4. Chapter Four

Chapter Four

Lexia

"And you're sure this is necessary?" Vesperon asks as he takes a seat on the couch.

"Absolutely," Lumen says, clicking the button on the remote to turn the volume up on the TV.

"Seems odd," Ves comments.

"It's new," Slate adds, winking at Lumen when he looks at him.

I stare down at them all from the top landing. When I woke, I was alone. Not surprising since it's late afternoon. After waking up to eat breakfast this morning, I went right back to bed. I really needed to sleep. None of them enjoy sleeping as much as I do, nor do they need it.

When I first saw the three of them together, I thought I was dreaming. But it didn't take long to realize Lumen and Slate were up to something. They were together most of the morning. After making breakfast, they went into town together. They're getting along. That's good. Or maybe it isn't, since they seem to be picking on Vesperon, which isn't something I'll stand for. Slate is already tough on him for not understanding human culture, but how can he blame him? He's never been around this stuff before. Lumen and Slate are lucky they've been able to experience this world and enjoy everything we have to offer. How would they feel if they were in Vesperon's position and knew nothing?

I move my gaze to the TV and roll my lips between my teeth to stop from laughing when I see a cooking show begin. I can't be sure if they went out this morning to get the streaming service device, or if they came across it while out, but either way, I'm grateful for new things to watch. Unless of course they only plan on letting Ves watch cooking shows, which I can assume has something to do with the popcorn fiasco last night, or the fact Ves took a bite of bacon and then spit it all over the table because he said it tasted "zappy."

Whatever that means.

Both Lumen and Slate looked personally offended by Vesperon's displeasure over bacon, whereas I just figured it was more for me, and took the other two pieces off of Ves's plate to put on my own. Lumen had made a comment about him getting two strikes because not liking pizza and bacon isn't right. Of course Vesperon didn't know what these strikes were about, and I finally had to tell him they were just making things up.

When they leave Ves alone and head toward the stairs, I stay where I am until they are at the top. I step in front of them, blocking their path.

"What are you up to?" I ask, putting my hands on my hips.

"We're going to look over the journal," Lumen answers seriously.

"That isn't what I mean." I flick my gaze toward Vesperon for a quick second before bringing it back to them. "You better not be being mean to him—or making fun of him."

"We're just trying to help him," Lumen says, but there's no fooling me. I hear the forced innocence of his tone.

"By doing what?"

"Helping him learn human culture," Slate adds.

"Is that so?"

"He's going to kill someone if he tries feeding us again," Lumen says.

I roll my eyes. "You are dramatic. Vegetables in popcorn may not taste good, but it won't kill you."

"He doesn't even like bacon," Slate says in a hushed voice, stepping closer.

"Why does that matter to you? Vesperon is sweet, and he's new to this realm. Stop picking on him."

"We aren't," Lumen argues.

"You are. You're being mean, and he's too na?ve to realize it."

"Now who's being mean?" Slate says with a smirk.

I glare at him, and he holds his hands up apologetically.

"Keep this up, and I'll make you both regret it," I say, pointing my finger between the two of them. They give me innocent smiles, but I know it's all crap.

When I get downstairs, I sit beside Ves, who smiles at me.

"Good morning, my love."

"Morning. What are you watching?"

"A food show," he answers. "Lumen said when he went to town, the woman at the store told him it was a new requirement of the state. That we all have to watch it and learn how to make certain foods." He runs a hand down his face. "It is a lot of information."

I bite the inside of my cheek to hide my annoyance with Lumen and Slate. I knew they were being jerks about this.

"I'm sure it won't be a big deal if you don't do it, Ves. We won't be here for long." I put my hand on his leg, but he keeps his eyes on the TV.

"Do you enjoy this meal?" he asks, pointing to the screen. I glance at it, unsure of what they're even making.

"I've never had it," I say.

"Then I will make it for you one day. When I learn."

I settle closer to him. "That would be great."

I close the front door behind me and shield my eyes against the sun. Though it's cold, the sun is still bright. There isn't much room for me to explore outside without falling off a cliff, but I was going stir crazy being inside the house. Once Ves finished watching the cooking show, he left me to go help Lumen and Slate look over the journal. Last I checked, they weren't any closer to cracking the code. The room is hardly recognizable because of the colorful post-its all over the walls with different writing on them. Codes they're trying to use but don't seem to work.

