“And here you thought I was going to be a thorn in your side, take the Celestial magic from you and my spell.”
“Well, you would have tried to take it. The spell, I’d imagine you have the means to tear from anybody you wish. The magic, though, it’s mapped to me specifically, so that won’t be possible without my agreement.”
Instead of being insulted, his expression softened. “Winter’s fortunate to have you on the right side of things for him.”
“It works both ways. He deserves this depth of loyalty and devotion.”
“He does, yeah.”
A moment passed between us, one I certainly hadn’t seen coming.
And then an unexpected rumble of a voice cut into our interaction.
“Leave him alone, Kai.”
The both of us jolted, neither having felt the approach.
That familiar hooded leather coat emerged from seemingly nowhere, and then Sylas came into view striding toward us, hood up, crimson magic crackling from his fingers, most definitely putting forth a menacing edge.
Kai had his back to the approach.
A sly smile spread over his face. “Sylas.”
“Kai,” Sylas rumbled. “He’s not to be harmed—or manipulated.”
“You can tone down the theatrics. He’s in no danger from me.” He took a step back from me. “I didn’t feel you tracking me.”
“I death-tethered you once.” He flicked his hand. “And, you know, the other thing.”
“Ah, sometimes a blessing, sometimes a curse,” Kai said, smirking as he turned to face him. “Why did you seek me out?”
“I texted and called, but you didn’t respond. You’re so quick to respond, except when you’re engaged in a marathon fuck session with your loves, which I knew you weren’t, because Ari is taking Christalyn to the Guardian Movement today to ease her into her induction, Vorzyr is with Jaxon alongside my rambunctious Lazriel at the Shifter Stabilization Unit, and Nyx is at Crossborn with my Dark Beauty.”
“And Arcanum Order?”
“You just finished up a major project and you always take a mental health break afterward for a few days to clear your head.”
Kai slapped a hand to his chest. “How well you know me, brother.”
“Yes. I do,” Sylas responded pointedly, looking between me and Kai. “So you know, then?” he stated, more than asked.
“To give your son’s boyfriend the incredible credit he deserves, he didn’t reveal anything, so much as I—”
“Deduced it with your creepy fucking stalking and paranoid monitoring of all too much?”
“Not paranoid. As you well know.”
Sylas sighed and flipped his hood down. “Yeah, I do know. All right.” He looked at me. “Okay there?”
“Yes. I’m perfectly well.”
“Hmm. Then, you must have Kai’s respect.”
Kai stepped up to him. “What did you seek me out for?”
“It was actually what I needed you away from.”
Kai frowned.
