Strange Aeons [Book 1]

20. Rollin' on the River [part I]

He appeared in the center of the living room without a sound. Chico almost drowned in his own beer and even Vopros jolted. He was surrounded by such an aura of silent fury they felt the need to stand up.

«What. Happened.» he grumbled like an approaching storm.

«Jefe this was not...»

«You, dastardly ragtag band of malignant curses on my life! How in the bloody hell did you end up right in the middle of the most vicious werepeople attack in the recent history of the Order!» he screamed, now, on top of his lungs.

«Shut the fuck up! There are people recovering here!» the counter scream came, so obvious and calculated. Banshee exited her room, leaning against the doorframe, still pale from the events of the day. She could move, but she still sported a good half-face shiner and tender flesh and bones.

«You don't tell me to shut it, it is I who... Jesus Christ woman, what the hell did happen to you!» again, not a question and he really sounded way more annoyed than worried. Banshee limped slightly towards the table, her hands moving in the air as she spoke.

«The werefuckers half-mauled me, thank you, you look peachy from the dry-cleaner!»

«How did you end up in the hands of werepeople again! And why wasn't I informed the instant that happened!»

«Because I called River!» she yelled.

The scream flew like a butterfly and stung like a 200 stones bee.

Garaham remained so speechless, Chico could finally jump in.

«Jefe, Banshee has been going to the Academy, so we could make contact with Irissa, and try to pry some information from her. She was there actually at school when the werepeople attacked. She telepathically called me, Vopros and River, but just because Irissa was going all Frozen again.»

Garaham took a deep breath, glaring at Banshee as if she has just struck him to death with a chainsaw. Vopros showed him a chair so the man could sit and focus his attention on Chico, as the Mexican launched in an almost perfect recap of what had happened in the days before. Meanwhile, Banshee, moving incredibly slow, reached the table as well and sat, opposite from Garaham. Vopros put some vodka in her glass. Garaham teleported the glass in the sink, and this time he didn't bring it back, all while he kept his attention on Chico. Banshee frowned but said nothing.

«So, you thought that having the Enforcer of the Coven of the man that has tried to frame us was a better idea than calling me.» Garaham said, in the end.

«You hate to fight, Jefe.» Chico pointed out.

«These are werepeople, this is different.» he lifted his gaze, now looking for Banshee's eyes, as serious as ever. «This is personal.»

«I'm not a nineteen-years-old, scaredy-cat. I can take them now, and I did.» she replied, maybe as serious.

«Oh, she did. You had to see her. Seriously, Jefe, it wasn't a walk in the park, but we were doing good.» Chico felt the need to confirm.

«Werepeople are not to be taken lightly. I read the report on the school, it was a massacre. Sixty dead, eighty severely injured, more than a hundred injured, between personnel and students. It could have been worse, sure. But even prioritizing evacuation over fighting, we lost so many.» his voice was strained, as he talked, suddenly looking at his joined hands. «Imagine how I felt when Mariposa told me you all had been seen on the scene. What the hell were you waiting for, before calling me?» he snapped. Chico spoke again.