A Ribbon Strand: Raised Hackura

It's A Trick Pt. 2

        I heard keys pounding. Calista said, “We will find them, Harper. You can do this.” Harper said, “No we f*****g won’t! Haley’s phone says she’s in Eric’s house.” I closed my eyes. I said, “Someone has to have details of his mission.” Harper hissed, “I’ll find the details if we do have them. Aaron sent him, but Aaron is in the field too. DAMN IT!” He hung up. Bjourn called Titus, “Dad...Gunner walked into a trap. Haley popped to him.” Titus yelled, “WHERE ARE THEY?” Bjourn said, “We don’t know.” I smacked myself, “BLADE! Track Blade! She took him with her.” Marcus called Harper back. Harper said, “I’m not f*****g Gunner! I can’t work that fast! He’s Hurt, Marcus! He’s hurt! I CAN’T f*****g WORK LIKE THIS! I NEED HIM! HE’S THE TECHY ONE!” Marcus said, “Blade is with them.” 

        Harper sounded like he was crying, “Gunner would have checked that first. I should’ve checked that.” Calista said, “You’re checking it now. We’ll get to him. Haley is with him. They can do this. Blade won’t let anyone hurt them. Gunner won’t let anyone hurt Haley. Haley won’t let anyone hurt Gunner. They will be ok until you get there Harper.” Harper yelled, “HE IS f*****g HURT!” He started cursing the computer, “You f*****g piece of s**t! TRIANGULATE!” I heard something break. Marcus sarcastically said, “Hitting things does always makes things go faster, brother.” Harper said, “You know what would make it faster? GET YOUR ASSES TO OUR REALM! Then we can just open a portal and go!” Bjourn said, “He’s not wrong.” We opened a portal and stepped through to the Hackura realm. I turned, “Caleb?” Caleb said, “When you go to protect our Luna…. I go Eric. My job is to be at your side.” My phone rang. I sighed, “A fairy number lovely.” I answered, “Hello.” I heard Marcious's panicked voice, “The Princess just called on her brother's protection! They popped to her…. what’s happening? Do I need to mobilize our armies? Are you or Lucas under attack? Is my baby safe?” I hissed, “I don’t know what’s going on. Emmaline is fine. Have the army on standby. We don’t know the situation. The Hackura was betrayed.” Marcious said, “No one can stand against the promised siblings and live.” I refrained from rolling my eyes.

        Titus ran in with Evin and Drake to Harper’s wing. Harper said, “I GOT IT!” He turned and opened a portal and charged through. The first thing I noticed was that it was hot. I frowned, “Are we in Arizona?” We could all feel Haley’s panic, fear, devastation, self loathing, and contempt. Bjourn asked “What the f**k is happening? Where are they? I feel Haley here. We should see her.” Harper said, “I feel them both. WHY CAN’T WE SEE THEM?! I f*****g HATE FAIRY MAGIC!” Titus said, “You don’t.” Harper hissed, “Right here….in this exact moment. YES, I f*****g DO! Gunner is worried and hurt. HIs worry HAS to be about Haley. I’m f*****g worried about what we are feeling from her.” Titus sighed, “So am I.” It started to rain. Evin said, “Ok…. now we KNOW beyond a shadow of doubt...Haley’s here.” Harper said, “f**k this!” He shouted asking where Gunner and Haley were. Gunner answered telling him fairy s**t was getting weird. Haley scoffed and yelled back saying it was goblin s**t. Titus gripped his sword tightly. Drake said, “No…. not goblins! They can’t get to her dad. The s**t they want her for is disgusting!” I growled, “They won’t get her.” I yelled asking Haley where she was. I wanted to see her more than anything. I needed to get to her more than anything. 

