8 Chapter Eigh (1/2)
”She was dying. She was not strong enough to hold on for much longer.”
”She won't survive out there!”
”At least out there she has a chance. I shall not be held here, helpless, and forced to watch her fade away.”
”And what will become of you? You had nothing to spare.”
”Better even one lives than we all perish.”
xXx
”Well, are you going to stand there like a simpleton or are you going to help me up?” The girl asked Cross. He frowned as he rose up to his full height and turned his head to face the tracks. The next train wouldn't be for another five hours or so. He could probably manage to jump on it, but he wasn't sure about the girl. Maybe if he threw her... Then again, he could always just leave her...
”Mortal! Your Goddess is still on the ground!” She shook a tiny fist at him.
”Cross.”
”What?”
”My name,” he said, reaching down and grabbing her wrist. With a quick yank he pulled up to her feet. ”Cross. Courier. You are?”
”I hardly think that is any of your concern.”
Cross reached up and ran his hand over his face. He took in a deep breath. After a moment of contemplation he turned away and began to walk, following the path of the tracks. Behind him the Goddess yelped.
”Excuse me! Where do you think you are going?”
”Home.”
”What about me?”
”I don't know where your home is.”
”You can't just leave me!”
”I disagree.”
”What am I supposed to do?”
”Feel free to tag along.”
”How dare you!” She quickly skipped past him and planted herself firmly in his path. ”It is the Gods who lead the mortals, not the mortals who lead the Gods! Now... Now... hmmm... Where are we, human?”
Cross looked up into the sky, taking a moment to regret leaving the train, not that it had really been his choice. He was going to have a very long conversation with someone about this. ”We're just on the outskirts of the Kingdom of Voy.”
”I see. Tell me, who is the ruler of this kingdom?”
”...Queen Cassandra the Fourth.”
”Very well, I demand you take me to this Queen Cassandra so she may bask in my presence and let this pitiful country know I have chosen to share with them my grace.”
Cross blinked slowly. ”And when the Queen asks to know the name of the great divine being that has come to grace her what shall I tell her?”
”Makina!” She declared proudly before slamming her hands over her mouth, eyes widening. ”You tricked me!”
”Yes, I did. Makina, huh? Pleasure. Now come on.” Cross pushed past her and began to walk. ”I'd rather not try to board the train here, there is a turn a few miles up, they will slow down and it will make it easier.”
He didn't bother to see if the 'Goddess' was still following him, but after a few moments he heard an indigent huff and the sound of small footfalls.
xXx
”Good afternoon Alexis.” Servilia greeted, reaching up and plucking the summons from Lexi's hand and offering back a file. ”Job for you, if you are feeling up for it. It may be a bit dangerous.”
Lexi nodded, glancing over the file as Servilia filled her in.
”A foreign spy, possibly from Ash. He was able to infiltrate the castle staff,” Servilia said.
”A Son?”
”Possibly. He was going by the name Lee Vos. When he was discovered he managed to escape, but the royal guards caught up with him a few days later. They brought him back to the capital, but before they were able to interrogate him he escaped again.”
”How?”
”Apparently he managed to strangle his guard. He also murdered a woman and her daughter during his escape.
”Mmmm.” Lexi's brow furrowed.
”The Crown has put a rather large bounty on his head. Alive is preferable and pays more, but they will accept dead as well,” Servilia said. ”So, would you care to go Hunting tonight? I have some very promising leads. Or you can continue to help Romeo and Banksy with their punishments as you have been doing.”
”A team leader should accept responsibility of the actions of her team and share in the punishment they are dealt,” said Lexi. Servilia wisely chose not to point out Lexi did not formally have a team and was not officially ranked as a leader. ”I'll take the job. I should return tomorrow or the next day, if your leads are reliable.”
”You know they are.” Servilia nodded, making a note in her book before looking up. ”Please be safe Alexis, the Sons are bad news, they especially won't take kindly to someone like you.”
”I will be.” Lexi said, turning on her heel and heading out.
xXx
”That was a ridiculous way to get on the train,” Makina whimpered as she vainly attempted to straighten her windswept hair back into place with her hands. ”Why did you not just tell them to stop?”
”Trains don't stop for hitchhikers. Not even Goddesses,” he added, pulling her by the arm and into the train properly. After a short search he found a mostly empty car. Letting her go he sat down and rested his face in his hands.
”So, how long will this trip to the Queen take?” Makina asked after a few minutes of silence. Cross lifted his head up and frowned. Part of him had hoped this was simply a dream, but no such luck.