“I’ll come with you,” Jinx says, getting up.
“That won’t be necessary,” I say.
“In case you forgot, the buddy system thing was your idea, Rye. I’m coming with you. End of.”
“Fine,” I sigh. “Come on then. Mel, can you let the others know?”
Mel has already switched off the game and she nods and gets up.
“See you in the alley,” she says.
Jinx and I head out to the warehouse, where I grab my sword and push it down into the pouch inside of my jeans’ leg. Jinx grabs two daggers and puts them in his pockets. I open a portal to the edge of town and we walk the rest of the way.
“Don’t you think it’s a little soon to be taking Sailor on what could be a dangerous mission?” Jinx asks as we walk.
“Yes. But like Nexus pointed out, she only ended up in the hospital because someone is trying to get the second Soul Gem. Once we have it, then at least that bit of danger will hopefully be past.”
“Fair point,” Jinx says. “And anyway, it would take more than a few bad dreams to keep a girl like Sailor down for long.”
I think his words are supposed to reassure me, but they don’t. Not in the slightest. I still feel like we’re pushing Sailor too hard, too soon, but what other choice do I have? Let the Boundless have another shot at getting the Soul Gem and perhaps killing her?
I have to keep telling myself it’ll be alright, that I won’t let anything bad happen to Sailor. I will do whatever it takes to protect her.
“So what are we planning?” Jinx asks. “You distract Adam and I’ll grab Sailor out her bedroom window?”
“I was thinking more like knocking on the door and asking if she can come and spend the day at the cabin with us,” I say.
“Have it your way.” Jinx shrugs. “My way would be more fun though.”
“Nothing about any of this is fun, Jinx,” I say.
“Oh come on, you know that’s not true. Outwitting the Boundless is fun and you know it. I know you can picture their disappointment when they find a way to get closer to the gem only to find out they’re too late.”
I can’t help but smile.
“Okay, you got me. That part does sound kind of fun.” I grin.
“Told you.” Jinx grins as we reach Sailor’s door.
“Let me do the talking,” I say as I reach up and knock.
Adam answers the door before Jinx can reply. He smiles at us and invites us in. Sailor is sitting in the living room and she looks up, surprised to see Jinx and me at her house so early.
“What are you guys doing here?” She smiles.
“Nice to see you too, Sails.” Jinx winks.
She rolls her eyes.
“It’s always a pleasure, Jinx. But seriously, what’s wrong?”
“Nothing’s wrong,” I interject. “We just thought you might want to come and spend the day with us all at the cabin. Assuming your dad is okay with that of course.”
Sailor is already getting to her feet when Adam shakes his head firmly.
“Sailor, sit down, you’re not going anywhere. I’m sorry, Rye, but there’s no way she’s going out today. You guys are more than welcome to hang out here if you want to see her.”
I open my mouth to respond but Jinx beats me to it.
“See the thing is, Mr. M, the girls have a surprise planned for Sailor. And just between me and you, those girls are fierce and I don’t want to be the one to have to tell them they wasted their time,” he says.
“But you still have Ya-Ya and Zi-Zi’s numbers, right?” I ask, joining in.
“If she can’t come we will stay here with you and you can call and tell them no.” Jinx leans in close to Adam. “Better than going home and facing them, if ya know what I mean… women scorned and all.”
With a shock, I realize Adam is wavering.
“Please, Dad,” Sailor says.
“I don’t think it’s a good idea,” Adam says with less conviction than before.
“She’s fine, Adam, look at her. Let her go and spend some time with her friends,” Raven says.
I didn’t even notice her coming into the room. I can’t help but wonder if Sailor is right about her being a part of Boundless. Could it be possible that she somehow knows about the gems and what we’re planning to do today, and she’s allowing it because she has some vested interest in them?
I decide to keep the thoughts to myself for now. Sailor is already paranoid enough about her without me giving her any other reason to hate Raven.
“Okay, fine,” Adam says with a sigh.
Sailor squeals with delight and jumps up and hugs him.
“Thank you, Dad,” she says.
“And you, Raven,” she adds somewhat grudgingly.
“Just be careful, Biscuit. I don’t want you doing anything too strenuous, okay? Rye, you call me if she seems even the tiniest bit off to you. Do you understand me?”
“Completely,” I say. “Don’t worry. She’ll be fine. I won’t let anything happen to her.”
Adam nods his head.
“I know. Now go, before I change my mind.”
Sailor hugs him again and we leave with shouted promises to be careful and look after Sailor. Once we’re out of sight of the house, I round on Jinx.
“I told you to let me do the talking,” I shout.
“I know,” he replies, completely unrattled by my shouting. “But you got all tongue-tied at the first hurdle, and we’d still be standing there now if I hadn’t come up with something.”
I know he’s right; that’s why I’m angry and it’s not really fair of me to take my anger out on him.
“What’s really happening?” Sailor interrupts before I can think of anything to say.
“Nexus has made a potion that will allow us to breathe on the staircase. We’re going to get the second Soul Gem if you’re up to it,” I explain.
She smiles, a radiant smile that lights up her
