“There was mention of keeping the lines pure,” Kitani said. “Perhaps we need to look at more recent books.”
Cara grimaced. “There aren’t any. The council forbade the writing of lore over one hundred years ago. Some of these are the last of their kind.”
“Our situation cannot be unique.” Jessie refused to believe it.
“Zach is just being stubborn,” Kitani growled. “If he’d just relax and give it a try, then you would know.”
Jessie rubbed her face. One of the many gestures she’d picked up from Kade. “Kade doesn’t want to start something if it doesn’t have a chance of working, and I agree. It’s stressful enough as it is. If we try and don’t succeed—how do you avoid someone who can live in your head?”
“Well, Zach is doing a pretty good attempt at it now.” Kitani looked toward the stairs.
Footsteps. Kade was coming down. He looked tired, but his face lit up when he saw Jessie.Ready to go?
Jessie glanced at her watch. It was later than she’d thought.
“Can I take this book with me?” Jessie asked Cara. “It has some references I want to chase down.” When Cara hesitated, Jessie added, “I’ll take good care of it.”
“Yes. Yes, it’s fine. I’ll never get through all these on my own.”
“How are you feeling?” Kade put a hand on his sister’s shoulder.
“I’m good. Big as a bloody Basilisk.” Kitani complained.
“You look great.” Kade glanced at Jessie.
She’s been rubbing her stomach,Jessie said through the link.Those kids are taking their time.
Maybe they’re as worried as the rest of us.Kade leaned over to pick up the enormous book Jessie pushed toward him. “Sure. Couldn’t take home a littlebook. Has to be the biggest one in the whole library.”
“It isn’t,” Kitani said. “But it’s close.”
Kade hefted it and rolled his eyes. “If Zach only knew how much trouble he is—”
“It would no doubt please him.” Cara sighed. “I have never met a more stubborn, contrary, and exasperating person.”
“Fits us perfectly.” Jessie laughed.
Kade frowned at her. “I am not—”
Jessie and Kitani both stared at him.
He sighed. “Okay. Enough. It’s time to go home.”
* * *
The house was still. Quiet. But Zach was restless. Finally he turned off the TV and lay in the darkness, staring at the ceiling.
The farm was as he’d wanted it. Peaceful. No emotions screaming at him for attention.
Over the last week, his life had slowly found its new normal. Someone, likely Kade, had spoken with the insurance company while Zach had been unconscious. Windows had been ordered for the house. Zach had spent his first day talking to a building contractor about his new barn. Something bigger, more modern. The heart of what would be his new horse training facility.
The entire process had been easier than expected. Likely due to Kade and his connections to the Cryptid council. No way the few bales Zach had in the loft combusted and took the structure with them. But it was much easier to explain than a drone trying to blow him up.
That he owed Kade for all this galled him more than he would like to admit. The big Sabre was everywhere he turned.
Zach stared at the ceiling fan, slowly whirring above him. Fasttrack Delivery was officially launched, and he’d done his first runs over the last two days. Business was starting to flow his way through word of mouth. Some of those companies were distributors and keen to use his service.
Things were going well. He’d even managed to sleep every night. Cara had left him herbs to take before bed. But he’d run out. He’d tried calling her today, but only got her voicemail.
