Apocalypse: The Huntress Luna

Chapter 14

(Andy)

"Who is Yann?"

I looked up into his hazel eyes that were a little too innocent and he quickly bit into an apple.

Magnus seemed nice, despite his buff exterior, but I just wasn't sure what his motives were. To anyone else he was an open book but to me, I felt that he was mysterious and dangerous.

I wasn't afraid of him but something told me to be cautious.

It was either he wanted something from me or….that he genuinely liked me.

It was hard to tell.

I must have paused a little too long as he quickly apologised for being too nosey and that I didn't have to tell him.

I laughed and shook my head, relaxing a little.

I guess I could tell him this much. 

"It's okay Magnus. Yann is my nine year old son," and I sat back in my chair as I took the other apple.

I smiled as I saw realisation hit and he let out a small 'oh.'

This normally scared away potential suitors in the past so I tried to gauge his response. I wasn't bothered either way - Yann always came first.

He was looking down at the worn table and for a second I thought I saw sadness cross his face but it was quickly gone as he looked back up.

"That's wonderful. Tell me about him?" he smiled.

We went back and forth, talking about Yann and he seemed genuinely interested in him which made me really happy.

I eventually told him about Yann's father and how he was not in the picture. 

"He left for another settlement not long after we found out I was pregnant and I haven't heard from him since. Not even sure if he is alive" I shrugged. 

Talking about this didn't bother me anymore but it did seem to bother Magnus.

He took a second to respond and spoke quietly. 

"I'm sorry Andy that you and Yann had to go through that. Yann sounds like an awesome kid and I would love to meet him one day.

...Some men are just cowards."

"Thank you. It wasn't easy but we had Calli and Gus looking out for us. Plus, his father wasn't exactly 'dad' material so we were better off without him."

"Enough about me - please tell me about you! The Archivio must be an amazing place to live!"

"Sure. It's definitely a marvel. The Archivio has saved so much knowledge from before the Fall and so many come through to see it. We also have a few Lycan communities or packs as we call them. The Archivio doesn't see race or species. Just people."

My heart warmed at hearing that. This world was already pretty messed up as it is and it didn't need more hate. 

"I'd love to visit it one day with Yann. He always has his nose buried in a book so I'm positive he would enjoy some real life Old World artifacts." 

He sat straighter at my comment and excitement took over his face.

"Why don't you two come back with us?? You can stay with me and my pack and I can show you around? There is a giant library and museum I’m sure Yann would love to see. It would be like a mini holiday?"

"Holiday?"

"Yeah like a break from all this. I'm sure someone could take over for you at the school?"

I leaned back, giving him a small but sad smile. 

Magnus was so sweet to me and I'm sure that was rare in itself. He didn't look like the type to be friendly with everyone.

But this wasn't the right time - as much as I wanted to take him up on his offer.

"That sounds amazing  and so sweet of you. It's just not the right time at the moment with all the Vargul activity and drama." 

I looked over and saw his face fall which pulled on my heartstrings big time. 

"But. I will definitely take you up on that offer one day when everything calms down so don't look too down," I winked.

He bristled a little at me pointing out his sadness but smiled and nodded his head.

I was curious about one thing though….

I sipped on some fresh juice and leaned in a little so others wouldn't hear me.

"Magnus, can I ask you a bit of a personal question? And please, you do not have to answer if you don't want to."

Without missing a beat, he nodded. "Fire away. It’s only fair seeing as I did the same."

"I uh…don't know how to ask this so I am just gonna outright say it. Are you and your men... Lycan?"

I immediately felt my face burn with embarrassment and instantly regretted asking him such a personal question. 

He looked me straight in the eyes, searching them and I could feel my heart racing in my chest. His gaze always seemed to both calm and excite me in many ways.

Oh God...he hates me… just take me now…

"Would it make a difference?" 

"No, Magnus. We may not have a Lycan community here at Tectum but we are pretty open people. I mean… well we have a few people who hold grudges or are afraid but that doesn't mean-" 

"Yes."

