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Julius ignored him. “You making dinner for any man would piss Kahn off. He can be very volatile when he’s pissed off. He might not be able to ‘self-regulate.’”

The Light Phases didn’t want to eat her food themselves. They simply wanted to veto who she served it to. Because that made so much sense.

Randa crossed her arms over her chest. “There is a difference between helping someone and enabling bad behavior. Let Kahn navigate his feelings, and he’ll make the right choice.”

“What if he doesn’t, though?”

“Of course he will! Kahn can do anything.” Had they met the man? “In fact, he’s already doing it. You said he’s made huge improvements in a few short days.”

Mannus, Daven, and Julius all frowned in consideration. The other Light Phases were worried about Kahn, but they couldn’t strip him of agency or lower expectations. It wouldn’t help him at all. Honestly, Elementals needed so much more awareness about mental health.

“You’re the one who’s been making him better.” Daven argued.

“No, he is the only person with the power to do that.”

Mannus wasn’t convinced. “So what? We just stand back and let him go Gone Wild?”

“No, we’re supportive. Which means no ‘placating,’ because it’s disrespectful. Communication and respect are how people build equitable, lasting relationships.” Randa paused. “…Not that Kahn and I have a relationship, of course. I just mean in general.”

Julius’ mouth twitched up, his shoulders relaxing. “Of course.” She hadn’t said exactly what he wanted to hear, but he didn’t seem angry. He seemed thoughtful.

Mannus and Daven exchanged a look. “Dinner’s going to be a murder circus.”

“Yep.”

Randa’s patience reached the breaking point. She jabbed a warning finger in their direction. “You had all better behave tonight or I will kick you out. None of you are on my good side today.” Her eyes swung back to Julius. “Don’t think I’ve forgotten you’ve been asking questions about me in the Elemental realm. You had no right to…”

The phone on her desk rang, interrupting her rant. Randa quickly snatched up the receiver. She was in charge of the non-emergency line, which mostly consisted of people looking for lost cats and complaining about parking tickets. Still, she always took her job seriously. “Mayport Beach Police Department.”

“You bitch!” Saxon’s voice screamed from the other end of the line.

Randa’s heart stopped, her frantic eyes finding Julius’. “Hello, Sax.” She said as calmly as she could. With her free hand, she stabbed at the speakerphone button so the Light Phases could listen in.

All three of them were already on their feet, circling her desk. Dark expressions marred their faces. In that second, she remembered she’d hired these men to kill for her.

Saxon continued bellowing. “Whatever plan you’ve got in your stupid, bimbo head, it won’t work.”

“You’re the one who’s been threatening me.”

“You don’t know what ‘threatening’ is. My brother was too soft on you. He never saw you for who you really are. ‘Oh, Randa deserves flowers!’ ‘Oh, Randa deserves chocolates.’”

“Flowers? Are you the one sending them?”

“You don’t deserve anything. You’ve always been a spoiled idiot, only good for fucking. You never learned your place, even with Parald.”

Randa winced.

“Where are you, Sax?” Julius asked, stepping in to shield her. Daven and Mannus were scowling at the phone like they wanted to leap through it and beat Saxon to death.

Sax chortled. “I knew it! I knew she was behind this. Did you think I wouldn’t find out that you’re searching for me, Light Phase?”

“You’re a criminal. Everyone’s searching for you.”

“Not like Randa is, though. That slut’s obsessed with me. I’ve always felt it. When Hekktor was alive, I’d watch her strutting around and I’d see how much she wanted me.”

Randa shuddered in revulsion.

“You know that Light Phases always find who we’re looking for.” Julius told him, his tone reasonable. “Why don’t you agree to meet with us? We’ll talk and maybe we can iron out this misunderstanding without any violence.”