ELIANO #9
"At this point, every pairing I’ve handled during the previous fair has been confirmed as True Mates. Jordan knows that and took my words seriously. But I can see that he’s stressed. It’s huge news, a life-changing thing, and he has lived a quiet, calm life of a workaholic."
"Senu is in a shut-down state. Getting through to him won’t be easy."
"True, Salt probably would be the best option here, to help Senu," Stom mutters.
"Salt is on the island with an ankle monitor. Senu’s fated is the next best option. So, it’s good that you brought Jordan. "
I sigh and glance back toward the cage. To my surprise, I see that Jordan has climbed inside and is now sitting next to Senu.
In his elegant suit, sitting in a filthy cage, he looks surreal, but it seems like the right choice.
Senu’s big eyes are fixed on him. Jordan is speaking quietly, showing him something on his phone.
I’ve heard how it works for True Mates: when they enter Joining, their traumatic memories begin to fade. That’s how the healing works. The painful past loses its immediacy and its power over the present.
"I hope something can be done for the other omegas too. They all look deeply traumatized."
"I hope so too. Detective Arnold has experience with situations like this, and I know he will help them find their families. For those who do not have families, he will find them safe places and make sure they receive psychological support."
We step out of the building.
As soon as we are outside and the fresh air hits me, free of the stench of blood and sweat from Tanner’s tormented victims, Storm suddenly speaks.
"Are you planning to call Salt and tell him about this? It will be incredible news for him. He loved his brother so much. This is… huge. Really huge."
I hesitate. I feel resistance tighten in my chest, a knot of tension.
"True, but I think it should be Senu. Not me."
"I do not know if he will be able to do that for some time."
"We will see. Give me a moment."
I go back into Tanner’s house. Earlier I noticed sticky notes on the fridge, with a pen attached by a magnet.
After browsing it on my phone, I write down the number for the island’s central office, add Salt’s unit number, and underneath I write my own number with a note: "And this is my number. I am Salt’s husband."
I go back to Storm, and show him the note. "I think Senu will want to hear Salt’s voice too. They were everything to each other. I will give him this."
Storm nods.
We wait outside the building for quite a while. The police are swarming the place, moving fast as they secure evidence. Soon the first omegas are carried out on stretchers and loaded into ambulances that begin pulling up one after another.
Then something happens that I have to admit I did not expect at all.
Jordan emerges from the building, carrying Senu in his arms, wrapped tightly in a blanket.
Despite the slight paralysis on the left side of his body, which has lingered since the bombing attack on Blue Lowen, Jordan manages to carry him without visible difficulty. Although, Senu has certainly not gained any weight in that cage.
Only his small, dirty, naked feet stick out from under the blanket, and the sight is almost surreal.
Jordan heads toward one of the ambulances, his brow furrowed, and that is when I step closer to them.
"Where are you taking him?"
"First to the hospital so they can examine him," Jordan says flatly, without looking at me. "Then I am taking him to my house."
"I understand," I say, glancing at Senu. He still looks like a frightened, feral animal with those dirty, tangled curls, but his head is resting lightly against Jordan’s shoulder, which is a welcome sign.
"Take good care of him, Jordan," I say quietly. "He needs that."
"Do not worry. I will take care of everything," Jordan replies in the same stern tone. "He won’t lack for anything."
"There is one more thing," I add. "Senu’s brother, Salt, suffered terribly after his brother's presumed death. I would like to leave Senu a phone number he can use to reach Salt."
"We will deal with that later—" Jordan starts to say, but at that moment a thin, dirty hand slips out from under the blanket and grabs the note with the number I am holding out toward them.
Jordan sees it, blinks, but says nothing.
My eyes meet Senu’s. "Do you want to be the one to deliver Salt the message? Or would you prefer I do it?"
To my considerable surprise, Senu gives a small gesture toward his chest.
"Okay, then I’ll leave it to you when you feel ready to do it," I also feel compelled to add, "Jordan, it would be good if you told Senu exactly what happened with Salt. I think he should know before he makes that call."
"This is definitely not the right moment for that. We need to get to the hospital," Jordan replies, his jaw tight. "But I will tell him everything, of course. Do not worry."
"I will not keep you. Good luck."
Jordan gives a brief nod and walks toward the ambulance, carrying Senu.
Storm steps up beside me. He has been watching us from a short distance.
"Are you aware that Salt may get this information from the news even before Senu’s call? These kinds of cases tend to become a national sensation everywhere."
"Good, it may be for the best that he doesn't know I was involved."
Storm’s eyes go wide.
"Wait. Really? He would consider you a hero…"
I grimace and answer dryly, "Do you think I want Salt to call me back to the island just because I found Senu? Or rather because he actually wants us to build a life together? Because he… chose me?"
There's a flash of understanding on Storm’s face, so I add, "I want him to pick me, not just… be grateful. It wouldn’t be the same. Or fair to him. I didn’t do it to ‘win him over’. I felt I owed him that, since I took the opportunity from him. It seems the right thing to do."
"Funny, Damien would get it one hundred percent. He didn't want me to know at the beginning he was from the Lowens. He wanted me to pick him… just because I wanted him."
"Yeah. It's better if he knows from the media or from Senu himself."
"Well, especially after the Mate Rejection thing, the impulse to reconnect really should come from him. But remember that your time off the island is coming to an end. You literally only have a few days left."
I sigh. "I know, but speaking of Damien, maybe he could do something about it? He could ask Blue to intervene and extend it."
"Yes, that probably can be done," Storm says. "But think carefully about whether—"
At that moment, I hear a soft notification sound on my phone, a ring I have not heard in a very long time.
"Someone messaged me on Messenger?" I mutter, surprised. "That's interesting."
Storm leans over my screen and we both gasp.