Something in his expression softened. "Fine. But I'm bringing a weapon."
"To swim in the lake? That's ridiculous," I headed back into the bedroom to change. "But very on-brand for you."
An hour later,I floated on my back in the crystal-clear lake, the afternoon sun warm on my face. The water was perfect, just cool enough to be refreshing but not so cold that it stole my breath. My bad knee, which had been aching since the warehouse adventure, finally stopped throbbing in the gentle buoyancy.
Nearby, Milo splashed enthusiastically, his joy infectious as he discovered the simple pleasure of floating on a lake. His tiny skeletons had constructed a miniature raft from twigs and leaves, and were now staging what appeared to be a pirate adventure near the shoreline.
Fenric had surprised us all by actually joining us in the water, though he remained in the shallows, meticulously cataloging the various magical aquatic plants that grew along the lake bottom. Even in swimming trunks, he somehow maintained his bureaucratic dignity but I was enjoying the view.
Zane had claimed a large flat rock jutting into the water, stretching out like a contented cat in the sunshine. His copper skin gleamed wet from a recent swim, and he appeared to be dozing, though I knew he was more alert than he let on.
Only Rook remained on shore, pacing the waterline with barely contained energy. True to his word, he had a knife strapped to his thigh, visible even through his swimming shorts.
"Rook!" I waved from my floating position. "The water's not going to bite you!"
He paused his patrol, eyeing the lake with suspicion. "Water is a terrible tactical position. Limited mobility, compromised senses, difficult to access weapons."
"It's a lake, not a battlefield," I splashed in his direction. "Get in here!"
Milo paddled over to me, his curls plastered to his head. "I think our wolf friend is afraid of water," he stage-whispered, loud enough for Rook's enhanced hearing to catch every word.
That did it. Rook's competitive nature wouldn't allow such a challenge to stand. With a growl that was more show than genuine irritation, he waded into the lake, his powerful form cutting through the water with surprising grace for someone who claimed to dislike swimming.
"Happy now?" When he reached us water was dripping from his dark hair.
"Ecstatic," I grinned, splashing him playfully. "See? The lake monsters haven't eaten you yet."
"Lake monsters?" Milo perked up. "Are there really lake monsters? Can I meet them? Do they have interesting skeletal structures?"
"There are no lake monsters," Fenric called from the shallows, not looking up from his cataloging. "This body of water has been thoroughly surveyed and certified monster-free by the Bureau's Aquatic Anomalies Department."
"You guys are no fun," Milo pouted. "What's the point of a magical lake without at least one friendly monster?"
I laughed, floating onto my back again. "Maybe we're the monsters, invading their peaceful lake with our prophecy drama."
"Speak for yourself," Zane called from his rock. "I'm a delight."
The afternoon passed in a haze of sun and water, the stress of the past weeks gradually melting away. We swam, floated, and eventually migrated to the shore where Milo organized an impromptu sandcastle competition that turned increasingly competitive when Fenric produced a ruler and began measuring structural integrity.
As the sun began its descent toward the mountains, casting long shadows across the lake, we gathered on the cabin's deck for a simple dinner of grilled fish and vegetables, courtesy of Zane's surprisingly competent cooking skills.
"Where did you learn to cook like this?" I groaned, savoring a perfectly seasoned bite of trout.
"Two centuries gives you time to pick up hobbies," he shrugged. "Plus, demon hunting in remote locations means learning to feed yourself or starve."
"It's really good," Milo enthused, already on his second helping. "Way better than Bureau rations or magical vending machine food."
Even Fenric nodded appreciatively. "The seasoning profile is quite sophisticated."
"High praise from the Bureau's most discerning palate," Zane winked at him, earning a slight blush from our resident bureaucrat.
Horrace, who had spent the day alternating between swimming with us and exploring the shoreline, now perched on the deck railing, twelve eyes blinking in sequence as he watched a family of ducks paddle across the lake. He seemed more relaxed than I'd seen him since his captivity, his colors brighter, his musical trills more frequent.
As twilight deepened, Rook built a fire in the stone pit on the beach below our cabin. We migrated there naturally, drawn to the warmth and light as the mountain air cooled. I found myself seated on a log between Rook and Zane, with Milo sprawled on a blanket at our feet and Fenric perched primly on a camp chair, his tablet finally set aside for the evening.
The fire cast dancing shadows across our faces, the crackling flames and lapping water creating a peaceful soundtrack. Above us, stars emerged in a dazzling display, unclouded by city lights or magical disturbances.
"I can't remember the last time I saw stars like this," I leaned back to take in the vast expanse of the night sky.
