Asher nods once.
Before I can even process that, Kayden chimes in with a theatrical groan. "Before we veer off into 'Saint Asher turned someone?' territory—yes, he saved the guy's life. Asked him first and everything. Heroic to a fault."
Asher's tone stays level. "He was a soldier under my command. Saved my life first. Took a hit that would've killed him. This… this was the only option."
I nod slowly. It's a lot. "And they're both like you? In control?"
"I was with Tomas when he turned," Asher says. "He never lost his empathy. And he listens. Wasn't hard to guide. Unlike most fledglings who fall to instinct."
"And Donna's been through Asher's kumbaya vampire rehab program," Kayden adds with a smirk. "She's clean. Mostly sunshine. Sometimes cinnamon roll."
Asher nods again. "They're safe. These are people I trust. But—" He leans forward, folding his hands. "You need to be comfortable with revealing what you are to them. And what you're trying to find."
I hold his gaze. "Areyoucomfortable potentially putting them on Darius's radar?" I don't need to spell it out. He knows what I mean.
I don't know if Darius has any interest in banshees, valkyries, or coyotes, but he's a threat to all vampires.
"I'll warn them of the risk," Asher says. "Without giving them details about you. If they're not comfortable, they won't come. But these aren't naive civilians—they've all survived things to make it here. They're powerful in their own ways. And if you choose to trust them, they'll stand with you."
I lean back, thinking.
I don't want to drag anyone into this storm. But if I can get that crystal, then maybe I can disappear again. And maybe the storm won't come here.
I exhale slowly, the weight of the decision settling on my shoulders. Then I nod.
"All right," I say. "Let's do it."
"Let's get the party started." Kayden stretches, his grin sharp. "I'm sure they'll be thrilled to see me again."
Asher gives him a flat look before turning back to me. "I'll call them tonight. See if they can make it by tomorrow."
"Thanks," I say quietly. "I… appreciate that." I start to rise, but Asher's voice halts me.
"One more thing, Sage."
I pause.
"I've been digging into Darius. So far, nothing. No paper trail, no exposed connections. Squeaky clean. Is there anything else you can tell us about him?"
Both of them are watching me now—Kayden casual on the couch, Asher sharper in the armchair—but the intensity behind their eyes is the same.
I draw in a breath, my mind flicking through all the fragments I know. What I can say.
"He keeps the dirty work buried. It's not tied to Hawthorn Industries. All the shady operations run through shell companies, disconnected on paper. Money flows through a maze of offshore accounts, fake entities. He has people for it—lawyers, accountants. You won't find much unless you already know exactly where to look."
Kayden's brow lifts slightly. Asher remains unreadable.
"And even if we did expose him… who would listen?" I add. "Who in the regular world would believe a nymph with no evidence accusing a green-tech billionaire of magical mind control and blood trafficking?"
Asher nods slowly. "That's true. Still, anything else? About his powers? Just in case we need to prepare countermeasures."
I hesitate, then answer as plainly as I can. "Satyrs are tied to the cycles of nature—sun and moon. They can channel power through both. It's deeper than nymphs or leshy can manage. I also read that they can tap into a nymph's power. I just don't know if the crystal can block that too."
"That's something," Asher says. "We'll keep looking. Maybe one of Winston's books will give us more."
He nods at me in dismissal. "Have a good night, Sage."
"Good night, sunshine," Kayden drawls, all heat and smug satisfaction.
