“I’ll take over and finish this up before Damien gets in,” he said, gesturing to the door. “I’m sure she’ll be glad for your company. You’re good at lightening the mood.”
“Is that a compliment?” I asked arching a brow.
“Don’t let it go to your head,” he deadpanned without looking up at me.
I huffed a laugh and rose from the table before leaving him to his work. I hoped she was in better spirits today, hoped she had more energy.
The sun pierced my eyes as I stepped outside, and I winced before they adjusted to the brightness. Dried mud and residual silt still covered the dusty roads as I continued through the city, which seemed to finally be clear of heavy flood debris. Surviving humans and immortals alike had come together to rebuild, though the humans still knew nothing of our existence. There was no telling what would’ve happened if Lucia hadn’t altered their memories.
Would The Twelve have intervened if we had failed?
I didn’t want to imagine what would have happened had they crossed over to mete out their judgment as they had with our goddess, Selene.
“Barrett!” a young voice called, and I looked up to find a boy with a mop of blond hair watching me from a nearby rooftop, an old worn hammer in his dirt-stained hand.
“So you’re a roofer now, Vincent?” I shouted back as he rose to his feet.
“Everyone’s chipping in. I didn’t want to stay cooped up in the tent all day,” he said as he climbed down the ladder and squeezed past workers who ruffled his hair as he passed, breaking out into laughter at the dirt smeared on his face.
Gods, he was getting tall, had just turned thirteen the previous month. My cousin, born on Mother’s side, had become my shadow from the moment he was able to step outside. Thankfully, his mother’s family was kinder, and he had been raised with love.
“How’s your mother doing?” I asked, happy to see him in such high spirits after the battle with his father having been among the fallen.
His gaze wavered, a weak smile tugging at his lips. “She’s distracting herself. It’s been hard not having him around.”
“It’s been difficult for everyone,” I said and placed my hand on his shoulder. “If you guys ever need anything, don’t hesitate to come to me.”
He nodded. “As soon as I go through my settling, I’m signing up to join The Order. Then, Mother won’t have to work any longer and can relax.”
I ruffled his hair. “Get through your settling, and then we’ll talk.”
“Vincent!” a male called from the roof he had been working on. “You quittin’ on me already?”
“Coming!” Vincent shouted back before glancing at me. “Are you going to visit Lady Lucia?”
“I am.”
“I hope she is doing better,” he said and turned to return to work with a wave over his shoulder. “Tell her to rest up; we’ll handle the rest!”
I tapped my knuckle against the open door to Damien and Lucia’s room. “Knock, knock.”
Damien and Lucia looked up, and Lucia’s tired smile widened. She was still in bed, exactly where I had left her a couple of days before, her hand resting against her belly which had grown so much in the last few months.
“Thanks for stopping by,” Damien said, gesturing to a chair beside him.
I cocked a brow and gave Lucia a teasing grin. “Couldn’t let me get some work in, could you? I knew you missed my company.”
She rolled her eyes and shook her head but couldn’t keep from smiling. “Sit down, hothead.”
My brows furrowed when Damien didn’t get up from his seat. “You called me in to keep her company while you worked, right?”
“Yes, but there is another matter of great importance we must discuss,” he said.
Lucia spoke up, drawing my attention to her. “I’ve decided to step down asStrategosof The Order.”
“Step down?” My gaze swept back and forth between them.
She nodded, and for a moment, something like resignation passed across Damien’s face before he offered her a soft smile and a gentle squeeze of her hand.
