“Same reasons humans risk their lives,” Marcus says, bitterly reflecting on his mom.
“Once an Angel is Grounded, he’ll do anything to get his hands on more Peek or CP. The Council found addicted Angels were dangerous. So they banished them to Terra. It’s a small strip of land near New Jersey.”
“Can we skip the Q&A and focus? We can’t just accept the invitation,” Ameana says
“She’s right. We can’t just go to Terra to see some girl. What if it’s a trap set by the Akons or Lucy?” I reply.
“Lucy can’t enter Terra. She’s banned. She doesn’t really care anyway. She knows eventually Tics will overdose and end up in Difi.”
Just then Jay Glides into the room with Julian. Thankfully, his wings have been repaired. And Julian doesn’t have a scratch on him. Julian doesn’t say anything but he looks me over carefully. There is a small breath of relief once he realizes that I’m in one piece. We catch Jay up on what he’s missed.
“So, are we going to Terra?” he asks.
“Julian, have you ever heard of The House of Three?” Marcus asks.
“No, but if it’s located in Terra, it can’t be good. It’s a wasteland of addicts and degenerates.”
Marcus confers with the Sage.
“It is not for me to say. I can only point out that time is not your friend,” The Sage says softly.
“He’s right Marcus. I broke a Splash when we were in Daraquin; the Akons, Runners, Demons and Lucy are all hunting for Emmy. Lucy has vowed to reward whoever finds her.”
“What’s the reward?” Rio asks.
“I don’t know, a lifetime supply of evil in a can.”
“Evil in a can?” Miku mocks.
“Yo, whatever. All I know is they are coming for her hard.”
“So, are we going?” I ask nervously.
“Yeah,” Marcus says, without missing a beat.
“Are you sure this is a good move?” Ameana asks.
“It may not be a good
move, but it’s our only one.”
Marcus instructs the team to go recharge and be ready to move out in a few hours. As they head off to find a place to rest, I hear Jay address Ameana.
“I saw your man,” Jay teases.
“Excuse me?” Ameana says.
“Please, like you don’t know who I mean.”
“I don’t.”
“Well, Wolf
said he’s been calling you, but you don’t pick up.”
“We’ve been a little busy here. You know, saving the world?”
“Whatever man, just call that dude back.”
“So what, you two are best friends now?”
“If we were cool like that, I’d tell him to stay away from you. I have met girls that require a few hours of work, but you are trouble 3-6-5.”
“So you told him how awful I am and he still wanted you to get a message to me?”
“All I can do I warn a guy, ya know?”
“I didn’t call him because I’m on a mission. I don’t have time to socialize.”
“Too bad your ex does.”
Flashes of anger flood Ameana’s face. She raises her hand and sends Jay flying through the window and across the street. We turn around in time to hear Jay shout.
“I’m good. The kid is always good,” Jay shouts from across the street. I can hear the smile in his words. He’s having a good time teasing Ameana.
Marcus shakes his head impatiently and the Twins head out to get Jay.
“Has Wolf been calling you?”
“Who’s asking? The First Guardian or my ex?”
“Your friend.”
“Are we friends?” she laughs joylessly.
“We used to be.”
“We used to be a lot of things, Marcus,” she walks off but he takes after her.
They enter the tea room. It’s all I can do not to go over and put my ear to the door.
That would be wrong, right?
Right.
Luckily, their voices carry down the hallway.
Emmy, it’s a private conversation. You should walk away. Be a good girlfriend and walk away. Walk away. Emmy move!
I don’t budge.
Do eavesdroppers ever make it into the Light? Yeah, didn’t think so.
I hear Marcus speak first.
“Things don’t have to be this way between us.”
“What way?” she asks.
“We don’t have to be enemies.”
“We’re not. We’re co-workers”
“Seriously?”
“I really don’t know what you want me to say.”
“Say that we can be friends.”
“What difference does that make?”
“How can you ask that? What is wrong with you? Why are you acting like this? Are you really this mad because we broke up?”