Page 112 of Lost

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Stevie Rae

“Ohmygoodness,Kev made all of this?” Stevie Rae gawked with Rephaim and Z as they followed Aphrodite into the cave. The opening was modest. Only about half a dozen people could fit comfortably there—ifthey weren’t too tall or big. But step beyond the entrance and suddenly the cave became a huge underground cathedral with hearth fires burning cheerfully in several places all around the circumference.

“Yes and no,” said Anastasia. “He summoned the Old Magick sprites and paid them with medicine bags from both Sylvia Redbirds—the one in this world and the one in your world. The sprites did the rest.”

“It was a miraculous thing to witness. I am so pleased I played even a small part in it,” said Grandma Redbird.

“Sounds like you played more than asmallpart, Grandma,” said Zoey. “You paid the price.”

“Ah, but the cost was not high, and I’m sure my counterpart in your world would agree with me that it was well worth it.”

“Well, it’s super cool!” said Stevie Rae. She was holding Rephaim’s hand as if she’d never let him go, and still could hardly believe it was daylight outside, yet there he was—beside her and in human form—smiling down at her. She felt beyond giddy. As the Frankie Ballard song said, it felt like a jolt of sunshine and whiskey.

“Croak! Croak!” From the entrance, a huge raven dive-bombed toward them, swooping low and circling to land on Anastasia’s raised arm.

“Oh, Tatsuwa! I am so glad you’re here.” The priestess stroked the bird’s dark head as he leaned adoringly into her hand.

“You own a raven?” Rephaim said.

Stevie Rae felt the tension in his body through their joined hands, and she looked up at her tall, handsome, very human lover. She’d never seen him around any other raven, and he was staring at this one with an expression of mixed curiosity and fear.

Anastasia smiled kindly at Rephaim. “Own him? Oh no! One cannot own another being. I simply found Tatsuwa when he was a fledgling. I helped him, and he has chosen to remain close to me.”

“That’s not quite accurate, my love,” said Dragon Lankford. “He hadn’t fledged yet when you found him.”

“You’re right, Bryan. This lovely boy was knocked out of his nest during a terrible storm almost a year ago. I found him and cared for him until he could fledge.”

“And he repays your kindness with absolute devotion,” finished Dragon.

“I believe I understand how he feels,” Rephaim said, sharing an intimate look with Stevie Rae.

“Well, you weren’t a baby when I found you,” she said.

“No, but I was hurt and helpless and couldn’t fly.” He looked at Anastasia. “Do you think he would mind if I touched him?”

“Tatsuwa belongs to himself. I do not answer for him. Ask him yourself.”

Rephaim squeezed Stevie Rae’s hand before letting it go. Then he approached the big bird. He’d moved his perch from Anastasia’s arm to her shoulder, and he was watching Rephaim with a bright, intelligent gaze. “Hello, Tatsuwa. I am Rephaim. I believe you and I have much in common.” He lifted his hand, offering it to the big bird as if he were a dog. Tatsuwa cocked his head, studying Rephaim, and then he leaned forward, allowing Rephaim to stroke his folded feathers.

“He likes it if you pet him right above his beak,” Anastasia said.

“He’s beautiful.” Rephaim spoke in a hushed voice as he stroked the raven.

“That’s how you look,” Stevie Rae said, coming up beside Rephaim. “Only you’re bigger.”

Rephaim sent her a shocked look. “Bigger? But he’s enormous!”

Stevie Rae grinned. “Do you understand now why Aphrodite is always teasing us about getting you a giant cage?”

“Aphrodite…” Dragon grumbled.

“Uh-oh, what did she do?” Zoey asked.

Before Dragon could answer, his mate spoke. “Just a little thing. She made sure a whole group of fledglings and human children didn’t get slaughtered by that Red Army convoy you passed on the way here. And your brother was with her as well.”

“Yes. He kept me from capturing her and bringing her here,” said Dragon.