“That’s also not part of the plan,” Ahren says. His voice is lower now, worn thin, like a rope fraying at both ends. “Don’t forget, she’s my family, too.”
He looks at me, and there’s something in his face I’ve seen in his eyes far more times than I want to admit. The pain of losing a loved one.
“I’m trying to do what I need to,” he says, in barely more than a whisper. “Don’t make it harder for me.”
I can’t breathe.
I press my hands to my face, trying to push the thoughts out, but they only come faster. What if she’s already dead? What if she thinks I abandoned her?
I bite down on my tongue so hard it tastes like metal.
“Nothing better happen to her,” I whisper hoarsely, hating that I’m not doing anything.
He might be slightly younger than me, but he’s far more mature. He’s experienced battle, loss and pain which I haven’t, and I’ve seen it… the loss of a loved one, and it destroyed me inside… How many times has Ahren felt this?
I know the answer to that; far too many times.
Ahren places a hand on my shoulder, and then with a small puff, we are right beside the temple steps. I don’t waste any time, punching the man who had given me this scar straight in the neck. I hear something snap, lightning flashing through the sky and spreading from my gauntlet as he’s thrown across the desert sand, power surging from all around.
With my left hand, I reach out to Theo, who takes it quickly, and then with a puff, we teleport, appearing somewhere in the desert, but it’s far from where the clash went down. It’s only for a second to make sure it’s just us, and then we teleport back to the safe place.
“Theo!” Kataleya says, and she’s the first to launch herself onto him, hugging him as she begins crying. Dad exhales, and I’ve never seen him look so… tired.
“Thank you,” I say to Ahren.
“No need to thank me. He’s my friend, too.” He pats my shoulder when I shake my head.
“No, I owe you an apology… I’m sorry for earlier. Sometimes we have to do the right thing even if it’s hard… I’m sorry for what I said.”
He shakes his head. “Don’t. We’re friends. And at least I got to see how much you care for her.”
“What am I missing?” Dad says as he hugs Theo.
“Oh…” Theo now grins as Allie rushes over to him and punches his arm.
“Don’t die, ok?” she says.
Theo grins before he wiggles his eyebrows at her. “I’ll try not to, so… Shall I tell him, or do you want to do the honours?” Theo says to Allie.
I frown. “Neither of you. Dad, let’s go home first.”
Dad massages his temples and nods.
One thing about Dad is that he’s book smart, but he’s not the best at reading situations, especially emotional ones. Call him dense, but unless it’s spelt out for him, chances are Dad won’t get it.
I glance at Sienna, who is blushing as she looks at me, and I give her a faint smirk.
I think it’s time we told our parents.
“Let’s go,” Carter says, sighing, for once smiling as he looks at Theo. “Glad you’re back, wanker.”
“Oh, so am I. I’m ready to tell everyone about my heroics. By the way, I took a leak on the temple steps. It didn’t spit me out, so I think we’re all good. But I think those assholes were jealous of my dick because they just stood there watching-”
“Eww! Don’t touch me!” Alessandra snarls in horror.
“Theo, I love you, but stop!” Artemis shudders weakly. Brock grins as I smile, shaking my head.
He’s playing it off, but what he did… was fucking brave.
