“I’m fine.” It’s my turn to touch his stubbled cheek. I kind of like this look on him. “Just tired.”
Kellan stands up and stretches; I try not to stare at the sexy slice of smooth, tanned skin that winks from between shirt and shorts, but it’s hard. So, despite everything I thought earlier, I’m grateful neither can feel me in this moment. “You two should get some sleep. I’m going to go talk to Zthane and Karl about logistics.”
Jonah sets his plate on a nearby table. “Don’t go far.”
Familiar silence settles between them; I’ve lived through it enough to know they’re talking to each other their way. Eventually, Jonah asks, “How many?”
Kellan’s eyes flit toward the door. “Seven.” Another bit of hushed unease spreads through the room before he adds, “Get some sleep, J. Nobody is getting through me tonight.”
Jonah doesn’t say anything further out loud to his brother.
Once Kellan slips out of the door, I weakly tug on Jonah’s shirt to bring him closer. There’s so much to say. He needs to know what I suspect. But right now, right here in his warm arms, all I want to do is follow his brother’s advice. Tomorrow, we’ll get to work.
A gentle hand tugs through my hair. I’m safe. He’s here. We’re together. It’s enough for right now.
We argue the next day when everyone else is finally allowed back into the room.
I want to go home. Everyone else seems to think it’s best I stay in the hospital a few more days. I point out that Kate says I’m completely fine. I’m reminded that the hospital is secure. I contend my home can be equally secure as well. I’m a Creator, right? A nice guilt trip is offered up which insinuates I could be putting Cameron and Will at risk, which they gladly tell everyone they’re fine with, since my home is their home. While I’m not okay with my family being collateral damage, I counter that Jonah will stay with us. This doesn’t sit well with Kellan, who insists his brother and I are not to stay in an unsecure location. I joke (badly, and way too slowly) that we need a huge fortress to live in that can accommodate all of us.
Will leans forward in the chair he’s in, elbows laying across his thighs. “Actually, that’s not a bad idea.”
“Um,” I say, but he hushes me easily, as my words are ten miles behind his. But yeah, no. I’m not building us a fortress in an already cramped Annar. The city-state has gone through many expansions lately due to the recent Métis influx; besides, any additions to the plane must be Council directed. Annar is a highly regulated city-state. Even here, even with Jonah, Astrid, and myself present, we do not have the authority to enact a single new building by ourselves outside of an extreme emergency.
Will is saying, “Kellan has a large flat, right?”
I already don’t like where this is heading.
Callie answers for him. “Do you mean apartment? Then yes. It’s nearly 3,000 square feet. You’re not suggesting she should move in there, are you?”
Bless that girl for heading him off at the pass, even if done scornfully.
The look he gives her is priceless. “I don’t need to know the square footage. I was simply pointing out his flat is roomy.” He turns toward Jonah. “You own the one directly above it, correct?” Jonah confirms this, so Will continues, “Chloe, have you tried to use your craft at all since waking up?”
“Seriously, Will,” Callie says. “Cut the girl some slack. She’s been awake less than twenty-four hours.”
Maybe I am wrong about what he was thinking? “No,” I say to him. “Why?”
“Do you think you can?”
Callie hits him on the arm. “Am I speaking to myself here? Time and place, Will!”
I hold a hand out, less weak today than yesterday; a hockey puck appears in it that I toss over to him. As he rolls the black hardened rubber between his fingers, he asks, “Think you can build a staircase?”
If that’s not a random question, then I don’t know what is. “Um?”
“Because, if you want a fortress that will hold a bunch of people, I’m thinking all you have to do is build a staircase between the two flats.” Will offers the twins a smirk. “And since I know your flats are so roomy, I’m sure you all can find room for me and Dad.”
Hold on here—he wants me to connect Kellan’s apartment with Jonah’s and mine? Is he mad? How could he even think I could do that to Kellan? Having Jonah and me live with him? It’d be like rubbing salt into his wounds. I won’t do it.
Surely, the look I offer Will right now could wither plants. And yet, he simply beams at me, like he’s just given us the best solution ever.
He and I will be having words shortly. Strong words.
“Now, this is doable.”