Page 32 of My Salvation

The man bowed again. “Yes, Aeson Vi' Liordon. I am the unit leader for Chi unit. Ramsey Lionhart, Matthieu Lucien, Leon March, and Carson Elderberry report to me,” he said, pointing around the room.

She nodded her thanks at the introduction. “There was a Vanguard warrior that was brought here, Ellais. I think his name was, how is he?”

Aeson’s expression became somber. “We answered as many questions as we could. Chi was one of the units that hit the warehouse where his brother was found. It was the more tragic one. We missed saving them by hours.”

She gasped. “Gods above.”

“Psi will be staying here with them tonight when everyone else heads to Dav’s. We’ll make sure they’re taken care of.” He pointed to several trays. “Food has been set aside for them.”

Carson held up a few bottles. “I’ll add these to their pile. The years these ones were made had a higher alcohol content. Should fuck him up faster.”

Leon scrunched up his nose. “We can do better than that. I’m pretty sure the following year had better taste and only a slightly lower alcohol level. We have that downstairs.”

Carson and Leon began arguing over the better wine to send up.

Priest kissed the top of her head. “I imagine Aiden will have them assigned to Éire Danu for a bit. Ellais will need the support of his brothers.”

Aeson pointed to the ceiling. “Better show her the rest of the house while we have time.” He looked down at his watch. “We now have less than an hour before we leave.” He glanced around the room, and immediately the men laughed and resumed what they had been doing before their arrival.

Priest gave a mock salute and took her hand. “Come on, my love. Let me show you my home.”

She took his hand and found herself nearly giddy with excitement. His eagerness was contagious. He obviously loved his parents, but this was a space he could call his own.

As they made their way toward the foyer, she was pleasantly surprised at the simple yet homey decor. Polished woods and cozy fabrics gave the entire space a rustic cabin feel. It screamed, ‘Here is a place to rest, everyone is welcome’.

After he showed her the different rooms downstairs, he led her up the front stairs. “My quarters are toward the front since I’m in Tau.”

“Why the front?”

“Unit members are kept close together, and since Ari is our acting leader, he needs to be toward the front for updates.”

When they reached the top of the stairs, a familiar man was waiting for them.

“Sorry to bother you, but I saw you come in and was debating whether I should come down to speak to you,” he started, running a hand through his hair.

Cas stepped away from her mate. Burnt orange radiated from this man. He was frustrated beyond measure. Blue despair and red pain lingered around his heart, but frustration was his primary emotion.

“Amir wasn’t it?” she asked. “How is Ellais?”

His hand dropped as he faced her. “Yes, ma’am, Amir Nassar. That’s why I wanted to speak to you. Are you a healer of any kind? You knew he was suffering before we did. I…” he exhaled. “I don’t know what to do for him.”

She placed a hand on his shoulder, and he sagged forward. “You are a good man. I’m sure you have done everything you can.”

“But he…”

She tapped his nose with her finger surprising him. “I’m not exactly a healer, but I do help people process their emotions. I can try to help if you think he’ll be open to it.”

He rubbed his nose and nodded. “He’s drowning right now. He’s drowning right in front of us, and we can’t reach him.”

She looked back at Priest, who nodded.

“Then let us go throw him a life preserver, shall we?” he suggested.

Looking relieved, the man turned and led them toward the suite where they were staying.

Behind her, Priest laid a supportive hand on her back. “You amaze me.”

She shook her head. “I just do my best.”

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