"Then maybe enjoy the respite while it lasts, because sooner or later we'll be right back at it and trying to take him down."
I rub at the ache in my sternum. "I hate that he's out there."
"I know you do. And when Mica gets back, we'll make a plan to send him back to hell."
Mica.Worrying about her is another thing that gnaws at me. "I keep telling myself she's fine, that the cat wouldn't have chosen her if she wasn't meant to be there, but?—"
He steps in front of me and takes both my wrists in his hands. "Don't borrow trouble. Until we know otherwise, Micais apprenticing with the Cinderheart Crucible, and when she's learned what she needs to, she'll be back."
He's right. I know he's right, and I hate it."Being patient while people I care about are in danger isn't my best event."
The crooked grin that confession earns me has my heart kicking it up a notch. "We got your sisters back and we'll get Mica back, too. She's smart. And if anyone can master an ancient forge, it's her."
"If she comes back. If she can forge weapons strong enough to send Tharuzel back. If we can find him when the time comes."
He chuckles. "That's a lot of ifs."
"Welcome to my brain." I manage a smile. "It's exhausting in there."
He tugs me over toward the stairs and we sit shoulder to shoulder. "What about your sisters? How are they handling everything?"
"Better than I expected, actually." I glance back at the parlor door. "They're both excited about going to Arcana. Violet especially.”
The healers at the Order weren't sure how long-term siphoning would affect their powers, so they put a temporary block on them. Lily is only dealing with the loss of her base magic, but Violet's affinity should've awoken by now.
She wants to know what it is.
He bumps my shoulder with his. "Arcana is exactly where they need to be. Despite you thinking it was a prison sentence, the academy does amazing work with empowered folks having trouble."
"I didn't think it was a prison sentence."
He laughs. "Yeah, you did."
I roll my eyes. "All right, maybe I did, but that was mostly because my mentor was an angry dick who hated me."
He winks at me. "And look how far we've come, Hallowind."
I lean in and press my lips to his in a gentle kiss. "I guess Arcana wasn't all bad. I also got Orion and Rowan out of my time there."
"And your sisters will flourish there too. They're strong and smart and talented… like their big sister."
I open my mouth to say something sassy, but footsteps thunder down the hallway before I can form words.
Asher skids around the corner, his shaggy blond hair even more disheveled than usual. "The movie is about to start! Snacks are ready! Get your hot crossed buns in gear!"
I laugh. "We're coming."
"I made extra popcorn because Orion ate half the first batch before I could stop him. Also, Nobuddy stole a piece of pizza, so there’s no telling what kind of horrific effect that will have on his tiny tummy."
"Yay you. It’s your week on poop patrol."
He makes a face. “Never a dull moment. Oh, and Rowan's threatening to use shadow magic to change the channel if we try to watch another rom-com, so we're doing action tonight. Your choice—she's got three queued up."
"Democracy at its finest." Wylder's dry tone makes me snort.
Asher grabs my wrist, tugging me toward the family room. "Comeon. We've been waiting forever."
I let him pull me along, Wylder following behind us. The sound of my friends' voices drifts down the hall—Rowan and Orion arguing good-naturedly about movie choices, the dogs barking, someone dropping what sounds like a bowl of something.
