“Are you going to hunt the Brollachan with us?” Bas asked Taranis from the back seat of the SUV they were in.
“That’s your realm of expertise, not mine. I’m less concerned with dream monsters and more concerned with you going full dragon in the middle of a fight,” Taranis replied, turning a little to smile back at them. “If you destroyed Dublin, I don’t think Killian would ever forgive you.”
“I have it under control,” Bas insisted.
“You do right now, but the second things get dangerous? You might react in ways you don’t expect.”
Quinn was driving but managed to wink at them in the rearview mirror. “Pussy power might not work in that situation, Baby Bas. Let us be backup like you were for me against the Fomorians. Remember?”
Bas held onto Bridget’s hand a little tighter. “Fine. But I don’t think the dragon is going to be a problem. We are blending together. Our minds, I mean. I don’t know how to explain it.”
“I know what you mean,” Taranis said, looking back at him. “It can take time, but with your magic abilities being around the mind, it will help you synchronize faster.”
“How long will it take for the rest of us then?” Apollo asked, leaning forward in between the seats.
“That will depend entirely up to you. The more you fight it, the worse it will be,” Taran said and bopped him on the nose. “So stop fighting it.”
Apollo pushed his hand away. “If I do that, it will rip someone’s throat out.”
“For the last time, you won’t hurt Lachie. Your dragon is too protective for that.”
“That’s not what it’s telling me.”
Quinn giggled. “Then you need to listen closer. Killing Lachlan is not what you want to do to him.”
“Unless it’sla petite morte,” Bridget whispered to Bas.
“I heard that! Don’t you get in on their nonsense, Bridget,” Apollo said. “Lachlan and I have an understanding, and we made peace. As promised.”
“Good. Because the best way to hunt a Brollachan is going to be be in pairs, so you won’t mind if you are put together?” Taranis asked.
Apollo tossed his golden curls. “Go right ahead.”
Bas touched Bridget’s mind.We should have stayed in bed.
We will get back there. Let’s kill this monster, and then we can get to more important things. Like you teaching me magic.
Sweet little hawk, I’m going to show you all kinds of things.
Bridget’s face heated. Normal Bas had been bad enough, but a Bas that was synching up with his dragon side was making her sweat.
“It’s super rude for you two to talk to each other in your heads, you know,” Apollo said, flicking Bas in the ear.
Bridget kicked his chair. “Don’t pout because you aren’t as cool as us.”
“You’re not in this family five minutes, and you’re already full of sass. Tame your brat, Basset, before she bites off more than she can chew.”
Bas smiled sharply. “Mess with her at your peril, Sunspot.”
“I’m so scared,” Apollo said.
Bas pulled out his phone and held it out in front of Apollo’s face. Bridget didn’t know what was on it, but Apollo’s eyes glowed, his attitude disappearing. He shook himself out of it and glared at Bas.
“You’re such a dick,” Apollo growled.
Quinn turned around in her seat. “Don’t make me come back there and break you up, children.”
Bridget nudged Bas for his phone and saw the photo of Lachlan Ironwood on the screen. She burst out laughing.
