Page 98 of The Aether

“I’ve not gotten that far yet. My main concern is my wife. Everything else will have to wait until Vivian is back with us.”

“Do you need the added power from us?”

“I don’t believe so. Thank you.” Damian called him back when the other man would’ve walked away. “I can’t see what tomorrow holds, and I doubt Beastie can, either. But should we survive the tribunal, I will always be there if you need me, Masters. Tell the others the same, please.”

A warm smile curled Draven’s mouth, and he reached into his pocket, pulling out a coin. “Not my lucky one, but charmed all the same,cher. Keep it on you tomorrow.”

The gold emitted a soft glow, and the strong enchantment attached to it was undeniable.

“What does it do?”

“You’ll only see if your trial goes the wrong way.”

“You have a store of these you keep on hand?” Damian asked dryly.

“Three, in total, and abso-fucking-lutely.”

Crossing to Ronan, who still held Sabrina, Draven nodded politely. “If you ever need backup for the girl, I’m a shout away.” After pressing an index finger to Ronan’s temple, he laid a hand on his shoulder to steady him. “Sorry about that headache, friend. It’s handier and untraceable.”

Draven smiled down at Sabrina’s drowsy face. “Thank you for your gift,cher. I’ll treasure it always.”

“Goodbye, Mr. Draven.” She yawned and blinked up at him. “Miss Brooke is very nice.”

“Miss—?”

“Sure, and she means Brooke Ellis,” Ronan said. “Ya have to speak wee wild beastie to understand she’s after settin’ ya up with the woman.”

Chuckling, Draven swirled his lucky chip over his fingers. “Ah, well, I’m sure she is, but I’ve had my one great love.”

Sabrina smiled knowingly. “Do you know the soul can come back if it wants to?”

His expression was gobsmacked, and slack-jawed, he whipped around to where he’d last seen Brooke Ellis.

“Don’t worry, Mr. Draven. You’ll see her again,” she assured him. Then, pressing a hand to her mouth, she shot Damian a contrite look. “I’m sorry, Papa.”

“I think we’ll forgive this one slip, Beastie. It’s been a long couple of days.”

“Can I go home to see Grandpa Nate now?”

“I, uh…” At a loss for words, Damian didn’t know how to convey he found it impossible to deal with the fact she’d be out of his sight. Until the tribunal was over, and likely for a few decades to come, he’d not be comfortable if she wasn’t in the same zip code.

“We can all go,” Creed said, stepping out of the shadows. “To watch over her.”

Damian had never known the man to smile in recent years, but he did as he looked at Sabrina, and it transformed him from austere to genial.

“It’s safe, Papa,” she assured him.

The word ‘yes’ wouldn’t leave his mouth, but he managed a nod. “Is there anything I need to know about Trevor and I reviving your mother before you go?”

“No. Just like Aunt Josie, but longer.” Sabrina patted Ronan’s chest and pointed down. When she was on her feet, she ran to Damian and flung her arms around his neck as he bent to greet her. “Thank you for saving me, Papa. I knew you would.”

He savored the feel of her warm body and the loving energy merging with his. Their bond remained unbroken. Parting from her, he held onto her shoulders, giving her a gentle shake.

“You’re never to run off and scare me like you did, understand?” After she nodded, he said, “For today only, you can eat all the chocolate-chip pancakes your heart desires. Tell your grandpa I said so.”

“He’ll think I’m lying.”

“You have your Sentinels to bear witness. He’ll believethem,” he assured her.

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