Page 94 of Those That Are Lost
This was my homeland. This is what I was going to fight for. Then I was going to make sure those like me, and my mate, were protected within it - from the authorities as well as any corrupt power hungry vampires.
Walkingup the steps to Claire’s front porch with my pack at my back I lift the knocker and tap on the burgundy wooden door.
Claire answers immediately and beckons us inside. She’s practically vibrating with excitement and I am too. As soon as the door clicks closed, she lets out a squeal and is pulling me into a crushing hug. I wrap my arms around her slight frame as we bounce together at being reunited. Talking to her over video chat had been one thing. I couldn’t contain my happiness at seeing her in the flesh once more.
When we eventually break apart, there are three very bemused looking males staring at us. Claire immediately launches herself at Ty, hugging him nearly as tight. He reciprocates in kind, although a little cautiously.
“I thought you might attack me like Bree did,” he chuckles.
“If Rory hadn’t already explained, I might’ve. We were pretty pissed at you,” Claire scolds my mate as she lets him go.
“Claire, this is Henry Nox.” I introduce her to the male standing next to Ty.
“Nice to meet you,” Henry states, offering a hand to Claire, which she shakes as she takes in his height. At six foot six, he is impressively tall. But against her five foot four frame he’s practically a giant. “Rory’s told us much about you. Thank you for offering your home.”
My best friend blushes as the suave smooth tone to Henry’s voice.
“And I’m Antares. I dropped my family name.” Antares barges in to also shake Claire’s hand. She greets the second male but I notice her eyes flicking back to Henry.
“Good to meet you,” she answers Antares's vigorous shake. “Come on, I’ll show you where you can put your things.”
Claire leads us up the familiar staircase, Ty keeping one hand to my back as we reach the upper landing and are shown into a couple of the guest rooms. Antares and I won’t be needing them as we will have to leave in just a few short hours for the next stage of our plan, but we all head up anyway.
We leave Henry in the first one, Antares staying with him, as Claire leads us across the hall to the one Ty will be sleeping in. It’s the room I always take when I stay in this house. It hits me harder than I anticipated that I’m about to be separatedfrom my mate. Thinking of leaving him in this room, knowing I’m not going to be sleeping in the bed with him, has my body locking up, my ability to breathe becoming a little harder.
‘It won’t be for long.’Ty comes to stand in front of me, wrapping his arms around my waist. I bring my hands to his chest and lean into him.
‘I’ll make it as quick as possible,’I promise, as much to him as to myself.
‘If at any point, anything feels remotely wrong, you tell me, okay?’
‘Of course,’I reassure him.
He kisses the top of my head before we pull apart. Claire is trying not to look at us by fiddling with the towels she’s left stacked on the bed. “Should I leave you alone?” she asks.
“No, I’d like to spend some time with you before I leave.” I tell her honestly.
“Coffee?” Claire offers. Despite our greeting, she seems a little wary, like she can’t quite believe that I’m standing in front of her. Then she catches herself, remembering what I am now. “Do you still drink coffee?”
I turn in Ty’s embrace, putting my back to his chest but unwilling to pull away. “Gods yes, I’d love a cup.”
“I’ll go get the beans brewing, come down when you're ready.” Claire steps around us and out the door. I listen to her footsteps descend the staircase as I lean back further into my mate.
‘You can back out. Antares will understand and can still go alone.’Ty dips his head, kissing along my neck, sucking the skin slightly.
‘I can’t let him do that.’I take a deep inhale and bring my hands to the arms around my waist, needing to cling him to me.‘I’m still set on taking down Adicious myself. This is just the part I didn’t let myself think about.’
‘I’ll be with you every single step, Red. We might be physically separated but nothing, and no one, can kick me out of your mind. I’ll be closer than being at your side, forever.’ He lifts his head to kiss the top of mine, and I notice how he inhales my scent; I’ve not hidden it yet.
‘I love you.’I send down the bond.
‘I love you too. Now, go spend some time with Claire. I’m going to grab a shower and sort through some things with Henry.’Ty steps back and grabs one of the towels and his duffel before disappearing. I fully understand what he’s doing. He’s sacrificing some of the little time we have left together so that I can be with my best friend. I shoot him more of my love down the bond and head in the opposite direction.
If I didn’t know this house, the smell of freshly ground coffee would’ve led me to the kitchen. I find Claire pouring the rich liquid into mugs as I join her. She hands one to me and we take them over to the solid wood dining table on the far end. It feels like days since I’ve been here, not well over a year.
“You’re really going to take on a pack of vampires?” Claire asks, taking a sip of her overly sweetened, very milky brew.
“Yes.” I heave a huge sigh, tiredness from the travel wearing on me. “Froan used to belong to Ty’s parents, we want it back.”
