Declan
The news alone that a sorcerer was working with the Fae Queen would've been enough to set Declan's temper on fire. The fact that it was that whiny weasel Nigel made him want to pull on all the magic around him and unleash it as soon as the boy was in view. Lux must have sensed his turmoil because she touched him gently on the arm, and it was enough to bring him out of his rage. He should comfort her right now, not the other way around.
"I take it, you know him?" Kitty asked dryly.
"Is he the mouthy kid from the Institute?" Calum asked, his gaze thoughtful.
Declan worked moisture back in his mouth. "Unless it's another Nigel, then yes. I know him, though he should still be at the Institute, and I'm not sure it's wise for me to return."
Kitty opened the back driver's side door of the vehicle. With her hand on the top of it, she shook her head. "He graduated a couple days ago and has been assigned to a witch in the Third Circle in Bluethorn Tennessee. Least that was what he said in the last update I received."
Percy's eyes narrowed, and he grunted, "Rather convenient timing."
Kitty shrugged and climbed into the back of the car. "All I know is he is going to have a contact I don't have, and if we can get it out of him, we might make a little headway toward getting closer to the Fae Queen."
"As much as I would love to torture him for information," Declan said, digging his fingers into his palm to steady his anger, "This sounds like a bad idea. If we started going after Morgan's people, she'll know we're coming. What if that means she speeds up the process?"
The thought alone was enough to douse the flames of his temper and incite panic. He'd almost Lux before when her angelic half nearly tore her apart. Memories of those days haunted him, waking him from deep sleeps, his heart thundering in his chest as he resisted the urge to reach out and make sure she was okay. This was a different battle, but losing it would end with the same result: Lux being lost inside herself, and he could see the same fear in her eyes when they were talking to Elaine.
"No," Lux said suddenly, her eyes flashing silver, but it wasn't Morgause fighting for control. Just a visible glimpse of her power as Knowing came over her. "This is the right path."
"Are you sure?" Calum pressed, not understanding what happened.
"Yes. I have a feeling, and even if I didn't, this makes sense. I mean, it's a little coincidental that a sorcerer who was at the Institute while Declan was there is also a follower of the Fae Queen. What if the Council was manipulated by Nigel somehow? They wanted us separated, and it may very well have to do with planting the Faerie Stone."
"So, we're going to Tennessee."
"Well," Lux hesitated and looked at Percy. "I think you and Calum should go back to the house. I Know you both should go back to the house. Check it for clues and start looking into the mystery around Adrienne's murder. You were called back to Sweetwater for that, and it's important too."
To Declan's surprise, neither of the Guardians argued with Lux, but then again, maybe he shouldn't have been. Both men looked at her with great respect. They would follow her into battle if she asked them to.
"Awesome. Road trip with Mom and Dad," Kitty mumbled as everyone went back to their cars.
Five hours later, Declan parked the car in front of a hotel and rubbed his dry eyes. Both girls were passed out. Kitty stretched across the backseat, her matted blonde hair covering her face, shifting with every breath she took. Lux slumped against the window. Her forehead left a faint print on the glass, and the skin between her eyebrows was pinched the way it always was when she concentrated deeply on something. It broke his heart, but he was glad she was getting actual rest and not plagued by more nightmares. Or worse.
"Are we there?" Kitty mumbled as she sat up and pushed her hair out of her face. Lux shifted and opened her eyes, blinking against the glare of passing headlights.
"It's after one in the morning, and we have another six hours," Declan explained.
Lux winced. "Do you want me to drive? You should've let us take shifts."
"No, I think it's best if we get some real sleep. We don't need to confront Nigel as anything less than our best."
His soulmate released a shuddering breath. "But we also don't need to waste time."
Kitty came fully awake. "Do you feel her? Is she trying to take over?"
"No. I mean... I think I feel her, but she's not trying anything. Whether that's because she's not strong enough or she's waiting, I don't know. But each time I have a dream, it's more vivid. Maybe that's when she takes me over. In my sleep. I should just drive." Declan took her hands and shook his head. Someone going inside their hotel room peered at them curiously, and he waited to speak again until they went inside. His thumb moved in soft circles over her skin, and she visibly relaxed.
