Erik was only vaguely paying attention to the argument. “Archer’s with her,” he said, cutting across us.
I turned around to see Archer standing next to Scott and talking to her. When he reached his bound hands towards her, I left Sloan and Erik in a swirl of black and appeared between the pair in time to feel Scott’s hand hit my back.
“Gray!” she hissed.
“Grayson,” Archer greeted me.
“Archer.” I nodded in return.
“Gray, move,” Scott demanded from behind me.
“You heard the lady, Grayson.”
“You couldn’t even show some respect,” I spat, noticing Archer hadn’t dressed in green like protocol dictated.
“Interesting that the mortal’s in red, don’t you think? Do you have something to tell us? Or is it Hunter that’s been so stupid?”
“Why don’t you go back to Elysia and cause your trouble there?”
“Oh, I’m not here for long. A flying visit this time.”
“Gray,” Scott exclaimed. “I mean it.”
Turning on my heel, Scott’s furious expression met me. I gripped her upper arm and said, “Come with me.”
I held a little tighter than I should have, and in return, she punched me in the ribs. It didn’t hurt, but it caught me by surprise, and I let go of her while Archer howled with laughter.
“I like her,” he said as he recovered.
Scott stormed off towards Erik and Sloan and I trailed after her, furious at how the day had spiralled into chaos and irritated that I’d expected anything else.
“Congratulations,” Scott said to the pair.
“Thank you, Scott,” Erik replied, hugging her.
“Would you like to hold him?” Sloan asked.
The panic was clear across her features. “Um, no. That’s okay.”
She stepped back and bumped straight into me. I held her shoulders and said, “What are you scared of, Scott?”
“I’m not scared,” she replied tersely.
“Take Cato.”
Scott nodded, and Sloan passed him over. Cato laid in Scott’s arm as she held him delicately. I stood behind her, looking over her shoulder and down at the little bundle. Cato fussed slightly and Scott rocked him while I reached over her shoulder to stroke his chubby red cheek.
“What’s wrong, little man?” I asked.
Cato settled again and when I looked up, I was aware that Sloan and Erik were both giving me very different looks. I wasn’t sure which I wanted to address first. Sloan’s look dropped quickly, and I felt more eyes on me.
“I think you should give him back to the parents,” I suggested quietly.
Scott didn’t need to be told twice. She wasn’t as comfortable around children as the rest of us.
“I’m sorry I didn’t bring a gift,” she apologised.
I perked up and my aura materialised a small black bear in my hands. “That reminds me,” I said, handing it over.
