A gasp erupted from the hallway before my tiny spitfire of a cousin stalked into the room. “I beg your pardon, Oliver George Everett Reign.”
I narrowed my eyes at him over the rim of the goblet, hoping he felt the fire I was shooting from my eyes. When I was done with every last drop, I lowered the cup slowly and stalked toward him. “What did you call me?”
“You heard me,” he sassed, jutting his chin out.
To the side of me, I heard King ask, “Did my boyfriend really just full-name Ego?”
With laughter in his voice, Scotty replied, “Yep.”
“What’s wrong with that?” Lysandro asked, sounding completely baffled, then followed it up with an exasperated, “Go freshen up. I’ll give you ninety seconds since you need to find something more presentable to wear for company.”
As much as I wanted to make Lysandro proud of me, which meant I shouldn’t waste a second, I sped by with wiggling fingers to tickle Sky’s side before shooting up the stairs.
After shimmying into skinny jeans with one of my favorite sheer blouses, I was halfway back down the stairs with thirty seconds to spare when I screeched to a halt. What did they mean by everyone was coming? When had we decided that? Had I even been consulted?
“Come on down, Ego. You weren’t consulted because this is your training for tonight. You need to be able to be around people. At least your found family, if no one else.”
I heard him as if he was standing next to me, but given the proximity of the heart beating beside his voice, I knew he was still in the living room. Reaching up, I touched my throat and realized I hadn’t put the chain with the amulet on.
With that realization came the smell. The enticing aroma of fresh blood pumping through the veins of multiple people. My canines elongated, and I gulped.
Frozen with panic, I knew I needed to run to my room, but I was so scared that if I moved from this spot, I’d run downstairs instead of up. What if the beast that I’d become took over, and I went into bloodlust and hurt people I loved? My breath caught in my throat, and though I knew it wasn’t true—I didn’t even need it—I felt it catch in my throat as the beginning of a full-blown panic attack hit me.
Squeezing my eyes shut, I willed myself to calm down, but I knew it was no use. They were all too close. There were too many of them. Even if I shut myself in my bedroom, I’d be able to smell them—their blood, their personal scents, their fear, and excitement. I’d react to it all, and?—
Warmth seeped into my back as a hand landed heavily on my shoulder blade. No, not a hand, but Scotty’s familiar touch. He began rubbing soothing circles over my shirt, which was sheerenough that it was as if I could feel his skin connecting with mine.
“I’m here, baby vamp,” he whispered, leaning into my side.
The way he gave me his weight shook me out of my stupor enough to curl an arm around his waist, somehow coherent enough to recognize we were on the stairs, and I didn’t want him to fall and hurt himself. I would heal easily now, but he wouldn’t, and wasn’t that a total mindfuck.
“There you go. Come all the way back to me.” His other hand lifted, resting over my unbeating heart. “I knew this would be hard for you, and I know it sucks we didn’t warn you, but isn’t this so much better than having your leg shredded by a bullet?”
I honestly wasn’t so sure about that. It was probably better for Scotty. The sight of my blood, even that first head wound, seemed to have made him queasy. His pulse hadn’t slowed down until we’d pulled out his study guide so that I could see where he was struggling.
I licked my lips. “Everyone will be here?” I asked so low that I wasn’t sure if his human ears would hear me.
“Mhm. Everyone’s been so anxious to put eyes on you themselves and make sure you’re truly alright. You’re so loved, Ego. I know you don’t know that or believe it, but I promise you, it’s true.”
I rested my forehead against his. “But I can’t be a sound witch anymore. Why would they even care about me now?”
Scotty laughed softly under his breath. “They all fell in love with you before they realized you’re a sound witch.”
“Wasa sound witch,” I corrected.
He tutted. “Whatever. They welcomed you with open arms because you’re Sky’s cousin, and they embraced you and kept you because of who you are. You, Oliver George Everett Reign.”
I groaned. “Oh my god, I can’t believe he said that.”
Scotty snickered. “I’m so glad he did. From now on, if you don’t listen to me, I’m going to full-name you.”
“I always do what you say,” I mumbled.
His breath caught before he pulled me closer for a real hug. I melted into the warmth of his body, feeling the lean muscles on his slight, but sturdy frame, and knowing with every part of my being that he would always hold me up and protect others from me. “You’ll keep them all safe, right?”
He kissed the top of my head. “Of course, but I’m going to keep you safe, too, baby vamp. Don’t you worry about that.”
He didn’t rush me, giving me as long as I needed to pull myself together. When I finally stood up, he asked, “Are you ready?”
