Page 188 of Wicked Bonds

But Leela had surpassed his adoration of the breakfast food.

And had become his favorite meal to indulge in.

He brushed his lips against her cheek, then straightened and focused on the night ahead.

Leela would be his dessert.

Later.

After he finished consoling his Hydraians.

And discussing next steps with his fellow Elders.

Chapter36

Balthazar

“Four deaths,including Blake. Thirteen wounded, but mostly healed immortals. And six emotional Seraphim.” Jay folded his arms, his feet spread wide as he braced himself. “The latter have been put in the dungeon for now. Not that it’ll hold them.”

“Yes, but they don’t seem all that interested in leaving,” Luc replied.

“It’s like they’re in a weird type of reformation,” Caro commented, her head on Sethios’s shoulder. He had his arm around her on the couch, offering more of his strength.

The compulsion had either faded or been removed, allowing her to recover from her healing frenzy.

Both options suggested Osiris still lurked nearby, but he’d remained out of sight on the island. Something Issac had confirmed as well because he couldn’t see the ancient in anyone’s vision.

Of course, he could be using his powers to compel those into not seeing him.

But that was neither here nor there.

It was clear that if Osiris wanted to wander Hydria, he would. With or without permission.

And Balthazar was just too exhausted to let that concern him on top of everything else going on.

“They’re coherent, but compliant,” Caro continued. “And instead of feeling nothing, they’re feeling everything.”

“Adriel’s memories appear to be returning to him as well,” Stark added, his legs crossed casually at the ankles as he leaned against the wall of Luc’s living room. “He keeps mentioning someone named Dapharia.”

Caro’s brow furrowed. “I don’t know anyone by that name.”

“Neither do I,” Stark replied. “But he keeps asking for her.”

“I’m not familiar with the name either,” Leela added.

“Perhaps I’ll unravel the identity when I search his mind,” Vera offered as she collapsed into the chair closest to where Sethios and Caro sat on the couch.

Balthazar and Leela had taken over the other chair in the room with her perched on the arm of it, her arm around his shoulders. He wanted to drag her into his lap, but he restrained himself, focusing on the conversation instead.

“What happened to the seventh Seraphim?” Sethios asked. “Did he escape?”

“I haven’t sensed Leek anywhere on the island,” Stark replied. “And Stas said she couldn’t feel him like she could the others.”

“Yes, she established some sort of connection,” Caro added. “I imagine it’s similar to how Osiris connects to his Ichorians.”

Stas and Issac had remained with Lizzie and Aidyn for the evening, Stas feeling the need to be near her best friend in case the Seraphim decided to return.

Jay had almost stayed with them, but he hadn’t wanted to miss the Elder meeting. Particularly as he knew Luc’s intentions to announce a necessary change in leadership.