The Avenger's Witch

Chapter 16: Found

"Hey Aaron, where's that new shipment of iPads? Got someone who wants one and we're all out up here." Adya stood next to the only other employee working that day. Aaron turned toward her, his long hair briefly touching her nose.

"They should be on the shelf in the back. Do you need me to find them for you?" Aaron was a sweet guy, she enjoyed the days they worked together.

"Can you? I'm not going to be able to find them if I look. Lady's at the counter waiting, thank you." Aaron gave her a closed-eyed smile and walked toward the back storage. Ayda turned and began to wander the sale floor, looking for people to help.

If you had stayed with your mates, we could be actually helping people, not selling them mediocre technology. Circe was close, as always. She made sure to voice her continued disapproval of Ayda's decision daily.

And if I had stayed, it would be only a matter of time before HYDRA came for me. We still don't know who in SHIELD is trustworthy. Until HYDRA is actually gone, we have to stay here. It's not what Ayda wanted, but it's what had to be done to keep her mates safe.

And the pain? Being away from one's soulmate, or mates in this case, causes immense waves of pain to plague the person's body. It was often described as having every organ and bone in your body being doused in acid and set on fire at the same time.

The others will be fine.  Ayda deflected.

And you? At her words, a wave of agony flooded her. It took all her control not to cry out. Her eyes squeezed closed and her fists clenched at her sides. After a few seconds, the pain washed away and Ayda could breathe again.

That was shorter than usual.  Ayda was confused. The pain normally lasted a few minutes, not a few seconds.

And I know why. Circe's voice sounded off, scared and excited at the same time. Look who just walked in. Ayda turned her head. Standing at one of the laptop displays were two of her mates. Steve had glasses he didn't need and a hat. Tasha had her red hair tucked into the hood of her sweatshirt. Ayda's body relaxed against her will in the presence of her mates.

Steve was looking around on high alert. Tasha's head was to the laptop on display, completely focused on what she was doing. Something was wrong.

Just as Ayda turned to hide in the back Steve spotted her. His eyes widened and he leaned to whisper in Tasha's ear. She gave a short nod and he advanced toward Ayda quickly, leaving her no time to run.

When he was in front of her, all he could do was stare. His eyes were dark and his hands trembled as they rose to her face. "Are you real?" He asked just above a whisper as he clutched her face in his hands.

Tears sprang to her eyes as the burn that had been constant since the night she left finally vanished. "Yes."

One of his hands reached down to hers and he pulled her back to Tasha, who was still focused on the laptop. "We'll talk later, Птичка. (little bird) Steve," He was instantly alert again. "We have less than five minutes before they're on top of us and I just found," a few more keystrokes and location popped up on the screen. Wheaton, New Jersey. "the location of the signal."

"What the Hel is in Wheaton, New Jersey? And who would be after the two of you?" Ayda asked out loud.

Tasha looked at her, "Rumlowe is after us because of this," She held up a flash drive. "As for what's there, we'll find out."

Ayda's face paled. If Rumlowe was already here then they were screwed. He was one of the ones she knew was working for HYDRA. Ayda shook her head, "Wait, 'we'? I don't remember agreeing to go with you. I left for a reason"

"And that reason was bullshit." Circe was suddenly standing next to Ayda in her Asgardian form. In the last few months they had figured out that Circe could hold the form for a little while without the need for a blood donation. "It's obvious at this point that your mates are targets now as well. If we don't go with them, they will not make it."

Ayda sighed deeply and looked up at her companion. "You know I hate when you're right."

Circe replied with a smile, "I'll go talk Aaron into letting you go." Circe changed into Ayda and walked off. to the back.

Ayda watches her go. She turned back to her mates. "Once we get out of here, you are explaining everything that's happened since I left."

Steve turned to her tense, "If we can get out here without a fight, it'll be my pleasure."

"Then let's go."

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Woohoo! We're jumping straight into the action. I changed the timeline to where Winter Soldier is taking place only a few months after The Avengers movie instead of two years because i didn't think that was realistic. Took me a while cause I didn't know where to start. This chapter is shorter than normal but that felt like a good cutting-off point.

The next chapter will be soon but I don't when it will be done.

Finally, I want to give a thank you to everyone who has read my story and voted for it. I started this because I couldn't find any stories I liked but I never expected it to get this popular. So thank you, all of you

Good Morning, Good Evening, and Good Night!!