“Yeah, I know. Nature verses nurture and all.”
“I actually know what you mean. I watched a documentary about that.”
“You’re the smartest person I know.” I take a sip of Jac’s drink and start to feel a little buzzed. “How long do you want to stay here?”
“As long as you want. This is entertaining.”
I follow his eyes to a group of people dancing. They’re trying to follow along to specific moves, and only half the people in the little group are able to get it. “It is.”
“Isn’t that the kid who’s been sneaking into the yard?” Jac asks quietly.
“Yeah, it is.” I take another drink and lean against Jac. He wraps one arm around my waist. Maybe it’s the alcohol, but everything feels surreal. I’m at a party with a boyfriend and I’m having fun. We look normal. I feel included.
“I kind of feel bad for him,” I go on. “He knows there’s something paranormal going on, and is right about you guys not being stone statues. His parents shame him for believing in it too.”
“He’s persistent.”
“Yeah, he is. And I—shit.”
“What is it?”
I shake my head. “Nothing…yet. But I just thought how someone like that could be easily misguided.”
“Like Gemma.”
“Right. I thought if I threw him a bone he’d leave me alone, but I didn’t think about him seeking answers from anyone else. Ugh,” I groan. “He’s such a pain in the ass but I feel like I should do something more.”
“I agree.”
“Really?” I bring the cup to my lips. “You think I should go full Mr. Miyagi on him?”
“I don’t know what that means, but probably not. He’s young and impressionable, and will look for answers wherever he can get them.”
“So give him just enough to keep him out of trouble?”
“Yes.”
“I can do that.”
* * *
“How was the party?”Thomas asks when I step into the house. He and Gil are watching TV in the living room. I smile as soon as I see them, and set my purse down and sit on the couch between them. Thomas grabs me by the waist, pulling me to him.
“It was fun. More fun than I expected. And I found out my aunt liked cherubs.”
“Cherubs?” Gil echoes.
“Fat, naked babies.”
“A seraph,” Jacques says from across the room. He takes off the concealment charm and his wings appear again. He rolls his neck and spreads them out, getting used to the feeling once again. He goes outside through the back door to join Hasan on the night watch.
“Is that a good thing?” Gil asks, taking my legs. He brings them onto his lap and starts rubbing my feet.
“Mhhh,” I mumble, closing my eyes. Thomas runs his hand through my hair. These two spoil me. “It’s not good or bad, I guess. But it’s nice to knowsomethingabout her.”
“You should try to summon her.”
I sit up, eyeing Gilbert. “You’re joking, right?”
