Mathieu (White Flame Trilogy) - By Paula Flumerfelt Page 0,146

than you. Have you slept at all, lately?"

"Between getting your son to open up, my father, and my relationship with Solomon, on top of the invasion, I haven't really had time." He smiled. “Lione is a good kid, you know.”

Nathan laughed heartily, patting his shoulder. "You're doing fine, kid. And yeah, I know. He is my son, after all."

Avian plowed passed the others and nearly tackled him to the floor, "Don't take so long to come see me, jeez. I missed you. And I saw that grandmother of yours. She was a real bitch."

"Agreed, but she's going to help ensure our victory." He hugged her fiercely, "Narrie says hello, just so you know. As does Grandpa."

"I miss them. But that's not what's important. Why are you here?"

"I just wanted to see my family before..."

"Before the fighting." Anita said in an understanding way. He found it hard to be mad she abandoned him since she was dead.

Mathieu nodded slowly, "I don't know when I'll have the time to see you until after the invasion. And I didn't want you guys to feel like I'd forgotten you."

"You better not forget me!" Avian said, putting him into a headlock.

"How could I ever do that?" He relaxed into her hold.

Anita rolled her eyes, "Break it up, you two. I want to see my son while he's here."

"Thanks, Ma. Listen, I can't stay much longer because they'll be expecting me for dinner, but I love you. Erik and I really miss you, so much."

She hugged him again, "I miss you, too. I wish we could have known each other. You better be careful, okay? Don't get hurt while you're fighting. Watch your father's back."

"Yeah, yeah." They both smiled, their faces mirrors of each other. "I should get going soon." Even these short moments with the ones he had lost were worth it.

"Could I have a minute before you go?" Avian said, seemingly shy.

He nodded and kissed his mother's cheek before following his best friend a few feet away. Once out of earshot, she turned to him.

"So, I have a favor to ask. You can say no, but I at least need to see..." She looked at the ground, tapping her foot on the ground in a nervous way. "With this invasion, I know you're one of the ones who will take the castle. I also know that you won't spare my father, and he doesn't deserve it, but...if you have it in you...could you maybe spare my mother? I mean if you can't, I'll understand, but if you can...I mean..."

He punched her shoulder lightly, "For you Avian...anything. I wouldn't dream of hurting your mom. She was always good to me when I was there, and it meant everything to me. I love you, Sis. But I got to go. I'll be seeing you, alright?"

She slammed into him with a hug before pulling away and pushing his arm hard. "See ya." Then she tripped him backwards, sending him falling back into the darkness and into his body.

Mathieu sighed and opened his eyes. The whole exchange had probably taken less than five minutes, but he felt calmer now. It took him a moment before realizing someone was just behind him.

Lione'a voice floated over his shoulder, "Are you back? I'm sorry if I disturbed you, but Enak wanted me to get you, and some scraggily kid is out front, claiming that he's here in response to the word you sent. I'm sorry if I bothered you...."

"It's no issue. What's the kid's name?" He said as he got out of his seat.

The raven thought for a moment, then said, "Vincent, I think."

"Ah. I'm going to go see Enak, would you let Vincent in and get him something to eat if he's hungry?"

"Oh, okay. Enak is upstairs." Lione stood there awkwardly for a moment before heading back for the headquarters.

Mathieu followed and they parted way at the stairs; he went upstairs to find the god child. "Enak, you up here?"

"Ow, yes." There was a thud, then Enak crawled out from under the desk, grinning. "I see Lione found you. Did you know Jo is mad at you? Well anyway, I want you to try summoning my power again."

He rolled his eyes. "You've had me do it every day since I got back. I think I can do it just fine."

"Humor me." The boy said.

Sighing, Mathieu looked at the phoenix on his wrist, staring at it until the metal was a fiery gold, the warmth inside him building easily until it