Chapter 33

For three days we stayed at my place. Raf and Quinton were the only Alterealm residents I had to face, but I was beginning to feel like a coward. I had to go back at some point and face things. I knew this.

Crissy was completely engrossed in hunting down the missing brother. In a few day’s time she had lists and references and was on her way to actually finding out the mother’s name. Modern technology was a very good thing, if you knew where to look and apparently she did. Keeping her busy also kept her in the apartment and safe. I wished I had of thought of finding something to do with her brain before. She didn’t look as antsy either.

Somewhere along the way I decided I was going to let her continue to stay here when I was on the other side. If I let myself believe the prophecies I would be spending more time away than home in the future, and knowing she was looked after made me feel more settled with the idea.

We were no further ahead finding Marcus, and the longer we spent tracking him down the more I worried that something catastrophic was going to happen before we could do anything about it. Then again, tracking is what I did, and here I was hiding in my apartment so I was partially to blame for things idling.

I’d been forbidden to work for Frank. I wasn’t all for the being ordered to do things, but in this case, I allowed it to slide by. Keeping Criss safe and finding Marcus was more important than a few bail jumpers. Of course, the fact that the brothers were footing my bills right now made me very uncomfortable, but again when things weren’t so crazed I’d deal with that.

When Quinton and Rafael were ordered back to the other side, I knew my time was up, I’d have to go back. One of Troy’s guards was placed on watch outside and Crissy was set up with enough food to feed three of her for a week. With Quinton and my numbers on speed dial.

Reluctantly, I said goodbye and told I’d be back soon and then went for a walk to the treed area in the park.

Thankful that I knew my way around a little better, I ducked into the kitchen hoping to grab some leftovers from Mitz. I was hooked on her cooking. She’s replaced that soft spot in my heart that the little deli down my block had held for the last two years.

As I stepped in the door Mitz looked up long enough to see who it was and then pointed to the plate sitting heaped with food. It made me wonder if she had the gift of sight and just hid it from everyone.

I dug into the amazing eats and did a mental moan as I chewed. It was that good.

“He’s a good man you know.”

Pausing with the fork in front of my mouth, I glanced at her. “Who?”

“Chase. He’ll be hurting that he upset you.” She continued polishing the silver dish she held, barely glancing in my direction.

Setting the fork down, I watched her for a few minutes. “It wasn’t meant to be. Some things can’t be undone.”

She nodded. “I know. He doesn’t like to harm, that’s why he selects women, for the most part.”

“Mitz…”

Sighing, she waved a hand at me. “I know, love. I just worry over him because he’s on that side and his family is here. I think everyone does and that’s why they silently hoped you’d choose him.” She set the dish aside and studied me. “He was different with you here. I still can’t believe he gave you his blood, he’s never done that before.” She smirked. “He swore he never would.”

I swallowed down that bit of information for later. “I haven’t chosen anyone.”

Moving over to the fridge, she pulled out a Dr. Pepper and brought it over to me. “I know. Troy is going to be harder to get close to you know.”

“Why do you say that?”

She smiled and it was one of those that meant she had secrets. “He keeps everything close to his heart, love. I just thought you should know.”

“Well, thanks.” I took a sip of the pop. “They all at practice now?”

Nodding, she moved back over to the counter.

“Maybe I’ll go get a workout with them.” I stood up.

“Don’t hurt anyone.”

With that puzzling conversation floating around in my head, I made my way to the gym. Next to Mitz’s food this was my favorite thing, I had missed it. Horsing around with Quinton at the apartment wasn’t the same at all. Watching eight men mix it up with each other was a sight to behold. I still hadn’t fought them all, but today was a new day and maybe I’d get lucky and test out some of the things Chase has drilled into my moves.

When I opened the door, I stopped and just stood there. This was a little different then what I’d expected to see. The backs of six large men was all I could see. I could hear the grunts and clang of metal on metal. Maybe they were checking out something new and deadly.

