a thousand instincts (#1)

What a Life (55)

     His voice cracked as his loved warmed her, lessening the blow. "Please, Aeress, don't cry. I can't see you like this."

     "How can I live knowing that I've lost her again?"

     He leaned back to cradle her by the face, using his thumbs to wipe away the tears. "You don't know if she's dead, Aeress. Please don't do this to yourself. Just because we haven't found her yet, doesn't mean we should give up hope, okay? You gotta be strong for her."

     His words worked in soothing her hysterical state of mind. Her breathing was still rough though, but she swallowed past the cotton in her throat and nodded. "You're right. I'm sorry. "

     He grimaced and hugged her tightly. "Don't be, love." He pressed his lips to hers. "It's going to be okay-"

     His phone went off.

     "Answer it," Aeress commanded immediately.

     Warrick nodded. "Klein." 

     "Hey, Boss. You'll never fucking believe it, we found her."

     Aeress couldn't breathe.

     "You're certain?" he demanded.

     "Yes, very certain, Premier, but there have been some complications."

     They both sprung up. "It doesn't matter. We're coming to you, don't let her out of your sight."

     "Hold on just a second. By complication, I mean one colossal clusterfuck, you get me?"

     "What is it?"

     "Long story short, Idris took her."

     Aeress couldn't contain herself. "What did you just say?"

     "Just get here, okay?" ________________________________________________________

     Aeress pushed the food on her plate around.

     "You know he's not going to hurt her, you read the message." Warrick broke the silence, attempting to take her hand in his.

     She slammed her fork down, nearly cracking the plate in half, looking up at him with barely reigned-in fury. "No, I don't, actually. The last time me and him interacted, it was of him with his hand around my heart!"

     His eyes blackened, and clearly what she said was the wrong thing to say. "I know that, Aeress, don't think I haven't considered killing every single one of them for what they did to you." His voice was deepened into a growl.

     She raked her nails through her locks, so close to ripping all of it out. She couldn't take this. "Then why aren't we going to look for them right now, huh?"

     He unexpectedly calmed in the next moment. The red lessened in his pale cheeks. "Because we both know she is safe. No matter the past we have had with Idris. I know you want to see her," he successfully took her hand in his this time around, kissing her knuckles with tenderness in his eyes, "but I have a feeling she's got a full plate right now. Let her clear it off some before we enter the picture, okay?"

     She tightened her fingers around his. "What is that supposed to mean?"

     Warrick rolled his eyes, distracting her with such an uncharacteristic move. "Don't act like you don't know the real reason he took her."

     She blinked a few times before briefly looking away. "I don't." It was a lie. There was only one reason Idris dare piss off the mother of werewolves.