Luckily for me, this is the shortest walk of shame in the history of time. It takes me all of five seconds to dart out of Sin’s room and take shelter in my own. After a long, hot shower, I finally feel at least ten percent human, and head out in search of the others.
While I can certainly see the perks of hiding away in my room until I’m ready to deal with yesterday, I’d rather have a cup of coffee while I overthink things. Besides, I might be the one who snuck into Sin’s room, but he’s the one who kept me there. So, he can be the one who feels embarrassed today.
Personally, my mental and emotional processing plates are full. As my partner, it seems only fitting that he shares the load.
To my surprise, the dining room is empty, except for a basket of muffins and a pitcher of coffee.
Well, that’s a first.
After making myself a cup of coffee and stealing a blueberry muffin, I go in search of the others. The sound of cussing doesn’t leave me looking for long, and I find them close by in the sitting room. There’s no sign of Sin, but Morgana is sitting at her desk, reading a journal, Damien and Rosie are arm wrestling, and Magnus is patching up a wound on Arianna’s shoulder.
I nearly choke on my muffin when I realize it’s a stab wound. “Ari, what the hell happened to you?” I ask, taking a seat across from them.
Arianna gives me a sheepish grin. “Morgana’s dagger found me before I could steal it.”
I frown, confused.
Morgana glances over at us, looking annoyed as she clarifies, “Sneak into my room again, and I’ll take something more permanent, like a finger or two.”
I gape at her. “You stabbed her?”
Morgana shrugs. “Stay out of my room.”
Arianna doesn’t look remotely upset. “Don’t worry, I heal fast.”
Magnus tuts, “Not if you don’t stop moving, pest.”
Arianna grins. “But Magnus, it tickles when you use the needle.”
I shake my head at her. Arianna’s sense of humor is morbid. I both love it and am terrified for her. Mostly love, though.
It’s important to support friends like that.
“So, we both lost then?” I ask, feeling a bit better about the fact.
Rosie looks up from where she is surprisingly holding her own against Damien and gives me a knowing look. “Oh, for sure. But I wonder where you ended up sleeping last night. Seeing as you didn’t make it back to us.”
My cheeks heat. “I just passed out. That’s all.”
Arianna cackles, causing Magnus to miss where his needle was piercing. She hisses, darkness leaking from her hands, “Do that again, Magnus.”
Magnus grits his teeth. “I helped raise you from practically a child. Don’t be vulgar.”
Arianna blows him a kiss. “I know, it’s hilarious to watch you get grossed out.”
The annoyed expression on Magnus’ face is something I will cherish forever. The shifter is almost always a picture of cool, calm confidence, and I had no idea Arianna had such a gift for breaking through it.
Truly, the girl is going places.
Hopefully, not back to a prison, but other places, in general.
Their antics are interrupted when Sin apparates in the doorway. He glances my way, giving me a once over as if to assure himself I’m okay, before heading over to Morgana, ignoring the rest of us. At this point, I’ve become used to his silent streaks. Sin chooses the weirdest moments to get chatty.
However, it’s clear that Arianna is having none of Sin’s brooding, and she calls out to him, interrupting the start of his whispered conversation with Morgana, “Good morning, sunshine!”
Sin quirks a brow at her, nodding in response.
Arianna is a shit-disturber. “Where did you go off to this morning after leaving Vivian in your room, I wonder.”
