Nexus Chapter 19

19.
      The sense of relief in the kitchen was tangible, but underlying it was a worry, a bitter tang of fear.  Namara was once more a prisoner, and her life was in grave danger.  Everyone was aware that they had to come up with a plan to get her back fast.  Before Sandamar could hurt or kill her.  
      The wooden benches groaned under the weight of mythos crowding around the table.  Seth sat next to Drew, very aware of her body heat seeping into him.  He’d hated letting go of her earlier and hated himself for feeling that way.  Yet he still felt the urge to touch her, he’d have to settle for sitting close to her instead.  At least the table was packed so it didn’t look so conspicuous.  
      Cole, Bastien and Marcus were opposite Drew and Seth on the other side of the table.  The rest of the wolves had left not long after they got the news that Darius would be fine.  Cole had decided to stay to help out with planning Namara’s rescue.  
      Ross was on Drew’s other side.  Seth wasn’t all that happy with how cozy those two seemed to be getting.  If he was going to be honest with himself he’d admit he had a bad case of the green eyed monster, but knowing it was simple jealousy and dealing with it anyway were two different things.  So he had to remind himself that he had no claim to Drew, had deliberately given up any chance of having one.  So if Ross wanted to make a move on Drew, Seth just had to deal with it.  
      Gabriel had pulled a high back chair closer, he sat with his feet on the seat of the chair, his backside balanced on the chair back.  Renegade was perched on a cupboard not far from the table.  Seth didn’t know an angel who would sit normally, they all felt this irritating need to ballance up high on something.  
      Selphie was making hot chocolate for those who could stomach her overly sweet version of the beverage, and coffee for those who couldn’t.  
      
      “Where is Rogue?”  Gabriel frowned around the table, only now noticing her absence.  
      Selphie cleared her throat “She um.., couldn’t come.”  She put out another cup to avoid Gabriel’s eyes.
      “Oh really,” he clenched his teeth “Why not?”
      Selphie turned towards Gabriel, waiting for him to get really mad.
      “She didn’t say, all she said was that she couldn’t make it.”  
      Renegade snorted, “Probably had a manicure appointment she couldn’t miss.”  
      Ross bit his tongue to keep from making some seriously nasty comments.  
      “Yeah, probably something along those line, but I’ll deal with her soon.  So she better enjoy it.”  
      Gabe shifted on his chair, dismissing Rogue from his mind for the moment.
      Seth spoke up changing the subject.  
      “Before we begin brain storming, there is something I’d like all of you to see.”  Seth sat forward.
      “Go for it.” Gabe put a hand on each side of the chair back he was balanced on.
      Seth picked up Drew’s left hand from the tabletop.  “Claw up Drew.”    
      She wondered why he wanted her to do this now, but he must have a reason so she shrugged and called her cat.  Drew closed her hand into a fist and opened it with her claws perfectly in place.  
      “Holly Crap! Full on claw in naught point nothing.” Bastien breathed.  
      “Wait.” Seth held up his hand to silence the rest of them.  
      “Thanks Drew, now stow the claws like you did this morning when you were pissed at me.”
      She understood what he wanted. So she flicked her wrist and reverted her hand to its human form.  
      “How the hell did you do that so fast!” Bastien’s jaw had dropped, his eyes were wide with surprise.
      “It can’t be a cat thing,” Cole mused aloud.  “I’ve never seen any other cat revert that fast.”  He reached over the table and took Drew’s hand into his.  Bending her fingers and turning her hand over as if he was looking for a how, in an illusionist’s trick.  
      A low growl trickled through the room.  
      Drew’s head snapped round to look at Seth.  The sound was coming from him.  
      Cole grinned and let go of Drew’s hand.  
      Seth felt like an idiot, and cursed himself as ten kinds of fool for over reacting the whole time.  He knew he was going to pick up flack for the growl that just escaped him.  He really hadn’t done it intentionally, it had just slipped out.  Did he have to keep making an ass out of himself after he’d insisted there could be nothing between Drew and him. He really needed to get a handle on this jealousy thing.  Not being used to the emotion was no excuse.  
      “That was impressive Drew.” Gabriel flashed her a smile.
      Everyone join in congratulating Drew.  
      “Is changing fast unusual?”  Drew was a bit overwhelmed by their reactions.  
