I drop my gaze. “I know.” Having a hard time relaxing isn’t anything new and is probably one of the reasons I’ve had a hard time making friends over the years. Dedicating my life to work is admirable and all, but doesn’t make for a good social life. Deep down I know why I was so hesitant to stop and relax before: I didn’t want to realize how lonely I was. I didn’t want to give the void in my heart time to ache and remind me how pathetic my life had become.
That was true then, and now my life is anything but pathetic. I’m not lonely. Being with the guys makes me happy.
“You’re right.” I look into Thomas’s blue eyes. “I do need to have fun. So…what should we do?”
“Drink and watch TV? I wish I could take you out to a restaurant like they do in movies.”
I shift my eyes to the table again. “Maybe you can.”
“The concealment spell.”
“Yes. If we can hide your wings, you can come out with me.”
“Well, why didn’t you say so?” Beaming, he lets go of my hands and picks up the crystal. “Let’s do this.”
* * *
I holdmy hand over the bowl of herbs and close my eyes. Thomas sits in front of me, and Gil is next to him, curiously watching.
“With this charm, I conceal your wings,” I repeat for the third time, and reach inside the bowl, curling my fingers around the crystal. It grows hot in my hand, and a jolt of electricity passes through me and into the stone. I open my eyes just in time to see it glowing blue for a few seconds before fading.
“Okay,” I say, turning to Thomas. “I think it worked.”
He pushes his shoulders back and leans forward, letting me slip the crystal over his head. It falls against his chest, and nothing happens.
“Motherfucker,” I mumble, pursing my lips. “I really thought it would—”
Thomas touches the crystal and the blue light inside it comes back in a bright flash, passing through his fingers, up his arm, and to his wings. Encased in blue light, they flicker a few times, and then disappear.
“Oh my god.” I stand up so fast I knock over the chair behind me.
“Holy shit, you did it,” Gilbert exclaims, jumping up to walk around Thomas.
“Yeah,” I say, too stunned to form a coherent sentence. Thomas flexes his shoulders and then reaches behind him. He turns, showing me his back.
The wings are gone, and in their place are tattoos on his back in smooth black ink. Blinking rapidly, I shake myself and extend my hand, flattening my palm over his back.
“Can you feel this?” I ask.
“Yeah,” Thomas answers, and rolls his neck. “I forgot what it’s like to not have those fuckers attached to me. It’s weird.”
I lean in, looking at the tattoos. Gilbert is right there with me, just as stunned. I trace the lines with my finger, and Thomas lets out a breath.
“Fuck it feels good to have my back rubbed.”
“I bet,” I say with a laugh. “Take the amulet off.”
“Already?”
“Yeah. I need to test something.”
Thomas turns, and with a frown, he pulls the amulet over his head. The same blue light flickers through him, and his wings are back. I take the amulet from him and give it to Gilbert, who eagerly slips it over his head.
The same thing happens.
“You did it, Ace,” Thomas says, not taking his eyes off his brother. “It’s amazing.”
Nodding, I go back to the table and pick up the second crystal. “Let’s see if I can do it again.”
