“I don’t know. Maybe he’ll distract Yancey, so Yancey won’t obsess over what we’re doing and try to protect us when we don’t need to be.”
“I don’t think he’ll need to protectyoufrom anything.” Shelby waved in Mynor’s direction. “You have your own protector now.”
Justin grinned at Mynor. He did, didn’t he?
Yancey finally arrived, too, with Travis right behind him. Justin and Shelby exchanged a glance and started giggling like idiots, which caused Yancey to look confused, which in turn made Justin laugh harder.
God, he’d missed his family.
It was as if nothing had changed, especially with Caitlin hovering by the window. She couldn’t participate, but she watched over them the way she had when she’d been alive.
They were almost done eating when Calyx cleared his throat. Yancey watched him with narrowed eyes as if he expected not to like what was about to happen. Since Yancey didn’t like anything, there was a good chance of that happening, but that wouldn’t stop Calyx. Not much did.
“So, today is Christmas Eve,” Calyx declared. “I organized some stuff we can do as a family. I have everything to bake cookies and several Christmas movies lined up.”
Justin’s eyes burned. This was what they’d done when Caitlin had been alive. Things might be different, but Calyx was trying to keep up the traditions, and Justin loved him for that. He hadn’t been sure they’d ever do this again, and after the time he’d spent in the underworld, he was happy they would.
“I like cookies,” Mynor declared, cutting through the silence.
Calyx smiled at him. “That’s good. You can be included. You too, Travis. It’s a family tradition, but I’m sure no one will mind if you participate.”
Yancey opened his mouth, probably to say that he would, but he jumped in his chair instead, jostling the table and everything that was on it. He glared at Griffith, who glared back. Justin was confused.
“We’ll all be happy to do this,” Griffith said, still staring at Yancey as if silently daring him to refuse.
Justin was surprised when Yancey didn’t argue, but maybe he shouldn’t have been. Yancey was stuck here with them if he wanted the holiday designs to vanish from his skin, and Justin had no doubts that he did. They were too cheery for his doom and gloom personality.
“I don’t know what’s going on,” Mynor whispered, leaning closer to Justin.
Justin shrugged. “I’m not sure, either. You’re going to have to get used to being confused when it comes to my brothers.”
“I don’t think I like that.”
“Trust me, I don’t, either.” Justin winked at him. “What do you say we go back upstairs for a few hours to rest?”
Mynor slowly smiled. “I could use more rest.”
Mynor didn’t knowwhat to think of these people, but understood that no matter what, they were in his life to stay. They were Justin’s family, which meant Mynor would have to get used to their presence. He was pretty sure that Calyx and Shelby, along with Travis, were harmless, but he wasn’t quite sure about Griffith and Yancey. Griffith was incredibly protective of Calyx,but Yancey was harder to read. Mynor wished Alphan were here. He could always read people better than Mynor, and usually, his opinions were correct.
“Do you think we’ll manage to get Alphan here?” he asked Justin as Justin dragged him into his bedroom.
That stopped Justin right in his tracks. He let go of Mynor’s hand and turned to look at him, a frown on his face. Mynor felt sorry. He hadn’t meant to interrupt. He also hadn’t meant to make Justin worry.
“Of course we’ll get Alphan here,” Justin said. “If anything, we can summon him, right?”
“We could, but I’m not sure he’d answer.”
“I could hear Calyx saying my name when he summoned me. We could try that. I’m sure that if Alphan hears you, he’ll come willingly.”
“And you think your brother would agree to do this for me?”
“I’m pretty sure Calyx would agree to anything to keep me and the others happy. He took what happened this past year pretty hard. He wants to keep us around.”
“But you wouldn’t hold it against him if he said no.”
“I wouldn’t, but I really don’t think he will.” Justin grabbed Mynor’s hand again and squeezed. “I promise we’ll get Alphan here. Calyx will be happy to summon him, and if, for some reason, he says no or it doesn’t work, we’ll find someone else. Maybe we can go to the witch who opened the portal for me.”
“I don’t think I like her,” Mynor grumbled.
