Page 67 of Wicked Bonds

“Yes,” Luc confirmed. “Hasn’t been seen since Iceland.”

“I see.” Balthazar would need to mention that to Leela. “I’ll check in tomorrow to see if that’s changed.”

“Twelve-hour updates, not twenty-four,” Luc countered. “You could use my den if you want.”

“That requires turning on your screen.”

“So sayhelloto it.”

Balthazar frowned. “Hello?”

“Exactly. Your voice is recognized. She’ll respond to you.” The frustration in his tone had been replaced by pride, suggesting he had a love-hate relationship going with his computer.

“How are things otherwise?” Balthazar hedged, wondering if his oldest friend would open up about anything useful.

“Safe,” he replied. “Certain situations are still under evaluation. Others are settling nicely.”

Balthazar assumed Luc referred to Mateo in the former part of that statement, and theotherspart applied to Jay, Lizzie, and Aidyn. It was an estimated guess based on millennia of knowing Luc and how his mind operated.

“Take care of yourself, old friend,” Luc murmured in a dead language very few understood.

“I always do,” Balthazar replied in the same language. “Make sure you take your own advice.”

Luc snorted. “I’m fine.”

“Are you?” Balthazar asked seriously, still speaking the ancient dialect.

Silence fell between them.

After several beats, Luc said, “We’ll discuss it soon.” Then he ended the call.

Balthazar’s lips pinched to the side. Forcing Luc to open up would never end well. His oldest friend needed to determine his path on his own. But that didn’t mean Balthazar couldn’t nudge him a little in the right direction.

With a soft shake of his head, he turned off the burner phone and set it on the dresser. He’d destroy it later. For now, he needed some clothes for himself and his Seraphim.

He pulled on a pair of gray sweatpants and a white T-shirt, then grabbed a pair of boxer shorts and another white T-shirt for Leela. It would be a shame to cover her assets, but he’d committed them to memory.

At least until her best friend decided to erase them again.

Just the thought caused his brow to furrow.

How did that work? Was there a point where Vera couldn’t alter the memories anymore because they were just too ingrained in the other person’s psyche?

Questions he would need to ask Leela.

Or perhaps the memory-altering Seraphim herself.

Assuming she ever showed up again.

Where are you?he wondered as he wandered back downstairs.What are you really up to?Leela might trust her, but Balthazar didn’t. Not after what she’d done to his head, and her obvious alliance with Osiris.

Leela hadn’t thought much about Vera or her intentions. His sweet vixen had been too preoccupied with the chase and everything else to question her best friend.

Right now her thoughts were on the wards she’d just finished creating all over the property. He listened as she considered each detail, confirming in her mind that everything was accurate.

Which led to her questioning the wards in Melbourne and their failure to notify them about the arrival of the Seraphim until the last second.

Something isn’t right, she kept saying to herself.They shouldn’t have found us that fast. And my wards should have held.