Page 51 of A Lost Light

The councilor had found his feet, and he started demanding that Bella allow him to be present when she questioned the cult leader. His wife was chiming in with all the safety precautions he would need to take if he was going to go gallivanting off with Dangerous People.

I rounded up my own crew with a wave. “Come on. Let's get the fuck out of here before they think up something else for us to do.”

Chapter 31

Hasumi

The room swirled with so many rich, varied emotions. Every one of my beloved family had mixed feelings about the fight we had just participated in. I tapped into my magic and sent soothing, calming, safety... But I didn’t push too hard. I knew it was also important to let them feel whatever they were feeling, so they could process it and let it go.

I kept most of my attention on Aahil during the fight, afraid that the enslaved jinn's situation might be too similar to his prior experience, that it might trigger his old fears and trauma. But, while it did affect him, he handled it far better than I anticipated. Apparently, I had been attending to the wrong person.

Dyre'sanguish and fury had been nearly overwhelming.

Now, as we stood in the center of the great entryway of the Lovell mansion, regrouping, centering, I expanded my awareness outward, making sure I hadn't missed anything else in the chaos. Ambrose met my eyes and gave me a nod and a soft, wry smile. While I sent out softer emotions, he unobtrusively fed off the less pleasant ones, drawing in the fear and anger, as we worked together to restore balance.

Andy said she needed some time alone, and a quick check along our bond told me that she wasn't overly distraught, she just wanted space to clear her mind and rest as she sorted out just what shedidfeel. Which I could have told her was primarily fear and obligation. But I left her to her own musings.

Zhong was worried about the rest of us, but was content to soothe those worries by moving off to the kitchen to make food for everyone. Niamh stared everyone down and headed up the stairs behind Andy. The fae was feeling protective. But she was good at silent support. She could be with Andy while giving her space to decompress.

River shimmered with magic and became person-shaped once more. He was completely naked, and I smiled faintly to myself as everyone in the room tried not to show how interested they were. I let my own eyes slide over the shifter's body, taking in his coppery skin and smooth, lean muscles. He was certainly pretty. He stretched, setting his beautiful cock bobbing, and looked around the circle of people as if being naked among strangers was an everyday occurrence. Perhaps it was, for a shifter.

“I guess I'll go help in the kitchen,” he said with a shrug. His emotions were calm. He was used to stressful situations, and had been working with the rebels long enough to expect some confrontations. I got the sense that fighting to the death wasn't a new experience for him. Which was curious. We really knew so little about this captivating man.

“Do us all a favor and cover up your dick before you handle the food,” Aahil said dryly.

River ran a hand through his shiny black hair, ruffling up the messy shag cut and shrugged. “If I must.” He padded off to go find something to wear.

While Aahil had kept his composure surprisingly well during the confrontation, now that we were home safe I could feel his control unspooling. His snarky commentary was an attempt tohide the fear and other emotions that were creeping in. I was torn. I should help him stabilize. But I knew he would only accept my help in private. And… the emotions I sensed hidden behind Dyre's cool mask were a desperate cry for help to my sensitive aura.

Elijah was feeling overwhelmed and confused… and a bit sad. But he would bide. “Elijah,” I said softly. “Maybe you should go see if Zhong and River need help in the kitchen?”

The angel's expression said he knew what I was doing. But he also exuded a burst of relief and gratefulness. When his glowing blue gaze lingered on Dyre a moment before he headed to the kitchen, I realized that most of his emotional turmoil was centered around the necromancer.

Why did everyone in this house always fight their feelings, deny their wants and needs so fiercely?

Dyre shook his head as if clearing it of his tangled emotions, and started walking toward the back of the house, where the big library was. His outward appearance said he was calm and unaffected. But I knew better. Aahil popped out of existence in a shower of sparks, probably off to hide in his room. I met Ambrose's eyes.

“I'll take the jinn,” he said with a crooked smile that revealed his gray shark teeth. “The stuff he's putting off right now is more my thing.”

I nodded in acknowledgement. We had agreed that Ambrose would help with the darker emotions, while I would handle the others. He was better able to process heavier energies—fed off them, even. Whereas those energies tended to deplete me. And Aahil was currently spiraling toward some very dark feelings.

“Thank you,” I murmured.

“Anytime.” Stepping closer, the boogeyman took my hands and tilted his head. “May I?”

At my nod, he bent and pressed his lips to mine in a soft, fleeting kiss. Then he winked and dematerialized, off to assist Aahil.

If Aahil would let him.

I sighed and went to find Dyre.

As predicted, the necromancer was in the back library, slowly pacing the floor-to-ceiling shelves of books and frowning. He paused when I softly knocked on the door frame. “Oh, Hasumi,” he said, as he pulled himself from his rumination. “Did you need something?”

I watched as he sank down on the antique chaise lounge on the far side of the room and started braiding his long, blood red hair. It really was quite beautiful, and the light from the window across the way brought out the gold within the dark, rich red. I shook myself. Now wasn't the time to be distracted by shiny things.

I crossed the room and sat on the end of the chase beside him. “You seem upset,” I said simply.

He snorted. “Caught on to that, did you? Was it your superpowered elemental abilities, or the walking corpses that gave it away?”

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