Their Light

Special Chapter - Caspian Meeting Hadley

Caspian

I ripped the Malum away from the Probus. I couldn't believe a simple rescue mission to retrieve Finn had turned into so much more. When I saw the wind obey her, I knew what she was. The stakes were now higher than ever. Down two of our strongest members, the pressure was on us to not only free Finn, but protect the Probus as well.

I saw Peter teleport to her and dispatch the Malum who had been draining her. I knew he would get her to safety. Turning my attention to the other soulless creatures, I whirled my blades in action. I fought with Zeke, freeing Finn and finishing off the rest of the Malum.

I focused on Finn once the battle was over. I looked him over, making sure he wasn't seriously injured. "What the hell were you thinking?"

"I know, I know," he said, immediately. He looked around frantically. "Where is Hadley?"

"The Probus?" He nodded. "Where did she come from?"

"Foster care, apparently," he answered, shocking me.

"What do you mean?"

"Exactly, what I said. She doesn't know what she is. Does Peter have her?" I nodded and motioned down the street. I could see their figures in the distance. Finn took off immediately.

I walked with Zeke. We shared a look. A clueless Probus sounded impossible. Once we got closer, I took her in.

She was gorgeous. She leaned against the brick building. The rain fell over her face, running down her golden hair. She stared at us as we approached. Finn crouched by her side, showing a level of familiarity that concerned me. He knew she was a Probus.

"You really don't know anything?" I asked, bluntly. She threw her head back against the brick wall. She huffed out a breath, closing her eyes.

"Hadley," Finn started. "Caspian didn't mean it like that."

I nodded. I hadn't meant to insult her, but I needed to understand. Reminding myself of her position, I inclined my head.

"I didn't mean any insult, Probus."

"Can you please stop calling me that?" she groaned.

"Who are you?" Peter whispered under his breath. I could tell he was malfunctioning from here. I needed to get a handle on this situation, and fast. It was just my luck that the twins would leave town and shit would hit the fan.

"They would be out of town this week," I muttered under my breath. I shook my head and focused back on the mysterious Probus. She stared right back at me. I moved forward to stand beside Finn.

"Like Finn said, I'm Caspian, and that's Zeke," I said. "I know you probably have a million questions, but its not safe here. We need to get back to the Statio."

"That station? What station?" she asked. It took every bit of self-control I had not to show my amusement.

"Statio Asa," I emphasized gently. We needed to get her to safety as soon as possible, especially if she was what she appeared to be.

"So you want me to go with four strangers to some strange place that sounds like gibberish? Not happening." She tried to stand and made it to her feet. She leaned heavily against the wall. Tilting to the side precariously, I was glad when Finn stepped in to help her. She needed to rest. She had almost been drained by a Malum today.

"Careful," Finn scolded, helping steady her. She glared at him.

"Prob-Hadley," Peter said, gaining her attention. "You should sit. Malum are dangerous. They should have never gotten that close to you." He moved forward to help Finn, but she pushed them both away.

"Get away from me," she snapped. "I don't know you. Thank you for your help with whatever the hell those were, but now leave me alone."

The wind howled around us, whipping the rain into us. Finn and Peter took a step back, thankfully. She reminded me of a cornered animal. She would strike out if we went about this the wrong way. I took a small step forward, gaining her attention.

"I know you don't know us. I know you're scared and freaked right now. We have answers for you. I know you can read us. Look. We don't mean you any harm." I spread my arms out. If she wanted to attack me, I was a wide open target. I wasn't a threat to her. None of us were.

She took a deep breath and looked us over. Those intelligent hazel eyes pierced through every single one of us. I knew she could see so much more than most people. Her torn clothes looked too big and worn beyond repair. There was no reason a Probus should live like this. Even if she wasn't a Probus, I would want to help her.

"For now," she muttered. Her face fell. My heart clenched at her words. "Sorry boys, find some other gullible girl to kidnap."

She pushed off of the wall, turned, and walked away. Each step she took, I wanted to follow her. We couldn't force her to go with us. Panic thrummed through me. We couldn't just leave her out here. She paused a few feet away, placing a hand on the brick wall.

"Hadley, wait," Finn called, blurring in front of her. She gasped and jumped back, falling. I wanted to smack him. We didn't need to scare her anymore than she already was. I stepped forward and caught her without thinking. Gently, I helped her back up to her feet.

"How did you do that?" she asked, amazed. She was amazed by him even though her powers far exceeded any of ours. If I was being honest, it was adorable.

"We are what's known as Kustos. Being this grants us extraordinary abilities," Finn explained. "We can explain it all to you. Please let us."

"You're a Kustos, and I'm a Probus?" I prayed she would agree. Finn nodded. We let her have space. Whatever she needed for us to get her to safety.

"No one touches me," she warned. I nodded in agreement at once. No one would touch her if she didn't wish it. Relief filled me at the realization that she would come back with us. The rain continued to pour around us.

"So how are we getting to this lair of yours?" she asked, breaking the silence. I jolted into action.

"This way," Peter stammered out motioning down the road away from the warehouse. We started walking. We had parked the black SUV away from the warehouse to avoid detection. It stood out on the empty street.

"At least it's not a van," she muttered. Finn chuckled as he walked up behind her. I had a hard time holding back my own laughter.

Peter held the door open for her as the three of them climbed into the backseat. I settled into the driver's seat, Zeke to my right in the passenger seat. He watched our surrounding like a hawk. We needed to be extra vigilant until we could get her safely within the wards of the Statio.