Grim Echoes

Chapter 31 - Maeve

Ander climbed the ladder and opened the hatch door. She was surprised at how quiet the hatch was. She thought when he turned the handle it would grind or squeak, but it was silent. He lifted the door slowly at first and then pushed it open until it was horizontal. Impressed by how quickly he moved up and out, she climbed up to a starry night sky. He took her hand and hauled her up and helped her get her feet on the ground. It was humid but not stifling hot. Glad to be outside. She closed her eyes and enjoyed the breeze across her skin. She smelled the water. They were somewhere in Baltimore near the water. Maeve opened her eyes when Ander's cool hand slipped into hers. He began walking and gently led her down the empty street.

At first they strolled on main roads with more cars than she expected before they headed downtown. He slowed his steps. Not only did Ander have longer legs, but he was fast. He moved quicker than anyone Maeve had known. She'd watched his movement, and he moved quicker when he wasn't paying attention to his actions. Difficult for her to judge, but she estimated it took them around twenty minutes to reach the sushi place. She tried to ignore his vigilance, but his expression changed too rapidly and caught her attention. His face would shift from hyper concentrated to relaxed when he peeked at her to something that gave her the impression of pride. When they reached the small restaurant, he opened the door for her and cast a quick glance behind him.

They ordered their food and sat waiting for them to drop it at their table. He raked his hair out of his eyes. Maeve couldn't help but smile. Their food arrived, and she ate right away. Within minutes, she was done. Ander had only eaten half of his plate. Embarrassed, she looked down at the table. She should be scared out in the open when demons and possibly angels after her, but she felt safe with Ander.

"Why did you do this for me?"

Ander shrugged and pushed the food around on his plate and kept his eyes down.

"Will you get into trouble?" She kept asking him to do things he wouldn't normally do since she'd met him.

"No. I know the security system, I help design it," he answered, no pride, just stating a fact. His eyes still locked on his plate.

He'd designed something that involved? "You're amazing," she breathed.

Ander's eyes flicked to her.

"I mean, you can do anything. You do complicated computer things, tend wounds, design complex security systems, fight and use magic." she leaned toward him. She couldn't do any of those things and she couldn't think of anyone who she knew personally who was that diversified. She knew plenty of talented people but their skill sets were grouped together in areas, his were all over the place.

"Will can not know about this." his expression serious and brow wrinkled.

"I know,"

He stopped fiddling with his plate and pushed his hair back again before he returned his arm to the table. "No, I mean he will not understand. He will... lose his temper,"

Maeve placed her hand on Ander's. It was obvious during the werewolf mission Will wasn't a fan of magic. His comments and overall discomfort were very telling. Ander, on the other hand, seemed like a natural. She wasn't sure why he hadn't been the one to cast the demon ward. But the tension in the room had been so thick you could have cut it with a knife. So she'd decided not to ask.

"I understand. You can trust me. This is just between us. Ok?"

He nodded and his posture relaxed some. When they walked back to Mason's Maeve made sure to clasp his hand to reassure him she'd keep her promise. When they made it back to the hatch, she hesitated from entering the dark hole in the ground.