still fuzzy, since I was temporarily stuck between the world of the living and the world of the dead, but even I still had something to fight for: I did not want to become Knight Ghoul chow.
“Some of us should focus on Roano’s defense,” Sofia said.
“I’ll stay,” Seeley replied.
“Me too.” I sighed. “We’re better together.”
He gave me a gentle smile, and I knew there was so much more he would’ve liked to tell me. Later, perhaps, when no one was watching. It had been a while since Seeley and I had had a moment of peace with just the two of us. It had been a manic rollercoaster ride through fire and storms and evil and soul-crushing dangers for what felt like a very long time.
Time cleared his throat. “I will stay, as well, to look after the interdimensional pockets. Phantom and Soul have relatively similar abilities, so she can help with maintaining the integrity from within. Morning will stay too, since she and Phantom are working with Tristan and Valaine.”
“Which means I’m cleared for field ops, huh?” Soul chuckled, then pointed a warning finger at Esme. “Don’t forget, sweetheart. I cannot get knocked out; otherwise, you’re all screwed.”
“Is this your way of asking me to watch your six?” Esme retorted.
“I’ll watch his back,” Kelara muttered, giving him a most daring sideways glance. Oh, there was definitely something brewing between Kelara and Soul, and I couldn’t help but wonder what that would be like, considering they were both preceptors of death and what lay beyond life, with a potential eternity laid at their feet.
“I’m staying in Roano, as well,” Esme said. “Ansel, Moore, and Tudyk need me. And I’m obviously not leaving Kalon alone. Not with his psycho mother out there.”
“You have me and the whole of Orvis behind you,” Kalla declared, then glanced at Thayen. “The same goes for you, young prince. You’re in our care until this whole nightmare is over.”
“As long as we’re together, I’ll be okay,” Thayen murmured.
“Sofia and I will have to discuss our own involvement in Roano’s protection,” Derek said. “We might have to join in on the Whip hunts, too.”
Kailani stepped forward. “Hold on. Let me suggest something. Ridan, Amane, and Trev—you three can form a Whip hunting party. And you can take some ghouls with you, since they all seem to like Trev a lot.”
“Sounds good. I’m getting stronger,” the dragon replied, one arm stretching around Amane’s shoulders. “I will be more than happy to chomp the head off a Whip or two, if you’ll let me.”
“As long as I get to participate,” Amane said, putting on a playful smirk.
“You two have a whole different kind of kink going on there, huh?” Soul chuckled.
Amal raised a hand. “I’ll stay back. We need healers in Roano. Besides, Sofia needs to continue her day-walking treatment. There are a couple of shots left, and Rose wants to start the treatment, as well.”
Derek’s eyes widened. “Wait, what?”
“Oh! With everything that’s been happening, none of us even remembered to tell you,” Sofia said with a gasp. “It’s working. The twins finally got the formula right. I’m a day-walker now!”
By the time Derek had returned to Roano, the sun had already set, hidden behind thick rain clouds. The air smelled of incoming rain, Esme had said. I wished I could still sense such things myself. I would’ve loved nothing more than to stand out here and feel the droplets of cold water on my face.
“No way!” Derek exclaimed and hugged Sofia tightly. His eyes were wet. “No friggin’ way!”
“Yes friggin’ way.” Sofia laughed. “It’s working. We finally got what we came here for.”
“And yet here you are, in no way willing to leave,” Widow grumbled.
“Do you think we should all just skedaddle, then?” Rose replied dryly, one eyebrow raised. Widow offered a shrug in return.
“It was meant in a more admiring way,” he said. “The absence of my expression makes it difficult for you to pick up on the nuances in my tone.”
“You know what, screw your nuances,” Soul replied and vanished for the briefest of moments. He reappeared behind Widow, taking him by surprise. He moved so quickly, Widow didn’t stand a chance. Soul grabbed his head cover and pulled it off to reveal Widow’s true face.
“By the stars,” I croaked, breathless.
Widow froze in the middle of our gathering, his galaxy eyes round and filled with horror. I could only imagine how he felt, since he’d never taken that thing off in public.
“Oh!” Kelara blurted, equally surprised.