Guardians: The Triplex Part 29

"Was the gift a bad idea?"

I look up at her.

"A bad idea? Emmy, this gift was...Thank you, baby."

I pull her close to me, wrap my arms around her, and kiss her fervently.

"When I lost my Mom, I thought that was it. My world was gone. Just like that. But you took care of me, Marcus. You brought some of my world back to me. I just wanted to do the same for you."

"You did more than that. I can't believe in a few days, I'm never gonna see you again."

"Let's not talk about it. I can't take never seeing you again."

And so we laughed and talked as if there was no countdown to the New Year. As if I wasn't about to go somewhere she wasn't allowed to follow.

Like I said before, everyone wants to throw us a party. At one point, we had to turn a few Angels down. But when we are given a party by the

party girl herself, Arden, we simply can't refuse.

No one parties like the powerful Para. Her father is an Original. That comes with all kinds of serious obligations and duties. Her older sister is Rah.e.l.l, the Taker. That is also a serious job. Every time an Angel dies in battle, Rah.e.l.l appears and takes his body to the house of fire. Rah.e.l.l is the picture of dignity and restraint, while her sister, Arden is...well, Arden.

She stands before me now in a s.e.xy emerald, futuristic-style dress. Her makeup is very much like her, striking and a little too much. But beyond the glitz and the glamour of Arden, she is a kind girl who's helped us out in the past.

"So, First Hottie, where is your human?" she asks.

"Since she is going to be alive for a few more decades, she decided to stay home and study."

"So she's a scholar?"

"Not really. I had to bribe her into it."

"What sinful act did you promise her?"

"I told her we'd be normal for one evening. We'd go to a movie and just hang. She's wanted that for awhile now."

"Normal? Why would anyone aim for normal?" Arden laughs to herself. Then she holds up her drink and makes a toast to the crowd.

"Let the Coy flow and your inhabitations go!" she shouts.

The hundreds of Angel partygoers can be heard screaming and cheering throughout every inch of the mansion. My team is more than happy to follow the partygoer's example.

Miku is dancing with the only guy who wasn't scared of her or turned on by the fact that she used to be Redd. Jay and Isabelle talk over full gla.s.ses of Coy. Ameana is standing off to the side doing what I knew she'd be doing, pretending not to stand next to Wolf (while standing next to Wolf). He's fully recovered thanks to the healers at Daraquin.

The only Guardian I don't see is Rio. I call his cell and it goes straight to voice mail. I head off towards the unlikely couple. They're deep in conversation but it's hard to tell if it's a personal one or not.

"So, is there any other member of your team you kissed?" Wolf asks.

Okay, definitely personal. And for Wolf, very dangerous.

"I don't owe you a rundown of who I have and have not been with," my ex counters.

"I just need to know how many Angels I have to compete against, to get you."

"I'm not a prize," she says.

"So far...no," Wolf mumbles.

"What is your problem?"

"You work hand in hand with your ex. I'm about free love but that's too free."

"Why does it matter to you who I work with?"

"You know why."

"Wolf, I can't be what you need, okay?"

"Why?"

"Because I'm not into that anymore."

"Oh, so you're into girls?"

"Funny."

"I know a lot of really cool lesbian Angels. I could introduce you."

"I meant I'm done with dating."

"Forever?"

"Yeah."

"Your aura is getting dark. That's what happens when you lie."

"I'm not lying, I'm done with relations.h.i.+ps."

"Well, then it's too bad because you're already in one."

"I told you before, you and I-"

"I mean you and Marcus."

"He walked out of our relations.h.i.+p months ago."

"Exactly," he says. She looks at him, confused. He turns to her and closes the gap between them.

"Ameana, Marcus left you months ago, but you're still standing here having a relations.h.i.+p with his ghost. Marcus walked away, why can't you?"

Not wanting to hear the answer, I clear my throat loudly.

"Hey, I'm sorry to interrupt but have you guys seen Rio?" I ask.

"He said he was going back to the house," Wolfs replies. Ameana is avoiding eye contact with both of us.

"Okay, thanks," I say awkwardly.

I know the mission is over, but since we lost Reese, I don't like not knowing where my team is. So I head back to the house. Once there, I head to Rio's room and find it empty.

I call his cell and it goes to voicemail. I turn on the tracker that the Council gave us months ago. Most of the time it is accurate about our location but we stopped using it because it wasn't one hundred percent. I call Jay to see if he might know where Rio is.

"No, I haven't seen him. Did you ask the other Wonder Twin?"

"I don't want to worry her if he's just talking a walk or something."

"Yeah, you're right. Do you need me to help you find him?"

"No, it's okay. Stay and hang out with Isabelle. Just watch the others for me."

"No problem. Hey, is it cool if I mention the Quo to Isabelle? I mean they should be a hot topic soon right?" he asks.

"We did promise to keep it quiet but they should be out in the open in a few days so...yeah, I guess."

I hang up with Jay and call Emmy, but she hasn't seen Rio.

"Have you tried his cell?" she asks.

"All I get is voicemail."

"Marcus relax, everyone is just blowing off steam. You should be, too. Weren't you supposed to be at Arden's party?"

"Yeah but-"

"But you went all First Guardian and overprotective. The mission is complete. When will you give yourself a break?"

"You're right. I can hang back for about an hour. If I don't hear from him by then, I'll gather the team."

"Sounds reasonable. Now, go and party."

"If you're done with studying, maybe you can come with?"

"Actually, I am done studying. But I have company."

"Who?"

"Okay, don't read too much into this, but it's Julian."

"Really?"

"Yeah, we've been talking about what my mom was like on the bridge. And I've been telling him stories about her that I haven't really let myself remember until now. It was too painful, ya know?"

"Yeah, I do..."

"But you can come over if you want."

"No, you two keep talking."

"Okay, but remember - tomorrow, you, me, normal."

"Got it."

I stayed at the house and Rio returned an hour later.

"I was about to send a search party. Where were you?" I ask.

"Flying around."

"Flying around where?"

"Um... I don't know, Mom."

"Look, I'm not trying to be a jerk but I was calling you all night."

"What happened? Is Miku okay?"

"She's fine. Everyone is fine."

"Then what's the problem?"

"I just like knowing where everyone is."

"Look, I know I'm always getting on you about stuff, but in the end, you did a great job. We saved the world and have time to celebrate. You did it."

"More of a team effort kind of thing."

"Yeah, but you made sure we held it together. You can relax First Guardian. The battle is over. We have won."

The battle is finally over. And yeah, we won...