I sat frozen while staring at Alexis, I felt pure fear and I realized that it wasn't for me but for her. If her aunt really had the cross then I was screwed. What scared me even more was the fact that they hadn't used it yet.
"Little one, if that is true, you are in serious danger."
Alexis looked at me afraid and confused.
"Why a-am I in d-danger?"
I sighed, "Because you are becoming important to me love. I couldn't handle it if something happened to you. I care about you and I can't... I can't lose you too."
My voice was shaky, but I didn't want to seem weak in front of Alexa. The most terrifying part of this entire ordeal was that she needed to be protected from me with that cross back in the Order's hands.
"Wh-what if I....st-steal it f-from her?"
I barely heard her whisper of a question but when it registered in my head I whipped my head in her direction. My heart swelled at the thought of her putting herself in harms way for me, but i was also angry at the thought of losing someone else that means so much to me.
"Absolutely not. You will not do anything of the sort, not for me!"
Alexis flinched when I raised my voice and I was very quick to apologize and pull her close to me again.
"B-but if I st-steal it th-then we c-can destroy it.....r-right?"
I sighed, "Unfortunately little one, it's not that easy. Destroying the cross is near impossible, you would need 'Accalia'. to do it. Another issue is destroying it may kill me. That cross holds a piece of my soul, I am bound to it and in turn bound to the person that wields it. I don't know how we could ever get rid of it for good. Besides, if your aunt finds it missing you are the first person she will accuse, and we both know that will just confirm your ties to me. Don't you dare steal that cross."
She sat quietly snuggled into me and I took the time to admire her small form. She really was a tiny thing, yet somehow she fit perfectly with my large form. If I was honest, Alexis seemed to be made for me, so small soft and breakable, yet tucked into my form as if I was the only thing keeping her safe.
"G-Grimald. W-what if we m-make another o-one to l-look like h-hers? W-would that w-work?"
I sat quietly thinking about the possibility. Getting that cross away from them would give us a leg up, especially if they didn't know. My problem is I don't want Alexis involved, but this entire thing seems to revolve around her. The priest approached her, her aunt has 'Accalia' and a connection to the order, its just one thing after another.
"Go get Sybil sweetheart. Let's discuss this idea with her."
Smiling Alexis got up and turned to head inside, but I quickly grabbed and brought her back to me and pressed a kiss to her head. I wanted to give her a different kiss, but I also knew with everything going on, she probably wasn't ready for that.
I watched her disappear into the house but I didn't miss the cute blush on her cheeks. Shortly after, Sybil came out with Alexis following her.
"Alexis says you have an idea and want my opinion."
"Actually, it was Alexis brilliant idea," I said quickly pulling Alexis back into my chest enjoying having her close and the peace that came with that.
"C-can you pl-please tell her?" She whispered.
"You sure love?"
The nod of her head was enough confirmation for me.
"Alexis believes her aunt possesses the cross. Little one here wants to take it so the Order doesn't have the opportunity to use it."
"Absolutely not!" Sybil jumped in. "Her aunt will blame her the moment she notices it's missing. I would think you of all people would want Alexis as far away from this as possible."
"I wasn't finished," I stated. "I brought these points up to her and Alexis mentioned possibly making a duplicate so her aunt doesn't notice."
This quieted Sybil's protest for a moment and I could see the wheels turning in her head. Her eyebrows were scrunched up and her arms were crossed while she gave me a nod to continue.
"It wouldn't be easy. The duplicate would have to look exactly the same, but having this thing in our possession would get us ahead."
Sybil looked at me and began to speak.
"You know we can't just destroy it or anything like that Grimald. We don't know what it would do to you. Hiding it could just delay these problems, so what exactly would we do when we have it? Honestly we don't have any options."
"Yes but it would be better for us to have it than the Order Sybil. This way there is no chance of harm coming to you, Alexis or anyone else. Maybe we could even end this."
Sybil sighed and said, "Yes Grimald I agree, but we need a long term solution. If we are going to take the cross then we need to get our hands on 'Accalia' as well. Maybe we can use that get rid of it for good."
I nodded my head and looked back Alexis who had made herself comfortable on my lap again and was just quietly listening to the conversation. I could tell by looking at her that she was deep in thought.
"Whats going on in your pretty little head love?"
I must have startled her because her head snapped up and she jumped a little bit before giggling and shaking her head.
"N-nothing really. I th-think we need to j-just focus on g-getting the cross f-first. W-worry about the book l-later. I think j-just having i-it in our possession w-will help and m-maybe put your m-mind at ease G-Grimald."
I couldn't help but awe at how sweet this tiny girl was being, but I was still worried about her well being. For now though I agreed with Alexis, we needed a starting point and this seemed to be it. Looking up at Sybil I waited to see how she felt about this plan. She finally nodded despite the look of apprehension on her face.
"I think right now this plan is all we have. Let's just hope our Hail Mary works, yes?"