Chapter Twenty-Two: Danger Rising

Holly woke up to find Ruby and Quix both in the same room in wooden chairs on either side of her.

Quix smiled as soon as she made eye-contact with him and Holly looked away as her chest tightened.

She wanted to wallow in this warmth, but how could she? It wasn't real.

"Your slumber looked unpleasant. Was Death troubling you?" Ruby demanded.

Holly smiled at the other woman but shook her head. "No, it had nothing to do with him. At least not this time. Where is everyone else? I'm surprised I've been left alone with the big bad reapers."

Quix chuckled. "Eros is guarding just outside the door and that Dagon guy put some barriers around. No one can teleport in or out. He's still pretty upset over the whole attack earlier. He'll cool off eventually I guess."

"And Lachesis?" Holly demanded as she looked around. She had barely spent time with the Fate but now she had the same question for her, plus an additional one.

Quix shook his head. "She's talking with Dagon about the situation. It's just the three of us for now. Don't worry, your friends have more than threatened us and detailed what will happen to us if any harm comes to you."

He leaned closer to her. "Though I know you don't have anything to worry about from me. Besides giving me that date anyway."

Holly rolled her eyes. "How could I even go on a date with you anyway? We're locked in here, right?"

Quix grinned his eyes sparkling again. "Well, I'll just kick Ruby out of here and we can have a date right here. I'll scour this place for food and everything."

"Just Ruby?" Ruby turned her head to study Quix. "Interesting."

He grinned at her. "Jealous?" he challenged with a raised brow.

"No," she replied as she turned back to Holly and gave her hand a gentle squeeze.

"Are you sure you don't want to rest more? I assure you that no one else is going to disturb your slumber." she glanced over at Quix.

"Almost no one. And if you want this one to leave you alone, I can arrange that."

"Come on, Rubes, don't stand in the way of true love," Quix whined.

Ruby lifted a slim brow. "I swear to you, Quix. If you are being your usual self with her, I will have to enact the fiercest punishments for you. I tire of you playing around and wasting people's time. I am not good at friendship, but considering I want to be friends with her, I will not allow you to harm her."

Holly smiled at her. "Thank you, Ruby."

Ruby frowned. "Why are you thanking me? This is not something I deserve appreciation for. Is this not what friends do for each other?"

She frowned more. "I was so certain that this was the correct action." She sighed. "I apologize, I will work harder at becoming a friend for you, Holly."

Holly shook her head even as she started to giggle. "No, Ruby, you're right. I just was surprised. We've just decided to be friends and you're already supporting me. It just surprised me."

She glanced over at Quix and worried her bottom lip between her teeth. "I believe Quix is serious."

He had to be didn't he? That stupid curse would make him. Her shoulders slumped and she sighed. She hated that part. Did these feelings that welled inside belong to her? Was anything she felt real?

"Holly?" Ruby was leaning forward again. "Are you still tired?"

"No, I take it since my power is dangerous, it's even more important for me to stay away from Death, right?" she asked as she rubbed her hands over her arms.

"That is a given," Ruby nodded. "However, we know our old Master the best. We will keep you safe from any advances he attempts. With the help of the other Prince, you will be safe."

Quix left the door frame and crouched next to Holly taking her hands in his though Ruby glared at him. "We're going to keep you safe, I promise."

"I don't want you getting hurt again for my sake," Holly sighed. "Dagon and Eros, they both got hurt."

"Both of them were more than willing to put their bodies on the line in order to protect you," Ruby pointed out. "And neither died or had any lasting injuries."

Quix frowned as he looked around. "Ruby, do you feel that?" he whispered his voice turning into a growl as his eyes narrowed.

Ruby looked away from Holly and out the window into the distance. "I do."

Quix brought Holly's hands to his lips and brushed a kiss across her knuckles. "I got this."

"What?" Holly demanded.

Quix smiled at her. "I've got a traitor to go handle. You stay safe with Ruby, okay? I'll grab one of the others, don't worry."

Ruby shook her head. "Are you certain about this? You do recall the power that he specializes in, do you not?"

Quix nodded. "It doesn't matter. I have to pay him back." He looked over his shoulder as Holly stared at him. "Wait for me, okay? No other dates until we go on one."

"You can't go," Holly objected as she slung her feet off the side of the bed. "It's too dangerous or it could be a trap. Stay here."

Quix shook his head and his braid swayed with the motion. It had gotten mussy over the last two days but it still shone to Holly like priceless silver.

She didn't want to lose him.

"I can't. Krim won't stop unless he makes it to you. I can keep him away from you the easiest. I'll just pop out there and teleport him far away from you, you won't have to worry about a thing. I'll be back before you know it. Don't worry so much." Quix was smiling at her again his eyes twinkling.

How could he make it sound so safe? So easy?

Ruby wasn't smiling. Instead, she looked over at the other reaper. "Lying to her isn't going to make the situation any more favorable."

She turned to Holly who was still staring at Quix.

"This battle is far more dangerous than he is letting you be aware of. If you wish it I will go with him as backup and leave you in the care of the others. Krim is our problem, and the one that we reapers shall have to resolve on our own end."

No. How could she let them both leave? Holly reached out to them but Ruby shook her head and Holly's hand returned to her side. "Please, don't go."

"Sorry," Quix replied his smile almost sad at this point. "I have to."

Ruby nodded. "Between the two of us, our chances of success increase ten-fold. I will return Quix to you, Holly. You can be assured of it."

Holly wanted to tell them no again but there was no changing their mind. They were determined. Ruby smiled at her. "I will go retrieve Lust and the Prince to take care of your protection while we are absent."

Ruby left and then it was just Holly and Quix.

Her heart sped up as he approached her once more and she cursed the traitorous organ. How could she let herself feel this way?

It was all fake, all forced. She couldn't be falling in love with him, not for real.

But every smile he gave her made her heart ache in such a delicious way.

"You'll be okay," it was a statement.

He knelt until his face was level with hers. "And I'll be okay. We'll get this Krim situation taken care of faster than you'd believe and then I'll be back. Remember, no dating others, okay?"

Holly sighed at his crooked smile. For the moment she wouldn't care if these emotions were manufactured. She threw her arms around him and hugged him close, burying her nose in the middle of his chest.

"Come back safe, and please be really careful. I'll go on all the dates you want, just come back."

She watched as the red crept across his face now and he tried to laugh it off.

"You should watch what you agree to. I'll end up getting dates from you every day for the rest of your life," he kissed her nose and smirked as she blushed.

"If you come back safe and sound, that's fine," Holly whispered. Her hand was curled into the sleeve of his robe.

Dread sat on her shoulders like a heavy robe and try as she might she couldn't shake it off. "Promise?" she whispered.

Quix chuckled and pulled her close for a hug as he brushed his lips over her cheek. "I'm not sure what's gotten into you, but I promise, Holly. We'll go on that date as soon as Krim is handled. I want to explore this feeling you've been stirring up inside me, this feeling that exploded when I touch you like this."

He pressed his forehead against hers as he looked into her eyes. "Wait for me, Holly."

Holly swallowed the lump in her throat and nodded as she resisted the urge to cry.

She had no choice but to trust that he'd keep his word.