Tales of a Shifter (P5) The White Mountain

Chapter 23 - Grateful

Chapter 23 – Grateful

They sat in silence together for a long time. Brandon found solace from the fear, frustration and uncertainty inside the strong rhythm of Ezekiels heartbeat beneath his cheek. He let it soothe him for as long as he could...

Various thoughts filtered past his exhausted mind.

What are the other Guardians doing right now?

Brandon couldn't help but wonder.

Does anyone even realizes that we've been taken yet? And when they do figure out that were missing.....I wonder what they'll do? Can they find this place somehow?

Brandon bit his inner cheek and burrowed deeper into Ezekiels embrace as the chills started back up, accompanying the anxiety that his questions were stroking into an inferno.

No. There's no way they can find us here...Shit....I don't even know where HERE is. I remember Nora saying something about a forest far away from Mortals and Shifters, but that's all I know....and the Guardians know even less then I do about this place.

Brandon tried to suppress a shiver and failed as his mind continued to swirl.

God......Were alone here. What can I do...? What can I do to get him out? These fucking Wards are locking my powers and Ezekiels bolted to the floor with silver chains. WE can't fight. And even if we could get around the Wards and the Silver.....Jacob, Hovel...and an army of Alchemists are standing in our way...We can't fight them all. I know I'm not strong enough to defeat my father or even stand against him. I'm so fucking weak...!

Brandon was so intent on having a nuclear meltdown that he didn't realizes that Ezekiel was calling his name and rubbing his back.

"Brandon...." Ezekiel murmured as he caressed circles into Brandon's shivering back. "Brandon...Calm down. You're going to send yourself into a panic attack."

Pushing away the worry's in his head Brandon dropped his chin and whispered "I'm sorry...I...I think I just realized how fucked we are."

Ezekiel hissed softly, but remained silent, simply trying to comfort him. The warm palm caressing Brandon's back, slid up past his shoulder blades, and settled at the back of Brandon's neck. Brandon shivered slightly as Ezekiels fingers slid up into his hair, gently gripped him, and pulled him forwards.

Finally Ezekiel placed a soft kiss to Brandon's lips wrapped his arms tightly around him, locking Brandon against his chest before he spoke. "Listen to me. I know this is the last thing you want to hear right now Brandon...." Ezekiel said, his tone held a reluctant determination that made Brandon uneasy, but Brandon didn't interrupt sensing the seriousness of the moment.

"But I don't think....I'm getting out of this. I'm not going to be able to break these chains. It's too thick. But the Wards put inside of you will wear off eventually. The Alchemy will fade...and the moment it does? You can't hesitate because of me." Ezekiel outlined. "The moment. The second you get a window I want you to take it Brandon. Don't worry about me. Just go."

Brandon's eyes widened as he suddenly understood exactly what Ezekiel was telling him to do.

"No...." Brandon started to shout. "No. Ezekiel I'm not...!" Brandon loudly protested as he shoved Ezekiel away. He didn't want to hear any more.

"BRANDON BE REASONABLE!! You can still get out! You have to do whatever you can to get away, even if I don't make it!" The Guardian hissed in a threat and warning. His anger was both intimidating and irritating to Brandon. As the lovers glared each other down from their seats against the wall.