Page 95 of Tricky Magic
“And when is her birthday?” Ros was so angry that all of his worry about the mission was gone.
“Samhain.” Sam’s smile grew.
“That’s in two weeks.” Anxiety quickly washed away the anger. He was most definitely getting emotional whiplash. “Why did you wait to tell me?”
“To see this look on your face.”
Why hadn’t he thought to ask her? Was it too late?
“What do you get the witch you are madly in love with after only knowing her for a minute?”
“I’m not madly in love with her,” Ros said, looking horrified. “We’re just…”
He paused, not knowing what they were.
“Fucking constantly and giving each other heart eyes when you’re not trying to kill each other.” Sam paused. “Don’t forget you guys share a bed when you have never slept with any man or woman before. Ever. Garm doesn’t count, and I’m still mad about that one time you snuck out of my bed.”
“You’re crazy,” Ros said.
“Yes, but you’re also crazy.” Sam punched him lightly in the arm. “Crazy about Ellea. I almost threw up in my mouth when I watched you kiss her adorable angry forehead before we left.”
“I’ll get her flowers and chocolate. She loves chocolate,” Ros said, ignoring Sam’s comments.
Sam fell over laughing. “Yeah, do that, and please let me know when you do so I can watch her cut your balls off.”
What the fuck would she want? What did she need? His head fell into his hands, and Sam patted his back.
“You’ll think of something.”
Ros groaned, but his anxiety dissipated as Garm appeared before them.The place is empty,he said.I think they left in those trucks this morning. You’re not going to like what I found.
“What is it?” they asked at the same time.
Before Garm could answer, Ros’ chest heaved in pain. His heart felt as though it would beat out of his chest, and he doubled over, breathless.
What’s happening?Garm’s voice was a worried ring in his head.
“I don’t know,” Ros groaned, still bent over. It was a heavy feeling, like a fist gripped his ribs.
He took deep, steadying breaths as his friends looked at him with worry. The pain lessened, and he tried shaking the feeling of something being utterly wrong.
“Do we need to go into the compound?” he asked, wiping the sweat from his face.
No, we should go home. I can tell you on the way,Garm said seriously.
“Tell me!” Ros demanded.
I smell war.
51
Ellea
It was the third morning since the men had left. Ellea’s anxiety had grown to a tipping point when she woke this morning, and Billy answered the pressure in her chest with her own whine.
“It’s fine.” Ellea smoothed the wrinkle that formed between her familiar’s glowing, amber eyes.
Sure, Bug. Let’s go see if Devon is awake.
