Willow quickly dressed in a tank top and some shorts and called her teammates.
The phone was answered before the first ring went through.
"I'm one step away from entering the vampire kingdom. You better have a valid reason not to call sooner missy," Reagan
"Please do. A welcome team is waiting patiently at the border," Willow replied, sarcasm dripping from her voice.
Reagan wouldn't dare enter this kingdom if what the Fae king said is true. She wouldn't risk getting his clutches on her.
"I'm serious Willow. I would have entered if you have been a day late"
"Don't Reagan. I appreciate your concern but no need to put yourself in harm's way for me," Willow doesn't spell it out to her about whom she is talking to. Even though Reagan doesn't know the true identity of her pursuer, she is cautious enough to stay away from him.
"What are teammates for?" Reagan questioned Willow's concern going over her head.
"I'm not on the team anymore"
"Doesn't matter. Where have you been? What happened with the mission?"
Willow quickly walked them through the events that occurred since her last phone call keeping them in the loop. Except of course the fact that she slept with Lothaire.
"He really sent his men to help you? Son of a hitch!! I never expected he would help," Reagan latched on the only statement that interested her.
Willow understood that she was talking about the Fae king. The far king she has no idea trifling with.
"Then why did you send me to him? For all you know, I could be dead"
"Oh please! You can take care of yourself. It's him who should be worried"
"You have no idea who you are messing with Reagan. Promise me you will stay away from him?"
"That I can do gladly"
"What have you done to him that he is this mad at you?"
Willow knew she overstepped her line the minute the words left her. Even though they are a team, they don't share their secrets, their fears, or thoughts.
"Never mind. You don't have to tell me anything. Just be careful with him. He is not what he looks," Willow warned her, wanting to say more but can't.
"Oh, don't worry, Willow. I know what I'm doing. I will be fine. What about you? What's the next step?"
"Yes, about that, I need Brenda on the phone. Is she still alive?" Willow decided to leave it at that. It's no use arguing with Reagan. She would do the same if she was in Reagan's place.
"Hardy har har. Of course, she is. She is right next to me listening to our conversation," Reagan then turned to Brenda and said, "rude much!!"
"It's me who has to hide from her magic," Reagan continued on the phone as if she hadn't stopped talking to her.
"Reagan..."
"I'm keeping my word. I'm not needling her... well, unless it is necessary"
"And it's always necessary, isn't it?"
"You know me so well," Reagan beamed into the phone.
"Hi willow, how are you?" Brenda snatched the phone from Reagan, ignoring Reagan's glare.
"I'm fine. I want you to look into some of the runes for me. It's important and urgent. How much time do you need?"
"Depends on the runes. I will see what I can do"
"Good. I will send the picture soon"
Willow cut the call. Now that she has something to focus on, she is keyed up to get on with it. Anything to keep the thoughts of Lothaire's naked body out of her mind.
She entered the bedroom, her cheeks burning hot. Thankfully, Lothaire clad himself in the pants once more.
"I need to send the picture of runes to my team," Willow said, waving her phone in the air.
Lothaire grunted and turned not giving her a reply. Willow swiftly snapped 2-3 shots covering every angle of the runes and sent them to Brenda.
She is not ready to face the questions. Especially from Reagan when they ask her who's back it is and what is he doing in her bed.
Willow bit the inside of her mouth. Well, she will handle it when the time comes.
Turning from him, she then took care of her weapons. Cleaning them thoroughly, checking and re-checking, anything to avoid him.
Soon, her cell gave a loud blare announcing Brenda's incoming call.
"Who is that yummy-looking hunk?" Reagan launched without any preamble.
"Not now Reagan. Has Brenda found anything?"
"Uh... uh... uh. I'm not letting you go off the hook so easily. Who is the guy? Is he Fae? When are you introducing us? How is he in the bed? Is he muscled all over like his back? Leftie, or right?" Willow can picture Reagan wiggling her eyebrows at the last one.
Jealousy burst through her. She gripped the phone hardly; afraid she might lash out at her for thinking about her man like that.