      “Yeah, what you just did was seriously impressive.  Seth should piss you off more often.” Marcus laughed.  
      “Not if he knows what’s good for him.”  Ross was still mad at Seth for his earlier stupidity where Drew was concerned.  He’d give Seth a little time to sort his shit out.  If he didn’t get it sorted, Ross was going to have to talk to him.  Letting Veronica have this much say over his life was letting her win.  Ross didn’t want to see his best friend stuff up a good thing because he was being a dumb-ass.  
      “Have you done a complete shift yet Drew?”  Cole took a sip of his hot chocolate.  
      “Um, no, I didn’t get a chance.”  Drew had to fight back a blush when she remembered why the lesson had been interrupted.  
      “I’ve got to admit I’m curious to know how fast you can morph then morph back.  So when you get round to it, would you mind letting me know?”
      “Sure, I don’t think that’ll be a problem.”  
      “Seth’s got my number.  Or just tell Bastien.”  
      Drew nodded “Okay.”
      “I’m glad you shared that with us Drew.” Gabriel smiled.  “It’s some good news at least.  I was beginning to think this day would just keep getting worse.  Okay, everyone, any ideas for getting Namara back, before Sandamar can hurt her?”
      “Right now we don’t even  know where the blood sucker took her.”  Marcus sighed.
      “I don’t know where he took her, but I have an idea who we can ask.  The idea is not going to be popular with everyone though.”  Renegade slipped off the counter and walked to the table.  
      “You’ve got me curious now.” Gabe sat forward, waiting on a name.
      “Neferitis.”  
      “Oh hell no!” Ross spat so vehemently that Drew, who was right next to him, flinched.
      Marcus started laughing and Seth had to smother a chuckle behind his hand.  
      “Don’t laugh you ass!” Ross growled at Marcus.  
      Even Cole and Bastien were grinning in amusement.
      Drew looked around the amused faces to Ross’s stormy one.  
      “Someone mind filling me in?”
      “Neferitis is a demon, an oracle of sorts, and she…” Renegade started laughing, so Gabriel had to help her out.
      “She’s got a crush on Ross.”
      “Crush! Are you baked? She’s obsessed with me.  I’m not going any where near her.”  
      “Come on Ross, take one for the team.” Seth teased him.  
      “That demon is dangerous. You aren’t the one she’d happily shackle to a wall for eternity.”  
      “Renegade will make sure Neferitis doesn’t hurt her favorite nephew. Won’t you Ren?” Seth asked her.
      Renegade nodded, but there was worry in her eyes, as she looked at Ross.  Then she saw Drew, and a calculating look replaced it.    
      “Still not going any where near her.”  Ross shook his head crossing his arms over his chest.
      “Ross.” Gabriel’s look said it all, it was an order.  
      “Gods!  You owe me.  Namara better damn well take me flying when we get her back.”
      “Is she really that bad?”  Drew felt horrible that Ross was being forced to do this.
      “You have no idea.” Ross shuddered.
      “When are we going, I need to take some anti-nausea medication before we leave.”  His sarcastic shield was back in place.  
      “I think we all need some sleep first.” Renegade picked up Marcus’s cup of coffee and took a sip.
      “Hey!”
      She stuck her tongue at him.  
      “But I can take you through Hell’s Gate tomorrow morning.”
      “Sounds like a good idea.  Seth, Ross, and Marcus – you guys take Drew with.”
      Gabriel gave Renegade a knowing look.
      “I’d like to tag along if you don’t mind Seth?” Bastien asked.
      “Not a problem, but Gabe, I don’t know if Drew should go with.  We are going into hell.”  
      “I’ll shield her.” Renegade offered quickly.  “She won’t see anything disturbing.”
      Ross snorted.
      “Okay, nothing too disturbing.”  
      “I’m going, you can’t leave me behind.  The curiosity would kill me.”  
      “Yeah, rather curiosity - than something crawling around hell.”  Seth grumbled.
      “You’re overruled Seth, Drew goes with.” Gabe smiled.
      Jade walked into the kitchen.  
      “Dar is awake and he wants to know what we are doing to get Namara back.  Had to threaten to chain him to the bed to keep him there.”
      “We are going to see Neferitis in the morning.”  Ross grumbled.
