“Who’s ready to go home?” Calista asks with a bright smile before she starshoots in front of us.
My brothers and I just stare at her.
“May I have a moment with them before you all go?” Derivius asks as he appears beside her.
Her shoulders sag with her sigh.
“I suppose. Make it quick, though. I don’t want to waste a second.”
He gives her a small smile and a dip of his head. When she turns around, he twirls his finger by his temple, and Riven chokes down a chuckle.
My coiled muscles loosen a fraction as Thayla steps between Amick and me. The contact has the same effect on him as well. A subtle breath slips through his lips, and judging by the way Riven and Kyzen relax, she’s stroking all our souls.
This whole pretending she’s just our Binder is so fucking hard. I want—we all want—more than anything to snatch her into our arms and not let her go.
“Are you all okay with this, truly?” Derivius asks.
“Fuck no, but what choice do we have? Also, way to warn us about Consequence’s betrayal,” I say.
He nods. “Despite looking forward to how chaotic his appearance would’ve made this, in my more logical judgment, I know him not showing was for the best.”
My eyes narrow on that cryptic-ass comment.
“How could that possibly be true?” Amick asks.
“In due time, my boy.” He squeezes Amick’s shoulder with a tight grin and lowers his voice. “Now, go and try to be mindful of your manners. You know how…emotional she can be.”
“Emotional,” I scoff.
“What do you all think is worse? An overly emotional mom, or one with no emotion at all? She didn’t even fucking look at me today.”
The fake-ass laugh that Riven lets out doesn’t get past any of us. Derivius is the only one to spare him a glance, though.
Thayla, Kyzen, Amick, and I know better than to push that button right now.
“Sir.”
Our attention shifts as Derivius spins around.
“Ah, Mr. Valadi. Thank you for your service today. I must say you’ve done a remarkable job with your son. A very fine Mediator he is.”
“Thank you for your kind words.” Mr. Valadi bows. “He truly shocked me today.”
His gaze doesn’t flicker toward Nero, but the undertones speak loud and clear.
“I was just departing, so I wanted to give you my regards.”
“Of course. Until next time.”
I peer out of my peripheral, watching him as he stops at Nero’s side, grips his bicep, and leans closer to his ear. His voice doesn’t rise above a whisper, and he doesn’t spare Yemi a look, but whatever he just said unnerves Nero.
I’m not the only one who caught that.
“Will you do me a favor when we leave?” Thayla asks quietly.
“What’s that, little troublling?”
“Escort Yemi and Nero right home. Not the Sanctum but to their house.”
