Page 121

Kahn cringed, because singing was bad news.

“These robots aren’t evil.” Tessie insisted, focused on the Light Phases. “They’re cute. Look at their party hats! And why would you get Gion a lamp?”

“He’s difficult to shop for. I didn’t know we could buy robots.”

“I’m not singing.” Sullivan reiterated to the room at large. He was stationed beside Tessie, doing police paperwork and waiting for the rest of the Fire Phases to arrive. No one else was eager for them to show up.

The party hadn’t officially begun, so a lot of guests were still coming in. Some came in and then immediately went back out again. Chason, of the Magnet House had stepped one foot through the door and surveyed the bedazzled, creepy interior. Then he’d fled, hustling Mara out with him.

Kahn didn’t much like his cousin-in-law, but he couldn’t blame the guy. Misspelled, menacing, and kind of musty wasn’t a great combination for a party atmosphere.

…Well, unless you were Isaacs. He seemed positively exuberant, as he paraded in and helped Randa place Gion’s four-tier masterpiece of a birthday cake on the center table. “Ta-da!”

The cake was perfect.

Kahn’s Match had made it, so it was no surprise. Whatever she made was brilliant. Whatever she wanted was right. Anyone who didn’t respect her should die. It seemed obvious.

Even if he was slightly biased (Which he wasn’t. It was just simple fact.) Randa’s bakery skills were objectively outstanding. He had no idea why Gion wanted a penguin cake, but he’d never get a better one. She’d decorated it with white and black frosting, so it really did look like a bird. It even had a little bow tie. His sister Prinny, creator of the infamous red frog cake, would’ve been rapturous.

Randa’s stunning dark eyes went to Gion, gauging his reaction. “Do you like it?”

“It’s beautiful!” Ty gushed, clapping her hands together. “Isn’t it beautiful, dear?”

Gion nodded, warily eyeing the cake. “It’s not ticking or covered in sludge, so I’m surprised Isaacs allowed it through the door.” He hesitated. “What’s it supposed to be? A vulture?”

“It’s a penguin.” Kahn interjected, ready to fight for the cake’s honor. “Are you fucking blind?”

“Hey, actual blind person here.” Isaacs protested.

“Shut up.” Gion and Kahn snapped at him.

Isaacs flicked them off using both hands, one for each of them.

“I love penguins. It was so sweet of you to do this, Randa. We truly appreciate it.” Ty said sincerely, ignoring the byplay.

“Of course. I just wanted to show how sorry I am for everything that happened before, and I hope that you can forgive me…?” Randa trailed off nervously. “It’s devil’s food cake with raspberry cream and mascarpone frosting.”

“That actually sounds edible.” Gion eyed the cake with deepening interest, the promise of chocolate lifting his mood. “I appreciate you rising above Isaacs’ sabotage and actually helping with the party. Of course your apology is accepted. I am…”

The loudspeakers cut him off. Dolly Parton music started blaring over the sound system and his nanosecond of pleasure died.

Gion scowled, refocusing on his frenemy. “Isaacs, get over here.” He headed towards the roller rink so he could berate the other man without Ty overhearing. “Now.”

“Why don’t you go blow your candles?” Isaacs suggested nastily, but he followed Gion anyway. The Air Phase thrived on negative attention, so garnering an angry reaction would just encourage him to make the party even worse.

Could it even get worse? Kahn sent the looming square-headed robots another glance, still worried about the threat of singing.

Satisfied that her cake was well received, Randa slipped her palm into his. That was all it took for Kahn to forget everything else. Touching had already become easier for her. Practicing all night had paid off in so many ways. Randa tipped her head to the side, so it rested against his shoulder, and Kahn’s world was beautiful.

“I think that went well.” She sounded relieved. “Gion liked the cake.”

“He’d better. It’s the best part of this damn party.”

Randa cuddled closer to him, their fingers intertwined. He loved it when she held his hand. It was casual, but intimate. Casually intimate. He hadn’t even known that was a thing before he met his Match.

“So, which one is Happy Applewhite?” She asked, gesturing towards the robots.

“Probably the big one. He carries a leadership rank. His party hat has a star.”