Page 119 of Claim the Twilight
“There’s no way to know. Not when Brimswood is locked down.”
“I never got to say goodbye.” Bryce had filled us in on what had happened to Merry. How she’d healed Crush and then passed out. The ogre bloods had taken her and Crush straight to Brimswood, and that was the last we’d heard from them. “At least she’s with Crush. Maybe she didn’t forget this time.” I had to hope she remembered him. Remembered us and everything we’d been through.
“Have you heard from Kaster?” Lorenzo asked.
My chest throbbed dully. “No…”
“I’m sure he’ll check in soon.”
“It’s been a month, Lorenzo. I don’t think he can check in. I think…I think he has to stay with the celestials now.” I knew in my heart that if Kaster could return to me, then he would have.
“I’m sorry,” Lorenzo said. “I know how much he means to you and you to him. It’s unfair.”
I didn’t want to dwell on what I’d lost; it felt ungrateful to do so when I had so many things to be grateful for. I had my guys, my friends, and a future, thanks to Encantor and Padma.
I couldn’t help but wonder what the god was up to now. He’d vanished soon after ending his mother’s life, taking the echo of his sister with him along with the dark part of her that had resided in me.
“How’s the wedding planning going?” Lorenzo asked, breaking into my thoughts.
“Padma and Edwin have it all under control. They didn’t want anything big, just a small ceremony with close friends and a dinner at Branwood. You will make it?”
“Of course. End of the month, right?”
“That’s right.”
I didn’t blame Padma and Edwin for wanting to make it official. They’d both been through so much. With Loviator gone, her minions perished, and the Order dead, they had time on their hands. Lots of it.
I’d be in the same position once we finished cleaning up Dracul. “Have the mageri come up with a solution to the merge problem?”
“Not yet,” he said. “For now, wards will have to keep the worlds separated.” He kissed the spot beneath my ear. “Do you want to continue to talk about the world, or would you rather leave it behind for a few hours?”
I smiled and tipped my head to the side to offer him better access. “The second option. Please.”
He scooped me off my feet and back toward the van. “Your wish is my command.”
One WeekLater
ORINA
Nighttime in Hawthorne was always special, especially at the clifftop house that belonged to Quinn. The view was epic, the sea air crisp and sharp, and Nyx, Quinn, and I had spent the last six nights on the porch sipping hot chocolate and gossiping.
It felt as if we’d never been apart. As if we were back at the Magistarium. The trio once more.
“I’ve missed this,” Quinn said, resting her mug on her belly. “Just us, you know?”
“Me too,” Nyx agreed. “It’s been too long since we just…hung out.”
An idea had been squirreling away in my head for some time, and it felt like the right time to air it. “What if we could hang out more often?”
“I’m listening,” Nyx said.
“Our world is changing so fast. The breaches are changing it. Territory won’t matter any longer, and then we risk going back to the old days of disputes and mini wars…We need a place like the Magistarium, but less…discriminating. Somewhere where all supernaturals can learn to work together.”
“You want to set up a school?” Nyx frowned.
“Yes. A place that demons can attend too.”
“But the air…” Quinn looked confused.
