41. Chapter 41
Chapter 41
Andy
I lay on the floor with my head in Niamh's lap as she slowly raked her fingers through my hair in a rhythm that had me relaxed and ready to fall asleep. Dyre and Hasumi were both wrapped around me, their legs tangled with mine. I watched with a lazy sense of comfort and warmth as Hasumi propped themselves up on one elbow and reached for Dyre, drawing the hesitant necromancer into a slow, sweet kiss.
Sometimes I thought my life couldn't be more perfect. Usually when I was basking in the afterglow like this.
Then the universe went and reminded me that I shouldn't get complacent in my happiness. The library door opened, and a pair of soft masculine voices halted whatever conversation they'd been having. I hadn't even heard them or noticed their auras as they approached. None of us had, too caught up in post-coital bliss to be on high alert.
River's captivating citrine eyes raked over us, then landed on me with a flash of what could only be interpreted as avid lust, before he packed the expression away and averted his eyes. Seeing that expression on his handsome face did things to me, even in my currently very satisfied state. But I couldn't linger on that thought for long, because I caught a glimpse of another face over his shoulder.
Elijah froze, and I was surprised to see the look of pain on his angelic features. Until I realized where his gaze had landed. He only had eyes for Dyre. Who hadn't yet realized he had an audience as Hasumi made out with him like they were long-time lovers. I nudged them and sat up, breaking the spell.
Elijah turned sharply and left without a word.
River cleared his throat and ran a hand through his hair before giving us all a sheepish look. “Sorry to… interrupt. I didn't realize “she's in the library” meant “she's in the middle of an orgy.” He shrugged and gave me a bit of a wry, teasing smile, the expression all cat. “But I suppose I'll survive the shock, somehow.”
I shook my head. “Did you need something?”
He arched a dark brow. “I came to borrow a book I saw in here the other day. But I ran into Elijah on the way.” He glanced over his shoulder and noticed that the angel had disappeared. “Um. He said there was an urgent message from Bella and was coming to fetch you. I tagged along.” He shrugged again. “I'm afraid I don't really understand all the dynamics here. But regardless, you should probably hurry up and come see what's going on. You're the only one who can open the letter.”
I nodded and started searching for my clothes. “Coming.”
He paused, glanced around the room, his gaze snagging on Dyre as the necromancer scrambled to hide his scars. Then he laughed, deep, and hearty, and free. “I assume you already did. But I'll tell the others you're all on your way to the kitchen war room and make sure there's tea on.”
With that, the strange shifter turned and left us to get dressed.
I just shook my head again and took the underwear Dyre sheepishly handed me. “I thought the door was locked.”
He arched a red brow at me as he dragged a hand through his thoroughly tangled hair. “It was.”
Hasumi gracefully stood and started pulling on their clothes. “I assume someone unlocked it while we were distracted. I wonder at their motives.”
I huffed as we all continued dressing and hastily righting the room. The furniture had gotten some rough use, and a few things were knocked over or shoved out of place. “Ha,” I said dryly. “Being an ass. What other motive could there possibly be, since whoever it was didn't jump right in and join us?”
The water weaver paced over to me and gently kissed my temple. Their turquoise eyes were full of warmth, and their perfect lips curved up in a soft smile. “Perhaps the perpetrator only wanted what I want. What we all want.”
I sighed. “And that would be?”
Graceful hands cupped my face. “For all of us to make a home together. To see how perfectly we all fit here. To belong. To love and be loved in a way I never dreamed was possible before.” They kissed me, slow and sweet. “Perhaps whoever it was left the door unlocked hoping someone would stumble upon us. Sometimes people need a little nudge to realize they actually deserve these things.” Then, with a meaningful look at Dyre, the water weaver dematerialized and left the room.
I had a feeling I knew exactly who had unlocked that door. Sneaky, Hasumi. Sneaky.
“You know,” Niamh said as she secured her small utility knife to her belt. She never went anywhere without it. “They're right. If it wasn't for Hasumi, I think most of you idiots would still be fumbling in the dark with your repressed feelings and all that bullshit.”
Dyre snorted. “Oh, like you've never struggled with your emotions, fae.”
But she just smirked at him. “I did. For all of a day and night. Then I decided Andy was mine and this was where I belonged and that was the end of it.” She shook her head. “Women are much smarter than men when it comes to these things. I think the creator borrowed brain matter from males to make the useless dangly bits between your legs.”
I barked a laugh. She wasn't wrong. Niamh had hated me when she was freed from the bestiary, but she appeared the next day and demanded that since her clan was gone, I was her new family. She had never wavered the way the rest of us did from time to time. I wasn't sure if it was a fae thing, or just a Niamh thing. But whatever the reason, her loyalty and love were fierce and steady. Unwavering.
I reached for her and drew her in for a firm, enthusiastic kiss. “Thank you.”
Then I walked past Dyre on my way to the door, smacking his ass as I passed. “You both looked hot as hell with Hasumi, by the way,” I said with a grin. Turning to glance back over my shoulder, I stuck my tongue out at Niamh. “Which reminds me… what were you saying about never struggling with your feelings? It sure took you long enough to make a move on our pretty water weaver.”
I laughed as I dodged the book she threw at my head. Then I headed down the hallway, bracing myself for whatever new problem was waiting for me. Dyre and Niamh followed close behind.
When we reached the kitchen, Aahil immediately shoved the letter into my hands. “There's blood on it.”
I arched my brows, but Dyre reached past me to touch the envelope. “Not Lovell blood,” he said after only a second's analysis. “Pixie, I believe.”
I winced, both loving and hating the blood affinity that was Dyre's base witch talent. “Pixie? Who hurts a pixie?” They were delicate beings who mostly preferred to avoid any sort of confrontation. The bad feeling in my gut instantly got worse.
Tearing open the envelope, I read the blood-smudged letter. One word was scrawled across the paper, with a hastily drawn sigil at the bottom that looked like a locator spell so we would know where to portal.
I stared at the word as my blood pounded in my ears. “Help.”
That was it. Nothing more. As if my sister—or whoever sent this on her behalf—had only had time to scribble out those four little letters, with their hands covered in blood.