Page 88 of Shifting Winds
Caelan speak for yes, Garrett has the hots for her.
Keep me posted. I’ll come if Thalia takes a turn for the worse. Garrett can handle this.
I made sure the kettle stayed on to keep the water hot for when Thalia woke up, put my phone in my pocket, and brought Garrett a cup of coffee.
He grunted a thank you and curled his hands around the mug.
Garrett didn’t like me. Considering how he treated me, the feeling had proven mutual. But seeing him here now, his eyes tight with worry as he fussed over Thalia made me see him in a new light. He lifted her head up and sat on the couch, gentlyadjusting her so her head rested on his lap. His fingers stroked through her hair absentmindedly.
Wolves might have a protective streak, but Garrett’s was totally focused on the woman next to him. A monster from legend could smash through the house and swallow me whole and Garrett probably wouldn’t look up from Thalia.
This made me like him a smidge more. Not much, but a little.
“What did she mean?” he asked, his voice sandpaper rough.
“No way to tell,” I admitted. “I’ve been summoned to the Council of the Gods convening in a few days. That’s the only thing I can think of.”
He frowned. “Why would Thalia have visions about you when you don’t know each other?”
“I’m not well-versed in seers, but I don’t think Thalia gets to choose. We went shopping not too long ago, so maybe our trip triggered the vision. Or maybe the gods’ council has the potential to change a lot of lives, and it was important enough for Thalia to warn me.”
“Why are the gods so interested in you?”
“I’m not sure how much Caelan has told you, but the short answer is it’s complicated.”
He shook his head, ragged blonde hair flopping into his eyes. “Not much. I’m Caelan’s enforcer, not his gossip buddy.”
“Are you always so pissy?” I rubbed my face and sighed. “Can we not have one normal conversation between us?”
He lifted amber eyes and met my gaze. “Thank you for opening your wards.”
I blinked, waiting for him to follow it up with something shitty, but he didn’t. “Of course. You’re one of Caelan’s most trusted people. Why wouldn’t I?”
He grunted and turned his attention back to Thalia.
She stirred a few seconds later, her eyes blinking open. Her brow furrowed when she spotted Garrett.
“Where—”
“You’re at my house,” I said.
Thalia turned and frowned. “When did I get here?”
“You had a powerful vision and insisted you come here.”
She sat up abruptly and scooted away from Garrett. I pretended not to notice the flicker of hurt on his face. Thalia groaned and winced, pressing her thumb to the space between her eyes. “I have a horrific headache.”
I hurried to the kitchen to make her some tea and carried the cup back with a small saucer. “Peppermint and some other herbs. It should help.”
“Thanks.”
Silence fell as we sipped our drinks. When Thalia spoke, her voice was shaky. “I don’t remember much. There’s some event or something coming up, and I remember it being dangerous.”
“Yes,” I agreed. “In a few days I’ll be called before the gods.”
Thalia sucked in a breath. “What did you do?”
“Planted a tree.”
