Page 69 of The Warlock's Kiss

“It’s not every day that I get to see my little brother in a fancy top hat and suit.”

Danny’s lip curled. “Fine. But you owe me.”

“You can have my share of peanut butter.”

“Deal!”

Adalynn laughed and glanced around the attic, her gaze falling on the folded-up privacy screen leaning against the angled ceiling. Laying the dress over her arm, she picked up the matching slippers, walked to the screen, and opened it up. She stepped behind it and bent down to remove her boots. When she straightened, she was hit by a wave of dizziness. She stumbled, catching herself before she fell over, and closed her eyes until it passed.

A flash of fear followed the brief episode, and Adalynn waited with bated breath for something more to happen, for a twinge of pain, a flaring headache, a hint of nausea, but nothing came.

Only vertigo. Slow down, Addy.

She was okay. She feltfine. Better than fine. It was nothing like before, and she wouldn’t let fear ruin her day.

She removed her shirt and pants, leaving on her bra and panties, and stepped into the dress, carefully pulling it up her body. The slippers came next. The bodice sagged, so she held it to her chest to keep from giving her brother a heart attack as she stepped out from behind the screen.

“Come help me with the laces,” she said.

Danny, who was buttoning up the double-breasted vest of his suit, looked up at her. “Wow. You look great, Addy.”

“You’re looking pretty handsome yourself.”

A dark blush stained his cheeks. He moved toward her, and Adalynn turned, facing the screen. She swayed slightly as he pulled the laces tight and tied them off.

“So…do you think there’ll be others?” he asked.

“Others?”

“People.”

“There are still a lot of people, Danny.”

“No. I mean, like…people like us.Goodpeople. Do you think they’ll come here? Do you…do you think Merrick would let them stay?”

A pang of regret filled her chest. She could understand how he’d feel lonely here, even with her and Merrick; he probably craved the company of someone closer to his age. And once she was gone…

Adalynn turned to face her brother, placed her hands on his shoulders, and gave them a gentle squeeze. “I can’t say what Merrick would do. But he took us in, didn’t he?”

Danny nodded.

“The supplies here are abundant, but they’re not unlimited. So long as the crops continue to produce, and so long as there’s game in the woods, you’ll never be hungry. But the more people there are, the faster those resources will be used up. Merrick couldn’t open his doors to every person who might come here, but I believe, in time, he’d allowsomepeople to stay. But we are his priority—our safety is his priority.”

“I know.” He inhaled deeply and released the breath in a rush. “I just…”

“You’re thinking about the future.”

“Yeah.”

Adalynn leaned closer, and her lips stretched wide into a smile. “And about getting a girlfriend?”

Danny’s face turned bright red. “No! I’m just…no! It’s not that.”

“Mmhmm.”

“Shut up and let me finish tying your stupid dress.”

Adalynn laughed, but gave him her back once more.

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