de-to-na-tion

detnˈāSH(ə)n

noun

the action of causing a bomb or explosive device to explode

synonyms: explosion, discharge, eruption, ignition, blast, bang, boom, blowup, burst

"What do you think is in there?"

Jess huddled with me on a low couch across from the red door at Underworld. She had one arm wrapped around me tightly, and we were both staring at the door, tucked up under a blanket. The muffled voices of Liam and Ajax were emerging, but I couldn't make out any words.

"Ajax's office, maybe." And maybe a prison, with a bunch of other people who have offended Ajax over the years, all wasting away. I finished the thought in my mind, my memories flashing back over the sight of Alcide, broken and shivering on the ground.

Liam had wasted no time, allowing me only to grab my phone before hiring a car to take us both to Underworld. I was still barefoot, exhausted and dirty, but Liam didn't want to leave me alone. And to be frank, I didn't want to be left alone.

I couldn't stop thinking about Alcide. How much of his condition had Liam known about? How much had he been responsible for? If I ever offended him, would he hold a grudge against me that long? Until I died?

I sighed and dropped my head into my hands, glad in that instance I'd called Jess to come meet me at the club. Her arm wrapped around me was holding my pieces together, at the moment.

"Are you sure you're okay?" Jess asked again in a whisper. "The kidnappers didn't hurt you? Do anything to you?"

"I'm sure," I replied, lifting my head to give her a wan smile. I'd told her the bare minimum, that I'd been kidnapped by Ajax and Liam's enemies and held for ransom, and Ajax was angry with Liam for paying the ransom to get me back. 

"I can't believe this shit happened," Jess continued, stroking her hand over my back. "You can't catch a freaking break lately, huh? Maybe you just need to take a couple of weeks off from everything and get away from Seattle, you know? Go relax somewhere."

I groaned and leaned my head on her shoulder. "You know I can't afford that. I have responsibilities. Anyway, I don't need to. I just need rest."

"I can't believe Liam rescued you like that," Jess continued in a low whisper. "So brave. And I can't believe Ajax is so mad about it. He must be a real mercenary asshole."

"Yeah, he's... something," I said dryly. "I just hope he doesn't fire Liam." Or kill him. Or something worse. I didn't know what a typical punishment might be for this kind of thing. Outside the realm of my experience. "But I think... I think you might have been right." 

"What do you mean? I'm right a lot." 

"That I shouldn't trust Liam." After last night, it almost hurt to say it, but Alcide's gaunt form flashed through my mind again. "I feel like even after everything he's told me, there's still too much he's keeping to himself. I think there might be a very... cruel side to him that he hides."

"You've been through a lot. You don't need to think about that yet. You're gonna stay with me, and we're going to figure all of this shit out together, right? Maybe you can't trust him. Maybe he is keeping secrets. But he just saved your life, so at least we can assume he doesn't mean you harm." Jess said quietly. She picked up her bottle of water, nudging it into my hand. "Does he make you feel safe?" 

"Yes. He does. That's the whole problem. I love how he makes me feel. I just... I just don't trust it." 

"You don't have to trust him right now. Just trust me. C'mon, drink."

"I told you, I'm okay." I accepted the water, though, and chugged down half of it. I hadn't realized how thirsty I was. 

"Yeah but you always lie about that. Should we call the police?"

"It's too late. I mean, I didn't see who they were. And I don't think Liam wants them arrested or anything." Shit. So many half-truths between me and Jess, now. This wasn't what I wanted. I needed to ask Liam about telling her the whole truth, and soon.

I needed somebody besides him to talk to about this crazy world to which I'd been so rudely introduced. My mind briefly flashed to Maggie. Maybe she could be a friend, in time. But I really wanted Jess by my side.

"I'm so sorry I didn't even know you were missing," Jess whispered miserably, breaking me from my thoughts.

"It's not your fault. We didn't have a meet-up arranged, and I was gone less than a full day. There was nothing you could have done."

She sighed and hugged me tight. "Still..."

Her next sentence was cut off when the door was jerked open, and Liam strode out, looking exhausted and grim. Ajax followed shortly after, wearing his perpetual smirk, and looking far too pleased with himself.

Ajax paused as he emerged, looking at Jess in surprise. "Why, Miss Jessica, what are you doing here?" he asked jovially.

Jess curved her arm around me and sent him a hard glare. "Just taking care of my friend, Mr. Erebos."

