“I was one of them not so long ago,” Fae said. “Though I’m living in an apartment in the city now.”
“Where did you come from?” I asked.
“A Human First commune out in the countryside of Arcosa,” she murmured, her gaze darkening and head dipping.
Sofia let out a disgusted noise. A shudder ran through me at the mention of Human First, an order of humans who believed in expunging supernatural-kind. While I wondered what they’d been doing with a monster in their midst in the first place, I didn’t ask. Clearly, it was a sensitive subject.
“So when she came to Haven, looking for somewhere to go, I sent her to Cillian’s to recover,” Sofia said. “We’ve worked out quite a system over the years.”
“Are others involved?” I asked, my mind whirring at this point, my curiosity in overdrive.
“Many of us take on a role where we can,” Mal said, a wan smile on his lips.
My gaze landed on Cillian, and my heart squeezed tight. Every secret exposed revealed a new layer to him, one that drew me closer. Despite him being the owner of the Spires, he truly had the heart of an architect. Except he wasn’t just trying to create buildings, but communities as well.
And he’d created a magnificent one here. I’d never been prouder of him.
I reached under the table and threaded my fingers through his. He glanced my way, and the cockiness there dimmed with a vulnerability I found I liked far too much.
“So, it’s a secret railroad for monsters,” I clarified. “I adore that.” My heart filled with pure sunlight. These people could’ve utilized their power and wealth for destruction, for terrible things, but instead they helped those who needed it the most. Fae’s tumbles of black hair were pulled back into a ponytail, which revealed scars around her neck. Even the way she fidgeted with her hands revealed more scars around her wrists. Whatever had been done to her in that commune, she was clearly haunted by her time there.
“Are we going to gossip or actually game tonight?” Cillian asked, a slight gruffness to his tone, even though his hands never left mine.
“I don’t know,” Sofia said. “I think I want to enjoy a little more of your discomfort.”
“Sadist,” he muttered.
She arched a brow. “You’re one to talk.”
I choked on a laugh, earning a stern look from Cillian. One I happily met with challenge.
“Are we waiting for Amelia?” Charles asked.
“She’s busy tonight,” Cillian said. “Date.”
“Ooooh.” Charles’s voice echoed through the dining hall.
“Jaffar will get here at some point, though we can play a few rounds of Bones while we’re waiting,” Theo said, bringing out a bag of bones with runes carved into them.
“And if I’m unfamiliar?” I asked.
“Then we’ll teach you,” Cillian said, squeezing my hand under the table. God, the casual care from him, the way he didn’t hesitate to help—if there was anyone on this earth I could fall for, it’d be him.
And I was so close, freedom be damned.
“It’s good to see you happy,” Sofia commented, her voice low enough that only Cillian and I heard. A blush hit my cheeks at once. This wasn’t the first time someone had said that, and the idea that I’d helped bring the change about blew my mind. She fixed her gaze on me. “Don’t let him push you away, either.”
“Like he’d listen,” Cillian commented dryly.
I snorted. He wasn’t wrong. Stubbornness had always been a foundation block of my personality.
“Bones?” Theo asked again.
“Stop offering everyone a bone,” Charles teased.
“Is that supposed to be a wolf joke?” Fae asked, a wan smile on her lips.
“I mean, we all know howIwas intending it, but both works.” Charles grabbed the bag of bone tiles from Theo and began to pass them out. “Here, before my boyfriend expires on the spot. Let’s get some gaming in.”
