Page 20 of The Nephilim's Touch
“It’s like… I don’t even know. Wait, is that—” Van squints.
“A small winery? Yep. The Speller Coven takes care of it. They have dozens of different types of wine with magic infused into them.”
“Spellers.” Van grinds his teeth and his mood sours.
“Van, Hex isthrivingsince Drake’s been gone. His mother took over the coven, and the leadership has been phenomenal. I may not have been here all that long, but even I know the effect Drake had on this place. He was evil. Even his own mother condemned him.”
“She did?”
“Yes, I had to learn the history of Hex to get the permit to live here and believe me. He was a dark cloud.”
“I hated him. As soon as I could do something about him, I did.”
“I know and I hate…” I nibble my bottom lip and look away. “I hate that you ran away before you could see all the good. So I’m glad you’re here now.”
Van stops to stare at me. “You’re so…”
It’s my turn to tense up. Strange. He’s going to say strange. That’s what everyone thinks.
“Sweet.”
My cheeks burn as his finger traces my jaw.
“I’m just me. Plain ol’ Gabriel. And most people think I’m offputting.”
“Those people are wrong. Lark is sweet, but I think you have him beat.” His thumb grazes my bottom lip. It takes everythingin me not to open my mouth and suck him in. What is this demon doing to me?
“Uh, come on, this way, we’re almost there.” I break the haze that seemed to fall over us and he shakes his head as if trying to clear it.
We walk in silence the next several blocks worth of garden. Not that the garden is silent, not in the least. There’s an empty field to our left where no one’s claimed a spot and a few kids play with a ball.
“What the ever loving fuck?” comes from Van when he sees the small outdoor amphitheater. Decades ago the Speller coven rose the ground to form seats and a stage. It used to be for more sinister gatherings, but since the 90s and community garden got started, it’s used for art performances. Or so my Hex literature assures me.
Magic glows like fireflies all around us. Just little globes lighting the way and we follow the path.
“I like sitting up front, but we don’t have to,” I say as I start for my favorite spot, front and center.
“I’m good wherever, angel. Lead the way.”
We’re on a slope and it takes a bit of work to not clomp all the way down the packed dirt stairs. It’s not crowded tonight, thank goodness.
“If you ever can’t sleep, there are hammocks set up over there.” I gesture to the section to our left, where about two dozen net hammocks wait for people. “They’re really comfy.”
“I’ll take that into consideration.”
“I’m not kicking you out,” I blurt. “You’re still welcome to stay at my house. It’s more comfy if you ask me.” I wave to the boxes in front of the stage. “And if you need food, there is always communal food to eat while you’re here. Or to take. It doesn’t really matter.” I shrug and realize the food problem won’t really be a food problem now that I think of it. “Actually?—”
“I’ll still pitch in for food. Demons can’t live off of just salad and meat is expensive.”
“Fair enough.” I find my favorite spot and Van laughs behind me.
“How often do you come here? There’s a perfect Gabe ass shaped indention in this dirt.”
My cheeks heat again. “A lot, and I’m not ashamed of it.”
“Gabe!” Nef hops off the stage and wraps me in their limbs before their feet hit the ground. Actual tree limbs. Their willowy arms pet my shoulders and a few yellow leaves fall from atop their head from among their long deep brown hair. “I hoped you’d come tonight. I have a new set and I think you’ll love it.” Their green eyes gleam in the magical light.
“Can’t wait.” I laugh as their leaves tickle my face. Slowly, their limbs let me back down on my own two feet.
