Page 74 of Werewolves and Witches AU

“We’re en route back to the Nest now. What do ye need?”

“It’s a personal matter.”

Guardian’s words aren’t blunt, not exactly. They’re more… instructive. As if that one phrase opens up a whole new line of communication between the two. And somehow that’s worse than if he were just pissed off that Ranger had sent him to voicemail when, arguably, he didn’t have to. They’ve been friends—family—for a long time. I’ve only known them for a couple of days. It’s not right that I was the reason Ranger wasn’t there for him.

“I’ve put in a request with the General’s Office, but I wanted to tell you myself.”

I find Rowan’s eyes in the mirror; I shouldn’t be listening to this, but there’s nowhere else I can go.

As if we shared that thought, he informs, “Magpie can hear ye.”

Abandoning the hairbrush in favour of my phone, I scroll my chat history with Ray, trying desperately to vanish in place.

“That’s okay, this will affect him too. I got a death notification about my parents… suspected homicide.”

Instantly, it’s as if the truck exists in a vacuum and someone just opened a window and sucked out all the air. I bite my lip harder.

It’s been almost ten years since I lost my parents, yet Guardian’s words throw me back so far in time it’s like my body is experiencing it all over again.

I’d been in class at the Academy—Guardian’s on a mission for the Dogs.

They took me to the principal’s office to tell me that my parents had been in a terrible accident. The walls of that room had closed in so hard and fast it was like being sucker punched.

Until later that day, Great Aunt Anabelle had been just a name. But then she’d dropped everything and driven across three states to accept immediate guardianship of me. She’d smelled like home, had greeted me with a soft blanket and open arms, and even though nothing was okay… inside that blanket, it felt like maybe it could be okay.

I swipe aggressively at my eyes with the back of my free hand.

Guardian had needed his friend—his person with a blanket—and I took that from him.

“Guardian…” Rowan’s knuckles turn white where they hold the wheel as he struggles with words of comfort. “I’m… so sorry. Jesus.”

Determined not to take more from him, to not make this about me, I squash all those really big feelings that threaten to spill out back inside that box in my mind. I had an Anabelle, and with her came an Ethel, and between them they helped me find my feet again—helped me learn which way was up. Because of them, I’m no longer that scared fourteen-year-old boy who’d been angry at a world that had taken so much.

Now, I’m an adult. One with a purpose… with a mission.

“What do ye need from me? I can call the General’s Office as yer CO, tell them I’m placing ye on emergency leave?”

“No. I don’t need that. I’ve… Ranger, I’ve asked for a team of my own to go and investigate.”

Rowan exhales, and the silence in the truck makes it hard to breathe.

Trying my best to focus on what I’m doing here—what I’m really doing here—I send a text to Ray.

I’m going to try astral travel again. On purpose. There’s someone I want to talk to.

“I see,” is Rowan’s considered response to Guardian’s information.

“You understand why it can’t be the Dogs, Ranger? Not in the current… climate.”

“Yeah.” But his short and blunt answer tells me that while Rowan understands, he’s not happy. “I need a full SitRep on Tempo.”

Ray’s response flashes on my screen, drawing my attention.

Ray:

On the assumption that I can’t talk you out of this, then please make sure you have an anchor this time.

“Tempo is underway and will deliver within five hours. I will remain CO for that.”