“Good,” Mandy murmured. “I can feel it travelling towards me and mine towards it. Now breathe. I’ll set the knot.”
Mandy’s left eye flared violet. The air in front of her condensed; the shimmer gathered and firmed. This time, when the ward formed, Lucy felt theknot—a tug, a twist, a decision that made the shape hold rather than drift.
“Again,” she said softly. “And again.” They practiced until the shimmer obeyed, until Lucy could feel the knot as soon as Mandy began to tie it; until Lucy found, tentatively, the first loop of how to tie one herself.
When they paused, Mandy sat down hard and laughed under her breath. “I had forgotten how much energy this takes”
Lucy handed her some water and sat beside her on the floor. “Tell me about your guardian,” Lucy said.
Mandy’s face softened. “She was wild and kind. She could make rain stop. Not by force. By simply asking. That’s the trick with the Fae. You can break more with mercy than with muscle.”
Lucy tucked that away. Mercy as a weapon. She liked that.
Near dusk, the Doves checked in. The head of their unit Ethan, stood with Corey at the end of the drive. “Movement at the northridge, we found a drone shell in the field beyond the creek. Not one of ours.”
Corey’s jaw ticked. “Keep a close eye on it, let me know if the activity increases” Ethan nodded and walked back towards the building the Doves had been living in for the last nine months.
Up at the window, unknown to Corey and Ethan, Lucy heard their entire conversation. She needed to talk this new situation over with Byron, who was already looking for her.We are being watched;she sent.We expected it,he sent back, but how did you know?I listened to Corey's conversation with Ethan, I was practising. I don't plan on making this a habit, but,and before she could finish her sentence Byron waltzed up behind her, his hands wrapping around her waist.“You’re safe Lucy. Let everyone else worry about those things.
You need to keep training — and keeping me company. That is all that’s required of you.”
She spun around and pulled him close, looking him in his eyes, as she whispered “I love you” there was nothing purer in that moment. He didn’t reply. They were so caught in each other’s eyes that they both knew this was it for them. They only needed each other.
Chapter 8
Lucy was excited to step back into the office again. It had been a while, and though there were no updates from Davina or Deza, making an appearance was exactly what she needed. A little normalcy.
She arrived with Corey, both dressed sharper than usual. “Corey, you combed your hair?” she teased.
He frowned. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
Lucy laughed. “No, but really—you look fresh today. I wonder if it’s because we might be seeing Davina?”
Corey shot her a look, half-smirk tugging at his lips. “What makes you think I haven’t seen Davina?”
Lucy’s jaw dropped. “You didn’t—”
But he just walked ahead, smooth as ever, stepping into the Morgan Group building like he owned the place. His contented grin gave everything away.
As they entered, Lucy noticed how well things were running. The staff looked busy and confident; the atmosphere was lighter than before. There were still a few faces that carried that “I hate change” expression, but that was fine. You can’t please everyone, she thought.
When they reached her office, Davina was already there waiting with a tall glass of iced chai.
“Mmmm, exactly how I like it,” Lucy said, taking the drink. “Thank you.”
Davina smiled. “It’s good to see you, Lucy. We’ve missed you around here.”
Lucy moved past her to enter the office but noticed Corey hanging back by the doorway. He was acting… shy. Slowly, he walked up to Davina. She reached out, lifted his chin with her hand, and kissed him softly.
Lucy couldn’t help but grin as Corey sat on the edge of her desk whispering something that made Davina blush. It was so strange seeing her brother who was normally all macho and guarded, acting so soft. Gentle, even. Completely the opposite of Byron. Rough, through and through.
She huffed out a laugh under her breath.
Lucy sank into her chair and pulled out her phone.I’m here if you want to catch up,she texted Deza, but before she could hit send, the office door burst open.
“Lucy!” Deza beamed. “Whatever happened to our brunch or was it supposed to be a liquid lunch?”
Lucy laughed. “Soon, soon. But I do have a bottle of something in the fridge. How about we have a cheeky drink now while you fill me in?”
