“I can’t believe my boyfriend is part fey! And vampires can go out in the daytime if they are careful. And mermaids have legs!” Flyn winces. “Sorry, I mean sirens!” He turns to Gray. “And Gray, my man. You scare the crap out of me, so you being a demon makes so much sense.”
Gray’s lips curl up into a pleased, mischievous, and malevolent grin. I shudder and look away.
“Oops. Sorry. I’m talking too much,” Flyn says.
His shoulders droop and I can’t stand it. I find his hand and give it a squeeze. His eyes light up again. I smile at him and keep a hold of his hand.
Lello lets out a soft little squeal. I look up at him and he mouths the word,“Wedding!”at me.
I shake my head in dismay. At least he has cheered up and is back to acting like his normal self.
Red clears his throat. “We need to file a report on Flyn being informed of the paranormal. There is a box on the form that needs a reason for disclosure.” Red takes a breath. “So Silas is going to find out anyway.”
An icy trickle runs down my spine. I spent so long running from the Council. Red and Brodie paused their lives to come with me and help me. Monty bargained with the Council for me to be pardoned. Running took me away from Flyn and everything that might have been.
And here I am again.
“Jade will be arrested,” Blue says softly.
All eyes turn to me. The attention itches along my skin.
I take a deep breath. “I’m… I’m not going to run again. Especially not when I might truly be a risk to everyone.”
Last time, the crime had been done. I’d murdered the vampire council member. I’d nearly opened a portal. Perhaps foolishly, we all thought I’d never do it again. I’d run from punishment, not prevention. Everything is different now.
Flyn’s eyes are wide, his face pale. “You’re going to magic jail?”
I flash him a weak smile. “Looks like it.”
“No! There has to be another way!” he pleads, as he squishes my hand.
My heart aches. Like it is being squeezed instead of my hand. I don’t want to leave Flyn. Not now, not just when something wonderful was beginning. It’s so unfair. So cruel of the universe to do this to us. Why offer us a glimpse of something so perfect if it was only ever destined to betaken away?
Monty steps forward. “I have a very secure dungeon in my house.”
“A sex dungeon?” interrupts Lello with glee.
Monty blushes a little. “No. Simply an ordinary dungeon.”
I have no idea what is remotely ordinary about having a dungeon in your house, but I’m listening.
“If we place Jade in my dungeon,” continues Monty. “And those of us with magic work together on increasing the strength of the already very potent ancient seals and wards, it would become an extremely formidable prison.”
Everyone is staring at Pink’s husband now. He has our full attention.
He runs his hand over his frizzy white hair. “If we then notify the Grand Master. Once he sees how secure Jade is, he might be inclined to allow him to stay there.”
“We could make it nice and cozy! And take turns keeping Jade company,” Pink says. “Hopefully it won’t be for long, just until we figure things out.”
Ned rubs his chin. “We were planning on moving there anyway. Bringing it forward is not a big deal.”
Everyone turns to look at me again. Goosebumps erupt all over my skin.
“As long as I can’t hurt anyone.”
I look at Flyn. “Monty’s house is hundreds of miles away.”
He squeezes my hand as a very intense, extremely earnest expression lights up his face. “I know it’s super early to be moving in together, but can I come?”
