Page 22 of Angel Lost

“Let me guess, you were moved out on my uncle’s orders?”

A belch of black smoke escapes Farrell and Kai frowns. “Weird. But I’ll take that as an affirmative.”

Farrell stalks to the ancient dark wood table and stands, fingers gripping the back of the ornately carved chair. His pupils are dangerous slits. Holy hags, he has to make his dragon step down.

“Interesting.” Kai moves around the room erratically, pausing to poke at the sculptures and paintings as if he’d never noticed them before, pulling a face in the giant gilt mirror over the fireplace. “Well…why don’t we share?”

The chair back cracks in Farrell’s hands.

“The rooms, I mean. I don’t care for your trinkets.”

Farrell’s shoulders relax, his pupils dilating to normal. Carefully, he lets go of the chair, pulling it out to inspect the damage. “Why would you care?”

“I’m learning diplomacy.” Kai smiles wryly at us in the mirror.

“What would you get out of it?” Farrell asks cautiously.

“My uncle wants me to associate with other students, to be seen mixing with those other than fae. Who better than someone with a powerful seeing angel as a pet?” He pulls another face in the glass.

“Pet?” Zephyr steps between Kai and the mirror, scowling. “What are you scheming, fae?” he spits. “Or are you too wacko even for that?”

Kai ignores Zephyr, spinning slowly, taking in the room. “I should redecorate. Make it plainer. The other fae have nothing. And let’s face it, the dragon theme is just weird.”

“If I move in, the dragons stay,” Farrell says, his eyes slittingagain.

“I’m not sure you’re in a place to bargain?” Kai retorts before holding his hands up. “Fine, fine. Just to demonstrate how much I’m not the enemy, the furnishings can stay. But I’m telling the other fae it all belongs to you!”

“It does all belong to me!” Farrell snorts.

“No, Farrell, it did. Now it’s mine…” Kai cackles as Farrell turns an angry red.

He turns to Zephyr, throwing himself onto the sofa with a smug look. “Want to know the real reason he can stay, angel? If I share, there’s less difference between me and the other fae. I’m not some golden boy on a pedestal, I’m one of them.” His face darkens. “Although the dean managed to reinforce that unwittingly with his stupid element reveal. No special treatment there. The only thing that made that tolerable was knowing my step-uncle will be pissed my aether has been revealed.”

He shudders before brightening up again, a wicked smile on his face. “If Farrell moves in then, technically, I’d be following my uncle’s orders to mingle with ‘better’ company, but also flipping him off while I do it.”

I sigh and flop beside him, catching his hand as he pulls at his hair, stilling it. “Kai, can you sort living situations and flipping the king off later? I need you to help. Please. Tell me what to expect.”

Kai yanks an overstuffed brocade cushion from under his ass and flings it in Chano’s direction. “Fine. Only if we keep up our feeding arrangement.” He waits until I nod. “My uncle—step-uncle, let me stress—is collecting aethers. Whether or not they have Aeternums.”

Chano catches the cushion in one hand and growls—a deep, threatening sound. Kai continues as if he hasn’t heard. “He wants a bride with aether, Lorelei. He has a…selection. He’ll run a battery of tests at registration to classify your power. It’s brutal, but once registration’s done, well, I wouldn’t worry. He has a very strong aether bride selected, by all accounts. Strictly under wraps, of course. If youreallywant to return to your joke of a mate, he’ll let you. Don’t stress.” He throws his head back and winks at Chano.

My fingers tighten and he glances down at my death grip on his hand, confusion written on his face.

“I-I…”

I whip my head to the others but they look as panicked as I feel. Kai gently prizes my fingers from his, rubbing the little crescent indents I’ve left in his skin.

“You’re a second aether?” he guesses. “You’re worried he’ll keep you? He’s got a second already groomed. I know that much. He wouldn’t start all over again unless there was a disaster. Time is pressing now.”

I shake my head really, really slowly. This is bad. Worse than bad.

“I—”

“Under no circumstances should you open your mouth, princess,” Farrell interrupts.

I look slowly around at the others. Chano shakes his head vehemently, and Zephyr glows a silent warning, his aura lit up a brilliant, blue-tinged white. Biting my lip, I turn back to Kai, taking his hand again. He eyes our clasped hands warily.

“He saved me—for a week, at least. Not that it’ll matter tomorrow.” I meet Kai’s gaze. Nothing but curiosity stares back.

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