"Of course. Just let me know when they're ready."
Me: Text me when you're ready to come, and Zephyr will make the portal.
Khush: Will do. Gotta go!
I snickered as I imagined him trying to get Dustin back into bed while the human insisted on packing up. They weresomade for each other.
"What are you doing anyway?" I asked as I slid my phone into my shirt pocket. I stepped closer to the desk to peer at the notebook and saw a bunch of upside-down numbers.
"Finances," he said with an adorable frown. "I have a human accountant who takes care of most of it, but I try to keep a log of the money spent for the Sanctuary."
"Do you have a lot of money?" I asked, curious. Then I realized that was probably a rude thing to ask someone, and added, "You don't have to tell me."
"I don't mind," he said with a chuckle as he met my gaze. Even in a few days, the result of not having to worry about the Sanctuary was obvious. The bags under his eyes were still there, but they looked lighter, and his blue eyes were brighter than they'd been in months. "I don't know what you'd describe as 'a lot,' but I have enough that the Sanctuary could survive on it for at least a decade. But I also have investments that keep the money growing, so we don't have to worry about running out."
I knew from talking to Nolan that Zephyr was over two centuries old, and I imagined he'd been saving money for at least half of that time.
While we had farms at the Sanctuary, all animal-based food—milk, eggs, meat—came from the human world, as well as clothes, tools for Draven, books for the library, and many other things. I imagined it wasn't cheap to keep this place running, especially because most of the supes who ended up here didn't have a penny to their names. I certainly didn't.
"Can I ask you a question?" I asked after a few minutes of silence, and Zephyr hummed without looking up from his work. I wasn't sure if he was bothered that I was hanging around here, but he hadn't asked me to leave, so I planned to stick around until he did. "Why did you create this place?"
Zephyr's pen paused, and he stared blankly at the notebook for a moment before glancing up at me. He bit his lower lip as he mulled over his answer, and I dragged my gaze away before I did something stupid like ask him if I could bite it for him.
"When I was young, I wished there was a place like this. Somewhere I could be safe from humansandsupes alike. At first, I meant to live here alone. But then I met Draven, who was also looking for a safe haven, and he made me realize I could use my magic for good. I hadn't found a place like this when I really needed it, but I could make one for others like me."
I'd always wondered if Draven was the first resident, since he seemed to have a hand in everything and knew everything about this place.
I imagined a young Zephyr, fresh from the loss of his familiar and his arm, working hard to make a safe place for others even though no one had offered him one when he needed it. How had he continued to be so good?
Unable to find words to express how much I admired him, I walked around the desk once more and leaned down, for once glad of my short stature. I wrapped my arms around him from the side, and hugged him tight as I kissed the side of his head.
"You are amazing, Zephyr."
Zephyr
Portal was the first spell I perfected after losing my arm because I never, ever wanted to be without a means of escape again. Now, I could make them with barely a thought, which was what I'd done now so Khush and Dustin could return, while my mind stayed firmly on the hug Keoni had given me a few hours ago.
He'd called me amazing, and kissed my head. Then he'd gone back to his spot and stood there, reading. He'd seemed content to keep me company as I worked, asking questions every once in a while. He used to do that before, when he first came to the Sanctuary, and I'd entertained him because I'd thought he was a kid. Now that I knew better, I wondered why he'd done that.
Silas came through the door first with four bulging duffel bags in his arms. I'd made the portal from Khush's bedroom to the one they were staying in so Dustin wouldn't have to walk much, and Silas set to unpacking everything as Khush walked through with Dustin cradled in his arms.
"I can walk, dammit!" Dustin growled as he smacked Khush's chest with his small fist, and I bit back a smile. Khush carried his mate to the bed as Haruto came through with the wheelchair Khush had been using. Nodding at me, he headed down the stairs, probably to deposit the wheelchair.
"Is that everyone?" I asked, and Khush glanced back, a smile on his face.
"Yeah. Liam's watching the shop, so he'll come home in the evening. Haruto will probably head back there with some lunch later."
Nodding, I closed the portal, then walked over to the bed, meeting Dustin's gaze.
"I'm sorry it took me so long to fix everything," I murmured, and Dustin waved me off.
"It's all good. We're here now, aren't we? This little snakelet's gonna be born here, and that's all I care about," he said as he patted his belly, and I smiled.
"Let me know if there's anything either of you need, okay? And talk to Draven. He has some experience assisting with births, so he can answer any questions you have." While I didn't think Draven had ever assisted a human, or helped with a half-naga kid, I was sure he'd be able to help them in some way, though grudgingly, like he did most things.
Khush shot me a surprised look, but nodded. Dustin narrowed his eyes at me, his lips pursed. "You should take care of yourself too. You look like hell."
I blinked, then chuckled. Very few people in this place spoke to me like that, like I was their equal. There was Draven, Keoni, Nolan, and apparently, Dustin.
