Page 49 of Homecoming

“Damn. The engines must have been going full out.”

“I am pretty sure they had the help of a current that no one knows about.” She chuckled and then winced. Jane’s healing was thorough, but it was slow. “I need to get a quick nap in before she gets here.”

“Why?”

“Because I can feel a wave of healing coming on.”

“I don’t understand.”

“You will.” She closed her eyes and let the magic seep through her skin, taking the damaged cells, breaking down the blood, and warming areas into healing.

Ligo inhaled sharply, but Orla kept her focus. By the time the rush of her sister’s feet came down the hall, Orla was confident that most of the swelling in her face had gone down.

She opened her eyes, and Ligo had a phone pointed at her.

“Where did you get that?”

“Gift shop. Areas with a lot of shifters have biochip readers and a lot of inexpensive phones. I have a case with twenty of them. We use satellite storage to keep things updated.”

She blinked. “Why do you sound like a hacker?”

“I prefer data-structure stress tester.” He smirked.

Then Aeryn came around the door, smiled, and then cried. “You are okay?”

“Absolutely not, but I will be. Ligo has been keeping me entertained.”

Aeryn inhaled the air. “Why do I taste book club?”

Orla blinked and laughed. “Right. I guess it would taste like that to you.”

“So, you had a visitor after all. You knew her.” Ligo muttered.

“Yes, but she is none of your business. She was a member of the book club a few years ago.”

“Oh. Jane was here!” Aeryn smiled.

Ligo crooned encouragingly, “What is her last name?”

“Apple.”

Two men who were obviously catching up to Aeryn halted in the doorway and stared at Orla.

She chuckled softly. “Hey, Loken, Sohar. She’s quick, isn’t she?”

Loken nodded. “Very quick. How are you doing?”

Sohar asked, “Do you know why they took you?”

Orla looked at him and gave him every conversation she had heard.

He nodded. “I see. I will set you up with a protection detail.”

“Just set up a trust, and if anyone kidnaps me again, use that money to hire assassins or mercenaries to come after me. Make it public.” She shrugged. “I am not a key to a bank account.”

Sohar blinked. “I can do that.”

Ligo shook his head. “Don’t bother. I’ve got her.”

---