“I think so,” I said. “He’s pretty smart for a donkey.”
I ushered the girls into our cabin where they brushed their teeth and put on their pajamas.
Javier and his friends followed me into the kitchen, where I tucked the drawing of Nalari in one of the clear sleeves Elias had given the kids to put away their homework. I tapped the drawing twice, taking my time looking at it before I left it in a corner of the countertop we rarely used. My lips tilted up in an easy grin as I opened the refrigerator and pulled out two boxes of fruit bombs and another box of assorted pastries. Once I faced the older kids, I handed one of the boxes of fruit bombs to Aidas and set the other two boxes on the countertop.
Fruit bombs were a strange but delicious treat with a sweet flavor that resembled peaches. They were coated in a honey-like jelly and wrapped in a pastry shell, then fried and covered in powdered sugar. If heaven had a taste, I was certain it tasted like fruit bombs.
The four older kids dug into the boxes with abandon. It made me happy to see how comfortable Javier was with them, and how comfortable the others seemed in our home.
“Take this with you.” I patted the box I’d given Aidas. “I bought it in case Elias came back today, but it’ll end up going to waste here.”
With his mouth full, he uttered athank you.
“We have water, different juices, and milk,” I told them. “Grab whatever you want.”
Delaney wiped her mouth. “You should be careful offering such an invitation to Aidas.”
Javier snorted, pushing Aidas playfully.
Once I heard the girls finish in the bathroom, I tucked them into bed, with Hee-haw taking up most of Victoria’s bed. I went back to the living room, where I grabbed a book I’d gotten from the public library and my violet blanket, which I tucked around myself as I settled on the couch. Before I could start reading, Kieren sat beside me.
He lifted his eyebrows.“Do you mind if we talk? Am I interrupting?”
“Of course not.”I tucked the book to the side.
Scratching his nose, he nodded.“It’s none of my business, but I wanted to talk to you about something.”
His knee bounced, betraying his nerves.
“Okay,”I said gently, encouraging him to continue.
“My magic,it allows me to see when someone is lying or telling the truth, and like I said, it’s none of my business. I feel like I should apologize before I even start.”His fingers twitched as he brought them to his mouth, hesitated, then dropped them again.“But I know you’re hiding something from everyone. Javier said something at dinner. He knows too and he’s worried.”
My chest tightened.
“I don’t know how his parents died,”he continued, voice softer now.“But he’s worried whatever you’re hiding means you’re sick or dying.”He swallowed hard.“Aidas is an empath. He tried to reassure him—said it didn’t feel like anything bad. I know I’m only 114, and I’m just a kid, but?—”
“You’re not just a kid, Kieren,”I said.
He was 114 years old and considered himself a kid. It wasalmost laughable how insane how far away that felt from the human timeline I used to measure life by. Once, I’d thought forty was old.
But he wasn’t just a kid. He was a loyal friend, a perceptive one brave enough to have this conversation.
“You’re Javier’s friend, a damn good friend. I’m glad he has you looking out for him. He’d have your back too if you ever need it.”
The smile he gave me was small and bashful, but it reached his eyes. He turned to look at the kitchen.
“We should go.”I realized he’d spoken to everyone when the small group stepped out of the kitchen. It was a neat trick I hoped I’d be able to learn.
“Mama Teddy,” Aidas said, reaching an arm out for a hug while he kept his box of fruit bombs tucked in his other arm, “thank you for the pizza and dessert.”
“Anytime y’all want to come, you’re more than welcome.”
“That’s another scary invitation you should reconsider,” Delaney teased.
I lightly tugged on her shoulder-length hair. “I’m glad I had the chance to get to know y’all some tonight.”
With a small wave, Delaney tucked her hand in Kieren’s arm and in a single blink, they all disappeared. Javier followed me to the couch, and when I handed him my blanket, he wrapped it around himself.
