I tsked. “You don’t mean that.”
Tombs might be dead, but whoever supplied him with the Blue Alhuirn was still in the wind. Blake Tehlin had brought some through the gateway, but not all of it. He had no memory of doing it, either, nor did he have the skills necessary to refine the leaves and make the hallucinogen into an injectable form.
The hunter who’d been working with Tombs had broken down and confessed everything when presented with the prospect of spending years in a fae prison instead of a human one. He’d caved pretty quickly when Max had offered him a deal.
He’d also filled in a few gaps as to why Tombs had done all this in the first place. Turned out Tombs had argued with some of his group after I’d walked out. Things had got heated, escalated, and a large chunk of the group left. Tombs never recovered the level of awe and respect he’d enjoyed before I left and for that he blamed me.
He’d held on to that grudge for five years.
As a result of the hunter’s confession, Lady Sarhin and Rys’s dad had spent the last week coming and going through the gateway, meeting with the paranormal police and everyone else involved in the case.
To say Rys had found it taxing was an understatement of epic proportions.
“He hasn’t interfered with the pack.” I nudged him when he grunted in reply. “And I know you like seeing him.”
He nuzzled the back of my neck. “I do, and I know he hasn’t. It’s just, I’ve gone years with only seeing him two or three times a year.” His sigh blew warmth over my skin. “I’m not used to it. And I just want things to get back to normal.”
Normal.
He immediately stiffened.
We hadn’t exactly discussed what that meant for us.
But I’d received confirmation of something that morning that should put his mind at ease.
There’d never been any doubt in my mind that I’d stay here, but Rys didn’t want to come between me and a job I’d worked so hard to be accepted into.
I’d choose him above anything, but after talking to Max a few minutes ago, I now didn’t have to. “They’re keeping me on as Max’s partner.” Rys stilled behind me and I smiled. “Not only do we still have to find who’s dealing and refining poisonous fae plants, they want me to train to become a fully-fledged member of the paranormal police.”
His arms tightened around me, teeth scraping the top of my shoulder. “So you’re staying?”
“I was always staying,” I chided. “You knew that.”
The breath he let out this time felt like relief. “I did. But now I know you’re not giving up a huge part of your life for me.”
I’d have done it in a heartbeat. But if this way made him happy, then I wasn’t about to argue the point.
“Come on,” I said, reluctantly sliding out of his embrace. “I don’t want to be late.”
* * *
We weren’tthe only ones arriving at Axel’s house to say our farewells. Talis accompanied us, and Max was already there.
To say things were strained between Talis and Axel was putting it mildly. As soon as Talis recovered enough to be up and about, Axel returned to his own home. He’d healed enough not to need any help and had been only too keen to get out of the pack house.
Neither of them spoke about what had happened at my cottage.
It had become a taboo subject that no one dared bring up. I knew Rys was itching to discuss it with both of them, but for now he left it alone. The events from two weeks ago were still a little raw in everyone’s minds.
But it meant things could get a little awkward whenever Talis and Axel were together.
As was no doubt about to happen as Axel opened his front door and came out to meet us.
“Morning.” His easy smile faltered when his gaze landed on Talis.
Max, reading the room as adeptly as usual, walked up to him with his customary grin. “All right, Axel? Everyone ready?”
Axel latched on to the conversation like a lifeline. “Yes, they’re out in the garden by the gateway. We were just waiting for you.” He gestured to us all. “Come on through.” He turned to lead the way back inside, Max and the rest of us following.
