Page 109

Alexander is Twenty One Years Old

Alexander was on a mission. I was waiting in the shadows, so I had a lot of time to think about all the shit that had gone down this year.

Jason had nearly died. It took me and my mom to heal him.

The Resistance saved him, and I nearly tried to get him to let Uncle Gunner look at his watch.

He was so adamant it shorted, but I thought it was something else.

Thankfully, I’d taken a beat before I went to Uncle Gunner. Karina had come in with cookies, then Theo had popped in to chat and by the time we were done I knew it was nothing important and I was glad I hadn’t wasted Uncle Gunner’s time.

Laxenread was a huge thing for all of Faerie. If administered in time it could help prevent full blooded Fairy from dying. I knew because we’d used it. Mom had to heal them the rest of the way, but it was incredible.

I just couldn’t figure out who was smart enough with Fairy blood to come up with it. Oden said, “Because we don’t know them.” I asked, “Then why the FUCK would they create a counteragent TO IRON POISONING with MY NAME!” He said, “I mean, our family’s pictures are all over Faerie.” He had a point.

I reasoned, “It seems like they know us though. It’s a big fucking deal and they don’t even want credit. Why? Why does our sniper think we will hate them?” We stalled when Goblins showed up. They were not supposed to be here.

My dad was practically holding on our bond so I knew he would know but he wouldn’t act unless I pulled him. He was probably pacing with Uncle Bjourn based on the bond. The Goblin declared, “Princess Haley will be….” Shots were fired and all they died. But not six shots. Mother fucker!

I shouted, “We want to talk to you!” I ran towards where the shots came from. I yanked Uncle Logan to me. He was the closest person to my location. He opened a portal in a second. He shouted, “ALEXANDER!” I pointed, “Shots fired from this direction.” He caught up to me and shoved me behind a tree.

He demanded, “Explain!” I said, “It’s the Resistance!” He nodded and we started off again. We found the hide. I punched a tree. I yelled, “God damn it! They set up a FUCKING blind! They knew I was coming. Why doesn’t our sniper come out with me?”

He answered, “I’m not a psychologist, but our sniper likely had a hand in creating or naming Laxenread. They are probably worried they’d mess up if they came out into the field with you.” EJ linked me, “You’ve calmed down and didn’t link me so WHAT THE FUCK?!” I demanded, “Pop to me.”

My dad linked, “Are you ok?” I pulled him and Uncle Bjourn with my mom. She popped in and hugged me then Uncle Logan. EJ popped in right when Uncle Bjourn and dad came through a portal. My dad walked over and hugged me.

I said, “Goblins were talking about hurting mom. They didn’t finish their sentence before the sniper that comes when I’m out fired.” Uncle Bjourn sighed, “Then they likely already know the threat to Haley.” I asked, “And we can’t get a clue on what it is?” My dad growled, “Clearly not.”

Mom said, “It’s obviously not going to be a problem.

If they thought they couldn’t handle it, they’d tell us.

They clearly want to give us every advantage they can.

” Dad growled, “How can you be so calm about this?” Mom replied, “Goblins have been trying to hurt or kill me since I was born. This is practically a boring ass day for me. It’s tedious. They bore me and I’m not worried.”

She inclined her head to Uncle Bjourn, “Bjourn has ALFUCKINGWAYS gone hard after Goblins because they are fucking dickheads about Astrid and my nephews. For reasons I cannot understand, and it irks me. I have studied them and have concluded they are just infuckingsane.” I snorted.

She continued, “They would never get a threat past my brother. Not one. He has too many sources who are more than happy to deliver Goblin plots to him. It’s asinine to believe they could.

Between Bjourn and the Resistance whatever their plan was won’t happen.

I’m not worried and you shouldn’t be either. ”

I agreed, “We should work on tracking it down though.” My mom sent me her pride in the bond. EJ hummed. I said, “We should. Maybe we can track where their information came from that way.” Uncle Bjourn agreed, “It’s worth a shot.”

I added, “Then maybe we can figure out how they knew I was going to be here. I didn’t tell anyone, and it was only in my mission file as far as I know.” My dad said, “It’s in my email and your mothers.” EJ said, “We would’ve detected a hack or break in.”

Uncle Logan said, “It could be Alexander’s sniper was scoping this place out.

” Except that was wrong. Mom asked, “What do your instincts say, son?” I answered, “That it’s me.

They are following me, but this hide says they were here when I got here.

The question is how they figured out I’d have this mission. Or be in this area.”

