Chapter 20
JAX
“Have you had enough to eat, Jax?”
I pat my stomach and give Otis’s mom a thumbs-up.
We’re sitting in the sheriff’s kitchen eating a slap-up breakfast Sally has prepared. This is on top of the delicious meals she provided all day yesterday, while we had meetings and planned the mission down to the last detail.
“Got to get your strength up for your big trip,” Sally says.
“Hopefully I’ll be back before nightfall.”
“Well, I’ve packed you sandwiches just in case.”
I glance at Otis quizzically, wondering if there’s a pocket inside the portal cape.
He shakes his head and puts a finger to his lips as his mom turns away to wash the plates.
“Humor her,” he mouths with a smirk.
“Thanks Sally,” I say loudly, “that’s very kind of you.”
I guess Otis doesn’t want to disappoint his mom.
She’s only been back to her old self for a few weeks.
After Otis’s dad disappeared, presumed dead, her grief had been unbearable until a miracle happened on her birthday recently.
Neither Otis nor Clem have told me the details.
They just said she had a very special visitation.
And that the truth would be revealed soon.
Whatever it was, it’s been transformative. She is full of life and vitality. And a fucking awesome cook.
The white magic is quickening. Those were the words Traggar used.
With all the happenings of the last few weeks, I can sense that myself.
It sure made itself known to me and Tippy in our little den. And when Otis, on the drive back to level one, asked me if I was free of my addiction, I replied, “When something amazing happens, there’s no room for addiction.”
He nods. “I get it,” he growled softly. “I get it.”
There was no need to say anything more. Because I knew he was referring to him and Clem, and how their relationship turned him from a grumpy green sheriff to an orc of courage and decisive action.
I’m sure he knows how the change has come about in me.
Just as I’m thinking this, Clem walks into the kitchen, yawning and bleary-eyed.
Otis jumps to her side. “You okay babe?”
“Yes, just, um, the smell of bacon.” She wrinkles her nose. “Not great.”
“Sis! That’s not polite. I’ve just eaten the best bacon I’ve ever had.” I’m usually the rude one, and I’m looking with horror at Sally, who just smiles good-naturedly.
“You know I love your bacon normally, Sally,” Clem says. Otis puts a big arm around her shoulders. “You wanna tell your brother?”
She nods, her eyes bright, and takes a deep breath. “Otis and me are expecting a youngling.”
“Wow! That’s fucking awesome.” I’m at her side in seconds. “Heck! I’m going to be an uncle. Can I hug you? Like—gently?”
“Of course you can. I won’t break.”
“We didn’t know whether to tell you before the mission or after.” Otis’s voice is gruff to hide his emotions.
“I’m so glad you told me before I left.” I stand back and look at my sister’s still very flat tum. “So now with Blondie’s pregnancy, we’re going to have two hybrid younglings in the Labyrinth.”
“Yes, isn’t it amazing?”
I frown. “Should you move down to level three now? Those lowlife have abducted you once before, Clem, but now you’re even more valuable to them.”
“I’ve put a force field around the house,” Otis says.
“If it detects any suspicious non-monster presence, it’ll zap the crap out of them.
But yes, we’ll still consider Clem going down to Wolftown if need be.
We’ll cross that bridge when we have a better picture of how dangerous life is going to get down here. ”
“Just stay safe, okay?” I gaze into Clem’s eyes, vivid green, like my own. Like our mom’s. I bite back my sadness that Mom will never get to see her first grandchild.
I have to face facts. It’s been fifteen years since we last saw Mom, which clearly means…
But no, fuck it! I won’t let sad memories get in the way, not today when I need my energy to face the dangerous task ahead.
Besides, a new and very special youngling is going to enter the world. The cycle of life will continue.
“This news is my good luck charm for the day,” I say.
Clem and Sally hug me and wish me a safe journey.
And then I look at Otis, who’s already grabbed his hat. “I guess it’s time to go, then.”
