Page 68 of Reluctant Rebel

Lucifer grabbed a beer, cracked it open and took a long swallow. “Thanks to Zagan. That boy is making a mess of a lot of things.”

“Thatboyis the same age as Mikhail and Brax,” Jinx pointed out. “And he knows full well what he’s doing.”

“Sad …” Lucifer commented, rolling his drink between his hands. “But true.”

“We’re getting close,” Jinx said, hoping to relieve some of the Devil’s burden. She knew he was just as busy and stressed as they all were.

Lucifer nodded. His crooked smile didn’t meet his eyes. “Yes. You are.”

Before Jinx could question what he meant and why he suddenly looked so down, Sabre bounded over. “Luca!” she cheered. “You made it.”

Lucifer stood up and risked a maiming by hugging Sabre. “Sabre, my favourite leather-wearing assassin. Where’s your ball and chain?”

“Brax is with his brother,” Sabre promptly replied. “And the pair of them look like they want to scalp you.”

Jinx looked over her shoulder, finding Brax and Mikhail looking mighty pissed.

“Jealousy is an ugly emotion,” Lucifer told Sabre with a sniff.

“But sometimes a useful one,” Sabre retorted with a self-satisfied smirk.

Jinx groaned, slouching in her chair. “Please tell me you didn’t invite Luca because he’s a playboy, and you’re hoping Mikhail will lose his shit? I know what you put poor Eric up to that time in the library.”

“It worked, didn’t it? Mikhail scooped you up into his manly arms.” Sabre was completely unapologetic. “And no. That’s not why I invited Lucifer. I wanted you to be surrounded by people you enjoy. And by the people who know how special you are.”

Jinx grumbled because there was no way she could stay mad at Sabre now. She rose, throwing her arms around the woman who saved her. “Thank you, Sabre. I’m sure I don’t say it enough.”

Sabre returned the hug. “You do. More than enough. And you are so very welcome.”

Jinx stayed like that for a moment, soaking in the comfort and security of Sabre. She giggled when she felt a pair of masculine arms wrap around them both. “Luca …”

“What?” he asked innocently as they all broke apart. “I thought it was group hug time.”

Sabre gave him a healthy shove. “It’spresenttime.”

“Presents?” Jinx questioned, feeling a little overwhelmed.

“You bet,” Sabre confirmed. “And cake.” She whistled shrilly between her teeth. “Singing. Cake. Presents.”

As everyone gathered around, Jinx closely watched Mikhail when he formally introduced himself to Lucifer. She was happy to see he didn’t indulge in man-child games like crushingLucifer’s hand when he shook it. Lucifer, for all his irreverent ways, was likewise respectful. Then it was time for her to blush when dozens of people sang“Happy Birthday”to her. After the sparklers died down and Sabre lit a single candle, Jinx met Mikhail’s eyes right before she made a wish. She kept her gaze steady when she blew it out, hoping her wish would come true one day.

“Mercy, would you mind cutting the cake? You’re good at slicing,” Sabre said before turning to Jinx with a large, poorly wrapped parcel. “Presents! Open mine first.”

Jinx shook her head, chuckling. She loved seeing Sabre so carefree. She cautiously peeled back the wrapping to reveal a … “You got me a bowling ball? Uh, thanks.”

“It’s not a bowling ball. It’s a giant pearl,” Sabre informed her amidst laughs and groans.

“Wow, Sabre. It’s really … pretty,” Jinx decided. It was flawless, glowing with a soft iridescent sheen. As she turned it over in her hands, its smooth surface reflected the light, casting tiny rainbows across the floor. “Is this what you were playing with in the library that day?”

“I didn’t have time to get you anything else,” Sabre said defensively. “Besides, it’s from Heaven. I’d like to see anyone beat that.”

“It's not a competition, my love,” Brax reminded Sabre, smacking her lightly on the rear before handing Jinx a small box wrapped in silver paper. “This is from Gage, Eric, Draven, and I. We kind of joined forces. As Sabre said, we didn’t have a lot of notice. Sorry.”

“Don’t be ridiculous,” Jinx scolded Brax. “You’ve all done an amazing job. Just having you all here is gift enough.”

When Eric and Draven blushed, and Gage blew her a kiss, she unwrapped the gift to reveal a black velvet jewellery box. Inside nestled a delicate silver charm bracelet. Looking closely,she realised that each charm represented a cherished friend. A heart from Gage, a fang from Eric, wings from Draven, and a little crown from Abraxis. She bit her lip and busied herself with trying to put the bracelet on, hoping nobody noticed the tears in her eyes.

“Allow me,” Mikhail said quietly, gently latching the silver chain around her left wrist.

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