Apollo groaned. “Unfortunately, no. It’s...complicated.”
Bridget looked back at Bas’s bedroom door. “I’m starting to feel like ‘complicated’ explains this whole family. I’m not usually emotional, but it’s been a long time since I was that scared over someone’s safety.”
“I understand.” Apollo put his arm around her shoulders. “Bas in a trance is weird enough on a normal day, but seizing is a new level of terror, especially if you aren’t used to seeing him that way. Come on, let’s go to the library and see if we can figure out what the fuck hurt our Basset Bear.”
“And how to kill it,” Bridget added with a soft snarl. She was really looking forward to that part.
19
Hours later, Bridget paced up and down her rooms. She had piles of books from the library she had been going through but still hadn’t found something that fit the creature that they were dealing with. There were a few possibilities that she had put in a maybe pile.
Until Bas woke up and gave her more information to go on, she was at a dead end. That left her alone with her thoughts, and that wasn’t a good place to be.
She was worried about Bas and kept replaying what had happened that day over and over in her mind. There was no way she could have helped him more than she had, but she hated he had gone to face the creature alone.
Everyone kept saying she had magic, but she didn’t see the point of it if she couldn’t help out when she was needed.
They kept on saying she was a part of the family too, and that made less sense than the part about her having magic. She didn’t know if it was something they said to everyone, if it was a joke, or if they actually meant it.
She didn’t have anything to offer them. Magic she couldn’t use and a whole lot of childhood trauma didn’t make her anygood to a family like the Greatdrakes. She hadn’t earned her place, and she always had to earn her place no matter what she did. Didn’t she?
She blew out a frustrated breath. She wanted everything that they offered, and she wanted Bas. Her reaction to him being hurt that day had driven that home to her in an uncomfortable way. She never got attached to people so quickly.
It would hurt twice as bad when Bas realized she wasn’t worth it. It scared her in a way she hadn’t been for a very long time.
There was a tingle behind her eyes, and a sleepy voice touched her mind.You okay? I can hear you stressing from here.
Bas! You’re awake. Thank fuck, you’re going to live.
I’m not hurt, just have a craving for chocolate torte.
Bridget swallowed hard. She did need to have that conversation with him sooner rather than later. She owed it to him before they let whatever was happening between them grow any more.
I could do with some chocolate torte. I’m still going to need that rum though.
Pajama party? I’ll be at your door in five.
I’ll be ready. His presence let go of her mind, and Bridget leaned forward to grip her knees and breathe. “He’s okay. Not dying.”
Bridget went into the bathroom and brushed her teeth and ran a comb through her hair. Not that it did much good. She was in baggy pj bottoms and an old shirt with a faded print of Loki on it. He did say a pajama party, so she didn’t bother to change.
There was a soft tap at her door, and she rushed to open it. Bas was wearing gray pajamas and a black T-shirt. Bridget stared up at his tired eyes and messy hair and swallowed hard.Lust shot through her like adrenaline. Yeah, she was completely gone on Bas Greatdrakes and to hell with the consequences.
Bridget crashed into him, her arms going around his waist and squeezing him tight. Bas hugged her back without any hesitation.
“Don’t you ever do that to me again, or I will kick your ass,” she murmured into his warm chest.
“I’m sorry I scared you. It was more of a magic drain than I expected.” He brushed his fingers through her hair. “Let’s go downstairs, and I’ll tell you what happened in Lily’s head.”
Bridget nodded and reluctantly pulled out of the embrace. “You better because I was really freaked out.”
Bas kissed her forehead, and her worry softened. “Sorry. I should have warned you magic drain might have been a possibility.”
He took her hand, and as they walked downstairs, Bridget told him everything that had happened since he had passed out.
“Did my family feed you at least?” he asked like that was more of a priority than dream monsters.
“Yeah, your dad heated up some minestrone he found in the freezer. He said you keep it stocked,” Bridget replied.
