“I have a personal reason for volunteering to collect you.”
I glanced at him and decided to take a left on Main Street, giving us another ten minutes of driving time to talk through whatever was on the chief of security’s mind.
“I’m listening.” He shifted in his seat as if he were uncomfortable. “Dave, you are making us both unnecessarily nervous.”
He swiped a hand down his face. “It’s my understanding that under the moon of the solstice, an elemental can request that their chosen partner join them in the purifying waters of the moon. Naked.”
Oh, this was too good. “A supernatural but spiritual skinny-dip.”
“Ritual immersion,” he insisted, face reddening. “For balance.”
“Right. Balance. Of cheeks.”
“Forget it.”
“Dave, if you’re asking whether getting naked under the moonlight with Aunt Liz counts as foreplay, then the answer is yes. Yes, it does.”
“Right.”
“And if you are checking on the ramifications of such an event, I believe you are declaring your union under Hectare.”
“Like a mating?”
“Indeed.”
He went quiet, which made my head whip toward him.
“You want to marry my aunt? Is that what this is about? Are you asking for my permission?”
He frowned. “Don’t be ridiculous.”
“Marrying my aunt is not ridiculous.”
“No, but asking for permission is outdated.”
My lips twitched. “Depends on how chivalrous you are.”
“I’m just trying to understand the ramifications of my actions before I do them.”
I chuckled as I took the turn to head back home. “A little advice?”
“I’m listening.”
“Don’t play games with my aunt. She is a straightforward woman who appreciates honesty, no matter how it might hurt. We have that in common.”
“A little advice from me?” he volleyed.
I huffed. “Sure.”
“Forgive them. They were frightened, exhausted, and two heartbeats away from losing you. Don’t forget, you too are keeping secrets.”
“About that.” I pulled into the driveway, the wards whispering against my skin in greeting. “I need a meeting with the others. I’m done being a Serpent.”
“It’s not something you hand in your membership card for and go on your way.”
“Then prepare yourselves, because if I can’t leave, then I’m telling my mate. No future worth building has a foundation of lies and deceit. Remember that before you tie yourself to one of the most wonderful people I know.”
I parked the car and climbed out, stomping up the steps and swinging open the door to find the living room empty. Where were the ghosts?
