“Yeah. We should start, shortly.” I convulsively tightened my grasp on my phone. “Thanks for hanging in there with me.”
“Friendship.” Sunshine winked. “It’s what we do. And I’m not the only one.”
She pointed to the second story balcony, which should have been empty since we were only using the assembly hall’s first floor.
It was occupied, however, by my task force squadmates. Everyone from Juggernaut to Tetiana and Clarence—which had to be uncomfortable for them given the roomful of slayers—were seated in the first row of the balcony. Even Sarge and Captain Reese were there, with Orrin seated between them.
“They’re here to help if you need it,” Sunshine said. “I know the department already approved of resource sharing like the timeline and all of the evidence we’ve processed, but they wanted to be on hand in case there are any questions they can help with.”
I studied my teammates faces, watching Binx yawn while Brody emphatically pointed to the O’Neils’ rack of swords my brothers had brought inside and positioned behind the section of seats reserved for our family. “Really?”
“Yep,” Sunshine said. “So make sure you put them to work, because you’re about to be extremely busy.”
“That’s really kind of them—to help like this,” I said.
“Youstillthink they don’t like you?”
“No. I figured out a while ago they were okay with me. But we’ve already been working tirelessly, and after a full night shift everyone must be exhausted,” I said.
“Ah. Yeah that would be the way to your heart,” Sunshine said. “Well…don’t get me wrong. They care about you and Considine, but they’re also unbelievably nosy.”
“Hey Blood!” Grove shouted when he realized I was looking up at them.
I hesitated, then waved to him.
Grove slapped at Medium-Sized Robert until the troll hesitantly waved to me as well, a blush reddening his cheeks.
There was something encouraging about knowing I wasn’t the only nervous one that made me stand a little straighter and stop my fingers from shaking so much.
“Are you ready to begin the briefing, Jade?” Paddy strolled up to me, grinning widely and multiplying his deep smile lines.
I snapped off a nod.
“There’s a good lass.” He was a lot shorter than my dad, but when he pulled me into an embrace it had the same bear hug quality to it. “You’ll do great,” he said. “You’re an O’Neil.”
I nodded when he released me, then started up the steps to the dais. “Thanks, Paddy.”
“Of course. Jade?” He folded his arms across his chest and squinted up at me.
“Yes, Paddy?” I asked.
“You like this vampire?” he asked.
I nodded.
“Hm. How much do you like ‘im?” Paddy asked.
“Dad, you can’t just ask her that,” my dad growled as he prowled across the assembly hall, coming to a stop by the base of the stairs.
“Sure I can,” Paddy said. “Besides, we got a right to know if we’re gonna be welcoming a vamp into the family, don’t we?”
My dad rubbed his eyes. “Dad.”
“Think of the recipes we’ll have to adjust!” Paddy said. “That’s gonna take some work.”
“He’s a vampire, not a vegan,” Dad said.
“You’re right,” Paddy said. “You know what that means?” Paddy didn’t wait for a reply. “The next time those silly wizards try to intimidate you into a rematch paintball battle, you can just send the vampire in. Forget crying, they’ll be so scared they’ll be hiccupping like a bunch o’babes!”
