“They’re going to know either way,” I said. “We’re not going to be able to hide it forever. But if you’re living here, it will make more sense for you to be covered in our scents while we figure things out.”
“That is… an excellent point.”
“I can make those occasionally.”
Her cheeks flushed pink, and I noted it. I wasn’t sure if it was her being flustered by us or embarrassed. We wanted the first and not the second.
“Want to see the nest?”
She swallowed and nodded. I held out a hand, and she took it. The small gesture of trust filled me with satisfaction, so I wove our fingers together. We all wanted her closer. We wanted her tostay.
“Where’s Theo?”
“He had to go grab something. He’ll be right back.”
The entrance to the nest was down the hall from the last room, nestled in between it and another one of the empties, since it didn’t need windows. There was a hidden door to the connecting bathroom as well.
Right now the nest looked utilitarian, but the space was comfy and cozy. I could already imagine the nest in shades of green. All three times I’d seen Trinity she’d been wearing some shade of green. She had the same kind of chains on her hands that she had at Element today too. I liked them.
I especially liked how they reminded me of restraints.
Trinity stayed at the door, hovering.
“You can go inside if you want.”
“That’s okay,” she said quickly. “Not right now.”
I tried to see her face, but she turned and retreated quickly. Too quickly.
“Your apartment is beautiful.”
“Thank you.”
We had a weight room and a sauna here. Not as large as the apartment building’s gym that we all used. There were a couple of offices we used when we needed, but Trinity walking through everything made me realize how little we’d done with it beyond the initial decorating. It felt… empty.
Hopefully not for long.
Theo appeared down the hall and nodded to me.
“Would you like something to drink? We also promised Cecil we’d make sure you eat.”
“I’ll eat,” she said. “Promise. I’m still a bit unsettled. I’ll take some water, though.”
Bastian went to the kitchen without a word to get her a glass of water, and firmly planted her next to him on the couch once more. I watched the way she snuggled closer and also pretended that she didn’t.
This time, across the room wasn’t close enough. I sat on her other side, and Brooks sat on the floor near her feet. Theo stood, unwilling to be farther away.
I took her hand. “We have something to ask you.”
She smirked. “Uh-oh. Is this the roommate interview?”
“Not exactly,” Theo said. A quick glance at him told me he’d asked the others while she was distracted.
Trinity resettled herself, and I saw the walls go up. “Okay.”
“It’s not a test or anything,” I said. “Just something we want to ask.”
“Okaaaaaay,” she said again, drawing the word out.