The lost Auras

Chapter 7

The guard does a quick check of Hydras cuffs and waves us through. Then we're in the elevators and on our way up to H.E.R.A.'s ground level.
- Never thought I'd be saved by you, Hydra mutters under his breath.
- A thank you would be nice, I say.
- Later, he says. I know what he's really trying to say. It's best not to talk within the walls of H.E.R.A. You never know who could be listening.

I'm extra careful when we reach the lobby, though all I want to do is make a run for it. I escort Hydra towards the exit, staying as professional as possible. I'm so focused on looking ahead that I bump into someone coming the other way.
- Oh, I'm sorry, I say.
- No, no. It's fine. It was my fault, the employee says. The employee looks up and his face brightens considerably.
- Kira. How are you. How'd that case go with the Lyre, the employee asks.
- Oh, I, Uh. It just took a bit of legwork but I closed it without much trouble, I say.
- I was hoping you could take a look at this one file, the employee says. I can feel Hydra staring holes into my back, telling me to get rid of him. The employee looks up and finally takes note of Hydra hovering behind me.
- I'm sorry. Who's this, the employee asks.
- My boyfriend, I say. I smile, making sure he can't see Hydra's handcuffs. The employee's face falls. Suddenly, a figure burst into the lobby, shouting.
- Bring out that damn Herc. He didn't pay for the damages like he promised, Eryn shouts. Guards rush over to calm her down as other employees stop to see what the fuss is.
- Thank you, Eryn, I say in my head. The diversion works wonders. Hydra and I slip out the back entrance of the building without running into a single guard.

Once outside, I take Hydra's hands in mine. I manage to ignore the tingles at suddenly being able to touch him again. I uncuff him quickly.
- We should go to my place, we both say. We glare at each other. I let go of him and put my hands on my hips.
- Look, let's go to my apartment. Everyone thinks I'm on paid-leave to rest up after you kidnapped me, I say.
- You cuffed yourself to me, Hydra says.
- And even though a few people spotted me, we should be fine, I say.
- H.E.R.A. is going to figure it out sooner or later. Even if they don't suspect you, they can get to you any time. They know where you live. My place is off the grid, Hydra explains. I chew in my bottom lip, thinking it over. He's right. I nod as I flash back to the state of his apartment.

Hydra and I arrive at his place, and I immediately address the matter at hand.
- Okay, first thing we should do is find Ladon and, I say. 
- My personal hygiene is more important than anything you have to say to me right now, he says. He turns on his heel and makes his way to the bathroom.
- Hold on a second, I say. I grab his arm to stop him. Ge glares silently at me.
- Can we at least talk about the current situation first, I ask.
- Fine, he says.

Hydra sits down on the bed as I lean against the counter.
- So, about Hercules showing up at, I say.
- Hercules set up that whole damn thing with Ladon, Hydra says. He interrupts me before I can finish my sentence.
- Yeah, I agree. Their timing was just a little too good, I say. I go silent for a second as I try to organize my thoughts. 
- Is that all you wanted to ask. Because I'd like to take my shower, he says. Hydra stands up to walk over to the shower, but pauses as he's about to pass me.
- I noticed the new ring you have there, he says. I look down at the ring Alex had given me.
- There's no way anyone actually bought that for you. You can't have much of a love life with how you work, he says.
- Whoa, hold up. When did this conversation make that turn, I ask in my head.
- If I didn't know better, I could swear you almost sound jealous, I say. I don't read much into Hydra's silence, being too annoyed with him.
- So, are you jealous, I ask. He scoffs and looks away dismissively before he answers me.
- Don't be ridiculous. As if there's anything to be jealous of, he says. He's not blushing, but his avoidance of eye contact is just as telling.
- You're not fooling anyone with that act, I say in my head. Maybe I would have taken him at his word before, but I know him better now. He's not the type to waste words, so he must have meant something by this comment.
- Let's see how far I can take this, I say in my head. Slyly, I tilt my head to the side with a small teasing grin on my face. I continue playing with the ring, Hydra keeps glancing at the motion of my fingers.
- Oh, I don't know, you sound a little bit jealous. What if I told you this came from someone special to me, I ask. Hydra's scowl deepens, his brow furrowing so hard it looks like he might hurt himself.
- Like I said, I doubt it. Besides, your workaholic nature, you're insanely nosey. Who could put up with that. Let alone give you a ring for it, he says.
- Some people are into that. Isn't there something romantic about someone wanting to get to know more about you. Wanting to be part of your life, I ask.
- Getting to know someone, sure. But you have a habit of sticking your nose in places it doesn't belong, Hydra says.
- But that's for work, see. Kind of, anyway. This is romance. I say. Hydra looks alarmed.
- Since when were we talking about romance, he asks.
- We're not talking about romance. We're talking about you being jealous about this ring, I say.
- One more time, since you can't seem to hear me. I'm not jealous, he says. The more he denies it, the more sure I am that he's not telling the whole truth. I decide to push further, he deserves the teasing.
- Ha, I say.
- I'm not, He says. Hydra starts to protest again, but he seems to think better of it. He clams up and glares at me furiously.
- Point proven, I say in my head. Satisfied with the result, I decide to ease up on the teasing. The poor guy looks extremely uncomfortable with the turn the conversation has taken, so I let him off the hook.
- Don't worry, this ring is just for luck. I'm going to take all the luck I can get while we're running around trying to subvert this system, I say. Hydra's shoulders relax minutely, though he makes a show of not reacting to my news. I reach out to pat his shoulder solidly before I leave the room.
- I'll leave you to your shower then, I say. Grinning to myself, I leave before he can make a witty comeback.