“We need a plan,” he said after he’d re-done his hair three times. “She’s vulnerable like this. If she doesn’t understand her own abilities, she could hurt herself or others without meaning to.”
“Or someone could take advantage of her, or target her,” Ko added, his eyes narrowing at the thought. “We all know witches with rare talents are valuable in more ways than one.”
“So what?” I scoffed. “We give her Magic 101 lessons?”
“Essentially. We need to be careful. Push her too hard too fast, and we’ll do more harm than good. Slow and steady, just as I said.”
“Oh, hell, yeah!” I shot one fist into the air. “We’re gonna be her personal magical tutors! Cas, you be the brainy one, Ko, you be the broody, intense one, and I’ll be the ‘let’s ditch class and get pizza’ one! A sweet, full package deal!”
“It’s not just about teaching her how to use magic,” Ko said, obviously ignoring every word I’d just said. “She needs to trust herself, too. She’s scared, and if she keeps doubting herself, she’ll hesitate when it matters most.”
“Which is why we go slow,” Cas agreed with him. “Give her confidence, not just knowledge.”
“And hopefully some knowledge in other areas soon, too, right?” I waggled my eyebrows and nudged Ko’s ribs. “I mean, the way she hugged you today, bro! Whew! Almost needed a fan!”
“Shut up, Z,” he muttered as red streaked across his cheeks.
“Can you focus, please?” Cas sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. “And you wonder why no one takes you seriously.”
“Hey, I’mplentyserious! Just selectively,” I protested. “And now, if you gentlemen will excuse me, I need to pay Greg a little visit.”
“So youdidrealize he’s Arabesque’s?” Ko grunted.
See, that was the problem with being the fun brother. Embrace a little chaos, and everyone thought you were oblivious. I had to admit, though, that being underestimated had played to my advantage more times than I could count.
“Get intel before you terminate him,” Cas ordered. “And no shenanigans this time.”
“Define shenanigans.” I tilted my head to the side. “Because I’m pretty sure your definition doesnotmatch mine.”
“Anything involving slime, glitter, or poultry.”
“I still remember that hunt in Malaysia,” Ko muttered, scrubbing a hand down his face. “All those fucking chickens. Feathers and eggs and shit everywhere.”
“What can I say? I’ve never been one to half-ass shenanigans,” I stated proudly.
21. Tsunami of Suds
Zane
The rhythm of my knuckles against Seri’s door matched the tune I’d been whistling.
“Yo, Seri! I am here to relieve your boredom!” I shouldered my way in before the last syllable faded, because why knock if you’re not gonna commit to the bit?
She sat cross-legged on the bed, honey curls haloed by lamplight. Brumous lifted his shaggy head from the blanket just long enough to yawn, all dagger-sized teeth and pink tongue.
“Cas and Ko are neck deep in security cameras, so I took it upon myself to provide you with endless entertainment,” I told her.
Her bottom lip disappeared between her teeth the second our eyes met.
Aha!
“Spill.” I hopped onto the mattress beside her, making her bounce and Brumous let out a startled yip. “I’ve been doing an intensive study, and that’s your ‘I want something, but won’t ask’ face. C’mon, darling, hit me. New phone? Private jet? A solid gold bidet?”
“What’s a bidet?”
“Imagine a toilet and a water fountain had a baby.”
“Oh. Um, no.” Her fingers twisted together. “I, um, want…”
