Chapter 2

Masen

I looked at Allie and watched as she tried to take in everything happening. Even after observing her for all our lives I was still shaken seeing her walk through the door. She was so much more, everything, in real life. When she touched me, I thought I would go up in flames. It took me by surprise even though I have been trained on how it would feel.

“No, I didn’t know you were coming because I don’t know who you are!” Allie’s voice was high and panicky. “Who are you? Why would I know about you?”

I looked to the ground for a second before raising my eyes to hers. “My name is Masen. Fadden told me where to find you. I thought you knew about me? He acted as though you did. But then again, he’s a tricky bastard at the best of times. Lately he’s been unbearable.” I looked at the man standing with her and realised this was the infamous Jimmy. He would be my biggest challenge with Allie’s friends. “I’m sorry this is such a surprise for you”

Allie didn’t look placated by my little speech at all. She turned to her friends and grabbed them by their hands. “Is our order ready yet? You have ordered, haven’t you?”

Jimmy didn’t answer because he was too busy glaring at me. Damn, if I wasn’t Masen the Brave, there’s a chance I’d be scared. He was one big sucker! Next to him, all sweet, small and feminine was the other friend, Sala. She was looking at me with wonder and maybe a hint of mischievousness.

 “We’re just about to head over to our home in the compound. I think you should come with us. Don’t you think so, Allie?” Sala asked this in a tone that implied Allie was an idiot if she said no.

“No, I don’t think so. We don’t even know this guy. Just because he mentions Fadden’s name means nothing. Everyone knows Fadden, although right now I’m wishing I didn’t.”

“Oh, come on, after what we all just witnessed, you need to have Masen with you. This is what we have all been waiting for. Don’t say no before you know everything. And, Allie? I promise that tonight, you’ll know everything we know. Right, Jimmy?” Sala turned to Jimmy but was met with a cold silence.

“Look, I know it’s not what you thought was going to happen tonight but we really need to get going. Do you not feel the coldness? Can you not sense the darkness hovering in the air even in daytime?” I was probably a bit abrupt in my delivery but we needed to move. The Darkness would know about our meeting very quickly. The very ground we stood on shivered when we touched for that first time. Allie may not have even noticed but she had angled herself to be standing right next to me. I could feel the heat of her body radiating off her but this was not the time to be thinking about her body. I’d love to get some time alone with her but unfortunately, our world had other plans for us.

Jimmy had at some point returned to the counter to get the pizzas and was now waiting to leave. He had yet to say a word to me and it pissed me off. Maybe he was in love with Allie, but damn man, how about using your manners. I stuck my hand out and said “Hi, I’m Masen and I’m here to help you win this war.”

Jimmy looked at my hand then looked me in the eye. “I don’t care what your name is or why you’re here. And I certainly don’t want to shake your hand.” His voice was icier than the wind that blew off the frozen ocean at the bottom of our world. I guess I’ve got a way to go to win the big dude over.

“Jimmy! What the hell are you doing?” Allie was right up in Jimmy’s face. “Maybe none of us are happy he’s here but there is no need for such rudeness. This man,” she said as she looked me up and down in a dismissive way, “is My One. Please give both him and I the chance to work things out without me having to worry about my friends offing him while he sleeps.”

She spun round to look at me. “You do sleep, don’t you?”

Her question took me off guard. “Um yeah I do. Should I?” This chick’s mind was hard to follow. And I have been studying her my whole life. She was made for me and I was still standing here wondering what was going through her head.

“I guess it depends on what you are. Not all of us sleep. And if you are related to Fadden then who knows what you do or don’t do.”

“What I am? What do you think I am?” I couldn’t keep the amusement from my voice as I asked her this. “I’m the same as you, Allie. Only not as special. And….as entertaining as this conversation is, we need to go. Time is running away from us and we need to talk about our next moves.  I need to know what you know, and I need Fadden here to explain his role.” I let my gaze land on each of them as I spoke so they could see how serious I was. Sala was nodding her head in agreement while Jimmy looked even more pissed off. I wasn’t going to let him distract me though. He was very important to our mission so he really had no choice. Fadden and I were the ones in charge now. Although Allies next words took some of my self-importance away from me.

“So, you think you can just turn up here and start giving orders? You do realise that we have been fighting The Darkness for years without you? We don’t need either you or Fadden to tell us what to do. You are welcome to come with us tonight but only because I can’t leave you here feeling the way I do. You’re obviously my One and I’m not happy about it. You and I? We’ve got a lot of talking to do and I’ve got a feeling you have more to explain than I do!” Allie finished by spinning away from me and walking out the door. I quickly grabbed my knapsack and followed her out into the night.