AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“It’s my pleasure.” Tate winked at Shado and then flashed me a bright mega-watt smile. “The boys are walking the back of the property, getting the lay of the land, but I’m here to help in any way I can.”
“Which boys?” I asked, eyeing the trees in the distance. The backyard was a giant oval, large enough to hold training space and a small lake, but the true property line was deep in the woods. I’d walked it many times, setting and resetting more than a few tripwire spells between the trees. If the wolves weren’t careful or had ill intent on a Devereaux, they’d be in trouble.
“Liam, and a few of the pups,” Tate said. “Kyle stayed in the bayou. Isaac thought it’d be better if you didn’t have to worry about him or Miranda for that matter.”
I nodded and led them up the stairs.
“You should’ve waited for me,” I said to Jackson, already at the top of the stairs.
He rolled his eyes and looped his arm around my waist. “You need to stop worrying about me. I’m fine, and I’ve got someone I’d like you to meet.”
My jacket acted as a barrier to keep the visions away, but my muscles still tensed. I wasn’t used to being so close to him anymore. Touching anyone took effort, but I’d worked so hard to avoid him, it almost hurt.
“You’re still healing,” I said, clearing my throat.
Jackson rolled his eyes, extending his hand to Myra. “Rebekah, my love, allow me to introduce Mad Myra Sinclair. My aunt. Myra, this is my wife. Rebekah.”
“Nice to meet you,” I said.
The old woman’s eyes narrowed, and she gave me a once over. Her lips pursed. “It’s a good thing I packed food. You’re both skin and bones. Do they not feed you in the city?”
My jaw dropped. I wasn’t sure how to respond.
Giggling, Shado thrust out her hand. “It’s nice to meet you, Myra. I’m Shado, Rebekah’s cousin.”
“That’s some hair you’ve got there,” Myra said, her eyes giving Shado the same once over.
Jackson leaned into me and his arm trembled. “Be nice, Auntie. They’re family.”
“We need to get you back in bed. Let me open the door.” I pulled a large black key from my pocket. Old and oversized, it belonged in one of the Harry Potter movies. The metal slid into the lock like butter, and I pressed my palm against the door frame. The wards rippled around the house, and a low hum buzzed under my fingers. The key turned on its own and the door flew open.
I stepped over the threshold, closing my eyes, and my heart thumped against my ribs. I turned and all four of them stared at me expectantly.
“Are we good?” Jackson asked.
I held up a finger and looked at Shado. “Come in, cousin. You are Devereaux born, and therefore welcome in this space.”
She smiled, skipping through the door. “Thank you. What about them?”
“Myra,” I said. “You are a friend to this family and welcome in this space.”
“Thank you, darlin’.” The old woman entered and wandered past us into the house, Shado trailing after her.
Tate snorted. “Do you really have to do that for everyone? That’s gotta get annoying.”
“Viktor and I didn’t exactly get visitors out here.” I shrugged and pushed the door open further. “Tate, you are welcome in this space. Enter and be at peace.”
He walked in with our bags, and that left Jackson standing on the porch.
“Last but not least.” He smiled.
“Jackson Sinclair, you have always been welcome in this house. You’re family and I love you,” I said, extending a hand over the threshold.
His fingers brushed over my palm and closed around my wrist. I pulled him inside and he pulled me into a hug, dropping a kiss on my forehead.
“Where do you want these?” Tate asked, gesturing with the bags in his hands.
I pointed to the foot of a grand staircase about ten feet inside the door. “You can just put them th—”