Pushing my way between Quinton and Rafael, I froze when I finally found out why they were just standing there. It was new weapons, it was the real steel ones and they were being wielded by the twin kings—against each other. It only took me about ten seconds to know that they were dead serious about trying to slice and dice the other. From the looks of the sweat coating them, this had been going on for quite a while. Both had death in their eyes and guilt swamped me. Only a woman could come between two otherwise rational men. Me.

I elbowed Quinton, he looked down at me with worry in his eyes.

“Why are you guys just standing here watching?”

He clenched his jaw a few times before he answered. “We were ordered to stay out of it.”

I shoved my way past him, heading to the wall of weapons. “They may be your rulers, but they’re still your blood!”

Grabbing a real pair of Sais off the wall, I tested the weight of them in my hands and then stomped in the direction of the men three centuries old that were acting like they were twelve.

Troy had a cut on one arm that was deep enough that blood dripped onto the mat, from the looks of it his face had taken a few blows as well. Chase didn’t seem to be fairing any better with a slice in the front of his shirt and fat lip. Both were so intent on the other that they had no idea what was going on around them. I watched the angle of the swings and blocks as I moved closer, if I screwed this up there would be two pieces of me.

Dropping below their swing level, I sprang up between them as they both rounded back for another swing. The tips of the Sais came to chest level on each chest, just below their collar bones. Both giant men paused in mid swing and looked down at me like they were shocked. “Can anyone join this party or is rampaging testosterone the prerequisite?”

Chase knocked the Sai away from his chest and tossed his broadsword to the floor. I watched him for a second until the shame filled his eyes before turning to the other man at the end of my blade.

Troy wasn’t so quick to knock the threat away from his body. He dropped the sword and then just stood there looking down at me, I wasn’t sure what was going through his mind but there was no shame or embarrassment in those hazel eyes. When he placed his hands on his hips and took a deep breath trying to catch his breath, I lowered the weapon.

“What the hell are you two doing?” I looked from one to the other, still not sure if I should let them off that easy or bop them both with handle of the metal in my hands.

“It’s an off day.” Chase said breathlessly.

I snorted. “Yeah, well when I have an off day, I go take a nap and remove myself from having a tantrum on someone. I do not try to beat the bejeezus out of my brother.”

“You don’t have a brother.” Troy said, still looking at the floor.

“A good thing for him that he doesn’t exist if this is how I’m supposed to treat him then isn’t it?” A snicker came from the pack of brothers hanging back. I turned and glared at them. “You aren’t much better, standing here letting them beat on each other like you’re all in a school-yard and took each other’s favorite swing.” The six men looked guilty enough so I turned back to the sweat covered kings, who still wouldn’t look at each other.

Shaking my head, I went back over and put the Sais back on the wall. Trying to collect my thoughts, I stood there looking at it for a moment. When I spun around I glanced at the six brothers that were watching their rulers with wary looks. “You guys get out of here.” Troy and Chase both looked at me. I grinned. “The two of you get to stay.”

I waited until the door closed behind the slowly retreating siblings before I went back over to them. “What the hell happened?”

Chase’s eyes moved over my face as if he was making sure I was okay. “He seems to think I did that with Sabina on purpose to send you running.”

“That’s ridiculous.” I looked at Troy, he was glaring at his twin.

“You have no idea what you threw away.” Troy growled over my head.

Chase’s entire composure changed. He looked at me, his angry, pain filled eyes moving over me before they flicked back to his brother. “I didn’t throw her away! I God damned know what I lost!” Spinning on his heal, he strode from the room without looking back.

I stood there not sure what to do or say next. I was a little embarrassed that I’d come between two brothers, and a little pissed that they behaved that way and made speechless by Chase’s comment. Sighing, I turned back to Troy and raised my hands in question. From Chase I expected impulsive behavior, but Troy always seemed so calm and methodical.

He blew out a long breath. “I didn’t set out to beat the hell out of him,” he admitted quietly.

