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“Why do you keep saying that? Why would it be my heart? I’m not that damned old.” My grip tightens on the tumbler. Something still feels off. Am I sweating? I touch my index finger to my temple and frown at the clamminess that greets it.

Watching me, Tanner tilts his head. We have a deal that he doesn’t snoop around in our heads – especially since he got super charged with Nova’s phoenix blood – but right now I’m probably giving off so much anxiety he can feel it without trying.

He smirks a little and nudges my elbow with his fist. “Just thought your evening with Sam and Nova might have been a bit much, that’s all.” He raises an eyebrow, trying to lighten the tone.

I don’t allow myself to be placated. “Well, now we know it wasn’t anything to do with Sam and Nova and my heart…” I shuffle to sit up on the pillows, suddenly feeling every single one of my fifty-three years despite not usually giving a rat’s ass about numbers on a birthday card. “What was it?” I ask, meeting Tanner’s gaze.

As his eyes flicker, just the smallest amount, for once I feel as if it’s me reading him and not the other way around. He’s worried.

He clears his throat and shuffles in his seat. “The doctors aren’t sure,” he says. “I’ll get one of them to come talk to you now you’re awake, but all your tests came back clear.”

“Then why do I feel like a tonne of dog shit?” I bite back, adjusting the scratchy sheets around my bare midriff.

Giving me his best nurse’s smile, Tanner squeezes my upper arm. “We’ll figure it out, Baloo. Don’t worry.” He stands up, gesturing to the water jug on the side. “I’ll fill this up and be right back.”

He’s at the door when I yell after him, “You’re a water mage, Tanner. You could fill that by blinking at it.”

He turns, guilt creasing his usually retriever-like features. As he opens his mouth to speak, I shake my head. “Just…” I inhale deeply through flared nostrils. “Just don’t bullshit me, Tanner.”

At that, he nods firmly. “All right.” He looks at the jug and, as he stares at it, water bubbles up, expanding, multiplying, filling it almost to the rim.

He strides back over, sets the jug down next to the bed, then points to the door. “I’m going to go and talk to Nova, then the doctors. I’ll be back soon.”

“Better,” I huff. “And Tanner?”

He swipes his fingers through his floppy hair as he waits for me to continue.

“Have Luther or Kole check on Snow? I think this is the furthest apart we’ve been and I’m…” I swallow forcefully, trying to dislodge the knot of uneasiness that has lodged itself in my throat. “I’m having trouble sensing him.”

Tanner’s stance changes. It’s almost imperceptible, but his muscles have tensed and his eyes have narrowed. “Can you feel him at all, Mack?”

I twist the sheets between my fingers and squeeze. Hard. When I meet Tanner’s gaze, my words come out quietly. Barely audible above the low hum of the machine and the hospital air-con and the overhead lights. “No. I can’t.”

3

NOVA

“I can’t get through to Luther,” Sam frowns, pocketing his phone.

I’m pacing up and down the corridor. Tanner is worried. I can see it in his face the way he sees every thought and feeling and need and want that ever enters my head.

“I’ll go to the cabin and check on Snow.” I’m already turning to start running down the corridor. Sam catches my elbow, but before he can ask if he should come with me, I shake my head. “I’ll be quicker on my own.”

Stepping back, he nods. Then a smile twitches on his lips as he gets ready to watch me speed off into the distance.

My newfound powers still amaze us all. Speed, strength, and the fiery orgasms... we should be getting used to them by now. But three months after The Shadow King was defeated, and Phoenix Falls was reclaimed, we are still navigating our new normal.

The flying is a bitch, too. And not something even Mack knows how to help me with.

For now, instead of flying – because it seems my navigational skills from up high aren’t the absolute best – I choose running.

Fast.

I cross town in less than half the time it would have taken in the truck. I don’t stop at the bar, although I do feel bad for Kole. His opening night, reclaiming The Cross, and not one of his people is there to support him.

Unless Luther’s there, several whiskeys in, and forgetting to check his phone.

I roll my eyes, slowing as I reach the woods on the outskirts of town. It’s dark, which wouldn’t usually bother me, but seeing Mack like that – vulnerable and hurting – has left me on edge.