Defining Darkness - K E Osborn Page 0,69

place she wants to be. I personally don’t understand it. The place creeps me the hell out, but if this is where she finds her peace, then so be it.

“Do you think I’ll be allowed out on a ride at some point?” Ivy asks as she punches a pillow trying to maximize the fluff.

I shrug, dipping the brush into the red polish. “I get the feeling Nycto was only doing it to appease me. I’m not even sure if I’ll be allowed to go back out again.”

Ivy pouts her bottom lip out. “Shame. I’d love to experience the power of a bike.”

“It was amazing. I guess we’ll just have to stay in and get fat on Trixie’s delicacies.”

Ivy’s eyes widen. “I know, right? She really is a crazy good cook. I should get her to teach me some stuff.”

“We should have a cooking class with the three of us.”

“So much, yes.”

Footsteps grab our attention as we both turn to the brick wall as it pulls open.

Void stops in the doorway, widening his eyes when he spots me. “Sorry, Eva, didn’t realize you were down here. I’ll come back.”

Ivy walks over, dragging him inside the room. “No, stay. We were chatting about how good Trixie’s cooking is.”

Void looks from Ivy to me like he’s uncomfortable with me being in here. Like I’m intruding on his time with her. It makes me wonder if there’s more to their friendship than even he’s aware of.

“Her Cuban sandwiches are to die for,” I add to break the tension as he shifts on the seat he’s just sat on.

I haven’t spent a great deal of time with Void. To be honest, he’s generally with Ivy, so I can’t read what’s going through his mind.

“You’re doing that quiet thing you do. You don’t have to be shy around Eva. She’s just like me, Void,” Ivy offers, placing her hand on his knee.

Void tenses. He’s usually quiet, but he’s opened up around her.

That’s a good thing.

I have to leave.

Void’s come down to talk to her for a reason, and I know he won’t open up in front of me.

“Hey, I need to go check on something. I’ll come back later, okay?”

Ivy pouts as Void’s eyes flicker with something.

He definitely wants me to leave.

“Okay, I’m out.”

“I’ll be here, come back when you’re ready,” Ivy gushes.

“I still can’t grasp why you like it down here, Ivy. It’s like the walls are moaning all the time.”

Void sits taller, while Ivy snorts out a laugh. “Don’t be ridiculous. And anyway, even I don’t know why I like it. It just feels good. Like my home.”

She’s right, this place is like home now. When I first got here, I had no idea I could wrap my mind around actually liking this place so much I would want to stay, but it’s where I’m at.

Leaving the bunker, leaving Nycto, both of those thoughts are abhorrent to me now.

I take off to go in search of Nycto. Walking up the stairs, I find him sitting with Spark at the bar. Making my way over to him, I can’t help but overhear their conversation as I approach.

“It’s gotten really crazy over in Australia, Prez. The fires are rampant. The country is literally burning. You know what it means to me. I’m drawn to those motherfucking flames, but also, my blood brother called me. They need my skills. Work’s on board with me heading over there,” Spark urges.

Drawn to the flames, what a weird thing to say.

Nycto slaps him on the shoulder. “I understand, brother. If you have to go, you go for as long as you need to.”

“I gotta deal with paperwork and shit, but I’ll keep you informed.”

Nycto dips his chin. Spark exhales as if a calm washed over him. I may not understand his need to be near fires, but if it’s his calling, then good on him for fighting that fight.

I take the opportunity to slide in to the spot where Spark vacated. “That sounded interesting.”

“Spark’s part of the military. We’re not sure what he does other than firefighting. His fascination for fires goes deeper than I think any of us can understand. It’s a primal thing for him. I get it… how something haunts you. So, if he needs to go, he should.”

“I know we’ve had a rough day, but underneath it all, you’re a good man, Nycto.”

“Not everyone would agree with you.”

I reach out, taking his hand in mine. “Well, I see you. I was cold with you before, but