“Is Malik. And the very unfriendly, fluffy ball of fur is Delano,” he continued. My brows shot up. “And you.” He turned narrowed eyes on the Primal. “I’m going to pretend I don’t see your ass here.”
Attes folded his arms. “Fine by me.”
Thorne’s head straightened. “So, I know everyone.”
“Of course, you do.” I swallowed, unsettled by his presence and the fact that he appeared as if he were only a head and shoulders. I quickly glanced at Cas and Kieran. “This is one of the Fates I was telling you about.” I shifted my weight. “What…are you doing, Thorne?”
“I think I should be asking you that.”
“I…was trying to open the realm.”
“I know.” Thorne’s gaze moved over Kieran and then to Casteel.
“Okay?” I said.
“You can’t.”
“Why not?”
Strands of eather whipped through the churning colors in his eyes as his gaze remained locked on Casteel. “Because.”
My patience thinned. “You going to add to that?”
“No.”
I took a deep breath, but it didn’t help. “And why not?”
The corners of Thorne’s lips twitched. “Because.”
“Oh, my gods.” I pressed two fingers to the center of my forehead as Kieran’s narrowed gaze darted between Casteel and Thorne. “We don’t have time for this nonsense. We need to talk to Nyktos.”
“I know.”
I stepped forward. “And? Is there a reason you’re preventing it?”
“Yes.”
“For fuck’s sake,” I snapped, and Casteel’s hand caught the back of my tunic, stopping me from moving any closer. “Is there something wrong with you right now?”
Attes huffed out a laugh.
“There isalwayssomething wrong with me. I can be…dysfunctional.” The glow of eather danced across his…angular cheeks. “But right now, it’s the fact that twoDeminyenPrimals are attempting to enter Iliseeum. That can’t happen.”
“Why not?” I demanded. “I was there before.”
“You were brought by a Fate,” he replied, the other side of his lips tipping up. “You were invited.”
“Do I have to be invited?”
“Not really.”
“Oh, my gods!” My hands fisted as Casteel jerked me back farther. “I need—”
“Do you need to be conscious and in one piece?” Thorne questioned.
“What kind of fucking question is that?” Casteel asked, his voice low and dark.
“A valid one.” A slight grin appeared on Thorne’s lips. “Because if I hadn’t stepped in, both of you would’ve been hit with the power of the wards put in place by the Arae. And that would’ve…stung.”
