The Queen's Host [unedited version]

~ 3 ~

Aleia was intrigued, to say the least, by Auro. His white locks and jade eyes were unlike anything she'd ever seen. Handsome was not an adequate adjective to describe the boy before her. She would have to consult with a dictionary later when she got home. Aleia noticed Auro watching Athena closely, and wondered why he was so fascinated with the dog. He kept staring into the canine's eyes as if he were trying to speak to it with his mind. She wondered if the boy smiled. Auro wore such a serious expression, giving him a somewhat intimidating air.

Aleia's dad was on the phone. Again. She wanted him to just turn the damned thing off and be with her like he'd said. And like in the car, her father was speaking as if he belonged in the 15th century, and not the 21st.

"Apollo," Aleia scolded when the dog tried to dig his huge head into a potted plant. "Sit, boy; down!"

Apollo glanced at her with a look closely representing a knowing smirk. Athena barked once and her companion immediately backed away from the greenery. Aleia gawked; that mutt! A chuckle erupted in the office room, causing Aleia to glance at Auro. He was grinning, watching both her and the dog.

"That dog likes testing you," he said as his chuckle grew into deep-belly laughter.

"It's not funny," Aleia said, embarrassed. "I know he likes to test me. He's just like his owner."

"It is obviously his personality. Don't take it personally. Some animals are just that way."

This was the most the boy had spoken since they'd met. Aleia fought back a smile. She liked the sound of his voice. She guessed he was from a country in Europe. His accent was thick and husky. Her face must have given away her thoughts because Auro's expression grew soft and he gazed at her.

"You're not American," Aleia said, or rather she mumbled.

"No," Auro replied, shaking his head. "I'm not . . . Where I'm from is not commonly known. But your father knows the country well . . . If I am, to be honest, I have an early memory of your father visiting . . . I was six years old."

Taken by surprise, Aleia pressed her mouth in a thin line. From what she was hearing, her dad has known this boy for a long time.

"We've no time to waste!"

Aleia and Auro both rose to their feet the moment Peter entered, a scowl on his face. He spoke into the phone, his knuckles white as he clutched the device to his ear.

"I'm on my way," he said with irritation. "I swear the man will be found."

The dogs stood at attention, which Aleia found interesting yet weird. It was as if they were waiting to be given commands.

"He's close, isn't he?" Auro's voice was calm as he spoke to Aleia's father. "What's your plan of action, sir?"

Aleia's father met her gaze as if what he was about to say would affect her as well.

"Take my daughter to the bunker," he said, still holding her gaze. "Remain there until you hear from me. If compromised, run and do not separate."

He hugged Aleia briefly before turning his attention to the two dogs. He stared at them for a long moment before nodding and turning on his heel. He left the room without another word.

"C'mon," said Auro, directing Aleia towards the closet in the corner.

"Dude," she protested, wriggling her shoulders from his grasp. "What the hell is going on? Where is my dad going?"

"I'm sure there will be time for explanations later," he replied, his voice filled with reason. "For now, we must do as he says and go to the bunker. If something happens to either of us before we get there, consider this the brink of war."