Page 204 of The Lost Ones

Well fresh-ish.

“I wouldn’t suggest going hunting until the storm clears.” Kysen says biting down on a piece of jerky.

“I hadn’t even contemplated it. All of the animals will be taking shelter like us anyway.” Hunt replies.

Because we need to travel as light as possible it made sense for us to only buy one tent. We made sure to get one big enough for all of us though. It means that I can just about stand up in the middle of it but the guys definitely can’t. It’s nothing fancy, not like some of the ones you can get back in the earth realm meaning that none of us have separate spaces. The guys have already set out their bed rolls so I set mine up before I grab something to eat. I can feel my eyes drooping already, despite the long nap we had after the magical burnout.

I move to sit on the bed I’ve just made but just as my ass is about to land I’m pulled gently sideways and end up sat in Levi’s lap instead. He pulls me back against his chest and wraps his arms around my waist.

“Eat.” He orders and I turn as much as I can and raise my eyebrow at him, he smirks. “Please. I just want to hold you for a second.”

A smile overtakes my features as my heart melts at his sweet words. I turn further so I can kiss him and then settle down to eat.

“Are you eating?” I ask quietly watching the others joke between them.

Kysen’s brothers sound like an absolute hoot but god help anyone if they all get up to stuff together. I imagine a few drinks in them and it’ll be a night of revelry that no one can contain. I’ll be there with popcorn and hopefully Erin watching it all unfold.

“Yes, Darling.” He says kissing my shoulder where my top has slipped.

He reaches forward and grabs some jerky.

I grin.

The whole time I’m eating I can feel my eyes start to get gritty with sleep and taking longer between blinks to open again. My limbs start to grow heavier and my mind begins to wonder to able to focus one thing for any length of time.

“Are you ok Titch?” Hunter asks me.

“Yeah I’m just really really tired.” I murmur sleepily not entirely sure that I’m not slurring my words.

I don’t think I’ve ever been this tired in my life and that includes on the plane when I started singing the Bad boys theme song and stripped in front of Kai and Hunter. This feels different though, I don’t feel almost drunk like I normally do when I get this tired. This is something different. I try to open my mouth to mention it to the guys but no sound comes.

“A lot has happened today she probably just needs a good sleep.” Maverick says although he can’t quite hide the thread of concern in his voice.

“Maybe. She did fall asleep quite quickly.” Levi replies and I feel him move some of the hair off of my forehead.

That’s the last thing I’m aware of before sleep finally pulls me fully under. I just know this isn’t going to be a normal dream. I’m starting to miss my regular and somewhat boring dreams about being chased by giant talking doughnuts with monster teeth.

******

“I do hope you’re not tiring too much of our conversations, Daughter.” Nyx says with amusement in her tone.

“Of course not.” I reply hastily still unsure on how to behave around her. She acts so casually most of the time but she’s a freaking goddess and let’s face it my experience with women is pretty abysmal. My step mother was obviously not a good example in any sense of the word and although my mother has showed me kindness and love she’s also left me without important information. I can’t just blame her for that though, my fathers had a hand in that too.

My point is that despite men being a vile influence in my life women haven’t been much better and they make me nervous as hell too. Especially a woman who is so clearly so much stronger than I am. That just reminds me of the step bitch.

“I am so sorry Daughter.” Nyx says sadly and I jolt, I forgot that she could read my thoughts.

“I’m not going to say its ok because its really not but it is what it is and at least its in the past.” I reply brutally honest in my response, there’s no point trying to soften it anyway she’d know.

“I would.” She replies smirking and then becoming serious again. “I need to show you something to help with the next part of your journey. I was supposed to send you straight there but I couldn’t help myself, I wanted to see you.” She smiles softly. “Good luck Daughter and pay attention.”

I nod speechless that the goddess wants to talk to me that much.

She smiles softly as she leans forward and gently kisses my forehead. I don’t have the time to respond before I’m being pulled through the darkness, when I finally stop I’m once again floating above ascene. I do as Nyx asks and pay strict attention. Looking for any signs that could give away what the tiny village I’m currently floating above is called.

The cobbled streets are quiet and judging from the dark sky the hour is late. I just catch a glimpse of a sign in a reflection but its backwards I repeat the letters to myself so I’ll remember when I awake and can make them the right way round. I have a feeling that it will be very important that I do.

M-U-T-A-T-L-U-C-C-O.