"I must apologize for my furry friend. He's not used to not being acknowledged. May I ask who you are?"
"I'm Jake Green, are you Minx Botan?"
Her heart started racing even more, "I am."
In this moment she was glad Shalt was no longer a vampire because her heart rate would have been alarming for him.
Unable to help herself, she blurted out, "please, could you tell me if Sil Blade is still alive?"
Jake, unable to contain himself said, "Uncle Sil?"
Minx's face lit up. That meant this boy was definitely not Sil's child. There was hope he held out for her as well if he's still alive. With the number of abilities out there, there was a better chance than for any other.
Since he let those words out, he just had to ask, "how do you know Uncle Sil?"
"I'm his wife."
Jake's shocked look was frozen for so long Minx started chuckling nervously. "Did he remarry?"
She watched as Jake forced himself to recompose himself. His father was going to kill him for revealing even what he did. His instructions were to get them, show them around the city then bring them to his tower. "I apologize, Aunt Minx? But I was instructed to show you around the city then take you to my father. He will answer all your questions."
Minx nodded and grabbed Caser's tentacle. She needed reassurance right now. The twins were also holding hands. They were not yet adults when they all left, Olivia and Owen being the eldest children. The idea of the potential to see their father again also made them nervous. What if he had a new family?
"Follow me, please," Jake said and headed to another ship. "I apologize, may I ask the names of the rest of you?"
Minx led the introductions. "The twins here are our first children, Owen and Olivia Botan. Their furry friends are Adam and AMinx. During the time they were born there was extreme danger. Your uncle wanted me to raise them as Botans for their own protection. The gentleman behind me is named Shalt Eno. My furry companion is named Caser."
Jake nodded to each in turn then continued on. They got to the other ship pretty quickly and he opened it, ushering them inside. Minx was asked to sit at the controls with Jake. For over an hour, they were unable to take their jaws off the floor as they observed so many accomplishments of Logan Green.
Soon, the tour was over and they were landing. Jake escorted them into a building that had its own canteen. "How many types of sandwiches are served in the canteen?" Minx couldn't resist asking.
Jake laughed, "too many to count."
Minx smiled. She felt like she was in the right place even though she was surrounded by technology. The whole building had the feel of Logan's old dorm room back at Military Base 2, the start of it all. Soon Caser ran ahead and opened a door, vanishing behind it.
Jake was next to touch the door. He wasn't concerned because he had texted his father who he was bringing while the others were looking at the city and was told it was good. This meant his father knew all these people. Jake swung the door open to see a middle-aged blond man standing in the room with a big cat putting his paws on his uncle's shoulders. The cat's tentacles were wrapped all around in the biggest hug a maccavity could muster.
Minx was just behind Jake and gasped when she saw him. She had barely crossed the threshold and stopped. Everyone else had to squeeze around her to enter and close the door. Sil lifted his head from looking at Caser to staring into his wife's eyes. Suddenly his face erupted in tears. Jake looked like he was going to say something but his father cleared his throat and motioned for the others to sit at the table and let them have their moment.
Minx had tears streaming down her face but was unable to speak. How he crossed the room so quickly, no one could explain but he picked her up, wrapped her legs around him. He pushed her against the wall and kissed her like he always did. It was probably the wettest kiss they ever had.
"How? How are you here? How are you still alive? Why do you look so young? You look like the day you left."
Minx was unable to speak, overcome with emotions. She cried so much she fell asleep with her face buried in her husband's neck. Sil put his hands behind her to carry her and pulled his hands back crying out in pain. Olivia rushed over and pulled Minx's sai from her back and placed them on the table so Sil could carry her mother.
Sitting at the table, Sil held Minx like he was afraid she'd vanish from his sight. Speaking quietly so he wouldn't wake her, he looked to his eldest children.
"I have missed you so much," tears continued to stream down his face as his words were broken with emotion, he continued, "What happened to your mother? Why didn't Midas come back with you?"
Olivia and Owen were also overwhelmed with emotion. It was Shalt who spoke.
"Midas is dead."
His voice broke so he cleared his throat and tried again.
"It was within the first year of being there."
Sil held is wife tighter, "what happened?"
All three shook their heads, "it's too painful."
"Dad, I can share the memories of the first 5 years with you if you'd like," Owen's voice was low with sadness. "It will hurt, though."
Sil nodded, "do it."
Owen shared the memories and Sil, first was in physical pain from the transfer, then in emotional pain from what his family had to endure because he didn't go with them. He blamed himself, convinced Midas would still be alive if only he had chosen his wife over the rest of the Blade family. Maybe they would have been able to come back sooner as well if I had gone with them.
"Owen, can you share it with me as well?" Logan asked and Owen complied. There was a bit of pain then Logan reviewed the memories with his logical mind. "She lost her mind over his death, I see. Should I presume since she's here that she refound herself?"
Olivia nodded, "It took a lot but we got her back."
As Olivia answered, Sil felt a nuzzle on his neck. Barely audible, Minx asked, "are we dead?"