AllFreeNovel
Share Us
27
Archer
Lena messaged everyone last night after she spoke with Rhys. She gave them the CliffsNotes version of what we found out and it was agreed we’d meet at Miri’s house the following evening to discuss things. After that we went to her apartment long enough to gather some clothes, but Lena spent the night at my place.
The thought of sleeping one night away from her is too hard to stomach. It doesn’t matter that we’ve only spent one night together; from now on, that’s how every night will be.
“How many cups of coffee have you had today?” Lena’s squirming in the passenger seat of my ATV and practically leaps out when we pull up at Wild Cottage.
“Just one.”
“Cup or pot?” I round the vehicle and reach for her hand, lacing my fingers with hers. Her fingers are stiff and cold.
“Shut it. I’m just nervous.”
Lena darts forward, but I hold my ground, tugging on her arm and pulling her back to me.
“Hey, we will figure it all out. Just take a deep breath and try to relax.” I inhale, hoping she’ll breathe with me. She doesn’t. She pinches my fucking nipple, startling me enough that I let go of her hand.
“Ha! Don’t tell me what to do, Arch.” Lena smirks at me and starts toward the house. I give chase, and she squeals, practically sprinting to the front door. Throwing a grin over her shoulder, she reaches the door first and turns the knob.
“What? Hey. Come on!” Lena throws her arms up and I sweep in behind her. Snaking my arms around her waist, I lift her off the ground and pinch her nipple in return.
“Hey, now.” Lena’s laughter fills up the porch, and damn, I love that sound. Pressing a kiss right below her ear, I set her down and move toward the door. It swings open before I have a chance to touch the doorknob.
“I swear the house just locked me out and then swung open for you.” Lena’s hands are on her hips, and she looks delightfully disheveled.
“Pretty sure the house was rooting for me to catch you.”
Lena walks inside with a huff and calls out for Miri.
“We’re in the library,” Miri shouts back and we head that way.
Miri and Davis are sitting on the chesterfield in front of the unlit fireplace. Ezra is lying on the chaise tucked back in a corner, a book covering his face, his breaths the deep ones of sleep. Ruby is on the floor next to him, her back propped up by the chaise. Rhys is working at the bar tonight, which suits me just fine. I’m not particularly interested in another brawl at the moment.
Miri bounces up off the couch when she sees us, crossing the room to a massive library table full of books.
“I’ve pulled everything I could find on communicating with the dead. I did some searching, and it’s all a little vague, but I thought we could start here.”
“Thank you.” Lena reaches out and squeezes Miri’s arm. “I also want to see if I can use my healing powers again.”
I jerk my head to the side to look at Lena. She didn’t mention this earlier.
“And I want Archer to see what he can do with shadows.”
“A little heads up would have been appreciated.” I frown at her, and her face pulls into an apologetic grimace.
“Sorry. I just thought of it on the way over. I haven’t tried to use magic since I healed Miri. I’m not talking about stabbing anyone. We can start with a small scratch and go from there. As for the shadows, have you tried to manipulate them at all?”
“Not on purpose.”
“Maybe tonight’s a good time to try.”
“Or maybe we should leave it alone.”
“I’ve been thinking–”
“–shocker,” Ruby interjects, and Lena pushes up her glasses with her middle finger. Damn that’s a good look.
