The Return

Chapter 2~~JOURNEY BACK~~

   Alix's POV

"So...you're my protector?" Kody asked breathlessly, walking her bike beside her. I had finally told her everything. At first she thought she was having an extremely bad hallucination. Boy was she wrong. She still doesn't really believe me, but she trusts me. That's always a good sign. I decided to take her back to the palace. Perhaps Zander could get her eyes to open.

"Yes, I'm to protect you from any and all threats as well as to accompany you everywhere." I replied. She doesn't know what I am yet. If I dawn that on her now she might really go crazy.

Kody took a deep steadying breath. "Where are we going again?"

"The palace, Zander will be so excited to see you! As will everyone else, of course, but mostly Zander." I said excitedly. I can't help it! I haven't seen her in for what feels like forever. This is my chance to fulfill my duty as her protector.... I never had the chance last time and now...I will not fail.

"...who is this Slade again?" asked Kody.

"What?" You're so stupid Alix. You should have been paying more attention to her than your own little thoughts.

"Who is Slade?" she said again.

I quickly threw my hand over her mouth and gave her a stern look. "I told you to never say that name!"

"Why? It's just a name." she looked at me as a smile spread on her face. I opened my mouth to reply, but shut it as I felt a powerful presence nearby. 

"Just a name it is. A name that everyone should fear, kid." Came a snarl from behind us within the trees. A big black wolf stalked out and started circling with beady eyes fixed hungrily on us. Kody's eyes went big and her smile fell a thousand feet.
The wolf laughed, still circling us. I drew out my twin swords and sighed inwardly at myself. Of course you get caught in a battle in faerie form with a giant wolf...

"What do you want, dog?" I narrowed my eyes at him, keeping myself hovering between him and Kody. If it came to where I had to shift into human form to fight this dog, then so be it.

The wolf stopped and stared right at me. "You think you're a match for me, little faerie? You're either very foolish or very brave."

"Oh I'm more than a match for you. Now answer my question. What do you want?" I said with as much venom as I could muster.
The wolf then Changed into his human form. He had jet black hair, sparkling auburn eyes and was very tall. His muscles making a slight appearance through his black T-shirt that came just below the waistband of his dark denim jeans.

"You don't recognize me, Alix?" he smirked. "I thought you were very good with people, especially those in the palace."

"Kyle?!" I dropped my swords and flew to him. I hugged him in his hand as he held me, and then started punching him with my tiny fists. "How dare you give us a scare like that!"

Kyle just laughed and looked over at Kody, who had picked up my small swords and was holding them out awkwardly at him. "Who is this? I didn't think you were one to hang with humans." He asked skeptically, eyeing me.

"I don't. But this one is an exception." I flew over to Kody's shoulder and sat there. Seeing the look on his face I added, "I was out on my rounds near the edge of the forest when I saw her lying on the ground, unconscious."

A flash went across his eyes. "And you showed yourself to her?! Alix you know the law! No showing your abilities to humans from the other world! Ever!"

"Relax," I drawled out. "I didn't shift in front of her, and the law does say that, unless you know them or they are part of our world." I added with a smile and whispered so only they could hear me. "Look, I'm bringing her to Zander to sort things out a bit better. But just look at her. Don't you see any resemblance to someone we both used to know very well?"

He took a step towards Kody so that he was standing directly in front of her, and looked at her more closely. She stared back at him, eyes wide, too scared to speak. I could feel her tremble. After a few moments his eyes lost their hardness and a look of shock went across his face like a slap. He recovered quickly and looked back at me. He was about to say something, then obviously thought better of it. He let out a puff of air through his nose before responding.

"Zander is very pissed right now." The corner of his mouth twitched. "Someone missed curfew and is now possibly missing the biggest meeting of her life."

My face fell. "Oh, my, gods, I completely forgot!"

"Yeah you did. Look I'll scout ahead and tell them you will be there soon. Unless you want to zip there and let me take her back" he smiled with his fangs slowly enlarging. Kyle knew very well how protective I was.

"I'm not leaving her." I said viciously. "Wait, I have an idea!" I looked at Kody, then back at Kyle. Their faces were of total confusion, especially Kody's. "Kody, do you think you'd be comfortable riding back on Kyle? It will be a lot faster, and fun." I added, smiling at her then looked back at Kyle. If you didn't know him well, he would have looked like we were discussing our favorite kind of nail polish or something. But I knew him better. He was very amused at the idea of Kody riding on him back to the palace. Kody, on the other hand, looked as if she were going to freak out. Again.

She looked at me and after I nodded at her, I guess she gave in.

"Umm...won't it hurt him if I do?" she asked timidly.

"I doubt you could hurt me at all, human." He smirked and Changed. "Shall we go? We shouldn't piss the prince off any more than we already have."

I laughed and mentally put my swords back in their slings as Kody seated herself cautiously on Kyle. I unfolded my shadowy wings, getting them ready for flight. With a final nod, we all set out towards the palace.