The Eternal Avenger: Book Two

Chapter Twenty-One: Let's Go

(Claray's POV):

Yelena, Wanda and I were gathered around the kitchen table when Natasha walked in, Lerato trailing behind her, tongue hanging out and panting. I smiled. "Looks like you had a good workout," I said, wrapping an arm around Natasha's waist.

"That's such a rush," Natasha breathed. She then noticed the tablet and the serious expression on our faces. "What's happening?"

"Melina sent over some intel – there's a Widow not too far from here." Natasha nodded, taking the information in stride.

"Let's go get her," she said, standing straight up, almost like she was ready to leave at that exact moment.

"It's going to be a bit of a drive, so we might want to come up with a plan first." I offered. Yelena shook her head.

"She could drop off the radar again at any time. We need to go now." Yelena had a point. These women were trained to disappear and given how tough a time Ross had with locating Natasha, this opportunity was not one that we could afford to waste. Natasha, Yelena, and I packed our bags. Wanda was going to stay behind to do some additional research on the book she had been reading to learn and understand her magic better. Yelena called dibs on driving, which seemed fair since we were taking her car – well, the car she had arrived in. I'm relatively certain that it wasn't her call at all. Lerato, unsurprisingly, claimed shotgun, leaving Natasha and I in the back. We hatched a containment and approach plan during the first two hours of the drive depending on the situation that we found on the ground before Natasha leaned back against my chest, cuddling into me, drifting off to sleep. I caught Yelena's eyes watching us in the rearview mirror, a smirk tracing the corners of her mouth. I grinned at her, running my fingers through Natasha's hair, red beginning to show through the blonde at the roots. I looked forward to her red hair coming back. I missed it. I rested my head against the window, staring silently out into the night, watching the scenery zoom by, smiling. How did I get so lucky?

(Natasha's POV):

When I woke up, I could hear running water. I opened my eyes, sitting up and stretching. Claray was asleep, leaning against the window. We had approached the East Coast and were currently cruising along a country road as the water kept pace to our right. "Good morning," Yelena's voice was hoarse and worn. I frowned, sitting forward in my seat, looking at her.

"Pull over," I ordered. She scoffed, but surprisingly complied. I popped out of the back seat, opening the driver's side door. She slid out of the seat, stretching, and groaning slightly. "Go get some rest." It wasn't a request. She mumbled a no-doubt sarcastic response that I ignored, and she crawled into the back seat beside a still sleeping Claray. I slid into the driver's seat, checking my mirrors, scratching under the passenger wolf's chin by way of a hello and slamming my foot down on the gas. An hour or so later, I glanced in the rear-view mirror, finding Claray had somehow slid down and switched positions, now with her head resting in Yelena's lap. To her credit, Yelena took the shift in stride, and she was glancing down at the hybrid and softly running her fingers through her hair. I smiled at the sight, but couldn't resist the urge to let her know that she had been caught. "Softy," I mumbled softly. Yelena glanced up, catching my gaze in the mirror and smiling.

"At least I'm not a poser like you," she smirked. I raised a single eybrow.

"That's not what I heard about Budapest when Claray paid you a visit." Yelena had no response for that one, turning her head to look out the window, her fingers still tangled in Claray's hair as the hybrid slept soundly. A few hours later, we pulled into the woods, following a dirt trail all the way to the edge of the water. Claray jolted awake, sitting up and looking doubtfully at Yelena as she realized what happened.

"Were you playing with my hair?" She asked. Yelena smiled.

"You weren't complaining, принцесса," she snarked. I spun in my seat, glaring at my semi-sibling.

"Watch it, сестра," I warned. Yelena raised her hands.

"Hey, she was the one who laid down on my lap." She defended herself, earning a laugh from me and Claray both. Claray opened the door, staring out across the water.

"That's it?" She asked. I nodded.

"Melina's intel indicates that she is on that island. Doesn't look like anything else is." I sighed, Yelena, Lerato and Claray all looking at me expectantly. "The problem is going to be getting over there." Claray frowned.

"What's wrong with a boat?" She asked, confused. Yelena and I both chuckled.

"She would hear any kind of engine that by the time we got there, she'd be long gone," I grinned. Claray rolled her eyes.

"Fucking Russian assassins," she grumbled. I faked outraged shock, while Yelena smacked her arm.

"Hey," she complained. Claray grinned at her. Lerato nipped at her hand, causing Claray to laugh.

"Alright, alright, I surrender." Claray was playing it up for effect, but it was amusing, nonetheless. "Give me a minute." I watched her walk away through the trees towards the water, returning ten minutes later with a big smile. "Your chariot awaits," she announced with a large, dramatic, sweeping, bow. I rolled my eyes at her theatrics but followed her lead anyway. When we approached the water's edge, a set of canoes was waiting for us. Claray climbed in one, picking up the paddle, nodding at me that she was ready. I leaned down, pushing the canoe easily into the water while Claray steadied it when I climbed in facing her. Yelena sighed.

"I have to row the wolf?" She grumbled. Lerato headbutted her hip, triggering a smirk.

"Want to race?" Claray teased. Yelena rolled her eyes.

"Typical of you two. Stack the odds and then call the bet." I turned towards her sporting an evil grin.

"Are you too weak to keep up?" I grinned. Yelena's anger this time looked real.

"Get in the boat," she ordered the wolf, who instantly hopped onboard, sitting at the far end and panting excitedly for the ride. Yelena shoved off before lifting herself into the boat, grabbing the oar. "Let's go." Claray handed the oar to me.

"Sister vs. sister seems fairer," she smirked. I grinned in response.

"Sit your ass down and hold on, принцесса."