Moving over I checked out the gash on his arm. “I think he got a few good swings in.”

Glancing down at his arm he shrugged. “That he did.” Turning on his heel he took a few steps toward the door and then stopped and looked back at me. “I didn’t think you were coming back.”

Tucking my hands in my pockets, I studied him for a moment. A sweat covered Troy was an appealing thing, or at least it was to me when my insides tightened. “I said I needed a bit of time. I didn’t anticipate Crissy when we talked about it.”

He nodded. “I would still like to meet her. The chance of her knowing the things she does make me curious.”

“Me too, but she’s a bit flighty. I don’t want to put her before the overwhelming group of you and your brothers just yet.”

He smirked. “You dealt with it fairly well.”

I had to smile. “Well, my sanity has always been in question.”

He didn’t comment, just turned and walked out.

Turning, I looked around the empty space, an odd feeling coming over me. I had the strange feeling of home and yeah, my only thought to that was crap.

****

Shaking my head, I glanced away from the huge map of my neighborhood and looked over at Michael. “If you look at where the alley is that we beat them down in and follow it back to the club, there’s a lot more places to look than just my neighborhood.”

Moving away from the papers he’d been flipping through, he came over and crossed his arms and looked at the marked map. “We thought of that too, but so far no luck anywhere we check.”

“Can Clairee or any mage do something? Like a seeking spell or… whatever?” I really had no idea if that was even possible, but hey it was worth a shot, right?

He rolled his eyes in my direction, looking bored. “Don’t you think we haven’t thought of that? They can find anything.”

I bit my lip. “Is it possible a spell is hiding them?”

“More probable than possible.”

I went over and leaned against the desk, scowling at the map on the wall. “So someone that can see through Marcus’s hoodoo needs to go looking.”

Michael’s back stiffened but he didn’t turn. “It could be the reason we aren’t finding anything.”

Victor came into the room and just stood there looking from one of us to the other.

I took a deep breath and pushed away from the desk. “I can go start checking places out…”

Michael spun and glared at me. “Absolutely not.” He ran a hand through his hair looking crazed. “Troy would have my ass if I allowed such a thing.”

I shrugged. “As the huntress it’s my call, not his.”

Michael turned and looked at Victor, hoping for back up.

Victor looked down at his hand like he needed to examine something on it. “She is right,” he said calmly.

Moving with stiff motion back to his desk, Michael sat down and shook his head. “I am so not telling him.”

I glanced between the brothers for a moment, wondering what I’d missed while being away. “Isn’t it my job to track him down? Why would Troy care how I have to do it?”

Michael snorted out a weird noise. “Oh, I don’t know maybe the fact that you’ve turned from Chase narrows down the options to only him…”

Going over I slammed my hand on the desk. “First, I haven’t decided a damn thing! Second if it’s my choice I could choose neither in the end.” I spun and looked at Victor. “I could choose Victor if my heart desired and no one can say a word.” Victor looked like I’d just stabbed him in the chest rather than used him as an example.

He cleared his throat. “As interesting as all of this is…” He glared at Michael like it was his fault. “I was sent by Mitz to get you, my Queen.” With a hesitant expression, he looked at me and then to the floor. “It seems you have a dress fitting.”

Completely disarmed I straightened and gave him a wide-eyed look. “A dress fitting?”

He nodded quickly. “The kings have decided the welcoming dance is to happen in two days, before we go to battle again or some other incident postpones it and Mitz is in a huff because they aren’t giving her enough time...”

They couldn’t have shocked me more if he’d announced the Easter bunny was waiting in my room. “Really? We’re putting Marcus on hold to play dress up?”

His lips quirked, but he didn’t smile. “It seems so.”

I looked from Michael, who was intently studying the floor, back to Victor who looked too amused for his own good. “We’ll see about this.”

I stomped all the way to Troy’s office and went in without so much as a knock. Chase was standing beside his desk. They both turned, looking surprised to see me.