Though we weren't given a time frame on when this needs to be done, I can sense the urgency from all around me. Or maybe that's just my nerves making me crazy.

Wouldn't be the first time.

"Are you okay?"

Slate steps beside me. I hadn't heard him come outside.

"Just need some air. Are you okay?"

"Came down to get a drink and saw you out here."

We stay quiet for a bit, just looking out at the mountains. It's peaceful, calm. It feels good to enjoy the outdoors. Would be nicer if there were more places to walk. I'm hardly ten feet from the house.

"Can I ask you something?" I ask.

"Of course."

"When we first met, you said greys don't have mates. That you were the only one. Yet, my father and my mother…"

"Your father is another exception, I suppose. I had not known before going to him about this. The only people who know of his mate are him, her, and us. It's a secret he must keep in order for this prophecy to stay the same."

"The universe is so weird," I say with a shake of my head. None of this makes sense to me, but I have no choice but to accept it. This is going to happen whether or not I want to believe it. Though my brain can hardly keep up, I have to force myself to handle it. This will continue on with or without me, and without me will be devastation. Better to hop on and go with the flow. There will be a light at the end of the tunnel eventually.

"It certainly is a strange place," he says.

"Should I ask you if you're okay?"

"I'm fine," he says, but his tone tells me he isn't. It also tells me he doesn't want to talk about it and I'm not in the mood to push him. Honestly, I'm not sure I'm in the mood to listen to what his problem is at all. Maybe that's mean and selfish, but I'm just not mentally there today.

"I have so many questions for my father," I say, more to myself than anything.

"I can see if he will come here."

"Here?" I say, shocked by that.

"Yes, why not?"

"I don't know. He made us go to Seattle last time."

"I'm sure he had his reasons. Besides, I didn't say I would get him here; I only said I would ask. Would you like me to?"

I hold his gaze for a moment before nodding. He seems different. More calm. Comfortable, maybe. But also more distant. Like he suddenly has walls up. Like he's allowing himself to be a part of this, but with limits. Maybe he's worried about being hurt. Getting along with Lumen may be helping him settle in, but I'm not sure that will fully happen for some time.

"I should get back inside to help them," Slate says.

"I'll be in soon."

He leaves me alone, and I keep myself busy outside. Walking back and forth from cliff's edge to cliff's edge. Lying on the ground, under the sun. Sitting down. Just enjoying the fresh air. I only go back inside when I'm called for dinner by Lumen. I didn't realize how much time had passed. We all missed lunch, too caught up in what we were doing.

Once inside, I realize the table has been set for only three.

"Who isn't eating?" I ask.

"Me," Slate says, coming up behind me. "I am traveling back to speak with your father. I'll return soon."

He gives me a smile, then he's out the front door.

"Should we be worried about him?" I say.

Lumen looks at me over his shoulder, closing the oven with his hip while putting a roasting pan on top of the stove.

"In what sense?" he asks.

"Any." I sit at the table and spot Ves walking down the stairs.

"I think he's trustworthy," Lumen says. "Definitely not used to being around people, but I don't think we have to worry about him otherwise."

"He is rude," Vesperon says as he takes the seat beside me. He picks up my hand and kisses it, which makes me smile.

"Many people in this realm are rude, Vesperon," Lumen says.

"It's true," I say with a sigh.

"So I should ignore it?"

"Yes," Lumen says, the same time I say "No."

"Which is it?" Vesperon says, looking from me to Lumen.

"No," I reiterate. "You shouldn't accept it just because it's normal. If you don't like it, you don't have to like it. But maybe you should tell him why you don't like it, instead of just telling him he's being rude. Maybe if he understands, he'll stop."

"I will try, for you, my love. All of your mates should get along and be kind to one another."

I hold Lumen's gaze, raising a challenging eyebrow. "I agree."

He rolls his eyes and puts a plate of food in front of me, then another in front of Vesperon. His only has potatoes on it, which is one of the only things we've found that he enjoys. Mine is full of potatoes, carrots, and roast.

"This is good food," Vesperon says, pointing to the potatoes. "We should eat more of this."

Lumen scoffs. "Of all the delicious food there is, this guy loves bland potatoes."

I glance at Vesperon, who is very happily eating his potatoes. I can't help but laugh.