Oh boy...
“You helped us look for a shadowy mystery thing that you obviously knew was Salem.”
Aurin held his breath. “I did.” He exhaled loudly and gave an apologetic grimace. “I’m sorry. I was trying to keep his secret. I figured it would only waste everyone’s time. I didn’t know Lusca would come so fast after that.” He shrugged again. “I am sorry.”
Then Fray looked at Salem. “And you couldn’t see or hear us while we were under Tobin’s shield?”
“Not at all,” Salem said. He glanced over to where Tobin was now talking to Ciaran, and Aurin followed his line of sight, only to find Tobin and Ciaran were watching them. Salem gave Fray a rueful smile. “It’s a very powerful talent. Remarkable.”
“Yes, it is.”
“I believe I have you and Tobin to thank for helping to rescue me,” Salem said.
“It was a team effort,” Fray said. “But yeah, I clung to her mantle and gave her as much electricity as I could muster....” Then he half shrugged. “Tobin could probably show you what he saw. If you want, that is.” Fray gave Aurin’s shoulder a shake. “You can see how brave this one was.”
Aurin groaned, his cheeks heating. “I don’t know if ‘brave’ is the word I’d use. I almost inked myself.”
Fray chuckled. “Another question for Salem.”
“Oh dear,” Aurin mumbled.
“What’s the funniest sea dweller you can mimic? Because I’m pretty sure I saw you turn into a sea cucumber, and that was hilarious. Well, it was either a cucumber or a rubber dildo.” He shrugged with zero shame. “It was all happening kinda fast, so I wasn’t sure.”
Aurin put his hand up to get Tobin’s attention. “You can come take him now.”
Of course Fray laughed at that. “And when you’re in cat form, did you ever, like, lick your own balls?”
“Oh, by the gods,” Aurin mumbled. “Tobin?”
Tobin intervened, sliding his hand around Fray’s waist. “No, seriously,” Fray said. “What’s a furball even like?” Then he pretended to cough up... something.
Tobin pulled him away. “We’re leaving.”
“But I have more questions,” Fray protested.
“Glad you’re both back,” Tobin said. “Oh, I moved into Fray’s, so my place is now empty. It’s yours if you want it.” Then he gave Aurin and Salem a wave over his shoulder as he herded Fraser out the door.
Everyone laughed, Salem included.
Aurin rolled his eyes and sighed. “Ignore him,” he murmured.
“I don’t mind,” Salem said. “In fact, it makes me feel...” He shrugged. “Accepted? There were no pitchforks, at least.”
Knowing the lore of Mimic history, that was once a real likelihood and probably a reality that Salem had once faced himself. Aurin rubbed his arm. “I would never allow that.”
Dylan came over with Kellan in tow. “Hey, we’re off now too. Come and see me tomorrow, okay? We’ll catch up.” He winked before Kellan put his arm around him and ushered him out through the door Hendrix was holding for them.
He gave Aurin a nod. “Be good,” he said with a smirk, then he was gone.
Aurin had been so close to Dylan and Hendrix for as long as he could remember, given their closeness in age, and he felt bad for lying to them about Salem. He’d be sure to clear all that up tomorrow as well.
“Hey,” Sawyer said quietly, startling Aurin.
He spun to face him, finding Ciaran with him too. Aurin tried to smile. “Hey,” he replied.
Ciaran frowned. “Aurin, are you okay?”
“I don’t know,” he answered. “Are we?”
