Page 79 of Tides of Fate

“Try to eat something. There are pastries on the counter, and I have my phone, so call if you need to.”

Gideon kisses him again and whispers something that sounds likelove you—so quietly even Nix’s ears can’t be sure. And then he’s gone, the door lock beeping and sending a shiver down his spine.

It hits him then—he hasn’t been alone in the house since he’s come home, so he’s a little unsettled. He has Tsuki, though, so at least he has company.

Turning off the TV, he asks the home music system to play the Long Road Home playlist in all areas of the house and heads up to his room to take a shower, Tsuki hot on his heels.

She’s taking her job seriously, so Nix will be sure to tell the big boss.

After a perfect shower, he pulls out his pale yellow fuzzy sweater and gray skinny jeans with the studs on the pockets. He’s thinking about eating when he hears a weird buzzing from somewhere in the house. It sounds like the soundtrack to thattimey-wimeyspace show Luca likes.

He tracks it to the couch, wedged between the cushions. It’s Luca’s phone, and sure enough, theDoctor Whotheme song is playing, and the heat in his belly flares hot for a moment when he sees the name on the screen: Finn.

It’s not Nix’s phone, but maybe it’s important.

“Hello?”

Finn doesn’t answer. Instead, Nix hears fast, uneven breaths—someone holding back sobs on the other end.

“Finn? Are you okay? It’s Nix.”

“Luca,” his mate gasps.

“He’s not here, and he left his phone behind. Where are you?”

Before he knows it, he’s putting his shoes on and opening the front door. Tsuki hauls ass behind him, and just before the door closes, she grabs her leash—but not the harness.

Oh well, it’ll do.

“Hospital. Don’t come. Dan–ger–ous.”

He gets it out between breaths, followed by a whine that sets Nix’s hair on end.

“I’m coming, Finn. Hang on.”

He keys in the code for the house, then for the gate.

He can’t walk—it’s too far. And he can’t run, because it will draw attention from any human who sees him.

He hasn’t got any money, and the Goddess knows where his wallet is. Those will have to be problems forlater-Nix.

He prays for inspiration as he heads toward the main road at a fast walk—maybe a sympathetic bus driver. He’s been lucky before.

Sure enough, there’s a blue bus sitting at the closest stop, and when Nix gets close enough, there’s a familiar face in the driver’s seat.

“Hello again, Nix. Where can I take you today? Nice to see you up and around.”

Nix had seen enough weird things since waking up three weeks ago, but this is almosttooweird.

“Hello. Uh, the same as usual, please.”

He climbs aboard, letting Tsuki take a seat next to him, still holding her white leash in her mouth.

The driver’s eyes go wide, scanning his body in what Nix might feel is inappropriate—if he didn’t know this man had only ever seen him injured.

“I’m fine. It’s for someone else. You know my name, but maybe I should know yours?”

“The hospital it is. I am Artem, and who is your friend?” He throws the bus into gear, and they’re merging into traffic.

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