"ELIN..."
Grayson paused, his expression thoughtful. "Elin is healing. Whatever supernatural sensitivity she's developing, it's real. Whether that makes her safe or dangerous depends on how she learns to control it."
"You sound like you're assessing threats rather than friends," Mailah said gently.
"Old habits," Grayson replied, but there was a self-aware edge to his smile. "But you're right. They're not threats—they're family. Our accidentally assembled, deeply chaotic family."
"Family," Mailah repeated, testing the word. It still felt strange to apply it to this collection of supernatural beings and traumatized humans, but also... right somehow. "I like that."
"So do I," Grayson said quietly, his thumb still tracing those absent patterns on her hand. Then, with deliberate casualness that didn't fool her for a second, he added, "Though I should mention—Liora sent updated venue options while we were watching the sunrise."
