His eyes lit up, literally. “I would love a glass of milk, please. I can’t pay for it, though. I don’t have anything.”
“Mercury. This is a safe place, and I brought you here with full permission from the seer. Milk is free. Okay?”
“Thank you. I appreciate it. I’ve been alone a long time. I’m so glad you came. Now I can be with you and others for, well, until it’s over right? I can stay and visit, talk to you?”
Talon didn’t like this. He didn’t like it at all. This strange innocence, the desperation—it was incredibly unnerving. He wanted to know everything—why Mercury had been in that tower, why they were starving him.
What was going on?
“Of course. You can stay here forever.”
Mercury gave him a tiny laugh, eyes on the milk carton as he poured a glass. That milk clearly tantalized him. “We both know I do not have forever, but thank you.”
“You will. My job is to help the soul singer find more stones.” He knew Kami could help.
“Oh, well, that’s a fine job.” Mercury took the milk, his hand shaking.
“Easy, sweet love.” He held Mercury’s hand and helped him drink, the long throat moving convulsively.
Mercury burped slightly when he was done, looking like a kitten who had almost fallen into the bowl of cream. “So good.”
“You can have more in a few minutes, huh? So you don’t get queasy. Want to come and sit?”
“Please. I feel a bit shaky.”
Yeah, he would bet. How long had it been since Mercury had relaxed, had eaten and slept his fill? Rage filled him, but since it wasn’t at Mercury, he hid it behind a bland look. “Come have a sit. We’ll relax, talk.”
“All right. I’d love to. Do you like it here? Have you been here long?”
“Not too long. I was always on the road or in the air before. But Kami settled here, and he needed my help, so I stayed. He’s got a mate now, and a wonderful baby.” He loved that his friend was happy. “And my brother and his mates are here, and all the babies.”
“Babies? Are there many?” Mercury seemed so curious, so desperate to hear.
“Oh, you have no idea.” Talon chuckled, thinking of all the children, who loved to climb all over him and demand that he and Triton and Reno fly them about.
Spoiled bratlings. He adored them.
“No, but I do love how you smile when you talk about them…” Mercury turned to look at him, face beautiful and so still.
“You’ll meet them all. They’ll drink milk with you and insist on sharing their favorite treats.” They would fatten Mercury up a bit, for sure.
Mercury chuckled at that, the sound light and airy and sweet. “I would love that. I haven’t had anything sweet in a very long time.” The smile fled, and he hunched his shoulders, looking down at his hands.
“Have you ever had cinnamon rolls?” Triton asked, watching Mercury carefully.
“No. What are those?”
“Oh, my gods, hailee. Let me order some from the main kitchen.”
“Oh, you don’t have to…”
But Talon was already grabbing the house phone and calling down to the kitchens to order delivery. They always had cinnamon rolls in the mornings.
He ordered a couple dozen, because he had a distinct feeling they would have company soon.
Kami could be impatient.
“Tell me about yourself. Tell me. I want to know why.” Talon had this burning curiosity about Mercury’s life and about what had happened to him.
