“It means your brother is potentially in danger, and not just from the humans who want him eliminated. The Vyastil council would not…approve,” Eissa says slowly, “of a human walking around with this kind of knowledge.”
A chill runs down my spine. “They’ll want him dead, too?”
“If they find out. We are attempting to eliminate the human threat against the portals, but there have been some attempts in recent months to place explosives. We have managed to stop them every time, but from what we know, they are also trying to enter into Erethar.”
“What for?” I shift and look at Luca, but he seems as confused as I am.
Eissa bows his head for a moment. “I believe to start a war between humans and Vyastil. Or perhaps to create as much destruction as they can, so it will force us to close down every portal. They do not understand that the Vyastil government will do no such thing. They will resort to…other matters before that happens.”
Whatever that means, I know it’s not good.
“There needs to be some changes made,” Eissa goes on, “but it will take time. And your brother needs protection.”
Luca makes an irritated noise in the back of his throat and waves his hand for attention. ‘I’ll be fine.’
‘Shut up,’ my fingers snap near my mouth. ‘You almost died! I can’t imagine what you looked like before the zitha. So no, you are not fine.’
He looks like he wants to argue, but his hand stays still, resting on his chest. He locks eyes with Eissa, and if I didn’t know any better, I’d say they were communicating through their minds.
But I know for a fact that’s not possible. It takes a deep connection for that, and Luca only met Eissa once at Gia’s party.
Eissa clears his throat. “There is only one real solution. Luca must be removed from Earth until we can determine it’s safe. There’s a warrant out right now for Zane’s arrest?—”
“Hold the fuck up!” A second later, Everest bursts into the room with Rathyn at his heels, and Cielo right behind them. “You’re going to arrest him?”
I stare at Everest as Cielo marches up to my side. “He tried to kill my brother!”
“He wasn’t the one driving!” Everest shouts.
Luca sits up with a groan and slams his hand on the nightstand. Everyone instantly goes quiet. ‘He didn’t hit me with the car, but he identified me.’
I interpret this aloud for Everest and Rathyn.
‘He stole the portal key from Cielo. He’s participating in violence against Vyastil.’
Everest pales and lets out a shaking breath. “If I could talk to him—if I could explain?—”
“No,” Eissa says. “Everest, I care for you a great deal, but you are still so unwilling to admit that your friend is dangerous.”
Everest swallows thickly, his eyes wet with tears. He sniffs, bows his head, then his shoulders sag. “No. I…I know. I just…I was hoping it wasn’t going to be like this. And he wasn’t driving the car. He wouldn’t do that…”
“I know,” Eissa says. “But he’s the only one we were able to identify, and you know that if we take him into custody, he might be willing to give up other names.”
I start to interpret this for Luca, who shakes his head. ‘Don’t need. I understand.’
I don’t know what that means, but I’m too stressed to care. “So, Zane gets arrested, and Luca gets to come home?” I ask.
Eissa looks at Luca, then at me. “Not at present. Not until we can ensure his safety.”
‘So what’s the plan?’ Luca asks.
Eissa’s eyes fix on Everest, who is in Rathyn’s arms now, then he looks at me before looking at my brother as he answers in sign. ‘I will take him on as my companion. He will live with me on Erethar. My assignment here is nearly finished, so until we can assure that the rebellious faction of humans is dealt with and there is no threat to anyone, he will remain under my care.’
“A companion,” I say aloud, startled. “No. No fucking way.” My hands tremble through the signs, the same as my voice shakes out of my chest. “I know what a companion does.”
“Dante,” Everest starts in a thick voice.
“No. Fuck you. Luca isn’t becoming a glorified cum bank for you just because he’s?—”
