Did you keep the grains of stone? Galleli shifted in his chair, his huge wings tucked neatly behind him.

Some of Len’s melancholy lifted. “Of course I did. If we ever need a really awesome boost in our spells, that shit is Grade A. But it can never be used in the same weapon-like manner again. And that’s the most important part.”

Galleli placed his hand on Len’s shoulder, and whatever he said was meant for the fae alone. By the time he was done, they both looked much happier. Spirits lifted. The loss of the family stone would take Len some time to get over, but the fae appeared to be dealing with it as best he could. Unlike Reece, who wasn’t even here.

“Where’s our favorite desert deity?” I asked the group.

Angel shifted in her seat behind me; I felt the movement, but when I looked her way, she was unmoving, her expression blank.

Shadow answered me. “He said there was some unrest back home that he needed to deal with. He’s not sure he’ll be back for a while.”

I narrowed my eyes on Shadow and he leaned in. “He needs some time,” he murmured. “Your death and Angel’s death didn’t sit well with him. He’ll be back when he sorts himself out.”

Reluctantly, I let it go because Reece needed to do what he needed to do. That was true of all of us. He was allowed to deal in his own way, but I would be getting the full story about him and Angel out of somebody very, very soon.

The food arrived then, and that allowed a sense of celebration to creep back into the atmosphere of the room. Drinks were brought out as well, and just like the first time I’d ever seen this group of friends together, Shadow and the other four enjoyed a dark amber liquid in crystal glasses. He offered me a sip of his, and I almost died at the first blast of liquid death in the glass before politely declining another taste.

The food was much better than the drinks, and when the table was literally groaning under all of the dishes, I started eating and didn’t stop.

“Everything tastes the same since your rebirth?” Angel asked, shaking her head at my skill level of shoveling food into my mouth.

I had to swallow before I could speak. “Yep, if anything, it all tastes better than ever. My senses are strong, but they regulate themselves, so I don’t have a freakout overload. It’s nice.”

“You know you probably don’t have to eat now, right?” Shadow said from my side, only shutting up when I tried to murder him with my eyes, mouth full as I slowly chewed and swallowed. “Never mind,” he added, lips twitching.