Page 39 of Crossing Between
My heart melted as I watched their interaction. Here was Elias, this powerful kraken, making homemadejoint relief lotion for my elderly neighbor. Without thinking, I reached up and pulled him down for a kiss.
His lips were soft and warm against mine, and he made a surprised sound before melting into it. When I pulled back, his cheeks were slightly flushed.
"What was that for?" he asked softly.
"For being sweet," I replied, smiling up at him. "Thank you for taking care of Ruth."
Ruth's delighted laughter echoed through the room as Elias blushed furiously. I couldn't help but smile at the sight caused by a simple kiss. His eyes darted to mine, a small, surprised smile playing at the corners of his mouth.
"Well, I'll leave you two to catch up," Elias murmured, his voice even deeper than usual. "I'll wait outside, Zoey."
As he ducked out, Ruth clutched my arm. "My goodness, dear. First, that handsome oni fellow with the striking eyes, then the brooding dark-haired one, and now this gorgeous blonde? You've been busy!"
Heat rushed to my face. "Ruth! It's not like that." I stopped myself.
Wasn't it?
"Not what?" Ruth's eyes twinkled mischievously. "Not serious? Not exclusive? Because I may be old, but I'm not blind. That man looks at you like you hung the moon."
I laughed nervously, running a hand through my hair. "It's complicated. Really complicated."
"The best things usually are," she patted my hand. "Just be careful with your heart, dear. And theirs."
I nodded, promising to check in on her soon before joining Elias outside. He was leaning against the wall, looking thoughtful, his long blonde braids cascading over one broad shoulder.
"Everything okay?"I asked.
He straightened, a small smile playing on his lips. "Yes, kærasta. Just thinking."
"About the kiss?" I felt suddenly bold, stepping closer to him.
His Adam's apple bobbed as he swallowed. "Among other things."
I grabbed his hand, feeling the calluses on his palm. "I meant it, you know. I like all of you, and we still have to discuss this mark."
"We should go," Elias murmured, though he made no move to step away.
"Yeah," I agreed, not moving either.
His phone buzzed in his pocket, breaking the spell. With a sigh, he stepped back and fished it out. "It's Kenji," as he answered. "What's up?"
I couldn't hear Kenji's side of the conversation, but Elias's expression changed dramatically, his jaw tightening and brow furrowing. "How many?" he asked tensely. "And you're sure it's..." He was cut off by whatever Kenji was saying. "We'll be right there."
"What's wrong?" I asked as he hung up.
"The department is under attack," he grabbed my duffel bags with one hand and my elbow with the other, moving us quickly toward the car. "There are people showing symptoms of the Black Plague, attacking officers and civilians. They're not responding to reason, just attacking indiscriminately."
My stomach dropped. "The Essencefeaster?"
"Almost certainly." His phone rang again. "It's Varon," he put it on speaker.
"Get Zoey to the station immediately," Varon's voice was clipped, urgent. "She'll be safest with all of us together. We need to coordinate a response to this thing."
"On our way," Elias confirmed, endingthe call. "Come on."
We raced to his car, and I clutched the door handle as he drove at breakneck speed through the streets. My mind raced along with the car. The Black Plague...the Essencefeaster's calling card.
"Elias," I couldn't help feeling a little afraid. "What exactly are we walking into?"
