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The few things I have are packed, yet I find myself unwilling to leave my room. Walking out of here isn’t like walking out of Umbri’s house. This is me taking a step into the world on my own. It is very reminiscent of a child leaving their parents’ house, except I am leaving my brothers, not a parent and I am hopefully going to find my parents.
A knock at my door has me turning to see Sawyr standing there.
“You ready for this?” He asks.
I shake my head, “No, I thought I was, but now that the time is here...I feel like I can’t move.”
He takes a step towards me, my head barely reaching his nose. Why did I never notice before how much taller he was than me? His arms wrap me in a hug, something he hasn’t done since a year or two after I came to Umbri’s.
“Hey, you will be fine. Imagine the surprise on your parents face when they see you! Or the joy on your sisters' faces.”
“You mean the devastation at knowing they now have a big brother to police their every move and interrogate their suitors?” Tobis teases, walking into the room. “How about one last Five guys sandwich?”
I look around him to see Jax and Fynn standing there waiting for me to respond. “Fine! One last sandwich!” The other three guys rush in, surrounding me, squishing me until I can’t breathe.
“Zoni! Zoni!” I cry finally, laughing. “Zoni’s sun, I am going to miss you.”
“You know we are just a call away, right?” Fynn asks.
I nod my head, “Yes, Akiyra said the same thing.”
Tobis steps back, “Would you like one of us to come with you? To meet your parents?”
I shake my head, though I want to say yes. “No, I can go on my own.”
“Forget that,” Jax yells. “I want to check these sisters out!”
A rush fierce protection that I had only felt before for the guys and Bronwyn fills me. “Don't even think it, Jax. I love you but you can’t have my sisters.”
He crosses his arms and pouts like a petulant child, making me laugh. “How about I make you their honorary big brother? When I can’t be there, you all can be there to protect them? Everyone should have protectors like I know you guys will be.”
Jax perks up then grins, “Well, if we are going to be their honorary big brothers, don’t you think that we should meet them?”
“Fine! You guys can come with me. But only Sawyr will come in with me to introduce myself. All four of you can be a bit overwhelming. Once they are over the shock, Sawyr can come to get you.” They nod their heads. Armed with my family, I feel ready to step out into the next stage of my life and meet my blood family.
The five of us traipse into the common area where Akiyra is reading. “You guys heading out?”
“Yes, Thank you Akiyra, for everything.”
“It was my pleasure. Remember what I said,” she cocks her eyebrow and I nod to her. “Good. I will accompany you part of the way, then head to the milkmaid's den to find the elixir of life, whatever the hell that means.”
We all laugh at her face, but we had spent quite a bit of time over lunch trying to decipher the code that Sherdra had given us.
“Any idea where you will start?” Tobis asks.
“Not a one, but I am dying to try some more of Huckleberry’s java. Since Jonah suggested him I am going to hint around and see what he has to say.”
Fynn stomped over to her, glowering down at her, “Remember, I don’t share!”
She stands on tiptoes and kisses him, “Neither do I. Now let’s go. I don’t want to be out after dark.”
I blink, imagining taking a picture of them like that to remember forever. A vibration on my wrist has me looking down and there is the picture I had imagined taking. Cool! This new communicator is linked to thought! Maybe I should actually read the manual that Tiri had given us access to.