She hums to herself for a moment. It’s not that she doesn’t mind. She just has another idea. Hand on the door, she opens it back up. “Actually, I have a better plan. I’ll go get Shae while you get us some drinks.”

“Seriously? The last time we drank you ended up in my bed and drooled all over my pillow.”

“I did not drool.”

Zye rolls his eyes and follows her outside. He’s not against it, it’s just more fun to poke at her. Zye points over her shoulder between two houses across the street. “You can cut through between those two. From there just hit the road and follow it.”

“Oh Zye, I know where it is. I do my homework.”

They reach Jace where he’s remained on the sidewalk. He gives Callua a glance followed by a warning glare when she gives him a few pats to his back.

“Alright, big guy. Escort Zye to go get us some drinks and maybe I’ll let you join us.”

“I don’t—”

“Ah, ah, ah! It’s not always nice around here so consider this a favor. I’ll owe you one.” She then skips a couple of steps away from them, about to head across to the other side of the cul-de-sac. “And be nice to each other!”

For a moment they stand there watching her walk away. To say it’s not awkward would be a lie. So awkward that it has Zye unbelievably uncomfortable. He’ll have to remember to scold her for leaving him alone with this man later. They’ve only said one word to each other.

He shoves his hands into his pockets and walks around Jace, he’d rather hurry and get back. “I won’t tell her if you have something you need to do. If I get back first she won’t even know.”

What he doesn’t expect is for Jace to follow after him. He picks up his pace to stay next to Zye. “It’s fine, I can do it after. Lead the way.”

Zye does. It really isn’t a far trek. It’s through the back yard, between some bushes, and out into the back street. One more street over and he’ll have them at the small convenience store. The walk begins with an unnatural quiet between them. Neither quite wants to engage for their own reasons.

Then again as far as Zye’s concerned a friend of Callua’s can’t be all that bad.

“Have you worked with Cal for a while?”

Jace sighs, not even bothering to hide it. “Too long. She can be a handful.”

“I can imagine. Good head on her shoulders though.”

“She’s reliable except for when she refuses to come into work. But she’s a good partner to have.”

Getting to the street, those still wandering around at this time of night step away from them. It has Zye rolling his eyes as they get to the store. The door slides open with a group of people leaving. Perfect timing— there’s no one in there but the cashier. Zye turns his head to Jace.

“Going in or waiting?”

“I’ll wait.”

“Anything you want? My treat.”

Jace seems to debate that before shaking his head. “No, thank you though.”

Zye doesn’t wait a second longer. He hurries inside, finds a cheap pack of beer, and takes it to the counter. He’s in and out in less than two minutes. Considering his side is starting to throb, he’s happy about that much. Jace is right where he left him.

“Ready to go?”

“Yeah,” Zye replies while beginning to lead them back. “Been around this area before?”

Jace shakes his head. “No. I don’t get around much here. Work has kept me busy lately. Have you lived here long?”

“Yes and no.” Zye starts as they reach the end of the street, about to cross onto the back street once more. “I lived in the area when I was little. Fate brought me back.”

“Fate is funny like that.”

Zye chuckles at that, “It really is.”

Just as they’re about to leave all of the people behind them. Zye sees it. Someone is standing off to the side with her phone up close to her face. The soft, peach-colored light shines not just on her but the thing hovering over her shoulder. The black mist isn’t much different than others he’s seen.

As if it knows someone can see it, the mist shifts to where piercing blue eyes turn to him. He swallows hard when his gaze connects with it. The toe of one sandal stubs against his other heel and has him stumbling forward.

Jace grabs his shoulder and tries to steady him. The bottles jostle in their container as Zye rights himself. He takes a breath and chokes out a nervous laugh. “Thanks for that. Should watch where I’m going.”

“It’s pretty dark. Are you alright?”

Zye nods with his eyes taking one last furtive look at the mist. The woman is already moving and it follows after her. Jace notices the obvious distraction but says nothing. Instead, he pulls his hand back and they begin walking once more.

The silence is perfectly fine with Zye. He’s reeling from the fact that Jace didn’t make a big deal out of touching him. Then again, even if he does feel iffy towards Chroma, Callua would probably threaten him not to say a word about it. The short walk doesn’t let him consider it much more than that.

Returning to the front yard, Zye gets up onto the front porch and pushes the door open. He partially turns with the beer cradled against his chest. “You’re welcome to join any time.”

Their eyes meet and for a moment Zye can swear there’s a strange look crossing Jace’s face. It almost looks like it hurts Jace to turn away. But it’s not like him to ask questions either. It’s easier to let Jace take that first step from him.

“Thanks. I’ll keep that in mind. Tell her to not be late tomorrow.”

“Sure.” Zye watches him start to leave when he can’t help but blurt out. “Stay safe out there.”

What he doesn’t see is the slight smile that crosses Jace’s countenance. His back to Zye, he leaves without another word. Once he thinks he’s far enough away, he dips between two houses and lets out a heavy exhale. He hides from prying eyes with only the slightest concentration before jumping up onto the roof of the nearest house.

Running and hopping from roof to roof, he ends up at the front of the neighborhood. It takes him a few moments to locate both the power signature as well as the roof of the gym a block over. Jace skids to a stop atop it, sneakers keeping his traction, then strides up to the man standing at the edge.

A long, low ponytail sways behind him due to the wind. Golden anklets jingle around his left ankle as he turns to Jace. The single yellow eye sweeps up and down Jace’s form before he resumes looking down on the people below. The dark brown hair over his left eye does little to hide the grin on his face.

“Enjoying blending in with the people here?”

“Sorry I’m late, Hax.”

The man finds it far more amusing that Jace ignores him. He crosses his arms over his short, sleeveless shirt. The detached sleeve on his left arm crumples around his elbow as he does so. The other arm is left bare save for a series of dark gray markings. It starts with a circle on his shoulder followed by three rows of dots between two thick lines.

Below that are three thinner lines before another thick one that’s a vertical streak going from it to his wrist where another line goes around it. It ends with the vertical line dipping past just enough to connect to a smaller circle on the back of his hand. Of which, all the lines circle around his arm.

Jace glances at them as he stands beside Hax. “Wouldn’t Solis be an easier place to meet at?”

“No, no, no. There are too many eyes and ears there. Besides, I can’t do as I please without someone butting in. Tell me, any news?”

“No. Soren has failed to keep up his end of the bargain as you predicted.”

Hax chuckles as he sits down on the edge of the roof instead. Legs dangle over the side while the end of the scarlet sash around his waist pools in his lap. “It’s fine. I didn’t trust him to do it anyway. I have my own way of keeping my eyes on things. Far more trustworthy ways at that.”

“You asked me out here…what did you want to tell me? Is there something you need taken care of?”

“Nothing like that.” He sweeps his arm out, gesturing toward the city around them. “Do you miss this?”

“I don’t.”

The cruel laughter that follows is cold and loud to Jace’s ears. Nevertheless, he allows Hax to do so. “Of course, you don’t. How can one miss something if they don’t want to remember what they had?”

“Hax…”

He glances up at Jace from the corner of his eye. “You’ve served well. So well, in fact, that I’m giving you some time off. Your next assignment is going to be daunting and I need you at your best.”

“What is it?”

“Well, I can’t tell you that. It’d ruin the surprise.” Hax lets out a pleased hum. “If all goes according to plan, things will come to a head soon. For now, I need you to keep your eyes open and stay here. But go play with the locals. Have some fun.”

“If that’s what you want, sure.”

Hax finally tilts his head to catch Jace’s eyes. “Oh, and do me a favor. If you see Orion, let me know the coordinates immediately.”