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Glowing cyans stared into sparkling emeralds. They held each other’s gaze before Cyan gave a shaded smile. “There is much for you to learn,” Cyan said. “So very little time to learn it. You’ll gain insight as you go, but remember you needn’t venture in the darkness alone.”
“What is that supposed to mean?” Emerald asked. Cyan chuckled, the wrinkles in the corners of their eyes becoming more pronounced as they smiled.
“In due time, my child, you shall come to know what it is I mean,” Cyan hummed, closing their eyes.
“Grandma, you’re starting to creep me out,” Emerald mumbled. Cyan opened her eyes and grinned.
“There will come a time when you will miss my creepy old tales, my child, and for that reason I continue to share. You will have only but memories to keep you company.”
“Grandma... I have to go. If I don’t get home soon, Sera will end up having to cook.” Emerald stood and slung the camo-backbag that sat next to his leg over one shoulder. He tilted his head to the side and let an impish grin cross his face. “You’d think a chemist would manage to throw together a simple dinner. Everything is flammable for her.... She burnt cereal once.”
“Yes, yes, go on now, child. Tell your father I said hi.” She chuckled. Emerald reached over the clothed table, giving her a tight hug.
“I’ll call you once I get home.”
“You had better.” She pulled away from him and held his gaze. “There are many dangers in this world and--”
“I had better be on my guard to protect myself from them,” Emerald mimicked. His grandmother pursed her lips.
“Eien--”
“I’ll be careful, grandma, sheesh. You know, Sera says you don’t do this with her.” Eien placed his hands on his hips and leaned forward slightly. He narrowed his eyes at her. “What’s up with that?”
“Greenbrier boys have a long history of getting into trouble.” She sat back in her chair with a closed eye grin. “Ask your father about that one.”
“Har, Har, Har. What about a Lovell?” Eien smirked. “Doesn’t this technically make me half of a--” Eien stopped as the curtain of the silk tent was opened.
“Elizabeth Lovell?” A man stepped into the tent. He was tall – nearly 7 foot in height. Eien had to crane his neck to look the man in the eyes. He had a rugged look about him. He was slightly muscled with caramel skin, deep brown eyes, and short black hair in a Caesar cut.
“Most people would knock first,” Elizabeth said, her lip twitching into a small smile.
“I apologize for not knocking on cloth,” He responded in a deep rumble, his eyes solely focused on Eien. He tipped his head slightly in acknowledgment. “Eien.”
“Christian,” Eien said tightly. He looked at his grandmother and nodded towards her. “I’ll get going now. If the bastard goes missing, no one would miss him.” Eien tilted his head and glared at Christian. He brushed past the man without another word.
“Please don’t ask,” Christian grunted when Elizabeth’s eyebrow rose.
“I didn’t intend to. What do you need, child?”
“There have been some...rumors.” Christian sat across from the old woman.
“I’m aware of those rumors, child.” Elizabeth chuckled. The blue crystal on the table glowed. “That isn’t the only reason you came bothering these old bag of bones, is it?”
“Cryo Inc. is planning on buying this land and turning it into a factor.” Christian crossed his arms. “But do you know the real reasoning behind-”
“I’m well aware of that. They aren’t going to take this from me. This is the last strip of land not touched by all those flashy doohickeys these youngsters are so proud to flaunt around.”
“Miss Lovell, you don’t understand...The head of Cryo Inc. isn’t James any more. It’s Biancca Shadowwing.”
Elizabeth looked up from the glowing crystal. The crystal’s glow morphed to a deep crimson. “Shadowwing?”
“And she’ll stop at nothing to destroy this area....and you and I both know why.” Christian closed his eyes and crossed his arms.
“What do you want, Swiftrunner?” Elizabeth’s eyes narrowed. Christian opened his eyes and raised an eyebrow.
“Oh I-”
“I was not born yesterday.”
“Well,” Christian said, drawing out the word. He grinned. “If a Swiftrunner were to mate with a Lovell, their union would bring about the strength necessary to end Biancca.”
“I’m too old to be mating with you or anyone else in your pack.” Elizabeth crossed her arms.
“Yes, but, your daughter has had children. Sera and Eien. Eien is what I want in exchange for me throwing Biancca-”
“Do you hear yourself?” Elizabeth slapped her hand on the table. “You want me to give you my grandson in exchange for land? You can go straight to hell! Biancca wants this land because she thinks what she needs is here. I don’t need your protection. I’ve done enough on my own all these years and--”
“But she knows that it’s not.” Christian leaned over and smirked. “She knows that what she wants has something to do with Eien.”
Elizabeth narrowed her eyes at him. She was silent as he crossed his arms with a roguish grin.
“You’re not what you used to be, Elizabeth. You won’t be able to protect him forever. How about you pass the reins to the Swiftrunners?” They descended into another bout of silence.
“No.” Elizabeth finally said after a while.
“No?” Christian rose an eyebrow. “What do you mean no?”
“Just as I said,” Elizabeth hissed. Her eyes began to emit a low red glow. “I refuse to exchange my grandson for anything. If you so much as look his way, I will destroy you and your clan!” She slammed her hands on the table, the crystal in the middle crackling and emitting immense heat. Christian brought his hand up to shield his eyes from the brightening crystal.
“Be reasonable here, Miss Lovell. The Swiftrunners have always had an alliance with your bloodline.” Christian slowly lowered his hand and snorted. “We don’t really need your permission to do anything, you owe us your lives. I just thought it would be...civil to let you in on our plans.” Christian smirked as Elizabeth growled. He stood and chuckled. “You ought to-” Elizabeth slammed her hands on the table again and stood.
“Listen you flea bitten mutt,” Elizabeth shouted, staring up at the towering man. “If you think I’ll just stand by and allow you to hunt my grandson as if he were meat, you have another thing coming. If I see any of your clan mates engaging with him, I will purge them on the spot. Do not under estimate me.” Elizabeth brushed passed the man and yanked the tent flaps open. “Leave. If I see your face again, I will end you.”
Christian chuckled. “I see where Eien gets his fire from.” Christian leered at Elizabeth and licked his lips. I like them feisty.
“LEAVE!” Elizabeth yelled. Christian laughed again and walked out of the tent.
“I’ll see you around, Miss Lovell.”
Elizabeth let the tent flap close. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, before returning back to where she sat before. She slumped in her chair and stared at the closed sign across from her. “Goddess, save us all...”
