{Cinder}
“Silence, why are you on the island?”
Silence glided across the lake on the skid to the shore where Andrew waited. Gently, she lied, “Rayne asked me to see her when I woke from our dream.”
His teal eyes widened, but his mouth formed a tight line. “Until we complete your memory walk, I’m sure you understand why we would want to chaperon any visits with our King.”
Again, she assured, “Yes. Next time, I’ll wake you.” Impressive guard detail.
To prove her point, Lamassau inhaled on a choking snore before flailing his limbs in a rough turn over.
Andrew smiled. “Point taken. Are you hungry?”
Kyle yawned like a Wookie from the ramp. “Starving. What have ya got?”
Silence grinned in his presence. Their night together, although not fulfilling enough for her appetites, warmed her at the memory of it. More. She’d have more before the day ended.
As if reading her thoughts, Kyle glanced over at her with a wry smile that made her glow.
Andrew asked softly beside her, “What is that?”
She snapped back to him, almost forgetting his existence. “What is what?”
If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.
He gestured at her from head to foot. “That blue pulse thing. You and Rayne do it at the same time.”
Silence tilted her head at him, seeking the answer. “I’m uncertain why it happens. I was told it’s hereditary.”
Andrew shrugged before walking them both to the kitchen. “We’ll do the memory walk right after breakfast—”
“Did someone order a family reunion?” An unfamiliar voice called from the ramp.
Silence turned to find a human with dark brown skin and long dreadlocks. He wore the same uniform as all the Shadow’s guards at the Fortress. Cypher followed him inside, dressed the same. And then almost everyone she met so far in the Shadow poured into the pit.
Pablo used Lynn as a crutch, leading the parade.
Caedes and John walked the ancient Progeny known as Devis down the ramp.
Twenty-One and Bones carried a bunch of equipment and supplies in black bags and cases.
Jack walked between two beings not native to Earth or Cinder. One was a Luk she didn’t know. But the second alien gave her pause.
Legir of Yu would surely recognize Silence.
This might disrupt her mission.
Kyle looked from Andrew to Silence and back to Andrew again. He whispered to Conscience, who rolled his eyes and groaned. “Fine.” Seconds before Andrew ran into Lucas’ open arms.
Silence’s latest lover grabbed her hand with a cheeky grin and ran into the fray for the man with the impressive dreads. As he murmured to the human, she hid her face and blue hair from Yu’s chief guardian.
“I got you, Story Taker. Those were hard to find so be conservative with them.”
“I owe you, man, thanks.”
The man looked between them and chuckled. “Enjoy yourself.”
Once more, Kyle yanked Silence by the hand through the parade with a few warm wishes to the Shadow before dragging her into their private room. Before Silence could ask, he hungrily pulled her to him and kissed her deeply. Almost as quickly, he broke away and held up a box excitedly. “Let everyone else keep each other busy. They’ll figure things out. In the meantime, let’s not waste this. The memory walk can wait until tomorrow.”
“These are the condoms?” The word felt awkward on her tongue. At Kyle’s earnest nod, Silence broke into a grin. The most fortuitous distraction from her mission would benefit them both.
Greatly.