I stood and pointed, saying, “South. He’s down the interstate, the turnpike, in a building in the old manufacturing district. I’d know the building if I saw it. I am sure I can lead us there.”
“That’s fantastic,” Nira exclaimed, rising and hugging me.
“I know,” I said, not arrogantly, but merely marveling at the miracle myself. I relaxed easily into her hug, took all she offered me while connected to her. Until my magic, until Lex, I’d not really known this sort of connection was possible. As close to Chloe as I’d always been, gaining comfort from her hugs, I’d not had this empathic connection of feelings that I did around other paranormals, like something of us lingered outside our bodies. I believed, though, that we offered it to each other simply because we could. I took a moment to marvel at this world which I was now a part of, still high on what I’d just done.
“I’ll let the Royals and the others know,” she said into my ear, still holding me in a bear hug. “They are already in the area, figuring him not far from the accident site. So, we will lay out a strategy, a time frame, and go from there. Before you know it, you will have him in your arms again. I truly believe that with all of my heart. You have a love, a connection, all the world will stop for.”
I could only nod, suddenly exhausted. Releasing me, she blew out the candles, and then motioned for me to follow her inside. Before she began to speak to the others and went to make a phone call to the Royals, she bypassed the great room for the kitchen, offering me a cup of coffee which I greedily accepted. I let the warm liquid give me courage as well as energy, at least in my mind. I knew I would go, regardless of courage. I just had to. But, some of it and a little less trembling would be nice.
“That’s decaf, by the way,” Nira said with the hint of a smile as my last gulp burned in a good way down my throat. “We’re vampires. We sleep during the day and work by night, adjusting jobs accordingly. Lots of night shift workers here, and those that work out of their homes, making their own schedules. Though, a few do have to adjust, working days, and at times, when we have missions, waiting to sleep. Anyway, we drink our caffeine when the sun goes down. It’s decaf for these occasional early morning meetings before we go back to sleep. Sorry, human.”
She winked, and I shrugged. I figured that before a big mission they would make an exception and do some caffeine in the morning, but with super speed and strength, I guessed it wasn’t as necessary for them as it was for me. I was sure my nerves and anticipation would keep me plenty awake on the mission.
“I’ll adjust,” I mumbled with as much conviction as I could.
“I know you will. I just saw you do so, and the outcome of that. Come, and let’s fill the group in.”
Chapter Fourteen
I followed Nira back into the main room. As I walked, my body felt lighter, easier to move, like a weight had been lifted not only from my shoulders, but that literally a plug had been undone inside of me, setting me free. Not that the full intensity of the situation, the trials that still lay ahead were not there, but I felt closer to Lex, like I carried part of him inside me now, rather than just being connected to him. This not only helped to reassure me, but it went a long way to building my confidence, given what I’d just witnessed myself do.
Still starry eyed that I’d just helped locate him, had changed the course of our rescue in a significant way, it all made me feel like a part of the plan, rather than someone who had thrown a fit and insisted she be taken along. I now stood, not equal but worthy, beside this vampire to speak with the others. This accomplishment also aided my confidence in the fact that I could use the gifts inside of me successfully, and now better than before. Nothing was left to stifle me. I had free use of my powers.
I still might be dangerous, unable to check the full force of the energy stirring within, but aimed at the right person, one under our attack, the criminals in my mind that were torturing Lex, who cared if it went a bit overboard? I’d just have to ensure that the good guys, like this group around me now, were out of my range. Although, I didn’t exactly know what that range was just yet. Of course, before, back in my apartment, I had managed to toss the guy in the black suit back without injuring anyone else. My living room wasn’t all that big either.