CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

MICAH AWAKENS WHEN A scream tears through every wall of the hover. He's off the cot and out of the room faster than one can blink, baring his teeth and clenching his fists, prepared for a fight. If that Killian kid tried something, he swears he'll--

Micah stops, confusion flooding him as his hands slacken at his sides.

Everyone is in the cargo room. Maxie is hunched over, gripping either side of her head and rocking back and forth. She screams again.

"Christ's sake, what the hell is her problem?" Micah says.

"She's not a morning person," Killian remarks sarcastically, but a glare in his direction from Michelle wipes the smile off his face.

Michelle rubs the girl's back. "Whatever Doctor Stevens did to her, it's finally beginning to set in."

"Who's Doctor Stevens?" Killian asks with furrowed eyebrows.

Everyone ignores him.

"Well, can you tell what he did?" Micah questions her.

"If I could, don't you think I would have said so?"

"I swear if I hadn't promised--"

Maxie sobs, quietly, but loudly enough to silence the bickering.

"I'm scared," Robbie whispers.

"It's okay," Caroline tells him, grabbing his hand. "She's scared, too."

Maxie holds her hands to her chest. "I'm sorry," she mumbles through her cries. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry."

Michelle tries to coddle her, but Micah is tired of the young girl's babbling. He strides over, nudges Michelle out of the way, and kneels in front of her. Maxie looks at the floor, but Micah tips her chin up and meets her gaze.

"If you continue to wallow in this pain, it'll consume you," he says firmly. "Stop feeding into it. Stand up against it."

"I-I can't. It hurts and they're screaming and--"

"Where did you love to go when things were normal?" Or as normal as he remembers them being, anyways.

Maxie falters, shocked by his sudden question. Then, a barely audible answer, "The beach."

"Close your eyes."

"I don't understand--"

"Close your eyes."

After a moment's hesitation and a brief stare-off, she does as Micah commands.

"Picture yourself at the beach. It's quiet except for the seagulls and the waves crashing on the shore. Do you hear it?"

"Yes," she whispers, her bottom lip trembling.

"What are you doing there?" he asks in a softer tone.

"Writing," she murmurs.

"What are you writing about?"

"The world I loved." Tears slip from her closed eyelids, but she doesn't bother wiping them away. He listens to her heart rate slow as she continues to explain what she loved about the old world. Things that were--and still are--meaningless to him. He's listening to her describe a world he'd never known.

A minute or so later, she opens her eyes. She holds Micah's stare, something few people dare to do. "Thank you," she says so softly, her lips don't seem to move.

Micah nods curtly, then stands and briskly walks to the storage room for a snack.

And a moment to breathe.

When he returns without food, Michelle offers him a look that almost seems sympathetic. He ignores it, settling back against the wall and asking, "How close?"

Michelle sighs, a sound like that of pity. It riles the anger in his core, but he keeps it on a tight leash. "By this afternoon." She disappears to her pilot's seat.

Robbie, surprisingly, comes bounding up to him. "I need you to teach me how to fight," he says in a small voice trying to sound much larger than he is. He even attempts to puff out his chest, his chin tilted upwards with determination.

Micah snorts. "How old are you?"

"Old enough to learn," Robbie retorts.

"A war is no place for children."

"Well, I'm here anyways, aren't I?"

Micah assesses the boy, an amused smile twitching his lips. "All right, danger. What do you want to learn?"

"All of it, of course," he says matter-of-factly. "I mean, besides the eating people part. No offense, but that's disgusting." His little nose scrunches.

Micah makes a show of flashing his fangs with a grin. "Don't knock it 'til you try it."

Robbie gags.

"How about I teach you the basics to defend yourself, hmm?"

"Okay."

Without warning, Micah snatches the little boy's wrist, careful to be gentle so as not to hurt him, and pins it behind his back. Robbie gasps, his eyes widening in fear as he struggles while Micah grabs his other hand and bends it slightly.

"Your first lesson," he says, leaning down to Robbie's height. "Break away."

Feebly, the boy thrashes with all his might, wriggling this way and that.

"No," Micah snaps. "Think about it, kid. Don't let your fear take over. Control your fear to use it to your advantage."

"I don't know how," Robbie replies, on the verge of tears.

