“How long are you two planning on staying? Altair wants to discuss things more tomorrow.” Sorin looked at me. “He’s never going to stop pushing for war against Fervis.”
“He can push all he wants,” I said honestly, “but it’s not happening.”
“The rumors about the Moroi are getting worse.” Sorin rubbed his face. “Not just the Rynn and Samara thing, but also that the Blood Sovereign have secretly allied with the Fervis Order.” He dropped his hand and gave Rynn a questioning look. “Which they haven’t . . . right?”
“Yes, Samara doesn’t have enough to deal with, so she decided to add war with the Velesians to her to-do list,” Rynn deadpanned.
“I was just asking.” Sorin threw his hands up.
“Don’t ask stupid questions!”
The two siblings glared at each other.
“I’ll deal with Altair and Cyrus tomorrow. They’ve been itching to go to war with Fervis since before either of you were born, so this isn’t exactly a new problem.” What I didn’t say was that they were definitely getting pushier about it, and Fervis was definitely becoming more aggressive, but the Alpha pack had always kept things from exploding and we’d figure out how to cool the current high tensions. “It’ll probably be easier without either of you there. I don’t feel like performing with Rynn again tomorrow.”
Rynn grunted. “Good, because I want to do some research while I’m here.”
“What research?” A hint of suspicion entered Sorin’s eyes as he looked at his sister.
“The type that isn’t your business.”
Sorin looked like he was seconds away from strangling her. Sibling relationships were always the most confusing for me to understand. I was fairly certain that if Rynn and Sorin started brawling and I were to step in to restrain one of them, they’d get mad at me for laying a hand on the other.
“I should keep you company since Ivan is around,” Sorin finally said through gritted teeth.
“I’ve been handling Ivan and his bullshit since I was fifteen.” Rynn waved him off. “You can’t hang out with me all day; word will get back to Dad. Somebody has probably already snitched on you coming here tonight.”
“I was careful.”
“You’ve said that before.”
A heaviness fell in the room, and the guilt I’d seen in Sorin’s eyes earlier made another appearance. “Alright,” he finally said, “but you be careful tomorrow, okay?”
“Always.”
The look Sorin gave her said he didn’t believe that for a second, and I didn’t blame him. Rynn might worship at the altar of logic and practicality most of the time, but when that fiery temper of hers snapped, she was prone to making rash decisions.
Rynn opened the door. “Good night, Sorin.”
With a heavy sigh, Sorin started to leave, only to pause next to Rynn. “Say goodbye this time?” He held up his pinky finger.
After a few beats, Rynn looped her pinky finger around his. “I’ll try.”
She closed the door after him and leaned against it while staring at me and then the bed.
“I’m not sleeping on the floor, so don’t even ask,” I drawled.
“Actually, I was going to suggest you pay Trina a visit,” Rynn replied smoothly.
I frowned. “Who?”
“The gorgeous blonde who caught your eye earlier.”
“Ah.” I shrugged off my shirt, and my pants followed. Rynn adorably averted her gaze. “I told your brother I’d keep you safe, so sadly, Trina will have to go without the pleasure of my company tonight.”
“How tragic for her,” Rynn said dryly before pushing off the door, keeping her eyes fixed on a spot on the bed. “Don’t hog the covers again.”
“Don’t snore again,” I countered and slipped under the blankets.
