Tale 1: War of the Protector

Chapter 30

There he was. Cody in front of me.

Albeit on a screen, but he was still there. I was seeing him in live-action. As I was sitting there on the couch he was at that moment walking down a street with Zach and Caleb in tow.

I almost couldn't believe it. It felt too good to be true.

"As most of us know," Rex said, "Lily was retrieved first because the Amethyst and wizard would never cooperate if she was present. The only time they've ever cooperated was when Lily was in danger. So we had decided to recreate that situation in order to earn their cooperation."

Then he looked to me. "Lily, I'll be honest, we only know this because we've been tracking you and Cody for some time, as well as delving into your love story with both Cody and Ryan."

My cheeks flushed red.

He clapped his hands together professionally. "I've got to say I am totally team Lillody. Some of these guys, though, are team Ryillian, and I suggest we just let them pack up and go home now from the major win for Lillody, with the first kiss!"

"Hey!" Amelia spoke up and whacked his shoulder with her free hand. "Ryillian is still alive! She picked him, didn't she? And they had kissed months ago!"

Everyone was suddenly talking at once, arguing and discussing their favorite team. I even heard mentions of Zachily, and some of Lilaleb, and even Ryody. Just... no. Why?

And while they had their amusing little arguments, I focused on the screens and watched with overbearing dread as Cody and the boys walked into the motel and Cody almost walked right into Ryan.

My insides twisted as they stumbled back from each other, mumbled apologies, and then actually looked at each other. This I watched from the concierge's eyes and ears, right over the desk.

"Ryan?"

"Cody."

Then in perfect unison: "Where's Lily?" A pause. Then, "I thought she was with you."

My heart was pounding so hard. Slowly, the room quieted as the others realized major shit had just hit the fan. Why did I smell popcorn?

I glanced over to see a guy run in with a few bags of the butter-covered snack. He gave one to each set of couches, including Rosie and I.

Rich people and their entertainment.

I let Rosie have the popcorn.

"Who are these fuckers?" Ryan asked, pointing at Zach and Caleb. Then he suddenly grabbed Cody's collar, and pulled him nose to nose. "And where is she?" His voice was so low that I barely recognized it.

"Hey!" the concierge I was watching from spoke up. "Gentlemen, I will not have fighting in this lobby."

They weren't paying attention. Cody shoved Ryan off of him. Zach and Caleb came shoulder to shoulder with Cody as he said, "I could ask you the same thing, Delane. I handed her off to you yesterday."

Ryan's face grew dark. "No you didn't."

For just a split second I saw a flash of doubt cross Cody's eyes.

"The last time I saw you," Ryan said, "was seven months ago in Lily's driveway."

It took Cody a total of ten seconds to put the puzzle together.

"Fuck." He slammed his head onto the desk. I winced for him. His hands ran through his hair. His hair had been fixed like that, like he'd run his hands through his hair a lot lately.

My stomach twisted. I hated seeing him like that. It bothered me. It displaced my whole being. I couldn't stand him like that.

"Sir?" the concierge asked. Seeing as Cody was having a mental breakdown on his desk, he was a little more than concerned.