He abandoned his controller on the couch and came to join them after Kat punched Jared. His bristling, protective stance made Kat want to coo at the sweet teen.
“The name Chimera didn’t tip you off?”
“I thought it was a nickname.” Rance folded his arms and gave him the full benefit of his teenage scorn.
“Nope. I wish it were.” His cheerful tone remained, but his smile faded. “I wasn’t as lucky as my brother. He may have been disowned, but he received proper training for his craft. I was experimented on and then handed over to a predator. When I killed him, I was expelled from my magical association and left alone once again. I was thirteen, younger than you, and no one cared to save me. I had to save myself. Now I can reunite with Xavier and get to know his mate.”
“He’s not going to be happy with you,” Kat warned.
“He will eventually. Bad people are looking for both of you. The shooter was the first of many. Someone put out a hit. I’ve canceled it, but the news might not get out to everyone before someone tries again.”
Kat slumped onto the couch. “Are you going to tell Xavier where we are?”
“I sent him a text.”
“How did he respond?” Rance asked, sitting up.
“It’s not language suitable for teenagers or most adults.”
Rance and Kat laughed. They couldn’t help it. The entire situation was ridiculous.
Rance asked the question Kat had been too worried to pose. “How long are you going to keep us here?”
“Until the new Grove is ready to be made. The magic should start sparking at the old Grove soon. I have someone there watching for signs. After that, everything should go back to normal.”
“Could you please let me call Xavier? He’s bound to be worried about me.”
“I’ll tell Xavier you’re fine when we meet.”
“And when is that going to be?”
Chimera’s phone rang. A wide smile crossed his lips. “That’s him.”
“I hope he drains your blood,” Kat hissed. He turned to leave the room.
“Where are you going?”
Kat didn’t bother to turn around. “I’m going to use your kitchen. I need to do some stress baking unless you plan on letting me talk to him.”
“Enjoy your baking.”
“That’s what I thought.” The Chimera’s laughter followed him out of the room.
Rance joined him soon after.
“What’s the plan?” The teen took a seat on the stool across the island.
Whatever terrible things he could say about his future brother-in-law, his kitchen was terrific. Some chefs would weep for the chance to cook there. The appliances were clean and modern, and the counters were made of practical butcher’s block. Kat could move in there. He hoped Xavier wouldn’t mind.
Kat took stock of the pantry ingredients. “I’m thinking chocolate chip if he has enough butter.”
“No, I mean about escaping,” Rance whispered.
Kat shook his head. “We aren’t escaping. For now, we’re safer here. Xavier will talk to his brother and get the details straightened out. Consider this protective custody.”
“But he could kill us.” Rance’s voice cracked.
Kat patted Rance’s clenched right hand. “If he were prone to violence, he would’ve done something when I punched him.”
