Page 58 of A Lost Light

What did I think of River? “He's interesting,” I said honestly. “I love how he's fascinated by absolutelyeverythingaround him, and he's not afraid to ask stupid questions. He also seems really comfortable speaking his mind—like when he told us all off for being cowards when we wouldn't join the rebels. But he's content to say his piece and let you make up your own mind. He doesn't seem like someone who holds a grudge or gets all pissy. Unlike some other people I know.”

He huffed a soft laugh. “No.”

I studied his face for a moment, then grinned as I spoke, watching for a reaction. “And he's hot as hell, in case you hadn't noticed.”

Zhong's cheeks turned slightly pink, and he glanced at me out of the corner of his eyes. “I noticed.”

I laughed. “Is that what this is all about? You want to fuck the cat? Zhong, you don't need my permission to be attracted to people.”

He shook his head and straightened, finally meeting my eyes. Faint amusement colored his expression as he spoke. “I didn't exactly think you'd mind. But I'm not asking to court the man. I just… wanted to know your opinion. Do you really think he's a spy? Should we be keeping him at arm's length? Or…”

I raised my brows at him. “Or…?”

He sighed, looking resigned, probably expecting my laughter. “Can we keep him, master? Please?”

I couldn't help it. I did laugh. But only because he was so fucking adorable. “He's notactuallya cat, you know? Not some domesticated animal you can make into a pet,” I teased.

He narrowed his eyes at me. “Don't tease. I'm serious. He's lonely, and I… I like him.”

I sighed, forcing myself to be serious. “No, I don't really believe he's a spy or anything. I honestly don't know what the hell he'd gain by staying here with us, if that were the case. Hecould tell the enemy we're hiding in a pocket world. But that still doesn't do much to help them find us. And if he was here to murder us in our sleep, he'd have done it by now.” I pressed my lips together for a moment as I thought about how to put it. “I think he's just… weird. Like the rest of us. So, in that respect, he fits in just fine.”

Zhong chuckled. “We all have our strengths, I belive that is what you told me earlier.”

I shook my head and leaned into his side, nudging him with my shoulder. “I'll try to get to know him better. I've had so much on my mind that I've kind of just… ignored him and let him do his own thing. But I know the others probably haven't gone out of their way to welcome him into our weird little circle. Thanks for reminding me.”

He slipped a big arm around my shoulder and pulled me closer. “I think he's one of us,” he said softly. “Or… that he could be? It seems like he's looking for something. But I don't think even he knows what that is. Maybe… maybe it's us.”

It sounded so damned cheesy. But I knew what he meant. I think every single person in this household had been searching for the same thing. Had been in that same situation not so long ago—that feeling of something missing, though you had no idea what it was.

“You're such a softie,” I muttered, slapping his chest weakly. “Stop making me cry.”

He chuckled and pressed a kiss to the top of my head. “Yes, master.”

What would I do without Zhong's strong, quiet, insightful presence in my life? In my case, I hadn't evenknownsomething was missing, until I found it and the pieces slotted perfectly into the gaping hole in my heart.

I breathed deep and let myself relax into the moment of peace. Which, of course, was the exact moment that peace was shattered.

The wards screamed warning as something powerful broke through our protections, making the bubble of magic around the pocket world ripple ominously.

“Oleander Lovell,” a booming voice shouted into the silence, as a blinding golden light flared. “We've found you!” A shimmering portal appeared in the courtyard, and several massive, glowing figures stepped out, all carrying flaming swords.

Well, fuck.

Chapter 34

Andy

Idrew my magic from deep inside my well, preparing to use every defensive spell Dyre and Sunny had taught me, as a group of vengeful angels stepped through the portal and into our sanctuary. It was inevitable that they'd find us, I knew that, but I had foolishly hoped that we'd have more time.

“How did you find us?” I demanded, keeping my voice even, stalling to allow the rest of my housemates to arrive before the shit really hit the fan. Ambrose and the elementals materialized within seconds, able to sense the disturbance and teleport to us. The boogeyman took up a place behind me, a looming darkness that I could feel at my back, alongside Zhong's towering bulk. Aahil and Hasumi bracketed me in on either side, their wild elemental magics swelling.

The big blond angel who seemed to be in charge of this little extermination mission let out a scoffing laugh. “You've attached your ugly little magical creation to the angelic realm,” he said, looking down his aquiline nose at me. “Did you honestly think a world of divine beings wouldn't sense your dark magic?”

Niamh, River, Elijah, and Dyre came rushing through the door into the courtyard, all of them on-guard, ready to meet whatever fresh hell had found us now. Dyre's already cold expression darkened even more when he laid eyes on the angels. I knew Sunny would probably love nothing more than to snack on some angelic energy. Elijah hung back, his head held high, but his eyes darting from angel to angel. Goddess, what he had to be thinking right now, since he was now technically a revenant wearing a remodeled angel corpse. He hadn't been on the best terms with his people as a ghost. I had a feeling that wouldn't improve now that he was inhabiting one of their dead like a rental property.

The angelic portal snapped closed with a wash of foreign magic, and I was surprised to see that there wasn't more of an army after us. Six towering, muscular angels, all packed with powerful soul magic, were capable enough of causing carnage, but… I had kind of expected more.

Aahil waved a graceful hand, and the winged asshats were encircled by towering flames, jinn fire that could burn through anything in seconds. I tensed, readying myself for their attack. They could simply fly out. Dyre and Sunny would probably drain them, but they could get some serious shots in while our necromancer and wraith feasted on their life essence. I felt the magic swelling around me, every one of my found family poised to fight.

---