“I’ve finally discovered the food of my soul—Chinese take-out,” Aerén said, digging into hisbeef chow mein.
“Anything edible is your soul’s food,” North grunted.
Aerén snorted. “Eve, your opinion?”
She reached for her water and took a sip. Smiled. “It’s my fav, too.”
“We have a lot to do,” Reynner said, sitting beside her and pulling them back to the job at hand.
A moment later, he set a plate piled with noodles and chicken strips in front of her. He shifted in his seat, and his jean-cladded thigh brushed against her bare one, finally wrecking her calm.
She stared at the food, her hunger deserting her. All she could think off was his big body sliding against hers. She had to steel herself not to reach out and touch him.
As Reynner ate his own food, he spoke to the others about the fight with the Darkreans. He appeared cool, focused, while her stomach tied itself in knots.
He’s not interested in more, Eve.
She pushed the noodles around on her plate.
“You’re not eating.”
She blinked and glanced at Reynner. He moved his empty plate aside and nodded to her still full one.
“I'm not hungry.”
Those indigo eyes narrowed. “Try.”
Her irritation flared at his order, or maybe it was because of her unrequited feelings, she snapped, “Don’t worry, I won't shrivel up from hunger and faint mid-quest—I’ll find your artifact.”
His mouth tightened.
With a sigh, Eve stopped baiting him. She picked up her fork, scooped up noodles, and started eating.
“You wounded Sebris. He’ll equate then be back,” North warned, pulling Reynner’s attention away from her. “And he’ll have reinforcements around.”
“Yeah, he will,” Reynner muttered. Leaning back in his chair, and his thigh pressed against hers again.
Her grip tightened on her fork. If she moved away, she’d probably end up on Aerén’s lap.
Ugh, it made her realized now just how small the circular dining table was.
Eve kept her focus on North and Aerén, who started to discuss possible locations of the Stone.
“The artifact is eons old,” North said, drinking some of his Pepsi. “It could be anywhere, possibly buried in the labyrinth beneath the city.”
“We could try cemeteries, bridges, and museums,” Aerén suggested, reaching for a spring roll.
“Hell, no. I’m not breaking into a museum again,” Eve retorted, setting her glass down with a little thump.
Aerén grinned, took a bite of his roll, chewed. “Hmmm, maybe we should start searching those first?”
“We have little choice but to searchall,” Reynner cut off Aerén’s teasing. “Despite the artifact being lost eons ago, it will not be buried, but hidden in plain sight. We are talking about ancient magic, far more powerful than anyone has ever seen. The Stone will want to be found, just not by us. It’s why Eve will have to be there.”
He leaned his elbows on the table, moved his water glass to another spot, and looked at her. “Your show’s in a few days, right?”
She nodded, and ate another bite of her food.
“What show?” Aerén asked.
