Page 85 of Seared Fates

Rurik’s nose scrunches. “God, you’re an asshole.”

“And why exactly were you there?” Summer crosses her arms, scrutinising him.

“I was hired to. Someone was very desperate to get their hands on the First Tome. How could I, saviour of pretty boys, possibly turn away from one in need?”

“And?” Lucero questions, sounding bored.

The corner of Sen’s lip twitches. “And the staggering amount of money they offered helped.”

“Who’s stupid enough to hire an asshole like you?” Rurik retorts.

“I’m incredibly sought after, even if I don’t use my real name.” Sen ruffles Rurik’s hair, who shoves him off.

Rurik swipes Sen’s glass and chugs back the blood with loud, exaggerated gulps.

A beat of silence passes when Rurik slams the glass down.

“I spat in that, by the way.” Sen’s mouth stretches into a grin.

Rurik scowls.

“Sen. Rurik.” The way Vidar lets out a long suffering sigh, like he’s talking to two naughty children who happen to be hundreds of years old, makes me think this isn’t the first—or hundredth—time he’s had to stop their antics. And from the quirk of his mouth, I know Vidar’s happy to have all his offspring in one room after so long.

“The person who hired me didn’t supply a name,” Sen announces. “Just a handful of clues on where the spellbook might be, and where to drop it off once I find it.”

“So confident in your abilities, brother,” Lucero says, voice tight.

“Well, I did, didn’t I?” Sen’s reply is smooth, yet with a tartness he seems to save for Lucero. “I was hunting Emma down when I saw her sneak into Kai’s little hovel.”

“Mate, what the fuck? My flat is fine.” Kind of.

Ramy makes a sympathetic noise and pats my hand. Huffing, I slump into my chair.

“I hadn’t expected to find Emma fist-deep inside our lovely Kai’s chest,” Sen adds.

“Kai isn’t your lovely anything,” Vidar throws at Sen, yet without any heat.

“How about Apollo?” Sen chuckles, undeterred by Vidar. “Wanna be my something?”

“I don’t know you, and I don’t wanna,” Apollo scowls.

I expect Sen to reply with sarcasm or more flirting. Instead, he bumps Rurik’s side. Rurik’s face remains unchanged, and it isn’t until Vidar brushes his arm on the way to the fridge that a flicker of emotion finally breaks through.

But it vanishes with the flash of lightning from the brewing storm.

I can’t help but feel pity for Rurik, even if it was a night similar to this one when he aimed a punch at my face.

“Who cares right now who hired him?” Summer waves the subject away, turning expectant eyes on me. “Kai, show me your fire powers, that’s way more important.”

Uncomfortable under everyone's sudden interest, I have to force my hand still, so I don’t tug at my hair. Even the room seems to inhale, waiting for me to perform the thing I’ve kept hidden most of my life.

“Kai.” Vidar lays a hand on my back as he sets a bottle of chilled water down. “Do you want me to kick everyone out again?”

A laugh leaves me, the narrowing tension rubber-banding back.

“I’m okay,” I promise. “Thank you.”

Vidar inclines to brush a kiss on my crown. “Anytime.” Then he steps back, his grip not once dropping. Giving me strength.