Otis nods.
I square my shoulders and feel the wolfen energy rising in me like sap.
“I’m ready.”
Brody and Silas are waiting for us in the entry of the Vault, a vast cave that houses all our relics.
“The cape is prepped. More or less. Just a few finishing touches being added as we speak,” Silas says. His face is serious, as befits the occasion, but then, Silas is always serious.
Brody, on the other hand, is wearing his signature grin.
“Coffee?” he offers. “Or will that make you want to vape?”
“I’ve had food and coffee, courtesy of Sally Cane.” I say, then add proudly, “and I am cured of vaping.”
“That’s cool.” Brody ambles over and gives me a high five. Silas inclines his head and says, “Well done.”
“Tippy worked her magic,’ I say gruffly.
“You two got on okay, then? No bickering?” Brody is digging, I can tell by the twinkle in his dark brown eyes.
“There were a few misunderstandings, but we cleared them up quickly,” I say, avoiding his gaze.
“Great, sounds like you’ll be happy to see her now then,” Brody says.
“W-what?” My heart bounces. I thought we’d said our goodbyes already. The thought of seeing Tippy again before I go fills me with elation. “You mean she’s here in the Vault?”
“Yes,” Silas replies. “She’s in with Felicia, sewing the last of the runes into the cape’s lining. Come.”
He leads us into the room where the cape is housed. It’s draped over a dressmaker’s mannequin, looking more spruced than I’ve ever seen it. The velvet is plush, and the collar sparkles with the runestones that are part of its ancient magic system.
Tippy’s smile is for me and me alone. I’m sure everyone in the room must sense the chemistry that zaps between us.
“Ah, Jax,” Felicia says briskly. “We’ve added extra features with three new runes.” She goes on to explain the cape’s internal map, and the aura.
I’m grateful for the new mapping—Arlo wound up in all kinds of weird places when he stole the cape and infiltrated Sparkle on previous occasions.
Only one location, the parking lot below DeVines department store, finally hit the spot, because that’s where he met Sammy.
I certainly don’t need the cape to land me in a parking lot. Or a garbage dump.
“And the last feature,” Aunt Felicia pauses, “is to keep the cape operational in the event of any emotional upheaval.”
“I intend to stay calm,” I say.
“It won’t be because of you, Jax,” she says.“The cape has feelings too. But I’m confident this rune will keep its emotions in check.”
I fail to see the point of this last rune, but I trust Felicia knows what she’s doing.
As we stand looking at the cape, it shimmers and gives itself a little shake, and I sense it’s ready to get going.
“Thank you,” I say.
Felicia smiles. “No need to thank us, dear boy. Thank the magic that has allowed wolves and wixens to join and combine our powers. And, of course, Otis, for his programming skills. He’s helped to combine the runes with technology.”
I nod. “I am grateful to you all for your support.”
I look at Tippy as I speak. She’s gazing at me with love and a little fear in her eyes. I want to reassure her that I’m okay, that our mate bond give me more courage than any magical runes ever could.
I stride up to her, and I don’t hesitate. In front of everyone, I take her in my arms and kiss her.
Her lips mold to mine as we kiss, deep and long and sweet.
There is complete silence around us
But when we finally draw apart, there are four smiling faces, and four sets of hands applaud. “About bloody time,” Brody shouts.
Silas’s smile is a little embarrassed. And Otis, the great big soft-hearted orc that he is, wipes away a tear.
And then I step into the center of the room. Otis places the cape around my shoulders, and I feel its energy vibrate. Tiny sparks emit from its folds as it readies itself for portal travel.
I’ve only ridden the portal cape once before, and it was a rough crossing. I have everything I need, the tiny bugging devices carefully secreted into a zipped pocket in case I get shaken about.
Tippy’s gaze locks with mine and she murmurs, “Come home safe.”
My heart fills with love. “I will, I promise.”
And then I tug on the runes in the lining.
And disappear.