The Fox’s Tale

“Where is she?” a voice shrieked.

“Oh hell,” I managed to get out before Queen Esmeralda burst through our front door, clad only in a black silk bathrobe.

“Where is Ellery?” she demanded as she stormed into the room, her eyes and hair wild.

I sat where I was, afraid to move. I had no idea what Esmeralda’s powers entailed, and I didn’t want her rage directed at me. I was momentarily surprised that she was unaccompanied, but also grateful that Ellery's command to not return was still working. I couldn’t bear the thought of seeing Alastair’s smug face.

“She’s resting and receiving medical care.” Trey hurried out of the kitchen and tried to placate her, but she was having none of it.

“Move, Sinclair, before I move you myself.” Her eyes flashed and electricity crackled through the air. She was so tiny and dark while Trey was so big and blond that if it hadn’t been so serious I would have laughed at the contrast. They faced off until Jones burst out of our bedroom suite.

“What in the seven hells is going on out here?” he hissed. He spotted Esmeralda and his face changed from one of rage to one of concern. Esmeralda pushed past Trey to get to him.

“How is she? When can I see her? Who did this?” she begged as she flung herself into his arms. Everyone could hear the desperation in her voice and we all shifted uncomfortably in our seats.

“She’s resting, soon, and we don’t have all of the information yet.” Jones’s tone was gentle and he rubbed her back, soothing her. She clung to his shirt and wept.

After a few minutes her grief slowed down. Esmeralda swallowed back the last of her tears with a sniff. As she calmed down her eyes darted around the room.

“This is how they’ve chosen to decorate their home? I don’t like it. It’s too modern.” She turned and for the first time realized that she was in a room full of young men. She adjusted her robe and ran a hand through her hair, fluffing it. Then she spotted me and her eyes darkened.

“Who is she?” breathed Ryan.

I glanced at him and saw a look on his face that boded ill. He looked half drunk and as dopey as Scott had looked when he saw Darcie. “Oh for fuck’s sake,” I muttered as Esmeralda stalked over to us.

“Why is Ellery’s Other not with her?” She rounded on Jones. “They should be together. They draw strength from one another. Are you all complete morons?”

“Esmeralda, when Ellery first returned to us Alexander became distressed and this in turn agitated Ellery more. Now that she’s started to heal I came out to get him.” Jones held his hands up in a placating manner.

She huffed in exasperation. “Why did you not render him unconscious and place him in bed with her? His physical presence alone would have sped up her healing. You’ve let her suffer needlessly!”

“We did render him unconscious, but Fitz needed room to work.”

“Fitzgerald needs to learn to perform his magic without the luxury of space,” she hissed.

“Esmeralda, please. I took all of Ellery’s pain for her. I promise you that she didn’t suffer while Fitz worked on her injuries.” Now that I studied his face I realized that Jones did look haggard.

Esmeralda’s chin quivered and she blinked back another wave of tears. “Very well.” Her attention returned to the team and she assessed everyone with an appraising eye. “Oh my!” She inclined her head and then grinned.

“What an impressive display of the variety of masculinity.” Their mouths fell open almost entirely in unison. They had no idea who she was and I didn’t have the energy to explain. “Have none of you any manners?” she crooned. “I would like to be seated.”

Ryan was on his feet in a blink. “Here, take mine.”

Esmeralda all but floated over to him. “Thank you,” she murmured as she settled herself in the seat he had vacated. She inhaled deeply and took his hand. “Is Liam O’Connor your grandfather?” she asked.

“He is. How did you know?” he asked as he knelt at her feet. He picked one up and kissed it.

“You have his eyes,” she replied, stroking his cheek.

I grimaced and looked away from them both. Why couldn’t she have been infatuated with Lee or Matt? No, it had to be pain in the ass Ryan. My opinion of him returned to where it had been. Annoying fucker.

Jones cleared his throat and caught my eye. He had an expression of distaste on his face as well. He motioned for me to follow him. Everyone but Ryan stood up with me causing Jones to groan in annoyance.

“Not all of you, just him. Damn.” The guys all sat back down, sheepish grins on their faces.

I groaned as I walked across the room. I was more sore than I thought I would be, and would probably need a massage to work out all of the knots in my muscles.. I was almost to the door when Esmeralda called out to me.

“Oh, Xander.”

I stopped and glanced back at her. She was running her fingers through Ryan’s hair making me grimace again. Ryan looked blissed out and I swear he was on the verge of drooling.

She looked me square in the eye. “Put your talented tongue to good use. It will help her heal faster.”

I felt my soul leave my body, along with all of the air in the room as everyone went silent. I have no idea how long I stood there rooted to the spot, dying a thousand deaths over and over again.

At long last Nick whispered “holy shit, did she say what I think she just said?” and the guys started to choke on their laughter.

Jones cleared his throat, rousing me from my frozen state. I bolted out of the living room, avoiding eye contact with Jones, and into the peace of our bedroom.