Apocalypse: The Huntress Luna

Chapter 12

Whoever broke into my office was looking for something to do with my parents.

My hands began to shake as I tried to wrap my head around it.

What were they looking for? How did they know my parents?? And why now?

We heard running feet behind us and Calli quickly shoved the note into her jacket pocket and we both turned around. "Keep this between us. We will tell Gus when we are alone", she whispered.

I looked at her questioningly but nodded. She was right, we don't know who we can trust just yet.

In ran Saleem who seemed to be having a shower before he was interrupted.

His dark hair lay damp and dripping from the top of his head and his t-shirt was on backwards.

"Andy are you alright? Are you hurt??" He walked up to me and placed a hand on my shoulder while his eyes looked me over and I could smell lavender soap wafting off of him.

"I'm fine as well, thanks for asking" Calli mumbled, rolling her eyes.

Saleem just ignored her but I had to fight not to push him away. I didn't want to be touched right now, not after figuring out what the intruder was after.

"I'm fine. I'm sure you know I can take care of myself. But thank you." 

He continued to frown but slowly backed up and in came Gus, holding a shotgun.

"Andy. Calli. What's happened?!"

All three of us turned to see him disheveled and staring wide eyed at the mess. 

We c****d a brow at his shotgun and he let it dangle as he slowly walked in. 

"What? Luck favours the prepared" he shrugged.

Calli explained to us that she arrived first to the scene, finding the office door was opened and the room ransacked. She kept going as Saleem walked around inspecting the room while Gus stood there rubbing his furrowed brow.

"I don't understand! Why would someone do this? I mean, we have the occasional nonsense here and there but never like this?" Gus grumbled.

“Yes, but there is still crime here nonetheless,” Saleem responded.

I just kept quiet, not wanting to disclose our findings just yet. Calli looked at me and opened her mouth but Saleem beat her to it.

"They were looking for something…"

They both turned to me then Calli.

"There's nothing of value here so I won't have a clue what it was they were searching for. But we don't think they found it, whatever it was. Everything is still here as far as we know."

Saleem searched a bit longer but eventually came up dry. "I agree with you. I don't think they found what they were after so that means they will strike again. There are a lot of people here at Tectum and chances of finding them are thin until we know what they want."

Gus nodded, still thinking but then gave up.

"Alright, I'll report this to the Council on the down low. Andy, I'll need you for the tour today as well so please meet me in an hour outside."

He thanked Saleem and he went on his way, muttering to himself on the way out.

The three of us watched him leave and then Saleem spoke. 

"I will let you know if I find anything on my end. In the meantime, it's best to keep an eye out." 

"Thank you, Saleem. We really appreciate your help."

"Oh and Andy…" his eyes flicked over to Calli who quickly turned, getting the hint and began collecting all the papers. But from my angle, I could see her mouthing the words 'tell him now.'

I pretended not to see much to her annoyance and turned back to Saleem.

"I'm really sorry about Saturday night. The Watch called me because the Vargul were being strange and I had…". I stopped him there.

"Saleem, what you do is important. You and your team keep us all safe so please don't apologise. But I would like to catch up with you soon, if that's okay? Maybe before the week is out? Between the Archivio being here and the recruits, I'm a bit flat out."

His shoulders seemed to relax and a small smile sat on his face. "Thank you Andy, I really appreciate it. Come find me when you have a day you're free."

I nodded and with that, he left.

Before he rounded the corner, I quickly yelled out.

"Thank you..." 

Calli came up beside me, watching him as well.

"Ah sh*t. Do you think we should have told him that his shirt was the wrong way around?"

……………………

After tidying as much as we could, we parted ways as Calli needed to take the next class and I needed to go meet Gus.

We found each other and proceeded to wait for the Archivio outside.

"After lunch, can you meet Calli and I in my office? It’s about today."

He turned, looking concerned. "Yes I can do that. What is it? Did you guys find something??"

I nodded slowly but put a finger to my lips to signal that I didn't want anyone else to know. 

He hushed and nodded just as the group walked over.

We led the Archivio Council in and around the building giving explanations here and there. But I couldn’t help but notice that Magnus and his men weren't here with us.

