On a Clear Winter Night: An Irin Chronicles Short Story by Elizabeth Hunter

Author:Elizabeth Hunter [Hunter, Elizabeth]
Language: eng
Format: epub, azw3, mobi
Publisher: Elizabeth Hunter
Published: 2015-12-17T07:00:00+00:00

Chapter Four

MALACHI HAD NEVER IN HIS LIFE been more relieved to see the old scribe. Evren rarely left the ancient scribe house in Cappadocia. Most seeking Evren’s wisdom came to him. But when Malachi saw the wise old man, he almost fell on his knees in thanksgiving.

“Brother,” he said, bending to embrace him. “You have come to us and we are blessed.”

“Brother Malachi.” Evren patted his cheek. “I only hope I am welcome. Your brothers mentioned flying here for Midwinter, and since I had not had a chance to speak with you about the birth of your children, I asked to accompany them.”

“You are welcome,” Ava said from behind him. She’d wrapped herself in a throw from their bedroom and her hair was tangled, but when she waddled toward Evren, her face glowed. “Very welcome. Thank you for coming to visit.”

“Ah, sister.” Evren embraced her gently. “Your voluminous blessing has never felt more voluminous, has it?”

Ava laughed. “I’m so ready to get these kids out of here.”

Malachi saw the babies jostling in her belly, clearly excited by the familiar deep voices of his brothers, who had spent most of Ava’s pregnancy shouting at her abdomen “to talk to the babies.” Max and Leo were already hovering over Ava, barely keeping their hands off her belly. Rhys gave her a gentle hug, then backed off to speak to Astrid.

“My reshon.” He walked over, cupped her cheeks, and kissed her. “You are the most understanding of women. Back, back, back.” He shoved his brothers away and led Ava to the sofa. “You will smother her.”

“We missed you,” Max said, stretching his giant frame out on the rug by the fireplace. “It was boring in Istanbul without you, so we decided to come here.”

“And who is watching the house?” Malachi asked.

Rhys sat in a chair by the tree and batted a red glass globe like a curious cat. “Damien and Sari brought Mala and Orsala from Cappadocia to the city. Get them out of Cappadocia for a bit. I think Mala was getting edgy. They’re keeping an eye on things.”

Malachi relaxed. Grigori activity in their section of Turkey had been quiet, but it was always a risk. And with many humans fleeing war on Turkey’s borders, that meant thousands of vulnerable humans could be prey for opportunistic sons of the Fallen. Damien, Sari, and Mala, however, were more than a match for any Grigori foolish enough to try to infiltrate Istanbul.

He turned to Max. “Heard from Renata lately?”

Max shrugged and said nothing, which likely meant the nomadic Irina was still in the wind. Malachi didn’t know what to make of their relationship, so he didn’t ask. He was simply happy to see them all. He put his arm around Ava and kissed the top of her head.

“Are you happy?” he asked quietly. “More people means more—”

“Noise. And voices. And stomping feet on the stairs. And mouths to feed.” She looked up and grinned. “But it also means more people I love are here to celebrate with us.

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