Phelan stared at Leinth.\u00a0 What the hell is she laughing at, anyway?<\/i><\/p>\n
\u201cDare I ask what\u2019s so damned funny?\u201d he asked, not trying to hide the weariness in his voice.\u00a0 He was tired.\u00a0 He was tired of running, tired of fighting, tired of putting all the people he loved in danger simply by continuing to breathe.\u00a0 \u201cThis isn\u2019t something to be laughing about.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou try so hard to run from the people who love you, Wanderer,\u201d Leinth said, shaking her head, her eyes tearing.\u00a0 \u201cYou try so hard to escape safety and they\u2019re all so damned loyal to you that they\u2019ll throw themselves onto bloody pikes and worse to save your skin.\u00a0 You don\u2019t realize how lucky you are, do you?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m lucky to be alive,\u201d he muttered.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m lucky I haven\u2019t gotten more of them killed. Damnation.\u201d\u00a0 He glared at \u00c9riu.\u00a0 \u201cYou shouldn\u2019t have let them\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou shouldn\u2019t have left,\u201d<\/i> the ghost said firmly.\u00a0 \u201cAnd please explain to me how I was supposed to stop any of them from doing anything.\u201d<\/i><\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou shouldn\u2019t argue with me right now.\u00a0 I came here to warn you and I\u2019ve done as I\u2019ve been asked.\u00a0 If harm comes to those children while I\u2019m away from them, the cost we will all pay will be <\/i>dear, assuming all of you live through the next few hours.\u201d\u00a0 <\/i>She crossed her arms and glared at him.\u00a0 \u201cDo you want me to stay and watch whatever\u2019s about to come next, or should I go and see to the safety of the next generation of heroes?\u201d<\/i><\/p>\n
Feeling drained, Phelan shook his head slightly.\u00a0 \u201cGo, \u00c9riu.\u00a0 Go and keep them safe and tell J.T. that I\u2019m going to tear him a freaking new one when I see him again.\u201d<\/p>\n
The ghost smiled faintly.\u00a0 \u201cHe\u2019ll be happy to hear it.\u201d<\/i><\/p>\n
Phelan swore as she faded from sight.\u00a0 \u201cOf course he will be.\u201d<\/p>\n
Leinth had calmed and watched him impassively.\u00a0 \u201cNow you just have to keep that promise, Wanderer.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah,\u201d Phelan said grimly.\u00a0 \u201cI sure as hell do.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Phelan stared at Leinth.\u00a0 What the hell is she laughing at, anyway? \u201cDare I ask what\u2019s so damned funny?\u201d he asked, not trying to hide the weariness in his voice.\u00a0 He was tired.\u00a0 He was tired of running, tired of … Continue reading