        I felt compelled to hold out my hands. I didn’t understand the instinct, but I followed it and held my hands out. I felt her light within me pulsing with love. Suddenly….as if a curtain fell down in front of us, the massive battle going down was visible. The first thing we all saw was a giant tree near Haley, Gunner, and Blade. Haley had impaled a man on it. Everyone looked at me in shock. I shrugged, “I have no clue what just happened.” Caleb said, “So that happened. Beta Dylan will squeal about his memo. Then curse you, Eric.” I rolled my eyes.  Gunner, Haley, Arion, and Aiden were fighting Goblins and some type of giant…. I turned, “Is that….” Titus said, “A frost giant? Yes. IMPETUS!” I linked Caleb, “Let’s get to Haley.” Caleb said, “I’ve got your back Eric. Like always. Let’s bring the Luna home.” I nodded. Haley’s brother’s ran as Arion cut through masses of Goblins. He had improved his fighting skill from even the rumors I’d heard. Maybe he could actually be an enforcer. Aiden was setting people on fire left and right. Haley was electrocuting them with lightning and taking their air. She set tornados loose everywhere. Gunner was bleeding. He’d been slashed across the chest and had a dagger buried in his arm. Harper let loose an impressive yell of anger when his eyes landed on Gunner. Several goblins stopped. It was a serious mistake because they were in his war path to his mate. They were cut down as easily as Harper breathed.

        I jumped into the fray. I linked Thor, “Rip them apart. Get to her.” Thor growled and began ripping Goblins to shreds. I heard Gunner point out to Haley I was not here alone. Of course I wasn’t here alone. I still couldn't believe she didn’t wait a few seconds for me, my brothers, and her brothers to come with her to get Gunner. I did not like the resolve Haley was feeling. Her confidence. She had a plan. Moon goddess…. please let this be her using some damn power of hers. She linked me saying she was going to let a goblin take her down. Oh f**k no! She explained that it would upset Aiden enough to end this. I think she was forgetting about who else was in the field. If the goblin was thinking straight. He could tackle her and take her to their realm. This was a TERRIBLE plan! What the hell did she think Aiden was going to do? We were winning. She didn’t need to make this gesture. Whatever the f**k she though this gesture was. I was trying to ignore her feelings in the bond because they told me she wasn’t going to listen to me. She was worried because they’d brought their army. Part of it anyway. This was not their entire force. Then she told me why she was really going to do this. She was scared. She didn’t use those words, but her feelings did. She was scared because they wanted to use her to hurt those she loved. She could never do that. I don’t care what they did to her. She didn’t have it in her. She seemed to think they could make her forget me. There’s no way. Even if someone did…. I’d remind her. We’d all work to get her those memories back. This would not happen. She told me she loved me.

        I growled when she lowered her hands and weapons. Blade reached for her. He almost had her as did Gunner. Both men looked completely panicked when she popped away from them. All of the Hackura screamed. I roared as she was taken down by a goblin. I felt her triumph in our bond. Even though I knew it was a fake scream. It rocked me to my core to hear it come from her. I heard an angry yell. A red mist shot out throughout the area. Every goblin started to scream as they were set on fire. I linked Cable, “Why the f**k didn’t he do that at first?” Caleb linked, “Uhhh I don’t think he could.” I looked over at Caleb. We were both covered in blood. Caleb linked his tone full of wonder, “Oh my dear sweet baby Jesus. Look up.” I followed his eyes. Aiden was flying in the air. With wings…. I gaped. Haley had unlocked his wings…. THAT was her plan? She could do that? Aiden’s wings were actual fire. They did look really cool. I wondered if my angel would get wings. I wondered what they’d look like. Arion popped to Haley and helped her up as I made my way to her. 

        I shifted and Arion snapped pants on me saying he didn’t want to see us f**k. I raised an eyebrow at him. As if pants would stop me. I ignored him and told Haley not to get tackled on purpose. Arion’s face was incredulous. He didn’t realize it was intentional. Haley told him it was a tactical decision not a pure of heart decision. Arion muttered, “A pure of heart tactical decision. For god’s sake. Fairy Goddess, why? Why me? You have too much faith in me with these two.” He rounded on Titus saying they needed to teach fairies to be selfish if they raised any more in their realm. Titus glared at him. 