I placed a cautioning hand on her shoulder, sending her a pleading glance in which I tried to say 'please please don't make this a whole big thing.'

"Who? Oh, of course. The indomitable Jack." He glanced at me with a grin. "May I say, you are looking just awful."

"Thanks." I didn't really give a shit what he had to say right now, my eyes were fixed on Liam. "Is everything okay?"

Liam nodded. "There will be a slight... shift of duties. But everything is fine."

I unfolded my legs and stretched them out in front of me, then stood up. Jess leapt to her feet and hovered between me and Ajax, sending him a hard glare. I gave her a sharp nudge and smiled reassuringly. "He said everything's okay, Jess."

"Uh huh. Can we go, now?" Jess demanded.

Ajax blinked at her and his smile faded. "Watch your tone."

"Come on. I'll get a car," Liam said, swooping in to the rescue. He looked at Ajax. "I will begin tomorrow."

"Tonight," Ajax said mildly. "I trust you will be recovered by then."

"Yes."

"Very well then." Ajax gave a magnanimous smile at all of us, then turned and ducked back behind the red door.

Liam strode out the front door of Underworld, and Jess and I trotted after him. When we came outside, I squinted in the bright light and hunched my shoulders.

"Bad sunshine," I muttered, rubbing the circles under my eyes.

"You want me to come over?" Jess asked, glancing at Liam. "Keep you company until I have to come back for work?"

"Yes. Please." I smiled at her gratefully. I didn't want to be alone but I couldn't face Liam just yet. 

"Jacqueline." Liam's voice, a little hoarse, pulled my eyes back to him. He had an empty look in his eyes, almost desolate. "May I have a moment alone with you?" 

I glanced at Jess, who gave a little hesitant nod. "I'll watch like a hawk," she assured me in a whisper, then stepped away a few yards. Liam looked at me, his throat working and his fists clenched, as if it took all his effort not to reach out to me. I curled my bare toes against the cement. 

"I am sorry I forgot your shoes." 

"It's not your fault. I forgot them too," I remind him, locking my hands before me. "So... What's the verdict? Did he sentence you to years of torture? Death by vultures?" 

"No. He promoted me. He has made me the liaison between our faction and Dana's followers. My purpose will be to organize a troop, made up of both our forces, and travel to where the Vassals rebel, systematically putting them back in their place."  

"He's going to help them? Even after they got Alcide back?" 

"Yes." Liam gave a reluctant smile. "That is what makes him so clever. Dana and her followers will despise working with us. We will despise working with them. Yet he is still taking steps to solve the Vassal problem. It is the perfect punishment for all."

"Crafty bastard," I mused. "So you'll have to be away from home more often?" 

 "Yes." He hesitated, staring down at me. "I will be gone for quite some time. I am asking Ajax to look after your safety, if you need me and I cannot reach you in time. I will still feel our blood bond, of course." 

"Oh." My heart was tumbling down, down through my chest straight to my toes, and I didn't know why. I had been thinking I wanted time away from him. That I didn't trust him. But now faced with his departure it felt like I was losing something precious. "I'm... That's... Thank you." 

"It is the smallest portion of one of the smallest things I wish to do for you." His gaze caught mine, drawing me in once more, and I felt the tiny hum of our connection, a thread between his hand and mine. "I am not finished with you. I am not finished. I will be back." 

So many words thronged to my tongue, fighting to get out. 

Stay. Don't go. 

Be safe. 

Go far from me. 

Don't die. 

But around the lump in my throat, I could only whisper, "I'll be here." 

With a rough sound, he dragged me against him, pressing me tightly to his broad chest. His lips seared into mine, claiming my mind, melting my body, until I could only cling to him, and feel his emotions roar over me. 

It was over too soon, and he pulled back, chest heaving. He looked as if he would say more, as if he would keep me clasped against him forever, but the rumble of car tires interrupted us. 

A black town car pulled up, and Liam stepped away, releasing me. He nodded at Jess, who approached, and wrapped her arm around my waist, guiding me towards the car. 

Stepping forward, Liam opened the door courteously, and Jess got in. I climbed inside after her, numb, eyes wide, afraid to blink, needing the last moments of Liam. He looked at me, and slowly, his lips curved up into a smile. 

"Parting is such sweet sorrow," he murmured, bending low and stroking my cheek. "That I shall say goodnight 'til it be morrow." 

Then the door slammed shut, and he was gone. 

Damn you, Shakespeare.