I stopped my rambling and tilted my head to the side.

"Yes?"

"Yes, I am Lycan."

He was still looking into my eyes and I stared back, frozen.

I don't know what I was expecting to hear but for some reason, it wasn't this.

But knowing this truth made me feel closer to him which made my tummy fill with butterflies.

Magnus was also very still, waiting for my reaction.

My mouth finally caught up with my mind and a big smile started to spread across my face.

A smile spread across his as well and we just sat in the moment for a bit.

"I'm really sorry for asking such a personal question. I don't know what came over me. But thank you for answering, I really appreciate it."

"No it's okay, really. You have a right to know who you're eating with. Only some of my men are Lycan but it doesn't really matter. They all work just as hard."

We finished up the last of our lunch and put our scraps into the compost. As we walked back to my office, he turned, looking curious.

"Have you met any Lycans in the past? Or am I your first?"

I laughed at the way he said it and shook my head.

"Sorry, you aren't the first. Back in our Militia days, we fought alongside a few Lycan and Lycan packs against the Vargul. Surprisingly there were a few little villages out there in the Wild and we would help where we could. 

There was always an invitation extended for them to join Tectum but they all refused. I guess they just didn't want to leave their homes."

We stopped outside my office and he stopped me as I turned to open the door.

He was gently holding my arm and I swallowed as the strange warmth danced across my skin.

I turned to face him, not sure what was happening.

"Thank you for having lunch with me today. We will probably be leaving to go back in the next few days so I thought maybe we can do this again? Only if you want to?"

His hand had now slid down and was holding my own and I didn't know what to think about it.

Everything was pointing to him liking me but I didn't want to assume. Until the words came out of his mouth, he was just being friendly, I told myself. 

Super duper friendly.

"Right, yeah you all will probably be on your way back soon. Sure, does the same time tomorrow sound good?" I tried to sound casual about it but it came out rushed and a bit pitchy. I could feel my face beginning to flush.

His eyes looked sad for a second but he gave me his signature smile and stepped a little closer.

A little too close if you ask me….

"I hope you reconsider my offer as well."

I was getting a little lost in his gold-laced eyes and my own kept darting to his parted lips. I barely even registered what he had said.

"I'm sorry?"

"My offer. For you and your boy to visit the Archivio. I'll take care of everything so you don't have to worry."

"Oooh right, yeah I almost forgot about that! Careful, I might actually take you up on that one day," I chuckled nervously.

Great. Now I was being weird.

Just as he stepped even closer, my office door swung open and there was Gus and Calliope staring straight at us.

Magnus was still standing really close and holding my hand so I yanked it out and turned to them.

Gus was basically bug-eyed and Calli was trying to hide her grinning face but was failing. 

As they stared, I felt my face begin to turn crimson and sweaty from their gazes.

"Andromache, who is this fine young man?"

I winced at my name as Gus tried to look intimidating but he was failing miserably. He looked rather excited to be honest as I’m sure Calli would have filled him in.

"Gus, this is Magnus from the Archivio. Magnus - this is Gus," I said quickly, pointing to them.

Magnus reached from behind me and stuck his hand out. He was basically touching my back with his chest by now, with his hand lightly on my hip and my knees almost gave out.

I looked to my right just as his face became level with mine and my heart starting drumming in my chest, which I am sure he could hear.

Good lord...he smells way too good...

"It is a pleasure to meet you, Gus. Andy has told me all about you and how you took care of her and her boy."

"The pleasure is all mine. And well, yes Andy and Calliope are the daughters my wife and I could never have."

They released hands and Gus' face lit up, remembering something.

"Oh! And you might just get your wish, Magnus."

"Huh? What are you talking about?" I said, finally finding my voice.

"I couldn't help but overhear that you had asked Andy to visit the Archivio? Have you two not heard the news?"

We both must have looked just as confused so Gus continued, looking from Magnus then to me.

"Both Councils decided today that a team from Tectum will go back with you to be trained in your technology and combat as well as our team train yours in the medical and scientific fields.

And Andy, they want you to go."