MAEVE

Chapter 20

CHAPTER 20

They were very resolute in their silence. I tried everything, but still the infernal creatures would not budge.

"Alright alright. I give up. Y'all can keep your damn secrets,"  I finally said, flicking my ringed fingers.

"Really? Just like that? You will really let it go?" Elijah asked, one brow raised in disbelief. I sighed.

"Of course. I mean it's obviously something y'all don't want me to know right?" I asked, and they nodded enthusiastically. I stood up carefully, hands against my mouth as I stretched in a yawn.

"Well it's been a long day and I am exhausted. Pip pip," I waved, making my way to the door.

Before I could reach though, a firm hand on my shoulder stopped me.

"Wait. You are not going alone,"  Elijah said, face expressionless, mine twitched.

"Err why not?" I asked, frowning. Dre came up behind him, hands in his pockets, brown eyes tired.

"Its for your safety, everything has changed," He said leaning on a table. My frown was full blown now.

"Wait y'all. So when I was a boy it was alright for me to go alone, but since my gender reveal it's suddenly a problem?" I asked with a dangerous glint in my eyes. They all nodded happily with the exception of Minha, who was rubbing her temples slowly.

"Well I say fuck that. That's sexist you idiots," I exclaimed, and they all froze.

"Do you think you would be alright going alone?" Noah asked, his golden eyes dimmed with exhaustion. For a brief moment  I thought about the strange figure in the woods, but shook it off. I could take care of myself anyways, thank you very much.

"Of course, I will be fine,"  I smiled, brushing away the unease.

"Alright then. We need to report in,"  Ashton announced, and they all rose sluggishly to their feet.

Luca was slumped on Dante, who was half cussing and half dragging him away. I bit back a smile.

We all moved outside together, with Minha and Kai discussing something about celebratory sushi, and Ashton pitching in every now and then to contradict everything completely.

"Alright bye,"  I waved outside, and went my merry way with a whistle.

I tried to ignore the woods and instead focused on the path ahead, counting every step. But the blur moved again and this time I broke out in a run, bravery be damned.

I huffed as the black blur drew closer. The area was too damned secluded. What was supposed to be picturesque was now the stuff of nightmares and I regretted making my friends leave in the name of some feminism.

Gasping terribly, I leaned against a wall. To hell with safety, I could not manage to take one more step, and the heels were killing me.

"Yoo, what you doing out here?" A voice asked from my side. Startled, I twirled around.

"Bob! Oh My God. What the hell are you doing here?" I shrieked, and he just laughed, hands in his denim jacket.

"Chill. I was sent to follow you secretly, but you started running and I was startled,"  He shrugged with a smirk, and moved into my arms for a hug. I considered my choices, I could be stubborn and refuse Bob's help just to suit my ego, or accept it, and the fact that I might die without his help.

"Alright my handsome knight, lead the way," I smiled, gesturing for him to take the lead.

Frowning suspiciously, he did.
We walked together, the silence companionable. I felt safe with him and made a mental note to not be unnecessarily difficult next time the issue of a glorified bodyguard arises.