        Haley popped her and I to Gunner and Harper to heal him. Gunner’s pain hurt her. We could all feel it. Harper’s gaze softened on her as she quickly healed Gunner. Once she finished Gunner told her he knew it was a trap. He left it unsaid that he was prepared to fight and go down swinging until help arrived. Harper was irate. Haley said she couldn’t let Gunner be tortured. Caleb linked, “So much for waiting for Harper to calm down before letting that cat out of the bag.” I shrugged. It wouldn’t have helped. He’d have just flown into a fury later. Harper was pissed that all the goblins were dead. He was intent on going into their realm and killing them. I was more than happy with that plan. Harper wouldn’t stop until they were all dead. Gunner was trying to calm him down. He pointed out Harper had been stabbed before. Harper said it was different. It was and it wasn’t. I understood what Harper was saying. I’d take being stabbed myself over knowing Haley was stabbed. Harper and Gunner started making out. I knew what was going to happen. They had no problem f*****g in front of other people. Arion actually broke them apart giving Harper three goblins to kill. 

        Caleb linked me, “I’ll be damned…. Even Arion isn’t terribly selfish. He could’ve taken them to Faerie. Fairy’s LOVE torturing goblins.” I linked back, “He’s not a bad guy. He can be selfish though. Just not when Aiden or Haley are involved.” Harper quickly knocked the goblins out. I could see it on his face. He had plans for them. That had just set the mood for Gunner even more. Haley popped us away from them, but I could hear quite well what was happening. None of the Hackura were phased. Neither was I really. I’d been there for their orgy. I knew this was the way of their people, and with my hearing….it wasn’t the first time I’d heard people f**k. 

        Haley spoke to Aiden asking him to come down. I linked Caleb, “He’s still up there.” Caleb snorted, “Wouldn’t you be? He’s flying around because he can. He knows his siblings are safe. He’s enjoying having wings.” I winced, “If Haley unlocks hers….and someone drugs her. We’d be fucked.” Caleb was laughing in our link. He said, “I might piss myself watching you chase her around on drugs while she flies close enough to you then flies away. Oh god…. what if Emmaline gets hers too…? the could both fly away. You and Lucas could run around. I’d have to have Dylan give me some of his popcorn.” I linked, “Thanks for the support Caleb.” Caleb smiled, “Hey….my mate is a werewolf. She has to remain firmly on the ground because of gravity.” I sighed. I’d still like to see Haley with wings. Aiden had figured out Haley had been tackled on purpose. Haley simply told him his wings were stunning and Faerie would celebrate. Arion cut in telling her not to let him think she was going to get hurt so he could have his. Why didn’t he get his if that’s what it took? I felt Haley being defensive, wanting to explain for her brother. She said Aiden had to unlock them first before anyone else could get them. 

        I smiled and asked if she would get hers. Her pain nearly knocked me over. All her brothers glanced sharply at her. Arion was concerned about her. That was clear in his tone. Could she not get them? Did that really cause her pain? Aiden was the only fairy I’d heard of that ever had wings besides their goddess. Haley meant every word when she said she didn’t want them. Caleb linked me, “Uhh what?” I looked at her Hackura brothers who all looked confused. Arion rolled his eyes saying she wouldn’t want them. I asked what the hell was going on. Why was the thought of having wings physically painful to my mate? Haley said something bad would have to happen for her to get her wings and she didn’t want them. I rubbed my hand on her back comforting her. I raised an eyebrow at Arion. He had no problem telling me what had to happen. He told me that me or one of her family members would have to be seriously injured or dying to unlock her wings. What the f**k?! Arion told me I wasn’t allowed to die because that would kill Haley. I was aware of that. I had no intention of being taken down. It was more motivation that it would hurt her honestly along with my own will to live. Aiden whispered that if Gunner had been more seriously injured…. Haley shivered in my arm repulsed by the thought. I could feel her reject Aiden’s comment about Gunner being hurt.

