Every kin knew what skin hunger was, knew of the need to wrap themselves up in their sealskin and dive beneath the waves, wholly themselves. Parents taught their children when they were old enough the pain of skin hunger by withholding their skin for a few days so they would understand it. They did so as a warning, to caution against losing their skin to people who would only ever keep it to hurt them.
Wade’s mouth firmed into a hard line. “I’ll go take a walk into Niall’s territory tomorrow. See what I can find.”
“Don’t. It’s not safe, and I don’t want to have to call up your pack and tell them you got hurt or worse on my watch.”
Wade smiled crookedly and shrugged. “He won’t be the first god I’ve handled, and he probably won’t be the last.”
“I thought the fight was over and we won?”
“Eh, Hermes still comes around from time to time to piss off Patrick. Honestly, I think he’s bored now that we don’t have to worry about the end of the world.”
“Who? Patrick?”
“No, Hermes. I think you’re burning my pancake.”
Riordan swore because Wade was right. He’d been too distracted by staring into Wade’s eyes, and so yeah, one side of the pancake was browned more than it should have been. Wade didn’t mind, seeing as he picked it off the pan and took a bite, not even bothering with a plate or butter or syrup.
“Don’t let Saoirse see you eat like that. She’ll throw a fit,” Riordan warned.
“It’s good.”
“It’s burnt.”
“Still good.” Wade eyed his pancake before tearing off a piece and offering it to Riordan. “Here. I’ll prove it to you.”
“I thought you didn’t share your food?”
Wade rolled his eyes and waggled the piece of pancake at him. “Are you going to try it or not? I even gave you a bit with strawberry in it.”
Before Riordan could second-guess himself, he leaned over and bit the piece of pancake out of Wade’s fingers, clearly startling him, judging by the surprised sound he let out. Riordan chewed the pancake before shrugging, keeping his gaze on Wade. “It’s passable. I’ll make you a better one.”
Wade stared at Riordan with wide brown eyes, pancake forgotten. The slight flush on his cheeks caught the light strangely before it disappeared in seconds.
“Sure,” Wade said in a faintly strangled voice. “I’ll eat anything. Mostly.”
“Am I interrupting?” Donal asked, a strange weight to his voice.
Riordan desperately wanted to sayyesbecause flustered was a good look on Wade. “Wade is eating the test pancake, and then he’ll get the next one. I’ll make yours after. How’s Saoirse?”
“Okay for now. She’s cleaning out the trunk.”
“I don’t think she should come with us into the Boston Night Court’s territory.”
“I’m coming with you!” Saoirse yelled from upstairs, voice clear as a bell in Riordan’s ears due to enhanced hearing.
“Boyo, I could’ve told you that was a dumb thing to say,” Donal sighed.
“Worth a try. It’s not like the vampires will be up and walking in daylight.” Riordan reached for the strawberries and found the plate empty. He immediately pointed the spatula at Wade. “Quit being a thief.”
“Can’t be a thief if I pay you back,” Wade said quickly.
“Would the strawberries even make it back to me if you tried?”
Wade pursed his lips, looking up at the ceiling as if he were calculating the odds of that happening. “Maybe. Possibly.”
Riordan shook his head, amused, despite himself. “Go sit. You can annoy Donal if you like.”
“I should probably call my pack and give them an update. Don’t eat my pancake.”
