Page 79 of Smoke and Flame

“I believe Ninki has them.”

Tana’s words drew her back.She spoke through tight teeth.“How and why does she have them?”

She considered the possibility the beautiful, svelte Drahk stole them out of revenge.Was Aodh’s ex-lover pissed that she was now in Aodh’s bed?No matter what Aodh thought about Drahks being all right with noncommittal sex, Kai found it hard to believe the loss of Aodh didn’t cause Ninki’s feelings to becomescorched.

“I encountered Ninki the day you arrived while I was coming from the suites.Ninki stopped me outside of the meal hall.We spoke briefly, and she asked where I was headed.I told her about it, and she stated she was on duty that evening and offered to take the bundle.”

“On duty?”Kai frowned.

“Ninki’s position is frame construction, welding, and such.”Aodh was the one who answered.“They handle incineration also.”

“Oh,” Kai said.

“I continued to the kitchen to assist with the evening meal prep.Discarding most of your tattered clothing was easy, but the jacket occupied my mind.Yes, it was worn, but I wondered about the story of it.”

Aodh tugged her back against his chest.“Tana was one of the thunder’s historians and taught it to the young at the learning center.”

Kai nodded.Being a person who enjoyed reading and seeing pictures about the world before mankind destroyed everything, Kai understood Tana’s fascination.Her gaze flitted to the map of the continent for a moment.Staring at the attendant, she confirmed, “The jacket does have a story.It was my father’s.”

Tana’s eyes widened.“Tell me about him, please.”

“He was in the military and fought for our country in three separate conflicts.He had just returned from a mission when he met, fell in love, and married my mother.”

“I bet she was as beautiful as you.”Tana gave her a small smile.

Heat filled Kai’s cheeks as she lowered her head and took in the older woman’s words.“I do look like her.However, Morlie is more her size.”

“Still beautiful,” Aodh commented as he flexed his fingers into her fleshy, ample hips.

She ignored the hum in her blood at his touch and words and continued.“My father got orders to Oregon shortly after that.When everything happened, he hadn’t been at his new duty station for over six months.He and my mother loaded up the bed of his pickup with everything they could fit and drove to the coordinates the government broadcasted on all outlets.”Kai sighed, feeling the weight of her father’s memories on her chest.She stared at the patch with his unit’s insignia over the top right pocket.“In the military, he was a munitions man.Underground, my father’s skills weren’t needed.So, he got a job as a mechanic in the boiler room.”She met Tana’s soft gaze and smiled.“He wore his jacket every day when he went to work.I think it gave him hope to believe life would return to what it was once.”

“What were his thoughts when the humans moved above the surface?”Aodh asked.

“They never made it.”Her throat tightened with emotions.

Aodh’s strength enveloped her as he wrapped his thick arms around her.

“Thank you for sharing the jacket’s tale with me.I’m glad I got it back for you.”Tana spoke softly.

“So am I.”Kai inhaled and then exhaled, allowing her parents to rest in peace again.“I need to go see Ninki.”

“Tana can take you.”Aodh’s arms slackened.

Kai started to rise.

“Tomorrow.”He gripped her waist.

“I want them back.”The tension formed between her brows as she stared at him.

“You’ll get them.Ninki works the evening shift,” he announced.“Tomorrow before the midday meal, Tana will escort you to her residence.”His intense gaze fixed on hers.

Biting the side of her bottom lip, Kai held back her argument.Aodh’s voice held that Mckenna tone, which told her his words were a command.

“Fine.”

“Tana, you’re dismissed.”Aodh barely spared a glance at his attendant.“Escort Kai back with you.She needs her rest.”

“At your words, Mckenna.”Tana rose and walked away.

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