Theo was the most handsome man she had ever seen. Navy-blue waves caressed his slim, tan face. Dark blue eyes looked far too welcoming. A cream dress shirt and vest barely hid a toned body.
Lucy did not trust that.
Her eyes narrowed.
“Stop staring,” Sylva said, jabbing her side gently. It was a question disguised as contact. Lucy didn’t flinch. Sylva relaxed at her acceptance of his touch.
Theo’s gaze flicked to them for just a moment. Lucy sensed calculations happening at the speed of light before he settled on a casual smile.
Lucy’s stomach flipped.
Rhea chattered cheerfully, completely oblivious. “He helps with the Sparrow. Logistics, mostly.”
“Sparrow,” Lucy repeated slowly.
Theo smiled. “Among other things.”
Lucy’s brain screamed. Something about him felt familiar, but she would never forget a face like his. It could have been because he looked very similar to Rhea… but that didn’t seem right.
She watched Theo move as if he were playing a role that required him to take up as little space as possible. People like that were never small by accident.
“Well,” Lucy said brightly, “you’re quite attractive.”
Theo laughed easily. Too easily.
“I know. This face comes in handy from time to time.”
Sylva’s tail twitched.
Lucy grinned.
Oh.
Oh, she was going to enjoy this.
Traveling, it turned out, wasn’t just dangerous.
It was full of men wearing faces that weren’t theirs.
And Lucy had a very particular talent for noticing when the story didn’t add up.
32
Esther
How to Survive a Reunion: prepare for bone-crushing hugs.
Vorrik hit her like a runaway boulder.
One moment, Esther was standing, trying to breathe normally after the emotional avalanche under the elm. Next, her feet wereoff the ground, her torso trapped in a bear hug, and her ribs screaming in protest.
“Essie!” Vorrik roared, spinning her once like she was a particularly beloved sack of flour.
“Vorrik—Vorrik—lungs—” she wheezed.
He froze mid-spin. “Oh! Sorry!”
He set her down so fast her knees wobbled. Nythir’s hands immediately steadied her shoulders, warm and grounding.