I turned to my right to ask the nearest Council member but it happened to be that same woman from before who seemed to have a stick up her butt. She noticed me turning to her so unfortunately I couldn't back out.

We paused outside Calli's class where she was taking them through resuscitation and I gave them a little wave.

"So are you enjoying our facilities?" I said, putting on a smile.

"Yes they are most impressive for your...kind of settlement, Huntress." 

"It's just Andy. And our kind of settlement?"

I seriously dont know why people can't just forget that name already!?

"Well everything else pales in comparison to the Archivio. Other settlements we have visited weren't half as good as what you have here but again - nothing beats the Archivio." 

I wanted to smack the smug look off of her face and had to put my itching hands behind my back.

To top it off, she was giving my attire a disapproving look.

B*tch.

"If that's the case, then why did Mikal give us high praises and even wanted us to train some of your people?"

At the mention of Mikal, she stiffened and shut her mouth.

"Where are the rest of your men, anyway? Magnus and his team?"

I don't know why but her eyes flashed and her lips curled at the mention of his name but before she could comment, a deep, smooth voice sounded behind us. My heart fluttered at the sound and butterflies were let loose in my stomach.

"Selene."

We both turned and there stood Magnus with Damon and his team filing in behind him.

Selene seemed to soften a little at his voice and stick her chest out a bit. I felt my brows raise as I watched her.

She looked older than Magnus but he was a handsome guy so I could see where she was coming from.

Heck, I would go for him too if he was from around here….

I quickly brushed that thought away as he walked towards us, inwardly shaking my head. 

Magnus and I could never work.

"I see you have met my friend Andy" he said to Selene as he draped an arm across my shoulders and I immediately felt a sweet warmth spreading over my body.

Is that normal? Maybe he is just really warm….all the time...

I was a little taken aback by his gesture and so was Selene.

Actually, she was livid.

Great. Now she hates my guts even more…not that I care.

I swear her eyes flashed from her normal green to pitch black but as Magnus stared at her, she recoiled and made her face emotionless.

She mumbled something about going to talk with Damon and turned on her heels.

"Man, she really has it out for me today" I breathed. "Thanks for saving me, by the way."

He just shrugged and grinned, “Anytime, gorgeous.”

Droplets of water escaped his hair mixed with the smell of soap and images of him in the shower briefly passed my mind and I shifted uncomfortably.

His black t-shirt hugged his chiseled chest which was so close to my face and I had to look away quickly.

"Selene can be a bit up tight but she is a good fighter and a little possessive. Plus, your choice of outfit today is probably setting her off. You look incredible by the way."

I scoffed and rolled my eyes to hide my blush, sliding out of his arm. 

Nobody was going to make me feel insecure, let alone some woman I only met a few days ago. His compliment was making up for it anyway.

"Yeah well, I dressed to impress" I winked and twirled on the spot. "Uh and just between you and me - my fat-pants and runners are in my office."

He threw his head back and gave a hearty laugh which was quickly becoming one of my favourite sounds.

We then all continued the tour which concluded back out the front.

Gus came by to let us know the Councils were meeting again at the hall but I had to decline.

I told him I needed to finish cleaning the office so he would have to fill me in later. He gave me the thumbs up and left.

"Finish cleaning your office? What happened to it?"

"Ohh...I'm not supposed to say…" but I saw his eyes and thought what the heck.

"Well….this hardly ever happens as crime is next to nothing here but my office was broken into and ransacked. I'm not sure when it happened but I think it was early this morning. But it's no biggie - there wasn't anything of value in there anyway and looks like nothing was taken."

Magnus seemed to take a second to register what I had said but then immediately shut his eyes.

Did I make him mad??

He looked at me and snarled beneath his breath, "I'll find them for you."

He was really taking this hard.

"No no, it's okay? It's no biggie - really" as I waved my hands. "We have it under control" I smiled sweetly as I could and he seemed to relax a little.

They were all turning to leave but Magnus hung back a second.

"So I'll see you in an hour? I'll come by your office" and he reached out, touching my arm.

My brain went a little fuzzy for a second from the contact but I managed to give him a nod.

He smirked as if he knew what he was doing to me and gave me a wave.

Cocky asshole.