Page 49 of Starlight

He watched the dots form on the screen as Bob typed. Then they disappeared, and reappeared.

Should he say something else? Like how he wanted to share his world with Cole?

ThunderbirdBob: You shouldn’t have told him about solstice.

MothAkai: How else am I going to get there?

It was a brilliant plan…aside from the issue of the token and Cole’s job…and everyone assuming he had a human mate. Not that it should be an issue, but he’d always said he didn’t trust them after what happened with his sister. And there he was, trusting one, spending time with one, fucking one, and enjoying it far more than he should.

ThunderbirdBob: What aren’t you telling me because I’m finding it hard to believe that you are willingly bringing a human to solstice. You have always said you hate them.

Akai winced. Why did Bob have to know everything about everyone? It was annoying. An intrusion of privacy!

And if he didn’t need the token for Cole, he’d be telling Bob exactly that.

Bob typed another message before Akai had the chance to put together a response.

ThunderbirdBob: Are you in danger?

MothAkai: I’m fine.

And if he wasn’t, Bob’s endless questions would get him in trouble.

ThunderbirdBob: I have been told to ask you if you are wooing the human.

Wooing?

It wasn’t the eighteenth century. Not only that, he didn’t woo.

He was interested and enjoying the time they were spending together. Why wouldn’t he want to extend that and show his gratitude by inviting Cole to the party?

Would Bob give him the token if he said yes?

ThunderbirdBob: Are you boning the human?

Akai tapped the phone against his forehead, wishing he hadn’t started this conversation. He hoped Cole’s request for leave from his father was going better.

MothAkai: Yes, okay?

ThunderbirdBob: So he shot you, stitched your wing, and you ended up naked?

MothAkai: That is the short version.

ThunderbirdBob: I can’t wait to meet this human. I will speak with him when you arrive.

MothAkai: You want him to drive me all that way on a maybe?

ThunderbirdBob: Akai…he shot you.

MothAkai: Yes, but it was partly my fault.

ThunderbirdBob: I have no doubt about that, but that doesn’t change the fact that he pulled the trigger. I will meet you at the entrance. And if you try to go around me, the answer will be no. Forever. No second chance.

MothAkai: Fine.

ThunderbirdBob: Good luck with your wooing.

Fuck off.