Apocalypse: The Huntress Luna

Chapter 21

We went on to tend to the injured in the infirmary and made sure to use every opportunity to teach our recruits.

After the last patient was tucked away safely, Calli led us all back to the classroom where we slumped into the seats, exhausted. 

All the adrenaline had run its course and now I could barely think, let alone teach.

We decided to take an early lunch and dismissed the class so that we could find Gus and let him know of today's events.

We still had no clues in regards to my father's research and today could have been a lead.

We found him still in the two Councils meeting so we hung around down the corridor, away from any prying eyes.

Calli pulled out a couple of fruit and water from her bag and tossed some over and I groaned in relief.

As we munched away, she lay her head in my lap and looked up.

"So. What did Saleem say to you when I left?"

"Well...he described to me his ideal relationship. To me, it sounded loveless and more like a contract so I stood by what I told him earlier. And then I told him that we could try to be friends and that we could tell the Councils that we have cancelled the 'pairing' when we return from the Archivio in a month or so."

"Ooooo the friend-zone. Rubbing salt in the wound, I see."

"Hey, whose side are you on?" I grumbled.

Finishing her apple, she sat up and leaned against me. 

"Yours, babe. Forever and always.

I'm curious though. What do you mean it sounded loveless?"

I sighed, rubbing my forehead. 

This is going to bring on that headache again, I just know it. 

"He wanted a partnership and a trophy wife and I guess some don't mind that seeing as we live in this post-apocalyptic world but for me - I want more. I want to wake up next to the person who completes my happiness. Who will love my Yann and love me for me.

I just want what my parents had, you know? They loved eachother so much and it showed in how they lived their lives.

Maybe, just maybe, I could find the same."

Calli was watching me silently and I just smiled at her tiredly.

"It's okay to want that. You deserve it, Andy. I personally don't but it's not about me.

I mean, Saleem could have been some hot ass booty call or something but I guess he deserves to find his best match too," she said as she rolled her eyes.

I just laughed at her and pushed her playfully.

Just then, people began filing out of the meeting room and we jumped up to find Gus.

He was one of the last to come out and as we waved him down, I spotted Magnus on the side and immediately my heart began beating a little harder in my chest.

As if he heard it, he stopped and turned, searching the crowd till he spotted us.

I felt my face heat up as he started heading towards us along with Gus and I could see Calli looking at me strangely.

"What?" I whispered without breaking eye contact with the guys.

"What the sh*t. Are you blushing right now?" she whispered back.

"No! Shut up, he will hear you!" 

We went back and forth and quickly plastered on smiles as Gus and Magnus stood before us.

"My dears, what are you two up to? No good by the looks of it," Gus chuckled.

"Actually we wanted to talk with you about some things but it looks like Andy is busy so I will fill you in instead" Calli said quickly.

I tried to disagree but she led Gus away, much to his dismay and I was left alone with Magnus. 

I guess she can fill him in without me.

Magnus just smirked and led us to the cafeteria and once we heaped up our trays, we headed outside to find a nice sunny spot to sit.

……………………

(Magnus)

We sunk down into a nice patch of grass under a tree a block away from the cafeteria and began munching away.

Andy seemed distracted as she chewed on her sandwich but I didn't want to pry.

"How was your morning?" I said instead.

"Uh, troublesome actually. We had to attend to a small explosion in a lab and a few people got hurt."

"An explosion? Does that kind of thing happen often around here?"

"I wouldn't say often seeing as everything is old around here but from what we gathered, it wasn't an accident."

"Wasn't an accident? Is it some kind of turf war?"

I was puzzled now. 

What was going on here at Tectum under the radar? Or could it have been one of us…?

"No, I don't think so. I'm thinking more of an attempted robbery but nothing was taken. But Saleem's team is handling it now," she said slowly.

"Well I'll ask around my men to see if they saw or heard anything and I'll let you know," and she nodded in thanks.

We engaged in some small talk and laughed here and there then sat in a comfortable silence until she stiffened as a figure walked out of the cafeteria.

I followed her gaze to see her cautiously watching Saleem who had made eye contact with her.

For some reason he looked like he was about to blow a gasket and he began making his way over to us.

I didn't know what was going on between the two of them and why he looked pissed but I had an idea why.

He had only taken a couple of steps then a few of the Watch ran up to him and after a few words, they all hurried off. 

Lucky for him.

If he so much as spoke to Andy with an attitude, he was going to lose his teeth.

I felt Andy relax and I just had to ask.

"Hey, you okay? What was that all about?"

She fidgeted a little before eventually turning to me.

"I told Saleem this morning that I wanted to end our pairing," she said quietly, looking down.

I felt pride and joy rise up in me that she had finally done it but she still looked miserable.

"That's a good thing, right? I'm guessing he didn't take it too well?", trying to hide my excitement.

I felt Amicus turn his attention to us.

"It's definitely a good thing but I just feel really bad about it. And to answer your other question, no he did not take it well, naturally. And he-," but she cut herself off and looked down at her hands.

From the look on her face, she was embarrassed and colour began to rise up her neck.

"And he what?"

"It's nothing, he did nothing," she rushed.

"He DID something? No, Andy, what did he do? Did he put his hands on you??"

"Uhhh...not in that sense? He didn't hurt me or anything, it wasn't like that." 

"Not in that sense!? Andy, just tell me what he did to you!" 

By now she could probably see the heat rising off of me and my eyes flickering from hazel to gold.

"Okay, okay! After I told him what I needed to, I was leaving and then he…. And then he...kind of kissed me," she winced, her face getting redder by the second.

My blood felt like it was on a slow boil, getting hotter and hotter. 

He seriously did what!? Kissed and touched my Rose before I could!?

The stick I had somehow picked up was immediately turned into wood chips as I smashed it under my palm.

"IM GONNA KILL HIM!" I growled and jumped to my feet, ready to do what I should have done from the beginning.

Before I could take a step, Andy's hand was wrapped around my arm with lightning speed and she dragged me down next to her.

I landed back on my ass, not sure how she did that but I was definitely turned on by it.

Honestly, how was this woman so strong!? 

There was no doubt in my mind that she was made for me and I internally thanked our Goddess for her choice.

"Are you crazy!?," she whispered hoarsely. 

"If you make a scene, I will kill you myself!," she said red-faced.

She looked so adorable with her hair standing on ends, flushed cheeks and her eyes darting around at the passers-by.

Her hand was still gripped around my forearm and she was probably too worked up to feel the fireworks happening under my skin. Her touch sent waves of honey warmth through me and I felt my anger level out into a low simmer.

"Can't I defend my friends honour? He pulled that crap when you blatantly told him you wanted to end things. Atleast let me kick his ass for that," I reasoned.

She just rolled her eyes and shook her head, letting go.

"No you cannot. If anyone has that right, its me and I don't think what happened warrants an ass kicking. Atleast not this time. I mean, it was just a kiss, nothing more."

"Alright, fine. I just hate it when men take advantage of a woman especially when they have been told no."

Now that there weren't as many people around us, she relaxed and gave me a little smile.

"Thank you anyway for the offer. But it's okay. I'm okay. As I said, it was just a kiss."

"Just a kiss? So, it wasn't that great?", I said, sounding a little too hopeful. 

"Hey! I don't kiss and tell, Mr Nosy Pants," she threw back. "What's a kiss supposed to feel like anyway? It was just...normal," she shrugged and bit into an apple.

I leaned back, resting my hands behind me. I was sitting opposite her, with our knees touching and I took in her bright amber eyes.

"It won't be normal with me, I promise you that. I can show you, if you like."