I froze.
Then it settled—a low, smooth, perfect purr—and all that anxiety melted.
A laugh burst out of me, and I slapped the steering wheel. “Fuck yeah!” My mind was turning with all of the places I wanted to drive it. “I’m taking this out toni?—”
The engine died.
Just like that.
I looked up just in time to see my keys spinning through the air and followed them until they neatly landed in Rack’s hands.
“You will not,” he said calmly, already pocketing them, “because you’re going to Doomsday to meet your sisters for Aniyah’s twenty-first birthday.”
I stared at him for a long second, picturing myself twisting his head off and taking the keys from his hands, but in the end, I knew he was right. My hands went up in surrender.
“All right. All right.” My eyes locked with his, I climbed out of the car, throwing my hand out for the keys.
He waited a beat, so I tilted my head, ready to take this to the next step if he didn't watch himself. Finally, they flew out of his hand and hovered in front of me.
Snatching my keys, I turned away. “Alright, let’s go.”
I made it three steps toward the door before he cleared his throat. I stopped, then slowly turned to see he hadn’t moved a muscle.
“What now?” I sighed, really wanting to get going.
“Calix.” His shoulders dipped as he exhaled, eyes closed like I was the only being in the world who could bother him. Two seconds was all it took for him to straighten up, his gaze sweeping over me in disgust.
“You can’t go like that.” His hand gestured lazily over my body, and I looked down at my grease-streaked shirt and rumpled jeans.
I shrugged. The words were already lining up—I’m fine. I don’t care. I show up how I show up—but I didn’t get the chance.
Tiny embers sparked to life across my shirt, bright pinpricks skating over the fabric. I looked down just as they hit a dark smear of oil.
Woosh.Flames bloomed across my chest.
“Oh, you motherf—” I slapped, beating the fire out with my own hands. “Wow,” I muttered, smoke curling up around me. “So impressive,” I mocked, “such a big scary mage.”
Just as the last ember died, I straightened, brushed myself off, and turned in a slow, triumphant circle. “See? I’m fine. Not even a scratch.”
Rack’s smile widened, and the fabric slipped from my body like it just gave up.
Charred, blackened pieces drifted to the floor in a sad, smoking pile at my feet.
“Oh no,” Rack said pleasantly. “Looks like you need to change.” He tilted his head, eyes gleaming. “Can’t go out shirtless with your sisters. That would be embarrassing.”
Knowing he won this round, I jabbed my finger at him and gave him a low, curt response. “Dick move, Rack. Dick move.”
Gazing down at the crumbling pile, I lamented.That was my favorite shirt.
Slicing a glare over my shoulder, promising retribution, I vampire sped up to my room and got dressed for the celebration. My baby sis was turning twenty-one!
God help us.
***
The second we slammed those Hellfire shots, Aniyah was tugging at someone’s arm.
“Come onnnn,” she sang, bouncing on the balls of her feet like the bass had hooked into her bloodstream. “Dance with me!”
