Page 24 of Flying Blind

“You are associating with a bunch of very clever ladies, and they could have easily found him once they knew what they were looking for. The good news is the arrival of your last mate has been moved up.”

“What? Why?”

“He finished the project he was assigned to and has gotten his family’s authorization to come home.”

“He needs authorization?”

“Yeah, he does. We crave chaos, but we love rules.”

She snorted, and the sounds of a hammer on metal rang in her ears. She stood to one side with Rayd as he kept the crowd away from her.

She got warm, and the sound of the hammer slowed. She could sense the fire and beyond that was the same crackling fog that she associated with Rayd.

The banging slowed, and a harsh voice growled. “You could have warned me, Rayd.”

Rayd chuckled. “She was insistent, and until we are all together, the link can’t form, so since he shows up next week, I thought I would bring her here to see what you do in your off time.”

Her growl was from the frustration that was riding her. “Show’s over for now, folks. I am taking thirty minutes.”

A cheerful female voice said, “Come this way as I draw the curtain, dear patrons. I shall provide you with the cleverest mead that was ever served in this fine demesne.”

A curtain enclosed the workshop and kept the fairegoers from watching them.

The man moved away and washed his head and arms in a bucket. His heat signature was strong as he turned to her. “Well, are you going to make introductions?”

Rayd walked her close. “Zara, can you sense him?”

“The other swirling vortex of entropy in the space? Yes. Does the cloud have a name?”

“Lykon, my lady. Professional blacksmith to stage and screen. And these faires when my sister nags me into it.”

“So, you get bossed around by women?”

“Just Lyric. She’s a force of nature, and since I am single-minded, it is easy just to change my direction, and I head in a straight line.” He shrugged. “I am easy to manage for what I am.”

Rayd took her hand and extended it to Lykon. Her fingers were wrapped in a warm, damp hand with plenty of callouses. She shivered, but the corset covered a lot of reaction.

“Pleased to meet you, Lykon. I’m Zara.”

“Yes, I gathered as much. I am a little damp and half-dressed, or I would give you a proper kiss.”

“Well, Rayd has explained what an improper kiss is, and his proper ones are no better, so I will thank you for the thought and leave it at that.”

He laughed. “I like you. That’s good. Between Rayd and I, we can deal with whatever our third brings.”

“So, do you know where we are going to live? Will we live as a group, or will I get weird visits?”

Lykon huffed. “The home will be the guesthouse at the winery. My father and sister live in the main house that also doubles as the commercial arm of the winery with offices and such. We are out of the way, things are quiet, and the grounds are ours to play on if we wish, as long as we warn my family so they keep to the front of the property.”

Zara chuckled. “I am looking forward to finding out if the link actually gives me usable vision again. I miss colours.”

“It should. I have never met a demon mate before, so I only have to go on instinct. Rayd as well. It is very rare that we actually find a proper mate and form around her. I haven’t heard of a legion in my lifetime. We will feel it and send a shockwave through the world when the brand is sealed. Oh, may I see it?”

“One of us should.”

She turned and felt the delicate touch as he eased the soft fabric away from the brand on her back,

“Ah, lovely. Right. I will get back to work, and you will enjoy the faire. Come back in two hours.”

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