Page 61 of April's Fool
“Yeah, and?” Damon smirked despite me catching on to his wicked plan.
“Have you forgotten you’re lying on my son’s bed? He wouldn’t let us fuck in his castle. Do you really think he’d be okay with us fucking on his bed?”
More healing laughter. Damon was so resilient. I was in awe of him.
“How about making sweet, sweet love?” Damon teased.
I shook my head with a laugh. “How about we head home? Hela is desperate to see you, I’m sure.”
“Okay, that sounds better, actually. I have no idea when Cody last changed these sheets!” Damon scrabbled from the bed, nearly stumbling into me. I steadied him gently. “Thanks.”
“You’re welcome.” I took his hand and led him out of the apartment. “So why this place? Why did the magic take you here?”
Damon was quiet as we walked the streets. “I think it was the last place where things were normal for me. No magic. No witches. No gorgeous demon lovers. I was just so scared. Everything had changed in that one moment.”
“Not everything. I still love you. So does Parker, Cody, my mama.”
He laughed again. “You don’t think they’ll care, do you?”
“Not at all. Like me, they just get you for longer. No one is going to be sad about that.”
“You say the sweetest things, you know.” He cuddled closer his head resting just below my shoulder. The sun was rising, but there was still a chill in the air. He brought us to a stop and looked up at me. “Hey, could you fly us back? I want that feeling of safety I get when we fly.”
With a careful stream of magic, I let my wings out without damaging the hoodie. I tucked Damon close, letting my wings surround him, before I jumped into the air.
“Anything for you.”
Training
Damon
Despite only getting afew hours of sleep after the catastrophic events of the day before, I wasn’t getting any sort of reprieve.
All I wanted was some time to process this new side of myself, to absorb it and the magic into my personality, my life, before I had to actually do something with it. Was it too much to ask that the witches would leave me alone for a day or two, just to give me a chance to accept my new reality?
Granted, I was elated I would have the longer lifespan witches were gifted, accidents and murder aside, of course. The downsides were this magic, which I would have to train to use, and the shiny new target on my back.
Brothers.
I couldn’t quite believe I had two brothers and one was probably going to try to kill me if Thyme was to be believed.
Actually, I believed my half brother wanted me dead. The cold look in Basil’s eyes after he touchedme struck a nerve. The witch hated me for what I represented. I was the child who escaped his machinations. Fern had evaded him, had me regardless of his schemes to prevent other heirs from being born. That was the root of it. Basil hadn’t wanted other potential heirs to the coven being born. With Thyme transitioned, his magic reduced in scale, he wasn’t a suitable choice for High Witch instead of Basil. Likely why the job went to Poppy after Basil was removed from the job.
Persistent knocking came from the door. Hela let out a low growl. The hellcat was a fantastic protector. With her nearby, it was easy to get some sleep. Until, of course, my other half brother decided sleep was for the weak and I had to learn how to cast spells immediately.
Hela chirped a greeting as I shuffled to the door dressed only in a silk robe. Mori gave off too much heat at night to bother with clothes. I barely needed a blanket with him tucked up against me.
“Hey, Hela, let’s see who has no manners, will we?”
As soon as I opened the door, I wanted to close it again. Thyme looked haunted, Oak annoyed, yet there they stood with a bakery bag and cup holder full of coffees. “Breakfast and training!” Thyme aimed for cheerful, but fell far short of the mark.
I stood aside to let them through as Mori came out of our bedroom. He’d slung on some sweatpants and a tank, making him far too delectable for other eyes. He raised a brow, as if he knew where my thoughts were going. “Why don’t you get dressed, sweetheart? I’ll feed Hela and save you the best pastry.”
With a quick kiss, Mori set about his tasks as I retreated into the safety of our room. I blew out a breath, tried to get myself together, then looked for some comfortable clothes. While well-tailored suits were a passion of mine, I enjoyed the freedom of movement I got in yoga pants. As a hired killer, I was trained in several martial arts, though it wasn’t my preferred method of killing. I liked to make things look like an accident where I could.
Pulling on a t-shirt, I walked back into the living room where Mori was sitting with Thyme and Oak in an uncomfortable silence. Hela sat at Mori’s feet, just watching them. She was still in her hellcat form, barbed ears and tail out, wings ready to help her glide places. I found her endlessly fascinating. Hela had bonded so closely with Cody after she had helped him find Toth. I thought she only tolerated me and Mori, but it seemed like she held affection for us too.
“We can’t wait to start your training,” Thyme said apologetically. “Now that Basil knows who you are. Hecould attack at any moment, and I don’t want to leave you vulnerable.”
