Page 38 of Summer L.A.W.

“I’ll take that as encouragement.”

When she looked up at him, his expression wasn’t teasing anymore. It was hungry, but a little scared too.

“What are you thinking?” she asked.

“I almost lost you, and I don’t want to let you go into that ocean again. She reached up, catching his face between her palms, and kissed him before either of them could think better of it.

The kiss started slowly, tenderly, and then the world tilted. Magic hummed through her veins, warm as the tide, pulling them closer until even the room around them seemed to dissolve. The ocean that had haunted her went quiet, finally!

His breath hitched as she tangled her fingers in his hair. He deepened the kiss, mouth firm and searching, one hand sliding up her spine. The pulse beneath her skin matched the rhythm of his heartbeat, then heated, like the tide rising, pulling them under.

When they finally broke apart, their foreheads rested together. The glow had spread. It was a faint shimmer across both of them now.

Mason whispered, “Guess it’s contagious after all.”

She smiled against his lips. “Good.”

The storm outside grumbled like a jealous god, but inside the room, everything stilled. The mansion, and even the air, were at peace. There was only breath and warmth and the unspoken promise of what came next.

The light dimmed slowly, like a sunset sinking into the horizon. Crystal welcomed Mason’s loving attention well into the night.

The library smelled like sea salt and scorched sage. Ugh. The witches had gathered around the long oak table, looking every inch the coven tribunal they were pretending not to be.

Crystal stood near the window, arms crossed, watching waves crash against the cliff below. Mason hovered just behind her like backup she hadn’t asked for but wasn’t ready to refuse.

Joell cleared her throat. “All right, everyone’s here. Let’s get this over with before Lioness starts doodling on the wallpaper again.”

“I was going to doodle on Mason, actually,” Lioness said sweetly, twirling a pen. “He needs a magical tattoo.”

Mason raised his hands. “I’m good, thanks.”

“Focus,” Joell said, a tone that made even the raccoon on Victoria’s shoulder sit up straighter. “Litha’s tomorrow. The mansion will relocate to Tennessee at sunrise. But before that,” She turned her gaze on Crystal. “We need to set some boundaries.”

Crystal arched a brow. “Is this the part where you all tell me to stop saving the world in my sleep?”

“Something like that,” Sahara said, dry as parchment. “No disappearing acts. No communing with mysterious ocean entities without a magical sister chaperone.”

Magda folded her arms. “Especially not after that incident with the glowing veins.”

Crystal’s pulse flickered in response, a faint shimmer beneath her skin. “It wasn’t exactly voluntary.”

Joell softened slightly. “We know. But we also know you. You’ll go charging off again if we don’t make you promise.”

Lioness leaned forward, grinning. “So, promise.”

Crystal glanced at Mason, who looked like he’d rather face a live grenade than the combined force of the League. “You all sound like overprotective sisters.”

“Good,” Victoria said crisply. “Then you understand the dynamic.”

Mason cleared his throat. “What about me?”

“Oh, you’re not off the hook, sailor boy,” Magda said. “You’re staying here in Raoul’s apartment over the pool house. Enjoy the view, maybe mow the lawn.”

Mason blinked. “You’re benching me?”

“Think of it as shore leave,” Joell said. “You’ve earned it.”

Crystal turned to protest, but Sahara raised a hand. “You’ll both get your reunion when we’re back from Tennessee. For now, the League’s orders stand.”