43. Tacita #2
The lights of Elysium twinkle below in every colour as we’re deposited above the skyscrapers. The noise of the population going about their nights reaches my ears as I right myself and try to stay airborne.
Sucking much needed oxygen into my lungs, my arms lock tight around my human.
The giant orange dragon circling around us releases a chuff as he tries to slow and attempts to hover. Wyatt’s eye locks with mine and I feel my lips tugging upwards before a laugh escapes my throat as I realise Garrick was trying to tell me that he was going to get me out of there.
My laughter ceases however as I think of him, and everyone else, still back at the games compound, fighting against the Angels. I hope that once they see that they’ve lost the chance to snatch Milo, they either surrender or retreat.
Wyatt makes another grunting noise, looking a little unstable in keeping his massive form in one place. He may have mastered basic flight, but the intricacies need a little practice.
“Come on,” I call to him. “I know where we can go.” Changing the angle of my own wings I take off in the direction of my penthouse.
It will be the first place Hades thinks to look for us, but it’s the most warded place I can think of that will allow me access.
Therefore, it’s the safest place for us to hide inside the city.
Garrick must’ve closed the portal the instant we were through because none of the Angels had a chance to follow us, but in case they have a way of getting to the city, I want us out of sight.
Behind the wards of my home will have to do.
As it's nearing dawn, the trams are running across the city, and the last of the night crowd are making their way home but thankfully the skies are quiet, very few are flying and as we’re up so high we avoid bumping into anyone.
We’d entered the sky above the north edge of the city, where portals are permitted.
I take the lead and soar a little higher to cross the urban sprawl of Elysium, the mountains in the distance over to the east, and the desert edges visible to the west and south.
I don’t linger my gaze to where the sun’s first rays are peaking over the rocky horizon, I can’t think of Garrick still fighting on whilst I’m running to hide.
Focusing on the current task, I head for home.
Wyatt stays close to my tail as we cross the centre of the city and head towards downtown on the lower east side.
My apartment is in the tallest building on my block.
I have the whole top floor. It’s extravagant for just me with its four bedrooms but I loved it as soon as I saw the listing.
Almost a third of the square footage is an outdoor garden in the sky.
It cost a fortune but it’s not like I’m short of cash, and I don’t regret the purchase one bit.
As it comes into view, I start to descend, the ache in my arms making itself known as my adrenaline begins to seep out my veins, knowing safety is in sight.
Milo is still fully unconscious but his steady heartbeat, which I can feel clearly with how tight I’m holding on to him, is reassuring that he’s not in serious danger. Not physically anyway.
If those Angels have done some permanent damage to his mind, I will be requesting to end them again and again. Hades might have to find a new assassin because I’ll be taking up a permanent residence in Tartarus.
I might be looking for a new job anyway after the stunt I’ve pulled tonight.
Shoving that thought away, I turn in the air as I slow my speed, my patio below. “Wyatt, you need to wait here before you land. My place is protected against intruders, I need to go inside to stop them killing you before you can pass through them.”
He huffs again which I’m hoping means he understands.
As we approach the roof, he drops back and this time manages to adjust his body much more smoothly so that he’s hovering in place.
His eyes don’t leave me and Milo as I touch down on the decked area of my rooftop paradise.
The magic in place to protect my space washes over me in recognition and allows Milo through as I’m in physical contact with him.
I pace quickly over to one of the sun loungers, laying my human down gently before ducking over to the control panel on the wall by the bifolding doors that lead into the apartment.
Entering the codes and my fingerprints, the wards I have in place for when I’m absent deactivate.
Some remain in place permanently but I always add extra when I’m away.
Unlocking the door to dash inside to the main security room, I have to log into the main system to add Wyatt and grant him access.
It only takes a few minutes as the cameras scan his form, where he’s still waiting in the air.
I grant Milo full access as well whilst I’m here.
As soon as it finishes processing, I’m jogging back outside to signal to Wyatt that it's safe to land.
With his large size, he has to land on the roof section rather than the outdoor garden area, but as soon as his feet touch down, he’s shifting and barrelling towards me, jumping straight down the one-story drop.
His body slams into me so hard, I’m stumbling backwards, my wings opening slightly so that I don’t fall flat on my ass.
I pull off my hood and mask, discarding them on another one of the loungers that are scattered throughout the area.
