I Scored Myself A Mate

"What do you mean elf magic? That's impossible. That means that someone from back home might have turned against us" Theseus stated. 

"A spy?" Ea mumbled confused. "There is no way." 

"Why are you the only one that can sense this?" Ares asked. 

Everyone seemed to be lost in confusion. They we bombarding Allias with questions while he desperately tried to stand fully on his feet. This much magic output was unusual. It wasn't anywhere near to his but at the same time anyone with heightened senses could realize that it was a lot and probably ominous for them. 

"I don't know" he said and he finally gave in, crumbling down on the dirty road. Sitting in between cigarette buds and dried gum. He closed his eyes and breathed in, hoping that the dizziness would slowly fade away. Theseus looking incredibly worried took a few steps and crouched down next to him.

"Is there anything I can do? So you can feel better?" he asked, his tone warm and caring. The King smiled faintly and waved a bitter no. There was nothing to be done. He would feel better once he got used to the magic circling him. He sat there in silence for a while, with his companion staring at him and waiting. It was a funny scene if you were observing, unaware of what was actually going on. After a few minutes had passed Allias decided it was time for them to continue and he stumbled up with Theseus carefully helping him walk. 

"I can't drive in this state. Mark come to our car?" he asked him and the red head nodded. He was still mad at him. He kept thinking about it all the time in the car and he would sigh unstoppably as the others conversed. Right now though he was aware it wasn't the time for him to start arguing. Allias was really pale and could barely stand, even if he didn't want to fully show it Mark sensed he was a lot worse than he looked. 

Once they all returned to their vehicles Mark began driving, listening carefully to Allias' instructions. Their first stop would be once more at a hotel, since the King was in immediate need of help. Unfortunately, due to the events in Amelia's house they hadn't managed to ask her to camouflage them as humans, meaning that the four elves stood out. From their eyes to their eyes and their overall physique they looked different. Even their aura was unusual. The way they walked and carried themselves, even for the rebellious Ares, had an unattainable elegance that not many humans could acquire. 

So even though it was already getting dark they were forced to wear hats and even sunglasses to not reveal themselves. They stopped at a motel this time, wanting to avoid anything fancy or with the capacity to host a lot of people since most of the hunter clans would be gathered together. Looking like it came out of a retro movie, the motel had a huge sign with its name where the first letter seemed to be really close to falling from the board. It flickered many times, the purple light turning on and off and Ares seemed to look at it like a moth drawn by light. 

"There are too many parked cars here." Theseus said as he noticed that the parking lot was almost full. "maybe we should find something else."

"It's better that way. We will get lost in the crowd" Mark opposed and drove the car into the parking, positioning it carefully next to the one Luke had been driving. Both teams got out at the same time and headed towards the reception, where an old man drinking from a can of beer greeted them. 

"We four rooms" Luke said and the motel owner scanned them. He didn't seem to be very fond of them. 

"We are almost full. There are only two rooms left, take it or leave it." He told them and Luke frowned. 

"We are eight people. Do you expect us to sleep on the floor?" 

"The rooms have couches that turn into beds. Take it or leave it" he repeated in the same dull tone as before and positioned himself better in his old squeaky chair. 

"Fine." Luke unwillingly agreed and grabbed annoyed the two keys he was handed. He didn't even bother to say anything else as he headed towards the building. It was small square with exterior corridors and doors that faced the entrance. You had to go up a very questionable staircase to reach your floor and the doors seemed to need a very peculiar way of first pulling and then pushing to open. Luke swore a few times as he didn't get to open it, even though he repeated the process a few times until Alexander grabbed the handle and opened it on his first try. Always at school for some reason he would be forced to get the worst locker, the one that stunk or had problems with the locket so he was familiar with troublesome doors. 

Mark helped Theseus carry Allias into the small room where a double bed and a dusty couched seemed to be the only two places someone could sit and rest. The room had also one window that Ea immediately opened, trying to get rid of the smell that lingered and a bathroom with a very tiny shower. That was it. Nothing more and Ares looked around him dumbfounded. 

"Is it me or are we downgrading?" He asked and Theseus smiled. 

"This is the best option for now. Allias how are you feeling?" he asked him as the King laid down on the bed. He didn't know how he felt. For a second back there he thought he was getting better but now, now it was different again. The dizziness had returned and on top of that a piercing headache made him want to rip his head off. Not wanting to worry anyone much longer he nodded, outing on his best act. 

"Yes. If I sleep for a few hours, I am sure I will be fine. Once I wake up let's try to send out the shadows. Okay?" he asked.

"Yes, but for now please make sure to get some rest." Theseus advised him, a worrisome expression stack on his face from the moment he exited the car. He felt anxious seeing him in such a condition, especially now when so many things were at stake. They needed him, not only for his powers but for his leadership too. Even though Theseus had been a substitute King in some way there was no one else who knew this burdensome job better than him. He was born for this, even though sometimes he tried to deny it. 

"How about we leave you two alone? I saw one of these mechanical things that have sweets in them. Let's go Ea." Ares said and dragged his husband away. 

"We should have stayed and taken care of the King" Ea told him as he followed him. The mechanical thing Ares was referring to was actually a vending machine. It stood lonely at the end of the open corridor and Ares took Ea's hand in his as they walked, interlocking their fingers. 

"The king is being taken cared of just fine. My brother would not allow us breathe next to him if he is worried." Ares explained and the small elf nodded. He was right about that. 

"What if there is really a spy with them? If this gets known the kingdom will crumble from the inside. Allias might not pay attention to this since he just returned but there are many Disee royals who wish to oppose the crown, especially now that he is trying to cut the loose ends and put things in order. Theseus kept them under control but I am afraid now they might try something. If the word gets out that a spy is between the elves uncertainty will spread everywhere." Ea shared his worries with him and his husband sighed, stopping for a second. He cupped his face and gently kissed his nose as he spoke. 

"You think too much. One problem at a time." He said and smiled when both of them heard footsteps. Someone was approaching from the corner. "Shit I forgot my hat" he said and tried to hide his ears with his hair. "Let's go" he rushed Ea away from there, to a little slit in between the corridors at the other side, where there was a second staircase that led to the back of the building. Showing a very ugly and swamp like pool. "let's wait for them to leave so I can get my sweets." He whispered with a cheeky smile and Ea rolled his eyes. This man would never be responsible about anything in his life. Ea was sure about that. 

There were two people, males, headings towards the vending machine too. All Ares could think of was the possibility of them finishing his favorite candy bar. He had tried one during a stop they had taken and it was like he had entered the angelic capital. A blurry seat reserved just for him in heaven was getting clearer and cleared with every bite. 

Ea on the other hand had his eyes glued on them and not on the vending machine. His heart began to race as he felt surrounded by an ominous power. Ares noted his frozen expression and nudged him, hoping to find out what is happening. 

"We need to go back to our rooms now." He said, his voice almost sounding commanding. 

"What? Why?"

"That boy over there. Is Joe." He said pointing one of the two.