaking?!”
I ignore him. I’ve had enough of this idiot for one day!
It’s late that night, and Jayce has called a meeting to discuss our plan of action.
We’re out in the courtyard, and I’ve activated a silencing spell.
We’ve been here for half an hour already, going over some of the details.
He’s currently trying to drill into me that I shouldn’t agree to anything Hades offers without thinking it over or discussing it.
“I know. Like I’ve said a hundred times already, I know what I’m doing,” I cut in.
“I know, but sometimes we think we know shit when we don’t.”
I nod. “Yes, but the gods aren’t going to make it easy to just walk away and have a think. It could be a now-or-never chance. If I walk away to ponder on it, it’s highly likely we’ll lose the one chance that we’ll be offered.”
Jayce nods. “I get that, but it will require quick thinking. Still, if you’re unsure, don’t take the risk.”
Allie is sitting at the table, looking bored, but she’s paying attention as we move on to discuss backup spells, weapons, etc. Theo was also dragged here, and he’s currently lying down on one of the benches, looking far too long for it. His eyes are closed, but thankfully, he isn’t commenting.
“I’ve asked the others to come. Now, we just have to wait and see if they’ll agree… Who else are we asking? Should we involve the elders?” Jayce asks.
“No,” I say firmly. “They won’t agree. They’ll want to do this themselves, and I don’t mean to sound cocky, but the chances of us surviving are far higher.”
Theo snickers. “I like how you said that, Blondie.”
I roll my eyes. “I’m serious. I think my mama has a high chance of surviving, though. She’s powerful, and she’s a witch, but those in close combat are at greater risk.”
I sense Jayce’s mood shift, and I observe him, but the moment is fleeting, and it’s gone quicker than it appeared.
Odd. What was that about?
Just then, I turn to see the three remaining Westwood Quints saunter towards us, and my heart skips a beat. Seeing the five brothers together always takes my breath away. It’s the aura, the Alpha power that hums through all five of them.
“What is going on?” Carter asks as Renji smiles and slides in beside Allie.
“Hey,” he greets, flashing us a smile. “I’m kind of curious, too.”
Only Ares doesn’t speak, hands in his pockets, a moody expression on his face.
“So, Zombilesandra, Blondie and Jayce have a plan to go rescue Curls from Helios, and he plans to duel him, but he wants you guys to help him.” Theo grins.
“You are as annoying as Dad,” Allie says, frowning as the three boys look at Jayce.
“I might not understand how, but if it means helping you, Jayce, I’m in,” Renji says and then smiles at us. “And you girls, of course.”
“Thanks. We haven’t figured out all the minor details, but we have a plan in the works, and if you agree to be a part of it, we can fill you in,” Jayce says as he begins pacing.
He is a natural leader, I must admit.
“Well, I’m all for assisting, but I do want to hear the plan and the reason I should risk my neck for someone who put you through shit,” Carter says, looking at Jayce. “Unless you want to save her?”
“She didn’t have a choice; you guys get that, right?” Allie says coldly. “Yeah, Dad said some messed-up crap, but Sienna did what she did from a good place, even if she fucked up.”
Yeah…
“Still, I’m asking Jayce,” Carter replies.
“I do,” Jayce says. “I’m asking this for me, not anyone else.”
Carter nods. “Sure, I’m in then.”
All eyes now turn to Ares, who still hasn’t said anything. “Let’s hear the plan.”
“So, are you in?” Theo asks.
“We’ll see,” Ares says with a shrug.
Even four out of five brothers could work… maybe. But his response isn’t a complete no. Let’s just hope he changes his mind and agrees.
“How do you defeat a god, though?” Renji asks thoughtfully after we shared what we have planned so far, leaving out the vital part of Theo’s involvement, as he had asked us not to share that.
“There are ways; they have limits, and we will be in the Realm of the Gods. Power is more potent there,” Jayce says with confidence.
“Alright. I’ll help, but only cause I want to see what that place is all about,” Ares says with a smirk.
Jayce gives him a faint smile, if you can call it that, as he nods. “Thanks.”
