Page 12 of The Human’s Heart

When he released me, Grandpa gave me a hug too. “Love you.”

“Love you too,” I said as he let go.

Granddad asked, “How are you getting to school?”

“Walking.”

He made a face. “Why aren’t you driving?”

“Hugo has the car.”

He paused for a moment, then blew out a breath. “I suppose that makes sense since his work is farther than your school.”

“Wow,” Grandpa said. “A reasonable reaction from you. That’s a first.”

“Shut it, Seb.” His words sounded mean, but he was clearly fighting a smile, and Grandpa laughed at him. To me, Granddad said, “Why don’t you take our car?”

When they’d first come up a few weeks ago, they’d decided to drive here instead of flying on their Bonded Ones so they’d have a car since they were staying for a few weeks—possibly a few months. At least they were staying in a house they’d rented across the street instead of at my house. It would’ve been way too crowded without the use of the addition.

Hopefully, once the addition was finished, they’d go home, although I was nervous that they’d want to test it out and stay with us then. Sigh. Hugo would not be happy about that.

Well, it wasn’t that he’d be unhappy. It was that he’d be uncomfortable. He was getting along with Grandpa really well now, but he was definitely still very nervous around Granddad.

I couldn’t really blame him with how Ailin Ellwood came off, but I wished he realized how kind Granddad really was and how much he liked him. Granddad would never do anything to hurt Hugo, and if he realized he was making my viramore uncomfortable, he’d do something about it.

“I’m fine with walking. It takes less than five minutes.”

He made a grouchy face, but for once in his life, he didn’t argue, so I got out of there as fast as I could.

After crossing the barrier around my house, I pulled out my phone and dialed my brother, Kian.

“Hey, big bro, what’s up?” he asked as soon as he answered.

“Nothing much. Just thought I’d give you a call while I walked to school. Get this, Granddad and Grandpa let me walk.”

There was a brief pause, then a chuckle. “I bet you have a tail.”

I glanced behind myself. “I don’t see anyone.”

He snorted. “That doesn’t mean anything. Look up. They probably have Sera and Zamm following you.”

Tilting my head back, I turned and scanned the sky, then let out a loud sigh. “Shit. You’re right. Those asshats.”

He laughed. “Does it really surprise you?”

“No, it really doesn’t.” I shook my head, resigned to my fate—their overprotectiveness came from a place of love, so I couldn’t fault them too much—then changed the subject. “How’s it going with Idophia?”

Key had started dating a nymph woman a few months ago, and I swore he was half in love with her, if not fully there already. It was kind of sweet. I didn’t know her very well yet since Hugo and I had only met her when we went to coven land for visits, but I kept telling my brother to come up here for a weekend. I wanted to get to know her. Maybe he’d bring her around once the addition was ready, although I was hoping he’d come sooner. I missed my little brother.

“It’s really great. We’ve been having a great time together. I… I really like her, bro.” I could hear it in his voice, and it made me smile.

Kian drove me nuts, as little brothers did, but he was one of the best people I knew. He deserved to be happy. “That’s great to hear, Key. Why don’t you bring her up here this weekend? Granddad and Grandpa are going back to coven land for a few days since the construction workers have off, so you could bring her up for a night or two. And we have the portal now, so it’s even easier. We have a queen bed in the guest room.”

“Yeah, that sounds really great. Let me talk to her, and I’ll let you know.”

That made me smile. “Sounds good. Text me later.”

“Will do. Love ya.”