Yodah wondered how he could zoom out of the room without being conspicuous when he saw Eva slither out of Maya’s hold and walked out of the sitting room.
Fayot had been released to an anxious Lent, and Peter had announced to the pack that the former wasn’t a traitor, just a misguided fellow that had been under the control of the evil Legardo. This was to prevent a jungle justice on the young man who had been implanted in the bad graces of the pack members.
Anthony had left too to work on the alliances with the neighboring packs.
Melvina and Sheila were in the kitchen, probably reuniting and burying the hatchet.
Agrip had left to his books, and Ava had followed him to help with the research.
Yet no one took cognizance of Eva who had left still scratching his hands.
Yodah turned sharply to Freya when he perceived the claw of an intruder in his head.
Get out of my mind, Freya. I don’t want Aiden coming for my head.
He watched as Freya held back a snort. He knew by the tug at the edges of her mouth. She seemed to be in a deep discussion with Lucille, or so he had thought. Turns out she was still attuned to his movement.
I won’t. You have shown remarkable interest in the young girl. Is there anything I should know, best friend?
Yodah soughed. Whenever Freya employed the best friend tactic, he always caved in because he really couldn’t deny her anything. But not this. He needed some time to process this for himself.
So, he stood up from the chair, and began to walk toward the exit door, determined to find out why Eva had been behaving strangely since after curing Fayot. The others claim that it had been because it had been her first time utilizing magic, but Yodah doubted it for some reason he couldn’t lay hold on. But before he could get to the door, Maya stopped him.
“Hey Yodah, could you spare me a minute.”
She stood up from the sofa, and walked up to him, then walked out of the room, telling that they talk outside.
“What is the matter?” Yodah asked, cutting back the impatience that tried rearing its ugly head. He didn’t want to raise any suspicions. Maya had led him quite far from the rooms. Whatever she wanted to tell him, she didn’t want the others to know.
“I need your help to locate Leo.” Maya stated without preamble, her hands sunk into the front pocket of her baggy boy shorts.
Yodah furrowed his eyebrows, then shook his head. He couldn’t leave the pack, unguarded.
“I know that your father has asked you to stay here, but please…. I know that your kind is good with following scents. So, please help me. I am sure that Leo wouldn’t go back to Legardo, not with what he knows. He must be headed somewhere. I just want you to point me in the right direction. You don’t need to follow me. Please Yodah.”
Yodah knew he couldn’t refuse the request. He knew that he couldn’t turn his back on a mate searching for another. He sighed. He would point out the direction, and he would follow her too. No way was he leaving her scouring the forest alone. Maybe they should rope Freya into this. His friend wouldn’t have qualms.
“No. No Freya. She has a lot on her plate. I don’t want to involve her, and we don’t know when her shift pangs would begin, or how long it would take me to find Leo.”
Yodah nodded to Maya’s second request. She had made sense after all . But first he had to check on Eva.
“Okay, no problem. I will go to you. But we will have to be back by tonight.”
Maya nodded. That was fine by her.
“Just give me a minute then. I need to check on something.”
“Sure, take your time. Thanks a lot, Yodah.” Maya enthused before sauntering back to the living room.
Immediately Maya was out of his sight, Yodah hurried past the hallway, faster than the speed of light, propped by the mate bond, into the room of Eva.
She was facing the mirror when he stepped into the mildly large room. Her hands were covered with brown rashes. It stopped just by the elbow. What was that about?
“Are you okay, Eva?”
Eva turned then, with a smile on her face. “Never been better.”
She stood up on her feet, and yawned. “I’m hungry, Yodah. I will be going to the kitchen.”
Yodah cocked his head to the side, taking in her countenance. She looked fine, but her hand was another story.
Eva noticed the trail of his eyes. “Uncle Agrip was right. The magic must have reacted with body cells, seeing that I’m still a child. But I’m okay now. Don’t worry. Thanks for your concern.”
She walked past Yodah after that, without giving him a backward glance.
Yodah ruffled his hair. Eva looked fine, but why was his heart saying otherwise?
He thought of breaking through her mind, to read the thoughts there, but he was flushed away by a mighty force before he could even knock on its wall.
What the hell was that? How could she build mind walls at such a young age? Had the Luna taught her that?
He didn’t think so.
Well, he would leave the results to time.
He had to get to Maya. There was just a few hours before nightfall, before his parents were back.
***
“Finally. She got me tight in my pants for a second there.” Legardo mused, swiveling in the rotating chair. The girl had a tough spirit though. He had to admit, to have tried to fight his magic bug. Too bad that she was still a kid. Yet too good for him. She was the best spy he could ever hope for, and might be his key to winning this battle.
He would just have to keep his communication channels open always, so he wouldn’t miss any vital information or plans.
He whistled.
Perhaps it was time to dispose of Leonarya and Arnold. He didn’t think he had use for them anymore.