Page 63 of The Aether

“No bleedin’ pressure, to be sure,” Ronan quipped, following it with a heavy sigh. “Yeah, and all we know is that your betrayer isn’t in this room. Nor is it me Dove or your Vivian. Who else is there?”

“Viv’s sisters, but I can’t see any of them helping Morcant, and none of them work for the Authority.” Damian began to pace. “I’d stake my life on the fact Blane is trustworthy, too.”

Alex agreed. “He’s come through for us whenever we needed it.”

“Yes.” Addressing Ronan, Damian asked, “What do you think?”

“Sure, and I wouldn’t be casting my suspicions in that direction.”

“Okay, so who did you bring in tonight, Dethridge?”

“My entire future team. Ten of us in all. That includes the two of you, Trevor Blane, Fintan Sullivan, and Narissa Sullivan. I’ve a magical call out to summon Draven Masters, Creed Caldwell, Jordan Brothers, and the Wraith.”

“The Wraith? Dude’s a myth, Damian. I wouldn’t expect him to show.”

“Thedudeis a dudette, and she’ll be here.” Sensing the new presence, Damian paused his pacing and glanced out the window into the darkness. “Kassiani is a friend, and I’m betting she’ll be here.”

“Why have I never heard of her?” Castor asked.

The question was legitimate. As one of his two best friends, he knew a great deal about Damian.

“You were in hiding for fifty years, Alex. Until recently, everyone believed you’d died. Me included. I met Kass not long after you disappeared.”

“Yeah, and now you’ve got me curious, to be sure.” Ronan dropped into a chair and propped his feet up on the ottoman. “Sounds like a grand tale that needs tellin’ one day.”

With a shake of his head, Damian turned away from the window and crossed to the bench at the foot of the bed. Hiking up his pants leg, he belatedly realized he was wearing his pajamas from when Sabrina rushed in earlier. He heaved a regretful sigh for the sleep he was going to lose and snapped his fingers, changing into slacks and a button-down shirt.

“She’s a magical bounty hunter by birth. Only a handful of people know of her existence. I made her acquaintance when I hired her to look for you, Alex. I believe you’re the only one who managed to evade her.”

“I’m honored.”

“I wouldn’t be if I were you, Traveler,” a heavily pitch-accented voice replied.

As one, they all faced the window.

Casually sitting on the ledge, dressed in head-to-toe black and looking like a pint-sized ninja, was the Wraith. A touch of her hand to her ear unhooked the gauzy veil covering her nose and mouth.

“Hello, Kass,” Damian said warmly. “Good of you to finally join us. How long have you been listening?”

“Since the present Traveler dropped to the floor.” Soundlessly, she hopped off the ledge and, with a flick of her finger, shut the casement window behind her. “You might’ve told me what he was when you first sent me after him,” she said sourly, though her put-upon tone didn’t match the sparkle in her hazel eyes.

Grinning, he clasped her hand and kissed her smooth cheek. “It would’ve given you an advantage, my dear. I wanted to make your hunt challenging.”

“Pfft.” Her eyes lit on Ronan and widened marginally. “I don’t know for certain, but I cansensewhat he is. A Guardian, no?”

Giving her a roguish grin, Ronan nodded. “Aye.”

For a brief instant, her eyes darkened. “Draven is dead?”

“No. He’s expected shortly.” Damian moved to the chaise. “Ronan was specifically assigned as a Guardian by the Goddesses Anu and Isis. He’s been gifted powers to protect my daughter, Sabrina.”

Surprise flared in her eyes, and she lightly stepped around Ronan.

“She is a tiny replica of you, Aether.” Her tone sounded wistful, and he couldn’t discount the longing rolling off her. After a soft smile, unusual for her, she turned away from Sabrina and gave the men in the room an encompassing glance. “Enough of this. Why have you called me here? It’s not for the Traveler.”

“Would you believe I’m calling in my marker?”

“After forty years of silence? No, but I will help you all the sam—ah! The child’s mother.” Kassiani’s expression was one of surprise as Vivian entered the room with Nate in her arms. “Two children? You’ve been busy, Aether.”

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