Page 86 of Serpent & Saviors

Before I could fully take it in, my eyes landed on Declan. He sat between Pasha and a dark-haired man with the most vivid green eyes I’d ever seen. Declan’s face brightened with excitement the moment he spotted me. He slid off his chair and rushed to my side, grabbing my hand in his own. His little fingers squeezed mine, and he cleared his throat.

The expression on his face was suddenly very serious, and in the sweetest, most grown-up voice, he said, “Uncles, may I present my mummy.” Then, with all the confidence in the world, he turned and pointed to the man sitting at the head of the table.

“Mummy, that is Uncle Alek. He’s an artist like me. Isn’t that neat? Boys do draw.”

My gaze shifted to the man he pointed out. Alek was muscular. His black clothing stood out against his light blonde hair—hair that almost matched mine, it was so light. He looked like he belonged in an art gallery, not just as an artist but as a piece himself. The shirt was pulled tightly across his chest. Yup, everything about him looked carved from stone, effortlessly cool.

“Right you are, young man,” he said. His voice was richly cultured, undeniably British, yet there was an easy warmth to it. “Artists come in all shapes, sizes, and genders.”

As he spoke, my eyes landed on the tattoo displayed proudly on his forearm—an hourglass, with a skull nestled at the bottom. My breath hitched. The charms on the collar.

My eyes widened. “The hourglass?”

Alek grinned and rotated his arm so I could see it better, flexing slightly as if to emphasize it. The inked lines stood out starkly against his skin, bold and intentional. Fascinated, I turned to Andrew, tilting my head in question.

“Yes, we’ll get to that later, angel,” he murmured, his tone both reassuring and firm.

Alek cleared his throat, drawing my attention back to him. “Welcome home, Victoria.”

Heat crawled up my neck. “Thank you.”

Declan tugged on my hand again, his excitement bubbling over.

“Then there’s Uncle Pasha. He said you’ve already met. Did I tell you he saved Fuzzy?”

“You did,” I said warmly, squeezing his little fingers. “And I’m so glad you have him with you now.”

My gaze settled on the raggedy bear sitting off to the side of Declan’s plate before lifting to Pasha. I offered him a small smile. Here, in the warmth of home, he looked relaxed, at ease. So different from the imposing figure I had first met. The sharp edges of his Russian persona had softened.

I studied him deeper now, seeing him in a light I hadn’t before. He looked younger, boyish even, with rich brown eyes that held warmth instead of warning. Gone were the two different colored contacts and the scar. It must have been a part of his persona. He almost looked bashful as I stared.

“Tori. It’s good to see you,” he said, his voice steady and familiar.

“It’s good to see you too,” I quietly replied, a strange sense of relief settling in my chest.

“Next to Uncle Pasha is Uncle Nik. He’s gonna take me to a game, Mummy. A real live Manchester United game. Can you believe it?”

He practically floated in his excitement. “That sounds amazing.” I ruffled his hair with my free hand, my attention shifting to the dark-haired man sitting beside Pasha.

I swallowed hard. He was striking—dressed in an impeccably tailored black suit, every detail exuding effortless wealth and sophistication. But it was his eyes that held me captive—they were like cut emeralds, sharp and unreadable.

Nik’s lips curved into a wide grin, and just like that, the polished edge of him softened. The transformation was startling. His expression turned boyish, almost mischievous, making him look as young and carefree as Pasha had moments ago.

“I can’t tell you how happy we are to have you here,” he said smoothly. Even his voice was refined, velvety. “And I can’t wait for my girl to meet you.”

“Your girl?” I asked, unable to look away. There was something about him—something magnetic.

He smirked, lifting an eyebrow. “Oh? Did the Counselor not tell you about her?” He leaned back slightly, all effortless confidence. “Kinsley will be home in a few days.”

My breath hitched. Realization struck like a bolt of lightning.

“Wait—” I stammered. “A blade charm, an hourglass charm…does that mean you’re—”

I recalled with perfect clarity the way the emerald-green stones in the crow’s eyes on the collar had gleamed in the shop.

Nik’s smirk deepened. “The Crow? Yes, that would be me. And between us—” he lowered his voice conspiratorially “—she loves me best.”

“Fuck off with that shit,” Ivan barked.