Page 39

Story: Bonding Beasts

“What did he say?”

“It is inconsequential,” Mitri replies.

Vendetta:“Poshelnakhuy.”

“Since he’s too dumb to speak a language I know, I’ll ignore him. Welcome to the silent treatment.”

Peacemaker gives a short laugh before sobering again.“So we can’t keep you from the things that frighten you. You don’t want that because it will keep you from living your life.”

“Yes, that, exactly!”It’s such a relief to be understood!

Vendetta: “Bezumiye.”

“That had a negative tone, and I’m done with your bullshit. Sit in your corner because your time out starts now.”How strange is it that they have more emotion when speaking than Mitri?

The vehicle comes to a stop directly facing the front door. Mal pulls up next to us, not bothering with the garage.

Mitri loosens the fist on his thigh, and I pull my hand back. Before he slides out, he grabs it and intertwines our fingers, pulling me out behind him. He doesn’t release me as he begins walking towards the mansion.

“Does anyone else feel like puking right now?” Kimi’s strained voice sounds behind us, and I dig in my heels.

“Yeah,” Mal clears his throat and shakes his head sharply.

“Oh good, I thought I ate some bad nachos. Ishould have known they’d never betray me,” Kimi sounds relieved.

“Ben?” I turn back to him and find he’s rubbing his stomach with a grimace.

Peacemaker:“Ty vidish’ eto?”

Vendetta:“On voobshche ne tuman.”

Mitri:“My vidim to zhe, chtoonavidit.”

I look at Mitri, and he stares intently at Ben before glancing at me and rolling a shoulder.

“Well, Mitri and I are fine.”

“Of course, thesociopathis fine.” Mal glares at Mitri.

“And you adapt, Bees,” Ben adds in. His voice draws Mitri’s attention sharply. It makes me nervous how hard he’s looking at him.

Peacemaker:“We can hear him.”

What, was he not paying attention before? Slacker.

Ben continues without any idea of the danger he’s in. “You’re already used to the effects going on. There’s a ward around here. If we can find the focal point, we can get rid of it and keep going without it slowing us down.”

“That makes no sense,” I look to Mitri again in confusion. “None of you felt like this whenever you came back here before. Right? Kimi?”

Why am I asking him? He lies as well as he breathes.

“Excuse me,” Kimi waves a hand and goes behind Mitri’s car to be sick. The sounds make my gag reflex work, and I turn away from him so I don’t sympathy vomit.

“Do your thing,”I tell the spark, and it gets to work.

Myeyesight changes as a wave of golden light pulses from my chest, hitting the manor and reaching beyond it. Where is it?

Mitri is stiff at my side. He’s trying to be still so I can focus. That’s nice of him.