Page 42 of Deadmen's Queen
“Well, I guess this is goodbye till then,” I said, stepping backwards as Bast bent down to pick up my suitcase.
Nate nodded, then a strange look flashed across his face and he took two strides forward and pulled me into his arms, kissing me until I was breathless.
“Stay safe,” he murmured, before letting me go again.
“You too,” I said, my heart still racing from his kiss.
I gave him one last smile, then turned and followed Bast onto the train. He stowed my suitcase for me, then stepped back down onto the platform. I leaned down to kiss him goodbye.
“Text me every morning and night to let me know you’re ok,” he said. “And let me know immediately if you hear from that creep.”
I nodded. “I will. I’ll be fine.”
Bast pressed his lips together. “I wish you could have come back with me. I hate the idea of you going back there. My father has me completely booked up.”
“I know,” I said. “Bast, it’s fine. She’ll be fine. I’m doing exactly what she wants. Don’t worry about me.”
He didn’t look convinced, but he nodded. The train's whistle signalled we were moments away from departure and I gave Bast one more smile as the door slid closed. His hand lingered at the edge of the closing doors, his fingers brushing mine until the very last second.
I found a seat by the window and watched as the men standing on the platform station dwindled away into the distance. Thoughts of seeing Bast and Nate again in a week kept me distracted as the train rocked its way towards home, the dark scenery passing in a blur. The journey was uneventful, just a few hours of staring at the pretty countryside covered in frost. My phone buzzed with messages from Tristan and Kate wishing me a good holiday. Another from David, wishing me a pleasant holiday season. More messages from Amy and Vanessa. Vanessa was flying home to Paris for the holidays, but Amy wasn’t leaving until the following day, and the dorms were dark and creepy without anyone else around. Then another one from Bast.
Bast - Stay safe.
I sighed, leaning back into my seat with a light smile tugging at my lips. For all his hard façade, Bast did seem to care about me, beyond even his duties as Hades. Whether at university or now when I was away, he was always looking out for me. That felt...good.
The taxi ride to my parents' house was short but tense, and I felt my chest tightening the closer we got to it. No matter what I’d told Bast, the truth was, I was terrified of coming home again.
Steeling myself, I stepped out of the taxi, picking up the suitcase Bast had helped pack and paid the driver. I walked up the path to my house and stood outside the door, wondering if I should knock. Turns out, I needn’t have worried. The door swung open and my father staggered out onto the top step. He looked down at me in surprise.
“Oh. You’re back.”
“Yes. It’s the Christmas holidays,” I said.
He nodded. “I’m off down the Stag.” He leaned back into the door. “Pauline! Paige is back.” He weaved down the steps, narrowly missing me, and walked off down the street.
I sighed and walked up the steps and through the door. My mother was coming out of the kitchen. She looked me up and down, taking in my appearance. I’d brushed my hair and reapplied my makeup in the taxi, but I still felt the familiar nervousness come over me as she studied me. Finally she nodded, and I let out a silent sigh of relief. A nod like that was pretty much a compliment from her.
“We’ve eaten, but I bought some of your meals in, so you can make it yourself.”
“Thank you, Mum.”
“Don’t leave the kitchen a mess,” she said, before disappearing into the sitting room and closing the door.
I sighed and headed upstairs to my room. I set the suitcase on my bed and looked around. It felt even smaller in here than it had before I left, but it was exactly as I’d left it. The single bed, with the thin summer duvet and the worn sheets, hospital corners and edges tucked perfectly in. The wardrobe in the corner would be empty, as would be the dresser, until I unpacked.
There wasn’t much else in the room, I’d taken the few books and other things I’d owned to the university, and they’d been destroyed by the creep following me. Tristan had managed to save a few things, including the small collection of paints I’d been building up, but I'd left them behind at their house. I didn’t want to risk bringing them home, in case they were taken away from me.
I took out my phone, and typed out a quick text to Bast.
Me - Just arrived home. All good here. Enjoy your time with your dad.
Bast - Let me know if anything happens. Fuck the business meetings. I will come and get you.
I took a deep breath, smiling at his words, then replied.
Me - I’m fine. Don’t worry. x
I set my phone down, and quickly unpacked, putting my clothes and toiletries away and sliding the suitcase under the bed, before heading downstairs to make my dinner.