Page 56 of Forging Bonds: Part Two

“Erm, as interesting as this conversation is, you guys really should be getting some sleep, the trial planned for tomorrow is a big one,” Ribit interrupts.

Stepping back from Raiden, I give her an apologetic look, “Sorry.”

She smiles, “Oh please, don’t worry about it. I’m definitely not shy and retiring.”

“Thank fuck for that,” I grin.

My response startles a laugh out of her, and she gestures to the desk with the piece of paper on it, “That’s as good as I can get it. I don’t think I forgot anything, but I will go back at some point and have another glance to make sure. The best person to ask if it’s right is Coen, I bet that he knows exactly what it looks like. You just need to make sure that Kylen doesn’t get suspicious, he will take it out on Coen.”

My expression darkens, “We’ll make sure that he doesn’t find out.” I add with a sharp smile, “Or I’ll kill him.”

“I can help with that,” she replies with absolutely no hesitation at all and a smile that matches mine.

Before I can agree, and take her up on her offer though Griff interrupts.

Leveling me with a look, he says, “No killing him, at least not yet. That’s a last resort.”

I share a look with Ribit, and she smiles.

“What was that look?” Ransom asks suspiciously.

I try to look innocent, “Nothing.”

“I don’t believe you,” Doc adds, narrowing his eyes slightly and trying not to smile.

“Smart man,” Ribit replies immediately, and I burst out laughing.

The guys are all giving me looks, so I reassure them, “Don’t worry, I know that I can’t kill him unless we really don’t have a choice, I know that it couldaffect Coen negatively, and I would never do anything that would put him in harm’s way.”

“We know that, but we also know how much you want to help him and how the timeline is not great. We all hate it as well,” Van replies.

“I know,” I reply. “We will get him out, and Kylen will face the consequences of his actions.”

“If you do need my help while you’re here, let me know,” Ribit offers.

I smile and reach out, giving her a tight hug, “Thank you. You’ve helped us loads. I’ll come and see you after the trial tomorrow.”

She grins, “Deal.”

“You really shouldn’t be able to do that,” Griff mutters.

Ribit laughs, “Just you wait, you’re going to be saying that a lot. Now off you go.”

We all say goodbye and then head out of the room with the incredibly detailed drawing in Raiden’s hand. He will look after it until we can get back home and into the library to do some proper research.

I really hate the delay, but it makes sense, and there really isn’t another way around it, not without taking a big risk with Coen, and none of us are willing to take that risk. Especially since it obviously has some protection wards on it because Ribit couldn’t grab it. I would be very surprised if it were only warded against the dead.

As soon as we get down to my floor, the only thoughts on my mind involve sleep and cuddles.

“We need to grab your stuff from your room,” Doc says.

“Oh, I forgot about that,” I reply. “Let’s grab it quickly, I don’t think I’m going to be awake for much longer.”

“Me neither,” Van replies with a yawn that nearly takes over his entire face.

It’s obvious that we’re all feeling the effects of the very long and emotional day that we’ve had, and to be honest, I’m surprised that it has taken this long to catch up to us. Thankfully, I didn’t unpack since I didn’t see the point, so all we have to do is grab my bags, and I grab my nice bathing products that Mabel gave me, because I actually planned to take them home with me and maybe see if Mabel would give me some more. They really are awesome, and my hair has never looked or felt better, even though it’s been in a braid the whole time that we’ve been here, because it just makes more sense.

When we get to the guy’s room, they let me shower first, most likely because my eyes are taking longer and longer between blinks to actually open again. It doesn’t take me very long to shower, although I hate that I have to put proper clothes on, and I vow to myself that I will be walking around naked when I get home.

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