Page 36 of Minions and Magic
I bit back an instinctive denial and realized I was. I was still doubting him, worrying what he might demand if he won our bet. But if this fragile relationship would have any chance at survival, I’d need to trust—both himandmyself.
I sniffed. “Hardly. I just don’t want you to embarrass yourself in front of my friends and family. I mean, your slugs had the gnomes all puking. Who knows what your brisket will do to a bunch of werewolves?”
He pointed a finger at me in mock anger. “Those slugs were not my fault. You probably got a batch of expired ones or something. Besides, I don’t know how to make sautéed slugs, or whatever, but I do know how to make an amazing brisket.”
I lifted my chin. “We’ll see. Just don’t come crying and begging to me when you lose. Actually,docome crying and begging to me. I might like that sort of thing.”
“Demons do not beg,” he told me in a lofty tone. “Well, except for Lucien.”
I barked out a laugh and slapped a hand over my mouth, looking over to see Cassie and Lucien climbing out of the SUV. They were both watching me, Cassie with concern on her face and Lucien poised and ready to no doubt run to my rescue. I gave them a subtle thumbs-up sign and turned back to Xavier.
We were good. We were so good. And I was nearly giddy with joy. I still had the gnomes to pacify, two lone werewolves to help safeguard, and a barbeque contest to win, but things were better than they’d ever been.
Chapter 20
Glenda
“And what exactly was that about?” Cassie stood in front of me, her hands on her hips. “Is that the guy Lucien told me about? The one who messed with your slugs?”
“Wow, heishot,” Adrienne exclaimed. Addy and her vulture had arrived just after Lucien and Cassie, and just before Xavier had left in some demon-teleport way that I’d never seen the others besides Eshu use.
“So judging by what I saw of the pair of you, all is forgiven?” Cassie’s eyes narrowed. “He screwed with your cooking, and you actuallyforgavehim?”
I nodded. “We talked. He swears he didn’t do anything intentionally. It must have been a mistake. Ididhave him do the marinade and the sauce for the slugs, and really didn’t give adequate supervision.”
“Well, I’m glad that’s cleared up,” Lucien announced cheerfully. “Now he won’t take your soul if he somehow manages to win this cooking contest you got yourself mixed up in.”
“What?” Cassie shrieked. “Oh Glenda, how could you?”
“Sex,” Adrienne told her. “Lots of good sex. It makesmeagree to all sorts of stupid shit. Can’t blame Glenda for that one.”
The vulture hissed and bounced his head in agreement.
“It’s not like she’s going to lose,” Lucien reassured Cassie. “This is Glenda we’re talking about. Everything she makes is amazing.”
“Except for her smoothies,” Adrienne added.
“I’m not using healing magic on the brisket, so I think we’re okay there,” I told her. “Now help me set this stuff out. Dallas, Clinton, and Tink just arrived and the other werewolves won’t be far behind them.”
Cassie and Lucien headed over to greet the alphas, slackers that they were, but Adrienne stayed to help unload the food and make sure all the canisters for the chafing dishes were lit.
“I’m happy things are working out for you and this demon, Glenda,” she said as she stole a piece of pulled pork from a tray and tossed it to the vulture. “I gotta admit that I was kinda psyched about giving him a horrible case of lice though. And having birds poop on his head. You have no idea how much Drake can poop. No one wants that on their head.”
“I’m sure there will be another opportunity,” I said as I handed her a tray of potato salad.
“Oh, I know. It’s just that the party would have been so much more fun if I’d been able to give a demon lice.”
I shook my head and smiled at Addy’s weirdness, but cars, trucks, and wolves were beginning to arrive and I needed to concentrate on the party.
Dallas, Tink, and Clinton had positioned themselves near the entrance as a receiving party, each of them welcoming werewolves from either pack and people from the town. As everyone streamed in, they made a beeline straight for the buffet, and Addy and I struggled to keep up with refreshing the trays of quickly vanishing food. I rolled my neck to try to release the tension. Everything was going smoothly so far. Yes, the greetings were a bit warmer between pack members and their own alpha, but not so noticeable than anyone might feel slighted. Werewolf politics weren’t terribly convoluted, but there were a lot of emphasis on social interactions, so this event was critical in keeping the peace between the two groups.
The clearing was filling up, and everyone was eating—an activity which tended to calm any shifter and especially werewolves. As bellies began to fill and conversation rose to a happy buzz, Alberta and Shelby arrived.
That tension between my shoulders was back with a vengeance. Those closest to the entrance were suddenly silent, and like a wave, the rest of the guests quieted as well. I heard a growl from my left and hoped that Cassie was ready to intervene if necessary. It wasn’t like I could do anything other than throw a healing potion into someone’s face or stab them with a serving fork.
“Welcome.” Dallas’ voice sounded like he’d gargled with glass, but he did extend a hand to shake Shelby’s. I saw Alberta’s aura flare red-gold, the strength of her magic nearly blinding me. Fae were far more powerful than anyone in Accident realized, and although none of the others would ever admit it, trolls had more magic than six fairies combined. I saw Alberta put a protective arm around Shelby’s shoulder, then reach forward to shake Dallas’ hand. A few more werewolves in the crowd growled.
Tink was the one who broke the tension.
