“You must be Opal.I’ve heard a lot about you,” Alison greeted.
Opal nodded, back to her silent self in the presence of a stranger.He was happy with it in this instance, as it meant she wouldn’t be inclined to say anything significant about her rescue that might give Alison pause.
Her hand tightened on his under Alison’s scrutiny, so he reluctantly picked her up.Tucking her securely in his arms with her head buried against his shoulder.
“You’re okay, I’ve got you,” he murmured softly.
He was afraid to show Alison anything that could be used against him.Seeing him and Opal interact told a different story than the facts that she already knew.But Opal was too young to understand if his behavior suddenly changed.
Alison was watching them when he looked up.Her expression was casual, but her eyes scrutinized everything about them.
“Your bond is very strong for something so recent,” she noted.
Connor didn’t respond directly to her statement.“You know, I don’t think I ever fully appreciated the guardian bond.It’s… powerful.Indescribable.But then, you already know that.”
“The same could be said about the magic Celina used to find you.”
“Amazing, isn’t it?How we keep learning new things about our magic?I’m glad to be part of a team that helps protect it.”
“Mmm… indeed,” Alison said noncommittally.
“Well, if you’ll excuse us.We should go wash up for dinner.”
“Of course.See you there, shortly.”
Opal lifted her head, flicking her eyes to Alison and then back to his worriedly.“I thought tonight was just for family,” she whispered.
“Oh, but I am family,” Alison said with a smile.“I wouldn’t miss celebrating Connor’s return.He is my soul-son, after all.We have a bond just like you do.”
Connor forced a smile to his face as the fissure along his heart cracked open.What he wouldn’t give for those words to still be true.
Mekray Residence, Realm of Calderre
Icyrainbatteredtheoverhang where Connor was hidden in the shadows with Ryan and Thalia.Sharp wind drove bits of ice into his face and blocked all other sounds.Thanks to the horrendous storm, he only needed a small amount of magic to conceal them.
Breaking into his commanding officer’s home was not something he ever imagined doing.It was worse that she was his soul-guardian.He was welcome in her home, always.It felt so wrong to be sneaking in through a back window.
Tapping his wrist, Ryan passed the message from Thalia that they were ready to move in.Connor worked to keep the magic billowing around Thalia as she maneuvered the window open and handled any safeguards in place to prevent intruders—one of her specialties.He followed his partners into the house after Thalia cleared the way.
Connor’s stomach flipped as he took the familiar path to the commander’s den that served as her home office.It hadn’t changed much over the years.A large desk was prominent, with two round leather chairs on one side of the room and a bookcase on the other.
How many hours had he spent in those chairs, talking with her?And not just about his career.He’d spent time here with his mother, too.The memories left a bitter taste in his mouth.
Alison was attending a formal gathering to celebrate the new Refugee Program Council.Celina and Morgan, who would both be serving on the council, were also in attendance, along with an assortment of high-ranking government, community, and military leaders.They had time before she would arrive home, but the sooner they disappeared into the stormy night, the better.
The three of them hunted quickly through her office for evidence of treachery.Shifting paintings, opening drawers, and lifting rugs produced nothing interesting.After two thorough sweeps, they divvied up the things needing closer inspection.Ryan, with his meticulous eye for detail, sat down at the desk to pour over the paperwork in the drawers.Thalia left to search the bedroom.
Connor began leafing through her books for any hidden documents.He found a few pieces of heirloom jewelry and other items as he searched but nothing that would be beneficial to their investigation.He hadn’t expected it to be so difficult to go through her things, but the tremor in his hands as he picked up one of her books on magic belied the truth.
His head began pounding sharply as he flipped through the book.It was very old, passed down through her family from ancient days.Probably the most valuable book in her collection, as it pre-dated the wars.The magic-treated pages ensured the book held up over hundreds of years.Many of the world’s books had been destroyed during the war-torn period of their history.
When he tried to ignore the headache, visual echoes spun like shadows in his mind.Foggy memories trying to surface.
Setting down the book—which he knew was willed to him along with many of her other belongings—he tried to relax his mind and let the memories come.He’d learned that the more he fought the memories, the sharper the pain became and the harder the emotional punch.He couldn’t afford to be compromised right now, so he let it come easily into his mind.
The shadows lightened as he settled his breathing into a slow rhythm, the images coming into focus.
Sitting in front of the fire, Connor read through one of Ali’s books.More feeling than reading, technically.He loved the feel of the ancient, magic-treated pages beneath his fingers.They had a distinct feel, as if the magic coating each page rippled beneath his fingers, tracking along with him as he read.It was his favorite book in her collection, and she’d promised he could have it one day when he grew up.
