“Did she go postal?” Russell grins at him, “You know, for pullin’ her portal on the island and sendin’ her to your safe house before the fight?”“Define postal?” Zephyr counters, his brows pulling together further.“Insanely angry,” Russell says.“Yes,” Zephyr nods his head adamantly, pointing at him. “She has not called me ‘sweetie’ since.”“Oooo,” Russell says, ducking his head and wrinkling his nose. “Doghouse.”

“Russell?”“Yeah! You got my back now?” Russell asks in a sour tone, looking over the railing from the tower above. “’Cuz one of them freaky demon things almost ate me after y’all left!”“A Riser nearly ate you?” Reed asks with humor in his tone“Yeah, whatever—it’s not funny!” he calls down, sounding irritated. “Next time, I want Zee for my wingman.”“That is because I am the ultimate assassin,” Zephyr replies from behind Reed.”

“Zee replies grimly, 'I understand that problem...Buns is a force of nature.' 'She is,' I say with a reluctant smile, 'you're kind of screwed, dude. She's definitely got her own ideas.'Zee grins too. 'Do not laugh too hard, playa, yours is a Throne..karma...' he says, noddin' his head before grimacin' and addin', 'ouch'. My smile broadens involuntarily. 'Zee, when did you become funny?' I ask.'It is difficult to be funny in Human,' he says, before lookin' at his watch and than graspin' the cover of the portal computer. 'Learn my language and you will think I am hysterical.”

“I wil never fight you,” she replies in a stern tone, like I have said somethin’ completely ridiculous.“Why not? You thought I was gonna hurt ya, why not fight back?” I retort, rememberin’ how she cringed like I was gonna hit her and the shame of what I just did is back ful force.“You’re my best friend,” she says, like that is an explanation.“Yes, but ya thought I was gonna hurt ya so I’d say, at that point, al bets should be off,” I state clearly.point, al bets should be off,” I state clearly.“No. I won’t fight you for real. Ever. We can practice together, but I can’t look at you like you’re my enemy. It’s impossible for me,” she says firmly.“So y’al would let me hurt you, rather than defend yerself?” I ask, like she has lost her mind.“Yes,” she says.“Why?” I ask again, ‘cuz I have to understand her reasons before I tel her how stupid I think she is for havin’ them.“Because you’re my soul mate and I love you,” she says like I’m dense.”

“I slump against the cushion. “How am I going to protect him, if I’ve completely alienated him? He thinks I’m creepy…” I say sadly.“You are not creepy,” Reed says soothingly, taking my hand.“You’re not a good judge of creepy, Reed, since you’re creepier than I am,” I say warily, looking over at Zephyr when I hear him laughing at my comment. “I wouldn’t laugh too hard, pal, because you’re the creepiest one of us all.”

“Is that what you are calling it? A message? It felt more like emotional terrorism to me.-Zephyr”

“Well, that feels a little bit like stealin’ yer parent’s car keys for a joy ride and ending up crashin’ it, huh?”“We kind of hijacked the sun, Russell.”