"Oh, God. I don't need to hear this," Callum griped. "Marcus, meet me in the car in two minutes or I'm leaving without you."
I heard him stomp through the living room to the front door before it slammed behind him.
"I have to go."
"I know," she replied. But she still held on.
"I'll come back."
"I'll find you if you don't."
Her arms loosened and I released her. We stared at each other as I stepped back.
"Are you still here?" Arien asked, appearing in the kitchen out of thin air.
Merry jumped and I bit back a sigh.
"Yes, Arien. I'm leaving now." I looked at the shapeshifting witch that would be staying with Merry while we were gone. I knew she was powerful, but she'd sacrificed a great deal for the Goddess who sent her to watch over Ava. She walked with one foot in our world and another in the realm of magic. She could protect Merry, but I worried she wouldn't sense a threat or act upon it until it was too late.
Ava, however, insisted that Arien would be suitable to stay with Merry and that we would need Rhys and Harrison for this mission.
I'd given in, but with reservations.
"Stay in the house," I said, looking at them both.
"I'll keep her safe, vampire," Arien stated, folding her hands in front of her. "You have my word."
Power flared and I knew that the witch had put her magic into that vow. She would protect Merry or die trying.
I doubted it would come to that, but a shadow nagged me, lurking in the back of my mind.
It wasn't a vision or even another person who needed my help. Just the sense that this night would somehow spiral out of control.
"I'll be back soon."
Merry wrapped her arms around her waist. "Be safe."
Arien only waved at me as I left the kitchen.
When I climbed into the car with Callum, he looked at me and said, "It seems things are progressing extremely well between you and Merry. Do I need to give youthe talkagain? I mean, it has been a few centuries."
"Shut up and drive. The sooner we leave, the sooner we'll be back."
I ignored his laugh as he started the car and roared down the driveway.
* * *
Ava,Macgrath, Harrison, and Rhys were all ready to go when we arrived at Ava's house. Savannah was there. She promised Rhys that she would stay at Ava's until we returned. Something about the wards being stronger.
When we came inside, Harrison looked to me and I nodded. "She made it safely."
Sooner or later, his ability to keep his distance from Arien would end. But I doubted it would be his doing. More than likely, Arien would force the issue and things would either fizzle out or explode.
I was betting on the latter.
"Let's go over the plan one more time," Macgrath said.
Callum groaned but the rest of us ignored him. He might bitch and moan about preparation, but he always showed up and he always paid attention. The rest was just for show.
