Changes Coming

Talon sipped his coffee. He wanted to spend time with her, but he did not want her to know that.

She would probably laugh at him.

“No…I would hate to trouble you further,” Wren replied with a sigh.

She would like to spend more time with him, but obviously, he did not wish for her company outside the mansion.

“It is no trouble, Wren,” he said.

Wren startled at the use of her name on his lips. He had not said it once since the day in the room.

He watched her movement and figured she was not used to hearing him say it. Well, she had better get used to it, because he planned on using it from now on, and he was going to make sure that she used his as well.

They sat there in silence for a while, watching people go by.

“Come on, let’s take a walk,” he said.

Talon stood and took Wren’s hand, leading her out the door. Once they were on the street, she figured he would let go, but he did not.

She kept her head down at first, wondering what would happen if someone they knew saw them like this. Soon, though, she started looking around herself.

She had never been to this part of town, and it reminded her of home. She missed her home, she thought with a sigh.

“What was that for? Do you not wish to take a walk? We can head back,” Talon asked, glancing down at Wren.

“No…I was just thinking how much I miss home.”

“What are you talking about? How can you miss home in one day?”

“I meant my home. The one I disappeared from without a word months ago and have not spoken to anyone since,” Wren replied coldly. “I think I am allowed to miss it.”

“Oh…”

“Duh. What did you think I was talking about?”

“Our home,” Talon replied cheerfully.

He liked the sound of that, our home. His home with Wren and the others.

“Oh, I do not think of that as home. Sorry.”

“Why not?” Talon asked. “Is that not where you sleep, eat meals, and where your family is?” He flung the same words at her as she had used on him.

Wren laughed. “I think I said something like that to you once.”

Talon smiled, glad she remembered. “I believe you did, and it applies to you as well.”

Wren looked sad for a moment. “It’s complicated,” she said. “I shouldn’t miss it, but…” She fell silent.

“Do you regret being here?” Talon asked softly.

How would he feel if she did not want to be here…did not want to be with him? Had she not said she was willing to do this in the beginning?

Had she changed her mind?

Wren thought for a moment. “I do not regret being here. I am quite thankful I was brought here,” Wren said, looking up at the sky.

They had entered a little park, and she watched the breeze move the trees. “To tell the truth, I have not thought of home much, but this area reminds me a lot of the little town I grew up in. I guess it triggered a bit of homesickness.”

“So tell me.” Talon followed Wren’s gaze. “If you are glad you are here, why are we still not your home?”

“I do not know,” Wren replied. She did not have an answer to his question, but she still felt like an outsider looking in. “I just know this does not feel like home yet.” She shrugged. “I am sure I will get there. But for now…”

They continued to walk for another block before Wren stopped. Talon looked to see what had caused it.

They had stopped in front of a little piano store. He smiled.

She did love her music.

“Could we?” Wren asked, a bit embarrassed.

Talon pulled her into the store without another word, and they spent the next hour, Talon watching Wren go from piano to piano, trying them out and talking shop with the owner.

They finally headed back after Talon informed Wren of the time and that they had supper to cook.

“There you two are! Where have you been? We have been worried about you,” Carrie said, standing in the middle of the kitchen with her hands on her hips.

“Sorry. I got distracted,” Wren spoke first. “I insisted Talon stop by a piano store on the way home. Please forgive me.”

Carrie waved them toward the table. “Sit. It is time to eat. Since this is the last time we will be together for a while, we waited for you.”

“What?” Wren asked as they were seated.

“Now that your training is over and you can leave the compound, we are being sent back out on assignments. You and Talon will stay here until the next school break, and then you will also be shipped around.”

“We usually only have everyone together at the same time during our biannual trips or if there is a new trainee.”

“You mean you are leaving?”

Carrie nodded. “Michael and I are leaving first thing in the morning. I do not know when we will be back.”

“Lily and Eric will leave next weekend, and of course, Emerald and Evan must stay here until they graduate from school.”

“I…see.” Wren continued to eat.

So that was how it was. She was unsure of how she felt about this development.

She quickly ate and took her leave.

“Have a safe trip, Carrie, Michael,” she said, heading for the door.

“Do not worry, Wren, we will return home. We always do,” Michael called after her.

Wren nodded and left the room.

Carrie turned to Talon. “I know she did well with the first Being you two took down, but…is she ready for this?” she asked.

Talon nodded. “We will be fine.”

“Up until now, we have been taking care of the Beings in the area for you, but once we leave, she will have to step up. You are sure she will be able to do this?”

“She is ready,” Talon said.

“Still…” Michael started on the dishes. “She is going to have a rude awakening. She is completely unaware of the dangers in the area. You will have to explain to her the sudden changes.”

“I know,” Talon snapped. “Do you think I am that kind of person? I do care about her, you know…” Talon blushed and looked away.

“We know you do.” Carrie patted his hand. “We are just worried. You have yet to finish the bonding process, and she has had only one experience in actual combat.”

“We just want to come home to both of you still in one piece and not a funeral.”

“We will be fine. You are worrying too much about us.”

“Do you not see it?” She walked over and gave Talon a hug.

Talon stiffened against the touch. Carrie pulled back and looked at him.

No one, and he meant no one, had ever touched him before Wren. He killed anyone who tried.

That was part of the reputation he had acquired before coming here, and no one had attempted to break that…until now.

“Relax, hon,” Carrie whispered. “I just want you to know we care and love you, including Wren. She just does not know it herself yet, so please be patient and help her, okay?”

Carrie smiled at him. “Do not close yourself off from her. She will need a lot of time and support.”

“I think she may even be harder to crack than you were. After all, she does not have another her to break the shell. You will have to be strong and do that for her.”

Carrie pushed her luck and placed a kiss on his cheek. Talon was still frozen in place from her hug.

“Take care of her. We are counting on you.”

Talon could only stare after her. What the…

Michael came up and pulled him into a bear hug, then pulled back.

“I do not know when or if we will be back. We are being sent far into a place where they think there is a large gathering of Beings. Take care of everyone for us and help her,” he said.

He stepped back and followed Carrie.

“Let her know she is loved,” he stopped at the door with one last bit of advice for Talon. “You will not have to worry about her not returning your feelings, but even if she could not return them, it is better to tell her yours and suffer publicly than to keep them bottled up and suffer in silence.”

He continued out the door and disappeared.

Talon stared after him, suddenly able to understand his pain. He would tell her when the time was right.

He would not live his life in silence like Michael.