Page 12 of April's Fool
“A new name? Like in that movie?” Cody asked hesitantly. He didn’t truly believe that he had the power to free his mate. I knew enough about Gregoris from the last few hours that the demon was being as serious as death about this. He had taken on the role of protector to Mori’s son from the moment that they had met. Not that Cody, or likely Toth, had seen that.
I couldn’t help my scoff, remembering a movie that Cody had made us watch once. “A new name forthe princess to save the world.” We both laughed. It brought me genuine joy to still have that with my friend. I might lose him to his mate, yet we might end up closer after all this was done now that we were on a more even footing. He wasn’t mine to protect anymore. Cody didn’t need that from anyone other than his mate.
They settled into performing the magic and soon both opened their eyes with smiles on their faces.
Toth was free. Basil was in the wind. Austin was about to have an accident.
I watched Cody and Toth make plans with the witches and shifters warily. Mostly, I kept out of their way and texted Parker instead.
Damon: You might want to look into Sweetwater again. Their shifters are hot ??
Toth used his own inherent magic, and some of the healing power that Oak could spare to get patched up. The witch looked drained, the demon not much better after his ordeal.
From a safe distance, I observed them until my phone vibrated with a text, drawing my attention.
Parker: Yeah? The hotness really outweighs the shady past they have?
Trust Parks to have high moral ideals like he wasn’t a freaking hitman too.
Damon: No, you should hear how they talk about their omegas. The alpha worships his and all the enforcers seem to adore him.
It didn’t take long for Parker to get back to me. All the while, I caught Mori casting glances at me and slowly inching closer.
Parker: Did you know they have a website now? Damn, that omega is cute! Fancy moving to Sweetwater?
Not really, I thought, but I kept that to myself. Sweetwater was a place where Parker would fit in. I wouldn’t. I would stand out worse there than here. Maybe it was time for him and me to part ways. Leave the business and find something else to do with my skills. Parker could get hired anywhere with his computer skills. I could work in private security, I guess, though they preferred witches for that. Having magic was a useful skill in that line of work. Still, there had to be a place for me.
Mori wandered closer. “Everything okay?”
His words broke me from my thoughts. “Hmm? Oh, yeah. I’m just going to say my goodbyes to Cody and Toth and then head home.”
“To Parker? Is he someone special?” he asked.
Cody, Toth and Gregoris turned to look for Mori and found us together. My friend’s face became marred with a frown. Did he not like me speaking to his dad?
“Parker is family,” I answered, moving away.
Mori stopped me with a hand on my arm. “Cody loves you. You were really there for him when he needed you. Don’t stay away too long.”
I shrugged. “I’ll see you around, Amorandes.”
Concerns
Amorandes
“We will travel tothe capital and then visit you at your home when we have news. Is that okay?” I wanted to get my son the protections he desperately needed as quickly as possible, almost as much as I wanted to stay with him. He needed more care than just Toth could give him, though Toth was an adequate mate for my only child. Thankfully he would not need to be present when I made the petition. The capital city would be far too overwhelming for such a young demon and Toth required rest to heal.
Cody’s face fell, then brightened as Toth whispered something in his ear. “Um, yeah, that would be good. It’ll give Toth time to recover from this. There’s so much to do.”
“We have plenty of time,” Toth assured his mate, wrapping him up in his arms.
I felt the faint trickle of arousal from my son, immediately feeling faintly nauseated at the way it fed my magic. Damon’s lust had fed me well. A jolt of it hadhit me when I’d picked him up. The energy would be enough for me to power a portal back home.
“We will take our leave,” Gregoris said formally, performing a little bow to my son, who flushed, clearly pleased and embarrassed by the gesture.
With one last hug for Cody and goodbyes for the remaining witches and shifters, the hitman long gone, I opened the portal to just outside the capital, and took us home.
My heart hurt as the portal closed behind me, outside of the city gates, cutting me off from my son. Another pang existed for Damon. He had stood looking so alone as Cody and Toth reconnected. Despite my concerns about the hitman, I would admit to feeling curious about him.
