Page 76 of Spirit Storm

When we reconvene in the common space, Garrison has the keys to a van and a printed map of local hot spots.

"Tomorrow morning at nine o'clock, you'll meet with Chapter Liaison Torres. He's prepared a briefing on local lockstone knowledge." Garrison sets the keys on the coffee table. "The van is yours for the duration of your stay. You’ll be able to meet up with the descendant who contacted you and take some time for teambuilding."

I chuckle. "Thank you, for all of this. You’ve been incredibly cool about my entourage."

He inclines his massive head, and I notice how high the ceiling is. He doesn’t even need to duck to keep his horns from scraping.

"It’s important for a team to find balance, Poppy. Between learning who you were, your sisters being missing, Tharuzel visions, Henrik’s loss, and Wylder’s injury, you’ve been dealt a lot. It’s good to have friends who remind you of what’s important. A leader needs to ensure they don’t burn out."

"Put on my oxygen mask first. Yeah, I know. Asher is always saying things like that to me.”

“He’s an odd boy, but he loves you deeply.”

I nod. “It’s mutual.”

“So, nine a.m., yes?”

“I’ll be there.”

Garrison steps back and disappears into thin air, like he was never even here.

I stand there for a moment, wondering if finding a friend in Garrison and the Order is somehow a repayment for all the craptastic stuff I went through beforehand.

"So, straight to the beach?" Rowan asks, sticking her head out of her room.

"For you guys, sure. I’m focused on work first." I head into my room and drop my duffel on the end of the bed. Then I pull out my phone and open my messages with Khylie.

Poppy: We're here at the Order HQ. Ready to meet whenever you are.

The response comes before I can even pocket my phone.

Khylie: I'm already here! Front atrium. Can't wait to meet you all!

"Khylie’s here. She says she’s in the front atrium."

Wylder sets down his toiletries kit. "That was fast. Was she waiting for us?"

"Guess I’m about to find out. You coming?”

“Absolutely.”

In the end, everyone decides to come. It takes a few minutes to weave our way out of the guest quarters and find the front atrium, but we manage.

It sits at the heart of the compound, a circular space with a domed ceiling painted in swirling blues and greens. Sunlight streams through colored glass panels, scattering rainbow fragments across the polished floor.

A young woman bounces on her toes near the central fountain.

She spots us immediately. "Poppy?"

"That's me." I raise a hand.

She closes the distance in three energetic strides, beaming. "Oh my god, hi! I'm Khylie!" She's all brightness: sun-lightened braids, warm brown skin, and an enthusiasm that feels genuine. "It's so good to finally meet you! And you brought friends!"

"We call ourselves the Life and Death Brigade," I gesture to each in turn. "Wylder, Rowan, Clara, Izzy, Orion, and Asher."

"Wow." Khylie's grin widens. "That's cool. I wish there were more people my age on the island. Our coven is probably one of the smallest, and I’m the youngest, so it gets a little boring around here."

Oh, what I wouldn’t give for a little boring.