Page 96 of Gifted Destiny

“So we’re even.”

We might have been if the ghost had left it at that, but he doesn’t. He tucks his hands into his armpits, flaps his arms like wings, and juts his chin forward in a poor attempt at a chicken dance. His attempts to squawk are remarkably pitiful. I consider being offended, but he only succeeds in looking like a fool.

“I’m going to kick you out of my bed,” Zosia warns the ghost. He stops immediately and his brow creases with worry as he grumbles an apology. I love it when my mate exerts her dominance over the others. “How did the prisoner exchange go?”

“The detective has questions,” Kodi answers, relieved to change the subject. “He agreed to save them for later, though, and took the three men to their holding cells at the Bureau. He also managed to procure another vehicle to keep the two Addingtons separate.”

Zosia sighs. “I’m not sure if I can answer the detective’s questions. I’m still confused about how we ended up with two Addingtons. That wasn’t the plan.” Her gaze is thoughtful as the sound of footsteps alerts me to Bren’s return. Avery is with him, but the vampire doesn’t make any noise.

“We don’t owe Cronos anything if we don’t need their Addington,” I grumble. My dislike of this shadowy corporation is deeper than I can describe. We can’t fight an entity we don’t understand, and I especially despise owing anyone outside the library a favor. “Especially since it sounds like they were working with Addington all along. It seems like a trick.”

The rage that my griffin had been restraining rebuilds inside my chest. That man was inour library. Sensing my emotions, Zosia glances toward the book that’s still lying on the floor. She’s been in sphinx form most of the day, but she seems as comfortable in fur and feathers as in skin. I don’t sense any pain or discomfort emanating from her, and I hope this is partially due to the completion of the last bond.

When my brother became her mate and closed the loop, I’d been flooded with powerful sensations of relief, comfort, and security. Shortly after it happened, though, our knowledge of the world had been upended. I haven’t had a second to enjoy the new emotions.

I study my brother. He has engaged in more social interaction than he’s accustomed to, but I might not have to worry about the violent explosions of magic any longer. He appears tired, but I don’t see any traces of blue magic on his skin or in his eyes. The library and Zosia are soothing him and refilling the magic he expended. The two of us aren’t alone against the world – or the worlds ….

“Is everything mostly settled?” Zosia asks Avery and Bren. They’ve only been separated for a few minutes, but concern still tightens her expression.

“All three men will be held and questioned, but I believe the Timekeeper either didn’t tell us or didn’t know ….” Avery pauses, considering his words. “When Addington emerged from the library, I could observe the auras of both him and the imposter more closely. I sense an interaction between them that doesn’t strike me as healthy.”

Although it’s been a long day, the vampire appears as unflappable as ever. He’s still wearing his suit jacket from that morning, and I can’t spy a single wrinkle. Although I would never feel comfortable in his clothes, I envy his style. His speaking manner is another matter entirely. “What do you mean?” I grunt.

Bren answers. “Remember one of those time-travel movies we watched? The one with the car? When the guy went forward in time, he couldn’t encounter himself without endangering space-time or erasing himself or some other asinine outcome. Regardless of the science, it appears that two Addingtons coexisting in this world might become a problem. I don’t know if either will live long.”

The vampire nods. “Yes. It was not a healthy give and take between their energies; it was more like they were canceling each other.”

“Hmm,” Zosia murmurs. In her current form, it emerges as a rumble. “I can’t say this upsets me,” she finishes after considering it a moment. “Bren, thank you for the truth extraction.”

“The library helped as well,” he replies shyly, pleased by our mates’ pride. “She helped me pull from the truth magic that binds us. I wasn’t sure it would work, but Addington wouldn’t have answered anything without it.”

I nod and clasp my brother’s shoulder when he takes a position next to me. “You are right about that, brother, andthank you. Watching that man squirm was extremely satisfying to both me and my griffin.”

Bren glances at me, and I’ve never been more grateful that he is who he is. His unconventional behaviors and nervous tics have caused me grief over the years, but I prefer them over a dumbass like his double.

“And thank Destiny you’re not like the Brennan we met in that place,” I add.

Zosia nods her head violently. “Agreed.”

“Aww,” Kodi whines. “I want to know what you saw.”

“I can tell you what our others were like, but the nature of our journey can wait until later.” I’m uncertain whether Zosia is indulging him or giving us a moment to talk, but she tells him about the people we met. “

“A lot has happened today. How are you dealing?” I ask my brother.

As usual, Bren considers his answer carefully. “Remarkably well. The bond feels natural and the situation with our father has concluded favorably. I know you hate Cronos, but the only other option was to kill Addington. No matter how badly he deserves it, none of us should become a murderer. In each of my visions, he will die while imprisoned by the BSP.”

I breathe a sigh of relief. As long as Addington lives, he remains a threat. Bren’s words are exactly what I needed to hear. “Your foresight is back to normal, then?”

Bren frowns. “Yes and no. My magic is calmer and no longer interferes with my control. I can tap into the visions or push them away, and I’ve learned how to differentiate possible simulated copies from the true future.”

“Simulations?” Kodi asks with a raised eyebrow. The sudden silence has warned me that the others started listening, but I don’t mind. I’m no longer my brother’s only confidant.

“That would veer into the nature of our journey,” Bren hedges, looking at Zosia. She ruffles her wings.

“Right. That discussion is for later. First, I want Sage to reassure us that we aren’t being overheard within her walls.”

The four of us nod, even though Kodi is still confused. I don’t blame him. I experienced it firsthand, and it wasn’t any less confusing.

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