Page 25 of Blood Brother Cursed

“Neither was your brother.”

Astrid paused, trying to figure out the right thing to say. Then she gave him a half smile. “Well, if it makes you feel any better, no one’s going to miss me since everyone I care for is already dead.”

Phoenix’s eyes bore into her, and he looked like there was something he wanted to say. Finally, he hung his head and let go of the steering wheel. “What are you offering for breakfast?”

Astrid felt a thrill go through her. “How about scrambled eggs with grits and some soy bacon?”

He closed his door. “Soy bacon?”

“Yeah. Dad and I decided to be mostly vegetarian because of Evan. Fish is my one weakness.” She closed the car door, beaming as she led him up to the door.

“That sounds like torture.”

“Ah, they’ve gotten a lot better about making the food taste like more than soy.”

“It couldn’t possibly taste as good as the real thing.”

“Ah, an avid carnivore.”

This got a slight chuckle. “Well, yes, that should be expected.”

Astrid stopped with her key near the door, and then she looked back at him, not quite understanding how that would be expected.

His head moved a little as he mouthed the word “Dragon.”

“Oh! Right. Well, that isn’t always a determining factor, is it?” She unlocked the door and pushed it wide open. “After you.”

“I’m not entering a home before a lady.”

“I’ve never been accused of being a lady.”

“I’m glad to be your first.” He smiled, but before she could think about the innuendo, he held out his hand. “After you.”

“Ok, if you insist.” She entered, then stepped to the side. “Welcome to my home.”

“Why thank you, Ms. Lynnox. I appreciate your hospitality.”

“You’ve been the first person to express concern since my father died. It’s probably time to stop being so defensive,” she replied as she closed and locked the door. “Make yourself at home, at least within reason.” She smiled at him, then started walking down the hall.

Then, for the first time in what felt like forever, she shifted in front of someone intentionally. Her tail twitched restlessly behind her as she tried to stride confidently toward the kitchen. Phoenix said something behind her, but Astrid’s heart was in her throat, and she was feeling far too self-conscious to make out what he said.

Chapter 7

Some of the Pieces

By the time Phoenix walked into the kitchen, Astrid had shifted back into her human form and was removing items from the fridge. His tone was amused when he said, “I didn’t expect you to show off.”

She looked over her shoulder while putting the eggs on the counter. “I was just returning the favor. I just chose a more appropriate and private environment.”

“At least you have some sense when it comes to shifting. Although,” he tilted his head to the side, “it certainly explains why you were able to get away so easily. I have to admit, of all the cat shifters I’ve met, finding an ocelot is a first for me. It’s not exactly normal this far north.”

She stopped moving around the kitchen and looked at him. Elliott wasn’t the only person who could help her. “You know a lot of cat shifters?”

“Yes, they are one of the most common types of shifters, and they are the ones who are most likely to leave their birthplaces.”

“I’ve never known any.”

Phoenix just looked at her before asking, “Wasn’t your mother a cat shifter?”

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