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at the moon, but I couldn t make a thing levitate or manipulate the
elements. I thought you were the freaks.
78 Gabrielle Evans
Seriously? Echo s brow wrinkled, and he slowly stepped out
from behind Hex. I guess that kind of makes sense.
Baby, Eyce smiled reassuringly and held his hand out for Echo,
how is he any different than the seven of us?
Echo moved hesitantly across the room and took Eyce s hand. He
looked thoughtful, scanning the room with his head tilted to the side.
I don t know, he said slowly. He turned to look back at Eyce and
wrinkled his nose. I m being a dumbass, huh?
Chuckling, Eyce pulled his lover closer and kissed the top of his
hand. No, you re not being a dumbass. I know it s all a lot to take in.
You re being surprisingly calm about the entire situation actually.
Echo took a deep breath and looked up at Gage. I m sorry. I ve
had my entire reality turned on its ass in the past several weeks. I
know you won t hurt me.
I understand. Believe me. Gage laughed softly. I thought Sony
and Mac were going to wet themselves when they found out what I
am.
Sony? Mac? Echo frowned.
I thought all of the residents had numbers, Eyce added in
confusion.
They do, Gage growled, then his tone softened, and he smiled
fondly. They wanted names. I told them they could pick whatever
they wanted, and that s what I d call them. Sony has a fondness for
the PlayStation, while Mac& well, I m pretty sure the guy would live
on macaroni and cheese if he could.
Ninety-two, and One-oh-two. Echo nodded eagerly and
laughed. When they wouldn t let One-oh-two have mac and cheese,
he d tell me he had the blue box blues.
I have to ask you this again. Hex cleared his throat and stopped
his pacing. Why are you telling us this? What do you want from us?
I couldn t just sit back and watch you murdered in cold blood for
trying to protect your mate. I didn t sign up for this shit. Secondly, I
need your help. I don t have the abilities you do, and I can t get back
Upon Crimson Waters 79
into the facility. I have to get to my mates before the helicopters leave
at midnight. Otherwise, I may never see them again. Gage s voice
held steel, but Eyce could see the fear in his eyes. They re going to
hurt them. I don t understand how I know this, but I just feel it. I can t
let that happen. I promised Sony and Mac that I d get them out of
there, and we could move somewhere warm.
Sorry, man, but we kind of have our own shit going on here.
Myst stood from his chair and looked down at Gage in sympathy.
We can t help you.
Myst, Echo whispered. He waited until the warrior met his eyes
then turned to look at each of his lovers in turn. Everyone, please.
They re my friends. How would you feel if someone took me, and no
one would help you?
Eyce closed his eyes, sighing in defeat. He d give Echo anything
he wanted if he took that look of sadness and disappointment off his
face. I ll go.
No, Hex said immediately. You and Echo have to figure out
what s going on with the waters. This is your fight, Eyce, your battle.
You know we have your back, but I don t think we can be a lot of
help on this one.
Unfortunately, Eyce had to agree. Yeah, I got it.
Vapre and Syx can stay here and help you protect Echo. They re
the best choices for digging through information anyway. Hex
pushed his hand through his hair and shook his head as though he
couldn t believe what he was about to say. The rest of us will go.
Thank you, Gage mumbled. Once my mates are safe, I will
happily help you in any way I can. I don t know what s going on, or
what war you re talking about, but I want to help.
Myst snorted and clapped his hand on the guard s shoulder.
Yeah, you might want to hold on to that thought, brother.
80 Gabrielle Evans
Chapter Eight
Echo stood on the front porch, one hand clasped in Eyce s the
other in Syx s. Syx and Vapre had arrived just in time to give a rather
hostile welcome to Gage and receive a briefing on the situation from
Hex. There d been a bit of an argument about who should stay and
who should go, but in the end, Hex won.
A lump formed in his throat as he watched the dark SUV carrying
his men turn around in front on the house and travel down the long
dirt drive that would lead them out to the main road. A part of him
wished he was going with them. He didn t know how much help he
would be, but at least he would know what was going on. The thought
of something happening to any of them made his chest tighten and his
heart beat rapidly inside his chest.
Tell me they re going to be okay, he whispered.
They ll be fine, Syx assured him as he squeezed his hand.
Everyone will be back before you know it.
Where were you? Echo looked up at Syx then over his shoulder
to include Vapre. Why do you keep disappearing without telling
anyone?
I ll tell you when the time is right, Syx said mysteriously and
winked. It s nothing bad, I promise. Just trust me, okay?
A little faith, yeah? Vapre added as he moved around to stand in
front of Echo, bending to kiss his lips. We would never hurt any of
you.
I know. Echo sighed. I just don t like secrets.
You ll like this one. Then Vapre turned and looked out beyond
the front yard to the tree line. Should we go check the creek?
Upon Crimson Waters 81
Eyce groaned and nodded reluctantly. I guess we should.
I m coming, too, Echo said firmly. If I m going to help, I need
to see for myself.
Surprisingly, Eyce agreed. Yeah, I think you need to come with
us. I don t want you here alone, and I need Vapre and Syx down by
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