Mom asked, “And what are you doing here?” I sighed, “We had a lead on Ariena I was running down.” She tilted her head. She said, “Then I would guess that is what the sniper that goes out with you was doing here. You are running leads down on her and they probably are too.”

EJ asked, “Why would they care?” My mom stared at me.

She answered, “Because Alexander cares. Someone who named Laxenread after him would probably know everything about everyone in his life. I would imagine they are hunting her too. Because they probably did know about the Goblin plot, I wasn’t here. They were here because Alexander was.”

I muttered, “You nor Ariena was here.” I’d been waiting for three days. My mom popped and hugged me. She said, “We will get her.” I snorted, “Or they will.” She admitted, “That does seem like a very likely scenario.” I stared at the blue circle.

I asked, “Do you think it annoyed the person who came up with the Ring Resistance that we called them the blue circle group when it’s a ring and not a circle?” My dad laughed. My mom answered, “Yes, it probably did. They didn’t bother to correct us until you asked about it though.”

I snorted, “It seems really obvious now.” Oden chuckled, “Mate would’ve figured it out.

” Melanie could probably solve all of this for us.

I needed to call Jason and ask if he told her about the Hunters hurting him.

He was experiencing nightmares and PTSD after it all.

I think he’d feel better if he was honest with her about what happened, but as far as I knew they’d lied to her.

She’d come see him if he told her, and then this insanity would all stop. I hadn’t heard his exact nightmares, but I knew she was in them. He thought she saved him, but that just told me someone with black hair was in the Resistance. Which was not super helpful.

Uncle Bjourn opened a portal and we went back through. Cassie jumped on me. I teased, “How’s wedding planning going?” She snorted, “Fine. You were under fire.” Cayden was right behind her. I corrected her, “No, the Goblins were under fire. I was present.” She asked, “The Resistance?” I nodded.

She glanced at Cayden who stepped out with a phone to his ear. I had my own call to make after this debrief. Cassie hugged me and they all left. Uncle Bjourn sat behind his desk. I admitted, “Until the Goblins showed up it was boring.” He chuckled, “I knew that from your feelings.”

I asked, “Do you know the threat the Goblins were referring to?” He answered, “Yes, and I know that all that were involved were those that are now lying dead in that field.” I asked, “Were you already moving on them?”

Spencer opened a portal and sat down. He said, “They took my kills.” I snorted, “You seem upset about that.” He lamented, “I had it all planned. I was LYING in wait for them. Then they took a stroll and got capped by the Resistance for being near you. I was all keyed up to kill and now there is no one for me to get that energy out on.”

I disagreed, “There is often always someone that needs to be killed. If Uncle Bjourn doesn’t have one Heath Scott does.

” Uncle Bjourn snorted and tossed a file down for Spencer.

He snatched it up saying, “This is really best for everyone. You can’t key up a Hackura to kill and not have him kill. That’s literally madness.”

Aunt Torvi knocked, “Bjourn, you…” She trailed off and clapped, “I knew I felt you in here, Spence! I thought I was crazy you’re not supposed to be here until tonight.

” Spencer hugged her, “Hi momma. I’ll see you later.

” She shouted, “Take Oligar with you. He just got back too.” He waved, “Sure thing.”

Aunt Torvi asked, “Am I interrupting?” I admitted, “Not really. There’s nothing to debrief. I was in a field for three days without my target then because of random Goblins I found out the Resistance was out there.” I paused then Oden growled.

I asked, “How are they doing that?! I didn’t smell or sense their presence!

I should’ve heard a steady, consistent heartbeat.

” Uncle Bjourn replied, “They have ways to block it out.” Aunt Torvi said, “Which will be very cool when we finally pin one down. Drake and Heather want to lock them in a lab with them and see what they will show them.”

I rolled my eyes. Oden growled, “I don’t like that. We can’t let them lock our sniper up.” Yeah, we didn’t like that our sniper wasn’t technically ours. I had a different one. Oden retorted, “She’s OUR sniper and that’s the end of that story.” Maverick popped in agitated.

I asked, “Mav?” He sighed, “I just feel keyed up. I was walking around town. This random Frost Giant was there but when I walked by he died of a heart attack. I was keyed up before that.” Uncle Bjourn asked, “A random heart attack?” He nodded.

I asked, “Isn’t that like the fourth person to randomly die of a heart attack near you? Because I’m thinking the Resistance might be more subtle than gunshots sometimes. They’ve upgraded to poison.”

Maverick’s jaw dropped.