Page 69 of Killian
“Well, almost,” said Hudson.
Sebastian felt his mouth swing open in amazement. “How did you know?” he demanded.
“Killian called me,” said Hudson.
“Killian...” Sebastian felt his shoulders sag in relief. He wasn’t alone. They might make it out of this. Particularly now that Hudson had somehow magically brought them someone who could help. “I left messages for both of you. I wasn’t sure you got them.” Sebastian ran a hand through his hair. He was exhausted. He needed to get everyone sorted out. He needed to get organized. He needed to sleep.
“We came as soon as we could,” said Hudson. “Where is Killian? He was on his way when I talked to him.”
“Not home yet,” said Sebastian, shaking his head. “He went to Tibet, so... who knows how long that will take.”
“Tibet?” repeated Hudson. “What the fuck?”
But Sebastian wasn’t listening; he had turned to Yazmin.
“I’m so glad you’re here. I don’t know where he found you, but thank you for coming.”
Start with Egyptologist. Get her started. Maybe she could figure out what the fuck had happened.
“Um...” said Yazmin, looking up at Hudson and then back at Sebastian. “You really need an Egyptologist?”
Sebastian looked back at Hudson. “Yes? You didn’t come because of our… situation?”
Hudson swallowed nervously and took Yazmin’s hand. “Shecame with me. Um... The Oregon Pack might have found a cure for mating, and we’re going to try...” He looked nervously down at Yazmin, and she squeezed his hand.
Sebastian began to laugh. It was a pipe dream, but why the fuck not? Two crazy kids in love. Fairy tales happened sometimes. He could see that laughter was not the correct response.
“Sorry. I’m very happy for you, but we really need an Egyptologist and I can’t... I’m so tired, Hudson. I can’t find Eliandra. I can’t find Luca. I think the Greens are out there in the ocean, but they haven’t come back. And Anuket might wipe all of us off the map because why the fuck not. Eliandra was the only one who could talk to her, and now... Alex is losing it. Like seriously losing it, Hudson. I’m glad you’re home. We need help.”
Hudson’s eyes were going wide, which told Sebastian that he probably sounded crazy. He needed to pull it together. Hudson lunged forward and wrapped his arms around Sebastian. Sebastian exhaled in surprise. It was the best feeling he’d had in days. It was only a hug, but somehow it made everything bearable.
“I’m here,” Hudson offered. “Sorry if it’s not enough.”
“It’s great,” said Sebastian honestly, and patted Hudson on the back. “Thanks.”
“No problem,” said Hudson, stepping back. “Now, if you could kindly tell me what happened to Pellos, what is going on with Luca, why we care where the selkies are, and who the fuck Eliandra and Anuket are, that would be great. Oh, and also, what the fuck was Killian doing in Tibet.”
“I don’t know, honestly. Your thingie in the library went off,” said Sebastian. Hudson made a squeak of excitement and grabbed Yazmin’s shoulder. Both Sebastian and Yazmin stared at him.
“Then Killian and Alex holed up and made some sort of top-secret plan, and next thing I know, Killian was flying to fucking Tibet,” said Sebastian and awaited further commentary.
“Eeeeeeee,” squealed Hudson, practically dancing.
“Darling, is it a sword, a tomb, what?” demanded Yazmin, proving that their relationship might be new, but she already knew Hudson well.
“It’s the Library of Alexandria,” whispered Hudson, looking like he wished he had a tail to wag.
“Correct me if I’m wrong,” said Yazmin frowning heavily, “but I believe that it was burned during the ascension of Julius Ceasar.”
Hudson shook his head. “Youarewrong. It wasn’t destroyed—merely misplaced. And now, according to my calculations, the doors reappear every twenty-one years.”
“And you were going to tell me this when?” demanded Yazmin, obviously outraged.
“Well, we’ve been a little busy with the warlocks, mummies, and things,” said Hudson.
“You had mummies, too?” asked Sebastian, trying to keep up.
“Just the one,” said Yazmin. “And it wasn’t a mummy so much as...” She glanced at Hudson. “What are we calling that thing?”
