Page 60 of Rise of the Melody
“Letty filled them too high!” he said, making us raze him harder.
I popped popcorn and opened a container of cookies to set them out. Within minutes, only crumbs remained.
Teague and I stole stealthy glances at one another from across the kitchen, each time heating my belly all over again. He made his way over to me, both of us leaning against the counter and watching Declan and Chrys throw popcorn into each other’s mouths from across the room.
“Wanna show me your room?” he asked under his breath, never looking away from the entertainment.
I also kept my eyes straight forward when I responded, “Maybe someday.”
He threw his head back in anguish and I grinned into my mug.
Acack-cack-cackand beating wings turned our attention to the window, making us both jump.
“Is that the same bird from earlier?” he asked, incredulous.
I eyed the eagle who watched us and rubbed down the hairs that had begun raising on my arms. “It sounds like the same one. I think this is the same eagle that likes to sit on my bedroom windowsill. It’s not afraid of people.”
“Seriously?” Teague asked, eyeing the bird with suspicion. “Never thought I could be jealous of a bird.”
I laughed and the eagle flew off. My laughter died when a super creepy thought came to me. “Can druids have familiars?”
His eyebrows creased. “Like animal companions?”
“Yeah, ones who share their magic,” I clarified. I’d read about them but wasn’t sure what mythology it was from.
He shook his head and said, “Not that I know of.”
I let out a breath. I was getting paranoid.
“You know what I think?” Chrys said loudly to the room. Everyone turned to see his trouble-making grin. “I think we should catch the kelpie ourselves.”
My stomach plummeted.
“Bro, yes!” Teague lit up with energy. “I keep telling my uncle to let us help! They’re being way too overprotective.”
Oh, no.
Nora nodded, leaning against the counter with her hip. “I tried to talk my mother into scouting the national park with me. We could blend in and go tree-to-tree until we find exactly where it is, but she was like,The druids are taking care of it.”
“Babe, she’s right.” Shani took her hand. “The kelpie would probably smell you and come after you.”
Nora shrugged. “It can’t climb trees.” Shani frowned at the thought of Nora in danger.
Ugh, I hoped Bryant and his crew found its location soon before these vigilantes tried to go after it.
“Guys,” said Clare with a frown. “It’s almost midnight.” When everyone groaned, she said, “I’m sorry!”
“What’s wrong?” I asked.
“Clare has a curfew,” Teague explained.
Clare came over to hug me good-bye and we rocked back and forth.
“Next time you can just stay the night,” I said. “I mean, if you want.”
“Oh, my gosh, yes!” Clare bounced on her toes.
I said bye to everyone out on the porch, saving Teague for last. He kissed the top of my head when we hugged, and we shared a lingering look before he headed down. Ron’s headlights came into the driveway seconds after the others left. I heard them all calling out to him through the open windows, and Ron chuckled.
