Page 83 of The Last Aether

Phoenix leaned over and took a bite of the breadstick. “Thanks, Aura. I wanted another one.”

Atlas shook his head but smiled. “I can give you some cooking lessons if you want to learn.”

I toyed with the napkin in my lap. “Janine tried. She’s a really good cook. But I never successfully caught on.”

“You mean you almost burned down the town house,” Riven muttered.

My gaze shot to him. “How did you know—?” My words cut off as Riven gave me a sheepish smile. “You were like some secret stalker, weren’t you?”

He shrugged. “Just needed to make sure you were okay. Who do you think stopped that little stove fire from spreading?”

I gaped at him. “Just how many times did you intervene in my life?”

“Too many to count.”

“I don’t know if I should thank you or smack you.” It should’ve pissed me off, this silent and secretive force in my life. But instead, it made me feel comforted. There were so many times I’d felt alone growing up, so much weighing on my shoulders. But the truth was, I never had been.

Riven’s chuckle sounded in my mind, and I blinked a few times, trying to see if he had in fact laughed. But before I could say anything, he leaned in and brushed his lips against mine. “I vote for thanking me.”

A knock sounded at the door and Kai pushed to his feet. “I’ll get it.”

A flicker of annoyance bloomed in me. I loved the little bubble we’d created tonight, the sense of normalcy. I didn’t want that bubble burst by whoever was here.

Muted voices sounded from the entryway, and a moment later, Kai reappeared with Quincy in tow.

He glanced around the room. “I’m sorry to interrupt your dinner.”

The older man looked harried, as if he hadn’t been getting enough sleep, and I instantly felt guilty for wishing him away. “Sit down. Can I get you a plate?”

He shook his head. “I ate on the train. But I wanted to come here straightaway because I found something.”

Riven was on his feet in a flash, making a motion for silence. Phoenix immediately got his meaning and started talking. “Thanks, Q. I’ve really been hoping you could find out more about Ash’s history. I think this book is going to make the perfect birthday present for my dad.”

“Oh, yes, of course. I’m happy to help.” Quincy looked around, confused, but continued to play along. “I found the lineage transcripts you were hoping for and some gorgeous drawings of the Kingdom of Ash from centuries ago.”

Riven pulled some sort of electronic wand from a kitchen drawer and switched it on as Phoenix and Quincy continued to talk. He ran it over the entire kitchen, only stopping when it started to beep by the refrigerator.

He scowled and felt around the top of the appliance. A moment later, he pulled out a small circular device and stomped on it with his boot.

Riven then moved through the rooms on either side of the kitchen. When he returned, there was another crushed device in his hand. “That makes two.”

Atlas let out a low growl. “We need to scan all the rooms before bed.”

Kai nodded. “These fuckers are getting bold.”

“The Network has obviously infiltrated the guard,” Phoenix said. “We’ll need to keep a close eye to see if anyone is acting suspicious.”

“Listening devices?” Quincy asked.

“Yes,” Riven answered, dropping the crushed pieces in the trash. “They’re becoming a regular occurrence.”

“I’m glad you caught them before I opened my big mouth.”

Riven lowered himself into his chair, scooting it closer to me. “What did you find?”

Quincy looked around the table. “You healed Aura when she was shot, didn’t you? That’s when the bond was formed?”

Everyone was quiet for a moment, but it was Kai who finally answered. “You know bond mates can help each other heal.”