The fiery burn of anger, ready to ignite, has been reduced to a smoldering ember.
I open my eyes, grinning, triumphant. "We did it.”
"Youdid it, Hallowind. How do you feel?"
I yawn. “Drained from the mental exertion but quieter, calmer. Like I could close my eyes and sink into a deep, restful sleep.”
Wylder gives me a crooked grin. “Would you mind some company? I admit, knowing what you’ve been going through and being across town hasn’t made for the most restful nights on my end, either.”
I chuckle. “Well, I’m certainly not going to kick you out of my bed, so get under the covers and close your eyes.”
He rolls off the bed, flips back the comforter, and is sliding in beside me a moment later.
I roll the other way and give him my back. “You don’t snore, do you?”
“Not that I’ve been told, no.” He spoons in behind me and drapes a heavy arm over my waist.
“Good. Oh, and stay out of my head. I can’t be held responsible for what my subconscious mind dreams up while I’m asleep.”
He chuckles behind me, the warmth of his breath washing the back of my neck. “Get some sleep, Hallowind.”
“Well, if it isn’t Miss Hallowind and her broody slumber buddy. Welcome to breakfast… oh, wait, it’s lunchtime. You crazy kids have canoodled half the day away.”
“Canoodled?” Wylder repeats, blinking at my bestie.
I laugh and climb onto a stool at the kitchen island. “Sadly, there was no canoodling or mattress dancing of any kind, just sleeping after an arduous session of mental exercises.”
Asher slides on a pair of oven mitts and bites his bottom lip. “Mental exercises? Is that what you’re into, Howe? Mind games?”
Wylder arches a dark brow. “What is actually happening right now?”
I wave away Asher’s teasing. “We don’t do the whole walk of shame thing. Asher and I celebrate the got laid parade. But sadly, no one got laid.”
Asher lifts a casserole dish out of the oven and snorts. “Speak for yourself, Pops. Orion is literally a wildcat with supernatural stamina. Life is good with those of us celebrating the penis parade.”
Wylder shakes his head and goes over to the coffeemaker. “The two of you realize you’re whacked, right?”
I snort and accept a plate and a fork from my bestie. "Really? We're dealing with demon contracts, kidnapped sisters, soul-draining ghosts tethered to innocent people, and you think us celebrating a night of horizontal hijinks is what's whacked?"
Asher points at me and taps his nose. "What she said."
He plates another serving and slides it across the island to Wylder. "Well, whatever you kids were up to, I approve. I haven't seen you this relaxed in weeks."
Wylder accepts his plate with a nod of thanks.
I finish chewing my first bite and swallow. "I told you what we were up to—mental exercises."
Wylder rolls his eyes and pauses with his fork at his mouth. "I was teaching Poppy to compartmentalize her memories. It has to be done with a relaxed and calm mind, so I thought a half-sleep-semi-coma would work best."
Asher pours me a glass of pineapple juice and slides it over. "So, did it help?"
I nod. "At least for the moment, the crushing weight of Tharuzel's darkness remains locked away in my mental jewelry box."
"Excellent. Any chance you can lose the mental key?"
"I will certainly try."
Wylder and I eat our brunch casserole, chatting with Asher about everything and nothing at the same time, until a new sensation prickles across my skin. I pause, trying to figure out what it is.
