“Hey, I just thought of the upside of being there but not part of the team,” I said to Taroc.
He grinned. “We don't have to bury the bodies.”
“Exactly!” I clicked my glass to his. “It makes me all warm and bubbly to think of Jathalion digging a hole at this very moment.”
Taroc snorted.
“Jathalion was there?” Kel asked.
“Yeah, he was the only one we saw, actually.” I frowned. “Another odd coincidence. Out of all the hundreds of Wraith Lords in this citadel, why him?”
“Well, I think we can rest assured that the Corrupter had nothing to do with that,” Rath said.
“So you just tossed the counterspells at the bodies?” Keltyr asked.
“Yeah, it was . . .” I cringed. “Oh, this is so awful to say, but it was kind of fun.”
“There's nothing wrong with finding some joy in what we do,” Kel said.
“Even if it involves dead bodies?” I asked.
“You share in that loss, Ember,” Rath said as he laid a hand on my shoulder. “And I think your parents would be relieved to know that you've found a way to brighten the darkness.”
“Thanks, Rath.” I grinned, then chuckled. “You know, I think you're right. Even had it been their corpses, they would have laughed to see me making it into a game.” I took a swig of brandy, gasped, then drank more. But then I sighed and sat down on the couch. “I'll never find them, will I?”
“Not their bodies, no.”
“Maybe that's for the best,” Taroc said as he sat beside me.
“So, you two are looking more and more comfy together,” Keltyr noted as he squished between Taroc and me.
Taroc leaned away and narrowed his eyes at Kel when Keltyr tossed his arms around our shoulders.
“What are you doing?” I asked Kel.
“I just have a question for Taroc.”
Taroc shifted over even more and removed Kel's arm from his shoulder.
“Now, now, don't be like that.” Keltyr yanked Taroc back and squeezed us together. “If you join our little group, we're going to get close. Real close. Just ask Rath.”
Rath glowered at Kel.
“Oh, for fuck's sake,” Xae groaned. “Ignore him, Taroc. He doesn't even live with us.”
“I might move in. I just haven't decided yet.”
“And maybe I'll keep my room too,” Taroc added. “If Ember and I . . .”
“If he falls in love with you?” Kel finished gleefully.
“It would have to be mutual,” Taroc said.
I grinned at that. “Yes, it would.” Then I elbowed Keltyr. “Now, please, for the love of the Goddess, leave him alone, Kel. This is hard enough without you adding your crap to it.”
“My crap?” Kel gasped. “All I wanted to know is if Taroc happened to be a switch. Well, are you?” He turned toward Taroc.
Taroc grabbed Kel's arm and used it to push him forward, off the couch. Twisting the arm behind Kel, he growled, “Does this answer your question?”
