4. Trent Phoebe{ManxMan}

•CHAPTER 2

I took a step back then, my hands raised and my knees bending to make me seem smaller. "Woah!" I told him, my own eyes wide.

I could smell it then, back he fear, the angst, his eyes kept darting around us then. "Stay back!" He yelled at me, seeming to look for a way out, a quick and easy escape.

"Please, I'm not going to hurt you."

His eyes were bright, almost deranged and he practically seethed at me. "Like I haven't heard that before. Back!" He pushed his hands forwards threateningly but nothing happened and I still flinch.

"Please!" I yelped ducking even though nothing happened. "Elijah!" His eyes widened and he stepped back again, his scent thickening with fear.

I wondered why he was afraid, why he seemed to have done nothing to me. The longer I looked at him, the louder his heart seemed to pound against his chest the clearer it became to me. My father, the most powerful caster known, had no idea what he was doing in this exact moment.

"How do you know my name!? Who sent you?" He asked panicked, his breathe caught as though he had been strangled for a moment and his eyes watered. "No, not today." He muttered almost to himself.

I noticed it then, a shimmer of light stood between us. I felt myself relax some as the invisible bubble like dome surrounded him.

"I'm not going to hurt you. Promise." For a moment he seemed to hesitate, searching my eyes but as my own guard he swallowed.

"That's what they all say." He turned then and bolted.

"Wait!" I screamed after him.

He was my only chance, the only thing standing between me and home. I didn't know where I was or why, nor could I tell you when I was.

He ran for the inside of his store, we passed his room and he jumped over the desk that had metal hooves scattered and he tumbled out of a small door I had not noticed before.

I cursed and ran after him into the muddy street. "Elijah!" I screamed yet again and cursed as suddenly a flood of people came out of nowhere making him harder to find. His head of bobbing black hair disappeared and I came to a stop and sighed, my hands on my waist.

I cursed then and ran a hand through my hair before crouching down and feeling hopeless. His scent was lost in the sea of people and the thick scent of mud.

He would come back, he would have to. I mean, he needed to sleep and eat after all.

I looked around from my crouched position at all the men and women and the carriages. I was definately not in my home, the simple fact that my father, the great Elijah was here, told me that I wasn't in my timeline. I stood straight then and assesses my surroundings.

There were so many humans, not even a hint of anything else evaded my senses, it was absolutely ridiculous. It made me feel even more alone, even more lost. I furrowed my brows, the women were in hooped skirts and tight corsets, their makeup absolutely bright. A few smiled, giggling as they passed. A few men glanced my way secretly and I sniffed.

I dug my hands into my pocket and walked aimlessly. I had hoped of catching his scent, stumbling upon him and explaining to him that I really meant no harm to him. That I only needed his help after all.

I sat outside a tavern then. Completely lost and without much of a plan. As the scent of food drifted out through the open tavern door my stomach frowned almost painfully.

"You alright there?" I blinked looking up at a woman who had me standing. Meaghan? I wondered silently. Her eyes bore into mine a touch of interest and I stepped back. She looked so much like her, my sister's mate and I had to remind myself I was not at home, this was not my time.

"Oh, uh... Yeah, sorry." I stepped aside thinking maybe I was blocking her entry and she smiled sweetly. Her scent was mild and coconut filled.

"Care for a meal, young man?" She spoke with a drawl and I blinked in wonder at where this kindness towards a stranger could be coming from.

"Yes, actually, I would." I confessed because I had no time to be rejecting free food. She smirked and nodded her head towards the inside.

As I sat and finished my third bowl, I heaved a breath, nodding at the Devine frothy and meaty food, it was a mixture of beef and lamb, it was rich and tender, the bread was soft and fresh. I was absolutely satisfied, enough to realise how the place was packed with humans.

For a moment I wondered how my family was doing, were they okay? Did they think I died? Were they looking for me at all? How long before they found me?

As the humans around me made noise and sang and danced and kissed, I realised just how much time I spent around wolves, casters, vampires, Panthers the works. I felt so alone suddenly, so very much in a shell of isolation with nobody really knowing me, nobody even having the slightest chance of making me feel welcomed and understood.

I sighed then and looked at my empty bowl.

"A penny for your thoughts?" I blinked and looked towards my saviour realising I didn't even know her name.

"I-" my lips pursed then as I wondered what was I supposed to say other than thank you? What more could I possibly say and how worth it could it be. She smiled at me coyly, her chin on her palm. "How sad that my thoughts are only worth a penny." I said instead with a soft smile and she grinned.

"In contrast to how very expensive it would be if you were dead." I blinked at her then and she chuckled. "That is only the truth, is it not?"

I nodded knowing that yes, the most money is thrown to the works and words of those long since been lost and not as much towards the living and breathe and yet at the same time, it was all very much the same to me. We spoke then, softly, almost sadly and I felt as though she had a lot going on in her life, so many thoughts seemed to plague the girl enough to take me out of my own miserable circumstances.

"Valencia!" A man walked over and my breath got stuck in my lungs.

A soft breeze blew from behind me and I was struck but the heavy scent of cinnamon and oak with a touch of lemon, the closer the man got the more his scent seemed to wrap around me and I stood to attention, unable to keep myself seated as every instinct in me told me to go to him, hold him in my arms and never let go.

Mate. The simple thought had every fibre of my being relaxed and suddenly at peace. I watched as this man smiled broadly at the woman who'd saved me, Valencia, he had called her. He gave her a light hug, his eyes thin and yet I could still see the darkened warmth of them. His hair was sleeker back and curling at the end and he looked so handsome in his suit of ruffles and lapels.

He turned to me then with a kind open smile. My ears were ringing and I could barely focus on anything but him. He held his hand out towards me. "-et you."

I grabbed his hand and pulled him towards me. I gave a soft low growl, the rubble echoing in my chest and his brows furrowed before he chuckled almost awkwardly. He tried to step back but I frowned at him and stepped closer.

"Uh... I'm Demetri Schurman, and you?"

"Trent... Trent Phoebe." I told him, loving the sound of his elegantly husky voice and wanting nothing more than to drown in the sound of his deep chuckled.

"Well, you've got yourself a live one, huh, Valencia." He sat down and I moved my chair, completely forgetting how different this world was in comparison to my own.

I ignored the intense gaze of Valencia and focused on Demetri as they spoke, noticing how he had dimples that were just there even when he wasn't smiling of talking.

"Are you single?" I blurted out as they took a drink and heard as Valencia spat hers and he nearly choked on laughter.

"I sure hope I am." He looked at me, his gaze curious and assessing. "Why? You intend your sister for me?"

Valencia giggled. "She'll have her work cut out."

I blinked completely confused as I watched him laugh. "I'm not that bad."

"No, you just want to die alone, obviously." The way they spoke. I wondered.

Was he straight?

A\N
Written: 5 April 2022