        Titus grabbed Haley from me and started speaking with her. I turned to Aiden. Haley was the only one who wouldn’t hear us. I whispered, “She wasn’t about to die, and your wings unlocked.” Aiden winced, “I’m a full blooded fairy. It’s different for me. I simply had to be enraged. She has to be nearly broken. Her heart anyway. Possibly her soul itself. She would lose control. She knows what to do if her wings unlock so it wouldn’t be too physically painful for her, but…. whoever was injured would have to convince her they were not dead…. I’m not sure what would calm her down. Honestly. If it, was you that was hurt…. we’d be fucked.” Arion glared at me, “Don’t ever do that to her…. she’s not designed to handle it. Though clearly, we should be worried about the assassins and their mates as well. Her distress over the man her brother is f*****g….” I raised an eyebrow at Arion who was pointing over to Harper and Gunner. I didn’t need to turn around; I could hear them. Arion continued, “Made her call to us very strong. She was worried for us as well. She thought they would use her to kill you brother.” Arion snorted, “As if she ever could. If erasing her memories would make her selfish...I’d give it a try, but that just wouldn’t work with her pure little heart.”  

        Aiden said, “At least she called on us this time brother. She did not believe she was going to die. I only made her promise to call on us if there were fairies attacking.” Arion snorted, “For her brother’s mate. She called on us because they hurt him.” Haley’s Hackura brothers were all hugging her. Arion seemed upset then smiled, “Although…. she had to have popped away from her wolf. He was not here when we got here. Did she pop into danger without you wolf man? Do you feel my brother and I’s pain? She was even so panicked I did not see that mouthy cousin of hers or my cousin and the other girl she runs around with. That had to be some type of panic that this caused her.” I said, “Something we will discuss. Next time, I’ll be beside her.” Arion smiled, “She may be tactical, but we ALL know the second someone she loves is in danger she acts without thought. It’s not something that can be changed. Much as I know I’m not alone in wishing it was something we could change…. You all act like I’m crazy, but we all did just see her let a goblin tackle her to unlock my brother’s wings. She’s all heart. No matter what any of us do. I’m going to have to find a charm to try to put a shield around her when she leads with her heart doing stupid shit.” I didn’t like this at all. Aiden snorted, “You know you cannot brother. That charm doesn’t exist.” Arion said, “I haven't read ALL the books yet Aiden and neither have you. IF the charm does exist…. I’m using it on her.” 

        Aiden gasped as Haley promised not to hurt her family. I felt the magic overtake us all. Jackson linked, “The f**k just happened?” I linked back, “Haley promised never to hurt her family. She considers my family hers now that we have met.” Jackson said, “Why?” I replied, “The goblins wanted to wipe her memories and use her to kill Bjourn and Aiden.” Jackson said, “Could they even do that?” I linked back, “No. Her light and connection within her would tell her she knew them both.” Arion yanked her away from Bjourn who ran off. Arion teased her. I winced when he said he would hang around more often. Caleb linked me, “I think he’s serious.” I sighed, “He is. Oh goodie. The Prince, King, and Princess are going to be popping up around my territory. We need to up our patrols Caleb.” Caleb said, “We’ve been working on a plan for when she joined us. We just need to implement it.” I linked, “Thank god for that.” 

        Aiden asked Haley to be more careful. She felt like they weren’t taking everything into account because she came for Gunner with blade. Not with me though. That would NEVER happen again. Blade was pissed at her for popping away. They bantered back and forth. Haley was exasperated. I saw Drake open a portal and take the goblins home. Bjourn declared that the area was now free of goblins. Titus decreed no one was going out alone because that was the problem here. My heart clenched when he talked about Haley having missions. I knew she loved them, but we needed to have a balance. She was also my Luna. I linked Caleb, “We need to have her Luna ceremony, and then we need a meeting with Titus to discuss the amount of missions she can go on.” Caleb nodded, “I already have Luce working with the girls on Haley’s ceremony.” I linked back, “Thanks.” 