      Jade burst into gales of laughter.  
      “Shut up Jade.”
      “Your kidding right?  I’m sorry kitty-cat, I’d love to go with…” she tried to smother the laughter. “but we all know Neferitis hates my guts.”
      “Yeah Right.  Hates yours, but wants to keep mine near her forever.”  
      “Stop sulking Ross.  It doesn’t suit you.”  Renegade pulled a face at her nephew.  
      
      Something wasn’t right.  Drew came awake instantly.  Someone was in her room.  She reached out with her mind for Khettah.  
      Someone is here.  Khettah’s thoughts touched hers.
      Who
      An angel, she not a threat, but she is waiting to talk to you.
      Drew opened her eyes, warm daylight streamed through the windows.  She scanned the room.  It didn’t take long to find the angel.  
      Renegade sat on top of the high dresser.  She had one leg pulled up, her chin resting on her knee.  
      “Good Morning.” She smiled. “Ross likes and trusts you.  That means I do too.”  
      Drew pulled herself into a sitting position.  “That’s nice to know Renegade, but why the wake up call?”
      “I need your help”
      “Okay, I’m a little confused here.”
      Renegade dropped her knee.  “Let me break it down.  I had a chat with Selph to clarify some weird vibes I was getting and I know you’re in love with Seth.”  
      “Whoa!” Drew held up a hand.  “Someone’s gotten crossed lines here.  I’m not in love with Seth.”
      “Is that a fact?”   
      “Ross does get his sarcasm from you doesn’t he?”
      Drew shook her head.  
      “Look what I feel or don’t feel for Seth has nothing to do with this.  What exactly do you need my help with.”  
      “Fair enough, you either haven’t realized it yet or you’re in denial, but it has a lot to do with what I need from you.  See, I need you to run interference and I need to know that you are a good enough actress to pull it off – especially if you are in love with Seth.”  
      “Look Renegade, just get to the point, I haven’t even had a cup of coffee yet and you are making my head ache.”  
      Renegade laughed.  “I like you. Okay, here’s the deal.  We may tease Ross about Neferitis, but she is dangerous.  She will try and keep him prisoner, if she thinks she has half a chance to.  She has to believe that he is claimed, as in, that you and Ross are a couple.”
      “Can’t you stop her from doing that.”  
      Renegade shook her head.  
      “Honestly, she’s plenty powerful, and I haven’t got the power to stop her.  Her biggest weakness is her sense of romance – if you can believe a demon has one.  She would never try and keep him if she thought he was in love with and loved by someone.”  
      The information was starting click together in Drew’s sleepy mind.
      “You want me to pretend to be in love with Ross.”
      “Oh you gotta do more than pretend.  You have to be utterly believable Drew. You have to defend him, violently if you have to.  Don’t let her touch him at all!  If she touches him she’ll thrall him, and we’ll never get him out of hell.”  
      “I have to ask.  Why make him go if she’s so dangerous?”
      Renegade sighed.  “She won’t tell us squat if he isn’t there.”  
      “Okay, so there is no way for Ross to stay behind.”  
      “Will you help me?”
      “Of course, I can’t say it doesn’t scare me and I’m praying I can pull this off. I’ve never been much of an actress. ”  
      “I know you can do it Drew.  I’ll help you as much as I can.  There is a reward for this you know.” Renegade grinned impishly.
      “I don’t expect anything in return.”
      “Oh I know you don’t.  But I’ve got to tell you, seeing you pretend to be in love with Ross, is going to bite Seth’s ass big time.”  Renegade laughed.  
      Drew snorted “Yeah riiight.  He doesn’t care one way or the other.”
      “Oh he cares.” Renegade hopped off the dresser.  “Trust me- he cares.  He already staked a claim.”  
      Drew frowned, confused.
      “When Cole took your hand last night.”  
      “The growl?”
      “Yeah, he was warning Cole off.”  The angel walked to the door.  
      “Thanks Drew.”  She walked out.  
      Wow, could that be true?  No, Renegade couldn’t be right about that.  She’d misunderstood what Seth was doing.  He’s told Drew straight out that he didn’t want her, that she’d been a mistake.
      If Drew let this run round her head any more right now she was going to go insane.  
      So she put it from her mind, got up and ready for her trip to hell.