(The New) Power of the 8 Elements: Part Two

Chapter Eighteen: I Spy

"Spies are a most important element in water, because on them depends an army's ability to move." - Sun Tzu
PRESENT DAY
LUCIFER

"I hope you don't spend your summer vacation in the library," Silver says snarkily as Celeste and I make our way down the stairs.

"Actually, we were about to go for a walk," Celeste says. "Would you like to join us?"

"Perhaps at a later time. I'm meeting my friends at an art museum."

"And how is the library more boring than that? All you do is look at naked cherubs and splatter paints-" Rune mutters, causing me to start laughing loudly.

"On the contrary, Rune, there is a new exhibit dedicated to digital art. Considering I know you take a liking to computer science, I'd assume you to be less judgy."

"How about you all three of you back down?" Aurora asks. "It's summer, and you're all free to carry about your day. I have a dinner party tonight, so try to come up with something reasonable to do that doesn't result in an ambulance, arson, or hurt feelings."

"Well, that escalated quickly," I say, taking my girlfriend's hand and leading us out the door.

"Your Mutter despises me," I say, feeling like Aurora's eyes are boring into my soul.

"I guess you can't blame her. If my daughter ended up having sex in my house while I was sleeping, I'd be pretty p*ssed off, too."

"You make a fair point."

"What?! No! I didn't really mean it like that. I just..."

"What?"

"I've been thinking."

"Well, don't keep me in the dark. What's on your mind?"

"You know what? Never mind."

Although I don't say anything, he hurts that Celeste refuses to share anything. We just keep walking as if Celeste hadn't brought up anything. I open my mouth to speak to her, when the leaves from the tree branches overhead begin to fall to the ground. We both assume it to be an animal...at first. Thrax lands in front of us, eyes gleaming and tendrils raised. He stands up, revealing his full body and crossing his arms.

"Morning!" Celeste says.

"What are you...what are you doing here?" I ask, confused. I haven't the slightest idea why Thrax is in our neighborhood, but I don't assume it's for good reason.

"Your girlfriend here sent me a text, asking if I wanted to join you for a walk," As Thrax says this, he picks at his nails. The hand that has a bandage on it is now covered up by a black opera glove. The finger slots have been cut off with scissors to make space for his long claws. I wonder if it would've been easier for the virus to just get a pair of fingerless gloves. If he's able to buy a new coat, boots, and makeup, surely gloves aren't that expensive.

"You did?" I say, looking at Celeste and wondering when, where, and why this happened.

"She did," Thrax says, tilting his hips and curling an especially wavy strand of hair around his right index finger.

I look at Thrax and then Celeste who has a wholesome smile, presenting an idea that I had no say in and didn't feel entirely comfortable about.

"Darling, can we talk in private?" I say, turning her around to face her away from Thrax.

I know he can eavesdrop on us, and he probably is, but I don't care. I hope he hears, so he understands.

"Why didn't you run this by me first?"