“Cool. Cormac.” Garon got between them and pulled them both toward a long folding table set up on the deck. “Are you really a vampire? ’Cause I’ve never met a vampire or anything, but you don’t really look like a vampire.”
“Yes, I’m really a vampire.”
“Hmm.” Garon stared up at him a moment. “So you aren’t going to like, suck my blood or anything gross, right?”
“Of course not.”
“’Kay.” That seemed to be all the reassurance Garon needed, and he began chattering in his usual way.
Gray took the burgers off the grill and placed them on a large platter. He set it in the center of the table, and everyone’s attention turned to him. Simon thought they were expecting some sort of speech or explanation, but Gray simply smiled. “Let’s eat.”
When everyone’s plates were loaded up, Simon looked around the deck and thought about how much his life had changed. There was an old expression his grandfather used to say. Something about when a door closed, a window opened. It was definitely a good description of his life recently.
They were just finishing up when Simon felt Gray’s magic, and everyone turned to him. His face tensed, and he looked at Simon. “There are mages at the gate. They want to speak to you.”
Simon’s heart rate sped up. Gray wrapped an arm around him and was joined by Garon on Simon’s other side. “What do they want, Simon?” Garon asked.
“I don’t know, but I guess it would be rude to keep them waiting. I’ll go meet them at the gate,” Simon said. Gray didn’t want them on the property any more than he did, and Simon wouldn’t let them get any closer if he could help it.
“I’ll go with you,” Gray said.
“Me too,” Garon added.
Simon knelt down in front of him. “Listen, Gar, I know you wantto come too, but I think it would be better if you waited here.” He stopped Garon before he could protest. “It’s not that I don’t want you with me, but here’s the thing. They don’t know that you can do mage magic, and I think it’s better if we keep that a secret for now.”
Garon sniffed and hugged Simon. “I don’t want you to go.”
“Hey,” he whispered into Garon’s hair, “I’m sure they just need to talk to me. Don’t worry, okay?”
“You’ll come back?”
“I will do my best, but I might have to go with them tonight.”
Gray placed a hand on Garon’s shoulder and squeezed gently, trying to comfort him as best he could. Gray obviously hated seeing his son so upset, but bottom line, they had to keep Garon protected, and they weren’t sure this scene wouldn’t turn out to be a fight. Simon knew Gray wasn’t just going to hand him over to the mages.
Cormac stood beside them, ready to stand by Simon. Simon placed a hand on his shoulder and squeezed. “Same for you, Cormac. I think we should keep you a secret a bit longer. I don’t want to add more fuel to the fire, you know?”
Simon knew Cormac didn’t want to be left out and that he wanted to stand by Simon. It just wasn’t the right time, and Cormac agreed to stay behind.
21
Gray drove his SUV down to the gate, and Simon seemed surprised to see several other pack members standing there as well. He looked at the growing crowd and, puzzled, turned to Gray. “What are they all doing here?”
Gray grabbed his hand and squeezed. “They’re here for you.”
“Did you tell them to come?”
“No.” And he hadn’t, although Gray admitted to himself he would have if he had thought of it.
“Okay, let’s do this.” Simon got out and went over to the gate. A blond man stepped forward, and Simon bowed his head slightly in acknowledgment.
Gray growled under his breath at the gesture, the wolf in him pissed at seeing Simon submit to anyone else. The man in him wasn’t very happy about it either. He forced himself to calm down when Simon glanced over at him in concern.
“Hello, Master Thomas,” Simon said when he was convinced Gray was okay.
“Simon, I must say I’m disturbed at finding you here.”
Gray stared at Thomas, this supposed master of Simon’s who had tossed him aside when Simon needed guidance the most. He movedcloser to Simon’s side, wanting nothing more than to challenge the man where he stood.
