Page 125 of After 5
Toches throttled up the engine.
“Tell Elma she can go to hell and take her toy with her!” Victory threw a small brown box at Caiyan. He ducked and it sailed over his head, landing a few feet from me. The girl had good aim. Toches’s face contorted into a disturbed look and he shouted “Nooo!”
Caiyan rushed toward them. They vanished with a loud crack, knocking him backward. He landed flat on his back.
Gaelic curses spewed from him as he got to his feet and retrieved the box. He turned and stared at the empty space where the Harley stood moments before. Placing his hand on his key, he dropped to his knees.
I expected him to call his vessel. It was my last chance to save his life—I had to warn him now.
With his back to me, he dropped his head to his chest as he leaned back on his brogans and looked down at the box he held.
I had never seen him like this. Defeated. I read his ache from across the clearing, and my heart shed a tear. I would miss our rocky relationship, and the way he held me in his arms when his secrets were tucked way down deep and I was the only one he cared about. What would my life be like when I returned to the WTF?
I moved from my hidey hole toward him. A loud crack and my vessel appeared across from us. Did he call my vessel?
The door opened and a familiar face with white hair pulled back into a tidy bun stepped from the outhouse wearing her best Annie Oakley gear.
She started forward, saw me, and cut her eyes toward the large tree next to me. When I scurried for cover, she winked at me. Caiyan didn’t raise his head as Elma approached.
“You summoned me, boy?”
“I lost her.”
Elma placed an aged hand on his head of dark curls. “You didn’t lose her. She chose. Like she always does.”
He raised his head and looked up at her. “She’s pregnant.”
Elma’s eyes widened. “Now, there’s a twist I didn’t see coming.”
“Toches took her on a vessel I’ve never seen before. He was older. I’m afraid he tried to take her forward.”
“If he’s capable, you’ll find her.”
“I didnae kin ’twas possible.”
“There’s so much we don’t know about our gift.” Elma searched Caiyan’s face. “Why don’t you quit this gypsy lifestyle, and come home?”
He shook his head, dropping his gaze to the ground again. “’Tis naugh my destiny.”
“Oh, I think it is.” She glanced in my direction and our eyes met and held.
“I’m naugh a good man.”
“Now don’t go gettin’ all righteous with me, boy. John’s death wasn’t your fault.”
“I know otherwise.” He stood, towering above my petite aunt. I held my breath and stayed hidden.
“John’s death was meant to happen exactly as it had. Believe me, I’ve tried to change the past and nothin’ good ever come of it.”
“The suits would never grant me safety. They’d take my key for what I’ve done.”
“My God, boy, you’re too hard on yourself. You’ve got talent. I’d see to it the new boss knows of it. They could use a man like you, a good man, and besides, Brodie misses you.”
“Brodie,” he chuckled.
“Well there’s no convincing you otherwise. Like Victory, you’ll make your own choice. The crow only flies where the meat is good, but the eagle, they build their nests to last.”
He held her gaze for a long, mindful moment, then lifted his hand.
