Page 131 of Serpent & Saviors

“Yeah, well. She’s told them all no. Only I know the reason. And it’s the same one you have. Problem is the reality of it. I don’t know. Is it right to hold off living? And yes, I realize how ironic that is coming from me, of all people. But it’s true.”

I sighed. “You’re right. The only thing we know is she’s American. And has a southern accent.” My voice dipped with frustration. “America is huge. England is tiny compared to it. How will we ever find her? We don’t even have a name to go off of.”

Isabella sighed, rubbing her temples. “Kinsley’s grandfather might. He swears he doesn’t, but maybe now, if she presses. I don’t know.”

That was the hard truth of it, wasn’t it? We didn’t know so much. And the longer we sat here, turning it over in our minds, the heavier the weight of it became. The room grew quiet. Just as I was about to say something—anything to pull us out of the growing slump, Alek poked his head in. A grin split his face.

“You two busy?”

Isabella raised a brow. “Why?”

He slyly looked over his shoulder out into the hall. “I want you two to come with me. I have a big surprise for Kinsley.”

“I’ll need further details in order to commit,” Isabella said.

“It does require leaving and let me finish,” he had to cut off the rant she was prepared to go on. “It’s important. I know you prefer—”

“It’s a requirement, Reaper,” she huffed.

He chuckled. “Fine. I know your requirements are days or weeks’ notice in advance so you can prepare yourself, but this is big, Bellarusso.”

I glanced at Isabella, who was nervously chewing on her bottom lip as she contemplated the outing. I was still getting used to her requirements. And while she didn’t stay inside all the time, any plans outside the house had to be scheduled. But what she didn’t know was that I’d been expecting Alek all morning.

Because the real surprise?

It wasn’t for Kinsley. It was for Isabella. And every bit of it tied into the question she’d posed for me at the beach house a few weeks back. The question stemmed from pursuing your dreams.

For Kinsley and me, it was a no-brainer. She was entirely too talented to sit on it. While gallery showing or even owning one was a far off goal, us two girls had pieced something else together that we knew would be a perfect starting point.

Truth be told, she actually had prior knowledge in the area anyway. A few months back, Alek had hired a personal tattoo instructor for Isabella. He’d done it strictly because he wanted a new tattoo.

Can’t very well tattoo your right arm if you’re righthanded. At least not if you wanted it to come out. Certification could be something she worked toward easily. She was already halfway there.

Alek, when we originally approached him with our idea, was flabbergasted. He confessed he’d always wanted something similar for her, but wasn’t sure how to get her to see it. Now that her secret was out, it made things easier. And Andy had been working with her in her sessions about entering more of the outside world.

Baby steps and all.

Isabella groaned but pushed herself up from the couch, rolling her eyes. “Fine, but if this turns out to be something dumb, I swear—”

Before she could finish, Alek wrapped his arms around her middle and lifted her clear off the ground, spinning her around.

“Aleksandr King,” she shrieked, her legs kicking as she smacked his shoulder. “Put me down. I swear you’re an absolute menace.”

He laughed, but set her back on her feet. He seemed entirely unfazed by her glare. “Lighten up, Bellarusso. It’s going to be such a fantastic surprise.”

“Better not be another trip to Baby Bella or Baby Planet again,” she muttered.

“It’s not, but put in a good word on babies anytime you’d like.” He sighed.

“I’m serious, no talk of babies. If you can’t guarantee it, then I’ll lock myself in my studio for the rest of the week.”

Alek grinned, eyes glinting with mischief. “You could, that is true…did I ever tell you I had an extra key made? Might have forgotten that little bit of info when you moved in. So I dare you, do it.”

Isabella scoffed, “I’m going to ignore you said that given how much I know, you respect my art and its sacredness.”

“And I’d never go in there unless you went missing for days. Which you did threaten. You heard her, right, Tori?”

I smiled at the use of the nickname. “Yes, yes, I did. And in all actuality, you did think you misplaced the key the other day. Having an extra is just plain smart,” I said to Isabella.