Page 116 of Wings of Betrayal

Why?he asks.

We are assembling a team to sneak into Galespo to find the weapon of the gods Zalore and Amaros are using to open portals, and to save Astelle. We have a lot to catch up on.

Fuck. Okay. Amaros is pissed, Zarla. He’s been sending watchers out to look for you. You need to be careful down there. They will be on high alert for you.

Shoot. That’s the last thing we need.Okay, thanks for the heads-up. Please, can you go to Zarquon? You have to come with us to Galespo. I need friends I can trust.

I’ll just meet you on Earth.

No,I tell him,it’s not safe. I can’t risk that. I’ll meet you back in Zarquon, okay?

He groans, and I roll my eyes. Stubborn male.

Fine. But be careful. I’m glad to hear Kyle is with you.

I chuckle. He isn’t particularly fond of Kyle either.Thanks, Finlay. I will check in when I can. See you soon. And leave as soon as possible, please.

I will. Be safe.

You too,I tell him.

Kyle and I land in the street , immediately scanning the area to ensure we’re not going to be ambushed by watchers. The coast is clear, for now.

This quiet street is the same one from the last time I visited my friends. Only a handful of humans walk about, their guardians hovering close by. The sun is just starting to rise, and there’s a chill in the air that settles deep in my bones. The scent of freshly baked bread wafts down the street, causing my stomach to grumble.

“How did it go?” Kyle asks.

“Good. He’s going to meet us back in Zarquon.”

He gives me a curt nod, seeming satisfied with that, and then glances around. “Where will we find Demetros and Lacinda?”

My stomach grumbles again, and Kyle arches a brow at me.

“What?” I ask. “I haven’t eaten in… Well, I can’t even remember. And I’m not sure, but let’s try the park. That’s where I found them the last time.”

I head down the street and round the corner, Kyle following my every movement. Fresh morning dew covers the park’s grass, and a few humans are out running. I can’t see Lacinda or Demetros anywhere.

“Any luck?” Kyle whispers in my ear.

I shudder at his close proximity.

He puts his hand on my lower back and leans closer. “I can scent your desire for me.” His nose brushes my neck, and he breathes in deep. “Can’t wait to get you back to Zarquon.”

I reach up and cup his neck, then tilt my face so he can kiss me. By the gods, this male can kiss. His touch ignites a fire within me, but I quickly pull away as it’s so not the time or place.

“We better find them quick,” I say breathlessly. “We can’t risk being down here longer than absolutely necessary.”

He groans then takes a step back. “Agreed. Come on.”

We circle the neighbourhood a couple of times, but there’s no sign of them anywhere. Why couldn’t we use cell phones like the humans did? Makes a lot of sense now, given the situation. It would even be helpful to share a bond with them both. I wonder whether it’s possible to do that?

I glance over to find Kyle staring at me, and my cheeks flush. “What?”

He chuckles. “Just wondering what’s got you concentrating so hard. It’s cute.”

A smile curls my lips, and I playfully hit him on the arm. “Quit looking at me like that.”

He raises his hands in the air as we round the next corner into an area of the neighbourhood we haven’t yet searched. “Okay, okay. Don’t tell me.”

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