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“It’s just a bruise.”
“I know.”
“Then why do you look worried?”
“Because it’s a bruise.” He held up the needle. “And that bruise is worse today than it was yesterday.”
“What do you think that means?”
“I don’t know.”
“Do you think it has something to do with Luca being tired?”
Isaiah pushed the needle into Nox’s arm. He prepared himself to reign in the Anubis, but there was nothing. Not even a tingle under his skin.
Isaiah pressed the plunger.
The Anubis remained silent.
“It didn’t react.” Why did that bother Nox so much?
“Let’s hope that’s a good sign.” Isaiah capped the needle. He packed everything up. “Would you like to join us for Christmas dinner?”
Nox rubbed the bruise on his arm. “It’s at least three weeks till Christmas.” He put his arm back into the sleeve of his coat and zipped it up.
“I know. But we figured we’d celebrate it early.” And Isaiah didn’t have to say why.
“I’ll talk to Luca. He needs to spend time with people.” Other people. People who would be responsible for him one day, whether or not the treatment worked.
“That invitation is for you too.”
Nox hadn’t expected that. “Are you sure your people would feel safe with me that close?”
“Yes.” It sounded sincere, but Nox had his doubts. “And if anyone doesn’t, they’re free to leave the table.”
“I don’t want to make anyone uncomfortable.”
“You are an integral part of Luca’s life. If this doesn’t work, he needs as many good memories as possible.”
Two points of pain blossomed under Nox’s jaw. He cleared his throat. “Yeah, he does.”
More memories of Nox as a man. “We don’t have any gifts to give you.”
“We don’t exchange gifts. And even if we did, you have already given us everything we could ask for.”
Just like Koda had given Nox.
The greatest treasures outlived everyone, passing from person to person, family to family, forever cherished and appreciated.
Until it wasn’t anymore.
A rare gemstone found to be fancy cut glass.
Even if the first one who held that rock died to keep it protected, its monetary value would dictate its worth to those who were never there to witness the sacrifice.
And that glass bauble would vanish into a box, sold, or even thrown away.
Would Luca lose his value to Isaiah’s people if he wasn’t who they expected?
