Xavier:You have the ingredients for the s’mores?
Talon:In my chambers. Got them between classes this afternoon. Heading there now. You?
Xavier:Got the hot chocolate. Ore is at the venue sorting the liquor out and setting things up. Heading over there now to assist. Why aren’t you already out there too? You were supposed to be ahead of me. Everything all right?
Talon:All good. Stopped off at the cafeteria. Had them set aside two crumbles for Ore. One apple, one rhubarb. Just picked them up now.
Xavier:That’s really sweet of you.
Talon:You know how he loves his crumbles. Figured he could use some perking up after the craziness of these last couple of weeks.
Xavier:Absolutely. He’s gonna love it, firebird.
I really hoped so.
Talon:See you in five.
I passedthrough Ore’s illusion and took in the replica of our first date together as a foursome.
The one with the fire and s’mores, the snow, the ice sculptures, the whole nine.
We were hoping it would bring back fond memories for Alena.
Xavier was finishing up with making the drinks, but Ore was on the phone, pacing and looking tense.
“Motherfuck,” he uttered, when he finally ended the call and shoved his phone into his blazer pocket.
“What’s wrong?” I asked, reaching him.
“I heard you mention Abigail’s name,” Xavier said, coming over to us.
“Itwasher, yes,” Ore confirmed. “She was calling to let me know thatExemplarmanaged to capture Cornwell.”
“Shouldn’t that be a good thing?” X asked.
“Yeah, that shithead deserves to spend the rest of his twisted life behind bars,” I ground out.
“It’s good that he’s been apprehended, but he was able to complete his mission before they got their hands on him. He took great satisfaction in telling them that he was steps ahead of them.”
“And?” I asked. “What was it?”
“We don’t know. He wouldn’t say. All we know is that he and a team of Constantine’s acolytes have murdered six retiredExemplarmembers.”
“Hell,” Xavier breathed. “To what end?”
Ore shook his head. “The information that they would have been privy to as members, means it could be anything. Abigail just contacted me to request the transfer of Cornwell to the Dark Fae Realm for interrogation. It will be getting underway in a few moments.”
“Wow, she’s really up for pushing the boundaries of her own laws now, huh?” I commented.
“Extreme circumstances being what they are, she’s finally realized the necessity,” Ore said. “Either way, I wanted to keep you updated, but let’s not bring Alena in on it yet. She has enough to deal with.”
“And we don’t want news of that shithead triggering her.”
“I hate to say it, but for once I agree with keeping this secret,” X spoke.
“Good,” Ore said. “Now, we focus on tonight. Giving her some comfort and some happiness.” His eyes went to the food boxes I was carrying, along with the bag of the s’mores stuff. “What’s in those?”
I handed the bag to Xavier who started taking the stuff out and readying it, then I opened the boxes for Ore to see.