Page 38 of A City of Hearts and Feathers (The Order of Anubis #1)

Three weeks later, Zoe made one last lap of the bookstore to make sure everything was in order. She was surprisingly nervous about her first opening, but it was time.

Upstairs, Kahil was already setting out dropcloths for the day of painting he had planned with Kerem and Emre. In the last few weeks, they had taken on renovating the apartment with frightening efficiency. Kahil wanted to move in as soon as possible. Zoe thought she would have to live at the Order, but Arslan hadn't pushed her to do that. He wanted her to serve the Order by running the bookstore and her rare book business. There were a lot of lost and dangerous manuscripts in the world that needed finding after all.

Zoe and Kahil had gutted Oman's office first and re-done it for her. Arslan had come and cleansed it to make sure no bad vibes were left over from Ahmet and Oman's deaths.

Azize was fussing with a flower arrangement on the other side of the shop, and Zeki and Belkis were due for afternoon tea. Her family had taken Ahmet's betrayal and death badly, but they were all recovering together slowly.

It all helped, but there were days when Zoe had to actively remind herself that it was her home now. The proof of that was in all her gear that was now set up on a freshly constructed work counter. Anita had shipped all her possessions over the past week and had tentatively promised to visit soon. It was the best Zoe could expect, and it was enough.

"Zoe? A delivery for you," Azize said, bringing in a bouquet of red roses.

"And who would be sending my woman flowers?" Kahil demanded, coming down the stairs. He did look damn fine wearing a tool belt.

"My other semi-immortal, murderous boyfriend," Zoe replied and opened the card.

Congratulations on your store opening. I look forward to our game, one week from Tuesday.

Bring the set,

Akamos.

Zoe laughed and passed Kahil the card. "Good to know he's not holding any grudges about the auction night."

"I know Lydia certainly is," Kerem said, coming down the stairs to join them. He read the letter and passed it back to Zoe. "Well, Akamos did say he only wanted the codex to keep it out of everyone else's hands. You made it easier for him by burning it for everyone to see. Now it's gone for good, and we can breathe easier that it's away from the family."

Kerem's eyes slid to Azize, who was already working the roses into her other arrangement. She was too busy with the flowers to worry about what they were saying.

They had all agreed that no one apart from Zoe, Kahil, Kerem, and Arslan were to know what happened to the real codex. It was safer that way for everyone. Zoe had to protect what remained of her family. Kerem's eyes lingered on Azize, but Zoe was too polite to mention it.

Kahil pulled Zoe into his arms and kissed her. She felt his love for her all the way down to her toes. When they broke apart, he pushed her gently towards the door. "It's time, balim . No more stalling."

Taking a deep breath, Zoe walked to the front of the store, reached for the black and bronze sign, and for the first time in twenty years, she turned it to Open .

Thank you so much for reading!