Ben ignored the twinge of discomfort that twisted his stomach and smiled at the new arrivals. “Good timing. We have guests arriving soon.”
“We do?” Koios asked, his normal scowling expression firmly back in place.
“Oh, research,” Iris said, scanning the whiteboard. “Super fun times.”
She leaned over and kissed Koios’s forehead, then turned to study the whiteboard on the wall.
“Ben was getting ready to explain to me why he thinks my biological parents being metal and air elementals is important, weren’t you, Ben?”
Ben scribbled a few notes onto Koios’s chart before looking up. “Why don’t you tell us your theory first?”
“A battle of wills. I approve,” Iris said. “Where’s the popcorn when you need it?”
“No battle. But we can arrange snacks,” Ben suggested.
Iris grinned. “I really like you.”
“Iris,” Koios said, “stop flirting with my doctor.”
“Oh, he’syoursis he? I have so many questions.”
Ben looked back at the chart. If he’d learned anything from Natasha, it was not to argue with a sister who used that tone.
Koios hadn’t received the same memo. “And you aren’t getting answers.”
Taj cleared his throat. “As entertaining as this is, perhaps we should save it for another time. I, for one, am curious as to the guests Ben mentioned. I’m also quite interested in the notes on the board regarding harpies and dwarves. I will likely be able to answer some of your questions.”
And that drew Ben’s total focus. “You grew up in the fae realm. How did I not think of that?”
“Probably because you were busy, you know, saving my brother’s life. Just a thought. Could be wrong. But I’m not.”
“So we’re clear, I really like you too. You’re a lot like my sister.”
“Now that’s a compliment. Natasha is amazing. He’s a keeper, Koios. Either you call dibs or I’m going to. Three, two, one?—”
“Dibs,” Koios said.
“That’s what I thought.” Iris sat down on the end of the bed, looking entirely too smug for her own good.
“We need to keep him calm,” Ben said. “Arguing isn’t ideal right now, okay?”
“Defending his honor. It gets better by the second.”
“Iris, enough,” Ben said. “His heart rate is up, and I’m not afraid to ask you to leave if you don’t cut it out.”
Her eyes widened and Koios snickered. Ben turned to his patient. “I will knock you out again. Don’t tempt me.”
“Whoa, Dr. Jerrick is on fire today,” Taj said. “And hey, just in case anyone is curious, harpies are ravens.”
Ben swiveled toward him, his heart pounding harder than Koios’s had earlier. “Say that again.”
“Um, harpies are half raven? There’s a question on the board asking what type of bird they are.”
“Ravens,” Ben said.
“The plot thickens,” Koios said.
“Sawyer’s animal to call as the god of metal was ravens. More connections to metal.”
