Page 23 of The Firebrand
“My employees at the ministry are historians, researchers, scientists, doctors, technicians, anthropologists, and so on.”
Doctors.
“On another note, how are you enjoying Scath?” Indigo drummed her fingers on Braelyn’s upper arm.
Alarik ignored his sister to speak to Rein. “This situation is perplexing.” He picked up a phone. “Send a technician here to take a blood sample, please.”
Braelyn jumped up again. “I specifically said I would not do any tests.”
Rein pushed out of his seat. He wrapped an arm around her shoulder, tucking her against his body.
“I don’t want my blood taken.” Her face pressed into his chest, muffling her voice.
His palm traveled from her neck to her waist, making a return trip. “You want to go home, right?” Rein lifted Braelyn’s chin with his thumb.
“Yes, of course.”
Indigo moved alongside. “There, chickadee. It’s all settled.” She rested a hand on Braelyn, skin to skin, her touch bringing a familiar chill followed by a muscles-turned-to-Jell-O calm.
By the time the technician arrived to draw blood, Braelyn was floating in a euphoric haze, happy to let them run a test.
“The lab results might take a few days, even with a rush. A spell should be a last resort. We would need to find an effective but safe one. So, I would like to wait for that. Memory spells are tricky. I have some ideas, though,” Alarik said.
“I’ll leave her with you then.” Rein guided Braelyn to her chair, avoiding eye contact as he gentled her into the seat.
She pressed fingertips to each temple, still fuzzy after Indigo’s touch and the technician’s jab with a needle.The man’s trying to ditch me again. I don’t believe it.A vast, sorrowful pit grew in her stomach.Stockholm Syndrome.
Gripping the lapels of his robe, Alarik rose from his desk chair. “That won’t work. Your mother is coming over tonight.”
“All right. Where can I leave her? How about with Zora?” Rein asked.
“A succubus? Party on,” said Indigo.
Rein scrubbed a fist across his jaw. “Auntie? Could you use some company?”
“Always, but I’m going mountain climbing in the Rockies.”
Rein’s blue eyes swirled with streaks of a midnight sky. “She can’t stay with me.”
“Of course she can. Auntie knows best. Yes, that’s settled. Tell me, Braelyn. Do you believe in fate?”
“Um. No. I guess not. What isn’t just happenstance, we control with hard work. No fate. We forge our own destinies regardless of the shitty … sorry … cards we’re dealt.”
“Interesting.” Indigo nodded, draping an arm over Braelyn’s shoulder. “But then, you must believe that way. Still, it is quite a coincidence. You in the alley at the exact moment as Boyo. If I believed in fate, I might say destiny brought you together.”
“Do you believe in fate?” Braelyn boomeranged the query to Indigo.
“Wow! Great question. Let me get back to you on that.”
Rein growled at Braelyn, “Get up. You’re coming with me.” Grabbing her wrist, he yanked her from the chair.
“Stop snarling, Rein. You’ll frighten her. Gimme, gimme, chickadee.” Indigo clasped Braelyn’s hand, rotating it palm up. “Few know, but I am an accomplished fortuneteller.”
“Auntie, you can’t tell fortunes. No one can see the future.”
“Shush, Rein. Fun spoiler. I don’t understand what she sees in you. You’re such a stick-in-the-blood. You need a female to revamp your life. Pun intended.” While both Rein and Braelyn were busy shaking their heads, Indigo chatted on. “Oh, you have a lifeline. And I see a tall, dark, handsome male. And look, travel is in your future. You will venture to strange and exotic places. Now, isn’t that a nice fortune?”
Braelyn snickered. She couldn’t help it. Indigo was an airy breeze. No wonder Rein liked her.