Willow's mind halted. Her man?
She quickly shook her head to dispel her thoughts and replied, "trust you to ask me about a man when I'm in the middle of a mission."
"That's a nice tactic. It means you have slept with him. Wow... our girl has grown up. Finally!! Brenda is throwing daggers at me. Here"
"Hey willow, I tried to snatch the phone but she won't give it"
Willow sighed. "I knew. Nothing can deter her if she wants something. Anyway, have you found anything?"
"You could at least tell us leftie or right," Reagan shouted in the background.
Willow groaned. "Forget her, I always do," Brenda said, to which she got a reply "ha!!" From Reagan in the background.
"There are many runes, Willow. It's intricately designed on his back. It must have been very painful when doing that. I have never seen the likes of it. Frankly, I have to study more to understand. But I'm afraid this is out of my knowledge"
"What do you mean out of your knowledge?" Willow voiced loudly.
"This is too big for me. It looks like dark art"
Willow sucked her breath. "Dark art?"
"Yes. And you know I'm not versed in that"
"There must be something," Willow groaned, her frustration mounting. She could feel her temper rising due to the helplessness she is feeling.
Reagan's voice came from far away. "Give me that"
"Not now Reagan. I'm irritated as it is"
"Cool your pants. It's not that. I have a woman in mind," Reagan informed snatching the phone from Brenda before she could protest.
"Are you going somewhere with this Reagan? If not give the phone to Brenda"
"Let me complete. She is a powerful mage. Very powerful"
Willow stood straight connecting the dots.
"How do you know her? Are you in more trouble than I realized?"
"Chill. I don't know her. But I heard about her. She dabbles in all kinds of magic. And the good news is she is currently in the vampire kingdom. She can help you but at a price"
"Can I trust her to do this?"
"Yes, I think if anyone can unlock a dark art rune, it's her. And Willow she asks a huge price"
"Money is not a problem"
"She doesn't ask for money. But favors or something else. Depends on each case"
"I don't care what I have to do, give me her address"
"He really got to you, didn't he? This is not about the mission. This is about him, isn't it? Wow, Willow is abandoning a mission for a guy. I never thought I would see the day"
"Seize your rubbish, Reagan. HE is the mission," Willow snapped, not wanting to hear what her heart was telling her.
"Whatever you say. I will message you the address. But be careful with her Willow. She is dangerous. She won't do anything unless she is crossed. Try to be on her good side"
"If she reciprocates"
"Fair enough"
"Wait!! Let me talk to her," Brenda took the phone before Reagan could cut her off.
"Willow, I think I found something," Brenda said, her voice laced with excitement.
She has an open book of runes on the table which is like an encyclopedia on runes. Well, the ones which are generally used by mages.
"What is it?"
"It seems one of the runes on his lower back is a kind of tracking rune"
"Tracking? Are you sure?"
"It's hard to tell what with all the runes being so close, but I'm 90% sure it is a tracking rune. Whomever you have taken under your wing Willow is a walking target. It wouldn't be long before the mercenaries catch up to you"
"Shit!!!"
"You can say that and more. He will lead them to you Willow. He will always lead them to you."
"What are you implying Brenda?" Willow growled; anger evident in her tone.
"That it's better if you place him somewhere safe other than with you"
Willow took a deep breath not wanting to say something she might regret later. But her temper has spiked. The rebuke is at the top of her tongue trying to slip past.
"I can expect this from Reagan but you Brenda? I never thought I would hear you say that," Willow said, feeling disappointed with her teammate.
"Willow I... I'm saying this for your own good"
"Thanks for your advice, Brenda. But I don't need it. If that's all I will talk to you guys later," Willow cut the call before her outburst could overtake her.
Lothaire, who was in the bathroom showering, came out with his hair dripping wet, the button on his pants opens.
Willow swallowed, trying to get rid of her dry mouth.
"You..." She cleared her throat and tried again.
"Well, you just became walking talking bulls-eye"
Lothaire's arrogant smirk dropped like a hot potato.
"What do you mean?"