It’s a good idea, but I won’t make the decision for everyone. Luca and Alistair have apartments here; they might not want to go to the compound. My stomach flips as I imagine being separated from them, and I’m beyond relieved when they both agree.
Riven’s face warps, but he nods along with the others.
Sheena smiles. “Wonderful. I’m glad you’re all safe. We’ll get out of your hair for a little bit and give you time to pack. Idris will reactivate the portal in one hour.”
Ciprian grabs his brother’s arm. “Does Mom know?”
“I didn’t tell her anything,” Callum says.
Ciprian puffs out a sigh, and Sheena pats him on the back. “We’ll have the portal drop you directly in our wing. Mallory won’t notice a thing.” She hesitates. Her bottom lip wobbles, and she tugs it between her teeth to hold it still. “I was so scared.”
He wraps her in a hug. “Me too, bestie.”
She pulls back reluctantly and takes Callum’s hand, tugging him into the purple portal. It winks out a second after they disappear.
Groaning, Ciprian sinks down on the couch.
“I’ll pack some things,” I murmur, glancing at Hyacinth. “I’ll grab clothes for you too, but they might not fit.”
“Sheena can help with that,” Ciprian says.Right, her wishes.She gave Alistair the fucking sun;a new wardrobe is nothing. Inod, feeling a small weight fall off my shoulders, then walk to my room and start stuffing things into the first bag I find.
No order, no rhyme or reason. I’m not capable of it right now.
Malach is gone, and my father has him. Nothing will be right until I can change that.
In the meantime, we’ll hide out at the enclave’s compound—the most secure place within a thousand miles. Maybe I’ll get a full night’s sleep, or maybe I’ll sneak out in the middle of the night and go after Malach on my own.
Only time will tell.
There’s a tree growing out of the wall.
It’s the first thing I notice when we step through the portal.
Huge and gnarled, the trunk stretches up to the ceiling, supporting a leafy canopy that looms over us like nature’s version of an umbrella. A few leaves are scattered on the hardwood floor. I have so many questions, like how did the tree get here? How do they water it? Does someone sweep the leaves up every day? They should. The moisture could damage the hardwood otherwise. I rub my gritty eyes, stifling the urge to collect the fallen leaves and stuff them in my pocket until I can find a trash can.
“Is Sheena obsessed with nature?” I whisper to Ciprian.
His lips twitch.“Not at all, but she is obsessed with Idris.”
“I am not.” Sheena walks into the foyer wearing yoga pants and a pair of mismatched fuzzy socks. “We have a healthy, mature, and loving relationship.”
“Mmhmm.” Ciprian yawns. “Whatever you say.”
“You should be nice to me,” Sheena says to him. “I convinced Gideon and Callum to let you sleep before interrogating you.”
“It would be helpful if you could walk us through any potential security threats, though.” A man dressed in allblack steps out of the shadows, crossing his thick, scarred arms over his burly chest. His braids are half-up, half-down, and the scars on his face scream danger. He’s hot, but he’s as out of place inside this supernatural compound as the tree because he’s obviously human.
Alistair’s eyes flash red as he focuses on him while addressing Sheena. “I see you couldn’t convince your snack to do the same.”
“Play nice,” Sheena warns. “You and Quaid got along fine in the past.”
The big guy snorts and rolls his eyes at her.
Alistair grunts. “That’s because he didn’t speak.”
Sheena plants her hands on her hips. “Maybe you should follow his example.”
My lips twitch. Sheena is small, but watching her put Alistair in his place is hilarious. Besides a small sigh, he takes it without complaint, too worried to hurt her feelings to treat her how he would anyone in the Fringes.