41 Hayeta

It only took a few days to reach the mountain community where Lokni was last reported from. Aspenwood was the home and estate of the Luminary of the region.

It was a large, mountain ski resort, pleasantly quiet and empty during the summer season, renting out cabins to hikers and the like. Though Mingan didn't often visit this particular Tutelar base, it was one of his favorites. He was well adapted to the Rockies, the wilderness always amongst his favorite hunting grounds.

As he came in, he caught sight of a flash of a red bodied creature with a white tipped tail. A fox, and considering this was where Lokni was supposed to be, he was sure the fox in question was one he was quite familiar with.

The lithe creature skirted him with a bravery not natural to its species in the presence of a large predator. As she nipped at his heels, he turned to nip at her in return. He caught a mouth full of furred tail and little else as she spun and galloped in the direction of one of the cabins. He made chase, nearly over taking her before she shifted and turned into a petite, yet muscular young woman. She spun away from him, laughing.

He turned and leapt onto her, still in wolf form, knocking her down and licking her face. She laughed, rubbing behind his ears and shoving him roughly off her.

Mingan gave her one more lick on the cheek before shifting into his human form, sitting cross-legged beside her and grinning. Hayeta rubbed at her cheek, attempting to get the rest of the saliva off.

"Ewww, Mingan, was that really necessary?"

He gave her a half shrug. "I have to admit, it's a lot more fun than in human form."

She raised a brow. "Oh, is it? You can lick me in human form anytime."

He chuckled and got to his feet. "Is that an invitation?" he asked, putting out a hand to help her up.

"What do you think?" was her sly answer as she took his hand and let him pull her roughly up.

"Let's just leave it at that. I've business to attend to."

Hayeta snorted. "What business would that be?" she asked, running her fingers through her hair and working loose a twig before smoothing it with her hands.

"I've come to find your brother. Alistair has requested his presence."

Hayeta nodded, considering before speaking. "I assume this has something to do with that Ethereal girl we rescued a while back. What's she like?"

Mingan grumbled, fishing around in his pockets for his lighter and crumpled pack of cigarettes. "Naïve, surprisingly good natured. Not at all as I imagined one of the Ethereal to be."

"So I take it she's not much of a threat."

"She came through as a result of an accident, against her will."

"An exile! But..." She snatched the cigarette from his lips and put it to hers, inhaling once before continuing her chatter.

He shook his head. "Not exactly," he said with a huff, retrieving another cigarette for himself. He paused, studying Hayeta. "You know about the exiles?"

Hayeta shrugged. "You think I spend all this time with Lokni in musty old libraries without picking up a thing or two?"

Mingan chuckled. "Glad to hear it." He lit his cigarette. "Anyway, this girl, she came through on a spell gone wrong, or so she thinks. That's why we need Lokni, to get to the root of it."

They found Lokni at the lodge, lounging in a large, plush chair, asleep, an open book resting on his lap. Hayeta put her finger to her lips, stilling Mingan in his singular purpose of speaking to the dark haired young man.

"He's been working hard, Mingan," she whispered. "Let him be. I was out running off some nervous energy to let him get some rest. This old lodge has a vast library, and between the duties that old man Orrick has put on him, he's been researching. He's hardly slept at all."

Mingan looked him over, noting that Lokni appeared thinner than usual, his skin sallow. Lokni's hair hung loose and unkempt. Usually the boy had his hair cut, always current in the latest style, dressed in the finest clothes he could afford. This disheveled Lokni took him somewhat by surprise.

Not only that, but the young man had a network of new runes and marks that were visible on both his arms. Most Mythics kept their marks hidden, to see him covering so much of his skin with them was a new development as well.

Mingan settled down by one of the windows after scanning the shelves and picking out a book to flip through while he waited. Hayeta brought him a glass of water and sat down beside him. He gestured to Lokni questioningly.

"How long has he been doing that?"

Hayeta glanced over at her brother. "Doing what? Sleeping? Pretty much all his life."

Mingan shook his head and smiled despite himself. "The marks. I don't remember so many runes on him the last time…" Though the last time they'd met, it had only been briefly and Mingan had not given the pair of them more than a cursory glance over.

"Ah, that," she tapped her chin in thought. "Hmmmm... I think it's just been a bit of a progression. He's got a lot of spells he's rather fond of and has been collecting them more and more of late."

"He looks like he's lost weight. I know I wouldn't trust him in a battle looking like that," Mingan added.

Hayeta glanced back over at Lokni, her eyes narrowed a little in thought. "He's been a little too consumed with work," she agreed. "Sleeping and eating have not been a priority."

Mingan nodded. "I'll talk to Orrick as soon as he returns. You did mention he'd be returning tomorrow?"

"Yes, he's off on business, but should be back some time tomorrow." She ran her hand through her hair, watching her brother sleep for a long moment before turning back to Mingan. "Well," Hayeta said brightly. "It'll be great fun to travel back to that scorching hot ranch. I suppose I'll be spending the last of the summer poolside."

Mingan chuckled. "I suppose you will."

"I'd rather be in the city, though the pool does sound rather nice after the last few weeks up here." She stood. "Let's just find you a room." She glanced over at Lokni. "Sleeping beauty doesn't appear to be waking any time soon."

He stood without protest and followed her down the hall.