Page 50 of Gryphon’s Fire

Jima hesitated but seemed to wisely decide it wasn’t nice to refuse a gift-giving djinn. “What does it do?” he asked, turning it over in his hand.

“When activated, Helios will be notified that you require his presence.” Lifting her shoulders, Aurelia stood proud. “I carry one. Erasmus Boone has its twin. His father, Warlock Holland created them. It means that I am important and needed.”

“Oh… I…I don’t know what to say,” Jima honestly answered as he held the charm away from his body, as if it might attack him at any moment.

“I do not know why you believe words are necessary,” Aurelia answered, sounding truly baffled while simultaneously giving off an air of complete disinterest. “I will inform Helios that you are well. I had not remembered him being so dramatic.” Aurelia appeared to contemplate her words before adding, “Perhaps it is the strain of choice. Helios is still coming to terms with the lack of restrictions.” With a satisfied nod and apparently finished with all of us, Aurelia vanished.

After a pregnant pause, Henry said, “Damn,” his voice louder than it should be. I’m not sure when he’d crawled up my body, only that he was now perched on my shoulder. “Two of ’em. That’s…somethin’. I ain’t sure what it is—just somethin’.”

“Something scary,” Grayson said. “Aurelia seemed to figure out what happened quickly enough.”

“She is very bright,” Tabitha said, the calmest of us all. “Naïve, but intelligent.”

Lazarus had been quiet but finally said, “I should not have approached Jima like I did. I did not mean any harm. I was simply worried by how close he was to Helios. I did not consider how my actions might have been interpreted by another. I… Helios does appear to be very concerned about your well-being, Jima.”

Cheeks stained crimson, Jima fidgeted with the edge of his T-shirt. “He’s been showing up more often,” Jima confessed to a chorus of “what?”

“Why didn’t you tell me?” I asked, moving around Jima so that I could stand in front of him, hands on his shoulders.

Jima shrugged. “Not much any of us can do to stop him. Plus, if he can get through the barrier, then that means Helios doesn’t mean us harm. Right?”

“That is correct,” Martin answered. “And I guess we just all witnessed firsthand what happens when those intentions suddenly change.”

“Bam!” Grayson slapped his hands, making half of us jump. “Aaaand he’s outta here.” Grayson made a swinging motion, as if he held a bat and had just hit a home run. “That pixie magic works fast.”

Unaffected by Grayson’s sudden outburst, Martin agreed. “It would have to. Djinn act quickly as well.”

“Handy,” Henry helpfully added before scrambling down my leg and taking off. “Good luck with Jaakobah,” Henry said as he neared the crack in the wall. “Don’t die on me, Keir. I’ve buried enough friends recently.” And with that, Henry disappeared into the wall.

“Although blunt, Henry is not wrong,” Elvira said. “I will check the perimeter.”

“Thank you,” Tabitha said before Elvira dissipated. With a heavy sigh, Tabitha pushed herself out of her chair. “Well, that was far more eventful than anticipated.” Closing the distance, Tabitha’s cool hands rose, resting on my cheeks. “Take care. You will be missed while gone but do not worry about us. Martin and I have the council handled.” With a final tap of my cheek, Tabitha inclined her head toward Lazarus before also taking her leave. “Come along, Jima.”

Jima sent a wistful glance my way before following in Tabitha’s footsteps.

Eldon followed their leads. Standing, Eldon cradled Vi and Blu in his arms. “I’m heading to my room. Wake me before you leave.” Eldon shuffled out, the snick of his door closing loud within the otherwise silent room. Eventually, Vi would find her way back to the coals. As for Blu, she might stay with Eldon. I wasn’t certain. This morning, we’d found her in the refrigerator. I’m not embarrassed to say I jumped and said an expletive or two when I opened the door and found her sleeping inside.

Alone with Lazarus, Martin, and Grayson, I eased back into my chair, happy the others did the same. Again, I felt the need to apologize. “I know I’m leaving a lot on your shoulders, Martin.”

“It’s fine,” Martin reassured.

Grayson grabbed Martin’s shoulders and began vigorously rubbing. “He’s got nice shoulders. Sturdy and dependable.” Grayson’s words were filled with fond appreciation. “They’re almost as nice as his ass.”

Martin’s lips parted as fiery embarrassment crept up his neck.

Lazarus softly chuckled while a smile tugged at my lips. I had never imagined someone like Grayson Delarue fitting into Martin’s life the way he did. The rightness of it was overwhelming. “I’m glad he has you, Grayson.”

Grayson shrugged. “He’s kind of stuck with me now, whether he likes it or not.”

Grasping Grayson’s hand, Martin pulled it down, placing a kiss on the back of Grayson’s hand. “I like. I definitely like.”

Gently smacking Martin on the back of his head, Grayson chuckled, “You old sap.”

Head tilted, Martin asked, “Is that supposed to be a dryad joke?”

Grayson beamed. “You bet!”

A collective sigh went through the room. My temples throbbed and I considered adding a pain charm to the antinausea one I’d activated earlier. Maybe a sleep charm as well. I needed rest before heading out. Lazarus needed that as well.