Page 83 of Walking in Darkness

A blush rushed to Dani’s cheeks, but she was still pressed tight to Timothy’s side, their fingers locked, unwilling to let go.

“Hey, man, no shame here. Think it’s clear there’s a whole lot of love going around. As far as I’m concerned, it’s about damned time,” Timothy said.

“It’s such a relief you’re here,” I said, slipping out from under Pax so I could edge up to Timothy’s side, the one Dani didn’t occupy. I wrapped my arms around his middle, and he curled his free arm around my shoulders and hugged me tight.

Affection billowed. Happiness uncontained.

“The second I woke up this morning, after you’d suggested that it might be safer to be with our Nol than without, I was on a plane,” Timothy said. “Only thing I knew was, I had to get here. My heart was clawing its way out of my chest like it was going to make it here faster. Every piece inside was already sure that this is where I really belong. And I’m willing to bet that’s been the case with a whole lot of our Laven family today. Reunions happening all over the place.”

I pulled back, and Timothy cast a tender glance down at Dani. A thick sound rolled up her throat, her face blotchy from the tears that couldn’t seem to stop falling.

Devastating joy and marked relief.

“I hope so,” she whispered. “Because there is absolutely nothing better than this. No better feeling than you being here. Right beside me. That you’re all here,” she added in a rush of gratitude as she turned her attention to me and Pax.

We spent a moment relishing it—the hope for our family. But it was also tainted by the fact that there were those of us who would never have that chance. Their lives ripped from them before they could experience the fruition of the connection with their Nol.

It also wasn’t lost on any of us that our rejoicing might be short lived. The celebration dampened by the threat we could feel lingering in the perimeter. Right on the outskirts of the peace we had found.

Dani cleared her throat as if she felt it, too. Right there. Hovering just out of reach.

She swiped the moisture from her cheeks with the back of her free hand as she urged, “Come on. We should go inside where it’s warm.”

She gave a little tug for Timothy to follow.

We all trudged back up the porch steps, stomping off our shoes on the mat at the door before we slipped back inside.

Timothy chuckled as he looked around. “How did I know exactly what this place was going to look like?”

Dani shrugged. “You’ve always known me best.”

“Yeah, I have, haven’t I?” He ran his knuckle under her chin; then she squealed when he suddenly swung her up into his arms. He cradled her as he strode into the living room and plopped down onto the couch with her on his lap.

Okay, so Timothy was not shy.

Pax and I shared a look, a tinge of embarrassment coloring my cheeks, unsure if we should excuse ourselves, or how to handle this. Remembering what it was like when I’d first seen Pax all over again, though our circumstances had been entirely different.

The pull that had dragged between us.

An undertow.

Waves of outright fear battering against it. Fear of the consequences of giving in to what we’d wanted so much.

“I’ll grab our teas,” I offered, and I slipped into the safety of the kitchen. Pax followed close behind. His lips twitched with amusement when we heard the murmurings echoing in from the other room, Timothy and Dani whispering things to each other that we couldn’t hear.

Things that were only meant for them.

“Can I help with anything?” Pax asked quietly.

“We need another mug.”

Pax searched through two cupboards before he found the one that held them, and he filled it with the still-steaming water as I went to the pantry Dani had been in and found the box of tea bags.

I opened one and tucked it into the mug; then Pax and I each grabbed two.

I peeked around the corner, worried I was going to interrupt something, before I eased around, clearing my throat to make sure they knew I was approaching.

Dani giggled and shook her head where she sat on Timothy’s lap. Her arms were draped around his neck, my friend fully wrapped around her Nol. “I’m so sorry that you’re inmykitchen getting us tea. I’m apparently a little distracted.”