Love won’t fade

Her feet barely touched the floor as she danced across. Hips swaying in time to the beat, arms rising above her head. It was like she was on clouds, not a care in the world who saw her. Just pure joy. Her wings fluttered behind her, casting light across those around her. They froze watching her. whispers began to spread like wild fire. Fiery red hair flowed like water through the air. a trail of bright red light followed behind her wings as she fluttered across. His voice enchanted her, it was familiar. perhaps too familiar. but for that moment she only desired to dance, just as she did when they first met. The rasp from his throat, created from years of war-cries. the gentle tenor behind it calling her to him.

'Eyes black as night, That shined like the stars. She told me to run, For fear she'd leave scars.' this song. It was written for her. That much she knew.

 'A fae.' they said in awe.

His voice carried across the bar from stage, reaching her ears, a sense of feat hit her heart at that moment. She had gotten lost in the moment. Everyone saw her. again the voice called to her, bringing her from her day dream. 

"Adele!"

Justius? He was here? No there was no way it was him. Someone just sounded like him, right? She looked up towards the source of the familiar voice. All doubt was washed from her. It was him. Younger, stronger, alive. For a moment she had forgotten the danger she was in. His last moments flooded her mind. How weak he was, as he died in her arms. she reached to her cheek feeling tears begin to fall. She snapped out of her trance as a Jacket was swung around her shoulders hiding her wings.

"This way miss. Hurry." Justius had come to her rescue, covering her wings as he moved to guide her out of the main room to the back office. "what is wrong with you?"

Was it really him? Something felt off, unfamiliar. It wasn't really him. that wasn't possible. Justius was dead. She would have to accept that. so who was this man? why did he look like him?

"Miss!" The man sat her down on a couch in the break room his face full of concern. "What possessed you to announce to the world you were Fae?"

"I-i..." she stammered, "I heard you sing."

"sing? was that the reason? you heard me sing?"

She nodded hastily her cheeks reddening as she began to cry again. "Yes! your voice. It was so familiar. I... I couldn't help it. You sounded just like...."

a soft cloth was brought to her cheeks by his hand, His fingers calloused the same. the tremor the same. "Miss. I don't know who you are but you just put yourself in a lot of danger." he knelt to bring his face to her level. "who ever I reminded you of, I'm sure you loved them very much but I don't know you and right now you are in danger."

"I'm sorry... I couldn't control it." She looked him in the eyes. How could this not be him? His left eye was scarred and blind the same, he trembled the same. His voice and that hard gaze.

"It's alright. i'll get someone to help you. was there anyone with you? do they know what you are?"

She nodded. "Your brot- My friend. He was with me. He knows. Ro-" Before she could finish the name the door opened.

"Justin, The bar's clearing out. I called Eron, he's on his way to collect her. By the way... I've got someone you need to meet." 

'Eron? So he was alive still? or was this an entirely different man as well?' she hugged her self close, very confused and scared.

Justin glanced up to the dark elf in the door way. "Thank you Avern. Stay with the lady, I'll meet them."

"about that... she already knows him. and so do you." the elf glanced over Adele before he averted his eyes, almost in a guilty glance.

"What do you mean?" Justin stood leaving Adele quietly and stepping to the door. Avern leaning in to whisper something before Justin stepped into the hall.

She watched the exchange, a small change in demeanor coming from Justin as he left. What was going on? 

"There's no way it's you!" Rosto's voice. Thank the gods. she felt a wave of relief wash over her.

"y-you... you died. I killed you myself." Justin's voice came, trembling.

"what do you mean? I-I'm alive and well. You were the one who died. This doesn't make sense."

"Whatever is going on you need to leave. now! Don't touch me. You take that girl and leave." The trembling became worse, he was losing his composure.

She had to get to him, if he lost control that thing would come out. if this was him. He recognized Rosto. it had to be him. Or atleast an alternate him. Right?

"J-justius?" she stood in the door way next to the dark elf Avern. "It's him. what ever version of him you killed, they are not the same. Rosto wouldn't dare to hurt you."

A harsh laugh came from Justin. "I'm not Justius. I haven't been. Not for centuries. I knew there was something wrong with you." He turned to her his eyes harsh but there was an underlying sense of fear and longing.

"I didn't know you were alive... I watched you die. you were dead in my arms." She reached for him slowly.

