Total pages in book: 121
Estimated words: 113319 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 567(@200wpm)___ 453(@250wpm)___ 378(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 113319 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 567(@200wpm)___ 453(@250wpm)___ 378(@300wpm)
“You should let him have the position,” Dave rumbled as he enveloped me in a hairy hug. “He is dedicated to our team. Whenever another creature spoke ill of our people in Kingsley’s territory, he defended us aggressively. He even defended the vampire, and while I am also loyal to our team…I might have hesitated about the vampire.”
For some reason, his last comment amped my chuckles into guffaws that demanded release. It felt good to laugh, to push away that horrible, dark rage building up within me. I needed to focus on helping people out of Momar’s umbrella of tyranny, not exacting vengeance. There was a difference, and I couldn’t lose sight of that.
So for now, I laughed. I laughed and laughed and made everyone nervous.
Tomorrow I would grant Tristan his wish, I’d hang out with my son, and I’d get ready to meet my annoying ex and his stupid family. I’d enjoy this break I was taking from the magical world and try not to think of what might be around the corner.
Basically, ignorance was bliss.
FOUR
Jessie
“Can you call Mr. Tom and ask him to bring up my clothes?” Tristan asked after we landed on the platform on the second floor and shifted into our human forms. “Unless you’re cool with my jogging through the house really quickly to grab them? I left them just inside the doorway.”
I pulled open the door to the inner passageway of the house. “He’s probably moved them by now, and Jimmy doesn’t need to see naked people running around. I’ll get Mr. Tom to meet us in my room.”
I led the way to my bedroom.
“How’d you know where to find me earlier?” I asked, knowing all the twists and turns of the passageways by heart now. I no longer needed the house to help guide me, although it was debatable if I ever had. I’d always had a sixth sense about this place.
“I was in the front room talking to Niamh, and she mentioned the fire. She agrees that we need someone to step up into the wingman role. She’s not sure I can handle it, though.”
“Why is that?” I entered my closet and waited for him to go through before shutting the door, making sure it latched. Sometimes it bounced off—it needed to be fixed—and while the dolls kinda just wandered around protecting the house, I still didn’t like the idea of their creeping through the passageway into my room without any warning. I had enough nightmares without adding that to the list.
“She thinks I’m too self-centered. Nathanial was a giver, putting more value on you and this team than himself. She doesn’t think I have the ability to do that.”
“And what do you think?” I asked softly.
I took up my phone to text Mr. Tom, noticing one of Austin’s T-shirts lying at the foot of the bed, slightly rumpled and ready for the laundry. Mr. Tom must’ve snagged it and left it for me, because Austin didn’t like Mr. Tom cleaning up after him. He put his own clothes in the laundry.
“I think I have many abilities, most of which I don’t put on display,” he said as I picked up the shirt, giving it a quick sniff test.
Hardly used—my favorite. It still smelled deliciously like Austin but not like body odor. Perfect.
Feeling Austin heading out the front door—he still didn’t know I used his dirty laundry as bathrobes—I pulled the shirt over my head before looking for the cup of coffee Mr. Tom would’ve usually brought up by now. It wasn’t there, so I texted him and asked if he could bring one up when he came. He’d probably gotten sidetracked with my son, who was his first priority whenever he was in the house.
“And which of those abilities would apply to our present situation?” I took the encrypted phone off the charging stand.
“If you don’t mind…I’d rather attempt to show you instead of telling you.”
I sent off a message to Sebastian, asking for the spell to make another brooch. He hadn’t answered any of my texts yet, but I’d never asked for something specific. Maybe he’d get around to it if I asked for something magic related.
“Man, I hope he responds this time,” I murmured, “because I’d really rather not have to search for that spell myself. Tracking down spells or creating them out of thin air is not my strong suit.”
I took a deep breath and set the phone back down, giving my attention to Tristan again.
“It’s no big deal if you want to follow me around all the time. I’m pretty used to it with Mr. Tom. I do need someone to help me in the air, and there is literally no one stronger or more capable in the sky than you. But I will also say this: the strongest teams are the ones where everyone trusts each other. Not just with their lives, but with their true selves. If you fall, Tristan, we will catch you. If you fail, we’ll help you try again. If you open up to us, we’ll protect your secrets.” I crossed the space to put a hand on his shoulder. “When you’re ready, and if you need help, just let me know, okay? I’m always here.”