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“You sure it won’t be too scary for you, big guy?”
Alek wrapped his arm around Kingston’s neck and mercilessly ground his knuckles into his skull.
My laughter rang out in the night. I’d needed this small bit of light before we headed into the lion’s den. The lion being my grandmother and her expectations of me.
“Bugger,” Thorne muttered.
The one word killed my amusement. “Everything okay?”
“Just got a text from our hacker. Trail’s gone cold. We’re on our own.”
Dammit, Asher. You were supposed to be my ringer.
“So nothing’s changed then,” Kingston said.
“Well, it’s a good thing we have a coven of witches to help.” I pasted a smile on my face, trying to hide the nervous energy spiking through my veins.
“Are you coming inside, or do you plan to stay the night on my porch like a bunch of ill-mannered hooligans?” My grandmother’s voice wiped the smile off my face.
Blaire Belladonna stood in the doorway; her long hair flowed in unkempt waves. Once dark as night, now the thick mass was so shot through with gray it was almost a solid color. She wore the same dressing gown she had since I was a child growing up in this house. Dark silk embroidered with ivy and all manner of jewel-toned birds and flowers. But I could tell she’d only just started her nighttime ritual because she still wore all her rings and several crystals hung around her neck.
“Grandmother, my, what big teeth you have.”
She rolled her eyes, pushing the screen door open. “Some things never change.”
I smirked, loving that I could get under her skin as easily as she did mine. That had always been our problem. We were the same. And when I’d come out, she’d taken it as some kind of personal insult. Not because she cared about who I was attracted to, but because my lifestyle would prevent me from carrying on the family bloodline or some bullshit. Her reaction only hurt because of how close we used to be.
“Come in, child. We have a great deal of work to do before this visit is over.”
The five of us clambered into the old house, the scent of sage and lavender hitting me and making me feel more at home than anything else thus far.
“Moira, you know the way to your old room. You girls can bunk up there. Your bed’s all made up for you two.”
Ash and I exchanged a glance. The last few times we visited, she’d put us in separate rooms. I couldn’t be sure if it was because of the extra company or not, but something told me she was making a point by placing us together. Was this the olive branch my heart wanted it to be? I was too afraid to ask.
“As for you three, we only have two other rooms, so you’re going to have to double up. I’ll let you decide who’s sharing.”
“I guess I call big spoon, Kingston,” Alek said as Thorne raced up the stairs before anyone else.
Ash snorted.
Kingston grunted. “You try and cuddle me, Nordson, and I’ll hump your leg, I fucking swear.”
“Is that a promise? You wanna be a good dog and keep me warm by sleeping with me in your furry form?”
There was another hiccup of laughter from beside me.
“I hate you.”
“I love you too, buddy.”
Ash lost it at that, doubling over and gasping as tears of laughter streamed down her cheeks. I wasn’t faring much better. These guys were ridiculous. If they couldn’t see their bromance for what it was, nothing would show them. I couldn’t resist joining in and goading them a little. “Alek, if he gets ahold of you, it’s best to just let him finish.”
“Oh, goddess, Moira,” Ash panted, still wheezing as she wiped at her eyes.
Alek shot me a wicked smirk. “He won’t have anything to finish with if he tries.”
Kingston cupped his crotch. “Don’t worry, Jake. I’ll protect you.”
