They both vanished, reforming in the underground bar.
“Shit!” Malak shouted. “Warn a guy, would ya? Scared the hell outta me.”
Eclipse studied the male for a moment before glancing around. Considering they were all popping in and out at random times, it was rare to find someone who was surprised by the move. Generally that meant they were trying to hide something.
“What’re you doing down here?” he asked, not bothering to hide his curiosity.
Malak’s eyes lowered. “Trying to find some peace and quiet.”
“And your private quarters won’t do the trick why?” Aphotic asked, making his way behind the bar.
When Malak didn’t answer, Eclipse realized the male wasn’t seeking solitude. “Who’re you hiding from?”
Uncertain blue eyes shot toward the stairs. “Raksa.”
“You’re in luck. He’s on patrol,” Eclipse told him. “Won’t be back till morning.”
“Something going on with you and him?” Aphotic set a beer on the bar, then rested his forearms on the polished wood, giving Malak his undivided attention.
“Nothing like what’s going on with your hat,” Malak countered, grinning.
Eclipse chuckled while Aphotic preened. The male seemed quite fond of the cowboy duds. Made Eclipse curious as to what his brother would’ve morphed into if he’d been in, say, California rather than Texas.
Before they could launch into more digs on his clothes, voices sounded from the stairwell. A second later, Obsidian, Stygian, and Cimmerian appeared. Three sets of eyes instantly surveyed the scene as they approached.
“Glad you’re here,” Obsidian told Malak. “I need thelieterras.”
Shadow’sladearenodded, then pulled out his phone as he started toward the far end of the room.
Obsidian marched over to Aphotic, offered the male a back-slapping hug.
“You ever notice how much of a hugger he is?” Eclipse teased.
“Hey, I’m glad they’re home,” Obsidian said defensively, grinning ear to ear.
That was Obsidian for you. Always wanting the family together. Sometimes Eclipse figured he was more of a father figure than a brother, but since Eclipse hadn’t seen his own father since the male turned him out to the warrior camp, perhaps that wasn’t a bad thing.
“Where’s—”
“I’m here,” Shadow announced when he appeared.
“And—”
“Quit nagging,” Piceous grumbled, taking form near the bar.
A round of laughter ensued.
“That only leaves thelieterras,” Obsidian said, taking the beer Aphotic offered.
Once everyone had a drink in hand, they relocated to the seating area. Eclipse plopped down on the leather sofa, Cimmerian taking the spot beside him. Stygian planted himself at one of the high-tops, Obsidian pulling out a chair beside him. Shadow and Piceous opted to stand, and Aphotic perched on the arm of the other sofa.
“So, what’s this about?” Stygian prompted, clearly speaking to Obsidian while his attention was on Aphotic. “What the hell are you wearing?”
Aphotic merely laughed this time, tipping his hat in greeting. “Don’t be jealous, brother.”
“Jealous?” Stygian’s smirk grew. “I was just wondering if we needed to man the door for the trick-or-treaters, ’cause that, my brother, is one helluva Halloween costume.”
“Remember when he went through that John Travolta phase?” Piceous asked.
