Page 126 of Break Out the Girl

Arrogant bastard.

I hang up without another word. Fine. I’ll do this myself.

Hopefully.

The ward I have managed to create thus far is weak, and confined only to the walls of the double-wide. But as the only person with any actual arcane magic training, magical security falls to me.

It is deeply, intensely frustrating. As a basilisk, my power is absolute. If I desire a wall to dissolve into ash, then I can make it a reality in seconds. But the delicate, tedious art of traditional spellcasting? It requires years of academic discipline.

I can protect Aurora with my teeth and my coils, yes. But I cannot shield her from silent intruders.

“Aha! Double trouble, chicken dinner!” London yells, making me shudder. “The jack of spades takes the pie, BF! Down down down you go into the old gutter!”

I am told they are playing a game called Knockout Whist.

I declined the invitation to join in, seeing as the last time London attempted to explain rules to a game, it quickly became clear he was ad-libbing.

“What? That’s bullshit. I’m not out!”

“Dear, Fuckwad, don’t be a sore loser. I thought you’d be a mighty bruiser!”

Aurora giggles, little Sky pressed next to her carefully sorting her hand. London slams another crumpled playing card onto the unstable table.

Unstable table—I’m even beginning to sound like the faun now. We are all definitely spending too much time together.

Is it too much though?

If Cosmo secures a pardon for Aurora, London and Taliesin, what will happen then?

Will I return to the towers of Validus Vale to finish my education? Will Aurora come with me? The idea of having her all to myself in the Elite luxury of the academy should sound like my ultimate desire.

But now?

I glance at London, who is currently trying to balance a playing card on his nose to amuse Sky.

And think of the wolf, who is out running his third perimeter patrol of the day to ensure our safety.

Even Basil, who London insists is called Fuckwad.

Leaving them behind feels entirely wrong. Yes, they are unrefined, chaotic, and exhausting, but, against my better judgement, I’ve come to admit they are family.

And I am better off with them.

Alors.

I truly do not recognize myself.

The front door squeaks open, and Taliesin steps inside, his eyes instantly locking onto Aurora to verify her safety before he even takes a breath.

I approve of that.

“Nothing to see,” he grunts, pulling up a chair next to her.

“Brilliant! Then you’re just in time for round two, Burt!” London cheers, dealing out the cards with lightning speed. For ten minutes, the tiny trailer is filled with shouts, the slap of paper, Basil’s grumbled insults and Aurora’s and Sky’s giggles.

It fills me in a way that I have no frame of reference to quantify.

Then, in a single, microscopic heartbeat, the warmth in the room is completely snuffed out.