Page 163 of Glitched Fates & Stolen Mates

I sat curled against Felix on a small sofa near the fire, my arm wrapped around him. I’d started the evening maintaining a respectful distance—unsure if he wanted me draped all over him in front of the others—but he’d immediately collapsed into me, his head finding the hollow of my shoulder like it belonged there.

Across from us, Theo occupied the single armchair with Rory curled on his lap like an oversized cat, head tucked against Theo’s chest. Rory had been asleep for the past hour, exhausted from our mountain adventure, but Theo’s hands never stopped stroking his hair—as if he needed constant proof that Rory was actually there and breathing.

Priya and Flynn were sprawled across a rug in front of the fireplace, sharing a thermos of something that definitely wasn’t hot chocolate, based on the way Flynn kept giggling.

“I still can’t believe you two disobeyed direct orders,” Seb snapped from his position by the window, arms folded as he glared at the storm. “You were supposed to stay put in London.”

“And miss all the fun?” Priya grinned, not looking remotely apologetic. “The chalets have hot tubs, Seb. Hot tubs. When was the last time any of us had a proper holiday?”

“This isn’t a holiday!” Seb’s voice cracked with exasperation. “I can’t believe you left the hotel completely unguarded. It’s like nobody listens to me at all!”

“Dolly’s looking after things,” Flynn offered helpfully, which only made Seb’s expression turn more thunderous. “Just be glad we didn’t bring Freddy along.”

I took a sip of my hot chocolate—thankfully, our kitchen had been well stocked—and relished the feel of Felix’s thumb tracing gentle circles on my wrist. The simple touch sent warmth flooding through me, chasing away the last of the mountain cold.

“So, how exactly did they snatch you, Kit?” Priya asked.

I rubbed my beard—the stubble had grown out during my short captivity. The whole ordeal felt like a lifetime, even though it had only been days. “I got off at Arnos Grove,” I said, staring into the fire. “There was no sign of that vampire I was meant to meet—better follow up with that when we get back. Anyway, I walked all the way down the platform to find him.”

The platform had been eerily quiet that night, the train rumbling away into the darkness. Just me and the fluorescent lights buzzing overhead like trapped insects.

“Then I heard something from the tunnel—almost like someone in distress? But not quite. A strange sound. So I went to check.” I shook my head, disgust at my own stupidity rising in my throat. I should have backed away. Should have done anything except step closer into that black mouth. Instead, I’d moved forward, squinting into the void. “Should’ve known it was a trap. Next thing I knew, there was something behind me, and I was being hit on the back of the head. Probably drugged shortly after that.”

Flynn made a sympathetic noise from his spot on the rug. “That’s rough, mate. Could’ve happened to anyone.”

“No, it bloody well couldn’t have.” I shook my head, jaw clenching. “I’m supposed to be better than that. All that military training, five years working for Killigrew Street, and I walk straight into the most obvious trap in the book because I heard someone crying for help.”

The fire crackled, sending shadows dancing across the wooden walls. Felix shifted against me, and I felt rather than saw his frown.

“You shouldn’t beat yourself up for wanting to help someone. That’s… that’s what makes you good at this job,” he said. “But at least ask me which stations have CCTV next time,” he added, mumbling into my shoulder.

“Has White replied to your last message?” I asked Seb.

Seb turned from the window, his expression grim. “Not yet.”

“And you really think it was her that embedded my location for Felix to find?”

Felix tensed beside me, and I ran my hand down his arm in reassurance.

Seb was quiet for a long moment, his gaze drifting to the fire. “I believe so. When I rang her to tell her what Felix had found, she didn’t explicitly admit to it.”

“But?” I pressed.

“But she certainly didn’t sound particularly surprised.”

“Maybe it was the only way for her to safely help us,” Theo said quietly, his dark fingers threading through Rory’s golden hair. “But it’s good to know she does have our back.”

Seb huffed, a sound somewhere between agreement and frustration.

Tomorrow—well, later today after we’d all properly slept—I’d have to sit down with Rory, thank him properly for what he’d done. My throat tightened at the memory of being on that operating table, scalpel in my neck, and him bursting through that door, rifle blazing, ready to tear apart anyone who’d hurt me.

Seb’s gaze suddenly snapped to Felix, whose breath hitched.

“Felix—”

“I’m sorry!” Felix blurted out, clinging onto me impossibly tight. “Please don’t fire me!”

Seb blinked. “Fire you?”