That was different.Brad was referring to his human family.He’d kept in touch with his siblings when he’d been turned, and he’d gotten to know his nieces and nephews and their children, too.Harmon had never met any of them, so he didn’t know what they thought of Brad being a vampire, but this wasn’t the same situation.All of Rex’s family members were vampires.
But it wasn’t a decision Harmon got to make, and he was fine with that.Whatever Rex decided, Harmon would support.Hopefully, Rex’s family would, too.
“Look, I’m not saying that moving in with our coven is the only solution that you should offer, especially since you haven’t been together long, but itisa solution,” Brad said.“Keep it in mind when you start going all doom and gloom.”
“I don’t go all doom and gloom,” Harmon argued.
“Are you sure?Because I know you.”
“Sometimes, I wishIdidn’t knowyou,” Harmon grumbled.
“That’s not true.You love me.”
“Again, sometimes I wonder why.You’re a pain in my ass.”
“Not as much as your guy, right?”
Harmon laughed.“That’s no way to talk to your coven leader,” he said.
“That’s good because I’m not talking to my coven leader.I’m talking to my friend.”Brad’s tone became more serious.“I just want you to be happy, and I know that leading our coven isn’t enough for you.I hope you’ve found love and that you’ll find a way to make it work.”He paused, then snickered.“Be sure to tell him that if he hurts you, he’ll have to deal with me and the rest of the coven.”
“You think you’re scary enough to send him running?”
“My goal isn’t to send him running.My goal is to make sure he doesn’t hurt you.I’m ready to defend your honor if I have to.”
That was one of the reasons Harmon hadn’t given up on the coven.They might annoy him to death and behave like kids, but they were his family, and he loved them.He knew they loved him, too.Maybe instead of running away, he should have a serious and honest conversation with them.They might behave like children sometimes, but theyweren’tkids.Hell, some of them were older than Harmon.They’d understand if he told them how he felt, and hopefully, they’d change their behavior.Besides, it wasn’t only their fault.Being a coven leader was time-consuming and stressful.It would be the same with any coven, not just with theirs.
“There’s no need to defend my honor,” he promised.“And once again, thank you for everything you’re doing.”
“This is starting to sound like you’re planning on never coming back.”
“I’m coming back.You don’t have to worry about being in charge for longer than a few more days.”
“Good.Have fun, as much as you can.I know the dragons aren’t making it easy, but they’re not who you should focus on.”
Harmon disagreed with that because he was pretty sure that if he moved his focus away from the dragons, they’d take the opportunity to attack, but he didn’t want Brad to worry more than he already was.“I’ll be home soon,” he promised.
“And we’ll be here, waiting for you when you do.”
That was a different speech than the one Brad had been giving to Harmon lately, but they’d have time to talk about it when Harmon was home.For now, Harmon was relieved to know that Brad had everything under control.
He hung up and turned, hoping that everyone had arrived and that they could start working.He might have been eager to leave his coven behind for a bit, but now, he was eager to go home.He’d have work to do, but that was okay.He was a coven leader, after all.
He noticed something move from the corner of his eye.He turned toward it, curious, but he wasn’t fast enough.Something flew at his face.He realized it was a hand, and he raised his in time to block it.That didn’t deter the dragon, though.She tried punching him again with her other hand.Harmon noticed her fingers shifting into claws as they came toward his face, and he knew that he was in for a lot of pain if he didn’t manage to get her under control.
He was a vampire and a coven leader.He had decades of experience fighting and defending himself.
But this woman was a dragon shifter, and she lookedpissed.
* * * *
ARLEN AND MALLORY HADjust walked in through the door, looking flushed and disheveled, when they all heard something break in the distance.Glancing around, Rex realized that Harmon still hadn’t come back.
He’d noticed Harmon slipping out, but he hadn’t followed.Harmon would want to check in on the coven and make sure everything was all right back home since they had a moment as they waited for everyone to arrive, and Rex hadn’t been worried.Instead, he’d been watching Jacob and Merrick, grinning every time Merrick moved and Jacob jumped.It was like Jacob thought Merrick would lean over the table and attack him, which, knowing Merrick, was actually a possibility.
“What was that?”Mallory asked.
Rex shook his head as he got to his feet.He didn’t know what it was, but he didn’t like it anyway.He didn’t like that Harmon was nowhere to be seen.They needed to stick together because it would be too easy for one of the dragon shifters to hurt them if they were caught alone.
