The Nexus Effect

A week later, Hope entered one of Velaris's shops alongside Feyre. She'd been given a substantial amount of money from her and Rhys, a paycheck for being part of the Inner Circle. 

The look on Feyre's face kept her from declining further. Taking the funds gratefully, Rhys had suggested a shopping trip to get things she might like—especially clothing. Things she could feel comfortable in.

Hope had never had money issues; her family was beyond wealthy, but after she lost so many of them, her ability to have anything she wanted held very little value. 

It wasn't selfish to want things for yourself simply because you want them, but it had been a long time since Hope found anything she wanted that money could buy.

"What about this?" Feyre held up a gray frock, and Hope couldn't hide her cringe quick enough.

"That's…so cute…"

"Liar." Feyre snorted and put it back. "What kind of clothes did you wear in New Orleans?"

"Jeans usually, jean shorts especially. Leggings, uh…t-shirts that say 'Fuck U Very Much'."

Feyre and Hope burst into a fit of laughter.

Taking Hope's hand, Feyre dragged her toward a section where a selection of clothing hung that seemed much more familiar to Hope.

"Oh, this is perfect," Hope said, moving forward and touching the jeans that hung on display. "Just missing the graphic t-shirts and vibrators in the back."

"The what?" Feyre raised a brow.

"A girl's best friend," she thought for a moment, "and a guy's too, if they're willing." Glancing her way, the look of confusion and Hope smirked. "Think about it this way. Where might vibrations feel exceptionally well on the human body?" 

The wheels seemed to be turning in Feyre's mind before her eyes widened.

"You mean…" Her eyes glanced down. "Oh."

Hope was still snickering as she took the clothes to purchase: soft shirts, jeans, leggings, and a fair bit of lingerie. 

It had been impossible to walk away from the skimpy lace when the image of Azriel's eyes drinking her in flashed through her mind and sent tingles from her head to her toes.

As they left, she noticed Cas and Az sitting at one of the tables just across the street. 

"Rhys will be here soon," Feyre nodded as she joined the table, "he's talking to Nesta."

Cas pursed his lips. "I'm sure that's going well."

Shooting him a knowing look, Feyre offered Hope a smile, but she couldn't help but sense a conversation was brewing.

Azriel smiled gently at Hope. "Did you find things you like?"

"Very much, it's not all that different from I wore back…" The word home started to touch her lips, but she stopped herself. This was her home…Velaris was her home, as she'd sworn allegiance to. "In New Orleans."

They all noticed what she'd been about to say, but they didn't mention it. Hope twirled her ring, catching Feyre's eye.

"I meant to ask earlier; the night we found you, the only thing you had on is that right," she gestured, "I wondered if it had meaning."

Hope tried not to think about how they'd pulled her naked body out of the ocean and nodded.

"It's a daylight ring. Vampires wear them to ward off the sun. The sun is a weakness," she pursed her lips and reminded herself…no secrets in the circle, "it burns me."

"The sun burns everyone," Cas said with a lighthearted chuckle.

Hope nodded with a sly smirk. "Without this ring, under the sun, it is like stepping into a fire. Too long, and you combust."

Something like terror entered Azriel's eyes as Rhys slowly sat down, his expression stern and frigid.

"But it's okay, regular vampires die from that," she reassured, "I'm the Tribrid. I'll combust, but I won't die."

Feyre cringed and nodded. "So we make sure you don't lose that ring, got it."

"I've died every way you can think of, Feyre," Hope smiled, "don't worry about me. I'm something of a cockroach."

Rhysand frowned. "Any other weakness we need to know about? To keep them away from you?"

Hope nodded. "Well, there are certain plants that burn too. Vervain for my vampire side, wolfsbane for the wolf."

"I don't know of vervain," Azriel mentioned, "but there are plants similar to name wolfsbane. We'll have to ensure they aren't a threat to you."

Cassian nodded. "Ash arrows and iron are pretty toxic to us. At least your weaknesses won't be wildly known. We'll have a better time keeping them contained. You'll be considered our Special Forces. Amren's title is similar, though she's Second-in-Command. Special Forces for the Illyrian Army will mean we'll use your skills for…unconventional warfare. Missions that enemies won't see coming."

"Like making it rain acid?"

"You can do that?" Cas asked, his grin slowly broadening.

Hope nodded, and Rhys smiled. "We'll set a time where you can show us some of the power you wield in an enemy setting. To know your capabilities and not push you too far. There are always risks when war comes, but we calculate them before we execute them."

"Some of us do," Cas muttered.

Rhys rolled his eyes with a soft chuckle. "Before that happens, we do need to discuss something. Now that you'll remain in Velaris, you'll be free to have a space of your own or…"

Placing a hand over her heart, Hope feigned a gasp. "You're kicking me out? So unexpected."

"You heard us talking last night, didn't you?" Feyre asked, sighing through her smile.

Hope laughed. "Okay, no offense, but sometimes you talk really loud."

Pursing her lips, Feyre didn't counter. She knew it was true.

"Well," Rhys smiled, "there are many options. Amren and Mor have their own apartments. Az and Cas live primarily at the House of Wind, as does Nesta, Elain, and Lucien."

Feyre nodded. "We can take a look around the city. See what places might be available before you decide."

"That sounds doable."

"What?" Cas grinned. "You don't want us as roommates?"

Hope shook her head. "Nesta would have an aneurysm if I moved in." 

Secretly, she wanted to discuss it with Azriel first anyway. They had a bond…they had feelings for each other. Either decision could affect things greatly. 

She wasn't against it, but she wanted his thoughts first. If he would rather she didn't, she'd respect that decision.

Glancing at Az, she tried to read his expression, but it was a concealed mask of silence. It wasn't unusual, but for once, she wished she could read him.

"Come on, let's look while there's still light." Feyre stood.

Azriel spoke then. "Would you like me to take your bags to your room?" He asked as she stood.

Glancing down at him, she ran her fingers through her hair. 

Hope just couldn't stop herself.

"Sure, thank you…as long as you don't peek inside. Who knows, maybe there's something for you in there."

Hope's smirk was diabolical as she offered him the bag. He took it calmly, though his eyes held a sudden sharp edge that hadn't been there before. She knew that look well.

It was hunger.

As she and Feyre left, she could hear Cas snicker as Rhys said, "Oh, you are in trouble."

Truth be told, they both were.