It took my mom way longer than 10 to 15 minutes to call back. I can only assume that she also explained things to dad. Which I can only imagine went over about as good as lighting TNT on fire with a rocket launcher. But as long as she was taking the fallout and not me? I'd be good with waiting days, if that's what it took.
But, Mom eventually relayed that they did, in fact, have a witch at the DMHS safe house. She again told me to be careful and to trust no one and I again told her that I was fine. Which, of course, she didn't believe at all.
We were already back at the safe house and I was exhausted. I could barely pick my feet up to walk in.
Fletcher gently grabs my elbow before we go inside, "Hey, how's your arm?" He asks.
I pause, turning back to him. His touch no longer sent shivers down my spine, which gave me some really weird mixed signals, "It's… fine." I tell him, shocking even myself. I'd actually almost forgotten about it. It should be throbbing like a bitch. Especially after fighting that god damn griffin with it still broken. But besides whenever I tried to use it, the pain was barely noticeable.
"Good." he says with a curt nod, his hand slipping off my arm as he walks by me and into the house. "My blood is stronger than most, since I'm a royal. It's more potent."
As we walk back in through the front door, I stop dead in my tracks. Zeno's already sitting up on the couch, in the living room to the left of the door. Needing Noah's help to stay upright, sure, but he was awake and alert. I knew werewolves healed quickly, but I'd only ever fought them in a battle. To the death. There wasn't any time to just wait around and see how fast they'll get back up.
"Oh, thank god." Fletcher says, immediately going to his side, "You scared the hell out of me."
I follow right behind him feeling a mixture of feelings. Surprisingly, I was glad he was okay. But, I was also shocked at how fast he healed and also a little intimidated. A human would definitely be dead after getting beaten up as much as Zeno was.
The damage done to Zeno's wolf form transfered to his human form. He now has a nasty scar over his face, starting on one cheek, passing down over his lips to his chin. His once handsome face is now deeply scarred.
I feel a lurch of guilt in my stomach.
"How are you… feeling, Ms. Quinn?" Zeno asks me, panting with pain, his face pale, "Is your friend… okay?"
I swallow hard, the guilt deciding to make itself at home in my stomach. Traitor. "I…" My mouth feels both dry as hell and also drowning with saliva at the same damn time. Why couldn't I think of anything to say? "I don't know." I admit.
He lifts an eyebrow, "Last I saw… He was… Unconscious, I think." Zeno pants out.
Fletcher seems to notice how uncomfortable I am and comes back to my side, placing a finger under my chin, tilting my head up, "Quinn?" he questions, "Are you okay? You look sick."
"I'm an awful human being." I say, looking away and shaking my head as I pull my chin away from Fletcher's touch, "I can't believe how fucking dumb I was. Thinking werewolves and vampires were monsters." I shake my head again, just feeling an overwhelming amount of disappointment.
Fletcher sucks in a breath and pulls me into his chest, hugging me, "No. You're not. You're learning from your mistakes. You're not a bad person for doing what you thought was right. You'd been fed poison. Since you were a literal child, Quinn. That's not on you. But, what is on you, is you taking in new information and adapting to it. Learning and adapting to make something better of yourself. That's so strong of you. You're amazing for that."
'Hunters don't cry.' my father's words echo in my head as a choking sob escapes me. My hands coming up to grab Fletcher's shirt. Crumpling the fabric as I cling to him. 'Hunters can never show weakness. Control yourself at all times! You must get stronger!' I take in a gasping breath and sob again. And again.
Fletcher quickly scoops me up in his arms, slipping his left arm under my knees as the other supports my back, hugging me close to his chest. He says something to Noah and Zeno as he carries me off, heading right back outside as I completely lose control.
What the actual fuck was wrong with me!?
After a solid five minutes of Fletcher holding me and gently rocking me, like I'm a damn child, I finally manage to calm the fuck down enough to say, "I'm so sorry…"
"It's okay. I don't blame you for doing what you were taught to do." He says gently.
I choke on a chortle, shaking my head, "I didn't… I meant for crying." I tell him
"Why would you apologize for that?" He asks, lifting a dark eyebrow.
I look up at him and he slowly places me down again, ever so gently placing me on my feet. I shrug, "Because it's disgraceful?"
He rolls his eyes, "It's not." He says curtly.
I just stare back at him. Like he's said something unnatural.
"Are you okay now?" he asks me.
I nod slowly, "Yeah. I'm better. But, we're gonna go get that witch from DMHS." I state firmly, making up my mind, "We go tonight."
"With who?"
"Me. You. Cecil. Ivy. Michelle. And I'm going to call Isiah. He was mad… I know he was. But Zeno saved his life and Isiah is a fair man. I think I can convince him. He knows whats at stake now. He's had hours to think about it."
"You think six will be enough to attack a 'war camp'?" He asks, quoting my own words against me.
I don't even hesitate before saying, "It will be. I have an Idea."
He grimaces, "The happy fun kind?"
I give him a deadpan glare, "Yeah, we're going to ask nicely." I say sarcastically.
"If only that shit works." Cecil says, stepping outside, "Heard you had a breakdown."
I send him a glare, taking a step toward him.
He smirks, putting his hands up in a gesture of peace, even if it was slightly sarcastic, "Hey, if anything, I'm glad. It proves you're not a monster."
"Cecil…" Fletcher warns.
I shake my head, "No. It's fine. I'm fine. My mom told me that there actually is a witch at DMHS. We need to get them out."
"I heard you got a plan?" Cecil asks.
I take a deep breath, "Yeah. The enemy of my enemy is my friend… Right?"