“Like you are a Royal?” he said with a laugh and a bow.
“I’m not to you, though,” I stumbled over the words, confusion setting in as to how that would make a difference to them.
“The Royals are a great people to all of us. They have assisted almost all of the paranormal beings in one way or another. We all would do anything for them, even if we were not created to serve by protecting them and others.”
“Well, thank you. I hope I don’t seem ungrateful, but the title is so new to me. I fear I don’t know how to carry it. ”
“No, you are sweet, and obviously care deeply for Lex. That is a Royal. They love each other deeply and are respected for that. In our world, money matters little, as does your job or clothes, all the things humans mostly seem to dwell on. You are different already. We can all see and appreciate that. Plus, you are fast becoming a new legend in these parts, so we are grateful, as well, to get the chance to work with you.”
“And, you are not afraid of my yet-untrained powers going into battle?” I half joked, half feared the answer.
“Well, there is that, but every mission comes with dangers for us. It is a lifestyle,” the black haired vampire chimed back in.
Nira walked back into the room then, and I found myself grateful for the interruption, feeling more and more out of my element with the way the conversation had been going. Plus, as each moment passed since connecting with Lex, I grew more and more anxious to get to him, to get this plan underway.
“Okay,” Nira began. “I have talked to the Royals, and they are in agreement to meet tonight in the manufacturing district.”
“Tonight?” I said, my own voice surprising me with the high pitch of surprise bursting in my ear.
“I know it is hard to wait, Christina, but they agreed, as well, that our best chance of saving the three of them is to go under the cover of night. Plus, they know that all paranormal beings are at an advantage, their skills, like ours of stealth and speed, are best when we are rested. We are used to night. To go now would put us at a disadvantage, and run the risk of being seen, too.”
I just shook my head. They had to know best. I was just going on my emotions, fear for each moment Lex and the rest of them suffered.
“We know they are alive, and will be kept alive. They are stronger than you think, can bear much, and will heal once we get them out,” she said to me before turning back to the group. “So, we need to make arrangements as to who will go with whom. We have our usual groupings, so I will designate each of you with a Royal to accompany in our search. I’d rather assign now, and save us the time once we get there.”
I sat, sipped my cooling cup of coffee, and listened as they ironed out plans. My heart went in rounds of beating faster, pounding out my fear in my chest. My rib cage seemed to ache, though I knew that to just be psychosomatic. It was being decided that I would go with Nira and a few other vampires as we searched. Our Royal to be matched up with just an unfamiliar name to me. Apparently, though, this Royal would be there to help direct me if need be, to assist with my magic. It made me a little less of a loose cannon that way.
Listening, I assumed I was on the most elite team, though. It meant they not only had faith in me, but that they wanted to utilize my powers. It seemed, here, that fiction had gotten it right, in that newly tapped powers, while dangerous, were sometimes more powerful if directed by someone with knowledge. I wanted to be useful, and I had found in these past days not only a place, but a purpose among family and friends who were still mostly strangers to me. My life was changing so fast, and once I got my Lex back with me, I could luxuriate in the fact again.
Chapter Fifteen
I laid in the strange bed that was slowly becoming more and more familiar to me, though I didn’t want it to. Each moment without Lex brought waves of panic. Familiar with panic attacks, my mind and body flew to the edge of them and back again, dangling me over a cliff, letting me flail my arms to keep from falling over that edge. At times, I grew unsure whether I could survive such a fall if I let myself go. So, I had to stay grounded, as calm as I could for him. He’d been there for me for years, and I’d barely even known it outside of a few dreams and vague sightings of a wolf I couldn’t explain away, and that I hadn’t given the proper thought to either.