Page 61 of Smoke and Blood

A loud laugh unexpectedly erupted from Kai at the image Brenna created.She sniffed and stepped back, feeling a little reserved after her breakdown.

With a hand still on her shoulder, Brenna asked, “What are your parent’s names?”

“Preston and Viola Conley.”Warmth filled Kai’s chest at the mention of their names aloud after so many years.It made it seem as if their presence resided with her.

“I’m sorry you lost them at such a young age.”Brenna rubbed Kai’s arm before releasing her.

Aodh didn’t allow her to go far but quickly pulled her into his side and wrapped a strong arm around her.

Kai was grateful for his strength.

“Mother.”Even as he still held her, Aodh leaned over and kissed Brenna on her cheek.

“Son, it is so good to see you.The meal is ready, so I hope you both brought your appetites.”

“We did.We worked up quite an appetite today.”Aodh glanced at Kai and winked.

Kai felt heat flood her cheeks and hoped his parents didn’t pick up on his naughty comment.

Aodh’s parents led the way into the same archway his mother came from.The room had an eight-person table.It was set up beautifully, not with the same large bowls or platters in the hall.Or repurposed dishware as they had in the Dispatch, but something more elegant.

“May I help you bring the food to the table?”

“No, please rest yourself.”Brenna waved her toward the seats.

Aodh’s father stood on one side of the table, and Aodh was across from Rhys and holding out a chair for her.Kai moved to her mate and sat.

Brenna brought in one serving bowl after another piled high with food.If she had not been around the dragon-shifters for a while, Kai would have been shocked to see how much food was presented for only four of them.But the Drahk had hearty appetites, and now she did, too.

Rhys and Aodh stood until Brenna laid out all the food on the table and claimed her seat.However, Rhys refused to sit until after his son, the Mckenna, had done so first.

Once Kai had her plate filled and taken a few bites, she met the gaze of Aodh’s mother.“The food is delicious.”

“Thank you.Do you enjoy cooking?”Brenna inquired.

“Yes.I need to get lessons from Tana.I’ve never had much to prepare in my life before.”

Aodh’s mother tilted her head and assessed her.Were things that difficult behind the humans’ greatimpenetrablewall?”

Brenna’s tone made it clear what the shifters thought about the wall surrounding the human area.

Kai swallowed down the spoonful of broth from her stew.“Only for those who lived outside of the governmental section.They work too long and struggle more days for proper lodging and food.But there’s never enough.”

“And the sickness?”Rhys sliced through a meaty chop.“Are people getting better with the administration of the shifter serum?”

Shaking her head, Kai glanced at Aodh and then his father.“If they are, no one is given it in the Dispatch.I don’t know about those in the Consumer Providence.”

“The Consumers?”

“What are the Consumers?”

Rhys and Brenna asked as they glanced at each other.

“People who live around the government.The ones who went into the underground with their wealth and lavish possessions.Those individuals granted the privilege to buy and pay for expensive dwellings years before the catastrophes.Who dine at the tables of governors of the people.”Kai reached for her glass of water and drank it.

It was since she had been living among the Drahk and witnessing how the dragon-shifters were not only linked through their king but looked out for each other and ensured everyone’s needs were met equally.

“What were you and your family in there?”Rhys inquired.

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