I smiled despite everything. “Thank you.”
I pulled them on quickly, covering my bare skin, then reached for his face. He leaned into my hands at once, resting his forehead against my palms, breathing me in like he needed proof I was real.
“I thought I’d lost you,” he said quietly.
I looked into his eyes and saw the fear still caught there.
“I’m here,” I said. “I’m not going anywhere.”
He closed his eyes.
“Ash,” Dev said gently, moving to my side. “You’re hogging her.”
I glanced up. He met my gaze, something soft and relieved passing between us.
I nodded at Jess. “I’m happy to see you too,” I said softly.
Jess folded her arms, eyes softening despite herself. “You gave us a scare. It was annoying.”
I smiled faintly. “Sorry, Jess.”
She rolled her eyes. “Don’t make a habit of it.”
When I looked back again, Sable was gone.
Chapter 54
Kieran
I watched from the outside window as Elliot spoke to Gideon. The sound was off, so I didn’t know what they were discussing. I paced up and down waiting for some kind of sign.
“Still going?” Sable said as she appeared behind me.
I jumped despite myself. “I wish you wouldn’t do that.”
“Hey, I’m a ghost now, apparently. May as well act like it. Our friend out there hasn’t moved by the way.”
Sable gestured toward the door. I followed her into the hall, to the window overlooking the courtyard.
In the middle of the concrete out front, Sy sat cross-legged on the ground, his eyes closed, like he was meditating. The man was so overly large it should have looked ridiculous.
Instead, it filled me with unease.
“What the hell is he doing?”
“How the hell do I know?” Sable said. “I just work here.”
I stepped closer to the window. As if he sensed my gaze, Sy paused and opened his eyes, then looked right at me.
The look wasn’t friendly.
“Why is he looking atyou?” Sableasked.
I swallowed. “Who knows. He’s a dragon. Maybe it’s a quirk.”
Sable shook her head. “Glad it’s not me. If looks could kill.”
I turned away — and felt his eyes on me even as I retreated into the hallway.
