Page 90 of Guiding Reason

Taros shifted. “When Col says move…uh. No. Col, you want your Guardian to carry me?”

“But that would mean—” Hyran started.

“We would be slower than a kinetomancer with a vehicle,” Col said. “Travel with him will take us minutes, if that.”

Taros crossed his arms. “He can’t carry me.”

Col groaned. “Just because you beat him doesn’t mean he can’t carry you.”

Hyran huffed. “He didn’t beat me.”

“I didn’t not beat you.”

“Ah. Hyran didn’t walk into a wall, huh?” Orrey asked.

Senlas raised his brows. “You thought he actually walked into a wall, kitten?”

“My little brother isn’t used to Guardian-level stupidity, let’s just leave it at that. And I don’t fucking care who beat who. Taros, Hyran will carry you, and Hyran, you will carry Taros and not drop him. It’s that simple.”

Hyran frowned, but then he felt his cock harden at Col’s tone.

“Should we come?” Orrey asked. “Sen can fly us.”

The telekineticist nodded. “That could work.”

Col sighed. “No. Flying exposes you to attacks from below. We still don’t know what we’re running into, and I want my mission lead and the second highest-ranking operative in Team Three in Argentea in case you are needed there.”

“I hate that that makes sense,” Karmine said.

Hyran sighed. “Col, I don’t want to take Taros along, because I have to leave you alone to go and get him if we travel like that. I cannot carry you both.”

Col took Hyran’s hand. “We’ll make that work. I am a shooter and not as defenseless as you are afraid I am.”

Hyran sighed but bit his lip. He’d already learned that much about his Conduit.

“We need to get you ammunition.” Vin lifted the top off one food container, releasing a mouthwatering smell of herbs, spices and something delicious cooked in good oil. “We should eat. This looks delicious.”

“We should celebrate.” Col clapped his hands. “There is nothing more to discuss anyway, and Orrey deserves the evening to be in his honor.”

“We’re all still here. We all deserve this evening.” Orrey played with the hem of his shirt, and Senlas was leaning toward him, protective. “I’d be back in protector housing if I hadn’t bumped into Sen.”

Hyran, who had only ever bumped into solid objects, cocked his head. “You collided with your Guardian?”

Col snorted. “Why does that surprise you. You collided with me.”

“We all collided with one another,” Lapatea said.

Hyran wasn’t sure when the Conduit had joined the team, but no one objected.

“Okay, food now,” Senlas said, and the remaining lidsLiftedoff their containers all at once, filling the room with the smellof sweet and savory, salty and sour delights made by the best restaurant in Ferrea.

Col turned his head to look at the butler bot, who came hovering over with drinks—Hyran saw kuvana among others—and a prettily made layer cake, shaped to perfection in the way only a bot could make.

“Conduit Orrey, congratulations! I have prepared this to celebrate as well. Please enjoy it.”

Orrey looked from the layer cake to the butler bot. Senlas huffed out a laugh.

“And this is why I don’t like butler bots,” Vin said.