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Another pair of arms wrapped around my middle, and I jerked before Penny’s scent found me. “Why are we hugging?” Her question was delayed, given she was already snuggled up to us, but I liked it, so I didn’t complain.
“Secret needed a hug,” Dominick answered. “Pen, do me a favor and go wake up Desmond.”
“But you said I shouldn’t—”
“I know what I told you before. But I need you to do this for me, okay?”
“’Kay.” Penny withdrew from the hug and clomped up the nearby stairs. For such a skinny girl, she sure managed to make a hell of a racket. Grace stood in the doorway nearby, keeping an eye on us.
“You keep my boy safe,” she said finally, coming to stand near us. Though she didn’t join in the hug, she gave me a soft pat on the back.
“I won’t let anything happen to him.” I meant it, but the problem was it wasn’t a promise I was in control of keeping.
Footsteps creaked upstairs, and I stepped away from Dominick, my gaze following the direction of the sound. Desmond—fully human Desmond—appeared with Penny at the top of the stairs. He looked groggy and was sporting more facial hair than he ought to after only a day without shaving, but otherwise he appeared to be in good condition.
He rubbed his eyes with the heel of his hand and seemed to realize we were all watching him.
“What’s goin’ on?” Still dressed in black sweatpants and a light gray long-sleeved shirt, there was something very innocent in his appearance that made me feel bad for rousing him.
“Something has come up,” I explained. “We need to go.”
“I was supposed to rest.” He wasn’t really complaining. It was much like hearing a child ask for five more minutes in bed.
“You can sleep on the plane.” We’d all be sleeping on the plane once daylight broke. “But we have to get going.”
“The plane?”
“Yeah, we’re going to meet my grandmere, remember?” I hoped his brain wasn’t too fried after his forced stay in wolf form. He didn’t seem more out of it than I was upon waking up, though. “You think you’re up for another trip?”
He stared at me, and for a minute I didn’t think he realized who I was. Then the proverbial light switch went on, and he came to his senses within seconds. “Secret? Is everything okay?”
“No, but is it ever?” I gave Dominick a knowing look, and he barely managed to hide his grin. “It’s Aubrey.”
Not knowing how much he’d shared about our little jaunt into the fae realm with his family, I couldn’t tell if the name would carry any weight with them. Mama Alvarez’s expression didn’t change, but Dominick’s jaw muscle twitched.
“What about Aubrey?” Desmond asked carefully.
“He told Calliope he wants what I owe him. And I’m not quite ready to pay yet.”
“We have to go,” he announced, as if I hadn’t been saying the exact same thing this entire time.
“Yes.”
“Let me grab a couple things. Mom, can I see you upstairs for a minute?” He paused and ruffled Penny’s hair, pulling her in for a long hug. “Looks like I have to put a rain check on breakfast, kiddo.”
“But I was going to make pancakes.” She gave an exaggerated pout.
“Next time, I swear.”
“Can Secret come?”
I shared an uneasy look with the two werewolves before speaking to their sister. “I’m not a big eater in the mornings. Think maybe we could do pancakes for dinner one night?”
This idea had apparently never occurred to Penny, who was suddenly a thousand watts brighter thanks to her excitement. “Yeah, like dessert, only breakfast. Mom, can we have whipped cream?”
“Sure, baby. Just as soon as Secret and your brother get home.” She stared at me as she moved towards the stairs, and I heard the unspoken words loud and clear. You better bring him back.
I hoped to God I would.
