Page 14 of The Human’s Heart

“You okay?”

“Yep. I’ll be fine.”

Grandpa gave me yet another hug and a head kiss before he released me, grabbed Granddad’s hand, waved at us, and the two of them disappeared into my new shed and through the portal.

I stepped up to my viramore and lifted an arm in invitation. Hugo smiled softly as he moved into my side, and I squeezed him close, kissing the top of his head.

“You okay?”

He nodded and wrapped his arms around me. “I’m good.”

“Seems like you’re getting along with Grandpa well.”

“Sebastian’s great. He’s been really… nice.”

I could tell that meant a lot to him, although I wasn’t quite sure why when everyone in my family had been nice to him. But clearly, my grandfather had said something that made Hugo appreciate him. And really, Grandpa was great and definitely a wonderful person to have on your side, so I was pleased by this.

I asked, “You ready to hang out with Key?”

“Yep.”

“You sure? I know it’s been a lot with people here all the time for the past few weeks. I can tell Key to wait until we’ve had a little time—”

“No, Zay, I’m good. I like your brother, and I know you miss him.”

That made me frown. “Sure, but I was asking about you, not me.”

He smiled up at me and rolled his eyes. “I’m looking forward to hanging out with him again. Key’s fun.”

I snorted. “That’s an understatement.” After debating for a few seconds, I decided it would be safer to have the rest of this conversation through our bond, just in case Kian came through the portal while we talked. “Grandpa doesn’t seem to like Idophia much, which doesn’t bode well.”

Hugo scrunched up his nose. “But he likes everyone.”

I snorted. “Exactly.”

“Well, that sucks,” he said out loud, just as the shed door opened.

Both of us stopped talking as we watched Kian and Idophia walk through the door and into our backyard.

“Zay!” Key yelled and practically ran toward me. He threw his arms around me in a huge but quick hug before he turned to Hugo and grabbed him up into a hug too. “Hugo! It’s great to see you.”

“You… too… can’t breathe… tiger strength.”

“Oh shit. Right. Human strength.”

Hugo laughed as Kian released him.

My brother was all smiles when he looked us both over. “I’m so happy to be here.” He turned back toward his girlfriend and held his hand out. After a brief hesitation, she put her hand in his. “I know you guys have met a few times, but never with it just being us. So… Idophia, this is Zay and Hugo. Guys, this is Phia. You can call her Phia too.”

“Hello,” I said. “Nice to see you again.”

Hugo gave a small wave. “Hey.”

“You too,” she said with a small smile. “Thank you for having us. We’ve been looking forward to coming over.”

She seemed pleasant enough so far, so I was going to give her the benefit of the doubt. Maybe Grandpa was just being overprotective of Key or something.

Maybe it was simply because Phia wasn’t Key’s viramore. Maybe he was worried Key would find his or she’d find hers, and both of them would wind up hurt.