Page 211 of Pixie Problems


Font Size:

"Yes!" Torian flopped his hands as if that should've been clear. "Asp, youknowthis."

"I knowyourconjuration failed!" she yelled. "My control is getting better, but yours has fallen apart! Let me stand on my own two feet for once, Tor!"

"She has a point," Wilder said.

"Don't get in the middle of this," Torian warned him.

"He's just trying to help," Hawke soothed. "Tor, you weren't there. You didn't see what Rain did. She got us weapons. She chargedin to save Nevaeh and those guys. She fought for us, Torian. Foryou."

"And that's why I went out to help her!" Torian huffed. "I just think that if Harper is trying to come at me - "

"It's not about you!" Aspen broke in. "This isn't even about me. This is about Rain, and she needs a little magic. You were supposed to show Keir how to - "

"I can't!" Torian roared, gesturing to his head. "I can't think. I can't concentrate. Every time I think I'm used to it, you start yammering again, non-stop! How the fuck am I supposed to focus like that? Don't you get it? I can't get my shit together because of you!"

"Out!" I yelled, standing up to place myself between Aspen and her brother.

"Ms. Rhodes wanted me here."

"Then go wait in Aspen's room," I said. "You will not blame your own sister for your problems, Torian. And you know what? Earth isn't a museum. Things aren't perfectly controlled here. They are chaotic, and beautiful, andthatis what you get to work with, so figure it the fuck out, because you will not silence Aspen to make your fucking life easier!"

"Keir..." Aspen gently touched my arm. "It's ok."

"You deserve better than that," I told her. "I like him, but you're my partner. Or, well, I'm hoping it ends up like that."

"Definitely like that," she assured me. "I think you just need to stop taking your time and push a bit. Rain's still not fae."

Torian let out a sigh, and it sounded almost remorseful. "Asp, I'm sorry."

"No, you're right," she told him. "I know you are, and I know I should've stayed inside, but do you know how hard that is? To sit here, all alone, not sure if you're going to come back?Anyof you? So when Ms. Rhodes said she'd keep me safe, I just... I didn't..." She dropped her head to her chest. "I didn't fucking think about it, Torian."

"I didn't either," he admitted, coming closer so he could wrap his arms around her. "Asp, I'm sorry. I just can't lose you."

"And I can't lose you!" she shot back. "But this isn't about me, Torian. Rain's the one who drained herself dry. She's the one who keeps facing down the Huntsman! She never backs down, and she's fighting for us. Both of us!"

"But itisabout you," he insisted.

"Tor..."Hawke warned.

"Court!" Jack said from his roost.

Torian just lifted his hands. "Ok. Bracken's getting her some nectar. Doesanyonehave power to spare?"

"I..." Glancing back, my eyes landed on her chest, relieved it was still rising and falling steadily. "I don't know how to get it into her."

"Hawke?" Torian asked.

He shook his head. "I zapped her, but I burn it too fast."

"Gave her a rush, though," I told him.

He huffed. "I bet. Wilder?"

He pushed between Aspen and me, reaching down to rest his dark hand on Rain's. Closing his eyes, he pushed, and a white glow spread across her. The problem was that it didn't last very long.

"Any more, and I'm going to need Hawke to carry me home," he admitted.

"Dad!" Jack announced. "Dad, Dad, Bitch!"