        Harper and Gunner joined us. Harper’s eyes were still a little golden, but they’d mostly returned to normal. He wasn’t letting Gunner leave his arms. He was murderously glaring around the area as if daring a goblin to pop up. Gunner thanked Haley. Harper mentioned Gunner might need a new keyboard. Caleb linked, “Might? Harper destroyed that keyboard. It’s in tiny little pieces.” I shrugged. I’d have done the exact same thing if I was Harper. There was no judgement here from me for his actions. Gunner teased him. Eventually that last flick of gold disappeared when Gunner kissed him again. Harper told Gunner to replace whatever he wanted and to get extras. Gunner stared into his eyes. Their love was undeniable. Titus declared it was time for them to go home. I could see it in his eyes. It killed him to leave Haley behind. He was worried. Aiden and Arion popped away easily enough. Titus looked at me, the threat clear in his eyes as he told me to take care of Haley. He told me Marcus and Bjourn would be back into my territory shortly. I was more surprised they weren’t going to add another brother to the group. 

        Haley popped us back to our home. My brothers were waiting. I even saw my dad pacing outside the hospital. I announced our arrival. Jackson was relieved. Marshall was confused. I quickly explained in clipped terms what had happened. Haley’s apprehension was growing with every word I spoke. I told her to pop us to our room. I was surprised by the elation she felt. She popped us to our room, and before I could even ask...She let me know her joy was about me calling it our room. Could she really not understand? I wanted her to move in. Hell, I wanted her to be my wife. I never wanted to spend another moment without her. I changed topics letting her know I never wanted her to do that again. She wanted me to clarify which thing. I could already feel her calculating to find a loophole. That would not happen. I felt her guilt when I mentioned I was right there, and she could've popped with me. I could tell she wasn’t going to agree about letting a goblin tackle her. She immediately apologized and admitted I was right. That she should’ve taken me with her. She also told me they didn’t want to kill her. They wanted to kill her eventually they just had plans for her before they killed her. She told me how Gunner got the knife to the shoulder, but not the one across his chest.

        She explained how he got that one too. I snorted. I’d seen the man impaled by the tree. I just hadn't known that was their informant. I wasn’t surprised Haley had taken her anger out on him. He’d deserved it, and he got a better death than he deserved. Harper would’ve tortured him for centuries. I held my laugh back as Haley said she’d actually grown that tree. It did seem out of place now that she mentioned it. I asked her how I made the fight visible. She told me that her light in me called to her because I wanted to see her. That an enclosure charm was the only thing it wouldn’t work on. Apparently, Aiden could take that down though. She had no idea why anyone would use that charm though. I begged her to promise me…. I’d left it open ended just so see what she would promise. She promised to take me with her if I was near her next time. I could work with that. I’d expand on it, but I could work with that for now. I hugged her, feeling her pain at thinking of something happening to Gunner.

        I knew who she was. I wasn’t trying to change that. I just wanted to be by her side. She wasn't going to agree with me that she didn’t need to offer herself up as bait. She said it was the fastest way. She’d wanted to heal Gunner, and she was scared. She was all heart. I almost called her Haley Conners. I felt her startled feelings in the bond. She was panicked but there was a small part of her that liked it. It was so small if I hadn’t been searching…. I’d have missed it. I smirked. She would be my wife much sooner than any of them thought. Part of her already wanted that. Like a freight train her lust and the need to mate him. Holy s**t. I knew her Hackura blood demanded s*x after a fight, but this…. was overpowering. I kissed her, ripping her clothes off. She was dripping wet already. She begged me. I teased her asking what I was feeling though I already knew. She explained. I was impressed she managed to do so with the need I felt coming from her. I gave what she craved. What she needed. I was not ashamed to say. I loved the Hackura bond. I no longer wondered why they were f*****g all the time. They could feel how much their other half wanted them. Haley said I’d enjoy our bond during her concupiscence. Joy filled me. I didn’t know she had one. It was rumored to be a crazy time.