Scott pulls Teresa into a hug. “All those humans just went mad, thank Gods the peacekeepers were there. Something needs to change.”
OK, put Scott on the douche-list. I see Teresa side-eye him and untangle from the embrace. Right there with you, Ginger-T.
I look at my basement door, then change my mind. “Um, have you seen Willow or Dunc by any chance?”
“In their rooms I imagine,” Scott responds, frowning. “There’s a curfew, remember?” Right. “Thanks.”
Summoning resources from Gods knows where, I drag myself up three flights of stairs to Willow's room.
My telepathy is tapped out and I’ve lost my phone, so going old-school is the only choice.
i.e. face to face communication.
Plus, I can borrow Willow’s cell and let the others know I’m back and safe.
I manage to bang once on Willow’s door, as my knees finally give out.
"Gods, Theo!"
She half carries, half drags me into her room. “What happened? Shit, you’re as cold as ice.”
We sink onto her fluffy carpet and she just holds me. Tears run down my face. I hadn’t even realized I’d started crying.
“It’s alright, you’re safe now,” she croons while rocking me. “It’s all going to be OK.”
"I don’t know if that’s true, Wills," I rasp. "I’ve used up all the Lumina keeping the Conclave out of my mind, my soul.”
She grabs a blanket to wrap around my shoulders, then keeps cuddling me. “Talk to me, bestie.”
Where do I even start?
Once again, I try to use my telepathy, but even here, pressed up against Willow, it’s all a blank.
“I have nothing left."
“Nothing left? What…”
Her words are interrupted as we hear heavy footsteps pounding up the stairs.
We both flinch when a fierce fist pounds on the wooden frame, making Willow’s door shake.
“You think it’s the so-called peacekeepers?” Willow whispers. “Keep quiet, Theo. I…I’ll try and get rid of them.”
My loyal, brave friend.
“Bloomhower?” A deep, demanding voice sounds from the corridor. “Are you in there?”
Oh!
Alexis!
I’m up and wrenching the door open in a flash.
He stands on the threshold looking like hell—pale, eyes bloodshot, a dark bruise along his jawline and shaking with a mixture of feral rage and then absolute relief.
“Pulu!” Alexis drops to his knees in front of me, his hands reaching up to hover over my face, almost as if he’s afraid to touch me. “Thank Gods. Fuck.” His voice cracks. “I thought I’d lost you.”
I sink down opposite him and wind my arms around his neck as he traces a finger over my cheek.
