Page 322 of Halfblood Deceived

Then came the familiar sound of Luce tackling-hugging Andreas.

“Ouch,” Andreas complained.

“You’re wounded!” Luce accused.

“I was trying to keep your Auntie Mari safe,” Andreas said.

“Your father and I will have some fucking words about him treating me like a fucking damsel,” Mari grumbled. “But at least he’s in one piece, as I promised, Luce.”

“I’m glad to see you in one piece.” That was Gabby. “Where is Evan?”

“Where’s my brother?” Lex asked at the same time.

“He’s perfectly fine and as annoying as ever,” Andreas answered. “Just give him a minute.”

Aiko bit her lip but stood.

Evan gently took Aiko’s hand and smiled at her despite the pain in his amber eyes. “Ready?”

She nodded.

Evan got on his feet and held her hand until she went down the steps.

Zeydan secured his hold on Aella, stood, and peered outside along with Evan, not wanting to miss Aiko and Luce’s reunion. He felt Isaiah move to gingerly stand behind them, curious as well.

Luce was still hugging Andreas when Aiko reached the bottom of the airstair.

Andreas peeked over his shoulder and gently pulled back from Luce’s embrace, taking a step to the side so she could see Aiko.

Luce’s brow furrowed with confusion but then her teary brown eyes went wide as saucers as they landed on the other girl. “Aiko?”

“Hi, Luce,” Aiko said so quietly it was almost a whisper.

Gabby inhaled sharply, placing a hand over her mouth, blue eyes swimming with tears.

Lex’s jaw dropped.

“Aiko!” Luce exclaimed, tears streaming down her face.

Zeydan wasn’t sure who ran first, but the two girls met halfway and held each other fiercely.

Luce, taller by several inches, lifted Aiko off her feet. “You’re alive! You’re alive!”

Aiko sniffed. “I am. Thanks to Aella.”

Zeydan swallowed against the knot in his throat, cradling Aella closer. His family and friends watched the exchange with the same tight emotion. Aiko had them all now. But she’d lost so much. So much.

Luce sobbed, looking at Zeydan from over Aiko’s shoulder. She smiled. He smiled back.

Evan went down the steps, and Zeydan followed him, carefully maneuvering Aella in his arms so as not to bump her against anything.

She still didn’t stir.

Concern wormed its way inside Zeydan’s chest.

He walked toward the door that led back inside the mansion, along with the others. He was vaguely aware of Isaiah trailing after them from a careful distance. His focus was solely on Aella now, in how her heartbeats were losing strength and her breathing became slower.

“Something’s wrong with her,” he said. He just knew it down to his bones.

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