Page 92 of Eat. Prey. Love.
“Who knew my big ears were good for more than just eavesdropping?” I quip, trying to ease the tension in the room. It works, as both Renard and Aubrey chuckle, and I stand up, stretching my arms above my head. “Now I have to go eat or my stomach is going to cave in. Coming, Chessie?”
My cheetah drops his book and shoots to his feet, making me smile softly. “With you? Anytime, Angel. Let’s get you fed and then we’ll come back to help.”
Later,we’re huddled around the ancient tome, its pages splayed open like wings of a moth. I can’t help but feel the weight of centuries beneath my gloved fingertips. The symbols etched into the parchment seem to dance before my eyes—whispers of a hidden language that’s just beyond my grasp. I feel like I should be able to read it for some reason and I don’t know why. Ever since Fitz swiped it, the damn thing has been taunting all of us and I want to scream every time I look at it.
Why is this book calling to me like a siren? Ugh!
“Whatever secrets it holds are important,” I muse aloud. “But until we figure out what fucking language it’s in, we can’t do anything with it. However, Fitz’s software is much closer to unlocking the flash drive, so that’s what we need to focuson.” My voice hangs in the air, a taut string vibrating with our imminent discovery. Progress of any kind is better than spinning our wheels.
Aubrey nods, his gaze not leaving the page as he carefully extracts a few delicate samples from the old book with tweezers. “That data is crucial, but he needs a clear head to tackle it.” He places each fragment into a small, sterile vial. “For now, we’re going to get these samples prepped to go to the Louvre where my friend works.”
Renard’s hands are steady as he assists Aubrey, sealing the vials with a methodical precision. “Farley’s guys will ensure everything reaches the Louvre without interference. Their brawn and quick wit should prevent any interference.”
I’ll say… Monstro and Skelly would twist an attacker into a pretzel without a second thought.
“Okay,” I say, leaning back in my chair, the leather creaking softly under my weight. “The last thing we need is more variables to fuck up our plans. The board is too full as it is.”
Chess packs the vials into a padded container, a miniature vault for the fragments of history that might soon unfold an entirely new narrative. Then Aubrey affixes a label, his handwriting meticulous and unreadable to anyone who doesn’t know him well. Once they’re done, Rennie takes the box, placing it on the top of a shelf carefully. Leaning back in my chair, I let out a slow breath as I think about what comes next.
“The Louvre is in Paris,” I blurt out, a sudden burst of excitement surging through me. “We could go during spring break to check out what your friends find out about the samples.”
It’s a tantalizing thought—for more reasons than just the results.
Renard leans against a bookshelf, crossing his arms with a thoughtful tilt of his head. “That’s not a bad idea,” he admits. “I’ll take you. I’ve been dying to show you my city; it’s a date.”
“Ooh la la, that sounds fancy,” Aubrey quips, a smirk playing on his lips as he closes his laptop with a satisfying snap. “Will you be visiting the Tower to brood?”
“Only if youtêtes de noeudrefuse to leave us alone,” Renard retorts, his playful smirk mirroring Aubrey’s.
I can’t suppress my grin at their banter, especially knowing I’ll finally get to see the famous city. “Don’t listen to him, Rennie. I’d love to go on a date to your former home. You can show me all the amazing, beautiful sights since we won’t get a real break like everyone else.”
Chess frowns. “What does that mean, Angel?”
“I have so much work to do that I’ll spend most of my time practicing for the next scrimmage, finishing my homework, and going on whatever secret squirrel missions we have. Vacation isn’t in the cards for me.”
Aubrey snorts, shaking his head. “That won’t do, bite size. You need to rest, too. Our romantically inclined mate can take you on his fancy date, but we will all plan a few distractions here as well. You may have a lot to do, but you can’t push yourself until you break. That won’t help at all.”
“I agree with him,” Chess says as he gives me a concerned look. “We can help with your work, too. All you have to do is tell us what you need. Plus, I can make anything you want to keep you fed and happy.”
My lips curve as I look at the three of them with my heart damn near bursting from my chest. Whatever I did to deserve these wonderful men that everyone else discarded, I’d do it a million times over to ensure I never have to be without them. “Alright. We’ll tackle it all as a family… but remember, you asked for this.”
They have no idea what they just got themselves into and I’m going to enjoy every second of it.
Masquerade
I pacearound the narrow confines of the room we all share when we’re with our girl, each step feeling like a thunderous echo against the hardwood. My wings twitch with anticipation; tonight is a culmination of centuries, a night when I can share the city of lights withmon amour.
I’ve wanted to do this for a long time and eventually, I want Aubrey to come along to see it as well.
The bathroom door creaks open, and she steps out like a vision from an Impressionist’s dream. The dress clings to her curves, a cascade of silk that mirrors the Seine under moonlight. Herhair, a storm of colors, frames her face in a way that would make the aurora borealis envious. Sparkling jewels catch the artificial light, casting prismatic dances across the walls.
“Mon Dieu...” The words slip from me, soft as the Parisian breeze.
“Too much?” she teases, her voice lilting with that familiar snark that sets my heart ablaze.
“Parfait,” I insist, catching myself before I flit across the room to her side.
Restraint, Renard. You’re a creature of old world charm tonight, not an animal. She deserves romance and escape.