“Cool,” Edovard and I say at the same time. I’m glad one of us side-liners knows what is what.
A gavel bangs, wielded by Akile, and we all look over to him as he announces, “Go to the IPPS space station for now and keep us updated on your hunt. When you find The Hollow, the three of you will combine magics to rebanish it from this universe, and we expect the magic will tell you how to accomplish that.”
That sounds vaguely plan-like. “I thought we’d have a more concrete plan by the end of this meeting.”
Gregory huffs beside me. “Did you? The Foxilys aren’t the type for detailed planning.”
“I did get that vibe.” It totally makes sense that we’re more of a by-the-seat-of-our-pants family.
Darcy and Santanos join us on the sidelines while Bellamy talks to Akile and Dakota (he’s also on the council). My man sits on my lap, and Santanos sits on Edovard’s, which puts their knees together. I don’t think either of them notice, and I barely note it before Darcy’s lips press into mine and he hums, a low reverberating sound that vibrates my body and soul.
“The question no one’s answered is why The Hollow would send a bug to kill my sister,” I point out, breaking the kiss as the thought occurs to me again.
Darcy scowls at my lips as he replies, “To get to me, probably. I ain’t invulnerable even with a council ward. I’m more likely to negate the ward and get myself in a pickle than to sit there and let it protect me from all and sundry. Ain’t never died by being drawn and quartered. If that happened, I’d have to be put together before I’d get over dying. That bugcouldhave killed me.”
Immortals die. They just get over it when they do. I have to remember that, because when he talked about dying, my stomach dropped unpleasantly. I don’t like the idea of Darcy dying.
“But why my family farm?” This is a sticking point for me. “It could have sent that thing to your family instead.”
“Harmonia?” Darcy suggests.
“If the theme of the Foxilys holds true,” Santanos drawls slowly, “then it’s likely because you’re a threat to The Hollow, and we should take you with us on this journey to annihilate it.”
Darcy scowls at him. “The three of us are immune to damage as long as we aren’t actively physically fighting something. My mate is completely mortal. Unless you have a quick way to make an immortal, there’s no way I’m taking him hunting for The Hollow.”
Something inside me sparks. It’s not so much a disagreement as it is a full blown rebellion. “Darcy.” I stop him, pulling his chin toward me and looking straight in his eyes. “Darcy.” It’s the only word I seem to be able to get out.
He stares back and fire ignites in his eyes. “No,” he protests firmly.
I blink, forcing him to see the fight inside me. “You have to bring me.”
Darcy growls, turning back to Santanos and shoving a finger at him. “If this was Edovard.”
That’s all he has to say, and Santanos gasps, clutching his mate’s beefy arm. “I would never.”
Darcy rumbles subvocally, causing the building to shiver. “You just did to mine.”
Santanos shakes his head, turning his pretty blue eyes toward me. “You shouldn’t go. You should keep my Edovard company while we’re tracking The Hollow down.”
Bellamy rejoins us, holding up a hand. “No, that’s not right,” he says firmly. “Elijah has to come along.” He grimaces, shaking his head. “No, I don’t think that. That was the magic talking, and I got caught up in the insanity. You shouldn’t come with us, but the magic is saying you should.”
Darcy growls again, hopping off my lap to pace. “This is stupid. Elijah is completely mortal. We can’t take someone who’s going to die, and we’re certainly not taking my mate. I haven’t had him long enough to contemplate putting him in this kind of danger.”
The frustration pours off him in hot waves, and he turns on his heels, pointing a finger at my chest. “You do not get to die yet! Not until I can make sure you’ll recover from it.”
I grab his finger and draw him in. The rebellion in me eases off, knowing that my lover is capitulating. “I promise that if I die, it will only be temporary.” I don’t know if I can promise that, but by the time we find out if I’m a liar, it won’t matter to me if I’m wrong. Death is the end of feelings and opinions, after all. “The magic needs me there. I feel that, and you know it must be strong for someone who’s mostly human to feel magic.”
Darcy yanks his hand out of mine, grabs my shirt, and pulls me down to his lips. “Do not die,” he commands me and seals his order with a kiss.
His kisses make me want to obey, and peace settles over me. I’m not going to die today. Whatever else happens, I’m going to live.
Once we break apart, we collectively head to the portal room, where a portal to the space station where I met all those interesting aliens—Yunkin—awaits us. I clap my hands as I step through and step to the side where Darcy is waiting for me.
“Let’s get some Spacebucks,” I suggest, and he rumbles a deep agreement. It’s been a long enough day that we deserve a little pick me up.
“Lunch first. I need sustenance,” Darcy insists.
Edovard hums his own approval. “I’m hungry. We should eat. Are we in space now? Is there food in space?”
