Chapter 61. Found Out*

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Chapter 61. We Are Young by Fun (Midnight City by M83)

I hated to see how much pain Evan was in. Despite her stoicism, I knew she was hurting by her aura. The little aura that was our daughter was growing stronger, which reassured me. Once I felt Evan relax into such an unnatural thing as sleep, I carefully arose and covered her up. I went to dress in what I hoped would be convincing club wear for a modern twenty something in this day and age. I have always enjoyed dressing well, so it was not a stretch for me to find something suitable. Satisfied that I could pass for my human twenty-four years in a black suit with narrow legs and fitted jacket, I opted for a burgundy dress shirt rather than the white I would normally go for. I slipped on my boots with an ankle holster and before I pulled on the jacket I pulled on my shoulder sheath with the silver throwing knives. Current trends made bulky weapons hard to conceal. I was hoping I would not need any weapons, though.

With a last glance at Evan fitfully sleeping on our bed, I went out to the living area where we were to meet. Xavier was standing motionless in front of the windows overlooking the city. The Saint Louis skyline at night had always captivated me, but I noticed he was looking down and at the near rooftops, rather than at the scenery.

"Are you ready for a relaxing night in, my friend?" I asked him.

Without turning, he answered, "I will not relax for a moment until you are all home safely, Emil."

"I knew I could trust you," I said. "I am hoping we will all return unscathed, but I don't have a good feeling about tonight."

"You are all strong warriors, Emil. If there is a fight, I have full confidence that all will go well."

"Thank you, Xavier. I will be able to focus on the task at hand knowing Evan and Nathan are safe here with you," I told the other Guardian. The background was filled with Nathan playing some of the music I had taught him on the guitar. It was such a peaceful melody, one that seemed appropriate for the moment.

A single knock sounded at the door and it opened to reveal the others, ready for our mission. Hannah was gallantly heralded in by Jean; resplendent in a sapphire blue dress, silver heels and a faux fur wrap. Besides the length of leg she revealed, her face and hair had been made up to remind me of an ice queen, all sparkles and angles.

"I thought the plan was to go unnoticed," I laughed as she came in and did a little pirouette in the open area between the kitchen and living room.

"Don't be a spoil sport! I don't get to dress up very often, and since I'm not a Guardian, and most of the people that knew me are gone, I figured I could serve as a diversion. Think it will work?" She asked me as she struck a pose.

Malachi had a slightly disapproving look on his face, but said nothing, while Jean piped up with, "Ma chérie, you will definitely turn heads. But where are you hiding your weapon?"

"Wouldn't you like to know," Hannah said slyly. The surprise on Jean's face was classic.

Malachi stepped up beside Hannah looking more attractive than he'd ever been, to my knowledge. He had always done his best to blend in and dressed almost in hipster camouflage: khakis and nondescript tee shirts. Tonight, he was wearing a V-neck sweater under a sport coat with matching slacks. His hair had been combed back, making me realize he often did not do anything with his appearance. That was a rarity among our kind. At that moment, Hannah reached up and brushed a stray hair out of his eyes, and I realized that she must have given him a little help.

Jean was dressed to the nines, as was his habit, in fitted pinstripe slacks, a black dress shirt unbuttoned several buttons to reveal much of his chest and a vest with a chain. His dark blond hair had been pulled back to the nape of his neck, very sleek looking.

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