Chapter 24

Emjay

"Everyone deserves a second chance, but that doesn't mean I have to be the one to give it to them." ~ Emjay

Jayce's approach ends the moment Damian and I shared. His phone is in his hand, and the urgency in his look is unmistakable.

His brow furrows and his lips form a thin line. "Circe is on the phone," Jayce announces. "She's with a Minotaur named Colin. He's asking to speak to Georgia."

My heart sinks at the mention of Circe. The troubles she brought upon my daughter and her mate are fresh wounds that have yet to heal inside of me. Jayce and Shay have mated and seem to have moved on. The years of hatred I've labored under make it harder for me to forgive and forget. Especially when someone tried to hurt one of my daughters. I want nothing to do with her. But I nod in silent agreement; this decision isn't mine to make. It's Georgia's.

We find Georgia sitting in the dirt. Her face lit with joy as she plays with the children and their new toys. She glances up at me and notices the look of disdain etched on my face. "Excuse me, kids," she says gently, giving them a reassuring smile before joining us off to the side.

"There's a heifer on the phone." My voice struggles to remain steady. My emotions threaten to take over. "She belonged to the Drakos herd and relentlessly pursued Jayce, despite knowing they weren't mates. It was her idea to initiate the mating ceremony. To our surprise, she left with the three not killed. She's waiting on Jayce's phone. Someone named Colin wants to speak to you. We can tell them no if you don't want to speak to him."

Georgia takes a deep breath, and her brows narrow as she processes the information. But there's also a steely resolve in Georgia's gaze, a determination to face whatever comes her way.

"Let's go to Lena's," she suggests calmly yet firmly without explanation.

We follow Georgia's hurried feet into the tent where Lena lies, fighting for her life. The air inside is thick with tension and the scent of antiseptic. Isaak and Serafim sit next to her in chairs, which someone had thoughtfully brought in today. The scene is somber.

Isaak looks up from his mate, his red-rimmed irises weary but alert. He sighs. "Is something wrong?" he asks with a tone shrouded in concern.

"Lena has two sons. Colin was the first male born here," Georgia tells him in a carefully measured tone. "He fought against the ways of the men who raised him the best he could. He ended up on the pole many times himself. He's only nineteen. My heart is happy to learn he is among the survivors."

Isaak's brows furrow. "Why are you telling me this?"

"A heifer who left Damian's herd to follow Colin is on the phone asking for me. I don't know what she wants yet, but I thought as it pertains to your mate's son, you should hear what they want."

Isaak nods. Jayce steps forward, placing his phone on speaker and unmuting it. The sound of static fills the room for a moment before Georgia speaks.

"Colin?" she says hesitantly, her voice a fragile thread of fear.

"Georgia. Are you okay?" Colin's tone is strong, yet there's a hint of desperation.

"I'm fine," she replies, her gaze flipping to Isaak.

"How's Momma? Did she cry thinking I'd died?" The vulnerability in his words tugs at my heart.

"She doesn't know," Georgia admits, her voice softening.

"What do you mean, she doesn't know?" There's a sharp edge to his words now, panic setting in.

"Several days ago, she slipped into a coma, over an infected tooth. She's getting help. The doctor here thinks she will make it."

There's a pause, and then Colin speaks, his timbre heavy with sorrow. "I can't return to her. Not in the labyrinth."

"I know," Georgia responds quietly.

"How do you know?"

"Emjay is here with her new herd."

"Oh."

"Why are you calling, Colin?" Emjay interjects, her tone direct and no-nonsense.

"Circe is my true mate. Ioannis and Ambrose stupidly believe if they keep circling the mountains that they will find you. I need a safe place for my mate. Circe believes Jayce can help us, but she knows he won't help without you backing me up."

"She can't come home," Jayce insists firmly.

"She knows that," Colin assures them, resignation clear in his words.

Isaak speaks up, his tone calm but authoritative. "Colin, my name is Isaak. I'm your momma's mate. I'm here with your brother. Say hello, Serafim."

"Hi, Colin." Serafim's little voice is a refreshing sound of innocence, a welcome difference from the tension in the room.

"Colin, if you will have me, I claim you as mine, son of my mate. When your mother wakes, we will meet you in San Diego. I have conditions. My herd will require proof that you are indeed mates after what Circe did to her people, and what you did to take part. They will want to witness Helios kiss you both, or they won't welcome either of you. And I won't be able to stop them."

"What if she doesn't wake up?" Colin's voice cracks with fear.

"In that unlikely event, Serafim and I will meet you without her. Colin, you can't petition Helios without us. The herd must bear witness."

"We understand."

After they hang up, silence hangs heavy with unspoken words and emotions.

"How do you know what Circe did to us?" Jayce challenges, his brows narrowing in suspicion.

Isaak shrugs. "I don't, but if she left your herd to follow the monsters who built this place, she can't be someone trustworthy."

A soft whisper breaks the silence. "Serafim," Lena says weakly, bringing a glimmer of hope to the tense atmosphere.

Everyone shifts their attention to Lena. Her heart lifts with the possibility of Lena's recovery. Isaak reaches for her hand, his orbs filled with tears of relief. "Lena, we're here," he whispers back, his words choked with emotion.

Serafim climbs up onto the bed, and his small hand gently touches his mother's face. "Momma, I'm here," he whispers. His innocence is a beacon of light in the darkness.

Emjay steps back, giving the family space. Her own heart aches with sorrow and wishes. She exchanges a glance with Jayce, and a silent understanding passes between them.

Georgia sits in a chair to speak with Lena. The newly wakened mother surely has questions about the ticking in her head and the man standing over her with joy on his face.