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“What’s the next Fae holiday?” Davis prompts.
“Lughnasadh, the harvest festival, will be coming at the end of this month. Technically, the first day of August…” Lena trails off when she realizes that no one actually cares.
“Yay,” Ruby says in a monotone and then turns to Lena and Archer. “Are you guys planning this festival? If so, I’m sure this will end up working out really well for all of us.”
“Ruby,” Zara scolds gently, but Ruby just shakes her head.
“Two out of the last handful of festivals this town has held ended up with an evisceration and Archer getting stabbed. What are the chances we’ll walk away without blood on our hands at the end of the night?”
When Ruby’s the voice of reason in the room, we should all be really fucking worried.
“We don’t have much choice. We’ll figure out what we need to do and plan for it to happen on the harvest festival,” Miri says, and everyone else agrees.
The charge in the air fizzles away into a dragging exhaustion that seems to hit everyone.
“Is it really only five, because it feels like four in the fucking morning.” Ezra drags a hand over his face.
I feel the exact same way. I want a shower and some food. More than anything, I’m not letting Zara out of my sight. I don’t think I physically can.
“I’m taking you home with me,” I murmur into Zara’s hair, pressing a kiss to the top of her head. Obviously, it’s not quiet enough to keep Ruby from overhearing because she has to pipe in with her opinion on the matter.
“Don’t you think Zara should be able to decide that for herself, Rhys?” Ruby scoffs.
“Ruby, don’t. I want to go with him. Will you be okay by yourself?” Zara has one arm wrapped around my waist, and the other laying on top of my forearm.
“I’ve got Axil.”
“I’ll stay with you.” Ezra grimaces, probably foreseeing the fight that’s about to happen, but Ruby surprises everyone by nodding in agreement.
“Only if you bring back all my underwear that you stole.”
That comment has six heads turning in Ezra’s direction.
“Woman, you need to learn how to take a joke.”
“And underwear is expensive, dude.”
“On that note, we’re leaving. Call if anything happens to anyone. Stay in touch. Stick together whenever possible. These bastards are escalating, and they think we’re going to just rollover and let them do whatever the hell they want. But fuck them.” Davis scoops Miri to his side and practically carries her out of the room as she waves goodbye.
“Yeah, we’re taking off too. As fun as it’s been sucking poisonous shadows out of a tattoo and plotting to murder fathers and all, I need a damn nap.” Archer stands up and stretches before holding out a hand to Lena. He tugs her up from the couch and leaves to a chorus of later.
I don’t wait around to have some awkward lecture that I’m sure is coming from Ruby. I stand, with Zara still in my lap, shifting her to her feet in one slick motion.
“We’ll figure more of this shit out later,” I say to Ezra while Ruby and Zara say a whispered goodbye.
When we’re finally outside, another level of exhaustion hits. Today didn't turn out anything like I expected.
My ATV is parked along the side of the paved path that leads to the clinic, and I guide Zara to it. I know she’s not a fan, but I don’t drive like I’m in the middle of the Grand Prix so it shouldn’t be as bad as riding with Ruby.
Zara’s practically asleep by the time we get to my place. I park my ATV in the garage around the back of the bar. I’m tempted to carry Zara upstairs, but I doubt she’d let me without a fight, and I don’t want her to exert any more energy than necessary. Instead, I lace my fingers through hers and tug her along until we’re up the stairs and inside my apartment.
“Sit. I’m going to get us some food.” I direct her toward the couch and send a text down to the bar with a food order. I could cook something myself; I’m not helpless, but I don’t want to spend any time away from Zara. Perks of being the boss that I rarely invoke.
Grabbing two glasses, I fill them with water and take them over to the couch where Zara’s huddled in the corner. I hand her a glass and she downs in one long drink. With a raised brow, I hold out my glass, but she shakes her head. I take a drink, then grab Zara’s glass and set them both on the table in front of the couch.
It’s on the tip of my tongue to ask her if she’s okay, but I don’t think any of us are fucking okay. “Want to watch something violent on TV?”
Zara smiles at me, her color looking a little better already. “Can you find something where they go on a revenge rampage?”
I laugh and settle into the couch, tugging Zara to my side as I pull up a movie. “I think tonight’s a good night for some Kill Bill.”
