“We can.” He pulled the shirt on over his head, and I didn’t know if I should be disappointed or grateful. “Did he say what for?”
I shook my head. “I hope it’s just Nicolai wanting an update on Lucifer in person so he can lecture us. The last time Dez was this vague, it required a trip to the high school and the chief of police shooting Gabriel.”
Zayne stared at me.
I leaned over, giving him a quick kiss. “I just need a few minutes to get ready.”
Once I changed clothing, we were back in the Impala. We made a pit stop at a drugstore to pick up a pair of sunglasses for me. The only pair dark enough looked like someone hot-glued rhinestones on the arms, but they’d get the job done.
The trip to the Warden compound wasn’t nearly as exciting as the last car ride, but it was quick, and when I hopped out of the car, I managed not to trip like I did nearly every time I came here.
Zayne joined me as we walked up the steps. Dez met us at the door. “Glad you guys could make it on such short notice.”
“Let me guess, Nicolai wants an update on Lucifer and to yell at us in person?” I said as I followed him through the empty foyer.
“We found him,” Zayne tacked on. “Just want to get that out of the way. He’s at Roth’s place right now, watching Supernatural.”
“That has to be the strangest thing I’ve ever heard,” Dez said, and I couldn’t see his face, but I could hear the bewilderment in his tone.
“He’s a fan of TV,” I said. “And apparently, Highlander.”
“I don’t even know what to say.”
“Welcome to our world,” Zayne replied.
“Yeah, well, you’re a part of that world,” Dez shot back, and I smirked as Zayne snagged the back of my shirt, tugging me out of the path of a potted plant. “Nicolai does want an update, but that’s not why you’re here. I figured you’d want your phone and wallet back.”
“It’s been kind of nice without that thing ringing,” Zayne replied. “But yeah, I need it.”
“And the angel blades.”
“Well, that’s one of the reasons why I called you.”
Having a really bad feeling about this, I frowned as he stepped around me and opened the door. “What about them?”
“First, there’s someone here who wants to see you,” he answered, opening the door to Nicolai’s office.
All I saw was Nicolai’s desk and the empty space behind it, and then someone in a vivid orange tank top stepped in front of it, into the line of my vision.
I skidded to a stop, not believing what I was seeing. Female Wardens didn’t travel anywhere alone, especially hours away from their community. I hadn’t even seen Danika out by herself. But it had to be her. No one pulled off bright orange like she did. “Jada?” I whispered.
Giving me a half wave, she glanced at where Zayne stood behind me. “Hi.”
“What are you...?” I stepped forward into the room, realizing she wasn’t alone. Her boyfriend, Ty, stood in the corner. He gave me a wave, too. I scanned the rest of the room, expecting to find Thierry or Matthew stowed away in another corner, but no one else was in the room. Even though Ty was with her, it still didn’t make sense that either of them were here alone, but at that moment, I didn’t care. Jada was here.
I sprang forward, throwing my arms around her. Warden strong, she still stumbled back a good foot.
Jada laughed as she hugged me back, and the sound of bangles jangling was one I hadn’t even realized I missed.
“I can’t believe you’re here.”
“We can’t, either,” Jada said. “But when I heard that Zayne had...well, that he wasn’t with us any longer, there was no way I was letting you go through that by yourself.” She paused. “But I see he’s superalive.”
“He is. It’s a long story.”
“Dez filled us in,” Ty chimed in. “We’re still a little confused but I think that’s just gonna stay that way.”
“Why didn’t you text and tell me you were coming?”
“I was afraid you wouldn’t answer or tell me not to.”
I pulled back, stomach churning with guilt. “I’m sorry. I’ve been a shitty friend and—”
“Girl, it sucked. I wanted to be there for you when everything happened with Misha. I wanted you to be there for me, but you were closer to him than I was. I don’t know how I would’ve reacted.” She clasped my cheeks. “Also, I know how your brain works. You internalize everything and basically shut down. I just wasn’t going to let you do that this time.”
“You’re the best.” I hugged her again. “But I am sorry. It wasn’t just me who was grieving.”
“I accept your apology.” Jada’s voice was thick and muffled. “I already accepted your apology. That’s what friends do.”