Alpha's Faire

IV

"I seriously hate this portal." Aerin gritted his teeth together as they traveled up the stairs. His golden eyes glowed in the darkness of the stairwell. Jexanna looked over her shoulder and rolled her eyes at her brother's response.

"You wouldn't have even known it existed if I hadn't taken you through myself, Aerin." She scoffed as they reached the roof of the building.

"It honestly shows a lot of skill on Jexanna's part Aerin." Shou smiled proudly. "For her to constantly support the portal miles away. For her to be able to keep it invisible from everyone shows great potential and power."

"Yes. Yes. I'm aware, Captain." Aerin huffed as he closed the door behind him.

"Besides, I don't remember you complaining when I made you that portal into the orphanage last year. That was a much higher fall." Jexanna smirked.

"That was a necessity," Aerin muttered as they walked the perimeter of the five-story apartment building.

"Was it a necessity for it to go to Risa's bedroom?" Jexanna crossed her arms as she lifted an eyebrow at her brother. His pale skin flushed pink as he shifted under her gaze for just a split second.

"I don't think I've heard this story." Shou stiffened, giving Aerin a stern look. After all, Risa was practically a daughter to him, the closest blood relative he had. He was naturally protective of his niece. Jexanna's eyes sparkled as she snickered under her breath as Aerin growled.

"And you weren't supposed to."

"What's the harm? He won't see you for at least six months, Aerin. And I doubt Risa will allow him to beat you up before we leave." Jexanna shrugged with feigned indifference. It served Aerin right for forcing her into this mission.

"He's a dhampir. He will remember the next time I see him." Aerin remarked as they stopped at the edge of the southwest corner.

"And I'm sure that he will be just as upset." Jexanna laughed as she waved Aerin off. Her feet climbed onto the edge as her heart raced. With a single step forward, she was dragged down quickly by gravity. Her body flew just for a moment, falling to the earth. The air danced against her skin as adrenaline rushed through her veins. Her eyes closed, savoring the moment. She wouldn't be able to do this for a while after today. For this one second, she could pretend that she wasn't going to leave. For this one second, she could pretend that she was completely free. Soon it came to an abrupt end. But instead of meeting the sidewalk of a busy metropolis, she landed on a soft pile of hay. Gone was the city, and now she was inside the very familiar barn of the orphanage.

 The once empty and dark wooden loft above now filled with several boxes of what she presumed to be food and water. Aerin was always good at planning. How did she miss this last time she was here? But then again, the last time she came was months ago. It shouldn't have been such a shock to see so many preparations, but it still stung. It meant that Aerin had been planning this behind her back, to shackle her into this position, into this mission. She shuffled down and out of the way as the sounds of the portal crackled. Her poor brother fell headfirst while Shou cackled the way down.

"Don't ever do that again," Aerin growled as he popped up from the midst of hay, glaring at Shou who simply smirked.

"You still owe me an explanation as to why you needed a portal to Risa's bedroom when you weren't bonded yet," Shou replied as he dusted off the hay from his figure. Aerin didn't have a response as he came out of the hay.

"Is that- Jex!!!" A sound caused Jexanna to whirl around. Suddenly she found herself the target of a swarm of children, as was the custom when she came these days. They raced from their positions of play, chores, and studies to surround the young woman. She immediately lit up at their hugs and faces.