Page 18 of November Reign
Not that it was awkward or anything.
We ate dinner together. He left settings for his parents. I left one for Fern, sending a photo to Damon which was promptly ignored. Having a bonfire wasout, so we lit candles and said our prayers to the goddess for the harvest.
After we cleaned up, I went into the living room, determined not to feel sorry for myself that I was stuck at home and the others were all enjoying time with their mates.
“Am I interrupting?” Oak asked as he carried in two bourbons. “Brought you a drink.”
“Thanks, and no. I just…”
“It’s quiet without them, isn’t it?”
“Yeah.”
“Should we put on a movie or something?”
Maybe the awkwardness between us would fade if we spent time together.
“Sure, you pick and I’ll make some popcorn.”
The kernels were popping away in the background as I rustled up the toppings. I knew from experience Oak preferred sweet over savory, which was fine with me. I was making a butterscotch sauce when Barr walked in with a nervous expression.
“Aren’t you supposed to be with the others back home?”
“I, uh, Thyme?”
“Yeah?” I took the popcorn off the heat to focus on what Barr was saying. Switching off the burner for the sauce, I gave him my full attention.
“Promise you won’t tell Mori or Gregoris, please?”
“Tell them what?”
“I need you to promise first.”
Just looking at Barr, it was clear he was upset about something. If promising him I wouldn’t go running to Mori was what I needed to get it out of him, then that’s what I’d do.
“Fine. Unless Damon’s life is in danger. Then Mori needs to know, okay?”
Barr nodded. “He’s fine, he’s just not where I left him.”
“Wasn’t he with Mori?”
“Uh, no?”
“What? Wasn’t it a dinner meeting with investors and then they were going to a show or something?”
“Um, Mori and Gregoris had the meeting. Damon and Parker said they’d go to the orchard with Cody so Toth could watch over them.”
“Okay, so there was a change of plans. Did you go to the orchard?”
Wringing his hands, Barr looked down. I was getting a really bad feeling about this.
“I couldn’t.”
“Why?” I was pretty sure I knew the answer.
“They weren’t there.”
“What do you mean?”