He pulled away backing up from them. "Don't touch me! I don't like to be touched! If you know me you'd know that. Who the hell are you people? what do you want with me!?"

"Justius.... we didn't know you were alive. or here. please..." She pleaded with him, slowly moving closer. "Take my hand. I can prove who we are. but you have to trust me."

"Justius you need to trust them." Avern spoke up. "I know you think they aren't real but they are. They are your family."

"Family? I have no family. After Rosto betrayed me and i.... He..." Justin seemed to almost collapse, memories flooding back. Rosto caught him before he hit the ground. "you...." He looked to Adele, reaching for the chain around his neck pulling out a pair of rings. "these were..."

"ours yes..." she knelt infront of him placing her hand over his enclosing the rings in his hand.

his lips trembled as he choked back tears. He barely took a breath. "I knew something was missing. I could never pin down what I had lost... now it's here." he looked up the softness returned. 

She smiled covered in tears already. "Yeah I'm here now. And you're alive."

He reached to her pulling her in. "I won't let you go. ever again." he held her tighter. "Adele.... is..." his voice tensed at the fear of her answer.

"The baby. Just fine. and not here yet." her hand rested on her belly the relief bringing her warmth.

"Thank the gods... but how? how are you here. now in this time?"

"That was a long story." Rosto spoke back up before shivering. "And I can guess that means Eron's here."

"eron... That's right. All of you. Where is everyone? Edgar? Kit, Lucas? Sera, Grey?" he looked at Rosto with his last name, "Alex...?"

"Most of us are okay. we got pulled into some kind of Time jump wormhole thing. I'm not sure how it works but most of us made it."

"Most?" Avern's voice choked. "Is Arluin?"

Rosto glanced away shaking his head. "He was dead before the time jump. Gave his life to make sure Adele and Kitty made it through."

"How long has it been since you came through? did you bring him with?"

"A month almost. and.... We couldn't get him in time. I'm sorry...."

Avern cried out falling to his knees. "I had hoped... i hoped so hard he lived to die old. I should have been there. He should have made it. it should have been me... Oh my son.... I'm sorry...." He Sobbed softly.

Adele leaned against Justin. "so many of us are missing... I found you but the others...."

"We'll find them. I promise. I will use my resources to find them. we need a list. Everyone missing. Everyone dead." he clenched his fist, gritting his teeth. "go with Eron. I'll meet you at his safehouse. You cannot let anyone else know what you are. ever. If anyone asks. you belong to me."

"But I do." She glanced up to him. "Till death do us part remember?"

"No. We cannot be married here. Too many people need dirt on me. you are my property. a tool. no one will mess with you but you won't be bothered either. trust me."

"Don't be dumb." a harsh smoky voice entered the hall. "She's your wife. just get over it. She can handle herself. you know that."

"Mr. Eron!" Adele moved to run to the visitor giving him a tight hug. "I missed you. so much."

For the first time in centuries Justius saw a smile cross Eron's face. The half elf was always so stoic and plain. but Adele never failed to make him smile. Despite loving his other children Eron only ever outwardly showed emotion to Adele his adopted daughter. "Rosto. you didn't answer the question. Is Alex okay?"

Rosto swallowed trying his best to keep his composure before shaking his head. "h-he's one of the missing. I can't find him anywhere. I've tried everything."

"I'm sorry..." Justin stood pulling his brother into a tight hug. "We'll find him. I promise. I know how much you love him. We won't stop till we find them all."

"Thank you. it's Just Adele, Loghan and I right now. I'm worried for them all."

"Is Loghan okay. without the boys?" Eron glanced up concerned.

"Grim was one of the ones who died... he's let himself be consumed in searching for the rest. honestly it's probably for the best. Those kids mean the world to him. If he can't find Xavier He might lose himself."

"then we need to get a move on." Justin let Rosto go before taking a breath. "Let's meet at my place then. Eron, can you get her situated? hide the wings? Avern. I know it's hard but we need to move on we have to find the rest and make sure they are safe. Rosto. I'm going to need you to help organize a search. you're good with intelligence and organizations."

"I know." Avern finally stood, composing himself. "I'm ready."

"Then that's our plan? Let's go." Eron grinned, taking Adele's hand guiding her out.

She glanced back to Justin. "I love you..."

He watched her leave afraid to say the words not wanting it to be the last time he'd see her. "I know..."