Page 117 of Private Exhibit
Devon stilled, staring at the words. Somehow, he knewGrimwasn't talking about a telepathic kind of invasion.Oh gods.
Grim: Besides, you were only a child. You didn't deserve to suffer like that. I tried to keep tabs on you afterwards, mostly out of mere curiosity. But when I caught wind of you in the digital world, years later, and realized it was you, I was intrigued. And you were good, so of course I had to have you on my team.
Voy(ag)eur: Yet you still never said anything.
Grim: Privacy is vital. I don't trust anyone.
Devon sat back.Oh. He paused, shaking his head, thinking of the special assignments Oliver had mentioned. And there was something Andy had told him about the mysterious phone call Oliver made right before a mage showed up to take the block off Devon's mind.
That was allGrim.
Voy(ag)eur: You trust Oliver.
Grim: I trust his need for revenge. It's not the same thing. And I trusted his concern for you, enough so that I allowed himthe ability to call me without ever actually having access to my number.
Devon's eyes went wide.
Voy(ag)eur: Wait. You can do that?
Grim: Oh, the things I could teach you. You and the rest of these guys are some of the best of the best, but I still have plenty of tricks up my sleeve. Maybe, in time, I'll show you a few.
Devon found himself grinning. He actually had the time to look forward to things like that now. Plans were actually possible. Hopes and dreams could finally come true.
Voy(ag)eur: I'd like that.
Grim: Let's just see how things go. But for now…
Voy(ag)eur: Yes?
Grim: I'm glad to have you home.
Devon grinned.Home. He stared at the screen, then looked all around.
He finally felt like he belonged.
Chapter 40
ANDY STOOD back, watching Devon slowly and meticulously type out a message, engaged in what looked like an intense conversation. He still couldn't believe the boy was home. Alive. Healthy. On his way to being truly whole.
A part of Andy desperately wanted to get back to work right away, to dive in and finish repairing Devon's nerves. Another part wanted to stand in that spot forever, marveling at the sweet boy whom he got to callhis.
I get to have this, he thought, shaking his head in wonder.My gods.
How did he ever get so lucky?
Andy wandered over and pressed a kiss to the top of Devon's head. “Pizza is on its way,” he announced.
“Thanks, Doc,” Oliver called from the other side of the table.
Devon looked up at him and smiled.
“Gods, you're beautiful,” Andy whispered.
Devon blushed and shyly ducked his head.
Andy chuckled, then bent down and hugged Devon from behind. He couldn't help glancing at the screen. Andy spotted Devon's username and slowly reached out, tracing his fingertip just below it. “You know, you're gonna have to change this now,” he murmured.
Devon tilted his head to one side.Hmmm, he projected telepathically.Maybe not.
