Page 99 of Twist of Fate

A quiet laugh escaped Luke. “You have no idea.”

Then his gaze moved toward the backpack on the floor. Within a breath, he was fully awake and preparing for what came next.

Connal recognized that readiness. Luke carried no sword and possessed no magic, but danger called something familiar from him. He met it with the same focus Connal had seen in seasoned warriors before battle.

“We must leave the safety of this realm for the human technology to work,” Connal said. “We will not go alone.”

“I figured. Tyson’s not exactly the ‘drop you off and wish you luck’ type.”

“He understands the danger.”

“Good.” Luke swung his legs over the side of the bed. “If something goes sideways, Tyson can call in help without exposing me.”

Connal rose with him and closed the distance between them. The human world held too many threats Connal could neither sense nor understand. Whatever the drive contained had already placed his mate in danger twice.

“You will remain at my side.”

Luke looked up at him. “I wasn’t planning otherwise.”

The easy certainty in his answer quieted some of Connal’s concern.

Connal rested one hand against the back of Luke’s neck and drew him close enough for their foreheads to touch. Connal kissed him once, then reluctantly released him.

Luke’s jeans and shirt waited folded on the oversized chair, clean and dry despite where he had discarded them the night before.

He stared at them. “Let me guess. A magical castle laundry service?”

“It dislikes disorder.”

Luke grinned. “Then it’s going to have opinions about my best friend.”

They dressed quickly. Luke then opened his backpack, checked the inner compartment containing the drive, secured the zipper, and lifted the strap over his shoulder. At the door, he stopped.

“Speaking of Gomez, I told him I’d see him before we left.”

“Then we will see him.”

Gomez’s chamber stood directly across the corridor. Connal opened the door, and they stepped inside together. Gomez was awake when they entered his chambers, though the blankets gathered around his waist and the sleep still lingering in his face suggested he’d only recently awakened.

Fizzwick sat beside him with a half-eaten pastry clutched between both hands.

Gomez’s gaze dropped immediately to the backpack. “Already?”

“Koios is ready to examine the drive,” Luke said.

“You’re not going alone, are you?” Gomez shot a glance at Connal before returning his focus to Luke.

“Connal and Tyson are coming with me. We should be back before I contact Hale at nine.”

Gomez turned to Connal. “You’re bringing him back?”

“Yes.”

“Excellent confidence. Please make sure he returns with all the same parts.”

“I’m standing right here,” Luke said.

“Then you heard me too.”