I drop down without thinking, bracing as Klause barrels into me first, solid muscle, while Artemis circles before launching in, knocking me back onto the warm stone.
“Jesus! Alright, alright—”
I grab Klause in a loose headlock, dragging him in as he huffs and wriggles, while Artemis plants herself square on my chest, a low growl rumbling as she bares her teeth right in my face.
Missed you too, girl, please don’t rip off my balls.
Niko laughs.
Actually laughs.
“Baker, you’re out of your fucking mind.”
Across the table, Logan and Sam look like they’re one wrong move away from bolting.
“You’re a crazy motherfucker,” Sam mutters. “Those things could rip your throat out.”
Artemis lets out another growl, teeth still on display, and I just grin up at her, reaching up to grab her instead as I release Klause.
“Nah,” I say, breathless, dragging her in as she immediately shifts, all aggression melting away. “ it’s my balls that I worried for, these fucking beauties are ball pickers.”
I scratch behind her ears, pressing my forehead briefly to hers. “They’re just my pretty babies, aren’t you?”
Klause nudges back in, demanding equal attention.
Then I shove them off gently, pushing myself up, brushing my hands down my shirt as I move toward the table.
I drop into the seat, still slightly out of breath, glancing between them all.
The mood’s different.
Too still.
Too tight.
I lean back, resting my arms along the chair, eyes flicking between Niko, Chace, Logan, and Sam.
“So,” I say, voice steady, cutting straight through it, “give it to me straight…”
I pause.
“I’m guessing you didn’t want Sera hearing whatever it is you’ve got to tell me?” Chace doesn’t speak at first.
He just reaches forward, sliding his iPad across the table toward me in one smooth motion.
Black screen.
His sunglasses are on, obscuring most of his expression, but the rest of him says enough—relaxed posture, blonde hair loose around his shoulders. I take the iPad.
On the screen is a live post.
Children of the Cross.
My jaw tightens before I even read it properly.
Gideon’s face stares back from a staged image beneath it.
A mass gathering.
