Page 38 of The Last Aether

Phoenix chuckled, the smoky sound swirling around me. “She has a point there.”

I patted Kai’s chest. “You’re my friend too. Promise.”

He sniffed. “You better prove what a good friend you are to me later.”

My face flamed. “Someone get him under control.”

Atlas laughed. “It’s hopeless. Especially when it comes to you.”

“Damn straight,” Kai shot back.

“For the love of all that’s holy, can we please just get some breakfast?”

Kerry linked her arm through mine. “Waffles or omelets today?”

“I’m thinking omelets.” I wasn’t sure how well something super sweet would settle in my stomach after the scene with Eva and Riven. My belly twisted with the memory.

Kerry stilled. “Hey, you okay?”

I gave my head a shake, trying to clear it. Riven didn’t get to ruin what had been a great morning. He didn’t get to steal the happiness I was finding. The connections and this new world, one where I had power. It was time for me to step into that.

I smiled at Kerry and this time it was genuine. “Why wouldn’t I be? I’m surrounded by the bestest friends in the whole wide world.”

Kai let out a growl and swooped in to nuzzle my neck. “That’s what I like to hear.”

The only thing that would be better was if my family and Lainey were here. I didn’t let the sting of missing them settle in. I focused on the here and now.

Phoenix opened the door and held it for us. “After you, ladies.”

Kerry and I stepped inside and moved towards the dining hall, the guys flanking us. The holdup with Riven and Eva meant that breakfast was in full swing, but as we stepped inside, all conversation died away.

Atlas leaned down, his lips skimming my ear. “Ignore them.”

He was right. If I ignored the attention, everyone would eventually go back to what they were doing.

Kerry gave my arm a tug. “Come on.”

We started towards the omelet and scramble station, only to come up short as Drue and Xena stepped into our path.

Drue looked me up and down. “You don’t look like you were shot. Or was that a lie too?”

“Watch yourself,” Phoenix growled.

I didn’t miss the flicker of fear that showed in her eyes, but Drue shoved it down, rolling her shoulders back. “She’s a con. She’s got you all fooled, but you’ll figure out the truth and then you’ll drop her so fast her head will spin.”

Aiden moved through the buffet line. “Green isn’t a good color on you, Drue.”

Kerry giggled, blushing as Aiden sent her a wink.

Aiden’s grin widened as he met my eyes. “I, for one, can’t wait to see what this little aether can do. Might be fun to go toe-to-toe with someone who’s actually a worthy opponent.”

Phoenix stepped in front of me, smoke and ash swirling around him. “Stay away from Aura.”

Aiden’s eyes sparked, a mixture of humor and rage swirling there. “You don’t get to make those rules, big brother. Don’t you remember? Combat class starts this week. Your little aether is mine.”

21

“Seriously?”