Project: Nighthall

11

My mother's eyes darted around the room as she sipped her tea. I think she felt out of her element here. She and Dimitri were the only Guardians here, and to her, she was outnumbered. She didn't see us as threats, but I know that Jordan made her feel on edge.

"How well do you know Jordan?"

I shook my head. "Not well. He was only here for a few months after I joined. Terrifying, honestly. His powers are dangerous and amazing at the same time," I whispered as I poured myself a cup of tea. I sat up straighter when he came into the kitchen. He looked over the two of us, his eyes narrowing in on my mom. He looked better than he did last night, his skin looked healed and he didn't look like he had been sleeping outside.

"What?" I asked him. I didn't like how his eyes lingered on my mom. It was unsettling. He came around the island quickly and rested his fingers against the side of Mom's head, pressing against her temple. It was just for a moment, but I knew that it didn't take long for him to do anything. I stood up but he waved a hand at me.

"Easy. I was helping, not hurting," he said as he reached for the coffee pot on the opposite counter.

"How?" I demanded. He looked at me and then at Mom.

"You didn't tell her?" he asked.

"Tell me what?" I asked looking at her.

"I wasn't cleared to visit you because my charge gave me time off. I was offered retirement instead of being fired," she explained, "I was having migraines."

"Migraines? The Guardians don't offer someone retirement because of migraines. Or fire people for them."

"They do when they are caused by tumours," Jordan interjected and I felt my eye bug out of my head. Jordan looked up from his coffee cup and shrugged.

"Relax. I took care of it. And it won't come back," he said and I looked at my mom.

"You never said anything," I said quietly.

"I just found out myself. I wasn't sure how to tell you," she said tiredly, "I didn't want to worry you."

I sighed and sat back down, shaking my head.

"Does Abe know?"

Mom sighed and pursed her lips. "I was told by the doctor I needed someone to drive me home from the appointment," she explained and I nodded, covering my hands with my face.

"Never mind," I said quietly and picked up my phone when it buzzed it against the counter. I furrowed my brows as I looked at the unknown number. It was a Court phone number, that much I knew. But other than that, I was lost.

I wasn't sure about accepting the call either. I jumped when Dimitri spoke.

"That's the Princess's phone number," Dimitri said as he walked around me.

I sighed quietly and excused myself, picking up the call.

"Hello?"

"Hi, Rose? It's Lissa."

I walked out to the living room and sat down.

"Hi. How did you get my number?"

"Eddie. I hope you don't mind. I just...I wanted to check in on you."

I felt my brows raise. "It's been a little more than a year, Lissa. It's kind of late to 'check in' on me. Why are you really calling."

She was quiet on the other end.

"I can't say it over the phone. I don't know if anyone is listening. But I need to see you. It's important. Do you remember the summer place?"

I licked my lips as I thought it over. It was hazy, but I remembered what the place looked like.