Page 29 of Mantle

“Something I’m capable of withstanding if things did go a bad way.”

“That’s just it, we don’t actually know if you’re capable of withstanding it.”

When I went to respond back, the door flew open and Vorzyr strode on in, kicking it shut behind him. “Buttogetherwe could be,” he spoke, coming over with his wide, confident strides. He winked at Kai. “Better, huh? Something you can get behind?”

“Itisbetter, but we can’t do anything without strategyorwithout more research. That research is taking place as we speak. So we need to wait until we have the results.”

“My Primal Celestial Resonance was able to draw out and destroy Ketheron’s blood and the magic infused within it. Anddon’t let it escape your notice that when it was in Ariana’s system, it didn’t actually take her down entirely. It weakened her.Andher body was able to reject a lot of it as well, hence the vomiting.”

“All good points. But not foolproof. We don’t know enough. And until we do, action can’t be taken. The risk is too high. You’re overconfident and bold as fuck as usual, and I get it.” Kai looked at me. “And, Ari, Ketheron got under your skin. You feel sorry for him.”

Nyx nodded. “There’s a certain kinship. They were both manipulated by the Celestial Plane, forced into things they didn’t want, pushed toward being what they didn’t choose or desire to be. Right, Halo?”

“Yes,” I admitted. “That’s undeniable. But I’m also no fool.”

“I know you’re not,” Kai assured me. “However, youdidingest his blood. And, although the toxic aspect is out of your system, it could be possible that a blood bond was formed. Especially with the two of you already making an empathetic connection to one another.”

A growl rumbled from Vorzyr.

“I’m not drawn to Ketheron. I just… it’s a tragic situation. And if there’s a way not to worsen that for him, I want that path explored before it becomes all about eradicating a threat. And let’s not forget that it is the Celestial Plane’s will for him and I to destroy one another. Do any of us—my family included—really want to give those manipulative shits what they actually want?”

Kai scrubbed his hand over his face. “It’s your choice on how you want to approach this. It’s technically your battle, your fate they’ve encroached upon, so you deserve to be the one to make this call.However,we also need a backup. And, that needs to be much more aggressive, a definitefighting-fire-with-fireapproach.”

“The nuclear option, basically,” Vorzyr said.

“It won’t be easy to get your family to agree to the empathetic approach,” Kai warned. And then he reached out and stroked my cheek. “But I’ll do everything in my power to push for it if that’s what you want. Just… take some more time in order to be sure. You might be healed physically, but what happened definitely took an emotional toll, so let all of that settle first. Fortunately, we do have time, because the research into Ketheron to obtain actual actionable intel will take a while, given that he’s a creature who has never existed before and who there’s no precedent for.”

I beamed out at Kai. “That sounds more than reasonable. Okay, baby.”

He leaned in and kissed my cheek.

“Incredibly reasonable for you, Kai,” Vorzyr teased. “Shit, you all right there?”

Kai gave him a withering look. “Are you on board, or not?”

“Always.”

“Me too,” Nyx said, nuzzling against me. I turned and brushed my lips over his hair.

“So, about thatresearchgetting underway now…” Kai said, shifting his weight and folding his arms. “There’s something I need to tell the three of you. Something that must remain only between us as secrecy is paramount where this is concerned.”

“Operating on our own and keeping shit from everyone is kind of our thing already, don’t you think, Kai?” Vorzyr put to him.

“It is, yes. But it became more than just the four of us tonight, and with what we’re to face that will only become more commonplace, I’d imagine.”

“Doesn’t matter, we’ve got each other first and foremost,” Vorzyr assured him.

“No fucking doubt,” Nyx confirmed.

I looked out at them all, grinning, “Absolutely. It begins and ends with us.”

Kai took a moment, seemingly overcome by the bold outpouring of support, and then he told us, “I’ve been invited to join a clandestine, elite group of the greatest magical minds across the supernatural world to engage in high-level research and magical development. They call it Arcanum Order.”

“Wow,” I breathed. “That’s an incredible honor.”

“Motherfucker,” Vorzyr exclaimed. “Long overdue, Kai. No doubt.”

“Gabriel… he wanted you to go with him downstairs… he’s a member?” Nyx mused.

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