“Thanks,” I told Kallie. I left Opal to her warpath of destruction and hurried in that direction.
Opal wasn’t exaggerating. My brother was surrounded by a literal horde of sirens, who had cornered him on a pool chair.
Sirens were hideous monsters when they were in the water, but when they were outside of it, they were beautiful, with long, gossamer hair, flawless skin and perfect bodies. They were all over him— sitting on his lap and rubbing his chest and ancestors knew whatever gross shit. His hair was mussed, and he had this dazed look in his eyes that was clearly the result of siren seduction.
I’m sure this was a wet dream of his, but I was putting an end to it. “Family meeting, ladies,” I told them, putting my hands on my hips. “Hit the road.”
There were a couple of disappointedaw’sand some siren hisses, but I waved them off, and they eventually left the pool area. The daze drizzled away from my brother’s eyes.
“Do you mind explaining yourself?” I demanded.
“What’s there to explain?” Ez got off the chair, then jumped into the water. He wiped his wet hair out of his eyes while I sat at the edge of the pool.
“Why you decided to show the supernatural world what boxers you purchase,” I said dryly.
“Relax. I made the reporters promise they wouldn’t ask any questions about you or the Elves,” Ezekiel insisted. “It’s just a feature about me.”
“I can see that. But I don’t understand why you agreed to do it.”
“It’s extra money,” Ez said.
“Which you don’t need.”
“Is it a bad thing if I like being in the spotlight?” Ez asked. “They asked me to do an article, and I was intrigued, so I thought I’d take them up on the offer.”
“And you’re totally okay with being portrayed like that.”
“Why not? The only girl I’ve ever been with is Rosary. Why can’t I start playing the field? It’ll be fun,” he said.
“You’re not that kind of guy.”
“But Icouldbe,” he argued. “I don’t want to be mean, but you kind of took up all the attention when we were younger. And still a lot now, especially since Forevermore was discovered. It’s nice for people to be looking at me for once.”
For the second time that day, guilt plagued my feelings. I didn’t know if I’d ever get rid of it.
“And I’m assuming Mama and Daddy were justthrilledwhen they found out,” I said.
“Ancestors, Mom was on the phone the minute the prison opened up calls.” Ezekiel laughed. “She ran to every store in town and bought up as many magazines as she could. But it backfired, because now they’re making so much money, they’re doing a second printing. I guess Dad thought it was funny. She’s so mad at him. You should’ve heard her.Everyone in town has naughty pictures of my baby boy!”
He grinned, and I said, “You’d think you’d feel worse about it, seeing as you’re such a Mommy’s Boy.”
“I am not!” he yelped.
I used my magic to toss a wave at him. It pushed him under before he came back up, spitting a stream of water at me. I waved my hand, and it turned around to smack him in the face.
He shook the water out of his eyes. “Anyway, it’s a good thing. All those long hours in the mines finally paid off.”
“I know you’re happy about being in shape now, but it’s not like you’re a different person.”
“Yeah, but people obviously like me likethis,” he said. “So it’s better.”
“You don’t have to change who you are to be liked,” I insisted.
“Yes, I do,” he snapped. “Nobody noticed me before, but since I lost weight,everyonecompliments me and thinks I’m awesome. So what’s the harm? I’m probably healthier like this, anyway.”
I scowled and stood up. “Whatever makes you happy, Ez. Try not to sleep with every girl in the prison, okay?”
He smirked and ducked underwater. I left the pool and wandered back to my dorm.
