Fury and Flame | 3

8 | 8

R I L E Y

As the day turned to night, we were able to get Arlo out of Finn's room to eat something; ever since we'd returned home, he had barely touched the food we took turns bringing to him.

Jake also returned at dusk. Jaxon and Delphinium both gave me meaningful looks, and even Kane looked up to watch the scene. But when I held up my end of the bet and casually insulted him to his face, all he did was breeze through the living room and pretend none of us existed.

When he was gone, Delphinium and I turned to look confusedly at each other, both of us losing in the bet. "I think that means you both should give me your money," Jaxon said.

Rolling my eyes, I noticed Kane out of the corner of my eye. He was staring deep in thought at his leg—or where his real leg used to be. Now, he had to wear a prosthetic one.

I leaned ever so slightly toward him, trying to see what he saw. "Are you okay? Do you need me to get you anything?"

"I'm fine," he said. "I just...never thought this would be the outcome of the war."

In the background, Jaxon said in a provoking stage whisper to the others, "I suppose this is proof that she can think of someone other than herself."

"I think it has something to do with the person she's asking rather than the goodwill of her heart," Benton replied, for once not taking this opportunity to start a fight with Jaxon. I knew he'd shifted his attention to me. "Never forget, Traversa. I've heard all your thoughts about my dear brother."

I smiled. "Lucky you."

But he pulled a face. "Somehow I don't feel lucky."

Kane still looked lost, so I asked with a smirk, "Do you need me to kiss it better?"

      "Of course not," he said, but the dark glint in his eyes said later.

      "If you're going to be making this many suggestive comments from now on, I think I'm going to miss the good old days of the war when everyone was too afraid of death to focus on their romantic pursuits," Benton said, clearly not liking the idea of his brother's love life.

      "Speak for yourself," Jaxon said, then gave Delphinium a meaning glance.

      "You're right," I told him. "How have we not talked about this already?" Eyes flicking to Delphinium, I asked in a dramatic voice, "So you did manage to melt the ice king's heart?"

      "Yes," Benton deadpanned, liking the idea of antagonizing Jake even when he wasn't in the room.

      "So he is human after all," I said, gesturing to Delphinium's striking looks.

      "I wouldn't be so quick to confirm that," she replied with a small smile. "Just try to engage him in a normal, civilized conversation and you'll see just how much ice is left."

       I raised an eyebrow. "You cannot possibly try to convince us nothing is going on."

      "You really think Jake Evans would allow anything to go on?" She asked, keeping the subject as mysterious as ever.

      "Allow what to happen?" Arlo asked upon reentering the room.

      Gigi, who stood listening to the conversation in silence, patted his arm and said, "We'll tell you when you're older."

As Arlo protested, I looked to Delphinium. "We'll talk later when we're not surrounded by four male idiots." Then, after Kane gave me a look: "My mistake—three male idiots and Kane."

Jaxon made a rude gesture at me. But I still smiled, watching my friends finally interact without the threat of death upon us. Despite the shadows our heavy losses cast over us, we were lucky to be alive.

      "You know what?" I asked suddenly. "I think we should have one night where we go out and act normal. Just one night. No wars, no near-death experiences. We can be the reckless teenagers we are and forget all the shit we've been through."

      There was a silence that told me no one else had even considered this.

Jaxon blinked. "'Reckless' sounds good. But what would we even do?"

I shrugged. "Whatever your shriveled heart desires." But then I have a suggestive smile. "In fact, we could always seek out a pretty girl or boy for you." Now that I had gotten everything I wanted in my own romantic life with Kane, Delphinium had...something with Jake, and Gigi and Arezo seemed to be hitting it off awfully well, I had nowhere else to apply my matchmaking abilities but with Jaxon.

      "I could pull in any pretty girl or boy I wanted," Jaxon said, looking affronted I'd even hinted otherwise. "I'll go. But you can't make me go weaponless."

      Delphinium nodded at him. "Agreed. But I'll limit myself to two blades."

      "I don't even think I have any normal clothes," Kane said, and it was true. As a group, we tended to wear either our uniforms the ONNT provided or a staggering amount of black military-style clothes.

       "I don't think the public can handle me," Benton followed up, though he looked proud of the fact. Gigi gave a rare grin, agreeing.

       For once, Arlo only wore a strangely pensive smile. "You know Finn would have contacted Hunt for permission."

      There was a moment's silence before Kane said, "You're right. Call him."

      Looking as though he wasn't quite sure he was doing such a responsible thing, Arlo dialed Hunt's number into the compound's phone. The director picked up after two rings, answering, "Tell me nothing catastrophic happened in the two hours since I left."

"No, not yet," Arlo said, and then told Hunt of my proposition.

There was a quiet before Hunt responded in which I thought he might shoot the idea down. Instead, he said, "Yes. Have the night. After what you've been through, it's more than you deserve."

And then, before Arlo could hang up, he followed it with, "I'd better not see anything in the news involving any if you. Please, for the sake of my sanity, be good."

      "Yes, yes, we promise," Arlo said, not sounding very sincere.

      He hung up the phone and I leaned back. Maybe this night was what we needed. Finally, somewhere we didn't have to be military pawns.

      I smiled a bit to myself, thinking of the possibilities.