28. Alex

I'm so proud of her when she overcomes an obstacle. And she knows it.


Tae had just notified me. It's unexplainable, the relationship you have with people you're close to. He was going through a rough patch. But he and I both knew there was nothing I could say, or do, to make it better.




I knew when he was communicating with Willow. She stared blankly yet looked like she was concentrating. My beautiful, Willow. I could never get sick of Willow. I know her well, better than I know myself. But even then, she has some quirky habit or off beat comment.

She tensed up. Willow looks like a fairy. Her long, fine, tumbling blonde hair is always wavy messy and perfect. Plus, she was petite as well. A terrible fighter though. I always feel like her protector. Although I wouldn't say I was just brawn.


She pursed her lips, and her expression softened. She turned towards me and I knew they had finished talking.


"I know," I said preemptively.


"I didn't notice," she said peering curiously at my face.


"I must be good at it," I winked at her.


She suppressed a smile. "We're bringing everyone except Leah, Jeremy and Pris."


"Jeremy for brawn, Leah because she's a trusty leader, but Pris? Seriously?" Nothing against Pris, of course. She's the embodiment of the word sweetheart. But to be honest, she's not particularly talented in any field.  And that's the nicest way I can put it.

"Pris has lots of friends, I'm asking for a loan of people from the Easeley bloodline," she smiled and looked at me expectantly.


I beamed for her. "Great, that's an incredibly clever way to test out the new alliance. And we can tell how serious they are by who they lend. You," I hugged her. "You are the cleverest midge I know."


She whacked me but I knew she was happy. And even if she wasn't happy, I mean it's Willow. She's lacking in the strength department anyway.


"I know," she said as a short cackle escaped her. "And we both know how much Mish would help us suss stuff out."


"Of course, Mish is going to be so emo after though," I cringed. 


Mish, or Misha's theos was pure and simple mindreading. And the range was pretty as much as far as she could physically hear. We're Elite, so comparably it should be at least ten times more acute than human hearing.


And the things she hears, the terrible things and scheming, manipulative things. She hears them all. And they drive her crazy. To send Mish to a funeral...


It would be advantageous in every aspect except her mental well being. She wasn't very well liked for the same reason as Willow wasn't. Some theos', tended to alienate the crap out of you. Unlike Willow, Mish doesn't attempt at being friendly.


Willow once spent two days in the same range as her. Somewhere in the Ashenbury highlands they shared everything. And the relief they gave each other must have been long overdue as they both seemed at utter peace for a while. Mish is only nice to Willow and tolerant of me.


"FUARK YOU," she yelled, half angrily. Actually, mostly angrily with only enough humor to hint that she wasn't going to assassinate us in our sleep. We must've been in her range.  


"And there's no point in thinking sorry. The both of you," she said wearily. "I can take it, I'm a big girl."


If only being sorry is ever enough, I thought darkly. And instantly regretted it.


"I know," Mish said quietly.


And I was still thinking sorry.