Page 151 of Tin God

“Then let’s go see our people.” Tenzin took to the sky, waiting for him to catch up. “But you have to tell them we’re leaving.”

Cochamó Valley, Chile

Carwyn layin bed next to Brigid, her whole body relaxed and limp against his. She was stretched on her side, her face halfway hidden in the pillow and the scars from Alaska softened by the white silk pillow where her head was resting.

It was nearly dusk, and he’d woken in the comfort of his bedroom at their family ranch in the Cochamó Valley. Located in a remote region of Chile, it was a sprawling family compound consisting of a large ranch house, numerous smaller dwellings, human and vampire relatives of all ages.

And a lot of sheep.

They’d arrived two days before after a leisurely journey through North America, a rousing romp through Mexico City, a quick trip through Central America, and finally down to the southern continent in their new, reinforced Winnebago camper van, which was ancient, rattling, and perfect.

More perfect were the luxurious sheets and enormous featherbed in their bedroom at his daughter’s massive ranch.

Brigid stirred, the first sign of life since she’d fallen into sleep that morning. She twitched, and a small spark erupted on her arm.

Carwyn reached over and snuffed it out with the heavy fire blanket he’d taken to keeping by the bed. There was another fire blanket between the sheets and the featherbed and still more blankets and a couple of fire extinguishers near the door.

Since Zasha’s island, Brigid’s fire had been… more present in their life. It was hard to think of it as anything other than a very excited puppy that had finally been let out of the house to play.

For the first few weeks, his mate wouldn’t even let him sleep next to her and had demanded that he hollow out a cave in the ground to make sure that nothing would ignite when she was sleeping.

Deep sleep never seemed to create a problem, but Carwyn had noticed that Brigid sparked a bit on waking. Luckily, he always woke before her, and Brigid’s fire seemed to like Carwyn nearly as much as it liked Brigid.

In the years since her initial turning, Carwyn had always felt like Brigid’s element was a wary ally in their corner, a weapon she carefully leashed and even more carefully guarded. Never too familiar. Never too common. Unlike the earth that he controlled, fire had always felt dangerous. Spiky and prickly, not unlike his Brigid.

But since the battle on the island, his mate had been filled with a peace that seemed to surprise her, and her fire had settled too. It was more present but less fearful. Less reactive and more a part of her nature.

There was a peace in his mate that he’d never seen before, and while none of her rough edges had disappeared, they might be just a little bit softer.

She took a deep breath and murmured his name. “Carwyn.”

Carwyn smiled and traced a finger over her cheek. She turned in to his touch, her eyes flickering open, then closed again as she smiled.

“Good evening, darling girl.”

“My fine man.” She lifted her head and looked at him. “How long have you been awake?”

“Long enough to have a raging hard-on from looking at your arse.” He planted one hand on her ample cheek.

“Such a romantic,” she murmured. “Poetry just trips off your tongue.”

“I know. You’re such a lucky woman. Any dreams today?”

“Not a single one.” She smiled. “Glorious.”

Dreams had haunted her for the first few weeks, and her sleep—usually unshakable—had been restless and troubled.

She’d had visions of fire and had woken in the middle of the day screaming more than once, shaking away flames that were only in her mind. There was a bruised ache in her eyes and a haunted look.

Days passed. They left Alaska. They drove inland and spent time in the desert. She spent time with Lee, then with Natalie and Baojia. She called her friend Anne and had long sessions over video.

Carwyn knew she only needed time to heal from the battle, because every step she’d taken—every kill, every compromise—had been for the protection of the innocent.

He knew that, and eventually she’d realized it too.

Eventually he’d convinced her that while they didn’t need to stop taking cases, they were due for a long and well-deserved rest.

“When we go to Bali and I keep you naked for several weeks” —he rolled her onto her back— “what food would you like me to stock up on?”

---