"What part of you is not pinned by me?"

Robbie's heart is racing, but he pauses to contemplate it. Then, he swings his leg back, half the length of Micah's own, and kicks the experiment's shin with his heel.

"Smart, but not quite."

Another pause, then Robbie hooks his foot around Micah's ankle and tugs as hard as he can. Naturally, Micah pretends to lose his footing and falls to his ass, but maintains a hold on one of Robbie's wrists. Almost out of instinct, Robbie brings his free hand down on Micah's forearm as hard as he can. Micah grins and lets go.

Robbie beams. "I did it! I know you let me do it, but I did it!"

Clapping sounds from across the room, Caroline, Maxie, and even Killian cheering.

Micah pushes to his feet and says, "You could've also stomped your heel into my toes. And, when you're trying to get out of someone's grip..." Micah grabs Robbie's hand and taps the inside of the boy's elbow. "Hit this spot as hard as you can. Reflex will cause the perpetrator to instantly let go."

"Teach me another, please." Robbie's eyes are bright, eager.

So Micah agrees if only to keep the boy's happiness alive.

God knows happiness doesn't last for long in this world.

***

Axel straightens as Wolf walks past, a snarl on his king's lips. He watches Wolf pace, growling to himself that sets each four of the trainers on edge. He hasn't seen his king so disgruntled in months, usually adorning a mask of calm and indifference. That's one of Wolf's strengths: his ability to appear as if he doesn't care. It gives him the upper hand when dealing with other superiors. Shows them he is his own ruler and will always be above them.

Axel keeps his jaw locked and his shoulders back, maintaining a respectful posture. No one speaks as Wolf continues to wear footprints into the shaggy carpet, a flattened circle from his angry, purposeful paces. Suddenly, Wolf halts, his back to the four of them. He turns slowly, scratching his chin.

"Your scouts," he says, eyes on Knox who visibly stiffens to attention. "They saw him personally, or merely caught sight of his hover?"

"They saw him personally, Majesty. He was escorting his closest lieutenants to an old office building outside of Lancaster, about an hour's flight from here."

Wolf ponders this. "He was not supposed to arrive for another two weeks. If that old bastard is planning something..." He growls in annoyance. "Perhaps I should pay him a visit."

Axel clears his throat, then dares to speak. "If I may, Majesty, I believe summoning him randomly would be more efficient. If he has landed a fair distance away, he obviously does not want you to know he's here."

Wolf hums. "I believe you're right, Axel. Xander, send two of your best to retrieve him. Stress the importance of catching him unawares. Don't alert his guards. I don't want him to know of their presence until they're standing in front of him."

Xander bows dutifully, then exits the room.

"Luca, I want you to be the first training session this afternoon. Make acquaintances with whatever pathetic Normals dare speaking with you. Make them believe this is a safe place for them."

Luca also dips his head before leaving.

"Knox, keep your scouts near for steady reports." Wolf eyes cut to Axel. "Axel, come with me. I received word earlier that an old friend showed up."

Axel swallows, but keeps his face blank of emotion as he follows his king out the door.

***

Wolf halts in front of his office door, glancing to his Second. "I am permitting you to this meeting because I trust your loyalty," he says lowly, dangerously. An indirect threat. "You have been an incredible asset at my side, and I would never have anyone else watching my back."

Through his confusion, Axel manages a respectful nod.

"But," Wolf practically whispers, "this will be your ultimate test."

Before Axel can consider his words, his pushes the door open and strides in confidently, exuding arrogance and power as he always does. What he's best at.

Axel trails in behind him and--

It's like a fist of steel punches his gut, his lungs closing up entirely. Not a muscle in his body so much as twitches, not the slightest breath flees him as he takes in the sight of his former friend. Gavriel, lounging on Wolf's couch as if he's not in reach of Death, tosses Wolf a lazy grin and keeps his eyes averted from Axel.

"Are these necessary?" Gavriel inquires, holding up his hands to reveal his shackled wrists. "You know as well as I do how useless they are." With barely any movements from his hands stretching apart, the chain snaps.

Wolf offers a grin of his own, completely feral and animal, true to his name. "Some of my lesser guards place a lot of trust in those manacles."

"Fools."

