I sighed.No, I’d lie there and wish for some options.In the morning, I’d pack my car and leave.
Chapter23
Farrow
Timothy wasn’tin his room the next night, nor the one after.And after some investigation, I discovered that his clothes were missing, along with his computer and toys.He was gone.Whatever we’d had, I’d ruined it with my fury.
My fingers curled as the same anger flooded my veins, only this time it was directed at me.I wanted to do a repeat performance; however, I restrained myself as shaking the house wouldn’t bring Timothy back.While there was no magic in the house, a shimmer remained, and it wasn’t in the child’s room.Whatever had happened to Timothy, he’d used magic before he’d disappeared.
I should report the magic, but what was the point?He was gone.
But he didn’t need a child to channel magic and use it.Was he another Santa?Able to access and manipulate without his mind falling apart?I shuddered at the idea.
When day five arrived, it was clear he was never coming back.I was bereft as well as out of content, and with nothing to tell my subscribers.I would have to disappear the same way Timothy had.It wasn’t even about the money now… I missed him.I needed to know that he was okay and to apologize.I wanted to make this right, if that was possible.
But it may not be.
I dragged my sad ass around his house and halfheartedly ran through the checks, then I sat on his bed and stared at the wardrobe, wondering if it was possible to track him without reporting his magic use or if I should report the magic use and move on.My heart was heavy as I wasted my break mourning the loss of something I hadn’t appreciated.
Something hit the window.
And then again.
In the mirror, someone waved at me from outside.
I turned, confused.Timothy?Why was he out there, not in here?
I opened the window and helped him climb in, pulling him to me and not wanting to let him go.He didn’t even try to pull out of my embrace.“Where have you been?”
He thumped a fist against my chest.“You went stupid, and Dad blamed me, and kicked me out.He killed Mom because his friends told him what she was.He hunts sorcerers.”His words tumbled out faster than I could process.“He said he did it to protect me, but now I’m a danger to Taya.”
I kissed the top of his head.Timothywasa danger to Taya and himself, but his father was far more dangerous.“Where have you been staying?”
He drew back.“You’re not going to like it.”
I growled.There were a lot of things I didn’t like about this situation.“What did you do?”
“I was tempted to go through the golden glow under my bed to your world, but I figured that was a bad idea, so instead I wished for a solution.A friend called and said his aunt needed a house sitter for her three cats while she’s away, because the other one quit after four days.My friend is allergic to cats, but he thought I could use a break from living at home.I’m staying at her place.”
I held him tighter, even though he’d been a fool to use magic.I smelled it on him, and it would be in his blood.He could turn me into glitter, or anything he wanted, with only a wish.“I’m glad you’re safe.”
“It’s temporary, but I needed to let you know.I shouldn’t have told you to leave.I should’ve kept my end of the deal.It wasn’t about money…and I enjoyed it, but when you said you were making bank, I got jealous and angr?—”
I gripped his hair, tipped his head back, and silenced him with a kiss.His mouth opened, and my tongue invaded.My other hand cupped his ass as my tail curled around his leg.I wanted to take him home and keep him safe from hunters and his father and every monster who’d hurt him for something he couldn’t help.
He moaned into my mouth and ground his hard length against my thigh.“Do you want to record something?It will have to be fast, as I shouldn’t be here.”
I didn’t have the strength to say no.“Do you want to?”
“Yes.How are we going to keep seeing each other?”He froze, cheeks darkening.“I mean for recording?”
“I want to see you for more than recording.Now strip like you’re getting ready for bed.”I squeezed his ass cheek with my claws, liking the way the tips pressed into his soft skin.We could film a few very short ideas that would tide my viewers over until we had something more substantial.
“You may need to let me go for that.”
I kissed him again.I’d let him go in a minute.
Chapter24
