Chapter 24
Chapter 24 They Really Like You
Gn
overweight Mochi was bigger than most small dogs, planted firmly on the ground, and refusing to move an inch.
While Lyra knelt down to scratch its fur, the overexcited dogs darted back and forth, tangling all the leashes around her legs without her noticing.
The Samoyed she’d petted earlier trotted over and lapped at her hands, and the rest of the large dogs swarmed her all at once.
She nearly stumbled backward and landed flat on her rear beneath their affectionate weight.
Staring down at the web of straps wrapped around her limbs, Lyra let out a helpless huff.
She alternated petting one animal then the next as they vied for her attention.
Every time her palms brushed their soft, warm heads, all the stress weighing on her melted away, sucked right out by these fluffy little bundles of sunshine.
Surrounded by creatures showering her with gentle fondness, Lyra’s eyes crinkled into soft crescent moons.
The big dogs hopped and bounded around her, accidentally stepping on Mochi several times. The chubby cat finally gave up and stalked off to escape the chaos.
Lyra spun in slow circles to untangle the knotted leashes, then herded the whole group forward to find Cedric.
Far off in the distance stood a tall, imposing figure dressed all in black.
The smooth reflective visor of his helmet mirrored the warm, lively scene unfolding between Lyra and the
spets.
Hadrien’s quiet, unblinking gaze locked onto her as she walked and played alongside the cats and dogs.
He’d long thought her something extraordinary.
Within the walls of Black Spire, almost no one treated every living being with equal kindness the way she did.
Regular staff feared the inherent danger of Sentinels, and resented their own tedious job of waiting on these prisoners like servants.
Worse still, psychic corruption amplified every emotion the Sentinels felt, leaving most of them volatile, sharp–tempered, and unyielding.
Everyone avoided the cell blocks whenever possible, never mind offering genuine care to Sentinels most wrote off as better off dead.
But not her.
Perhaps fresh to this new job and unburdened by fear, she still held onto a pure, unspoiled kindness in her
heart.
1/4
4 16:48 Tue, Aug 25
Chapter 24 They Really Like You
She finally herded the entire pack of pets safely into the supervised yard enclosure.
The moment the gate swung open, Cedric stood waiting by the fence line.
When he saw every single animal had arrived unharmed, he stepped forward to take the leashes, murmuring repeated quiet thanks to Lyra.
Their hands brushed briefly as they passed over the straps. Cedric’s body jolted, and he quickly masked his flustered expression, snatching the leashes from below their point of contact.
The cold silver monitoring cuff around his wrist glinted brightly, its red warning light flickering rapidly a handful of times before settling down–no dangerous psychic spike had been detected, so the sedative injector never activated.
Lyra paid no mind to the brief alert. Cheerful color high on her cheeks, she scratched the broad heads of a golden retriever and an Alaskan Malamute one after another.
She pulled her hands back and quickly scribbled a note on paper.
“No need to thank me. They’re all such sweet animals; I don’t mind the trouble at all p>
Cedric lifted his eyes to meet hers, soft gratitude shining clear on his face.
“Lyra p>
A soft splash of water echoed across the yard. Draven surfaced from the swimming pool in the distance, upper body rising like a mythic water spirit.
Crystal clear droplets slid down his pale, handsome features, trailing along his lean neck and disappearing into the hard, defined planes of his chest.
A warm smile tugged at Draven’s pink lips, his eyes fixed gently on her.
“Want to come over and hang out p>
The spacious yard featured rolling green lawns alongside a crystal clear swimming pool.
Draven’s movements rippled smooth waves across the water’s surface.
Lyra shook her head repeatedly, gesturing back toward the facility’s interior to signal she still had unfinished duties.
“What a shame then p>
He rested one forearm along the pool’s edge.
With a loud splash, his huge, vivid crimson mermaid tail burst out of the water, sending a shower of droplets spraying through the air.
Its tightly layered scales caught the sunlight, glowing with incomparable radiance – as if every purest red gem and crystal in existence had been embedded into the fin.
214
16:48 Tue, Aug 25
Chapter 24 They Really Like You
Lyra stood frozen, entranced, her mind briefly foggy as she stared transfixed at the dazzling tail.
She only snapped back to reality when something warm and damp brushed against her fingers.
Draven had been holding his tail fully extended toward her the entire time, fanning it wide like a peacock showing off its plumage, leaning lazily against the poolside to watch her flustered reaction.
Lyra dragged her gaze away and glanced down to find all the dogs clustered around her legs, ficking at her fingertips.
She smiled softly at their round, dark, trusting eyes.
“They really like you.” Cedric’s voice came from across from her.
Lyra looked up at him.
His skin was naturally fair, glowing almost blindingly bright under the sun. The pair of sharp, fluffy animal ears atop his head was haloed in faint golden light, making him look just as gentle and charming as the well- behaved Samoyed beside him.
Lyra took the time to scratch every single one of the animals on their heads, then waved goodbye first to Cedric, then to Draven.
“See you later,” Cedric said softly.
Draven lowered his tail back into the pool and lifted one hand in a lazy, light wave.
“Don’t forget to pick us up later p>
Lyra smiled once more and turned to exit the yard.
The heavy metal gate slammed shut behind her as soon as she left.
Only once she was alone with the animals did Cedric undo all the leashes, letting the cats and dogs run free to play and romp across the grass.
“Cedric p>
Draven’s light, easy voice carried across the pool.
Cedric glanced over to see the mermaid Sentinel half–submerged in water, waving him closer.
“What is it p>
Draven propped his chin on one hand, watching him with a half–amused smirk.
“I just wanted to ask you a few things … ”
Cedric blinked, confused by his sudden curiosity.
Draven let out a quiet laugh. “We’ve known each other forever and know each other’s pasts inside and out. Why are you so guarded around me? Come closer p>
374
16:48 Tue, Aug 25
Chapter 24 They Really Like You
He flicked his tail again. “Looking like this, what could I possibly do to you p>
dric froze. It’s precisely because I know you too well that I need to be guarded.
Guards stood posted along the high perimeter fence of the yard, watching every move they made.
With dozens of eyes on them, Draven shouldn’t dare act out of line.
He glanced toward the far lawn, where the dogs and cats tumbled and chased one another without a care in the world.
576
W
admin
Olivia Harris is an emerging author celebrated for her captivating romantic and steamy novels. With a talent for crafting deep emotional connections and fiery chemistry between her characters, Olivia’s stories offer readers an escape into worlds filled with passion, intrigue, and heart-stopping drama.