Hunter of the Evernight
Chapter 282: Wake up

Chapter 282: Wake up

It felt unreal and though as a matter of fact, it was, Alex wished for the love of god that it wasn’t.

Watching MJ go about preparing tea for the tea party he’d been ’invited’ to, Alex couldn’t help but fall into his thoughts as he realized that perhaps this would be the first time he would have the luxury of being invited to a tea party.

It was a shame but Alex had missed out on spending time with MJ due to the nature of his work as a spy.

Isabella had found her way to manage but not MJ.

He’d been absent for her first steps, for her first words which just happened to be ’daddy’, for her first bruise when she began learning how to ride a bike...the list went on and it further exacerbated Alex’s shame as it did.

Just as he was about to drown himself in regret, MJ’s words snapped him out of his reverie.

"Dad, make room, Princess Sparkles is here and you are on her seat." She said in the most adorable tone possible, her eyes filled with excitement.

Alex glanced at her hand to find that she was holding a princess doll in her hand, one that she had taken time into prettying up.

"Dad... you’re embarrassing me."

"Ah, yes, my apologies." Alex quickly got with the tone as he moved his tiny chair a bit, a portion of which dug wickedly into his waist.

Smiling in satisfaction, MJ went ahead to set Princess Sparkles on her chair before taking hers.

"Uhmm, sweetheart, aren’t you forgetting something?"

"Huh?" MJ angled her neck in confusion only for her eyes to widen as she intoned while facepalming. "the tea!"

Alex watched her scamper to get the teapot in faint amusement before she rushed back and most curtly, served tea for him, Princess Sparkles, and then her.

"Well, thank you," Alex muttered with a smile with MJ letting out a slight giggle.

Taking a sip from his cup reminded him that indeed, his daughter hadn’t yet manifested the magic hands Isabella had for cooking.

The ’tea’ turned out to be boiling water.

At least he hadn’t lost all sensation in his tongue.

"Dad, you have to blow first," MJ said while giggling, clearly taking delight in Alex’s momentary lapse.

"Ahem, my bad," Alex said with his tongue hanging out, which made for quite a funny face as MJ giggled some more.

Just then, the door to MJ’s room opened a sliver with Isabella checking on the duo enjoying themselves.

Using eye language, the duo conversed with Alex asking for her aid, a request which was naturally rejected.

Sad.

So, Alex turned to MJ for help in convincing dear mother.

"Mom, come and join us." MJ immediately said, almost like she’d read his mind.

Alex grinned, expecting Isabella to have no choice but to accept, alas, he underestimated his dear wife.

"Sweetie, I would but I’m making pancakes right now."

"Pancakes?" MJ’s ears perked up at the mention of her favorite meal.

"Of course, so I can’t stay or do I... get rid of the pancakes?"

"No!" MJ immediately shouted.

"Very good, don’t worry, I’ll be back with the pancakes shortly."

"... Alright."

Sneaking a sneer Alex’s way, Isabella left triumphant while Alex was left to stew in his inadequacies.

He’d have to learn how to cook one of these days.

Feeling slightly lightheaded, he finished his ’tea’ before the tea party moved on to the next segment; face painting.

Alex watched MJ get her paintbrush, his eyes following each step she took as though he were trying to engrave them to memory.

He’d spent little time with the young child and he wished that it wasn’t the case, maybe then, his memories wouldn’t be so full of Isabella with little of MJ to spare.

Biting down on his lower lip, he watched her return but just as she was about to start, MJ paused.

"Is something wrong dear?" Alex asked, noticing the expression she held.

Pouting, MJ muttered. "Dad, I think it’s time you wake up."

"Huh?" Alex raised a brow as he wondered if MJ had noticed his lightheadedness.

Quite sharp of her but that was no need to stop the face-painting she could carry on while he napped.

"I’m already awake, sweetheart."

"No, you aren’t."

"Uhmm..."

"Dad, wake up..." MJ’s expression suddenly turned livid as she dropped the paintbrush she was carrying and grabbed Alex’s cheeks, earning a surprised expression at her actions.

"Wake up!"

***

Alex’s eyes snapped awake, his breathing uneven as he tried to make sense of what he’d just dreamt about.

Still feeling lightheaded, he soon paused as he couldn’t help but question... Why is it so dark?

Also, what’s with his lightheadedness?

Blinking a few times, he tried to move only to realize that he could not, and then was when he understood that something was wrong.

No part of him could move, with his eyes the only organ still possessing the leisure of being mobile.

He tried to snap his fingers but they were immovable, almost like he’d been covered in lead.

’Damn it, what’s happening?’ he closed his eyes to try reaching out to Ana and Victoria but there was nothing.

Something was interfering with his connection to them.

Before he had a chance to better understand what was happening, he heard a familiar voice and then a rather loud howl followed by ripples in the aether which was a prelude to... almost incinerating heat that left his skin scalded and portions of his hair singed.

The next moment, Alex found himself able to move, at least, just enough to notice vines trying to ensnare him yet again.

Instantly, he snapped and teleported only to crash not too far away from... wait, where was he?... And why did it feel like he’d crashed into someone?

Thankfully, one of his questions was answered.

"Damn it, get off me, human, watch where you’re going!"

It would seem he had found Alejandro.