Aerén’s cell beeped with a return message. He glanced at it, then slipped the device into his pocket and stared outside through the glass door.
Leya put her palm on his lower spine, gently rubbing his back. “What’s wrong?”
He shook his head. “Nothing. I want you to do the test with her, as well.”
“Okay.” Before she could tell him not to get his hopes up, that somehow she’d have their magic, the door opened again, and Hana hurried inside. “All set.”
Aerén grasped Leya’s hand. “Hold on to your sister, and don’t let go.”
Hana lifted an eyebrow. “So, we’re gonna hoof it there by holding hands?”
“Han, please,” Leya begged, feeling Aerén’s tension as if it were her own.
Something flashed in Hana’s brown eyes, and Leya felt like crap. No matter her bravado, her sister was nervous. So, she talked or made jokes.
“It’ll be fine, I swear,” Leya said. “I faced the first time all on my own. Though Aerén had explained it, I didn’t believe him, either.”
With no teasing from Aerén, Leya’s stomach knotted. She knew he was on edge at finding the next Chosen, but his emotions were bleeding into her. Unable to shut them out, Leya reached for her sister’s hand and held on tight.
Hana gave her a responding squeeze. “I’m glad you’re coming, too,” she whispered.
Aerén glanced at them, and Leya nodded, grateful he gave Hana a little time to get herself together. He dematerialized them, and the office became a swirling haze as they evaporated, Hana’s squeal ringing in her ears.
They reformed in Central Park, in the now familiar, gloomy thicket. Sounds of yelling and children’s laughter crowded the noon air, despite the cloud cover promising rain.
Aerén let her go and lifted his hands. The dark air separated, revealing a glimmering portal.
Hana’s eyes widened like saucers as she gripped Leya’s hand.
Aerén stood aside and inclined his head for them to precede him.
He was so quiet, unlike his usual taunting self.
Frowning, Leya stepped through into brilliant sunshine, Hana close on her heels, the sounds of crashing water echoing in the misty air.
Leya turned as Aerén stepped through the gateway, his quietness causing wariness to take hold. He must be worried that Hana’s test could prove inconclusive, too.
She smiled and touched his powerful forearm. “All will be fine, you’ll see.”
CHAPTER27
“Whoa! Where are we?”Hana’s gaze darted about the sky-high house built into the mountains. She hurried to the balcony, peering down at the vast drop below and the smudges of green vegetation. “It’s gorgeous.”
“I know, right?” Leya followed her. “It’s another realm called Exilum.”
“And a place where exiled immortals live,” a strange, warm voice said.
Leya spun from the railing to face the pretty woman with dusky gold skin and forest green eyes. A tall, handsome immortal with hair like moonlight followed her.
After living in Cidéra, Leya wasn’t surprised by how good-looking the Empyreans were.
“Aerén.” The woman beamed in a familiar way that spoke of an affectionate friendship. “I haven’t seen you in ages.”
“Hey, Eve.” Aerén’s smiled.
Eve. The girl whose parents died in the car wreck years ago while Leya rushed to the hospital with their mother?
“Blame the portal for the unreliable time shift. Reynner,” he greeted the other man with a nod, then introduced them. “This is Leya, and her sister, Hana.”