"Indeed." Wolf clasps his hands behind him. "So what brought you by, Gavriel? Last time we saw each other, it didn't exactly end well. I do recall promising I'd rip your head off your shoulders with my own hands if I ever saw your face again."

Gavriel smiles, his head hanging over the arm of the chair with a leg dangling off the side of the cushions. Perfectly at ease. "I know how much you admire my face, Wolf, but I'm afraid you can't keep it for yourself."

Wolf rolls his eyes. "What do you want?" he asks bluntly, apparently tired of the short-lived chit-chat.

Gavriel sits up, his dark eyes narrowing. "You know exactly why I'm here."

"I don't have your darling savior," Wolf says with a snort.

A flash of Gavriel's fangs. "I know you don't. Not now, anyways. But I know he's coming here, and I know what's happened to him."

"Is there a point in all of your self-pity, or do you simply relish in it to pass the time?"

Gavriel moves quickly, so quickly even Wolf does not have the time to defend himself as Gavriel slams him into the wall beside the couch, his nails at Wolf's tan neck, ready to pierce flesh. Wolf only growls in response.

"Let's not forget who won every duel between the two of us, hmm." Gavriel's red eyes glint viciously. "You may have everyone here cowering in fear at your name, but arrogance is a pitiful mask."

"State your business," Wolf hisses, the rage practically steaming off him.

Gavriel pushes a little harder against Wolf's throat. "When I rescue my friend from that bastard's clutch, I need your men to cover my back."

"You idiot," Wolf scoffs, wide-eyed. "That'll cause a civil war that I'll have to deal with--"

"I didn't finish," Gavriel snaps. "I'm not so stupid as to think you'd agree right off the bat. However, I have something I think will do enough of the persuading for me."

Wolf watches Gavriel as the elder releases him, reaching into his back pocket. Gavriel flips a small bottle in his hands, a clear liquid sloshing. Axel hears Wolf's heart pick up pace, his eyes lighting with disbelief. Wolf reaches for it, but Gavriel snatches it back, tosses it in the air carelessly, and slips it back into his pocket.

"I paid Doctor Stevens a visit back in Florida. Well, technically, I snuck into his new laboratory while he was gone and questioned a few staff members, then stole it. Minor details, of course. But I do remember a certain someone being very interested in this little drink."

Wolf clenches his jaw. So rarely does Axel ever see his king flustered. In fact, he doesn't think he ever has. "Bastard," Wolf grumbles through gritted teeth.

"I can own up to that," Gavriel replies, folding his arms across his broad chest. "Do we have a deal or not?"

"How do I know you're not lying?"

Gavriel yanks up his sleeve. A small scar, looking nothing more than a scratch lines his forearm. "A pretty, brave worker tried to stop me. If you look closely, you can see her purple nail polish." Then he tugs down his collar. "This is where a tranquilizer dart struck home. I managed to escape, but I was passed out in the woods for the rest of the day. Do you sense a lie?"

Wolf narrows his eyes, not a lie detected but not wanting to admit it.

"Also, you said the serum smelled of rosemary, didn't you?" Gavriel retrieves the bottle again, popping the lid off only long enough for the scent to fill the room. "Now, I could be a very good actor with sly tricks. I think you know the truth, though."

The room falls silent, Wolf's heavy, angry breathing the only sound in the room. His fists curl at his sides, his nostrils flaring. He hates being outwitted. Hates being submissive. Gavriel has him right where he wants him. Gavriel raises his eyebrows impatiently at Wolf, who finally manages to ground out a coherent sentence, "What are your demands, you insufferable prick?"

Gavriel grins. "Glad to see you've still got half a brain after everything that's happened." He contemplates a moment, then says, "I wish to pick five of your men to help me. Only five, that's all I ask. You've got plenty to share, after all." He outstretches his hand. "I will hand over the vial only when 748 is freed. And, since I'm feeling quite generous today, I'll come back to help you deal with the mess I'll cause."

Wolf rolls his eyes. "Such a gentleman."

He grips Gavriel's hand, nonetheless, and shakes it roughly.

Gavriel purses his lips in thought, then shrugs his shoulders almost mockingly. "I suppose I'll give you the chance to rip my head off once this is all over. It's the least I can do since you have your heart set on it."

"Finally," Wolf sighs dramatically. "Something I can look forward to."