Page 68 of Taken By the Blood God

“You laughing against my boobs!”

I couldn’t contain my snort at her words. “Well, you were the one shoving my face against them by hugging me like the Hulk!”

Sela snatched up the bag of baked goods and her coffee. “I’m taking these with me since you’re keeping secrets. I’d take your coffee, too, but I’m pretty sure you have blood god cooties since you’ve been slobbering all over him.”

I kept laughing as I followed her out of the reading room. “Can’t you just be glad that you helped me?”

Sela stopped next to the locked front door of the shop. “Oh, I am glad. But that doesn’t mean I’m not pissed that you won’t tell me what you were thinking.”

“How about I tell youafterI talk to Talant about it?”

Her eyes narrowed as she stared at me. “Fine, but I’m still taking the food.”

“That’s okay. I’ll go buy my own.”

“That’s it. I’m leaving before I lose my temper,” Sela shot back.

I flicked my fingers toward the door, unlocking the bolt. She rolled her eyes and shoved the door open.

Before she walked out, she winked at me. “I expect you to tell me all about it tomorrow. The day after at the latest.”

I shrugged. “We’ll see.”

Her irritated scoff lingered in the store as she marched out, letting the door shut heavily behind her.

I couldn’t stop smiling as I watched her march away. It had been so long since I had a true friend that I’d forgotten how much the presence of someone who cared and who listened could help.

I wouldn’t forget again.

Chapter

Twenty-Seven

Talant

I frowned as the sun sank lower in the sky. It was nearing the dinner hour, and Minerva should have been home by now.

Shouldn’t she?

It had taken every ounce of my willpower to remain in bed when she got up this morning and began getting ready to go to her store. Every cell in my body was screaming not to let her out of my sight. That she was safer with me at her side.

I spent part the day going through a bag of clothes that appeared on the back porch. I smelled the gargoyle mated to Ally and guessed he’d dropped them off for us. I wondered if Minerva told him we needed them. Once I put everything away, I nothing else to do but wait. The walls of the house seemed to close in on me, so I went outside, hoping the fresh air and sunshine would calm me.

I walked across the backyard, heading toward the trees. When I reached the edge of them, I turned back, striding back toward the back porch. My brother lounged on one of the wicker couches on the porch, a bottle of beer dangling from his fingertips.

“Have you talked to the witch yet?”

“About what?” I asked, rubbing my hands together.

“About the fact that she’s your mate.”

I stopped at the base of the steps leading up to the porch, staring at him. “Not yet.”

His answering look clearly said he thought I was a fool.

He tipped the bottle to his lips, taking a long sip. When he lowered it, he said, “I’m curious how the witch will react when you tell her that she is blood bound to you and that she’s your mate, only you haven’t marked her yet.”

I scowled at him. “I can’t say that.”

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