Closing the distance between us, I came to rest close by his side. “Are you saying I will fail?” The very thought seemed ridiculous.
“On your own? Possibly.” Hikaru’s grin pinched his cheeks. “Lucky for you, you’re not alone. You’ve got me.”
“Oh? Forgive me. I had not considered your presence the tipping point you seem to believe it to be.” The very thought seemed laughable.
“Don’t you dare underestimate me,” Hikaru huffed in annoyance, his arms crossed over his chest. “You need someone with a more devious mind than yours.”
“And that someone is you?”
“You know it is.”
“Are you comparing yourself to Danzig?”
Hikaru’s appalled expression was worth the dig. “I will cut the tongue from your mouth if you suggest something so vile again. There are different levels of deviousness, or more importantly, different intentions driving that deviousness. Besides, I’m more mischievous than devious.” Tilting his hand back and forth, Hikaru’s gaze settled back on the ocean. “They are but different sides of the same coin.”
“Hmm…despite my better judgment, I have to admit your words bear consideration.” I thought back to what Hikaru had originally relayed. I’d been so upset regarding Danzig’s intentions towards Erasmus, that I’d failed to concentrate on the other important points. Now that I was calmer, my earlier anger seemed premature and counterproductive. “Do you have any idea what it is that Danzig believes I will interfere with? What he believes mymoral compasswill not allow?”
“He didn’t say,” Hikaru disappointingly answered. “Not even really a hint to be truthful.”
That was unfortunate. “And what he plans to do to remove me as a complication?”
“He wasn’t specific on that threat either. All he said was there was more than one way to eliminate you.”
Admittedly, that was a little alarming.
I was still musing on this when Hikaru said, “I can go back.” His nose adorably scrunched. “It’s irritating being aroundhim. Infuriating really. But I suppose I can tolerate it.” Hikaru sounded very put upon.
“It sounds like you plan on staying.” The relief fluttering through my chest was far from welcome.
“Of course.” Hikaru’s smirk was back full force. “I’m not that easy to get rid of, Niki. Besides, you like me being here.”
“And others consider me arrogant. Obviously, those individuals have never met you.” I turned, attempting to hide my blush-stained cheeks.
Head tilted back, Hikaru’s laughter rose higher than the wind. “Why on earth would I want to leave when you say such sweet things?” Pointedly ignoring my aggressive eyeroll, Hikaru clapped his hands together, his tails madly twitching. “We just need a plan.”
I had no idea what type of plan Hikaru was about to formulate. Before he got too ahead of himself, there was a message I’d promised to relay—A message I’d put off long enough.
“Keir called while you were gone.”
The effect was immediate. Hikaru’s body stilled, his tails dropping and dragging the ground before flipping up again. “I don’t care what he has to say.” Hikaru waved me off, literally turning his body so his back was to me.
I didn’t believe him for an instant. “He asked me to relay a message, or, perhaps, more of a request.”
Hikaru refused to look at me. “I’m sure whatever it is, Keir can handle things. He doesn’t need me.”
“Actually, I get the impression he does.” I wasn’t ready to explore the reasons why I didn’t want Hikaru to leave. Regardless, I could acknowledge the fact that I wanted him here, with me. I could have remained silent. I’d considered it, but Keir’s words had played in my head, unwilling to leave. He’d said some of the missing were Hikaru’s friends. Was Hikaru’s desireto stay with me and not return to the Magical Usage Compound based on his fears regarding what had happened? Was it too painful to face what he’d lost?
I had no idea. If that were the case, then Hikaru needed to face those fears, otherwise they would fester with time.
“Trust me. He doesn’t,” Hikaru stubbornly answered.
I cleared my throat. “Keir thinks he might have located some of the missing.”
Again, the effect was immediate. Hikaru sucked in an agonizing breath as his body doubled over. My reaction was instinctual. Arms wrapped around his middle, I held on, holding Hikaru up and preventing him from collapsing.
“Breathe,” I ordered. “Feel my chest. Move with it.” Hikaru’s stuttered breaths and frantic gasping evened out until his inhales and exhales matched my own. “That’s it,” I whispered as my fingers gently carded through Hikaru’s sweat-dampened strands of hair.
Placing my open palm on Hikaru’s chest, I felt his pounding heart slow to a more acceptable rhythm. Only when I felt Hikaru had calmed did I ask, “You know who Keir is speaking of?”