"That's not sustainable, Lux. I know you're scared. I'm terrified, but you can't just not sleep while we figure this out. We can do some warding, and there's a linking spell I can cast. It will alert me to any magical presence during your dreams."
"Why didn't we do that before if that was an option?" Lux demanded, while Kitty grunted in agreement.
"It can be a little," he cleared his throat as he remembered the soft moans Lux had been making when he came to her the other night. "A little invasive. I'd be able to see what you're seeing and vice versa."
"Oh." She blushed bright red, and from the heat in his face, he imagined his cheeks were just as pink.
The leather seats creaked as Kitty fell backwards, laughing. "Your faces. What's spying on a little sex dream or two when you've done the real thing. It's like you're acting like virgins or something."
"Well, I'll go get us rooms," Lux spit out, pushing open the door and hopping out so fast Declan didn't have time to stop her.
"No way," Kitty said when the door slammed. Her blue eyes were wide in the rear-view mirror, and he averted his gaze to the window, still very aware she was staring at him. "Why?"
"This is not an appropriate conversation to be having."
"Look, Declan," Kitty's giddiness faded, and she crawled over the seat divider and plopped into the passenger seat. Unable to help himself, he glanced over and was taken aback by her serious expression.
"What?"
"I know you come from a different time, and like, I'm not about to give you the feminist speech on virginity as a social constructâ"
"You think we haven't been together because I value Lux's virginity?"
"Don't you?"
"No, not like that," he spluttered. "I mean... in my time... it was expected...But no. If Lux had multiple partners before me, I wouldn't care, and I still wouldn't have rushed that part of our relationship. Yes, I won't deny a small part of me is still old-fashioned and likes the idea of our first time being on our wedding nightâ"
"Such a girl." She threw up her hands and winced when he glared at her. "Sorry."
He scrubbed his hands over his face, stubble on his chin pricking his palms. When was the last time he'd shaved? Or showered? Time was running together.
"The idea of a soulmate sounds awesome, and I know they have romanticized it to the point of death."
"Because it sounds wonderful," the girl next to him said, her eyes glazing over as she looked through himâat something that existed only in her mind. "Someone who always chooses you. Never being alone."
"But that's just it, isn't it?" Declan asked. Why was he having this conversation with Kitty? She was the last person he should spill his guts to, but it all poured out. All the things he'd been thinking and holding in his heart for the last few years. "We didn't choose each other, and for us there is a consequence to crossing that line. Everything between us will be permanent, and Lux will be trapped."
"Dude." It was a single breathless syllable. Irreverent choice of noun, but he found himself nodding. Then she slapped him on the back of his head.
"What the heck was that for?"
"If you think Lux Godelieve is going anywhere, think again. I mean, if you never have sex, she might go wanderingâ"
"Kitty."
"I'm just saying. I know you don't trust me at all, but trust the girl who grew up with Lux. Trust the girl who was there the night you two met. You picked each other then. You told Lux she couldn't skip out on sleeping because she was scared. Basically, you can't stop living life because of what's coming."
Lux stepped outside and held two hotel keys in the air. "Kitty, I don't think that's the same thing."
"It is. But if that isn't enough, maybe you should think about the fact that tomorrow you could wake up and that isn't Lux anymore." Tears filled her eyes, and she quickly blinked them away. "And you could always just ask her."
With that, she got out and met Lux, taking a keycard and following her up the stairs. The lights came on in the room, and Lux hesitated, stepping forward to peer over the railing, her questioning expression visible in the harsh blue street light.
"Declan?" she mouthed.
He got out of the car and locked it, but stayed put. "I'll be up in a minute."
She smiled and went inside, leaving him alone with his jumbled thoughts. Damn Kitty for even bringing this up right now. There were bigger things at stake. Things far more important than his desire for Lux. He would figure out everything else later.
Because he was determinedâno matter what Morgan le Fay had plannedâthere would be a later.