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All at once, Kaien was filled with appreciation—not only for their allies, but for their friendship. “Thank you all for being here. Your support means the world to us.”
“We appreciate it,” Blair added.
Though her comment shouldn’t have been surprising, Kaien barely managed to keep the shock from his features. “What’ve we heard about Luc’s House?”
***
As it turns out, there was little to tell. Lucius’ House in California was still being guarded—closely—by the vampires who’d been sent there to clean up the mess. Two days later, news was still trickling in about the attack.
Nina woke five days after she went down.
When her abilities realigned in the psychic web, Kaien breathed a sigh of relief. Her awareness dawned slowly, and the moment her psychic presence brushed against his, he immediately responded with a wave of energy to bolster her reserves.
Inhaling a deep breath, Nina cracked an eye open to check her surroundings, but didn’t rise from where she’d been placed on the couch.
“Long time, no see, love.”
Remmus’ smiling face peered down at her, as if he’d been studiously waiting for her to wake. Gently easing her into a sitting position, his hand gingerly caressed her back.
“Headache?”
Nina nodded, shielding her eyes with one hand. Though Kaien’s first instinct was to go to her and ensure she was functionally sound, he refrained, knowing Remmus could do just as good of a job. When she finally looked up and saw their gathered allies, her confusion drew her eyebrows together.
“Why are you all here?”
Nero cleared his throat. “Our alliance, my dearest lady, has afforded us the opportunity to provide you with some much-needed muscle while you were down and out.”
Blair sat beside her and, in a rare show of affection, wrapped her arms around Nina. “We feared a reprisal from theCitizens; couldn’t risk it while you and Isaiah were in recoil.”
“Our friends came to our aid,” Kaien said. “Though, I rather doubt it was twisting their arm.”
“Luc, Tyee, Rona, and Gideon were in Isaiah’s territory while he was in recoil,” Nero explained. “He kicked them out as soon as he woke up.”
“Of course he did,” Nina muttered, her eyes shuttering briefly before looking up at her guests. “Thank you for being here; I appreciate your support.”
A moment of silence before she turned to regard Kaien. “Are you feeling better?”
“Says the woman whojustwoke up from recoil.” Smirking, he nodded. “I’m fine, Nina. Luna attended to both of us while we were down.”
Her attention shifted to Nero. “I’m indebted to you. Please thank her for me. For us.”
“Another debt to add to my growing number.” Nero beamed, his eyes dancing. “I’m fast becoming everyone’s favorite.”
“You were always my favorite, Nero,” Nina said with a wink. Appeased, she changed topics. “Have we already called a meeting together?”
Drake gave a clipped nod. “We were waiting for you and Kaien to wake.”
“Then it’s a good thing we’re both awake.”
One by one, the borrowed ‘muscle’ that’d taken up residence in Nina’s clan territory left for their own homes courtesy of Remmus’ and Celeste’s teleports. The only exception had been Aidan and Lucy, who wanted to stay behind in clan territory until both Nina and Kaien were steady on their feet.
Though Kaien had appreciated the gesture, he was glad for their departure. If anything, it made him breathe a bit easier knowing that his territory was slightly less crowded.
As Nina righted herself, Kaien knew they’d have no better chance to speak with her about what needed said. Catching Blair’s eye, she gave a clipped nod and waited for him to lead.
His telepathic hail to his sister was answered with a raise of her eyebrows and a concerned look.May I steal a few minutes of your time, sister?
When have you ever had to ask?
