Chapter 21
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Talia's POV
The taxi stopped in front of St. George Residence Hall. I paid the man and was given change. I got out and went up to some girls. They paused when they saw me.
"Are you lost?" The blond asked.
I shook my head. Dread had seeped through out my body. I needed to see Alex, feel his magic. Puck couldn't soothe me with his magic.
"Does someone you know live here?" The brunette asked.
"Al-Alex Xanatos. Brother." A loud caw sounded behind me and I clung to the blond, shaking.
"We're taking you inside now." She told me. I was lead inside and sat on the couch.
I was back in Manhattan General, back on the airship. He was healthy, he was dying. Grandpa was young, old, older. Mom was packing my bag, she was on the ground.
"I think she's having a flashback or something." Someone said.
"Don't touch her; you'll only make it worse. Talia, you're at St. George Residence Hall." Someone told me.
"You need to call Alex right now. His sister's having a panic attack." Someone else argued and I covered my ears. I couldn't stop shaking, I was cold and hot and dizzy. My heart raced.
"Deep breaths, Talia. Breath in… and out. Breath in… and out. Breath in… and out." I did that a couple more times. "That's good. Talia, can you look at me? Open your eyes and look at me." I opened my eyes slowly and looked at the girl. "What color is my hair?"
"Br- Brown." I stuttered.
"What color is my shirt?" She asked.
"Gray." I was still dizzy, but my hands weren't clammy anymore.
"What color are my eyes?" She looked at me.
"Hazel." I said.
"What color is the couch?" She asked.
"Black." I told her.
"Talia, Alex is here. Is it ok if he sits in my spot?" She asked.
I nodded. He sat down. I reached out to him and he pulled me onto his lap. I held onto him. He brushed my hair, slowly lulling me to sleep.
Talia's POV End
Alex's POV
Talia rested her head on my chest, her grip now lax.
"She's asleep." I looked at the girl. "It would have been disastrous if she had to ride out that alone. I hate to imagine…"
"My mom taught me what to do in case she wasn't there to help with my dad. I know how bad it can get." She said.
"What's your name?" I asked her.
"Serena Anderson." Serena told me.
"There has to be something I can do for you." I said.
"It's not a big deal; she needed my help so I helped her." She insisted.
"I disagree, Miss Anderson. You calmed Talia down in a strange environment. Let him repay you." Owen said.
"If you insist." She shrugged.
"I very much insist." I carefully got up. "We gotta get Talia home. Owen, give her my cell."
He wrote down my number on a business card and gave to her. Then we went to the limo and drove home. My phone buzzed and I took it out of my pocket.
"Serena texted me. She said a crow caw triggered it. Although Tai was kinda skittish to begin with." I looked at him. "How'd you know she was there?"
"Phone." He said before frowning. "Alexander, your father wants to put Talia on medication."
"What if she gets the wrong combination or even just the dosage?!" I growled then glanced at Tai. She was still asleep if a little restless. I calmed her. "It's barely been three weeks."
"All points I brought up with your father. He believes this is the best course of action as her story too fantastical for most therapists to believe. And the only way she will heal is if they hear the true story." Owen said.
"He's not even trying." I glared.
"Yes, but he does have a point. We must be very mindful who we let care for you. A well-meaning doctor may put her on antipsychotics instead of what she actually needs." He paused. "There is no easy answer here, Alexander. The longer we fight about it, the longer she goes without anything. Perhaps once she is on medication, we can convince your father that therapy is an option."
"I don't like it." I frowned.
"I don't either." A subtle shift in tone, one that was easy to miss, told me how conflicted they were. How powerless they felt.
We pulled into the parking garage. I took her to her room and held her some more. Owen reluctantly left to tell Dad and Mom what happened. Talia woke up as I was about fall asleep.
"Hey, Tai. Owen came and took us home." I let her up.
"I'm tired." She told me.
"I know, but why don't you go potty first?" I asked.
"Ok." She left.
I tried to get the feeling back in my arm. She wasn't sleeping a lot or eating. I knew Puck and I couldn't protect her all the time. But Owen said they had to be careful who let care for us. If the person already knew what we were then we wouldn't have to lie. The only problem was that most of the people we could hire were mortals. Asking for a Child helper was out of the question. They would resent Talia and possible me. Maybe if I could…
A knock jolted me from my thoughts.
Alex's POV End
Owen's POV
A little bit earlier
Mister Xanatos and Fox reacted as I expected. Terribly. They were upset she had slipped out, especially with how she upset been since she came back from her Timedance.
My phone rang. I picked up. "Hello, Mr. Burnett, it's Preston Vogel. I've gathered Talia's inheritance. When can I drop it off?"
"Does 2:30 this afternoon work?" I asked.
"Yes." He answered.
"Why does this show as an unknown number?" Puck needled.
"I got a new work phone. Have a good day." He hung up.
Reynard must have saved some stock for Talia. Luckily, it was still valid as Alexander hadn't been able to do much with the company since he had just turned 20. I knocked on Talia's bedroom door.
"Just me. Tai went to the bathroom." Alex said.
"Vogel is coming in half an hour. He has her inheritance. I assume you want to be there. I will go find her." I said.
I updated Mister Xanatos and found Talia lying in the hallway. She was fine, just exhausted. I picked her up and sniffed her hair. It was stale and greasy. I took her back to the bathroom, running the water. She didn't react negatively to being washed; although I would have liked her to do something. I dried her off then I dressed her.
I joined the rest of the family in the Great Hall. Vogel had a small case and an envelope. Talia opened the envelope and gave me the paper inside. It was stock like I had thought. Vogel opened the case for her.
"Is that…" Fox asked.
"Your grandmother's jewelry, yes. Mister Renard saved it for her. He wanted me to keep quiet about it until Talia was adopted." He answered.
Talia rubbed her hands through the strand of pearls, the most I had seen her do in awhile. I let her play with them. Fox put the rest away. He said goodbye to her then left.
Titania appeared in a glimmer. "Hello, children. Lord Oberon wishes for you to visit Avalon."
Owen's POV End
