“I’m well,” I reply, finishing my second hot dog. “Work is okay. Can’t complain. No one cares that I’m wearing a face mask and winter hat during the heat of summer.”
I laugh, but Loxley simply studies me. “You…seem tense.”
My smile falls, and I lean back. “I just keep thinking about Declan.”
“Oh.” Loxley finishes his meal and scoots his chair closer to me. He cuddles up to me, and I put my arm around him. Kai had already filled Boysen House in on what we discovered, so everyone ought to be on high alert. With the new protection witch on the block, we should be safe here.
“Something is stealing magic. I can’t help but think that’s what messed with your protection wards.”
“Maybe,” Loxley says.
“How can you be so calm?” I ask, giving him a concerned stare.
He shrugs. “We have a coven. Plus, I have you.” He lifts my hand and kisses it. I swear, my heart wants to float out of my chest, I’m so smitten.
Shaking my head, I reply, “Yes, but there are threats out there. And I’m not as strong as Kai.”
“We’re…Boysen House witches.”
“Still, we can’t be too careful. I heard about otherworldly monsters and dark cultists, too.”
Loxley pushes up his glasses. “Protection wards.”
“Yes, from the new guy.” My fists clench with anxiety. “Can we even trust those two brothers?”
He frowns and replies, “They…passed the morality exam.”
Oh, that’s right. The second part of joining the Union is a gauge to see if their intentions are good. The two brothers must be trustworthy, or Luther would have flagged them as threats.
“Alright. But still. Who knows what lurks out there?” I stroke Loxley’s cheek, and he smiles. “I want to protect you.”
After nodding, he says, “I’m…an empath witch.”
“Okay?”
He proceeds to unclasp the charm necklace. “Maybe it’s time…t-t-to use my powers.”
“What?”
“I…can listen.” He takes off the necklace and holds it up. Then he points around at the sky. “Find threats…auras and such.”
“No!” I sit upright and push the necklace back at him. “Absolutely not. You were a wreck last time.”
Loxley gazes at me in concern, and I shake my head. “Please, Loxley. I want you safe from the world, as well as from the pain of magic.”
With a hefty dose of reluctance, he puts the necklace back on. He frowns, and I give a half-smile. My relief is significant, but obviously, he’s not happy with this. Arguing with your boyfriend with dysarthria isn’t easy.
Wait, boyfriend? Is he ready to take on that label?
I don’t dwell on that and, instead, put my hand on his knee. “You know I care about you. Your wellness and safety are…the most important to me.”
He smiles and rubs my cheek. “Yours too.”
Harmony seems restored. “Thanks, baby.”
He snickers, then his smile falls. “Who’s…protecting you?”
“Huh?”
