His sigh was heavy and so familiar that it caused a pang in my chest. I missed him. I missed Matthew and Jada and Ty and—I cut that thought off as Thierry spoke. “I know you’re busy, but I need to talk to you. There’s been a development regarding your future.”

I opened my eyes. “I am half-afraid to ask what that is.”

“It’s a good thing.”

“Really?”

“Really,” he confirmed with a soft laugh. “As you know, serving as a Warden is financially lucrative for those who Ascend training and commit their lives to battling those who seek to harm,” Thierry said, and I knew that. It paid really, really well. Where Wardens got their money, I had no idea, but I liked picturing Alphas doing flybys, randomly dropping off loads of cash. “Until you were summoned by your father, we cared for you and your mother, providing you with whatever financial stability you needed.”

I was starting to feel like I was being cut off, but he’d said this was good news, so I kept my mouth shut.

“That is no longer necessary,” he continued. “I will be sending you a screenshot of the bank account that has been established in your name that will have all the necessary information for you to access the account in a few days, once the transfer clears—”

“Wait. What?”

“You’re being paid for the services you’re rendering,” he explained, and the way he said that made me feel like I needed a shower. “And I think you will be pleased with what you’ll see.”

“I don’t understand. I’ve never had money. Or even a bank account. It’s a shock that I even know how to use a credit card,” I replied. “How do I have money now?”

“You father wants to make sure you’re provided for and that your focus will not be distracted by—how did he say it—‘frivolous human concepts such as money.’”

Okay. That sounded like something my father would say. “Did you see him?”

“Unfortunately.”

An inappropriate giggle swelled in my throat. “When? I haven’t seen him since...”

“I know.” All humor had vanished from his tone. “He was here this morning, in all his glory. He wanted to make sure funds were set up and that, in the meantime, you were covered. He said to tell you to check what you hold most dear, and yes, he was as vague as angelically possible.”

Check what I held most dear? Immediately, my gaze swiveled to the worn Johanna Lindsey paperback that had been Mom’s favorite book. Did it...look thicker than normal?

“You’re still there?” Thierry’s voice snagged my attention.

“Yeah. Yes.” I cleared my throat. “Sorry. This has just caught me off guard.”