“Thank fucking Jaysus,” he breathes into my neck, his arms locking tight around me and squashing me against his solid frame. My arms wrap around his broad shoulders just as tightly. “That was far too fucking close.”
I wasn’t in any particular danger myself tonight, but I don’t think Wyatt is referring to me. “We got him out,” I say, reciprocating by inhaling his spicy scent.
Wyatt pulls away, but links our fingers and heads over to Milo. Brushing his curls away from his face, his touch lingers on Milo’s skin. “Is he okay?”
Stepping closer, I partially shift, vanishing my wings. “I think so. He’s just unconscious.”
“But that’s when those pricks can access his head the easiest.”
“The distance should help, although if they’re still in the realm. It’s not far enough.”
“I hope they’re getting annihilated back there.” His tone shifts to a rumbling anger.
“Hades won’t be letting them go unpunished.” The guilt washes through me again, an extra layer of unpleasantness reserved just for Hades. This is the first time in centuries I’ve truly failed at my job. If Hades is in trouble, I should be by his side. “You two will be safe here, I should get back.”
“What?” Wyatt rounds on me, his grip on my hand tightening. “Not a chance.”
“I have to. I’m one of the most skilled fighters in the realm, I can’t just abandon them.”
“But they were targeting you too. Garrick coordinated that whole thing to get you away from the compound.”
On reflection, the Angels had focused on me once they’d got Milo in their grasp.
They’d swarmed me after Hades’s arrival.
I’d been taking them down in quick succession though, so it made strategic sense that they’d target me because without me they’d gain the advantage a lot quicker.
My reputation precedes me as well, it wouldn’t surprise me that the Angels are familiar with who I am.
Surely putting an entire legion on me was nothing more than focusing on winning the battle, right?
I wasn’t a target in the way Milo was. I should still be there, ensure as many of us survive as possible, and that’s without mentioning the rest of the humans.
Even with their newly awakened powers, they’re not at full strength.
“You’re overanalysing,” Wyatt interrupts my thoughts. “Garrick believes that they wanted you too. He said you were the test to see if they were strong enough to go after Hades. By getting you, and Milo, away, they’ve failed.”
“It won’t be that simple.”
“Garrick said they’d probably give in once word spread that you’d left.”
“Since when have you and Garrick talked so much?” I hook an eyebrow at Wyatt’s nonchalance over being in cahoots with the Head of Tartarus.
“We’ve been best friends since that night Milo got stabbed and I’d snuck into his bedroom,” Wyatt proclaims, beaming at me. I have doubts that Garrick feels the same, but it seems my dragon and my grumpy panther shifter planned the whole stunt of getting Milo and me away together.
The thought makes me smile, I want Garrick to be a true part of our group, it would be too awkward if my guys didn’t get on with one another.
Milo groans, bringing his palms up to rub his temples as his face scrunches in pain.
“Hey Sweetheart, it’s okay. We got you out.” Wyatt sinks to his knees beside the lounger, taking his hand out of mine and putting it on Milo’s knee.
“Are they still trying to access your mind?” I ask, leaning over Wyatt’s shoulder.
Milo’s emerald eyes open in increments as if he’s expecting bright lights to assault his retinas. Whilst the sky is now pale where the sun is creeping over the horizon, it’s still dull in my garden, except for the few small lanterns hanging off various trees.
It takes him a few seconds to answer, the air electric with our anticipation. Wyatt’s shoulders visibly slump as Milo shakes his head slowly and brings his hands away from his head to sign. “My mind is clear right now.”
“Good. It’s going to stay that way.” Wyatt grabs Milo’s hands between his own and brings them to his lips.
I see the fear in Milo’s eyes though, he doesn’t think that this is over.
I agree, I don’t think it’s that easy. Even if Hades, Garrick, and the rest of the guards have taken out the Angels with mind powers, it doesn’t mean there aren’t more.
“Can you stand?” I say to Milo. “We should probably go inside. My wards are impenetrable out here but I'd still feel safer with walls around us.”
He nods and allows Wyatt to help him up.
“Plus, I’d kind of like to get clean,” I add, looking down at my blood splattered gear. Wyatt’s not much better, although his prison scrubs look covered in more dirt than blood.
“A shower sounds good, Mo Stór. Lead the way.”