Eddie rubs his arm where Hakeem’s hand rested, goosebumps left in its wake. “You’re good,” he says, eyes lingering on Hakeem.
A clearing of a throat draws the attention to the men bound on the floor. Oswald pipes up. “Sooo, uh congrats, Eddie. We couldn’t break free so we owe you guys lunch. Burgers, right? Great. Can’t do shit chained up like this. So, a little help?”
Bernard pouts on the floor next to his mate. “No fair. Eddie awakened some weird powers at the last moment. I call foul.”
“Says the men who tried to use shifter magic to get out of the chains rather thanjustbrute strength as was the original debate. But the deal was whether or not you could break free, methods aside. So, no harm, no foul,”interjects Jackson. Hakeem and Eddie laugh as Bernard sticks his tongue out at Jackson in a retort.
Oswald repeats his earlier question. “Could someone please unbind us? Jackson?”
Jackson calls to his magic to try and undo the spell, to no avail. He shrugs, “Sorry, my control in casting has improved, dispelling not so much. Hakeem, would you do the honors once more, good sir?”
“I’m on it, hold still you two. This might tingle.”
Eddie nods thoughtfully, “It does.”
Hakeem channels mana through the chains, they go from black to green to silver as they did before, dispersing. “You two okay? Any discomfort?”
Oswald and Bernard stretch out their limbs as they get up from the floor. “Stiff but good. Ozzy, babe, how you feeling?”
“Good, honey bear. So, Majesty Burger sound good everyone?” A round of agreements rings through the group.
* * *
After a delicious late lunch and good-byes were said to Oswald and Bernard, the boys grab reusable bags and triple check their grocery list. Eddie and Jackson were grabbing most of the ingredients for group meals as they promised earlier. The idea of more of Hakeem’s cooking causes their stomachs to rumble, despite the recent lunch they enjoyed. Jackson goes to grab his keys from their spot on the island only to find them missing. “What in the-” Jackson see’s shadows slither from underneath the couch, irritation growing as he pinches the bridge of his nose, eyes closed and brows furrowed. “One second guys, I think my keys have somehow found their way under the couch.”
Hakeem turns his head and raises an eyebrow. “How’d that happen?”
“I have a wild fucking hunch,” Jackson grumbles as he lowers his self to the floor reaching under the couch looking for his keys. He calls to the shadows, willing them to retrieve the keys just out of his reach. Nothing responded to his call, the shadows remaining still. “Of-fucking-course.”
Jackson sighs as he tries to wiggle his arm towards his keys tucked under the couch. He feels the weight of the couch lift from his arm, the keys exposed to the room’s light, surrounded by dust bunnies. Jackson looks up to see Eddie standing over him, the large couch lifted above their heads in his hands. Eddie made no sound of effort when he lifted the couch, Jackson didn’t even notice his approach.
“Find them, Jackson?”
“Uh, yeah. Thanks, Eddie.” Jackson grabs the keys and rights himself, brushing the dust off his pants. “Isn’t that heavy?” He asks, pointing to the three seat recliner in Eddie’s hands.
“Not really,” replies Eddie sincerely.
Eddie places the couch back down gently, brushing his hands off. “Ready to go?” Eddie points his thumb behind him towards the door. Hakeem stares at Eddie’s back, cheeks flushed, jaw dropped once more.
Jackson understands the feeling. “Yeah, let’s go.”
Chapter 14
Fae-mart is a large store with dozens of wide and long aisles. Jackson and Eddie both grabbed carts to fill as Hakeem leads the group down the aisles one at a time, list in hand. As Hakeem tosses items into the carts and crosses them off the list Eddie and Jackson have a moment to chat.
“You are an impressive one, Eddie, I hope you know that.”
Eddie raises an eyebrow as they continue to follow Hakeem through the store. “Oh? Where’s this coming from? I’ll take the compliment though.”
“From what I heard, the youngest of the LaLune family children didn’t possess unusual gifts. People whisper, rumors and idle gossip sure, but it pays to keep one’s ears open.”
“I know what you mean. I’ve heard plenty about you, Mr. Nocturne.” Eddie’s tone is teasing when using the honorific.
Jackson huffs, “I’m aware of what people say. The only Nocturne heir, avoiding high society outside his own domain for decades. A rakish brute who charms any pretty face he comes upon, who indulges too much but never causes a scene. Always escaping from view before the evening ends.”
“Sounds about right. Any truth to the rumors?” Asks Eddie with a raised brow.
“A few stolen moments away from prying eyes, too much drink to care about who says what after the fact. Nothing substantial or scandalous evercame of them, but people do love to talk.” Admits Jackson.
