“I don’t believe it.”
Ignatius nods. “It’s not that people are bad, Leo. Not at all. It’s that we are all a mixture of life’s hardships, and sometimes, these experiences can leave their mark over time. Like imperfections that make us human. Or, in your case, Were.Elysia says Were souls shine brighter than the sun, powered by both your animal and human side.”
Rowan huffs—since it looks like he’s not going to get an ear rub from the older man—before making his way to the kitchen, already losing interest in the philosophical discussion about souls.
“But you, Leo, your soul shines very, very bright. In much the same way young children do. It’s a powerful thing, a soul like yours.”
Say what now?
That’s crazy.
Leo has known sadness and hardship.
He’s thought about being angry or unkind before.
In fact, he left a smaller tip for the server at Common Grounds when she had been rude to his Mama-Frankie two months ago. Well, he left a smaller tip at the time and then went back and fixed it. But the original intent had been the same.
He tells Ignatius just that. “I’m not without sin.”
Ignatius shrugs. “I can only tell you what Elysia has told me. Your soul shines uniquely bright. Your pack is lucky to have you. The world could do with more Leo Costas’s.”
“Fact!” Nix says before bumping his shoulder.
It settles him a little. He can’t figure out if he’s happy with the news or not. It feels weird to be complimented for something he has no control over.
He’s just Leo. That’s all.
The odd little man tilts his head to the side, assessing the impact of his words before he grins and adjusts his hat, spinning to bow to Jay.
“I must fly. There’s food on the stove from the school’s kitchens and more for later in the fridge. Make yourselves at home. Tomorrow is here already.”
“Thank you, Master Parvolio.” Jay bows and everyone follows suit—except Rowan, who presents himself for ear rubs one last time.
“Oh, Rowan. Yes, yes. Pat, pat, pat,” the older man says, as he does in factpat, pat, patRowan on the head.
It seems to satisfy the wolf, who turns tail to smell the mattresses and baskets of clothing.
Shit, if he pees on anything, they are screwed.
Gideon must think the same thing, because he puts grumpy Luca’s feet on the floor so he can remind Rowan he’s not marking territory in that way, with a hand in his ruff.
“I’ll be off. Feel safe here, and rest well.”
Ignatius gives a final wave before he exits through the door, steps up into the air, and flies away, his dressing gown flapping behind him.
“Well,” Jay says, before sitting in the room’s only chair.
Gideon hadn’t come to the door to say goodbye, choosing instead to familiarize himself with what was in the fridge and pantry.
Luca is lying on the very top of the stack of mattresses, squirming and calling for the queen, as his bed is too lumpy, and surely there must be a boulder in the stack somewhere. Maybe his mate had missed his calling as a Lifetime drama actor instead of the world’s best lyricist.
Nix appears by his side, with a bowl of beef stew and two thick slices of crusty bread with butter. They’re all still a bit damp from the rain, and the hearty food will go a long way toward warming them up.
“Thanks, Nix.”
“My pleasure. You okay?”
Is he okay? Leo does a lightning-fast physical check-in, and besides his still-sore butt, being damp from the rain, and feelinglike they dodged (and didn’t dodge) a flurry of projectiles today, he is remarkably okay.
