Page 22 of Redemption

On every side, right up to where the land meets the tree line, is meadow, with the early spring flowers starting to appear, it’s really pretty. My eyes widen as I study the land more closely and realize that there is an actual river flowing at the back behind the house.

It looks magical.

“Hey!” Zemi calls excitedly, and I look at the front door expecting to see her there. “Up here!”

“What the fuck?” I can't help but exclaim as Zemi appears, dangling upside down from the roof.

“Zemira!” Saint calls, “I thought we talked about this. No going down headfirst!”

Zemi rolls her eyes as she spins herself right side up and plants her feet on the ground.

“That was one hell of an entrance,” I grin as she pulls me in for a hug.

“Can I try?” Luc immediately asks with an excited smile.

“Yeah, of course. Hang on, you can put my harness on. It’s easier to go up this way than through the house,” Zemi explains as she starts to take it off.

“Easier?” Trick asks with a raised eyebrow.

Zemi smirks as she hands the harness to Luc. “Alright, not easier but definitely more fun. I know Luc likes climbing things.”

Before anyone can say anything else, Luc is scrambling up the side of the house. He pauses, hanging off the top of the window, the rope attaching him to something on the roof is slack, and I’m reasonably sure that’s not how you’re supposed to use it.

Looking down at us, he says, “I’m going to be careful, obviously, but exactly how careful do I need to be going up?”

Zemi grins and waves her hand in the air. “Don’t worry about it. We’re renovating, and the paint on the outside will be one of the very last jobs that we do.”

“Awesome,” Luc grins and then proceeds to scramble up the side of the building like it’s the easiest thing in the whole world, and I guess for him it is.

For me, I would definitely struggle more. I think most people would, actually.

“It always fascinates me how easily he can do that,” Rage mutters as we all watch him reach the roof in record time.

“It is definitely impressive,” Zemi agrees as she watches him reach the top. “Anyway, I’m sure they’ll be up there playing for a bit. Come in!”

She excitedly rushes up the steps and flings open the front doors.

“This place is incredible,” Rafe compliments, looking impressed.

Zemi smiles. “Thank you. It needs a lot of work, but we’re getting there, and thankfully none of us like to sit still.”

“That is a bonus,” Jensen grins. “How’s Raiden doing?”

“I’m fine,” Raid says as he walks around the corner. “Much better now that I have that stupid cast off. The doctor says I still need to take it a bit easier than I normally would, but I’m pretty much cleared.”

“So you didn’t have to flash him to get him to behave then?” I ask Zemi bluntly.

Raid’s head snaps in Zemi’s direction, and she pointedly ignores him, refusing to meet his gaze as a smile plays around the edge of her lips and her arm threads through mine.

She pulls me down the hallway and into the kitchen as my men chuckle at Raid’s expression.

“Unfortunately, not,” she replies, a spark in her eye.

I grin and say quietly, “Well played. He’s suddenly regretting his need to be healed and back to normal.”

She chuckles. “Good.”

I grin. “I thought he was going to have to be in the cast for longer?”