Page 190 of Wicked Bonds

“We’re all family,” Jay added. “We’ll handle this. And we’ll respect your absence, Luc. No one will question your need to find peace.” He moved forward, his hand grabbing the other man’s shoulder. “If anything, we all respect the hell out of you for recognizing that need.”

He pulled Luc into a hug, clapping him on the back as he pressed his temple to the other man’s head.

“You’re still our king,” Jay said softly. “This realignment is only temporary.”

“I never wanted to be king,” Luc muttered, returning the other man’s embrace.

“No, but you’re the best one for the job, and this, right here, is why,” Jay replied, grabbing him by the back of the neck to press his forehead to Luc’s. “Try not to go too far, yeah?”

Luc held his gaze for a moment, neither agreeing nor disagreeing. “Jacque will know how to find me,” he offered instead.

“Good enough,” Jay agreed, releasing him. “We’ll handle the masses and potential impact from the viral online videos. You handle your mind.”

“Mateo’s trying to erase them all from the internet,” Luc said, referring to the online videos. “But I fear the damage is already done.”

Jay shrugged. “Not for you to worry about. We’ll figure it out.” His tone held a nonchalant note to it, his best friend clearly trying to play this off as not a big deal, but they all knew it was a very big deal indeed.

Balthazar’s and Leela’s faces were everywhere.

As were Gabriel’s and Vera’s and all the dead Seraphim.

They’d just entered a new phase in life, one that might play out similar to where the Greeks and Romans had thought they were gods.

Or it might go the path of the CRF.

Regardless, they would prepare for it and go from there.

“Meanwhile, Vera and I will work on Adriel, and on the others, too,” Stark said, pushing off the wall. “We’ll let you know if we learn anything useful.”

Luc nodded, agreeing to the terms.

“We’ll stay with Ezekiel and Skye on the outskirts of the island.” Sethios’s words weren’t a suggestion or an offering so much as a statement. “Stas and Issac will be with us as well.”

Balthazar frowned. “They no longer intend to stay in my guest room?”

“Ezekiel has asked Issac to manage Skye’s sleep. She’s struggling with nightmares. It’s easier if they’re nearby,” Stas’s father explained. “At least for now.”

Luc nodded again. “He’ll also be able to help decipher her visions, too. A strategic move.”

Sethios and Caro stood, both of them echoing their agreement with his comment. “Also gives my father a central focus if he decides to visit again, as I doubt your Hydraians will appreciate him openly roaming the island.”

“We can’t control him,” Luc replied.

“No. But we can direct his attention elsewhere.” Sethios smiled. “Trust me, I have a few millennia of experience playing his games. I know how he thinks.”

And with that, he and Caro left.

Vera and Stark followed.

Leaving Jay, Alik, Luc, Balthazar, and Leela alone in the room.

A brief silence fell, the Elders embracing the defining moment of their future and the necessities that came with this decision.

“We’ll tell the Hydraians later today,” Balthazar finally said. “After the burial ceremony.”

Luc nodded. “I’ll be there in spirit.” He’d already said goodbye in his own way, blessing their souls in his ancient manner. Not through outward sadness or loss, but by wishing them peace and happiness in the afterlife.

Part of his healing would be in accepting their deaths, in addition to the others.