Page 6 of Shiny Things

“Then find a way to fix it, dumbass.”

“Wait, you’re okay with that? I mean, with us?”

“Do I have a choice?”

“I don’t even think I have a choice. She won’t let our birds meet.”

Gia’s eyes widened. “What?” she shrieked, drawing attention from others in the room.

Then she grabbed my arm and pulled me to stand before dragging me to the kitchen and right out the back door.

“Elias, are you telling me that you want to meet her bird because you think she might actually be your true mate?”

“Yes!” I exclaimed. “I really want her to be the one, Gia. I love her.”

She sighed. “Dammit E. It’s Kim.”

“I know. She’s your best friend, but she’s mine too, G. I tried not to get attached, but how could I not?”

Gia sighed. “She is pretty amazing. But you don’t just get to choose who your true mate is, Eli. And until your ravens meet there’s really no way for you to know that for sure. What if you’re wrong?”

“Then I’m wrong. At least we’d know for sure, right?”

Maybe getting my sister on my side wouldn’t be a bad thing after all. For the most part, I’ve tried to avoid discussing all things Kim with her.

“Is she ready to face the wrath of the Flock if you’re right?”

“Probably not. I suspect that’s a big part of the reason she is refusing to let mine meet hers.”

“I’ll talk to her and feel her out,” she finally conceded.

“Really?”

“Really. But she has a right to be angry with you over the way you acted last night.”

“What did I do? I stared at her most of the night and kept to my usual brooding self.”

“With Felicity hanging all over you,” she reminded me.

I groaned. “I completely ignored her. Most of the time I didn’t even notice she was there.”

“Well, maybe you should try telling Kim that.”

“If she’d actually talk to me, I would.”

“Well, I’ve got to get back to work. I’ll see what I can do, but no promises.”

“Can I ask one quick question?”

“Sure, but make it fast. This place doesn’t run itself.”

“When you met David, did you know? Like before your birds connected?”

She shook her head, and I frowned.

“So maybe I really am just imagining it then,” I grumbled.

“Maybe, but maybe not. Who knows? At least if your birds meet then you’ll know for sure either way.”

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