When James parks the car I get out so quickly startling him as I take a couple of steps away trying to regain control of my erratic breathing as I stare at the car in a daze until I feel Ollie nudge my hand. I kneel and embrace him and he places his head on my shoulders as I bury my face in his fur but I hear steps approach and tense up.
"Trouble?" James asks his voice making its way through the fog in my brain but I don't answer him. It's like I've lost my voice.
"Don't James." A female voice says and I identify it as Katie along with her quick steps until I feel her beside me, placing a gentle hand on my shoulder and I suppress the urge to flinch.
"Astrid. Sweetie, it's ok." She says to me trailing her finger up and down my arm gently tapping her fingers in a pattern until I regulate my breathing then I look up at her.
"Better?" She asks and I nod my head I let Ollie go and slowly stand to see James looking at me worriedly.
"I'm fine, J-man. Just a panic attack." I say as I started at the ground while Katie takes my hand and leads me inside with Ollie and James following. When we enter our usual room everyone is there waiting for something or someone.
"Astrid!" Jemma squeals before she embraces me in a hug which I return hesitantly.
"Hey, Jem." I said patting her on the back.
"You're ok." She says squeezing me a little tighter.
"And you're no longer scared of them." I say and she pulls back blushing shaking her head no. She glances at James blush deepening and I raise my eyebrow but don't comment on it.
"Astrid." James says getting my attention as he kneels in front of me and everyone else watches in silence.
"I thank you for saving my kind." He says head bowed before he looks up at me.
"It's no problem, J-man. I'm happy to help." I say smiling uncomfortably as I understand the gravity of what he just did. Once a fae species thank you in that manner they're indebted whether you want it or not.
"Clan. Clan protects no matter how small." I say to him as I hold out my hand to him aiding him in standing. He smiles at me before he embraces me in a gentle hug.
"Is there another reason I was brought here?" I ask and they all smile at me, including Walker. The door opens and in walks an incubus holding a six-pack of chilled beer in one hand and a bottle of champagne in the other. When his eyes land on he gives me a smile that can rival Prince Charming's.
"Who's this gorgeous little thing?" He asks running his gaze all over me while I smirk at him.
"Off-limits." I say in response and he laughs at me.
"So that means you're the lady of the hour." He says placing the drinks on the table just as Alice enters carrying a tray of glasses.
"Good to see you up and running hon even though you could use a lot more color." She says looking at my outfit with a critical eye.
"I don't really do bright colors." I say to her with an innocent smile.
"We have ample time to fix that." She says as she hands me an envelope and I stare at her confused.
"From your vampire." She says referring to Victor and I roll my eyes at her.
"He's not my vampire." I say and she laughs in response as I open the envelope to reveal a card with a handwritten message in elegant writing.
I would love to take you out for dinner again on Saturday. Up for it?- The note reads making a small smile appear on my face.
"Something good?" She asks getting my attention to see she's holding out a glass for me.
"I suppose." I say accepting the glass containing champagne.
"What are we toasting to?" I ask as Ralph appears on my left sliding a hand around my waist pulling me to him and I don't resist but I do tense up. His fingers disappear under my top and he rubs soft soothing circle on my stomach that makes me gradually relax.
"A toast to the most badass person amongst us." Jones says raising his glass to me.
"I thought that was you professor." I say and everyone laughs as they chime in on the toast.
"How do you feel about parties?" Alice suddenly asks me.
"Don't like them." I say in response.
"Why?" She asks.
"Parties mean crowds. Crowds mean I have to socialize." I say.
"You're antisocial?" She asks shocked by the relavation.
"Yes." I say.
"It doesn't seem that way." She says.
"Place me in a room jam-packed with people, alcoholic drinks, and loud music and you'll see for yourself." I say to her shrugging my shoulders.
"Ok, I've had my quota for the day. I have two more weeks of my vacation to enjoy and I would like to sleep without being called randomly during the early morning and late-night hours. So see you later at work, J-man." I say placing a kiss on Ralph's cheek then on James' before I leave the room, Ollie following close behind.
"We got two weeks to ourselves, Ollie. What's first?" I ask him and looks at with an annoyed gaze as though I already know the answer.
"Alright fine. Let's go catch some more sleep." I say and begin the walk to my new home.