Planet Omega

Chapter 26

 I only saw Cal in passing over the next couple of days. We didn't talk beyond greeting one another, and I know she could see it in my eyes that all I wanted to do is wrap my arms around her and apologize to her. Not for the things I did in my past that I had no control over, but for choosing to keep something from her that I knew would hurt her.

Will almost immediately begins socializing, fitting in with the other members, and excitedly showing off their shifting skills. Despite insisting that our team is more than enough for Will, I know It thrives in social situations and is charismatic enough to make as many new friends as It could possibly want.

Phin, on the other hand, sulks in corners and in the shadows, away from crowds, but close enough to keep an eye on Will. Eight knives she keeps on her, I've always counted eight, and I have no doubt that every single one of them will make an appearance if anyone even threatens Will in any way. As if Will doesn't now have a mage demon form among other various predator forms.

It had been quick thinking on Phin's part when she'd thrown a knife at Cal's hand. As much as it pained me to know Cal got hurt again, Phin tried to protect me. Wherever we are, whatever company we're in, our little team has each other's backs. Even if it's from each other.

I explore the hideout with minimal interest, and find myself mostly people watching. There are many new faces down here, faces I've never seen before. Some are familiar and friendly, and we stop for quick conversation before going our separate ways. But it all feels odd, like I'm a ghost just wandering these dark and mostly empty halls. Like I'd been living in the past, and the PRF has suddenly made a huge leap into the future.

"Knew you'd be lurking around somewhere, stranger."

I nearly jump out of my skin at the warm voice, and when I turn, I spot the white-haired pawn. Then, I smile in relief. "Morrigan. Still creeping around, I see."

Her icy blue eyes beam at me before she pulls me into a tight embrace. "I knew it had to be you when news spread that we had guests and new members," she says, then pulls back to look at me, still holding my hands. "I haven't seen you in a few months. Have you been doing all right?"

I nod, squeezing her hands. "Yeah. I've been keeping it all going. Sort of am part of a team I never intended on creating."

"Oh, is that who the mutant-shifter belongs to?" Morrigan asks, laughing her melodious laugh. The laugh that makes me feel like all my worries and cares can drift away into another world. "Safe to assume all the new ones are yours, then? Including the human?"

"They're not mine, but yes. My friends, at least."

"Emma, you know you can't hide anything from me." Morrigan's glittery gaze meets mine. "The human is most certainly yours, I saw it in your cheeks when I mentioned her."

I take my hands back gently and shrug my shoulders. Indeed there was no use in trying to change topics or keep this a secret, not from her. As a true system reader, Morrigan's ability allows her to interact with others fluidly while taking in their body language, their expressions, and even what their breathing patterns indicate. Generally speaking, the role she was created for as an EMMA model pawn was to be a lie detector. But she can do much more than that.

"She's..." I pause, unsure how to call Cal. What is she to me? A close friend? A teammate? Someone I sleep with and think about every moment of my every day? "She means everything to me," I finally settle upon.

Morrigan raises her eyebrows upon hearing that. "Does she? Is that why the orgs are all hot and bothered lately? They can't handle knowing one of us has been shacking up with a human?" The amusement in her voice causes the corner of her lips to move upward.