“And Iris is already making plans for Phoebe’s hair. She’s staring at it with that look. You know the one.”
Koios leaned forward to eat the spaghetti, sneaking a furtive glance down the table as he did. “She’s totally planning a makeover.”
“Poor Phoebe. Did we remember to warn her about the makeover threat?”
“I don’t think so.”
“We could call it payback. I mean, she did yell down the stairs that your sisters were evil. It seems only fair.”
Koios looked at him and grinned. “You’re not wrong.”
Ben dipped his garlic bread in the sauce before holding it to Koios’s mouth. “Try the bread.”
Koios did, then made a happy rumbling sound. Ben put the rest of it in his hand. “Dunk it in your sauce.”
The bread seemed to do the trick. Koios ate Ben’s, then his own. Ben polished off both plates of noodles and leaned back with a happy sigh.
Bailey nudged Ben’s leg beneath the table, catching his attention. He gestured toward Koios and frowned. Ben nodded.
“I hate to be the party pooper, but I’m exhausted,” Ben said.
“Well, you were folded in half in the back of an SUV for ten hours,” Bailey said. “You guys feel free to go get some rest. I promise I’ll only pout a little over you missing dessert. And we’ll take care of Phoebe.”
“No evil plans without me,” Koios said.
“No promises.” Iris laughed and leaned closer to Phoebe.
Phoebe, in turn, sent them a knowing look and a half-smile. “Get some rest. I look forward to working with you in the morning.”
Koios stood and looked down the table. He grinned and shook his head before heading for the door. “Good night, my pack.”
Bailey made the happy squee Koios had no doubt been anticipating. Ben sent him a thankful smile before following Koios out of the room.
“I really am tired,” Koios said. “Thanks for getting me out of there.”
“Thank Bailey. He kicked me under the table. I swear, he must be taking lessons from my papa or something.”
Koios paused at the door to his apartment. “Um, will you stay? I would like it if you did.”
“I’ll stay,” Ben said. “I’m not going anywhere.”
Koios opened the door and led Ben inside. Unlike Ben’s room, Koios hadn’t taken the time to make the apartment his own. There weren’t stacks of books or other mementos lying around. It broke Ben’s heart. He hadn’t realized how much of an outsider Koios considered himself.
“You have that look again,” Koios said. He sat down on the corner of the bed. His wings slumped down on either side of him.
“What look is that?”
“The one I don’t understand. The one I thought meant you were disgusted by me but was actually you being attracted to me. It’s very confusing.”
“I’m sad for you,” Ben said.
He knelt in front of Koios and began unlacing his boots. Black combat boots all around. They were part of Logan’s uniform. Ben preferred to wear shoes he could get out of more easily in case he needed to shift. It was one of the few times he wished to be something other than he was. How awesome would it be to be a dragon like Coal or a griffin like Aleron? They didn’t have to worry about taking their clothes off to shift becausemagic.
It didn’t seem fair at all. He tugged off Koios’s socks next, then pressed his thumbs into the sole of his left foot.
Koios hissed and pulled his foot away. “Easy, tiger.”
“Tiger? And here I thought I was your brown-eyed bear.”
