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Chapter Sixteen

By the time they arrived at the scribe house on the other side of the bridge,traffic had started Cafés and shops were stirring, and the cornerits doors Ava held Malachi’s hand as they walked from the car park She had slept in the car, but not deeply She needed quiet, food, and war her while she slept

I love you Of course I love you

He said it like it was thein the world And Ava, despite a lifeti to believe it

"Malachi" She tugged on his ar, painting the side of the house a warm red-brown It touched his hair, and Ava was blinded for a moment by the planes of his face The war the ht of him stole her breath

"What?"

"What happens now?"

He ser "Now et sos one step at a time, Ava We will find who is after you and what they want Then, ill make you safe"

"It sounds pretty si and knew she’d reached the end of her rope She was five steps from the door, but minutes away from collapse

Malachi squeezed her hand and reached over to knock, but the green door was already opening Daure, his torso bare save for the s across his chest, shoulders, and ar around his waist, and Ava saw black stains on his hands His hair hung past his shoulders, and Ava could see the ancient warrior in his eyes as he stared

"Morning greetings, brother," he said quietly, opening the door farther and holding out his hand Malachi put a hand at the srasped Damien’s forearm with his hand

Malachi asked, "Does the fire still burn in this house?"

"It does, and you are welcoht" Then the stern expression melted, and Damien looked down at her "You and your own"

With that, sohts sith pride and excite his friend in a fierce ehter enveloped her as they ushered Ava through the door, and she saw Leo and Maxi the sareet her Da down to put both hands on her shoulders and kissing her cheeks, right and left