Crais(56)

Brace laughed.

You weigh nothing. And neither gods, Walkers nor Seventine could tear you from my arms right now.

I thought Walkers were gods, I teased, my lashes fluttering as exhaustion overwhelmed me.

I’d been so tired and alone that until Brace was back I hadn’t realized how much his loss had sucked from my energy. I rested my head on his hard chest.

No, we just have the egotism of them. Sleep now, baby. I have you and I’ll never leave you again.

I fought it briefly, wanting to ask him a million questions, but I lost the fight. As I drifted off I realized we were surrounded by the golden aura which had been absent for too long.





Chapter 12





The arguing woke me first. I kept my eyes closed as voices raged around me.

Should I pretend I’m still asleep?

I opened the bond to Brace; I was curled up on his lap, his presence surrounding me.

You take as much time as you need, Red. Accusations are being thrown around, and I’m sure they’re going to start in on you, and then I’m going to Hulk out and try to kill people and since they’re mostly people you love ... well, just take your time.

I mentally giggled, remembering how much he’d loved the Hulk movie. A smile must have curved my lips because the next thing I knew someone’s hair was hitting me in my face.

“Quit pretending to be asleep and save me from these nut jobs.” Lucy said as she flicked her fingers in front of my nose.

“Who are you calling a nut job, you psycho blond doll?” I recognized Fury’s cranky voice.

“I’m not psycho; I’m psychic. There’s a difference,” Lucy huffed out. “Bitch,” she added under her breath.

I laughed out loud this time and reluctantly opened my eyes.

“Oh, great. It’s sleeping beauty. About time you graced us with you presence, super Abby.”

I swung my head to face her. Fury and Dune were sitting against the wall, their backs straight. Dune’s arm fell off her shoulder as she leaned forward to glare at me. Lucy, who was next to us on the white couch, also shifted forward until her elbows rested on her knees.

Her voice was low as she barked out words. “Hey, Dune, why don’t you put a muzzle on your dog? She’s about to get her ass kicked if she doesn’t shut that whinge-hole she calls a mouth.”

Fury was on her feet so fast that I swear the wall shook from her pushing off it. “Why don’t you step over here and say that.” Her voice trembled as her anger bled into the room.

Lucy also pushed herself up. “My pleasure. You’ve needed an ass-whopping since Abby found you on Crais.”

Josian held up a hand and stepped into the center of the room.

“Lallielle will not be happy if we fight in this room. If you girls want to battle, then downstairs to the training room.”

My mouth fell open as I too hopped to my feet. I shivered as my body adjusted to the loss of Brace’s warmth, before turning my glare on Josian.

“Are you freaking kidding me, Dad? They can’t fight. Lucy is human and Fury has Walker powers.”

“I don’t need Walker powers to fight her,” Fury scoffed. “She’s like the size of a ten-year-old child.”

I sucked in a deep breath. Oh, crap.

“What the eff did you say?” Lucy’s tone was deadly.

“You. Are. Short.” Fury emphasized each word.

And then all hell broke loose.

By the time I had made it across the room, Lucy was on Fury’s back, her hand buried in the long white strands of hair as she slammed her head into the floor. Fury struggled, but Lucy was very proficient in the arts of wrestling and judo.

“You take it back,” Lucy screamed. “I do not look like I’m ten.”

“Child ... Child ... Child,” Fury chanted over and over.

Dune and Brace stood above them. I had to laugh watching these two brawny men jumping side to side trying to break them up. Though, as chick fights go, they were doing us proud. There was not one bit of scratching or hair pulling.

Fury twisted over, managing to gain some traction on Lucy. Their limbs flew all over, making it impossible to separate them. I glanced around the room, noticing that Lucas, who was once again randomly in my house, was standing in the corner with the slightest grin on his face. Lallielle and Josian also looked amused. The Reds were against the back wall, and their discipline shone through. Not one of them cracked a smile, although their eyes were flat out laughing.

I turned back to the fight, suppressing my own smirk, just in time to see Fury throw out her arm and by luck smash a fist into Lucy’s face. I heard the crack from where I was standing and right then I’d had enough. I released my power, the dream energy flying from me to immobilize the room. Even the Walkers paused in their actions. Excitement flared in my gut; I was getting stronger.