“Remember the code,” Uriel says.
I’ve only heard it once, so I don’t recall it well.
“Kids and pets always have to be protected,” Raph recites the first point.
“Be one hundred percent sure the donor deserves it,” Rague continues.
Gabe goes next. “No revenge kills alone.”
“Ask your bros for help.” Uri looks straight at Ezra while saying it.
“Let your anchor keep you grounded.” Michael smiles up at Raph.
Ollie grabs his husband’s hand. “Sex is the best de-stress there is…and cake, and music.”
“Share every bloody part,” Hunter’s deep voice declares.
Rami winks at him. “Never keep evidence that can link you to a donor…unless it’s pricy lingerie.”
“Stalking. Soundtrack.” Lori adds a whoo-hoo at the end.
Sari brushes his fingers over the collar of his shirt, under which I saw that choker. “Pain is a wise teacher.”
Since Michael became part of the family, new points have been added. Should I do it, too?
“Fear,” I state, feeling everybody’s eyes on me. “Fear is just a part of you, embrace it.”
Some of them nod, Oliver looks proud. The triplets remain silent, seemingly in thought.
“This feels like one of those crazy Masonic gatherings. Are we going to drink our mixed bloods now? Or paint our bodies with it? An orgy perhaps?” Lori asks.
Ash lets out a disgustedugh. Followed by grunts and groans around the semicircle of chairs. Ezra tightens his arm around me.
“Little Wasp, say that again, and I’m going to spank you in front of everybody,” Bezaliel states with a snarl.
“Which part?” Lori feigns innocence. Of course it was the orgy part. All the guys here are hyper possessive of their partners.
Uriel moves toward the bonfire, holding the goblet, and throws the blood mix into the flames. The fire continues burning without any flash of light or spark or smoke, but I feel like something has changed, like a deeper bond has been formed. Not that Ezra would ever follow the family code. I know he has his own, and it’s fine by me.
Sari is passing an ointment to rub on the cuts when Uriel suddenly utters, “Where is my husband?”
“Your husband?” I ask.
“What? I swear to Krampus if you had a secret wedding before I did…” Lori finishes the sentence with an I’ll-kill-you hand gesture.
“Get in line! I had the perfect lingerie for it,” Rami whines.
“We didn’t get married,” Sari clears the air.
“We didn’t?” Uriel’s words confuse me, and Sari too, judging by the deep frown he’s sporting now.
“I would remember that, Uri.”
“We should rectify it, then.” He smiles, taking a little red box out of his jacket.
Fuck, but he has Ezra’s exact sexy vibe when he smiles. My eyes fall on the box again. Is he going to propose now?
Sari’s hands are both covering his mouth. His light blue eyes already filling with tears.
