Page 53 of The Human’s Heart

Kian sighed. “That’s the plan.”

“But you’re coming back here after, right?”

Key finished making his coffee, then turned to lean his back against the counter and stare at us. “Aren’t you two sick of having me here?”

Hugo straightened, and before I could say anything, he said, “Absolutely not.”

My brother eyed him for a moment, then looked at me, so I nodded in agreement, and he sighed again. “Are you sure? I don’t want to impose or overstay my welcome.”

“We like having you here.” My viramore spoke again before I could, and I couldn’t contain a small smile. I loved that he loved my brother the way I did. “We’re happy you’re staying with us.”

Kian stared into his coffee mug for a long moment before quietly asking, “Are you sure?”

“Yes, Kian,” I said this time so he’d know I was on board with this plan too. “Please come back here after work tonight.”

“I think we still have a frozen eggplant lasagna from Uncle Tio,” Hugo said. “We can make that and just relax for a while, maybe watch some TV or whatever.”

“You two don’t want to go out?”

Hugo shook his head. “Staying in and chilling on the couch is my favorite thing to do.”

Kian snorted, shaking his head. “Why am I not surprised?”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Hugo didn’t sound offended at all. He sounded amused, luckily for my brother.

Key shrugged. “That your viramore is the most boring person on the planet, so I shouldn’t be surprised you’re just as boring.”

Hugo picked up his spoon from his own coffee mug, licked the liquid off, and to my surprise, chucked it at Kian. All three of us watched it fly across the kitchen and smack my brother right in the center of his chest before falling to the ground.

Kian looked up at Hugo in surprise. “I can’t believe you did that!” And then all three of us burst out laughing.

It was so good to hear a true laugh from him. I was pretty sure this was the first real, full one he’d had since Phia died, and it was encouraging to know he still had it in him.

When my phone rang, I was surprised to see my Uncle Bas calling. I was in the middle of a class—luckily my phone was on vibrate—and since I figured he would only call if it was urgent, I quietly stood and walked out into the hallway to answer. “Hello?”

“Hey, Zay. Are you busy right now?”

“Um, I’m in class, but I stepped out.”

“Shit. I’m sorry—”

“It’s fine. What’s going on, Uncle Bas?”

He let out a long sigh. “I just wanted to check up on Kian and see if any of you have seen or heard anything suspicious since Phia’s death?”

My brow furrowed. I knew he was one of the agents investigating her murder, but why in the world was he asking me this right now?

“Um… no, not that I’ve noticed. Hugo only went back to work two days ago, and Grandpa escorted him there and back himself. Kian went back today, although you probably know that since he works in your office.”

Uncle Bas let out an unintelligible murmur. “Right. Okay. Well, keep your eyes peeled and let me know if you see anything.”

“Did something happen?”

Even though I couldn’t see his face, I knew he was grimacing from the sound of his voice. “No, but we found a few… strange connections between Phia and that Bart—or Bokkai—guy.”

My heart seized in my chest. “What? Hugo’s old boss? The one who tried to kill us?”

“Yes.”