“Great, just the men I wanted to see.” I paused long enough to check out Chase’s face to see if his injuries were gone. They were. “What is this crap about having a dance when we should be out there tracking Marcus’s ass down and locking him in a box in Timbuck-fucking-too?”

Chase gave his brother an odd look. “I told you she wasn’t going to let it slide quietly. Although I expected time to escape before she got here.”

Troy stood up, giving his brother an annoyed look. “Colorful description.” He tucked his hands in pockets and stared at me. “Everyone from Alterealm is getting more restless by the minute, a dance in celebration of the arrival of the long-awaited Huntress may help to reassure and strengthen our subjects.”

I stood there glaring at him, noticing Chase stepped back out of the path of our eyes locked together. I really, really didn’t want to admit he had a point and could be right. That would have pissed me off more. “In two days?” He inclined his head in that aggravating regal way. “Fine. In the meantime, I’m going back to my side. Michael and I have figured Marcus is hiding their location with magic…” Troy visibly tensed. “…and because it doesn’t work on me, I will be able to see through it.”

Chase stepped back beside his brother. “What about your strange friend, I was told she can see through it too.”

I sent him my best death look. “If you met Crissy, you wouldn’t even suggest something like that.”

Troy leaned over the desk. “I agree with that, bringing anyone else into this more than your friend already is, would be a mistake.” He paused and took a deep breath. “What are you suggesting, Daxx? That we allow you to…”

I stepped over to the desk and leaned so my face was a few inches from his. “Allow? Did I miss something? Am I servant now? Or maybe you’ve adopted me and are my new dad?” Chase hissed out a breath and lowered his head without a word.

Troy looked confused. “No, you are neither a servant nor my daughter…” A lethal look appeared in his eyes as they bordered on turning red. “Your safety…”

“Is. Not. Your. Problem.” I pushed away and paced, trying to resist the urge to smack him. Hard. “I am in charge of what I do and my own safety. Period.” I spun back and glared before he could reply. “Stands equal with the thrones ring a bell here?” Glancing at Chase, I could see he sided with his brother on this, but he was apparently a lot smarter and knew when to keep his mouth shut.

Troy’s jaw snapped shut and he straightened to study me for what felt like hours when it was probably just a few seconds. “We will…”

Shaking my head, I crossed my arms over my chest. “Not be coming with me. I’ll take someone with me, but I am choosing who.”

Troy looked to his brother, silent communication taking place. Turning, he inclined his head again. “Very well. Who?”

I chewed on my lip, trying to decide who would be the easiest to work with. Any one of the royal brothers would drive me nuts right now. “Tim.” I said with a nod.

Chase’s eyebrows rose.

Troy frowned. “Who the hell is this Tim? Your first words while lying there bleeding out was concern for him.” His eyes were red now.

Chase tucked his hands in his pockets and gave me an amused look. “Tim is the guard whose life she was protecting when she was hurt. He was her personal guard while she was on my side.”

Troy’s jaw clenched as he studied his brother for a moment. “Is he to be trusted to protect her if she almost died protecting him?”

Something close to being offended crossed Chase’s face. He didn’t like his brother doubting his decision making. “He is the most skilled of all my guards. When Daxx was hurt the circumstances were unpreventable.” He looked at me for a second, regret filling his eyes. “They are very in sync with each other during a fight.”

Troy stood there, looking down at his desk. “Very well. Tim will accompany you while you search out Marcus’ location.”

I wasn’t entirely sure what just happened, but I’d take it. “Great. Now apparently, I have to go have a friggin dress fitting …whatever that is.”

With an amused glint in his eyes Chase looked me up and down. “I’m sure Mitz will dress you in good taste.”

I sighed. “Yeah, that’s what I’m afraid of.” With a cold glare at Troy, I turned and walked out of the room. I couldn’t even remember when I’d been in a dress last, but it must have been when I was a child because I didn’t even own a dress that I knew of.