Their Light

Chapter 24

Hadley

The shower did just the trick. Game night was more fun than anything I had ever experienced before, but it was also exhausting. I needed a pick me up. I knew the guys were suffering, too. Ryder and Finn especially looked quite pitiful before I headed upstairs. I told them to get rest, but they had decided we were all in this together. Kent also pointed out that the Tenebris could target them as well in their sleep. None of us were safe. It was a sobering thought.

Caspian and I headed back downstairs. I tried to ignore the dark circles under his eyes. He had sat down on my bed when I entered the bathroom. When I came back out, he was pacing the room. I was pretty sure it was to make sure he stayed awake. I didn't know how all of us were going to get through this day. We couldn't keep this up.

My stomach let out a growl, reminding me of how excited I was for more of Peter's cooking. Joe trotted along behind us. He had adjusted just fine to living here. Unlike the rest of us, he had slept for most of the night.

I stepped off the last stair and headed into the living room. A familiar head of auburn hair caught my attention. I walked over and froze, taking in his appearance.

"Peter, are you okay?" I asked him instantly, going to his side.

He looked rough, and he felt utterly exhausted. I focused on his emotions, his exhaustion nearly tripling my own. I had to push it back for fear of being overwhelmed. His closed eyes opened, and he gave me a weak grin. My heart pounded with worry.

"I'm fine," he told me, his eyes closing again. "Just tired."

"Why are you so tired?" I asked him, but he didn't respond. Honestly, it looked like he had just passed out.

"He'll be fine after some rest," Kent told me before I could panic too much. Joe jumped up beside Peter, curling around to lay his head on his lap.

"But why is he so tired? It can't just be from not sleeping."

"He used his powers a lot this morning." I furrowed my brow in confusion. Why would Peter have needed to use his power so much?

Suddenly, raised voices from the kitchen caught my attention, specifically an unfamiliar voice. I headed toward the room. As I got closer, I could make out what they were saying.

"How long has it been? Years, it's been years, and you just call me out of the blue and ask me to come here. What is going on, Ezekiel?"

I turned the corner and took in the new woman. She was of average height but with a muscular build. Her long brown hair was streaked with gray and pulled back into a bun.

"I know, mom-," Zeke started, but she interrupted him.

This was his mother. The shock had me frozen in the doorway. Were we already at the meeting the parents phase? I didn't know if I was ready for that. I didn't know if I would ever be ready for that.

"You were just gone one day. I had no idea if anything had happened to you. I had to hear from the Ellington's that you were at Statio Asa."

"Mom," he raised his voice, cutting her off. She finally paused and looked at him. "We need your help."

"With what?" She placed her hands on her hips and tilted her head. She was dripping with sass. I hoped I could one day pull that move off.

"We need a protection amulet. The best one you can make," Zeke told her, his eyes pleading. The realization hit me. That was what they were talking about last night. She looked him over, her eyes narrowing as she took a step towards him. He didn't move, didn't even flinch.