Page 72 of The Spark that Ignites
Vesper’s grin widened. “About time you got here.”
The woman barrelled for him and flung herself into his arms. He staggered backward but clutched her, smothering her cheek with a half dozen kisses.
“Hey Briar,” he said, his voice thick. “I missed you too, Little Shadow.”
She kicked her dangling feet, quietly sobbing into his neck.
“Bri is a bit excited. She wouldn’t stop talking the entire way here,” the man said in a low voice, his accent bleeding sophistication. He clapped a hand on Vesper’s shoulder as he lowered her to the ground.
She shot the man a scowl, wiping her eyes with the back of her hand and clung to Vesper’s arm. “Give me a break, Callias. Reunions are supposed to be beautiful, not tragic.”
She beamed up at Vesper and playfully flicking her nose, he returned it.
Her upturned feline eyes—a startling scarlet—flicked to Emmery. Briar was beyond stunning, but that wasn’t why she stared. Down one side, from her hairline to her bodysuit, were shiny white aged burns, severe enough her hair no longer grew on that side of her profile. The burns stood out against her beige complexion like a battle wound. Only a horrific blaze could cause something like that.
Emmery swallowed hard and ripped her attention back to Vesper who embraced Callias, the two patting each other's backs in unison. “Been a long time, brother.”
The two men were obviously not related with Callias’s dark, tawny skin and golden hair in stark contrast to Vesper’s pale complexion, grey locks, and luminescent eyes.
Vesper socked him in the arm, shaking out his fist in mock pain. “Fuck, Cal—you broke my bloody hand. I swear these aretwice the size since the last time I saw you. No need to upstage me so violently.”
Callias flexed his enormous bicep. “Well, it’s been only eighty years. Give me another five and you will really feel inadequate.”
Emmery felt their stares from where she stood in the doorway, but kept her head down, picking at her blunt nails as they exchanged a few quiet words. It was only moments later Briar yanked her into a suffocating embrace. Their cheeks squished together, and Emmery froze, her body taut as a bowstring. What was it with these people and touching? First Vesper, then Marlys, and now Briar. Gods help her.
Emmery’s gaze darted to Vesper, her eyes pleading for help.
“Briar,” Vesper scolded, grasping her shoulder to free Emmery but it only tightened her grip. “Don’t scare her off.”
“It’s nice to ... meet you too,” Emmery mumbled, patting Briars back awkwardly though she longed for freedom with every cell in her body.
Briar finally released her and hollered over her shoulder, “Cal, don’t be rude! Come say hello to Emmy!”
Callias waved curtly and returned to his conversation with Vesper.
“It’s, uh—it’s actually Emmery,” she said, clearing her throat.
“That’s what I said. Emmy.” Briar winked. “Don’t mind Cal, he’s a grumpy old man.” They both didn’t miss his responding glare from across the room. It spurred a giggle from Briar.
“How do you know Vesper?” Emmery asked, shrugging out of Briar’s hold. Callias had said ... eighty years.
“We’ve known each other since we were children. Cal and I practically grew up here.” She cupped her mouth, her voice a loud whisper, “I used to beat these two up all the time.”
Vesper sauntered over. “As if, Bri. You know Cal and I could take you any day.”
“Right.” Briar snorted. “In your dreams, boys.”
Callias’s gaze slid to Emmery, his expression anything but warm, making her want to vanish into the marble floor. He turned back to Vesper. “We’ve been awaiting word for days. What happened?”
“We were worried sick when we hadn’t heard, youass,” Briar added and harmlessly slapped Vesper’s arm. “You sent us that cryptic message and then nothing but silence until a few nights ago.”
Emmery’s stomach cinched. The silence they meant was likely her episode with the serpent venom. Or perhaps his entire trip over the gate. Was that a secret? Because if it was—well, she was here, so it couldn’t be.
Vesper waved them off. “We’ll discuss this later. Go get settled. Your rooms are ready.”
“We’ll chat later,” Briar promised—though Emmery couldn’t imagine what they had to discuss—before squeezing her arm once more and taking off up the stairs. Callias slung their bags over his shoulder and trailed her.
Emmery leaned in, whispering to Vesper, “Is she always like that?”
