Page 45 of Blood and Magic
“Relax,” the man said, holding up his hands. “I’m Fenris. Mill sent me to check in on you. I guess you missed a text?”
“Oh,” I grumbled and went back to my laptop. “Right.”
“Are you okay?” Fenris pushed upright and crossed his arms, stepping into my office. “You don’t look like you’re getting assaulted by Scorpions.”
“Completely Scorpion-free here.” I raised an eyebrow. “Don’t you have better things to do than be Vermillion’s lackey?”
He snorted and shrugged. “Comes with the territory of being his friend, I’m afraid.”
That got my attention. “Oh? I wasn’t aware Mill had any friends. He seems like the quiet, loner type.”
“He didn’t always use to be,” Fenris said, wandering around the space while he glanced at the mementos and books on the shelves. “He had a near-death experience about six months ago that stopped his heart. When he came to, he was…different.”
“Aren’t we all,” I said, under my breath, “but you don’t see me ghosting people in the cold light of day.”
“Ah, so something did happen last night.” He laughed, which sparked some nascent hint of joy in my chest. “That explains his extra surly attitude this morning.”
“No,” I said, quickly realizing my mistake. “Nothing happened. I’m just a stupid, silly girl.”
“Hmm.” Fenris raised his eyebrows and walked back toward the door. “Well, seeing as you’re still alive and in one piece, I’ll head back to work. But do us both a favor and check in with him. He gets all agitated when you don’t.”
I shook my head. “I doubt he cares that much about me.”
“More than he would ever admit,” Fenris said before turning back to face me like an idea had suddenly occurred to him. “I can prove it to you.”
I raised an eyebrow. “What? How?”
He flashed a devil’s grin, mischief shimmering behind his eyes. “There’s a party tonight at the ranchers’ quarters. Stop by, and I’ll show you.”
“A party?” I didn’t know if I was in the mood for a party, and it always dampened the mood when the boss tried to hang out with the workers.
Fenris nodded. “Yeah. It would be nice for the guys to see you. Maybe get to know you a little.”
“I doubt Mill will be okay with that.”
Fenris shrugged. “Who cares what he thinks?”
I hummed and remembered the sounds I’d heard from my balcony every few nights for the past three weeks. More than once, I’d almost put on my boots to crash it but decided against it because I didn’t want to ruin their good time.
“I mean, it’s your house,” Fenris continued. “Your property. You hardly need an invite.”
I shook my head. “I would never intrude on the ranchers’ territory. I know I’m hardly welcomed.”
“You're not intruding.” Fenris furrowed his brows. “It’ll be good for them…and for you.”
“Are you sure?” I was still skeptical.
Fenris’s smile widened. “Positive. Besides, we’re family now. It’s time we start acting like it.”
I guessed that made sense. “Okay.”
He gave me a friendly smile and a wink before turning to leave, shouting over his shoulder, “Text that bully, or I’ll have to drag my sorry ass back up here.”
After the door shut downstairs, I glanced at my phone and pulled up Vermillion’s name. He’d given me the command this morning, and I’d only sent him one thumbs-up since. Now, I sent him an emoji with the eyebrow raised, suggesting I didn’t enjoy being babysat.
He didn’t respond.
I didn’t forget about Fenris’s invitation, and when Vermillion didn’t show up for dinner, I pushed my food around my plate and made up my mind. We were family now, and it was time we started acting like it, so I went upstairs to put on my sluttiest pair of cut-off jeans and a white tank top. I stuffed my feet into cowboy boots and took my time doing my makeup.
