Page 49 of Crimson Flames

“How can I help?” Kai asks.

“I have an idea,” I offer. He looks at me skeptically when I gesture to the kitchen.“Have you ever made soda bread before? It’s their favorite.”

The way his face lights up makes my heart squeeze. “Will you show me?”

“Of course.” When I glance back at Nessa, she has a hand over her heart, and Cillian looks pleased.I guess even an old man can have some new tricks.

Chapter 18

Everyone around me is celebrating, and I don’t fully understand why. It’s a welcome distraction though, and I find myself smiling because everyone seems to actually be happy.

Nessa doesn’t have that lost look in her eyes I had gotten so used to seeing, and Boris and Cillian aren’t quite as attached to her as they were before. It’s almost like they can sense she doesn’t need them quite so close.

The kids around me clap and run around, playing with a seemingly endless supply of noisy party decorations. If I were more tuned in, I’m sure my head would hurt.

Dr. K said I deserve to be a normal kid, but it’s times like this where I don’t feel normal. I don’t want to run around and play games, I want to sit here and make sure that everything goes well.

Taking a bite of the soda bread Boris taught me to make, I have to hold back a groan.

“Isn’t it the best?” Cillian says before stuffing the entire piece in his mouth.

“I didn’t know bread could taste like this,” I admit.

“Just wait until we make it with stew. When you dip it in, it sucks up the broth so perfectly and makes it even better,” Nessa says while Cillian chews loudly.

“I can’t wait,” I say with a smile. “Thanks for teaching me to make it.” When I look at Boris, his chest puffs out the slightest bit with pride.

“You caught on fairly quickly,” he says.

“Quicker than you did, Father,” Batman adds in.

Boris rolls his eyes but I can see the wariness in him. I get the feeling he doesn't open up much by the way he hardly speaks. I think it was a big deal for him to try and teach me something.

“Maybe I just had a better teacher,” I quip, making Batman scoff in disgust.

Everyone laughs, and Boris seems pleased with my response. It makes me happy to do that for him.

After everyone finishes their meals and most of the kids are asleep, I help do the dishes. One by one, everyone joins in to tidy up. When everything is clean, Evie nods to me, determination shining in her eyes.

“You ready to tell us about these other camps?”

I swallow, feeling a lot of pressure over this, but Boris comes to my side and gently places hand on my shoulder in support. “If you are not ready, we will wait.”

I take a deep breath, letting it out slowly.

“No. No more waiting. They deserve to be set free just like us.”

Boris squeezes my shoulder before letting go. “Alright then, if you are sure.” I nod and he gestures to the table.

Lev sits down and pulls out a computer from the bag around his chair while Laney gets out a sparkly pink notebook and matching pen. Akio and Adrian took up kid watching duty, but the rest stayed to come up with a plan. Dr. K decided to go to bed early, and while no one has heard from Doc today, Batman insisted he needed the break.

We all get comfortable before Damien brings over a plate of cupcakes for dessert. Nessa stills, and Boris and Cillian go completely rigid. When her face blanches, I make a move to check on her, but Damien interrupts.

“Thought we could all use a snack,” he says, oblivious to the whole table holding their breath for Nessa’s response.

Her eyes seem to glaze over, marking this as my cue to intervene. I stand, taking the tray from Damien who eyes me skeptically before finally picking up on the mood. An unreadable expression crosses over his features as I take the treats into the other room.

I don’t know the reason for their icy response, having never seen people act so anxious over a sugary treat. I'll be asking someone about that later, for now these treats need a place to be devoured.

---