“I think we should ask Ahren to join us, and I want to tell Tatum. We will need people here to hold down the fort and tell the elders that we’re ok,” I say.
“Ahren, maybe not. If he leaves, it’ll throw the Black Storm Pack into chaos as he doesn’t have an heir,” Jayce says.
I shake my head. “No, it’ll revert to Uncle, but we will leave them a message. There is no other way.”
Theo looks at me curiously, and Allie nods. “Yeah, so I think we could do with Ahren. He’s strong and has demon magic.”
“An entire circus, great,” Theo adds sarcastically.
“And why are we taking advice from these kids?” Ares asks arrogantly.
I arch an eyebrow. “Because we are the ones who have the key to enter that world.”
Theo snorts, a silent mockery since I need his help.
“Well, let’s get Ahren in on it then, and Tatum, and see how this goes,” Carter says.
“When do we move?” Renji asks.
“I’ll tell you when. For now, just remain ready,” I say quietly.
Because even I don’t have an answer to that.
A few weeks have passed by, and no matter how many times I asked Theo if Hades had made an appearance or told him anything, he just shuts it down.
At times, I wondered if he was lying to me.
But while he might do that to me, he wouldn’t do it to his brother.
With that thought, I am able to continue going.
Tatum and Ahren were filled in, and, yes, I heard a lot from them both about how they couldn’t lose me, too, etcetera, like I didn’t know how to take care of myself.
It’s now leading up to Halloween, and like every year, the Academy will have some fun events going on.
There is usually a charity event to raise money for one of the many orphanages of the supernatural world.
No one likes to say it, but the number of children in need is growing.
Most of these orphanages were funded by the wealthiest werewolf families, with the Rossis being at the top of that list. However, everyone plays their part.
I would have loved to be able to help organise the event, and I was asked by the head of the committee, a senior in the 12th Division, but I had to refuse. I have to focus on Sienna.
However, it isn’t stopping me from planning what I am going to wear for the night. There is going to be a fashion show, which I agreed to, and there is going to be a boys’ dance performance, too. It’s kind of hush-hush, but apparently it is going to be quite steamy.
Let’s hope the teachers don’t shut them down. I have a feeling they won’t, but maybe those of us who are under eighteen won’t be allowed. We shall see.
“So, what are you going as?” Holden asks as he sits behind me, wrapping his arms around me and kissing my cheek.
I smile back at him from where I am carving the pumpkins for the décor with a touch of magic.
“No one really, I’m just going to do some fancy make-up and put on something black. What about you?”
“I’m not sure, maybe a vampire?”
I smile. “You’re beautiful enough to be one.”
He chuckles. “That’s a big compliment coming from you.”
I guess I don’t tell him enough.
“Holden?”
“Yeah, baby?”
“Where do you see us in a year or two years?” I ask.
He stiffens in surprise before he cranes his neck to look me in the eye. “I hope right here, beside you,” he says softly.
The confidence with which he spoke makes my heart skip a beat.
“What about you?” he asks after a moment.
“Hopefully, right here, too.”
He smiles, and we kiss softly. I settle back in his arms, resting my head against his chest, feeling guilty.
Because the truth is, I don’t know. I don’t know what the future holds anymore. Ironic, considering my prophecies and the fact that I have the gift of sight.
But still, I don’t know where it will take us, and I don’t know if what we have will stand the test of time.
I’ve been training with Mama at least twice a week, and the work she gives me takes a lot of time, but I’m learning a lot. She’s a harsh teacher, but I can see the difference already.
Then there’s planning Sienna’s rescue mission. The bridge between Holden and me seems to be growing.
And that hurts.
“I should go,” I say reluctantly as I finish off the last pumpkin.
“Already?” he asks.
I nod. “Yes, there’s something I need to do with Allie.”
“Sure,” he says, giving me another squeeze before releasing me.
I glance at my watch; it’s around five in the afternoon, and today it’s finally the time to carry out Allie’s initiation. Today we will learn her element and hopefully her witch’s name.
Her doubt has caused a delay in performing the spell until now. But she’s ready, and so am I.
The time has finally arrived.