Page 69 of Veil of Night & Flames

“It gets better. More dead birds. Nine this time, at the base of the trunk.”

I wince. “Poor things.” I frown as a new thought hits me. “The university has landscapers. How’s your team dealing with them?”

“Griff’s got a guy on the landscaping crew who’s been on the Hunter rolls since the eighties. He’s been redirecting the schedules. As for our own research, Griff’s got cameras going up. Six of them around the perimeter—the walkway, the science building roof, the trees at the edge of the circle. Riley and Tia are mounting them at the crack of dawn tomorrow.”

He scrubs a hand over his jaw. “If something comes through that breach, we’ll have it on tape. Meanwhile, we’ve been looking for similar activity across the globe, but there’s nothing. Whatever the hell is going on is happening exclusively in St. Augustine.”

“I guess that’s something,” I say. “I mean, local’s easier to fight, right?”

“Theoretically, yes. But this doesn’t feel like a natural breach.”

“Translation, please.”

“A natural breach is one that’s happened because of a weak spot that got out of control, so that it’s allowing the denizens of the other realms to come over and party. It’s messy.”

“Like someone seeding clouds instead of waiting for the rain?”

“Not really. That’s controlled. Think of it more like mares getting rowdy.”

“Poking at the barriers and looking for a weak spot where they can go party,” I say with a giggle.

“You’re only half-kidding. Often, that’s exactly what a breach is. Some creature from Retribution or the Unseen somehow managing to cross over just to cause some mischief. But this…” He trails off with a shake of his head. “With all that’s happening at the Widow Maker, I can’t help but think something—or someone—is driving the show.”

He holds my eyes for a long moment, then looks away, as if he’s changed his mind and doesn’t want me to know what he’s thinking. I frown, completely confused, then draw in a breath when the truth smacks me upside the head.

“Oh my god,” I say. “You think Adric’s doing this? No. No way.”

Chase shrugs. “The Real is the only realm not under his jurisdiction.”

“No,” I say firmly. “Even if he wanted to, he wouldn’t. This is my realm.”

For a long moment, Chase is silent. Then he dips his head in acquiescence. “You’re right,” he says. “There’s not much I’d put past him, but he wouldn’t hurt you.”

I lean back, studying his face. “You mean that.” It’s not a question, but he nods anyway.

“Thank you,” I whisper.

“Don’t read what isn’t there, Cora. We have a history, he and I. But you are his now by ceremony and mine by your own word. And if nothing else, that makes him an ally as well as family.”

I blink back tears as I nod like an idiot.

“But be clear—if he tries to claim this realm, all bets are off. I’ll stop him. And if it turns out that he is behind these breaches, I’ll do more than that. I will not let him bring the barriers down, no matter what foolishness he’s told himself or you. Do you understand?”

I nod.

“Good.” He pulls my hand to his mouth and kisses my palm.

“It’s very sexy, you know,” I tease as I slide off his lap. “You in Protector mode even while you’re handling a billion breach crises.

“Bite your tongue,” he says with a laugh. “I think a billion would tax even my leadership skills.”

I toss him another grin, then move toward his kitchenette. I open the cabinet over the coffee maker and feel a warm flush over my body. Pop-Tarts. I don’t even remember when, but once I’d mentioned them in passing. Now, he keeps them stocked.

“You’re awesome,” I say, turning back to him with one of the foil packets in my hand.

“I’m very glad you think so,” he says, and I can practically hear the smile in his voice. I can definitely see it in his eyes.

“What?” I ask as I peel open the packet.