“And look at us now.”
“We survived because of you, little brother. No, don’t argue with me. It’s my turn. You’ve been the thinker of our family for our entire lives. Jax is the charming one. Goddess, even when we were kids he could smile his way out of any problem. And the twins are the cautious ones who care about the land and spaces we occupy. Nyx and I, well, we’re the practical ones.”
“And Alastor is our heart, which is convenient since mine doesn’t seem to be working all that well.”
“Not funny, baby brother. But yes, Alastor is our heart. You, Koios, are our brain. Goddess, where would we be if it weren’t for you? Do you remember when we couldn’t figure out how to get money outside of stealing? You came up with the idea of the donation jars. For the first time, we had actual money to do things. Every time we needed something, you’re the one who thought of the path forward. You always have a plan and a backup plan.”
“Paranoid yet practical. That’s me.”
Iris pinched his side but didn’t move from her spot cuddled against him. “Swear to me you’ll be careful, Koios. I know you well enough to know you’re not telling me the real reason why Ben asked the freaking King Consort of the Unseelie to drop by for a visit. But I need to know you’re going to be safe. You almost died. I can’t?—”
Koios took her hand and put it over his heart. “I swear on Nana’s honey biscuits that I will be careful.”
“Now that’s a serious swear. I was hoping for a mere pinky promise,” Iris said with a laugh.
Koios wiped a stray tear from her cheek. “Maybe I should ask Nana to make some for my next adventure. I bet they’ll help more than any of our powerful friends. Talk about bribery material. Do you know what people would do for one of those things?”
Iris shook her head and looped her arm back around him. His wing responded again and moved to hold her close. It had been a long time since they’d moved so freely and without his conscious thought.
As they walked back to the room, Koios plotted the next step in their adventure. A road trip was definitely in order. Koios had no idea what they’d find on the other side, but Ben would be with him, and that made the next steps a lot easier to face.
“Sister, how much longer is your shift?”
“A few more hours. Why?”
“Because I called dibs,” Koios said. “And I’d like some time alone with Ben.”
14
BEN
Ben wrapped the vial in linen and tied it with black ribbon the moment Koios left the room. Cosmo’s suggestion carried a warning of its own. Ben understood magic and had studied it for years with Henry. Cosmo wanted them to be safe from the magical contents of the vial and had made sure Ben knew the best way to do it.
Natural fibers like linen held healing properties. It would provide its own level of protection from the contents of the vial. The black ribbon would stabilize the magic in the vial and prevent any negativity from touching it. Whatever the vial contained, it was incredibly rare and powerful, which made the gift even more precious.
Ben tucked the wrapped vial into a protective box with a pentagram carved into the top. By the time Koios and Iris returned, he had it hidden in one of the cabinets of medical equipment.
Iris leaned in and kissed Koios’s cheek, then turned and went back down the hall. Koios leaned against the doorframe watching Ben.
“You okay?” Ben asked.
“Are you asking as my doctor?”
“Yes, but also as your friend.”
“Is that what we are?” Koios walked a few steps closer, and his wings moved as well. They expanded slightly, showing off the glistening black and silver feathers.
Ben swallowed hard. It had become something of a habit around Koios. He should probably stop doing it, but that would mean he had some sort of control over himself where Koios was concerned and well…that didn’t seem likely.
“We’re friends,” Ben said. “For now.”
Koios licked his lips and closed the distance between them. Ben put his hands behind his back and closed them into fists. Otherwise, he’d have his hands all over Koios.
“I don’t know if you’re as tired as I am, but I think we could both use some rest.”
Ben nodded. “Yes, you need to rest. Let’s get you?—”
“I’d like to go over to your house, Ben. I don’t want to be in this bed anymore or hooked up to all these gadgets. I know you’re worried about me. I’m worried about me. But humor me, just this once. Let’s go curl up in your bedroom. Maybe read a book or watch a movie. Get me out of this room so I can feel a little normal before we go face a hell demon.”
