“If we can’t get through, we’ll bounce back,” Ari said.
I passed the bottle to Evie. “And if we get surrounded by wolves?”
“Magic hands,” Ari said again. “Now close your minds and hold the picture in your mind.”
Evie giggled. “We ’bout to get in some trouble, girls!”
Ari’s bark of laughter was the last sound I heard before we faded away.
We landedin the silent clearing. I swayed on my feet and bumped into Evie, who bumped into Ari, who tumbled to the ground with a wet giggle.
“Shhhh,” I said, sounding like a slowly deflated tire.
Evie snickered and held a hand out to help Ari up but tumbled forward because she couldn’t keep her balance.
“You idiots,” a dry, amused voice came from behind us.
I sucked in a shriek and spun to see a tall, handsome man with gray eyes, ringed with gold. Evie lifted her hand and pointed at him. “Shit. Did we land on the wrong property?”
Caelan, Shifter Lord of Texas and Evie’s ex-fiancé, stared at his former lover, a fond smile curving his lips. “No. But you’re damn lucky I’m the one out here, and you didn’t run into Ethan.”
I went still. “You know.”
Caelan sighed and leaned against one of the tree trunks. “I don’t know shit right now. So I’m glad you’re here.” He crossed his arms over his chest. “Something happened because a dead woman answered the door.”
Evie smiled up at him. Caelan shook his head and leaned forward to extend a hand. She reached for it and the Lord helped her up.
He brought her in for a hug and ruffled her hair before releasing her—a big change from several months ago when Evie stabbed him through the chest and threatened to end his entire line.
Evie patted his cheek and stepped away. “You didn’t say anything?”
Caelan snorted. “If I learned anything at all dating you, flower girl, it’s to expect the unexpected. Sarah answered that door. My jaw dropped. I opened my mouth to ask what the fuck was going on when I saw Kinsley right behind her slowly shaking his head no. Then Ethan appeared and fuck me if he wasn’t batting an eye.”
He slid that gray-gold gaze over to me. “I’m assuming this has something to do with you?”
I scoffed. “No. This has everything to do with my mother, though.”
“You by association, then.” Caelan rubbed his jaw. “This is where everything happened, I take it?”
I nodded.
“Alright then. You’re all drunker than Cooter Brown?—”
“Who the fuck is Cooter Brown?” Ari stage-whispered.
Evie couldn’t stop giggling.
“It’s a southern saying,” I said. “Just go with it.”
“Riiiiiight,” Ari said, eyeing Caelan nervously.
“Since I’m the only one here sober,” Caelan continued, “I guess I’ll be the one looking for clues?”
“We all bring different things to the table,” I said. “If we find something, we’ll shout.”
“No,” Caelan said. “I’m welcome on Ethan’s property, but if he catches me out here snooping around and finds you three here…”
He shook his head. “Let’s just say we should avoid that if at all possible.”
