Page 109

‘Who, mother is the right question.’

‘Who then?’

Killen’s head cocked the other way as if trying to listen for something, and he lifted a finger to quieten her.

He was hearing on a different dimension because Riv couldn’t catch a thing.

Until his neural node fired up.

Brother.

He bucked in shock. He gave Killen a look of utter bewilderment. His son sat back and pulled on his chin, a half smile on his face.

Lifting Élisa off his lap, Riv stood and half ran to the front doorway.

His woman followed, her robe swirling around her. ‘What in Devansi hell?’

Killen was at the rear, slower in pace, his face serene.

Riv stepped into the sun, turning his face to the open skies.

His woman and son joined him, their eyes following his upward when three figures shimmered into sight out of thin air and floated down towards them.

Élisa snarled, stepping forward, shoulders hunched, face fierce and battle-ready.

Until Killen stuck out an extended arm to halt her advance.

Riv glanced at his woman as she tried to shake off her son. ‘They’re friends, Élisa. You know them well.’

She calmed somewhat, but still, her body quivered as her eyes darted to and from him and the descending group.

Moments later, the trio touched down on the rock path leading to the house.

Riv lifted his hands in welcome as he strolled toward them.

‘Well, if it isn’t three of my worst nightmares.’

Xion retracted his helmet and stalked forward with a growl on his lips. ‘We travel half the galaxy and through a freakin’ wild nebula to rescue you, and that’s the salutation we receive? If karma doesn’t hit you, Ifokkin’ will.’

‘Fokkoff. I didn’t need a rescue,’ Riv grumbled. ‘I just needed you to take on one mission, so I’m freed up for another.’

Xion threw his hands up in mock frustration. ‘Instead of ‘ hope you’re having a nice day,’ I think I’ll start by saying, ‘Have the day you deserve.’ You know, let karma sort shit out.’

‘Shut up and get your nasty ass here.’ Riv walked into Xion’s arms for a power-driven embrace.

He did the same to Zane and Ki’Remi, who joined the group hug.

Xion leaned into Riv and whispered in a sotto voce. ‘Who the heck is that beautiful creature looking like she’s ready to eat us alive for just speaking with you?’

Riv jerked his chin with a twitch to his lips. ‘You can’t tell who she is?’

Zane narrowed his gaze as he stared at the woman standing by Killen.

He flinched so hard that Ki’Remi and Xion whirled around to him.

‘No freakin’ way,’ the sapphire-eyed Rider growled.

He extracted himself from the group and marched up the pathway.