Goodbye, for Now
Lynx
The next morning, we wake up early, dress in our leathers, and eat breakfast with my family. Mom is a blubbering mess as she passes out food and snacks for each of us. Even though she has only birthed me, she treats the entire group as her children. But that’s just Mom. She has the biggest heart I know, next to my Rezzi-bear.
“Now, make sure you eat and drink enough. The Road is a tricky one. Ineedyou all to make it through,” she tells our group. I hold back the urge to say duh or roll my eyes. Even though I’m fully grown, she could still beat my ass, and I would let her. You know how that saying goes—respect your elders, else they will unalive you.
‘I don’t think that’s the saying Lynx,’Rez sighs.
‘Oh shit. Hey Rez, didn’t know I said that in my head.’
“There’s no question about that. We have to,” Knots says, thanking her for his partition of food.
I can’t stand him. Since their breakup, he’s been off doing his own thing. Last night, he was sharpening his sword in the all-purpose room after Rez and him broke up. He slept in his chaise lounge, and then this morning, I found him working out in the gym. One part of me is happy he’s backed away from Rez in that capacity because that’s one less dick I have to compete with, but on the other hand, I want to tear him apart for even hurting her for a second. I know I’m not the only one who feels that way since a few of the guys have talked to him since the showdown. But because they can see both sides of it and “respect their decisions,” they think it’s best to stay out of it until things have cooled off. I’ve decided to back up Rezzi-bear and get some new firewood the next chance I get. He’s lucky I kept myself planted on the sofa when I wanted to run into that room and rip him a new one for yelling during their breakup.
But Mighty Moni told me that Rez could handle herself and if she couldn’t, we would know. Of course, it helped that Knox helped hold me back and told me what he felt through their link. So, if anything, it calmed me down to know that she was filled with rage and confidence. She was saying what she needed, and I’ll stand by her forever. I just hope I get a chance to kick Knots’ ass a few times or rub his nose in what he’s missing out on now.
“I’ve packed you some O blood, and there’s a few blood cocktails in that cooler if you need to come back to yourself,” Mom says, pulling me out of my wonderful daydream. She pinches Zeke’s cheek softly before she pulls him into a hug.
“Thanks, Mama Sierra. You’re the best,” he says, kissing her on the cheek.
“I know you made your own recipes and snacks, but I thought you would appreciate this more,” Sierra says, handing JP a small book.
“What is it?” he asks, opening it up and sharply inhaling before grabbing his chest. “No, you didn’t.” He gives her a big bear hug. “Thank you so much,” he says with a bright smile.
He turns and shows us the handwritten cookbook, and inside, it says: ‘To JP, the next best chef in all of the realms.’
Knowing my mom, she stayed up all night to make that copy because I spied the original in the kitchen drawer when I was looking for an extra fork this morning.
She gives Ryker and Levi good heaping doses of their favorite snacks, hugs, and words of encouragement. Knox, Chester, and I each receive food that we can eat in shifted form, which I know will come in handy if we’re too tired to shift back just to eat.
Moni accepts coffee-infused pastries before flying around and promptly fainting with a plink. Thankfully, Chester talked her into wearing a headband with her outfit to help protect her head just for these reasons. We don’t need to survive Hell only to realize she has a brain injury we could have prevented. “I would marry you if I could,” Moni says, giving my mother a hug.
“Hey!” Chester protests in faux anger.
“Easy there, champ. I said if I could. My one and only leaf is for you,” she says, giving him a kiss.
“Leaf?” Rez whispers to me.
“Yeah…I’m curious too,” I add.
“Don’t think about it,” JP growls.
“Don’t worry, JP, I only have one pussy I gravitate to,” I say, and see Rez cover her face as red creeps up her neck.
“I’m gonna act like I didn’t just hear that, and instead, I’ll ask who wants Reaper’s food?” Mom asks, holding up a bag of raw meat. Before I can offer, Rez takes it, shoves it into one of her side pockets, and gives Sierra a hug before leaving the room.
“Come here, baby,” Mom says, and I realize I’m the only one left. “I just want you to know that I love you. I am so damn proud of you and everything you have done. The only advice I have about the Trail is to trust yourself and your friends. The trials will do anything in their power to trick you into messing up or staying lost within it,” she explains, cupping my cheek.
“Thanks, Mom,” I say, holding her hand against mine before pulling her into a hug and rocking her back slowly. “I wish I could stay longer to spend more time with you,” I admit.
“I know, dear. But the Fates are against us for now. I’ve put a paper with our phone number in everyone’s bag, including yours. Phones won’t work on the Road of Worth, but once you’re out, call me so I know you’re safe. That way, we can also talk and keep in touch.”
“Thanks, Mom. I will, I promise.” I give her an extra squeeze and a kiss on the top of the head, wishing I could stay in her arms a little bit longer. But I spot Dad giving me a concerned look in the corner of the waiting room.‘Love you,’I send warmly before I walk over to Dad, and he pulls me aside to talk away from the rest of the group.
“Remember that time changes at each level, and there should be something or someone to explain the test to you before you proceed. Make sure you listen and understand what they are telling you. More importantly, pay attention to what theyaren’tsaying.”
My father’s words help to lock in the confidence I already had that we will make it through. We have to; there’s no other option where I don’t see my parents or my sister again. Just as it was when I left to find Rez, this isn’t goodbye; it’s see you in a bit. It’s just time that’s fickle. He wraps his arm around my shoulder, guiding us back to the group, and I choke back the manly tears that want to drop at the thought of needing to leave him again, even for this short amount of time, but his next words bring me back to focus on why we’re here.
